Abstract: A personal video recorder is provided for displaying a targeted advertisement on a display in conjunction with displaying of a broadcast stream on the display. A viewer profile of a viewer of the display is defined based on signals received by a controller indicating usage of a viewer control interface by the viewer, for example based on viewer reactions to a broadcast stream or to an advertisement. A targeted advertisement is selected from stored advertisements based on the viewer profile of the viewer of the display. The targeted advertisement is displayed on the display. The viewer profile is updated based on subsequent signals received by the controller indicating usage of the viewer control interface. The signals indicate viewer reactions, for example, a viewer reaction to a broadcast stream or a viewer reaction to an advertisement or a viewer purchase.

Abstract: A client terminal to provide a video program on demand to a client is connected to a video distribution system and a display device. The video distribution system (VDS) broadcasts a video program to the client terminal including an initial program segment (IPS) and a remaining program segment (RPS). The IPS is broadcast during a first broadcast time interval (FBTI) and the RPS is repetetively broadcast during a second broadcast time interval (SBTI). A terminal controller of the client terminal is responsive to a video control program. During the FBTI, the terminal controller records the IPS in a local memory. During the SBTI, the terminal controller selects the video program in response to a user input and displays the recorded IPS. Further, the terminal controller receives the RPS from the VDS and records it in the local memory. After displaying the recorded IPS, the terminal controller displays the recorded RPS.

Abstract: A personal video recorder is provided for displaying a targeted advertisement on a display in conjunction with displaying of a broadcast stream on the display. A viewer profile of a viewer of the display is defined based on signals received by a controller indicating usage of a viewer control interface by the viewer, for example based on viewer reactions to a broadcast stream or to an advertisement. A targeted advertisement is selected from stored advertisements based on the viewer profile of the viewer of the display. The targeted advertisement is displayed on the display. The viewer profile is updated based on subsequent signals received by the controller indicating usage of the viewer control interface. The signals indicate viewer reactions, for example, a viewer reaction to a broadcast stream or a viewer reaction to an advertisement or a viewer purchase.

Abstract: A method of transmitting programs from a source of programs to a user location divides a program into a plurality of program streams, wherein each program stream represents a temporal segment of the program. The method adds identification data to the plurality of program streams and multiplexes the plurality of program streams comprising the identification data into a transport stream. The transport stream is transmitted to a user location. The program represented by the plurality of program streams is transmitted in a reduced amount of time. The amount of time decreases with the number of program streams used.

Abstract: The present invention may be regarded as personal video recorder and a method of displaying a targeted advertisement on a display in conjunction with displaying of a broadcast stream on the display. The method defines a viewer profile of a viewer of the display based on signals received by a controller indicating usage of a viewer control interface by the viewer, for example based on viewer reactions to a broadcast stream or to an advertisement. A targeted advertisement is selected from stored advertisements based on the viewer profile of the viewer of the display. The targeted advertisement is displayed on the display. The viewer profile is updated based on subsequent signals received by the controller indicating usage of the viewer control interface. The signals indicate viewer reactions, for example, a viewer reaction to a broadcast stream or a viewer reaction to an advertisement or a viewer purchase.

Abstract: The present invention may be regarded as personal video recorder and a method of selecting a pay per view program to be transmitted to a personal video recorder having a program receiver. A schedule of pay per view programs is obtained. Each of the pay per view programs has a title and at least one transmission time and an associated transmission channel for each transmission time. A title list comprising the titles of at least one pay per view program is generated based on the schedule. The title list is provided to a display device for display to a user. A selection by title of the pay per view program to be received by the program receiver is received from the user. A potential transmission time of the pay per view program to be received by the program receiver is determined based on the at least one transmission time. Alternatively, selection of the pay per view program to be received by the program receiver may be based on user's preferences or a pre-selected list of titles.

Abstract: The present invention may be regarded as personal video recorder and a method of selecting a pay per view program to be transmitted to a personal video recorder having a program receiver. A schedule of pay per view programs is obtained. Each of the pay per view programs has a title and at least one transmission time and an associated transmission channel for each transmission time. A title list comprising the titles of at least one pay per view program is generated based on the schedule. The title list is provided to a display device for display to a user. A selection by title of the pay per view program to be received by the program receiver is received from the user. A potential transmission time of the pay per view program to be received by the program receiver is determined based on the at least one transmission time. Alternatively, selection of the pay per view program to be received by the program receiver may be based on user's preferences or a pre-selected list of titles.

Abstract: A client terminal providing an on-screen program guide that allows a user to easily navigate through program guide information within a pop-up for different programs on a selected channel. A head end provides program guide information (PGI) to the client terminal. The PGI includes first program data (FPD) associated with a first program and second program data (SPD) associated with a second program. The client terminal includes a terminal controller responsive to an on-screen display control program that causes: the display of channel identifiers, the selection of one of the channel identifiers in response to a first input, and the display of a pop-up for the selected channel identifier. The pop-up displays the FPD associated with the first program in response to the first input. In response to a second input, the pop-up displays the SPD associated with the second program.

Abstract: The current invention addresses the problem of securely encrypting video content or any other content where a secret symmetrical key is used to decrypt the data by a hardware device such as a DVD player. The invention uses the same length of symmetrical key as used by current technology but the key is changed for every dataset encrypted. The symmetrical key is itself contained inside a packet attached to the first encryption data set where the packet is encrypted with a device's public key. The invention further adds to the security of the asymmetrical private key where the device itself only has part of the private key and the user has the other part of the private key.

Abstract: Flash memory often cannot be written at speeds approaching those of rotating magnetic storage speeds. This embodiment permits normal NAND flash to be written much faster and to be read at speeds exceeding typical speeds and through put for normal hard disk storage and enables these speeds while removing incremental cost from the device packaging.

Abstract: A customer can rent digital content that is encoded onto rewritable media at the time of rental or purchase. The user has the ability to select the digital content, the media that the content is encoded onto, the method of delivery, and the period of the rental if applicable, and options for the cost for the purchase or rental. This system gives the customer control over the complete transaction from first contact with the system to acquisition of the content.

Abstract: A method of transmitting information to and from an emergency agency. The method involves transmitting emergency information from a personal computer to an internet provider that transmits an emergency condition signal to an emergency agency. Once the emergency agency receives the emergency condition signal the emergency agency transmits emergency information from the emergency agency to the personal computer to assist the individual faced with the emergency situation. Additionally, persons at the emergency agency are alerted of the emergency condition so that help may be dispatched to the individual in the emergency situation.

Abstract: A digital video recorder (DVR) is disclosed for use with a monitor and a set top box (STB), the STB for demodulating program data from a program signal received over a communication channel and for generating a STB graphical user interface (GUI). The DVR comprises a local memory for storing the program data received from the STB and a plurality of program identifiers. The DVR further comprises a DVR controller for maintaining the plurality of program identifiers, and for communicating to the STB the plurality of program identifiers independent of when the STB demodulates the program data identified by the program identifiers. The STB is responsive to the plurality of program identifiers to modify at least one selected operation of the STB.

Abstract: A system for receiving and presenting content at a user location includes a profiling agent that creates a user profile based upon a plurality of inputs by a user. The user profile represents preference characteristics of the user. A storage device is coupled to the profiling agent and stores the user profile. A receiver is configured to receive a set of parameters defined for at least one content. The set of parameters originates from a source of contents. A processing module is coupled to the receiver and the storage device and correlates the user profile with the set of parameters to determine whether parameters in the set of parameters match preference characteristics in the user profile. The processing module further generates a match signal when a sufficient number of the parameters match preference characteristics in the user profile.

Abstract: A set-top box is connectable to a digital video recorder that includes at least one recorder interface that supports connection of the digital video recorder to the set-top box, and a disk that stores a selected video segment. The digital video recorder has a video data stream manager that, in response to a real-time video signal, provides a first video stream to store the selected video segment on the disk, and that, in response to a command from the set-top box that initiates a playback interval, receives a second video stream based on the selected video segment stored on the disk to generate a recorded video signal. The digital video recorder is configured to (a) continuously receive the real-time video signal from the set-top box, and (b) provide the recorded video signal to the set-top box during the playback interval.

Abstract: A method to detect fraudulent return of merchandise includes the steps of taking a plurality of identical goods and locating the goods at one or more purchasing locations; placing different indicia on the goods wherein each indicia is unique to each single item of goods; generating a sales slip at a purchasing station wherein the indicia for each item of goods purchased is printed thereon; providing a returned goods station whereby a purchaser can return a previously purchased item of goods accompanied by the sales slip; and comparing the unique indicia on the item of goods being returned with the unique indicia appearing on the sales slip to determine that the unique indicia on goods being returned is identical to the unique indicia appearing on the sales slip to insure that the item of goods being returned is the same item whose purchase was reflected by the sales slip.

Abstract: The present invention may be regarded as personal video recorder and a method of displaying a targeted advertisement on a display in conjunction with displaying of a broadcast stream on the display. The method defines a viewer profile of a viewer of the display based on signals received by a controller indicating usage of a viewer control interface by the viewer, for example based on viewer reactions to a broadcast stream or to an advertisement. A targeted advertisement is selected from stored advertisements based on the viewer profile of the viewer of the display. The targeted advertisement is displayed on the display. The viewer profile is updated based on subsequent signals received by the controller indicating usage of the viewer control interface. The signals indicate viewer reactions, for example, a viewer reaction to a broadcast stream or a viewer reaction to an advertisement or a viewer purchase.

Abstract: An efficient, time saving, cost-effective method of using a servo track writer (STW) for continuously recording servo information along one, continuous, single helix spiral path on the surface of a magnetic disk in a disk drive. The write transducer is guided along the single-helix spiral path by moving the write transducer at a constant radial velocity while the disk is rotating. The STW moves the write transducer less than a head's width per revolution such that the strokes of each spiral revolution overlaps the stroke of a prior spiral revolution. The resulting servo track centerlines are formed as spiral servo segments that are written quickly and relatively smoothly, but are separate or disjointed from one another. A disk drive incorporating such uniquely written servo information uses suitable offset information as a function of servo wedge number so that the drive may track follow any one of a plurality of circular data tracks or one long spiral data track.

Abstract: The present invention may be regarded as a digital video recorder connectable to a set-top box. The digital video recorder receives a real-time video signal from the set-top box and provides a recorded video signal to the set-top box during a playback interval. The digital video recorder includes a disk and a video data stream manager that in response to the real-time video signal provides a first video stream to store a selected video segment on the disk. The video data stream manager, in response to commands from a microprocessor in the set-top box, receives a second video stream based on the selected video segment stored on the disk to generate the recorded video signal. The set-top box includes a multiplexer that selects the real-time video signal during a real-time interval and selects the recorded video signal during the playback interval to generate an output video data stream to a display device.

Abstract: The lock for the plug of a power cord has a housing in which the cord is retained. The top surface of the container has a tapered oval shape. A closure having a similar shape to the top surface of the container serves to close the container and has an aperture allowing the egress of the power cord. The closure is pivotally connected to the container by means of a hinge pin. The container and closure also has a pair of mating apertures allowing for the attachment of a locking mechanism.