Abstract: A method and system of supporting customer configurable video rich navigation (CC-VRN). The CC-VRN associated with facilitating customer selection of video or other contents streams for simultaneous display within a user interface having a number of navigable features associated with navigating the user to other services.

Abstract: A channel merging method for a VOD system, said method comprises the steps of: in response to requests from a plurality of clients for a video program, establishing a root channel (S1) and at least one sub-channel (S11), said root channel (S1) being established according to a request from a client that makes the earliest request, each of said sub-channels (S11) being established in response to a request from a client that makes a later request; and monitoring variation of the number of the clients that are using each of said established channels, and maintaining the channel if the number of the clients using the monitored channel is not zero, and closing the channel if the number of the clients using the monitored channel becomes zero.

Abstract: A software distribution architecture having a television broadcast system as its infrastructure. Software from a software repository (1600) is mixed into a television broadcast system and transmitted into one or more selected channels at prescribed dates and times. An at-home subscriber, capable of receiving with a receiver (1608) the one or more select channels, switches to the one or more channels carrying the software distribution with a channel selector (1611). The subscriber, having programmed a controller (1616) with a programmer (1620) for the date, time, software ID, and channel of the software broadcast, then downloads the software package to a storage device (1622) for ultimate transfer to a PC (1624). A validation and accounting system (1628) then records the software download transaction and transmits this information over a PSTN (1632) to a provider accounting system (1630) such that the subscriber is billed for the software package which was downloaded.

Abstract: A system for delivering contents includes a center system which delivers the contents, a plurality of terminal systems which receive the contents from the center system and displays the contents, and communication lines connecting the center system to the plurality of terminal systems. The center system includes a delivery-schedule setting unit which sets a schedule of delivery, and a contents-delivery unit which delivers the contents to the terminal systems according to the schedule of delivery during a time period when a load on the terminal systems is lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A method and system for content distribution. A scheduler for determining content to be sent to one or more devices and for creating a schedule to transmit the content. A content server for accessing content to be sent to one or more devices. A delivery modules to effectuate delivery of the content via at least one transmission protocol to the one or more devices according to the schedule.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for enhanced multimedia distribution. The method can include displaying a multimedia selection at a display device coupled to a first receiver of a video distribution system, where the multimedia selection is determined by a user of a second receiver. A multimedia device can include a user interface module to receive a command from a first user to accept a channel selection of a second user. An indication of an attribute of multimedia content associated with a channel selected at a multimedia device can be received from a server having a channel content guide and stored to a database.

Abstract: A method for managing time-shifting includes buffering a first program using a first tuner while broadcasting the first program on a first channel, and buffering a second program using a second tuner while broadcasting the second program on a second channel after switching from the first channel to the second channel. If the first program has been broadcast longer than a predetermined period of time before switching channels, the method buffers the first program using the first tuner while broadcasting the second program on the second channel. If the first program has not been broadcast longer than the predetermined period of time before switching channels, the method stops buffering the first program while broadcasting the second program on the second channel.

Abstract: Provisioning and management resources are drawn from an overall pool of resources. Management and managed resources are then dynamically associated on the network to securely perform requested on-demand management functions. Since the managing system controls the networking between the devices that are managed or provisioned, the linkage of resources incurs a minimal amount of network overhead. Since provisioning resources are themselves dynamically built and automatically associated with the resources being managed, a dramatically reduced management overhead is achieved.

Abstract: Techniques for Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) stream management within a home viewing network are provided. A plurality of IPTV streams are presented on viewing devices within the home viewing network. Descriptive information is presented with each of the presentations. The descriptive information includes at least a status for each of the IPTV streams and a location for each of the IPTV streams within the home viewing network. Moreover, the presentation permits selectable actions to be taken with respect to any of the IPTV streams within the home viewing network.

Abstract: A method for receiving information content from an information distribution system, wherein the information content is divided into a plurality of content portions, the method comprising: subscribing to a multicast group representing at least one content portion; and determining, at the end of a content portion, whether to subscribe to another multicast group.

Abstract: A control program for a co-processor in a video-on-demand system directs the co-processor to perform the steps of: a) obtain a transmission control list, from an external source, which identifies a group of several video data packets and a respective subgroup of internet protocol headers for each video data packet in the group; b) partition into pieces, each video data packet and its respective subgroup of internet protocol headers as identified by the transmission control list; and, c) send the partitioned pieces, along with an additional header for each piece, to an output port during a series of spaced apart time intervals.

Abstract: A control program for a supervisor processor in a video-on-demand system directs the supervisor processor to perform the steps of: a) transfer a group of video data packets, from an externally stored complete video into a memory for the supervisor processor; b) build in the supervisor processor's memory, a respective subgroup of internet protocol headers for each video data packet in the group; and c) construct, in the memory of a co-processor, a transmission control list which indicates how each video data packet in the group, and its respective subgroup of internet protocol headers, can be accessed from the supervisor processor's memory by the co-processor.

Abstract: A method is utilized for scheduling sequence of broadcasting data items in an on-demand broadcast system. The system includes a plurality of data items. The method includes receiving a plurality of requests, calculating a request number of the plurality of requests, calculating a waiting time and an accumulated waiting time relative to a current time of each request, calculating a weighted value according to the request number and the accumulative waiting time, and scheduling the sequence of broadcasting the data item of the plurality of requests according to the weighted value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transport encoded asset data and content data, multiplexing the transport encoded content data with a plurality of NULL transport packets to provide “place holder” for the asset data transport packets, and replacing the NULL transport packets with asset data transport packets prior to transmitting the multiplexed transport stream to a set top box.

Abstract: A decoder checks a table within its received input signal and tunes to at least one of the listed frequencies to determine its associated service group within a subscriber television system. The associated service group associates the decoder with the modulators, transport streams, and other components providing services and programming to that particular decoder. The decoder transmits its associated service group to the subscriber television system headend. The subscriber television system then knows the services and programming available on that particular decoder. The decoder can periodically verify its associated service group and, if the service group is changed, notify the headend. By establishing decoders for auditing the system, the definition of the service groups can be established or updated when components or configurations are introduced or changed.

Abstract: The invention relates to the synchronized playback of video and/or audio recordings in terminals of a communications network. A server stores recordings including timing markers, each of which indicates an internal position within the recording. The system comprises groups of user terminals, at least one channel being assigned to each group. A recording is transmitted to the terminals belonging to the same group and stored there. In response to a start command, the playback of the recording is started at each terminal. Status information indicating at least the playback position of the recording is maintained, and the playback is controlled by transmitting new status information to the terminals of the group. The playback status is changed at each terminal according to said new status information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for generating a data stream for broadcast to one or more client systems. A source identifier identifies where the data for the data stream may be obtained. Scheduling information associated with the identifier determines when the data should be added to the data stream for broadcast. The data is requested and received from the data source using the identifier and added to the data stream to arrive at the one or more client systems in accordance with the scheduling information. The generated data stream may comprise one or more sub-streams. The scheduling information may be checked or validated to assure consistency and accuracy. Client systems may simultaneously receive data, including real-time data, from multiple sources.

Abstract: A program transmitting/receiving system has a center device and a terminal device connected through a communication device to the center device. The center device has a program information memory, a program information transmitter, a broadcasting device, and a request program transmitter. The terminal device has a program information receiver, a program receiver, an image information generator, a program request signal transmitter, and a request program receiver. The memory stores a program information. The program information transmitter transmits the program information to the terminal device. The broadcasting device broadcasts the program to the terminal device in accordance with a schedule, and stores the program. The request program transmitter receives a request signal of the program from the terminal device, and transmits the program corresponding to the request signal to the terminal device. Then, the program information receiver receives the program information.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer system for delivering digital information over a network. A request receiving process receives a request for transmitting digital information after a start time and before an end time. The digital information has a number of packets. A transmit time process determines the time required to transmit the digital information based on the number of packets and a network speed. A scheduler schedules a transmit time for the digital information and an acceptance process accepts the digital information for transmission only if the time required to transmit is less than or equal to the difference between the transmit time and the end time.

Abstract: In an information retrieval method and apparatus, a specific user model is formed for a specific user based at least upon the specific user's own selection data. A plurality of specific user models formed for respective users are registered, and a group user model is formed on the basis of the plurality of specific user models. Information is subsequently retrieved based on the group user model. The group user model may be formed by selecting a maximum, minimum or average value of the plurality of specific user models.

Abstract: Preferred techniques for transmitting on-demand data files include transmitting a first data stream in response to a first client request, and a new data stream in response to a subsequent second client request. The second client may snoop increasing amounts data from the first data stream, thereby decreasing the second client's reliance on the second data stream until the client has merged with the first data stream, at which time transmission of the second data stream will be discontinued. Alternatively, a patch data stream may be broadcast to the second client having a bandwidth less than that of the first data stream. The second client, in addition to receiving the second data stream real-time, will record data from a patch data stream until the second client has merged with the first data stream, at which time transmission of the second data stream and patch data stream will be discontinued.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system and method for providing video on demand provides pre-scheduled multicasts of videos as well as dynamically initiated transmissions of the front portion of videos. Users may first receive a dynamically initiated front portion of a video and then be merged into a pre-scheduled multicast. Preferably, the dynamically initiated transmission is also a multicast. Preferably, multiple admission controllers and a single server coordinate the dynamically initiated transmissions for any one video. Preferably, interactive controls are supported without requiring extra server-side resources. Preferably, latency is automatically equalized between users admitted via the pre-scheduled and the dynamically initiated transmissions. Preferably, a user receiving a video via a pre-scheduled multicast does not need to change channels to finish receiving the video transmitted.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method generate customized content for in-route entertainment on a mobile element, such as an aircraft. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a shared program input for receiving a shared program stream, which includes primary entertainment content (e.g., video segments) intended for a plurality of mobile elements; a supplemental content input for receiving customized supplemental content, such as advertising and branding segments; a scheduler providing scheduling information, which indicates insertion points in the shared program stream for customized supplemental input as a function of characteristics of the mobile element; and an output for outputting the shared program stream, the customized supplemental content, and the scheduling information for subsequent generation of an entertainment content stream customized for the mobile element.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for enabling multicast synchronization of initially unicasted content. Multiple unicast streams are synchronized in order to convert the unicast streams into a multicast stream. Each unicast stream may be accelerated or slowed down in relation to a reference stream to a common point within each stream upon which the unicast streams are replaced by a multicast stream of the same content.

Abstract: In a digital content distribution method to distribute digital contents via a network, distribution of a digital content is instructed according to a distribution schedule, the digital content is distributed according to the distribution schedule indicated, and a particular digital content is selected from the digital contents distributed and is then sold, thereby conducting the distribution of digital contents at a high speed.

Abstract: A clustered computer system includes a shared data storage system, preferably a virtual shared disk (VSD) memory system, to which the computers in the cluster write data and from which the computers read data, using data access requests. The data access requests can be associated with deadlines, and individual storage devices in the shared storage system satisfy competing requests based on the deadlines of the requests. The deadlines can be updated and requests can be killed, to facilitate real time data access for, e.g., multimedia applications such as video on demand.

Abstract: In an interactive information distribution system that utilizes open sessions to provide requested information to users, a method for sharing the use of open sessions between a plurality of set top terminals associated with a common account number or user.

Abstract: A method and system for periodically deriving an optimal batch broadcast schedule based on client demand feedback data from a distributed set of broadcast clients. The broadcast system includes an operation center that broadcasts meta-data to a plurality of client systems. The meta-data describes a plurality of pieces of content that are in consideration for upcoming broadcasts by the server. Each client receives the broadcasted meta-data from and sends back a set of client demand feedback data to the operations center, wherein the user feedback data reflects a client's interest level in at least a portion of the pieces of content. The feedback data, which typically may include ratings and/or relative rankings, may be user-generated, automatically-generated, or a combination of the two. The system then send a batch of content based on an aggregation of the feedback data in combination with available broadcast bandwidth and broadcast schedule window.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for efficiently scheduling incoming information objects so that timely objects from a variety of content classes are scheduled for broadcast. The incoming information objects are preferably received from one or more information sources, and are tagged with attributes that associate each object with one or more classes of information (e.g., sports, news, etc.), and provide a gauge of the timeliness or ‘age’ of the object. The tags can be used to select and broadcast objects from a variety of classes, and to identify the most timely objects at any give time.

Abstract: A broadcast method and system for continuously and opportunistically driving an optimal broadcast schedule based on most recent client demand feedback from a distributed set of broadcast clients. The broadcast system includes an operation center that broadcasts meta-data to a plurality of client systems. The meta-data describes a plurality of pieces of content that are in consideration for upcoming broadcasts by the server. Each client receives the broadcasted meta-data from and sends back a set of client demand feedback data to the operations center, wherein the user feedback data reflects a client's interest level in at least a portion of the pieces of content. The feedback data, which typically may include ratings and/or relative rankings, may be user-generated, automatically-generated, or a combination of the two. The system then determines a most opportunistic piece of content to be broadcast based on an aggregation of the client demand feedback data.

Abstract: A method and system for combing requests for data bandwidth by a data provider for transmission of data over an asynchronous communication medium is provided. A headend receives one or more bandwidths requests from one or more cable modems via upstream communication. A scheduler then combines one or more bandwidths requests from the same cable modem to create a single data burst bandwidth. The headend then grants the data burst bandwidth to the appropriate cable modem via downstream communication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transport encoded asset data and content data, multiplexing the transport encoded content data with a plurality of NULL transport packets to provide “place holder” for the asset data transport packets, and replacing the NULL transport packets with asset data transport packets prior to transmitting the multiplexed transport stream to a set top box.

Abstract: A technique for allocating bandwidth in a digital broadband delivery system (DBDS) using a bandwidth allocation manager to dynamically assign a content delivery mode to a plurality of digital transmission channels based on an allocation criteria received from a subscriber is disclosed herein. The bandwidth allocation manager determines a bandwidth allocation schedule for a predetermined bandwidth based on allocation criteria comprising a criteria received from a subscriber. The allocation criteria received from the subscriber may comprise a subscriber reservation request which is processed by the bandwidth allocation manager to determine the bandwidth allocation schedule.

Abstract: An audio element cache is provided that is capable of caching audio elements for each user in a personal radio server system. In operation, customized radio content is provided to remote listeners in a personal radio server system by: storing a plurality of audio elements in a file server; retrieving a subset of the plurality of audio elements from the file server by predicting the content desired by a remote listener based on a user profile of the remote listener; storing the subset of the plurality of audio elements in an audio element cache; selecting audio elements to provide to a remote listener from the audio element cache; and transmitting the audio elements to the remote listener. In an embodiment, the plurality of audio elements are stored in the audio element cache when a remote listener logs-on the personal radio server system.

Abstract: A method and system for recording and publishing traditional media source programs over a network is disclosed. According to the method, a request for publication of one or more traditional media source programs in one or more encoding formats is received from a network client that is connected to the network. In response to receiving the request, the one or more traditional media source programs are captured from a traditional media source that broadcasts the one or more traditional media source programs at a particular broadcast time. The one or more traditional media source programs are encoded in one or more encoding formats to produce one or more encoded media programs and then published to the network client over the network at a time that is different from the actual broadcast time.

Abstract: A method for distributing web content efficiently across a network preferably using multicast transmission techniques. An information server receives a first request for a portion of information from a first networked device. It then receives a second request for the portion of information from a second networked device. The information server collects the first request and the second request into a bucket. The information server creates a combined response, destined for reception by the first networked device and the second networked device, and then provides the combined response including the portion of information requested by both the first and second networked devices, to a network interface.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for customizing a video service in a content distribution system is disclosed. In one step, preference information entered by a user of the content distribution system is received and influences a profile for that user. Interaction of the user with the video service is observed to influence the profile. The video service is customized based, at least in part, on the profile. A program guide is generated and customized according to the profile. The profile is modified to remove older interaction information.

Abstract: Improved approaches for delivering media programs to viewers (e.g., subscribers) are disclosed. The media programs are typically broadcast in accordance with a schedule. The media program can be delivered to viewers through multicast or unicast. According to one aspect, the media programs are buffered (e.g., cached) in a data packet format such that producing unicasts for particular viewers requires less computation and resources such that more concurrent unicasts are able to be effectively supported.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for transmitting, receiving, storing and displaying television program data. The method includes transmitting data including scheduled program data, program guide data, and cache program data. The method further includes receiving the transmitted data and storing the cache program data. Once a cache television program is selected, the cache program data corresponding to the selected cache television program is retrieved, and a display of the television program is generated for viewing.

Abstract: In interactive television, a broadcaster may broadcast triggers to a great many receiver units prompting the receiver units to attempt to send requests to a single destination on the Internet at roughly the same time. Such a large number of simultaneous requests can give rise to throughput problems and server overload. A receiver unit in accordance with the invention, rather than immediately attempting to send a request, waits a period of time (for example, a random period) before sending the request so as not to overload the server. In one embodiment, a trigger is received on an interactive television receiver unit prompting the viewer to select an icon. If the viewer selects the icon, then a browser in the receiver unit retrieves a web page on the Internet identified by a URL in the trigger. The web page includes an indication of a destination, scheduling information, and a form area. The viewer enters user information in association with the form area.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for broadcasting information from a server to a client which includes the steps of: (a) broadcasting information at predetermined starting times; (b) receiving a request for the information from the client at an arrival time different from the predetermined starting times; and (c) transmitting a time-scale modified version of the information to the client for a period of time.

Abstract: A method and system for performing chaincast communication to multiple communication systems (e.g., computer systems) within a system of coupled electronic devices (e.g., the Internet). The present invention provides a system wherein a broadcast source communicates primary broadcast information (e.g., encoded audio radio content, encoded audio/video television content, etc.) to a first group of electronic devices. The first group of electronic devices can be instructed by a chaincast manager to then communicate (e.g., forward or retransmit) the broadcast information to other electronic devices which devices can also be instructed to communicate to more devices, etc., thereby reducing the bandwidth requirements of the communication channel between the broadcast source and the first group of electronic devices. The chaincast manager, coupled to the Internet, is used to track and manage which devices are forwarding broadcast information to which other devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for dynamically generating digital video streams without an equivalent analog stream. The apparatus includes a configuration manager. The configuration manager presents configuration options to a user. User selections are recording as user preferences. The configuration manager is coupled to a media generator, which generates intermediate digital content based upon the user preferences. The media generator may be coupled to a local storage for storing electronic audio and visual information. The intermediate digital content is transferred to an encoder, which encodes the intermediate digital content to a digital format specified by in the user preferences.

Abstract: In an access network (ACCESS NETWORK) wherein channels (TV1, TV2) of a distributive interactive service are broadcasted, the user terminals (UT1, UT2, UT3) send first type request information to a broadcasting unit (BCU2), close to the subscribers, to indicate the requested channels (TV1, TV6). In case one of the requested channels (TV6) is not available at the input of this broadcasting unit (BCU2), the latter broadcasting unit (BCU2) generates second type request information indicative for the unavailable requested channel (TV6) and sends this second type request information to a more central broadcasting unit (BCU1). Thus, a broadcasting unit (BCU2) close to the subscribers upon request of one of the subscribers either broadcasts a requested channel (TV1) to the subscribers or requests a more central broadcasting unit (BCU1) to be provided with the requested channel (TV6).

Abstract: The present invention allows users to open and join a chat by means of a simple procedure from a video game machine, the present invention includes creating an opening message for opening an electronic conference and creating an opening request signal for setting an area in a database, based on the opening message. Also included is transmitting the opening request signal to the database and creating an invitation message prompting particular users to join the electronic conference, based on the opening message. Finally, the present invention further includes transmitting the invitation signal to the particular users.

Abstract: A clustered computer system includes a shared data storage system, preferably a virtual shared disk (VSD) memory system, to which the computers in the cluster write data and from which the computers read data, using data access requests. The data access requests can be associated with deadlines, and individual storage devices in the shared storage system satisfy competing requests based on the deadlines of the requests. The deadlines can be updated and requests can be killed, to facilitate real time data access for, e.g., multimedia applications such as video on demand.

Abstract: A method of efficiently transmitting streamed data of a program to multiple clients requesting the program at different times ranks the requests in a multilevel hierarchy, which describes merging of data streams servicing the requests. The multilevel hierarchy changes dynamically as new requests arrive or existing data streams are merged to reduce the bandwidth or other costs required to serve the requests. The hierarchy may be established by simple rules or by a modeling of the actual cost of possible hierarchies.

Abstract: A dynamic quality of service maintenance system for use with a broadband wireless or cable access system comprising a plurality of wireless modems and a wireless hub, the dynamic quality of service maintenance system maintaining adequate bandwidth for the wireless modems based upon the services provided to the wireless modems by the broadband wireless access system.

Abstract: A method for increasing channel utilization in a video broadcast system includes receiving, at a head-end, a request for a video program from one of a plurality of subscriber stations. Determining whether the requested video program is associated with a first subset of channels representing broadcasted channels having a first subscriber viewership level greater than a threshold level, a second subset of channels representing broadcasted channels having a second subscriber viewership level less than the threshold level, and a third subset of channels representing on-demand channels having a third subscriber viewership. The first subset of broadcast channels is substantially continuously transmitted. The second subset of broadcast channels is transmitted based upon channel availability and programming assignments.

Abstract: A method of distributing content includes receiving at least one request for a particular content item. Based on the at least one request, a number of users who are to receive the particular content item and are capable of receiving the particular content item via a wireless link is determined. Based on the number of users, at least one of a wireline link and the wireless link from which the users are to receive the particular content item is selected. The particular content item is distributed to the users via the selected at least one link.