РЕКОМЕНДУЮЩАЯ СИСТЕМА СО СМЕЩЕНИЕМ

Изобретение относится к средствам для управления рекомендующей системой. Технический результат заключается в повышении достоверности содержимого рекомендуемого пользователю за счет дополнительного учета возраста подписки предлагаемого источника содержимого. Устройство содержит: рекомендатель для расчета, на основе информационных данных элемента содержимого вместе с данными, указывающими на симпатии или антипатии пользователя, предсказываемого рейтингового значения для элемента содержимого, принимаемого от источника содержимого; определитель возраста для получения возрастного параметра упомянутого источника содержимого для смещения числа рейтинговых значений, получаемых от пользователя или предсказываемых для принимаемых элементов содержимого упомянутого источника содержимого, причем упомянутый возрастной параметр представляет собой возраст подписки на упомянутый источник содержимого; и блок смещения для применения значения коррекции к упомянутому предсказываемому рейтинговому значению на ...

СИСТЕМА ДЛЯ ЛОКАЛЬНОЙ ОБРАБОТКИ/ДОСТУПА И ПРЕДСТАВЛЕНИЯ БОЛЬШИХ ОБЪЕМОВ ДАННЫХ И ЕЕ ПРИМЕНЕНИЕ (ВАРИАНТЫ)

Изобретение относится к вычислительной технике и используется в службе видео по требованию за наличные и в системе выдачи общей информации с оплатой по заказу или оплатой за единицу просмотра или файл. Техническим результатом является доступность полной библиотеки данных в реальном масштабе времени без необходимости передачи в неавтономном режиме выбранного фильма (фильмов) через телекоммуникационные линии связи с высокой пропускной способностью. Система содержит входной/ выходной интерфейс, один выходной интерфейс, локальное запоминающее устройство, декодер, управляющий смеситель, интерфейс управления пользователя, внутренний контроллер потока информационного обмена, причем локальное запоминающее устройство содержит один заменяемый или обмениваемый носитель, один входной интерфейс. 3 с. и 5 з.п. ф-лы, 3 ил.

СИСТЕМА И СПОСОБ СЖАТИЯ ИНТЕРАКТИВНОГО ПОТОКОВОГО ВИДЕО

Способ, содержащий исполнение программы на сервере серверного центра, которая формирует и передает потоком страницу пользователя в виде интерактивного потокового видео на дисплей клиента пользователя, подключенный к серверу через Internet, причем графический интерфейс пользователя включает в себя множество видеоокон, причем одно или несколько из этих видеоокон включают в себя интерактивное потоковое видео в реальном времени, одновременный вывод на экран ранее записанных сегментов видео, обеспечение возможности пользователю воспроизводить ранее записанные сегменты видео.

Kabelfernsehverteilung

Menügesteuertes Fernsehprogrammzugangssystem und Verfahren

AUSWAHL- UND VERTEILSYSTEM FÜR AUDIO- UND VIDEOINFORMATIONEN UND VERFAHREN

Gruppierende Planungsweisen zur Erzeugung von VCR-Steuerfunktionen eines Videoservers

Online-Setzen von Videodateien in Festplatten in einer Serverumgebung

VERFAHREN ZUR BEREITSTELLUNG EINER VIDEOPROGRAMMIERUNG NAHEZU AUF ANFRAGE

VIDEO-AUF-ANFRAGE-SYSTEM

Verfahren zur aufforderungsgemässen Bereitstellung von Audio- und/oder Videoaufnahmen

The invention relates to a method for providing audio and/or video recordings by request with which the disadvantages cited in the description are dispelled. The aim of the invention is to enable the renting of videos at any time and from any location and, in general, to simplify this process while making it more attractive and, in addition, to create possibilities for updating, discounting, sponsoring and the like. To these ends, the invention provides a method for providing audio and/or video recordings by request, whereby a selection overview of available recordings is generated and, according to a selection that is made, the selected recording is provided, with the assignment of a code, at a central location in a manner that permits it to be retrieved, and the provided recording is transmitted over a transmission network when retrieved by submitting the code.

Verfahren zum Erzeugen eines digitalen Videodatenstroms, ausgehend von einem oder mehreren anderen digitalen Videodatenströmen

VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUM BETRIEB EINES TRANSAKTIONSSERVERS IN EINER PRIVATEN DATENBANKUMGEBUNG

TV-Server-Cluster-System

Fernseh-Server-Cluster-System, wobei das System mit einem lokalen Netzwerk verbunden ist, um Kanalinformation für mindestens einen Endnutzer anzuordnen, wobei das System umfasst: eine Vielzahl von TV-Servern, die jeweils mit dem lokalen Netzwerk verbunden sind, wobei eine Cluster-Server-Funktionalität in einigen der TV-Server existiert und TV-Server mit Cluster-Server-Funktionalität Aushandel-Signale aussenden, um dynamisch einen TV-Server auszuwählen, um als Cluster-Server zu fungieren, um eine Kanalanforderung von dem mindestens einen Endnutzer zu empfangen, und wobei der Cluster-Server einen der TV-Server anweist, eine Erwiderung basierend auf der Kanalanforderung zu machen.

Intelligent interactive multimedia system

Multimedia content delivery system

System and method for identification and insertion of advertising in broadcast programmes

System for capture and selective playback of broadcast programmes

Digital interactive communication system

The present invention relates to a digital interactive communication system accessible to a plurality of subscribers who can select by means of their touch-tone telephones any of a plurality of pre-recorded video presentations representative of products and services for sale. In this system, the subscriber requests are received by a voice network interface which is coupled to a local area network. A plurality of data processors, typically single-board computers, capable of various tasks are operatively connected to the local area network. A number of these data processors are each dedicated to serving one subscriber during a requesting session. Other data processors coupled to the local area network provide either navigational, subscriber, or purchase information during a subscriber session. Also coupled to the local area network is a large-scale data base which stores digital information representing the video presentations which are requested by subscribers for viewing on their televisions ...

Real time raid for a continuous media server system

A method and apparatus for providing real time reconstruction of corrupted disk from a redundant array of disks. Each parcel is divided into "N" blocks of data. An "N+1st" parity block for each parcel is derived based on the content of the "N" blocks of data. The "N" blocks of data and the parity block for each parcel are stored in stripes in the blocks in a redundancy group consisting of "N+1" data storage units. Data is read in "N+1" whole block reads (600, 610, 620). If none of the received blocks are parity then the data is copied to a buffer (630,650). If parity exists in some of the received blocks, then if the "N+1" block has been received the data is copied to a buffer if not then XOR blocks are received (630,635,640,650). ...

Video on demand system with random access

Users requesting the same video program in a predetermined interval are registered into a group, so that for a particular video program different groups that have requested that program start receiving it at different times and have different elapsed times from the program start. A user making a random access request to a selected scene of the program is released from the registered group, and a search is made amongst the groups to determine which group will have the selected scene displayed in the shortest time. A scene store 350 stores a list of scenes together with corresponding access times. A group search unit 316 compares the access time of the scene selected for random access with the elapsed times of the groups and selects as a target group that group which has the largest elapsed time which is still smaller than the access time for the selected scene. The elapsed time of the target group is then monitored, and when that elapsed time becomes equal to the selected scene access time ...

Enhanced content formatting apparatus

A signal formatting apparatus for use in a television transmission system, the apparatus comprising: an enhanced content input for receiving enhanced content streams in a predefined input format; a plurality of enhanced content outputs for outputting enhanced content data in a plurality of formats for transmission to receivers of respective types; and a signal formatter for forming the enhanced content data by processing the enhanced content streams to put each of the enhanced content streams in the respective format.

Reflector and method for improving transmission speed of video data in a wan-based data collection-server architecture

VIDEO NETWORK

Multi-media services system

EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURE FOR REQUIREMENT VIDEO PROGRAMS

PROCEDURE AND DEVICE FOR THE IDENTIFICATION OF A SIGNAL ROUTE FOR THE DELIVERY OF ORDER VIDEO TO A PARTICIPANT TERMINAL

SYSTEM/CPROCEDURE FOR THE EFFECTIVE TRANSMISSION OF DATA STREAMS IN A MULTIMEDIASYSTEM

SYSTEM AND PROCEDURE FOR VORVERSCHLÜSSELUNG OF TRANSFERRED CONTENTS

TECHNOLOGY FOR MEDIUM FRAMING CODING

CUSTOMER SERVER-BASED INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDING SYSTEM WITH REMOTE SERVER ADMISSION

PROCEDURE FOR THE BROADBAND IDENTIFICATION FOR THE MONITORING OF THE SERVICE ENTRANCE

SYSTEM FOR INTERACTIVE DISTRIBUTING OF NEWS SERVICES

PURPOSEFUL RECRUITING IN A CABLE TV SYSTEM

IMPROVED ESSAY-FINALTURN OUT FUR OF CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

ALTERNATIVELY VIDEOCACHESPEICHERUNG TO THE IMPROVEMENT OF ON INQUIRY PERIOD OF REPLY

PROCEDURE AND SYSTEM FOR ACCESSING VIDEO EMAIL AND MULTIMEDIA

SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY-BASED SERVER FOR MAKING AVAILABLE MULTI-MEDIAN OH ARRANGING ON REQUEST IN A MAJORITY SPACE NETWORK

ASSIGNMENT OF PURPOSEFUL ADVERTISEMENT TO SEVERAL BROADCAST CHANNELS

NAVIGATION SYSTEM

VIDEO SERVICE SYSTEM WITH THE FUNCTION OF A VIDEOKASSETTENREKORDERS

REMOTE MAINTENANCE FOR CABLE TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

REPEATS PROGRAMMABLE TERMINAL FOR PROGRAM PROPOSALS OF A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR TELEVISION PROGRAMMES

MORE MEDIASTREAMER FOR VIDEO

PURPOSEFUL PASSING ON OF ADVERTISEMENT AT TELEVISION OF TERMINALS

BROADCAST DATA DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM WITH ASYMMETRICAL AUF-UND DOWNWARD CONNECTING RANGES

CLAY/TONE PROGRAM RECEIVER TERMINAL FOR TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

FILE PROCESSOR FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF DECENTRALIZED MESSAGES

Shared receiving systems utilizing telephone cables as video drops

Systems and methods for enhanced visual presentation using interactive video streams

Method and apparatus for encoding and formatting data representing a video program to provide multiple overlapping presentations of the video program

Method and apparatus for multiplexing video programs

Content delivery in hybrid networks

DISTRIBUTION OF DATA FLOWS TO LOCAL LOOP SUBSCRIBERS BY AN ACCESS MULTIPLEXER

Program Guide System With Video-on-Demand Browsing

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to display a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) and to request a video clip preview of a video-on demand program represented on the video-on-demand program listing. The system also indicates whether or not a video clip preview is available for the various programs in the program listing. WO 99/60790 PCT/US99/1 1015 CATEGORY 1: DRAMA CATEGORY 2: COMEDY CATEGORY CATEGORY 3: SCI-Fl --- 5 SELECT CATEGORY 8: HISTORY ...

Enhancement for interactive TV formatting apparatus

Transaction system for transporting media files from content provider sources tohome entertainment devices

Video on demand with vcr like functions

Media device rental system

PROGRAM GUIDE AND RESERVATION SYSTEM FOR NETWORK BASED DIGITAL INFORMATION AND ENTERTAINMENT STORAGE AND DELIVERY SYSTEM

Data streaming system and method

Network controller for cable television delivery systems

Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording

Data transmission apparatus and data transmission method

System for providing video on demand

A DIGITAL INTERACTIVE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Point of purchase video distribution system

Conditional access and security for video on-demand systems

Computer system and process for transferring multiple high bandwidth streams of data between multiple storage units and multiple applications in a scalable and reliable manner

INTERNALLY TARGETED ADVERTISEMENTS USING TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS

A novel multiple channel architecture is designed to allow targeted advertising directed to television terminals connected to an operations center or a cable headend. Program channels carry television programs. During commercial breaks in the television programs, advertisements, which are also broadcast on the program channel, are displayed. However, additional feeder channels carry alternate advertising that may be better suited for certain viewing audiences. The operations center or the cable headend generate group assignment rules that allow a set top terminal to assign itself to groups, based on information collected and maintained solely within the set top terminal. A switching plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to remain with the program channel or to switch to one of the alternate feeder channels during the program breaks based on its group assignment. The television terminals record which channels were viewed during the program breaks, and use this information ...

SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR INTERACTING WITH USERS OVER A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

A system and method for efficiently and quickly handling content and transaction requests from various users at respective end terminals (25). According to embodiments of the invention, plural servers (34) are provided at the web site to randomly receive requests from users over a communications network, such as the Internet (21). Each server (34) contains a memory, such as a cache or disk storage process, that contains a copy of all data contained on every other server. When a request comes in to one of the servers (34), in addition to processing the request, that server broadcasts data corresponding to the request to the other servers, which are programmed to store the same request data in their respective local memories. Such broadcasts may be preferably carried out over a back-end, private network (36).

USER INTERFACE NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM WITH PARENTAL CONTROL FOR VIDEO ON DEMAND SYSTEM

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to enable a user to receive media to an interactive media services client device coupled to a programmable media services server device. In this method a memory is implemented for storing data of said client device. Additionally, an interactive media guide is stored within the memory of the client device. A processor in the client devices causes the client device, in response to the interactive program guide and requests of the user, to display the interactive media guide and the media.

ECM AND EMM DISTRIBUTION FOR MULTIMEDIA MULTICAST CONTENT

According to one embodiment of the invention, a free preview of a program can be provided to client computers in a multicasting system. This can allow viewers in the multicasting system to view a first portion of the program before deciding whether to order the program content. According to another embodiment, various distribution methods can be accomplished using encryption keys to distribute progam content. According to yet another embodiment, an initial viewing period can be provided to allow negociation of the encryption keys. According to another embodiment, rules and conditions for providing content in a multicasting environment can be utilized.

INFORMATION FRAME MODIFIER

A device in a subscriber television system receives a stream of frames of information, and each frame of information is carried in at least one network packet that is formatted according to a first protocol. Each network packet carries an application packet that is formatted according to a second protocol, which is a protocol for an application. The device includes application awareness that enables the device to selectively modify the application packets.

TELEVISION SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS

... ²²²A method for providing a television service enhancement (37) includes ²receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the ²user with an option to receive an enhancement (37) to the television service ²for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to ²receive the enhancement to the television service.² ...

ELECTRONIC BOOK WITH BOOKMARK FEATURE

The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, distributes text to subscribers. The system includes a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting video format text. The system contains an operations center, a video distribution system, a home subsystem, and a billing and collection system. The operation center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, message center, and uplink functions. The home subsystem connects to a video distribution system, generates menus and stores text, and transacts through communicating mechanisms. A portable book-shaped viewing device is used for viewing the text. The billing system performs the transaction, management, authorization, collection and payments utilizing the telephone system.

VIEWER PRESENCE DETECTION

STREAMING INTERACTIVE VIDEO INTEGRATED WITH RECORDED VIDEO SEGMENTS

A method comprising executing a program on a server of a server center that generates and streams a user page in the form of streaming interactive video on a display of a user computer connected to the server via the Internet, the user page including a plurality of video windows, one or more of the video windows including streaming interactive video as well as simultaneously recorded video segments which are replayable by the user.

MODULAR STORAGE SERVER ARCHITECTURE WITH DYNAMIC DATA MANAGEMENT

The architecture of the present invention employs dynamic data management methods, which determine whether data should reside on disk or secondary storage (130), on which disk drives data should be stored, and how data should be replicated and/or migrated to new disk drives based on observed user (120) access patterns. These methods also migrate popular data to faster disk tracks to reduce average access time and thus improve performance. User access requests are assigned to modules based on the data stored at each module, and each module's current load (the number of request: waiting to be serviced). If the requested data is not on a disk drived, the data is retrieved from secondary storage (130), and may be stored on the disk drives for rapid subsequent access. When a requested data item on the disk drive is replicated, load balancing is performed by assigning the request to the module holding the data with the lowest load. In addition, user access requests waiting to retrieve replicated ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TARGETING OF INTERACTIVE VIRTUAL OBJECTS

A method and an apparatus are used to target interactive virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects (1265) available for targeting categorized and categories are correlated to subscriber information (1210) to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects (1260). The virtual objects may be targeted (1220) based on individual subscriber information (1210) or an on information related to a group of subscribers. When a frame of program includes a virtual object location, a default or an alternate virtual objects is displayed. The virtual object location may change over space or time. The virtual object may be interactive, and may be used to link a subscriber to a remote location, such as an Internet web site. The television terminals record which virtual objects were displayed and report this information back to the headends and the operations center. The ...

MULTI-TIERED CONTENT MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

A video on demand (VOD) system (100) for use in a distributed network environment. The distributed network environment contains a number of geographic networks (400A-400N) that are divided into a plurality of tiers (305-1 to 305-N), which are allocated to content providers (225). A content provider (225) provides content to the network with a tier assignment. The content is received pursuant to the assigned tier. Identification information, such as Categorization Information, is provided with and/or associated with a content file. The identification information may be updated at any time, independently of the content.

DIGITAL INTERACTIVE DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR TV/MULTIMEDIA/INTERNET

A computer software application for end-to-end management of the delivery of IP-configured integrated multimedia signals (e.g. TV, video, Website, etc.), on an interactive basis, to a subscriber device (being a personal computer (PC) and monitor coupled thereto or television/set-top box combination). The system manager comprises an interactive program guide (IPG) component configured for providing to the subscriber an interactive program guide (IPG) permitting selection of the multimedia signals by the subscriber and a subscriber device component associated with the subscriber device and configured for receiving instructions from the subscriber. The subscriber device includes a decoder configured for converting the selected IP multicast format signals into a format for display on PC monitor or television. A PC component is configured for displaying the converted multimedia signals on the PC monitor in the form of a player window and for displaying a remote controller GUI on the monitor, ...

ADVANCED, SELF-BALANCING VIDEO MULTIPLEXER SYSTEM

An advanced video multiplexer system designed and optimized for next generation on~-demand video distribution is described. The system is characterized by a session manager (130) for establishing digital video sessions with client devices (170A-E), a server (10) responsive to the session manager for providing digital video content, and a multiplexer (150) for selecting and combing video segments into one or more multi-channel multiplexes. This system optimizes and identifies a multiprogram transport stream best able to accommodate new sessions based on Quality of Service (QoS) and QAM utilization ratios.

AN OPERATION CENTER FOR A TELEVISION PROGRAM PACKAGING AND DELIVERY SYSTEM

An Operations Center for television entertainment systems that provide television programming to consumer homes is disclosed. The Operations Center organizes and packages television programming and program information for delivery to and from consumer homes. The Operations Center includes a computerized packaging system for creating a program control information signal.

SET TOP TERMINAL FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEMS

A viewer interface for a television program delivery system is described. The innovation relates to methods and devices for viewer pathways to television programs. Specifically, the interface involves hardware and software used in conjunction with a television at the viewer home to create a user friendly menu based approach to television program access. The device is particularly useful in a program delivery system with hundreds of programs and a data signal carrying program information. The disclosure describes menu generation and menu selection of television programs.

CLIENT-SERVER BASED INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH REMOTE SERVER RECORDING

An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

A MULTI-SOURCE AND RESILIENT VIDEO ON DEMAND STREAMING SYSTEM FOR A PEER-TO-PEER SUBSCRIBER COMMUNITY

Centralized video on demand (VoD) systems offer limited content and limited archival ability. Peer-to-peer networks allow users to share a wide selection of content directly among peers, but connections between peers may have limited uplink bandwidth and may be unreliable. The present invention according to various embodiments contemplates systems and methods for high quality and resilient transmission of streaming data from one or more sources within a heterogeneous peer-to-peer network to address these and other problems ...

INTERACTIVE SYSTEM

The invention relates to a digital system for providing services to a patient in a health care environment, such as a hospital, comprising a means to display data, means operable by a user to select desired data and activate the display means, and remote data store means such as servers adapted to provide data digitally to the display means when accessed by the user. The overall system can provide patient access to entertainment, communication, and medical data relating to that patient and held by or on a hospital data base. The medical condition of each patient, in other words an inventory of medical data, is thus accessible.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING SEAMLESS PLAYBACK OF CONTINUOUS MEDIA FEEDS

INTERACTIVE TELEVISION TRACKING SYSTEM

An interactive television system tailoring delivery of interactive content includes a request processing engine (40) accepting user interactions with an interactive television (ITV) application. A user profiling engine (42) associates the user interactions with an individual profile or profile group. The profile group defines events that may be triggered upon receipt of certain user interactions. A trigger/event engine (44) monitors, in real-time, whether the user interactions correspond to any of the defined events. If an event is to be triggered, an action engine (46) transmits an ITV command associated with the event to an encoder. The encoder performs a real-time of encoding of the ITV command for providing viewers with dynamic ITV experience. The ITV experience provided to the viewers may also be customized based on the profile information obtained for each individual viewer.

TELEPHONE SYSTEM FOR DELIVERY OF ELECTRONIC BOOKS

The invention, an electronic book selection and delivery system, distributes text to subscribers. The system includes a subsystem for placing text in a video signal format and a subsystem for receiving and selecting video format text. The system contains an operations center, a video distribution system, a home subsystem, and a billing and collection system. The operation center and/or video distribution points perform the functions of manipulation of text data, security and coding of text, cataloging of books, message center, and uplink functions. The home subsystem connects to a video distribution system, generates menus and stores text, and transacts through communicating mechanisms. A portable book-shaped viewing device is used for viewing the text. The billing system performs the transaction, management, authorization, collection and payments utilizing the telephone system.

SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING VIDEO ON DEMAND

A system (10) for providing video upon request may transmit encrypted video information (16) to one or more recipients (12) for viewing at a later time. The recipient (12) may make a request to view one of the received video files. This request may be provided to a video transmitter (14) which may provide, in return, video decryption information to allow immediate viewing of the previously received video transmission.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IMPLEMENTING SEAMLESS PLAYBACK OF CONTINUOUS MEDIA FEEDS

A method and system for storing a continuous feed of video is provided. According to one aspect of the invention, the continuous feed is encoded in a digital video format to produce a digital data stream. A series of content files is created by repeatedly performing the steps of (1) storing the digital data stream in a current file, and (2) establishing a new file as the current file when the current file satisfies a predetermined condition. If the series of content files contains more than a predetermined amount of the continuous feed, the oldest content file in the series of content files is deleted. Tag information that indicates information about frames contained in the digital data stream is generated. The tag information includes timestamps that indicate timing of frames relative to a beginning of the digital data stream. An initial time value that indicates an absolute time that corresponds to the beginning of the digital data stream. When a request from a client for playback beginning ...

COMMUNICATION PROTOCOL FOR CONTENT ON DEMAND SYSTEM WITH CALLBACK TIME

A transaction protocol for communicating between an encryption renewal system communicably coupled to one or more video on demand systems via a communication network. The encryption renewal system permits pre-encrypted content to be accessed by clients of the video on demand systems. The protocol comprises, receiving, by the encryption renewal system, a request transaction document having a first format from the video on demand system; parsing the request transaction document to retrieve data from the request transaction document; generating a request object code in a second format for processing by encryption renewal system, the request object code based on the data in the request transaction document; responsive to processing of the request object code, generating a response object code having the second format; converting the response object code to a response transaction document having the first format; and forwarding the response transaction document to the video on demand system.

DETECTING REPEATING CONTENT IN BROADCAST MEDIA

Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products provide social and interactive applications for detecting repeating content in broadcast media. In some implementations, a method includes: generating a database of audio statistics from content; generating a query from the database of audio statistics; running the query against the database of audio statistics to determine a non-identity match; if a non-identity match exists, identifying the content corresponding to the matched query as repeating content.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPORTING CONTENT DISTRIBUTION

A content distribution system, comprising: a plurality of regional content servers, at least some of said regional content servers including long term and short term content stores; a multi-region content server, coupled to said regional content servers, the multi-region content server including a data base including more content titles than individual ones of said regional content servers; and a content distribution control apparatus for controlling distribution of content to one or more of said regional content servers in response to a request for content which is not available from one of the regional content servers used to service a user initiating said request.

INTEGRATED TELEVISION SERVICES SYSTEM

A system is disclosed for delivering audio and/or video signals to users in connection with the provision of interactive television services. Various sources of such signals are connected to a digital network, such as a packet network. Also connected to such network are control and application processors and interfaces to distribution arrangements such as cable television systems and telephone subscriber loops. Each user has a signal converter for receiving a digital signal from the distribution arrangement, converting such signal for viewing on a conventional television receiver and transmitting control packets to other elements of the system. The signal sources can include a data cache for storing recorded video and audio materials, a broadcast source for receiving broadcast signals, apparatus for composing multimedia signals from multiple sources and apparatus for running games. The various elements of the system can be situated at different geographical locations and operated by the ...

METHOD OF CONTROLLING MULTIPLE PROCESSES USING FINITE STATE MACHINES

A method of using finite state machines (FSMs) is disclosed for controlling multiple processes in response to input signals. In an exemplary embodiment, such processes comprise facilities for providing interactive television services and multimedia signals for such services. The FSMs are arranged in a tree-like structure and communicate with each other by event messages of various types. Each FSM has multiple states and permitted state transitions. Transitions occur in response to event messages and/or input signals, and a transition can cause one or more event messages associated with such transition to be sent. At least one terminal FSM is associated with each of the multiple processes and controls thatprocess. Status changes in each process can also cause state transitions in the FSMs. The FSMs are resident in the various processors controlling the multiple processes, which can be situated at different locations.

VIDEO SERVER

Video server The video server (VS) is used in a video on demand network wherein video signals are transferred over a communication network (TSY) from said video server to terminals thereof. It includes video signal memories (VM), a server control means (SCM), a broadband switch (BS) having first ports (VP1/VPY) to which the memories (VM) are coupled, second ports (CL) coupled to the communication system (TSY) and a third port (CP) to which the server control means (SCM) is coupled. The server control means (SCM) control the transfer of the video signals from the memories (VM) and through the switch (BS) and the communication system (TSY) to the terminals. The broadband switch (BS) has a set of fourth ports (CP1/CPX) to which a set of system adaptor means (SYA1/SYAX) is coupled to adapt the video signals to a format which is compatible with the communication system. The server control means (SCM) performs the transfer of video signals firstly from the video memories (VM) to the system adaptor ...

DIGITAL CABLE HEADEND FOR CABLE TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEM

Several cable headend (34) configurations that utilize digial technology are disclosed. The present invendon provides grater capability and flexibility than existing cable headends (34). Specifically, a modular design for a cable headend (34) and a combiner (104) component for cable headends (34) are disclosed. The invention is particularly useful in cable television program delivery systems transponding large numbers of digitally compressed signals. The combiner (104) disclosed allows cherry-picking of programs from transponded signals.

System and method for the broadcast dissemination of time-ordered data

A stream of time-ordered data, such as a movie, is divided into multiple fragments of equal length, which are repetitively transmitted at different respective repetition rates. The fragments are reordered for transmission so that those which occur near the beginning of the original data stream are transmitted more frequently than those which occur later in the data stream. When a user enters a request to utilize the data, the individual fragments are stored upon receipt at the user's premises, and reassembled into a contiguous stream. The ordering of the fragments is such that the wait time required before utilization of the data can begin is limited to a predetermined maximum, and at least one copy of every fragment becomes available by the time it is needed.

Digital Ad Insertion for Video-On-Demand

A method including identifying one or more ad break points within digital video and/or audio content, selecting ad content to provide with the video and/or audio content, and generating a playlist referencing the ad content at the one or more ad break points.

Systems and methods for providing advertisements to user devices using an advertisement gateway

An advertisement gateway that provides an interface for multiple user devices and multiple advertisement sources to communicate is presented. The advertisement gateway is capable of translating advertisement requests from a user device in a particular format into another format that is compatible with an advertisement source. Conversely, the advertisement gateway can translate advertisement responses from an advertisement source in a particular format into another format that is compatible with the requesting device. In this manner, the advertisers only have to develop an advertisement using a single protocol and format (i.e., the protocol to communicate with the advertisement source) and still be able to provide their advertisements to a wide variety of user devices.

Interactive media system and method for presenting pause-time content

Interactive media systems and methods are provided for substituting pause-time content in place of media that has been paused. The user may pause media such as real-time media, video-on-demand media, near video-on-demand, or recorded media. If the user pauses real-time media or near video-on-demand media, the interactive media application may store the media. The interactive media application may also provide the user with the ability to rewind, resume play of, and fast-forward the media. The pause-time content may be audio or video media and may be an advertisement, trivia, program summaries or any other suitable pause-time content. The interactive media application may provide customized pause-time content specific to the user or specific to the media paused by using media data associated with the media. The interactive media application may also prevent the user from accessing features (e.g., fast-forward) of the system.

Content upload system and content distribution server

A content upload system includes: a content distributing server that is installed in an airplane and distributes audio-video contents into the airplane; and a plurality of content accumulating servers that are installed in a plurality of airports, in which the airplane is parked, and transmit the audio-video contents to the content distributing server through a network. The content distributing server selectively writes audio-video contents that have not been stored in the content distributing server of audio-video contents transmitted from the content accumulating server while the airplane is parked on the airport.

Systems and methods for supplementing on-demand media

Systems and methods for providing supplemental content with on-demand media in an interactive television application are described.

Method for Accessing a Spatio-Temporal Part of a Compressed Video Sequence

The present invention concerns a processing method for accessing a spatio-temporal part of a compressed video sequence, as well as an associated device. The method comprises the following steps: obtaining a request for access to the part by identifying a temporal section defined between initial and final times of the initial and final spatial regions—different from the initial region of the sequence at the initial and final times; decomposing the access request into a plurality of elementary requests for access to a video fragment, each elementary request identifying a fixed spatial region to extract in a temporal sub-interval of the temporal section; and exploiting at least one elementary request to access video fragments constituting the part to access.

identifying a signal route for delivery of video-on-demand to a subscriber terminal

“A set top box includes an interface to a video on demand system, the interface adapted to receive communications from one or more modulators of a modulator group of the video on demand system. The set top further includes a decoder configured to extract a modulator group identifier periodically inserted into communications directed the set top box from the one or more modulators, the modulator group identifier unique to a physical transmission path from a headend of the video on demand system to the one or more modulators. The set top includes a video-on-demand request interface to the video on demand system, the video on demand request interface configured to output a request for video on demand data including the modulator group identifier.”

System and method for monitoring whole home digital video recorder usage for internet protocol television

The subject disclosure describes identifying a table associated with a set-top box that receives services from equipment of a video head-end office, where the table indicates that the set-top box has requested a video stream that would exceed a first number of video streams allocated to the set-top box and would exceed a bandwidth configuration, detecting a conflicting event according to information in the table, reconfiguring the bandwidth configuration allocated to the plurality of set-top boxes to resolve the conflicting event, determining a second number of video streams requested by the plurality of set-top boxes when the conflicting event occurred, determining a third number of video streams to resolve the conflicting event based on a difference between the first number of video streams and the second number of video streams, and instructing the equipment to provide the third number of video streams to the set-top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Use of messages in or associated with program signal streams by set-top terminals

Methods of operating a communications system comprise, in one example, inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program steam. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. In one example, the receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.

Computer system and process for transferring multiple high bandwidth streams of data between multiple storage units and multiple applications in a scalable and reliable manner

Multiple applications request data from multiple storage units over a computer network. The data is divided into segments and each segment is distributed randomly on one of several storage units, independent of the storage units on which other segments of the media data are stored. At least one additional copy of each segment also is distributed randomly over the storage units, such that each segment is stored on at least two storage units. This random distribution of multiple copies of segments of data improves both scalability and reliability. When an application requests a selected segment of data, the request is processed by the storage unit with the shortest queue of requests. Random fluctuations in the load applied by multiple applications on multiple storage units are balanced nearly equally over all of the storage units. This combination of techniques results in a system which can transfer multiple, independent high-bandwidth streams of data in a scalable manner in both directions between multiple applications and multiple storage units.

Pay-per-play audiovisual system with touch screen interface

An audiovisual reproduction system triggered by payment from a user is developed around a microprocessor device. The system includes memory containing, in compressed digital form, audio and visual information, and a display and digital audio reproduction unit, for creating a multimedia environment. The display includes a video monitor and an interactive user interface which reacts to external events and translates the external events for a multitasking operating system as events activating, via a graphical module of a library of integrated tools and services, a display of windows or frames providing control of physical operating parameters of the audiovisual reproduction system. The external events includes at least a down-event where the user contacts a representation displayed on the touch screen, selecting a parameter to modify, and an up-event where the use breaks contact with the screen, which triggers modification of the selected parameter, saving the parameter in the memory.

Method and system for selecting advertisements to be presented to a viewer

A rules evaluation engine operable to select optimal content for presentation to the viewer at each presentation opportunity. The engine evaluates segmentation rules associated with each particular content item in parallel, and then selects the best content to be presented. Priorities determined during evaluation sort out which content items will be presented. Real time dynamic enrichment of the decision making context occurs by retrieving additional information required to evaluate the rules. Logging and administrative processes for managing the segmentation rules are also realized.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF CUSTOMIZED TELEVISION PROGRAMMING OVER THE INTERNET

A production facility receives program content from a plurality of broadcast feeds over the Internet. In an embodiment, the production facility comprises server on a computer network, such as the Internet. The server comprises computer programs configured to manipulate the audio and video data of the multiple program contents. At the production facility, the program content can be manipulated to produce a production. Program manipulation can comprise at least one of green screen technology, music, graphics, Foley, sound effects, voice over, advertising, or the like. The production is broadcast over the computer network to viewers, where the viewers receive the production. In an embodiment, the production is customized based on the viewers' input received while broadcasting. In other words, the production is customized in real time based at least in part on the interaction of the production with the viewers. In another embodiment, the viewers can further manipulate the program content of the production to create a new production, which can be broadcast over the customized programming system. 1. A method of producing interactive television over the Internet comprising:receiving over the Internet with at least one server a plurality of media content from at least two or more content providers, wherein the at least two or more content providers are separate entities, and wherein the server is remotely located from the at least two or more content providers,one or more of the plurality of media content comprising one or more of video or audio data;transmitting over the Internet, at least two portions of the plurality of media content from the at least two or more content providers from the server to multiple first viewer computers, the multiple first viewer computers remotely located from the server;receiving at the server over the Internet, from the multiple first viewer computers that are remotely located from the server, first viewer input from the multiple first ...

PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH VIDEO-ON-DEMAND BROWSING

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program and a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The viewer may browse through video-on-demand programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to order a given video-on-demand program/and set a desired broadcast time for that program. 197-. (canceled)98. A method comprising:outputting a video of a scheduled media asset for display in a full screen display;receiving a first navigational command from a user input device;retrieving first information relating to a first unscheduled media asset including a first media asset title;generating for display in a partial screen media guidance application display over the video of the scheduled media asset, the first media asset title for the first unscheduled media asset;receiving a second navigational command from the user input device;retrieving second information relating to a second unscheduled media asset including a second media asset title and a second source identification code identifying a type of the second unscheduled media asset;generating for display in place of the first media asset title, the second media asset title for the second unscheduled media asset available from the source, when the second navigational command is received;receiving a user input from the user input device; andgenerating for display, the second unscheduled media asset, based on the type of the second unscheduled media asset when the user input is received.99. The method of claim 98 , wherein the first navigational command is associated with a first directional input and a first direction and the second navigational command is associated with a second directional input ...

Technique for Providing a Virtual Digital Video Recorder Service Through a Communications Network

In response to a request initiated by a user at a user terminal, selected entertainment programming content, when broadcast, is recorded at a location remote from the user terminal. The request is communicated through a communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content to user terminals. The recorded programming content is stored in a storage space at the remote location, which is allocated to the user terminal. In response to a review request from the user terminal, the recorded programming content is retrieved from the storage space allocated thereto, and transmitted to the user terminal through the communications network. The presentation of the recorded programming content may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon.

NETWORK PERSONAL DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER SYSTEM

The Shared Internet Storage Resource provides Internet-based file storage, retrieval, access, control, and manipulation for a user. Additionally, an easy-to-use user interface is provided both for a browser or stand-alone application. The entire method provides means by which users can establish, use, and maintain files on the Internet in a manner remote from their local computers yet in a manner that is similar to the file manipulation used on their local computers. A high capacity or other storage system is attached to the Internet via an optional internal network that also serves to generate and direct metadata regarding the stored files. A web server using a CGI, Java®-based, or other interface transmits and retrieves TCP/IP packets or other Internet information through a load balancer/firewall by using XML to wrap the data packets. File instructions may be transmitted over the Internet to the Shared Resource System. The user's account may be password protected so that only the user may access his or her files. On the user's side, a stand-alone client application or JavaScript object interpreted through a browser provide two means by which the XML or other markup language data stream may be received and put to use by the user. Internet-to-Internet file transfers may be effected by directly downloading to the user's account space. 124-. (canceled)25. A computer-implemented method comprising the following operations performed by at least one processor:receiving, from a client system, a request to transfer a first file stored on a host server to a database system, wherein the transfer request is transmitted to a proxy server for isolating the transfer request, and wherein the transfer request includes an identifier that identifies the first file and an identifier of a user of the client system;transferring, using a communications network, the first file from the host server to the database system, the database system configured to store the first file in a storage ...

CHANGING REBUILD PRIORITY FOR A CLASS OF DATA

A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed storage network (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and memory that is configured to perform various operations based on operational instructions. The computing device receives name range information and priority level information to handle data objects associated with the name range information and identifies object names associated with a name range. The computing device identifies EDS name ranges that respectively correspond to the object names. The computing device updates an EDS priority table to associate EDS name range(s) with the priority level information. The computing device receives a request associated with an EDS name range and accesses the EDS priority table to identify a priority level associated therewith. The computing device then processes the request based on the priority level associated with the EDS name range. 1. A computing device comprising:an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN);memory that stores operational instructions; and receive name range information and priority level information to handle data objects associated with the name range information, wherein a data object of the data objects is segmented into a plurality of data segments, a data segment of the plurality of data segments is dispersed error encoded in accordance with dispersed error encoding parameters to produce a set of encoded data slices (EDSs) that are distributedly stored in a plurality of storage units (SUs) within the DSN, and a decode threshold number of EDSs are needed to recover the data segment;', 'identify object names of the data objects associated with a name range of the name range information;', 'identify EDS name ranges that respectively correspond to the object names, wherein each EDS name corresponds to a respective ...

Access, monitoring, and control of appliances via a media processing system

A device and method for accessing, monitoring, and controlling home appliances in a media exchange network by establishing a communication link between a communication initiation device and at least one home appliance and communicating at least one command from the communication initiation device to the at least one home appliance via the communication link. The at least one home appliance then generates at least one response to the at least one command. The commands may include turning the home appliance(s) on and off, parameter adjustment commands, access commands, monitoring commands, mode change commands, and programming commands. Appliance responses may include powering on, powering off, changing a mode of operation, sending a status to the communication initiation device, adjusting an operational parameter, and changing a programmed operational step.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CACHING DATA IN MEDIA-ON-DEMAND SYSTEMS

Systems and methods may be provided for retrieving non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data that is provided by separate data sources. On demand media data may be cached to reduce system latencies and the burden on the distribution network. 179-. (canceled)81. The method defined in claim 80 , further comprising displaying the cached video preview of the video program in response to selecting the preview option.82. The method defined in claim 80 , wherein the video preview is cached in a memory of the user equipment.83. The method defined in claim 80 , further comprising:receiving a user indication to access the video program associated with the video preview determining whether the video program is cached in the memory of the user equipment;in response to determining the video program is cached, display the cached video program; andin response to determining the video program is not cached, retrieving the video program from a media data source and displaying the retrieved video program.84. The method defined in claim 80 , wherein the video preview is cached by automatically and periodically caching video previews associated with media programs.85. The method defined in claim 80 , wherein the video preview is cached by automatically and periodically caching selected video previews based on a user history.86. The method defined in claim 85 , further comprising monitoring user activity on the user equipment claim 85 , and generating the user history based on the monitored user activity.87. The method of claim 80 , wherein the media program originates from an on-demand media data source.88. The method of claim 80 , wherein the program information screen includes at least one of a title claim 80 , rating claim 80 , cost claim 80 , run-time claim 80 , release date claim 80 , rental period claim 80 , viewing period claim 80 , movie summary claim 80 , actor/actress names claim 80 , producer names claim 80 , and production studio name.90. The system defined in claim ...

System and Method for Monitoring Whole Home Digital Video Recorder Usage for Internet Protocol Television

The subject disclosure describes identifying a table associated with a set-top box that receives services from equipment of a video head-end office, where the table indicates that the set-top box has requested a video stream that would exceed a first number of video streams allocated to the set-top box and would exceed a bandwidth configuration, detecting a conflicting event according to information in the table, reconfiguring the bandwidth configuration allocated to the plurality of set-top boxes to resolve the conflicting event, determining a second number of video streams requested by the plurality of set-top boxes when the conflicting event occurred, determining a third number of video streams to resolve the conflicting event based on a difference between the first number of video streams and the second number of video streams, and instructing the equipment to provide the third number of video streams to the set-top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. 1. A machine-readable storage medium , comprising executable instructions that , when executed by a processing system including a processor , facilitate performance of operations , comprising:determining a bandwidth configuration of a plurality of customer premises equipment that receive services from equipment of a video head-end office of an interactive television network;receiving a request for a video stream from among the services from a first equipment of the plurality of the customer premises equipment;detecting a conflicting event based on a determination that supplying the video stream to the first equipment would exceed the bandwidth configuration of the plurality of the customer premises equipment; andupdating the bandwidth configuration based on a number of times that other conflicting events were created by the first equipment.2. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 1 , wherein the operations further comprise determining whether to reconfigure the bandwidth configuration of the first ...

PROVIDING INTERACTIVE VIDEO ON DEMAND

A server may generate interactive commerce programming with content including descriptive information about a product or a service. The interactive commerce programming may be provided to a producer client to present the content at a display of the producer client and to participant devices. The server may receive from a participant device a participant response. Additional descriptive information about the product and the service may also be provided to complete a commercial transaction. 1one or more servers, each of the one or more servers including a hardware processor, a hardware memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the one or more servers to:generate first interactive commerce programming, the first interactive commerce programming including first content and a first interactive component associated with the first content, the first content including descriptive information about at least one of a product and a service;provide the first interactive commerce programming to a producer client to cause the producer client to present the first content and the first interactive component together at a display of the producer client and to a plurality of participant devices to cause each of the participant devices to present the first content and the first interactive component together at a display of the participant device;receive from at least one of the plurality of participant devices a participant response to the first interactive programming;generate second interactive commerce programming based on the participant response to the first interactive programming, wherein the second commerce interactive commerce programming includes second content and a second interactive component associated with the second content, the second content includes at least additional descriptive information about at least one of the product and the service, and the second content includes the response to the first interactive ...

Systems and methods for providing storage of data on servers in an on-demand media delivery system

A system arid method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.

Program guide system with video-on-demand browsing

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program and a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The viewer may browse through video-on-demand programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to order a given video-on-demand program, and set a desired broadcast time for that program.

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MINIMIZING NETWORK BANDWIDTH RETRIEVED FROM AN EXTERNAL NETWORK

A system and method are provided of minimizing network bandwidth used from an external network by client peers in a local network. The method can include the operation of organizing a plurality of clients each having media streamlets and a client parent in a structure within the local network. Mapping information propagates through the structure. The mapping information represents local streamlet locations as stored by the plurality of clients. Another operation is retrieving a local streamlet from a client identified in the mapping information as having the local streamlet for the requesting client. 118-. (canceled)19. A method executable by a client device operating as one of a plurality of clients during streaming of a media stream made up of a series of media segments available from an external server via a network , the method comprising:providing, by the client device, segment mapping information to at least one other of the plurality of clients via the network, the segment mapping information describing a subset of the series of media segments representing at least a portion of the media stream that was previously obtained from the external server and is now available from the client device to another of the plurality of clients, wherein the segment mapping information identifies each media segment in the subset that is available directly from the client device;in response to a subsequent request received via the network from another client device using the segment mapping information of a requested media segment, the client device providing the requested media segment directly to the other client via the network to thereby allow the other client device to present the requested media segment to a viewer.20. A method as in further comprising:sharing additional segment mapping information with the other client, the segment mapping information comprising an address of the at least one media segment that is usable by the other client to obtain the at least one ...

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR BUSINESS-BASED NETWORK RESOURCE ALLOCATION

Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of content within a content-based network based on e.g., business or revenue considerations. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network that utilizes a Global Session Resource Manager (GSRM). The GSRM processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., providing free on-demand (FOD), standard definition on-demand (SVOD), and/or high definition on-demand (HDVOD) content), and evaluate these options to determine the one that optimizes network revenue or profit. The GSRM performs this identification and evaluation process by considering various parameters including network resource (e.g., bandwidth) availability, and different revenue and profit implications for different classes of service, the individual or collective demographic or other profile of network subscribers, and other business or operational rules programmed by the operator of the network. Business methods based on such network optimization are also described. 140-. (canceled)41. A method of operating a content delivery network having a plurality of consumer premises equipment (CPE) associated therewith , said method comprising:receiving a request for delivery of on-demand content from one of said plurality of CPE of said network;evaluating at least two possible delivery options for servicing said request, said act of evaluating being performed based at least in part on at least one operational consideration and at least one profit consideration relating to said network; andbased at least in part on said act of evaluating, performing one of said at least two possible delivery options in order to service said request.42. The method of claim 41 , wherein said at least two possible delivery options comprise: (i) delivery of a high definition (HD) version of said requested on-demand content; and (ii) a standard definition (SD) version of said requested on ...

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREPOSITIONING CONTENT AND DISTRIBUTING CONTENT IN A LOCAL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

A system for viewing on-demand content includes a user receiving device and a local head end in communication with the receiving device that communicates metadata and material identifiers for on-demand content. Each on-demand content is associated with one of the material identifiers. The user receiving device stores the metadata and the material identifiers for the on-demand content. The local head end receives content. Each content is associated with one of the material identifiers. The user receiving device communicates a request for on-demand content data signal to the local head end. The local head end communicates a manifest comprising material identifiers for content stored at the head end. The user receiving device, after receiving the manifest, displays metadata from the memory of the user receiving device corresponding to the material identifiers. 1. A method comprising:communicating metadata and material identifiers for on-demand content to a user receiving device, each on-demand content associated with one of the material identifiers;storing the metadata and the material identifiers for the on-demand content in a memory of the user receiving device;receiving content at a local head end, each content associated with one of the material identifiers;communicating a request for on-demand content data signal from the user receiving device to the local head end;communicating a manifest comprising material identifiers for content stored at the local head end to the user receiving device;in response to receiving the manifest at the user receiving device, retrieving metadata for the material identifiers in the manifest from the memory of the user receiving device; anddisplaying the metadata at the user receiving device.2. The method as recited in further comprising generating a selection of content from a user interface to form selected content from the user receiving device; andcommunicating content corresponding to the selection to the user receiving device ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

A system for presenting live video content to a plurality of participant client devices is disclosed. An interactive program, including the live video content and an interactive component, is generated and a moderator interface is provided to enable a user of a moderator client device to create a look for the interactive program. The live video content and the interactive component are simultaneously displayed on a display of each of a plurality of participant client devices with the look created by the user of the moderator client device. The live video content and a response to the live video content are simultaneously displayed at each of the participant client devices with the look created by the user of the moderator client. The interactive program and the response are archived so that users of the plurality of participant devices may continue to interact with the interactive program after termination of the interactive program. 1. A moderated interactive commerce and advertising system comprising at least one server , the at least one server including a hardware processor , a hardware memory , and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the at least one server to:generate interactive commerce programming, the interactive commerce programming including first product information and a first interactive component;provide the interactive commerce programming to the producer client to cause the producer client to present the first product information and the first interactive component together at a display of the producer client;provide the interactive commerce programming to a plurality of participant clients to cause each of the participant clients to present the first product information and the first interactive component together at a display of each of the participant clients;receive from at least one of the plurality of participant clients a participant response to the interactive commerce programming;transmit the ...

Changing rebuild priority for a class of data

A computing device includes an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed storage network (DSN), a memory that stores operational instructions, and a processing module operably coupled to the interface and memory that is configured to perform various operations based on operational instructions. The computing device receives name range information and priority level information to handle data objects associated with the name range information and identifies object names associated with a name range. The computing device identifies EDS name ranges that respectively correspond to the object names. The computing device updates an EDS priority table to associate EDS name range(s) with the priority level information. The computing device receives a request associated with an EDS name range and accesses the EDS priority table to identify a priority level associated therewith. The computing device then processes the request based on the priority level associated with the EDS name range.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

A moderator client device may add program information for multi-media content using interactive elements. The moderator client device may associate an interactive component with the multi-media content using the interactive elements on a moderator interface. An interactive program may be generated from the multi-media content, tags and time-codes, and the interactive component. A response to the interactive program may be received from a viewer client device based on an interaction of the user of the viewer client device with the interactive component. The response received from the viewer client device may be displayed simultaneously with the updated interactive program on the display of each of a plurality of viewer client devices. 1. A method for presenting an interactive program to a plurality of viewer client devices over a communications network , each of the plurality of viewer client devices includes a display , the method comprising:providing a moderator interface at a moderator client device, wherein the moderator client device includes a display and the moderator interface includes one or more interactive elements;enabling a user of the moderator client device to add program information for multi-media content using the one or more interactive elements;enabling the user of the moderator client device to create one or more tags and time-codes for the multi-media content using the one or more interactive elements on the moderator interface;enabling the user of the moderator client device to associate an interactive component with the multi-media content using the one or more interactive elements on the moderator interface;generating the interactive program from the multi-media content, the one or more tags and time-codes, and the interactive component;enabling users of the plurality of viewer client devices to interact with the interactive program;receiving, from a first one of the viewer client devices, a response to the interactive program, the response ...

CACHE MANAGEMENT IN A VIDEO CONTENT DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Cache management techniques are described for a content distribution network (CDN), for example, a video on demand (VOD) system supporting user requests and delivery of video content. A preferred cache size may be calculated for one or more cache devices in the CDN, for example, based on a maximum cache memory size, a bandwidth availability associated with the CDN, and a title dispersion calculation determined by the user requests within the CDN. After establishing the cache with a set of assets (e.g., video content), an asset replacement algorithm may be executed at one or more cache devices in the CDN. When a determination is made that a new asset should be added to a full cache, a multi-factor comparative analysis may be performed on the assets currently residing in the cache, comparing the popularity and size of assets and combinations of assets, along with other factors to determine which assets should be replaced in the cache device. 1. A method comprising:causing, by a computing device, storage of a plurality of content items in a plurality of storage locations;receiving request history information associated with delivery of the content items from the plurality of storage locations;{'claim-text': ['the request history information; and', 'title dispersion of one or more of the storage locations.'], '#text': 'causing relocation of one or more of the content items based on:'}2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the title dispersion is based on a quantity of unique titles satisfying a target percentage of content item requests.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein causing relocation of the one or more of the content items further comprises:selecting a minimal quantity of unique titles satisfying a target percentage of content item requests.4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:determining, based on the request history information, a first target percentage of content item requests to be serviced by a first storage location;ranking a plurality of unique titles ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INTEGRATED MEDIA

Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server. The media server updates the foregoing information in accordance with the interaction between the media server, the users of media presentation systems, and the media providers. 1. A computer implemented method for allocating subscription fees for media content , the method comprising:a computer receiving over a network from a user computing device a subscription fee for a subscription plan allowing the user access to media content from a plurality of media content providers, the access for a period of time and corresponding to user designation of one or more media content providers from the plurality of media content providers as included in the subscription plan;the computer receiving a designation from the user to include a given media content provider in the subscription plan;the computer providing to the user the access over the network to the media content; andthe computer providing the given media content provider a portion of the subscription fee, wherein the computer determines the portion based on a number of users who have included the given media content provider in their subscription plan.2. The method of claim 1 , ...

Method and System for Image Alteration

Methods and systems for image alteration. A video signal having multiple images is accessed, and images are altered to blur the video signal based on a subscriber alteration request. The alteration request is selectable among a partial blur, a full blur, and a restore image. The request includes instructions to selectably blur a partial portion of an image by stretching a first portion, without stretching a second portion. The alteration includes accessing an alternation setting selected from a cycle of alteration settings, a group of preprogrammed alteration settings and combinations thereof. The blurred video signal is provide for presentation by subscriber equipment. The video signal is restored in response to a restorative event detected within the blurred video signal. The detecting of the restorative event includes determining a location of a scene change in the blurred video signal.

METHOD FOR CONTENT-BASED NON-LINEAR CONTROL OF MULTIMEDIA PLAYBACK

A system and method are provided for content-based non-linear control of video data playback. A multimedia database having multimedia data including multimedia content data is searched based on a user query to determine a first set of multimedia data. The multimedia data includes indexes to and condensed representations of corresponding video data stored in a video database. A portion of the first set of multimedia data is displayed at a control device in response to the user query. A user of the control device selects an element of the first set of multimedia data for video playback and video data corresponding to the element delivered to a video device for playback. A user of the control device selects an element of the first set of multimedia data for additional information and a second set of multimedia data corresponding to the element delivered to the control device. 1. A method comprising:receiving, via a graphical user interface of a device and from a user, a choice from matched multimedia data, the matched multimedia data generated by searching, according to a search term entered by the user, a plurality of multimedia data stored in a database at a multimedia server, to yield a selected video content;identifying a first display device of a plurality of external devices connected to the device via a communication network;identifying a second display device of the plurality of external devices connected to the device via the communication network, the second display device being distinct from the first display device; andreceiving, via the graphical user interface of the device, a user input to play the selected video content on one of the first display device and the second display device, wherein a plurality of command icons remains on the graphical user interface of the device after the first display device or the second display device has been selected for control so that the user can assert control commands regardless of where the user is in a navigation ...

On-screen program guide with interactive programming recommendations

A subscriber to a video service generally has available to them an on-screen program guide. The program guide lists programming (e.g., TV shows) that are available to the subscriber for a certain upcoming time period. The programming guide may sort the listings by channel and time, areas of interest, age appropriateness and/or MPAA or TV rating, free or additional cost, etc. In an embodiment, the programming guide includes an ability to make a selection to see which TV shows are recommended by reviewers. Such reviewers may be individuals or panels or institutions to which some credibility may be attached—a trusted source. After selecting a reviewer, the subscriber is made aware of the programs recommended by the selected reviewer.

Method and system for TV interface for coordinating media exchange with a media peripheral

Aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system for communicating media and may comprise controlling communication of media from a television without consuming the media by the television. Under control of the television, the media may be transferred from a first location to at least one media peripheral located at a second location. A command initiated from or through the television may also cause media to be transfer from the first location to the second location. At least one command may be received that may effectuate the transfer of media from the first location to the second location. Accordingly, at least one request may be received by the television and utilized to facilitate or control transfer of the media. The television may redirect media from a first location to a second location with the media being received and/or consumed by the television.

CACHE MANAGEMENT IN A VIDEO CONTENT DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Cache management techniques are described for a content distribution network (CDN), for example, a video on demand (VOD) system supporting user requests and delivery of video content. A preferred cache size may be calculated for one or more cache devices in the CDN, for example, based on a maximum cache memory size, a bandwidth availability associated with the CDN, and a title dispersion calculation determined by the user requests within the CDN. After establishing the cache with a set of assets (e.g., video content), an asset replacement algorithm may be executed at one or more cache devices in the CDN. When a determination is made that a new asset should be added to a full cache, a multi-factor comparative analysis may be performed on the assets currently residing in the cache, comparing the popularity and size of assets and combinations of assets, along with other factors to determine which assets should be replaced in the cache device. 120-. (canceled)21. A method comprising:determining, by a computing device, a title dispersion value based on a number of user requests for a first content item;determining, by the computing device, a first content library within a content distribution network for the first content item based on the title dispersion value, a first cache size, and an available bandwidth of the content distribution network; andtransferring, by the computing device, the first content item to the first content library in response to determining the first content library.22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the title dispersion value comprises a first distribution curve claim 21 , wherein the distribution curve is a ranking of titles based on a frequency of access hits.23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising calculating the first distribution curve based on requests at peak access times.24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising:determining a second distribution curve at a first time interval;determining a third distribution curve at a ...

METHOD FOR SHARING BROADCAST CHANNEL INFORMATION AND ELECTRONIC DEVICE THEREOF

A broadcast channel information sharing method in an electronic device and the electronic device thereof are provided. An operation method in an electronic device includes creating a request message of requesting to share broadcast channel information, the request message comprising one or more of user information, location information, and habit information, transmitting, by the electronic device, the request message to a network server, receiving, by the electronic device, a response message corresponding to the request message from the network server, and extracting, by the electronic device, broadcast channel information of another electronic device comprised in the response message and sharing the extracted broadcast channel information with the other electronic device. 1. An operation method in an electronic device , the method comprising:creating a request message of requesting to share broadcast channel information, the request message comprising one or more of user information, location information, and habit information;transmitting, by the electronic device, the request message to a network server;receiving, by the electronic device, a response message corresponding to the request message from the network server; andextracting, by the electronic device, broadcast channel information of another electronic device comprised in the response message, and sharing the extracted broadcast channel information with the other electronic device.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user information comprises a user authentication token claim 1 ,wherein the location information comprises one or more of a country code and area identification information, andwherein the habit information comprises a use history of one or more of watching information and preferred channel information.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network server acquires broadcast channel information of another electronic device possessed by the same user based on the user information of the ...

THIRD PARTY DATA MATCHING FOR TARGETED ADVERTISING

A broadcast targeting system is provided where third party database information is utilized in conjunction with broadcast network client information to identify households within the broadcast network including one or more desired recipients of targeted assets. In instances where a user equipment device of the targeted household includes multiple users (i.e., a multiple-user device), use of third party data in conjunction with an indication of which household member is currently using the multiple user device (e.g., set top box, etc.) allows for more effectively delivering assets targeted to a specific member(s) of the household 114.-. (canceled)15. A system for delivering selected content to users of a broadcast network , the broadcast network being operative for synchronously broadcasting content to multiple user equipment devices , said system comprising:1) an asset dissemination input module for receiving asset dissemination information entered via a contracting platform, said asset dissemination information identifying, for a subject asset, one or more audience segmentation attributes for a target audience for said subject asset; a) a third party data repository having segmentation attribute information for members of the public including users and non-users of said broadcast network; and', 'b) a network customer data repository having network user information identifying network users and user equipment devices of said network users;, '2) an attribute engine for identifying individual user equipment devices to receive device attribute information including one or more device attributes, said attribute engine being operative for associating said device attributes with said individual user equipment devices by using information of3) a source selector, associated with a first user equipment device, for selecting, on a time-dependent basis, as between at least a first content source, a second content source and a combination thereof, at least one selected source ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SELECTING A MULTIMEDIA STREAM

A method includes receiving, at a server, channel change request data from a media device. The channel change request data specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams. Each multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams has a corresponding content format. The method includes determining, at the server, an available bandwidth of a service to a premises associated with the media device. The method includes selecting, at the server, a particular content format based on the available bandwidth and a multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams that has the particular content format. The method also includes sending an identification of the multimedia stream from the server to the media device. 1. A method comprising:receiving, at a server, channel change request data from a media device, wherein the channel change request data specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams, and wherein each multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams has a corresponding content format;determining, at the server, an available bandwidth of a service to a premises associated with the media device;selecting, at the server, a particular content format based on the available bandwidth;selecting, at the server, a multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams that has the particular content format; andsending an identification of the multimedia stream to the media device from the server.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the available bandwidth includes receiving data corresponding to the available bandwidth from a residential gateway associated with the premises claim 1 , and wherein the multimedia stream is selected based on the data.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the available bandwidth includes receiving data corresponding to the available bandwidth from the media device claim 1 , and wherein the multimedia stream is selected based on ...

Media stream generation based on a category of user expression

A method includes receiving, at a user device from a media server, a media stream that includes a group of segments of media content associated with a user-selected category. The group of segments includes a first segment corresponding to a portion of a first program and a second segment corresponding to a portion of a second program. The method also includes receiving, at the user device, user input during playback of the media stream, the user input indicating the first segment. The method also includes sending data based on the user input to the media server. The method further includes receiving, at the user device from the media server, a modified stream based on the user input. The first segment is replaced by an entirety of the first program in the modified stream.

Synthesizing a presentation of a multimedia event

In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip, matches a first fingerprint of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of the second video clip. The implementation also matches a first event subject of the first video clip with a second event subject of the second video clip, and determines an overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match of the first fingerprint with the second fingerprint and the match of the first event subject with the second event subject. The implementation also merges the first video clip and the second video clip into a group of overlapping video clips based on the overlap, and synthesizes the group into a video presentation.

END OF SHOW HANDLING

A content delivery system that works in a broadcast and linear content environment causing real time display of received linear content. The system limits the display of the linear content by determining a time to automatically change the display of the linear content based upon program guide information and other factors, unless a signal is or has been received from a user indicating further interest in the content. 1. A method implemented on a computer system to display a linear content , comprising:receiving program guide information associated with the linear content, the program guide information including program boundary information for the linear content;receiving the linear content via IP streaming;causing display of the received linear content, in real time with respect to the receiving, on a display in communication with the computer system; anddetermining if a specific transition time has been reached, and if reached, automatically stopping the display of linear content unless a signal is or has been received from a user by the computer system within a set time period before the specific transition time;wherein the signal is received from the user without the computer system transmitting any notice that user input is necessary to avoid stoppage of the display.2. The method of wherein the specific transition time is a program end time.3. The method of wherein the specific transition time is a defined time after a program end time.4. The method of wherein the computer system buffers the IP stream for a defined time after display of linear content is stopped.5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying an interactive menu on the display after stopping the display of the linear content claim 1 , wherein the interactive menu enables the user to select from option including continuing to display the selected linear content claim 1 , and displaying other linear content.6. The method of wherein the set time period is adaptable based on the identity ...

Client-server based interactive guide with server recording

An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

Client-server based interactive guide with server recording

An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL CONTENT OVER A NETWORK

Methods and apparatus for selecting, purchasing and delivering content to users of a network so that the user has “virtual” ownership of and access to the content, thereby obviating the need for physical media (e.g., DVDs or CDs). In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions or broadcast modes are used to deliver the virtual content stored at the head-end (or hub site) to the requesting owner. The purchased content is associated with one or more users when stored, thereby providing the owner(s) unlimited access thereto, without the costs and effort associated with renting/purchasing and maintaining DVDs. The content may also comprise new release content, which would otherwise not be available over the network at that time but for the purchase and delivery mechanisms of the invention. Various other complementary features for enhancing the user's virtual ownership experience are also disclosed. 148.-. (canceled)49. A computerized method of digitally rendered content management within a content delivery network having a plurality of users , said computerized method comprising:causing digitally rendered content to be received at a computerized client device from a computerized network entity of said content delivery network, said computerized client device associated with at least one of said plurality of users of said content delivery network; andreceiving at least a portion of said digitally rendered content being uploaded from said computerized client device for storage to a computerized storage entity of said content delivery network;wherein said computerized storage entity comprises a user-specific location of a multi-user partitioned cloud-based storage accessible to said at least one of said plurality of users.50. The computerized method of claim 49 , wherein:the storage to a computerized storage entity of the content delivery network comprises storage to a computerized storage entity having a ...

Systems and methods for providing storage of data on servers in an on-demand media delivery system

A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.

Video-on-demand system

A video-on-demand system including a video server storing video-on-demand content and for streaming video-on-demand through a first layer of an internet page having a first layer and a second layer; and a controller for causing there to be formed in the second layer a plurality of selectable overlay images such that a user at a location in communication with the internet remote from the video server and the controller can display streamed video-on-demand of the first layer in combination with the overlay images of the second layer and can select one of the overlay images; wherein the overlay images correspond to respective control functions for the video-on-demand stream; and the controller is responsive to selection of an overlay image to change the video-on-demand stream in accordance with the corresponding respective control function.

ADAPTIVE VIDEO STREAMING

A method, system and apparatus for image capture, analysis and transmission are provided. A link aggregation method involves identifying controller network ports to a source connected to the same subnetwork; producing packets associating corresponding controller network ports selected by the source CPU for substantially uniform selection; and transmitting the packets to their corresponding network ports. An image analysis method involves producing by a camera an indication whether a region of an image differs by a threshold extent from a corresponding region of a reference image; transmitting the indication and image data to a controller via a communications network; and storing at the controller the image data and the indication in association therewith. The controller may perform operations according to positive indications. A transmission method involves receiving user input in respect of a video stream and transmitting, in accordance with the user input, selected data packets of selected image frames thereof. 1. A system , comprising:a server; and an image sensor configured to capture a plurality of sequential images for digitization within the digital video camera to produce a video stream;', causing the digital video camera to receive a threshold value from the server;', 'producing scaled down image data from a digital representation of at least one image of the plurality of sequential images;', 'selecting a first pixel of the digital representation and selecting a corresponding second pixel of a reference image of the plurality of sequential images; and', 'determining whether the first pixel differs by the threshold value from the second pixel; and, 'at least one processor configured to perform operations of, 'a network interface installed in the digital video camera and configured to transmit, over the network to a network-addressable device other than the digital video camera, an indication that motion has likely occurred based on the determination., 'a ...

Advertisement scheme

In one example embodiment, a method performed under control of a server include dividing video content into a plurality of video segments; receiving, from a first content player, a request to stream the video content; receiving segment playing information from a second content player; generating an advertisement and playing information regarding the advertisement based on the segment playing information; selecting at least one of the plurality of video segments based on the segment playing information; generating play sequence information based on the playing information regarding the advertisement and the at least one of the plurality of video segments; transmitting, to the first content player, the generated play sequence information, the advertisement, and the plurality of video segments; and synchronizing the plurality of video segments for playing on the first content player with the plurality of video segments for playing on the second content player.

SELECTIVE PRESENTATION OF VIDEO ON DEMAND CONTENT SEGMENTS

Systems and methods are disclosed that temporarily suspend the presentation of VOD content that has been indicated as objectionable to a user. One embodiment is a client device that receives a Video On Demand (VOD) datastream, and identifies a time period within the VOD datastream that includes content indicated as objectionable to a user. The client device temporally suspends presentation of the VOD datastream to the user during the time period. 1. An apparatus comprising:a client device configured to receive a Video On Demand (VOD) datastream, to identify a time period within the VOD datastream that includes content indicated as objectionable to a user, and to temporarily suspend presentation of the VOD datastream to the user during the time period.2. The apparatus of wherein:the client device is further configured to identify metadata associated with the VOD datastream, and to identify the time period within the VOD datastream based on the metadata.3. The apparatus of wherein:the metadata is in Extensible Markup Language (XML); andthe client device is further configured to identify the time period within the VOD datastream based on XML tags in the metadata that define a type of content depicted by the VOD datastream during the time period.4. The apparatus of wherein:the content indicated as objectionable to the user is at least one of nudity and violence.5. The apparatus of wherein:the client device is further configured to display an advertisement to temporarily suspend presentation of the VOD datastream to the user during the time period.6. The apparatus of wherein:the client device is further configured to display a blank screen to temporarily suspend presentation of the VOD datastream to the user during the time period.7. The apparatus of wherein:the client device is an Internet-Protocol Television (IP-TV) set-top box.8. The apparatus of wherein:the client device is an Over The Top (OTT) client.9. The apparatus of wherein:the client device is further ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SELECTING A MULTIMEDIA STREAM

A method includes receiving, at a server, channel change request data from a media device. The channel change request data specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams. Each multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams has a corresponding content format. The method includes determining, at the server, an available bandwidth of a service to a premises associated with the media device. The method includes selecting, at the server, a particular content format based on the available bandwidth and a multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams that has the particular content format. The method also includes sending an identification of the multimedia stream from the server to the media device. 120-. (canceled)21. A method comprising:receiving, by a system including a processor, channel change request data from a media device indicating a content recording to be performed, wherein the channel change request data specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams, and wherein each multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams has a corresponding content format;receiving, by the system, storage data corresponding to available storage space at a digital video recorder associated with the media device;selecting, by the system, a particular content format based on an available bandwidth associated with a premises of the media device and based on the storage data;selecting, by the system, a multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams that has the particular content format; andsending, by the system, an identification of the multimedia stream to the media device.22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising determining claim 21 , by the system claim 21 , the available bandwidth associated with the premises.23. The method of claim 22 , wherein the determining the available bandwidth includes receiving claim 22 , by the system claim 22 , data ...

TECHNIQUES TO IMPROVE DATA TRANSFER RELIABILITY

Techniques are described herein to dynamically control a number of hybrid automatic repeat requests (HARQ) transmissions based at least in part on flow characteristics of a data flow. Data included in a transport block may be grouped into one or more data flows based on a variety of factors. A set of performance benchmarks may be associated with each data flow. Flow characteristics for each data flow may be measured. A network entity may determine a number of HARQ transmissions to be transmitted during a HARQ procedure based on measured flow characteristics satisfying the performance benchmarks. For example, if a performance benchmark is not satisfied by its associated flow characteristic, the network entity may request additional HARQ transmissions during the HARQ procedure. 1. A method for wireless communication , comprising:identifying a flow characteristic of a data flow communicated during a transmission period comprising more than one frame;identifying a performance threshold based at least in part on the flow characteristic; andinitiating a retransmission of a transport block based at least in part on satisfying the performance threshold.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:determining that a time duration remaining during the transmission period is less than the performance threshold, wherein initiating the retransmission of the transport block is based at least in part on the time duration being less than the performance threshold.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:determining that a number of transmissions of the transport block during the transmission period is less than the performance threshold, wherein initiating the retransmission of the transport block is based at least in part on the number of transmissions being less than the performance threshold.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein:the transport block is retransmitted after the transmission period has ended.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein:the flow characteristic includes ...

SHARING A STREAMING VIDEO

A video segment can be shared over a computer network by first receiving the video segment at a receiving computer on the network. The receiving computer assures that the video segment is in a streaming video format, and creates at least one identification tag for the video segment. The receiving computer also stores the video segment, and communicates the identification tag to another computer on the network. Upon subsequent receipt of that identification tag, the receiving computer streams the video segment to a destination computer on the network. 2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is a static image.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is a non-static image.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is selected based on the second client.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is stored in a third video file.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the advertisement is sent to the second client concurrent with the sending of the stored first video file or the stored second video file.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the advertisement includes an Internet link.8. A method for streaming video over a hierarchically structured network of servers and clients claim 1 , the method comprising:receiving video content in a first video file in a first format from a first client by at least one server over the network, wherein the at least one server is configured to provide services to clients over the network;creating a second video file that includes at least a portion of the video content converted from a first format to a second format, wherein the creation is performed by the at least one server without receiving a command from the first client to perform the creation;storing the second video file in memory connectable to the network;assigning at least one identifier to the video content that corresponds to the second video file;streaming the second video file to a second client over the network in response to a ...

Resource Request Management Using Bandwidth Allocation and Time Slots

A resource management system may use information regarding the bandwidth status of a downstream communication path to determine what portion of queued content should be sent in the current available bandwidth timeslot. In some embodiments, multiple versions of the same requested content may be available, and the system may select a lower-quality version to send if needed to meet a time deadline included in the original content request. 1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that , when executed , cause:receiving, by a computing device and from a user device, a request for a plurality of content fragments associated with a content item, wherein the computing device is allocated an amount of bandwidth available for a plurality of time slots;receiving, from the user device, an indication of a video quality associated with the content item;determining, based on the indication, a time slot, of the plurality of time slots, for transmission of one or more of the plurality of content fragments; andsending, to the user device, the one or more of the plurality of content fragments in the determined base slot2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions claim 1 , when executed claim 1 , further cause receiving claim 1 , from the user device claim 1 , an indication of a playback speed associated with the content item claim 1 , andwherein the instructions, when executed, cause the determining the base slot further based on the indication of the playback speed.3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the instructions claim 1 , when executed claim 1 , further cause receiving claim 1 , from the user device claim 1 , an indication of a new playback point of the content item claim 1 , andwherein the instructions, when executed, cause the determining the time slot further based on the indication of the new playback point.4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1 , wherein the ...

System and method for content-based navigation of live and recorded tv and video programs

A system, method and computer-readable medium are presented for providing real-time content-based navigation of live video programming. The method aspect of the invention comprises receiving a live video program, generating an index to the received live video program by extracting images and/or text from the video program, recording the live video program, presenting at least a portion of data associated with the generated index to a user, receiving user input regarding a portion of the recorded video program to which the user desires to navigate and playing back the recorded video program starting at the navigated portion identified by the user input.

Inserting ad elements

Systems and methods are provided for presenting ad content with electronic content. In one implementation a method is provided that includes receiving, from a user device, a request that identifies a segment of electronic content, and selecting a set of ad metadata for the identified segment of electronic content, the selected set of ad metadata including information defining how ad content is to be presented. The method also includes selecting a set of content metadata for the identified segment of electronic content, the selected set of content metadata including information related to presenting the segment of electronic content, and instructing the user device to generate a presentation based on the selected set of ad metadata and the selected set of content metadata, the presentation including the segment of electronic content and at least one ad content element.

Synthesizing A Presentation From Multiple Media Clips

In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip. The implementation also matches a first fingerprint of at least a part of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of at least a part of the second video clip. The implementation also determines a temporal overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match. The implementation also, based on the temporal overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip, merges the first video clip and the second video clip into a group of overlapping video clips, and transmits, to a client computing device, data identifying the group of overlapping video clips and specifying a synchronization of the first video clip with the second video clip. 1. A method comprising:accessing, by one or more processors of a server computing device, a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip;matching, by the one or more processors, a first fingerprint of at least a part of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of at least a part of the second video clip;determining, by the one or more processors, a temporal overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match of the first fingerprint of at least the part of the first video clip with the second fingerprint of at least the part of the second video clip; and merging, by the one or more processors, the first video clip and the second video clip into a group of overlapping video clips, and', 'transmitting, by the one or more processors, to a client computing device, data identifying the group of overlapping video clips and specifying a synchronization of the first video clip with the second video clip., 'based on the temporal overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the synchronization comprises a ...

Synthesizing A Presentation From Multiple Media Clips

In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips and metadata for the plurality of media clips. The implementation also uses the metadata for the plurality of media clips to select, from the plurality of media clips, a subset of media clips including a first media clip and a second media clip. The implementation also matches a first fingerprint of at least a part of the first media clip with a second fingerprint of at least a part of the second media clip. The implementation also determines a temporal overlap of the first media clip with the second media clip based at least in part on the match. The implementation also, based on the temporal overlap, merges the first media clip and the second media clip into a group of overlapping media clips, and generates a presentation that includes the group. 1. A method comprising:accessing, by one or more processors, a plurality of media clips and metadata for the plurality of media clips;using the metadata for the plurality of media clips to select, by the one or more processors, from the plurality of media clips, a subset of media clips including a first media clip and a second media clip;matching, by the one or more processors, a first fingerprint of at least a part of the first media clip with a second fingerprint of at least a part of the second media clip;determining, by the one or more processors, a temporal overlap of the first media clip with the second media clip based at least in part on the match of the first fingerprint of at least the part of the first media clip with the second fingerprint of at least the part of the second media clip;based on the temporal overlap of the first media clip with the second media clip, merging, by the one or more processors, the first media clip and the second media clip into a group of overlapping media clips, andgenerating, by the one or more processors, a presentation that includes the group formed by merging the first ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING INTEGRATED MEDIA

Methods and system deliver media to users of media presentation systems. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a media server communicates with a media presentation system, such as a media player for streaming video and audio, to present subscription and non-subscription media to the user of the media presentation system. Subscription media may include multi-tiered media packages and individual media offerings as selected by the user. The media may be presented in various formats, including video, a graphical display, an audio presentation, a graphical and audio presentation, URL links, and interactive windows. Information about the user, the user's subscription status, the user's media presentation system and information about the media providers and the media offered by the media providers are maintained by the media server. The media server updates the foregoing information in accordance with the interaction between the media server, the users of media presentation systems, and the media providers. 1. A computer implemented method of allocating subscription fees for media content , the method comprising:a computer receiving from a user a subscription fee to allow the user to access media content from a plurality of media content providers;the computer providing to the user access to the media content;the computer providing a media content provider included in the plurality of content providers a portion of the subscription fee, wherein the portion is determined by the number of times the user accesses the media content from the media content provider;the computer receiving from a second user a subscription fee to allow the second user to access media content from the media content provider; andthe computer providing the media content provider a portion of the subscription fee from the second user, wherein the portion of the subscription fee from the second user is higher than the portion of the subscription fee from the other user based on the type ...

Synthesizing a Presentation from Multiple Media Clips

Examples described herein may involve synthesizing a presentation of from multiple media clips. An example implementation a plurality of media clips including a first video clip with a first audio waveform and a second video clip with a second audio waveform. The implementation matches a first acoustic fingerprint of at least a part of the first audio waveform with a second acoustic fingerprint of at least a part of the second audio waveform. The implementation determines an overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match. The implementation merges the first video clip and the second video clip into a group of overlapping video clips based on the overlap and generates a presentation that includes the group formed by merging the first video clip and the second video clip based on the overlap.

RENTING A PIPE TO A STORAGE SYSTEM

A computing device that includes an interface, a memory, and a processing module receives a data access request from a requesting computing device and processes them to produce a set of distributed storage (DS) access requests. The computing device then transmits the set of DS access requests to a set of storage units (SUs) via a DSN connection that is between the computing device and the set of SUs and monitors the DSN connection to generate utilization information. The computing device then receives a set of DS access responses from the set of SUs via the DSN connection and monitors the DSN connection to generate updated utilization information. The computing device then transmits a data access response to the requesting computing device and generates billing information based on at least one of the updated utilization information associated with the DSN connection, a level of billing, and a billing rate. 1. A computing device comprising:an interface configured to interface and communicate with a dispersed or distributed storage network (DSN);memory that stores operational instructions; and monitor a DSN connection that is between the computing device and a set of storage units (SUs) based on transmission of a set of distributed storage (DS) access requests via the DSN connection to generate utilization information associated with the DSN connection;', 'receive a set of DS access responses via the interface and from the set of SUs via the DSN connection;', 'monitor the DSN connection based on receipt of the set of DS access responses via the DSN connection to generate updated utilization information associated with the DSN connection;', 'transmit a data access response via the interface and to a requesting computing device of a subscriber group; and', 'generate billing information based on at least one of the updated utilization information associated with the DSN connection, a level of billing, or a billing rate., 'a processing module operably coupled to the ...

Content Archive Model

An archive model can be used for managing networked storage of recorded content, such as network DVR (digital video recorder) content. Content may be initially recorded to an active storage device, with individual duplicate copies recorded for each requesting user, and subsequently archived to an archive storage device. For playback, the content can be reconstituted into the active storage device prior to delivery to the requesting user. Content can be predictively reconstituted in anticipation of user needs, and the reconstitution capacity of the system can be dynamically reallocated for load balancing. 1. A networked recording method , comprising:receiving, at a network computing device, a plurality of requests to record content, the requests originating from a plurality of user devices remote from the network computing device;recording copies of the content in the respective users' allocations on an active storage device;determining that the copies of the recorded content should be archived;in response to determining that the copies of the recorded content should be archived, transferring the copies of the recorded content to an archive storage device, wherein the transferring includes deduplication of duplicate portions between copies of the recorded content;receiving a first user's request for a copy of the content;in response to the user request for the content, reconstituting a copy of the requested content in the active storage device from the archive storage device; andtransmitting the content from the active storage device to the user.220-. (canceled) The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/024,870 filed Feb. 10, 2011, entitled “Content Archive Model.” This application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.Viewers have grown accustomed to using their digital video recorders (DVRs) to record shows to watch later. Early DVRs store recorded programs locally in hard drives, providing user playback options ...

System and method for transmitting content items

Disclosed is a system that optimizes transmission of content. Requests for a content type and an element within the content type is received. Most frequently requested content types and most frequently requested elements within each of the most frequently requested content types are determined. A transmit rate for each of the frequently requested content types is determined, wherein the frequently requested content types with a higher request count receive a higher transmit rate than frequently requested content types with a lower request count. The most frequently requested elements within each of the most frequently requested content types are transmitted at the determined transmit rate. 1. A method for transmitting requested content , the method comprising:receiving at least one request for a content type and an element within the content type;based on the at least one received request, determining most frequently requested content types and most frequently requested elements within each of the most frequently requested content types;determining, by a processor of a machine, a transmit rate for each of the frequently requested content types, the frequently requested content types with a higher request count receiving a higher transmit rate than frequently requested content types with a lower request count, the transmit rate indicating a frequency for transmission of the most frequently requested content types; andtransmitting the most frequently requested elements within each of the most frequently requested content types at the determined transmit rate in response to a request for content.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:the most frequently requested content types comprise programs and the most frequently requested elements comprise program episodes;the determining the most frequently requested elements within each of the most frequently requested content types comprises determining most frequently requested program episodes within each most frequently ...

PROVIDING INTERACTIVE VIDEO ON DEMAND

Multimedia content to participant client devices may be simultaneously presented using a moderator device. An interactive program with the multimedia content and an interactive component associated with the multimedia content may be generated. Participant client devices and the user of the moderator client device may interact with the interactive program to cause the multimedia content and the interactive component to be simultaneously displayed on the display of each of the participant client devices and the display of the moderator client device. 1. A method for simultaneously presenting a multimedia content to a plurality of participant client devices , each of the plurality of participant client devices including a display , the method comprising:providing a producer interface at a producer client device, the producer client device including a display and the producer interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the producer client device to select the multimedia content;generating an interactive program, the interactive program including the multimedia content and an interactive component associated with the multimedia content;enabling users of the plurality of participant client devices and the user of the producer client device to interact with the interactive program to cause the multimedia content and the interactive component to be simultaneously displayed on the display of each of the participant client devices and the display of the producer client device;receiving, from a first one of the participant client devices, a response to the multimedia content, the response to the multimedia content being generated at the first one of the participant client devices based on an interaction of the user of the first one of the participant client devices with the interactive component while the multimedia content is being displayed on the first one of the participant client devices;transmitting the received response to the multimedia ...

SHARING A STREAMING VIDEO

A video segment can be shared over a computer network by first receiving the video segment at a receiving computer on the network. The receiving computer assures that the video segment is in a streaming video format, and creates at least one identification tag for the video segment. The receiving computer also stores the video segment, and communicates the identification tag to another computer on the network. Upon subsequent receipt of that identification tag, the receiving computer streams the video segment to a destination computer on the network. 1. A method comprising: (a) receiving a first video file having any one video file format among a plurality of video file formats from a first user on a second computer on a network;', '(b) automatically converting said first video file having the any one video file format into a first streaming video file having a first streaming video format and automatically converting the first video file having the any one video file format into a second streaming video file having a second streaming video format, independent from receiving a command to perform said converting from said first user;', '(c) automatically generating an identification tag that (i) comprises an image representing a subject matter of said first streaming video file and (ii) identifies said first streaming video file;', '(d) embedding said identification tag in a first web page; and', '(e) transmitting, via a second web page, said first streaming video file to a second user on a third computer on a network., 'performing by a first computer2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first computer comprises a plurality of computers.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first computer comprises a web server.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein said second computer comprises a cellular telephone or PDA.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein two or more of steps (a) claim 1 , (b) claim 1 , (c) claim 1 , (d) and (e) are performed by different computers.6. The method ...

Intelligent peer-to-peer system and method for collaborative suggestions and propagation of media

In a network-based system for recommending media content items based on user preferences, clients contact a server on a periodic basis, independent of the user. In addition to client-server interaction, clients also interact with one another in peer-to-peer fashion. Peers query one another and evaluate their similarity to each other in an interactive comparison of user preferences. When two clients are sufficiently similar, the interaction culminates in the originating client downloading content listings from the targeted peer to generate suggestions for their user. If the two clients are dissimilar, the query may be terminated, or the targeted peer may route the query to a second targeted peer. In addition to the lists of preferences, the originating client may download actual content items from the targeted peers.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SYNCHRONIZING MEDIA ASSET PLAYBACK ON MULTIPLE DEVICES

Systems and methods are described herein for synchronizing media asset playback on multiple devices. A media guidance application may transmit a media asset for simultaneous display to a first device and a second device. During playback of the media asset, the media guidance application may receive indications of the amount of the media asset consumed by the first and second device. In response to determining that one device has fallen behind in playback, the media guidance application may pause playback on other devices. In response to determining that the devices have become synchronized in playback, the media guidance application may resume playback on all devices. 1. A method for transmission of a media asset for simultaneous display , the method comprising:transmitting a media asset for simultaneous display to a first device and a second device;receiving, at a first time, a first indication of an amount of the media asset consumed by the first device at the first time and a second indication of an amount of the media asset consumed by the second device at the first time;comparing, using control circuitry, the first indication and the second indication to determine that the amount of the media asset consumed by the first device at the first time is different than the amount of the media asset consumed by the second device at the first time;in response to determining that the amount of the media asset consumed by the first device is different than the amount of the media asset consumed by the second device, pausing playback of the media asset on one of the first device and the second device;receiving, at a second time subsequent to the first time, a third indication of an amount of the media asset consumed by the first device at the second time and a fourth indication of an amount of the media asset consumed by the second device at the second time;comparing, using the control circuitry, the third indication and the fourth indication to determine that the amount ...

Methods and apparatus for supporting vod requests in a system with hierarchical content stores

Methods and apparatus for supporting video on demand requests in a system supporting hierarchical content stores, e.g., program caches, is described. Requested content is requested by a local streaming device from a remote cache when it is not available in a local cache. Content, e.g., I, P and B frames, supplied by the remote cache is tracked and content delivery is initiated prior to receipt of the full program from the remote content store. Trick play content is requested as needed from the remote content store to respond to trick play commands. Frames which are received as part of the trick play content stream are tracked and not included in normal play data subsequently obtained from the remote cache. The storage of the trick play data along with subsequent normal play data results in a full set of the program content being received and stored in a local cache for streaming in response to a VOD request.

DETERMINATION OF A SERVICE OFFICE OF A MEDIA CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM TO RECORD A MEDIA CONTENT ITEM WITH A NETWORK RECORDER

A method includes receiving, at a network device of a media content distribution system, data indicating a media content item to be recorded and a number of requests to record the media content item received at a first service office of the media content distribution system. The method also includes scheduling, via the network device, recording of the media content item at a first network recorder associated with the first service office when a value associated with recording the media content item with the first network recorder is less than or equal to a cost threshold. 1. A method comprising:receiving, at a network device of a media content distribution system, data indicating a media content item to be recorded and a number of requests to record the media content item received at a first service office of the media content distribution system; andscheduling, via the network device, recording of the media content item at a first network recorder associated with the first service office when a value associated with recording the media content item with the first network recorder is less than or equal to a cost threshold.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the value based on a storage cost associated with storing the media content item in a memory associated with the first service office claim 1 , based on a cost of a first bandwidth delay product from a top tier of the media content distribution system to the first service office claim 1 , based on a cost of a second bandwidth delay product from the first service office to subscriber devices associated with the requests claim 1 , or based on combinations thereof.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the cost threshold based on the number of requests to record the media content item received at the first service office and a cost of a bandwidth delay product from a top tier of the media content distribution system to subscriber devices associated with the requests.4. The ...

CONTENT DISTRIBUTION VIA A DISTRIBUTION NETWORK AND AN ACCESS NETWORK

A method and apparatus for streaming content to an access network in an interactive information distribution system. The method encapsulates the content in accordance to an Internet Protocol (IP). The content is then transcoded into a format supported by the access network, and streamed over a distribution network to a remote server or to a subscriber terminal that is coupled to the access network. The apparatus is embodied as stream caching server for streaming the content encapsulated within the packet to access networks via a stream distribution network in response to a request for content. A packet processor is coupled to the stream server for processing the encapsulated content within the IP packets into a format native to the access network.

Synthesizing A Presentation From Multiple Media Clips

In an example implementation, a method is described. The implementation accesses a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip, matches a first fingerprint of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of the second video clip. The implementation also matches a first event location of the first video clip with a second event location of the second video clip, determines an overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match of the first fingerprint with the second fingerprint and the match of the first event location with the second event location, merges the first and second video clips into a group of overlapping video clips based on the overlap, and generates a presentation that includes the group formed by merging the first and second video clips based on the overlap. 1. A system comprising:a processor-implemented media ingestion module configured to access a plurality of media clips including a first video clip and a second video clip; match a first fingerprint of at least a part of the first video clip with a second fingerprint of at least a part of the second video clip;', 'match a first event location of at least a part of the first video clip with a second event location of at least a part of the second video clip; and', 'determine an overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip based at least in part on the match of the first fingerprint of at least the part of the first video clip with the second fingerprint of at least the part of the second video clip and the match of the first event location of at least the part of the first video clip with the second event location of at least the part of the second video clip; and, 'a media analysis module configured to merge the first video clip and the second video clip into a group of overlapping video clips based on the overlap of the first video clip with the second video clip; and', 'generate a presentation that ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

A system for presenting live video content to a plurality of participant client devices is disclosed. An interactive program, including the live video content and an interactive component, is generated and a moderator interface is provided to enable a user of a moderator client device to create a look for the interactive program. The live video content and the interactive component are simultaneously displayed on a display of each of a plurality of participant client devices with the look created by the user of the moderator client device. The live video content and a response to the live video content are simultaneously displayed at each of the participant client devices with the look created by the user of the moderator client. The interactive program and the response are archived so that users of the plurality of participant devices may continue to interact with the interactive program after termination of the interactive program. 1generate interactive commerce programming, the interactive commerce programming including first product information and a first interactive component;provide the interactive commerce programming to a plurality of participant clients to cause each of the participant clients to present the first product information and the first interactive component together at a display of each of the participant clients;receive from at least one of the plurality of participant clients a participant response to the interactive commerce programming;generate modified interactive commerce programming by updating the interactive commerce programming to include the participant response and second product information;provide the modified interactive commerce programming to each of the plurality of participant clients to cause each of the participant clients to present the modified interactive commerce programming at the display of each of the participant clients; andinitiate a commercial transaction for one or more products in response to an interaction with ...

Resource Request Management

A resource management system may use information regarding the bandwidth status of a downstream communication path to determine what portion of queued content should be sent in the current available bandwidth timeslot. In some embodiments, multiple versions of the same requested content may be available, and the system may select a lower-quality version to send if needed to meet a time deadline included in the original content request. 1. A method comprising:receiving, by a computing device and from a user device, a request for a plurality of content fragments associated with a content item, wherein the computing device is allocated an amount of bandwidth available for a plurality of time slots;receiving, from the user device, an indication of a video quality associated with the content item;determining, based on the indication, a time slot, of the plurality of time slots, for transmission of one or more of the plurality of content fragments; andsending, to the user device, the one or more of the plurality of content fragments in the determined time slot.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving claim 1 , from the user device claim 1 , an indication of a playback speed associated with the content item claim 1 , and wherein the determining the time slot is further based on the indication of the playback speed.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving claim 1 , from the user device claim 1 , an indication of a new playback point of the content item claim 1 , and wherein the determining the time slot is further based on the indication of the new playback point.4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:escalating, based on the indication, a priority of the one or more of the plurality of content fragments.5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:discarding, based on the indication, a subset of the plurality of content fragments.6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:determining which of the plurality of content fragments, if ...

Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording

An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

Method for content-based non-linear control of multimedia playback

A system and method are provided for content-based non-linear control of video data playback. A multimedia database having multimedia data including multimedia content data is searched based on a user query to determine a first set of multimedia data. The multimedia data includes indexes to and condensed representations of corresponding video data stored in a video database. A portion of the first set of multimedia data is displayed at a control device in response to the user query. A user of the control device selects an element of the first set of multimedia data for video playback and video data corresponding to the element delivered to a video device for playback. A user of the control device selects an element of the first set of multimedia data for additional information and a second set of multimedia data corresponding to the element delivered to the control device.

Method and system for media adaption

A method includes receiving a media request for a target device. The signaling information may be received from the target device and a media server. At least one attribute of the target device and the media server may be identified using the signaling information. At least one attribute of the target device and the media server may be evaluated against a service level objective to select a media format. The service level objective may include consideration of the target device and available bandwidth over a provider network. The media may be provided in the selected media format over the provider network to the target device.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF CUSTOMIZED TELEVISION PROGRAMMING OVER THE INTERNET

A production facility receives program content from a plurality of broadcast feeds over the Internet. In an embodiment, the production facility comprises server on a computer network, such as the Internet. The server comprises computer programs configured to manipulate the audio and video data of the multiple program contents. At the production facility, the program content can be manipulated to produce a production. Program manipulation can comprise at least one of green screen technology, music, graphics, Foley, sound effects, voice over, advertising, or the like. The production is broadcast over the computer network to viewers, where the viewers receive the production. In an embodiment, the production is customized based on the viewers' input received while broadcasting. In other words, the production is customized in real time based at least in part on the interaction of the production with the viewers. In another embodiment, the viewers can further manipulate the program content of the production to create a new production, which can be broadcast over the customized programming system. 1. A method of producing interactive television over the Internet comprising:receiving over the Internet with at least one server a plurality of media content from at least two or more content providers, wherein the at least two or more content providers are separate entities, and wherein the server is remotely located from the at least two or more content providers,one or more of the plurality of media content comprising one or more of video or audio data;transmitting over the Internet, at least two portions of the plurality of media content from the at least two or more content providers from the server to multiple first viewer computers, the multiple first viewer computers remotely located from the server;receiving at the server over the Internet, from the multiple first viewer computers that are remotely located from the server, first viewer input from the multiple first ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING A SIGNAL ROUTE FOR DELIVERY OF VIDEO-ON-DEMAND TO A SUBSCRIBER TERMINAL

A set top box includes an interface to a narrowcast video system, the interface adapted to receive communications from one or more modulators of a modulator group of the narrowcast video system. The set top further includes a decoder configured to extract a modulator group identifier periodically inserted into communications directed the set top box from the one or more modulators, the modulator group identifier unique to a physical transmission path from a headend of the narrowcast video to the one or more modulators. The set top includes a narrowcast video request interface to the narrowcast video system, the narrowcast video request interface configured to output a request for narrowcast video data including the modulator group identifier.

Digital transport adapter

One or more computing devices may be configured to identify information corresponding to a program change request associated with a multi-program data transmission. The information may comprise at least a link to a desired program within the multi-program data transmission. The one or more computing devices may communicate the link to the desired program to a client device over a specified time period. After the time period, the one or more computing devices may communicate the desired program to the client device using a single program data transmission. The single program data transmission may be derived from the multi-program data transmission.

Methods and Systems for Managing Storage of Media Program Copies Within a Network Digital Video Recording System

An exemplary method includes a network DVR system identifying a total number of requests provided by a plurality of users to record a media program during a presentation of the media program, determining, based on the total number of requests and on a predicted playback rate associated with the media program, a maximum number of temporally overlapping playback sessions of the media program that will potentially be initiated by the plurality of users subsequent to the presentation of the media program, and storing, in response to the requests and based on the determining, a plurality of unique copies of the media program. Corresponding systems and methods are also described. 1. A method comprising:identifying, by a network digital video recording (“DVR”) system, a total number of requests provided by a plurality of users to record a media program during a presentation of the media program;determining, by the network DVR system based on the total number of requests and on a predicted playback rate associated with the media program, a maximum number of temporally overlapping playback sessions of the media program that will potentially be initiated by the plurality of users subsequent to the presentation of the media program, the maximum number of playback sessions being less than the total number of requests; andstoring, by the network DVR system in response to the requests and based on the determining, a plurality of unique copies of the media program.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein a total number of unique copies of the media program included in the plurality of unique copies of the media program is equal to the determined maximum number of temporally overlapping playback sessions.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein one or more of the requests to record the media program are provided by one or more users included in the plurality of users via one or more media content processing devices communicatively coupled to the network DVR system by way of a network claim 1 , ...

Client-server based interactive television program guide system with remote server recording

An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTENT-BASED NAVIGATION OF LIVE AND RECORDED TV AND VIDEO PROGRAMS

A system, method and computer-readable medium are presented for providing real-time content-based navigation of live video programming. The method aspect of the invention comprises receiving a live video program, generating an index to the received live video program by extracting images and/or text from the video program, recording the live video program, presenting at least a portion of data associated with the generated index to a user, receiving user input regarding a portion of the recorded video program to which the user desires to navigate and playing back the recorded video program starting at the navigated portion identified by the user input. 1. A method comprising:generating an index to a video program based on an indication of a portion of interest in the video program, wherein the index is generated automatically, via a processor, by combining extracted images and text generated from the video program with network-based content provided by an external source;presenting the index on a first computing device different from a second computing device which displays the video program;receiving, based on the index, user input regarding a navigation location within the video program; andcausing the video program to be played from the navigation location.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network-based content is transmitted concurrently with the video program.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the external source comprises a server connected via the Internet.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating of the index further comprises utilizing content-based sampling.5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising extracting the extracted images from the video program using content-based sampling.6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising generating the text using automatic speech recognition.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first computing device comprises a wireless device.8. A system comprising:a processor;a display; and generating an index to a ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING MEDIA CONTENT FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES

A media content distribution system is provided that comprises a subscriber unit. The subscriber unit can be configured to receive media content from a media content source, present a media guide on a display, and cause predetermined media content to be displayed in a hover-over window overlaying a storefront in response to user interaction with the storefront. The media guide can comprise an interactive storefront associated with the media content, where the storefront can comprise an active link to the media content source, an alternate source for the media content, and the hover-over window associated with the storefront. 1. A system for media content distribution , the system comprising:a processor; and receive media content from a media content source,', an active link to the media content source,', 'an alternate source for the media content, and', 'a hover-over window associated with the storefront, and, 'present the media content in an interactive storefront on a display, the storefront comprises'}, 'cause predetermined media content to be displayed in the hover-over window overlaying the storefront in response to user interaction with the storefront., 'a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory stores executable instructions for causing the processor to'}2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the storefront is one of a plurality of storefronts claim 1 , wherein the plurality of storefronts are associated with a media guide.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the media guide comprisesa navigable bar for displaying a navigable subcategory, the navigable subcategory comprises a predetermined interactive selection frame that ranges from a time slot to a different narrow down of a main category;a category section for displaying labels representing pre-defined categories; anda sub-category section for displaying labels representing predefined sub-categories keyed to a predetermined category.4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the media guide is configured to ...

Network Time-Shift Buffering, Recording Conversion, And Content Management

Methods and systems for managing content are disclosed. An example method can comprise monitoring a number of users accessing content, and recording a first segment of the content if the number of users accessing the content reaches a threshold value. A second segment of the content can be recorded based on a request to record the second segment of the content, and at least a portion of the recording of the first segment of the content can be associated with the recording of the second segment of the content. 1a content device configured to monitor a number of users accessing content and provide a notification if the number of users accessing the content reaches a threshold value; and receiving the notification from the content device,', 'recording a first segment of the content in response to the notification,', 'receiving, via a network and from a user device, a request to record at least a second segment of the content,', 'recording the second segment of the content based on the request, and', 'associating at least a portion of the recording of the first segment of the content with the recording of the second segment of the content., 'a recording device communicatively coupled to the content device and configured to perform steps comprising,'}. A system comprising: This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/463,650, filed Mar. 20, 2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/885,663, filed Oct. 16, 2015, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,654,828, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/192,126, filed Feb. 27, 2014 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,197,932, which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.Digital video recorders allow users to record content. Users may look for content by browsing through a list of content transmissions. When a user arrives at a content of interest, the user may choose to record the content. Digital video recorders only allow users to record portions of the content ...

Renting a pipe to a storage system

A computing device that includes an interface, a memory, and a processing module receives a data access request from a requesting computing device and processes them to produce a set of distributed storage (DS) access requests. The computing device then transmits the set of DS access requests to a set of storage units (SUs) via a DSN connection that is between the computing device and the set of SUs and monitors the DSN connection to generate utilization information. The computing device then receives a set of DS access responses from the set of SUs via the DSN connection and monitors the DSN connection to generate updated utilization information. The computing device then transmits a data access response to the requesting computing device and generates billing information based on at least one of the updated utilization information associated with the DSN connection, a level of billing, and a billing rate.

Determining Popularity Ratings Using Social and Interactive Applications for Mass Media

Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products provide social and interactive applications for mass media based on real time ambient-audio and/or video identification. In some implementations, a method includes: receiving descriptors identifying ambient audio associated with a media broadcast; comparing the descriptors to one or more reference descriptors; and determining a rating for the media broadcast based at least in part on the results of the comparison.

Media Stream Generation Based on a Category of User Expression

A method includes receiving, from a media server, a media stream that includes a group of segments of media content associated with a user-selected category. The group of segments includes a first segment corresponding to a portion of a first program and a second segment corresponding to a portion of a second program. The method includes, responsive to receipt of the media stream, sending a plurality of selectable icons to a display device responsive to receipt of the media stream. The method includes receiving user input corresponding to a particular selectable icon of the plurality of selectable icons and sending data, based on the user input, to the media server. The method also includes receiving from the media server, a modified stream based on the user input, where a particular segment corresponding to the particular selectable icon has been replaced by an entirety of a corresponding program in the modified stream. 1. A method comprising:receiving, at a user device from a media server, a media stream that includes a group of segments of media content associated with a user-selected category, wherein the group of segments includes a first segment corresponding to a portion of a first program and a second segment corresponding to a portion of a second program;responsive to receipt of the media stream, sending a plurality of selectable icons from the user device to a display device wherein each selectable icon of the plurality of selectable icons corresponds to a segment of the group of segments;receiving, at the user device, user input corresponding to a particular selectable icon of the plurality of selectable icons;sending data, based on the user input, from the user device to the media server; andreceiving, at the user device from the media server, a modified stream based on the user input, wherein a particular segment corresponding to the particular selectable icon has been replaced by an entirety of a corresponding program in the modified stream.2. The ...

Content Storage Method and System

A content storage method and system for use in a content distribution network are provided. A personal file locker is established on the network for a user. A content-storage-request database is established. The database tracks requests by the user for placing video programs into the user's file locker for personal use by the user. Upon the broadcasting of a video program for which there exists a request by the user to place the video program into the user's file locker, the requested video program is stored in the user's file locker. The stored video program is then made available to the user for viewing. Alternative approaches to content storage methods and systems are also described, including the use of a buffer enhancement to enable the performance of operations on “live” television. 1establishing, by a computing device, a pause buffer for future recording of live programming;establishing a scheduled recording buffer for future scheduled recording of programming for a first user; andproviding, the first user, a control for allocating buffer space to the pause buffer and the scheduled recording buffer.. A method comprising: This application is continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/166,426, filed on Jan. 28, 2014 and entitled “Content Storage Method and Systems,” which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/231,466, filed on Sep. 21, 2005 and entitled “Content Storage Method and Systems,” which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/806,251, filed on Mar. 22, 2004 and entitled “Content Storage Method and Systems.” U.S. application Ser. No. 14/166,426, U.S. application Ser. No. 11/231,466, and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/806,251 are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.The invention relates to content distribution techniques and to personal video recorders (PVRs).The video cassette recorder (VCR) has been used for many years to allow users to record video programming to tape for personal use. Most modern ...

PROVIDING INTERACTIVE VIDEO ON DEMAND

A moderator client device may add program information for multi-media content using interactive elements. The moderator client device may associate an interactive component with the multi-media content using the interactive elements on a moderator interface. An interactive program may be generated from the multi-media content, tags and time-codes, and the interactive component. A response to the interactive program may be received from a viewer client device based on an interaction of the user of the viewer client device with the interactive component. The response received from the viewer client device may be displayed simultaneously with the updated interactive program on the display of each of a plurality of viewer client devices. 1. A method for simultaneously presenting a multimedia content to a plurality of participant client devices , each of the plurality of participant client devices including a display , the method comprising:providing a producer interface at a producer client device, the producer client device including a display and the producer interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the producer client device to select the multimedia content;generating an interactive program, the interactive program including the multimedia content and an interactive component associated with the multimedia content, wherein the interactive component can be disabled by the user of the producer client device;enabling users of the plurality of participant client devices and the user of the producer client device to interact with the interactive program to cause the multimedia content and the interactive component to be simultaneously displayed on the display of each of the participant client devices and the display of the producer client device;receiving, from a first one of the participant client devices, a response to the multimedia content, the response to the multimedia content being generated at the first one of the participant client ...

CACHE MANAGEMENT IN A VIDEO CONTENT DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

Cache management techniques are described for a content distribution network (CDN), for example, a video on demand (VOD) system supporting user requests and delivery of video content. A preferred cache size may be calculated for one or more cache devices in the CDN, for example, based on a maximum cache memory size, a bandwidth availability associated with the CDN, and a title dispersion calculation determined by the user requests within the CDN. After establishing the cache with a set of assets (e.g., video content), an asset replacement algorithm may be executed at one or more cache devices in the CDN. When a determination is made that a new asset should be added to a full cache, a multi-factor comparative analysis may be performed on the assets currently residing in the cache, comparing the popularity and size of assets and combinations of assets, along with other factors to determine which assets should be replaced in the cache device. 1. An apparatus comprising:one or more processors; and determine a first target percentage of content asset requests to be serviced by a cache;', 'determine a content asset request history associated with the cache;', determine, for each of a plurality of unique asset titles, a quantity of historical content asset requests corresponding to the unique asset title;', 'determine, for each of the plurality of unique asset titles, a corresponding percentage of a total number of the historical content asset requests, corresponding to the unique asset title, serviced by the cache;', 'rank the plurality of unique asset titles, based on the determined percentages, to generate a list of top ranked unique asset titles; and', 'select, from the list and based on the ranking, a target plurality of the unique asset titles, such that a sum of the percentages for each of the unique asset titles in the target plurality satisfies the first target percentage; and, 'based on the content asset request history, 'transfer, from a content library and to ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING IN A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

A system for presenting live video content to a plurality of participant client devices is disclosed. An interactive program, including the live video content and an interactive component, is generated and a moderator interface is provided to enable a user of a moderator client device to create a look for the interactive program. The live video content and the interactive component are simultaneously displayed on a display of each of a plurality of participant client devices with the look created by the user of the moderator client device. The live video content and a response to the live video content are simultaneously displayed at each of the participant client devices with the look created by the user of the moderator client. The interactive program and the response are archived so that users of the plurality of participant devices may continue to interact with the interactive program after termination of the interactive program. 1. A system for presenting live media content to a plurality of participant client devices , each of the plurality of participant client devices including a display , the system comprising:at least one server including a hardware processor, a hardware memory, and program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the at least one server to:generate an interactive program, the interactive program including the live media content and an interactive component associated with the live media content,provide a moderator interface at a moderator client device, the moderator client device including a display and the moderator interface including one or more interactive elements to enable a user of the moderator client device to create a look for the interactive program,for each of the plurality of participant client devices, enable a user of the participant client device to interact with the interactive program to cause the live media content and the interactive component to be simultaneously displayed on the ...

Fast channel change

In an exemplary server implementation, a server is configured to retain at least one independent frame for each video channel of multiple video channels that are being distributed using multicast communications and is adapted to respond to channel change requests from clients by transmitting the retained at least one independent frame of a requested video channel to a requesting client using a unicast communication. In an exemplary method implementation, a method for fast channel changing in a multicast video distribution architecture includes: detecting a channel change request that indicates a requested channel, the requested channel corresponding to a multicast group; and transmitting a retained intra frame for the requested channel as a unicast communication.

交互式电视节目导视系统及其方法

提供一种交互式电视节目导视系统。交互式电视节目导视提供给用户机会来选择用于在远程媒体服务器上录像的节目。也可在本地媒体服务器上将节目录像。节目导视提供给用户对于自媒体服务器中回放的节目的类似VCR控制以及对于节目的实时地高速缓存过的副本的同样控制。节目导视还提供给用户机会来指定接受礼品者以便为他将节目录像。

Method and apparatus for receiving broadcast data

Disclosed is a method of outputting broadcasting data, the method including outputting advertisement data to be provided in a first channel, when a request to change from the first channel to a second channel is received while the advertisement data is being provided, determining whether or not to change the channel according to information regarding the second channel, and selectively changing channels from the first channel to the second channel according to the decision.

Targeted advertisement using television delivery systems

A novel multiple channel architecture (265) is designed to allow targeted advertising directed to television terminals (220) connected to an operations center (202) or a cable headend (208). Program channels carry television programs. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware (262, 275, 297), databases (301) and processing hardware (285, 293) and software to accomplish these functions. During commercial breaks in the television programs, advertisements, which are also broadcast on the program channel, are displayed. However, additional feeder channels carry alternate advertising that may be better suited for certain viewing audiences. The operations center (202) or the cable headend (208) generate a group assignment plan (293, 299) that assigns the television terminals (220) to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A switching plan (291) is then generated that instructs the television terminals (220) to remain with the program channel or to switch to one of the alternate feeder channels during the program breaks. The television terminals (220) record which channels were viewed during the program breaks, and report this information to the cable headend (208) and the operations center (202). The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits.

Process and streaming server for encrypting a data stream

There is disclosed a process for encrypting a data stream to secure the data stream for single viewing and to protect copyrights of the data stream. Specifically, there is disclosed a process for protecting streaming multimedia, entertainment and communications in an Internet type transmission. There is further disclosed a streaming server component operably connected with a streaming server that interacts with a client system to effect the inventive process.

Securely ingesting encrypted content into content servers

A system and method are directed towards including buffer packets into an unencrypted content stream at a same location as encryption related information such as an ECM, an EMM message, or the like, would be in a corresponding encrypted content stream. The buffer packets may comprise virtually any information, including a null packet, an ECM message. By inserting buffer packets in the same location, an overall file size, and frame locationing may be made to match the file size, and frame locationing of the encrypted content stream. The modified unencrypted content stream may be employed to generate trick play files, such as a fast forward file, fast reverse file, and so forth, as well as a corresponding index file that indicates locations of relevant content frames in the unencrypted content stream and the trick play files.

System and method for displaying near video on demand

A method for display of near video on demand programs broadcast over a network system to a receiver operable to record at least one channel. The program includes a plurality of segments broadcast over two or more channels during a plurality of time intervals. The method includes displaying a first segment of the program as it is broadcast at a first time interval and recording a second segment of the program at the first time interval if the second segment is not scheduled for broadcast at a second time interval. The second segment is displayed if broadcast at the second time interval or the recorded second segment is played at the second time interval if not broadcast. The steps of recording and displaying are repeated for remaining segments of the program until the last segment of the program is displayed. A method for scheduling broadcast of near video on demand programs and a system for displaying near video on demand programs are also disclosed.

Multimedia display System with Network and Method thereof

본 발명은 네트워크를 이용한 멀티미디어 디스플레이 시스템 및 방법에 관한 것으로, 네트워크를 통해 상기 호스트에 접속하여 사용자가 원하는 방송 프로그램의 녹화 및 시청을 요구하고, 상기 호스트 서버에 저장된 각각의 녹화 정보 및 영상을 전송받아 화면에 디스플레이하는 다수의 클라이언트 디스플레이부; 상기 네트워크를 통한 녹화요구에 해당하는 방송 프로그램을 사용자별로 녹화함과 동시에 저장된 녹화내역을 요구자별로 관리하며, 상기 네트워크를 통한 방송 프로그램 시청 요구시 상기 사용자별로 기저장된 녹화내역 정보를 참조하여 해당 방송 프로그램을 상기 네트워크를 통해 해당 요구자의 각각의 클라이언트 디스플레이부에 제공하는 호스트 서버를 포함하는 것을 특징으로 한다. 따라서, 사용자가 원하는 방송 프로그램을 직접 검색할 필요 없이 녹화 요청만으로도 기저장된 녹화내역 정보를 참조하여 호스트 서버에 특정 프로그램을 녹화 저장할 수 있어 정보의 검색 및 저장이 매우 간편하여 사용자 편의를 향상시키고, 안내화면을 통한 간단한 선택만으로 네트웍에 연결된 호스트에 사용자가 원하는 정보를 그 용량 및 시간에 상관없이 저장하고 필요시 언제라도 호스트로부터 전송받아 시청할 수 있다. The present invention relates to a multimedia display system and method using a network. The present invention provides a method for requesting recording and viewing of a broadcast program desired by a user by accessing the host through a network, and receiving respective recording information and images stored in the host server. A plurality of client display unit for displaying on the screen; The user can record the broadcasting program corresponding to the recording request through the network for each user and manage the stored recording contents for each user, and when the user requests to view the broadcasting program through the network, the broadcasting program is referred to by referring to the recording information stored for each user. It characterized in that it comprises a host server for providing to each client display unit of the requestor over the network. Therefore, the user can record and store a specific program in the host server by referring to the previously recorded recording information only by requesting a recording without directly searching for a broadcasting program desired by the user. By simply selecting the screen, the user can save the information he / she wants to the networked host regardless of its capacity and time. 디스플레이, 호스트 서버, 클라이언트, 티브이, 방송, 프로그램, 녹화, 저장 Display, host server, client, tv, broadcast, program, recording, storage