Tvworks, LLC

Comcast Cable Communications Management, LLC

Brian Bulkowski

Mark A Vickers

Carolyn Wales

James Helman

Joseph Decker

Sam Hsu

Brock Wagenaar

Weidong Mao

Raymond Drewry

David M Leonard

The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Method and apparatus for accessing higher privileged functions from lower privileged functions

Method and apparatus for determining data is available using a virtual time base

Method and apparatus for transmitting enhancement data in data streams

Accessing a higher privileged application function from a lower privileged application

Method and apparatus for transmitting enhancement data in a data stream

Advancing virtual time bases for content

Transmitting enhancement data for video

Processing applications with multiple privilege levels

Transmitting timing information for content in a data stream

Methods, apparatus, and network oriented systems are discussed for estimating system, e.g. web site, usage removed from the web site, as well as scheduling and directing a data broadcast source to provide content based on web site usage estimates and predictions in a broadcast data stream.

Method and apparatus for usage estimation and prediction in two-way communication networks

Method and apparatus for transmitting data in a data stream

Method of maintaining broadcast data stream

The invention includes a method and system for serving data on broadcast media that uses low-level data objects to reduce repetition of common data, that uses indirect naming and machine-readable names to provide easy access to a large part of the broadcast spectrum, and that obtains a data object in a single cycle with no loss, or in two cycles with moderate loss. A user can request a desired data object, such as a web page, which comprises one or more low-level objects. The bandwidth used for each low-level object can be separately set. Two desired data objects can include the same low-level object. The method allows the content creator flexibility in assigning bandwidth used and response time for specific request objects and is easy to implement. Objects can be broadcast across alternate protocols. A dynamic list of desired data objects (the 'First-level Name Table') is maintained that references the low-level objects that compose them.

Broadcast distribution using low-level objects and locator tables

Growing community of inventors

Berkeley, CA, United States of America

Brian Bulkowski