Comcast IP Holdings I, LLC

Sedna Patent Services, LLC

Cox Communications, Inc.

Diva Systems Corporation

Charter Communications Operating, LLC

Christopher W B Goode

Danny Chin

Yong Ho Son

Jesse S Lerman

Clement G Taylor

Steven Jeffrey Zack

James B Armstrong

Aidan James Smyth

Steve Zack

Donald F Gordon

Michael C Bertram

Nikhil Rajdev

Geoff Cleary

Andrew G Fletcher

Kevin J Borusiewicz

John M Randall

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.

Content distribution via a distribution network and an access network

A method and apparatus for storing and distributing video information in an interactive information distribution system by storing video information on either a centralized or de-centralized secondary storage partition in a network of provider and subscriber equipment, and therein distributing the video information to a subscriber having made a request for such video information.

Method and apparatus for hierarchical distribution of video content for an interactive information distribution system

A method of data management for efficiently storing and retrieving data in response to user access requests. The method includes receiving a request from at least one client for a title not resident in a storage server, where the title includes a play track having a plurality of chapters. The retrieval from a secondary storage device of play track portions proximate chapter delineation points is initiated, and bandwidth capacity and quality-of-service (QoS) parameters associated with the secondary storage device is determined. In the case of a client request to begin presentation of the title at one of the chapters, streaming of retrieved portions of the play track chapter to the client is initiated, masking latency associated with the secondary storage device is provided, and retrieval of at least unretrieved portions of the play track chapter and subsequent play track portions from the secondary storage device is initiated.

Method of data management for efficiently storing and retrieving data to respond to user access requests

A method for delivering customized navigation or interactive program guide imagery to a user by digitally splicing bitstreams bearing graphics or video imagery and bitstreams bearing navigation or IPG imagery. The resulting combined bitstream is delivered to a user or viewer.

Customized user interface generation in a video on demand environment

A file system that integrates trick play and standard play video information (movies or other video assets) into a single file. The single file for the video information contains a standard play track, a fast forward track, and a reverse play track that is striped onto a storage medium.

File system for a file server of a video-on-demand system

A method and apparatus for reducing latency caused by information server processing of subscriber request wherein a plurality of content streams defined by a playlist are sequentially provided to a subscriber in a substantially seamless manner and wherein the playlist is updated and otherwise maintained in response to subscriber commands and requests.

Method for reducing latency in an interactive information distribution system

A method and apparatus for preprocessing and postprocessing content in an interactive information distribution system. Content is retrieved from a storage medium and encapsulated in accordance to an Internet Protocol (IP) format. The encapsulated content is then uploaded for storage in a stream caching server and for future streaming of content to different types of access networks.

Method and apparatus for preprocessing and postprocessing content in an interactive information distribution system

A data packet structure capable of efficiently propagating a payload through a multi-user, digital video distribution system. The system is capable of delivering multimedia data (video and audio information) using the Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) packets as payload within a unique packet structure. The packet structure enables routing of the packets through a variety of network topologies. Specifically, the packet structure comprises a packet header, a routing information field, a private data field, digital data payload, and an error correction code field. Such a packet structure enables the network to deliver digital video through a point-to-point, star, ring, dual ring, and other network topologies to a user that is identified in the routine information field.

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Christopher W B Goode