The Directv Group, Inc.

Jeffrey L Sharkey

Huy Q Tran

Robert G Arsenault

Deanna R Kidd

Ranny Q Sue

Eric J Bennett

Luke J Crook

Coleen N Tajiri

Tam T Leminh

Sui-Ky Ringo Ling

David Eric Shanks

Tommi J Iten

Peter Leong

Xavier Riley

Michael R Munsell

Alistair E Jeffs

Gordon H Chen

Mitch C Jacobs

Aspandyar M Jijina

Kenneth D Seibert

Flemming R Hansen

Leo Wu

Eric H Chang

Kenny C Chen

Justin T Dick

Andrew J Schneider

Yoonjung Kim

Melissa H Tullues

Marcin Spatzier

Haydee C Silva

A communication systemincludes a content management systemdetermining broadband content availability, and a transport processing systemdividing the broadband content availability into broadband content availability packets. The transport processing systemcommunicates the broadband availability packets to a user device through a satelliteor

Method and system for communicating and displaying broadband content availability using information received through a satellite

A method and system for performing multi-level searches includes a user device and a display associated with the user device. A guide system receives a content provider category for a first content and receives a global guide category different than the content provider category for the first content. A communication network communicates the global guide category and the provider category to the user device. The user device performs a global search and displays on the display the first content in response to the global guide category and displays on the display a provider homepage with the first content displayed under the content provider category.

Method and system for performing multi-level program guide category searches

A system and method for searching for content in a user device includes a receiver receiving a plurality of data objects. The user device includes a search module comprising a parsing module parsing search data from the plurality of data objects and a memory interface module storing search data within a memory of the user device. The search module comprises a search performance module searching the search data in response to a search query. The search module comprises a search results module generating search results from the search data. The user device is associated with a display that displays the search results.

Method and system for searching for content in a user device

Multiple rating versions of content are provided and selectable by a viewer. A user can select one of the rating versions of the content for viewing. The user selection is dynamic such that the user can change the rating version selected while watching the content. Substitution instructions and substitution segments are downloaded and stored in a substitution cache. When a substitution descriptor is encountered in the content, a processor obtains at least one substitution instruction that corresponds to a substitution instruction identification code stored in the substitution descriptor. The processor executes the instruction to effect the rating change.

System and method for providing multiple rating versions in media programming

A system includes a content processing system receiving row ad metadata for a row ad, communicating the row ad to a user device and communicating program guide information to a user device. The program guide information defines a plurality of rows. The user device populates a row from the plurality of rows in response to the metadata and displays the row ad and the program guide on a display associated with the user device.

Method and system for generating row advertising in a program guide

A receiving device and method for operating the same includes a tuner tuned to a first channel having a first program, a memory storing program guide data therein and a controller in communication with the tuner and the memory. The controller determines the first channel is a blacked out channel, searches the program data in the memory for a second program equivalent to the first program, determines a second channel associated with the second program and tunes the tuner device to the second channel.

Method and apparatus for redirecting a receiving device in the event of a programming blackout

A method of arranging row ads system within a program guide includes communicating row ad metadata to a user device and communicating program guide information to a user device. The program guide information defines a plurality of rows, wherein at least a first row is associated with a first channel. The method includes associating positioning information with the row ad relative to the first row, populating a second row from the plurality of rows in response to the metadata and displaying the row ad and displaying the first row associated with the first channel within a program guide structure on a display associated with the user device in response to the positioning information.

Method and system for positioning row advertising in a program guide

A method and system for generating an electronic program guide includes a receiving unithaving a controller module. The controller modulereceives television content and electronic programming guide data. The controller moduleseparates the program guide data from the television content and stores the program guide data. The controllerdetermines user preferences and changes a display of the electronic program guide in response to the user preferences.

Intuitive electronic program guide display

A system and method for distributing requested content includes a content management systemand a devicesuch as a set top box that selects a selection corresponding to content in the content management systemand transmits a first material identification to the content management system. The content management systemtransmits the content to the device with a second material identification associated therewith. The devicereceives the content and the second material identification and compares the first material identification to the second material identification. When the second material identification corresponds to the content, the device continues downloading the content. When the second material identification does not correspond to the content, downloading of the file is discontinued. A content prefix may also be used alone or in combination with the material identification. The content is prevented from being transmitted if the content prefix does not correspond to the content type.

Method and apparatus of verifying that requested content matches content to be downloaded

A method, apparatus, and an article of manufacture provide the ability to transmit files/web content. Content files are gathered by a web caster application and the files are updated, fragmented, prepared, and scheduled for transmission. The web caster stores the files in an archive of prepared files and adds/updates a queue of files (sorted by date/time) that contain filenames of the files in the archive. A web player reads a file at the head of the queue and obtains the name and location of the archived file. The web player commands a transmission process to retrieve and transmit the appropriate file to a satellite for broadcasting to one or mote clients.

Method and apparatus for transmitting files

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Hermosa Beach, CA, United States of America

Jeffrey L Sharkey