Patent ID: 6769127
Filing Date: 2004-07-27
Classification: H04H,H04N

Abstract:
A method for delivery media programs from a central location to multiple subscribers, said method comprising:configuring subscribers to receive delivery of a selected set of the media programs over a network, wherein the media programs are received from different sources and in different formats; setting program guides in accordance with service packages respectively for the subscribers; reformatting the media programs to one or more predefined formats suitable for transporting over the network or for proper display on client devices used respectively by the subscribers; rendering program guides available to the subscribers, wherein each of the program guides includes only a current time bar being superimposed directly on those of the media programs identified in the program guide that are currently being broadcasted; delivering a selected set of the media programs over the network to one or more of the subscribers; and caching, at the same time, the selected set of the media programs respectively in a number of temporary spaces, each being managed by operations including at least: determining if a temporary space has sufficient available capacity to cache a media program being delivered live from the media delivery center to a user, and discarding from the temporary space a media program that has been previously cached therein when the temporary space is determined to have insufficient available capacity to cache one of the media programs in entirety, whereby the one of the media programs being delivered live and cached can be delivered via the temporary space upon request from a subscriber for a period of time after the one of the media programs has been delivered.