Proxy for video on demand server control

Abstract

A video on demand system includes a head-end coupled through a proxy server to plural client terminals. The proxy server performs (or cooperates with another component in performing) various functions, including user interface definition, security, system administration (e.g. channel management, load distribution, and failover), and protocol translation.

1 .- 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method of providing video on demand, comprising:
 receiving a first group of user interface elements from a network;   retrieving a second group of user interface elements stored on a user terminal; and   rendering the first group of user interface elements in combination with the second group of user interface elements so that a user interface on the user terminal includes a combination of selectable user interface elements provided from both the network and the user terminal.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the second group of user interface elements includes a play button and the first group of user interface elements includes a control. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first and second user interface elements are presented at different times. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the second group of user interface elements include play controls for video-on-demand, and the first group of user interface elements include controls for video-on-demand selection. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the first group of user interface elements include graphic data, the method including using said graphic data for logo branding of the user interface. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 25 , comprising interrupting delivery of an on-demand video in response to a user command input through one of said second group of user interface elements, and presenting a screen display including at least one of said first group of user interface elements in response. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said screen display indicates whether the viewer has electronic mail waiting. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein said screen display indicates time remaining for the interrupted on-demand video. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 25 , further comprising a head end coupled to a proxy server, the proxy server interposed between the head end and the user terminal, and the proxy server comprises a control point for administering the first group of user interface elements, and the method further comprises:
 receiving a video selection via a graphical control presented on the user interface, the video-selection made from among plural videos presented from selection as provided from a library of available videos maintained at the proxy server, the proxy server maintaining the library based on communications with the head end data;   the graphical control comprising an element of the first group of user interface elements sent from the proxy server.   
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the graphical control presented on screen is provided via HTML instructions sent to a set-top box coupled to the screen, wherein the HTML instructions are sent to the set-top box from the proxy server for rendering user interface screens and controls. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein a new user interface element is added to the first group of user interface elements and the new user interface element is sent by the proxy server and presented on the user interface. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35 , wherein the new user interface element added to the first group of user interface elements comprises a button, a control, a graphic element, or a label. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the proxy server dynamically changes a logo as it appears at plural user terminals. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the second group of user interface elements comprise play controls for video-on-demand and the first group of user interface elements further comprise an indication that a viewer has electronic mail waiting. 
     
     
         39 . A video on-demand system comprising a screen coupled to a set-top box, comprising:
 a user interface presented on the screen;   the presented user interface including textual mark-up language elements having a first group and a second group of textual mark-up language elements;   the first group of textual mark-up language elements stored in the set-top box for display on the screen; and   the second group of textual mark-up language elements being received from a network so that the user interface includes a combination of selectable user interface elements provided from both the user terminal itself and the network.   
     
     
         40 . The video on-demand system of  claim 39 , wherein a graphical control specified via the second group is activated on the screen via a remote control to provide a video-selection, the video-selection made from plural available videos provided from a library of available videos maintained at a proxy server, the proxy server maintaining the library based on communications with a head end. 
     
     
         41 . The video on-demand system of  claim 40 , wherein the proxy server adds a new element to the second group, and the set-top box receives and displays the new element as specified. 
     
     
         42 . One or more computer readable storage comprising computer-executable instructions for a video-on-demand system, comprising:
 instructions for retrieving a first group of user interface elements stored on a user terminal;   instructions for receiving a second group of user interface elements from a network; and   instructions for rendering the second group of user interface elements in combination with the first group of user interface elements so that the user interface on the user terminal includes a combination of selectable user interface elements provided from both the network and the user terminal;   the first group of user interface elements comprising play controls including one or more of the following play controls: play, stop, and rewind;   the second group of user interface elements including controls for video-on-demand selection.   
     
     
         43 . The computer readable storage of  claim 42 , wherein the computer-executable instructions specifying the second group of user interface elements includes a logo associated with video-on-demand. 
     
     
         44 . The computer readable media of  claim 42 , wherein the computer-executable instructions specifying the second group further comprise a graphical element presented on the screen, the graphical element presented for receiving a selection from among plural selectable video programs, the plural selectable video programs provided from a library of available video programs maintained at a proxy server, the proxy server maintaining the library based on communications with a head end, the communications indicating available video programming at the head-end, and wherein a specification of the graphical element is sent to the user terminal from the proxy server.