PROGRAM STORAGE, RETRIEVAL AND MANAGEMENT BASED ON SEGMENTATION MESSAGES

摘要

Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as th e start and the end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Messages, such as segmentation messages, may indicate a time to an upcoming event and an elapsed time from a prior event. The messag es may be placed at equal intervals between events. Methods and systems are disclosed.