System for scheduling transmission of indexed and requested database tiers on demand at varying repetition rates

An information transmission system, comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• said database editing means further embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• a transmitter, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing selected portions of said information database;
• and
• a multiplicity of subscriber stations for receiving said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including a data filter that stores filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said subscriber stations including data processing apparatus that automatically adds, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said filter data so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• whereby said subscriber station automatically downloads data packets containing data related to data contained in requested data packets, thereby anticipating potential additional requests that a user may make and speeding access thereto,
• wherein
• said set of indices include timestamps therein indicating when each said portion of the information database referenced by an index is to be transmitted;
• and
• said subscriber stations's data processing apparatus furthermore decoding said timestamps in said indices;
• whereby subscribers can be informed as to when a specified portion of the information database will be received.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a hierarchically arranged set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database one or more scheduled transmission times;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• said scheduling step including dividing said selected portions of said information database into a prioritized set of tiers, wherein all the selected portions of said information database in each tier are transmitted at a corresponding repetition rate, wherein the repetition rate for higher priority tiers is higher than the repetition rate for lower priority tiers;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber stations, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• and
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• said storing step further including embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing selected portions of said information database;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber station, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• and
• said storing filter data step furthermore including automatically adding, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said filter data so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• whereby said subscriber station automatically downloads data packets containing data related to data contained in requested data packets, thereby anticipating potential additional requests that a user may make and speeding access thereto;
• wherein said generating step generates indices including timestamps therein, said timestamps indicating when each said portion of the information database referenced by an index is to be transmitted;
• said method including decoding said timestamps in said indices at said subscriber stations;
• whereby subscribers can be informed as to when a specified portion of the information database will be received.

An information transmission system comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• said database editing means further embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• a transmitter, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing selected portions of said information database;
• and
• a multiplicity of subscriber stations for receiving said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including a data filter that stores filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said subscriber stations including data processing apparatus that automatically adds, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said filter data so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• whereby said subscriber station automatically downloads data packets containing data related to data contained in requested data packets, thereby anticipating potential additional requests that a user may make and speeding access thereto;
• wherein one or more subsets of said subscriber stations are interconnected via a local area network, including a network server that receives said transmitted stream of data packets on behalf of an associated set of subscriber stations, said network server including a data filter that references a specified set of requested data packets, said specified set of requested data packets representing all data packets requested by said associated set of subscriber stations, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said network server including data processing apparatus that adds, in accordance with predefined criteria, data packets corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said set of requested data packets so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• said network server including memory caching means for storing in a memory cache said additional data packets until said memory cache is full, and then overwriting ones of said additional data packets that have not been accessed by any of said associated set of subscriber stations with subsequently received ones of said additional packets;
• whereby overhead associated with receiving the stream of data packets and downloading for storage a specified subset thereof is shared by a set of subscribers.

An information transmission system comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• said database editing means further embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• a transmitter, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing selected portions of said information database;
• and
• a multiplicity of subscriber stations for receiving said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including a data filter that stores filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said subscriber stations including data processing apparatus that automatically adds, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said filter data so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• whereby said subscriber station automatically downloads data packets containing data related to data contained in requested data packets, thereby anticipating potential additional requests that a user may make and speeding access thereto;
• wherein one or more subsets of said subscriber stations are interconnected via a local area network, including a network server that receives said transmitted stream of data packets on behalf of an associated set of subscriber stations, said network server including a data filter that references a specified set of requested data packets, said specified set of requested data packets representing all data packets requested by said associated set of subscriber stations, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said network server including data processing apparatus that adds, in accordance with predefined criteria, data packets corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said set of requested data packets so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• said network server including memory caching means for storing in a memory cache said additional data packets until said memory cache is full, and then overwriting ones of said additional data packets with subsequently received ones of said additional packets in accordance with predefined criteria;
• whereby overhead associated with receiving the stream of data packets and downloading for storage a specified subset thereof is shared by a set of subscribers.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• said storing step further including embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing selected portions of said information database;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber station, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• and
• said storing filter data step furthermore including automatically adding, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said filter data so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• whereby said subscriber station automatically downloads data packets containing data related to data contained in requested data packets, thereby anticipating potential additional requests that a user may make and speeding access thereto;
• wherein one or more subsets of said subscriber stations are interconnected via a local area network including a network server;
• said method including receiving at said network server said transmitted stream of data packets on behalf of an associated set of subscriber stations, storing filter data in said network server referencing a set of requested data packets, said filter data representing data packets requested by said associated set of subscriber stations, and downloading into a memory storage device associated with said network server those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said network server further adding, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said filter data stored by said network server so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• said network server storing in memory cache said additional data packets until said memory cache is full, and then overwriting ones of said additional data packets that have not been accessed by any of said associated set of subscriber stations with subsequently received ones of said additional packets;
• whereby overhead associated with receiving the stream of data packets and downloading for storage a specified subset thereof is shared by a set of subscribers.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• said storing step further including embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing selected portions of said information database;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber station, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitting data packets;
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• and
• said storing filter data step furthermore including automatically adding, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indicing embedded in said downloaded data packets to said filter data so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• whereby said subscriber station automatically downloads data packets containing data related to data contained in requested data packets, thereby anticipating potential additional requests that a user may make and speeding access thereto;
• wherein one or more subsets of said subscriber stations are interconnected via a local area network including a network server;
• said method including receiving at said network server said transmitted stream of data packets on behalf of an associated set of subscriber stations, storing filter data in said network server referencing a set of requested data packets, said filter data representing data packets requested by said associated set of subscriber stations, and downloading into a memory storage device associated with said network server those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said network server further adding, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said filter data stored by said network server so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• said network server storing in memory cache said additional data packets until said memory cache is full, and then overwriting ones of said additional data packets with subsequently received ones of said additional packets in accordance with predefined criteria;
• whereby overhead associated with receiving the stream of data packets and downloading for storage a specified subset thereof is shared by a set of subscribers.

An information transmission system, comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• transmission scheduler for scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• a transmitter, coupled to said transmission scheduler and said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• subscriber stations that receive said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including data filter that stores filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said transmitter including a central program transmission station that transmits said stream of data packets, and one or more cable television systems that receive the transmitted stream of data packets and retransmit said stream of data packets via cables to a set of subscribers, said central program transmission station further transmitting in said stream of data packets special data packets indicating where in said stream of data packets local programming data packets may be inserted;
• and
• one or more of said cable television systems including a data switch for inserting into the stream of retransmitting data packets local programming data packets at positions in said stream of data packets indicated by said special data packets.

An information transmission system, comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• transmission scheduler for scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• a transmitter, coupled to said transmission scheduler and said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• subscriber stations that receive said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including data filter that stores filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said transmitter including a central program transmission station that transmits said stream of data packets, and one or more cable television systems that receive the transmitted stream of data packets and retransmit said stream of data packets via cables to a set of subscribers, said central program transmission station further transmitting in said stream of data packets special data packets designated as suitable for pre-emption by local programming;
• and
• one or more of said cable television systems includes means for inserting into the stream of retransmitted data packets additional "local programming" data packets so as to pre-empt said special data packets designated as suitable for pre-emption.

An information transmission system, comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• transmission scheduler for scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• a transmitter, coupled to said transmission scheduler and said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• subscriber stations that receive said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including data filter that stores filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• wherein said transmission scheduler reserves transmission times for transmitting portions of said information database requested by subscribers;
• said information transmission system including a subscriber request receiver that receives requests from subscribers, said requests each specifying a portion of said information database;
• and
• said transmitter further transmitting said requested portions of said information database during said reserved transmission times.

An information transmission system, comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• transmission scheduler for scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• a transmitter, coupled to said transmission scheduler and said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• subscriber stations that receive said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including data filter that stores filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• wherein one or more subsets of said subscriber stations are interconnected via a local area network, including a network server that receives said transmitted stream of data packets on behalf of an associated set of subscriber stations, said network server including a data filter that references a set of requested data packets, said set of requested data packets representing data packets requested by said associated set of subscriber stations, and that downloads into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said database editing means further embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• said network server including data processing apparatus that adds, in accordance with predefined criteria, data packets corresponding ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloaded data packets to said set of requested data packets so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• whereby overhead associated with receiving the stream of data packets and downloading for storage a specified subset thereof is shared by a set of subscribers.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber station, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• and
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• wherein said generating step generates indices including timestamps therein, said timestamps indicating when each said portion of the information database referenced by an index is to be transmitted;
• said method including decoding said timestamps in said indices at said subscriber stations;
• whereby subscribers can be informed as to when a specified portion of the information database will be received.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber station, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• and
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said transmitting step including transmitting said stream of data packets to one or more cable television systems that receive the transmitted stream of data packets and retransmit said stream of data packets via cables to a set of subscribers, and including in said stream of data packets special data packets indicating where in said stream of data packets local programming data packets may be inserted;
• and
• one or more of said cable television systems inserting into the stream of retransmitted data packets local programming data packets at positions in said stream of data packets indicated by said special data packets.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber station, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• and
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said transmitting step including transmitting said stream of data packets to one or more cable television systems that receive the transmitted stream of data packets and retransmit said stream of data packets via cables to a set of subscribers, and including in said stream of transmitted data packets special data packets designated as suitable for pre-emption by local programming;
• and
• one or more of said cable television systems inserting into the stream of retransmitted data packets additional "local programming" data packets so as to pre-empt said special data packets designated as suitable for pre-emption.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber station, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• and
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• said transmitting step including assigning transmission times to said selected portions of said information database and reserving transmission times for transmitting portions of said information database requested by subscribers;
• said method including receiving requests from subscribers, said request each specifying a portion of said information database;
• and
• said transmitting step including transmitting said requested portions of said information database during said reserved transmission times.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• scheduling transmission of selected portions of said information database, including assigning each selected portion of said information database a transmission repetition rate and one or more scheduled transmission times in accordance with said assigned repetition rate;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database in accordance with said scheduled transmission times;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations;
• at each subscriber station, storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• and
• at each subscriber station, downloading into a memory storage device those of said received data packets which match said specified set of requested data packets;
• wherein one or more subsets of said subscriber stations are interconnected via a local area network including a network server;
• said storing an information database step further including embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• said method including receiving at said network server said transmitted stream of data packets on behalf of an associated set of subscriber stations, storing filter data in said network server referencing a set of requested data packets, said set of requested data packets representing a union of data packets requested by said associated set of subscriber stations, and downloading into a memory storage device associated with said network server those of said received data packets which match said set of requested data packets;
• said network server further adding, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said downloading data packets to said filter data stored by said network server so as to specify additional data packets to be downloaded;
• whereby overhead associated with receiving the stream of data packets and downloading for storage a specified subset thereof is shared by a set of subscribers.

An information transmission system comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• said database editing means further embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• a transmitter, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database;
• subscriber stations that each receive said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including data filter that stores filter data, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device associated with said each subscriber station those of said received data packets which match said filter data stored by said each subscriber station;
• said subscriber stations including a network server interconnected via a local area network to a set of network subscriber stations;
• said network server including a receiver that receives said transmitted stream of data packets on behalf of said network subscriber stations;
• said filter data stored by said network server referencing a specified set of requested data packets, said specified set of requested data packets representing data packets requested by said network subscriber stations;
• said network server including data processing apparatus that specifies additional data packets to be downloaded into said memory storage device associated with said network server by automatically adding to said filter data stored by said network server, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said data packets downloaded by said network server;
• whereby overhead associated with receiving the stream of data packets and downloading for storage a specified subset thereof is shared by a set of network subscriber stations.

An information transmission method comprising the steps of:

• storing an information database on one or more memory devices;
• generating and storing on said memory devices a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and embedding said indices in said information database;
• said storing step further including embedding in said information database cross-referencing indices for cross-referencing related information;
• transmitting a stream of data packets containing selected portions of said information database;
• receiving said transmitted stream of data packets at subscriber stations, said subscriber stations including a network server interconnected via a local area network to a set of network subscriber stations;
• each subscriber station storing filter data corresponding to a subset of said indices, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets;
• each subscriber station downloading into a memory storage device associated with said each subscriber station those of said received data packets which match said filter data stored by said each subscriber station;
• said receiving step including receiving at said network server said transmitted stream of data packets on behalf of said network subscriber stations;
• said filter data stored by said network server referencing a specified set of requested data packets, said specified set of requested data packets representing data packets requested by said network subscriber stations;
• said network server specifying additional data packets to be downloaded into said memory storage device associated with said network server by automatically adding to said filter data stored by said network server, in accordance with predefined criteria, data corresponding to ones of said cross-referencing indices embedded in said data packets downloaded by said network server;
• whereby overhead associated with receiving the stream of data packets and downloading for storage a specified subset thereof is shared by a set of network subscriber stations.

An information transmission system comprising:

• a set of one or more computer memory devices on which is stored an information database;
• database editing means, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for generating a set of indices for referencing data in said information database, including distinct indices for referencing distinct portions thereof, and for embedding said indices in said information database;
• a transmitter, coupled to said one or more computer memory devices, for transmitting a stream of data packets containing said selected portions of said information database;
• subscriber stations that each receive said transmitted stream of data packets, each subscriber station including a data filter that stores filter data, said filter data specifying a set of requested data packets which comprises a subset of said transmitted data packets, and that downloads into a memory storage device associated with said each subscriber station those of said received data packets which match said filter data stored by said each subscriber station;
• said transmitter further transmitting in said stream of data packets special data packets indicating where in said stream of data packets local programming data packets may be inserted;
• and
• one or more of said cable television systems including means for inserting into the stream of retransmitted data packets local programming data packets at positions in said stream of data packets indicated by said special data packets.