System and method for inserting local content into programming content

A method for communicating programming and local content data to be inserted into a local content space in the programming data stream at a predetermined time, the method comprising:

• transmitting the programming and the local content data to a set-top box in a house of a user;
• storing a predetermined portion of the pieces of local content data in the set-top box based on predetermined criteria;
• identifying a local content space in the programming data stream;
• selecting a particular piece of local content stored in the set-top box to insert into the local content space in the programming data stream based on a plurality of predetermined preferences;
• retrieving said selected piece of local content;
• and
• inserting said selected piece of local content into said programming data stream at said local content space so that individualized local content specific to the user of the set-top box is inserted into the programming data stream.

An apparatus for displaying images from a programming data stream and a data stream containing pieces of local content data that are going to be inserted into a local content space in the programming data stream at some predetermined time, the apparatus comprising:

• means for receiving the programming data stream and the pieces of local content data;
• means for storing a predetermined portion of the received pieces of the local content data based a predetermined criteria;
• means for identifying a local content space in the programming data stream;
• means for selecting a particular piece of local content to insert into the local content space in the programming data stream based on a plurality of predetermined preferences of a user;
• means for retrieving said selected piece of local content from said storage means;
• and
• means for inserting said selected piece of local content into said programming data stream at said local content space so that individualized local content is inserted into the programming data stream.

A method for displaying images from a programming data stream and a data stream containing pieces of local content data that are going to be inserted into a local content space in the programming data stream at some predetermined time, the method comprising:

• receiving the programming data stream and the pieces of local content data;
• storing a predetermined portion of the received pieces of the local content data based a predetermined criteria;
• identifying a local content space in the programming data stream;
• selecting a particular piece of local content to insert into the local content space in the programming data stream based on a plurality of predetermined preferences of a user;
• retrieving said selected piece of local content from said storage means;
• and
• inserting said selected piece of local content into said programming data stream at said local content space so that individualized local content is inserted into the programming data stream.