Targeted advertisement insertion with interface device assisted switching

An interface device for use in a signal distribution system, the interface device comprising:

• a memory;
• a processor coupled to a memory;
• and
• interface circuitry
• wherein the interface circuitry receives first and second media streams from a network element of the signal distribution system;
• wherein the interface device switches under the control of the processor from the first stream to the second stream based on timing information signaled to the interface device via the network element, the timing information being generated from at least one cue detected in the first stream, the second stream containing targeted information for the user interface device;
• the timing information being signaled to the interface device responsive to a request for such information received from the interface device;
• the request being generated by the interface device responsive to a channel change command received by that device;
• and
• wherein the interface device further:
• processes the channel change command to determine if a requested channel is in a commercial break;
• responsive to determining that the requested channel is in a commercial break, determines an amount of time remaining until an end of the commercial break;
• and
• responsive to determining that the amount of time remaining until the end of the commercial break allows for delivery of at least a designated portion of the targeted information, temporarily ignores the channel change command and provides the second stream to the user interface device.

An apparatus for use in delivering targeted information to a user interface device in a signal distribution system, the apparatus comprising:

• head end equipment comprising at least one server;
• wherein the head end equipment detects at least one cue associated with a first media stream, generates timing information from the detected cue, signals the timing information to the user interface device, and generates a second media stream containing targeted information for delivery to the user interface device;
• wherein the user interface device switches from the first stream to the second stream based on the timing information;
• the timing information being signaled to the user interface device responsive to a request for such information received from the user interface device;
• the request being generated by the user interface device responsive to a channel change command received by that device;
• and
• wherein the head end equipment further:
• processes the channel change command to determine if a requested channel is in a commercial break;
• responsive to determining that the requested channel is in a commercial break, determines an amount of time remaining until an end of the commercial break;
• and
• responsive to determining that the amount of time remaining until the end of the commercial break allows for delivery of at least a designated portion of the targeted information, temporarily ignores the channel change command and provides the second stream to the user interface device.