СПОСОБ РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ И ХРАНЕНИЯ ШИРОКОВЕЩАТЕЛЬНЫХ ПРОГРАММ

Изобретение относится к способу распределения и хранения телевизионных и широковещательных программ. Технический результат заключается в расширении арсенала средств. Способ распределения широковещательных программ по клиентским устройствам, включающий прием широковещательной программы (12) из одного или нескольких источников; распределение принятой широковещательной программы (12) по клиентским устройствам (16) через сеть связи; сохранение принятых широковещательных программ и распределение сохраненных широковещательных программ по клиентским устройствам (16). Принятые широковещательные программы (12) сохраняются в качестве клипов заранее определенной длины в долговременном хранилище (13) данных и в кратковременном хранилище (14) данных, причем длина клипов (17_1, 17_m), подлежащих сохранению в долговременном хранилище (13) данных, превышает длину клипов (18_1, 18_n), подлежащих сохранению в кратковременном хранилище (14) данных. 2 н. и 16 з.п. ф-лы, 5 ил.

УСТРОЙСТВО ОБРАБОТКИ ИНФОРМАЦИИ, СПОСОБ ОБРАБОТКИИНФОРМАЦИИ, УСТРОЙСТВО РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ, СПОСОБ РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ СОДЕРЖАНИЯ И КОМПЬЮТЕРНАЯ ПРОГРАММА

Изобретение относится к устройствам и способам обработки информации. Технический результат заключается в возможности распределения информации между различными устройствами без предварительной подготовки содержания в виде множества форматов. При поступлении запроса от клиента со списком данных сервер устанавливает URL содержания и информацию идентификации преобразования. При необходимости проведение преобразования данных устанавливают виртуальный URL, содержащий информацию, определяющую преобразование данных, и информацию, идентифицирующую преобразование, и возвращают в устройство клиента. Сервер затем принимает URL от устройства клиента для анализа. Если в нем отсутствует информация, определяющая преобразование данных, содержание передают в том виде, как оно есть. Если в него внедрена информация, определяющая преобразование данных, содержание, передают в устройство клиента после преобразования данных, в соответствии с информацией, определяющей преобразование данных. 9 н. и 13 з.п. ф-лы, ...

ТЕРМИНАЛ ДЛЯ СВЯЗИ СО СПУТНИКОМ СВЯЗИ

Изобретение относится к системе связи, предназначенной, в частности, для сбора показаний коммунальных счетчиков по всему географическому региону. Предложен терминал для связи со спутником связи, содержащий: первый приемопередатчик для связи, с устройством в сети ближней связи; второй приемопередатчик для связи с геостационарным спутником связи в сети, в которой развернуто множество прямых каналов для передачи данных со спутника связи в упомянутый терминал и множество обратных каналов для передачи данных из терминала в упомянутый спутник связи, причем второй приемопередатчик сконфигурирован для передачи данных из упомянутого устройства в одном из упомянутого множества обратных каналов. 6 н. и 24 з.п. ф-лы, 13 ил.

УСТРОЙСТВО СЕРВЕРА, СПОСОБ РАСПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ ЛИЦЕНЗИИ И УСТРОЙСТВО ПРИЕМА СОДЕРЖАНИЯ

Изобретение относится к устройству сервера, которое предоставляет содержание (контент), и к устройству приема содержания, которое получает содержание и лицензию, необходимую для воспроизведения содержания. Техническим результатом является стабилизирование работы сервера лицензии путем исключения концентрации запросов на получение лицензии от большого количества клиентов во время непосредственно после времени начала широковещательной передачи содержания. Сетевой сервер сервера телевидения по протоколу Интернет (IPTV) устанавливает случайным образом время запроса на получение основной лицензии в пределах периода времени от времени начала широковещательной передачи до заданного установленного времени, в соответствии с запросом на получение лицензии для воспроизведения зашифрованного содержания, причем запрос на получение поступает из терминала клиента IPTV и передает в терминал клиента IPTV информацию о времени запроса на получение основной лицензии и временной лицензии, включающей в себя ...

УСТРОЙСТВО И СПОСОБ ДЛЯ ПЕРЕДАЧИ/ПРИЕМА БИТОВОГО ПОТОКА В СЕТИ

Изобретение относится к устройству и способу передачи и приема битового потока, посредством которых битовый поток видеоданных стабильно передается путем эффективного использования двух логических каналов, когда связь устанавливается посредством логических каналов в процессе передачи битового потока видеоданных в сети связи. В способе источник кодируется для получения битового потока с использованием предварительно определенного типа кодирования. Затем кодированный битовый поток передается на каждый уровень протокола связи, причем заголовок каждого уровня протокола связи добавляется к полезной нагрузке. Заголовок передается отдельно от битового потока. Технический результат, достигаемый при реализации изобретения, состоит в осуществлении контроля и коррекции битовых ошибок при передаче информации через каждый уровень. 4 с. и 11 з.п.ф-лы, 5 ил.

СПОСОБ И СИСТЕМА ДЛЯ ПЕРЕДАЧИ ДАННЫХ, ОТНОСЯЩИХСЯ К ТЕЛЕ- И ЗВУКОВОМУ ВЕЩАНИЮ, НА МОБИЛЬНЫЙ МОДУЛЬ ОБРАБОТКИ ДАННЫХ

Изобретение относится к способу передачи данных на мобильный модуль (60) обработки данных. Технический результат заключается в усовершенствовании управления данными. Способ содержит шаги обеспечения хранилища (30) данных, относящихся к телевизионному и/или звуковому вещанию, по меньшей мере, одного провайдера (1, 2, 3) канала, и передачи данных из хранилища (30) данных на мобильный модуль (60) обработки данных через TCP сервер (40) и беспроводную сеть (80). Данные передаются из TCP сервера (40) на мобильный модуль (60) обработки данных в ответ на периодические запросы от мобильного модуля (60) обработки данных на TCP сервер (40). 3 н. и 15 з.п. ф-лы, 1 ил.

ИНТЕРАКТИВНЫЙ НОСИТЕЛЬ И СПОСОБ УПРАВЛЕНИЯ ДОПОЛНИТЕЛЬНЫМИ ДАННЫМИ ДЛЯ НЕГО

Изобретение относится к интерактивному носителю и способу управления дополнительным содержимым, выдаваемым синхронно с аудио/видеоданными на интерактивном цифровом многофункциональном диске (I-DVD). Техническим результатом является расширение функциональных возможностей. Проигрыватель, в котором установлен интерактивный диск, получает доступ к серверу, предоставляющему дополнительное содержимое в виде аудио/видеоданных, записываемых на интерактивный диск перед воспроизведением интерактивного диска, и получает с сервера обновленную информацию дополнительного содержимого; обращается к полученной обновленной информации и определяет, обновлен ли произвольный файл, содержащийся в перечне дополнительного содержимого, связанном с аудио/видеоданными; запрашивает исходный файл, содержащийся в перечне, или обновленный файл, указанный в обновленной информации, и получает запрошенный исходный или обновленный файл. 3 н. и 16 з.п. ф-лы, 5 ил.

МИКРОВОЛНОВАЯ ИНТЕРАКТИВНАЯ ДИСТРИБУТИВНАЯ ИНФОРМАЦИОННАЯ СИСТЕМА "МИДИС"

Изобретение относится к технике связи. Заявленная система состоит из центральной станции, которая содержит ненаправленную антенну и головную приемную станцию обратного канала; и множества абонентских станций, каждая из которых содержит антенну, соединенную с передатчиком обратного канала. Центральная станция дополнительно оснащена стволом передачи данных прямого канала, передающим стволом аналогового вещания, передающим стволом цифрового вещания, приемными секторными антеннами обратного канала, сервером доступа обратного канала, подключенным к центру предоставления информационных услуг, который состоит из серверов служб, объединенных в локальную сеть, подключенную к маршрутизатору и к серверу доступа обратного канала; а каждая из абонентских станций оснащена сервером, соединенным с компьютером, цифроаналоговым тюнером и телевизионным приемником. Технический результат состоит в обеспечении недорогого и качественного доступа пользователей к информационным ресурсам. 2 з.п. ф-лы, 1 ил.

СИСТЕМА И СПОСОБ ВЫДАЧИ НАПОМИНАНИЙ ОБ УСЛУГЕ IP-ТЕЛЕВИДЕНИЯ (IPTV)

Изобретение относится к технологии телевидения на основе Интернет-протокола (IP-телевидение) и, в частности, к системе и способу выдачи напоминаний об услуге IP-телевидения (IPTV). Технический результат заключается в своевременном напоминании пользователю о просмотре программы IP-телевидения (IPTV). Система выдачи напоминаний об услуге IP-телевидения (IPTV) содержит первую подсистему, хранящую программную информацию каждого пользователя, и вторую подсистему, вычисляющую разницу во времени между временем телепередачи, содержащимся в найденной программной информации, и текущим временем. Если разница во времени не превышает заданный временной порог, то принимается решение о том, что найденная программная информация подлежит напоминанию. 2 н. и 9 з.п. ф-лы, 2 ил.

СПОСОБ БЕЗОПАСНОЙ ПЕРЕДАЧИ ДАННЫХ ПО СХЕМЕ "ТОЧКА-ТОЧКА" И ЭЛЕКТРОННЫЙ МОДУЛЬ, РЕАЛИЗУЮЩИЙ ЭТОТ СПОСОБ

... 1. Способ безопасной передачи данных по схеме "точка-точка" между центром (10) управления и одним из множества пользовательских устройств, связанных с указанным центром (10) управления, причем указанные данные включают в себя содержание (СТ), зашифрованное посредством, по меньшей мере, одного контрольного слова (cw), а каждое пользовательское устройство содержит, по меньшей мере, один декодер/приемное устройство (12), снабженный (снабженное), по меньшей мере, одним ключом (K1, K2, ..., Кn) шифрования, индивидуальным для каждого пользовательского устройства, включающий в себя следующие шаги: осуществляют посылку пользовательским устройством (D1, D2, ..., Dn) в центр (10) управления запроса с заказом на передачу определенного содержания (СТ), посылают в центр (10) управления уникальный идентификатор (UA1, UA2, ..., UAn), причем этот идентификатор однозначно определяет пользовательское устройство, пославшее запрос, определяют по базе (14) данных, связанной с центром управления, ключ (Kn), ...

СПОСОБ И СИСТЕМА ПРЕДОСТАВЛЕНИЯ НЕОГРАНИЧЕННЫХ ЛИЦЕНЗИЙ ОГРАНИЧЕННОМУ КОЛИЧЕСТВУ УСТРОЙСТВ

... 1. Система предоставления доступа к электронному содержимому, содержащая: ! пользовательское устройство, воспроизводящее электронное содержимое; ! индивидуальный идентификатор, однозначно идентифицирующий пользовательское устройство; ! сервер лицензирования, связанный с пользовательским устройством и обрабатывающий запросы на доступ к электронному содержимому; и ! база данных полномочий, хранящая индивидуальный идентификатор; причем ! сервер лицензирования обращается к базе данных полномочий для определения, является ли пользовательское устройство разрешенным пользовательским устройством, и разрешает выполнение запроса на доступ к электронному содержимому только разрешенному пользовательскому устройству. ! 2. Система по п.1, которая включает идентификационный файл, хранящий индивидуальный идентификатор. ! 3. Система по п.2, в которой индивидуальный идентификатор зашифрован. ! 4. Система по п.2, дополнительно содержащая: ! последнее пользовательское устройство, к которому осуществлялся доступ ...

УСТРОЙСТВО ШИРОКОПОЛОСНОГО ДОСТУПА И СПОСОБ ПРЕДОСТАВЛЕНИЯ ВИДЕО УСЛУГИ

... 1. Устройство широкополосного доступа, содержащее компонент доступа для предоставления широкополосного доступа терминалам пользователей; компонент видео услуги для хранения данных видео услуги и передачи данных видео услуги, хранящихся в компоненте видео услуги, на терминал пользователя через компонент доступа в соответствии с запросом от терминала пользователя. ! 2. Устройство по п.1, отличающееся тем, что компонент видео услуги содержит модуль хранения одноадресной передачи для приема данных видео услуги одноадресной передачи со стороны сети и хранения данных видео услуги одноадресной передачи; и модуль одноадресной передачи для приема запроса видео услуги одноадресной передачи, получения данных видео услуги одноадресной передачи от модуля хранения одноадресной передачи в соответствии с запросом видео услуги одноадресной передачи, и передачи данных видео услуги одноадресной передачи на терминал пользователя через компонент доступа. ! 3. Устройство по п.2, отличающееся тем, что компонент ...

ПРИЕМНИК ЦИФРОВОГО ШИРОКОВЕЩАНИЯ И СПОСОБ ПРИЕМА

... 1. Приемник цифрового широковещания, способный принимать IP широковещание, отличающийся наличием: ! контроллера, сконфигурированного, чтобы при изначальном запуске осуществлять контроль такой, чтобы среди настроек, касающихся функции IPTV, процесс настройки IP адреса и DNS, процесс получения информации конфигурации CDN и процесс получения информации конфигурации PF выполнялись, в то время как процесс получения информации канала не выполнялся. ! 2. Приемник цифрового широковещания по п.1, отличающийся тем, что контроллер выполняет отображение предупреждения, чтобы указать процессу принять информацию канала, когда имеется поставщик услуг, для которого базовая регистрация уже была выполнена. ! 3. Приемник цифрового широковещания по п.2, отличающийся тем, что даже если поставщик услуг, для которого базовая регистрация уже была выполнена, существует, но не предоставляет услугу IP широковещания; но если имеется другой поставщик услуг, для которого базовая регистрация уже была выполнена, контроллер ...

СИСТЕМА И СПОСОБ СЖАТИЯ ИНТЕРАКТИВНОГО ПОТОКОВОГО ВИДЕО

Способ, содержащий исполнение программы на сервере серверного центра, которая формирует и передает потоком страницу пользователя в виде интерактивного потокового видео на дисплей клиента пользователя, подключенный к серверу через Internet, причем графический интерфейс пользователя включает в себя множество видеоокон, причем одно или несколько из этих видеоокон включают в себя интерактивное потоковое видео в реальном времени, одновременный вывод на экран ранее записанных сегментов видео, обеспечение возможности пользователю воспроизводить ранее записанные сегменты видео.

СОВМЕСТНОЕ ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЕ ВИДЕО

... 1. Компьютерно-реализуемый способ совместного использования видео на узле (101) в коммуникационной сети (100), содержащей множество устройств видеозаписи (102), содержащий:прием (200) множества видеопотоков одного и того же события, каждый видеопоток исходит из данного устройства видеозаписи;получение (202) контекстной информации о видеопотоках; обеспечение (206) вывода видеопотока для совместного использования другими объектами в коммуникационной сети, причем вывод видеопотока формируется из принятых видеопотоков на основе контекстной информации.2. Способ по п.1, в котором этап получения контекстной информации содержит анализ видеоконтента видеопотоков.3. Способ по п.1, в котором вывод видеопотока формируется так, чтобы обеспечить улучшенный обзор события по сравнению с обзором события только из одного из видеопотоков.4. Способ по любому из предшествующих пунктов, в котором видеопотоки являются прямой трансляцией события, при этом способ выполняется в реальном времени.5. Способ по п.1, ...

ДИНАМИЧЕСКОЕ ФОРМИРОВАНИЕ ВИДЕОИНФОРМАЦИИ ДЛЯ ВОСПРОИЗВЕДЕНИЯ МЕДИА-СЕРВЕРОМ

... 1. Способ формирования цифрового видеопотока, включающий формирование при помощи медиа-генератора промежуточной цифровой информации, основанной на данных, которые показывают, какая информация должна быть включена в указанный цифровой видеопоток без оцифровывания аналогового видеопотока, перенос промежуточной цифровой информации в кодер, и кодирование в указанном кодере указанной промежуточной цифровой информации в указанный цифровой видеопоток. 2. Способ по п.1, включающий также следующие шаги, которые предшествуют указанному шагу формирования промежуточной цифровой информации при помощи медиа-генератора: предоставление пользователю перечня доступных вариантов конфигураций, запись набора предпочтений пользователя, который соответствует указанному перечню доступных вариантов конфигураций, выбранных указанным пользователем, перенос указанного набора предпочтений пользователя в медиа-генератор. 3. Способ по п.1, отличающийся тем, что указанные данные, которые показывают, какая информация должна ...

СИСТЕМА ОБСЛУЖИВАНИЯ ЭЛЕКТРОННОЙ ПРОГРАММЫ ПЕРЕДАЧ, СПОСОБ ФОРМИРОВАНИЯ И РАБОТЫ ЭТОЙ СИСТЕМЫ

... 1. Способ формирования системы обслуживания электронных программ передач, состоящей из множества серверов электронных программ передач, включающий в себя следующие шаги: ! размещают множество серверов электронных программ передач системы на уровне доступа в граничной области общегородской сети; ! группируют множество серверов электронных программ передач согласно их характеристикам и ! задают политику диспетчеризации согласно атрибутам пользователей и характеристикам групп серверов электронных программ передач, и сохраняют заданную политику диспетчеризации на сервере диспетчеризации. ! 2. Способ п.1, отличающийся тем, что шаг группировки множества серверов электронных программ передач дополнительно включает следующие шаги: ! группируют серверы электронных программ передач, имеющие одинаковую обрабатывающую способность и/или одинаковый поток сервисной обработки, вместе, чтобы сформировать группу сервера электронных программ передач; и ! серверы электронных программ передач одной группы устанавливаются ...

СПОСОБ ПРЕДОСТАВЛЕНИЯ СИГНАЛА ПОТОКОВОЙ ПЕРЕДАЧИ АУДИО/ВИДЕОДАННЫХ И СИСТЕМА СОВМЕСТНОГО ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ

... 1. Способ предоставления сигнала потоковой передачи аудио/видеоданных, предназначенный для использования с сервером управления услугой, пользователем и участником обмена данными, которые соединены с Интернет, способ предоставления сигнала потоковой передачи аудио/видеоданных включает в себя следующие этапы: ! пользователь связывается с сервером управления услугой через Интернет; ! сервер управления услугой генерирует набор участников обмена данными, содержащий, по меньшей мере, одного участника обмена данными, соответствующего идентификационным данным пользователя; ! пользователь вырабатывает запрос в устройство участника обмена данными через сервер управления услугой; и ! участник обмена данными передает сигнал потоковой передачи аудио/видеоданных пользователю через Интернет в ответ на запрос. ! 2. Способ по п.1, в котором пользователь представляет собой первый персональный компьютер, в котором установлено программное обеспечение пользователя, участник обмена данными представляет собой ...

УСТРОЙСТВО ОБРАБОТКИ ИНФОРМАЦИИ, ТЮНЕР И СПОСОБ ОБРАБОТКИ ИНФОРМАЦИИ

... 1. Устройство обработки информации, содержащее:блок отображения путеводителей по программам, выполненный с возможностью обеспечения отображения путеводителя по программам на определенном устройстве отображения, где информация о программах размещена в путеводителе по программам на участке, имеющем ось времени и ось каналов;блок получения показателей, выполненный с возможностью получения показателя, характеризующего число зрителей, просматривающих каждую из множества программ, перечисленных в путеводителе по программам в одном и том же временном диапазоне; иблок определения популярности, выполненный с возможностью определения популярности программы в соответствии с показателем,причем блок отображения путеводителей по программам отображает, по меньшей мере, часть из множества программ в режиме с указанием популярности программы.2. Устройство обработки информации по п.1, отличающееся тем, что блок отображения путеводителей по программам дополнительно обеспечивает отображение коэффициента выполнения ...

УСТРОЙСТВО ЗАХВАТА ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЯ, СЕРВЕР ОБЕСПЕЧЕНИЯ ДОПОЛНИТЕЛЬНОЙ ИНФОРМАЦИИ И СИСТЕМА ФИЛЬТРАЦИИ ДОПОЛНИТЕЛЬНОЙ ИНФОРМАЦИИ

... 1. Устройство захвата изображения, содержащее: ! блок формирования изображения, выполненный с возможностью захватывать цифровое изображение; ! блок получения позиции захвата изображения, выполненный с возможностью получать позицию захвата изображения, указывающую позицию, в которой захвачено цифровое изображение; ! блок получения направления захвата изображения, выполненный с возможностью получать информацию направления захвата изображения, указывающую направление, в котором захвачено цифровое изображение; ! блок получения дополнительной информации, выполненный с возможностью получать множество элементов дополнительной информации из устройства хранения дополнительной информации, которое хранит множество элементов дополнительной информации, причем в множестве элементов дополнительной информации каждый элемент соответствует заранее заданному объекту, и каждый элемент содержит информацию позиции объекта, указывающую позицию соответствующего одного из объектов; ! блок выбора, выполненный с ...

СПОСОБ ИНТЕРАКТИВНОЙ СВЯЗИ МЕЖДУ КОММУНИКАЦИОННЫМИ ТЕРМИНАЛАМИ, СЕРВЕР И ТЕЛЕВИЗИОННАЯ ИНТЕРАКТИВНАЯ СЕТЬ

... 1. Способ интерактивной связи между коммуникационными терминалами, включающий в себя ! этап определения характеристик лиц, с которыми инициатор сеанса желает иметь интерактивную связь, при этом совокупность этих лиц образует с этим инициатором виртуальное сообщество; !этап определения для сеанса интерактивной связи первоначальной среды взаимодействий между инициатором сеанса и другими членами виртуального сообщества; ! этап направления инициатором сеанса запроса о подключении к терминалам других членов виртуального сообщества; ! этап определения правил адаптации коммуникационной среды в зависимости от контекста, присущего, по меньшей мере, одному из членов сообщества, в особенности, инициатору сеанса. ! 2. Способ интерактивной связи по п.1, содержащий в процессе сеанса интерактивной связи, индикацию телевизионных программ, по меньшей мере, на одном из коммуникационных терминалов виртуального сообщества, в особенности, коммуникационном терминале инициатора сеанса. ! 3. Способ связи по п.1 ...

СПОСОБ ДЛЯ БЫСТРОГО АУТЕНТИФИЦИРОВАННОГО ПЕРЕКЛЮЧЕНИЯ КАНАЛОВ АУДИО-ВИЗУАЛЬНОЙ ИНФОРМАЦИИ, ПРЕДОСТАВЛЯЕМОЙ ЧЕРЕЗ СОЕДИНЕНИЕ DSL, И СИСТЕМА ДЛЯ ЕГО ОСУЩЕСТВЛЕНИЯ

... 1. Способ для разрешения быстрого доступа по меньшей мере к одному каналу через соединение xDSL (цифровой абонентской линии), содержащий (a) использование по меньшей мере одного мультиплексора доступа к цифровой абонентской линии (DSLAM, МДЦАЛ) с разрешенным широковещанием для разрешения доступа по меньшей мере к одному каналу в базовой сети, где по меньшей мере один абонент соединен с базовой сетью с помощью соединения xDSL, (b) прием запроса в МДЦАЛ с разрешением широковещания по меньшей мере на один канал от абонента, где принимающий МДЦАЛ локально обслуживает соединение xDSL для абонента, (c) использование информации, сохраненной в принимающем МДЦАЛ, для определения того, санкционирован ли доступ абонента к запрашиваемому каналу, и (d) если определено, что абонент имеет санкционированный доступ к запрашиваемому каналу, то использование МДЦАЛ для предоставления доступа к запрашиваемому каналу в базовой сети, причем базовая сеть устанавливает один экземпляр каждого канала, выбираемого ...

Kabelfernsehverteilung

Menügesteuertes Fernsehprogrammzugangssystem und Verfahren

Gruppierende Planungsweisen zur Erzeugung von VCR-Steuerfunktionen eines Videoservers

Online-Setzen von Videodateien in Festplatten in einer Serverumgebung

VIDEOKODIERUNG

Interaktive Mehrfachfernsehsendung

VORRICHTUNGEN UND VERFAHREN ZUR BEREITSTELLUNG VON FERNSEHPROGRAMMINFORMATION

NACHBEREITUNG VON ANZEIGE ÄNDERUNGEN

DYNAMISCHE EINSTELLUNG DER DATENRATE BEI DER DRAHTLOSEN KOMMUNIKATION

Optical pattern and information association device for universal remote-control device for audio-visual apparatus

The device has a camera (2) for providing an optical pattern of an actual object (8), compared with reference patterns contained in a memory, for identification of the object, used for extraction of corresponding information from an information storage memory region.

VERFAHREN UND VORRICHTUNG ZUR ÜBERTRAGUNG VON VIDEOTEXTSEITEN

Mobile data station data preparation procedure for broadcast data transmission stores data for transmission at appropriate time

A mobile data station data preparation procedure manages broadcast transmit signals (9) corresponding to selection data (15) so that current transmit signals with time relevant transmit data are stored and sent at the appropriate time with a thematic key to the mobile data station (1) followed by release data (17) from the data management station (13).

PROGRAMMÜBERSICHTSSYSTEM MIT WERBUNG

INTERACTIVES ANZEIGESYSTEM

VERFAHREN ZUR ÜBERTRAGUNG UND ZUM EMPFANG VON KOMPRIMIERTEN VIDEOSIGNALEN

VIDEO-AUF-ANFRAGE-SYSTEM

Interaktive Breitbandmedien

VERFAHREN UND GERÄT IN DEM NICHT- BESTÄTIGTE SCHAUZEIT IN EINEM ADRESSIERBAREN BEZAHLFERNSEHSYSTEM ERLAUBT IST

Digitaler Rundfunkempfänger

Digitaler Rundfunkempfänger

VERFAHREN UND SYSTEM ZUR BEREITSTELLUNG EINER KUNDENSPEZIFISCHEN MEDIENLISTE

Providing additional information re television transmission involves selecting database record relating to transmission using generated identifier and transmitting record to user

The method involves providing an identification device (12) with which identifiers allocated to transmissions can be generated, generating an identifier for a given transmission, transmitting it to a central computer (24) with an identifier database (30) in which each logical record contains an Internet address(es) for accessing pages with relevant information, selecting a record relating to the transmission and transmitting it to the user. Independent claims are also included for the following: an information system, a central computer and an identifying device for a television set.

Interactive sales system for media elements or content especially for entertainment sphere, involves debiting cost of selected media element or content to user via invoicing devices of mobile RF network operator and/or system operator

An interactive sales system using a mobile RF system where the media element or content (8) are temporarily or occasionally communicated via a mass medium (3) to at least one user (2), who with interest in a certain media element/content communicates a message (10) via mobile phone to the system operator for identification of the respective media element or content. The selected media element (14) is sent to the user in a form usable by the user from the system operator and the costs for purchase of the selected media element/content are debited to the user (2) by using invoicing devices (6) of a mobile RF network operator (5) and/or the system operator (7) and/or an external operator (15) company. An independent claim is included for a method of operating an interactive sales system.

VORRICHTUNG UND VERFAHREN ZUR BEREITSTELLUNG EINER MENÜSTRUKTUR FÜR EIN INTERAKTIVES INFORMATIONSVERTEILUNGSSYSTEM

Steuerung des Inhalts einer interaktiven Unterhaltung

VORRICHTUNG UND VERFAHREN ZUR BEREITSTELLUNG EINER MENÜSTRUKTUR FÜR EIN INTERAKTIVES INFORMATIONSVERTEILUNGSSYSTEM

Verfahren und Gerät um durchschnittliche Plattenübertragungsbandbreite und Zugriffszeit für einen Videoserver zu gewährleisten

INTERAKTIVITÄT MIT AUDIOVISUELLER PROGRAMMIERUNG

VERFAHREN UND SYSTEM ZUR BEREITSTELLUNG EINES AUDIO/VIDEO-INFORMATIONSROUTEN-UNTERHALTUNGSSYSTEMS

Vorrichtung um angepassten Inhalt zur Unterhaltung unterwegs in einer mobilen Einheit zu erstellen, mit: - einen gemeinsamen Programmeingang zum Empfang eines gemeinsamen Programmstromes, der die ursprünglichen Unterhaltungsinhalte für eine Mehrzahl von mobilen Einheiten enthält; - einen zusätzlichen Inhaltseingang zum Empfang angepasster, zusätzlicher Inhalte; - einen Zeitplaner um Zeitinformation bereit zu stellen, die Einfügepunkte für die maßgeschneiderte Zusatzeinspeisung in den gemeinsamen Programmstrom als Funktion der Eigenschaften der mobilen Einheit angibt; und - einen Ausgang zur Ausgabe des gemeinsamen Programmstromes, der angepasste Zusatzinhalte und der Zeitinformation zur anschließenden Erstellung eines für die mobile Einheit angepasster Unterhaltungsinhaltestromes.

Television transmission system has central unit that makes live signals from camera and image signals from other sources available to reproduction devices over distribution network

The system has image sources, reproduction devices and a central unit for receiving image signals from sources and distributing them to reproduction devices. One source is a camera delivering live signals independent of TV broadcasts. The central unit provides live signals and image signals from other sources to reproduction devices over a distribution network. Each reproduction device has a control unit for selecting live signals for display. The system has several image sources (2,3), several image reproduction devices (5-9) and a central unit (1) for receiving image signals from sources and distributing them to reproduction devices. One source is a camera (4) delivering live signals independent of TV broadcasts. The central unit makes the live signals and the image signals from other sources available to the reproduction devices over a distribution network. Each reproduction device has a control unit (5a-9a) with which the live signals can be selected for display.

Detecting periodic activity patterns

Providing proof of reception of media transmission

Media playing

Improvements relating to digital data distribution

Providing audio-visual content

Electronic programme scheduling system

Providing on-demand and broadcast television

Backup module and method

An interactive digital receiver system

Signature generation for multimedia deep-content-classification by a large-scale matching system and method thereof

Addressable television broadcasting system

A switching unit for switching between received video signals

Video distribution device

Wide area security and method

A method and system for providing security to large scale sites with large number of people comparing plurality of surveillance sensors, geographical database for the secured site, experts know-how database with plurality of potential scenarios. The system and method according to the invention can handle a large number of inputs, analyze the meaning of the input, prioritize operation, identity threats and produce instructions to the security personnel in response to events taking place in the secured site.

System and method for video distribution and billing

A system for distribution of video and audio data, the system including a wireless device operating in a wireless network, a protocol stack, a dispatcher of video and audio data, a storage server, and a video encoder. Multiple methods for using video and audio data, including, among others, methods for optimizing use of mobile radio bandwidth, optimizing use of technical limitations in wireless devices, for allowing users to use premium SMS to interact with the data distribution system, and for verifying the status of a user.

Provinding a universal media interface to control a universal media apparatus

Various embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, system and computer readable medium for implementing a universal media interface and control protocol to control a universal media apparatus. The universal media interface and its control protocol facilitate communication, including issuance of generalized commands between a target device, such as an audio/video ("A/V") device and a universal music player, thereby enabling the target device to play music from different types of music servers and specialized server processes.

Video server and video-on-demand system

Pay broadcasting system

A pay broadcasting system has a broadcasting station and a charging centre so that the broadcasting station is arranged to transmit a program number (open or non-open) together with a broadcasting program scrambled by a scramble pattern changed for each program or selected from a plurality of scramble patterns. The charging centre transmits a view permit code for viewing a pay program in response to a request for viewing executed through a communication line by specifying the program number and also collects a fee for the pay program. A receiving device descrambles the received pay program according to the view permit code when the program number accompanying the program corresponds to the requested program number or an encoded number received from the charging centre. The program broadcast may be TV, teletext or data communication. If the program number accompanying the program broadcast or transmitted is non-open, the request to view may be made by specifying a temporary program number ...

Selecting digital transmissions for recording using an intelligent agent

System for capture and selective playback of broadcast programmes

Targeted advertising and resource allocation in mobile content delivery systems

In a "mobile television" broadcast network (eg. DVB-H or 3G WLAN), targeted advertising and marketing messages are sent to users of mobile multi-media devices 6 according to profile information 23, with a preallocated amount of resources being used for messages in order to view the content from source 12. Upon request by user 6 for content from 12, account management system 10 and content management system 20 determine if the content delivery can be "sponsored" by the provider 18, ie. the required resources can be offset instead of user 6 paying for all of the content via a subscription fee, and forms a message packet with embedded DRM keys if so. Feedback from the user can also be rewarded with free or subsidised content. This allows provider 18 to carry out a message delivery campaign based on eg. users' demographics or purchase history, provides an improved audience model compared to eg. Nielsen ratings, and makes viewers more valuable to the content provider compared to traditionally ...

Providing Access to Additional Content During Playback of Video Sequences

Providing access to additional content, comprising dynamic image content, during playback of video sequences. The sequences comprise a keyed video sequence including an embedded sub-image itself comprising display keys of different formats. The different format of keys consist of a sequence of characters belonging to different character sets, each corresponding to different key entry mechanisms respectively. The sequence is played back at a user terminal (118) and a user selected key entry comprising one of the display keys is collected from an input device (130, 132). Data representing the selected key is communicated to a remote system (124), to enable the remote system to resolve the key to identify an associated link to additional content (122). Data is received from the remote system comprising data representing the link. The additional content associated with the selected key is accessed in response to the entry of the selected key and the receipt of the data representing the link ...

Improvements in receivers for television signals

Digital interactive communication system

The present invention relates to a digital interactive communication system accessible to a plurality of subscribers who can select by means of their touch-tone telephones any of a plurality of pre-recorded video presentations representative of products and services for sale. In this system, the subscriber requests are received by a voice network interface which is coupled to a local area network. A plurality of data processors, typically single-board computers, capable of various tasks are operatively connected to the local area network. A number of these data processors are each dedicated to serving one subscriber during a requesting session. Other data processors coupled to the local area network provide either navigational, subscriber, or purchase information during a subscriber session. Also coupled to the local area network is a large-scale data base which stores digital information representing the video presentations which are requested by subscribers for viewing on their televisions ...

Signal recording playing method

A signal recording/playing system for recording a plurality of signals on a recording medium and for using the specific signals only out of the plurality of signals, is provided. In an apparatus according to the present invention, the signal scrambled and supplied to a recorder 113 is recorded on a recording medium such as tape or disk, in scrambled form. The signal recorded on the recording medium in scrambled form is supplied to a player 114 and is descrambled by scramble data which is supplied and stored in a storing medium such as IC card and the like, not from the recording medium to be played, and then, the descrambled signal is output, in a playing apparatus. The scramble data is supplied on on-line basis by public telephone line through communication device 107 or on off-line basis by IC card, etc. The scramble data is then, supplied from the communication device to the decoder controller 108 on on-line basis by electric signal, radio wave, light wave or ultrasonic wave or on off-line ...

Digital information display eg for video games

A digital information display apparatus comprises a control console 10 adapted to accept compact discs 11 bearing encoded information. The console 10 is connected through an access device 13 to a communications channel 14 which provides a menu signal enabling the console to display on a TV monitor 12 a menu of the information on the disc 11. The user selects from the menu which information from the disc 10 to access and the console checks the user's available credit. If the user has sufficient credit to access the selected information on the disc 11 the access device 13 provides a release signal allowing the encoded information to be accessed. The user pays in accordance with their actual usage of the digital information held on the disc.

Interactive video system

Device,apparatus and method for selecting a programme from a plurality of programmes within a network

Methods and system for retrieving music information from wireless communication devices

A real-time music information retrieval system and methods for providing desired music information via text message to radio or television stations listeners through wireless communication devices. Listeners could retrieve information for the song that is currently being played at the radio and television station, or the songs that have previously been played. A system and method is provided to automatically send an alert message the radio and television station listeners of upcoming music broadcasting events.

A method of making media files available for delivery to portable devices

There is described a method of making media files, for example video clips 10 available for delivery to portable electronic devices, for example mobile phones. The method comprises receiving media content as data input at an encoder 21 and encoding the media content to generate a plurality of output files 23 each having the media content. Each of the plurality of output files is specially adapted by the encoder for use with a different model of mobile phone. The plurality of output files are stored on a server 30 for downloading there from over a communications network. A user can download to a computer 40 an output file compatible with his or her mobile phone 50 and transfer the file for the computer to the mobile phone.

A distribution network and method

System and method for a user interface to manage the recording, downloading and sharing of content from multiple sources

A system and method for a user interface to manage the recording, downloading and sharing of content from multiple sources are described. Following a request for specific content by a user 110 the service provider 102 downloads a user interface that lists the various sources that have the content available and gives an indication of the best source. The sources include broadcasters 106, IP networks 104 or other users 112 interconnected via a peer to peer network 126, and who may offer content from a local PVR. The service provider maintains a list of available content rather than the content itself. The service may operate on a subscription service or offer parental controls.

Systems and methods for providing a token registry and encoder

Method and apparatus for distributing media over a communications network

Service rate change method and apparatus

A method (200) and apparatus (100) for allocating bandwidth within a bandwidth constrained interactive information distribution system. If a requested information stream may be provided to a requesting subsciber (106) at an appropriate bandwidth level (i.e., appropriate bitrate providing full quality), a minimal bandwidth level (i.e., a reduced bitrate providing minimally acceptable quality) or not at all. Each information stream and any ancillary streams may be stored twice by the system, once at an appropriate encoded bitrate (114-A) and once at a minimal encoded bitrate (114-M).

Service rate change method and apparatus

Enhanced video programming using a local host for network communication

A local host is used to facilitate network communication between a user machine (202) and a remote server (224) by way of a network (222) such as the Internet. A web browser (204) is included in the user machine (202) and is provided with hidden frames or layers in which pages and/or applets are stored. The hidden frames or layers also include a plug-in (212) programmed to function as a web server at the user machine. The plug-in (212) issues a command which causes the web browser (204) to establish a connection with the remote server (224). This initiates the applet (208) and also causes the plug-in (212) to open a TCP/IP socket (220) to open and maintain communication between the user machine (202) and the remote server (224). The applet (208) may then communicate with the remote server (224) by way of the plug-in (212).

A method and system for providing additional information to a user receiving a video or audio program

The system and method may provide directions to the user of an electronic signal such as a radio or television broadcast. The directions guide the user from a current location to a destination associated with the electronic signal by accessing an address embedded within, or transmitted in conjunction with, the electronic signal. The address provides an indication to an online information provider an/or a database within which a listing of locations for a destination are provided. By comparing the various locations of the destination against the current location of the user, determined using Global Positioning System (GPS) data, the system is able to determine which location of the destination is closest and to provide appropriate directions. Maps and various other directional tools, including verbal directions and visual directions, may be generated. Reverse directions may also be generated from a destination to other predetermined way-points such as home, office or starting point.

Seamless switching between two video signals

An interactive television system is able to provide an interactive television program having a plurality of video signals related in time and content. The video signals are in a digital format. At a receiving station, a first video signal is selected for display. The system is able to provide a seamless transition when the viewer switches from the display of the first video signal, to the display of a second video signal. Live or pre-recorded programs are stored on an optical disc together with control codes so that on reading the video signals from the optical disc, seamless switching between video signals from the disc, or between video signals from the disc and received from other sources, is enabled. The optical disc may be played by the viewer at his receiving station, or may be played at a central location and the video signals transmitted to receiving stations.

Messaging system using set-top box and television display

MMS messages are sent to a set top box (STB1) for display on a television receiver (7). The MMS messages can be routed from a message centre (MMSC1) through a digital broadcasting network (4) to the STB. The messages can be directed to one of a number of individual message addresses associated with the STB. Also MMS messages can be multicast to individual addresses from a group service provider (9).

Electrowinning cell

An electrowinning cell, having a tank 20 with an opened upper end defined by a tank edge, electrolyte within the tank and a plurality of flat, metallic electrode plates (40, 50 fig 2) disposed within the tank in side-by-side, spaced-apart, parallel relationship. Adjacent electrode plates define an electrode gap therebetween. An injector manifold 96 is disposed at the bottom of the tank for feeding electrolyte into the tank at locations through inlets 98 below the electrode plates. A collector grid, comprised of a plurality of collectors having ports 106, define an upper level of electrolyte by collecting the electrolyte from the tank. The ports are disposed in spaced-apart relationship within the open upper end defined by the tank edge. The collector grid and the injector creating a flow of electrolyte upward between the plates as the electrolyte flows from the manifold locations below the plates to the ports.

A system and method for transmission of data

Item display

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SUBSCRIPTION BROADCAST

The system (10) provides a way of utilizing announcement distribution service equipment (21) which is presently in use in telecommunications networks (20) for ordering television or other signals (23) on a per program basis. The program signals (23) are enciphered. The receiver (30) is connected to receive a deciphered signal from a subscriber deciphering unit (18) at a subscriber location. The subscriber unit (18) is connected to the telecommunications network (20) by a nondedicated telephone service line (28). In response to an order instruction by the subscriber, the unit (18) automatically calls the appropriate announcement distribution service number for the channel associated with the desired program signals and receives from the service the coded key information (58) necessary for it to decipher the program signal. When the program signal is received by the unit (18), it is accompanied by control signals during retrace intervals which activate deciphering circuitry (G) in the unit ...

Transcoding Video Data

Video data is transcoded on the fly to produce a progressive download that may be viewed while the data is being received (streaming) and/or may be downloaded and played later. A locator (301) locates an input video data file on the Internet. An analyser (303) analyses a portion of the input video data file to determine coded characteristics of encoded input video. A generator (304) generates a file header for an output video data file that includes an indication of the size of the output video data file. An input interface (302) receives the input video data located by locator (301) and a transcoder (305) transcodes the input video data to produce encoded output video data. The output interface supplies the encoded output video data with the file header as a stream to a receiving device. In a first embodiment, the expected size of data in the header is over estimated and blank video chunks are added. In an alternative embodiment, the expected data size is under estimated and compression ...

Network bandwidth optimization by dynamic channel allocation

Method and apparatus for asynchronous video transmission over a communication network

Transcoding video data

Image Content and Advertisement Data Providing Method, System, and Apparatus

To provide an image content providing method capable of promoting advertisement effect by dynamically inserting an advertisement image to a distributed image content, an image content reproducing apparatus requests an image content providing apparatus to distribute the image content. Then, the image content is distributed to the image content reproducing apparatus and a viewer can utilize the image content. At this occasion, the image content providing apparatus distributes the image content, detects an advertisement inserting position and requests an advertisement image providing apparatus to distribute an advertisement image. Then, the advertisement image providing apparatus selects the advertisement image to be inserted to the image content and transmits thereof to the image content providing apparatus. Thereafter, the image content providing apparatus inserts the advertisement image to a position of the image content for inserting the advertisement and distributes thereof to the image content reproducing apparatus.

User controlled multi-device media-on-demand system

A method for providing configurable access to media in a media-on-demand system also can include delivering the media to a first client device in a format compatible with the first client device; interrupting the delivery of the media; recording a bookmark specifying a position in the media where the interruption occurred; and resuming delivery of the media to a second client device, the resumed delivery beginning at a position in the media specified by the recorded bookmark. The method further can include identifying device properties for each of the first and second client devices; delivering the media to the first client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the first client device; and, delivering the media to the second client device in a format compatible with the identified device properties for the second client device.

Data distribution

A device may include a communication interface configured to receive programming information and index data associated with the programming information from a service provider multicast over a plurality of channels. The device may also include logic configured to request address information from the service provider, receive the address information, wherein the address information includes a first multicast address, and join a first multicast group corresponding to the first multicast address, wherein the first multicast group is associated with the index data. The logic may also be configured to receive, via the communication interface, the index data, identify a second multicast address associated with at least some of the programming information, join a second multicast group corresponding to the second multicast address, and receive, via the communication interface, at least some of the programming information.

System and method of package creation that includes audio content and audio advertising

A particular method includes receiving, via an interactive voice response unit, an audio content item during a first call. An indication of an insertion point at which to insert audio advertising in the audio content item is also received. The method further includes receiving via the interactive voice response unit an audio advertisement during a second call. The audio advertisement is automatically inserted into the audio content item at the insertion point to create a package.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer readable medium

An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining section obtaining an input image; a first image processing section generating a predetermined quality image resulting from rendering the input image in high image quality using a predetermined image processing parameter; a display section displaying the predetermined quality image; a characteristic region identifying section identifying a plurality of characteristic regions in the input image; a parameter determining section determining, respectively for the plurality of characteristic regions, image processing parameters for rendering images of the plurality of characteristic regions, in higher image quality; a second image processing section generating a plurality of high quality characteristic-region images respectively of the plurality of characteristic regions, using the image processing parameters determined by the parameter determining section; and a display control section replacing the plurality of characteristic regions in the predetermined quality image under display, with the plurality of high quality characteristic-region images.

Content mediation server, content playback device, and content playback system

A content mediation server 5 includes means that collectively registers a video content in each of a plurality of content providing servers 2 in response to receiving an upload request from a content registration device 3 ; a storage means that stores therein registration information to be correlated with the video content, the registration information including a format and a registration-destination of the video content when the specified video content is collectively registered in each of the plurality of content providing servers 2 ; means that refers to the storage means in response to receiving, from a content playback device 4 , a retrieval request for retrieving a video content that is identical to a specified video content, to obtain corresponding registration information; and means that transmits, to the content playback device, the obtained registration information as a retrieval response.

Audience measurement system

A method for television viewing data analysis is described comprising, the method including receiving a query including audience parameters defining characteristics of a subset of a viewing audience, and viewing pattern parameters defining viewing patterns to be analyzed, applying the audience parameters to a database of viewer characteristics and determining therefrom a plurality of viewers from whom data is to be collected, building a viewer query based on the viewing pattern parameters, sending the viewer query to a plurality of viewer devices associated with the plurality of viewers for execution thereat, after execution of the viewer query at the plurality of viewer devices, receiving a viewer query result from at least some of the plurality of viewer devices, and analyzing the received viewer query results to produce a result of the query. Related methods and apparatus are also described.

Systems and methods for providing advertisements to user devices using an advertisement gateway

An advertisement gateway that provides an interface for multiple user devices and multiple advertisement sources to communicate is presented. The advertisement gateway is capable of translating advertisement requests from a user device in a particular format into another format that is compatible with an advertisement source. Conversely, the advertisement gateway can translate advertisement responses from an advertisement source in a particular format into another format that is compatible with the requesting device. In this manner, the advertisers only have to develop an advertisement using a single protocol and format (i.e., the protocol to communicate with the advertisement source) and still be able to provide their advertisements to a wide variety of user devices.

P2p real time media recommendations

Systems and methods are described for providing peer-to-peer (P2P) media recommendations. In one embodiment, a central streaming media service operates to stream media presentations to user devices of users. For each user desiring to send and receive recommendations, each time a media presentation is streamed to and played by a user device of the user, the central media service provides a recommendation identifying the media presentation to one or more other users associated with the user. Similarly, the central media service provides media recommendations to the user from one or more other users. Once streaming and playback of the media presentation is complete or substantially complete, the central streaming media service automatically selects a next media presentation for the user from a group of media presentations including those identified by the recommendations provided to the user and begins streaming the next media presentation to the user device of the user.

System and method for adaptive segment prefetching of streaming media

Systems and methods are provided for obtaining look-ahead segments for a streaming media item during playback such that the viewer can easily skip to the look-ahead segments without experiencing any substantial interruption or delay in playback. In general, a streaming media source begins streaming a media item to a streaming media client for playback. In one embodiment, the streaming media client selects one or more segments of the media item as one or more look-ahead segments to prefetch from the streaming media source. Then, while the media item is being streamed to the streaming media client for playback, the streaming media client prefetches the one or more look-ahead segments of the media item from the streaming media source. The look-ahead segments are thereafter utilized to enable the viewer to skip ahead in playback without experiencing a substantial interruption or delay in playback.

Interactive media system and method for presenting pause-time content

Interactive media systems and methods are provided for substituting pause-time content in place of media that has been paused. The user may pause media such as real-time media, video-on-demand media, near video-on-demand, or recorded media. If the user pauses real-time media or near video-on-demand media, the interactive media application may store the media. The interactive media application may also provide the user with the ability to rewind, resume play of, and fast-forward the media. The pause-time content may be audio or video media and may be an advertisement, trivia, program summaries or any other suitable pause-time content. The interactive media application may provide customized pause-time content specific to the user or specific to the media paused by using media data associated with the media. The interactive media application may also prevent the user from accessing features (e.g., fast-forward) of the system.

Video messaging

Systems and techniques for transferring electronic data between users of a communications system by receiving, at an instant messaging host, a video file from a sender and intended for a recipient; authenticating the video file; and sending the video file to the intended recipient.

Shared planner

An improved media system is provided for sharing, accessing and managing stored media content between a plurality of networked Set-Top Boxes (STB). Aspects include displaying a global STB planner listing media content stored on all remote STBs, switching between remote STB planners and filtering remote listings of media content.

Content storage and delivery system and associated method and device

A system is provided for the storage of content on a network and the delivery of content to subscriber locations. The system includes routers and subscriber set-top boxes in communication with each other and a main content source. Content is delivered over a packet-switching network according to a peer to peer file distribution protocol and is stored in a storage area of the subscriber set-top box, such that each subscriber set-top box is configured to transmit and receive content to and from the main content source and other set-top boxes connected to the network. The set-top boxes may identify a preferred source of content based on various factors, such as geographic distance, Internet Protocol (IP) distance, available bandwidth, integrity of the content, etc. An associated method for accessing content and a set-top box for facilitating the storage and delivery of content are also provided.

Method and apparatus for providing user information to improve advertising experience

A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user device are described. The method permits the user to manage the provision of user information such as surveys and advertisement feedback to the media program provider to improve the advertising experience.

System and Method of Voting Via An Interactive Television System

A method includes receiving a first voting selection from a first user logged in at a set-top box device, the first voting selection associated with video content that is received at the set-top box device. The first voting selection is added to a tally of votes when a voting status of the set-top box device indicates no previous voting selection has been received from the first user. A second voting selection associated with the video content is received from a second user logged in at the set-top box device. The second voting selection is added to the tally of votes when no previous voting selection has been received from the second user. A third voting selection received from the first user is not added to the tally of votes when the voting status indicates that the first voting selection has been received from the first user.

Providing multiple video perspectives of activities through a data network to a remote multimedia server for selective display by remote viewing audiences

Multiple visual perspectives in video of private and public activities including those in public areas such as entertainment venues captured by cameras located near the activities can be transmitted over data networks to a server where video-related data is processed and recorded for selective display by authorized, remote video display devices (e.g., HDTV, set-top boxes, computers, handheld devices) in wired/wireless communication with the server. Users can be registered and authorized to access the server to provide/access video captured by cameras at activities. Wireless handheld devices can selectively retrieve video-related data captured at activities for server storage and subsequent display by video display devices. Captured video/pictures can be organized in a server based on at least one of: activity title, activity time, activity date, activity place, wireless handheld device location at time of video recording, distance from location of interest. Simultaneous display of multiple videos on a display can be synchronized.

Audio-video data switching and viewing system

A computer system and method providing for viewing and switching of audio-video data. The system comprises: a plurality of audio/video sources containing information referring to an event; a streaming server, streaming the contents of a first audio signal and a first video signal from the audio and video sources to a user; a feed distributor controllably feeding the first audio signal and first video signal to the streaming server; and a user-operated control unit communicating with the feed distributor and controlling operation of the feed distributor, so as to instruct the feed distributor to switch between audio or video. Switching between audio signals occurs without altering the video signals and switching between video signals occurs without altering the audio signals.

Method and Apparatus for Efficient, Entertaining Information Delivery

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and apparatus for efficient, entertaining information delivery. In one embodiment, information is partitioned into clips. Clips are selected for a user and packaged together for presentation to the user in an entertaining manner. In one embodiment, the clips are selected and packaged together in accordance with a template. In another embodiment, information about a user is used to select clips. In one embodiment, a user is presented with a stream of information comprised of clips of information assembled for the user. The user may select a clip to retrieve additional information related to the clip. In one embodiment, the selected clip is a portion of a program (e.g., a television show, a movie, a song, an advertisement, etc.) and the additional information is a larger clip of the program and/or the entire program.

System and Method for Digital Content Retrieval

Flexibility with respect to access and enjoyment of time shifted content in a content distribution network is provided, especially with regard to content not present on a DVR. A DVR accesses a network storage device over a network for particular portions of content not available on the DVR and the network storage device provides those missing portions. The user may then rewind and playback not only already locally stored content but also that content provided by the storage device. Content can he provided through faster-than-real-time transmissions such that the content is made available to the DVR prior to it being needed for rewind functionality or playback.

Simulcast web page delivery

A multimedia system provides program schedule information simulcast as a data stream (e.g., HTML) including commands and displayable, selectable indicia associated with the commands, along with programs for display. A device may be adapted to separate the HTML data stream and to store that data in a cache as pages (e.g., web pages) retrievable by a browser in the device, whereupon the program schedule information is displayed including the displayable, selectable indicia. Selecting the indicia directs the device via the associated command to receive and display a program associated with the displayable indicia. The indicia may be any text, icon, dynamic figurine, and the like. In one example, program schedule pages, including the commands and displayable indicia, are stored and marked on a server coupled to the Internet and to a scanner adapted to scan the server for marked pages, and to upload the marked pages to a transmission system.

Communication service method and communication apparatus thereof

A communication service method wherein a user ID is registered at server. Video data from the user's terminal is transmitted to the server. The user selects the setting of whether image data is used with that video data; and the user's selected setting is stored at the server with the user ID. When the stored setting indicates that image data is used, the video data and the image data are transmitted from the server to one or more other terminals.

Real-time or near real-time streaming with compressed playlists

Methods and apparatuses provide real-time or near real-time streaming of content using transfer protocols such as an HTTP compliant protocol. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a request for a playlist file (e.g. an updated playlist) and specifying a compression protocol with or for the request; the request can come from a client device which is requesting the playlist from a web server. The web server can provide the playlist in a compressed format.

Method and system for implementing video monitoring by mobile terminal

A method and a system are disclosed for implementing video monitoring by a mobile terminal. The method includes a mobile client sending a request for on-demand of a monitoring front end to a media transcoding device directly or through a mobile stream media relay, the media transcoding device receiving said request, then requesting a media code stream of said monitoring front end from a fixed network stream media server, and transcoding and outputting the received media code stream, wherein the media transcoding device presets video transcoding parameters corresponding to various mobile network standards, thereby implementing video monitoring of mobile terminals of various standards.

Mechanism for Distributing Content Data

The current invention provides a system for distributing content data to user locations. The content data preferably includes digital video data that is available on demand from a requesting location. A system server stores user accounts and generated customized program schedules for the user account based on user criteria which includes user preferences. Authorized users access their accounts to modify user criteria and to select program transmissions. Preferably, a computer and a television set receive program transmissions from a system network, wherein the computer provides a logical interface between the television set and content data transmitted over the system network.

Iontophoresis Methods

A method of anesthetizing a tympanic membrane of an ear of a patient using iontophoresis is disclosed. The method involves delivering an anesthetizing drug solution to an ear canal of the patient's ear, wherein the drug solution includes an anesthetic and a buffer, and wherein the drug solution has a pH in the range of about 6.5 to about 7.5; and applying an amount of current to the drug solution, wherein the amount of applied current is increased at a rate of less than about 0.5 milliamp per second until a maximum current is achieved.

Apparatus and method for managing media content

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to present media content, and provide access to related media content based upon access information, where the related media content is determined based upon monitoring of the media content, where the related media content is retrieved based on a query of a plurality of sources over the internet for ancillary information, and where the access information is associated with each of the plurality of sources and the ancillary information is at least one among a video blog, a pod cast or a website. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Dynamic Content Packaging

To be accessed on different media players, requested content must be delivered in a format that is supported by the requesting device. A dynamic content packager for encrypting and packaging requested content for different requesting devices at the time of consumption is disclosed.

Systems and methods for managing a status change of a multimedia asset in multimedia delivery systems

Systems and methods are disclosed which detect a change in the status of a multimedia asset in a multimedia delivery system, and take steps to make the multimedia asset available after the status change. The multimedia asset can then be locally recorded on the user's digital video recorder (DVR) before the status changes. Alternatively, the user can be directed to an equivalent asset, for example, video-on-demand (VOD). The user may also receive a notification, which can be displayed on a TV or computer monitor or send to a remote device, for example to a mobile phone as an email or a short message. The user may be able to purchase the asset and/or initiate recording the asset. The status can be, for example, an expiration date of an asset, or a change of the source or format of an asset.

Tracking and Providing Availability Status of Personal Bi-Directional Services

The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session.

Method and video device for accessing information

A method and video device are disclosed for accessing information. In an embodiment of the present invention, part of data included in a title, being played, read from a storage medium or extracted from a broadcast signal is extracted and sent to a server over a network, and information corresponding to the part of the data (i.e., information related to the data and complete data of the data) is received from the server and played. Rather than the part of the data, information related to a position of the data, (e.g. a time point at which the playing of the data starts within the title or a radial position or a physical address at which the data is located in the storage medium) may be sent. The data may be data that forms audio, a frame-shaped video clip or a frame-shaped picture included in the title.

Image-Display Method, Projector, Image-Display System, Projector-Control Method, Image-Display Program, and Projector-Control Program

With a conventional image-display system, a presenter sometimes has difficulty in providing every viewer with an easy-to-see picture. When projecting an image transmitted from a computer operated by the presenter and enabling the viewer to watch the image projected by the projector, the projector receives image data transmitted through two-way communication from the computer operated by the presenter, projects an image represented by the received image data and transmits the received image data to a client computer operated by the viewer through the two-way communication, and the client computer receives the image data transmitted through the two-way communication and displays the image represented by the received image data on its display.

Flexible rendering of user interface elements

An exemplary method includes 1) retrieving a set of presentation elements from a remote server, the set of presentation elements including a graphical element, 2) retrieving metadata from the remote server, the metadata associated with the graphical element and including information specifying coordinates at which the graphical element is to be displayed and a distance for the graphical element to cover within a graphical user interface, 3) using the metadata to determine a distance to stretch the graphical element within the graphical user interface, 4) stretching the graphical element the determined distance starting from the specified coordinates, and 5) including the stretched graphical element within the graphical user interface. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Methods, Systems And Computer Program Products For Providing Internet Protocol Television Diagnostics

A method of providing internet protocol television (IPTV) diagnostics. The method includes receiving customer premise equipment (CPE) information from a diagnostic applications program interface (API) executing in a CPE. The CPE information is stored in a database. An issue is detected with the CPE and the CPE information in the database corresponding to the CPE experiencing the issue is accessed. The issue is resolved in response to the CPE information the database.

Techniques to Consume Content and Metadata

A client device may receive a request from a remote control device to capture a still image from content in a broadcast received at the client device. The client device may capture the still image from the content in the broadcast responsive to the request. The still image is transmitted for receipt and display at the remote control device. Image data is received from the remote control device that includes a portion of the still image displayed at the remote control device. The portion of the still image is selected by a user via a user interface output at the remote control device and includes an object to be identified using image recognition.

Method of providing key frames of video in mobile terminal

A display configured to display a list of videos that can be reproduced on the terminal on a screen of the terminal, an input unit configured to select a specific video from the list of videos, and a controller configured to select a plurality of key frames from image frames of the specific video based on a predetermined selection criterion. Further, the display displays the plurality of key frames of the specific video.

Systems and methods for supplementing on-demand media

Systems and methods for providing supplemental content with on-demand media in an interactive television application are described.

System and Method for Processing and Protecting Content

Systems and methods that process and protect content are provided. In one example, a system may include, for example, a first device coupled to a second device. The first device may include, for example, an integrated circuit that may include a content processing system and a security system. The security system may include, for example, a digital rights manager. The first device and the second device may be part of a network. The network receives content and control information via the first device. The content processing system processes incoming content based upon at least the control information. The integrated circuit protects the content before placing the content on the network.

Digital Television Channel Trending

Channel trending, including determining a number of viewers watching a multimedia program, is achieved in a digital television network. Cached multimedia frames that correspond to portions of the multimedia program are maintained, for example, on a device located on an edge (i.e., in a network edge device) of the digital television network. In response to a request from a client device (e.g., a set-top box) to receive the multimedia program, cached multimedia frames are fed from the edge device to the client device. Upon a seamless transfer or handoff resulting in a simulcast replicator or multicast replicator providing further portions of the multimedia program, a signal (e.g., a simple network management protocol TRAP statement) is sent to a viewership statistic server for incrementing a counter.

Imaging system, imaging instruction issuing apparatus, imaging apparatus, and imaging method

An imaging system includes an imaging instruction issuing apparatus and one or more imaging apparatuses. The imaging instruction issuing apparatus includes a generation unit that generates notification data including identification information unique to each imaging instruction issuing apparatus and an imaging request signal, and a first communication unit that transmits and outputs the notification data to each imaging apparatus. Each imaging apparatus includes an imaging unit that obtains captured image data of a subject, a saving unit that saves the captured image data obtained by the imaging unit, a second communication unit that receives the notification data from the imaging instruction issuing apparatus, and a control unit that causes the saving unit to save the captured image data and the identification information included in the notification data in an associated manner in a case where the notification data received by the second communication unit includes the imaging request signal.

Dynamic encode setting adjustment

A player decodes and renders encoded digital data received from an encoder. During processing, the player periodically monitors dropped frames as well as time spent. If the dropped frames are below a minimum, the player determines to signal the encoder to increase bit rate or frame rate by consulting a table. If the player determines to increase bit rate, the player signals accordingly. However, if the player determines to increase frame rate, the player first verifies that the spent time is below a minimum. To the contrary, if the dropped frames are both above the minimum and a first maximum but not a second maximum, the player determines to signal the encoder to decrease bit rate or frame rate by consulting the table and signaling accordingly. However, if the dropped frames are above the second maximum, the player signals the encoder to decrease the frame rate without consulting the table.

Systems and methods for awarding affinity points based upon remote control usage

Systems and methods for providing and promoting television programming, advertisements, and other content to selected viewers. A display is provided on a remote control device, prompts are provided on the display, and viewer responses to those prompts are monitored, stored in memory, and thereafter processed to reward viewers for responding properly to the prompts. Various methods for promoting such programs are also described.

Method and apparatus for identifying media content presented on a media playing device

A computing device executing a server engine receives a digital fingerprint created from a segment of a work, the work being a single rendering, the segment being less than an entirety of the work, and the digital fingerprint being based on perceptual features of the segment. The computing device compares the digital fingerprint to a plurality of digital fingerprints from a plurality of known works to identify a known work of the plurality of known works that corresponds to the work. The computing device transmits content-related data associated with the known work to a client device.

Displaying network objects in mobile devices based on geolocation

Displaying network content searches on mobile devices involves obtaining results of a network content request via a mobile device. A geolocation of at least one object associated with the results of the network content request is also obtained. A scene is viewed in a camera view of the mobile device. A virtual location is determined in the camera view. The virtual location represents the actual location of the object relative to the scene contained in the camera view. A graphic representing the object is then displayed at the virtual location in the camera view.

System and methods thereof for visual analysis of an image on a web-page and matching an advertisement thereto

A method for matching an advertisement item to a multimedia content element. The method comprises extracting at least one multimedia content element from a web-page requested for display on a user node; generating a signature of the at least one multimedia content element; searching for at least one advertisement item respective of the signature; and causing the display of the at least one advertisement item within a display area of the web-page.

System for sharing video with advertisements over a network

A user can create a video segment or employ an existing video segment, upload the segment to a server, indicate an advertisement to be associated with the video, and then send it to a recipient over a computer network. The user provides an indication that one or more particular video segments and advertisements are to be shared over the network. An identifier for the video segment is automatically created and the segment and the identifier are automatically uploaded to a host computer over the network such as the Internet. The video segment, the identifier (optionally with other identifying material such as an identity of the sender, and an advertisement selected by the sender can be stored at the direction of the host computer.

Method and system for utilizing multiple content delivery networks for distributing content

A system includes a content management system having a first set of business rules for a first content including a first target and a second set of business rules for a second content including a second target. The system also includes a workflow system that receives the first and second targets. The work flow system obtains first content with a first business rule identification and second content with a second business rule identification. The content management system associates the first content with the first set of business rules and associates the second content with the second set of business rules. A processing system processes the first content to form first processed content in response to the first business rules and processes the second content to form second processed content in response to the second business rules. A content repository stores the first and second processed content.

Method and system for providing media programming

A method of generating media programming includes the steps of providing by an aggregator to a client a list of feeds; receiving by the aggregator from the client a selection of one of the feeds; receiving by a publisher from the aggregator the feed selection; and providing to the client media programming based on a publisher-initiated feed responsive to the feed selection and including media elements selected and concatenated with the feed responsive to the client information.

Method and apparatus for browsing using multiple coordinated device sets

Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.

Systems and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to a peripheral device via a local advertisement server

Certain exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to one or more peripheral devices at a location via a local advertisement server. In certain exemplary embodiments, the local advertisement server within a location receives advertisements from the central advertisement network and rebroadcasts them to peripheral devices within that location. Advertising information may be tracked and reported, e.g., for accounting, revenue-sharing, and/or other purposes in certain exemplary embodiments. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, the distribution of advertisements is provided to peripherals via a non-web- and non-PC-dependent network. Moreover, in certain exemplary embodiments, reporting and advertising related communications are substantially bi-directional regardless of device type. Certain exemplary embodiments provide revenue sharing among some or all of the central advertising network provider, the proprietors of locations, operators tasked with maintaining the local ad server and/or the peripheral devices, etc.

Streaming from a Media Device

A technique for streaming from a media device involves enabling a local device to function as a streaming server. An example of a method according to the technique includes inserting a removable storage device that includes programs associated with a streaming application, running one or more of the programs, ensuring that a streaming software player is installed, and executing a streaming-related activity associated with the streaming application. An example of a system according to the technique includes a means for providing a streaming application that expects content to be found on a media drive, a means for intercepting requests for content expected to be found on the media drive, and a means for honoring the requests with content from a different media location.

Personalized media channel

A multimedia processing device (MPD) includes a relevance engine that is adapted to track a user's viewing preferences over time and to automatically determine which of the programs available in a given time slot is most probably preferred by that user. The relevance engine can then create a sequential play list, with each entry in the list corresponding to the program the user most likely wants to watch at that time. The user can thus be provided with a personalized multimedia channel (PMC) with the play list providing the program for each time slot. The user may be enabled to “tune” to the PMC like any other channel. When the user “tunes” to the PMC, the MPD will take the appropriate action to display the program selected by the PMC.

Alternative Advertising in Prerecorded Media

Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement.

Television audience targeting online

Users receive a data feed that has information relating to a first media and extracts events from the received data feed. The method generates a profile relating to a first item in the first media, and processes behavior of a first group of users of a second media. The behavior of the first group of users is modeled to generate a scoring function. A system for targeting a user includes a data feed, an event extractor, one or more profiles, a behavior processor, and a model. The data feed has information relating to a first media. The event extractor receives the data feed and extracts particular information based on a second media to generate profile(s). The behavior processor compares the profile to a first group of users of the second media. The model space models user behavior by using the profile.

System and Method of Voting via an Interactive Television System

A method includes determining, at a first computing device associated with a network, whether voting for video content is permitted from a second computing device. The second computing device is coupled to the network to receive the video content. The method further includes, in response to determining that voting for the video content is permitted from the second computing device, sending data related to a graphical user interface to the second computing device. The graphical user interface enables receipt of voting input for the video content. The method further includes, in response to determining that voting for the video content is permitted from the second computing device, updating a voting record for the video content with the voting input received from the second computing device via the graphical user interface.

Framework for providing digital home services

The systems and methods of the present invention provide for a number of improvements to the TV consumption process, including personalization, community viewing, shared presence and context, messaging, access to ratings and recommendations (including community reviews), alerts, etc. One method that the present invention provides allows for the indication of a given user's context to be provided to other users, such as users in the given user's social network. The method comprises generating an indication of a change in context for a given user, the context comprising information regarding an action of the given user. The indication of the change in context for the given user is propagated to one or more users in the social network for the given user. The indication of the change in context of the given user is presented to users in the given user's social network in conjunction with TV content.

Server and method for providing synchronization information, client apparatus and method for synchronizing additional information with broadcast program

A synchronization information providing server to synchronize a broadcast program with additional information related to the broadcast program, a synchronization information providing method of synchronizing a broadcast program with additional information related to the broadcast program, a client apparatus to process synchronization information received from the synchronization information processing server and a method of processing synchronization information received from the synchronization information processing server are provided. The synchronization information providing server manages metadata of a broadcast frame constituting a broadcast program and additional information related to the metadata. The metadata includes time information and image feature information of the broadcast frame. Upon receiving synchronization request information, which includes time information and image feature information about at least one broadcast frame of a predetermined broadcast program, synchronization information to synchronize the predetermined broadcast program with additional information related to the predetermined broadcast program is provided to the client apparatus.

System and method for using multimedia content as search queries

A method and system for searching a plurality of information sources using a multimedia element. The method comprises receiving at least one multimedia element; generating at least one signature for the at least one multimedia element; generating a textual search query using at least the one generated signature; searching the plurality of information sources using the generated textual search query; and causing the display of search results retrieved from the plurality of information sources on a user device.

System and method for routing media

The system and method for streaming media to a viewer and managing the media comprises an enhanced service routing processor (ESRP), a real time switch management system (RTSMS), a name routing processor (NRP), and a managed media switch (MMS). The RTSMS has a reservation system. The ESRP receives media from an owner, manages the media according to media rules and order rules defined by the owner, and distributes the media to one or more switches, such as the MMS, according to the media rules and the order rules. The RTSMS is configured to receive the media rules and to receive a viewer's media request via the reservation server. The reservation system of the RTSMS processes the media request according to the media rules and builds a reservation for the requested media. The RTSMS generates the reservation to the viewer and to the NRP. The NRP receives the reservation data from the viewer and from the RTSMS. The NRP processes the reservation data and locates an MMS that can stream the media to the viewer. The NRP transmits the IP address of the MMS to the viewer and transmits the reservation data to the MMS. The viewer initiates a session or connection with the MMS using the reservation number. If the reservation data from the viewer matches the reservation data from the NRP, the MMS streams the media to the viewer.

System and/or Method for Distributing Media Content

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to distribution of media content.

Method and apparatus for downloading ancillary program data to a dvr

A method and apparatus for downloading ancillary program data to a DVR. An embodiment allows multimedia device users to select programs to record or download movie or music over a network, such as the Internet, from a content provider. The system automatically downloads and stores ancillary program data that is directly related to, and associated with, a program that has been selected for recording or content requested for download. When a user selects a program to view the user is offered the opportunity to browse ancillary program data associated with the program and view an ancillary program data. The service can charge the content provider or an advertiser for each time their ancillary program data is viewed by a user. The ancillary programming is deleted when the associated recorded program is deleted.

identifying a signal route for delivery of video-on-demand to a subscriber terminal

“A set top box includes an interface to a video on demand system, the interface adapted to receive communications from one or more modulators of a modulator group of the video on demand system. The set top further includes a decoder configured to extract a modulator group identifier periodically inserted into communications directed the set top box from the one or more modulators, the modulator group identifier unique to a physical transmission path from a headend of the video on demand system to the one or more modulators. The set top includes a video-on-demand request interface to the video on demand system, the video on demand request interface configured to output a request for video on demand data including the modulator group identifier.”

Methods and Systems for Enhancing Television Applications Using 3D Pointing

Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a control framework for organizing, selecting and launching media items including graphical user interfaces coupled with an optional 3D control device for collection of the basic control primitives of point, click, scroll, hover and zoom which permit for easy and rapid selection of media items, e.g., movies, songs etc., from large or small collections. The remote control maps natural hand movements and gestures into relevant commands while the graphical display uses images, zooming for increased/decreased levels of detail and continuity of GUI objects to provide easy organization, selection and navigation among the media items by a user.

Method and System to Locally Cache and Inform Users of Partial Video Segments and Data Objects

A user device may send a request for a data file to an access point. The user device may then receive, from the access point, data indicating that a segment of the data file has been previously cached in a local cache at the access point. In response to receiving the data, the user device may display an indicator configured to indicate that the segment of the data file is cached in the local cache.

Cross Layer Coordinated Channel Bonding

Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames.

User Interfaces For Web-Based Video Player

A system, method and various user interfaces enable association of advertising content with requested shared video content for access via a web-based video player. Advertising content is provided selectively in conjunction with playback of video content. Selection of how and where advertising is displayed is based on a flexibly managed balance between providing sufficiently noticeable opportunities to access advertising information and preserving a satisfying viewer experience in watching requested video content.

Systems and methods for selecting media assets for display in a screen of an interactive media guidance application

A method and system of selecting assets for display in an interactive media guidance application includes receiving a user input indicating interest in a media item; generating a list of media assets related to the media item, selecting, based on priority rules, a subset of the media assets to display in an interactive media guidance application, and displaying an identifier for each of the subset of media assets in the interactive media guidance application screen. The priority rules may assign a first priority to one type of media asset and a second priority to a second type of media asset, and may be based on: whether the media asset has been viewed, and a respective time associated with the media asset.

Advanced Television System

A digital television recording method comprising: broadcasting a television program associated with a broadcaster set of parameters enabling access to a first set of predetermined portions of the program; operating an agent for determining whether to record the program and for associating with the program, upon recording of the program, an agent set of parameters enabling access to a second set of predetermined portions of the program; storing the program together with the broadcaster set of parameters and the agent set of parameters to generate an addressable program; retrieving at least a portion of the addressable program; displaying the at least a portion of the addressable program to a user; receiving from the user a user set of parameters enabling access to a third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program; editing the addressable program to include the user set of parameters enabling access to the third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program thereby generating an edited addressable program; and storing the edited addressable program.

Use of messages in or associated with program signal streams by set-top terminals

Methods of operating a communications system comprise, in one example, inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program steam. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. In one example, the receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.

Dynamic adjustment of electronic program guide displays based on viewer preferences for minimizing navigation in vod program selection

Items of video content offered for viewing on a video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a digital TV service provider are each assigned a respective title and hierarchical address corresponding to hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories within which the title for the video content is to be categorized. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. The EPG dynamically adjust its display listings of each level of categories, subcategories, and titles in order to minimize the number of remote control keypresses needed for a viewer to navigate to a title of interest. In one basic form, the EPG display is reordered by listing more frequently visited categories or subcategories first, and other less frequently visited categories or subcategories lower on the listing or out-of-sight on another page of the display.

Network system, controller, recording device, service server, method of acquiring resource status of recording device, and computer program

A network system including: a terminal unit; one or more recording devices; a service server; and a controller is disclosed. The controller includes: a resource status acquiring unit that, upon receiving a resource status acquisition request to request acquisition of information on resource status of the one or more recording devices, the resource status acquisition request being transmitted from the service server that received the remote recording reservation request from the terminal unit, transmits a resource status acquisition instruction to the one or more recording devices via the local area network and receives a result of determination on remote recording reservation depending on the resource status, as the resource status information, from the one or more recording devices.

Supporting multiple users from a single location sharing a media processing system via a personal media guide

Systems and methods of supporting multiple users from a single location sharing a media processing system via a personal media guide are provided. In one embodiment, a system may comprise, for example, a communication device, media content, and a software platform. The communication device may be coupled to a communication network. The media content may be disposed in the communication network or the communication device, and the media content may comprise broadcast media and personal media. The software platform may reside on the communication device, and the software platform may further receive authentication information and facilitate a display of a user-defined selection from the media content by the communication device in a user-defined layout.

Method and Apparatus for Transmitting Data in a Data Stream

The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution. 1. An apparatus comprising a computer storing one or more programs that when executed by the computer cause the apparatus to:store a first application having a first privilege level and a second application having a second privilege level which is lower than the first privilege level, wherein the first application includes one or more functions each having one or more privilege levels in addition to the first privilege level assigned to that function, and wherein the second application includes a call to one of the functions;determine that the second privilege level of the second application corresponds to one of the one or more additional privilege levels assigned to the called function; andin response to the determining, execute the call to the called function at the first privilege level of the first application.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the one or more programs claim 1 , when executed by the computer claim 1 , further cause the apparatus to:execute a remainder of the second application at the second privilege level.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second application includes an enhancement application presentable with one or more video programs.4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the enhancement application includes graphical screen elements claim 3 , which include one or more windows.5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the one or more programs claim 3 , when executed by the computer claim 3 , further cause the apparatus to:execute the enhancement application to open a new window based on the first privilege level when executing the call.6. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the one or more programs claim 3 , when executed by the computer claim 3 , further cause the apparatus ...

Transmitting Timing Information for Content in a Data Stream

The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Method for establishing a network platform for renting the electronic publications

A method for establishing a network platform for renting the electronic publications adopts a grid algorithm, links to the Internet via various networks, and establishes the network platform having an information service grid character for renting the electronic publication. Three types of nodes are established in the information service grid: a first type of node is established as service domain owner and the administrator grid node; a second type of node is established as service provider grid node that is composed of the consumers of the electronic publication; and the third type of node is established as the service provider grid node which is composed of the publishers of the electronic publication; the three types of node provide the network information service by utilizing the grid computing mode and the SOAP. The service provider grid nodes can do online maintenance on the content of the electronic publication provided by them and collect the charge. And the service consumer grid nodes can obtain the service provided by the service provider nodes through the variant service paths, which are provided by the service domain owner and the administrator grid nodes, and pay the service fee.

Correlation-based system for watermarking continuous digital media

A correlation-based system for watermarking continuous digital media at the system application level. It is a post-compression process for watermarking where no a priori knowledge of the underlying compression algorithm is required. Per each compressed media frame, a current unique digital signature is generated based on the data from the current compressed frame plus the digital signature that has been previously generated. The signature thus generated is then used in conjunction with the next compressed frame to generate the next unique digital signature. All digital signatures are correlated according to the above process until a “reset” signal is issued. A new chain of correlated digital signatures is produced by the system with a pre-determined initial signature.

Dynamic video source selection

A Dynamic Video Source Selection (DVSS) component that can be implemented in a physical or virtual STB that is capable of presenting a high quality service and consistent navigational paradigm to the viewer, while detecting, selecting, and presenting the best quality programming possible based upon the current position of the viewer's device within the network.

System and method for managing media content

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the media distribution system, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Methods, Systems, and Products for Targeting Advertisements

Methods, systems, and products target advertisements to users. Clickstream data is received and compared to a purchase history. When a common attribute is determined, an advertisement associated with the attribute is retrieved and targeted to a user.

System and Method for Optimizing Media Play Transactions

A database interface for developing at least one media play is disclosed. The database interface for developing at least one media play includes a plurality of templates, generated in accordance with feedback prior ones of the at least one media plays, at least two desired criteria limiting circumstances for play of the media play received at one of said templates, and an accessor that accesses media play inventory and preempts certain of the media play inventory with an insertion of the media play according to said at least two desired criteria.

Interactive television program guide system and method with niche hubs

A system for providing interactive television program guide features and other features and information related to a specific user interest or programming category in niche hubs is provided. For example, a movie lovers niche hub may provide programming features such as television program listings for movies, video-on-demand listings for movies, pay-per-view listings for movies, web site links related to movies, movie-related merchandise, movie news groups, movie chat groups, movie e-mail clubs, movie contests, movie trivia questions, movie actor interviews, movie reviews, movie channel package ordering, etc.

System and Method for Distributing Geographically Restricted Video Data in an Internet Protocol Television System

A system including but not limited to a computer program comprising instructions that when executed by a server computer, determines a plurality of geographic restriction zones and instructions to determine a plurality of different duration time delays for each of a plurality of geographic restriction zones.

Control tools for media content access systems and methods

In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content processing subsystem including an output driver configured to provide at least a component of a media content instance to a display for presentation to a user, and a receiver configured to receive an input command initiated by the user during the presentation of the component of the media content instance. The media content processing subsystem is further configured to select a control pane from a group of control panes based on the input command, each of the control panes including a different set of control tools, and provide, in response to the input command, the control pane to the display for concurrent presentation of both the component of the media content instance and the control pane to the user.

Methods and apparatus that support addressable interactive applications

Methods and apparatus for supporting targeted advertising and/or other targeted applications in set top boxes which use data and/or applications, e.g., EBIF (Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format) applications, are described. Application level targeting is supported in which an application running on different STBs presents different application behavior and/or presents different visual sub-elements depending on the content of a subscriber profile on the particular individual STB. In the case of addressability at the Application Layer an EBIF application can target different viewers by checking private User Preference Items at runtime. Addressability at the signaling/platform level is also supported allowing targeting of a specific application or a sub-element within an application to a specific target group. In this scenario the particular applications/sub-elements are loaded on the set-tops that belong to a target group, e.g., satisfy targeting constraints specified in private targeting metadata that is received in an MPEG stream.

Method for identification of food ingredients in multimedia content

A method for identifying nutritional data related to food substances contained in a multimedia content item is provided. The method includes analyzing a received multimedia content item to identify multimedia elements containing food substance; generating at least one signature for each identified multimedia element; querying a deep-content-classification (DCC) system for each of the identified multimedia elements to find at least one concept that matches at least one of the identified multimedia elements; matching the at least one signature of each of the at least one matching concepts to previously generated signatures of food substances maintained in a data warehouse; retrieving, for each of the at least one matching signature, nutritional data associated with the at least one matching signature from the data warehouse, thereby providing nutritional data for the food substances substance contained in the received multimedia content item; and sending the nutritional data to the user device.

System and method for retrieving information while commanding operation of an appliance

When a command key of a controlling platform is activated, the platform performs an operation to initiate a playing of media content and also initiates the retrieval of information from an information source.

Alternative advertising in prerecorded media

Presenting viewers with an alternative brief version of a recorded advertisement when they choose to fast-forward through or skip (or any other trick play event) the recorded advertisement. The alternative advertisement may be displayed instead of or in conjunction with the recorded advertisement (i.e., fast-forwarding advertisement is displayed in one portion of the screen (i.e., background or portion of a split screen) and the alternative brief version is displayed in another portion). The alternative brief version of the advertisement (trick play advertisement) may be a marketing message that is a static screen presenting a logo or a portion of the recorded advertisement, or may be a condensed version of the actual advertisement. The trick play advertisements may be targeted. An alternate or entirely unrelated advertisement can also be displayed as the trick play advertisement.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING BOOKMARK VIDEO FINGERPRINTS

Systems and methods for replacing original media bookmarks of at least a portion of a digital media file with replacement bookmarks is described. A media fingerprint engine detects the location of the original fingerprints associated with the portion of the digital media file and a region analysis algorithm characterizes regions of media file spanning the location of the original bookmarks by data class types. The replacement bookmarks are associated with the data class types and are overwritten or otherwise are substituted for the original bookmarks. The replacement bookmarks then are subjected to a fingerprint matching algorithm that incorporates media timeline and media related metadata. 1. A method for generating video fingerprints comprising:sharing timeline and metadata of an original digital media file including at least one of a video digital file and an audio digital file;identifying a region within the original media file;bookmarking the identified region with a fingerprinting algorithm;detecting a bookmarked region of a duplicate of the original media file using the fingerprinting algorithm; andcomparing the bookmarked region of the original media file to the bookmarked region of the duplicate.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein identifying a region of the original digital media file includes determining data types within the digital media file.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein determining data types includes at least one of a pixel luminescence value claim 2 , a region of pixel luminescence values claim 2 , an indicator of object motion claim 2 , a change in sound volume claim 2 , and a change in sound types.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein detecting a bookmarked region includes selecting a frame group claim 1 , examining for the presence of matchable characteristics in the frame group claim 1 , applying a region algorithm to the frame group claim 1 , removing repetitive occurrences of the matchable characteristics claim 1 , and defining a path of the ...

PRESENTATION OF AN AVATAR IN A MEDIA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system to receive a response generated by a media processor based on an analysis of a communication exchange between a user and an avatar having characteristics that correspond to a user profile. The system can identify from the response a requirement for initiation of a communication session with a content source. An avatar profile is received from the content source, including gesture information based on gestures utilized by a character supplied by the content source. An adapted avatar is generated based on the avatar profile by adapting in part the characteristics of the avatar to have a first characteristic that duplicates a gesture of the character supplied by the content source, while retaining a second characteristic corresponding to the user profile. Other embodiments are disclosed. 1. A system , comprisinga memory that stores executable instructions; and receiving from a media processor a response associated with equipment of a user, wherein the response is generated by the media processor based on an analysis of a communication exchange between the equipment of the user and an avatar having characteristics comprising a plurality of characteristics that corresponds to a user profile of the user;', 'identifying from the response a requirement for initiation of a communication session with a content source that provides the media processor with access to media content;', 'receiving from the content source an avatar profile comprising gesture information, wherein the gesture information is based on gestures utilized by a character supplied by the content source; and', 'generating an adapted avatar based on the avatar profile by adapting in part the characteristics of the avatar to have a first characteristic that duplicates a gesture of the character supplied by the content source while retaining a second characteristic of the plurality of characteristics that ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACQUIRING, CATEGORIZING AND DELIVERING MEDIA IN INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS

Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for Internet-delivered media. In some embodiments, information on available media on the Internet is gathered. The information is associated with existing media guidance data. The associations enable a media guidance application to identify relevant online media and to display listings in a user-friendly way. A user interface for an online media guidance application is also provided. The user interface allows a user to narrow down the large amount of Internet-delivered media in a systematic way according to criteria that interests a user. 130-. (canceled)31. A method for providing guidance for Internet videos comprising:identifying videos available over the Internet;storing metadata for each of the identified videos;automatically comparing metadata corresponding to a broadcast media asset with the metadata corresponding to the stored Internet videos to determine a set of the stored Internet videos that is relevant to the broadcast media asset;linking the set of stored Internet videos with the broadcast media asset by storing a tag in the metadata corresponding to each of the Internet videos in the set of stored Internet videos that links each video in the set of stored Internet videos to the broadcast media asset; andin response to a user selection of the broadcast media asset, generating for display a recommendation of an Internet video from the set of stored Internet videos.32. The method of claim 31 , wherein identifying videos available over the Internet comprises crawling Internet sites and scraping the metadata for each of the identified videos from the Internet sites.33. The method of claim 31 , wherein storing the metadata for each of the identified videos comprises storing a URL to each of the identified videos.34. The method of further comprising in response to a user selection of the recommended Internet video from the set of stored Internet videos claim 31 , redirecting the user to an Internet site ...

Secondary content insertion apparatus and methods

Apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network, with dynamic or adaptive insertion of secondary content (e.g., advertisements or promotions) that are more relevant for that context. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process; secondary content is evaluated and selectively inserted or replaced depending on factors such as the user's remote location, the configuration of their platform, the date and time of their access request, and/or the subject matter of the primary content.

Method and apparatus for providing virtural processing effects for wide-angle video images

A system and method for capturing and presenting immersive video presentations is described. A variety of different implementations are disclosed including multiple stream pay-per-view, sporting event coverage and 3D image modeling from the immersive video presentations.

SYSTEM FOR ADDRESSING ON-DEMAND TV PROGRAM CONTENT ON TV SERVICES PLATFORM OF A DIGITAL TV SERVICES PROVIDER

Video content is uploaded via the Internet to a video-on-demand (VOD) server identified by a title and a hierarchical address of categories and subcategories for categorizing the title. The VOD server converts and stores the video content at a storage address in a video content database linked to the title. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as in its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. This can enable many new blogging or podcasting-like programs by popular “Hosts” to be self-published on the Internet and readily navigated for display on TV. The EPG can also store TV program addresses as bookmarks and allow them to be shared with other subscribers or with friends and contacts online by sending to their email addresses. 1. An interactive application stored in non-volatile memory on an Internet-connected digital device associated with a subscriber of a video-on-demand system , the interactive application including computer program instructions executable by the Internet-connected digital device to perform at least the following steps:a) transmitting, from the Internet-connected digital device to a first digital television provider system via the Internet using IP protocol, login credentials associated with a subscriber account of the subscriber;b) receiving, by the Internet-connected digital device via the Internet using IP protocol, the electronic authorization for the interactive application to access privileges associated with the subscriber account of the subscriber; i. category information including first category information,', 'ii. subcategory information including first subcategory information, and', 'iii. title information including first title information of a first title;, 'c) obtaining, during a TV viewing session by the interactive application via the Internet ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING BLACKOUT SUPPORT IN VIDEO MOSAIC ENVIRONMENTS

Systems and methods for providing blackout support in video mosaic environments are disclosed. In response to receiving a request for a video mosaic page, screen data, which may include blackout information, is received. The screen data identifies the video assets in the video mosaic page. A determination is made, based at least in part on the screen data, whether any video assets in the video mosaic page should be blacked out. Blacked out assets may be masked and their associated audio blocked. In addition, an overlay of options associated with the blacked out asset may be presented. The overlay may include options to substitute the blacked out asset with replacement content, search for similar content, or retrieve more information about the blackout. 134-. (canceled)36. The method of claim 35 , wherein performing a search claim 35 , within the databased of available video assets claim 35 , for the second video asset that is similar to the first video asset further comprises:performing, within the databased of available video assets, a title search of keywords relating to the first video.37. The method of claim 35 , wherein performing a search claim 35 , within the databased of available video assets claim 35 , for the second video asset that is similar to the first video asset further comprises:constructing a search string based on media information including any of an actor name, a director name, and a genre name.39. The method of claim 35 , further comprising:determining whether the first video asset is similar to the second video asset by calculating a distance between the first video asset and the second video asset.40. The method of claim 39 , further comprising: 'generating for display the options overlay for the first video asset including a list of video assets that are similar to the first video asset.', 'in response to receiving the user selection of the portion corresponding to the first video asset that is blacked out41. The method of claim 35 , ...

PERSONALIZED CONTENT

A media switch enables a terminal to access content by receiving a content request from a terminal for a first piece of content to be distributed over a cable system, identifyinga personal channel within resources available in the cable system to distribute the first piece of content to the terminal, transmitting access information to the terminal to enable the terminal to access the first piece of content through the personal channel, and interfacing with a cable headend to provide the first piece of content on the personal channel. 137-. (canceled)38. A method of providing multimedia content to a terminal device , the method comprising the following operations performed by one or more processors:providing a channel over a network to distribute multimedia content to a terminal device;transmitting, from a media switch to the terminal device, reusable access information associated with the channel;transmitting, from the media switch to a network device, the multimedia content;detecting at least one of a user command or a pause command from the terminal device; andreplying, based on scheduling of the multimedia content, to the detected user command.39. The method of claim 38 , wherein the reusable access information includes a process identification number.40. The method of claim 38 , wherein the reusable access information identifies a baseband frequency and a channel pairing.41. The method of claim 40 , wherein the transmitting is performed by multiplexing the channel on the baseband frequency.42. The method of claim 38 , wherein the network device interfaces with the media switch by determining a mapping of content into the channel as a frequency or PID pair.43. The method of claim 38 , wherein the network device interfaces with the media switch by accessing a configuration database describing the frequency or content mapping.44. The method of claim 38 , wherein the network device interfaces with the media switch by managing reception of an IP stream or other ...

PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH VIDEO-ON-DEMAND BROWSING

An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program and a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The viewer may browse through video-on-demand programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to order a given video-on-demand program/and set a desired broadcast time for that program. 197-. (canceled)98. A method comprising:outputting a video of a scheduled media asset for display in a full screen display;receiving a first navigational command from a user input device;retrieving first information relating to a first unscheduled media asset including a first media asset title;generating for display in a partial screen media guidance application display over the video of the scheduled media asset, the first media asset title for the first unscheduled media asset;receiving a second navigational command from the user input device;retrieving second information relating to a second unscheduled media asset including a second media asset title and a second source identification code identifying a type of the second unscheduled media asset;generating for display in place of the first media asset title, the second media asset title for the second unscheduled media asset available from the source, when the second navigational command is received;receiving a user input from the user input device; andgenerating for display, the second unscheduled media asset, based on the type of the second unscheduled media asset when the user input is received.99. The method of claim 98 , wherein the first navigational command is associated with a first directional input and a first direction and the second navigational command is associated with a second directional input ...

Peer-to-Peer Video Data Sharing

A method includes storing multicast transmission data at a peer-to-peer server. The multicast transmission data indicates multicast groups to which network elements are joined. The method includes receiving, at the peer-to-peer server from a first network element, a request related to a previously sent data packet of media content. The method includes determining, at the peer-to-peer server, whether a second network element can be identified, where the second network element was joined to a multicast group associated with the media content when the previously sent data packet was sent. The method also includes, in response to identifying the second network element, sending information identifying the second network element from the peer-to-peer server to the first network element.

Systems and Methods for Seeking Within Multimedia Content During Streaming Playback

A receiver driven approach for playback of remote content is described. One embodiment includes obtaining information concerning the content of the media file from the remote server, identifying a starting location within the media sequence, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence from the starting location, requesting the byte ranges required to play the media sequence from the starting location, buffering received bytes of information pending commencement of playback, playing back the buffered bytes of information, receiving a user instruction, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence in accordance with the user instruction, flushing previous byte range requests, and requesting the byte ranges required to play the media in accordance with the user instruction. 1. A playback device , comprising:a processor; and establishing at least one connection for communicating with a remote server system;', 'obtaining information from a remote server system describing at least one video track, multiple audio tracks, and multiple subtitle tracks;', 'requesting a header describing the at least one video track;', 'selecting an audio track from the multiple audio tracks;', 'requesting byte ranges from the video track and the audio track from the remote server system;', 'buffering received bytes of information;', 'checking that sufficient data is buffered to commence playback and playing back the buffered audio and video data;', pausing playback;', 'requesting byte ranges required to play the media sequence from the new playback location from the remote server;', 'buffering received bytes of information pending resumption of playback; and', 'checking that sufficient data is buffered to commence playback and playing back the buffered audio and video data., 'respond to a received seek instruction by], 'a non-volatile storage containing an application for causing ...

BANDWIDTH BASED LICENSING SCHEME FOR VIDEO, AUDIO AND/OR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT

Methods and apparatus are provided for licensing service providers to process video, audio and/or multimedia content using a video processing device. A license key indicative of a license for an amount of bandwidth is generated. The license key is used at the video processing device to enforce the license based on whether there is sufficient licensed bandwidth available to accommodate a newly created output transport stream. If there is sufficient licensed bandwidth available, processing of the newly created output transport stream is allowed. If there is insufficient licensed bandwidth available, processing of the newly created output transport stream is denied. The service providers are charged a license fee to use the video processing equipment based on the licensed bandwidth. 110-. (canceled)11. A system for licensing service providers to process content using a video processing device comprising:a user interface;a license key processor adapted to receive a license key, wherein the license key is indicative of a license for a specified amount of licensed bandwidth allowed for a video processing feature that is covered by a license fee, the license fee being charged to the service provider based on a specified amount of bandwidth for the video processing feature according to a license type; anda plurality of video processors,wherein the user interface is updated by the license key processor to enable the creation of a transport stream for processing by at least one of the video processors in accordance with the license based on whether there is sufficient unused licensed bandwidth available from the specified amount of bandwidth to accommodate the transport stream.12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the license key processor:allows processing of the transport stream by at least one of the video processors if there is sufficient unused licensed bandwidth available; anddenies processing of the transport stream if there is insufficient unused licensed bandwidth ...

Method and System for Remotely Controlling Consumer Electronic Devices

A media system replaces content in a first sequence of media content. The media system presents the first sequence of media content to an end-user and generates a fingerprint of the sequence of media content. The fingerprint is for comparison with a plurality of reference fingerprints so as to identify the first sequence of media content and determine a reference position within the first sequence of media content. The media system sends a request for a replacement sequence of content to a content replacement system, and receives replacement media content selected based on the identified first sequence of media content. The media system presents the replacement media content to the end-user instead of the first sequence of media content. Presenting the replacement media content begins at a position in the first sequence of media content that is determined based on the reference position. 1. A method comprising:accessing, at a media system, a sequence of media content;accessing, at the media system, replacement media content, wherein the replacement media content is selected based on at least a portion of the sequence of media content; and interrupting the at least the portion of the replacement media content by causing presentation of a further sequence of media content in response to a first request received during the presentation of the at least the portion of the replacement media content, the further sequence of media content being presented without presenting the replacement media content;', 'if a second request is received within a predetermined time of the first request, resuming presentation of the replacement media content in response to the second request; and', 'if the second request is received outside the predetermined time of the first request, presenting the sequence of media content responsive to the second request,', 'wherein the predetermined time is related to a duration of the replacement media content., 'causing presentation of a displayed ...