Abstract: A system and method for use in a cable network to acquire electronic programming guide (EPG) content signals from one or more EPG vendors. The system includes a set-top box (STB) for receiving cable signals and EPG signals from a headend controller so that the STB can output the signals to a media output device for display. A conversion table is provided to each STB for use by the STB in determining source IDs associated with a given channel for each EPG vendor, the source IDs for use in acquiring the EPG content signals.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a data loader and a data slicer. The data loader is configured to receive and process raw program guide data, and to store the processed program guide data in a data store, the processing including generating a unique program identifier for each program represented in the raw program guide data. The data slicer is configured to generate a program guide data configuration from the processed program guide data, the program guide data configuration including program guide data organized into a plurality of data structures based on categories of the program guide data. The plurality of data structures includes at least one channel data structure, at least one schedule data structure, at least one detailed program information data structure, and indices for use as references between different ones of the data structures.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a TV includes a TV service module, a user service module, a media service module, a system service module, and a user interface (UI) view service module. The TV service module is adapted for providing a standard interface. The user service module is adapted for managing users of a cloud platform to which the TV belongs. The media service module is adapted for collecting resources. The system service module is adapted for forwarding an instruction corresponding to a broadcast sent by a remote control to a corresponding module. The UI view service module is adapted for analyzing a component invoking instruction sent by another module in the TV, and selecting an invoked component according to data carried in the component invoking instruction. Embodiments of the invention can reduce operations of a user and improves the user experience.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program utilize a distance associative hashing algorithmic means to provide a highly efficient means to rapidly address a large database. The indexing means can be readily subdivided into a plurality of independently-addressable segments where each such segment can address a portion of related data of the database where the sub-divided indexes of said portions reside entirely in the main memory of each of a multiplicity of server means. The resulting cluster of server means, each hosting an addressable sector of a larger database of searchable audio or video information, provides a significant improvement in the latency and scalability of an Automatic Content Recognition system, among other uses.

Abstract: One or more devices, in a video content delivery network, store video content for one or more customer premise devices in a hierarchical storage, and provide real time video content from the hierarchical storage, via multicast or unicast, to the one or more customer premise devices. The one or more devices also provide non-real time video content from the hierarchical storage to the one or more customer premise devices during idle time periods associated with the network. The one or more devices further establish a license with the one or more customer premise devices to view video content in multiple formats, and establish a license with the one or more customer premise devices to view video content via multiple customer premise devices.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for determining the latency of components of a video system comprising a video latency determination device. The video latency determination device includes a memory and a processor configured to detect a test video pattern appearing at a known time in the video signal at the video output of each component, calculate the latency of each component based on the known time of the test video pattern and the time at which the video latency determination device detects the test video pattern, and store the latency of each component in the memory.

Abstract: A guide data server stores program guide content in a memory and transmits the stored content to a multicast server. The multicast server transmits the received content to set top boxes according to three independent time periods. The three time periods include an update blocking time period, a multicast blocking time period, and a normal time period. During the update blocking time period, the multicast server transmits old program guide content to the set top boxes. During the multicast blocking time period, the multicast server (1) performs a one-time request for the new program guide content from the guide data server, and (2) receives new program guide content from the guide data server. During the normal time period, the multicast server receives new program guide content transmitted from the guide data server and transmits the new program guide content to the set top boxes.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling video input media is described. The method includes receiving video media via a video media input device. The video media input device is communicatively coupled with and operable in conjunction with the electronic device. The method further includes monitoring a data path within the electronic device associated with the video media. The monitoring is performed by a compliance mechanism communicatively coupled with and operable in conjunction with the electronic device. The method further includes preventing the video media from reaching a usage mechanism via the data path, the usage mechanism communicatively coupled with the electronic device. The usage mechanism is able to create an environment in which the video media can be used in an unauthorized manner. The preventing performed by the compliance mechanism is done when usage of the video media with the usage mechanism violates a usage restriction applicable to the video media.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for smoothly and efficiently upgrading set top boxes, e.g., personal video recorders, which have customer selected content stored thereon are described. The described methods allow content stored on a set top box to be uploaded to a network storage device, e.g., automatically at a predetermined time prior to a scheduled upgrade, or in some cases, via manual control of the set top box to be upgraded. After stored content is uploaded to the network storage device, the set top box is replaced with a new set top box. The new set top box can be preloaded with the previously uploaded content or a content download can be triggered, e.g., by activating a hidden application and by supplying information identifying the set top box being replaced as part of the upgrade process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to discriminate between linear and non-linear media are disclosed An example method to determine whether a media presentation is a linear or a non-linear media presentation comprises generating a reference log comprising a first media identifier of first media and a time at which the first media was presented, accessing a media presentation log comprising a second media identifier of second media and a time at which the second media was presented, and determining whether the second media correspond to a linear media presentation or a non-linear media presentation by comparing the media presentation log to the reference log.

Abstract: A frequency band selection device that can be inserted into a signal transmission line of a CATV system on the premise of a user includes at least two signal path sets between a tap side and a premise side. Each signal path set includes two discrete signal paths, a high frequency signal path for a downstream bandwidth and a low frequency signal path for an upstream bandwidth. The high frequency signal path and the low frequency signal path are separated by a cut-off transition frequency that is different for each signal path set. The device further includes a switch controller having at least two discrete switch positions. The switch controller chooses one of the switch positions as a result of an information signal. Each of the switch positions corresponds to a respective one of the signal path sets.

Abstract: A media access device such as, for example, a cable or satellite set top box (STB), a digital video recorder (DVR), a personal computer, and/or a digital media receivers automatically optimizes an order of content choices presented in a content listing, such as a program guide display, favorite channel display, and/or a recording listing display based on the past viewing and/or recording history of a current user.

Abstract: Aspects of bandwidth conservation include accumulating, in a memory device, inputs received over time and identifying a historical pattern from the inputs. The historical pattern includes a channel change operation when data streamed over a network and received is a commercial. Aspects also include determining whether a next input is expected for currently streamed data. The determining is in response to the historical pattern and whether the currently streamed data is commercial-free content. Aspects further include predicting that the user is not present at an electronic device if the next input to the user interface is expected and is not received, predicting that the user is present and the next input is not expected if the currently streamed data is the commercial-free content, and conserving bandwidth, with respect to the currently streamed data, in response to predicting that the user is not present at the electronic device.

Abstract: A method of transferring video data for storage at a remote location includes storing the video data recorded at a site to a local storage device at the site. The local storage device is coupled to a remote storage device by way of a network connection. Available bandwidth of the network connection between the local storage device and the remote storage device is automatically monitored. Upon one or more predetermined criteria being met for available bandwidth, video data from the local storage device is transferred to the remote storage device over the network connection. The time of initiation of transfer of the video data or the rate of transfer of the video data over the network connection may be based on the available bandwidth of the network connection at one or more times.

Abstract: A method and system that computes viewing statistics for a digital video content stream received at a set-top box. The digital video content stream includes a first segment of video content, a second segment of video content, a third segment of video content, a first timing mark that indicates a transition from the first segment to the second segment, and a second timing mark that indicates a transition from the second segment to the third segment. The method initiates a transmission of the digital video content stream at the set-top box, monitors the transmission of the digital video content stream relative to the first timing mark and the second timing mark, and computes view data for the second segment based on the monitoring of the transmission. The method stores the view data at the set-top box.

Abstract: Caching related technology, in which a time needed to begin rendering network-based video content without caching a decoded version of the content is determined and, the determined time to begin rendering the network-based video content is compared to a threshold time. When the determined time to begin rendering the network-based video content exceeds the threshold time, an initial portion of the network-based video content is pre-transcoded to a faster video codec format, and the pre-transcoded initial portion of the network-based video content is stored in electronic storage associated with a media system of a user.

Abstract: A communication system and method using a Golay sequence, are provided. In the communication method, 2nd order Reed-Muller coding is performed on data to generate a codeword, and exponential modulation is performed on the codeword to generate a near Golay complementary sequence. Factors for generating the codeword are permutations of a 1st order Reed-Muller generator, and cosets and offsets of a 2nd order Reed-Muller code calculated based on the permutations of the 1st order Reed-Muller generator, etc.

Abstract: A control server receives a local input to control a remote video device and sends an indication of the local input to the remote video device to control, access, or operate the remote video device. Video data indicative of images provided by the remote video device in response to the local input are relayed to the control server by the remote video device or associated components. A plurality of remote video devices can be simultaneously controlled, accessed, or operated. Control code sets for remote video devices are mapped to a local interface control set. Local input is translated to a remote video device command based on such mappings.

Abstract: A peer-to-peer (P2P) video-on-demand (VoD) system or method use a plurality of LP-enabled VoD set-top box (STB) peers in a pool for providing video content data to a requesting client peer in the pool. One other peer in the pool can be designated as a parent peer for downloading high priority playback content that is substantially immediately needed for playback display. Low priority pre-fetch content can be downloaded to the requesting client peer from another peer in the pool other than the parent peer. Bandwidth at the requesting client peer that is not used by the playback module for downloading the high priority playback video content data can be allocated for downloading the pre-fetch content. Using the requesting client peer, video content data can be served, for the playback display on a video monitor, wherein such served video data content can comprise the playback content and the prefetch content.

Abstract: Systems and methods of issuing a reminder from a remote control are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, an exemplary embodiment has a remote control and a set top box (STB). In at least one embodiment, the remote control has a transmitter that transmits information corresponding to at least one reminder event with a reminder time, a reminder alert receiver that receives a reminder alert, and at least one of a sound emitter that issues audible reminder alerts, a vibration generator that issues vibration reminder alerts, and a light source that issues visible reminder alerts. In at least one embodiment, the STB has a receiver that receives the information corresponding to the reminder event from the remote control, a STB processing system that generates a reminder alert based upon the received reminder event, and a reminder alert transmitter that transmits the reminder alert to the remote control.