Abstract: A system of grouping broadcasting signals based on a multimedia DNA of corresponding broadcast, which groups users viewing the same broadcast through the multimedia DNA of each broadcasting signal output from a TV in real time. A DNA information receiver receives DNA information on broadcasting signals, which are broadcasted through each TV. A DNA information grouping unit calculates similarity of the DNA information received through the DNA information receiver, and when the calculated similarity satisfies a predetermined similar condition, determines the similar DNA information as the DNA information of the same broadcasting signal to group the DNA information into the same group. A group information transmitter transmits group related information of each group grouped by the DNA information grouping unit to each TV.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an operation section which performs remote control of a television receiver, and a content information acquisition section which acquires content information related to content provided by the television receiver, and causes a storage section to store the content information.

Abstract: An automated movie compilation system is described. An application on a mobile device has a capture component that samples media assets and a data asset synchronizer that synchronizes the media assets over a network with a backend server. The backend server has an asset data synchronizer that stores the media assets in a data store, a movie compiler combining the media assets and further assets into a movie compilation, and a movie server serving the movie compilation for viewing. The mobile application has a compiled movie receiver that receives a movie compilation from the backend server and a movie playback system that plays the compiled movie on the mobile device. Advertisers can upload establishing shot clips for viewing in the movie compilation.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that includes a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including receiving an identifier of a communication device that has established communications with a media processor by way a personal area network. An association between the communication device and the media processor is determined and the communication device is authenticates according to the identifier. Information is provided to the media processor to facilitate management of media services by the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for wireless control of home media sources that utilizes a home digital network to transport packetized IR transmitter data to a remote location. The system allows for flexible control of multiple devices that accept IR commands without requiring additional wiring, and is independent of any particular IR protocol.

Abstract: A user profile server stores a particular user profile corresponding to a user who belongs to a plurality of separate loyalty programs, and the particular user profile includes a plurality of different loyalty program user identifiers each identifying the user on a respective one of the separate loyalty programs. The user profile server communicates user a preference included on the particular user profile to a first controller via the computer network and communicates the user preference included on the particular user profile to a second controller via the computer network. The first controller is associated with a first hospitality location where the user is identified according to a first loyalty program user identifier included on the particular user profile, and the second is controller is associated with a second hospitality location where the user is identified according to a second loyalty program user identifier included on the particular user profile.

Abstract: A method of controlling an electronic device, and which includes obtaining, via a camera of the electronic device, an image of a plurality of users viewing a display unit of the electronic device; receiving a predetermined gesture made from a first user for obtaining gesture control authority of the electronic device; displaying a graphic item corresponding to the first user who made the predetermined gesture; displaying a control graphic item indicating a current gesture control authority of the electronic device; receiving a first gesture input for changing a display state of the control graphic item; selecting the graphic item according to the changed display state of the control graphic item according to the first gesture input; and handing over the gesture control authority to the first user corresponding to the selected one graphic item.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for the creation and management of advertising inventory utilizing associated metadata. The system generally includes a media streaming system that is used with a video player in connection with the playback of at least one audio/video work. The media streaming system includes a media distribution system that supplies metadata associated with the audio/video work to the video player. The metadata has a hierarchical taxonomy that defines a plurality of attributes associated with one or more objects present in the audio/video work. The system also includes an ad inventory engine that determines available ad inventory based on the metadata and matches the available inventory with advertisement data based on the hierarchical taxonomy.

Abstract: Audio and video signals are synchronized for pleasing presentation of content. As content is streamed to a device, an audio portion may lag or lead a video portion. Spoken words, for example, are out of synch with the lip movements. Video content is thus synchronized to audio content to ensure streaming content is pleasing.

Abstract: A system, method, and server for distributing content. The system includes a number of servers in communication with the Internet and configured to provide subscribers of the communications service provider with access to content stored on the number of servers without having to access external networks including the Internet. The system further includes a remote content management application operating on at least one of the number of servers and configured to provide content providers with: (1) digital rights management (DRM) and (2) guaranteed quality of service (QoS) to the subscribers of the communications service providers, wherein the content providers establish the DRM and the QoS.

Abstract: An interface for a single network point that provides channels of content and services to a subscribing user while maintaining the functionality of the channels of content as separate entities. Channels of content and services include, but are not limited to audio and video via cable and broadcast over the air, satellite broadcasts, cell phone service, GPS, Internet, and voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Content based on context is injected via a switching device between a content provider device, for example cable provider set top box and a projection unit, for example TV. Remote control devices such as a smart phone or mobile communication device, provide a management function and user control with an application resident on the remote control device. A remote control may be configured to select a content channel, store user selection states, project or display computer content onto a TV for web browsing.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a storage medium including computer instructions to receive sensory information at a media device from a first mobile communication device where the first mobile communication device obtains at least a portion of the sensory information from at least one second mobile communication device in response to a broadcast by the first mobile communication device of a wireless signal representing a notice to obtain the sensory information, where the sensory information is associated with an environment of the first mobile communication device, and where the sensory information comprises images of the environment. The computer instructions can enable generating a plurality of personal content utilizing at least a portion of the sensory information, where each of the plurality of personal content includes some of the images captured at different perspectives. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for influencing a viewer to select a second feed. A shared medium is loaded beyond a loading threshold. One or more high viewership feeds being provided over the shared medium are designated preferred feeds, and one or more user devices providing low viewership feeds to viewers are designated candidate user devices. The candidate user devices are instructed to influence their respective viewers to select one of the high viewership feeds. The candidate user devices select a second feed from one or more preferred feeds, and provide information pertaining to the second feed to the viewer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating online videos. One method includes receiving a URL; determining a URL type; detecting whether the URL includes one or more videos; determining at least one of a size of the video, a position of the video on a web page of the web page URL, whether the video is set to autoplay, and whether the video is set to mute; computing a score based on one or more of the size of the video, the position of the video on the web page of the web page URL, whether the video is set to autoplay, and whether the video is set to mute; obtaining at least two frames of at least part of the video, wherein each frame is obtained at one or more predetermined intervals during playback of the video; and classifying each detected video based on the at least two frames.

Abstract: A home multimedia network comprises a plurality of source nodes, wherein each of the source nodes includes an apparatus for concurrently transmitting and receiving high-speed data services; a plurality of sink nodes, wherein each of the sink nodes includes the apparatus for concurrently transmitting and receiving high-speed data services; a switch for connecting a first group of the plurality of source nodes located at one room to one or more sink nodes located at a different room than the first group of source nodes, the first group of source nodes and the one or more sink nodes are connected to the switch through a twisted-pair cable, the high-speed data services are concurrently transported over the twisted-pair cable, wherein the high-speed data services include at least uncompressed multimedia data, Ethernet data, and Universal Serial Bus data.

Abstract: A method includes sending a polling message from a management system to a set-top box device. The polling message requests service data related to quality of service associated with the set-top box device. The method includes receiving, at the management system, quality parameters from the set-top box device in response to the polling message. The method includes selecting a representative color that corresponds to the quality of service. The method also includes sending a quality indicator from the management system to a display. The quality indicator displays the representative color and an identification of the set-top box device.

Abstract: To provide a content playback device capable of, when playing back a content distributed in a streaming format via a network whose view mode is selectable among a plurality of view modes, presenting to a user the switchability between the view modes, thereby to improve the user's convenience. The content playback device includes a reception unit that receives, from the content distribution system, control information indicating a plurality of view modes selectable for viewing the video content, a presentation unit that presents, to a user, the view modes as options of a view mode for viewing the video content, an input reception unit that receives an input selecting one view mode among the view modes from the user; and a request unit that requests the content distribution system to distribute the video content in the streaming format, by transmitting information indicating the selected view mode to the content distribution system.

Abstract: A system and method for downloading a code image at a set-top gateway host that includes an embedded set-top box and an embedded cable modem. The embedded set-top box and the embedded cable modem interact so that each leverages the resources of the other, thereby minimizing the functionality that must be built into each.

Abstract: Methods for slice-based encoding of program guides and user interfaces. The program guides include multiple video streams for picture-in-picture and other applications. A method for encoding the program guide includes encoding a first set of slices for each of a plurality of graphics pages; and encoding a second set of slices for each of a plurality of video streams. The user interfaces are multi-functional and may be used for electronic commerce and other applications. A method of generating the user interface includes encoding a set of slices for each of a plurality of objects, each object being characterized by an identity, at least one attribute, and at least one operation. In one embodiment of this method, the plurality of objects include an electronic commerce object, where the electronic commerce object is attributed with a first hyper text markup language (HTML) page.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive streaming with augmented video stream transitions using a media server in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a media server includes multimedia content including a set of alternative streams of video data and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive a request to stream multimedia content, stream a first stream of video data, where the first stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, receive a request for a second stream of video data, where the second stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, transmit an image in response to the request for the second stream of video data, and stream the second stream of video data.