Abstract: A communications system includes content distribution hardware operable to detect presence of a window in a video stream in which to insert an advertisement. Multiple viewers receive and view the video stream. Advertisement management hardware in the communications system receives notification of the window as well as attributes of the viewers receiving the video stream. Based on the attributes associated with viewers, the advertisement manager hardware selects a particular advertisement suitable for the viewers amongst multiple advertisements to insert in the window. The content distribution hardware inserts the selected advertisement in the window for distribution to the multiple viewers. During distribution of the advertisement in the window, if desired, the content distribution hardware monitors further use of the multiple communication devices to detect if any of the communication devices discontinue receiving the video stream during the window of time.

Abstract: A video content source includes a processor and a media module executed by the processor. The media module identifies available on-demand media content, organizes on-demand media content by provider and associates on-demand media content by category. Aggregated on-demand media content is formed in a non-temporal grid organized by provider and category. The non-temporal grid may include various combinations of providers, categories and on-demand media content instances.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method that includes receiving weblink information, receiving media content, inserting the weblink information into a digital frame, providing the plurality of digital frames as a video stream to a consumer media device, displaying, by the consumer media device, the video stream, receiving, by the consumer media device, a user input to pause the video stream during the displaying of the video stream to pause the video stream to display a current digital frame of the plurality of digital frames, receiving, by the consumer media device, a user input indicating a selection of a portion of the current digital frame, determining selected Weblink information for the portion of the current digital frame, and providing a connection to a website associated with the selected Weblink information to the consumer media device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein enable a media device to be controlled from any location via a network-based device. For example, a user, using a control device, initiates a command that identifies media content to be streamed by the media device. The command is transmitted to a proxy device coupled to the media device and a network-based device. The proxy device transmits the command to the network-based device, which translates the command into a format compatible with the media device. The translated command is transmitted to the proxy device, which transmits the translated command to the media device. The media device streams the media content based on the received translated command. Alternatively, the control device and the proxy device are integrated as a single device, which generates and transmits the command to the network-based device, receives the translated command from the network-based device, and transmits the translated command to the media device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for indicating whether a scene in a media asset corresponds to a scene for which a scene change was previously requested. A media player client monitors scene sequences in a media asset to anticipate whether the user will initiate a scene change request based on historical scene change data. In response to detecting a scene sequence for which the user is expected to request a scene change, the media player client determines whether a scene change is necessary and outputs an indication of whether a scene change is recommended.

Abstract: In the present specification, various embodiments are disclosed of digital devices and methods of processing data in said digital devices. Here, a digital device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a user interface unit for receiving execution requests for a first application through to a fourth application; a decoder for decoding data on the applications for which the execution requests were made; a control unit; and an output unit for outputting first through to third display windows and application data in each of the display windows.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time DVR programming employ secure instant message protocol in a DVR environment. An embodiment sends an instant message to the DVR which causes the DVR to open a new secure connection with the service provider for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider. Another embodiment uses an already established connection with an instant message server for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to identify media sources are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include an exclusivity determiner, a unique asset identifier, and a signature matcher. The exclusivity determiner is to determine whether media is exclusive to a provider. The unique asset identifier is to associate a first signature of the media with the provider if the media is exclusive to the provider. The signature matcher is to identify the provider based on a second signature, the second signature matching the first signature, the second signature extracted from media presented at a media presentation location.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system that generates an avatar having a first behavior determined by a user profile of a user. An avatar profile is received from a content source for modifying the avatar according to a second behavior. The avatar is modified to generate an adaptive avatar based on the avatar profile. The adaptive avatar has, at least in part, the second behavior determined by the avatar profile, while retaining, at least in part, the first behavior determined by the user profile of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Mechanisms provide intermediate key frame animation during a media seek. A streaming server receives a seek request from a client device while the streaming server provides the client device with a media stream. The seek request is made when the media stream is playing at an initial location and the seek request includes a request to play the media stream from a seek location. In some embodiments, intermediate key frames before the seek location are identified. In other instances, intermediate key frames between the initial location and the seek location are identified. These intermediate key frames are provided to the client device for display before the media stream begins playing at the seek location.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the disclosed technology, it is possible for content owners to better control the presentation of owned multimedia assets. Implementations of embodiments of the technology of the present disclosure leverage the specificity and greater breadth of detailed information about the multimedia asset of temporal metadata to enable content owners to associate business rules with particular content elements of the multimedia asset. After being notified of a match through the traditional fingerprinting process, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure can programmatically identify the exact content elements contained within the uploaded multimedia file, and accordingly apply the applicable rules. Content owners may create a list of business rules associated with particular temporal metadata tags of a multimedia assets so that fine-grained rule application is possible.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the order of commercial products in connection with the display of media content, whereby a player comprises a media production component and an interactive e-commerce component embedded therein. The player with the e-commerce component can be virally copied and propagated from one web page to any number of other web pages.

Abstract: This application is directed to a method implemented on a computing device for supplementing a live broadcast displayed at a client device. The computing device analyzes descriptive information for the live broadcast and generates first keywords related to the live broadcast from the descriptive information. The computing device receives a plurality of live information streams independent from the live broadcast, and automatically without user intervention, extracts second keywords from the plurality of events. The computing device determines the relevance of each event in the plurality of events to the live broadcast by correlating the first keywords generated from the descriptive information of the live broadcast and the second keywords extracted from the plurality of events, thereby selecting a subset of the plurality of events. Information representing the subset of events is formatted for display.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system that generates an avatar having a first behavior determined by a user profile of a user. An avatar profile is received from a content source for modifying the avatar according to a second behavior. The avatar is modified to generate an adaptive avatar based on the avatar profile. The adaptive avatar has, at least in part, the second behavior determined by the avatar profile, while retaining, at least in part, the first behavior determined by the user profile of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile, cause a presentation device to present a user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user, identify from the one or more responses a need to communicate with a merchant system, establish a communication session with the merchant system, receive a notification from the merchant system of a merchant avatar engine, establish communication with the merchant avatar engine, adapt the characteristics of the avatar at least in part according to instructions supplied by the merchant avatar engine, and cause the presentation device to present the user the adapted avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Routing of short message service (SMS) communications from a networked communication device to a networked cable television (CATV) services system device (e.g., set-top box STB) is provided. SMS messages may be sent to a user's wireline phone, mobile phone, or other communication device as identified by a unique identification number (UIN). Upon identifying if the intended destination device is operative to receive SMS messages or if a provision has been made to route an incoming SMS message, the SMS message may be routed to a networked cable services system device (e.g., a set-top box or CATV-enabled telephone) associated with an account of the intended destination device. The cable services system device may receive an SMS message and may be operative to render the message on a display. In addition, the device may also be operative to send SMS messages.

Abstract: Particular embodiments permit a computer program running within a security sandbox to discover and communicate with networked services for example print servers, or remote control programming interfaces for TVs, stereos, and game boxes. The sandbox allows the computer program to originate unicast connections to a limited set of hosts but otherwise provides no access to the network. Particular embodiments may require no prior install, zero configuration, no account names or passwords, and yet resists spam. This is achieved by using centralized global infrastructure to coordinate the communications rather than local multicast, anycast, or datalink broadcast.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time DVR programming employ secure instant message protocol in a DVR environment. An embodiment sends an instant message to the DVR which causes the DVR to open a new secure connection with the service provider for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider. Another embodiment uses an already established connection with an instant message server for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider.

Abstract: A hybrid, expandable electronic programming guide that may allow broadcast programming customers to view both broadcast programming options and over-the-top service options in a single electronic programming guide.

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a requesting media content processing subsystem and a network entity. The requesting media content processing subsystem is configured to transmit to the network entity a request to access a snippet of a media content instance. The network entity is configured to augment the snippet with additional media content and provide a user with access to the augmented snippet via the requesting media content processing subsystem.