Abstract: An advertisement supported entertainment collection, distribution, and library system accessible over a network. The system retains and manages contents, advertisements, user demographics, content viewing, etc. on a central server enabling collection of viewing metrics and audience member demographics. Contents are segmented and characterized by multiple indices. Production contents are generated by combining a series of production segments with advertising segments inserted between segments. Advertising segment placement criteria is compared to content indices and user demographics to determine placement of advertising segments. Metrics, including advertisement placements, content indices, viewing data, library placement, and user demographics are analyzed to optimize advertisement placements.

Abstract: Control circuitry may identify a media object in a frame of a media asset. Control circuitry may determine a frequency at which the media object occurs in other frames associated with the media asset. Control circuitry may compare the frequency to a threshold, and may determine, based on the comparing, that the frequency equals or exceeds the threshold. Based on determining that the frequency equals or exceeds the threshold, control circuitry may perform a search of a source external to a source of the media asset, where the search comprises searching for an indication that the media object comprises an Easter egg. Control circuitry may determine whether, based on the performing of the search, the indication was found, and, based on determining that the indication was found, execute a function relating to the Easter egg.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled or scrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.

Abstract: An on-screen display (OSD) processing system can include video data fetch modules to receive video data from a video source, edge detection modules to detect an edge of a region within a scene represented by the video data, edge processing modules to process results from the edge detection modules, and an OSD confidence level adjustment module to adjust an OSD confidence level corresponding to the region within the scene.

Abstract: A device may receive user metadata associated with media content identified in an interactive program guide (IPG). The user metadata may be based on input provided by a user via the IPG, and the media content may be associated with a media content identifier. The device may determine a manner in which the user metadata is to be processed. The device may process the user metadata in the manner in which the user metadata is to be processed. The user metadata may be processed to permit the user to view the user metadata, via the IPG, at a later time, or the user metadata may be processed to permit another user, associated with another device, to view the user metadata.

Abstract: Analysis of mental states is provided to enable data analysis pertaining to video recommendation based on affect. Analysis and recommendation can be for socially shared livestream video. Video response may be evaluated based on viewing and sampling various videos. Data is captured for viewers of a video where the data includes facial information and/or physiological data. Facial and physiological information may be gathered for a group of viewers. In some embodiments, demographics information is collected and used as a criterion for visualization of affect responses to videos. In some embodiments, data captured from an individual viewer or group of viewers is used to rank videos.

Abstract: Disclosure of the present invention provide a method and an apparatus for processing a video stream. The method includes: acquiring a request message from a terminal, where the request message carries address information of multiple sub video screens, according to the address information, acquiring multiple substreams corresponding to the multiple sub video screens in a one-to-one manner, merging the multiple substreams into a single stream, and generating an indication message used to indicate a picture parameter of the single stream, and sending the single stream and the indication message to the terminal, so that the terminal decodes the single stream and displays decoded multiple sub video screens according to the indication message.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for using second screen devices to augment media engagement metrics. In one aspect, a method includes accessing user activity data describing user activities performed by a user on a first user device during a first time period, and accessing data describing presentation of one or more content items during the first time period on second user devices. For the first user device, determining based on the user activity data, for each of a plurality of second time periods that are sub-periods of the first time period, a first level of user engagement with the first user device, and determining, based on the user activity data, for each second time period that is a sub-period of the first time period, a second level of user engagement with the one or more content items presented.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that can include iconization and later play of video content items, such as advertisements. During presentation of an online video, video advertisements may be presented. Upon user selection, during or after presentation of a particular video advertisement, the advertisement may cease to be presented, but an icon may be displayed that represents the video advertisement. The icon may be displayed in an area adjacent to the online video display area, which area may include multiple icons. Later, upon user selection of the icon, the video advertisement may be played, or may continue playing, utilizing local storage of the video advertisement. This, in turn, may provide, for example, efficient, convenient user access to the video advertisement, leading to enhanced advertisement performance with minimal intrusive impact on the user experience as a whole.

Abstract: Viewers use remote controls to generate mute signals based on broadcast programming. Those mute signals are processed into mute messages, which are sent to viewers' television audio controls, which mute and un-mute broadcast audio based on the mute messages. Accurate mute messages are generated based in part on various mute signal statistics derived from mute signal streams. Sending mute signals can result in mute signal point credits, and receiving mute messages can result in mute point debits. Additionally, more accurate mute signals can result in greater mute point credits.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for metering media feeds in a market are disclosed. An example method includes duplicating a first audio stream in a media feed to generate a second audio stream, encoding the first audio stream with a first breakout code, encoding the second audio stream with a second breakout code different from the first breakout code, combining the first audio stream, the second audio stream, and a video stream of the media to generate an encoded transport stream, and instructing, via a processor, a media receiver to tune to the transport stream and select the second audio stream for distribution to a media presentation location on a channel associated with the second breakout code.

Abstract: Device capabilities, media rights, and content are managed using a convergence platform to allow seamless consumption of content across disparate devices. Media content can be paused on one device having a particular set of capabilities and rights and resumed on a different device having another set of capabilities and rights. A user can play media on a mobile device, continue playing the media on a desktop computer, and subsequently move to a large screen television and capabilities and rights are automatically identified to seamlessly provide the most appropriate authorized content. Personalized media content information can be provided based on maintained information for user playback stoppage events and the user can resume playback of any number of media streams.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for using second screen devices to augment media engagement metrics. In one aspect, a method includes accessing user activity data describing user activities performed by a user on a first user device during a first time period, and accessing data describing presentation of one or more content items during the first time period on second user devices. For the first user device, determining based on the user activity data, for each of a plurality of second time periods that are sub-periods of the first time period, a first level of user engagement with the first user device, and determining, based on the user activity data, for each second time period that is a sub-period of the first time period, a second level of user engagement with the one or more content items presented.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a set top box, an instruction or command from a user to view program listings associated with programs that were broadcast by a television service provider during a first period of time that is prior to a current time. The method also includes identifying at least one television program that was broadcast during the first period of time and that is available to the user, and outputting, by the set top box, a program guide identifying the at least one television program. The method further includes receiving, at the set top box, a selection corresponding to a first one of the at least one television program and outputting, by the set top box, the first television program.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering content according to a customized program lineup are provided. A content source transmits a plurality of media assets in a first schedule according to scheduled transmission times. A processing device may receive a user input to receive the media assets in a second schedule different from the first schedule. When a request to access the content source is received, the processing device may automatically determine, based on the second schedule, whether the user has requested a different media asset than the originally-scheduled asset at the time of the request. If the user has requested a different media asset, the processing device may automatically receive and provide the different media asset instead of the originally-scheduled asset.

Abstract: Viewers use remote controls to generate mute signals based on broadcast programming. Those mute signals are processed into mute messages, which are sent to viewers' television audio controls, which mute and un-mute broadcast audio based on the mute messages. Accurate mute messages are generated based in part on various mute signal statistics derived from mute signal streams. Sending mute signals can result in mute signal point credits, and receiving mute messages can result in mute point debits. Additionally, more accurate mute signals can result in greater mute point credits.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example transmitting, by a system comprising a processor, via a first emergency media channel a first video stream comprising first evacuation routing information for a first evacuation group responsive to receiving a notification of an emergency event, instructing, by the system, a first media processor device to select the first emergency media channel while disabling selection of other media channels according to the first evacuation routing information, where the content of the emergency media channel is presented at a display device by way of the first media processor device, and enabling, by the system, the first media processor device to select the other media channels responsive to receiving user input acknowledging the emergency media channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A device may detect a commercial break for a channel. The channel may be provided for output to a user. The device may determine another channel to provide based on detecting the commercial break for the channel. The other channel may not be associated with a commercial break. The device may provide the other channel for output to the user. The device may monitor the channel to detect that the commercial break for the channel has ended. The device may provide the channel for output to the user based on detecting that that the commercial break for the channel has ended.

Abstract: Reception apparatus, method, computer-readable storage medium, and information providing apparatus for a trigger. The reception apparatus includes a tuner/demodulator and a processor. The tuner/demodulator is configured to receive content included in a transport stream from a content source. The transport stream includes a trigger associated with the content and references information included in the transport stream. The processor is configured to retrieve the trigger from the transport stream, and to retrieve the information from the transport stream based on the reference in the trigger.