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 is dedicated to the transmission of additional contents (CA) accessible in interactive mode and associated with contents (CP) broadcast to primary communication terminals (TP1, TP2), connected to a broadcasting network (R1) and associated with programming information (PI).

Abstract: An IC of a front end circuit which can be ready for various television broadcasting systems is provided. The front end circuit includes tuning circuits 12A to 12C and 14A to 14C and high frequency amplifiers 13A to 13C individually corresponding to a plurality of reception bands of television broadcasts. The front end circuit further includes a switch circuit 11 for selectively supplying reception signals to the tuning circuits 12A to 12C, and a switch circuit 15 for selectively extracting outputs of the tuning circuits 14A to 14C. The front end circuit further includes mixer circuits 21I and 21Q to which an output of the switch circuit 15 is supplied, and a PLL 30 for supplying local oscillation signals SLOI and SLOQ having phases orthogonal to each other to the mixer circuits 21I and 21Q.

Abstract: In an IPTV network, cache memory assigned to each DSLAM, Central Office (CO) or Intermediate Office (IO) can be determined by defining a network cost function having cache memory per DSLAM, cache memory per CO and cache memory per IO as decision variables. The network cost function can be minimized to determine the optimal cache memory size for the network. The network cost function can be subject to boundary constraints that the cache memory is between zero and a maximum cache memory size for each network node type, allowing the network cost function to be solved as a 3-ary tree.

Abstract: A projection apparatus is specified, comprising a light modulator having a light receiving region with a cross-sectional area to be illuminated of the size AM and a maximum acceptance angle ? for incident light, and at least one light source by means of which, during its operation, a light cone is produced for illuminating said cross-sectional area of said light receiving region and which comprises a number N of LED chips having a maximum radiation angle ?. At least one of the LED chips has a radiation decoupling area of the size AD. The relation 0.7·(AM·sin2(?))/(AD·sin2(?)·n2)?N?1.3·(AM·sin2(?))/(AD·sin2(?)·n2) applies, where n is equal to 1 or to the refractive index of a coupling medium with which the LED chips are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and distributing video information in an interactive information distribution system by storing video information on either a centralized or de-centralized secondary storage partition in a network of provider and subscriber equipment, and therein distributing the video information to a subscriber having made a request for such video information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a video recorder having user extended and automatically extended time slots. An embodiment of the present invention includes a set-top box having an internal storage device, such as a hard drive where broadcasts are transferred from a broadcast input source to the storage device. The set-top box is connected to an output device such as a television, which displays a graphical user interface (GUI) and an interactive program guide (IPG). The user has the option to extend a chosen time slot, in which a show is scheduled to be transferred to the storage device. A dialog box is used when certain types of shows are selected that commonly require timeslot extensions at the end of the show.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

Abstract: A system is described that provides for scrolling among favorite channels with a remote control device, preferably through user interaction with channel keys. Some embodiments also provide for enhanced management of favorite channels.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A method of providing an interactive expert link within a linked information system configured to obtain a set of media content related to at least one tracked theme or topic within a field and to generate a set of links between media content from the set of media content as a function of a relevance to the at least one tracked theme or topic, the method including the steps of identifying a new development within a topic from the at least one tracked theme or topic, obtaining a set of independent expert inputs related to the new development from a set of experts, wherein an expert meets a set of predefined expert criteria related to the field or topic, providing access to the set of independent expert inputs to the set of experts, enabling experts to provide expert commentary to one or more independent expert inputs from the set of independent expert inputs and providing access to the expert commentary to the set of experts.

Abstract: An image processing system, for processing display data and vertical blanking interval data carried by a composite signal, is disclosed. The image process system includes: a video decoder, for decoding the display data to generate corresponding image data; a VBI decoder, for decoding the VBI data to generate corresponding VBI image data; a converter, for converting the VBI image data into color index data; a transmission interface, for transmitting the decoded image data and color index data; and an image processing module, for receiving the image data and the color index data to deinterlace/scale the image data and converting the color index data back into the original VBI image data, mixing the processed image data and the VBI image data such that data to be displayed can be generated.

Abstract: A television entertainment system that combines the visual imagery of television entertainment and transmission with the audio of radio entertainment and transmission to create a new synthesis system for therapeutic benefit designated as Hybrid Radio Television. Each segment (video/audio) of the system can be viewed or heard/listened to on its own, however, it is designed to be viewed and heard/listened to as an integrated whole, as selected by a viewer.

Abstract: A method performed by a central network device, such as a network edge device, or a CMTS, determines whether some of a plurality of user devices coupled to a communication device are transmitting at substantially their respective maximum power output level over a given channel. If the central device determines that some of the devices are operating at near their maximum output level (“power pegged,) the central device searches for another channel that can carry the traffic of the power pegged devices at reduced data rate. If another channel can accommodate transmission of signals of the power pegged device, the central device instructs the power pegged devices to tune to the new channel at a reduced data rate compared to the data rate of the current channel.

Abstract: In-program content targeting is described. A default data stream containing default content associated with multiple segments of a particular program is generated and transmitted. An alternate data stream containing alternate content for one or more of the multiple segments is also generated and transmitted. A client device receiving the default content via the default data stream detects the availability of alternate content via the data stream. Based on profile data associated with the client device (or a user of the client device) and profile data associated with the alternate content, the client device may access the alternate data stream for one or more segments of the particular program.

Abstract: A method and system to permit TV viewers to interact with program content broadcast over a subscriber network, such as cable, satellite, internet, or cellular telephone. The details of the ability for the viewer to interact is embedded as data in the program signal. The subscription provider broadcasts a visual indicator as a small icon during programming that informs the viewer that interaction is permitted. The viewer then uses a remote control to purchase products, vote on events, respond to polls, download files, request information, and request callback actions. The TV viewer uses the remote control to send information to a set-top box front-end application, and to iteratively create transactions that are batched and then sent to a back-end core application and database which then handles fulfillment.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling a terminal includes a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals receiving a command signal and converting the command signal to a serial port control signal. The receiving unit formats the serial port control signal to form a formatted signal. A terminal device receives the formatted signal, recovers the serial port control signal from the formatted signal and controls a terminal device in response to the serial port control signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selecting, purchasing and delivering content to users of a network so that the user has “virtual” ownership of and access to the content, thereby obviating the need for physical media (e.g., DVDs or CDs). In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions or broadcast modes are used to deliver the virtual content stored at the head-end (or hub site) to the requesting owner. The purchased content is associated with one or more users when stored, thereby providing the owner(s) unlimited access thereto, without the costs and effort associated with renting/purchasing and maintaining DVDs. The content may also comprise new release content, which would otherwise not be available over the network at that time but for the purchase and delivery mechanisms of the invention. Various other complementary features for enhancing the user's virtual ownership experience are also disclosed.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to monitor media content on a consumer network as described herein. An example metering system includes a metering device to monitor the consumption of media content at a consumer location and a universal plug and play (UPnP) compatible metering helper to collect audience measurement data from UPnP devices in a consumer network.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting a computer and a TV is disclosed. The apparatus according to the present invention includes a TV coding unit for encoding various control signals such as a TV signal, etc.