Abstract: A method and system for dynamically watermarking media content based on transport-stream metadata, to facilitate action by a downstream entity. An intermediary in a media-distribution path could receive a transport stream carrying media content and carrying metadata that is not watermarked in the media content. The intermediary could then obtain from the transport stream the metadata that is not watermarked in the media content and could modify the media content at least by encoding into the media content a watermark that represents the obtained metadata. And the intermediary could then output at least the modified media content for transmission to a downstream entity. The downstream entity could thus obtain from the watermark in the media content the metadata and could use the metadata to facilitate carrying out one or more useful actions.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling media-content presentation based on user presence and/or user profile. An example method includes a computing system determining a quantity of users present at a media-presentation device, the quantity being at least one. Further, the example method includes, based on the determining, the computing system using the determined quantity of users present at the media-presentation device as a basis to control what media content a media player outputs for presentation by the media-presentation device. For instance, based on the determined quantity of users the computing system could tailor a graphical user interface (GUI) that the media player outputs for presentation by the media-presentation device, such as by tailoring a set of channel options that a channel-selection GUI provides, among other possibilities.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for use of steganographically-encoded data as a basis to control content modification. A server could determine through a fingerprint comparison that a portion of media content on a channel being rendered by a content presentation device matches at least one modifiable-content segment, such as at least one replaceable ad. The server could then use watermark data encoded in the media content of the channel as a basis to determine an actual identity of a modifiable-content segment present on the channel, so as to then control content modification.

Abstract: A method for identifying video signal source is provided. The method includes the following steps. A first identification code is assigned to a first transmitter device by a receiver control unit of a receiver device. A first video data is transmitted by the first transmitter device. The first video data and a first identification image corresponding to the first identification code are combined as a first combined video data by the receiver control unit. The first combined video data is outputted to a display device by the receiver control unit.

Abstract: Sensing interfaces associated with a home entertainment system are used to automate a system response to events which occur in a viewing area associated with the home entertainment system. Data derived from such sensing interfaces may also be used to enhance the response readiness of one or more system components. Still further, user presence data derived from such sensing interfaces may be used to capture and report user viewing habits and/or preferences.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for detecting timestamp discontinuities and video resolution discontinuities within a packet stream and marking locations of the detected discontinuities within the packet stream are described. Prior to transmission of the packet stream, an electronic device may perform timestamp discontinuity detection by acquiring a sequence of packets to be transmitted, identifying a first timestamp associated with an earliest packet within the sequence of packets, identifying a second timestamp associated with a latest packet within the sequence of packets, determining a timestamp time difference between the first timestamp and the second timestamp, determining a maximum chunk time difference based on a data rate at which the sequence of packets were encoded and a data size of the encoded packets, and detecting that a timestamp discontinuity exists within the sequence of packets if the timestamp time difference is greater than the maximum chunk time difference.

Abstract: A display device includes: a display configured to display an execution screen of an application; a network interface configured to receive logging configuration information related to the application; and a controller. The controller is configured to: update the received logging configuration information in a configuration file; when an event for the execution screen of the application occurs, obtain logging item information for logging an operation of the event from the updated configuration file; and obtain log information related to the operation of the event by using the obtained logging item information.

Abstract: An electronic device, including a memory configured to store at least one instruction; and at least one processor which is, by executing the at least one instruction, configured to: set, at the electronic device, a virtualized container including at least one application installed in the electronic device; execute, at the electronic device, an application on the virtualized container; transmit, from the electronic device, content corresponding to the application to a client of the virtualized container; receive, at the electronic device, a control instruction from the client of the virtualized container; and control, at the electronic device, the application according to the received control instruction.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a DVR sends a user's contact information over a network to a third party. Upon determining that a television program or advertisement contains a special tag that is associated with a third party, the DVR displays, to the user, a prompt that invites the DVR user to allow the DVR to send the user's contact information to the third party. If the user gives permission for the DVR to send the contact information to the third party, then the DVR sends the contact information to the third party (e.g., over the Internet).

Abstract: An embodiment for dynamically displaying images based on textual content is provided. The embodiment may include receiving real-time textual content from a sender and a recipient. The embodiment may also include deriving a topic of the real-time textual content and a context associated with the real-time textual content. The embodiment may further include identifying a medium in which the real-time textual content is entered. The embodiment may also include predicting a digital image to be displayed to the sender. The embodiment may further include in response to determining the digital image is available in a digital library, selecting the digital image from the digital library and displaying the selected digital image to the sender. The embodiment may also include validating the selected digital image and displaying the validated selected digital image to the recipient.

Abstract: A method and system for adding overtly human-perceptible supplemental audio content into a media stream to help mask audio effects of an audio watermark in the media stream. A method involves receiving a media stream that defines a sequence of audio content presentable by a content presentation device, modifying the media stream to produce a modified media stream that defines the sequence of audio content, and outputting the modified media stream for presentation by the content presentation device. The modified media stream includes an audio watermark that is machine-detectable to trigger an interactive event. Further, the act of modifying the media stream involves adding into the media stream supplemental audio content coincident with the audio watermark, to help mask the audio watermark in the modified media stream during presentation of the modified media stream by the content presentation device.

Abstract: A transcoding process may be performed in parallel, which may include different nodes processing different segments of a media file at different times. Different time slices of media files may have different properties, which may lead to errors when media files are encoded for later playback. Extracting metadata from frames of media files and evaluating the frames for discrepancies enables creation of a reconciliation manifest to correct discrepancies associated with the media file. As the transcoding process is performed, the reconciliation manifest may be reference to generate an output media file.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a first device that receives, from a cable television (CATV) node, first downstream and upstream CATV RF signals and converts them to downstream and upstream optical signals. The first device distributes the downstream and upstream optical signals separately from each other by using different fiber optic cables or different wavelengths. The system further includes at least one micro distribution system, each comprising a micro node and at least one string of taps. The micro node receives the downstream and upstream optical signals from the first device and converts them to second downstream and upstream CATV RF signals. For each string of taps, the received second downstream and upstream CATV RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by a low pass filter (LPF), and the powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for performing trick plays of segmented video content are provided. A point at which a trick play begins may be based on a playback time associated with a video segment that includes the video frame currently displayed when a request to start the trick play is received. A point at which to resume playback of the normal rate video content may be similarly based on a trick play playback time associated with a trick play video segment that includes the trick play video frame currently outputted when a request to stop the trick play is received.

Abstract: An object of the present disclosure is to distribute content with a high quality and low latency without being limited by a low-rate and unstable network and a low-capacity reception-side edge servers while maintaining sufficient traffic reduction effects. A content distribution system according to the present disclosure converts part of communication for distribution into multicast communication. In the content distribution system, a transmission-side edge server (UC/MC) generates and transmits a plurality of multicast streams having different transfer rates for the same input content, and a reception-side edge server (MC/UC) selects and receives a multicast stream having a desired transfer rate among the plurality of transmitted multicast streams.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system includes a CATV node, a first device, and at least one micro distribution system. The CATV node transmits CATV RF signals to the first device, which converts the RF signals to optical signals. Each micro distribution system includes a micro node receiving the optical signals from the first device and converting the optical signals to RF signals. Each micro distribution system further includes at least two strings of taps independently coupled to the micro node and receiving the RF signals from the micro node. Each string of taps is terminated at an end by a low pass filter (LPF). For each string of taps, the received RF signals are passed from the micro node along the taps and blocked by the LPF, while a powering signal is passed along the taps and through the LPF.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recognizing and synchronizing to in-band data at a multimedia device is provided. A content stream includes in-band data. The in-band data is processed and in-band data pattern data associated with the content stream are created. Metadata are attached to the event identification data. The event identification data are provided to multimedia devices which receive broadcasted multimedia content streams containing video programs with in-band data. The in-band data are processed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to perform specified actions.

Abstract: A vehicle display device that is mounted on a vehicle moving toward a destination does not display a content shown in the destination but displays a video related to the content and a video other than a video provided in the destination.

Abstract: A first appliance receives from a second controllable appliance a command for causing the first controllable appliance to be placed into a state and, in response, determines a trust level of the second controllable appliance. When it is determined that the second controllable appliance is trustworthy, the first controllable appliance executes the command. When it is determined that the second controllable appliance is untrustworthy, the first controllable appliance ignores the command. Otherwise, the first controllable appliance enters into a state in which the first controllable appliance waits for at least a predetermined period of time for a user to confirm whether or not the first controllable appliance should be caused to execute the command.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to control operation of a portable media device based on machine readable information of a graphical artifact shown on a display concurrently with presentation of a video portion of a media content event. A portable media device, using a portable media device provisioned with an image capture device, captures at least one image that includes the display that is presenting the graphical artifact and the video portion of the media content event, identifies the graphical artifact in the captured at least one image, determines the machine readable data based on the identified graphical artifact, and operates the portable media device to perform at least one operation based on the determined machine readable data.