Abstract: An approach is provided for remotely controlling set-top boxes. A command is received from a computing device for controlling a plurality of set-top boxes. The set-top boxes are configured according to the received command.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for causing a stunt switcher to run a multi-video-source digital-video effect (DVE). An example method involves (i) selecting a first log-entry from a traffic log, wherein the first log-entry corresponds to a first video-component (VC) and a first start-time; (ii) selecting a second log-entry from the traffic log, wherein the second log-entry corresponds to a multi-video-source DVE, and a second start-time; (iii) causing the first VC to start being channeled through the stunt switcher proximate the first start-time; (iv) making a determination that a threshold time-period remains before the second start-time; and (v) responsive to making the determination, (a) causing a second VC to start being sent to the stunt switcher, and (b) causing the stunt switcher to run the multi-video-source DVE, thereby causing the stunt switcher to output a combined video, wherein the combined video includes the first VC and the second VC.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a data processing method comprises generating impression estimate data that specifies an estimated total number of impressions of a plurality of non-program media items that are possible during future transmission of a plurality of media programs via a plurality of media channels; based on the impression estimate data, generating campaign data specifying a target number of impressions of a particular non-program media item and specifying one or more particular media channels to receive the particular non-program media item; based on the campaign data, and based upon transmission schedule data that specifies future times of transmission of the plurality of media programs via the plurality of media channels, automatically determining digitally stored promotional schedule data that specifies a plurality of times to transmit the particular non-program media item to achieve the target number of impressions; wherein the method is performed by one or more computing devices.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions that are executable by the processor to perform operations including receiving, via a first network associated with a wireless service, an offer for a content item that is deliverable via a multimedia service. The operations also include sending information indicating acceptance of the offer via the wireless service to a server associated with the multimedia service. Based on the information indicating acceptance of the offer, the server sends the content item to a device associated with the multimedia service account.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor streaming media are disclosed. Example methods disclosed herein include combining first metering data extracted from first media included in a transport stream being sent to a media device with second metering data obtained independently of the first media to form combined metering data, the combined metering data not being decodable by a meter associated with the media device. Disclosed example methods also include transcoding the combined metering data to form transcoded metering data having a format decodable by the meter associated with the media device. Disclosed example methods further include encoding the transcoded metering data as metadata associated with the transport stream.

Abstract: The subject disclosure describes identifying a table associated with a set-top box that receives services from equipment of a video head-end office, where the table indicates that the set-top box has requested a video stream that would exceed a first number of video streams allocated to the set-top box and would exceed a bandwidth configuration, detecting a conflicting event according to information in the table, reconfiguring the bandwidth configuration allocated to the plurality of set-top boxes to resolve the conflicting event, determining a second number of video streams requested by the plurality of set-top boxes when the conflicting event occurred, determining a third number of video streams to resolve the conflicting event based on a difference between the first number of video streams and the second number of video streams, and instructing the equipment to provide the third number of video streams to the set-top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In an automatic, computer-implemented method, a selected television advertisement is presented automatically in association with a television program or channel, which in turn is selected based at least in part on information from an online user profile that contains information indicating a user's preference for that television program or channel. The television advertisement is selected based at least in part on additional information from the online user profile that is unrelated to the selected television program or channel. The selected television advertisement is presented on or during the selected television program or channel via a set-top box, which has a set-top box identifier associated with the online user profile.

Abstract: A server resource provides notification to subscribers in a respective network environment that the content is available for retrieval at a particular bit rate (e.g., a promotional bit rate) or particular level of quality (e.g., promotional level of quality) amongst multiple levels of quality for a limited duration of time. For example, an especially high level of quality (or bit rate) of the content may be available only for the limited duration of time. After making the especially high level of quality of content available for retrieval during a promotional period, the content may be subsequently available for retrieval only at lower levels of quality. Accordingly, one or more configurations as discussed herein include changing the ability to access content encoded at different levels of quality over time.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a media request for a target device. The signaling information may be received from the target device and a media server. At least one attribute of the target device and the media server may be identified using the signaling information. At least one attribute of the target device and the media server may be evaluated against a service level objective to select a media format. The service level objective may include consideration of the target device and available bandwidth over a provider network. The media may be provided in the selected media format over the provider network to the target device.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. The system coordinates the operation of the interactive television program guides so that the program guide settings that were adjusted with the given interactive television program guide are used by the other interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc. The operation of applications such as web browser applications, home shopping applications, home banking applications, game applications, etc. may also be coordinated.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of a television signal embedded in a received signal including the television signal and noise is disclosed. Either first-order or second order cyclostationary property of the signals may be used for their detection. When the first-order cyclostationary property is used, the following method is used, the method comprising the steps of upsampling the received signal by a factor of N, performing a synchronous averaging of a set of M segments of the upsampled received signal, performing an autocorrelation of the signal; and detecting the presence of peaks in the output of the autocorrelation function. When the second order cyclostationary property of the signal is used, the method comprising the steps of delaying the received signal by a fixed delay (symbol time), multiplying the received signal with the delayed version, looking for a tone (single frequency) in the output.

Abstract: A system and method for providing personal content recommendations comprising a receiver to receive and collect one or more user commands at one or more modules, a processor to generate, at the one or more modules, one or more personalized recommendations based on the one or more user commands, and a transmitter to transmit the one or more personalized recommendations to be displayed at a display device in response to receiving one or more user inputs to display the one or more personalized recommendations.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for personalizing media content. A server determines content data likely to be requested by users, and generates common sets of information using the content data. The server receives a request for a digital media stream from a client device, and generates a first set of frames which include content data specific to the user and keys corresponding to a selected common set of information. The server combines the first set of frames and the requested stream to generate a personalized stream. The server transmits the personalized stream to a downstream device, which generates a second set of frames using content data corresponding to the one or more keys. The downstream device combines the second set of frames and the personalized stream to generate an updated stream, and transmits the updated stream to the client device.

Abstract: A method, performed by a computer device, may include obtaining a viewing history, associated with a customer, from a set-top box associated with the customer, wherein the viewing history relates a particular television channel to a duration time associated with the particular television channel. The method may further include determining a keyword, associated with the customer, based on the obtained viewing history; calculating a keyword score for the keyword based on the obtained viewing history; selecting an advertisement, associated with the keyword, based on the calculated keyword score; and providing the selected advertisement to the set-top box associated with the customer, based on selecting the advertisement.

Abstract: A surveillance device and method provide access to a surveillance system for keeping a cabin of an aircraft under surveillance. A computer program may be used to execute the method for accessing the surveillance system. The surveillance device includes an authentication unit for examining an access-authorization request for access to the surveillance system, and a control unit for selecting, on the basis of the access-authorization request, a display unit from a plurality of display units provided in the aircraft, and for relaying a video-image signal corresponding to a captured video image of a subarea of the cabin of the aircraft to the selected display unit for the purpose of displaying the video image.

Abstract: A system and method for using a webpad to select a target device which is to receive from a source device a stream of a digital representation of a media. The webpad is used to send a transmission to the source device to cause the source device to route the stream of the digital representation of the media to the target device where the target device decodes and converts the digital representation of the media into analog signals to thereby allow for a reproduction of the media.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a mechanism is used to enable interactive functions via network generated overlays. This invention enables network operators to launch interactive functionality without requiring changes to existing equipment that exists in the field on the client end.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for causing a stunt switcher to run a multi-video-source digital-video effect (DVE). An example method involves (i) selecting a first log-entry from a traffic log, wherein the first log-entry corresponds to a first video-component (VC) and a first start-time; (ii) selecting a second log-entry from the traffic log, wherein the second log-entry corresponds to a multi-video-source DVE, and a second start-time; (iii) causing the first VC to start being channeled through the stunt switcher proximate the first start-time; (iv) making a determination that a threshold time-period remains before the second start-time; and (v) responsive to making the determination, (a) causing a second VC to start being sent to the stunt switcher, and (b) causing the stunt switcher to run the multi-video-source DVE, thereby causing the stunt switcher to output a combined video, wherein the combined video includes the first VC and the second VC.

Abstract: Techniques for call integration are provided. Call logs associated with multiple voice accounts are acquired and integrated as an integrated call log. The integrated call log is presented at a display. A user can take a variety of actions on the integrated call log as a whole or on individual entries within the integrated call log.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for selecting advertising for presentation to users in association with digital content items. Characteristics of a user are determined based at least in part on historical data that associates the user with one or more items. An advertisement is selected from an inventory of advertisements for presentation in association with a digital content item requested by the user. The advertisement is selected based at least in part on a highest value placed on the characteristics of the user by an advertiser.