Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor streaming media content are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to monitor streaming media content comprises extracting first metering data from media content to be provided to a content presentation device via a transport stream, the first metering data identifying at least one of the media content or a source of the media content, combining the first metering data with second metering data obtained independently of the media content, the combined metering data not being decodable by a meter associated with the content presentation device, and transcoding the combined metering data to form transcoded metering data having a format decodable by the meter associated with the content presentation device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search request related to media programming and generating a search. The result has a list of one or more collections of episodes responsive to the search request, and a schedule grid displaying a plurality of episodes on a plurality of different channels for a time period, including at least one program responsive to the search request.

Abstract: A content player which receives a broadcast content and an information content and plays back a video image concerning a content, comprises a channel selection unit configured to select a channel to view the broadcast content; an acquisition unit configured to acquire location information of an information content corresponding to the broadcast content on the channel selected by the channel selection unit; a detection unit configured to detect that the broadcast content on the selected channel has been viewed starting halfway; a determination unit configured to, if the detection unit has detected that the broadcast content has been viewed starting halfway, determine whether to notify that it is possible to view, from the beginning, the broadcast content that has been viewed starting halfway; and a notification unit configured to generate a notification image for notification when the determination unit has determined to notify.

Abstract: A method and system for modeling the interests of an individual television viewer based on logging the user's television usage activities for the purpose of determining personalized recommendations is presented. According to one aspect of the claimed subject matter, user input in response to a questionnaire, the user's recorded television usage, the user's previous interactions with the personalized recommendations and contextual data such as external events and social group influences are used to model the probability of a user's interest in available media content. Data from the model is subsequently arranged to display units of available media content with the highest probabilities of user interest to the user. According to further embodiments, specific user behavior in previously consumed media content such as a user's selection, a user's continuous consumption, and a user's discontinuation of consumption is tracked and used as input.

Abstract: A method of communicating control information in a satellite broadcast communication system is presented. In the method, at least one copy of a control message set is transmitted from a control system by way of a satellite to a broadcast receiver. The control message set includes at least one control message. At least one copy of each of the control messages of the control message set is received at the broadcast receiver. A feedback message is transmitted from the broadcast receiver by way of a terrestrial communication link to the control system. The feedback message includes an indication that all of control messages of the control message set were received at the broadcast receiver. The feedback message is received at the control system. In response to receiving the feedback message, transmission of subsequent copies of the control message set is terminated at the control system.

Abstract: A method, Internet protocol television (IPTV) enabled communication device, and computer program product for automatic message services are provided. A processor executes instructions from a memory. An input and output (I/O) device is for transmitting and receiving, respectively. A client application is stored in the memory and configured to provide the automatic message service. The client application receives input of a message to be presented at an appropriate time, receives input of an action associated with the message, receives input of a recipient for the message, and presents the message for display to the recipient at the appropriate time.

Abstract: System and method for facilitating advertisements within viewed content. The advertisements may be banner advertisements or other advertisement. The advertisements may be included in such a manner that if a user skips or otherwise fast forwards through the advertisements, the user if force to skip through at least a portion of the viewed content.

Abstract: A method and system for providing program guide data to a user network device associated with a user identifier includes a partner service provider in communication with the user network device and a primary service provider in communication with the partner service provider authenticating the user network device provider using the user identifier. The user network device generates a request for program guide data and communicates the user identifier and the request to the partner service provider. The partner service provider or the primary service provider communicates program guide data to the user network device based on the identifier data. The user network device displays the program guide data on a display device.

Abstract: A digital television chip having a reduced layout size is disclosed, comprising a multiplexer, and first and second converting units. The multiplexer, according to a control signal, outputs one of S-video signals SY and SC to the first converting unit, outputs the other of the S-video signals SY and SC to the second converting unit, outputs one of Tuner CVBS signals VIF and SIF to the first converting unit, outputs the other of the Tuner CVBS signals VIF and SIF to the second converting unit, or outputs a CVBS Line-in Video signal to one of the first and second converting units, for reducing the size of the chip. The first converting unit converts one of the S-video signals SY and SC, one of the Tuner CVBS signals VIF and SIF, or the CVBS Line-in Video signal into a first digital signal for signal processing. The second converting unit converts one of the S-video signals SY and SC, one of the Tuner CVBS signals VIF and SIF, or the CVBS Line-in Video signal into a second digital signal for signal processing.

Abstract: A system and method for recommending video programs to a user comprising determining a first video program that is of interest to a user and then determining a second video program to recommend to the user, the second video program being determined from a recommendation database assembled by analyzing access logs from one or more search engines or online video content providers.

Abstract: A method of generating a 3-dimensional (3D) image datastream is provided. The method includes generating an elementary stream including an encoded bit string of 3D image data; generating at least one packetized elementary stream by packetizing the elementary stream; generating at least one section including service related information of the 3D image data; inserting 3D image reproduction information for reproducing the 3D image data into a program guide information section from among the at least one section; generating at least one transport stream packet for each of the at least one section and the at least one packetized elementary stream; and generating a transport stream by multiplexing the at least one transport stream packet.

Abstract: Online advertisement selection techniques are described. In an implementation, data is obtained which describes interaction of one or more clients with advertisements embedded in television content. An advertisement is selected to be displayed in conjunction with web content accessed by the one or more clients based on the interaction with the advertisements described in the data.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer readable-media for temporally adaptive media playback. The method for adaptive media playback includes estimating or determining an amount of time between a first event and a second event, selecting media content to fill the estimated amount of time between the first event and the second event, and playing the selected media content possibly at a reasonably different speed to fit the time interval. One embodiment includes events that are destination-based or temporal-based. Another embodiment includes adding, removing, speeding up, or slowing down selected media content in order to fit the estimated amount of time between the first event and the second event or to modify the selected media content to adjust to an updated estimated amount of time. Another embodiment bases selected media content on a user or group profile.

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: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a user interface for television control functionality.

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: Methods and apparatus for supporting video on demand requests in a system supporting hierarchical content stores, e.g., program caches, is described. Requested content is requested by a local streaming device from a remote cache when it is not available in a local cache. Content, e.g., I, P and B frames, supplied by the remote cache is tracked and content delivery is initiated prior to receipt of the full program from the remote content store. Trick play content is requested as needed from the remote content store to respond to trick play commands. Frames which are received as part of the trick play content stream are tracked and not included in normal play data subsequently obtained from the remote cache. The storage of the trick play data along with subsequent normal play data results in a full set of the program content being received and stored in a local cache for streaming in response to a VOD request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media are disclosed herein. An example method includes demultiplexing a closed captioning transport stream from a media stream, the media stream intercepted intermediate a media device and a display. Metadata is extracted from the closed captioning transport stream. At least one of the metadata or data based on the metadata is exported to a media measurement server.

Abstract: A method of operating a user device for receiving and recording media content. The method includes receiving a media content stream, and initial timing data, such as EPG data, indicative of the time at which a selected program contained within the media content stream is scheduled to begin. At least a portion of the media content stream containing the selected program is recorded to a memory using the initial timing data to determine the recording start and finish time. Second updated timing data, indicative of the time at which the program began, is also received. A portion of the recorded media content stream is then deleted between the beginning of the recording and the beginning of the program as identified by the second timing data. A corresponding apparatus and appropriate computer program are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing pairing between a remote device and a plurality of devices including establishing a list of pairing-capable devices, the list comprising a portion of the plurality of devices, measuring a plurality of link qualities between the remote device and the pairing-capable devices, comparing, with a processor, the plurality of link qualities with one another and determining a highest link quality, selecting, by a computing device, an available pairing-capable device having the highest link quality, pairing with the selected device, and controlling a presentation device, the controlling including checking if the selected device is the associated device and where the selected device is not the associated device, relaying commands via the network to the associated device.