Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a method and apparatus for communicating data via a cable card having a network interface. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed for playing an external media content file routed through the network interface of the cable card. In another embodiment, a method is disclosed for utilizing a single cable card on multiple media devices for enabling access to protected media content on the multiple media devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for a television includes an on-screen display (OSD) generator, a first interface to receive signals for controlling a television, a first storage area to store information relating to a plurality of channels, a second interface to receive data from a social network service (SNS), and a second storage area to store the SNS data. A controller of the apparatus controls the OSD generator to simultaneously output for display program information of the plurality of channels. The program information is output based on the stored SNS data, and the stored SNS data is based on a plurality of members of the social network service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media are described. 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: The invention concerns a method of transmission of a digital content stream to receivers and a corresponding method of reception. In order to synchronize digital content rendering over these receivers, while supporting trick mode commands, the method of transmission comprises a step of sending of a common time reference to the receivers, a step of reception of a trick mode command message, the received trick mode command message comprising information allowing identification of a point in the digital content stream, a step of sending of notification messages to all of the at least two receivers notifying them of the received trick mode command message and a step of sending of at least part of the digital content stream to all receivers in accordance with the received trick mode command message, the digital content stream comprising information allowing to identify a point in the digital content stream.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for personalizing video content. A server receives a request for a digital video stream from a client device and generates a first set of personalized frames to be inserted into the requested digital video stream. The server combines the first set of personalized frames and the requested digital video stream to generate a personalized video stream and transmits the personalized video stream to a downstream device. The downstream device generates a second set of personalized frames to be inserted into the personalized video stream and combines the second set of personalized frames and the personalized video stream to generate an updated personalized video stream for transmission to the client device.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for inserting personalized information into digital content. A digital media player receives a personalized video content stream comprising personalized data associated with a user that replaces one or more frames of requested video content. The player extracts the personalized data from the one or more replaced frames of the video content stream, and displays the personalized data and the video content stream to a user.

Abstract: A television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, and a decoder operable to process a multimedia data stream received via the first network interface. The television is operable to display content of the multimedia data stream on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request to power up the television. A method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a network interface of a television, processing the multimedia data stream to generate content, and providing the video content to a display of the television.

Abstract: A broadcasting system for AV program selection comprising a network, an AV signal providing system, a user device and a digital AV signal processing device is proposed. The network, the AV signal providing system, the user device and the digital AV signal processing device are in communication with each other via the network. A broadcasting method is applied to the AV signal providing system. The broadcasting method comprises steps of: providing a plurality of AV programs for selection; and transmitting an AV signal corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of AV programs to the digital AV signal processing device in response to a user's selecting operation on an AV program menu revealed by way of the digital AV signal processing device, wherein the AV program menu contains information of only partial the plurality of AV programs, and is created by way of the user device.

Abstract: One or more servers in an IP network receive, from a user device, a selection of live streaming content and assemble an index file including links to chunks of the selected live streaming content and links to advertising files for insertion within the selected live streaming content. The one or more severs send, to the user device, a link to the index file associated with the selected live streaming content and receive, from the user device, a streaming request for the selected live streaming content. The one or more servers send, to the user device, the index file including the links to chunks of the selected live streaming content and the links to advertising files for insertion within the selected live streaming content. The user device may use the links to combine the chunks of the selected live streaming content and the advertising files into a single linear presentation. A standards-based client for the user device is used with the server side implementation.

Abstract: A device may include a communication interface configured to receive programming information from a service provider multicast over multiple channels. The device may also include logic configured to decode the programming information received over the multiple channels, assemble a programming guide based on the decoded programming information and output the programming guide to an output device for display.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for displaying content recommendations to a television viewer. In one aspect of the invention, when the user changes channel, the system displays content recommendations to the user before going to the next channel. The recommendations are based on user profiles and/or aggregated multi-user content. In a further aspect, the user can decide on one of the recommendations (or answer a yes/no query) to migrate to the corresponding content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a private broadcast channel service, e.g., a virtual closed circuit television service, on packet networks such as Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. For example, a customer subscribes to the private broadcast channel service for a group having a plurality of confirmed members who have confirmed their desire to participate. The network service provider enables one or more of the group members to upload media content to the service provider's network. The service provider then broadcasts the uploaded media content to all the confirmed members such that each confirmed member may view the media content by simply tuning to the appropriate channel assigned for the private broadcast channel service.

Abstract: A method is presented for providing information associated with a geographical area to users of broadcast communication receivers. The information, as well as an indication of the geographical area associated with the information, are transmitted to, and received by, each of the broadcast communication receivers. In each of the receivers, the indication of the geographical area is compared with a geographic code associated with, and stored within, the receiver. Each of the receivers transfers the information in a video format to the user of the receiver if the geographic code indicates that the receiver is located within the geographical area.

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: Disclosed are various embodiments for selecting advertising for presentation to customers in association with digital content items. Characteristics of a customer are determined based at least in part on historical data that associates the customer 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 customer. The advertisement is selected based at least in part on a highest value placed on the characteristics of the customer by an advertiser for a presentation of the advertisement to the customer.

Abstract: A method for operating an image display apparatus having a first display and a second display different from the first display includes displaying an image on the first display, displaying a search window on the second display, and displaying search results matching a search term entered in the search window.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method that allows users for easily acquire contents information by receiving and displaying only providable contents lists without connecting to servers of a plurality of contents providers, in a network TV that can receive and play contents while being connected with the contents providers.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a method for processing data in the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a digital television (DTV) located in one independent space among a plurality of independent spaces physically separated from one another is disclosed. The method includes receiving display type information from a compact wireless device, wherein the display type information is type information of data capable of being processed by the compact wireless device, transmitting the received display type information to a management server, receiving general additional information and additional information dependent on the display type information from the management server, and controlling the general additional information to be displayed on the DTV and transmitting the additional information dependent on the display type information to the compact wireless device.

Abstract: A method and system for conditioning a media stream for splicing are disclosed. In an embodiment, content-specific splice points, which correspond to a possible playout splice point within an original media stream, are identified for both audio and video components of the original media stream. Once the audio bitstream and video bitstream splice points are identified, the audio bitstream in the vicinity of the audio bitstream splice point is packetized into IP packets containing only audio with one of the audio-containing IP packets having an IP packet boundary that corresponds to the audio bitstream splice point and the video bitstream in the vicinity of the video bitstream splice point is packetized into IP packets containing only video with one of the video-containing IP packets having an IP packet boundary that corresponds to the video bitstream splice point. The conditioned original media stream is then transmitted downstream to a splicer.

Abstract: A method for displaying supplemental content with a content stream on a display is provided. A content stream for a program is received, and a portion of the received content stream is sampled. The sampled portion is analyzed to determine a media identifier for the content stream, the media identifier being transmitted to a content server. Supplemental content is retrieved from the content server using the media identifier. And the content stream is rendered on the display with the supplemental content. The supplemental content provides access to an interactive feature, the interactive feature providing internet communication during the receipt of the content stream.