Abstract: Information may be presented on a display device about program content substantially concurrently, substantially contemporaneously, or otherwise in conjunction with the presented program, or with portions of the presented program. This presentation of information about program content may occur dynamically in response to a voice query or other query from a user while the presented program is playing or paused on the same or different presentation device on which the information about the program content is being presented.

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 that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an avatar engine having a controller to retrieve a user profile, cause a presentation device to present a user an avatar having characteristics that correlate to the user profile, detect one or more responses of the user, identify from the one or more responses a need to communicate with a merchant system, establish a communication session with the merchant system, receive a notification from the merchant system of a merchant avatar engine, establish communication with the merchant avatar engine, adapt the characteristics of the avatar at least in part according to instructions supplied by the merchant avatar engine, and cause the presentation device to present the user the adapted avatar. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to transfer of audio and/or video streams, and, more particularly, to system and method for real-time transfer of the audio and/or video streams through an Ethernet audio/video bridging (AVB) network. In one embodiment, multiple audio and/or video streams from multiple AVB enabled devices are received by an AVB enabled network device. Each of the multiple AVB enabled devices has a static priority based on criticality of an application that each of the multiple AVB enabled devices is performing. Further, each of the multiple audio and/or video streams is dynamically queued, by the AVB enabled network device, based on the static priority of the associated one of the AVB enabled devices. Furthermore, real-time transfer of the multiple audio and/or video streams to a user device is enabled, by the AVB enabled network device, through an Ethernet AVB network upon queuing the multiple audio and/or video streams.

Abstract: A server receives metadata associated with an advertisement in a transport signal stream from an encoder, the metadata identifying a specified frame of the transport signal stream corresponding to a point in time of the advertisement. The server instructs an encoder, by a server, to insert a marker into the specified frame of the transport signal stream, the marker identifying the point in time of the advertisement. The server receives data from a smart appliance. The server detects the marker in the data. The server identifies the marker as the specified frame of the transport signal stream played by the smart appliance. The server maps the marker to the identified point in time of the advertisement.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing multiple video content streams to a display for presentation. The display comprises a primary screen region that presents a first video content stream of the multiple video content streams and multiple auxiliary screen regions that present a subset of the multiple video content streams. Further aspects may include providing a message to the display responsive to receiving a first user-generated input instructing the display to present a second video content stream on the primary screen region. Additional aspects may include recording the first video content stream from a point of departure of the first video content stream. Also, aspects may include providing the recorded first video content stream to the display responsive to obtaining a second user-generated input. The recorded first video content stream is presented on the primary screen region from the point of departure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying household users of electronic screen devices includes a server system having a digital processor, non-transient computer readable media, and a database. The computer readable media includes program instructions executable on the digital processor for: (a) retrieving from the database a stored IP address and requestor attributes associated with an advertisement (ad) request of a requestor; (b) storing an ad request that is likely of a residential origin in an IP Bucket; and (c) assigning a household identifier (HID) to the IP Bucket if it qualifies as a household.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a subscription to a plurality of content providers and the irretrievably referring users to an interface of the content provider to directly consume media programs provided by the content providers is disclosed. The method irretrievably passes users to content providers so that the user can view media programs from those content providers using the content provider's application, while providing a central source for users to locate media programs available from a plurality of content providers and to subscribe for access to such media programs. This construct permits content providers to retain control over the user viewing experience and to encourage the user to view further media programs from the same content provider.

Abstract: There is provided a video delivery method for a server that delivers to a terminal device a video signal based on a plurality of videos obtained by shooting an identical scene from a plurality of different viewpoints over a plurality of successive periods, the method including: selecting a selected video from among the plurality of videos for each of the plurality of periods in accordance with rating values of the plurality of videos, the rating values being given by a plurality of users; and transmitting to the terminal device the video signal for successively replaying a plurality of the selected videos respectively selected for the plurality of periods.

Abstract: A video traffic, quality of service and engagement analytics system and method are provided. The system and method provide business intelligence on the broad areas of traffic statistics, viewer engagement, and quality of service for online video publishers. In one implementation, the system may utilize a tracker unit for a media player to gather the information for the video analytics.

Abstract: A broadcast signal transmitting device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a header compression unit for performing a header compression on internet protocol (IP) packets including broadcast data, so as to configure full header packets and compressed header packets; a full header information extraction unit for extracting full header information from the full header packets; a signaling data generation unit for generating signaling packets including the full header information; and a broadcast signal transmission unit for transmitting the compressed header packets through a first transmission path through which general broadcast data is transmitted, and transmitting the signaling packets through a separate second transmission path which is different from the first transmission path.

Abstract: Routing of short message service (SMS) communications from a networked communication device to a networked cable television (CATV) services system device (e.g., set-top box STB) is provided. SMS messages may be sent to a user's wireline phone, mobile phone, or other communication device as identified by a unique identification number (UIN). Upon identifying if the intended destination device is operative to receive SMS messages or if a provision has been made to route an incoming SMS message, the SMS message may be routed to a networked cable services system device (e.g., a set-top box or CATV-enabled telephone) associated with an account of the intended destination device. The cable services system device may receive an SMS message and may be operative to render the message on a display. In addition, the device may also be operative to send SMS messages.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed toward systems and methods for enhancing a live video stream. For example, a communications system improves live video streams for a content producer broadcasting a live video stream as well as other users viewing the live video stream. In particular, the communications system employs themed experiences that guide the content producer through the process of creating and sharing a quality customized live video stream. In addition, the communications system provides one or more digital enhancements to a live video stream based on engagement signals (e.g., reactions) from viewers of the live video stream.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for integrated diagnosis and debugging of content distribution systems. A system includes a networking module that receives, from a central server, instructions for running network diagnostics on a cable headend. A diagnostics environment module is configured to perform diagnostic operations based on the received instructions. The networking module transmits results of the diagnostic operations to the central server.

Abstract: An audio and video broadcasting apparatus includes a plurality of sound signal capturing devices, an image capturing device, a controller, and a speaker. The sound signal capturing devices capture a plurality of sound signals. The image capturing device obtains a display image. The controller is configured to: divide the display image into a plurality of display regions; establish a correspondence between the disposition positions and relative positions of the display regions; receive a playback setting command of a selected region, and set a playing weight of each of the display regions according to the playback setting command; and adjust a volume playback setting corresponding to the sound signals according to the playing weight of each of the display regions and the correspondence, and generate an output sound signal according to the volume playback setting and the sound signals. The speaker performs a sound playing action.

Abstract: There is provided a server for providing an interactive broadcast. The server includes a memory configured to store a story manager including an event controller, a story controller and an action processor, and a hardware processor configured to execute the story manager. The story manager is configured to provide, using the event controller, an event based on a control script, story elements metadata, one or more user performance analyses, and one or more user preferences. The story manager is also configured to generate, using the story controller, an action command based on the event received from the event controller and a story state. The story manager is further configured to determine, using the action processor, an action corresponding to the action command for initiating one or more control processes for distributing the interactive broadcast.

Abstract: Particular embodiments permit a computer program running within a security sandbox to discover and communicate with networked services for example print servers, or remote control programming interfaces for TVs, stereos, and game boxes. The sandbox allows the computer program to originate unicast connections to a limited set of hosts but otherwise provides no access to the network. Particular embodiments may require no prior install, zero configuration, no account names or passwords, and yet resists spam. This is achieved by using centralized global infrastructure to coordinate the communications rather than local multicast, anycast, or datalink broadcast.

Abstract: Systems and methods to select targeted advertising for display are disclosed. An example method to select targeted advertising for display includes identifying an advertisement corresponding to the first product, identifying a saturation metric for the advertisement, determining a net effectiveness metric based on an opportunity metric and the saturation metric, the opportunity metric being based on a difference between an expected consumption of a first product by the household and actual consumption of the product by the household, and delivering the advertisement to the household via a media transmission when the net effectiveness metric is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an interactive video viewing experience for a user. The user has an internet enabled device and launches an interactive watching application (IWA) on his device. Using the IWA, he brings up a list of available video content and selects a video for viewing. As the user is viewing the video, an overlay display appears on the lower portion of the screen and overlays a portion of the still running video. The overlay displays “Touch for information regarding this program.” When the user touches the display, the video pauses and a web page containing information regarding or relating to the program or its subject matter is displayed. Utilizing various similar overlays, an interactive video viewing experience is provided to the user. The experience can include various overlays and associated experiences, such as obtaining information regarding new characters or consumer products as they appear.

Abstract: Generating and dynamically updating a personalized programming guide is provided. Personalized information associated with a user's viewing activity and interaction with a programming guide may be collected and communicated with a server. The server may share the personalized information with a database, which may process the information to identify one or more most watched channels and to determine recommendations for the user. Additional personalized settings may be collected, processed, and utilized to filter recommendations and relevant content. Recommendations and content tied to the user's favorite channels, most watched channels, and user-specified or automatically recognized genres and themes may be provided to the user via a client device or application. The user may access the personalized programming guide via a variety of client devices via various communication mechanisms.