Abstract: A field-programmable low-noise block downconverter. The low-noise block downconverter may, as part of a system install or upgrade for example, be programmed in the field to source channels containing programming to a particular television receiver based on the particular configuration of the receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a companion application that allows users to discover secondary content that supplements primary content that the user is enjoying and to run the secondary content within the application. Examples of primary content include, games, television shows, movies, and music. In one embodiment, a companion application runs on both the primary device, which is the device generating the primary content, and on the companion device. The companion application helps the user discover available secondary content. In addition to discovering secondary content that may be relevant to the user, the companion application includes an application-run environment in which secondary content applications may run.

Abstract: Systems and methods which allow for third party displayed content, which is displayed with primary content, to adapt in response to a change in permitted display space are provided for herein. In some embodiments, third party content may include a plurality of elements where the elements are provided with a different priority ranking. In such examples, in the event that an available display area is reduced, elements with lower priority levels may be reduced at a faster rate with respect to elements of higher levels. Conversely, in the event that an available display area is enlarged, elements with higher priority levels may be enlarged at a faster rate with respect to elements of lower priority levels.

Abstract: A recording device and a method are described herein that provide a network-based personal video recording service utilizing adaptive bit rate technology for a plurality of users. In operation, the recording device records at a minimum a single bit rate (one set of segmented files) of the broadcast content within each user's network personal video recorder storage unit. Plus, the recording device stores the other bit rates (remaining sets of segmented files) in a central storage location or some other storage location.

Abstract: A system may receive an entity identifier for a user. The entity identifier may identify an entity that is associated with a category. The system may identify channel(s) for the category by obtaining data for the user, and analyzing the data to determine a score for each channel. The system may use the scores to select one or more of the channels. The system may provide content related to the selected channel(s) to a client device of the user, and the user may interact with the content via the client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for presenting user selected scenes. A media guidance application may generate for display a listing for a media asset, wherein a play length of the media asset includes a non-selectable play length portion and a selectable play length portion. The media guidance application may generate for display a first scene option corresponding to a first scene and a second scene option corresponding to a second scene. The media guidance application may receive a user selection of the first or second scene option and incorporate the selected scene into the selectable play length portion of the media asset. The media guidance application may generate for display the media asset with the selected scene incorporated into the selectable play length portion.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a computing device may display a video browser screen on an output device. The video browser screen may include a list of video programs arranged as a carousel. The carousel may have a plurality of entries, where an entry may represent a video program that may be provided by a service provider. A video program represented by an entry may be, for example, a live video program, a video program available on demand, or a video program that may have been recorded by a device that may be provided by the service provider. The computing device may acquire an indication to navigate to an entry in the carousel. The computing device may navigate to the entry and acquire an indication to select the entry. The computing device may select the entry and display the video program associated with the selected entry on the output device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system for providing data communication services includes a cable television (CATV) tap-off device including a signal splitter communicably coupled to a tap-off access point and a first signal transceiver, the CATV tap-off device being configured to communicate a CATV signal with a CATV network through the splitter; and a CATV gateway device communicably coupled to the signal splitter through a first coaxial cable to communicate the CATV signal with the CATV tap-off device. The CATV gateway device is configured to split the CATV signal into a television signal and a baseband data signal. A second signal transceiver of the CATV gateway device is configured to communicate the baseband data signal as a transceiver signal over the first coaxial cable to the first signal transceiver. The tap-off access point is configured to wirelessly transmit a first wireless signal based on the transceiver signal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for detecting a presentation of media content on a display device are provided. In accordance with some implementations, methods for detecting a presentation of media content on a display device are provided, the methods comprising: detecting, using a light sensor, light levels in the light sensor's surroundings; generating a signal representing the light levels; detecting, using a hardware processor, at least one variation in light levels indicative of a presentation of a video scene based on the signal; detecting at least one variation in light levels indicative of a scene change subsequent to the video scene based on the signal; and determining that media content is being presented on a display device in response to detecting the variation in light levels indicative of the presentation of the video scene and the variation in light levels indicative of the scene change.

Abstract: A method is provided to manage playback of adaptive bitrate streaming video using using a stall time delay. The method includes pausing playback of a segment of a variant when a playback point reaches a download point, marking a stall time that marks a point in time in the segment at which playback was paused, determining a remaining playback time, determining a remaining download time, selecting an offset time, determining a wait time, determining a resume time, and waiting to resume playback at least until the download point reaches the resume time.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided to embed a watermark message in a multimedia content to facilitate acquisition of associated information. One such method includes obtaining a server code that is assigned by a registrar entity and identifying a particular domain name that is registered to a registrant entity. Such a server code provides a mapping to an Internet address of a metadata server that includes information associated with the content. After obtaining one or more interval code, a watermark payload is formed that includes the server code and an interval code and embedded in the content. The identifies a particular segment of the content and upon distribution of such embedded content, a query based on the server code and one interval code allows metadata associated with the content to be acquired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for packaging media and data for transmission over a broadband communications network link for display at a terminal destination. Features of the method included creating desired media segments for transmission to the terminal destination and for creating targeting information, for example in whole or in part in the form of metadata, for transmission to the terminal destination. Other features include packaging the created media segments and the created targeting information in a single package and unpacking the single package for display of the targeted media at the terminal destination.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided to facilitate acquisition of information associated with a multimedia content through embedded watermarks. One such method includes obtaining a server code for embedding into a content. The server code identifies a particular domain name registered to a registrant entity and provides a mapping to an Internet address of a metadata server. Upon receiving an indication that a trigger event is associated with a particular segment of the content, a first watermark payload is formed and embedded in the content. The watermark payload includes the server code, an interval code and a first trigger value. The interval code identifies the particular content segment and the first trigger value indicates that additional information associated with the particular segment is. Detection of the first trigger value from a subsequently distributed content enables a query to the metadata server for acquisition of metadata.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information presentation system, comprising: a video module configured to obtain video content to be presented to a user; a network module configured to obtain certain information related to the video content including at least a first type of related information, a second type of related information, and a third type of related information; a first display configured to display the video content at a primary location in front of the user; one or more second displays configured to display the first type related information at the primary location outside the first display and to display the second type related information on a secondary location along the side of the primary location; an interactive display configured to interact with the user and display the third type related information; and a system controller configured to perform content assignments to the displays according to requirements from the user.

Abstract: A method includes creating a first calendar event in an electronic calendar associated with a user. The first calendar event corresponds to a first viewing time and is associated with delivery of media content to a first device associated with the user. The method further includes rescheduling the first calendar event in response to determining that a scheduling conflict exists between the first calendar event and a second calendar event. Rescheduling the first calendar event includes modifying the first calendar event to correspond to a second viewing time and determining, based on the second viewing time, a second device to deliver the media content to. The second device is associated with the user.

Abstract: Insertion and assignment of a link or URL per device/user is provided. A CE device may be used by the user as an interface to access video content from a plurality of service providers, content provider/owners, etc. An indication to access video content from an unmanaged CE device may be received and the device and its manufacturer/manager may be identified. An analysis may be performed based on the requested content item, user's display device, CE device, CE device manufacturer/manager, business rules/agreements etc. A URL or link may be assigned based on the analysis. The URL or link may then be sent for display on the user's viewing device along with the stream of requested video content. The CE device manufacturer/manager may not have the ability to update or erase the URL/link that is sent by the service provider.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed for dynamically updating bandwidth allocations in an AVB communication system. In some embodiments, a device includes a communication interface communicatively connectable to at least one other device in a communication network and configured to transmit data via the communication network, a processor, and a storage device that stores instructions executable by the processor to detect an incoming data stream, and determine an amount of bandwidth to be used by the data stream. The instructions are further executable to update a bandwidth allocation for the data stream based on the determined amount of bandwidth.

Abstract: Methods and system for generating companion content for rendering on a secondary device during presentation of content on a main device include detecting execution of a local application on the secondary device by a server application. The local application establishes a wireless connection through an application programming interface (API) with the secondary device and a device that interfaces with the main device and accesses metadata defining content being rendered on the main device. The local application transmits the metadata received from the device to the server application. Historical data is generated based on the metadata received from the secondary device. The metadata within the historical data is analyzed to identify surfing paths of one or more users over time. Companion content is generated based on the surfing paths of the one or more users and forwarded to the secondary device for rendering while the secondary device is connected to the device that interfaces with the main device.

Abstract: A system for adaptive control of the download of multiple videos includes at least one electronic device, a client coupled to the at least one electronic device, and a displaying device coupled to the client. The electronic device includes a video content divided into a plurality of video chunks. The client downloads each video chunk according to a bandwidth change trend and a displaying of an aspect ratio that is displayed on the displaying device and adjusts instant bandwidth change trend in downloading each video chunk. A method for such adaptive downloading control is also provided.

Abstract: A communication system 10 including a host device 14 in communication with an external device 40 through a pair of interfaces 48/50. The external device has an application code image module 42 therein. The host device 14 includes an application execution area 66 and a resource application programming interface (API) 60. The host device 14 stores the application code image in the application execution area 66. The application code image controls a function in the host device 14 using the resource application interface. When the function is performed, the application code image may be removed from the host device 14.