Abstract: A method and system are provided for allocating a dynamic advertisement according to audience ratings. The method includes selecting an advertisement broadcast to be transmitted based on broadcast viewing information of users and a transmission condition, and providing the selected advertisement broadcast.

Abstract: An entertainment system includes a video system mounted within an automobile headrest, the headrest including a headrest body in which the video system is mounted. A cooling system is integrated with the headrest for maintaining the video system at a desirable temperature.

Abstract: A broadcaster generates programming content and a carousel containing chunks of data defining one or more interactive applications. The programming content and carousel are received by a local gateway which distributes the carousel and content to receivers at end-users via a distribution network. A carousel proxy in the local gateway receives the inbound carousel from the broadcaster and modifies it to produce an outbound carousel suited for the distribution network, receivers, and/or end-users. The modifications performed by the carousel proxy include filtering chunks and/or data within the chunks from the inbound carousel and transforming data within the chunks to customize the interactive applications for the distribution network, receivers, and/or end-users. The carousel proxy also caches chunks in a cache of a local data store. The carousel proxy uses the cached chunks to send the outbound carousel at a rate optimized for the bandwidth available on the distribution network.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided. In use, a plurality of coordinates of a set top box is identified. In addition, a policy associated with usage of the set top box is enforced utilizing the coordinates.

Abstract: A channel-switching apparatus and method in a digital broadcasting system omits conditional access control in logical channel-switching in one physical channel from processes that are executed for channel-switching in a digital broadcasting system, thereby reducing channel-switching time.

Abstract: A television device for receiving and storing an electronic programme guide, the electronic programme guide including a plurality of programme entries for respective television programmes, each programme entry having a title field including title data for the title of the respective programme and having a timing field including timing data for timing of the respective programme. Title fields of the electronic programme guide are searched to find titles matching the title of the start programme and candidate programmes are identified accordingly. The timings of the identified candidate programmes are compared with a timing profile representing expected consecutive programme occurrences. On the basis of correlation of the timing data with the timing profile, a consecutive programme in the programme series is identified.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting and receiving multimedia broadcasting in order to provide multimedia broadcasting services and interactive broadcasting services are provided. An apparatus for receiving multimedia broadcasting includes a reference clock receiver, which receives a reference clock value, i.e., a current time value, of real-time multimedia broadcasting; a multimedia document receiver/storage, which receives and stores a first multimedia document; a media data receiver/storage, which receives and stores first media data; and a multimedia document renderer, which when the first multimedia document is scheduled at the reference clock value and the first media data is a rendering material used to render the first multimedia document, renders the first multimedia document using the first media data.

Abstract: Set top box logs are received from a television provider and processed to identify channel tunes and channel tune times. The channel tunes and channel tune times of the log data can be compared to expected air times of television advertisements on channels, and an impression values, e.g., projected viewers, can be generated for each television advertisement.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for remote control of a media server computer from a controller device, typically a laptop computer, where remote operation of the media server, including the selection of videos and other digital media may be performed from the controller while normal TV programming (cable, satellite, or broadcast) is viewed on the TV. Other embodiments describe background operations performed on the controller device, the media server, or both, such that new videos may be located on the web or locally on the LAN while a current video is playing on the media server and viewed on the TV. Methods are also described for more reliably establishing network connections between the controller and media server, and systems and methods are described for implementing a multi-video display on the media server where videos to be displayed on the media server are displayed on and selected by a controller device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a broadcast program are provided. The apparatus includes: a signal processing unit which generates an audio/video (A/V) file, an application file, and a first electronic program guide (EPG) file by appropriately processing a plurality of A/V signals, application information, and EPG information, respectively, which are included in an input broadcast program transport stream; a synchronization unit which receives the A/V file, the application file, and the first EPG file from the signal processing unit, generates storage information for the A/V file and storage information for the application file, and converts the first EPG file into a second EPG file comprising the storage information for the A/V file and the storage information for the application file; and a storage unit which stores the A/V file, the application file, and the second EPG file.

Abstract: Reporting data related to content processing devices, e.g., television devices, are processed to identify channel tunes and corresponding tune times of the content processing devices. Automatically generated channel tunes based on the corresponding tune times are identified. Content items that are aired during a time period defined by the corresponding tune times can be adjusted.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosed technology determines at least one content extent within an experiential data stream respective to at least one commentary clip, extracts at least one portion of said experiential data stream responsive to the at least one content extent, and stores the at least one portion of said experiential data stream.

Abstract: A media center and an audio visual (AV) unit may be remotely synchronized on the same remodulation channel. A system may include a media center connected to an audio visual (AV) unit; and a remote control unit to activate the media center. The remote control unit may receive signals from the media center to indicate a transmission channel for the AV unit, and the remote control unit may send the received signals to the AV unit to independently cause the AV unit to switch to the indicated transmission channel.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosed technology is a limited social television system that provides a light-weight process that allows multiple audience members to close the loop of interaction and create a compelling feeling of “shared experience” on the part of the response-reviewer.

Abstract: A method, which comprises: receiving from a provider of a first content stream an indication of a promotional time slot to be rendered available on the first content stream; accessing a program schedule indicative of television programs scheduled to begin airing on respective content streams at respective start times; consulting said schedule to identify at least one particular television program among those of said television programs scheduled to air on content streams provided by providers different from the provider of the first content stream and whose start times fall within a time window of acceptable viewability relative to the promotional time slot; and causing conveyance of an advertisement for the at least one particular television program during the promotional time slot.

Abstract: A subscriber to a video service generally has available to them an on-screen program guide. The program guide lists programming (e.g., TV shows) that are available to the subscriber for a certain upcoming time period. The programming guide may sort the listings by channel and time, areas of interest, age appropriateness and/or MPAA or TV rating, free or additional cost, etc. In an embodiment, the programming guide includes an ability to make a selection to see which TV shows are recommended by reviewers. Such reviewers may be individuals or panels or institutions to which some credibility may be attached—a trusted source. After selecting a reviewer, the subscriber is made aware of the programs recommended by the selected reviewer.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for use in connection with delivering content that is targeted to users of a broadcast network. In order to select content that is targeted to users of the broadcast network, signals are received from a plurality of customer premise equipment devices (CPEs) of the network users via a broadcast network interface. Based on the received signals, broadcast assets (e.g., programming, advertisements etc.) are selected from a collection of available asset options. Accordingly, at least a portion of the selected assets are inserted into a content stream of the broadcast network. Once the content stream is broadcast over a broadcast network interface, at least a portion of the selected assets area available for receipt by at least a portion of the CPEs. The CPEs generate reports regarding assets delivered such that asset providers can be billed based on guaranteed targeted impressions.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both.

Abstract: An apparatus and method capable of selecting and providing content while reducing the load on a user are provided. A controlled device is determined based on content identification information. Control information corresponding to the determined controlled device is generated and output to, for example, a remote controller, and device control is performed based on a control signal from the remote controller. The user can output and view content without performing processing necessary to output the content, such as processing on a control device, a channel operation to the control device, and searching for the content storage location. Further, content cards recording content information are displayed as a card group and content information of a card at a position of a cursor is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for an interactive media services system to provide media to a user through an interactive media services client device. The client device is coupled to a programmable media services server device. The method includes the step of implementing an interactive media guide. Additionally, the client device is implemented to present the interactive media guide to the user. A system operator is provided an interface to the programmable media services server. Control options are provided within the interface to allow the system operator to configure a plurality of rental options available to the user. Finally the interactive media service system is implemented such that the plurality of rental options can be executed by the user in a requested active media session.