Abstract: A video control device is disclosed. The video control device includes a communication interface for receiving user inputs and for communicating data to users, a memory for storing information communicated with the users and a plurality of video programs and a processor for processing the inputs received by the communication interface and for streaming video to the users via the communication interface. The communication interface receives a code from a user and from at least one of a plurality of invitees that received the code from the user. The processor streams a video program corresponding to the code simultaneously to the user and to invitees submitting the code and disables navigation functions of user controls for the invitees submitting the code.

Abstract: Advertising content is provided to a user. A set top box that is located in a first environment receives a first signal from a user device located in the first environment, wherein the first signal is encoded with commerce-related information. The set top box conveys the commerce-related information via a digital communication network to a server system located in a second environment. The server system utilizes the commerce-related information to select advertising information pertaining to the commerce-related information, and then communicates the advertising information to a device from which the user of the user device located in the first environment can access the advertising information.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) includes a location sensing mechanism, a memory for storing identity of a plurality of location co-ordinates visited by a user of the user equipment, a processor for determining preferences corresponding to the user based on the stored locations and a transceiver for communicating the preferences.

Abstract: Methods of delivering a time shifted video program include obtaining an individualized advertisement preference for a viewer of the time shifted video program, selecting an advertisement from among a plurality of available advertisements based on the individualized advertisement preference, inserting the selected advertisement into the time shifted video program, and delivering the time shifted video program including the selected advertisement to the viewer. Related systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a transaction server facilitates a purchase transaction for goods or services between users at two mobile phones. The Purchaser initiates a request for a purchase transaction to a server, and is provided with a unique code (“purchasing nonce”) that is uniquely associated with the request. The user of the first mobile phone provides the purchasing nonce to the Seller, who enters that value into the selling mobile phone. The selling mobile phone initiates a request to join the transaction as identified by the purchasing nonce. After confirmation of the Purchaser that the Seller can join the transaction, the Seller can itemize the goods for sale, which are electronically presented to the Purchaser for approval. After all items are selected, the Purchaser approves the transaction, and the transaction server can then transfers funds. An electronic receipt is provided to the Purchaser's mobile phone for confirmation.

Abstract: A plurality of cameras may be strategically placed around a venue for generating broadcast video streams which are processed by a broadcaster so as to produce a panning effect. A first video from one camera is streamed to one or more viewers. To create a panning effect, video from an adjacent, second, camera stream is used to interpolate video frames. The panning effect can be accomplished by interpolating frames for a certain number of time periods from a frame of the first camera and video frame of the second camera. The video from the first camera, the interpolated frames, and the video from the second camera is then selected and streamed to a viewer as a video stream, providing the panning effect. Multiple interpolation streams can be generated to handle panning from any camera to another camera. Panning requests may originate from the viewer or from the broadcaster.

Abstract: A system and method of video-on-demand (VOD) content search and distribution via an Internet Protocol (IP) network. A user sends a scan of a bar-coded identifier placed on a packaging or advertising material for a movie or other audio-visual program. Using the received barcode scan, the cable operator's VOD system checks the availability of the requested title under the VOD service. If the title is available, the system allows the user to instantaneously purchase and/or bookmark the title via a mobile device. If the title is currently unavailable “on demand”, the VOD system may send a notification to the user when the title becomes available. The bar code scan-based methodology enables the user to request desired titles even when the user is unaware of the titles available in a cable operator's VOD catalog. The IP network-based communication affords users substantially universal and instantaneous access to the desired VOD content with increased mobility and flexibility.

Abstract: A barker management system provides customized barker channels to a viewer, where the barker management system may be integrated into a VOD service. In one embodiment, the headend is informed when the viewer requests the VOD service and is further informed of a set top box (“STB”) identifier. The headend ascertains a rating of a barker channel, and may create a playlist of trailers having a compatible rating and streams the trailers on the barker channel to the SIB. The STB is informed which channel to use, and generates a display with the barker channel presented in one window of the display, while the VOD menu selections are presented in another window of the display. The selection of trailers in the barker channel can be based on ratings, content, or other criteria. The headend can statically or dynamically generate various customized barker channels for viewers.

Abstract: A system and method for providing interactive television advertising. When a viewer with interactive capability is identified, the system invites the viewer to create an advertisement. When the viewer accepts, the system displays advertisement parameters on the viewer's television or other connected computing device such as a smartphone. The viewer uses a remote control mechanism to select parameters and send them to an interactive advertising unit in a television delivery system. The interactive advertising unit creates the interactive advertisement in accordance with the selected advertisement parameters. The system then shows the interactive advertisement to the viewer during the next commercial break.

Abstract: An integrated television delivery and social networking system for improving service to a user. A television delivery system delivers television programs and advertisements to the user, and a social network website enables the user to post social updates for the user's friends and to receive social updates from the friends. An interworking unit interworks between the television delivery system and the social network website. The interworking unit obtains information from the television delivery system or the social network website and automatically provides the information from one to the other. The system may automatically post to the website, an indication of what television program the user is watching; may display to the user how many of his friends liked the television program or advertisement the user is watching; and may use user interests in the user's social network profile to select targeted television advertisements to present to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a capability is disclosed for conveying a link to further information over a cable system to a consumer device, wherein the video link can be associated with an external video source. The information can be conveyed to the consume device in one embodiment by embedding the video link information within a stream of MPEG formatted video information using an EBIF application. The video link information can be a URL from which the external information, typically video information, can be received. Upon detecting the link, the consumer device opens up a display window on a television image, which is presented to the viewer in an overlaid manner in addition to the MPEG video information on a television display. Typically, after the external video is presented, the window is closed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a capability is disclosed for a user to pause a VOD program being viewed at a first video service provider (“VSP”), such as a cable service provider. The user then requests to resume viewing of the remaining portion of the VOD program using a separate display device, typically in another location using a different VSP. The streaming of the remaining portion can originate by a connection from the separate display device to the first VSP using a connection through the second VSP. Or, the streaming of the remaining video can occur by the second VSP streaming the remaining portion of the video. In the later case, the bookmark location must be communicated from the first VSP to the second VSP. Other embodiments allow transferring the remaining portion of the video program from the first VSP to the second VSP for streaming.

Abstract: A screen zoom service provides the ability for a cable system subscriber to request a service which the cable service provider modifies a video data stream so as to replace a portion of the image with a zoomed image. The system uses a zoom level to indicate the level of magnification, a zoom region that defines which area of the image are to be zoomed, and a zoom region location parameter to indicate where the zoom region is to appear on the modified image. Thus, a user invoking the service can see portions of the unmodified video stream and a portion of it zoomed at the same time. The system provides the modified video stream on an indicated channel, and the set top box is informed as to which channel the modified video stream can be located.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for providing a social mashup in a content provider environment. In particular embodiments, the systems and methods provide a mashup that may be published for viewing by a plurality of subscribers of the content provider and may allow for content to be posted by various subscribers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system is disclosed allowing a cable subscriber to identify a movie title that is available for viewing using a VOD service offered by a cable service provider to be included in a list of favorite movie titles, where the list is associated with the viewer. The viewer can be informed of a point in time when one or more movies on the viewer's favorite list will no longer be available for viewing using the VOD service. In another embodiment, the viewer can be informed of a point in time when one or more movies on the viewer's favorite list will be available for viewing using the VOD service. The viewer can request recommendation of similar movie titles relative to a title identified in the list of favorite movie titles. Various other functions can be indicated by the viewer when viewing the list.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems, methods, and computer-readable medium providing licensing rights for media content that follows a subscriber so that the subscriber may experience the media content on various content distribution platforms. In particular embodiments, the systems, methods, and computer-readable medium transfer licensing rights for a user for particular media content that is associated with a first device on a first distribution platform so that the rights are associated with a second device on a second distribution platform. As a result, in various embodiments, the user is able to experience the particular media content with the use of the second device on the second distribution platform.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention relate to systems and methods for providing a roaming video wanted list and roaming video preferences. In particular embodiments, the systems and methods provide a first video service provider with a video wanted list and/or video preferences for a subscriber of a second video service provider so that the first video service provider can identify content available on the first video service provider's system that is listed on the subscriber's wanted list and/or is based on video preferences for the subscriber.

Abstract: A cable service provider system provides a subscriber of a cable system access to a program in response to the subscriber entering a coupon code, where the program would otherwise not be viewable, or a discount is provided for viewing the program. The cable system can use the coupon code to then select an advertisement to stream with the program, where the ad is associated with a merchant distributing the coupons. The subscriber provides the coupon code to the cable service provider when selecting a video-on demand program, allowing the subscriber to either receive a discount on a pay-per-view movie, or accessing a program that otherwise would not be accessible. The coupon code can be associated with data identifying the merchant and purchasing history of the viewer, and an Ad Selection system uses that data to select an ad.

Abstract: A system, method, and web-based application platform enabling a television viewer to utilize an Internet device to request a Video-On-Demand (VOD) server to stream a selected video to the viewer's Set Top Box (STB). An Internet Protocol (IP) connection is established between the Internet device and an application executing at a web site, and an Internet device identifier is passed to the application. The application communicates with the VOD server to obtain a listing of available videos, and provides the listing to the Internet device. When the viewer selects a video, the application accesses an equipment-mapping table, which associates the Internet device identifier with an STB identifier. The application then sends the STB identifier and a request for the selected video to the VOD server, which delivers the video to the STB over a television delivery system.

Abstract: A video brokerage system provides a subscriber of a cable system access to a program in response to the subscriber entering a coupon code, where the program would otherwise not be viewable, or a discount is provided for viewing the program. In one embodiment, a coupon system interacts with a computer system operated by a merchant, which distributes the coupon code to the subscriber when acting as a customer of the merchant. The subscriber then provides the coupon code to the cable service provider when selecting a video-on demand program, allowing the subscriber to either receive a discount on a pay-per-view movie, or accessing a program that otherwise would not be accessible. Various validations tests are defined in conjunction with the cable service provider processing the coupon code, including checking: an expiration date of the coupon code, rating qualifiers, content provider qualifiers, etc.