Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method and system for multimedia viewership surveying of an end-user's set-top-box (STB). The multimedia information may be received from at least one satellite via a satellite receiver. The satellite receiver may convey the multimedia information to a service provider location. At the service provider location, a content server may receive a request for transmission of multimedia information. The request may be validated to determine whether the request is authorized. The method may also include monitoring channel requests, and channel viewing times. The method may also include recording and/or logging the channel requests and information associated with the requested program in a user log. The user log may be evaluated to facilitate targeted marketing of end-user subscribers based upon demonstrated television viewing habits.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises addressing a first memory with one or more data words for a first prediction block, and addressing a second memory with one or more data words for a second prediction block while addressing the first memory.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises addressing a first memory with one or more data words for a first prediction block, and addressing a second memory with one or more data words for a second prediction block while addressing the first memory.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises addressing a first memory with one or more data words for a first prediction block, and addressing a second memory with one or more data words for a second prediction block while addressing the first memory.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises storing a reference picture in a memory; taking samples from at least one line of a prediction block, wherein each of the samples comprises a plurality of bits, the plurality of bits comprising most significant bits and least significant bits; concatenating the samples; replacing the least significant bits of the samples with “don't cares”, thereby generating at least one data word; addressing the memory with the at least one data word; receiving one or more addresses, said one or more addresses associated with one or more blocks; replacing a portion of the “don't cares” with a portion of the least significant bits of the samples, thereby generating another one or more data words; and addressing the memory with the another one or more data words.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for integrating secure identification logic into cell phones. A registration is received, wherein said registration includes an identifier identifying a mobile terminal. Information is transmitted to the mobile terminal, wherein a password is a function of the information.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for integrating secure identification logic into cell phones. A registration is received, wherein said registration includes an identifier identifying a mobile terminal. Information is transmitted to the mobile terminal, wherein a password is a function of the information.

Abstract: Presented herein are Tertiary Content Addressable Memory based motion estimator(s). In one embodiment, there is presented a method for encoding a picture. The method comprises storing a reference picture in a memory; taking samples from at least one line of a prediction block; generating at least one data word, the data word being a function of the samples; addressing the memory with the at least one data word; receiving one or more addresses, said one or more addresses associated with one or more blocks; and selecting a reference block from the one or more blocks for the prediction block.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for global positioning system based secure access. A request for access to a computer network is received. A determination is made whether a mobile terminal is within a predetermined location. If the mobile terminal is within the predetermined location, access is granted. If the mobile terminal is outside of the predetermined location, access to the computer network is denied.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for global positioning system based secure access. A request for access to a computer network is received. A determination is made whether a mobile terminal is within a predetermined location. If the mobile terminal is within the predetermined location, access is granted. If the mobile terminal is outside of the predetermined location, access to the computer network is denied.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for integrating secure identification logic into cell phones. A registration is received, wherein said registration includes an identifier identifying a mobile terminal. Information is transmitted to the mobile terminal, wherein a password is a function of the information.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems and methods for integrating secure identification logic into cell phones. A registration is received, wherein said registration includes an identifier identifying a mobile terminal. Information is transmitted to the mobile terminal, wherein a password is a function of the information.

Abstract: A set top box circuitry receives television channels, receives a viewer input, constructs a composite video from the television channels using the viewer input and forwards the composite video for display. The viewer input identifies a selection of at least two of the television channels and another selection of portions or all of the at least two of the television channels. The viewer input carries definitions of the selected portions that are typically, dimensions of the selected portions, shapes of the selected portions and locations of the selected portions when revealed on a display. The set top box circuitry constructs the composite video by combining the selected portions using the definitions. The set top box circuitry maintains a usage record of the television channels that are not free to use and forwards the usage record to a charging system that uses the usage record to generate an invoice.

Abstract: A video processing system located at a remote location such as a TV broadcasting station or an Internet media server stores a plurality of video elements at that are delivered to a viewing system located at a viewer's premises. The video processing system is capable of receiving a selection request comprising two or more video elements or subsets thereof, wherein the subsets are regions of interest or portions of the corresponding video elements. The video processing system constructs a custom video by combining them based on the viewer' selection and using the region of interest that are provided, and forwards the custom video to the viewing system. Billing based on record of usage is also supported for the custom video.

Abstract: A video processing system receives a user input, retrieves a video element, constructs a processed video element from the video element using the user input and delivers the processed video element for display. The user input identifies one or more portions of the video element and/or objects from the video element. The user input also identifies one or more visual effects. The video processing system applies the identified one or more visual effects to the identified portions and/or objects from the video element. Thus a processed video element is generated. In one embodiment, the video element is selected from multiple available video elements by a user using a video guide. The video processing system has a storage system for storing multiple video elements and a list of visual effects.

Abstract: Spotlighting and other special effects are applied by processing circuitry in real time to received video streams. Effects tracking may be applied to fixed regions or moving regions or objects of interest. Viewers interact via conventional remote controls and other user interfaces to set effect parameters. Other special effects employed include zooming, masking, etc. and can be used to enhance one or more spotlight effects. Televisions, set top boxes and media players house the underlying circuitry. Effects are applied to layered and non-layered video streams to form layered and combined video stream output. Video outputs also deliver effect parameters such as region of interest location along with a video stream. Such effect parameters assist in the downstream application of dynamic effects.

Abstract: A video karaoke system comprises a first video source and a second video source, providing input to a mixing unit. The mixing unit provides a composite output that includes at least a portion of the video data from the first video source and a portion of video data from the second video source. The output of the mixing unit is configured to display on a display unit. The present invention also provides a method of mixing video data from plurality of video sources providing a combined output. The method comprises providing a plurality of video sources, and a region selecting unit selecting regions of interest from the plurality of video sources. The selected regions of interest from the plurality of video sources are then mixed to provide a combined output video image.

Abstract: A video layer effects processing system which receives normal video and special effects information on separate layers has been presented. The system selectively mixes various video layers to transmit a composite video signal for a video display such as a television, or a virtual reality system. Special effects include spotlights, zooming, etc. Additional special effects such as shaping of objects and ghost effects are created by masking and superimposing selected video layers. The selective mixing, for example, to enable or disable, strengthen or weaken, or otherwise arrange special effects, can be directed from a remote source or locally by a user through real-time control or prior setup. The video layer effects processing system can also be incorporated into a set-top-box or a local consumer box.

Abstract: A video processing system includes at least one video source, a region selecting unit, a subtracting unit and a display unit. The region-selecting unit selects the user-defined region of interest from the video source. The subtracting unit subtracts the required region, selected by the region selecting unit. The output of the subtracting unit is provided to the display unit, which displays the required output. In one embodiment, when video data is received from a plurality of video sources, the selecting of user defined regions of interest from the video sources is supported. The region subtracting unit can be used to subtract the required region of interest from video data and it is displayed on the display unit. In other embodiments of invention, the display unit displays on overlay of two unrelated video streams.

Abstract: A personal video recorder network facilities the recording and storage of video data, such as home videos, on a remote storage provided by a service provider. The remote storage can be shared among users. Access control is provided for security. A PVR client is used to access the storage and display such stored video content. In one embodiment, the PVR storage is incorporated into a set-top-box.