Abstract: A method is performed at a network device including a plurality of network interfaces. The method includes receiving, from a client device, a playback request associated with a plurality of preauthored video frames. The method includes, in response to receiving the playback request, delivering, to the client device, customizable content that is based on the playback request. The method includes detecting that a first portion of the plurality of preauthored video frames and a portion of the customizable content together satisfy a switching condition. The method includes, in response to detecting that the first portion of the plurality of preauthored video frames and the portion of the customizable content together satisfy the switching condition, switching delivery of the customizable content to the client device with delivery of the first portion of a plurality of preauthored video frames to the client device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for selecting video channels is implemented on a computing device and includes: presenting at least one set of detected facial images, detecting user selection of a selected set of detected facial images, where each of the at least one set is associated with one of the video channels; and sending a video channel switching command to a video channel playing device, where the video channel switching command indicates a switch to the video channel associated with the selected set of detected facial images.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a processor to retrieve a first data element including a value X0 and Y0, provide a hash function for use with a hash table having buckets, the hash function having a first and second input that in combination map to one of the buckets wherein the first input is in a range of X-values having X-value sub-ranges, the second input is in a range of Y-values having Y-value sub-ranges, different combinations of the X-value sub-ranges and the Y-value sub-ranges map using the hash function to different buckets, and input the value X0 and Y0 into the hash function yielding an output which is indicative of a first bucket of the hash-table. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: There are instances of a content item having synchronization information, one being an instance of a reference content item, another being a candidate content item. A synchronizing processor determines a synchronization point between the reference content item and the candidate content item, on the basis of matching the synchronization information of the reference content item and the candidate content item. A timeline metadata transmitter transmits stored timeline metadata to a device on which the reference content item is playing, the transmission of the stored timeline metadata beginning from the synchronization point. The stored timeline metadata includes timeline metadata that has been previously aggregated from earlier broadcasts of instances of the reference content item. Related systems, apparatus, and methods are also described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises a processor to retrieve a first data element including a value X0 and Y0, provide a hash function for use with a hash table having buckets, the hash function having a first and second input that in combination map to one of the buckets wherein the first input is in a range of X-values having X-value sub-ranges, the second input is in a range of Y-values having Y-value sub-ranges, different combinations of the X-value sub-ranges and the Y-value sub-ranges map using the hash function to different buckets, and input the value X0 and Y0 into the hash function yielding an output which is indicative of a first bucket of the hash-table. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for selecting video channels is implemented on a computing device and includes: presenting at least one set of detected facial images, detecting user selection of a selected set of detected facial images, where each of the at least one set is associated with one of the video channels; and sending a video channel switching command to a video channel playing device, where the video channel switching command indicates a switch to the video channel associated with the selected set of detected facial images.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a first content item having synchronization information, the first content item being a first instance of a reference content item, a candidate content item, which is a second instance of the reference content item, having synchronization information, a synchronizing processor which determines a synchronization point between the first content item and the candidate content item, on the basis of matching the synchronization information of the first content item and the candidate content item, a timeline metadata transmitter, which transmits stored timeline metadata to a device on which the first content item is playing, the transmission of the stored timeline metadata beginning from the synchronization point, wherein the stored timeline metadata includes timeline metadata that has been previously aggregated from earlier broadcasts of instances of the reference content item. Related systems, apparatus, and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of digital television recording including receiving a content item at a first Personal Video Recorder (PVR), determining whether to transfer the content item based, at least in part, on at least one of the following: currentness of the content item, a user preference, and a user profile; and transferring the content item from the first PVR to a mobile PVR only upon a positive result of the determining. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for displaying advertisements transmitted to a user unit, the method includes receiving, at the user unit, at least one advertisement tagged with a delay tag indicating whether display of the at least one advertisement can be delayed and only if the delay tag allows delaying display of the at least one advertisement, storing the at least one advertisement at the user unit, retrieving the at least one advertisement and displaying the at least one advertisement. A billing system for reporting a commercial broadcast to a multiplicity of users is also disclosed.

Abstract: A secure offline interactive gambling system includes a subscriber unit operative, through interaction with a user, to execute an offline interactive gambling application, a secure processor operatively associated with the subscriber unit and a central gambling facility. The secure processor includes a random gambling input generator operative to randomly or pseudo-randomly generate gambling input to the offline interactive gambling application during execution of the offline interactive gambling application, and a secure memory operatively associated with the random gambling input generator and operative to securely store information related to the execution of the offline interactive gambling application. The information, that is securely stored and the user cannot modify, typically includes the gambling input and user selections made in response to the gambling input and can be used to derive at least one result of the offline interactive gambling application.

Abstract: A method of digital television recording including receiving a content item at a first Personal Video Recorder (PVR), determining whether to transfer the content item based, at least in part, on at least one of the following: currentness of the content item, a user preference, and a user profile; and transferring the content item from the first PVR to a mobile PVR only upon a positive result of the determining. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of digital television recording including receiving a content item at a first Personal Video Recorder (PVR), determining whether to transfer the content item based, at least in part, on at least one of the following currentness of the content item, a user preference, and a user profile, and transferring the content item from the first PVR to a mobile PVR only upon a positive result of the determining. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A digital television recording method comprising: broadcasting a television program associated with a broadcaster set of parameters enabling access to a first set of predetermined portions of the program; operating an agent for determining whether to record the program and for associating with the program, upon recording of the program, an agent set of parameters enabling access to a second set of predetermined portions of the program; storing the program together with the broadcaster set of parameters and the agent set of parameters to generate an addressable program; retrieving at least a portion of the addressable program; displaying the at least a portion of the addressable program to a user; receiving from the user a user set of parameters enabling access to a third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program; editing the addressable program to include the user set of parameters enabling access to the third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program thereby generating an edited

Abstract: A digital television recording method comprising: broadcasting a television program associated with a broadcaster set of parameters enabling access to a first set of predetermined portions of the program; operating an agent for determining whether to record the program and for associating with the program, upon recording of the program, an agent set of parameters enabling access to a second set of predetermined portions of the program; storing the program together with the broadcaster set of parameters and the agent set of parameters to generate an addressable program; retrieving at least a portion of the addressable program; displaying the at least a portion of the addressable program to a user; receiving from the user a user set of parameters enabling access to a third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program; editing the addressable program to include the user set of parameters enabling access to the third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program thereby generating an edited

Abstract: A method for processing video content is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving, in a hardware device connected in operation to a computer, encrypted, encoded video content; decrypting the encrypted, encoded video content to form decrypted, encoded video content; decoding a first portion of the decrypted, encoded video content to form a decrypted, decoded video content portion; re-encrypting the decrypted, decoded video content portion to form a re-encrypted, decoded video content portion; re-encrypting a second portion of the decrypted, encoded video content to form a re-encrypted, encoded video content portion; and outputting the re-encrypted, decoded video content portion and the re-encrypted, encoded video content portion to the computer.

Abstract: A method for switching from playing a first compressed data segment to playing a second compressed recorded data segment, the method including playing an uncompressed copy of a start of the second compressed recorded data segment upon switching from playing the first compressed data segment, decoding the second compressed recorded data segment from a preceding random access point, the preceding random access point preceding, in the second compressed recorded data segment, a point at which playing is to be switched to the second compressed recorded data segment, stopping the decoding of the second compressed recorded data segment when reaching a point beyond a point currently being played in the uncompressed copy, and switching to playing the second compressed recorded data segment when playing the uncompressed copy of a start of the second compressed recorded data segment reaches the point at which the decoding of the second compressed recorded data segment was stopped.

Abstract: A method is described for trick mode playback, the method including selecting a key-frame in a recording substantially in the vicinity of a trick mode playback starting position, preparing a decryption key associated with a key period including the selected key-frame, sending the prepared decryption key to a descrambler, thereby enabling decryption of video beginning at the selected key-frame, sending a first number P seconds of decrypted video frames, starting at the selected key-frame, at a predetermined speed for a predetermined number of seconds, to a video decoder, in parallel to the sending P seconds of video frames, choosing at least a second video section to stream to the video decoder, sending a decryption key associated with the chosen second video section to the descrambler, and repeating the steps of selecting, preparing, sending the prepared decryption key, and sending a first number P seconds of decrypted video frames. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for displaying advertisements transmitted to a user unit, the method includes receiving, at the user unit, at least one advertisement tagged with a delay tag indicating whether display of the at least one advertisement can be delayed and only if the delay tag allows delaying display of the at least one advertisement, storing the at least one advertisement at the user unit, retrieving the at least one advertisement and displaying the at least one advertisement. A billing system for reporting a commercial broadcast to a multiplicity of users is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for controlling access to content, the method comprising: receiving content in an area in which access to the content is blacked out, the content corresponding to a blacked out event; preventing display of the content at the time of receipt; recording the received content; and allowing access to the recorded content after a time criterion is met, wherein the time criterion comprises an elapse of a predetermined period of time measured from a specified one of the following: commencement of the blacked out event and termination of the blacked out event.

Abstract: This invention discloses a method for displaying advertisements transmitted to a user unit, the method includes receiving, at the user unit, at least one advertisement tagged with a delay tag indicating whether display of the at least one advertisement can be delayed and only if the delay tag allows delaying display of the at least one advertisement, storing the at least one advertisement at the user unit, retrieving the at least one advertisement and displaying the at least one advertisement. A billing system for reporting a commercial broadcast to a multiplicity of users is also disclosed.