Abstract: At least one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods of pruning retrieval tokens from sets of retrieval tokens based on criteria. The system can receive a plurality of retrieval tokens including a second retrieval token. The system can retrieve an indication of a first token and a plurality of requests. The system can construct a first bit string based on the predicted requests and the first retrieval token. The system can retrieve a second bit string corresponding to the second retrieval token. The system can compare the first bit string to the second bit string to determine a similarity value. The system can determine the similarity value is greater than a predetermined threshold. The system can remove the first and second retrieval token from the plurality to create a pruned set of retrieval tokens. The system can provide the pruned set to a content provider.

Abstract: The method may include initiating a view of real-time broadcasting content at a broadcasting reception terminal; determining a view suspension time point in response to a user input during the real-time broadcasting; transmitting, to a history management server, view history data comprising the view suspension time point and content identification information, the transmitted view history data interacting with a non-real-time video service server; requesting the non-real-time video service server for non-real-time broadcasting content corresponding to the real-time broadcasting content; and receiving the non-real-time broadcasting content that is provided from the non-real-time video service server and corresponds to a broadcasting time after the view suspension time point. A bi-directional multimedia service free from restrictions on a place and a time may be achieved by providing a substantially real-time video service through a linkage between a real-time broadcasting and a non-real-time video service.

Abstract: An exemplary web services provider system remote from and communicatively coupled to a local digital video recording (“DVR”) system by way of a network detects an input command provided by a user and representative of a request for the local DVR system to perform a DVR operation with respect to a media program provided by a television service, identifies, in response to the request, a status of the media program, determines, based on the identified status of the media program, an optimal manner in which to perform the DVR operation, and directs the local DVR system to perform the DVR operation in accordance with the optimal manner. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: Program recording systems and methods are operable to adjust recording times of a program of interest in response to an occurrence of an interrupting program that alters the scheduled recording times of the program of interest. An exemplary embodiment receives an unscheduled program flag (UPF) corresponding to an occurrence of an unscheduled program; adjusts at least one of a scheduled recording start time associated with the program of interest to an updated record start time and a scheduled recording end time associated with the program of interest to an updated record end time in response to receiving the UPF; and records the program of interest based upon at least one of the updated record start time and the updated record end time.

Abstract: An electronic device and data control method are provided. The electronic device includes a connector which is connected to an external storage medium storing media data therein; an identification unit which identifies a storage identifier (ID) of the external storage medium connected to the connector; and a controller which performs a media function corresponding to the media data stored in the external storage medium whose storage ID is identified by the identification unit.

Abstract: An electronic device and data control method are provided. The electronic device includes a connector which is connected to an external storage medium storing media data therein; an identification unit which identifies a storage identifier (ID) of the external storage medium connected to the connector; and a controller which performs a media function corresponding to the media data stored in the external storage medium whose storage ID is identified by the identification unit.

Abstract: A media recording device automatically records selected broadcast programs according to categories specified by the user, without requiring the user to specify in advance which programs are to be recorded. The recorded programs are then presented to the user for selection, and the selected programs may be played back immediately or saved for later playback. Each broadcast program may be allocated a priority, and the device may decide which programs to record or delete according to their relative priority. For each broadcast program, a corresponding visibility period may be specified, during which the program can be selected for playback and is not deleted. There may be a delay between the broadcast of the program and the beginning of its visibility period. An expiry time may be specified for each program, after which the program is deleted. There may be a delay between the end of the visibility period and the expiry time.

Abstract: A personal video on-demand system and method which permits a user to receive available content using a single tuner and perform one of a plurality of operations on the available content. These operations include recording two or more signals, where one or both may be simultaneously viewed, recording one or more signals and playing back one or more signals, playing back two or more signals, watching one or more signals while recording one or more other signals, viewing two or more signals live, or viewing at least one signal live, while viewing one or more signals in a playback mode.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a receiving apparatus for sending received contents to a recording apparatus and for getting the recording apparatus to record the contents in accordance with preset recording reservations, the receiving apparatus including: a recording ready time information acquisition section configured to acquire from the recording apparatus information about a recording ready time; a continuous recording determination section configured to determine whether two chronologically successive broadcast contents are reserved for recording based on the preset recording reservations; and an end time setting section configured such that if the two chronologically successive broadcast contents are found reserved for recording, then the end time setting section sets the time at which to end processing for recording the earlier of the two contents based on a broadcast start time of the latter of the two contents and on the acquired information about the recording ready time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein in relation to notifications about alternative viewing opportunities for recording and playback of media programs. In particular, the systems and methods provide users with information related to alternative recorded programming viewing opportunities for programs scheduled for recording by a user.

Abstract: A method for recording multimedia content. The method includes providing instructions to record a plurality of segments of multimedia content, each of the plurality of segments having a recording start time and a recording end time associated therewith. The method further includes providing instructions regarding recording settings for one or more first segments of multimedia content to be recorded. The method also includes comparing modified start time and/or modified end times with the recording start times and/or the recording end times associated with the plurality of segments of multimedia content and determining, based at least in part on the comparison, whether to record the one or more first segments with the modified start time and/or the modified end time.

Abstract: A multimedia recording apparatus includes a receiving unit, a normal recording unit, a pre-recording unit and a combining unit. The receiving unit receives ongoing multimedia information. The normal recording unit generates first multimedia data under a normal recording mode. The pre-recording unit automatically records the ongoing multimedia information to generate a second multimedia data when the normal recording mode is not active. The combining unit adds content of the second multimedia data to the first multimedia data.

Abstract: Media device systems and methods are operable to automatically present a program at its beginning while a remaining portion of the program is being received at the media device. An exemplary embodiment receives a program in a media content stream; receives a presentation request to present the program, wherein the presentation request is received after an initial portion of the program has been received and wherein the presentation request is received before a conclusion of the program; accesses a stored initial portion of the program from a memory medium; and initiates presentation at a beginning of the program residing in the accessed initial portion of the program.

Abstract: A method and system for broadcasting content, is described, the method and system facilitating simultaneous recording of multiple programs on a digital video recorder (DVR), the method and system including providing a plurality of content items, dividing each one of the plurality of content items into a multiplicity of chunks, each one of the chunks including at least one reference frame, for each one of the chunks determining a location of each reference frame included in the chunk, creating a chunk index of locations of each reference frame included in the chunk, creating a chunk file including the chunk and the chunk index, and inserting the chunk file in a data stream, such that no chunk file including a chunk from a particular content item is adjacent to a second chunk file including a chunk from the same particular content item, and broadcasting using a transmission bitrate greater than the bitrate of the data stream in a single channel in a multiplexed broadcast service, wherein the chunks files in the

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for displaying conflicts between two or more recording timers. Recording conflicts are displayed graphically for the user to resolve.

Abstract: A receiver receives a request for content associated with a channel, determines that all channel selectors are in use, selects a set of options, and transmits the set to a presentation device. The receiver may then fulfill the request utilizing a selected option. All available channel selectors may be in use because they are tuned to frequency bands of a broadcast signal to record content and data associated the channel is included in a different frequency band. The set of options may include options to stop the current recording in favor of the requested content and options to present content included in a same frequency band to which a tuner is already tuned. In one or more implementations, the receiver may determine that content currently being recorded will be rebroadcast at a later time and may include notifications indicating such and/or options to record the content at the later time.

Abstract: Methods and products to deliver at least a portion of an advertisement to a viewer at normal playback speeds after receiving a command from the viewer to fast-forward through an advertisement faster than normal playback speeds is described. In certain embodiments, the invention delivers a portion of the advertisement to be played at normal playback speeds to the viewer; and delivers the remaining portion of the advertisement to be played at a playback speed that is faster than the specified playback speed so that the combination of the portions delivered at normal and faster playback speeds is delivered to the user at the specified playback speed. In some other embodiments, the invention delivers at least a portion of the first advertisement to the viewer at normal playback speeds; and delivers one or more other advertisements to the viewer simultaneously with the first advertisement with the audio information muted based on the specified playback speed.

Abstract: An Internet protocol television system includes a server that records content on a set-top box, determines storage capacity utilization, and when utilization is greater than a threshold, prompts to select other content on the storage device to be deleted.

Abstract: A content management system may assist users in managing the storage of various pieces of content, such as television programs, that the user has recorded. The system may track the user's consumption behavior, determining which programs the user regularly watches and which programs the user regularly ignores, and use that consumption behavior to determine which recorded programs to recommend for relocation to a remote storage, or for outright deletion. The system can also use the behavior information to modify new recording requests, such as directing a new request to a secondary storage location if it is unlikely that the user will view the recording.

Abstract: Multi-tier recording to enable, for example, seek-back unique copy recording may be provided. First, content may be recorded to a time-shift buffer. Recording instructions may be received and a virtual recorder corresponding to a user may be instantiated. Next, content from the time-shift buffer may be obtained according to the received recording instructions. Then the obtained content may be saved to the instantiated virtual recorder.

Abstract: A content can be recorded for certain in a video recording system including a video recording apparatus and a video recording and transmitting apparatus. The video recording apparatus includes: a recording control unit that starts recording the content when a period of time indicated by scheduled recording information starts; and a message transmitting unit that transmits recording-state information to the video recording and transmitting apparatus at regular intervals. The video recording and transmitting apparatus includes: a recording-state monitoring unit that determines whether or not the continued reception of a signal has been suspended during the period of time; and a recording control unit that starts recording the content when the recording-state monitoring unit determines that the continued reception of the signal has been suspended.

Abstract: A method, program product and system are provided for optimizing power requirements of a video recorder system in recording user-selected video programs. When it is determined that recording a selected video program at a time subsequent to a user designated time would result in a cost savings, an acceptable recording delay period is determined and if the subsequent recording time is within the acceptable recording delay period, the user-selected video program is recorded at the subsequent recording time rather than being recorded at the user designated time. The acceptable recording delay period is determined by accessing stored user data which are indicative of a future time when the user will be available to view a recording of the selected video program.

Abstract: In a recording apparatus (camcorders, optical disc recorders, etc.), the operator presses down priority designating buttons for designating priorities when recording input image data. An additional information generating section records and holds, in a storage section, additional information indicating priorities of data to be recorded (e.g., “low”, “intermediate”, “high”, or “highest”) which are set, depending on what priority designating button has been pressed down. If recordable remaining space in the storage section detected by the remaining amount detecting section falls below a predetermined value before the start of or during recording of data, a control section overwrites regions in order of priority of data which is stored therein, the lowest first, with data which is about to be recorded or is being recorded, based on the additional information generated by the additional information generating section.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a data stream at a media device and extracting data from the data stream. The data corresponds to received media content. The method further includes storing the extracted data at a memory as stored media content and determining whether the stored media content corresponds to expected media content. The method also includes, in response to determining that the stored media content does not correspond to the expected media content, sending a content request to a server. The content request identifies a segment of the expected media content that does not correspond to the stored media content.

Abstract: A method includes sending a unicast transmission including at least a portion of media content to a media device in response to determining, at a media distribution computing device, that a request for a media stream to be provided to the media device does not indicate a scheduled recording of the media content associated with the media stream and joining the media device to a multicast group associated with the media stream without sending the unicast transmission to the media device in response to determining, at the media distribution computing device, that the request indicates the scheduled recording of the media content.

Abstract: A method and system for adding overtime to a video recording are described. The method and system include providing a personal video recorder (PVR) operative to record a video stream, providing a multimedia content item on the video stream, providing metadata accessible to the PVR, the metadata being associated with the multimedia content item and including at least a first metadata item and a second metadata item, recording the multimedia content item at the PVR for a first amount of time, the first amount of time being indicated by the first metadata item, continuing to record the multimedia content item after the end of the first amount of time, for a second amount of time based, at least in part, on at least one parameter in the second metadata item. Related methods and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A recording control apparatus for controlling the recording of content of broadcast programs includes the following elements. An acquisition unit acquires electronic program guide data concerning the broadcast programs. A detector detects the title of a broadcast program from reserve-recording data indicating a recording reservation of the broadcast program. A calculator calculates the similarity between the title of the broadcast program detected by the detector and the title of the broadcast program indicated in the electronic program guide data acquired by the acquisition unit. A changing unit changes the reserve-recording data by using the electronic program guide data on the basis of the similarity calculated by the calculator.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a method for scheduling a broadcast using the same. The broadcast scheduling method includes generating a program information table, in which broadcast information is arranged, if a broadcast program selected by a user in the program information table is moved into an area adjacent to an icon, displaying the broadcast program being added to an item folder, and scheduling the broadcast program.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video server includes a plurality of processors and a log data integration unit. Each of the plurality of processors includes a generation module, a storage module, and a transmission module. The generation module generates the log data including at least an event occurrence time. The storage module stores the log data. The transmission module transmits the log data stored in the storage module to the log data integration unit via the common bus. The log data integration unit includes a reception module and an integration module. The reception module receives the log data from the plurality of processors via the common bus. The integration module integrates the received log data in an occurrence time order.

Abstract: A method comprising, receiving a live video stream; recording the live video stream as a stored video stream; shifting the stored video stream as a time-delayed video stream; reading the time-delayed video stream; and playing back the time-delayed video stream whenever the time delay is greater than a predetermined threshold or playing back the live video stream whenever the time delay is less than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method, program product and system are provided for controlling the amount of power consumed by DVR devices in recording and playing broadcast video events. In an exemplary embodiment, upcoming recording requests are compared against a schedule guide for both local and networked DVRs. The system enables a user to make a selection to delay a scheduled recording up to a selected time in the future. The system then reschedules recordings to optimally overlap other scheduled recording to enable optimal usage of DVR tuners for a given period of time based upon the number of tuners in a DVR. In another separate embodiment or in combination with tuner optimization, recording events are rescheduled, within an authorized delay period, to a time when power rates are lower.

Abstract: A content player includes a pausable mass storage device player that can be used to record and play content. The pausable mass storage device can become paused in response to an assertion of a pause signal. Once paused, the content player remains paused until the pause signal is deasserted. The content player also includes an event detector that is coupled to the pausable mass storage device player. The content player detects a non-viewer initiated event, (e.g., an automatic event such as the receipt of an email with embedded enhanced content), and to assert the pause signal in response thereto. The content player receives content, detects an event, and in response to detecting the event, pauses the content to a presentation device; and spools the content onto the mass storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for motion portrayal manipulation includes performing a motion estimation to determine objects in motion in content provided at an acquisition rate. An eye motion trajectory of a viewer is predicted based on the content to determine a region of interest. An object in the area of interest is filtered along an object trajectory to adapt motion of the object to permit display of the acquisition rate on a display device having a refresh rate other than the acquisition rate. The content is portrayed at the acquisition rate on the display device.

Abstract: A method for processing media content requests includes receiving, at a multimedia distribution computing device, a request for a media stream to be provided to a media device. The method includes determining, at the multimedia distribution computing device, whether media content of the media stream is for time-shifted viewing. The method includes sending a unicast transmission including at least a portion of the media content to the media device when the media content is not determined to be for time-shifted viewing. The method includes joining the media device to a multicast group associated with the media stream without sending the unicast transmission to the media device when the media content is determined to be for time-shifted viewing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for easily creating playlists of media programs to be played sequentially, where each program on a playlist either is played in real time, i.e., when broadcast, or is played time-shifted when the program temporally conflicts with one or more other programs on the playlist. When a playlist is played, a user can pause viewing at any time, in which case the methods and apparatus recompute the program sequence of the playlist and schedules program recordings as required.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for recording digital multimedia by buffering. The method includes performing buffering with regard to each of a plurality of received multimedia services in a predetermined output mode; managing buffering information relating to buffering settings with regard to each of the buffered multimedia services; and controlling output of a corresponding multimedia service according to the buffering information, wherein the output mode comprises a time shift mode where a previously buffered multimedia service is called and reproduced and a background mode where a currently received multimedia service is buffered without being displayed on a screen.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for searching a start position of a broadcast program. According to an embodiment of the present invention, a received broadcast program is recorded in a recording medium while being output as video and audio. If a new broadcast program is started, position information regarding a start part of the new broadcast program is stored in a memory. Thus, a current broadcast program is reproduced from a start part by searching a start position of the current broadcast program recorded in the recording medium with reference to stored position information. A determination on whether the new broadcast program is started is done on the basis of Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information or a change in audio and video signals. Accordingly, it is possible to quickly search and reproduce a start part of a broadcast program which is currently recorded.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of extending a recording in a media content receiver of a media event that is delayed. In the method, a recording of media content is begun at an expected start time for the media event based on a recording timer, wherein the recording timer indicates the expected start time and an expected end time for the media event. After beginning the recording, the media content being recorded is analyzed to determine an actual start time for the media event. The actual start time is then compared with the expected start time. If the difference between the actual start time and the expected start time exceeds some predetermined value, the expected end time is adjusted to extend the recording. The recording is then ended at the adjusted end time.

Abstract: An exemplary method of operating a recording device comprises acquiring a title of a recorded program when a recording operation begins. The exemplary method further comprises determining, at a first specific time period after a next-occurring hour of the clock or after a next-occurring half hour of the clock during the recording operation, whichever occurs first, whether the recording operation started within a second specific time period, the second specific time period being between the first specific time period and thirty minutes, storing as the title of the recorded program the title acquired when the recording operation began if the recording operation was not started within the second specific time period, and reacquiring the title of the recorded program if the recording operation was started within the second specific time period.

Abstract: Recorded programs ranked based on social networks is described. In embodiment(s), a content distributor maintains recorded on-demand assets that can be requested by client devices to render as television media content for viewing. For a Network Digital Video Recording (nDVR) system, the recorded on-demand assets are recorded when initially distributed to the client devices as scheduled television media content. The content distributor can form a social network of members based on association(s) of viewers that correspond to one or more of the client devices, and can determine recommended on-demand assets from different ones of the recorded on-demand assets for the members of the social network. The content distributor can then communicate a recommended on-demand asset to a client device that corresponds to a member of the social network where the recommended on-demand asset is communicated for viewing without receiving a viewer selection of the recommended on-demand asset.

Abstract: A personal video on-demand system and method which permits a user to receive available content using a single tuner and perform one of a plurality of operations on the available content. These operations include recording two or more signals, where one or both may be simultaneously viewed, recording one or more signals and playing back one or more signals, playing back two or more signals, watching one or more signals while recording one or more other signals, viewing two or more signals live, or viewing at least one signal live, while viewing one or more signals in a playback mode. These operations also include selecting an even based on actor, actress, director, etc.

Abstract: Optical disc device with integrated hard disk drive includes HDD recording and reproducing portion, DVD recording and reproducing portion, and record restriction process portion that decides whether DVD is disc supporting CPRM and discriminates copy protection information of television broadcasting signal. If “copy once” signal is detected from the copy protection information when it is started to record contents of television broadcasting on DVD that does not support CPRM, recording by hard disk drive is performed instead of recording on DVD. If “copy free” signal is detected from copy protection information while contents are recorded by HDD, recording by hard disk drive is stopped, and recording on DVD is performed. If “copy once” signal is detected from copy protection information while contents are recorded on DVD, recording on DVD is stopped, and recording by HDD is performed.

Abstract: A set top box determines DVR requests that the set top box is not able to record based on a number of scheduled DVR requests. The set top box provides the DVR request to a DVR management server. The DVR management server selects another set top box to record the television content associated with the DVR request based on a number DVR requests the other set top box is scheduled to record. The DVR management server issues a command to the other set top box to record the television content associated with the DVR request. The other set top box provides the recorded television content, associated with the DVR request, to the set top box.

Abstract: Systems, methods and media for managing extended program content for a digital video recorder (DVR) are disclosed. Embodiments of a method may include determining an amount of extended program content to record in addition to the program to be recorded, where the extended program content is associated with the program to be recorded. The extended content may include either or both of program pre-content or program post-content. The method may also include recording the determined amount of extended program content and the program to be recorded. In a further embodiment, the method may include receiving an indication that the user desires to view extended program content and playing at least part of the extended program content. Determining the amount of extended program content to record may be based on one or more of available storage space, a specified time, a specified file size, user preferences, or other factors.

Abstract: A method of operating a user device for receiving and recording media content. The method includes receiving a media content stream, and initial timing data, such as EPG data, indicative of the time at which a selected program contained within the media content stream is scheduled to begin. At least a portion of the media content stream containing the selected program is recorded to a memory using the initial timing data to determine the recording start and finish time. Second updated timing data, indicative of the time at which the program began, is also received. A portion of the recorded media content stream is then deleted between the beginning of the recording and the beginning of the program as identified by the second timing data. A corresponding apparatus and appropriate computer program are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a mobile video program buffers program content received in real time when there is a considerable movement state change. After the movement state becomes stable, playing will be resumed. While playing is resumed, the buffered contents can be firstly played, including the playing manners such as skipping, fast forward, etc, and then a program content received in real time will be played after all the buffered contents have been processed. According to the mobile video playing method, both the user's requirement for the continuity of a program content and the user's viewing effect will not be influenced by a fierce change of movement state of the mobile video apparatus.

Abstract: An information recording/reproducing apparatus is disclosed. The information recording/reproducing apparatus includes a recording/reproducing unit that records an information item into, and reproduces an information item from, a recording medium, and a determining unit that determines, when a reproduction error occurs during reproduction of the information item by the recording/reproduction unit, whether the information item is a video data item, and prevents changing a reproduction speed of the recording/reproduction unit during reproduction if the determining unit determines that the information item is a video data item, and allows changing the reproduction speed during reproduction if the determining unit determines that the information items is not a video data item.

Abstract: A media broker includes a communication interface communicatively coupling the media broker to one or more renderers and a controller associated with the communication interface adapted to receive a request from a user of a renderer to play a media item. The media broker further retrieves at least one resume point record associated with the user and the media item and enables viewing the media item at the renderer beginning at the at least one resume point.

Abstract: Enabling complete viewing of selected programming content is provided. In response to receiving an input data stream from a programming service provider, the input data stream is stored in a supplemental storage. In response to a user selecting a programming channel after a program starts to air, the input data stream is stored in a programming storage. Then, the stored data stream is outputted from the supplemental storage to a viewing device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a broadcast receiving apparatus includes a receiving module configured to receive a broadcast signal; a storage configured to store audio files and video files; a reading module configured to determine whether the broadcast signal received is an audio signal or a video signal, and to read a video file or an audio file from the storage according to a result of determination; and a playing back module configured to play back audio and video on the basis of the broadcast signal and one of the video file and the audio file read by the reading module.