Abstract: Systems and methods for retaining synchronization between a CMTS core and an RPD when the RPD loses synchronization to a timing grandmaster, where both the core and the RPD are configured for individual synchronization in a slave configuration to the timing grandmaster, by operating the core as a boundary clock that sends timing information to the RPD.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for location-tracked media delivery. For example, a particular consumer premises has multiple media consumption devices, each located in a different room of the premises. One or more media streams being consumed via one or more of the media consumption devices can be tracked. As one or more consumers move through the premises, their respective physical locations in the premises can also be tracked with respect to media consumption regions of the media consumption devices. By detecting movement of the consumers with respect to the consumed streams and the media consumption devices, embodiments can automatically provide various features. For example, streams can automatically be transferred or cloned among the media consumption devices, and/or streams and devices can be adapted automatically to facilitate some continued media consumption in some dead space regions.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to reduce signature matching uncertainty in media monitoring systems are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to compare first neighborhoods of monitored signatures representative of monitored media with second neighborhoods of reference signatures representative of respective reference media to determine a first sequence of matching results for an observation period, the first and second neighborhoods to have respective sizes that span a first number of signatures.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. Disclosed example systems include a first processor to collect (i) first media identification data corresponding to a first time period and (ii) second media identification data corresponding to a second time period after the first time period, the first media identification data and the second media identification data associated with a monitored location. Disclosed example systems also include a second processor to (i) develop behavior data based on the first media identification data and people meter data collected during the first time period with a people meter associated with the monitored location and (ii) identify an audience member associated with the second media identification data based on the behavior data and without access to any people meter data corresponding to the second time period.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products described herein may allow for the capture of a user's reaction to an advertisement. The reaction may be verbal or may take the form of a gesture. Once the reaction is captured, the reaction may be interpreted to infer whether the user's opinion of the advertised product or service is positive. The opinion may be combined with metadata that is associated with the advertisement. The metadata may include the identity of the product or service being advertised and/or may include the identity of the advertiser, i.e., the producer or source of the product or service. The combination of the user's identity information, the metadata, and the user's opinion may collectively represent the user's interest in the advertised product or service. This interest information may be saved in a wish list or shopping list for the user, and may be stored via a network at a location removed from the user, i.e., “in the cloud.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device receives an input corresponding to a request for information about a user-specified topic. In response, the electronic device displays information about media that is relevant to the user-specified topic, including concurrently displaying: a representation of respective media that is available for viewing on a first set of applications, the electronic device having a second set of applications downloaded on it, and a respective selectable user interface element associated with the respective media. In some embodiments, if the second set of applications includes at least one application in the first set of applications, the respective selectable user interface element is selectable to initiate a process for launching a respective application of the first set of applications.

Abstract: A method transmits configuration information including a set of events that define when a media program player should send information regarding playback of an advertisement during an advertisement break in a media program. Also, the method transmits, to the user device, advertising control options configured to be output on the user device. A user selection for a control option in the advertising control options is received from the user device, wherein the control option controls sending of an advertisement to the user device during the advertisement break. The method then receives advertisement viewing data describing a viewing of the advertisement on the user device, wherein sending of the advertisement viewing data by the media program player is triggered based on an event in the set of events occurring at the media program player.

Abstract: A server system accesses a branding profile that includes one or more demographics associated with the user. The system selects an advertising campaign in accordance with the one or more demographics. The advertising campaign includes a pool of multimedia advertisements and a pool of questions, and is associated with a subset of the one or more demographics. The system selects a multimedia advertisement from the pool of multimedia advertisements and a question from the pool of questions. The question is associated with a plurality of predefined answers to the question. The system transmits, to a client, instructions that cause: the multimedia advertisement to be presented by the client device; the question to be presented by the client device concurrently with the multimedia advertisement; and an affordance to be provided corresponding to each of the predefined answers to the question. The system receives a response and updates the branding profile accordingly.

Abstract: Systems and methods for active acoustic compensation in proximate theaters are disclosed herein. Such a system can include a first theater including a first content presentation system and a second theater including a second content presentation system. The system can include a processor in communicating connection with the first content presentation system and the second content presentation system. The processor can be controlled to: direct presentation of first content in the first theater via the first content presentation system; direct presentation of second content in the second theater via the second content presentation system; identify an impending first acoustic event in the first theater; and control the second content presentation system to generate a second acoustic event to mitigate the detectability of the first acoustic event in the second theater.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example system including means for collecting audience identification data and first media identification data during a first time period, the means for collecting to stop performing data collection after audience member behavior data has been developed based on the first media identification data and the audience identification data, means for accessing second media identification data during a second time period, the second media data collected via a service provider, means for developing the audience member behavior data based on the first media identification data and the audience identification data, and means for identifying an audience member associated with the second media identification data based on the audience member behavior data.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first media data and audience identification data via a metering device. Audience member behavior data is developed based on the first media data and the audience identification data. Second media data is accessed after the metering device has been removed. The second media data is collected by a service provider associated with the second media data. The removal of the metering device occurring after the audience member behavior data has been developed. Audience members associated with the second media data are identified based on the audience member behavior data.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, devices and computer-readable mediums for image fetching for timeline scrubbing of digital media. In some implementations, a method comprises: receiving at a first time prior to receiving a scrub command, a first set of scrub images associated with digital media, the first set of scrub images having a first set of positions on a timeline of the digital media; receiving a first scrub command; receiving at a second time after the first time, a second set of scrub images associated with the digital media, the second set of scrub images having a second set of positions on the timeline that fill time gaps in the first set of positions on the timeline; animating, a timeline overlay including the timeline, a playhead and a scrub image window; and selecting a scrub image from the first or second sets of scrub images for presentation in the scrub image window.

Abstract: Signals to be used for receiving a service according to position are appropriately selected from a plurality of positioning signals received by a moving device. A device capable of being used while moving and of receiving a service according to a position to which the device has moved comprises: positioning means for, based on positioning signals for location identification separately received from a plurality of positioning devices, determining their respective positional information; holding means for holding positional information determined by the positioning means for each type of the plurality of positioning devices; and notification means for, regarding positional information newly determined by the positioning means, determining with reference to the holding means whether to provide notification of the position in order to receive the service or not, and providing the notification according to the determination.

Abstract: An intelligent television, methods for displaying content, and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with an application panel allowing for navigation, categories, favorites, and search options that enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device. The intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television without obstructing the user from viewing content displayed on the screen of the intelligent television.

Abstract: This application discloses a system and method for the delivery of television programming comprising of: a video source connected to a subscriber network to transport a primary video signal; a message source connected to said subscriber network to transport a supplemental video signal; wherein the primary and supplemental video signals are combined to display the primary and supplemental video signals concurrently. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the subscriber receives discounts relative to the amount of supplemental video signal that is viewed by the subscriber.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first media data. Audience identification data is collected with a people meter. Audience member behavior is developed data based on the first media data and the audience identification data. Second media data is collected after the people meter has been removed, the removal of the people meter occurring after the audience member behavior data has been developed. Audience members associated with the second media data are identified based on the audience member behavior data.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved method and apparatus to collect and provide viewer feedback to broadcasts. According to one aspect of the present invention, a rating is generated for a broadcast by a server system. The rating is based at least in part on viewer feedback to the broadcast, and the rating indicates a likelihood of interest in the broadcast for potential subsequent viewers. Access to the rating is then provided so that predications can be made as to whether or not the broadcast will be of interest to potential subsequent viewers. According to another aspect of the present invention, the rating is provided from the server system to an entertainment system, and the broadcast can be selected for viewing at an entertainment system based on the rating generated by the server system. In one embodiment, the viewer feedback is received at the entertainment system in response to a feedback questionnaire.

Abstract: The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). In certain arrangements, identification of audio or visual content to which the user is being exposed is determined—in part—using information about one or more other people who are known to be present with the user. Information about the user's current location, or about the user's previous activities, can also be used in inferring the identity of content to which the user is currently being exposed. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: There is provided a content editing apparatus, content editing method and program capable of easily and rapidly extracting sections corresponding to a reproducing operation of content data. The content editing apparatus includes an operation input processing unit 104 into which a reproduction operating command of content data is input by a user and a record controlling unit 108 for recording operation data corresponding to the reproduction operating command input into the operation input processing unit along with a reproduction position of the content data in a recording medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for gathering audience measurement data relating to exposure of an audience member to audio data. Audio data is received in a user system and is then encoded with audience measurement data. The encoded audio data is reproduced by the user system, picked up by a monitor and decoded to recover the audience measurement data.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first media data and audience identification data, the audience identification data being collected by prompting audience members in the monitored household to self-identify using a meter while the audience members are exposed to first media provided by a first media system. Audience member behavior is developed data based on the first media data and the audience identification data. The meter is deactivated after the audience member behavior data has been developed. Second media data is collected after the audience member behavior data has been developed without collecting audience identification data, the collecting of the second program identification data occurring while the audience members are exposed to second media. The audience members associated with the second media data are identified based on the audience member behavior data.

Abstract: A cable television system with integrated social streaming. The cable television system with integrated social streaming includes a set-top box in communication with a camera and/or a microphone that allows video and/or audio communication over a social streaming channel offered by the cable provider. The cable television system with integrated social streaming provides an interactive experience for a set-top box user by allowing the user to participate in video and/or audio conversations with friends on supported social streaming services.

Abstract: A multimedia device includes a first image sensor to acquire a first image, a second image sensor to acquire a second image, and a processor to determine coordinate information of the person in the first image and to extract a feature of the person in the second image based on the coordinate information. The first and second image sensors have overlapping fields of view, the coordinate information provides an indication of a distance to the person, and the processor compares the extracted feature to reference information and recognizes the person based on the comparison.

Abstract: Example systems and methods to wirelessly meter audio/visual (A/V) devices are disclosed. A disclosed example method receives media content from an A/V source device, embeds a video overlay in the wirelessly received media content, and wirelessly transmits the media content and the video overlay to the wireless A/V device. The example method wirelessly receives audience identification information in response to the transmitted video overlay, and wirelessly receives audience behavior information.

Abstract: During the display of video content to a viewing audience, a system receives feedback information from the viewing audience concerning the displayed video content. At a later time and based on the feedback, the system substitutes portions of a downloaded data stream with different content.

Abstract: A method of recommending media content for a media playing system includes identifying a user in a viewing area; determining whether personal information of the user is stored in a database; and generating information related to a first media content recommendation according to the personal information when the personal information of the user is stored in the database.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for identifying computer systems being used by viewers of television programs is presented. An audio signal received from a microphone of a television metering device is monitored, where the audio signal corresponds to audio of a television program presented on the television set and audio tones generated by computer systems of viewers of the television set. The audio signal is analyzed to determine an identifier for the television program being presented on the television set and to identify an audio tone generated by a computer system of a viewer of the television set. An identifier of the computer system associated with the audio tone is determined. An identifier for the television metering device, the identifier for the television program, and the identifier of the computer system is transmitted to a server.

Abstract: A method for controlling an image display apparatus includes determining a type of a video signal included in an input signal, determining whether three-dimensional (3D) format information is included in the input signal, if the video signal is a 3D video signal, requesting 3D format information about the video signal to a server that stores 3D format information, if the input signal does not include the 3D format information about the video signal, and processing, upon receipt of 3D format information from the server in response to the 3D format information request, the video signal according to the 3D format information and displaying a 3D image based on the processed video signal.

Abstract: In a method for selecting one of a plurality of channels, a channel selecting device that is coupled to a television device stores at least a channel statistical data of total watching time of each of the channels. In the method, immediately after the television device is turned on, the channel selecting device selects a preferred channel from the plurality of channels, which has been watched most frequently, according to the channel statistical data.

Abstract: A multi-functional display device having a channel scan interface and a method of controlling the same are disclosed herein. The method may include registering a first individual at the multi-functional display device to create an account that is associated with at least one first social network service (SNS) account for the first individual. A menu may be displayed for selecting among a plurality of channel scan modes for scanning channels of the multi-functional display device, including a channel scan mode for broadcast content and SNS content. For channel scan mode for SNS content, information for at least one second SNS account for a second individual associated with the at least one first SNS account may be retrieved, and a channel number assigned to the at least one second SNS account.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide smart media selection to a set of one or more individuals at a location associated with a display device of a receiver system is provided. In example embodiments, an indication of a presence change at the location is received. User specific information associated with the set of the one or more individuals identified as being at the location is accessed. A recommendation playlist based on the user specific information is generated.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for execution in a digital-media content playback device is provided, in which a digital-media content stream is received that includes a plurality of digital-media content provided by at least one digital-media content service. For a playback of each of the plurality of digital-media content via the digital-media content playback device, a playback duration is determined, and a churn rate based on the playback duration relative to the airplay parameter of the corresponding digital-media content to indicate a digital-media content switch by a user. The churn rate of a digital media content-of-interest is produced based on churn rates of a plurality of digital-media content to produce a retention rate relating the digital media content-of-interest. Digital-media content information is transmitted by the digital-media content playback device including the playback duration, the churn rate, and the retention rate relating to the digital media content-of-interest.

Abstract: A method, performed at a computer system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs executed by the one or more processors, includes receiving respective first set-top box (STB) information from a first plurality of STBs. The first STB information received from a respective STB in the first plurality of STBs includes tuning information for the respective STB in the first plurality of STBs, and power status information for a respective display device coupled to the respective STB in the first plurality of STBs. The method also includes storing the first STB information, and determining a viewership metric for the first plurality of STBs based on the tuning information and the power status information in the first STB information.

Abstract: A method of selecting a factor for estimating characteristics of viewers who view a same content is disclosed. This method includes: storing a multi-layered hierarchal list of attribute words expressing viewer attributes, each of which is a candidate of the factor; extracting the attribute words from the same content; generating a first vector indicative of frequencies with which the attribute words occur in the same content; for a successively-selected one of the attribute words, successively generating a second vector indicative of frequencies with which the attribute words occur in ones of sets of learned-text information which contain the successively-selected attribute word; calculating a similarity score between the vectors on a per-attribute-word basis; and selecting one of the attribute words as the factor, which is associated with subordinate attribute words on a lower layer, based on a dispersion level of the similarity scores calculated for the subordinate attribute words.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to detect a portable media storage device (PMSD), present media content supplied by the PMSD, present a survey to appraise the media content; receive a survey response, and transmit the survey response to a survey collection system identified by the PMSD. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: There is provided an online broadcasting system for providing virtual co-presence to broadcast audiences. The online broadcasting system may comprise a plurality of user terminals, a user reaction processing server and a broadcast server configured to transmit broadcast program data to the user terminals. The user terminals may be configured to: display a broadcast program based on the broadcast program data; receive individual user reaction data from a user input interface; and transmit the received individual user reaction data to the broadcast server.

Abstract: A system receives an indication of selection of an item in a broadcast segment from an end device. A broadcast segment is identified by the selection and a broadcast segment schedule. An item ID is determined using the identified broadcast segment and the broadcast segment schedule, and a corresponding sponsor of the item is determined using the item ID and the identified broadcast segment. An anonymized message, including the item ID and a request for information, is sent to the corresponding sponsor. A reply is received from the corresponding sponsor, and forwarded to an end user contact.

Abstract: A method for data communication is provided and may include, at a communications terminal, displaying picture objects and/or video objects received from a media center via a communications network. The communications terminal may transmit direction of view information (DoV) of at least one eye of a user of the terminal with respect to the displayed objects from an eye tracker at the communications terminal. The DoV may be determined by detecting a position of a pupil based on light reflected off of the pupil. Subsequent picture objects and/or video objects may be displayed by the communications terminal based on user interests determined from the transmitted DoV information. The DoV information may be determined using: a beam splitter, a lens, and a position sensing diode which receives light from the lens which has been received from the beam splitter, wherein the position sensing diode outputs a signal to the eye tracker.

Abstract: A method is provided for a personalized content delivery system. The method includes detecting a viewing activity of at least one user of a content-presentation device capable of presenting multiple programs in one or more channels, and determining a plurality of user identities of the at least one user. The method also includes discovering available video contents for the at least one user based on the plurality of user identities, and determining personalized video contents for the at least one user by merging the plurality of user identities. Further, the method includes recommending the determined personalized video contents to the at least one user, and delivering the recommended personalized video contents to the at least one user such that the personalized video contents are presented on the content-presentation device.

Abstract: A television includes an image capturing unit to capture images in front of the television. Faces in the captured images are recognized to generate a face recognition result. When a condition for switching television programs is determined to be met according to the face recognition result, one or more program tables are searched to find a currently aired television program that is suitable for the current audience. The television is switched to a channel playing the found television program.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device, including a controller to: transmit a client program having a graphical user interface (GUI) to a media device operating in an interactive television (iTV) network, wherein the client program presents a symbolic overlay that superimposes onto media content received by the media device and enables the media device to associate commentary with the media content received at the media device; and conduct searches for one of consumer products or consumer services associated with the media content based on the commentary regarding the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for estimating demographic compositions of television audiences from audience similarities. In an aspect, pairwise cosine similarities of segment of viewers of rated and unrated television programs are determined, demographic information of rated programs is attributed to the unrated programs from the cosine similarity measures and demographic information for the rated programs.

Abstract: An interactive system is provided in which information is displayed in response to the entry of the digits of a channel number. The interactive system may be implemented on a television, a computer, or a radio system. The displayed information may be program listings information such as the channel designator or the program currently airing on the channel. The displayed information may also be a list of channels. The list of channels may be associated with the entered digits, may be component channels, or channels of the same type and may be sorted by various techniques such as numerically, by favorite channels, by type, etc. The interactive system may allow a user to specify a source identifier to channels from different sources and display the channels with the source identifier when they are entered.

Abstract: A user interaction request is received during playback of video content. The user interaction request can be received independent of any indication from the video content that user interaction is possible. In response to receiving the interaction request, one or more menus are displayed allowing the user to select one or more reaction options and to select whether the selected one or more reaction options are to be communicated to another user or to a content provider.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to count audience members are disclosed. An example method includes determining a first viewing count of a number of times that a first person was historically logged in to a measurement apparatus during a day part; determining a second viewing count of a number of times that a second person was historically logged in to the measurement apparatus during the day part; determining, using a processor, a first probability that the first person is in a current audience based on the first viewing count and the second viewing count; and when the first probability satisfies a probability threshold, prompting the audience to enter user identification.

Abstract: A mechanism to evaluate the geographic popularity of geographically-located user-generated content is presented. A method to evaluate the geographic popularity of geographically-located user-generated content includes receiving a user-generated content item having metadata indicating a geographic location of the user-generated content item, determining geographic location metadata of each of a plurality of views of the content item, calculating a view geographic entropy of the content item by dividing the plurality of views across multiple geographic regions while taking into account the geographic location of the content item, and providing the calculated view geographic entropy of the content item for presentation in a visual display that is part of an analytical report of the content item.

Abstract: A system measures a frequency with which a user views a television program and identifies the television program as one of the user's favorite programs based on the measured frequency. The system automatically records, without intervention of the user, the one of the user's favorite programs.

Abstract: A media viewing method and system monitors user interaction with an electronic program guide. An awareness engine collects data generated by the user interaction and forms awareness indicators and information. The awareness information is output to end users and is indicative of which users in a social circle are accessing (e.g. viewing, playing, or recording) or have accessed which media works. Some output enables user-to-user interaction. The media works may be supplied by cable television, satellite television, online or global computer network sources.

Abstract: Network content delivery apparatus and methods based on content compiled from various sources and particularly selected for a given user. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the content sources include DVR, broadcast, nPVR, and VOD. The user-targeted content is assembled into a playlist, and displayed as a continuous stream on a virtual channel particular to that user. User interfaces accessible through the virtual channel present various functional options, including the selection or exploration of content having similarity or prescribed relationships to other content, and the ability to order purchasable content. An improved electronic program guide is also disclosed which allows a user to start over, record, view, receive information on, “catch up”, and rate content. Apparatus for remote access and configuration of the playlist and virtual channel functions, as well as a business rules “engine” implementing operational or business goals, are also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer programs provided for metering and accounting in a commercial e-services infrastructure address the requirement for handling composite services in which higher-level services are built using simpler underlying services, each of which may be autonomously owned and operated. Metering records for each service underlying a composite service are correlated by a process associated with the composite service, and then sent to an accounting service where they can be aggregated. The correlation is performed in a distributed manner with correlated usage data provided on a per-request basis. Accounting services can take account of the usage and charges associated with the underlying services to provide accounting and billing on a per-request basis or per customer-provider pair for a billing period.