Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to a network-based digital video recorder playback adapter. In some embodiments, a request for digital content may be received from a customer device. A plurality of segments associated with the digital content may be received. A content stream may be generated based at least in part on the plurality of segments associated with the digital content. The content stream may be transmitted.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products for providing interactive services used with a time sensitive interactive application are provided. A request is received for interactive services that corresponds to a program. A program identification (ID) for the program is determined. An interactive application that corresponds to the program is determined based on the program ID, where the interactive application has a corresponding interactive application ID. The interactive application ID that corresponds to the interactive application for the program is provided.

Abstract: A PC (11) of the present invention comprises a one-segment broadcast tuner (16), a display output I/F (18) for transmitting, to a TV (21), data of a broadcast program received by the one-segment broadcast tuner (16), and a PC-side relay coordination control section (14) for transmitting a channel code for (i) causing the TV (21) to receive, via a digital tuner (26) or an analog tuner (27), a broadcast program containing same content as the broadcast program being received by the one-segment broadcast tuner (16), and (ii) causing the TV (21) to output data of the broadcast program. Therefore, in a case where an output of the TV (21) is switched from the broadcast program being received by the one-segment broadcast tuner (16) to the broadcast program being received by the digital tuner (26) or the analog tuner (27), a user of the PC (11) can continuously watch a broadcast program containing same content as before the output switching.

Abstract: An example apparatus that processes DTVCC data has a demultiplexer that extracts DTVCC data packets from an DTV signal. A parser receives the DTVCC data packets and parses the data packets by: passing normal DTVCC data to a CC decoder; detecting ancillary data in the DTVCC data packets; and separating the ancillary data from the DTVCC data for output to an ancillary data process. An example apparatus that processes DTVCC data has an ancillary data packager that packages data ancillary to DTV data for insertion into the DTVCC data packets. A DTVCC data packager receives CC data from a CC data source into DTVCC data packets and packages the ancillary data together with the DTVCC data into DTVCC data packets. A multiplexer multiplexes the DTVCC data packets from the DTVCC data packager with non-CCDTV data to produce DTV signal data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An intelligent device is configured to receive a DTV signal that includes audio/visual information as well as data signals in a datacast format. The datacast format includes web pages, e.g., in the HTML (hypertext markup language) format of the world wide web. An intelligent filter modifies itself based on user behavior and user preferences in terms of the web pages that a viewer routinely visits. The intelligent filter is then used to identify certain web pages of the pages that are being broadcast and these identified web pages are stored in a cache memory for later use by the viewer. A second tuner can be used to poll multiple channels when updating the cached contents. Cached web pages avoid broadcast latencies (due to periodic updating) and thereby are displayed faster to the viewer.

Abstract: Provided are method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving broadcasting content. The method of transmitting broadcasting content includes generating metadata including at least one of information about an acquisition route of at least one additional content related to the broadcasting content and information about a target device to use the at least one additional content and transmitting the metadata and a broadcasting signal including the broadcasting content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling service providers to offer businesses to advertise using commercials over streaming video contents to interact with interested consumers on a real time basis are disclosed. Specifically, users who request a video session from the network may be exposed to commercial content while viewing the video content via a television monitor. The present method enables advertisers to display hyperlinks of their web sites to allow users to click on these hyperlinks using a pointer device to activate a web session. The web session would allow users to order products and services or obtain more information from the advertiser.

Abstract: The present invention is intended to link television broadcast content and Web content with each other so that both types of content match the characteristics of television media, and prevent the viewing of television broadcasting from being interrupted. An associated information providing method for providing associated information linked with a video to an audience includes the steps of: receiving select information for selecting the video viewed by the audience and audience identification information for identifying the audience; retrieving locational information on a network of associated information about contents of the video viewed by the audience on the basis of the received select information; and transmitting the retrieved locational information to the audience on the basis of the audience identification information.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for presenting an interactive video ad in a mobile web browser that does not support embedded video playback in the browser. The interactive video ad comprises an overlay of transparent frame and visible elements, wherein the visible elements include instructions on performing a gesture to interact with the video ad. The system generates an HTML underlay, which is a web page with embedded link to continue playback of the interactive video ad and one or more interactivity options. The HTML underlay is displayed when the gesture is performed. Interactions with the video ad can be selected from the one or more options presented by the HTML underlay.

Abstract: Systems, methods and apparatus for a distributed security that detects embedded resource request identifiers. The system can identify requests, such as HTTP requests, and can identify encoded prefix data corresponding to URI prefixes, such as Base64 or Base16 encoded URI prefixes “www.” and “http:”.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus is provided. The signal processing apparatus includes: a memory unit in which a plurality of channels and Internet addresses corresponding to the channels are stored; a network connecting unit which is connectable to the Internet; and a control unit which controls the network connecting unit to connect to an Internet address corresponding to a channel selected by a user and to receive content provided from the connected Internet address.

Abstract: A method of processing a non-real time service of a broadcast receiver includes receiving a signaling information table including additional information on contents configuring a non-real time service and a content identifier for each content, acquiring the additional information on contents and the content identifier for each content from the signaling information table, storing contents being downloaded through a FLUTE or an internet in a storage medium, based upon the additional information on contents and the content identifier for each content, and displaying a list of recordings including the contents stored in the storage medium.

Abstract: Television programming may be annotated with metadata and the metadata may be shared among subscribers. A set-top box may receive, from a server, metadata relating to a television program, the metadata having been created by users of other set-top boxes and at least some elements of the metadata including information describing portions of the television program to which the metadata is relevant. The set-top box may present the metadata during portions of the television program at which the metadata is relevant.

Abstract: Variables incorporated into a hypertext markup language program guide enable location of hypertext elements. Once the variable is located, the information contained within the identified hypertext element may be used to tune to a particular channel.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a content receiving apparatus includes: a first receiver which receives a first identifier of first content from a first external apparatus; a generator which employs the first identifier to generate a second identifier of second content that corresponds to the first content but has different quality from the first content; a transmitter which transmits a content request including the second identifier to a second external apparatus different from the first external apparatus; and a second receiver which receives data of the second content transmitted from the second external apparatus in response to the content request.

Abstract: An auxiliary display device, capable of remotely controlling a set-top box (STB) and/or television to select a program channel, is used to navigate a web browser in the auxiliary display device to a web site associated with the selected channel. A web page associated with the selected channel is presented on a display of the auxiliary display device. When the channel is selected, current tuned channel information is transmitted by the set-top box (STB) and/or television to the auxiliary display device, irrespective of whether the auxiliary display device was used to select the channel. In an alternate embodiment, the STB and/or television forward channel information to the auxiliary display device via a cable head-end.

Abstract: A system and method for providing companion content on a device that downloads content associated with a media presentation playing on a media player and displays the downloaded content at times synchronized to time-offsets (from the start of the program) of the presentation by signals from the media player.

Abstract: A scaling engine, blending mechanism, memory controller, frame buffer and video driver are included within a semiconductor, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), to provide broadcasting of signals at a high resolution format by combining two or more low resolution video signals to create a high resolution signal in real-time High Definition format, such as 1080 p. The high resolution signals can be concurrently displayed as one or more image areas on a display device in any contemplated size, number and arrangement.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may embedding a watermark in media content for presentation at a rendering device using an editor to associate the watermark with one or more metadata pointers that point to additional media content according to an embedded link of the watermark to generate a group of one or more metadata pointers where the watermark includes an embedded link to additional media content used to modify the media content based on a content exchange between the rendering device and a computer. The method may further include storing the group of one or more metadata pointers, where a selection of the watermark invokes access to the altered media content containing the additional media content associated with the watermark, thereby producing the altered media content at the one or more user devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, executed by a processor, for selecting content segments to serve to a viewer based on time-delayed television content viewed by the viewer includes receiving by the processor, a notification for a visit by the viewer to the resource; accessing by the processor, a time-delayed content viewing history; and in response to the notification, identifying by the processor, based on the history, one or more content segments to serve at the resource.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system and method permit an IPTV subscriber to display on a channel of an IPTV network video data from a subscriber video database. The system may include, in addition to the IPTV network and the subscriber database, an IPTV server and an IPTV set top box. The IPTV set top box is configured to receive commands causing the IPTV set top box to retrieve video data from an IPTV subscriber database, display the video data on an IPTV display unit; and to transmit the video data over an IPTV network to an IPTV server. The IPTV server is configured to transmit the video data from the IPTV server over the IPTV network such that the video data is displayable on a channel of the IPTV network.

Abstract: A particular method includes extracting uniform resource locator data from closed-captioning content using a set-top box. The closed-captioning content is included in a broadcast signal received by the set-top box. The method includes generating a web page using the set-top box. The web page includes a portion of the uniform resource data as one or more selectable links. A check box is associated with each of the one or more selectable links. The web page includes a first selectable option to enable each selectable link associated with a checked check box to be added to a uniform resource locator address book. The method also includes sending the web page from the set-top box via a local area network to a device coupled to the set-top box by the local area network in response to a request from the device for the web page.

Abstract: Ingress noise labeling tags are coupled into the signal path at various nodes of a cable network. The tags imprint a unique electric signature into a local ingress noise, making the noise identifiable at the headend of the network. In one embodiment, tags do not require external control signals to operate, the electrical response of the tags being determined by present and/or past magnitudes of the return path signal. Such tags can be made entirely passive, not requiring a control signal or an external source of electrical power.

Abstract: A method of processing a boot sequence for a processor forming a part of a module apparatus involves interrogating a host television device to determine if the host television device requires use of an application execution engine residing on the module apparatus; receiving a reply to the interrogation; and responsive to the reply, establishing a mode of operation wherein the application execution engine is used to execute application code for the host television device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing complete Internet anywhere with partial server processing in which a request is sent from a set-top-box (STB) to a server communicatively coupled with the STB to process a portion of a web page that is unsupported by a web browser running on the STB. In one such method, the STB sends to the server an unsupported content request associated with a portion of a web page that is unsupported by a web browser executing on the STB. The STB receives a data stream from the server in response to the unsupported content request. The data stream was generated at the server by processing the unsupported portion of the web page. The STB composites the received data stream with another portion of the web page, that is supported by the web browser, to produce the web page.

Abstract: In certain implementations, closed captioning data can be packaged in IP packets and transmitted over an HDMI interface to permit closed captioning data to be rendered at a television set or other HDMI sink closer to the TV set rather than at a source so as to more closely match the capabilities of the display device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Enhanced television broadcasts including triggers with expires attributes may be utilized in a variety of situations where the expires attribute may adversely affect the utilization of the trigger. For example, in situations where the broadcast is recorded, playback may be enabled even after the trigger expiration. Similarly, local affiliates or FNOCs may rebroadcast enhanced television content by adjusting the expires attributes of the original trigger.

Abstract: Networks and/or devices for enabling and/or providing live or non-live interactivity with televised programming and/or its viewers and/or fans and/or hosts and/or actors and/or contestants. In certain (non-limiting) embodiments, mobile or handheld devices (e.g., mobile phones or laptops) communicably connected or connectable to networks having platforms thereon for permitting or providing live or real-time interactivity with televised programming and/or its viewers/fans/hosts/actors/contestants. In other embodiments, methods for performing or providing the interactivity described herein. In still other embodiments, software, residing on a data storage device, which directs a processor to perform actions in accordance with and/or to obtain one or more of the objectives of the technologies and methods described herein.

Abstract: Flexibility with respect to access and enjoyment of time shifted content in a content distribution network is provided, especially with regard to content not present on a DVR. A DVR accesses a network storage device over a network for particular portions of content not available on the DVR and the network storage device provides those missing portions. The user may then rewind and playback not only already locally stored content but also that content provided by the storage device. Content can be provided through faster-than-real-time transmissions such that the content is made available to the DVR prior to it being needed for rewind functionality or playback.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for implementation of an interactive television application. Particularly, the invention provides method and system for designing and implementation of synchronized interactive television applications using quick response (QR) code, wherein the quick response (QR) code is used to tag the broadcasted television content. More particularly, the invention provides method and system for decoding the quick response (QR) code at the receiver side to provide a universal resource locator (URL) which hosts augmented services for the content on the interactive television as well as on the secondary communication device.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for receiving and displaying video from both an Internet and a broadcast video source. Also provided is a frame controller for receiving video data from an Internet video stream and from a cable broadcast video stream, the frame controller further in communication with a television display and causing the Internet video stream and the cable broadcast video stream to each be displayed in a separate frame on the television display.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for supporting time shift playback in an adaptive HTTP streaming transmission solution are disclosed. The method includes: sending a live MPD request message to a media server; receiving a response message that includes MPD for a current time period, where the MPD further includes media presentation information for another time period; determining that a moment of a media segment to be requested currently exceeds a time range corresponding to the MPD; acquiring the corresponding MPD according to the media presentation information corresponding to the media segment, and requesting, according to the acquired corresponding MPD, the media segment. In this manner, a client supports time shift playback of a larger time range, and at the same time, the size of the MPD is capable of remaining in an acceptable range.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may embedding a watermark in media content for presentation at a rendering device using an editor to associate the watermark with one or more metadata pointers that point to additional media content according to an embedded link of the watermark to generate a group of one or more metadata pointers where the watermark includes an embedded link to additional media content used to modify the media content based on a content exchange between the rendering device and a computer. The method may further include storing the group of one or more metadata pointers, where a selection of the watermark invokes access to the altered media content containing the additional media content associated with the watermark, thereby producing the altered media content at the one or more user devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system enables dynamic linking between a variety of video formats including television broadcasts, web pages, and video displays which are stored on magnetic or optical media. Each frame of the video information is identified together with a plurality of locations within that frame. The locations selected by the user for example using a pointing device is then used to access associated information either within the system itself or on an external system. Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention, any item on a given frame may be linked initially or thereafter to other information within or without the particular system containing that information.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for processing an email are disclosed. For example, the method receives a statistic associated with the email, calculates a score for the email based upon the statistic, updates an overall score of a sender of the email based upon the score that is calculated, and presents the overall score that is updated to a display device of the sender.

Abstract: A system for providing an interactive look-and-feel in a digital video broadcast via an X-Y protocol is provided. At a head-end, video information is digitized and associated with private data, such as event identifications, X-Y coordinates, link event identification and synchronization data. This information is then transmitted to a receiving end and is input into a set-top box. The set-top box receives the broadcast digital signal and includes a member for receiving the broadcast digital signal and generating a playable signal including indicia of the link data. The playable signal is then played on a playing device. The user is provided with a remote control or similar input device for selecting from the indicia. Upon selection of a desired indicia, the user may exercise the predetermined link associated with the selected indicia in order to obtain the desired playable signal.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and products are disclosed for recommending a social community. A “social community” may be any individual(s), clubs, and/or organizations that have expressed some affinity to terms or subject matter, such as a media identifier. The media identifier identifies some media that is scheduled for recording. A community database is queried for the media identifier, and the community database associates social communities to media identifiers. The social community associated with the media identifier is retrieved. The social community is then sent to a user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving, from a secondary computing device, a request for enhanced content for a media program, the request comprising information indicative of a communication channel through which the media program is being displayed on a primary computing device; receiving broadcast information indicative of enhanced content for a plurality of communication channels; extracting, from the broadcast information indicative of enhanced content for the plurality of communication channels, broadcast information indicative of enhanced content for the communication channel through which the media program is being displayed on the primary computing device; obtaining, based on the extracted broadcast information, a link to enhanced content for the media program; and sending, to the secondary computing device, the link to enhanced content for the media program.

Abstract: An Internet gateway video server transmits selection information to a set top box connected to a television. The set top box displays the selection information on the television. A user views the selection information, and inputs user selection requests to the set top box. The Internet gateway video server receives user the requests for information and retrieves the information. The server then converts the network information from a network format to a television format. The conversion includes scanning the network information for selection elements, and adding selection elements for transmission in the television format. The converted network information is then transmitted to the set top box for display on the television. The user may then make further selections based on the displayed network information.

Abstract: Online video can now be supplied with hyperlinks that are associated with and move with objects in the video. However, online video players tend not to report an accurate frame number, and this results in poor synchronisation of the movement of the hyperlink and the object. We propose that a subset of the pixels in the frame be used to encode a numeric frame identifier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for allowing a mobile device user to forward one or more messages which are received on the user's mobile device, to a television or a set top box are described. The user is able to view the forwarded messages on the television and can also reply to such received messages from the television. The methods and apparatus may be implemented using a message forwarding application installed on a user's cell phone and a server responsible for forwarding messages and replies between the user's Internet capable TV or set top box and mobile telephone. To the party sending a message, replies appear to have originated from the user's cell phone making the use of the service transparent to individuals other than the user to which the message is sent. Message received and sent logs are maintained in the user's phone so the message record is complete.

Abstract: The user can respond to a media segment wherein the media segment may be associated with a schedulable event. Software on the device can then schedule the event into an electronic calendar system, and/or may use data associated with the media segment. At the appropriate time, the electronic calendar system may notify the user of the scheduled broadcast and/or event.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing digital service signals includes a receiving module configured to receive contents having watermarks, where the watermarks are inserted in audio or video frames of the contents, the watermarks carry channel information related to the contents, and content information having URL information for additional data of the contents. An extracting module is configured to extract the watermarks from the audio or video frames, and an obtaining module is configured to obtain the additional data over an IP(Internet Protocol) network using the extracted watermarks.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a receiver configured to receive a request for a Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (DASH) media presentation description (MPD), a processor coupled to the receiver and configured to create the MPD, wherein the MPD comprises a mechanism for specifying a client's behavior, and wherein the mechanism conditions the client's ability to download content on the client's ability to support a feature, and a transmitter coupled to the processor and configured to transmit the MPD. A method comprises receiving a request for a Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over Hypertext Transfer Protocol (DASH) media presentation description (MPD), and transmitting the MPD, wherein the MPD comprises a mechanism for specifying a client's behavior, and wherein the mechanism conditions the client's ability to download content on the client's ability to support a feature.

Abstract: Logical content is defined by start/end times into a VoD media offering. The calculation of byte-range markers corresponding to the start/end times is distributed among the STBs to first request the particular logical content. Upon receiving an initial request for a logical content offering, an IPTV AS returns a VoD media file URL, start/end times, and null values of byte-range markers corresponding to the start/end times. In response to the null values, the initially-requesting STB downloads the entire VoD media file from a Download Media Server, and calculates the byte-range markers by comparing the start/end times to timestamps in non-encrypted headers in the VoD media file. The non-null byte-range markers are transmitted back to the IPTV AS, which provides them to STBs subsequently requesting the same logical content. The subsequently-requesting STBs may download only the logical content by providing the non-null byte-range markers to the Download Media Server.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a transmitter transmits an output packet stream containing non-real time program content, a FLUTE file description table (FDT), NRT service metadata and NRT content metadata. A multiplexer is configured to multiplex the IP packet stream to contain: NRT program content, the FLUTE FDT, NRT service metadata, and NRT program content metadata. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A wireless video camera system including a single or dual HDTV digital camera; a system for the wireless transmission of uncompressed single or multiple SMPTE 292M, HDSDI data streams over an RF band; and automatic self-pointing transmitting and receiving antennas.

Abstract: A set-top box device includes a detector module and an electronic programming guide module. The detector module is configured to detect a closed captioning flag in a video stream, and to cache electronic programming guide information for the video stream if the video stream includes the closed captioning flag. The detector module is further configured to create a closed captioning electronic programming guide including the electronic programming guide information. The electronic programming guide module is in communication with the detector module, and is configured to output the closed captioning electronic programming guide.

Abstract: A device for provisioning, retrieving, and using data guide information transmitted in a digital broadcast signal is disclosed. A receiver receives the digital broadcast signal which includes digital television programming packets multiplexed with data packets and thereafter routes the received signal to a demodulator. The demodulator provides a demodulated signal to a detector which identifies data packets contained therein. A processor then determines the types of data in the data packets, as well as the respective channels on which the identified types of data are transmitted. The processor prepares a menu for a display screen enabling a user to select the channel of interest, and enables the user to be connected accordingly.