Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for editing the content of a broadcast programming signal to provide a proprietary program signal that has been tailored to the preferences of an individual monitoring the broadcast programming signal. Accordingly, the systems and methods of the invention offer computer-integrated television monitoring.

Abstract: A system enables connection information and content description information to be separately transmitted from a broadcaster to a receiver. Thus, the description of the content may be provided to a receiver prior to the time that the information needed to specify the connection to the service such as a channel is known. By uncoupling the content description and connection information, the assignment of connection information may be managed dynamically in the broadcast network.

Abstract: Streaming video data from the video title is delivered to a client from a central server and a proxy server. To reduce the backbone bandwidth required, a portion of the video title is cached at the proxy server where the portion cached is distributed over the video title so as to reduce the peak bit rate required for the central server to send the remaining portion of the video title. The amount cached at the proxy server may be adjusted in accordance with access profile of video titles to improve caching efficiency. The portion cached may be the basic layer in a scalable multilayer approach where only the basic layer may be sent to a client who has limited bandwidth while clients with higher bandwidth capability may also receive the enhancement layer(s) for improved video reception.

Abstract: A master scheduler system and method automatically operate and/or coordinate operation of a plurality of relatively independent systems, including manual systems, to function as an NVOD system to provide automating diverse operations for supporting and maintaining an NVOD system. The master scheduler system and method may also be applied to automate manual processes of analog-based and digital broadcast based service. The master scheduler receives, processes, and disseminates NVOD schedule-related information for end-to-end NVOD service; that is, sending video from a back-end which stores video data to a head-end for viewing by a user. The master scheduler also provides operations support for the NVOD system, such as maintaining the head-end configuration, allocating channels, performing asset management, performing content management, etc.

Abstract: A time-shifted video method has a real-time mode during which real-time video frames are delivered for display. In a time-shifted mode, time-shifted video frames are delivered for display. The time-shifted video frames are delayed relative to the real-time video frames. A real-time frame is paused during a transition from the real-time mode to the time-shifted mode.

Abstract: Different programs are broadcasted in a plurality of channels. A broadcast program which transmits same data in repetition is reserved in such programs to download the data. The GUI part 250 displays EPG data indicating a broadcast time zone of a data broadcast program and the like. When a user select and reserves a program, the virtual program processing part 224 groups the selected program into a virtual program in which priorities interfere each other. The priority processing part 222 assigns a unique priority to each reserved program for each virtual program depending on user's operation. The reception control part 230 controls a broadcast receiving apparatus (not shown) to download data of a program which is assigned the highest priority at each time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering a second transport stream included within a first transport stream and reducing timing anomaly imparted to the second transport stream within the context of a front-end device subject to random access via a data bus, illustratively a PCI bus. A first transport stream is received from a transport medium, the first transport stream having disposed therein packets associated with a second transport stream. The first medium tending to impart jitter to the first transport stream. Those packets associated with the second transport stream are extracted from the first transport stream and adapted to reduce jitter, and launched via a second transport medium, the launched adapted packets forming a jitter-reduced second transport stream.

Abstract: A video data description method. Both feature data of predetermined object and feature data of background area are extracted from a frame of input video. The feature data of predetermined object and the feature data of background area are described as a descriptor of the frame.

Abstract: A method of presenting, at a client terminal, a video program stored in a server linked with the client terminal via transmission path of a limited transmission band width. Each frame of the video program comprises a basic data portion and at least one level of quality supplement data portions. In the method, in response to one of play control commands from a user, the client terminal determines a start position in the video program according to the issued play control command. The play control commands includes a play, a stop, a head search, a jump forward and a jump backward command. In response to the issued play command, the terminal obtains and uses the basic data portions for playing the video program. In response to the stop command, the terminal obtains the quality supplement data portions for the last displayed frame and uses them for displaying a quality-enhanced version of the last displayed frame.

Abstract: A method for further processing data recorded on a computer arranged in a computer network. A quantity of data is recorded on the computer and stored in a memory. A quantity of supplementary data describing a property of the quantity of is generated centrally or peripherally in real time and stored. This quantity of supplementary data is used to specifically access or extract a selected quantity of the quantity of data recorded and stored.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the encoding and storage of signals representing at least image information onto a storage medium is claimed. A source generator is configured to convert the signals into digitized image information. A compressor is configured to receive the digitized image information from the source generator and compress the digitized image. An encryptor is configured to receive the compressed digitized image information from the compressor and encrypt the compressed digitized image information. A storage device is configured to then store the encrypted compressed digitized image information onto the storage medium.

Abstract: A device that detects and displays similar programs within a video system includes a memory, a display and a receiver that receives an input stream of television program content and electronic program guide data, wherein. the program guide data includes a plurality of attributes characterizing television programs within the television program content. The receiver separates electronic program guide data from the input stream while the memory stores the electronic program guide data separated from the input stream. Upon receiving a first user request, a controller compares a first set of attributes relating to at least one television program within the television content with second sets of attributes relating to further television programs within the television program content to determine a correlation between the first television program and each of the further television programs.

Abstract: Command data may be embedded in the data transmitted over an interconnect between video devices to specify memory addresses in a destination device. Using an embedded address allows address-dependent data to be transmitted over the interconnect without losing these attributes. For example, compressed video may be transferred from a disk controller to a memory device using this interconnection protocol without losing address attributes of the bus architecture. The address information may be used either to read data from or to write data to a device over the interconnect into randomly-accessible memory locations.

Abstract: A transmission/reception system for data broadcast comprising: a transmission apparatus transmitting audiovisual stream data for a series of plural programs and plural data broadcasting contents relating to programs, which are multiplexed to each other, and a receiving apparatus receiving the audiovisual stream data and presenting the corresponding program, while superimposing and presenting the data broadcasting content to the audiovisual data. The transmission apparatus starts to transmit the data broadcasting content relating to the program 2, before the time “t0” when audiovisual data should change from the program 1 to 2, and transmits the presentation start instruction message at “t0”. While, the receiving apparatus receives the data broadcasting content relating to the program 2, and performs a process for forming an image, and invisibly presents the data broadcasting content.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention a filtering process is based on the output side of a multimedia decoder. A navigator, located at a server system, monitors the current play position of multimedia content at a consumer system and compares that position with navigation objects. Each navigation object defines a start position, a stop position, and a filtering action to perform on the portion of the multimedia content that begins at the start position and ends at the stop position. When the current play position falls within the portion of multimedia content defined by a particular navigation object, the navigator sends the filtering action to the consumer system for processing. Filtering actions include skipping, muting, reframing, etc., the portion of multimedia content defined by a navigation object. Alternatively, the navigator may be located at a consumer system and the server system may provide access to the navigation objects (e.g.

Abstract: A compact disk player includes a digital storage device which receives and stores two different programs, such as song tracks or the like, at a high rate of speed. Two output devices play back the two different programs at the same time at a slower reproduction rate. The arrangement includes separate controls associated with each output device, permitting different listeners to independently select the particular program played on each output device.

Abstract: A compact disk player employing a high speed digital memory for storing a sample extracted from each program (track) on the disk. A scanning control plays the samples in sequence to a user, who can interrupt the sample playback to select and play the program corresponding to the sample. The digital memory may further store metadata from an external source that describes each program and the metadata may be used to define the location of the samples, and to describe the programs in a program guide which assists the user in selecting desired programs. An archiving mechanism enables the user to build a catalog of all of the programs in the user's collection.

Abstract: A system for accessing a remote processor on a network The system includes a data set relating to a commercial event, embedded in a broadcast. A receiving device responsive to a non-video portion of said broadcast is operable to detect the data set and extracting received data therefrom. A local processor, having an input for receiving the received data, a first memory for storing the received data and an output is operable for accessing a program stored in a second memory for processing the received data. A communication device is coupled to the output and responsive to the program and the received data for facilitating connection of the local processor with the remote processor via said network.

Abstract: Data and/or services associated with a given object are easily searched by using a search system having a global unique object identifier, a metadata store, an input for entering the global unique identifier, a metadata reader for reading a set of metadata including the input global unique identifier from the metadata store, and a metadata search engine for searching for specific metadata by searching for a specific description sentence included in each metadata of the read set of metadata.

Abstract: A content editing assistance system includes a mark generator for generating electronic mark data relating to content data; a take-metadata generator for generating a take-metadata file based on the electronic mark data generated for each take; a manager for managing the content data and the take-metadata file relating to the content data as separate files; a list generator for generating electronic-mark-list data based on the take-metadata file; and an editor for editing the electronic-mark-list data.

Abstract: A circulating memory apparatus and a data storage and distribution system using a circulating recording area effectively and having an improved access efficiency to the circulating recording area are disclosed. A memory area secured in a disk unit is used in circulation thereby to record the time series input data. The time series input data are edited into a data block of a predetermined size including a plurality of subblocks, and written into the disk unit by data block. In response to a request for outputting specific data, the data are read by subblock from the disk unit into a cache memory thereby to selectively output the specific data contained in the subblocks.

Abstract: Video data in the form of a plurality of digitized frames, is stored on a plurality of magnetic disks. Each image frame is striped across a plurality of disks and redundant parity information, derived from the stripes, is written to an additional disk. Disk failure is detected and in response to this detection missing data is regenerated from the parity information. This allows the transfer of video data in real time to be maintained for output so that the system remains operational. While data is being read in real time, derived from regenerated data, the regenerated data is written to an operational disk, thereby reprotecting the data in the event of a subsequent failure. Frame supplied to output are labelled as being protected or unprotected and application programs may respond to this status information as considered appropriate.

Abstract: A copy computer includes a storage device which stores a copy of contents from a distribution computer and a module which creates a copy of updated contents based on a copy request and which sends a copy of contents requested by a search computer to a distribution request computer. The search computer includes a module which searches for a copy computer storing the copy of the contents requested by the distribution request computer, a module which forwards a send request to a specified copy computer, and a module which sends the copy request and the copy contents to a predetermined copy computer when the contents are updated. The copy request gives an instruction to create the copy of the updated contents in the storage device of the copy computer.

Abstract: A video storage environment for a networked multimedia system comprising a plurality of workstations, each with audio and video reproduction and capture capabilities. The video storage environmental comprises one or more storage servers. In one embodiment, each video storage server comprises at least one storage cell. Each storage cell internally comprises at least one storage disk, at least one converter, and at least one storage disk, at least one converter, and at least one storage cell manager. The invention provides for various methods of resource allocation under various conditions and policies where there are pluralities of like entities. The invention also provides for transfers of video files among storage disks anywhere in the storage environment, and provides for the same video file to be used simultaneously by multiple users and types of applications.

Abstract: An addressable tap with channel tier function consisting of housing and a power supply module, a filter and demodulation module, a control module and RF switches inside said housing, which are electrically connected to said control module. Besides, it also includes secondary RF switches and high/low-pass filters. Each of said RF switches is electrically connected to at least to two secondary RF switches, which are electrically connected to said control module separately and at the same time connected to at least two low-pass filters to form a terminal together with said low-pass filters of said RF switch in parallel; Compared with the existing technology, the current invention has the following effects: Filter has high precision; Bandwidth/Channel isolation is higher than 50 dB; it is only necessary to directly replace the existing non-addressable taps in CATV network with the current invention addressable taps without extra wiring. It is easy in installation at low costs.

Abstract: A broadcast program processing apparatus of the present invention enables a user to acquire evaluation data provided by others who have already watched a broadcast program when he or she intends to play back the recorded broadcast program to watch it. A broadcast program receiving apparatus (10) records the broadcast program received from a BS/CS tuner (13) or a terrestrial tuner (18) on an HDD (24). Before playing back the broadcast program, the broadcast program receiving apparatus acquires the evaluation data concerning the broadcast program provided by others using a cell phone connected to a cell phone unit (22) over a network. The acquired evaluation data is outputted in connection with the recorded broadcast program using an OSD circuit (28). The user can determine whether he or she wants to watch the broadcast program with reference to the evaluations made by others, before playing back the broadcast program to watch it.

Abstract: An ADTap status collect, verification device that can be used in CATV addressable taps is featured by: a fed-back signal monitor located at the front of addressable tap and a fed-back signal detector; Said monitor consists of a receiving circuit, a CPU and radio frequency (RF) transmitting circuit. Said receiving circuit and radio frequency (RF) transmitting circuit are electrically connected with the CPU separately; Said detector consists of radio frequency (RF) receiving circuit, CPU and displaying circuit; said radio frequency (RF) receiving circuit and displaying circuit are electrically connected to CPU; Said monitor and detector are linked for communications. Compared with the existing technology, the present invention has the following effects: by way of supervising the cutting-off status of RF switches of the addressable taps capable of payment collection management, full management on payment collection can be realized. It is easy in management at low management costs.

Abstract: An addressable tap with illegal channel detection and cutting-off function consisting of a housing and a power supply module, a filter, a control module and RF switches inside said housing, which are electrically connected to said control module, is featured by: It also includes a tuning device, which can isolate random checking signals input at the front end of CATV channels. Said tuning device is electrically connected to said control module. Compared with the existing technology, the current invention has the following effects: high reliability and promptness in cutting off illegal signals; easy replacement of circuit board of the existing traditional non-addressable taps installed for enhancement to realize channel detection and cutting-off function. As this invention addressable tap can substitute the non-addressable taps in CATV network directly without separate wire laying, it is very easy in installation with very low enhancement costs.

Abstract: In a video archiving and processing method, plural low-resolution video data streams in different formats are generated from an incoming stream of high-resolution video frame data. One of the low-resolution video data streams is a storyboard in the form of a low-resolution video data stream wherein successive frames each correspond to a respective different scene of the high-resolution video frame data. This storyboard is generated by a computer programmed to automatically identify scene changes in successive frames encoded in the video frame data.

Abstract: A method of video splitting and distributed placement scheme for clustered video servers including defining a network packet format for the streaming media and the distributed control file formats for the clips; obtaining the information of streaming media files, getting the basic information of streaming media files and accepting the preliminary splitting requirements of users; defining the placement strategy of clips, obtaining the placement requirements configured by users; analyzing the streaming media files and generating the lists of splitting tasks; running the splitting tasks. According to the number of the clips requested by users, the job is to created multi-threads and each thread processes a splitting task; clips transmission and storage. According to the placement strategy of clips, the job is to transfer the clips to the corresponding storage nodes.

Abstract: A system for managing storage accesses for rate guaranteed continuous data streams and non-rate-guaranteed storage requests may include a plurality of rate guaranteed requestors for data streams and one or more non-rate guaranteed requestors. A disk scheduler for the system may have a guaranteed rate queue for queuing storage requests from the rate guaranteed requestors and a non-rate-guaranteed queue for queuing requests from the non-rate-guaranteed requesters. The disk scheduler may include a bandwidth allocator coupled to the guaranteed rate queue and the non-rate-guaranteed queue. The bandwidth allocator may be configured to allocate bandwidth of a storage system between the guaranteed rate queue and the non-rate-guaranteed queue according to a predetermined ratio. The rate guaranteed requestors may be limited so that an aggregate of maximum stream rates guaranteed for each rate guaranteed requestor does not exceed the portion of the bandwidth allocated to the guaranteed rate queue.

Abstract: A video on demand (VOD) system (100) for use in a distributed network environment. The distributed network environment contains a number of geographic networks (400A-400N) that are divided into a plurality of tiers (305-1 to 305-N), which are allocated to content providers (225). A content provider (225) provides content to the network with a tier assignment. The content is received pursuant to the assigned tier. Identification information, such as Categorization Information, is provided with and/or associated with a content file. The identification information may be updated at any time, independently of the content.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide a selected video segment to customer premises equipment. A request is received from the customer premises equipment for transmission of the selected video segment. A copy of the selected video segment is transferred to one of a plurality of buffers. One of the plurality of buffers is mapped through a routing network to a port interfaced with the customer premises equipment. The selected video segment is transmitted from the one of the plurality of buffers through the routing network and port to the customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A removable memory device is inserted into a channel information source computer, such as computer connected to the Internet, and channel map information is downloaded to it. The removable device is then removed from the source computer and engaged with a television to download the channel map into the television, thereby avoiding prolonged autoprogramming by the television's receiver.

Abstract: Digital multimedia is broadcast by a wireless provider by first decoding incoming multimedia streams and then encoding each stream using one of at least two encoding parameter sets as appropriate for the particular user or groups of users to receive the stream.

Abstract: A system and method for employing multiple editors in the creation of self-presenting multimedia documents that include real-time video and time-insensitive media such as graphics and text. The real-time and time-insensitive media may be synchronized or otherwise driven by timing information. The real-time video may be recorded in a studio, at a workstation, or via other facilities, edited there or elsewhere, and brought together with separately authored time-insensitive media (such as graphics and text) created with a entirely different and unrelated editor dedicated to such media. In addition to such formal information presentation, the multimedia document may also accurately record an ad hoc video teleconference involving datasharing. Further, the multimedia document can take the form of a multimedia mail message.

Abstract: Encoding and decoding of video and non-video information may include creating a second symbol from a first codeword. TERC4, TMDS and/or a guard band symbols may be generated from a portion or all of the second symbol during transmission. The TMDS symbol and/or the guard band symbol may be encoded so that they may be combined within a single symbol. At least a portion of the first codeword may be TMDS encoded to generate a TMDS symbol for transmission. TMDS encoding of at least a portion of the second symbol may also generate a TERC4 symbol and/or a guard band symbol for the transmitted signal. The second symbol and the first codeword may be generated from a portion or all of a received signal. The first codeword may be a 4-bit pre-TERC4 codeword, while the second symbol may be an 8-bit pre-TMDS symbol.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for legally copying and dispensing music, video games, feature movies and other multimedia onto blank digital media (such as disks, e.g., CDs or DVDs) from a local source inside the apparatus or from a remote source accessible via a data line. The system receives and transmits multimedia updates from a remote information source, and transmits transaction information to a remote server that supports and compiles data for an entire network of apparatuses, while respecting copyright royalty requirements and viewer restrictions based upon age. The system provides for the rental (as well as the physical and electronic return of disks) and sale of disks, and each apparatus may prepare its own inventory by recording media titles onto blank disks. The apparatus verifies the age of the user prior to dispensing certain age-restricted media titles.

Abstract: Multiple videos in a particular set are distributed for local storage at central offices. Each of the videos is distributed to at least one but not all of the central offices. An order for a selected video from the set is received from a customer served by a first of central offices. If the selected video is not stored by the first central office but is stored by a second of the central offices, the selected video is downloaded from second central office to the first central office, and communicated from the first central office to the customer.

Abstract: A method of organizing and playing back at least a first and a second movie stored in a data storage media is disclosed, wherein the movies are stored in the data storage media each in the form of a number of self-executable multimedia files, and at least one executable multimedia file of the first movie includes machine-readable control information which, when read, directs an executable multimedia file of the second movie to be next executed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing digital services in a peer-to-peer environment in which broadband back-channel communications from a client to a central server and broadband peer-to-peer (client-to-client) communications are not available. A plain old telephone service (POTS) is utilized to enable relatively slow modems associated with client set top boxes to communicate latency tolerant information with one another at relatively low data rates. An application is broadcast from a head end server to client device subscribers. The application creates or includes a data structure comprising a state for an interactive game, bulletin board or other application in which a number of users are interested in being apprised of changes to the data structure representing the game or bulletin board.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a media library controller that can communicate with multiple physical libraries that are physically separate from each other. The media library controller can maintain a virtualized aggregate media library representing the physical media libraries with which it is in communication. From the physical media libraries, the media library controller can establish a virtual media library and associate a host with the virtual media library. The virtual media library can represent the portions of a physical media library to which the host is allowed access.

Abstract: The present invention, generally speaking, provides a broad-based solution for acquisition, processing and distribution of media objects including pictures (images), movies, videos, graphics, sound clips, etc via the Internet or the like. And specifically, it is a solution to such systems for use in applications wherein there are multiple originators of media objects that will be viewed in multiple web sites having different viewing requirements. A browser-based Aprepare and post@ tool prepares and submits media objects from inside a standard browser to a remote server. A Media Acquisition, Processing and Distribution (MAPD) system receives these media objects, processes them to meet specific requirements, and delivers them for integration into remote databases. MAPD system services include media object submission, processing, hosting and mirroring. The hosting service delivers a media object URL to a remote database, allowing the media object to be requested and served by the media object server.

Abstract: A television program is stored in a digital storage format for downloading to end viewers. The television program is made inactive for downloading in a first blackout period associated with its first broadcast on a broadcast television network. The television program is made inactive for downloading in a second blackout period associated with its second broadcast.

Abstract: A video on demand (VOD) asset management system (100). Content is moved within the VOD system in accordance with predetermined variables such that certain content, such as that which is in high demand, is located on a server (120, 125) which is nearer to a subscriber (130), and content which is in lesser demand is located on a server (110, 115) which is more remote from the subscriber. Content may also be duplicated or moved within the system based upon other variables such as demographics of the subscriber, whether there is an advertising campaign for the content, and the age of the content.

Abstract: An interactive television commerce system, includes a video broadcast distribution network having multiple in-band channels and an out-of-band data path. A video on demand server stores a plurality of product video clips. Each of the plurality of product video clips is stored in association with a respective unique clip identifier and has video images promoting a specific product and associated interactive data embedded in the video images. A commerce transfer point server broadcast, via a first of the multiple in-band channels, a first commerce related video program having video images promoting multiple different products and associated interactive data embedded in the video images, and the unique clip identifiers associated with those of the stored plurality of product video clips having video images promoting the multiple different products promoted in the video images of the first commerce related video program.

Abstract: An Internet-based video feed management system controls, manages, and efficiently administers the commercial distribution of live video feeds from on-site video cameras as well as other sources of video feeds to production companies at other locations. The system employs a network of local video-propagation servers located in different localities for receiving the video feeds from the different source locations, and a master authorization server for receiving and granting requests via Internet from requesting parties for access to any of the video feeds transmitted to the video-propagation servers. The master server issues an access code to the requesting party and establishing a unique publishing point for the requested video feed from the video-propagation server handling the feed. The on-site video cameras can supply live video feeds to the requesting parties, or the video feeds can be transmitted to a video-propagation server for storage and later re-transmission.

Abstract: A queuing architecture and method for scheduling disk drive access requests in a video server. The queuing architecture employs a controlled admission policy that determines how a new user is assigned to a specific disk drive in a disk drive array. The queuing architecture includes, for each disk drive, a first queue for requests from users currently receiving information from the server, and a second queue for all other disk access requests, as well as a queue selector selecting a particular first queue or second queue for enqueuing a request based on the controlled admission policy. The controlled admission policy defines a critical time period such that if a new user request can be fulfilled without causing a steady-state access request for a particular disk drive to miss a time deadline, the new user request is enqueued in the second queue of the particular disk drive; otherwise, the controlled admission policy enqueues the new user request in a second queue of another disk drive.

Abstract: Systems and methods that securely buffer content are provided. In one embodiment, a system may include, for example, a processor and a memory. The memory may be coupled to the processor. Before content leaves the processor for the memory, the processor may secure the content. After the secured content enters the processor from the memory, the processor may recover the content from the secured content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing duplicate recording of a broadcasting program on a recording unit of a TV using additional information included in broadcasting signals.