Abstract: A device may include a storage device and a processor. The storage device may be configured to store video programs and advertisements. The processor may be configured to display a graphical user interface that provides a list of video programs and advertisements stored in the storage device, receive a user selection of a video program and advertisement in the list of video programs and advertisements, provide the advertisement to a content presentation device for user viewing, track whether the device plays the advertisement, determine a number of credits for playing the advertisement, and credit the user account based on the number of credits.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a group identity for an audience associated with an event, accessing a plurality of announcements, identifying at least one announcement of the plurality of announcements based on the group identity, and providing the identified announcement to the audience at the event. The group identity is indicative of at least one characteristic of the audience. The plurality of announcements are processed to identify at least one announcement that approximately matches the group identity.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for characterizing media are described. In one example, a method of characterizing media includes capturing a block of audio; converting at least a portion of the block of audio into a frequency domain representation; dividing the frequency domain representation into a plurality of bands; determining a characteristic difference of a first band of the plurality of bands based on a comparison of a characteristic of the first band and a characteristic of a second band different from the first band, wherein the characteristic of the first band occurs at a time that is different than a time at which the characteristic of the second band takes place; and determining a signature bit based on a characteristic difference. Other examples are shown and described.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and recognizing audio broadcasts is described. The system includes a plurality of geographically distributed monitoring stations, each of the monitoring stations receiving unknown audio data from a plurality of audio broadcasts. A recognition system receives the unknown audio data from the plurality of monitoring stations and compares the unknown audio data against a database of signature files. The database of signature files, or index sets, corresponds to a library of known audio files, such that the recognition system is able to identify known audio files in the unknown audio stream as a result of the comparison.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes a system and method for tracking local telephone numbers. In some implementations, a method of tracking local TV ads includes receiving tracking information for a TV advertisement from a plurality of geographic regions. The TV advertisement are presented in each geographic region with a local telephone number. Metrics associated with the TV advertisement are determined for each geographic region using the tracking information. One or more Web pages are populated with at least one or more metrics for presenting to an advertiser.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a scheduling order per category is disclosed. A scheduling order can be designated for the delivery and playback of multimedia content (e.g., music, news, other audio, advertising, etc) with respect to particular slots within the scheduling order. The scheduling order can be configured to include a forward order per category or a reverse order per category with respect to the playback of the multimedia content in order to control the scheduling order for the eventual airplay of the multimedia content over a radio station or network of associated radio stations. A reverse scheduling technique provides an ideal rotation of songs when a pre-programmed show interferes with a normal rotation. Any rotational compromises can be buried in off-peak audience listening hours of the programming day using the disclosed reverse scheduling technique.

Abstract: A user request to watch a program is received in response to a promotion for the program. One or both of recording the program and playback of the program is performed. Information regarding one or both of the recording and the playback is output, this information including an identifier of the promotion. Additionally, a report can be generated from this information output by multiple devices, the report describing the recording of the program and the playback of the program on the multiple device in response to the promotion.

Abstract: Activity involving content distributed in a first content distribution channel, such as viewership of a content item, is used to determine how related content, such as another content item, should be distributed in a second content distribution channel. The determination can be made based on a model of the relationship between activity in the first content distribution channel and activity in the second content distribution channel. Distribution information regarding how the related content is to be distributed can be created or modified based on the determination, and the related content can be distributed according to the distribution information for the related content.

Abstract: Firmware is installed in a cable modem, enabling detection of the presence or absence of a cable trap in the feed of a customer location. Such a cable modem includes a trap-detection module and a trap-detection object. The trap-detection module is configured to determine whether a video signal is present at a cable-television frequency. The trap-detection object is configured to store data as to whether the video signal is present. For example, a first piece of data is stored if the video signal is present, indicating absence of a properly functioning cable trap between a cable head-end and the cable modem. A second piece of data is stored if the video signal is absent, indicating presence of a properly functioning cable trap between the cable head-end and the cable modem.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for identifying individuals in a multimedia stream originating from a video conferencing terminal or a Multipoint Control Unit, including executing a face detection process on the multimedia stream; defining subsets including facial images of one or more individuals, where the subsets are ranked according to a probability that their respective one or more individuals will appear in a video stream; comparing a detected face to the subsets in consecutive order starting with a most probable subset, until a match is found; and storing an identity of the detected face as searchable metadata in a content database in response to the detected face matching a facial image in one of the subsets.

Abstract: A method may provide an interactive video program to a user, receive, by a video client, audio data from a microphone based on the user's interactive speech during the interactive video program, and send, by the video client, the audio data to another device to verify at least one of that the audio data corresponds to the user or that the user completes the interactive video program.

Abstract: A method for managing the detection of advertising sequences in a stream of information stored on a mass memory module of an electronic apparatus, the information stream corresponding to an extract of a television program, the information stream including a first set of information corresponding to a content to be rendered and a second set of information, corresponding to the advertising sequences, the information stream including at least one set of video information, and teletext type data, and subtitle data associated with the stream, the method including analyzing the video information for detecting a format transition in the images associated with the video information; optionally storing a first address information corresponding to the detected transition, and validating a first detection condition; analyzing the teletext type data for detecting an absence, and then a presence, of teletext subtitles associated with the video information, optionally storing a second address information corresponding to t

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement (100) for storing and playing back TV programs, in particular to the improved method and device (100) for operating a PVR, in particular a network PVR (102). The inventive device for storing and playing back the TV programs comprises means for selecting a storable TV program, means (102, 108) for recording a TV program and means (104, 102, 108) for playing back, in a time delayed manner, said recording during a recordable TV program. Said arrangement also comprises means for determining the beginning time of transmission of the recordable TV program and means for determining the total advertising duration which passes on the screen during the TV program transmission. Said invention makes it possible to determine, as soon as possible, a time to start an advertising-free playing back according to the beginning of transmission, the total duration of the advertising and to advise a user thereabout.

Abstract: An information signal is received, which includes a main information content signal carrying the contents of the information, a CM portion signal carrying commercial messages (CM) and an information mode discriminating signal used for discriminating information modes of the main information content signal and the CM signal from each other according to the contents. A video signal is encoded per plurality of several video frames, the video signal including the main information content signal and the CM portion signal. The encoded video signal is recorded in a storage medium. The video signal is reproduced, during the recording, from the storage medium while the CM portion signal is skipped. The received main information content signal and CM portion signal are recorded in the storage medium. The information mode discriminating signal is recorded in the storage medium or another temporary storage medium.

Abstract: A portable device includes solid-state memory, an Ethernet and/or wireless network connection, and an HDMI. The portable device receives content guide data from a first server and displays a content guide on a display. In response to a user's selection of a content item, the portable device requests the content item over the Internet from a second server. The portable device receives the content item, stores the content item in solid-state memory, generates display signals that represent the content item, and sends the display signals to a display. The second server may match the content item with relevant advertisements based on keywords associated with the content item and the advertisements. The second server may send selected advertisement URLs to the portable device. Using the URLs, the portable device may obtain the advertisements over the Internet and cause the display to display the advertisements in conjunction with the content item.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for sending targeted advertising data, the method including monitoring in a plurality of data communications networks, single sign on (SSO) subscriber event data from a first SSO subscriber end user device and a second SSO subscriber end user device, calculating product interest correlation scores in a plurality of advertising categories for an SSO subscriber advertising profile based on the monitoring SSO subscriber event data, selecting advertising data in at least one of the advertising categories from an advertiser database based on the SSO subscriber advertising profile, selecting a format to deliver the selected advertising data to a third SSO subscriber end user device and sending the targeted advertising data to the third SSO subscriber end user device. A system and a computer program are disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for providing an interrelationship between a processor and data structure data.

Abstract: A user request to watch a program is received in response to a promotion for the program. One or both of recording the program and playback of the program is performed. Information regarding one or both of the recording and the playback is output, this information including an identifier of the promotion. Additionally, a report can be generated from this information output by multiple devices, the report describing the recording of the program and the playback of the program on the multiple device in response to the promotion.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes a node to which content is distributed via a network and a distribution management server for managing a content distribution status. The node receives content, detects an information amount of received content, and, on the basis of the detected information amount, outputs a distribution completion notification indicative of a reception status of corresponding content. On the other hand, the distribution management server receives the distribution completion notification for each node, and stores the received distribution completion information for each node.

Abstract: A method of embedding data into an audio signal provides a data sequence for embedding in the audio signal and computes masking thresholds for the audio signal from a frequency domain transform of the audio signal. The masking thresholds correspond to subbands of the audio signal, which are obtained from a masking model used to compress the audio signal. The method applies the masking threshold to the data sequence to produce masked data sequence and inserts the masked data sequence in the audio signal to produce an embedded audio signal. A method of detecting data embedded in an audio signal analyzes the audio signal to estimate the masking threshold used in embedding the data and applies the estimated masking threshold to the audio signal to extract the embedded data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for verifying content distribution authority. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for broadcast content for a broadcast feed from a requestor. In response to the request, specifying verification content for inclusion in the broadcast feed, the verification content being scheduled for presentation at a specified time. The broadcast feed is monitored for presentation of the verification content at the specified time. In turn, a determination is made whether the verification content was presented by the broadcast feed at the specified time. In response to determining that the verification content was presented by the broadcast feed at the specified time, the requestor is verified as an entity having content distribution authority over the broadcast feed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying audiovisual sequences, typically advertisements, carried out by a device provided with means for the reception and recording of said sequences. A display scenario is sent to the device. Said scenario comprises groups of data made up of sequence identifiers and at least one time display window. Following the reception of a signal which typically announces an advertising spot, the device selects a sequence whose associated time display window includes the present moment and displays it. Usual behavior of the user is stored by the device which plans the display of said sequences when the user is not normally present during the planned time window. In an advanced form, the time window is broken down into periods and the scenario specifies a number of displays of the sequence during said period. The invention also relates to a device which can receive a scenario and run it in order to select sequences and display them according to the display method.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a Media Expiration System (MES) that improves upon current content control systems by better managing media recordings. The MES enables media owners to disable recordings of their broadcast content and/or advertising, locally, after the content has been recorded by a consumer. In one embodiment, the MES places expiration stamps into broadcast media as it is recorded by a consumer electronics device. The MES tracks viewing habits, enables the purchasing of extended views of programs, and removes expired media programming content. The manner and way in which this is achieved results in the expiration of stale media content.

Abstract: To address the requirements described above, a method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for providing advertisements with a media program transmitted to a user computer. The method permits the user to provide survey responses in exchange for viewing a media program with fewer advertisement, and permits the user to manage the survey responses.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for monitoring audio-video (AV) streams transported over a network. The system may include at least one AV probe configured for installation at a network node. The at least one AV probe may be configured to receive an incoming AV stream at a native frame rate and to capture at least one thumbnail of the incoming AV stream at a sampling rate which is less than the native frame rate to form a thumbnail stream. The at least one AV probe may be further configured to timestamp and transmit the thumbnail stream, and to forward the incoming AV stream substantially in real-time. The system may further include at least one monitoring engine operatively connected with the at least one AV probe, the at least one monitoring engine configured to receive the thumbnail stream, capture AV data from the thumbnail stream, and transform the AV data into a visual representation of AV stream quality of experience (QoE).

Abstract: The current invention allows the distribution of content material to and from digital tuner. The advertising medium also provides royalty to the content material owners for the users “use” of content.

Abstract: An advertising control method is described. The method includes receiving an advertisement identification message (AIM) (127) at a first mobile device (125), sending the AIM from the first mobile device to a content display unit (CDU) and storing the AIM in the CDU, selecting at least one content item from among a plurality of content items based, at least in part, on at least one stored AIM, the stored AIM being stored in the CDU, and displaying the selected content item on the CDU. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An advertising control method is described. The method includes receiving an advertisement identification message (AIM) at a first mobile device, sending the AIM from the first mobile device to a content display unit (CDU) and storing the AIM in the CDU, selecting at least one content item from among a plurality of content items based, at least in part, on at least one stored AIM, the stoned AIM being stored in the CDU, and displaying the selected content item on the CDU. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems for monitoring advertisements. A system for monitoring advertisements in a broadcast television channel in accordance with the present invention comprises a sound level monitor for monitoring an audio level of a first broadcast television channel, a data tagger, coupled to the sound level monitor, for tagging a start and an end of an advertisement segment within the first broadcast television channel, and a receiver, wherein when the receiver is first tuned to the first broadcast channel and then tuned to a second broadcast channel, an on-screen display is displayed on a monitor displaying the second broadcast channel, the OSD being displayed when the end of the advertisement segment within the first broadcast channel occurs.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for allocating a dynamic advertisement according to audience ratings. The method includes selecting an advertisement broadcast to be transmitted based on broadcast viewing information of users and a transmission condition, and providing the selected advertisement broadcast.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a content providing system, a receiving apparatus and method, a storage medium, and a program, which enable to perform a variety of contents provisions. An operational terminal 21 can obtain, from a storage terminal 1, contents corresponding to utilization information sent from an operational terminal 11 that is receiving provision of predetermined contents from a storage terminal 1. That is, if a user 23 is interested in contents that a user 13 is watching and listening to on the operational terminal 11, and desires to watch and listen to it, the user 23 can watch and listen to on the operational terminal 21, the contents that the user 13 is watching and listening to, by holding the operational terminal 21 very close to the operational terminal 11, or holding the operational terminal 11 very close to the operational terminal 21.

Abstract: A system for scheduling and transmitting messages is disclosed. The system stores a plurality of audio files in an audio database, generates a schedule of queued messages via the plurality of audio files, transmits the queued messages based on the schedule, and reconfigures the schedule based on a user interaction delivering the queued messages in accordance with the reconfigured schedule. A scheduled plurality of messages can be transmitted in a clear and professional manner. Additionally, “ad hoc” messages can be incorporated into the schedule without significantly disrupting the other messages.

Abstract: The present invention verifies the transmission of a data stream, such as an advertisement, to a receiver in a data network, such as a television set in a cable television network. In particular, the present invention develops and stores a data stream fingerprint prior to transmission of the data stream. During transmission of the data stream, a verifier compiles the fingerprint from the transmitted data stream and compares it to the pre-developed and stored fingerprint. If the fingerprint signal characteristics are within predetermined parameters, the transmission is considered successful.

Abstract: Methods and systems for post-processing video to identify interests based on clustered user interactions are provided. A client application program running on a set-top box is provided to enable a user to interactively select a point of interest within video content being played via the set-top box. The selected points of interest of multiple users is aggregated, and clusters of the points of interest are determined. Objects associated with the clusters are determined by analyzing video segments containing the clustered points of interest. Messages related to the objects are created and sent to the relevant users that indicated selection of points of interest which correlate to the objects.

Abstract: Many digital media methods are detailed. In one, consumers are provided incentives for viewing commercials. In another, charges for entertainment content are assessed based on the percentage actually rendered to a consumer. Signature data can be derived from the advertisements and entertainment content to implement such methods. A variety of other features and arrangements are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes switching, by a media content access subsystem, from a program stream to an advertisement stream in response to a switching instruction received by the media content access subsystem, detecting, by the media content access subsystem, a predetermined number of markers included within the advertisement stream, the predetermined number of markers indicative of an error associated with the advertisement stream, and switching, by the media content access subsystem, from the advertisement stream to another media content stream in response to the detecting of the predetermined number of markers. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Set top box logs are received from a television provider and processed to identify channel tunes and channel tune times. The channel tunes and channel tune times of the log data can be compared to expected air times of television advertisements on channels, and an impression values, e.g., projected viewers, can be generated for each television advertisement.

Abstract: An information management apparatus presents an unexpected event to all users. This apparatus displays time ranges of scheduled events from the start time to the end time along a time axis based on an operation performed to schedule the start time and end time of the events. Further, this apparatus displays a time range of an unexpected event along the same time axis on the same screen based on an operation corresponding to a start of the unexpected event such that the time of the operation is set as a starting point and the time range of the unexpected event is extended as time elapses until an operation corresponding to an end of that unexpected event is performed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a broadcast program are provided. The apparatus includes: a signal processing unit which generates an audio/video (A/V) file, an application file, and a first electronic program guide (EPG) file by appropriately processing a plurality of A/V signals, application information, and EPG information, respectively, which are included in an input broadcast program transport stream; a synchronization unit which receives the A/V file, the application file, and the first EPG file from the signal processing unit, generates storage information for the A/V file and storage information for the application file, and converts the first EPG file into a second EPG file comprising the storage information for the A/V file and the storage information for the application file; and a storage unit which stores the A/V file, the application file, and the second EPG file.

Abstract: When advertising information is included in a received broadcasting wave, viewer attributes which have previously been registered in an IC card is collated with a target ID added to the advertising information, and the advertising information (icon) in which both of them coincide is selected and displayed (S3, S4). When there is a requesting operation of detailed information, the detailed information is obtained by link information. The detailed information can be obtained from the broadcasting wave (S11, S12) or can be obtained from a homepage via the internet (S17, S18). The detailed information is displayed in place of the picture plane of a program. When a viewer requires to finish the display, the display of the detailed information is finished (S14, S20). When the detailed information is displayed, the presence of the request for the detailed information is recorded as a history.

Abstract: The a method and apparatus is disclosed for collecting information about network (Internet) users for determining advertising to be presented to the users. User profiles may be determined, and advertising is selectively provided by comparing user personal information in such profiles with a desired demographic profile. The advertising may be presented in combination with the users playing games. User responses to advertising are used for evaluating advertising effectiveness. Test marketing of products, and advertisements may be performed.

Abstract: A method for managing television advertisements. The method includes determining if a subscriber has reached a minimum level of advertisement viewing and curtailing the service level of the subscriber if the subscriber does not maintain the minimum level of advertisement viewing.

Abstract: In an interactive broadcasting system, television programming may be broadcast with interleaved web content information. The progress in broadcasting the web content information over one or more transports and over one or more channels within those transports, may be monitored to provide a time based indication of what content has been broadcast. In one embodiment, markers may be inserted into the data transmission flow and a method may be utilized to associate a handle with a particular marker. A method may be called which obtains the handle and another method may be utilized to invoke the handle to obtain current information about broadcast transmissions. This information may be used within a broadcast encoder or may be provided to a content provider, for example, through a log-in server.

Abstract: A data structure defines a target profile for each ad which target profile specifies characteristics of a request to which the ad may be provided in response. An ad server delivers one or more of the plurality of payloads in response to a request from a target. A payload priority is assigned for each of the payloads as a function of a delivery goal of the payload and as a function of the number of times the payload has been delivered to a target. A particular payload is selected for delivery to the particular target as a function of the particular characteristics and as a function of the payload priorities.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video analyzer includes a still image detector, a characteristic detector, and a boundary position detector. The still image detector detects a still image in video frames of content including video and audio data, and create a still image group of substantially the same still images. The characteristic detector includes at least one of a monochrome detector that detects a monochrome video frame in the video frames of the content and a silence detector that detects a silent portion in which the sound volume of the audio data is lower than a predetermined threshold. The boundary position detector detects a position where the type of the content changes based on information on at least one of the monochrome video frame and the silent portion contained in a segment where the still image group is present and a segment where no still image group is present.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a visual image signal for verification of visual content contained in the visual image signal being displayed on an electronic display may include forming a verification code associated with the visual content. A visual verification code signal representative of the verification code may be generated. The visual image signal inclusive of the visual content and the visual verification code signal may be generated, where the visual image signal includes the visual verification code signal so as to be visible to a human eye when displayed. The visual image signal may be displayed.

Abstract: A system and method for supplying selected advertising to gamers accessing games suppliers over communications networks including mobile networks. Data on the user's geographic location and personal profile are used to select the advertising. The selected advertising is displayed in the game either on screen borders or at selected intervals in the game.

Abstract: A user is prompted during television commercial breaks to depress one or more pushbuttons on a television remote control at certain times to confirm that the user is watching the advertisements. A set top box connected to the television receives and decodes the signal from the remote control. When the user responds properly to a prompt, the set top box increments a tally maintained in the set top box memory to accumulate points by which the user can earn rewards.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a Media Expiration System (MES) that improves upon current content control systems by better managing media recordings. The MES enables media owners to disable recordings of their broadcast content and/or advertising, locally, after the content has been recorded by a consumer. In one embodiment, the MES places expiration stamps into broadcast media as it is recorded by a consumer electronics device. The MES tracks viewing habits, enables the purchasing of extended views of programs, and removes expired media programming content. The manner and way in which this is achieved results in the expiration of stale media content.

Abstract: A detection apparatus includes a tuner tuned to the program and a meter coupled to the tuner and arranged to detect content ancillary information from the program tuned by the tuner. The content ancillary information may be a media link, closed captioning information, or the like. The meter may also be arranged to extract a broadcast signature from the program. A comparator compares the broadcast signature to a reference signature selected from a library of reference signatures based upon the content ancillary information. Broadcast signatures from unknown programs may be clustered at least partially on the basis of the content ancillary information.

Abstract: A signal monitoring apparatus and method involving devices for monitoring signals representing communications traffic, devices for identifying at least one predetermined parameter by analyzing the context of the at least one monitoring signal, a device for recording the occurrence of the identified parameter, a device for identifying the traffic stream associated with the identified parameter, a device for analyzing the recorded data relating to the occurrence, and a device, responsive to the analysis of the recorded data, for controlling the handling of communications traffic within the apparatus.