Abstract: A system may present video content with a data scroll on a video display device. The data scroll may include data scroll items that are automatically and consecutively presented on the video display device. Each of the data scroll items may include information associated with a particular topic. The system may receive a selection of a softkey corresponding to one of the data scroll items, retrieve, in response to receiving the selection of the softkey, additional content corresponding to the particular topic associated with the one of the data scroll items, and present the additional content on the video display device.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of operating an administrator device to facilitate the participation of participants in an event comprises receiving passages of free text from response devices operated by participants; automatically aggregating and displaying the received passages of free text in a free text input region of a display of the administrator device; receiving a user selection of a said passage of free text and copying that selected passage of free text to a response prompt region of said display; generating an output to display the free text in the response prompt region to said participants; receiving a user input via a first clickable icon displayed on said display and, in response, accepting responses from response devices; receiving a user input via said first or a further clickable icon displayed on said display and in response stopping acceptance of further responses from response devices; and automatically aggregating and displaying the accepted responses in a result region of said display a

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided for conducting a polling event. A central server computer system determines a polling event is to be conducted and associates one or more inputs from a beverage container with a corresponding selection. The central server computer system transmits a polling prompt message to the beverage containers to display a prompt for a user to select between a first selection and a second selection. An input is received at the beverage container indicative of the selection by the user. The input may be based on a gesture movement of the beverage container. The selection is communicated to the central server computer system which, based on receiving selections from the participating beverage containers, determines the poll results. The poll results are displayed on one or more public displays or communicated, via a network, to a wireless communication device associated with a user of the beverage container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing targeted advertisements for linear television is provided herein. During operation a client device will determine whether or not an advertisement opportunity duration is known, unknown, or variable. Based on this determination, advertisements that best match the advertisement opportunity duration will be chosen via separate algorithms. More particularly, a first algorithm will be used to choose advertisements when the advertisement opportunity duration is known, a second algorithm will be used to choose advertisements when the advertisement opportunity duration is unknown, and a third algorithm will be used to choose advertisements when the advertisement opportunity duration is variable.

Abstract: A camera can be associated with each conference participant endpoint. The camera, either frame or video-based, can monitor and detect one or more of gestures, facial recognition, emotions, and movements of the conference participant. Based on the detection of one or more of these triggering events, a correlation to an action corresponding the triggering event can be evoked. For example, if a participant raises their hand, e.g., a triggering event, the system can recognize that this is a request to speak. The participant can then be queued in the system based, for example, relative to other participants' requests. When the other participants have finished speaking, and it is the time for the user who raised their hand to speak, the system can optionally queue the user by modifying the endpoint with which they are associated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transmission apparatus for distributing a content to a client, including a question generation section configured to generate question information representative of a question regarding liking of a user of the client, and a transmission section configured to transmit the question information and provider side answer information representative of an answer set by a provider which provides the content to the question regarding the liking of the user to the client.

Abstract: Apparatuses, system, method, and storage medium for crowd game are disclosed. A series of missions forming a crowd game are outputted to a display device, each mission specifying a task for spectators of an event. A result for a mission is determined on the basis of participation and/or reaction by the spectators for the task. A total result for the crowd game is determined on the basis of the results for the missions.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of operation involves two operations. The first operation involves receiving feedback information from a viewing audience concerning a displayed video content. After receipt of the feedback, substituting portions of a downloaded data stream with video content selected based on the feedback information.

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

Abstract: Methods and systems enable mobile TV providers to select programs for broadcast based on viewer preference indications or votes. Information regarding candidate programs or content may be broadcast and displayed on mobile devices. A voting user interface may receive viewer preferences or votes and transmit vote information to the mobile TV broadcast network using a unicast network. Received voting information may be tallied to select a program or content for broadcast. Interim vote tallies may be broadcast to mobile devices until a voting session is terminated. Results of the voting session may be broadcasted followed by broadcast of the selected program.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for confirming that a viewer viewed multimedia content on a client device. A multimedia content owner uploads multimedia content on a server. The client device receives the multimedia content from the server and plays the multimedia content on a display screen of the client device. A random challenge is presented to the viewer by overlaying the random challenge on the multimedia content. A response for the presented random challenge is invoked from the viewer. A correct or partially correct response from the viewer confirms that the multimedia content has been viewed by the viewer. A response report is generated based on the response from the viewer. The viewer is credited with an item of value and the multimedia content owner is debited a fee, if the response report confirms the multimedia content was viewed by the viewer.

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: User polling associated with an interactive broadcasting platform includes maintaining a list of one or more existing request posts associated with content. The existing request posts are posted by one or more users associated with an interactive broadcast platform. A new request post is received from another user associated with the interactive broadcasting platform with the new request post being associated with the interactive broadcasting platform. Votes are received from a group of users. The group of users include any of the one or more users, the another user, and other non-posting users associated with the online broadcasting platform. The votes are associated with at least one of the one or more existing request posts and the new request post. A score is determined for the existing request posts and for the new request post according to a function that includes the votes received from the group of users.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver has a storage device and a processing device. The storage device is configured to store a questionnaire received from at least one service provider of a digital broadcast system, and answers to the questionnaire. The questionnaire comprises a data structure common to at least two service providers. The processing device is configured to manipulate the questionnaire and answers. The questionnaire pertains to viewer preferences, demographics, and interests (PDI) information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allowing a user to interact with a station so to have input into the selection of media to be broadcast. The user is able to vote on selections within a media library. The station tabulates the votes and broadcasts the highest ranked selection based on vote totals. The user is able to view the voting in real time and add additional votes, either positive or negative, to influence the ranking or can interact in other number of ways. The media can include audio or video broadcast over the internet via an internet radio station or through other types of networks.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate secure content sharing between a plurality of receiving devices, such as set-top boxes. One embodiment is a system with a distribution server communicatively coupled via a satellite communication system to a plurality of set-top boxes that are located at different customer premises. The distribution server is operable to provide access control information via the satellite communication system to a first set-top box and a second set-top box of the plurality, with the access control information enabling the first set-top box to securely share content of the first set-top box with the second set-top box. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation of interactive radio programming. A moderator of an interactive radio program uses a moderator client to digitize and transmit a radio program with enhanced content to a moderator server through a wide area network. The moderator server uses the digitized radio program and the enhanced content to generate an interactive radio program for transmission to participants in the interactive radio program. The complete interactive radio program is transmitted to participant clients over the wide area network. An audio portion of the interactive radio program may be transmitted over a conventional radio network as well.

Abstract: A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination.

Abstract: A viewer may directly interact with a 3D object that is virtually placed in a physical location in a video scene. Initially, the object appears as an integral part of the original video scene and does not interfere with the general viewer's experience of the program. A viewer may initiate interaction with the object using an input device. An interested viewer may navigate through the object's architecture based on the viewer's interest. For example, the viewer may drag the object to a new physical insertion point in the scene. The user may rotate the 3D object into different orientations and zoom in. Each orientation of the object, if selected by the viewer, may invoke a new linked object in the predefined architecture. For example, the viewer may walk through the linked objects in the predefined architecture or observe an object at an increasing level of detail.

Abstract: An interactive program system includes a device that receives program data and Enhanced TV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) data associated with an interactive application; identifies the EBIF data; converts the EBIF data to a data format compatible with a user device; generates an EBIF notification based on the EBIF data; transmits the EBIF notification to the user device; and transmits the converted EBIF data to a network device. The user device communicates with the network device based on the EBIF notification and displays the converted EBIF data. The user device transmits input data to the network device and the network device provides interaction data to the device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a distributed audience response for a broadcast records a response from a participating client of a broadcast and transmits the response to an audience server. The audience server combines the response with responses from other participating clients of the broadcast, and the combined response is then transmitted to a receiving client for playback in synchronization with the broadcast. Intelligible speech can be removed from the combined response. The participating client can be part of a group of clients of the broadcast, where the responses from the group of clients are combined and played back. A participant can invite certain other participants to “sit next to” him or her, where the responses of the invitees are configured to be intelligible over the combined response.

Abstract: A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination.

Abstract: A data stream is provided to a user in which a number of data streams may be integrated together at proper times within the data streams. For example, a first data stream may be displayed for a user while a second data stream may be received. The second data stream may be determined to contain data content corresponding to the first data stream in a particular temporal relationship. Based on a determination of various parameters or characteristics of the first and/or second data stream, the second data stream may be integrated into or combined with the first data stream at a desired time point within the first data stream to create a combination data stream. The combination data stream may be presented to the user.

Abstract: The MEDIA CONTENT BASED ADVERTISING SURVEY PLATFORM APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS (“AD-SURVEY”) transforms user advertisement exposure data via AD-SURVEY components, into ad effects data including user responses to survey questions. A system is disclosed, comprising: a memory; a processor disposed in communication with said memory, and configured to issue a plurality of processing instructions executable by a processor for obtaining TV program schedule listing data including a plurality of ad tags at a server; providing the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile device, receiving a user media program selection message from the user mobile device; retrieving an ad tag associated with the user selected media program from the TV program schedule listing data; querying a survey question list based on key terms extracted from ad contents; generating and sending a survey question to the user mobile device; and obtaining a user reaction to the survey question.

Abstract: A novel approach enables an event-based framework for evaluating a media instance based on key events of the media instance. First, physiological responses are derived and aggregated from the physiological data of viewers of the media instance. The key events in the media instance can then be identified, wherein such key events drive and determine the viewers' responses to the media instance. Causal relationship between the viewers' responses to the key events and their surveyed feelings about the media instance can further be established to identify why and what might have caused the viewers to feel the way they do.

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: Aspects of the present invention place a second object contained within an overlay atop a first object in a first video stream. Suggested positions at which to place the second object atop the first object are received from a plurality of viewers in a first group of viewers of the first video stream. A consensus position at which to place the second object atop the first object is calculated based on the suggested positions. The second object is placed atop the first object at the consensus position. The first and second objects are transmitted to a second group of viewers of the first video stream after a delay period.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing interactive content. The method may include sending, from a media device, a request for one or more interactive applications to a first content source that is distinct from a second content source that provides video content to the media device. The request may indicate one or more locations to be polled for the one or more interactive applications. The method may include generating, at the media device, a menu of selectable interactive applications displayable at a display device. The selectable interactive applications may include one or more available interactive applications identified by the first content source in response to the request.

Abstract: In a communication system in which comments that are input following the progress of played contents are shared between a plurality of user terminals, for each comment which is transmitted from a user terminal, a comment server associates comment attribute information which shows the attributes of the comment with comment identifying information and stores these and extracts from the plurality of stored comments those comments which have comment attribute information specifying that they are to be delivered to the user terminal, and delivers these to the user terminal. When a comment which follows the playing of contents is input, the user terminal transmits to the comment server that comment and the comment attribute information which shows the attributes of the comment and which it has itself transmitted.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed to facilitates programming of a recording device. A client system is operatively coupled with the recording device, which, for example, is programmed and/or configured to record selected audio and/or visual broadcast programming. The client system receives a message, such as in the form of electronic mail (email) or another suitable form, from a remotely located computer. One or more tokens are associated with the message for providing program criteria indicative of selected audio and/or visual programming, which may be employed to program the recording device for recording broadcast programming based on the token.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow for the distribution of a requested program to a consumer device via a high-bandwidth connection. Consumers cast votes for requested programs via communications channels other than the high-bandwidth connection. A portion of the high-bandwidth connection is allocated to a number of programs, including the requested program. An instruction is subsequently transmitted to the consumer device to thereby allow the consumer device to receive the requested program from the allocated portion of the high-bandwidth connection.

Abstract: A production facility receives program content from a plurality of broadcast feeds over the Internet. In an embodiment, the production facility comprises server on a computer network, such as the Internet. The server comprises computer programs configured to manipulate the audio and video data of the multiple program contents. At the production facility, the program content can be manipulated to produce a production. Program manipulation can comprise at least one of green screen technology, music, graphics, Foley, sound effects, voice over, advertising, or the like. The production is broadcast over the computer network to viewers, where the viewers receive the production. In an embodiment, the production is customized based on the viewers' input received while broadcasting. In other words, the production is customized in real time based at least in part on the interaction of the production with the viewers.

Abstract: An e-mail firewall applies policies to e-mail messages between a first site and second sites in accordance with administrator selectable policies. The firewall includes a simple mail transfer protocol relay for causing the e-mail messages to be transmitted between the first site and selected ones of the second sites. Policy managers enforce-administrator selectable policies relative to one or more of encryption and decryption, signature, source/destination, content and viruses.

Abstract: An ECG server for providing ECG information about a program to broadcast receiving terminals and user terminals includes an ECG information storage unit for storing the ECG information including attribute information, an emotion information acquisition unit for acquiring emotion information representing emotions of viewers about content of the program displayed by the broadcast receiving terminals via at least one of the information acquisition terminals, an emotion information analysis unit for analyzing at least one piece of the acquired emotion information, and an ECG unit configuration unit for configuring an ECG unit by associating at least one piece of the ECG information with the program and associating at least one piece of the acquired emotion information with the program based on attribute information of the ECG information to suit analysis results of the emotion information. Accordingly, viewers can be lured to view the program by inviting viewers to view the program.

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: A content item comprising a plurality of segments is selectively rendered by selecting at least one segment of a content item having objectionable content, step (205); issuing an alert prior to rendering said selected at least one segment, step (207); and rendering said selected at least one segment if a user does not indicate an objection against having said selected at least one segment rendered, step (213).

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 invention is embodied in a technique for broadcasting content data from a broadcaster (including a multicaster) to a plurality of clients. After a client receives content data from the broadcaster, a plurality of available proxy servers may be contacted for post-processing after the content data broadcast is determined. The client subsequently randomly selects one of the available proxy servers to contact for post-processing after the content data broadcast. The client may further randomly select a delay time within a contact interval for the selected proxy server, at which time the client contacts the selected proxy server at the delay time to initiate post-processing.

Abstract: A broadcast signal having reward and broadcast (programming and/or advertising) content is broadcast, and viewers provide reward responses in response to queries in the broadcast content. Viewers also provide consumer data associated with the reward response provided. Rewards may then be awarded based on the accuracy of the reward response as well as the utilization of the associated consumer data provided.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for sharing multi-media content among a plurality of users in a computer network comprises creating a plurality of user accounts, each of said user accounts corresponding to one of the plurality of users, and having a plurality of interactive features including a first feature that permits the user to upload the multi-media content to the computer network; forming a user network including one or more of the plurality of user accounts in communication with one or more other user accounts and to the uploaded multi-media content via the computer network; categorizing the uploaded multi-media content in accordance with the subject matter of the uploaded multi-media content; organizing the uploaded multi-media content in a competitive format; and establishing a hierarchy for the uploaded multi-media content within the competitive format as a function of a competitive measurement system.

Abstract: A computer voting system arranged to receive votes from one or more mobile communications devices through a wireless personal area network in order to select content stored on the system, each mobile device comprising a mobile device name that can be edited by a user to include a user-entered vote, the system comprising: inputs arranged to receive one or more mobile device names; a processor arranged to analyse the or each device name to determine the presence of user-entered votes; storage apparatus arranged to store content; and an output arrangement arranged to output content; wherein the processor is further arranged to determine the content to be output by the output arrangement based on the or each user-entered vote.

Abstract: A system for and method of providing subscriber voting interaction. The system and method may include outputting program content data via a network, wherein the program content data comprises a plurality of images, receiving, from one or more of a plurality of subscriber systems, voting data that indicates a subscriber's vote for at least one of the plurality of images, aggregating the received voting data, and outputting, to the plurality of subscriber systems, the aggregated voting data via the network.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a first voting selection from a first user logged in at a set-top box device, the first voting selection associated with video content that is received at the set-top box device. The first voting selection is added to a tally of votes when a voting status of the set-top box device indicates no previous voting selection has been received from the first user. A second voting selection associated with the video content is received from a second user logged in at the set-top box device. The second voting selection is added to the tally of votes when no previous voting selection has been received from the second user. A third voting selection received from the first user is not added to the tally of votes when the voting status indicates that the first voting selection has been received from the first user.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying popular intervals in online hosted videos. To determine popular intervals associated with a video, a plurality of votes for one or more intervals of the video are collected and organized into a plurality of groups. Each group includes votes for intervals of the video that are similar to each other. A group having the highest number of votes is identified, and a most popular clip of the video is formed based upon the intervals in the group with the highest number of votes. This process can be carried out to determine the groups having the second and third highest number of votes in a single video to form the second and third most popular clips in that video, as well as across numerous videos to identify the most popular clips within different videos.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are described in which a plurality of mediums are selectively programmed with media content to provide an integrated entertainment experience to consumers. The content that is provided on different mediums is synchronized to provide different events, perspectives or experiences associated with a common storyline. Additional embodiments of the present invention are described in which commercial sponsorship of a program is provided within a storyline, such that sponsors are identified for purposes of brand recognition, or products and services from the sponsor are advertised/marketed or otherwise made directly available for purchase by consumers through synchronized programming of media content among a plurality of mediums.

Abstract: A cable network content delivery system providing advertising information via a cable network and an advertising content interface are described. An advertiser submits advertising content over an internet which is then adapted for a cable network. A data gateway stores the advertising information. The system processes a user command received via the cable network, including an advertising information search command, and provides advertising information retrieved via the cable network.

Abstract: A portable electronic device includes a short distance wireless communicating module and a warning unit. The short distance wireless communicating module is used to establish short distance wireless communicating network with another portable eletronic device and monitor whether the other portable electronic divice is out of wireless network range. The warning unit electrically connects with a short distance wireless communicating module to send out an alarm if the portable electronic device is out of wireless network range.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for receiving and displaying voting data with respect to online hosted videos. Viewers vote on portions within various videos stored in an online video hosting website. Voting data can represent different types of votes, such as unipolar, bipolar, or categorical. The prior voting data, including that submitted by other viewers, can be displayed in a number of ways, such as gradations of color, or charts such as bar graphs. The voting data may be associated with demographic categories, such as a voter's age, sex, or political affiliation. Further, a video may be selectively played to display portions of most interest to given demographic categories, as indicated by voting patterns of those categories.