Abstract: An apparatus for recording application state information over time while simultaneous recording application streaming interactive video output. A playback means in which the recorded application video may be played back or the application may be re-executed with the application state information.

Abstract: A system for enabling a customized function to be implemented at at least one device in a domain, including: a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) coupled with a system, wherein the system is coupled with a server managing a premises, wherein the system is configured for interacting with at least one third party application that has a set of instructions thereon, via the set of APIs, such that the at least one third party application can communicate with a device driver at the premises without having knowledge of a protocol thereon and without having knowledge of the at least one device, wherein the premises comprises the at least one device; and an instruction translator coupled with the set of APIs which translates the set of instructions received from the at least one third party application to be an action and protocol that the at least one device understands.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a dynamic remote control system detecting a change in an on-screen context of content being presented by a presentation device and dynamically changing a function and/or an appearance of a button included in a persistent number pad arrangement on a remote control device associated with the presentation device in response to the change in the on-screen context. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for creating and using video playlists within a network. In accordance with the invention, a user is enabled to create a playlist comprising a plurality of video segments and store the playlist for later access and viewing. In some implementations, the user may upload playlists to the network in order to permit other users to view the playlist and, if desired, watch the playlist's contents. In other implementations, the content provider or third parties may create playlists and make the contents available for viewing. In yet other implementations, the content provider or a third party may insert advertisements into a playlist's contents.

Abstract: A method is provided for an intelligent user-interaction system based on object detection. The method includes receiving an input video sequence corresponding to a video program, and dividing the input video sequence into a plurality of video shots, each containing one or more video frames. The method also includes detecting possible object occurrences in each of the plurality of video shots, and analyzing possible paths of an object in a video shot using a multimodal-cue approach. Further, the method includes aggregating the path-based selected object occurrences across the plurality of video shots to detect objects, and generating a complete list of the object occurrences across the plurality of video shots.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for media content search and retrieval, and a virtual television channel capable of using that system. The present system may be implemented on a computing device, such as for example a media service server, and a client device, such as for example a set top box for a television system, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or a gaming console. A first aspect of the present system relates to a media download control engine which enables a client device with limited capabilities to play media content which comes from a website in a format not supported by the client device. A second aspect of the present system may make use of the media download control engine to obtain media content and create customized virtual channels. The second aspect in particular relates to a virtual channel engine that schedules a continuous stream of content for the user, which content is selected based on topics of interest to the user.

Abstract: An advertisement storage and filtering system for selectively identifying targeted advertisements to be stored in the memory of the STB. This storing of the selected advertisements can be accomplished in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the advertisements, in real-time and as they are received at the STB, are processed by the STB and only those advertisements with the appropriate characteristics are stored on the hard drive (HD). This may require some buffering of the advertisements in the STB memory as the STB processes and determines whether or not to store the advertisement. The information required to determine whether or not to store the advertisement could also be sent in advance, e.g., as a data service in an advertisement channel. Alternatively, the STB may store incoming advertisements in a memory temporarily and subsequently determine whether or not to retain the stored advertisements.

Abstract: An electronic commerce method and system using an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and a mobile terminal are provided. In an electronic commerce method and system, an IPTV or mobile terminal transmits binding information to a server where a purchaser selects product information, the server determines a purchaser authority using the received binding information, and transmits sales information for the selected product information to the mobile terminal in response to the purchase authority being valid, and the mobile terminal makes an offer to purchase the product to the server using the received sales information.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus and a method of controlling the electronic apparatus are provided. The method includes: receiving a voice command; and if the voice command is a first voice start command, changing a mode of the electronic apparatus to a first voice task mode in which the electronic apparatus is controlled according to further voice input, and if the voice command is a second voice start command, changing the mode of the electronic apparatus to a second voice task mode in which the electronic apparatus is controlled according to the further voice input received via an external apparatus which operates with the electronic apparatus. Therefore, providing efficiency and flexibility in controlling the electronic apparatus by using a microphone of the electronic apparatus or a microphone of the external apparatus.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a search interface for an electronic device including a tuner configured to tune the electronic device to receive scheduled programming content. A search query is received and one or more data sources including information about media content are searched based, at least in part, on the search query. The results of the search are presented on a user interface using a time-based axis and a time-independent axis.

Abstract: An apparatus provides an on-screen program guide that includes information indicating channel signal strength. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory operative to store data related to the program guide, and a processor operative to enable display of the program guide using the stored data. The program guide includes a plurality of program titles. The processor determines a program title pointed to by a pointer and determines a channel associated with the determined program title. Signal strength of the determined channel is displayed along with the program guide.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus is provided that is controlled such that the display position of a cursor for a pointing type remote controller does not change when input is switched in a configuration where the video processing apparatus is connected to an external video apparatus. When input video data is switched, a controller transmits position information regarding the display position of a cursor image to the external video apparatus via a communication unit. The controller receives cursor image data generated by the external video apparatus from the external video apparatus and causes a cursor image, based on the cursor image data, to be displayed on a display unit, such that a cursor image after the input video data is switched is displayed at a position corresponding to the display position of a cursor image that has been displayed before the input video data is switched.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for providing additional information of media content. In digital contents management, the apparatus for providing additional information of media content includes a media source, a media renderer, an additional information analyzer, a smart progress bar, and an additional information renderer. The media source receives media and additional information from a local file, a portable storage medium or a network and transfers the received media and additional information into the apparatus. The media renderer renders the received media to a user. The additional information analyzer analyzes the received additional information. The smart progress bar controls the playback of the media based on the analyzed additional information. The additional information renderer displays the additional information to the user by controlling the smart progress bar.

Abstract: A screen time control device includes a source interface for receiving a video signal, a processor connected to the video source interface for overlaying the video signal with a translucent signal to produce an overlaid video signal, and a device interface connected to the processor for receiving the overlaid video signal and providing the overlaid video signal to the display device. The processor substitutes the translucent signal in the overlaid video signal with a parental signal, where the parental signal can be a substantially opaque overlay signal that masks an image on the screen of the display device to prohibit viewing of the screen, a textual message, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A reception apparatus includes: a reception unit configured to receive a broadcast stream at least including a data stream for data broadcasting; a first style selector configured to select a display style for each of data broadcast content acquired from the broadcast stream received by the reception unit; a second style selector configured to select, when the data broadcast content corresponding to the style selected by the first style selector corresponds to a plurality of display styles, one display style out of the plurality of display styles; and a display unit configured to display the data broadcast content corresponding to the style selected by the first style selector or the second style selector.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide are disclosed. In one embodiment the method comprises receiving, for a plurality of first events, first event metadata comprising a first event description and a first logical channel number, receiving, for a plurality of second events, second event metadata comprising a second event description and a second logical channel number, assigning the first logical channel number associated with a particular first event to a particular second event, wherein the assignment is based on the first event metadata of the particular first event and the second event metadata of the particular second event, and displaying a program guide comprising at least a portion of the second event metadata of the particular second event.

Abstract: A related content providing method using broadcast service guide information of a mobile terminal is disclosed. The method includes playing broadcast content stored in the mobile terminal, searching for real-time broadcast content related to the played broadcast content while displaying the played broadcast content, and displaying information associated with the searched real-time broadcast content.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques that may optimize a virtual collaboration session for mobile computing devices. In one example, a method includes receiving, using one or more computing devices, a first video stream sent from a first client device using a communication session, and receiving a second video stream sent from a second client device using the communication session. The method may also include receiving a request sent from the first client device using the communication session to select the first video stream as a primary video, and providing a third video stream based at least on the primary video stream and the secondary video stream to the first client device using the communication session, wherein the third video stream includes the primary video stream.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device including a controller programmed to receive security video content associated with a premises where the security video content has been captured by one or more cameras located within or in proximity to the premises and where the premises have one or more Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), and transmit the security video content to the DVR for forwarding to a communication device that is remote from the premises, where the security video content is wirelessly transmitted over a wireless television (TV) channel dynamically selected from available wireless TV channels associated with the premises. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic program guide includes a plurality of elements arrayed in a grid of rows and columns, with the rows corresponding to program sources and the columns corresponding to time intervals. Each element corresponds to a program played out from a particular program source during a corresponding time interval. The background of each element changes, such as by way of a color gradient or changing shape, to indicate one of a program beginning or ending. In this way, a viewer can ascertain the length of the program even if the element gets clipped upon updating the electronic program guide.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a data stream; determining a prediction of the amount of resources used to cache the data stream at a network element; identifying current resources being consumed by the network element; and determining whether to cache the data stream based on a sum of the current resources being consumed and the prediction of the amount of resources used to cache the data stream at the network element.

Abstract: An information processing device which shares program information specifying a program with other devices connected through a network is disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving video content at a mobile device, utilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of an area of attention in an image of the video content based on a desired display resolution, utilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of a peripheral portion that surrounds the area of attention, and replacing the image with the adjusted image during presentation of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system is provided that manipulates content displayed on a viewing device. The disclosed system includes a receiver that receives position data from a wireless pointing device and a processor that calculates a current position for the electronic pointer relative to the viewing device and renders the electronic pointer in a video feed received from a video source. Thereafter, the processor identifies a current location in the video feed that corresponds to a calculated current position for the electronic pointer, identifies content in the video feed positioned at the current location, dynamically manipulates additional content in response to a manipulation request from the wireless pointing device, and delivers the manipulated content to the viewing device for display thereon.

Abstract: A method of receiving data of a digital broadcast receiving device is provided. The method includes receiving a predetermined section of a data file including a plurality of sections, through a broadcast signal network, and receiving the remaining sections of the plurality of sections of the data file through an Internet network.

Abstract: Audiovisual reproduction system including a central unit managing a sound control circuit, and a telecommunications modem connected to a distribution network controlled by a host server, through a multitask operating system created around a tools and services library, in which the operating system includes a function that adjusts the sound control circuit to couple volumes in the various areas in which the loudspeakers in the audiovisual reproduction system are used, this function being accessible through a management mode of the multitask operating system, the coupling maintaining the ratios between the various volumes in each area when the volume in one area is modified.

Abstract: A method for rendering one or more user interface objects on a television screen is disclosed. The method is performed at a computer system coupled with the television screen. The method includes receiving a request for rendering a user interface object, and identifying a variable scaling factor. The variable scaling factor is determined in accordance with a distance parameter corresponding to a distance between a respective user and the television screen. The method also includes rendering the user interface object on the television screen in accordance with the variable scaling factor while maintaining a display of a television program on the television screen based on a fixed scaling factor.

Abstract: A computerized method for determining a model refresh rate for a model representing a list of network user identifiers includes receiving a first and a second model representing the list at a first and a second time, respectively. Similarity between the first and second model is calculated. If the similarity is less than a threshold value, the model refresh rate is a predetermined rate. If the similarity is equal to or exceeds the threshold value, the model refresh rate is decreased to a less frequent rate. A similarity between a reference model and a selected model in a same content category may be calculated. If the similarity is less than a threshold value, the model refresh rate for the selected model is a predetermined rate. If the similarity is equal to or exceeds the threshold value, the model refresh rate for the reference model is applied to the selected model.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for determining audiovisual output preference. The method comprises providing first and second stimuli having respective sets of audio and visual characteristics. The method receives a user selection between the first and second stimuli, and includes the set of audio and visual characteristics corresponding to the selected stimuli in the audiovisual output preference.

Abstract: Exemplary program guide interface systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a mobile device presenting a program guide interface by way of a touch screen, detecting a pinch gesture provided in relation to the program guide interface, and presenting, in response to the pinch gesture, a plurality of graphical objects representative of a plurality of media programming channel groups. Corresponding methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a voice input which is configured to receive a user's voice, a display configured to provide a user interface (UI) screen including at least one object, and a controller which is configured to determine whether or not it is possible for the user's voice to call the object, assign to the object an identification tag which identifies the object based on a result of the determination, and display the identification tag-assigned object.

Abstract: A method is described. The method includes: displaying a user interface on a first display device associated with a client device, the user interface enabling user interaction with the client device; enabling an electronic device to control the client device; detecting an orientation change of the electronic device; and displaying the user interface on a second display device associated with the electronic device upon detecting the orientation change. Related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hand-held pointing device includes a main body, a processing circuit, a light emitting device and two image sensing devices. The main body has a first surface and a second surface for lying on an operating surface. The two image sensing devices are disposed in the main body and configured to sense first and second images through first and second transparent areas thereof, respectively. The light emitting device, disposed in the main body, is configured to emit a light source through the second transparent area. The processing circuit is configured to determine and operate the hand-held pointing device in a remote controller mode or a mouse mode according to whether the first image contains an image of a reference light source and/or the second image contains an image of the operating surface reflecting the light source. An operation for a hand-held pointing device is also provided.

Abstract: An approach is provided for presenting, via a set-top box, a widget. The widget includes content retrieved over a data network and augmented content.

Abstract: When a user is consuming media content from a first source, one or more other available sources of media content may be monitored and the user may be notified if other available content matches the user's profile.

Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.

Abstract: A method of controlling a display includes displaying a first window on the display, setting the first window to receive commands, and displaying a second window on the display. When the second window is displayed, a portion of the first window is kept being displayed, and the first window is kept being set to receive commands.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein relates to distribution of media content and a system and method for presenting a user-selectable option to permit a user to change a setting for an advertising experience during presentation of such an advertising experience.

Abstract: A method of controlling a mobile device and which includes wirelessly communicating, via a wireless communication unit of the mobile terminal, with an external reproduction device reproducing content on a display of the reproduction device; inputting, via an input unit of the mobile terminal, a search request requesting information about at least one item identifiable in the reproducing content; searching, via a controller of the mobile terminal, the information about said at least one item; and displaying, on a display unit of the mobile terminal, the information found during the search.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling television watchers to “channel surf” faster and reduce the amount of bandwidth used over a network to communicate television channels to end-users. Electronic programming guide information and images associated therewith may be communicated to an end-user. An image associated with a video program may be displayed on an electronic display (e.g., television) in response to an end-user selecting a channel prior to video programming being displayed. By displaying an image prior to the video programming, the end-user may determine whether he or she wants to watch the video program prior to the video programming being displayed, which improves the speed of “channel surfing.” Because end-users can view the image when selecting a channel, a network can be configured to distribute the channels that are currently being watched rather than distributing many on a continuous basis, thereby preserving bandwidth.

Abstract: A display apparatus performs an application related function using broadcast information of a broadcast image which is currently being displayed when a command to perform the application related function is input by the user. Accordingly, the user is able to easily select the application related to the program which is currently being broadcasted.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc.

Abstract: A programming recorder receives information after receiving at least two programming event recording requests, detects a conflict between the programming event recording requests based on the received information, creates a ranked list of alternative sources for the programming event recording requests, and resolves the conflict by fulfilling at least one of the at least two programming event recording requests utilizing an alternative source. The alternative source may be automatically selected or selected by a user. The ranked list of alternative sources may be ordered utilizing a set of one or more priority criteria. The programming event recording requests and/or the received programming information may include metadata and determining alternative sources may comprise comparing the metadata. The programming recorder may display an indication that the conflict between the at least two programming event recording requests was detected and resolved.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to an electronic device that features a display unit, a storage unit and a processor. The storage unit is adapted to store a plurality of widgets. Coupled to the storage unit, the processor is adapted to control downloading of the plurality of widgets upon gaining access as a member to a viewing room, and thereafter, to control operations of the plurality of widgets in providing interactive communications with other members of the viewing room as content is being played back on the display unit.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for setting a computer connecting mode in a portable terminal. The method includes checking a program executed by a user in the PC when the portable terminal is connected to a personal computer (PC); requesting the portable terminal to perform the connection to the PC using a connecting mode appropriate for a characteristic of the executed program, wherein the connecting mode is one of connecting modes to the PC; and performing the connection to the PC using the connecting mode requested by the PC.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system includes an end device configured to: display an image, receive an input to select an object depicted on the displayed image, and transmit information regarding the object; and a server configured to: receive the information regarding the object from the end device, store the received information regarding the object with a time of receipt, identify at least one service associated with the object with reference to the received information regarding the object, and transmit service information regarding the identified at least one service to the end device.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices for receiving broadcast signal. More specifically, one of the devices includes at least two tuners (102, 103) configured to synchronize at least two transmit stream independently, at least two transmit stream processors (104, 105) each configured to convert the at least one transmit stream into a plurality of audio signals, a plurality of displayable video signals, and a plurality of displayable data signals, a controller (100) configured to provide switching control signal and display control signal based on channel selected by a user, a switching unit (135) configured to output a data broadcast associated with a first broadcast channel and the video and the audio associated with a second broadcast channel, a display module (138) configured to display a video of the first broadcast channel in a first display area and a data of the second broadcast channel in a second display area, and at least one speaker configured to audio output of at least two different broadcast channels.

Abstract: A remote control device is operative to enable and facilitate user control of video systems that are operative to provide one or more three-dimensional (3D) viewing effects. According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control device includes a user input terminal having an input element operative to receive user inputs to adjust at least one of a volume setting and a channel setting of a video system, and further operative to receive user inputs to adjust a three-dimensional (3-D) viewing effect of the video system. A transmitter is operative to transmit control signals to the video system in response to the user inputs.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering interactive program guides includes encoding a plurality of different user interface screens of an interactive application into a series of short video segments. The video segments have associated metadata files that uniquely describe each segment, wherein the segment metadata enables the ingestion of the video segments via an asset distribution and management system into a video-on-demand server and facilitates their subsequent identification by the video-on-demand server. As viewers interact with the application, their input device key presses are processed and delivered to a mapping server that utilizes the data in a configuration file to instruct the video-on-demand server to splice the appropriate interactive application user interface digital video segment into the video stream being displayed on the display device.