Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, the steps of transmitting media content to a group of set top boxes for presentation with an overlay superimposed onto the media content, receiving a first comment from a first set top box of the group of set top boxes where the first comment is presentable with the overlay and the media content by the group of set top boxes, determining a first advertisement based on the first comment, and transmitting the first advertisement to the first set top box for presentation with the overlay and the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for graphically providing customer service features on a set top box (STB) or other television receiver in response to viewer instructions received from a remote control. Imagery including a customer service tile is presented on the display. A two-dimensional input is received from the remote control that indicates that the tile has been selected, and, in response to the received two-dimensional input, the customer service feature is provided. The customer service feature may provide information received from a remote source via a network, programming connection or other medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reproducing network content are provided. An apparatus for reproducing network content includes a first content list queue storing a content list received from content providing servers; a content list queue management module changing a content list stored in the first content list queue according to a user's command to change the content list; a second content list queue storing the content list changed by the content list queue management module; a content pre-fetch module pre-fetching at least one element of content from the content providing servers based on the second content list queue and storing the content in a local storage unit; and a content reproduction module seamlessly reproducing the at least one element of content stored in the local storage unit.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a TV includes a TV service module, a user service module, a media service module, a system service module, and a user interface (UI) view service module. The TV service module is adapted for providing a standard interface. The user service module is adapted for managing users of a cloud platform to which the TV belongs. The media service module is adapted for collecting resources. The system service module is adapted for forwarding an instruction corresponding to a broadcast sent by a remote control to a corresponding module. The UI view service module is adapted for analyzing a component invoking instruction sent by another module in the TV, and selecting an invoked component according to data carried in the component invoking instruction. Embodiments of the invention can reduce operations of a user and improves the user experience.

Abstract: A web information processing apparatus (100) displays a screen for designating a program to be associated with a web page and registered if, for example, a registration request is input from a user when the web page is being displayed. Then, information specifying the designated program and information specifying the web page being displayed are linked and registered (105). The registered information is used to detect a web page linked to the program being viewed and (if necessary) to display the web page.

Abstract: A system and method for the aggregation of multimedia information storage via a broadband access gateway is disclosed. Information about storage resources accessible to a broadband access gateway may be collected and used in selecting storage capacity used for storing multimedia information such as, for example, streaming video, broadcast video, digitized video, digitized audio, text, and digitized images. The gateway may manage storage and retrieval of the multimedia information based upon user defined criteria and characteristics of the available storage resources. Multimedia information may be parsed for storage across multiple storage resources, and the location and nature of the storage resources used for storage of multimedia information items may be unknown to the user. Storage services accessible via a broadband connection may also be used as storage resources.

Abstract: An instant wireless touch screen control system for a smart television includes a smart set-top box, a wireless router and a wireless touch screen device. The smart set-top box is electrically connected to the router and the television to fetch an image displayed on the television, and further wirelessly transmits to the wireless touch screen device through the router. The wireless touch screen device transforms the received image from the router into a touch screen image based on some specific algorithm. The user can select and touch one of the icons or items in the touch screen image to generate a touch control signal, transmitted to the smart set-top box through the router. The smart set-top box generates and transfers an image control signal based on the touch control signal to the television, which displays the selected item and performs the preset function corresponding to the image control signal.

Abstract: A processing device for video signal includes a video buffer memory capable of storing a video signal currently being played back, a graphical interface generation module capable of generating a graphical interface to control functions of the processing device, a video mixer capable of producing a display signal for a display, the display signal representing a combination of the graphical interface originating from the generation module and of the video signal currently being played back originating from the video buffer memory, in which the graphic control elements include an image capture triggering element that can be displayed on the display in combination with the video signal currently being played back and that can be activated to trigger the step of selecting a section of the video signal currently being played back including an image displayed on the display at the time of the activation of the image capture triggering element.

Abstract: The present invention provides an input method, a smart TV and a smart interaction system. The input method comprises: displaying a virtual keyboard having a key layout corresponding to that of a physical keyboard used for inputting to a smart TV; obtaining from the physical keyboard a first signal that is generated in response to an operator selecting a physical key on the physical keyboard and indicates information on position of the operator on the physical keyboard; and displaying on the virtual keyboard the position of the operator based on the first signal. The physical keyboard is consistent with the virtual keyboard displayed on the smart TV. Thus, each physical key on the physical keyboard can be found in the virtual keyboard. When a physical key on the physical keyboard is selected or triggered, the input process can be viewed visually on the smart TV. In this way, the input speed can be increased and the user experience can be improved.

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: Methods and systems are disclosed that provide a user with efficient video-rich navigation (VRN) of media assets in an interactive media guidance application, such as an interactive program guide. A user can select a displayed video asset and perform an action on the selectable video asset, for example, using a remote control. The manner in which the video assets are displayed and the actions enabled for the particular video assets are defined by screen data transmitted to the user equipment in a VRN data feed.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide information to a user in response to usage of an electronic program guide provided by an appliance coupled to a display. Usage of the electronic program guide is observed from within the appliance, and any triggering events in the usage of the electronic program guide are identified. An instruction is then executed in response to the triggering event to thereby provide the information on the display. Information provided may include a graphic display, a video clip, a highlight of any portion of the electronic program guide, or other information as appropriate.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a television configuration technique includes determining a location, from a web service, of a television set using an internet protocol address of the television set or a zip code corresponding to a physical location of the television. Electronic programming guide, interactive programming guide or the like data for a plurality of service providers in the determined location are downloaded. The electronic programming guide data, interactive programming guide data, or the like for one or more channels that are unique between the plurality of service providers are checked against transmitting station identifier data or system information protocol data to identify the specific service provider that the television set is connected to. A channel list for the specific service provider is then determined from the electronic programming guide or interactive programming guide corresponding to the specific service provider.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital service signal and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes executing a primary application for the digital service signal, wherein the primary application is a triggered application or a non-triggered application, transmitting messages of interactive services for a secondary application associated with the primary application, wherein the interactive services includes a first mode related to the triggered application or a second mode related to the non-triggered application, receiving a request for descriptions identifying the interactive services, transmitting the descriptions having service id information identifying each of the interactive services and service type information indicating a type of the each of the interactive services, and providing the interactive services by transmitting information for the interactive services.

Abstract: A content reproducing method and system for performing seamless playback of contents between devices is provided. The contents reproducing system includes a portable device which, when a short distance communication with a remote control which is configured to control an electronic device occurs during reproducing of contents, generates data required by the electronic device for reproducing the contents that are being reproduced, and which transmits the generated data to the remote control; the remote control which receives the data from the portable device and which transmits the received data to the electronic device, in conjunction with the occurrence of the short distance communication with the portable device; and the electronic device for receiving the contents from a contents provider and reproducing the contents.

Abstract: A system interactively controlled by a TV viewer remote control transmitter displays portions of a scroll program guide on the viewer's display screen. A tuner receives TV radio frequency or optical transmission signals in a plurality of cable channels and passes a viewer usable signal to a signal combiner. A computer receives control signals from the TV viewer remote control transmitter. It controls the tuner to pass the viewer usable signal in response to one of the control signals. Program information, such as TV program schedule information, may be displayed, and a user may select at least some of the displayed program information to be presented with additional program information related to the selected program information.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data associated with a plurality of multimedia channels. The data includes a multimedia channel numbering set. The method includes presenting the data at a display device communicatively coupled to the set-top box device via an electronic programming guide that includes an option to customize the electronic programming guide by genre. The method includes receiving a selection of one or more genres and a particular multimedia content source. The method includes automatically replacing the multimedia channel numbering set with a renumbered multimedia channel numbering set. Multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with the particular multimedia content source are assigned a lower channel number in the renumbered multimedia channel numbering set than other multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with other multimedia content sources.

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

Abstract: The present disclosure involves a method of managing media playback. The method includes displaying a media program on a touch screen of an electronic device. The method includes detecting, via the touch screen, an input from a user indicating that the user wishes to fast forward or rewind the media program. The method includes triggering, in response to the detected input from the user, an appearance of a scroll bar including an indicator on the touch screen. The indicator is configured to be moved along the scroll bar. A length of the scroll bar represents a predefined amount of time that is a fraction of a total duration of the media program. A position of the indicator relative to the scroll bar corresponds to a time location of the media program.

Abstract: A user interface is presented on a monitor of a media device for providing information about available programs. The user interface includes an array having three columns (channel, current show, and next show) with commonly aligned rows. Each row of the channel column includes an indicator. Each row of the current show column includes a title naming a program currently available on a channel of the media device corresponding to the indicator in a commonly aligned row of the channel column. Each row of the next show column includes a title naming a show available after the current program on the same channel. The currently available program may be displayed on the monitor in response to a viewer selected row, indicator, and/or title in the array.

Abstract: The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices. One claim recites a method employing a portable device including a processor, microphone and an interface to receive user inputs, the portable device also including a display screen. The method comprises: receiving a first user request, through the interface, for processing audio content captured with the microphone; processing the audio to yield fingerprint data; communicating the fingerprint data and portable device location information to a remote computer system; in response to said communicating, receiving information including a title associated with the audio content; presenting the title on the display screen; in response to a second user request, through the interface, displaying information associated with audio content captured by other portable devices in an area associated with the portable device location information. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided too.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a menu is semi-transparently overlaid upon a portion of a video being shown on a television coupled to a programmable multimedia controller. The menu has a plurality of selectable options and a selection cursor disposed on one of the plurality of selectable options. Input is received from a user on the remote control unit indicating a direction. In response to the input indicating the direction, the selection cursor is moved in a corresponding direction within the semi-transparently overlaid menu to bring the selection cursor to be disposed on a designated selectable option to permit selection of the designated selectable option. In response to selection of the designated selectable option, the programmable multimedia controller issues one or more control commands to a lighting system, a heating ventilation and air/conditioning (HVAC) system, and/or to an automatic shade system, to control operation of lighting, HVAC or window shades.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system includes an end device configured to transmit a user input; and a television apparatus configured to: receive the user input from the end device, determine a query that is associated with a function that is executable by the television apparatus, based at least in part on the user input, execute the function that corresponds to the determined query, and generate a reply to the determined query based at least in part on a result of the execution of the function.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for controlling content within a device environment through interaction among electronic devices of the environment. The device has a transmitter, receiver, memory storing interaction rules and content rules and a processor for implementing the interaction rules and content rules in association with the transmitter, receiver, and other devices of the environment. Methods involve obtaining content information of the media about to be played and comparing the content information to the content rules stored at a device. An instruction about playback of the media content is generated. Methods may also involve seeking rights information for media content and determining whether rights information exists for identified media content in response to the request. When rights information does exist for the identified media content, a message is sent that includes the rights information.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to generate a playlist that identifies multimedia content and to provide access to the playlist in response to a request for access, where the request for access is transmitted over the Internet, and where the multimedia content is stored remotely from the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for transferring an interactive movie located at a server via a network and displaying the same at a user station, which comprises: (a) a display unit at the user station for displaying movie frames; (b) a control device at the user station for enabling the user to navigate within the movie; (c) a map of the movie describing the links between the individual movie frames and the index of each movie frame, said map also maintains at any given time the present virtual location of the user within the map; and (d) a prediction unit for receiving inputs from said map and from a user control device, and based on said inputs predicting those future frames that may be required for view by the user, and instructing the server to convey said predicted future frames to the user station.

Abstract: An item of audio and video (A/V) content is identified stored in association with a DLNA server that does not have a thumbnail image associated with it. The item of A/V content is streamed at a DLNA client device. Intra-coded frames (I-Frames) are selected from the streamed A/V content. The selected I-Frames are presented to a user of the DLNA client device. A selection is received from the user identifying one of the selected I-Frames. The identified I-Frame is stored in association with the item of A/V content. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Computer implemented methods for managing communication between a display device and a remote server or services is provided. A remote server provides access to widget applications that are to be used on the display device. The method includes receiving a request from the display device, and the request includes data that identifies attributes of the display device. Then, examining the data to authorize access a specific application widget gallery. The specific widget gallery includes widget applications that have passing filter parameters for the request. Then, returning to the display device data for populating attributes or widget application data for rendering on the display device. Furthermore, the methods and systems for providing access to, installing, administering and rendering web-based applications (e.g., widgets) on a display device, which connects to a server, are provided.

Abstract: A remote-control system includes a remote controller which transmits the command signal corresponding to an operation performed by a user, and an information-processing device which receives the command signal and performs the processing corresponding to the command signal. The remote controller includes a sensing unit that has the sensing areas corresponding to areas provided on a screen showing an image of a video signal transmitted from the information-processing device on a one-to-one basis and that senses at least one of a touch operation and a press-down operation performed by a user for the sensing area, a generation unit that generates the command signal according to the sensing result, and a transmission unit that transmits the command signal. The information-processing device includes a reception unit that receives the command signal, and a processing unit that performs the processing corresponding to the command signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scheduling delivery of graphics and video to an on-screen display is described. The method comprises accessing a schedule comprising at least one video, at least one template, and layout information, wherein the at least one video and the at least one template are associated with each other and scheduled to run at least one start time. In one embodiment, the system is a video server that provides a combined output stream of both video and graphics to a set top box, TV, computer or other display device. In another embodiment of the invention, the video server creates a script that relates video, graphics, and layout information to each other as web components. The web components are provided from the video server to a set top box, and the set top box utilizes a web browser to assemble the web components together.

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: A video processing apparatus and a method capable of selecting various video signals are provided. The video processing apparatus includes an input unit which receives a video signal select key value by which a video signal select command to select one of the plurality of video signals is recognized; a storage unit which stores a plurality of video signal names corresponding to the plurality of video signals; and a control unit which sets a first display mode or a second display mode according to the duration of the video signal select key value, the first and second display modes indicating opposite orders in which the video signal names corresponding to the plurality of video signal units are displayed, and displays the video signal names sequentially in the set display mode. Thus, a user can conveniently select the video signal.

Abstract: A method and a service side and a terminal for finding an interactive electronic service guide. Said method comprises: the server side down-issuing the information corresponding to the finding interactive ESG service to the terminal through the broadcast channel, and the terminal acquires the information for finding the interactive ESG service in the broadcast channel. Said server side comprises a sending module of the related information for finding interactive ESG service and a down-issue module for the ESG supplier list. The terminal comprises a receiving module of the related information for finding the interactive ESG service and a receiving module for the ESG supplier list.

Abstract: Devices in a multi-media environment may be controlled by a controller that accepts gestures as inputs. The gestures may correspond to different commands based on a current operating mode of a multi-media device in the multi-media environment. A set top box may obtain information relating to the operating mode of the multi-media device, and may provide the information to the controller. The gestures may be translated to a context-specific command for the multi-media device by the set top box or the controller. Some gestures may persist across multiple devices or services as corresponding to one command.

Abstract: An interaction system and method for interaction between a handheld device and a television comprises the configuration and connection of a first HDMI transferring module and a television screen in addition to a configuration and connection of a second HDMI transferring module, a touch screen, a gesture managing module and a display managing module. A user interface system and method for interaction between a handheld device and a television can utilize a handheld device having a touch screen to operate the television without requiring the assistance of other hardware units, such as a mouse or keyboard. All the operations can be done by using only the handheld device, thereby reducing the costs of devices.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a promotion system 1) detecting a promotion opportunity based on a condition associated with a migration of a user account from being associated with a first digital video recording (“DVR”) system to being associated with a second DVR system and 2) providing, based on the detected promotion opportunity, promotional content for access by a user associated with the user account. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for personalized virtual channel management includes: determining whether a received command is associated with virtual channel switching, wherein a network-based multimedia reproduction system is in mode of a first channel zone of a personalized channel zone; if yes, checking whether a channel value corresponding to the command exists in the first channel zone; if yes, executing an application corresponding to the channel value in the first channel zone to retrieve digital contents and display the digital contents on a screen of the network-based multimedia reproduction system; determining a desired channel zone if the command is associated with switching of the personalized channel zone; checking whether at least one log-in command matches log-in information of the desired channel zone; if yes, switching the network-based multimedia reproduction system to a mode of the desired channel zone in the personalized channel zone.

Abstract: A system and method that integrates an electronic pointer into digital image data, such as a video feed or software application, that is displayed on a screen. A receiver is provided that receives position data from a pointing device; a calibration unit then calculates the position of the pointing device relative to the screen based on the position data; and a processor then generates the electronic pointer based on the calculated position of the pointing device. Thereafter, the electronic pointer is integrated in the digital image data such that the video screen displays the electronic pointer at a location of the video screen that reflects the relative position of the pointing device to the video screen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing parental control support in video mosaic environment are disclosed. Upon receiving a request for a video mosaic page, screen data, which may include parental control information, is received. The screen data may identify the video assets in the video mosaic page. A determination is made whether the video assets in the video mosaic page are locked or unlocked by parental controls in force on the user equipment. Locked assets may be masked and individually unlocked upon verification of a parental control access code or PIN. Unlocked assets may be presented in cells, or windows, in the video mosaic page and may also be individually locked and subsequently masked. A separate set of parental control settings may be maintained for video mosaic pages or the mosaic parental control commands may be resolved with system parental control settings.

Abstract: If a user requests an output of synthetic speech, a broadcast receiving apparatus (10), when a control section (105) determines on the basis of the display state of the broadcast receiving apparatus (10) that a synthetic speech signal is not to be output, outputs a confirmation sound generated by an operation confirmation sound generation section (108); and, when it is determined that the synthetic speech signal is to be output, outputs synthetic speech generated by a synthetic speech generation section (109), whereby it is possible to assist a user having difficulty viewing a screen, such as a visually-impaired person, with understanding the situation.

Abstract: A method is provided for a content recommendation module. The method includes receiving a user input related to viewing contents from a user and determining whether a recommendation pool containing a plurality of selected recommendation candidates has been changed corresponding to the input. The method also includes, when the recommendation pool has been changed, mapping the plurality of selected recommendation candidates in the changed recommendation pool into a hierarchical data structure with a plurality of levels such that each of the plurality of levels acts as a stage of a zoom operation on the selected recommendation candidates. Further, the method includes rendering mapped recommendation candidates from the plurality of levels to be displayed to the user.

Abstract: According to a method of the present invention for controlling display of a menu screen, content is displayed in a content display region located in a central part of a display screen in a size smaller than the display screen, and a plurality of icons are displayed in a circle around the content display region so that the plurality of icons sequentially move to a specific position in accordance with a user's selecting operation while moving around the content display region without overlapping the content display region.

Abstract: A web TV based information browsing method includes receiving, by a web TV, information on the Internet sent by an information server, classifying the received information, and setting an information tag for the classified information, and displaying, on a display interface currently displayed on the web TV, an information interface for a user to read information corresponding to the information tag with a window according to a size of the display interface, wherein the window is smaller than the display interface. Accordingly, the user can watch TV and read information at the same time, thereby bringing better use experience to users.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system includes a first device configured to: play video content, display a progress bar to represent playing progress of the video content, display, on the progress bar, a first image to represent a current playing time of the video content played by the first device, and display, on the progress bar, a second image to represent a final stop time of the video content that was previously played by a second device; and a server configured to transmit, to the first device, the video content and information including the final stop time of the video content played by the second device.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a remote support management system 1) receiving a television support request from a user of a television, 2) generating, in response to the television support request, a ticket identifier associated with the television support request, and 3) facilitating, in accordance with the ticket identifier, remote control of the television by a support technician by way of a computing device associated with the support technician. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for navigating hypermedia using multiple coordinated input/output device sets. Disclosed systems and methods allow a user and/or an author to control what resources are presented on which device sets (whether they are integrated or not), and provide for coordinating browsing activities to enable such a user interface to be employed across multiple independent systems. Disclosed systems and methods also support new and enriched aspects and applications of hypermedia browsing and related business activities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content enables the secure transfer of multimedia content from a digital video recorder (DVR) to a personal computer (PC) and further to a handheld device. A DVR determines which devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) are authorized to share and/or retrieve content from the DVR. The DVR receives a connection request from a PC on the LAN, authorizes the connection request and establishes a secure connection between the DVR and the PC. Once the secure connection is established, the DVR receives a request for multimedia content from the PC, prepares the multimedia content for transfer and transfers the multimedia content to the PC.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for searching a searchable listing of an interactive menu prompting system. A search request is received, and the search request includes a search term. A query is sent to determine whether the search term occurs within in the searchable listing. A search result is received and communicated to a client.