Abstract: A control unit (101), such as a remote control device, includes a profile selector (104). The profile selector (104), which may be a single profile selector button integrated into the side or top of a remote control, allows quick and simple selection of an operating mode or user profile. The control unit (101) includes an indicator (107) that provides indicia of the currently selected mode or profile. Examples of indicators include multicolored lights and display devices. Where multicolored lights are used as the indicator (107), actuation of the profile selector (104) causes the indicator (107) to change from a first color to a second color.

Abstract: An interactive video/image-relevant information embedding technology contains: a server side including a user client-server operation interface module for interacting with the client side; a video/image database for saving videos/images; a label database for saving external information; a video/image content analysis module for segmenting, tracking, recognizing specified items in the videos/images; an external-information retrieval engine for retrieving external information from the public search engine, label database, or additional database; a video/image-external information relation analysis module for creating on-the-fly labels for the specified items in videos/images; a client side which includes: a client-server operation interface module for interacting with the server side; a user operation interface module for interacting with the user/label creator; an original video/image database for saving videos/images; a label information database for saving external information; a video/image content analysis

Abstract: A method of displaying an EPG and a device thereof. According to one aspect of embodiment of the present invention, the method of displaying the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) in a broadcasting electronic device displays an EPG default mode screen having a channel field and an event field in accordance with a user's manipulation of an EPG mode execution command key, adds a field of a predetermined item in accordance with an input signal corresponding to a display mode change key, and displays an EPG addition mode screen to display a specific value of the added field and event information corresponding to a preselected channel.

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 user interface arranged as hierarchical grid of tiles configurable to be individually and dynamically programmed for both content type and content placement according to a set of rules defining content placement and display specified by a content controller.

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: Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content.

Abstract: An apparatus and method decode and read text embodied in a closed captioning signal. A rules based processor identifies subject matter included in the closed captioning text. This subject matter is context-searched to derive search terms to access information relevant to the subject matter, generally from a remote location. Selections made from accessed information are made. The selections are the basis from which choices are constructed to present to a user via, e.g., a graphical user interface (GUI). The user may interact with the GUI to make a selection. Selections may include accessing a URL for information related to the subject matter or accessing an e-commerce site that offers goods related to the subject matter. The GUI facilitates further interaction in order to allow the user to select further options which are dependent from the initial selection.

Abstract: A video distribution system includes a local network interface operable to modulate video data to frequency blocks for communication via a local network. A first frequency block of the frequency blocks is associated with a first user. The video distribution system also includes a metrics engine operable to track at least one metric associated with the first user based on the video data modulated to the first frequency block.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus which is capable of preventing reception of undesired data by a destination without increasing the load on a network, etc. Data and a destination thereof are input. A sender ID related to a sender who sends the input data is input. The input data is sent to the input destination. A sender ID for data transmission to the input destination is permitted is stored as a permission ID. The input sender ID is collated with the stored permission ID. Whether to permit data transmission is determined according to the collation result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering screen display data to existing display devices. Some embodiments of an apparatus include an interface to receive an input stream for a display device. The apparatus further includes a module to generate on screen display data for the display device. The apparatus includes a multiplexer, the multiplexer to multiplex the on screen display data into the input stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus with improved operatability. With the information processing apparatus in which the user is capable of watching a television program and connecting to the Internet, the index panel 1 shows channel buttons 2 to be operated to select a desired program, a site button 71 to be operated to make an access to site A available on the Internet and a site button 72 to be operated to make an access to site B on the Internet. The present invention allows the user to watch a television program and can be applied to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, which can be connected to the Internet.

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: A broadcast receiving device capable of easily setting area information. A control unit of a DVR transmits an acquisition request for area information to a TV. When the control unit receives a response to the acquisition request from the TV, the control unit extracts area information from the received response and performs a channel presetting using the extracted area information. A control unit of the TV has area information stored therein. When the control unit receives an acquisition request for area information from the DVR, the control unit transmits, as a response to the request, the stored area information to the DVR.

Abstract: A remote support site having a detector internally collecting information on a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic of a media-playing set or television and a server enabling specification of a preferred setting for such characteristic from this information. A method including maintaining a remote site, therefrom internally collecting information from the set about a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic, and therefrom specifying a preferred setting for such characteristic. A similar method but information detected upon user request about user-adjustable component for selecting on-screen characteristic and final step is remotely adjusting component. A similar method but information is about broadcast characteristic potentially selectable initially by user instead remotely specified initially. A similar method but information is about plural broadcast characteristics and final step is remotely providing settings for each.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to systems and methods of navigating previously viewed channels. In a particular embodiment, a method may include maintaining a channel list in a memory, the channel list comprising multiple previously viewed channels. The method may also include receiving a first signal to select a first selected channel in the channel list. The method may also include tuning a channel tuner to the first selected channel.

Abstract: Improved techniques and graphical user interfaces for presenting a media item on a computing device are disclosed. In one embodiment, the media item is a video. A video information window can provide a user with information concerning the video and can enable the user to play at least a portion of the video on request. When the video is to be played, the video information window can expand to present a video playback region in which the video is provided when played. The video can be provided with high resolution and appropriate frame size.

Abstract: A method and system to permit TV viewers to interact with program content broadcast over a subscriber network, such as cable, satellite, internet, or cellular telephone. The details of the ability for the viewer to interact is embedded as data in the program signal. The subscription provider broadcasts a visual indicator as a small icon during programming that informs the viewer that interaction is permitted. The viewer then uses a remote control to purchase products, vote on events, respond to polls, download files, request information, and request callback actions. The TV viewer uses the remote control to send information to a set-top box front-end application, and to iteratively create transactions that are batched and then sent to a back-end core application and database which then handles fulfillment.

Abstract: An interactive system for viewing music videos on the go that includes at least one processor, at least one display device electronically connected to the at least one processor, at least one communications means electronically connected to the at least one processor, and computer executable instructions readable by the at least one processor, and operative to display at least one music video channel selection function on the display device, display at least one music video on the display device, and display at least one instant messaging function on the display device, wherein the at least one music video channel selection function, the at least one music video, and the at least one instant messaging function are displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: A system for navigating and visualizing the progression of selectably presentable video content includes a progress indicator module for dynamically displaying the progression status of video content paths made up of selectably presentable video content segments. The system further includes an interactive control module for facilitating navigation along the video content paths. The progression status may be graphically represented in the form of a tree structure having linked video content segments forming the content paths. The control module may be used to navigation the video within this tree structure.

Abstract: A program search device is described that searches for programs using a keyword search and handles the programs found in the search by classifying the programs into special programs and regular programs. The device searches for broadcast programs corresponding to a current time from an electronic program guide, and includes a program guide storing unit that prestores an electronic program guide a keyword storing unit that prestores one or more extraction keywords and corresponding effective periods, a time obtaining unit operable to obtain a current time, a detecting unit operable to read an extraction keyword corresponding to an effective period and detect, from the electronic program guide, one or more program display information sets including the read extraction keyword, and an extracting unit operable to extract each of one or more program display information sets that indicates a regular program, or a special program.

Abstract: A method, system, and software for improved display of multiple media channels are disclosed herein. A system may be used to select, independent of direct user input, a subset of a plurality of media channels based on a user's viewing pattern. The system can include one or more media sources, a media processing system, and a display device, as well as a method for its use. The media processing system receives a plurality of media channels from the one or more media sources. One or more attributes associated with each media channel are compared with a user's viewing pattern determined independent of direct user input by the media processing system. A surf list is generated from the plurality of media channels, where the surf list includes a subset of the plurality of media channels having one or more attributes that are congruent with the user's viewing pattern. A portion, such as a still image, of each media channel in the surf list is output to an output device, such as a display device or storage device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to allow users to browse services, content items, or the like using the language that is generally most familiar to them, and in particular ones that are not available on an IPTV. Thus, users can browse content offerings on the second display in a language and font set that are personalized to themselves, and they may further send the content item to the IPTV for playback. The disclosed systems and methods provide a way for a group of users to exploit individual “second displays” to view, browse, and navigate content or data service offerings, by service providers, e.g., internet network services, in a preferred language and using preferred fonts, especially one not supported by a content playback device, on behalf of a content playback device, e.g., IPTV, the same having authenticated credentials for playback of such content, and then arrange for a selected content item or items to be played back on the content playback device.

Abstract: The sprocket shaped menu accepts selections of information from the menu, where selecting an item in the menu causes other parts of the look of the menu to change. In one embodiment, this can cause a break in the menu which shows a preview. In another embodiment, touching an item on the menu can cause an automatic update of the other items unless those other items have been automatically updated within a predetermined time before, such as within 15 minutes.

Abstract: An intelligent television can store and retrieve data about various functions of the television or associated with user behavior. The stored data streamlines the processes of providing electronic programming guide information, providing search results, providing statistics about content, providing channel information, etc. The unique set of data services in the intelligent television receive, store, manage, and retrieve the data for various of the applications or components.

Abstract: An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for navigating processes associated with providing content. The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of media content, electronic programming guide information, television content, and other content. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the content.

Abstract: An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for navigating processes associated with providing content. The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of media content, electronic programming guide information, television content, and other content. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the content.

Abstract: Described herein is technology for, among other things, selecting a representative thumbnail from a video clip. The technology involves analyzing frames of the video clip to determine which frames are stable, the result of the analysis being a number of segments of stable frames. From the stable segments, a number of candidate segments are selected, where candidate segments are those segments determined to a degree of certainty to be program content. The representative thumbnail is then selected from among the frames of the candidate segments.

Abstract: A system enables dynamic linking between a variety of video formats including television broadcasts, web pages, and video displays which are stored on magnetic or optical media. Each frame of the video information is identified together with a plurality of locations within that frame. The locations selected by the user for example using a pointing device is then used to access associated information either within the system itself or on an external system. Thus, in some embodiments of the present invention, any item on a given frame may be linked initially or thereafter to other information within or without the particular system containing that information.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for providing an interaction package to a user based at least in part on metadata associated with content. An exemplary method comprises processing metadata associated with content, determining information corresponding to an interaction package for a user based at least in part on the metadata, wherein at least a portion of the interaction package is associated with the content, and transmitting the information corresponding to the interaction package to at least one of one or more user computing devices. The disclosed embodiments further relates to a method, apparatus, and computer-readable medium for presenting at least a portion of an interaction package to a user based at least in part on metadata associated with content.

Abstract: A web-based video broadcast system, comprising at least one web page in communication with a host system to permit a plurality of users and a plurality of content providers to access the host system. The host system is programmed to register a plurality of channels, each associated with a unique channel identifier, and to associate each of at least a portion of the plurality of channels with at least one content provider responsive to a request by the at least one content provider. The host system is further programmed to permit the at least one content provider associated with a channel to selectively upload to the host system at least one video file and associate the at least one video file with the channel. The host system is further programmed to store the at least one video file and continuously display the at least one video file responsive to a user selecting the channel via the at least one web page.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus provide for a region brander configured to uniformly apply branding (i.e graphical modifications) upon both content data and application data to effectuate a seamless branding of an entire region of a graphical user interface (GUI). The region brander defines a hierarchy relationship between content and a branding extension (i.e. embedded modification information) with respect to a region in a Graphical User Interface (GUI). The region brander further defines a master region in the GUI to apply the hierarchy relationship to display the content and the branding extension in the master region. A slave region in the GUI can also be defined to apply the hierarchy relationship in order to: (i) display, in the slave region, the branding extensions related to content selected in the master region, and (ii) display episodic content related to content selected in the master region.

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 method is provided for controlling a television including a user input part for manipulating a channel adjusting item. The method includes displaying a channel map showing a predetermined number of channels including a tuned broadcast channel if the channel adjusting item is selected through the user input part, and a channel setting information menu corresponding to one of the channels shown in the channel map. Thus, the television control method not only allows a user to easily and simply recognize a channel setting state according to channels when the user wants to adjust channel-related functions, but also allows a user to conveniently and effectively adjust the channel setting state according to the channels.

Abstract: An Intelligent TV can dynamically arrange applications in an application center based on usage. The application center provides contextual panels with detailed information about selected applications and provides recommended applications. The panels may be both interactive or informational. The Intelligent TV can receive a request to activate a panel through the reception of signals from a remote control or a user interface. The layout, information, and content of a panel may depend on the application with focus when a user activates the panel. An Intelligent TV may also provide a widget panel which simplifies selection, use, and display of widgets.

Abstract: An Intelligent TV having a silo manager, a panel manager and a panel controller. The various managers and controllers managing a global panel and an application panel. The global panel includes various types of information and the various types of input and content available. The global panel includes various information including, for example, Live TV information, on demand information, media center information, application information, HDMI 1 information, HDMI 2 information, HDMI 3 information, component 1 information, component 2 information, AV 1 information, AV 2 information, VGA information, as well as an option to hide undetected inputs. The application panel is dynamic and can optionally change based on one or more of context and content of the underlying application being viewed. The application panel can include various subcategories of information, with the number and type of the subcategories also capable of being dynamic based on the underlying context or content.

Abstract: An Intelligent Television provides unique user interfaces and user interface interactions to provide social media. The interfaces and interface are intuitive and allow the user to quickly retrieve and view social media with respect to content displayed on the Intelligent Television. Further, intuitive user interface interactions are provided to allow for the quick and efficient posting of social media from the Intelligent Television to a social media site.

Abstract: An application framework includes user interface components and TV resources which facilitate development of intelligent TV applications, including third party applications. These components and resources are complimented by one or more data services that can generally be run at a services level, to provide access to a variety of data, such as media and program metadata for one or more of local or remote sources. These data services can reside in one and more libraries within the software system components and modules. The various third party apps are further supported by a third party application support module, in conjunction with an app center application that supports various different views of the installed apps—a master view, a collection view, and a detail view.

Abstract: An Intelligent TV having a silo manager, a panel manager and a panel controller. The various managers and controllers managing a global panel and an application panel. The global panel includes various types of information and the various types of input and content available. The global panel includes various information including, for example, Live TV information, on demand information, media center information, application information, HDMI 1 information, HDMI 2 information, HDMI 3 information, component 1 information, component 2 information, AV 1 information, AV 2 information, VGA information, as well as an option to hide undetected inputs. The application panel is dynamic and can optionally change based on one or more of context and content of the underlying application being viewed. The application panel can include various subcategories of information, with the number and type of the subcategories also capable of being dynamic based on the underlying context or content.

Abstract: An Intelligent Television provides unique user interfaces and user interface interactions to provide social media. The interfaces and interface are intuitive and allow the user to quickly retrieve and view social media with respect to content displayed on the Intelligent Television. Further, intuitive user interface interactions are provided to allow for the quick and efficient posting of social media from the Intelligent Television to a social media site.

Abstract: An Intelligent Television provides unique user interfaces and user interface interactions to provide social media. The interfaces and interface are intuitive and allow the user to quickly retrieve and view social media with respect to content displayed on the Intelligent Television. Further, intuitive user interface interactions are provided to allow for the quick and efficient posting of social media from the Intelligent Television to a social media site.

Abstract: An Intelligent Television provides unique user interfaces and user interface interactions to provide social media. The interfaces and interface are intuitive and allow the user to quickly retrieve and view social media with respect to content displayed on the Intelligent Television. Further, intuitive user interface interactions are provided to allow for the quick and efficient posting of social media from the Intelligent Television to a social media site.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a plurality of servers arranged in a parallel processing configuration to create a plurality of streams of low-latency streaming interactive video. Each server produces a stream of low-latency streaming interactive video. A unit combines the plurality of streams into a new stream of low-latency streaming interactive video. The unit is also operable to provide a user interface that allows real-time interactive manipulation of the resulting combined streams by a user.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for modifying signals of a three-dimensional graphics application program based on a tracking algorithm. In operation, a plurality of signals are received from a three-dimensional graphics application program. Additionally, the signals, or a derivative thereof, are modified based on an algorithm that tracks at least a portion of an upper body of a person. Furthermore, the modified signals are output.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an image displaying apparatus includes a plurality of keys provided for respective items to operate the image displaying apparatus, and a first light source configured to illuminate the plurality of keys, wherein the image displaying apparatus turns on the first light source when one of the plurality of keys is operated without making the key operation valid, turns off the first light source when one of the plurality of keys is operated in a preset period after a preceding key operation is performed and makes the key operation valid.

Abstract: Provided is to a method of providing a part of content over network in which a user accesses a content provider server over a network, and selects and downloads only a part of content or receives information for accessing the part of content, or generates access information for the part of content and stores the access information in the content provider server, thereby enabling to easily access the part of content when accessing later. In the method, a user may access a plurality of parts configuring content instead of a content unit.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for dynamic content play list creation are described. A fastplay application provides for dynamic play list generation, using feature categorization and local storage to present a set of custom play list(s) that are tailored to a user's preference(s). The settings may be stored locally on the media player storage device such that the preference(s) can be utilized across titles.

Abstract: A handheld terminal includes a device communication unit which communicates with at least one or more broadcasting reception apparatus receiving contents and content information about the contents from a content provider and receives the content information from the broadcasting reception apparatus, a content display unit which displays the content information received from the broadcasting reception apparatus, a server communication unit which communicates with an information providing server which manages related information relating to the contents and receives the related information relating to the content information received from the broadcasting reception apparatus from the information providing server, and a related information display unit which displays the related information received from the information providing server.

Abstract: An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for navigating processes associated with providing content. The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of media content, electronic programming guide information, television content, and other content. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the content.

Abstract: An intelligent television can provide various interfaces for navigating processes associated with providing content. The user interfaces include unique visual representations and organizations that allow the user to utilize the intelligent television more easily and more effectively. Particularly, the user interfaces pertain to the display of media content, electronic programming guide information, television content, and other content. Further, the user interfaces provide unique process of transitioning between the content.