Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content playback apparatus includes a read module which reads information that is recorded in a recording medium, a clock module which is managed such that tampering is prevented, and a control module which controls the read module and the clock module. Content information and time management information is recorded in the recording medium. The time management information includes date/time recording information indicative of a date/time at which previous playback of the content information is stopped, playback allowable period information, start date/time information of a playback allowable period and end date/time information of the playback allowable period. The control module includes a time management module which corrects the start date/time information of the playback allowable period and the end date/time information of the playback allowable period, with use of time information which is acquired from the clock module.

Abstract: Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, allows recording and playback of multi-stream interactive television. In one approach to this technology, the service configuration for an interactive television feature is determined. Data describing this service configuration is then obtained, and a recording device is then configured to record a portion of the interactive television feature. A number of data streams associated with that portion of the interactive television feature are recorded. The recorded portion of the interactive television feature can then be displayed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus in a television delivery system for enabling a programming network or other content owner to control recording of television programs by a service provider network. The programming network transmits the television programs to the service provider network, and the service provider network records the television programs for time-shifted delivery to end users. The programming network determines scheduling information for the television programs, creates recording instructions based on the scheduling information, and injects the recording instructions as metadata in a media stream sent to the service provider network. A recording system in the service provider network extracts the metadata from the media stream, and records the television programs in accordance with the received recording instructions. The recording instructions are more accurate and up-to-date than existing Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information. Additional control instructions may also be included in the metadata.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access to high definition (HD) content includes a master customer premises equipment (CPE) device enabled for prioritizing conflicting requests for HD content based on predefined priority settings associated with a plurality of client CPE devices. Access to HD content by the client CPE devices may be associated with a token and conflicting requests may be resolved in favor of the client CPE device that holds the token. Disclosed systems permit administrators to control the use of limited resources within a location by limiting access to the limited resources by secondary users.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for providing communications data. At least one embodiment of a method receiving data associated with a communications session, the communications session including a first communications stream and a second communications stream, wherein the first communications stream and the second communications stream are received in a receiving order and recording at least a portion of the communications session. Some embodiments include receiving a request to provide, from the recording, at least a portion of the first communications stream in a visual format and providing at least a portion of the first communications stream in the visual format.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting information to a user of a mobile communication device. Various aspects of the present invention comprise receiving and presenting a first portion of media information to a user. While presenting the first portion of the media information to the user, a first signal may be received. In response to the first signal, a second portion of the media information may be received and buffered. A second signal may be received, and in response to the second signal, the second portion of the media information may be presented to the user. While the second portion of the media information is presented to the user, a third portion of the media information may be received and buffered. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise a mobile communication device that receives, presents and/or buffers various portions of media information.

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

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, network device having a controller programmed to transmit requests on a primary network for a program recording corresponding to a program on at least one of the plurality of Electronic Program Guides (EPGs) where the EPGs are retrieved from a plurality of network sources including a plurality of remote network sources unaffiliated with the primary network and receive the requested program recording. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for playing DVD. A method for simultaneously outputting a DVD movie to multiple channels each having its own playback parameters such as view angle, spoken language and subtitle language, using a single DVD player.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both.

Abstract: A recording apparatus receives, with respect to an identical program, high image quality digital broadcasting data and low image quality digital broadcasting data, records the high image quality program data and the low image quality program data in a recording medium. When a cellular phone device is connected to the recording apparatus, the recording apparatus transfers the recorded low image quality program data to the cellular phone device via a communication interface. The recording apparatus transmits, to the portable cellular phone device, management information of the end of playback and deletion of the first program data whose program is identical to that of the transferred second program data.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for remote monitoring and control of a content-consumption device.

Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of method for providing highlights of multimedia content that may be of interest to a user of a television system. The interest of a particular user of the television system may be obtained from a viewing history gathered about the user. From this information, one or more available multimedia programs may be identified as being of interest to the user. Highlights of such content, such as pay-per-view or other premium content, may be gathered and sent to or recorded on the receiver associated with the user such that the highlights may be presented to the user during use of the television system. The highlights may be viewed by the user through the television system and, if the user is interested in the content, may also purchase or otherwise access the highlighted programs.

Abstract: A token schema is provided for identifying a broadcast audio and/or visual program to facilitate recording of the identified program. The token schema includes program criteria for identifying a corresponding audio/or visual program, which is sufficient to enable a recording system that receives the token to record the identified program based on the token. A token also represents an audio and/or visual program in a form that may be sent to one or more recipients, such as part of an email message or by other data transport mechanisms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a display control apparatus and method that make it possible to easily recognize detailed information relating to an overlap time slot in an apparatus capable of setting recording reservations for programs whose broadcast time slots overlap with each other. Program-11 that will be broadcast from 11 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. on channel-123 and program-14 that will be broadcast from 11:40 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. on channel-124 have an overlap broadcast time of 11:40 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Of a block of program-11, a portion of the overlap time slot is given a color (hatched) meaning that an action corresponding to a set reservation will be executed in spite of the overlap in broadcast time with the other program. Of a block of program-14, a portion of the overlap time slot is given a color (dotted) meaning that an action corresponding to a set reservation will not be executed because of the overlap in broadcast time with the other program.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to facilitate the reception, processing, outputting, and communication of content from one or more sources. Content is stored on a digital video recorder and a content storage server. The digital video recorder exchanges metadata with the content storage server that indicates the specific content stored on the digital video recorder. A communication device may request access to the content stored on the content storage server. The content storage server determines if the communication device is associated with a digital video recorder that is storing the requested content. If the communication device is associated with a digital video recorder storing the requested content, the content storage server sends the requested content stored on the content storage server to the communication device.

Abstract: A content playback device has a processor, a memory, a data acquisition portion that acquires streaming data for content from a data transmission device, and a storage portion that stores the acquired streaming data in a storage medium. The content playback device also has a playback portion that plays back the content based on the stored streaming data, a playback control portion that causes the playback portion to halt playback of the content in response to a halt playback request, and an acquisition control portion. The acquisition control portion causes the data acquisition portion to stop acquisition of the streaming data in response to the halt playback request, and causes the data acquisition portion to restart acquisition of the streaming data in response to a resume playback request. The storage portion stores, in the storage medium, the streaming data acquired in response to the resume playback request, starting from a position at which acquisition of the streaming data was stopped.

Abstract: An apparatus for recording/reproducing a digital broadcast and method thereof are disclosed, by which a user is provided with record information for the corresponding program and by which a data structure enabling an implicative representation of a recorded broadcast stream is proposed. The present invention includes a storage unit having at least one storage medium storing a broadcast program, the storage unit generating a record information file including at least one sub-record information having a display level assigned thereto by a broadcast program unit, the storage unit storing the generated record information file in the corresponding storage medium and a control unit reading the sub-record information to which the display level meeting an inputted display mode is assigned from the corresponding record information file if a display mode condition is inputted together with a record information browsing command, the control unit displaying the read sub-record information.

Abstract: The invention concerns a remote management method enabling a distant remote management server to manage at least a distant device. In order to have a simple and reliable management, it comprises a transmission step of a CWMP command requesting a configuration of the transport and/or dejittering layers.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying a simplified electronic program schedule guide on a user's television monitor is provided. In one embodiment, the program schedule guide is abbreviated to include only the programs currently available for viewing on a subset of the available channels. In another embodiment, the program guide screen visually distinguishes between programs for the convenience of the viewer.

Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.

Abstract: The invention manages resources and resolve conflicts when locally recording multimedia assets from a variety of sources in multimedia delivery systems. Local and system resources such as storage, tuners, and bandwidth are considered when alternative sources for assets are available (e.g., VOD). Rather than record assets locally, if equivalent assets are available via alternative sources, the recordings are deferred and a pointer to the equivalent asset is stored in lieu of the asset itself. When a user selects a multimedia asset for playback, an “on demand” or alternative source session is started for the asset associated with the pointer. Before the expiration date of the alternative source equivalent of the multimedia asset, it may be downloaded and recorded locally. The system may automatically determine based on various factors, such as transmission bandwidth, latency, and DRM, whether to store assets or pointers.

Abstract: Systems and methods of recording media content are provided. A particular method includes accessing user configuration settings. The user configuration settings include at least one premier recording option. Selection of the premier recording option indicates that initial episodes of series programs are to be recorded. The method also includes searching electronic program guide (EPG) information for the initial episodes of series programs in response to determining that the premier recording option is selected in the user configuration settings. The method further includes storing a data record scheduling recording of a particular initial episode of a particular series program identified by searching the EPG information.

Abstract: The broadcast receiver includes a storage unit configured to store first broadcast information for specifying a broadcast channel and/or program viewable on the broadcast receiver, an acquisition unit configured to acquire second broadcast information from the other broadcast receiver for specifying a broadcast channel and/or program viewable on the other broadcast receiver, an extraction unit configured to extract a broadcast channel and/or program from the first and second broadcast information not viewable on the broadcast receiver and viewable on the other broadcast receiver, and a generation unit configured to generate an electronic program guide that a user can distinguish a broadcast channel and/or program extracted from a broadcast channel and/or program that is viewable on the broadcast receiver.

Abstract: The apparatus for registering face identification features can eliminate time and effort for manually retrieving and preparing face images by being provided with a face image retrieving portion 11 for retrieving a face image of a person via a network using the person's name as a keyword, a face feature extracting portion 12 for extracting features, which greatly influence identification of a person, from the face images retrieved by the face image retrieving portion 11, and a celebrity name, face image and feature database 13 for registering the face images retrieved by the face image retrieving portion 11 and the face features extracted by the face feature extracting portion 12 in a state where they are associated with the person's names.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing program criteria representing a plurality of audio and/or visual programs. A plurality of tokens are stored in a database of one or more computers, each token having an identifier for identifying a predetermined audio and/or visual program. Each token may be a universal program identifier that represents a specific program in a global programming environment (e.g., the token may identify a program across multiple tuning spaces). Alternatively or additionally, a token may be a tuning-space specific program identifier that represents program criteria associated with a specific program for particular tuning space. The server is programmed to provide at least one token to a remote computer based on selection criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording a signal received by a home entertainment system that includes multiple consumer electronics devices interconnected to a central electronics device in a hub and spoke configuration. The configuration allows all signals in the home entertainment system to be accessible by the central electronics device. Accordingly, the central electronics device can process, route, or otherwise respond to any signal. By way of example, any signal can be routed to a recording system, where it can be recorded. The signal is coupled with information from an electronic programming guide that details specific programming. An automatic determination is made as to whether or not there exists enough free space on a recording medium to record a specific program. Upon recording the program on the recording medium, an index is updated on the recording medium from the electronic programming guide information and from the location of the program on the recording medium.

Abstract: A combined digital versatile disc (DVD)/hard disk drive (HDD) system controls a HDD assembly and a DVD assembly comprises a DVD/HDD control module controls operation of the HDD assembly and the DVD assembly. Volatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores volatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly. Nonvolatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores nonvolatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying identifiers for one or more series of recordable events is described. A system, such as the system of a digital video recorder, may receive a set of recordable events data, such as a listing of all television shows to be broadcast over a two-week period. The system analyzes the set of recordable events data for determining one or more sets of recordable events, where each set includes recordable events having the same title. The system analyzes each set of recordable events to determine sub-sets of recordable events based on relationships between the recordable events of each sub-set. The system displays an identifier for each sub-set of a given set of recordable events when the given set of recordable events is selected for display. A user may select to record a sub-set of recordable events by selecting the identifier that represents the sub-set.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmitting apparatus including an acquisition unit that acquires electronic program guide information contained in broadcast waves; a recording unit that records the electronic program guide information acquired by the acquisition unit in a storage medium; a determination unit that determines whether the electronic program guide information has changed, by comparing the electronic program guide information recorded in the storage medium and the electronic program guide information newly acquired by the acquisition unit; and a transmitting unit that transmits, when the determination unit determines that the electronic program guide information has changed, the newly acquired electronic program guide information to one or more than one receiving apparatuses connected via a network.

Abstract: A program guide printing device receives program information and generates program guide print data from the received program information. In printing of the program guide, in a blank region occurring in a program frame for displaying program name and the like of each program, not only program information of another program or additional information such as advertisement information, program topics, whether forecast, and text, but also images are printed. Thus, printing of a program guide using a limited area effectively can be carried out.

Abstract: The present invention provides a content viewing system constructed so that even when a user uses different content viewing systems, the user's preference information stored on a storage device is used and updated. The content viewing system includes: a storage device authentication unit that authenticates a removable storage device on which is stored a user's preference information created from a content viewing history in any other content viewing system; a content list acquisition unit that acquires an acquirable content list; a content search unit that reads out the user's preference information from the storage device, refers to the user's preference information that has been read out, and searches for content from the content list; a content acquisition unit that acquires the content detected during the search; and a storage control unit that stores the acquired content on the storage device.

Abstract: A combined digital versatile disc (DVD)/hard disk drive (HDD) system controls a HDD assembly and a DVD assembly comprises a DVD/HDD control module controls operation of the HDD assembly and the DVD assembly. Volatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores volatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly. Nonvolatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores nonvolatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly.

Abstract: A combined digital versatile disc (DVD)/hard disk drive (HDD) system controls a HDD assembly and a DVD assembly comprises a DVD/HDD control module controls operation of the HDD assembly and the DVD assembly. Volatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores volatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly. Nonvolatile memory communicates with the DVD/HDD control module and stores nonvolatile data relating to the operation of the DVD assembly and the HDD assembly.

Abstract: A method for selectively recording or replaying partial scenes of a broadcasting program includes the steps of: receiving a broadcasting program and a corresponding supplementary information; determining whether or not information on pre-selected scenes or user-selected scenes of the broadcasting program is contained in the supplementary information; and if so recording the pre-selected or user-selected scenes of the broadcasting program.

Abstract: Each transmission received from a video asset owner includes information regarding a video asset that is available for real time distribution during a future time period to third parties. Following a selection from among the video assets, the corresponding video asset owners receive transmissions requesting the selected video assets and one or more initial templates. The video asset owners transmit final templates that conform to the initial templates and contain information descriptive of the video assets. Each final template, and the corresponding video asset, is transmitted to predetermined network resource, such as a headend, at a predetermined time corresponding to the future time period of availability. The predetermined network resource can then distribute video assets to viewers that were requested from the corresponding video storefront by viewers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an EPG of a recorded TS file. The method and apparatus enables a user to recognize in advance digital broadcasting content (i.e., broadcasting programs) recorded using the EPG of the recorded TS file by accumulatively storing EPG information of the corresponding broadcasting content when recording the respective broadcasting content transmitted from a plurality of broadcasting stations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of receiving broadcast signals and an apparatus for receiving broadcast signals. The apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive a broadcast signal, a demodulator configured to demodulate the broadcast signal, a demultiplexer configured to demultiplex the broadcast signal, a storage device configured to store a replacement segment to replace a specific portion of a broadcast stream, and segment-related information describing a replaceable segment included in a broadcast stream, from the demultiplexed broadcast signal, a controller configured to control uploading the stored replacement segment or downloading the replacement segment and to insert the stored replacement segment into the broadcast stream according to the segment-related information; and a decoder configured to decode a broadcast stream.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method is described. The method includes receiving a request at a control module from a first remote device to access media data from a storage management module and determining that a first user is requesting access to the data based upon a first remote identification (ID). The method further includes opening a second stream between the playback module and the storage management module and receiving the data at the playback module.

Abstract: Techniques are described that involve an electronic program guide referencing past television content. In an implementation, a reference to an episode of television content that has already been broadcast is output in an electronic program guide. An event is scheduled that relates to another episode of the television with the reference to the television content that has already been broadcast.

Abstract: A method of establishing communications with one or more devices located in an environment using a wireless communication device is disclosed. The wireless communication device comprises a short-range transceiver that is able to communicate with a short-range transceiver located in the environment. A communication is received from the short-range transceiver of the wireless communication device that includes a request to establish communications with one or more device located in the environment. A request is transmitted to an environment directory server to determine if a user associated with the wireless communication device has permission to access any of the devices in the environment. A response is received from the environment directory server in response to the request. A communication is made to the short-range transceiver of the wireless communication device indicating whether the device can communicate with any of the devices in the environment.

Abstract: To provide a node device or the like which can view programs broadcasted in past by a simple operation without applying a large load to a specific device such as a server. A node device included in an information delivery system that includes a plurality of node devices mutually communicable through a network and at least one or more broadcast stations broadcasting program information, the node device including: a program information receiving means for receiving program information broadcasted respectively from the broadcast stations; and a program information storage means for storing program information assigned as a record in charge among the program information thus received in correspondence with identification information inherent in the program information so that the program information is shared among the plurality of node devices.

Abstract: A recording medium, method, and apparatus for reproducing text subtitle streams are disclosed. A microcomputer initially reads a set of PlayItems and a SubPlayItem included in a PlayList which is recorded on a recording medium, and it further reads synchronization information included in the SubPlayItem. Each PlayItem is configured to reproduce at least one main AV stream, and the SubPlayItem is configured to reproduce a text subtitle stream. The synchronization information indicates a presentation start time of the SubPlayItem on a global time axis of the PlayList. When the PlayList is randomly accessed at a random access time on the global time axis, the microcomputer calculates a corresponding access time on a time axis of the SubPlayItem. Then a text subtitle decoder decodes for presentation a dialog presentation segment with the closest dialog start time after the corresponding access time on the axis of the SubPlayItem.

Abstract: Automatic selection, recording and meaningful labeling of tracks from broadcast media streams is provided. Content information which relates to tracks currently being played and/or to previously played tracks is used to guide selection of tracks to be recorded and to provide meaningful labels for recorded tracks. This content information does not provide an advance schedule of tracks to be played in the future. A segment is temporarily recorded from a selected media stream. The content information relating to tracks in the segment is compared with previous user input (i.e., track preferences) to select tracks within the segment to be recorded. For each selected track, clipping is performed to identify track start and end times. Clipped tracks are recorded onto a suitable long-term recording medium, and labeled with a meaningful label derived from the content information.

Abstract: A digital video recorder writes data on a selected one of a first storage medium and a second storage medium. The recorder includes an abnormal state detector for detecting any abnormal event that possibly occurs while the recorder is writing the data on the first storage medium. If the abnormal state detector senses the abnormal event while the recorder is writing the data on the first storage medium, then the recorder stops writing the data on the first storage medium and starts writing the data, which should have been written on the first storage medium only, on the second storage medium instead.

Abstract: A method for reserving recording and viewing a broadcast program on a display screen includes the steps of extracting a broadcast program timetable; simultaneously displaying the broadcast program timetable and a viewing reservation timetable; waiting for a selection input to select a broadcast program on the display screen; waiting for an allocation input to allocate a selected program into the viewing reservation timetable; and generating recording instruction to instruct recording of the selected program and reproduction reservation instruction to instruct reproduction of the selected program at a time corresponding to a position at which the selected program is allocated in the viewing reservation timetable.

Abstract: An entertainment head-end provides broadcast programming, video-on-demand services, and HTML-based interactive programming through a distribution network to client terminals in subscribers' homes. A number of different features are provided, including novel user interfaces, enhanced video-on-demand controls, a variety of interactive services (personalized news, jukebox, games, celebrity chat), and techniques that combine to provide user experiences evocative of conventional television.

Abstract: A method for using a video content recording apparatus with electronic program guide functionality is disclosed. In one embodiment, a video content recording apparatus receives a removable memory device storing electronic program guide data, displays an electronic program guide that uses the electronic program guide data, and records, onto a removable memory device, video content selected using the electronic program guide. In another embodiment, a video content recording apparatus receives a removable memory device storing a scheduled recording file and records, onto a removable memory device, video content specified by the scheduled recording file. In yet another embodiment, a video content recording apparatus receives electronic program guide data, displays an electronic program guide that uses the electronic program guide data, and records, onto a removable memory device, video content selected using the electronic program guide.

Abstract: A method is presented comprising tuning a receiver of a broadband signal to a channel within the broadband signal to receive information including one or more cable modem operating parameters, and updating one or more operating parameters of the cable modem in accordance with the received information.

Abstract: A television device for receiving and storing an electronic programme guide, the electronic programme guide including a plurality of programme entries for respective television programmes, each programme entry having a title field including title data for the title of the respective programme and having a timing field including timing data for timing of the respective programme. Title fields of the electronic programme guide are searched to find titles matching the title of the start programme and candidate programmes are identified accordingly. The timings of the identified candidate programmes are compared with a timing profile representing expected consecutive programme occurrences. On the basis of correlation of the timing data with the timing profile, a consecutive programme in the programme series is identified.