Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing ultra high definition television service is provided. The apparatus for providing UHDTV service sets up a type of the UHDTV service as a first type of HDTV service and a second type different from that of the HDTV service in an environment of the UHDTV service and the HDTV service coexist.

Abstract: A system and method for rendering music is provided. The method includes: receiving a request for electronic content; parsing the electronic content to determine a music notation element; translating the music notation; creating a music notation object based on the translation; and rendering the music notation object via a browser application. The system includes: a connection module configured to receive a request for electronic content; a parser configured to parse the electronic content to determine a music notation element; an object module configured to translate the music notation and create a music notation object based on the translation; and a rendering module configured to render the music notation object to be displayed by a browser application.

Abstract: Preparing of information about a content source is disclosed. One method in accordance with the information preparing creates item information on a first component pertaining to an arbitrary content source, incorporates the created information on the first component into a first structure element (e.g., tag), creates a second structure element containing information making display layout information for the arbitrary content source accessible, creates information on at least one component pertaining to the arbitrary content source other than the first component, and incorporates the created information on the at least one component into at least one third structure element included within the second structure element.

Abstract: A controller may be used to control client switches in a network that includes non-client switches. The controller may form client domains from groups of client switches that are separated by intervening non-client domains formed from non-client switches. The controller may determine a network domain topology from the client domains and non-client domains. The controller may determine a spanning tree that interconnects the nodes of the network domain topology. The controller may control client switches of the client domains to allow only network traffic between the client domains and the non-client domains along the spanning tree. The controller may use the network domain topology to generate inter-domain forwarding maps. The inter-domain forwarding maps may be used to determine network forwarding paths between end hosts in the network.

Abstract: A media gateway that services a plurality of client devices may be used to combine a plurality of encoded multimedia transport streams, which may comprise a buffered copy of received encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream and an encoded local multimedia transport stream that pertains to the broadcast transport stream. The media gateway may decode the encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream to extract broadcast multimedia content carried therein based on determination of capabilities of one or more client devices used in playback of the content. The encoded local multimedia transport stream may be generated based on local multimedia content generated and/or captured via one or more client devices. The buffering duration of the received encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream may be adaptively determined, to ensure that the encoded local multimedia transport stream and the encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream are synchronized when they are combined.

Abstract: A method for playing multimedia content encrypted based on digital rights management (DRM) by a terminal apparatus having a web server module unit, the method comprising: receiving a request for playing the multimedia content encrypted based on DRM; converting a local file path via which the multimedia content encrypted based on DRM corresponding to the received play request is stored into a web server URL path for the web server module unit; providing the web server URL path to a multimedia device player for playing the multimedia content encrypted based on DRM; when the multimedia device player accesses the web server module unit by using the web server URL path, checking whether there is a session being connected to the web server URL; and controlling whether to decode the multimedia content encrypted based on DRM depending on the checking results.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of transmission of a digital content stream to receivers and a corresponding method of reception. In order to synchronize digital content rendering over these receivers, while supporting trick mode commands, the method of transmission comprises a step of sending of a common time reference to the receivers, a step of reception of a trick mode command message, the received trick mode command message comprising information allowing identification of a point in the digital content stream, a step of sending of notification messages to all of the at least two receivers notifying them of the received trick mode command message and a step of sending of at least part of the digital content stream to all receivers in accordance with the received trick mode command message, the digital content stream comprising information allowing to identify a point in the digital content stream.

Abstract: Various arrangements, including systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable mediums for incentivizing content viewer feedback are detailed herein. In some embodiments, a first television program with at least one commercial break is output. At least one television commercial for presentation during a first commercial break may be output. For the at least one television commercial, a rating from a viewer may be received. An incentive value determined based on at least the rating of the at least one commercial may be calculated. A second duration may be selected from a group comprising a first duration and a second duration based on the calculated incentive value, wherein the second duration is shorter than the first duration. A second commercial break of the selected second duration may be output.

Abstract: It is assumed that a reception processing unit receives a broadcast program in accordance with tuning based on the user's specification. In this state, a non-viewable state detection processing unit monitors occurrence of a non-viewable state from an acquisition state of reception data. When the non-viewable state occurs due to a certain factor, a non-viewable state accumulation unit accumulates information on the non-viewable state. When the factor of a viewing interruption is solved and a user makes a request for service provision, the processing unit connects to a distribution apparatus to report content of the non-viewable state, and receives distribution of a relevant content, thereby the processing unit becomes able to recontinue interrupted broadcast content.

Abstract: Complexity requirements of the Live Video Streaming application are addressed by introducing spatial and temporal redundancy at the stream and networking layers and combining it with advanced reconstruction techniques at the client side. A system includes: a plurality of single or multiple content sources; weighted temporal redundancy generator; a network, coupling the single or multiple content sources and weighted temporal redundancy generator, wherein the network distributes data of the sources and generator; and a plurality of single or multiple content consuming entities, coupled to the network.

Abstract: A processing system can include an encoder to encode a real-time transmission of a presentation. A memory buffer can copy and store images of the presentation and convert the images into snapshot images. A transmitter can transmit the snapshot images to an external annotation device, and a receiver can receive annotation data of an annotation performed on the snapshot images at the external annotation device. The annotation can be encoded, in accordance with the annotation data, into the real-time transmission of the presentation to display the real-time transmission with the annotation.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, by a client device associated with a particular user, product details for video content including a purchase option identifier (ID) for the video content from a video service provider. The method includes requesting, by the client device based on a single sign on (SSO) protected call, a playback uniform resource locator (URL) for the video content from an orchestration layer associated with the video service provider. The method also includes receiving the playback URL, an entitlement ID associated with the particular user for the video content, and the encrypted content. The method includes obtaining a digital rights management (DRM) license for the encrypted content based on the entitlement ID, and decrypting and playing the video content based on DRM rules associated with the video content.

Abstract: Method, device, and non-transitory storage medium to receive peak viewership parameters that indicate one or more program channels to be modeled; query a device that stores viewership data based on the peak viewership parameters; determine a peak viewership for the one or more program channels; query another device that stores network configuration data pertaining to a program delivery network; obtain channel path information pertaining to the one or more program channels; generate peak channel delivery data based on the channel path information and the peak viewership data; and simulate, based on the peak channel delivery data, resource utilization of the program delivery network stemming from a provisioning of the one or more program channels according to a delivery channel format that is different from another delivery channel format that was used to deliver the one or more program channels to subscribers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of rendering a thin client application in a network device, for parsing the internet data so as convert the internet data into a common data format which can be rendered in set-top box using any type of middleware. The invention would be equipped to handle any type of application and also would be cost-efficient to be developed in a middleware layer of a network device like set-top box.

Abstract: [Object] To appropriately control simultaneous presentation of broadcast content and an application. [Solving Means] The information processing apparatus includes: a broadcast content processor configured to receive and process broadcast content; and a controller configured to obtain an application information table, the application information table (XML-AIT) storing an application identification descriptor 24 as information specifying broadcast content, the broadcast content being capable of being presented with the application simultaneously, and to determine if it is possible to present the application and the broadcast content simultaneously or not.

Abstract: The invention relates to a technique for controlling the distribution of content items such as advertisements, news, etc., to user devices in a mobile communications network. A method embodiment of the technique is performed in a distribution control gateway of the mobile communications network and comprises the steps of receiving, from a content provider server, a target user indication indicative of one or more target user devices for presentation of a content item; accessing a provider registry for determining a provider authorization of the content provider server; accessing a user registry for determining a user authorization for receiving the content item from the content provider server; and initiating a transmission of the content item to one or more of the target user devices.

Abstract: This system provides wired and/or wireless access throughout a multimedia network built on a distributed architecture which can be transparent to the user. This multimedia network includes content which is imported or generated within the network. The system allows for the content provider to determine the license status of content and update the license status of content which was previously provided by that provider. The external content can be accessed in real time or downloaded and stored within the system for later access at the convenience of the user. The usage of some content is controlled by the use of encryption and other protection methods. The system allows for storage of live video by storing the digitized video and allowing the user to control how, when and where the content is viewed. The system makes available multiple multimedia services to all users in the network or connected via the internet.

Abstract: Systems and methods, for determining user engagement with displayed media content are disclosed. In some implementations, a method includes: receiving media content identification information from a first electronic device configured to control presentation of media content, receiving mobile device usage information from a second electronic device, where the second electronic device is associated with a user in proximity to the first electronic device, determining based on the media content identification information, media content presented at the first device, associating the determined media content and the mobile device usage information, and based on correspondence between the associated received mobile device usage information and the media content identification information, estimating user engagement of the user with the presented media content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating customized music arrangements based on multiple criteria are provided herein. A user selects a musical composition and provides ensemble information about an ensemble, such as the number of instruments, instrument types, and playing ability of each member of an ensemble to the system. When inputted instrumentation or proficiency does not work within the pre-determined parameters of the musical selection, notification is provided to the user, and the system rebalances the arrangement to accommodate the proficiencies of the ensemble. In embodiments, the system is configured to transpose portions of a musical score into a range suitable for a substitute instrument or a player of limited skill. The user receives a conductor's score arrangement that has been adapted for each member of the ensemble and tailored to balance the entire ensemble. The system is capable of receiving ensemble information and creating customized musical arrangements in real-time.

Abstract: A broadcast system and method that includes a video content network that connects a video server, a discovery server, a switched digital video service, a switched video manager, and a set-top box. The set-top box receives and stores an assigned location identifier, and receives a mapping from the discovery server, where the mapping includes records, each record associating a location identifier and a service group. The set-top box matches the assigned location identifier to the mapping to determine an assigned service group for the set-top box. The set-top box receives an address from the discovery server that identifies the switched video manager that is associated with the assigned service group. The set-top box operates in the broadcast system by communicating with the switched digital video service, and the switched video manager.

Abstract: Storage management technology, in which a system determines a first amount of storage space on a downloader device of a user that is available for download of new content made available on channels subscribed to by the user. The system also determines a second amount of storage space needed to download new content that has been made available on channels subscribed to by the user. The system further compares the second amount of storage space to the first amount of storage space and determines whether the second amount of storage space exceeds the first amount of storage space. Based on a determination that the second amount of storage space exceeds the first amount of storage space, the system controls downloading of the new content to the downloader device and deletion of previously-stored content on the downloader device based on a content allocation policy.

Abstract: A method of servicing requests for information at a server includes receiving a request for information from a client device, and determining a number of attempts of the request made by the client device. Both the client device and the server may count the number of attempts for each request. When the number of attempts is greater than a threshold, the method includes servicing the request and sending the information to the client device. When the number of attempts is not greater than the threshold, the method includes sending a service unavailable message to the client device. A retry-after delay may be calculated by the server according to a predicted time for the server to exit an overloaded state and included in the service unavailable message. The predicted time may take into account both requests currently being serviced and requests that have been scheduled to be serviced in the future.

Abstract: A device, a method and a program to simplify transcoding of TTS (timestamped transport streams). When transcoding video data in the input TTS, the video processor unit reattaches time stamps in sequence within the applicable frame period of each video frame to each video packet within the applicable video frame after recompression. When transcoding audio data in the input TTS, the audio processor unit reattaches time stamps in sequence within the applicable video frame period of each video frame to each audio packet in the applicable video frame after recompression.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining metadata that relates to a video program and that defines, for one or more specified time points in the video program, one or more web services to be invoked at those time points; generating and displaying, on a computer, a video window that is configured to play the video program; during playing the video program on a computer, detecting that the video program is playing at one of the time points and determining an identifier of a particular web service associated with that one of the time points; in response to the detecting, causing the computer to invoke the particular web service.

Abstract: A system, method and device for real-time compositing of encrypted video streams without having to decrypt each video stream is disclosed herein. A shared encryption key is derived to encrypt multiple incoming video streams to an encrypted master video stream, while retaining full interoperability with popular incumbent video encryption standards. Compositing video is then possible without having to decrypt the master video stream, thereby preserving the security of the copyrighted material. The invention preferably genlocks a digital video source to a master video stream.

Abstract: Disclosed is a web browser based content management application with an integrated user configurable content interface whereby a user can manage a wide variety of content using a single window. The user interface includes a “browser window in a browser window” that provides transparent access to a host of underlying applications that are configured to manage the user's interaction with a wide variety of content, including multimedia content delivered via the Internet. The windowing functionality of the content management application can be set to automatically reconfigure based on the number and type of content accessed. A continuously playing video player is configured to appear within a web page when a user browses to the first web page and to render video overlayed on the web page. The player is configured to play the same video stream continuously while a user browses from the web page to a second web page.

Abstract: Channel trending, including determining a number of viewers watching a multimedia program, is achieved in a digital television network. Cached multimedia frames that correspond to portions of the multimedia program are maintained, for example, on a device located on an edge (i.e., in a network edge device) of the digital television network. In response to a request from a client device (e.g., a set-top box) to receive the multimedia program, cached multimedia frames are fed from the edge device to the client device. Upon a seamless transfer or handoff resulting in a simulcast replicator or multicast replicator providing further portions of the multimedia program, a signal (e.g., a simple network management protocol TRAP statement) is sent to a viewership statistic server for incrementing a counter.

Abstract: A streaming media processing method, device and system are disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. The streaming media processing method includes: judging whether a transcoding is required according to the current bandwidth of a user terminal and a code rate of a pre-stored code stream, if yes, selecting a code stream of which the code rate is higher than the current bandwidth of the user terminal from the pre-stored code stream to perform the transcoding, and outputting the code stream matching the current bandwidth of the user terminal to the user terminal. The embodiments of the present invention enable the user terminal to obtain the streaming media of higher quality by effectively utilizing the bandwidth.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are provided to reduce change latency and/or to provide a picture-in-picture (PIP) feature within a placeshifted media stream. As the viewer receives a primary stream containing selected programming, secondary programming that is likely to be of interest to the user is predicted. A secondary stream containing the predicted content is obtained at the same time as the primary stream selected by the user. The secondary stream may be of lower quality than the primary stream to preserve network bandwidth. If the user subsequently selects the predicted secondary content, the previously-obtained content can be quickly provided as an output to the display. Alternately, the primary and secondary streams may be simultaneously output to the display in PIP or another manner.

Abstract: A video session scheduling capability is disclosed. The video session scheduling capability enables scheduling of video transmissions by mobile devices of a cellular sector. In response to a request by a mobile device to transmit a video via a wireless uplink of the cellular sector, a scheduler determines scheduling of the video session. The scheduler receives information indicative of an amount of wireless uplink resources available for supporting uplink video sessions within the cellular sector, receives information associated with the request by the mobile device to establish a video session for transmission of video content from the mobile device via a wireless uplink in the cellular sector, and determines, using the information indicative of an amount of wireless uplink resources available within the cellular sector and the information associated with the video session request, scheduling of the video session via the wireless uplink in the cellular sector.

Abstract: A system 100 includes a content management system 221 having a material identification and business rules for content including targets and a work flow system 220 in communication with the content management system and receiving the material identification and targets. The work flow system 220 obtains content having an associated business rule identification and associates the content with the material identification. The content management system 221 associates the content with the business rules and generates a content list in response to the business rules. The content management system 221 receives a selection from the content list. The content delivery network 280 communicates content to a user device in response to the selection.

Abstract: A video processing device includes a user interface module that receives at least one user preference. A decoder module produces a decoded video signal from a basic video layer stream and at least one graphics layer streams based on the at least one user preference.

Abstract: An interactive television system is provided in which a user can use an interactive television application to establish time-based settings. The user may set television program reminders, advance-order pay-per-view programs, schedule programs for recording, and establish parental controls to prevent television viewing during certain times on certain channels. The interactive television application may be used to support video recorder functions such as personal video recorder functions implemented locally on the user's set-top box or other equipment and network-based video recorder functions implemented using servers at cable television headends and other network locations. The interactive television application may also be used to deliver video-on-demand content. When the user requests that video be delivered, conflicts may arise between the requested video delivery and the previously-established time-based settings.

Abstract: A system for distributing audio or video data across a network, wherein an input data rate controller at a server controls the transmission rate to a client such that it matches the intended rendering rate of the data, and time stamps the data using a clock that is synchronized with the clock of the client. The client uses the time stamps and its synchronized clock signal to control the rendering of the data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a broadcast transmitter includes: a viewer information memory configured to store viewer information regarding a viewer who signs up for a subscription; a generator configured to generate individual information regarding a conditional access of a content including a first expiration time indicating an expiration time of the individual information and a second expiration time set independently of the first expiration time for each the viewer who signs up for the subscription based on the viewer information; and a transmitter configured to transmit a broadcast signal including the generated individual information.

Abstract: Method and system of managing subscriber access to services. The method and system including features for use in determining sub scriber entitlements to the services and managing presentation of the services for subscriber selection and access as a function of the subscriber entitlements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system that optimizes transmission bandwidth of a broadband transmission system such as a cable television, satellite system, or wireless information service. Requests for content items from users are employed to add or delete content items from a list. Content items in the list are ranked relative to the number of requests received or by rate of request. Package groups are created with most requested content items being broadcast more frequently than less requested content items. Transmit groups are produced from package groups and placed in a broadcast queue. A transmit process transmits groups retrieved from the queue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing streaming data of content in a digital broadcast system supporting Video On Demand (VOD) service are provided. A data processing method of a set-top box supporting Video On Demand (VOD) service includes requesting content selected by a user, configuring, if streaming data of the content is received, file block information for storing the streaming data, and storing the streaming data in units of file blocks according to the file block information. The streaming data processing method and apparatus of the present invention are capable of processing the streaming data of the content of which size is larger than the available storage space efficiently. Also, the streaming data processing method and apparatus of the present invention is capable of reducing total manufacturing cost of the set-top box by reducing costly storage device in size.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of management of trick mode commands destined to control a digital content streaming server. In order to manage the transmission of trick mode commands from multiple trick mode command issuers, the method comprises: a step of reception of at least one trick mode command from at least one command issuer, a step of determination of elapsed time between the received command and a last transmitted command, and a step of transmission of the received command to the at least a digital content streaming server if none of determined conditions applies, whereby the determined conditions comprises: if the elapsed time is smaller than a determined first delay; and if the command issuer of the received command does not have highest issuer rights allowing the issuer to derogate from respecting of the determined first delay.

Abstract: A system for managing delivery of content from multiple platforms maintains data for various video channels. Some of the video channels are television channels, while others are over-the-top (OTT) video content sources such as video streaming websites. The system includes a package generation module by which a service provider may define a package of both traditional and OTT channels to offer to subscribers in a unified programming interface. When a user uses the interface to select a set of video channels, the system compiles the set of the video channels in a subscriber package of both television and OTT channels. The system assigns a name to the subscriber package, and it stores the defined package and name, along with other information about the package, in a data storage facility for offering to a subscriber of content from the service provider.

Abstract: The present invention provides for closed loop multimedia content management systems and methods to ensure accurate and timely delivery of VOD content from multiple content providers using multiple distribution systems. The present invention provides for a method of distributing multimedia content using a VOD management system by receiving a multimedia asset data file and associated metadata from a content provider and/or a MSO, tracking the delivery of the multimedia asset data file to a MSO, tracking the upload of the multimedia asset data file to a VOD server maintained by the MSO, and providing usage reports relating to usage of multimedia asset data files by end users of the MSO. Usage reports are prepared by receiving data from the VOD servers regarding the files requested by end users, creating a master reporting database using that data, and generating the usage reports using the data contained in the master reporting database.

Abstract: A system instructs that a first carrier signal that is modulated with a first digital media stream be sent to a first receiver, where the first digital media stream uses a first bandwidth. The system receives a second request from a second receiver to send a second digital media stream, where second digital media stream uses a second bandwidth that is greater than the first bandwidth, and determines that transmitting the second digital media stream will require use of the first bandwidth. The system instructs that a second carrier signal be modulated with the first digital media stream and sent to the first television receiver, and sends to the first television receiver an identifier of the second carrier signal as carrying the first digital media stream.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for providing/receiving a service from a plurality of service providers. In the method, in order to receive services from servers of a plurality of service providers, a client receives information regarding a plurality of services that can be received from a server of a service provider selected from among the service providers, requests the server to provide a service from among the services based on the received information, and then receives the service from the server. Accordingly, it is possible to allow the client to search for and receive a service from among services of a plurality of service providers.

Abstract: A wireless multimedia brokerage service supports sharing of real-time multimedia content whereby a mobile device user can perceive real-time content from a device in visual proximity, such as a nearby display device, and share the content of the display device with another mobile terminal user without the need to download or otherwise directly access the real-time content. The brokerage service can handle the transactional details of obtaining rights to the real-time content and also manage establishing and terminating a real-time multimedia session with the device(s) of the recipient user(s). In some embodiments, the wireless multimedia content brokerage service can proactively obtain subscriptions to content providers based on the location of one or more users. The brokerage service can also proactively obtain and buffer real-time content after receiving a request to share the content, with the buffering allowing for content to be preserved while the recipient user or users are contacted.

Abstract: A streaming server includes a virtual file system that stores playlist data corresponding to video programs available from at least one video source and that further stores variant playlist data corresponding to each of the video programs for streaming. A command handler receives a request for a video program from a client device. A video encoder encodes the selected video program into a plurality of video program segments in response to the request. The plurality of video program segments each have a length that is controlled based on length data, wherein the plurality of video segments includes one or more initial video program segments having at least one initialization length and steady state video program segments having a steady state length where the initialization length is less than the steady state length.

Abstract: A video transmission system includes a video server module that selectively operates in a unicast mode and a multicast mode, wherein the video server module generates a video signal that includes a unicast video signal when the video server module is in the unicast mode and that includes a multicast video signal when the video server module is in the multicast mode. A wireless access device transmits the video signal to at least one mobile video device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and receiver devices enable broadcasters with restricted content license areas (e.g., Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”) to distribute content via Over the Top (“OTT”) IP networks. Embodiments enable client reporting and authentication as well as broadcast content encryption. In an embodiment, information from the client may be reported back to the broadcasters, such as a view history/use report. In an embodiment, hand off between DMAs may be enabled. In an embodiment, local advertisement insertion in network content may be enabled. Embodiments may enable Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (“MBSFN”) operation across DMA boundaries.

Abstract: A system may send a request for video content to a server device; obtain, in response to the request, control information, associated with the video content, where the control information may include one or more digital versatile disc (DVD) features that correspond to one or more portions of the video content; and present the control information, for display, via a user interface, where presenting the control information for display may enable a user, of the video client device, to interact with the control information as though the video content was being played by a DVD player. The system may also receive selection of a DVD feature, of the one or more DVD features; and obtain, from the server device, a portion of the video content, of the one or more portions of the video content, that begins at a point that corresponds to the selected DVD feature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering data over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes the allocation of dedicated end-to-end network resources via a “session request, as well as data flow control and packet size adaptation, by a data server based on feedback from the requesting/receiving client device (e.g., DSTB) within the network. Mechanisms for retransmission requests for error recovery are also provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for processing and displaying playback of a video in a handheld device. More specifically, the present disclosure describes an inline video processing and playback, wherein the video playback may be optimized based on variable local conditions, such as the capabilities of the handheld device and the network connection speed.