Abstract: A services gateway includes a processor configured to send a request for a video-on-demand content, receive a first content stream from a video-on-demand content server, and process the first content stream to retrieve the video-on-demand content. The first content stream includes the video-on-demand content and is protected with a first digital rights management scheme. The processor is further configured to encode the video-on-demand content in a second content stream, and provide the second content stream over a local area network to a playback device. The second content stream is protected with a second digital rights management scheme. In an embodiment, the processor can be further configured to store the video-on-demand content in a mass storage.

Abstract: A video-platform server may obtain and provide context-specific metadata to remote playback devices via an application programming interface. Context-specific metadata may include tags describing one or more assets (e.g., actors, locations, articles of clothing, business establishments, or the like) that are depicted in or otherwise associated with a given video segment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for combining assets for a streaming video signal. Video assets are provided in an adaptive bit rate format. The video assets may comprise fragments of various types of video content. A stitched manifest identifying a combination of the video assets is created in response to a client request for one or more of the video assets. The stitched manifest is provided to a client and used by the client to request the combination of video assets for playback as one continuous video stream in an order specified by the stitched manifest.

Abstract: A method of outputting video content from a digital media server to a digital media renderer includes providing a digital media controller to select a digital media renderer for video playback, sending a playback request from the digital media controller to the selected digital media renderer, the selected digital media renderer requesting data from the digital media server in response to receiving the playback request from the digital media controller, and the digital media server capturing video and capturing audio. The method further includes the digital media server encoding the captured video and the captured audio to respectively produce encoded video and encoded audio, outputting the encoded video and the encoded audio from the digital media server to the selected digital media renderer, and playing the encoded video and the encoded audio on the selected digital media renderer.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and tangible computer-readable memory media are disclosed that relate to a video player configured to play a video file. During playback, the video player, in one embodiment, is configured to access metadata relating to, but separate from, the video file to dynamically display graphical content distinct from the video file. A server system may receive, from a client computer system (e.g., of the video owner), information specifying metadata for the video file. This metadata may specify the display of overlay graphics and/or navigation graphics, the overlay of audio, etc. Additionally, the metadata may specify items needed to perform a process depicted in an instructional video; upon playing the video, the video player may provide one or more purchase links for such items. In one embodiment, a server system may edit the underlying video file—e.g., to include overlay graphics.

Abstract: Provided are a method, an audio/video (AV) control point (CP) device, and a home network system for executing AV content in segment units defined using a protocol enabling interoperability between various devices existing in a home network. The method includes a control point extracting segment-related information about audio/video (AV) content stored in a first AV device, and the control point controlling a second AV device to execute the AV content using the segment-related information in segment units.

Abstract: A video stream playback method adapted to a video playback device with a network function is provided. The method includes defining a correspondence between a first virtual channel and a first video streaming service. A first application program for using the first video streaming service is installed in the video playback device. The method also includes automatically linking a plurality of independent video streams provided by the first video streaming service by using the first application program to establish a first video stream list. The first video stream list includes a uniform resource locator (URL) of each video stream. The method further includes automatically obtaining the video streams from the first video streaming service according to the first video stream list and continuously playing the video streams by using the first application program when the video playback device receives a first channel select command corresponding to the first virtual channel.

Abstract: This invention relates to video transmission systems, in particular to those used to transmit video content generated and displayed on a source device to a second remote display. We describe a method of transmitting a video stream over a data link is described. Video frames are captured at a capture frame rate. The captured frames are then processed to identify duplicated frames in consecutively captured frames. Duplicated frames, duplicated as a result of capture the same source frame twice, are deleted leaving a filtered set of video frames. The remaining frames are retimed to amend a presentation time and transmitted over a data link to a rendering device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to read media content from an optical storage medium inserted into an optical drive of the communication device, obtain one or more preferences of a set top box for presentation of the media content, adjust the media content from a current format into a target format based at least in part on the one or more preferences, and transmit the media content in the target format to the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a long-tail content comprising a set-top box configured to couple an external signal to a user device. The long-tail content server also comprises a long-tail content server configured to provide the external signal to the set-top box from a central server. The long-tail content server further comprises a long-tail content asset manager configured to control a communication between at least one of the central server, the long-tail content server and the set-top box and at least one of the central server, the long-tail content server and the set-top box.

Abstract: Embodiments generally disclosed herein include computer-implemented methods for delivery of video content across a network. Such methods comprise a content delivery manager capable of receiving a video stream from a content source for delivery to a end user of a content publisher. The content delivery manager is further capable of detecting a trigger signal within the video stream. For example, the trigger signal can indicate a temporal mark injected into the video stream by the content publisher. During general operation, the content delivery manager processes the trigger signal to determine whether to modify delivery of the video stream to the end user. According to another general embodiment, a computer-implemented method is provided for authorizing delivery of a video stream to an end user.

Abstract: A smart stream delivery server, a system, and methods are described herein for assembling a mix of services (e.g., linear channels, video on demand, broadcast television, and recordings) which are to be delivered over one or more networks to a premises (e.g., home, business) of a subscriber. In one embodiment, the system includes a smart stream delivery server that assembles the mix of services which are to be delivered over the at least one network to the home of the subscriber based at least on a subscriber policy which is provided by the subscriber. The subscriber policy includes equipment priorities for a list of devices which consume the services, and service priorities for a plurality of services which are available for consumption by the devices.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system including a video server storing video-on-demand content and for streaming video-on-demand through a first layer of an internet page having a first layer and a second layer; and a controller for causing there to be formed in the second layer a plurality of selectable overlay images such that a user at a location in communication with the internet remote from the video server and the controller can display streamed video-on-demand of the first layer in combination with the overlay images of the second layer and can select one of the overlay images; wherein the overlay images correspond to respective control functions for the video-on-demand stream; and the controller is responsive to selection of an overlay image to change the video-on-demand stream in accordance with the corresponding respective control function.

Abstract: A disclosed method of distributing multimedia content to end users in a multimedia content distribution network includes segmenting time in a series of intervals referred to herein as limited-chain relay (LCR) intervals. The LCR intervals may have a duration of time T although an LCR interval may be terminated before the duration expires. During any interval, the LCR distribution method includes responding to a first request for a program of multimedia content (PMC) from a first requestor by delivering the PMC from a video server to the customer premises equipment (CPE) of the requestor and storing the PMC on the CPE of the first requestor. The method further includes responding to subsequent requests for the PMC that occur before the time T and before the interval terminates otherwise from subsequent requestors by delivering at least some portion of the PMC to the subsequent requestors from the CPE of at least one previous requestor.

Abstract: A method and system for a video workflow automation platform (VWAP) for publishing a video feed in multiple formats is described.

Abstract: QoS is built into a peer network within existing Internet infrastructure itself lacking QoS, by enabling a network peer to continuously discern the network's ability to deliver to that peer a particular Content Object (distributed in groups of component Packages among neighboring VOD peers) within predetermined times. Content Objects are divided into groups of component Packages and distributed to Clusters of neighboring network peers, enhancing QoS upon subsequent retrieval. Tracking Files (lists of network peers storing Package groups) and Tracking Indexes (lists of network peers storing Tracking Files) are generated to facilitate “on demand” Content Objects retrieval. Dynamically monitoring network traffic (including VOD functionality, bandwidth and reliability) creates “distributed closed-loop feedback,” and in response, attributes of individual network peers (e.g., Trust Level and membership within a particular Cluster) are modified, and “content balancing” functions performed (e.g.

Abstract: A portable communication device has a touch screen display that receives tactile input and a microphone that receives audio input. The portable communication device initiates a query for media based at least in part on tactile input and audio input. The touch screen display is a multi-touch screen. The portable communication device sends an initiated query and receives a text response indicative of a speech to text conversion of the query. The portable communication device then displays video in response to tactile input and audio input.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer products for providing podcasts via Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) are disclosed herein. Exemplary embodiments include a network-based method for providing digital media podcasts. The method includes receiving a request to render at least one podcast on a communications device authenticated on an IPTV network, retrieving the at least one podcast from the IPTV network, and providing the at least one podcast to the communications device.

Abstract: A content transmission selection system is disclosed. The content transmission selection system receives requests from viewers for specific video content items. Using characteristics of the designated content item, the content transmission selection system determines whether to transmit the content item over a broadcast network or a broadband network.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to provide supplemental media content are presented. In a particular embodiment, a method of providing supplemental content in a Video-On-Demand (VOD) system is provided. The method includes receiving a selection of a first supplemental content title selected from a plurality of supplemental content titles provided by a selectable menu, where each of the plurality of supplemental content titles is associated with a particular VOD offering. The selectable menu provided is to be displayed upon detection of discontinued transmission of the particular VOD offering. The method also includes providing first supplemental content associated with the first supplemental content title. The first supplemental content is accessible by a subscriber when the particular VOD offering is not being presented and wherein the first supplemental content is not accessible by the subscriber when the particular VOD offering is being presented.

Abstract: A digital media selection, retrieval and delivery apparatus and method includes a mobile media manager controller disposed in communication with one physical location media server. One or more virtual location media server is embodied in computer readable medium in a computing device are disposed in communication between the media manager controller and different audio-visual playback devices. A user request for a selected media to be played on a selected audio visual device is routed through the mobile media manager controller, and one selected virtual location media server to the specified audio visual device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for creating a customized message in a video-on-demand service, in which a user accesses the service using a communications device. In an embodiment, the method comprises using a video-on-demand server to intercept the access by the user of the video-on-demand service, obtain information about video content of a local cache of the video-on-demand service, obtain a profile of the user, and identify a context of the user. A customized message is constructed for the communications device based on the information about the local cache, the profile of the user, and the context of the user. The video-on-demand server sends the customized message to the communications device. In one embodiment, the user accesses the video-on-demand service through an edge base station of a core network, and the video-on-demand server is in this base station of the core network.

Abstract: A device receives, from one or more of a set-top box (STB) or a user device, usage information associated with video content and high definition video content, and calculates a cost factor, based on the usage information, for a customer associated with one or more of the STB or the user device. The device also compares the cost factor to a threshold, and receives, from one or more of the STB or the user device, a request for free video content. The device further one of provides reduced quality free video content to one or more of the STB or the user device when the cost factor exceeds the threshold, or blocks transmission of free high definition video content to one or more of the STB or the user device when the cost factor exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: A client device receives streamed encoded content data, such as encoded video data, which has been encoded at a constant perceptual quality. Several different versions of the content are available to be streamed to the device, at different perceptual quality levels. In order to decide which quality level to request from a content server at intervals the device calculates the delivery rates that would be required for each level of quality. The calculation of the delivery levels is made in dependence on whether the actual delivery rate that has been received so far is greater than or less than a constant bit rate delivery schedule that decreases monotonically but which guarantees to deliver the encoded data in a timely manner such that no buffer underflow and interruption of reproduction takes place.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive streaming with augmented video stream transitions using a media server in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a media server includes multimedia content including a set of alternative streams of video data and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive a request to stream multimedia content, stream a first stream of video data, where the first stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, receive a request for a second stream of video data, where the second stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, transmit an image in response to the request for the second stream of video data, and stream the second stream of video data.

Abstract: A device receives, from one of a set-top box/digital video recorder (STB/DVR) or a user device, a request to allocate an amount of storage, and allocates the amount of storage based on the allocation request, logically extending the user's available storage. The device also receives, from the one of a set-top box/digital video recorder (STB/DVR) or a user device, a request to record content, and records the content to one or more portions of the allocated storage based on the record request.

Abstract: Provided are a multimedia data reproducing method and an apparatus for controlling a multimedia data reproducing speed based on a multimedia data packet receiving speed. The method including controlling a reproducing speed of the multimedia data based on a first time difference between times at which a plurality of packets including the multimedia data are respectively received and a second time difference between times to respectively reproduce the multimedia data corresponding to the plurality of packets; and reproducing the multimedia data at the controlled reproducing speed.

Abstract: A media transmission system and method for the transmission of a desired one of a plurality of broadcast media channels to a remote client over a data connection is disclosed. The system includes means for routing data for a first one of the broadcast media channels over the data connection to the remote client and means for routing data for an alternate one of the channels over the data connection following receipt of a channel change request from a user. This allows efficient use of a limited bandwidth data connection.

Abstract: An information processing device in an embodiment includes a network interface configured to perform communication with a first server that stores an electronic document, a second server that stores a recorded program, and a third server that stores keyword information associated to the recorded program; a user interface configured to accept an operation made by a user; and a controller configured to cause a display screen to display the electronic document acquired from the first server. The controller transmits, in response to a selection made by the user, information relevant to selected contents in the electronic document to the third server, acquires, from the third server, information specifying at least one recorded program associated to keyword information matching to, or similar to, the transmitted information, and reproduces the recorded program stored on the second server.

Abstract: A high definition television (HDTV) is capable of displaying one or more streams. Typical stream changing is accomplished by freshly determining the stream settings (frame rate, resolution, refresh method) as each stream is detected, resulting in slow to tortuously slow stream surfing. Here, the HDTV stream settings are stored in a list of present streams, so that stream surfing may continue at much higher rates without redetermining the stream settings with each stream change. The improved stream surfing may be turned on or off at user discretion. Additionally, individual streams, as well as other audio/video inputs may also be edited to user-desired stream settings by accepting user inputs. The HDTV may automatically detect HDTV settings for each currently tuned stream of a list of potential streams, or may download the HDTV setting for a specific location of the HDTV.

Abstract: Techniques for delivering video on demand channel content via streaming from a first edge aggregation device are provided. A processor is provided that is coupled to a memory. The processor can be operable to receive a request from a requesting device for video on demand channel content, search an index to locate the video on demand channel content, identify a location of the requesting device with respect to a first edge aggregation device and instruct the first edge aggregation device to forward the video on demand channel content to the location of the requesting device. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for presenting a video over a network using erasure codes is described. According to one system and method, the network has nodes, portions of a video being encoded as encoded portions each having sections, the sections for each encoded portion being distributed among segments, the segments being distributed among the nodes; an apparatus including a network interface coupled to the network; a control system coupled to the network interface and configured to initiate a video request and communicate with a subset of the nodes to receive a subset of the segments; and a decoder coupled to the network interface and configured to decode a subset of the sections for each of the encoded portions to generate the portions of the video; and a presentation device coupled to the apparatus, the presentation device presenting the portions of the video.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selectively caching (and de-caching) video content in network so as to reduce content transformation requirements and also cache storage requirements. In one embodiment, a content caching controller associated with a content server differentiates content requests based on content attributes such as the requested codec format (e.g., MPEG or Windows Media), resolution, bitrate, and/or encryption type or security environment. If the content requested by a user is not available with the requested attribute(s), the content server transfers to content to the user by first transforming it. The content server also speculatively caches the transformed content locally, so that a future request for the same content with the same attributes can be filled by transferring without the intermediate transformation step. The controller allows the network operator to optimize use of available storage and transcoding resources.

Abstract: A method of processing broadcast data in a broadcast transmitting system is presented. The method includes performing Reed-Solomon (RS) encoding and Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) encoding on mobile service data bytes to generate an RS frame, wherein the RS frame comprises an RS frame payload including the mobile service data bytes, RS parity data bytes added at bottom ends of columns of the RS frame payload and CRC data bytes added at right ends of rows of the RS frame payload having the RS parity data bytes, dividing the RS frame into a plurality of portions, wherein each of the plurality of portions has an equal size of data bytes, converting the data bytes of the plurality of portions into data bit, and encoding each of the data bits at a code rate of 1/H to output data symbols, wherein H is greater than 1.

Abstract: In particular embodiments a social networking system may receive from an external system outside the social-networking system, a request comprising a user identifier associated with a user of the social-networking system, query a social graph for stories generated by one or more connections of the user on the social-networking system, and transmit the stories to the external system. Similarly the social networking system may receive, from an external system outside of the social networking system, a request comprising a user identifier associated with a user of the social networking system, a content identifier, and a action performed by the user on the content identifier, generate a story for the received request, and publish the story to one or more connections of the user on the social networking system.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for content delivery networking. There is provided a method of managing a content delivery network to transfer media content to a user, including: receiving a network configuration request and network configuration information, from a service provider that provides the content; receiving resource information including information about available resources required for configuring the network; and configuring a content delivery overlay network, based on the resource information and the network configuration information. Therefore, by configuring a content delivery overlay network for each provider, service and content providers having no unique content delivery method of their own can provide multimedia services based on applications for smart TV and web TV to a plurality of users.

Abstract: A content delivery system stores large content as frames of video that can be served by content servers already optimized for streaming video. Instead of storing image tiles in separate files, the system treats each tile as a frame of a video and stores the tiles in a video format. This allows transfer of large data from a publisher to a content server by transferring a single file or a small handful of files (rather than thousands or millions of files). Web servers such as MICROSOFT Internet Information Server (IIS) include smooth streaming support that can return individual images as video frames as though the images were stored in separate files. Thus, the content delivery system provides easier management of large data for publishers while continuing to provide a smooth experience consuming the data for clients.

Abstract: An interactive media guidance system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. Options may be provided that allow the user to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all or selected channels for some or all episodes including reruns, new episodes, network or syndicated episodes, on all or only on selected days.

Abstract: A method includes supplying a video stream to a primary display device, detecting an information request associated with the video stream, identifying a portion of the video stream corresponding to the time of detecting, supplying to a secondary display device choices corresponding to the information request, receiving selected choices and supplying to the secondary display device information corresponding to the selected choices.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating channels dedicated to a particular type of content. The method includes acquiring seed content and using the seed content in the creation or updating of a content list. Additional content for the channel is acquired based on the common features of the content list.

Abstract: A system and method that provide reduced latency in a video signal processing system. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise transmitting a first video information stream representative of a unit of video information. For example, the transmitted first video information stream may correspond to a video channel. A second video information stream representative of the unit of video information may be transmitted simultaneously with the first video information stream. The second video information stream may also, for example, correspond to the video channel. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving a plurality of simultaneously transmitted video information streams. A video information stream of the plurality of received video information streams may be identified that, when processed, is expected to result in the lowest latency in presenting the unit of video information to the user. The identified video information stream may then be so processed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating channels dedicated to a particular type of content. The method includes acquiring seed content and using the seed content in the creation or updating of a content list. Additional content for the channel is acquired based on the common features of the content list.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for dynamically creating and inserting an application into an MPEG program transport stream. The application may be subsequently run on a customer premises equipment (CPE) device to effect switching between content streams for presentation to viewers based on other available data, such as targeting information.

Abstract: A video-on-demand (VOD) content delivery system has a VOD Application Server which manages a database of templates ordered in a hierarchy for presentation of video content elements of different selected types categorized in hierarchical order. The templates include those for higher-order displays which have one or more links to lower-order displays of specific content. The VOD Application Server, in response to viewer request, displays a high-order templatized display, and in response to viewer selection of a link, displays the lower-order display of specific content. The hierarchical templatized displays enable viewers to navigate to an end subject of interest while having a unique visual experience of moving through a series of displays to the end subject of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for offering broadcast IPTV solutions over cable (HFC networks). Rather than bypass the CMTS, a reduced number of downstream ports are utilized for video streams. Each input video stream is streamed to a multicast group address. In one embodiment, several RF channels are configured so that they are RF spanned across all the Fibernodes in the CMTS service area. In an embodiment, an STB sends a service request for a desired video stream using an IGMP request, and the CMTS responds by issuing a DBC request to tune the corresponding CM to the RF channel that is carrying the requested stream. Preferably, the CMTS ports that carry the static multicast streams are RF spanned across all the Fibernodes, or a selected subset.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for transmitting a multimedia frame through a heterogeneous network in a broadcast system supporting a multimedia service based on an interne protocol are provided. The method includes generating header information including a frame identifier distinguishing a multimedia frame and information measuring a quality of a connection service between network layers and end-to-end network capabilities, and combining the header information and multimedia data to configure the multimedia frame.

Abstract: A system and a method control media rendering in a network using a mobile device. The system and the method manage, control and/or render media in a home network using remote access and/or a remote user interface. The system and the method enable a user to control media rendering from multiple storage devices and/or multiple servers connected to the home network using the mobile device. The system and the method enable a user to control media rendering on multiple rendering devices connected to the home network using the mobile device. The system and the method have a control element hosted on a fixed, non-mobile device connected directly to the home network or connected to the home network as a stand-alone device.

Abstract: A decentralized approach to delivering a media file to a requesting subscriber in a network of subscribers comprises the steps of segmenting the media file into a plurality of segments and distributing the segments of the media file among the network of subscribers, and responding to a request from the requesting subscriber by directing to that requesting subscriber al of the plurality of segments of the media file. All of the segments are assembled into the media file and displayed or stored by the requesting subscriber.

Abstract: A mobile device includes a position sensing unit, a remote control information obtainment unit, and a storage unit. Position information obtained by the position sensing unit is stored in the storage unit in association with remote control information. The mobile device further includes a directional space obtainment unit and an apparatus specification unit. The mobile device recognizes a direction pointed by a user using the mobile device, and enables operation of a terminal apparatus existing in the pointing direction.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting video on demand requests in a system supporting hierarchical content stores, e.g., program caches, is described. Requested content is requested by a local streaming device from a remote cache when it is not available in a local cache. Content, e.g., I, P and B frames, supplied by the remote cache is tracked and content delivery is initiated prior to receipt of the full program from the remote content store. Trick play content is requested as needed from the remote content store to respond to trick play commands. Frames which are received as part of the trick play content stream are tracked and not included in normal play data subsequently obtained from the remote cache. The storage of the trick play data along with subsequent normal play data results in a full set of the program content being received and stored in a local cache for streaming in response to a VOD request.