Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for an interactive viewing experience by detecting on-screen data are disclosed. One or more frames of video data are analyzed to detect regions in the visual video content that contain text. A character recognition operation can be performed on the regions to generate textual data. Based on the textual data and the regions, a graphical user interface (GUI) definition to can be generated. The GUI definition can be used to generate a corresponding GUI superimposed onto the visual video content to present users with controls and functionality with which to interact with the text or enhance the video content. Context metadata can be determined from external sources or by analyzing the continuity of audio and visual aspects of the video data. The context metadata can then be used to improve the character recognition or inform the generation of the GUI.

Abstract: A method of identifying long shots of sports video comprising receiving a video frame comprising a plurality of pixels, classifying each of the plurality of pixels as a candidate field pixel or a candidate non-field pixel, determining whether at least a predefined percentage of the plurality of pixels are candidate field pixels, calculating a first standard deviation, the first standard deviation being the standard deviation of the hues of all candidate field pixels, and classifying the video frame as a long shot of sports video when at least the predefined percentage of the plurality of pixels are candidate field pixels and the first standard deviation is equal to or lower than a predefined maximum standard deviation value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining focus on a focus item associated with a controllable item. The focus item is displayed on an interface that includes a plurality of display positions. A context for the controllable item based on the focus being on the focus item and a set of controllable attributes associated with the controllable item are determined. The method dynamically determines an order of the set of controllable attributes based on the context. The context is used to prioritize the set of controllable attributes in the order. The set of controllable attributes is displayed in the order in at least a portion of the plurality of display positions.

Abstract: A crawl motion vector is determined based on a speed and direction of the crawling text to be displayed in a text crawl area. A determination whether to re-encode macroblocks in the plurality of pictures is made. The macroblocks in the plurality of pictures that are to be re-encoded are either macroblocks having motion vectors pointing to the text crawl area or macroblocks within the text crawl area. A lowest bit rate coding option for each macroblock to be re-encoded is determined, and each macroblock is re-encoded using the lowest bit rate coding option for the macroblock.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a wireless station (102) are disclosed. In an embodiment, an access point (104), or any other suitable device or system, receives a first application identifier from a first wireless station (102) at an access point (104) (e.g., receive a URL from a temperature sensor). The access point (104) then downloads and/or activates a software application to the access point (104) from a first server (106) based on the first application identifier (e.g., download a temperature measurement application based on the URL). The access point (104) issues a command to the first wireless station (102) based on the software application (e.g., send temperature measurement and sleep instructions to the temperature sensor). The access point (104) also receives first data from the first wireless station (102) (e.g., receive temperature measurements from the sensor). The access point (104) transmits the first data to at least one of the first server (106) and a second different server (106) (e.

Abstract: A method, device and system for authenticating a programmable hardware device, such as a programmable hardware chip, and a command received by the programmable hardware device. A secure processor or other trusted source authenticates the programmable hardware chip by verifying, with the secure processor's own verification key, a random number sent to the programmable hardware chip and encrypted using a verification key embedded within the programmable hardware chip, since the nature of the encryption is such that only the original logic function that includes the verification key can encrypt the data correctly. A command received by the programmable hardware chip is authenticated by verifying that a command authentication token received by the programmable hardware chip is generated using the correct command authentication key and consequently verifying that the command is received from the secure processor, as only the party who has the command authentication key can encrypt the data correctly.

Abstract: A media content item is evaluated for its “sentiment states.” That is, segments of the content item are determined to be, for example, “happy,” “exciting,” “sad,” “funny,” and the like. A “sentiment map” is created that delimits segments of the content item and contains the sentiment-state keywords associated with the segments. Some maps include an amplitude for each assigned sentiment keyword and a confidence value for the segment delimitation and for each keyword. As an exemplary use of the sentiment map, an advertisement broker matches the sentiments of his advertisement offerings with segments of a content item in order to place appropriate advertisements at times when they would be most favorably received. In another example, a recommender system recommends to a user a content item whose sentiment map compares favorably to that of a content item already enjoyed by the user.

Abstract: A system and method of viewing media content on a timeline is presented. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a companion device user interface provides the user a second screen experience on a companion device by giving the user an opportunity to create secondary supplemental content related to the media content they are watching on a primary screen, such as a television. The user interface provides the user interaction by using visual indicators on a timeline to show the current position of all their friends, who are watching the same media content, along with the status of their media players. Being able to view the current status of all the friends on a timeline enables the users to make relevant comments to each other as the show progresses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing seamless failover to a redundant stream at an edge device is disclosed. A plurality of identical streams are received via a plurality of paths at a plurality of synchronization buffers. Each synchronization buffer receives one of the plurality of identical streams from a corresponding path of the plurality of paths. The plurality of streams are synchronized. A composite stream is generated from the plurality of identical streams according to a packet selection process.

Abstract: Described herein are devices and methods for facilitating the transmission of an upstream data signal from at least one subscriber in a communications network. The device is operable to receive a radio frequency (RF) signal from one or more subscribers. The RF signal includes at least one upstream data signal. The RF signal is demodulated into the upstream data signal by a RF demodulator in the device, which is then converted into an optical signal by an optical transducer in the device for transmission over a fiber optic link in the network.

Abstract: Two or more set-top boxes are installed in a household. A communications link, preferably a physical link, is provided between or among the set-top boxes. One of the boxes is designated as a “master” box while the other box or boxes are “slaves.” The slave box will use the communications link to communicate in a secured and encrypted manner with the master box. If that communication is severed, e.g., if an attempt is made to move the slave box to another household to provide unauthorized service in that household, the slave box will stop working when it can no longer communicate with the master box.

Abstract: A method of processing time-based content includes streaming the time-based content to a receiving device in a normal mode, evaluating a numerical difference between a program clock reference timestamp and a decode timestamp in the content at a transition out of said normal mode, streaming the content to the receiving device in a trick play mode, and altering the content during the trick play mode such that a numerical difference between the timestamps at a transition back into the normal mode is substantially equal to the numerical difference between the timestamps at the transition out of said normal mode.

Abstract: One or more overlay wavelengths are applied to a GPON architecture to provide sufficient, cost-effective forward bandwidth per home for targeted, unique narrowcast services to allow traditional HFC operators to use a PON architecture with their existing HFC equipment. A separate return path capability using a separate coaxial cable with RF signals to the GPON may also be used. This return capability may be provided either by a fiber optic link or coaxial link from the home.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for correlating metadata from a plurality of different sources. The methods and apparatus may use an order for the data sources. The metadata from each of the data sources may be divided or split into one or more chunks. The metadata from each of the chunks may be filtered and sorted, e.g., to ensure that the metadata relate to the same multimedia content. The metadata chunks from the first data source in the order and the second data source in the order may then be aligned to produce currently aligned metadata. The metadata data chunks from the next data source in the order may then be aligned with the currently aligned metadata to produce new currently aligned metadata. This process may be repeated until the metadata from all of the sources are aligned, thereby providing a set of correlated metadata.

Abstract: One or more overlay wavelengths are applied to a GPON architecture to provide sufficient, cost-effective forward bandwidth per home for targeted, unique narrowcast services to allow traditional HFC operators to use a PON architecture with their existing HFC equipment. A separate return path capability using a separate coaxial cable with RF signals to the GPON may also be used. This return capability may be provided either by a fiber optic link or coaxial link from the home.

Abstract: A switched digital video (SDV) system is provided which includes a SDV manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by a plurality of subscriber terminals associated with a service group. The system also includes an input for receiving SDV programming to be broadcast during the SDV sessions. At least one edge device is provided for receiving SDV programming provided by the input and for transmitting each SDV program over an access network to at least one of the subscriber terminals on one of a plurality of SDV channels. The SDV manager is configured to (i) cause transmission of at least a first requested SDV program to be delayed until a later time; and (ii) select the first requested SDV program to be delayed from among a plurality of requested SDV programs based at least in part on a current viewing and recording status of the plurality of subscriber terminals.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating equalization coefficients of an adaptive pre-equalizer of a network element are provided. The method includes monitoring a communications channel to measure distortion of a communications signal received from the network element and detecting whether a transient impairment is present in the communication signal. When a transient impairment is not detected to be present, a pre-equalization coefficient update is transmitted to the network element. However, when a transient impairment is detected to be present, at least selected ones of the pre-equalization coefficients are scaled before the update is transmitted to the network element or the update is withheld from being transmitted to the network element. An apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. The transmitter preferably includes a combining network that combines CATV signals received from a CATV head end.

Abstract: Generating a sequential semantic representation and a resulting content item sequence or presentation is disclosed. A set of nodes and paths among the nodes are determined. Each node includes a corresponding a set of criteria. The paths define a relationship among the plurality of nodes. Transitional operators that define additional criteria for the nodes, are associated with the paths. Content items that include characteristics that are determined to match the corresponding set of criteria for at least one of the nodes are retrieved.

Abstract: Methods and systems for group licensing of homogeneous and heterogeneous devices features is disclosed. Licensing servers manage the generation and distribution of licenses to devices, and enforce validation rules that prevent granting devices licenses that do not comply with group licensing limits.