Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.

Abstract: A gateway device includes a media processor module comprising a gateway application module. The gateway device also includes a router module comprising a gateway abstraction module and an interface handler module. The gateway device also includes a shared interface module in communication with the router module and the media processor module. The shared interface module receives a service request signal from the gateway application module. The gateway abstraction module obtains the service request signal from the shared interface module through an interface handler module. The gateway abstraction module communicates a response signal to the media processor module through the shared interface module. The media processor module performs a function in response to the response signal.

Abstract: A simulation engine and method of operating a simulation system includes a plurality of user devices and an interface receiving user device data and a recommendation request from at least one the plurality of user devices. The system also includes a memory storing the user device data therein. The system also includes a recommendation engine that generates a content recommendation based on the user device data and an algorithm. The interface communicates the content recommendation to the user device. The recommendation engine receives a recommendation rating from at least one of the plurality of user devices and changes the algorithm in response to the recommendation rating. The user device receives a different recommendation of the changed algorithm within the simulation engine.

Abstract: A receiving system includes a communication input system to receive a program and a marker file. The program has a total duration when the program is presented in its entirety. The marker file includes a plurality of markers indicating locations of contents-of-interest in the program. The system includes a data storage system to store the program and the marker file. The system includes a user control to receive requests to present the contents-of-interest indicated by the plurality of markers. The system includes one or more processors to determine the locations of the contents-of-interest in the program from the plurality of markers. The system includes a presentation output interface to present the contents-of-interest on a user interface. The presentation of the contents-of-interest skips some content in the program. The contents-of-interest are presented over a shortened duration that is less that a duration of the program when presented in its entirety.

Abstract: A user receiving device including at least one transceiver module, an output module, and a control module. The at least one transceiver module is configured to receive a file from a first backend device. The file indicates where in a video an object is shown. The output module is configured to playout the video on a display. The display is connected to the user receiving device. The control module is configured to monitor data in the file while the video is being played out to detect the object, and generate a signal to indicate on the display that the object is purchasable.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a user device includes a receiver that receives a first data object and a second data object. A first memory stores the first data object and a second memory stores the second data object. The second memory is separate from the first memory. A user interface module generates a user input command. An application interface selects a memory location from the first memory or the second memory and obtaining stored data from the first memory or the second memory based on the user input commands. A display displays the stored data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a satellite broadcast system with a network. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of satellite receivers, wherein each of the satellite receivers is coupled to both the satellite broadcast system and the network, wherein a first receiver in the plurality of satellite receivers receives data from at least a second receiver in the plurality of receivers via the network.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that performs operations including receiving one or more media processor commands generated by a voice processing system that synthesizes the one or more media processor commands according to voice data provided by a portable device by way of an adapter, and executing the one or more media processor commands to generate an updated presentation of media content. The adapter converts a first radio frequency (RF) signal to a second RF signal comprising the voice data, the first RF signal generated by the portable device according to a first RF protocol, the second RF signal conforming to a second RF protocol that differs from the first RF protocol, and the second RF signal comprising routing information to route the voice data to the voice processing system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing multiple video content streams to a display for presentation. The display comprises a primary screen region that presents a first video content stream of the multiple video content streams and multiple auxiliary screen regions that present a subset of the multiple video content streams. Further aspects may include providing a message to the display responsive to receiving a first user-generated input instructing the display to present a second video content stream on the primary screen region. Additional aspects may include recording the first video content stream from a point of departure of the first video content stream. Also, aspects may include providing the recorded first video content stream to the display responsive to obtaining a second user-generated input. The recorded first video content stream is presented on the primary screen region from the point of departure. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for suspending channel signals includes a network, a plurality of terminals in communication with the network and a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals through the network. The receiving unit receives a channel signal and communicates the channel signal to the plurality of terminals through the network. The receiving unit monitors inactivity at the plurality of user terminals. The receiving unit discontinues distributing the channel signal when channel inactivity is determined by monitoring the plurality of user terminals.

Abstract: A user device and method comprises a screen display and a user interface. A display control module defines a first display area with a first boundary therearound and displaying a first category indicator for a first category therein. The display control module defines a second display area with a second boundary and displays a second category indicator for a second category therein. A gesture control module receives a movement signal from the user interface for moving the first display area relative to the second display area using a user interface. The display control module defines a third boundary around a third display area representing the first category and the second category when the first boundary and the second boundary touch or overlap and displays the first category indicator and the second category indicator within the third boundary. When the third display area is selected, a function may be performed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure include sending, to a hospitality set-top box, subscription information of a user; receiving from the hospitality set-top box, via a personalized graphical user interface, a request to view a media content item; determining whether access to the media content item is available free of charge as part of a service subscription; selecting, one of a first account or a second account to which a fee for access to the media content item is to be charged; responsive to the first account being selected, charging the fee to the first account; responsive to the second account being selected, charging the fee to the second account; and transmitting the media content item to the hospitality set-top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling an in-vehicle infotainment system to control content in using a primary display includes a mobile device and the in-vehicle infotainment system in communication with the mobile device. The in-vehicle infotainment system comprises the primary display and a first secondary display. The in-vehicle infotainment system receives a first content selection signal for a first content. The first secondary display displays the first content in response to the first content selection signal. The primary display displays a content identifier corresponding to the first content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a satellite broadcast system with a network. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of satellite receivers, wherein each of the satellite receivers is coupled to both the satellite broadcast system and the network, wherein a first receiver in the plurality of satellite receivers receives data from at least a second receiver in the plurality of receivers via the network.

Abstract: A user device and method for operating the same includes a memory and a controller storing a recommended recording list in the memory. The controller stores recommended content from the recommended recording list in the memory and suppresses an indicator in response to storing recommended content from the recommended recording list. When the user selects a live content that corresponds to a recommended content stored in the memory, the user device may display the content from a previous position.

Abstract: Methods and systems that enhance interference cancellation in communication channels are described. Specialized time domain training sequences and simple cross correlation are used to obtain a channel estimate for use in stacked carrier beamforming and OFDM based spatial beamforming. In certain embodiments, a time domain preamble sequence is provided as an alternative to the conventional frequency domain preamble sequence. The use of a time domain preamble can increase channel estimation performance, facilitating cancellation of co-channel interference. Embodiments include generating a training sequence preamble in the time domain, computing a frequency domain response of the channel using an estimate of its time domain impulse response, and using the frequency domain response of the channel to calculate channel estimation from a cross correlation of data received from the channel against the training sequence.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a devices and methods related to satellite information broadcasting. An embodiment may relate to a device that includes a plurality of respective tuning channels. The device includes a controller configured to transmit a registration query and receive a registration request from a client device. The registration request may include a client identifier and a tuner quantity. The tuner quantity may indicate the number of tuners associated with the client device. The controller may assign at least one tuning channel to the client device based on the tuner quantity. Furthermore, the controller may transmit a registration confirmation message to the client device. The registration confirmation message may include the respective tuning channel identifier of the at least one assigned tuning channel.

Abstract: A system and method for compressing video is disclosed, in which video frames that are only between consecutive I-frames are grouped into a video data set. The video data set is split into separate homogeneous files, and each of the homogeneous files are individually compressed. In one embodiment, the individually compressed files are multiplexed to form a bit stream.

Abstract: A content distribution system generates first metadata for an audio stream, generates second metadata indicative of audio content to be included in the audio stream within a predetermined period in the future relative to present time, generates an output stream including the audio stream, the first metadata, and the second metadata, and broadcasts the output stream to user devices. A user device receives the output stream, determines the audio content to be included within the predetermined period in the future based on the second metadata, determines when target pieces of audio content are scheduled to be included in the output stream during the predetermined period in the future, tunes to the output stream when the target pieces of audio are included in the output stream, and stores the target pieces of audio in memory of the user device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing local content in a local network includes a plurality of terminals and a receiving unit in communication with the plurality of terminals receiving first program guide data and communicating the first program guide data to the plurality of terminals. The system also includes a local video source generating a video signal. The system also includes a local server in communication with the plurality of terminals and the local video source generating second program guide data corresponding to local content and communicating the second program guide data to the plurality of terminals. The plurality of terminals displays a grid guide comprising the first program guide data modified by the second program guide data.