Abstract: Monitoring data routed by a satellite television receiver that serves as a gateway in a home network. In the context of privacy control, the television receiver may be configured to detect certain types of data, such as social security or bank numbers, username/password information, device usage information, etc., routed by the same over a broadband connection to one or more resources located outside of the home network, and then implement one or more steps so that a user may be notified and the traffic possibly blocked to prevent or mitigate the unauthorized transfer or reporting of data.

Abstract: Allocating idle tuner resources to buffer or record broadcast programming determined to be desirable or preferred by any particular user or television viewer.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus of transmitting broadcast signals, the apparatus including, an encoder for encoding service data, a frame builder for building at least one signal frame by mapping the encoded service data, a modulator for modulating data in the built at least one signal frame by an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, OFDM, scheme and a transmitter for transmitting the broadcast signals having the modulated data.

Abstract: Surfacing or providing to an end-user via an electronic programming guide one or more alternative or alternate options for accessing particular content of interest, that which is initially itemized or presented for selection in or within the electronic programming guide.

Abstract: A distribution control system includes a generating unit configured to generate video frame data and sound frame data from content data; a first converting unit configured to convert the video frame data into first transmission data to be transmitted through a communication network by encoding the video frame data; a second converting unit configured to convert the sound frame data into second transmission data to be transmitted through the communication network by encoding the sound frame data; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the first transmission data to a first communication terminal connected to the communication network and transmits the second transmission data to a second communication terminal connected to the communication network.

Abstract: Monitoring, via a network of sensors each communicatively coupled to a home gateway system, movement and location of one or more individuals within their own residence. The home gateway system may also respond to inquiries as to a potential or probable or possible status of the one or more individuals within the residence.

Abstract: A method for online video playback includes: loading the first video segment corresponding to the lowest class of bit rates from the version of the lowest class of bit rates at an initial playback; and choosing to load and play a video segment corresponding to an appropriate class of bit rates according to the bit rate corresponding to the current network traffic and the resolution supported by a playing terminal after the video has been playing steadily. The method for online video playback can automatically choose to play videos encoded at an appropriate bit rate according to the current internet speed so that the playback is smooth and uninterrupted.

Abstract: A data analyzer engine receives content consumption feedback associated with multiple subscribers in a cable network environment. In accordance with one embodiment, the data analyzer engine provides notification of popularly consumed content. In accordance with another embodiment, the data analyzer engine generates control information to control content consumption by one or more devices in the cable network environment.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for multiplexing (i.e. combining multiple signals into one signal) both a plurality of video content (live and deferred time) and multiple video access mediums (such as cable television, satellite, internet video (clips, programming and movies), video games, DVD players, etc.) in a viewer friendly manner to enhance entertainment and other entertainment possibilities. The output of a selected video content is seen in a container known as a video container. Multiple video containers can be resized and positioned on a large screen television or other display device under viewer control. Control of video containers' video content or other content viewed, audio, and a host of other properties are done via web page controls or preferably connected mobile devices such as smart phones, tablets or other devices.

Abstract: Methods for automatically buffering and displaying video feeds associated with a live event are described. The video feeds displayed on the mobile device may comprise live video feeds or replays associated with the live event. A replay may comprise a playback of one or more buffered video feeds in a particular sequence and at a particular playback rate. The particular sequence may be determined based on the viewing behavior of the end user of the mobile device and/or the viewing behaviors of one or more other end users using other mobile devices at the live event. In some cases, the replay may comprise a shared replay in which a group of end users attending the live event may interact with each other while sharing a common replay.

Abstract: When switching sources, resolutions or refresh rates in a video distribution network, switching times are reduced by maintaining video lock and security authentication between a video switcher and a video sink. The scaler maintains video lock and security authentication by continuing to generate video timing data during switching events. The scaler also facilitates an aesthetically pleasing transition by generating image content data prior to and after the switching event.

Abstract: Provided are a video display device and a method of operating the same. The video display device request content recognition configuration information to a third party server that is not dependent on any single channel, and receives the content recognition configuration information from the third party server. The video display device extracts a plurality of content recognition configuration information items from the content recognition configuration information and configures the plurality of content recognition configuration information item in the video display device. The video display device obtains contents information of uncompressed content on the basis of the plurality of content recognition configuration information item, obtains an application on the basis of the content information, and executes the application.

Abstract: A plug and play method of viewing live and recorded contents includes the steps of: requesting information of a capturing device by a remote control center; sending an accessing request from an Internet-enabled receiving device to the remote control center through Internet; verifying whether the information of the capturing device matches with the accessing request from the receiving device by the remote control center; and establishing a communication channel between the capturing device and the receiving device to enable contents captured by the capturing device to be transmitted to the receiving device in a live manner through Internet.

Abstract: There is provided a display device including a signal receiving unit for receiving a video signal from an external device via a transmission path through a plurality of channels using a differential signal, an information receiving unit for receiving program information from the external device using a bidirectional communication path including predetermined lines of the transmission path, an image display unit for displaying images on image display elements based on the video signal received by the signal receiving unit, and a program information display unit for displaying the program information on the image display elements based on the program information received by the information receiving unit.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention may involve systems and methods. A method for providing video and mixed media content to a user device may include receiving content data from a content source and broadcasting the state of the content source. The content data may be split into audio data and visual data. Snapshots of the visual data over a length of time may be extracted. The plurality of snapshots and the audio data may be transformed into text strings and packaged into a data object. In response to a request from a user device, the data object and browser executable instructions may be sent to the user device. The instructions may transform the text into sound and into image snapshots to be consecutively displayed in a browser, where the displayed snapshots is synchronized with the sound, and other media content is displayed in the browser.

Abstract: When switching sources, resolutions or refresh rates in a video distribution network, switching times are reduced by maintaining video lock and security authentication between a video switcher and a video sink. The scaler maintains video lock and security authentication by continuing to generate video timing data during switching events. The scaler also facilitates an aesthetically pleasing transition by generating image content data prior to and after the switching event.

Abstract: A method for introducing and playing a media is disclosed, in which the method is implemented through a display device that is capable of linking to a network. In the method, detection is performed to determine whether a display of the display device shows a channel preview frame, and a plurality of preliminary previews are automatically and sequentially played when the channel preview frame is showing on the display. Further, detection is performed to determine whether a user selects one of the preliminary previews, and the user is provided with options of channel subscribing or detailed preview when the user selects one of the preliminary previews. Next, a fee paying procedure is executed when the user chooses to subscribe to the channel, and a channel information of the channel subscribed to is set.

Abstract: A method for composing an electronic program guide (EPG) metadata file, comprising receiving program metadata and converting the program metadata into a file using a Fast Infoset coding standard. The method is applied in a Metadata search server (MSS) for providing services relating to an electronic program guide (EPG), the MSS (1) in operation being in communication with a plurality of set top boxes (3), and one or more metadata providers (11, 12) which provide program metadata. The MSS (1) comprises an encoder (15) arranged to encode program metadata received from the one or more metadata provides (11, 12) into an EPG file to be broadcast using fast infoset (FI) standard.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example performing, by a wireless communication device comprising a processor, wireless telephony communications via a first wireless interface, transmitting information associated with media-related activities to a server, receiving from the server a media recommendation that is generated according to the information associated with media-related activities, initiating communications with a network via a second wireless interface, downloading a media content item of the media recommendation from a content provider via the second wireless interface, and presenting the media content item at a display. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for are provided for common distribution and rendering of communications capability for emergency alert services. A zone headend device, for a local zone, receives a local emergency alert service (EAS) message that is intended for a particular geographic locality. The zone headend device processes the local EAS message for delivery over a television conditional access system and sends the local EAS message to a regional headend device for a region of multiple zones including the local zone. The regional headend device receives the local EAS message and another local EAS message from another zone headend device. The regional headend device processes the local EAS message and the other local EAS message for in-band delivery with regional programming for broadcast quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) and over-the-top streaming.