Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide various techniques for programming and authorizing television receivers and other subscriber equipment via Internet Protocol (IP) networks. In some embodiments, a television receiver device (e.g., a satellite television receiver, cable television receiver, etc.) may detect and establish a connection to an IP network. After connecting to an IP network, the receiver may transmit identification data to a backend computer server of a cable or satellite television provider. The backend server may use the receiver identification data to determine television subscription(s) associated with the receiver and/or customer, and may determine and transmit one or more authorization codes back to the television receiver over the IP network. The television receiver may use the authorization codes to program the receiver device to decode and output the television channels and programs corresponding to the subscription.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to calibrate media ratings based on return path data are disclosed. An apparatus includes a ratings calculator to calculate an initial local rating for media provided in a first geographic area based on local return path data (RPD) tuning information obtained from local RPD devices in subscriber households in the first geographic area. The subscriber households subscribe to a content provider that provides the media through the local RPD devices. The apparatus further includes a calibration factor calculator to calculate a nonsubscriber calibration factor based on a first panelist rating for the media corresponding to a first subset of panelist households that do not subscribe to the content provider. The ratings calculator modifies the initial local rating based on the nonsubscriber calibration factor to calculate a final local rating for the media in the first geographic area.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc.

Abstract: Introduced herein are methods and systems for determining machine learning marketing strategy. For example, a computer-implemented method according to the disclosed technology includes steps of identifying one or more business metrics to be driven by a marketing plan; generating one or more response functions of the business metrics by performing a machine learning process on a marketing dataset; optimizing a spending subject of the marking plan subject to constraints to generate a marketing strategy based on multiple decision variables; and presenting the marketing strategy to an advertiser.

Abstract: A distributed CATV system that transports out-of-band signals between the cable headend and the set-top boxes is described. A video engine in the headend of the distributed CATV system converts downstream video channel RF (radio frequency) signals and downstream out-of-band RF signals respectively into video downstream packets and out-of-band downstream packets for a set of distribution nodes to transmit to the set-top boxes via CATV cables. The video engine also receives upstream packets from the distribution nodes that contain data based on upstream out-of-band RF signals transmitted by the set-top boxes via CATV cables.

Abstract: A network cooperation-based low power type charged broadcasting set-top box and a controlling method therefor, the set-top box sub-dividing a standby mode of the set-top box into an active standby mode, in which only background functions are processed without processing a main function, and a passive standby mode, in which no functions are processed; extending the passive standby mode occupation time to more than that of the active standby mode; and including a way of transitioning between operating modes by exchanging information regarding the set-top box through an inter-cooperation between a charged broadcasting network and the set-top box, thereby reducing the power consumption of a processor (SoC) which processes multimedia contents and minimizing the power consumption while the set-top box is in standby mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for rendering multimedia content on a user device is disclosed. The method includes receiving, by a content rendering device, multimedia content from a multimedia server. The multimedia content is stored in the multimedia server in form of chunks. The method includes transforming, by the content rendering device, at least one chunk of the multimedia content based on user preferences. The transforming comprises adjusting time duration of the multimedia content based on a user-defined time duration. Further, the method includes rendering, by the content rendering device, the transformed multimedia content on the user device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bandwidth-limited video transport are configured to receive (or otherwise discern) a selection of video parameter limits that correspond to a bandwidth limit and apply the video parameter limits to an input video stream to enforce the bandwidth limit while preserving video quality. Methods may include adjusting the video stream one parameter at a time until the adjusted video stream meets the bandwidth limit. Parameters to be adjusted may include image resolution, frame rate, image compression, color depth, bits per pixel, and/or color encoding. In some embodiments, the image resolution is reduced first, the frame rate is reduced next, and the image compression is increased last. The extent and/or order of the adjustments of the parameters may be selected by the user, based on the content of the video stream, and/or based on the bandwidth limit.

Abstract: A video advertising system, methods, and apparatus are disclosed, which may include an advertising system, including an advertising server and advertising console, and a user device, which may cooperate to select video advertising campaigns and display video advertisements. In an example embodiment, a method includes playing a video on a display, overlaying markings on the video while the video plays, at a first time while the video plays, measuring a first refresh rate of the video, at a second time while the video plays, performing a first operation on the markings, measuring a second refresh rate of the video at the second time, and determining an estimated area of the video displayed on the display based on the first refresh rate and the second refresh rate. In an example embodiment, a prediction model is trained to output a viewability inference for a video.

Abstract: Techniques for rules-based content management are provided. Video on demand content is collected from a variety of sources. Business rules embedded within metadata can be retrieved where the business rules control processing and delivery of the video on demand content. The video on demand content may be selectively packaged in response to the business rules and the metadata to generate packaged video on demand content. A server can distribute the packaged video on demand content to devices. A priority for processing the packaged video on demand content can be based on a quality of service parameter and based on the metadata, the business rules, and a license embedded within the metadata where the license describes the priority. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment, described herein is a system and method for providing commercial (advertisement) detection in digital media environments. A media stream, for example, a video stream of television shows or movies, can be analyzed either in advance or in realtime, to determine commercial segments or blocks within the media stream, and to distinguish them from (non-commercial) content segments or blocks. In accordance with an embodiment, frame features, black spaces, cue points, or other segment or block information can be used to improve the accuracy and precision with which commercials are identified. Particular commercials can be identified, together with information as to the location of those commercials within the media stream. In accordance with an embodiment, the media streams can be used within an on-demand cloud-based media environment, which allows a user to select within a plurality of media channels, or to locate or skip particular commercials.

Abstract: The disclosure provided a tuner circuit having a zero power loop through (ZPLT) circuit that is capable of providing a loop through path even when no power is being supplied or without a standalone power supply. The tuner circuit includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a ZPLT circuit, and an internal resistor. The input terminal receives a radio frequency (RF) signal. The output terminal is connected to a subsequent tuner. The ZPLT is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal. The internal and an external resistor connected between the turner circuit and subsequent tuner form a voltage divider to divide a bias found at the output terminal to enable the ZPLT circuit for providing a loop through path to deliver the RF signal to the output terminal when the tuner circuit is not powered by a standalone power or a low noise amplifier is enabled.

Abstract: In some aspects, control circuitry detects a plurality of instances in which the number of requests to simultaneously stream media from a subscription service to different devices exceeds a number of streams available to the user from the subscription service. The control circuitry generates a plurality of timestamps corresponding to the plurality of instances, and compares each timestamp to a range of timestamps that corresponds to a subscription period for the subscription service in order to determine a number of instances that occurred during the subscription period. The control circuitry compares the number of instances that occurred during the subscription period to a threshold number for the subscription period. Control circuitry transmits a message, from the server to one of the different devices, if the threshold is exceeded.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method operable to store video data and/or audio data is adapted to a first peer of a video and audio data system having a plurality of peers, and each peer has a corresponding storage space. In the method, before the first peer has not received a service request of a second peer of the plurality of peers, determines whether the video and audio data received by the first peer is stored in its corresponding storage space with a dynamically adjustable first video and audio storing probability, and extends a time interval of the first peer for storing received video and audio data; and when the first peer receives the service request of the second peer, sets a second video and audio storing probability. Thereby the second peer obtains at least one stored video and audio data from the first peer.

Abstract: In a computing device for streaming media content, information relating to a video bitstream is transmitted to a client device for displaying a user interface. An input signal is received from the client device indicating a desired start time in the video bitstream. Based on the start time, a target key frame is identified within the video, the target key frame comprising a nearest key frame in the video bitstream preceding the desired start time. A target frame header comprising a nearest header frame in the video preceding the target key frame is identified within the video bitstream. If necessary, the target key frame is converted to a first frame type. Only the target frame header, the target key frame, and video bitstream that follows the converted target key frame is sent to the client device, where the original frame referencing encoded in the video bitstream is utilized.

Abstract: A client device accesses a video input stream from an intermediate device for display. The client device analyzes the video input stream to determine that the video input stream matches a template indicating a change of speed. In some example embodiments, the analysis is performed while the client device is generating a video output stream that replaces video content received from a content source via the intermediate device. Based on the video input stream matching the template, the client device modifies the video output stream to show the change of speed. For example, commercials transmitted from a national content provider to a smart TV via a set-top box may be replaced with targeted commercials. During the replacement, fast-forwarding of the commercial may be detected by matching a template with the video input stream. While the video input stream is being fast-forwarded, the smart TV fast-forwards the targeted commercial.

Abstract: A client device accesses a video input stream from an intermediate device for display. The client device analyzes the video input stream to determine that the video input stream matches a template indicating a change of content source. The analysis is performed while the client device is generating a video output stream that replaces video content received from a content source via the intermediate device. Based on the video input stream matching the template, the client device ceases replacement of the video input stream. The client device continues to analyze the video input stream and determines that the video input stream matches a second template indicating a return to the original content source. Based on the video input stream matching the second template, the client device resumes replacement of the video input stream.

Abstract: Techniques for media quality control may include receiving media information and determining the quality of the media information. The media information may be presented when the quality of the media information meets a quality control threshold. A warning may be generated when the quality of the media information does not meet the quality control threshold. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A multimedia device determines that the user is attempting to tune to a channel. In response to the determination, the multimedia device identifies a list of channels likely to be the channel to which the user is attempting to tune. The multimedia device displays a channel tuning banner that allows the user to select a channel from the list, thereby causing the multimedia device to tune to the selected channel. In another context, users want to locate scheduling information for a particular channel within an electronic program guide (EPG). Thus, a multimedia device receives search criteria from a user and uses the search criteria to dynamically filter the EPG while the user is interacting with the EPG. As a result, the user is presented with a reduced number of EPG entries to look through in order to find relevant information.

Abstract: A client device accesses a video input stream from an intermediate device for display. The client device analyzes the video input stream to determine that the video input stream matches a template indicating a portion of the video input stream that is created by the intermediate device. Based on the video input stream matching the template, a video output stream generated by the client device is modified to include the portion of the video input stream generated by the intermediate device. For example, commercials transmitted from a national content provider to a smart TV via a set-top box may be replaced with targeted commercials. During the replacement, informational messages or menus generated by the set-top box may be detected and the replacement video altered by the smart TV to include the messages or menus generated by the set-top box.