Abstract: A disclosed set top box or other multimedia receiver suitable for use in a multimedia distribution network includes a remote control interface operable to receive a signal from a remote control device and extract a remote control command from the signal, a processor coupled to the remote control interface and operable to detect the remote control command, and a machine readable storage resource containing computer executable instructions operable to: invoke an aural indication application that returns an audio stream suitable for processing by an audio output device, wherein the audio stream, when processed by the audio output device, causes the audio output device to produce an audibly detectable signal indicative of a function corresponding to the remote control command. The application may generate the audio stream by invoking a speech synthesis module or by retrieving an audio file.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a program guide including a matrix of cells associated with a plurality of media content instances, and a condensed program guide including a condensed matrix of a subset of the cells and at least one interstitial symbol representing at least one of the cells excluded from the condensed matrix. In certain embodiments, the media content processing subsystem is configured to provide a graphical user interface to a display for presentation to a user, the graphical user interface including at least a portion of the condensed program guide. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interface includes a visual indicator of the interstitial symbol indicating a matrix position of a cell excluded from the condensed matrix. In certain embodiments, the interstitial symbol is spatially insubstantial in the condensed matrix.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed to enable switched video service on a host media server using a component within the media server to relay messages between a set of one or more tuners coupled with the media server and an interpreter device connected to a network source node that allocates switched video channels.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for setting a new channel when a DVB-H terminal sets a channel initially or changes the channel. The method includes a DVB-H server transmitting Program Specific Information (PSI)/Service Information (SI) and burst data of Audio/Video (A/V) streams corresponding to a plurality of service channels, a DVB-H terminal detecting a number of a plurality of elementary streams included in a new channel and Packet Identifiers (PIDs) corresponding to the respective elementary streams from the PSI/SI, which has been received from the DVB-H server and stored, in response to a setting request of the new channel from a user, and setting the detected PIDs as temporary receive PIDs, and if the DVB-H terminal detects burst data having a PID equal to any of the temporary receive PIDs from among the burst data received from the DVB-H server, the DVB-H terminal sets the PID corresponding to the detected burst data as a final receive PID and received only burst data having the final receive PID.

Abstract: Systems, and computer-implemented methods are described for selecting programming information from among multiple sets of programming information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of operating a set-top box that is coupled to a video display, the set-top box being configured for communication with a video content provider. One embodiment of the method may include initiating display of a first portion of video content that is pre-loaded onto the set-top box and transmitting a request to subscribe to a first multicast service in response to initiating display of the first portion of the video content. The video content provider is configured to provide a second portion of the video content using the first multicast service.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system and method is provided. Time separators are displayed within lists of program listings to allow users to more easily view the program listings. On-screen arrows have their display characteristics changed according to user actions. Similar program listings are displayed only once when using search program listings. Users are provided with an opportunity to view channel information before setting channels as favorites. Information from local information services is provided in program guide display screens that are configurable by a main facility. Users are provided with an opportunity to centrally lock and unlock programs, and to bypass locks when desired.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for display of a digital video signal includes a demodulator capable of receiving a major channel of the digital video signal. The major channel of the digital video signal includes one or more minor channels, wherein the minor channels are specific and separate channels of broadcast information. The method and apparatus for display of a digital video signal further includes decoders coupled to the demodulator, wherein the decoders receive the minor channels disposed within the major channel. The decoders thereupon generate minor channel video signals, wherein the minor channel video signal includes the video information for each associated channel. The method and apparatus further includes receiving the incoming video signals and format the video signals for simultaneous display of active video from multiple channels. A display configurator provides the minor channel video signals to an output display, to actively display the minor channels.

Abstract: A method for exchanging information in a shared interactive environment, comprising selecting a first physical device in a first live video image wherein the first physical device has information associated with it, causing the information to be transferred to a second physical device in a second live video image wherein the transfer is brought about by manipulating a visual representation of the information, wherein the manipulation includes interacting with the first live video image and the second live video image, wherein the first physical device and the second physical device are part of the shared interactive environment, and wherein the first physical device and the second physical device are not the same.

Abstract: A video receiver system is conditioned for extracting trick play metadata, corresponding to video information, from a received transport stream. The video receiver system identifies the presence of such metadata in response to information present in the header of a transport packet. The video receiver after extracting metadata stores data corresponding to such metadata in a table (175). When implementing a trick play function during video playback, video receiver system (20) uses the data in the table to implement a desired trick play function. Inserting metadata in transport stream using transport priority bit or payload or transport packets.

Abstract: A method for providing program guides and an image display apparatus using the method, are provided where a displayed program guide screen is formed in a shape in which a program guide on a first channel surrounds the outer periphery of a program guide on a second channel according to formation information set for formation of the program guides. An electronic program guide EPG is thereby formed using a concentric circle layout with respect to multiple channels and a broadcast program screen of a selected channel is displayed at a central portion of the EPG, so that the recognizability and the readability are improved as well as the convenience for a user.

Abstract: A TV-set is equipped with HDMI and USB connections that allow it to display and run audio-video content from a variety of conventional consumer devices. The TV-set is further equipped to provide a secure HDMI-USB interface that will allow the transfer of licensed high definition content and Internet subscriber services. Such secure HDMI-USB interface also enables a selection of proprietary application modules to be attached. Downloadable user interface templates, much like XML style sheets, are rendered to a user interface displayed on the screen. These are associated with corresponding thumbnails and URI's that allow a user to surf through lists and catalogs of materials, and then to play them in the appropriate formats and provide the machine with a customized controller. A remote commander is simplified, yet expanded to control all the attached devices through interactions with the user interface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide content on demand in content broadcast systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a first portion of a program via broadcast signal and receiving a second portion of the program via an Internet protocol (IP) based signal. The example method may further comprise combining the first and the second portions and at least one of store the combined first and second portions in a file or playback the combined first and second portions.

Abstract: A broadcasting receiver implements volume control by first software (OCAP application) for volume control obtained from outside or second software (receiver application) for volume control pre-installed. The broadcasting receiver determines whether the first software is obtained or not. When it is determined that the first software is obtained, the broadcasting receiver sends a volume control command which is received by a command receiver to the first software, and otherwise, sends the volume control command to the second software.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing Electronic Program Guide (EPG) information in a digital multimedia broadcast receiving terminal, which includes causing the digital multimedia broadcast receiving terminal to convert the EPG information of a broadcast channel previously stored into corresponding audio data delivered to a headset communicating with the digital multimedia broadcast receiving terminal, and causing the headset to output the audio data received, whereby the user may recognize the channel information by using only the wireless headset, without having to view the terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to detect blank images in a digital video broadcast signal are disclosed. An example method of detecting a blank image includes analyzing DC values of luminance blocks associated with a frame to determine a number of the luminance blocks having substantially the same DC value; and identifying the frame as a blank image if the number exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In a method for providing a program guide in a program receiver, program schedule data is received, wherein the program schedule data associates programs with time slots on a particular channel of a plurality of channels. For a first time slot of a virtual channel, and using the program schedule data, a first program is selected from a first channel available for reception in a first selected time slot. For a second time slot of the virtual channel, a second program is selected from a second channel available for reception in a second selected time slot. In response to a request to display a schedule of programs, a schedule of the virtual channel is displayed, including the first and second programs scheduled respectively in the first and second time slots of the virtual channel.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for transmitting binary data in a video transmission system. The method comprises the steps of providing ATVEF announcements on a first predefined IP multicast address; providing ATVEF trigger and/or content transmission on a first range of IP multicast addresses; providing non-ATVEF announcements on a second predefined multicast address different from said first address; and providing non-ATVEF data transmission on a second range of IP multicast addresses, exclusive of the first range. The invention also concerns an emitter and a receiver for implementing the method.

Abstract: A relay station comprises an emergency information detection unit for detecting an emergency information broadcasting flag in the digital broadcasting TMCC signal transmitted from the center station; a replacement data creation unit for issuing an instruction for creating replacement contents and replacing the data when emergency information is multiplexed in the TS; and a time synchronization unit for executing time synchronization between the TS created by the data replacement and the TS before the data replacement. On a receiving terminal, the replaced data broadcasting contents can be received while prefectural broadcasting video and audio contents are continuously received.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed comprised of a primary Ethernet broadcast system, a node, and a secondary Ethernet broadcast system. The primary Ethernet broadcast system broadcasts multiple video channels each corresponding to an Ethernet address. The node receives a request for a video channel. The node determines the Ethernet address of the selected video channel and transmits a response to the request that includes the Ethernet address of the selected video channel.