Abstract: Provided are a display device for allowing a first user to use information about content played by a device of a second user, when the user selects content to be received and played via the display device, and a method of controlling the same. The method includes the first display device providing first user identification information of the first user to a server; obtaining, from the server, electronic content guide information including second user identification information of a second user that is related to the first user and playback content identification information that corresponds to the second user; displaying, on the first display device, a user interface (UI) for selecting content that corresponds to the playback content identification information, based on the electronic content guide information; and the first display device playing content that is selected by using the UI.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system with program series reminder and recording capabilities is provided. The system allows a user to set a reminder or schedule a recording for a single episode or for each episode of a program series. In addition, other options may be provided that allow the user to determine, for example, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all channels on which the program airs or only on a selected channels, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for all episodes including reruns or only new episodes, whether to schedule reminders/recordings for network or syndicated episodes, and whether to schedule reminders/recordings for episodes on all days or only on selected days of the week. Before the scheduled broadcast time of each episode of each selected program series, the system sends a reminder message to the user that reminds the user of the program episode or sends a record command to a videocassette recorder to initiate recording of the episode.

Abstract: Systems and methods may be provided for retrieving non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data that is provided by separate data sources. On-demand media data may be cached to reduce system latencies and the burden on the distribution network.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and transmitting data without personally identifiable information. The method may include receiving a set of one or more unique identifiers (IDs) and a first set of data associated with a subscriber. The method may send the IDs to a third party provider of datasets. The method may receive a second set of data associated with the subscriber identified using the unique IDs. The method may generate aggregated viewing data based on the first and second sets of data. The set of unique IDs may be based on a one-way hash of personally identifiable information associated with the subscriber. In this way, the unique IDs may be appended with the data from third party providers so additional information regarding the household is available to clients, but the personally identifiable information is unavailable to any of the parties.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing an interactive television system for recording television programming. The interactive television system may include components for providing personal video recorder (PVR) functionality, such as an interactive television program guide (IPG), PVR extensions, PVR application programming interfaces (APIs), a PVR device, any suitable hardware or software, or a combination thereof. These components may be implemented in, for example, an arrangement having an integrated PVR-compliant device with a PVR device, or in an arrangement having a PVR-compliant device (e.g., a set-top box) coupled to PVR equipment (e.g., a remote PVR server or a PVR sidecar) with a PVR device. The PVR-compliant device may include software and hardware configured to implement the IPG. The PVR APIs may be a library of intelligent vendor-specific and vendor-independent APIs able to determine the type of PVR device being used.

Abstract: Provided is a broadcasting receiving apparatus and a control method thereof capable of receiving recommendation information, the control method of a broadcasting receiving apparatus receiving recommendation information about a broadcasting program; comparing a time of confirming the recommendation information and a broadcasting time of a recommended program included in the recommendation information; and supplying a function of the broadcasting receiving apparatus for using the recommendation information to correspond to a comparison result. Accordingly, a broadcasting receiving apparatus and a control method thereof capable of supplying a broadcasting service having an improved user convenience is provided.

Abstract: Systems, devices, methods, and computer readable media are provided for distributing data with multi-tiered encoding. For example, a system for transmission of data streams to endpoints is provided that includes: encoders, each encoder configured to encode a data stream according to at least one encoding parameter; virtual transmitters organized into groups based on at least one transmission characteristic; each group of virtual transmitters configured to receive encoded data from an associated one of the encoders; each virtual transmitter of the plurality of virtual transmitters configured to transmit the encoded data to an associated one of the plurality of endpoints; and at least one controller configured to monitor transmission characteristics of the plurality of virtual transmitters and to adjust membership of the virtual transmitters in the plurality of groups based on the monitored transmission characteristics.

Abstract: Provided is a media content receiving method of a media content receiving device. The method includes: receiving information on a content location information file; receiving the content location information file by using the information on the content location information file; measuring a current bandwidth; requesting a first media content through a first network on the basis of the current bandwidth and the content location information file; receiving the first media content through the first network; and consuming the first media content.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a content (e.g., media) transfer or fling platform system and method. In a media fling platform system, media items may be cached at a rendering device prior to any selection of media items to fling. The determination of which media to cache may be based on a variety of factors including a user fling history, a currently viewed media item, and a navigation point in the media files. A fling request may take priority over caching, and the fling request may interrupt any caching processes.

Abstract: There is provided a cable television (CATV) cable tap device comprising a cable tap unit having a front section with electrical circuitry connected to a plurality of tap ports and a rear section connectable to a broadband network, wherein an amplifier unit is disposed between the front section and the rear section and is in electrical communication with both the front section and the rear section. The amplifier unit is a separate module and comprises one or more amplification circuits for upstream and/or downstream amplification of signals.

Abstract: A method in a network entity associates a unique identifier with an event, for example a television program. The method comprises the steps of receiving an original time reference allocated to the event, for example an original start time for the event, and generating a first identifier (event_ID) to identify the event, wherein the first identifier is based on a set of first identifiers (event_IDs) that have a predetermined repetition period. The method further comprises the step of generating a second identifier (program_ID) to identify the event, wherein the second identifier is unique over time and based on a function of the first identifier and the original time reference allocated to the event. Various embodiments describe how changes to the original time reference can be made, yet still allow the unique event identifier to be determined.

Abstract: A virtual converged cable access platform (CCAP) system and method for hybrid fiber CATV (HFC) cable networks. The system uses a new type of digital optical fiber node configured to receive optical fiber data packets, and reconstitute the optical data packets into RF waveforms suitable for injection into the system's CATV cable. The system replaces the legacy HFC head end with a simplified “virtual head end”. The system's virtual head end operates using a new type of virtual CCAP controller and virtual CCAP software that in turn controls high performance edge routers. Much of the intelligence of running the HFC cable system is managed by the controller software, while the edge router manages the interface between the CATV portion of the system and outside networks. The system can handle even legacy CATV RF signals by appropriate conversion operations, while reducing power and space needs, and improving operational flexibility.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system including a video server storing video-on-demand content and for streaming video-on-demand through a first layer of an internet page having a first layer and a second layer; and a controller for causing there to be formed in the second layer a plurality of selectable overlay images such that a user at a location in communication with the internet remote from the video server and the controller can display streamed video-on-demand of the first layer in combination with the overlay images of the second layer and can select one of the overlay images; wherein the overlay images correspond to respective control functions for the video-on-demand stream; and the controller is responsive to selection of an overlay image to change the video-on-demand stream in accordance with the corresponding respective control function.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an information processing method applied in an electronic apparatus, and the method includes deciding whether a first condition is satisfied when the electronic apparatus plays the first data; switching from a first moment of the first data to a second moment of the first data if result of decision indicates that the first condition is satisfied, the second moment and the first moment constituting a first time interval; deciding whether a second condition is satisfied; switching a third moment of the first data to a fourth moment of the first data if result of decision indicates that the second condition is satisfied, the fourth moment and the third moment constituting the second time interval; wherein the first condition is the same as the second condition, and the first time interval is different from the second time interval.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing coordination between two or more different media distribution channels. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a server and associated client processes disposed of various components of a managed content distribution network (e.g., cable or satellite network). The server process coordinates with the client processes to obtain user interactivity data useful is assessing the efficacy of certain secondary content (e.g., advertisements). In one variant, input is received from, and provided to, other associated media campaigns (e.g., print, online, and/or telephonic) so as to allow rapid and effective coordination between the campaigns. Mechanisms for improving user engagement to the secondary content are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for measuring audience engagement for a media asset using user motion. For example, a media guidance application may receive movement logs from a plurality of user equipment. These movement logs may contain information indicating when each of the plurality of users moved, as detected by motion sensors, while the user equipment was generating for display a media asset. The movement logs may be analyzed to determine time periods during the media asset during which greater than a certain number of the plurality of users were moving. These time periods may in turn be used to infer how engaged the plurality of users were during the media asset or what portions of the media asset the plurality of users viewed. This data may be used to determine in what media assets, or portions thereof, supplemental video content should be inserted.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a processor, a first data stream from a first platform and a second data stream from a second platform. The first data stream includes content and the second data stream includes the content. The method also includes performing an analysis operation on the first data stream and the second data stream to interpret the content. Performing the analysis operation includes performing a statistical analysis on the first data stream and the second data stream using one or more Artificial Neural Network (ANN) nodes of an analytical network. Performing the analysis operation also includes performing a syntactic analysis on the first data stream and the second data stream using one or more Markov Logic Network (MLN) nodes of the analytical network.

Abstract: A system and method for filming and discovering videos for users may include receiving an instructional video of an event from a content provider. The instructional video includes portions of a first video stream with images at an eye level of an instructor and portions of a second video stream with close-up shots related to a concept being taught during the event. It is determined whether the instructional video includes a title sequence, an introduction, a lesson, a recap, and a conclusion. If the instructional video fails to contain the title sequence, the introduction, the lesson, the recap, and the conclusion, a rejection of the instructional video is provided that includes an explanation. If the instructional video contains the title sequence, the introduction, the lesson, the recap, and the conclusion, the instructional video is stored in a video database.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for data tagging in the field of computer technologies. In this method, a user terminal acquires tag data, obtains information about services and functions associated with the tag data, then interacts with target servers to exchange service and function information, and fulfills appropriate services and functions to complete the business application. The disclosed data tagging method and system allow user terminal to interact with directly target servers that are associated with relevant services and functions, which allows functions to be realized in distributed target servers, which simplifies the implementations of tag data, reducing the cost to setting servers. The disclosed data tagging methods allow more extensive applications of data tagging, improved user experiences, simplified processes, and lower costs.

Abstract: A method is disclosed including but not limited to monitoring penetration data on an advertising server processor wherein the penetration data indicates frequency, quantity, duration and data volume of data correlated with advertising data that has been sent from a first end user device to a second end user device. A computer program and a system are disclose for monitoring penetration data on an advertising server processor wherein the penetration data indicates frequency, quantity, duration and data volume of data correlated with advertising data that has been sent from a first end user device to a second end user device.