Abstract: The invention relates to a method and arrangement (100) for storing and playing back TV programs, in particular to the improved method and device (100) for operating a PVR, in particular a network PVR (102). The inventive device for storing and playing back the TV programs comprises means for selecting a storable TV program, means (102, 108) for recording a TV program and means (104, 102, 108) for playing back, in a time delayed manner, said recording during a recordable TV program. Said arrangement also comprises means for determining the beginning time of transmission of the recordable TV program and means for determining the total advertising duration which passes on the screen during the TV program transmission. Said invention makes it possible to determine, as soon as possible, a time to start an advertising-free playing back according to the beginning of transmission, the total duration of the advertising and to advise a user thereabout.

Abstract: A television and a method thereof are provided. The television includes a display, a first network interface to a packet-based network, and a decoder operable to process a multimedia data stream received via the first network interface, wherein the television is operable to display video content of the multimedia data stream on the display promptly upon receipt of a user request to power up the television. The method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a network interface of a television, wherein the network interface is coupled to a packet-based network, processing the multimedia data stream at a decoder of the television to generate video content and providing the video content to a display of the television, wherein the television displays video content of the multimedia data stream promptly upon receipt of a request to power up the television.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of processing set-top box channel tuning data resulting in channel viewing activity at a second-by-second level which is then correlated with video asset schedule data, program attribute data, and optionally, targeted content delivery data and demographic data, to measure (a) actual television viewing seconds, (b) viewing audience of an advertisement or program during each second that it aired, (c) aggregate viewing audience for each second that an advertisement or program aired, (d) ad seconds viewed controlling for factors such as time of day, product, program, (e) response of various demographic groups to advertisements, and (f) effectiveness of targeted content against non-targeted content as measured in actual viewing seconds; all while maintaining viewer anonymity. The metrics produced are useful to service providers, advertisers, and content producers.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting distribution of multimedia content. The volume level of data traffic is monitored for a plurality of users to select any users with high-bandwidth usage. The time of day and the day of the week may be considered when determining whether a user is a high-bandwidth user. Upon selecting a user as one with high-bandwidth usage, such user may be subject to packet inspections of data traffic streams. In some embodiments, content identification parameters or watermarks are added to one or more packets in a data traffic stream carrying multimedia content.

Abstract: A receiving system and a method for processing data in the receiving system are disclosed. The receiving system includes a receiving unit, a first handler, and a second handler. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal through a mobile broadcast network. Herein, the broadcast signal includes mobile service data and a first signaling table. And, the first signaling table includes service guide transmission information and service guide bootstrapping information on the mobile service data. The first handler acquires the service guide bootstrapping information based upon the service guide transmission information included in the first signaling table. And, the second handler accesses a service guide by using the acquired service guide bootstrapping information.

Abstract: An encoded signal is modulated to produce a first radio frequency (RF) signal that is transmitted to a client module over a first transceiver channel when a first transceiver module is in a transceive mode. A channel scan is performed when the first transceiver module is in a scan mode. The encoded signal is modulated to produce a second RF signal and that is transmitted over a second transceiver channel when a second transceiver module is in a transceive mode.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for measuring performance of remote video delivery are presented. The method embeds at a server computer a marker in selected frames of a video stream. The marker includes a preconfigured sequence of pixels and is followed by a frame number encoded in the pixel data. The method then finds a first marker at a client computer to determine the location of the markers in a display. Once the location of the markers is determined, markers in following frames are detected with their corresponding frame numbers. The method stores the arrival times and frame numbers for each detected marker. The stored arrival times and frame numbers can be used for statistical performance analysis of remote video delivery.

Abstract: A method and system for providing program guide data to a user network device associated with a user identifier includes a partner service provider in communication with the user network device and a primary service provider in communication with the partner service provider authenticating the user network device provider using the user identifier. The user network device generates a request for program guide data and communicates the user identifier and the request to the partner service provider. The partner service provider or the primary service provider communicates program guide data to the user network device based on the identifier data. The user network device displays the program guide data on a display device.

Abstract: When a user issues a bookmark setup instruction, bookmark information, which includes identification information for a reproduction point whereat video and audio data for currently reproduced content are recorded, identification information for the pertinent content and position information indicating the current reproduction point are generated and stored in a storage unit. And when a user issues a bookmark display instruction, the bookmark information is read from the storage unit and a list of bookmarks is displayed. When one of the bookmarks on the list is selected and its reproduction is instructed, a command is transmitted to a reproduction apparatus, indicated in bookmark information that corresponds to the selected bookmark, to reproduce content, indicated in the bookmark information, beginning at a reproduction point designated in the bookmark information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving a selection of a channel at a set-top box device. In response to the selection of the channel, a still image associated with a program being transmitted via the selected channel is displayed at a display device. The method further includes receiving a multicast stream of video content associated with the selected channel at the set-top box device. At least a portion of the multicast stream is received while the still image is displayed at the display device. The method also includes transmitting the video content to the display device.

Abstract: Use of direct sequence spread spectrum test signals injected at the same time and frequency of active network services to perform non-interfering measurements in the forward and reverse path of a CATV plant. Ideally, a plurality of transmitters, each transmitting a test signal with a unique spreading code, whereby multiple overlapping test signals are received simultaneously at the receiver (CDMA).

Abstract: A method of determining whether live media content or time-shifted media content is received at a communication device is presented. In the method, attribute information concerning media content received at a communication device at a specific time is received. Also received is schedule information including an identity of media content carried at the specific time over a channel identified in the attribute information. The media content identity from the attribute information is compared with the media content identity from the schedule information. The received media content is determined to be live media content if the media content identity from the attribute information agrees with the media content identity from the schedule information. The received media content is determined to be time-shifted media content if the media content identity from the attribute information does not agree with the media content identity from the schedule information.

Abstract: In a controlled access broadcast system, a method of providing controlled-access information to a user includes determining whether a selected channel is a controlled-access channel, determining whether a smart card mounted in a smart card mounting part is configured to access the selected channel, if the selected channel is determined to be a controlled-access channel, and displaying indicia that indicates the configuration of the mounted smart card with respect to access to the selected channel. Therefore, a user can mount a smart card to access the controlled-access channel, thus increasing user convenience.

Abstract: A signal detection method is provided. The signal detection method for an electronic device having a plurality of terminals to receive signals from a plurality of sources corresponding to the terminals, includes the following steps: providing a sequence index for each terminal; providing a plurality of weighting numbers for the electronic device; comparing the sequence indexes of the terminals to determine a terminal detection sequence when the electronic device is turned on or the signal source changes; detecting the terminals according to the detection sequence; adding one of the weighting number to the sequence index of the terminal with signal traffic. The detection sequence begins at the terminal with a largest sequence index and ends at the terminal with a smallest sequence index.

Abstract: A method of providing discovery information of an Electronic Service Guide (ESG) bootstrap entry point is provided. The method includes listing at least one piece of ESG bootstrap characteristic information for an ESG bootstrap proper for a status of a terminal, creating a Management Object (MO), which connects the ESG bootstrap entry point with said at least one piece of ESG bootstrap characteristic information and transmitting the created MO to the terminal through an interactive channel.

Abstract: An image-clock adjusting circuit is provided and includes a phase comparator, a clock controller, and a timing generator. The phase comparator receives a power source signal and a vertical synchronous signal and compares a phase of the power source signal with that of the first vertical synchronous signal for producing at least a phase comparison signal. The clock controller receives the phase comparison signal and the vertical synchronous signal, produces a pixel clock signal and intermittently adjusts a clock width of the pixel clock signal. The timing generator receives the pixel clock signal and adjusts the vertical synchronous signal into an adjusted vertical synchronous signal being nearly in phase with the power source signal. Therefore, The effect suppressing the phenomenon of the color rolling with the simpler circuit is accomplished.

Abstract: In the case where the receiving apparatus 1 obtains, from a content archive, and reproduces a first video content having the same content as a program being broadcast, the difference of the ending time between the first video content being played and the program being broadcast is detected (S701). In the case where there is a difference in the ending time (YES in step S702), the receiving apparatus 1 obtains, from the content archive, a second video content having the same content as the next program started following the program being broadcast (S703, S704), and reproduces the second video content following the first video content being played (S705 to S709).

Abstract: In one of many possible embodiments, a system includes a media content provider subsystem providing media content over a closed media network and a closed media network access device communicatively coupled to the media content provider subsystem by the closed media network. The closed media network access device is configured to receive the media content over the closed media network, provide at least a component of the media content to an output device for presentation to a user, receive audio input including user voice input provided by the user, and utilize the user voice input in at least one of a voice command application and a communication application.

Abstract: An electronic card connector is used to connect an electronic card to an electronic device, such as a level-shifting device. The electronic card connector includes an insert slot unit and a switch unit. The insert slot unit is adapted for insertion of the electronic card and is provided with a power signal terminal for providing electric power to the electronic card that is inserted into the insert slot unit. The 10 switch unit is disposed in the insert slot unit, is operable to establish electrical connection between the power signal terminal and a first power source when the electronic card inserted into the insert slot unit does not actuate the switch unit, and is further operable to establish electrical connection between the power signal terminal and a second power source when the electronic card inserted into the insert slot unit actuates the switch unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for frequency sweeping a CATV network, suitable for an upstream path frequency sweeping, is presented. A narrowband test signal is injected into the network by a generator coupled to a cable modem during a time interval allocated by the head end for the cable modem to transmit a modulated digital signal. The amplitude of the test signal is lower than the amplitude of the modulated digital signal, so as not to impair reception of said digital signal at the head end. The frequency of the test signal is swept, and the amplitude of the received test signal is measured. A telemetry or a digital signal transmission is used to communicated the values of the amplitude of the test signals between the injection and the measurement locations of the network.