Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor reception of programs and content by broadcast receivers are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to monitor reception of a broadcast program by a broadcast receiver located in a statistically selected site comprises retrieving an audience measurement data packet from the broadcast receiver in order to identify the broadcast program, detecting a code embedded in the broadcast program in order to identify the broadcast program, extracting a signature from the broadcast program in order to identify the broadcast program, identifying the broadcast program through use of a software agent, and selecting at least one of the audience measurement data packet, the embedded code, the extracted signature or the software agent to identify the received program.

Abstract: A hard-disk recorder receives a broadcasting content distributed from a satellite broadcasting service system and records it. The satellite broadcasting service system generates degree-of-exposure control data for the broadcasting content, and sends it to the hard-disk recorder through a server system. The hard-disk recorder receives the degree-of-exposure control data, and controls the degree of exposure of the recorded content according to degree-of-exposure designation included in the received degree-of-exposure control data.

Abstract: A program-selecting apparatus well applied to a broadcast receiving set sets automatic picture-recording by setting program selection conditions comprising a genre, a keyword, and a time zone. A recording medium built in a recording medium unit has a storage region for storing keywords used in this setting. This storage region is comprised of a fixed region in which plural fixed keywords are stored and an alteration region in which plural alterable keywords are stored. A keyword stored in the alteration region is downloaded through a MODEM from a server based on, for example, user's operations. It is possible to set a program selection condition by using a new keyword without providing input means such as a keyboard for inputting keywords to the apparatus, thus making the apparatus inexpensive.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a drive server, a control server and one or more decoder devices. The drive server may be configured to present one or more DVD data streams in response to one or more input signals. The control server may be configured to present one or more compressed data streams in response to the one or more data streams and one or more request signals. The decoders may be configured to present a decoded video signal and a decoded audio signal in response to one of the compressed data streams and the request signals. The navigation software, which traditionally is processed local to the decoder, may be processed on the control server. The control server may be enabled to control the remote decoder.

Abstract: An electronic device (18). The device comprises an analog (16) interface for receiving an analog waveform. The device also comprises an image screen (20) and circuitry (42) for at times displaying an image on the image screen in response to at least a portion of the analog waveform. The device also comprises a memory (48) for storing firmware code and circuitry (44, 46) for at times writing firmware code in the memory in response to at least a portion of the analog waveform.

Abstract: The system enables listeners and viewers of a broadcast to access additional information associated with a broadcast. Listeners and viewers utilize a user device to connect to a database containing program descriptions (e.g. audio, text, video or combination thereof) further describing the programming and ancillary information. The database is indexed by the broadcast's program list or schedule thereby allowing a user of the system to search and select a particular program description of interest. Hearing or viewing program descriptions enables users to preview excerpts and review a broadcast before purchasing an item heard or viewed on a broadcast.

Abstract: In a method and system for transmitting and receiving data, specified data can be transmitted only to a specific receiving terminal by assigning unique terminal information to the receiving terminal. When transmitted with data, the unique terminal information identifies the specific receiving terminal as the destination of transmission from among a plurality of receiving terminals. An update program for changing the processing of the receiving terminal may be transmitted to the specific receiving terminal along with the unique terminal information. The unique terminal information and the update program are stored in a prescribed storage location in the specific receiving terminal. Thus, a one-to-one broadcasting system is achieved.

Abstract: A television having a program rating function according to a set-up value of a program rating set up by a user and a method for controlling the same. The television has: a judgment unit for judging the program rating based on a program rating signal included in a received broadcasting signal; a set-up value storage unit for storing the set-up value of a program rating set up by the user; a display unit for displaying the program rating judged by the judgment unit; and a control unit for controlling the display unit to display the program rating judged by the judgment unit, when there is no set-up value in the set-up value storage unit. Therefore, when the programs are broadcasted in a situation in which the user has not set up the set-up value of the program rating due to the inconvenience of a V-chip (Violence-Chip), it is reported to the user that the television includes the above function through a display unit.

Abstract: Payment-based audiovisual playback system characterized by comprising a microprocessor device associated with a payment device primarily including means for storing, inter alia, in digital format the visual and sound information to be used. The system is associated through interfaces with display means and sound playback means for providing a multimedia environment. The system is controlled by a multitask operating system including a tool and service library integrated into the storage means. The system, which is also associated through an interface with a telecommunications modem, is optionally connected to an audiovisual data distribution network by a telecommunications modem and telecommunications links, said telecommunications function also being controlled by said multitask operating system.

Abstract: A resource allocation of multiple compressed AV streams delivered over the Internet is disclosed that achieves end-to-end optimal quality through a multimedia streaming TCP-friendly transport (MSTFP) protocol that adaptively estimates the network bandwidth while smoothing the sending rate. Resources allocated dynamically according to a media encoding distortion and network degradation algorithm. A scheme is also disclosed for dynamically estimating the available network bandwidth for streaming of objects, such as MPEG4 multiple video objects, in conjunction with the MSTFP protocol. The scheme can account for packet-loss rates to minimize end-to-end distortion for media delivery.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for remote viewing of selected messages at a subscriber remote receiving location, the apparatus including at least one messaging server (such as, but not limited to, a unified messaging system, voice-mail system, fax server system, or any other message store and management system) and a television set as an output device for messages stored or displayed by the messaging server, and a television messaging gateway coupling the messaging server to the television set.

Abstract: A novel advanced set top terminal having electronic mail capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity, and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide electronic mail capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g., 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports electronic mail through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports (e.g., 308), processing circuitry (e.g.

Abstract: A downloading apparatus and method for a digital broadcast receiver which updates a control program of an associated microcontroller with a control program received in a broadcast signal. The downloading apparatus examines the control program prior to initializing the microcontroller, and a new control program is downloaded if the examined control program is incomplete. The downloading apparatus also has a backup memory for abnormal events when downloading. A control program stored in the backup memory enables completion of the downloading.

Abstract: A system (100) for displaying information on a display device (104) comprises; receiving means (202) for receiving services; user interface means (220) for making a user selection of a type of information to be displayed on the display device (104); a filter (206) for selecting a data-element of a first one of the services on basis of the user selection; and rendering means (208) for calculating an output image to be displayed on the display device (104), on basis of output of the filter (206). The system (100) is designed to apply the filter (206) for selecting a second data-element of the second one of the services, on basis of the user selection, when being switched from the first one of the services to a second one of the services, with the data-element and the second data-element being mutually semantically related.

Abstract: The invention discloses a system and method to implement a business model for advertising revenue that allows advertising hosts to reliably detect registered audience members who respond to advertisements by coming into close physical proximity of designated locations, so that corresponding advertisers may be billed accordingly. A host system operated by the advertising hosts includes a data processing module, an electronic environment, advertisements, and a data communications network. The electronic environment presents content associated with that environment and the advertisements. Audience members who see the advertisements and respond by coming into close proximity to the designated locations associated with the advertisements are then detected by readers. An embodiment of the system and method utilizes RFID tags placed at the designated locations, and it utilizes RFID readers cared by audience members used to detect the tags when audience members come into close proximity of the tags.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to variously edit an image recorded in an image recording/viewing system in an image distribution system enabling a recorded image to be viewed using a mobile communication terminal via a fixed communication network or mobile network, such that a result of edition can be viewed alone or along with associated information, and thus, to enable high value-added image distribution.

Abstract: A set top terminal equipped with a camera and microphone includes the capability to send and receive video calls through a cable television delivery system or other communications networks. In response to detection of the occurrence of a video call event or triggering event, a video program is automatically paused. In response to an incoming video phone call, message, web page, or other video communications information, the system pauses the video program and displays an indication of the occurrence of the communications event. The system also buffers the video program while paused, permitting a user to replay missed portions of it. Alternatively, the system waits for a triggering event, which includes the user's access to the communications event, in order to pause the video program. The set top terminal also includes features for caller identification of video calls and dual display of video programs and video calls, such as picture in picture.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for discouraging unauthorized modifications to set top boxes and gateways. Resource information is received that describing the number of disk drives and/or the capacity of each disk drive. A processor communicates with a database that stores configuration information. The processor compares the resource information to the configuration information. When the resource information differs from the configuration information, then the processor detects unauthorized modifications to the set top box.

Abstract: A system for sending multimedia data between a first High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) component and a second HDMI component that is engaged with a displayer of multimedia data includes a first Digital Visual Interface (DVI) component receiving HDCP-encrypted multimedia data from the first HDMI component over a wire. A wireless transmitter sends data from the first DVI component to a wireless receiver, preferably at 60 GHz, and the receiver in turn sends the data to a second DVI component. Neither DVI component encrypts or decrypts data. The second DVI component sends the multimedia data to a second HDMI component for decryption and display on, e.g., an LCD or plasma display.

Abstract: A program processing apparatus and system is disclosed by which an electronic program guide can be used to confirm a condition of each program readily and perform various operations for a program. The program management apparatus is formed from a personal computer having functions for performing recording and playback of a program, a video tape recorder having a function for acquiring an electronic program guide, or a like apparatus. The program management apparatus includes a program recording section, a program playback section, a program guide displaying section which issues an instruction to perform a suitable program process in response to an operation of an electronic program guide displayed thereon, a recording reservation management section, and a program guide preparation section for preparing an electronic program guide. The program management apparatus further includes a program guide database, a program recording reservation database and a recorded program database.