Abstract: Systems and methods for providing goods and services from one or more service providers to consumers, such as multiple dwelling unit (MDU) tenants are provided. In a first aspect, the invention provides a system for facilitating the provision of goods and services to a tenant of an MDU operated by an MDU operator. In one implementation, the system of the invention comprises at least one service provider that is configured to provide goods and services; an MDU tenant interface configured to communicate MDU tenant requests for goods and services to one of the MDU operator and the service provider; and a coordinating site configured to provide a provision interface operably connected to the service provider and the MDU tenant interface.

Abstract: A multimedia system is provided, comprising a computer for receiving audio data and video data from a source and transmitting the data serially over a high speed serial link, a set-top box connected through the link to the computer for receiving the audio data and video data, the set-top box having a southbridge module with a link interface connected to the link and providing a local parallel data bus output and at least one audio playback channel receiving the audio data; and a graphics processor receiving from the southbridge module the video data over the bus, processing the video data and providing a video output in at least one display format. At least one display device is connected to the graphics processor for receiving and displaying the video output; and at least one speaker is connected to the audio playback channel.

Abstract: A realization system, method and device for multimedia service are provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to properly protecting broadcast contents stored on a receiver side from copying without permission and illegal use in server type broadcasting. According to the invention, contents are sent from a broadcast sending side in a state in which copyright information for the contents is added to the contents. On the other hand, on a receiving client side applicable to server type digital broadcasting, it is possible to perform appropriate control for reproduction of contents and recording reservation on the basis of copyright information for contents such as the number of times of reproduction of contents, restriction of display resolution at the time of reproduction of contents, and an expiration date of content reproduction. According to this copyright information, it is possible to perform detailed control for a display device incorporated in or connected to a receiver.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for presenting advertisements. In one aspect, audiovisual content is presented to a user. An indicator is presented together with the audiovisual content to the user. The indicator is associated with one or more tags. Input selecting the indicator is received from the user. An advertisement, associated with the indicator and dynamically selected based at least in part on one or more of the tags, is presented to the user.

Abstract: A method for delivering advertising to a consumer over a broadcast media/global communication network combination. An advertisement broadcast is generated comprised of a general program and associated advertising dispersed therethrough for broadcast over a broadcast media which is directed to a general class of consumers. Unique information is embedded in the broadcast for inducing a consumer to access a desired advertiser's location on the global network system over a personal computer-based system. The advertisement broadcast is then broadcast to the potential class of consumers with the embedded unique information therein.

Abstract: An intelligent switching network for delivering satellite signals to a plurality of Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD). The network comprises a plurality of inputs, designed to receive a plurality of satellite signals, wherein the satellite signals are directed to the inputs based on an originating satellite for each of the satellite signals, a multiswitch, having a plurality of inputs and a plurality of outputs, wherein at least some of the inputs are coupled to the plurality of inputs and receive the satellite signals, and an interface, coupling the plurality of IRDs to the outputs of the multiswitch through the interface on a single cable, wherein the interface controls the flow of signals from the plurality of IRDs to the multiswitch and controls the flow of satellite signals to the plurality of IRDs based on commands from the IRDs to the interface.

Abstract: Digital television system overlays subscriber two-way communication during broadcast program delivery to create virtual audience community. Individual or group billing and advertisement is personalized per DTV receiver program viewing and/or conferencing activity. Subscriber receiver includes camera and other media I/O device for multi-way video conferencing. Participants may be added or removed dynamically during programming or conferencing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling of the display of audio-visual program by a receiver provided with means of receiving and recording audio-visual programs. The method comprises a step of recording a first program selected by the user; and subsequent to an action by the user to display the recorded program, a step of playback a program of a second type pre-recorded in the recording means (this program being for example of an advertising type), and a step which consists in displaying the second type program before the end of the first program display for a time interval stored in the receiver, the display of the first program being conditional to the display of the second-type program. The invention is characterized in that it comprises an improvement, whereby the receiver keeps an account of the duration of display of programs of the second type and authorizes unconditionally the display of programs after a certain duration.

Abstract: The invention makes configuring satellite decoders easier. An automatic detection method can configure the decoder without having to determine the installation beforehand. The automatic detection method tests different configuration possibilities in order to determine the used antenna system. A series of input selection commands are sent for a remote antenna switch corresponding to a given range of switch control possibilities, the said range being independent from the used antenna system.

Abstract: In a system in which an IEEE 1394 interface is provided for an IRD, connected equipment can be easily selected and the operability is improved. Data can be transmitted among the equipment by providing the IEEE 1394 interface for the IRD. For example, five equipment units are selected from the equipment connected to the IEEE 1394 interface and node ID numbers are allocated to the five equipment units and registered. Thus, even if the equipment is removed from the interface and connected again, the IRD can recognize the equipment. The registration may easily be changed by user input. When the registration is changed, the change of the registration is inhibited among equipment units in which a program reservation has been set or the connected equipment. Thus, even if the registration is changed, an erroneous operation does not occur.

Abstract: A media content sharing concept wherein users are able to share highlights or other portions of content with friends. The concept may be used in any number of environments where electronic media, such as but not limited to audio, video, and multi-media, is transferable between a number of users. Bookmarks or other features may be used to facilitate accessing the video clips for subsequent viewing.

Abstract: An image retrieval assisting apparatus and method for retrieving a desired image program from a number of image programs, such as broadcast contents in a broadcast-contents-recording/reproducing apparatus or a broadcast receiving set. A classification criterion information storage portion stores classification criterion for classifying broadcast contents into a plurality of categories. A program information acquisition portion acquires program information of the broadcast contents. A program information classification portion classifies the program information into the plurality of categories according to the stored classification criterion. An HDD stores the classified program information, and a display displays categories defined by the stored classification criterion horizontally on a monitor screen in a selectable manner and displays only the program information categorized in a selected category vertically on the monitor screen in a selectable manner.

Abstract: A common communication language that can address all the applications running in a multitude of set top boxes (STBs) or client devices and application servers. The present invention, DATP protocol encapsulates a Meta language that provides a generic portable communication application programmer interface that requires light processor utilization and is well suited for a typical STB possessing limited processing power. DATP requires relatively few processing cycles compared to typical Internet communication protocols. DATP reduces the overhead of the communication protocol handler at the STB and makes the communication protocol handler common for all STBs applications. The preferred DATP protocol is portable for all STBs since it is written in a native language that interfaces with the underlying operating system of the STB. A SGW (SGW) performs as a DATP server. The SGW translates between DATP messages and standard communication protocols.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing a user's viewing experience are described. Various embodiments can record episodes of a special event program, record previously-broadcast episodes of a special event program, assist the user in recording episodes that are associated with a program for which they have set up a record event, maintain an entertainment system's user interface by automatically removing record events, handle season premiers and finales by automatically recording them, and assist the user in recording episodes in which they might be interested.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and a computer-usable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to synchronize the presentation of an experiential data stream at a local device with the presentation of a similar experiential data stream using a playback position received over a control link.

Abstract: A multicasting system includes a delivery server for multicasting a content via at least one upper router and a plurality of lower routers, a plurality of client devices for playing the content multicast by the delivery server, an upper router controller for controlling the upper router and a lower router controller for controlling the plurality of lower routers. The client device includes a play history storage unit, an individual storage unit, a content retrieving unit, and a content playing unit. The delivery server includes a master storage unit, an optimizer optimizing the identifier and the session information of the content stored on the individual storage unit, and a content delivery unit. The upper router controller includes a session information retrieving unit, a book scheduling unit, and a schedule information notifier.

Abstract: A mechanism for matching Electronic Program Guide (EPG) advertisements to subscribers or groups of subscribers and delivering those advertisements within the EPG. The subscribers are initially characterized in different groups by using commercially available data, such as demographic data. Furthermore, the groups of subscribers may be formed according to their characteristics. These characteristics may be derived from, but are not limited to, demographic data, geographic information or individual subscriber selection data. Subsequent to the formation of the groups, suitable advertisements to be placed in the EPG avails are selected, based on the matching of the advertisement characteristics to the characteristics of the groups, wherein the EPG avails are the advertising opportunities available within the EPG. Different versions of the EPG having targeted advertisements may be created, and the different versions may be placed on a download server for transmission over an access system to the subscriber.

Abstract: A method and a computer-usable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method, which provides content to supplement a presentation of an experiential data stream. The method includes a step of receiving a request for content configured to be included in said presentation of the experiential data stream. The method also determines content parameters from the request that are used to select the content. It also provides the content and records appropriate transaction information.

Abstract: A method and system for the automatic identification of audio, video, multimedia, and/or data recordings based on immutable characteristics of these works. The invention does not require the insertion of identifying codes or signals into the recording. This allows the system to be used to identify existing recordings that have not been through a coding process at the time that they were generated. Instead, each work to be recognized is “played” into the system where it is subjected to an automatic signal analysis process that locates salient features and computes a statistical representation of these properties. These features are then stored as patterns for later recognition of live input signal streams. A different set of features is derived for each audio or video work to be identified and stored. During real-time monitoring of a signal stream, a similar automatic signal analysis process is carried out, and many features are computed for comparison with the patterns stored in a large feature database.