Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus to identify linear and non-linear media presentations are disclosed An example method to determine whether a media presentation is a linear or a non-linear media presentation comprises generating a reference log comprising a first media identifier of first media and a time at which the first media was presented, accessing a media presentation log comprising a second media identifier of second media and a time at which the second media was presented, and determining whether the second media correspond to a linear media presentation or a non-linear media presentation by comparing the media presentation log to the reference log.

Abstract: A data analyzer engine can be configured to receive feedback indicating different Content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumed content amongst the different content and produces a content guide to include multiple selectable channels from which content is available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. The content guide can include one or more selectable viewing options to view a rendition of content being identified as more or most popular. Each of one or more playback devices or other suitable resources retrieves and initiates Display of the content guide on a display screen. Accordingly, a subscriber can view Different available content options as well as an identification of content that is currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers.

Abstract: User-applied, in-stream association of media content with a video content item is disclosed. During presentation of a video content item, a user selects or otherwise identifies a media content item to be associated with the video content item. The user further selects or otherwise identifies a temporal position (e.g., time value) within the video content item with which the media content item is to be associated. In one example, a user selects and drags the media content item to or toward the video content item within a GUI to define the association. In at least some implementations, the video content item may be presented via a different device than the media content item, thereby forming a multi-platform association.

Abstract: A method of indicating video content quality is disclosed that includes receiving performance data at a video content quality server from a set-top box device. The performance data may include values of a plurality of video content quality parameters. The method also includes generating a graphical user interface indicating a quality of video content received at the set-top box device. The graphical user interface may include the values of each of the plurality of video content quality parameters. Further, the method includes sending data corresponding to the graphical user interface from the video content quality server to the set-top box device. The method may include the video content quality server receiving a request from the set-top box device to send the data corresponding to the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for the automatic discovery and provisioning of a video set top box within an IPTV network is provided. When first connected to a residential gateway, the set top box requests the address information of the residential gateway. The set top box then sends a request to a video operations and support server (VOSS) with the identifying information for the set top box and the residential gateway. Once the VOSS determines that the residential gateway is authorized for video service, the VOSS associates the residential gateway with the set top box. The VOSS then communicates the authorization to a middleware server, which downloads client software and encryption keys to the set top box, enabling the set top box to request and receive video content. The set top box may be reconnected to any port on the residential gateway and receive video service without being re-provisioned.

Abstract: A system includes a television that has access to one or more services hosted on provider servers through a network. The television has software that displays both program information and services information in an electronic program guide. Upon selecting of a program information entry in the electronic program guide, the software changes the current channel of the television to the channel associated with the program entry information. Upon selecting of one of the services entries in the electronic program guide, the software presents a browsing menu to the viewer, the browsing menu presenting pages from the provider servers and accepting inputs from the viewer.

Abstract: Display devices and systems including television sets, and systems, apparatus and methods for delivering information and providing services through display devices and systems. The display used in the described systems and methods is capable of receiving one or more TV programming channels and an independent designated application channel and having at least a first display window and a second display window separated from each other without spatial overlap on the screen. The information sent over the designated application channel to the display is displayed on the first display window while simultaneously displaying one of the TV programming channels on the second display window. A viewer control mechanism is provided in the display to allow the viewer to switch the information received from the designated application channel from the first display window to the second display window and switch back at the viewer's choice.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal and an apparatus for receiving the broadcast signal. In the present invention, first program table information describing a broadcasting stream, and second program table information including additional service identifier information of the multiplexed stream and third program table information describing the additional service data for the multiplexed stream are obtained. The additional service can be provided with the additional service data by using the third program table information.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal and an apparatus for receiving the broadcast signal. In the present invention, first program table information describing a broadcasting stream, and second program table information including additional service identifier information of the multiplexed stream and third program table information describing the additional service data for the multiplexed stream are obtained. The additional service can be provided with the additional service data by using the third program table information.

Abstract: A sparse streaming system provides a first-class means for sparse metadata to be added to streaming media presentations and to be delivered using an integrated data channel that is cacheable using readily available HTTP-based Internet caching infrastructure for increased scalability. The sparse streaming system stores a reference to a sparse track within a continuous track. If a continuous fragment arrives at the client that refers to a sparse fragment that the client has not yet retrieved, then the client requests the sparse fragment. In addition, each sparse fragment may include a backwards reference to the sparse fragment created immediately prior. The references in the continuous fragments make the client aware of new sparse track fragments, and the backwards references in the sparse track fragments ensure that the client has not missed any intervening sparse track fragments.

Abstract: A communication interface device and method for operating the same includes a communication module receiving a request for a content list from a first user device and a list module generating a content list. The communication module communicates the content list device to the first user device and receives a content selection from the user device. A control module initiates a transfer of content corresponding to the content selection from a content storage device. The communication module receives the content at the communication interface device from the content storage device and communicates the content to the first user device.

Abstract: Media can be presented based on location associated with presentation of media (e.g., physical location of a device that is to present media). Presentation of media can be effectively controlled in order to automatically present a first media content (e.g., a list of songs, an album) in accordance with a first set of media presentation attributes or parameters (e.g., volume associated with presentation of audible media) at a first location, while a second media content is automatically presented in accordance with a second set of media presentation attributes or parameters when the current location is changed to a second location.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method of transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal and an apparatus for receiving the broadcast signal. In the present invention, first program table information describing a broadcasting stream, and second program table information including additional service identifier information of the multiplexed stream and third program table information describing the additional service data for the multiplexed stream are obtained. The additional service can be provided with the additional service data by using the third program table information.

Abstract: Sink devices may automatically be partitioned into zones based on location in a home entertainment system. A message may be transmitted to a source device to decrement an internal reference count. The internal reference count may be associated with the source device to represent a number of zones receiving data from the source device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving information associated with a user of media services, wherein the received information does not uniquely identify one media head end for the user, identifying a plurality of head ends responsive to the received information, and generating, for display on a client device associated with the user, information for displaying a program guide aggregating channels for the plurality of head ends.

Abstract: Systems and methods for changing TV operating mode in accordance with number of viewers present. In some implementations, a method includes: obtaining a total number of viewers of a connected TV, the connected TV having a plurality of operating modes and the total number is one or more; in accordance with a determination that the total number of viewers is within a first predefined range of a plurality of predefined ranges; placing or maintaining the connected TV in or into a first operating mode unrelated to media content being displayed on the connected TV; and in accordance with a determination that the total number of viewers is within a second predefined range of the plurality of predefined ranges: placing or maintaining the connected TV in or into a second operating mode unrelated to the media content, the second operating mode is different from the first operating mode.

Abstract: A process for providing a print-augmented broadcast signal for transmission to one or more convention broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal comprising (i) standard content for a particular broadcast program and (ii) a non-content portion. Supplemental content which is associated with the standard content of the particular broadcast program is additionally received. Next, the supplemental content is combined onto the non-content portion of the broadcast signal to form a print-augmented broadcast signal, the print-augmented broadcast signal comprising the standard content, which can be rendered on a conventional broadcast receiver, and the supplemental content, which is printable on-demand at a destination conventional broadcast receiver substantially concurrently with the rendering of the standard content.

Abstract: A method of connecting a legacy device in a home entertainment system containing a wireless home entertainment hub utilizing a home theatre network interface box includes obtaining a registration with the wireless home entertainment hub for the home theatre network interface box. The home theatre network interface box is connected to the legacy device and the home theatre network interface device is identified at the wireless home entertainment hub according to the functionality of the legacy device. An instruction from the wireless home entertainment hub to transmit data produced by the legacy device to at least one sink device in the home entertainment system is received, where the legacy device is a source device. Representation of the data produced by the legacy device from the home theatre network interface box to the at least one sink device is transmitted.

Abstract: A method to extend the downstream and upstream data carrying capability of an HFC CATV system. At the neighborhood level, the CATV cable (the primary channel) is divided into different segments connected by electrically active junctions. At the junctions, each segment is also connected to a secondary data channel, such as an optical fiber or ultrahigh RF frequency (1 GHz+) secondary channel, which can carry supplemental downstream narrowcast channels and upstream channels between a plurality of such CATV cable segments. At the junctions, some CATV primary channel RF signals such as broadcast channels are passed without interference, while certain primary channel downstream narrowcast RF channels and upstream narrowcast RF channels are precisely suppressed using adaptive cancelling methods. Such adaptive cancellation methods are superior to prior art lowpass, highpass, and bandpass filtering methods because they allow for more efficient use of limited CATV primary channel RF spectrum.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing video transport is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to predict visibility to a viewer of packet loss impairment for communicated video content based at least in part on scene information for one or more packets of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed.