Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying information with respect to selected image elements. The aim of the invention is to simplify the interactive work via, for example, a frame. To this end, an image element is selected from the images of a video sequence with which an information is associated. The selection proceeds partially via an additional image element or signal element that is likewise presented on the display unit that displays the frame.

Abstract: A wireless communication method for modifying a subscription that includes, receiving subscription information, demodulating the subscription information according to a wireless scheme, displaying a set of available program packages for subscription using the demodulated subscription information and allowing a selection of one or more displayed packages, wherein the subscription is modified as a result of the selection.

Abstract: A method and system for constructing and presenting a consumption profile, a rating profile, or both a consumption profile and a rating profile for a media item are provided. In general, consumption of a media item by a number of first users is tracked. Thereafter, before and/or during playback of the media item by a second user, a consumption profile for the media item is constructed and presented to the second user. In addition to or as an alternative to tracking consumption of the media item by the first users, ratings for the media item may be obtained from all or a subset of the first users. Thereafter, before and/or during playback of the media item by the second user, a rating profile for the media item is constructed and presented to the second user.

Abstract: The aim of the invention is to provide a solution to ensure that the content sent by the IRD is the content effectively displayed on the screen. It is then proposed a system to prevent manipulation of transmitted video data comprising an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) receiving audio/video data, a display device (TV), said IRD comprising means to transmit an HDMI compliant audio/video data stream toward the display device. This system comprising: means to define a variable area at a location of the image displayed on the display device, means to store reference data corresponding to video data of said area which are sent to the display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing real-time access to movie information to viewers in an interactive television viewing system. During select times when viewing a program on a television, the viewer is presented information, typically an advertisement, regarding a movie available for viewing in a movie theater. The viewer can opt to review supplemental information regarding the movie, including information directed to the actors, plot, rating, and where and when it is showing relative to the viewer's location. The viewer can opt to purchase tickets as well. The system can be controlled in one embodiment by the user interacting with a set top box sending signaling information to a processor in the network headend that retrieves the appropriate information for display to the viewer. The information can be provided to the set-top-box and displayed to the user using an overlapping window, or other techniques.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for fast channel change between logical channels within a transport multiplex. By reducing the amount of time it takes to acquire and display a tuned channel, fast channel change can improve a viewer's experience. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a fast channel change system can simultaneously decode channel data for each channel in a transport multiplex, reconstruct all access units for each channel and send them out on their respective channel stream in the order that each access unit completes to a streamer, store and maintain a minimum amount of channel data in a buffer in each streamer, and output channel data from a streamer corresponding to a tuned channel to a media player. In exemplary embodiments of the present invention data can be input to a de-multiplexer and divided into separate video and audio streams prior to being input to the media player.

Abstract: In order to offer contents on demand services triggered by broadcasted TV programs in an efficient and effective way, notifications are received by a TV receiver, for example, a set-top box, on the availability of additional contents, such as, movie tracks, back stages, audio and/or video interviews, written articles, songs, photos, games, software programs, catalogues, brochures, electronic books, electronic tickets, electronic discounts, and electronic bonuses, together with TV programs, and these additional contents are automatically collected and stored into electronic appliances, for example, a portable electronic appliance, at the request of a user.

Abstract: In a DVR recording apparatus, a program and EPG data are received, and the EPG data and a reservation list, which relates to a reservation status of program recording, are stored. In addition, reserved recording, for recording a program in accordance with the reservation list, is carried out. Further, in the DVR, EPG data or the reservation list is transmitted in accordance with a request from a portable telephone. On one hand, in the portable telephone, in accordance with an operation of a user, a request of the EPG data or reservation list is transmitted, and in accordance with the request, the EPG data or reservation list transmitted from the DVR is received. Then, the EPG data or reservation list is presented in the portable telephone to a user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for coupling an Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) to a telephone line via a coaxial cable used for delivering direct broadcast satellite signals to the IRD. One embodiment comprises a port coupler, coupled to a telephone line and to the coaxial cable, and a client unit, coupled between the port coupler and the IRD, wherein the port coupler connects the IRD to the direct broadcast satellite signals and connects the IRD to the phone line via the client unit, and at least satellite signals, satellite control signals, telephone data signals, and telephone system protocol signals travel on the coaxial cable between the client unit and the port coupler.

Abstract: Techniques for Internet Protocol (IP) video integration within a home viewing network are provided. Locally acquired IP video content is assigned a channel on a television (TV). The assigned channel is associated with a same source input of the TV that includes other channels that present externally acquired TV programming content. The TV programming content and the local IP video content can both be accessed on a TV over the same source input via references to appropriately assigned channels.

Abstract: A method of displaying images of a video sequence during the spatial navigation in the video sequence in order to pass from a first to a second viewing mode, in which the video sequence comprises encoded images continuously transmitted from a server (23) to a client machine. The method comprises the following steps, performed by the client machine, during the navigation between the first and second viewing mode: sending to the server at least one request for obtaining supplementary data with respect to images to be displayed (S205) which were received beforehand, and, while awaiting the reception of a response to said at least one request: processing according to the second viewing mode at least one image of current resolution RN to be displayed (S203), which was received and decoded beforehand, and displaying said at least one processed image (S204).

Abstract: A system and method for time-shifting and chase-play for an IPTV system. A control channel is established between an originating user's set top box (STB) and an IPTV Application Server (IPTV-AS) utilizing SIP signaling over an IP Multimedia Subsystem. For time-shifting, the STB sends a start time-shifting command to the IPTV-AS over the control channel, and the IPTV-AS sends a start recording command to a Network Private Video Recorder (N-PVR). When the user is ready to resume viewing, the STB sends a start chase-play command to the IPTV-AS to establish a unicast channel. The IPTV-AS sends a playback command to the N-PVR to begin playback of the time-shifted content.

Abstract: A user recovers and records multiple programs communicated simultaneously using a communications channel, e.g., QAM communications channel. The simultaneous communication may be by communicating, e.g., an MPEG-2 transport stream including data corresponding to multiple programs through a corresponding to QAM communications channel. Thus a user device, e.g., a set top box, is able to receive and record programs corresponding to multiple simultaneously broadcast programs using a single tuner. This allows a device to receive and record or display more programs at any given time, than the number of QAM tuners and/or receivers in the user device. Novel user interface features which facilitate a user's ability to identify and record multiple programs corresponding to a QAM channel are also described. Methods and apparatus for determining program to communication channel mappings based on user program recordation information are also described.

Abstract: A method of presenting program content to a user moving in a multiple zone home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub comprises causing program content to be presented to a user using a first set of sink devices in a first zone, where each sink device of the first set of sink devices is registered with the wireless home entertainment hub. An indication that the user is in a second zone of the home entertainment system is received. The program content is caused to be presented to the user using a second set of sink devices in the second zone, where each sink device of the second set of sink devices is registered with the wireless home entertainment hub.

Abstract: A method of distributing digital video sequences in the form of a stream including sequences of data containing digital images, including a modification stage of an original stream by modifying at least a part of the sequences, the modification producing a modified stream of the same nominal format as the original stream, transmitting the modified stream, and a reconstruction stage implemented with a decoder, wherein the reconstruction is adaptive and progressive in function of information coming from a digital profile of the recipient.

Abstract: An integrated media viewing environment including a user interface (UI) and a method for providing a program guide with an integrated media viewing environment. The integrated media viewing environment presents viewers with on-screen displays, e.g., a single, integrated on-screen display, that may be used to obtain, view and/or record media content, including programming that is currently airing, available via download or data streaming, available on an “on demand” basis, and/or available from local storage or removable media.

Abstract: In one system embodiment, an overlapped block processing module configured to provide three-dimensional (3D) denoising of plural frames corresponding to a raw video sequence; and a frame alignment module configured to represent the raw video sequence with motion compensated frames corresponding to the raw video sequence, the motion compensated frames consisting of the plural frames and fewer in quantity than the quantity of frames of the raw video sequence, the plural frames based on prior temporally matched frames corresponding to the raw video sequence.

Abstract: The current invention is a system/method that allows a user purchases products featured in the DVD content via the Internet. This invention utilizes a TV, a DVD player with its remote controller through an Internet communicating with a service provider. By using the combination of several keys of the remote controller, a user can easily view, display, select and purchase these products through Internet.

Abstract: An external event interactive television ticker is provided. The ticker is rendered on a display screen that also shows a video program, and presents ticker content when a pre-defined external event has occurred. The ticker remains rendered until the event ceases or until the viewer terminates the ticker display. The ticker is interactive in that the viewer can perform various interactive operations with the ticker, including interacting with the ticker to obtain additional information related to an external event item presented by the ticker or to take an action associated with the external event item.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying an instant message recipient of the arrival of the instant message is provided, and includes managing the presence of the recipient on a network, determining a notification priority level of the message, and notifying the recipient based on the notification priority level. In embodiments, the higher the notification priority level, the more sensorially obtrusive the notification can be.