Abstract: Systems and methods directed advertising via a tagged video stream are provided. Content and a tag associated with a product represented by at least a portion of the content may be received by a media device. The media device may be associated with at least one end user. The content may correspond to television programming. The content may be output by the media device for display. A user selection corresponding to the tag associated with the product represented by at least the portion of the content may be processed by the media device. The user selection may be received during display of at least the portion of the content. Responsive to the user selection, the media device may facilitate provision of information related to the product represented by at least the portion of the content to a second device and/or an account associated with the at least one end user.

Abstract: Multiple rating versions of content are provided and selectable by a viewer. A user can select one of the rating versions of the content for viewing. The user selection is dynamic such that the user can change the rating version selected while watching the content. Substitution instructions and substitution segments are downloaded and stored in a substitution cache. When a substitution descriptor is encountered in the content, a processor obtains at least one substitution instruction that corresponds to a substitution instruction identification code stored in the substitution descriptor. The processor executes the instruction to effect the rating change.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques to enable more robust electronic program guides in television distribution systems. Some solutions can obtain data (e.g., from the Internet) about a program listed on an electronic program guide and integrate that data with electronic program guide. In some cases, this information can be obtained and/or updated dynamically, in real-time or near real-time, for example to provide, up-to-date information can be provided in the electronic program guide, rather than requiring the viewer to tune to an information channel. In some cases, the system can provide a generalized electronic program guide that can be rendered by the system to be displayed on a plurality of different devices.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for selecting personalized advertisements to be transmitted to a user device during the streaming of advertisement-supported media item content. A primary user and a secondary user may be associated with the consumption of media item content being streaming to a user device. Based on the identification of both the primary user and secondary user, presence metadata may be generated. Using at least the presence metadata, advertisements that are appropriate for and target both the primary and any secondary users may be selected and transmitted to the client device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying an EPG of a recorded TS file. The method and apparatus enables a user to recognize in advance digital broadcasting content (i.e., broadcasting programs) recorded using the EPG of the recorded TS file by accumulatively storing EPG information of the corresponding broadcasting content when recording the respective broadcasting content transmitted from a plurality of broadcasting stations.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media program distribution service system 1) receiving data representative of a plurality of scene tags specifying one or more media program scenes tagged by a plurality of end users of a media program distribution service, 2) aggregating the plurality of scene tags, 3) determining, based on a favorite scenes determination heuristic and the aggregate scene tags, a set of one or more favorite scenes that are most popular among the plurality of end users of the media program distribution service, and 4) providing, based on the determined set of one or more favorite scenes, a favorite scene based feature of the media program distribution service. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide sign on systems for devices, e.g., televisions, which balance ease of use with security and access control that is amenable to, e.g., household usage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the capture and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the apparatus comprises a local server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery to a VOD server, thus obviating the need for superfluous VOD storage. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in a video recording (e.g., nPVR) system, and gives a network operator dynamic control over local playlists. In another embodiment, the local server of the improved system obviates the need for a VOD server in the nPVR system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate nPVR content access across one or more regions of a broadcast network are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into nPVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a remote support management system 1) receiving a television support request from a user of a television, 2) generating, in response to the television support request, a ticket identifier associated with the television support request, and 3) facilitating, in accordance with the ticket identifier, remote control of the television by a support technician by way of a computing device associated with the support technician. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to streaming DVR devices that can communicate over an Internet Protocol (IP) network with other streaming enabled DVR devices. Implementing a peer-to-peer type connection, one streaming enabled DVR device may be able to stream buffered video data to another streaming enable DVR device. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method includes providing identifying information for a customer premises communication device to a provider network, wherein the customer premises communication device is a node of a customer premises network. The method may further include registering a communication channel between the customer premises communication device and the provider network. In addition, the method may include receiving at least one service alert message from the provider network using the communication channel. The type of service alert message is selected based on the customer premises communication device.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computing device presenting a program guide interface by way of a touch screen, detecting a pinch gesture provided in relation to the program guide interface, and presenting, in response to the pinch gesture, a plurality of graphical objects representative of a plurality of media programming channel groups. Each graphical object in the plurality of graphical objects is configured to function as a user-selectable jump point to specific programming guide information associated with a respective media programming channel group in the plurality of media programming channel groups.

Abstract: A multimedia residential gateway device for providing video services to multiple televisions within a home. The device receives incoming video content from a DSL, DOCSIS, or Ethernet data stream and outputs selected content to individual televisions, with the content for each television being transmitted over an ATSC or NTSC channel associated with each television. This eliminates the need for multiple set top boxes in a high-definition offering. Radio frequency handheld remotes for each television are provided which communicate directly with the gateway device. The device may also be provided as a multi-television set top box, wherein the device receives Ethernet data streams from a customer's existing residential gateway.

Abstract: A method and a media cloud server for creating content are disclosed. The method includes: recording and storing a real-time broadcast content transmitted through a broadcaster system; dividing the stored broadcast content according to a predetermined method and storing the segments; storing metadata including descriptions of the segments; and creating a user content by extracting at least one segments using the metadata and synthesizing the extracted segments in response to a request from a client device.

Abstract: A system for creating and viewing customized multimedia segments allows a user to create event identification data from in-band data in a program stream. The in-band data is processed and compiled into event identification data associated with the content stream. The event identification data identifies patterns or sequences of in-band data associated with events in the content stream. Metadata are also included in the event identification data. The event identification data is provided to multimedia devices which receive multimedia content streams containing content streams with in-band data. The in-band data are parsed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to identify events or perform specified actions.

Abstract: A method includes identifying a current time that at least one video program is viewed by at least one device associated with at least one user account. An initial billing time that the at least one video program is to be billed associated with the at least one user account may be identified. The method may include determining whether the current time is equal to the initial billing time. At least one coefficient associated with the at least one video program at the current time may be identified in response to a determination that the current time is equal to the initial billing time. The method may include determining a usage based billing for the at least one user account based on the current time that the at least one video program is viewed and the at least one coefficient associated with the at least one video program.

Abstract: Management of and utilization of information related to recorded video content are provided. For any given piece of recorded content, identification information for any of a number of interested persons may be associated with the recorded content. After each interested person associated with a given piece of recorded content views or watches the content or decides he or she is not interested in the recorded content, the recorded content may be deleted. A graphical user interface may be provided for showing the viewing status of persons associated with a given piece of recorded content and for allowing each person associated with the recorded content to manage their individual viewing status. Information about content viewed by identified persons may be used to direct advertising or suggested content to one or more identified persons.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and method for recording media content. For example, in one embodiment, a method for recording media content is disclosed that includes communicating with a home gateway to determine whether a device connected to the home gateway has enough free storage space to store a media content in response to a determination that an internal data storage unit of a set top box does not have sufficient free storage space to store the media content. In one embodiment, the method routes the storage of the media content to the device via the home gateway in response to a determination that the device connected to the home gateway has sufficient free storage space to store the media content.

Abstract: A system for modifying commercials for multi-speed playback detects when a commercial break begins in a broadcast program content stream. If the viewer selects fast-forward playback mode during the commercial break, then the system selects the appropriate alternate content to be played to the viewer. The alternate content can include images, video, and/or audio content. The system is provided configuration information by the service provider or broadcaster to identify what alternate content will be played, when it will be played and any additional processing tasks required. A service provider can charge an advertiser or content provider a fee based on viewership of the alternate content. When the system detects that the commercial break has ended, it returns the viewer back to the program material.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a display, a speaker, a connector to output a video signal and audio signal, a display driving module to control outputting of the video signal with respect to the display and connector, a sound driving module to control outputting of the audio signal with respect to the speaker and connector, and an output control module to instruct the sound driving module to output the audio signal from the connector when an event of instructing the display driving module to output a video signal to the connector occurs.