Abstract: Television broadcast standards are continuously improved and new standards are introduced, often with increased resolution. Many users keep their television set that cannot take advantage of the improvements. However, in a case where a higher resolution video signal is available, additional services can be provided to the users of standard resolution television sets. A method for displaying a video comprises steps of enabling a user to define (71) first view settings, applying (72) the first view settings to a first view of a first video scene, determining (73) a first camera corresponding to the first view, storing (74) the first view settings, after a scene change towards a new scene detecting (76) that the new scene corresponds to the first view, and automatically applying (78) the first view settings for displaying the new scene.

Abstract: Systems and methods for combining a satellite broadcast system with a network. A system in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention comprises a plurality of satellite receivers, wherein each of the satellite receivers is coupled to both the satellite broadcast system and the network, wherein a first receiver in the plurality of satellite receivers receives data from at least a second receiver in the plurality of receivers via the network.

Abstract: A method for protecting personal information in Audience Measurement (AM) of a digital broadcasting system is provided, including inserting an indicator, which notifies whether a consumption pattern of a service or content provided by a service provider can be measured, into a service guide, to which the information of the service or content is provided by a service provider; and determining whether the AM can be executed for the service or content in accordance with the indicator when the AM function is implemented in a terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods configured to facilitate broadcast-mediated coordination of interactive experiences are presented herein. The systems and/or methods may be configured to extend the experiences of audience members at a live event to users not be physically present at the live event. A user may view a broadcast and/or recording of a live event via a presentation device, such as a television, computer, and/or other devices. Interactive user experiences may be facilitate by one or more other user devices. Interactive user experiences may include one or more of interactive content being presented on mobile computing platforms associated with the users, one or more display devices being controlled to provide an entertaining output (e.g., visual, audible, tactile, and/or other output), and/or other types of experiences.

Abstract: A system for conducting a voice call includes a set-top box operable to control the selection of a television channel for display on a television. The set-top box is also operable to initiate a voice call in response to a selection of a user-interface displayed on the television. The system also includes a wireless set in communication with the set-top box, the wireless set operable to establish a portion of the voice path for the voice call. Signaling for the voice call is initiated by the set-top box.

Abstract: Methods and systems to provide and manage on-demand sessions are described herein. A request is received from a client to start an on-demand session. It is determined if there are sufficient resources to start the on-demand session for the client. The request is inserted into a queue if there aren't sufficient resources to start the on-demand session for the client. The on-demand sessions is started when there are sufficient resources available and it is the client's turn in the queue.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatically identifying restored availability of multi-channel media distributors for authentication or authorization. For example, during a period of reduced availability for a multi-channel media distributor, the entitlement service diverts some or all requests from reaching the multi-channel media distributor. These requests are for programmers associated with the multi-channel media distributor to provide media content to user devices. The entitlement service subsequently transmits test requests to the multi-channel media distributor. The entitlement service determines that the multi-channel media distributor has authenticated user credentials included in the test requests or has authorized content access based on the test requests.

Abstract: A high density interactive media guide interface (100) provides for the selection of a source from a dense array of available sources (105, 110) by displaying an array of available sources (105, 110) in a dense format that illustrates the availability of a high number of sources and expanding the display of selected sources (120, 130) to provide additional information regarding that source. “Clickless selection” is provided by either positioning the cursor over the desired selection or positioning the desired selection under a pre-designated position.

Abstract: A method and system includes an external service provider that receives a request for restricted content, forms, at the external service provider, a redirection request based on the request for restricted content, an external service provider identifier, and a return response location identifier. The system also includes a discovery service that receives the redirection request from the external service provider and parses the redirection request to obtain an identity provider location identifier and the external service provider identifier when a common domain cookie exists in the redirection request. The discovery service generates a response based on the return response location identifier wherein the response comprises the identity provider location identifier. The external service provider receives the response, generates an authentication request and communicates the authentication request to the identity provider based on the identity provider location identifier.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein enable automated home security monitoring via a television connected to a set-top box, such as a cable set-top box. Such techniques integrate the television with a home security system. A television viewer can use the television to control, interact, and automatically receive information about home security events in real-time. A television viewer can control lighting, and room temperature, and arm/disarm sensors in the home such as door sensors, motion detectors, cameras, etc, as well as access camera images. Events from such sensors can be monitored or viewed on the television set when they are triggered. For example, when triggered, an icon representing the sensor can be shown on the television screen, or in case of a camera, an image or video can be shown that cause the triggered event.

Abstract: Insertion of an advertisement within a television program or other media/content is contemplated. The advertisement insertion may be achieved when the media/content is originally transported with advertisement avails or other portions designated for advertisement insertion and those portions are difficult to discover, unknown, removed, obfuscated and/or generally inaccessible to a client facilitating play of the media/content.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving, by a first line card coupled to minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cables, a very high digital subscriber line signal, modifying the very high digital subscriber line signal for transmission over the minimally twisted or non-twisted pair cables to generate an updated very high digital subscriber line signal that overcomes a transmission deficiency, and transmitting from the first line card the updated very high digital subscriber line signal to a second line card to cause the second line card to receive the adapted very high digital subscriber line signal at a desired signal quality and convert the updated very high digital subscriber line signal to a very high digital subscriber line signal for presentation of interactive television services at the customer premise equipment. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes evaluating a bandwidth capacity of an uplink between a first customer premises equipment device and a network node of a multimedia distribution network. The method includes receiving a message at the first customer premises equipment device from the network node, the message indicating a request for multimedia content by a second customer premises equipment device, and instructing the first customer premise equipment device to provide the multimedia content to the second customer premise equipment device. The method includes transmitting a portion of the multimedia content from the first customer premises equipment device to the second customer premises equipment device. The method further includes, when the bandwidth capacity of the uplink is greater than a threshold, transmitting the multimedia content from the first customer premises equipment device to a first set of helper virtual peers selected based on the bandwidth capacity.

Abstract: A system includes a video-on-demand server and an authentication server. The video-on-demand server is configured to provide video-on-demand content through a broadband connection to a set-top box device. The authentication server is in communication with the video-on-demand server. The authentication server is configured to receive a request to allow access to a video-on-demand package that includes the video-on-demand content, to determine if a user is currently authorized to constantly receive a broadcast package that includes a plurality of broadcast channels related to the video-on-demand content, and to authorize a broadcast channel in the broadcast package when not currently authorized to receive the broadcast package.

Abstract: A set-top box apparatus includes at least one input module to receive one or more media content streams, at least one memory device, an Ethernet port, at least one wireless transceiver to access a communications network to enable communication with at least one external media player device, an HDMI connector to provide a communication path to a multimedia presentation device, wherein the set-top box apparatus is configured to process at least one of the received one or more media content streams from the at least one input module into multimedia data, to send the one or more received media content streams to the at least one memory device to be stored, and to convey the multimedia data on the communication path to the multimedia presentation device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to create and transmit transport multiplexes comprising one or more levels of service over a network. In one embodiment, the level of service comprises high definition (HD) content or programs, and the transmitted multiplexes are distributed over a plurality of downstream RF carriers in a cable network simultaneously. A head-end architecture for performing the multiplexing and distribution of multiple HD programs over the multiple carriers (i.e., in a “wideband” configuration) is disclosed. CPE having one or more wideband tuners is also disclosed, the CPE being adapted to receive the multiplexed HD content from the various RF carriers, and demultiplex it in order to permit decoding and subsequent viewing by the user. The use of multiple HD source programs with the multiplex advantageously provides for enhanced statistical multiplexing by providing a larger “pool” of constituent inputs and available carriers.

Abstract: A system and method for generating video funnel analytics is disclosed. The system includes a processor, a configurable goal module, a configurable funnel module, a communication module and an analytics module. The configurable goal module receives a user-configurable video-related goal definition. The configurable funnel module receives a user-configurable video funnel definition based at least in part on the video-related goal definition. The communication module receives a first set of media player state data including data describing viewer interest in a first set of video data playable by a media player included on a user device. The analytics module generates video funnel analytics based at least in part on the video-related goal definition, the video funnel definition and the first set of media player state data.

Abstract: A method for creating revenue for content related to a broadcast program and a related subscription distribution channel and web page. The method includes providing a subscription distribution channel that is accessible by a user, obtaining the content related to the broadcast program, and making the content available to the user via the subscription distribution channel. The content may include an ancillary product or ancillary content that is related to and distinct from an episode of the broadcast program that has not yet been published.

Abstract: A television viewer interface system provides a viewer interface that allows the viewer to access different functions of a system. A highlight bar is responsive to the user's commands and is used to indicate the current menu item that can be selected by the user. Information is presented in a successive disclosure format where the user navigates through menus by moving the highlight bar to the right to obtain more information or to the left to see less information and return to the previous location. The background colors of each set of menus remains consistent throughout the user's experience such that the user intuitively knows what menu area he is in through the color cues. The invention provides indicators that tell the user that more information is available in a particular direction for a menu item.

Abstract: When selecting a television program for recording, a user may configure the delivery of the selected television program and associated data and interactive applications to different user equipment devices in a home network, which may have different capabilities. Because the user equipment devices in the home network may have different capabilities, the user may wish to deliver different types and amount of content, different amounts of data, and different versions of interactive applications to the user equipment devices in the home network.