Abstract: In a broadband communications system, e.g., a cable system, programming content can be readily reserved and accessed for viewing using an interactive program guide, a network home graphic user interface (GUI), Quick View Guide, etc., in accordance with the invention. Such programming content may include in-progress programs, future programs and previously broadcast programs which are recorded at a headend in the cable system, and which may or may not have overlapping broadcast times. In addition, the user may reserve programs at a set-top terminal, and may also do so remotely from the terminal through a communications network such as, the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wireless telephone network, etc.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a mobile alert service, and a related device are disclosed. The method for providing a mobile alert service includes: a mobile terminal receives an enhanced Commercial Mobile Alert Service (CMAS) message from a CMAS network; and an alert channel is located based on the enhanced CMAS message, and the alert program content on the alert channel is played. Through adding related information required for playing the alert program of the mobile television into the enhanced CMAS message, the disadvantage that only short text information can be delivered in a conventional CMAS system is overcome, so that the alert program may be watched by the mobile terminal user rapidly, promptly and intuitively.

Abstract: A tuner device, such as a television set, set top box, game console, personal computer with a dongle or device, creates digital fingerprints indicative of information received over a channel. The digital fingerprints are uploaded to a server along with metadata indicative of the specific tuner device that obtain them. The server maintains a tuner database based on that information, and can automatically request new fingerprints.

Abstract: According to one configuration, a repeater device includes a first port, a second port, and amplifier circuitry. The first port receives a first set of multiple signal bands transmitted in a downstream direction on a communication link. The second port receives a second set of multiple signal bands transmitted in an upstream direction on the communication link; the second set of multiple signal bands include a first signal band and a second signal band. The amplifier circuitry amplifies the first set of multiple signal bands and the second set of multiple signal bands. A given signal band in the first set resides in a frequency spectrum between the first signal band and the second signal band of the second set. Communications in the given signal band control at least one set-top box coupled to the communication link in the downstream direction.

Abstract: A digital display device and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. The method of controlling a digital display device connected to at least one network and at least one memory includes receiving content (e.g., a TV program, etc.) over the at least one network, calculating memory capacity of an internal or external memory, storing the received content (e.g., a TV program, etc.) in the internal or external memory according to the calculated result, accessing the internal or external memory if a specific channel is selected, extracting the content (e.g., a TV program, etc.) stored in the accessed internal or external memory, and outputting video data and audio data corresponding to the extracted content (e.g., a TV program, etc.).

Abstract: A method includes at a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device, generating a first request for multimedia content. The method also includes sending the first request to a network node of the multimedia distribution network. The method further includes receiving the multimedia content from a virtual peer located at the network node and storing the multimedia content at the first CPE device. The method also includes receiving a message via the multimedia distribution network, the message indicating a second request for the multimedia content by a second customer premises equipment (CPE) device. The method further includes transmitting at least a portion of the stored multimedia content to the second CPE device.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method carried out in a digital television receiver device incapable of full two way communications, of receiving switched digital television programs involves storing a virtual channel table in the digital television receiver device, the virtual channel table having entries for each available channel and having a channel type indicator that identifies switched digital channels; receiving a command indicative of selection of a switched digital channel having the switched digital channel type indicator in the stored virtual channel table; sending a request from the television receiver device for the switched digital channel; responsive to the request, receiving a response that either grants the request or denies the request; and if the response grants the request, receiving an updated virtual channel table having updated table entries. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Various arrangements are described for skipping portions of content, such as commercials, from a broadcast television program. The programming content is presented at a reduced presentation rate with the broadcast content being buffered as received. The reduced presentation rate may be less than a broadcast rate at which the content was originally intended to be output for presentation. One or more undesired portions of content may be skipped due to the reduced presentation rate. Commercials may be tagged by a television service provider.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning channels includes a program guide module having program guide data associated with program channels and a content processing system receiving program feeds for the program channels and receiving data feeds. The content processing system compares event data from the data feed and identifies a first program channel by comparing the program guide data and the event data and associating the program channel with event data.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting files from a sender to a receiver in a television distribution system, for example, a cable television distribution network, is provided. The files are transmitted without the need for transmitting a directory over an out of band communications link. In an exemplary embodiment, a filename corresponding to a file to be transmitted is provided to a transform. The transform calculates a PID based on the filename. The calculated PID is incorporated into the MPEG2 data stream carrying the corresponding file contents. When an application program running in the receiver requests a file, the filename of the requested file is provided to a transform operating in the receiver. The transmitter and receiver transforms are identical. The transform provides a corresponding PID at its output. The PID is used to tune a PID filter on the receiver end such that the requested file is selected from the incoming MPEG bit stream for processing by the processor.

Abstract: Techniques for synchronizing streams in an adaptive streaming environment include cross-chassis and intra-chassis synchronization of video and/or audio. In an adaptive streaming system that streams content in segments or chunks at varying levels of quality corresponding to different coding rates, implementations enable seamless switching between transcoded audio output streams. The streams synchronized may be those that have been ingested by the transcoder in a compressed format and transcoded into a different compressed format, as part of the transcoding process. The transcoded audio output streams may be synchronized such that audio frame boundaries contain identical pulse-code modulation (PCM) samples, packetized elementary stream (PES) location, and presentation time stamp (PTS) value.

Abstract: A method and a device for synchronizing an image display, a first image signal being provided by a first device and a second image being provided by a second device being brought together for display, the first device and the second device being time-controlled independently of each other. The second image signal is synchronized with the first image signal by modifying a blanking interval of the second image signal.

Abstract: A data application providing server, a broadcasting server and a receiver for dynamically processing a data application and a digital broadcasting system including the same are disclosed wherein a data of a minimum quantity required for executing a data application is received and other data is received by a pull method to minimize a time required for receiving and executing the data application, and wherein a change in the data application is facilitated, and a stability of the execution of the data application is maintained and an execution speed is improved through a tread management or a task management.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a first device for updating at least one data element in a data carousel, in which an updating element is added to the data carousel for at least one group of at least one data element, wherein the updating element indicates either the time of update of at least one of the data elements of the group, or a time interval for checking an update of at least one of the data elements of the group. The invention also comprises a method and a second device for checking an update of a data element in a data carousel, wherein the checking of at least one of the data elements is performed on the basis of an updating element that is added in the data carousel for at least one group of data elements. Finally, the invention comprises a data flow that has an updating element in the data carousel for at least one group of data elements.

Abstract: A receiving circuit module for receiving different types of channel signals includes a housing having a first input, a second input and an input-output port disposed therein and a controller receiving a control signal. The controller switches between the first input and second output and generates an output signal corresponding to the first input or the second input in response to the control signal.

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.

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 for providing a video includes: (a) acquiring a first main video captured of a first capture space, and a second main video captured of a second capture space including a space other than the first capture space; (b) generating a wide-angle video by combining the plurality of main videos acquired in step (a); (c) acquiring user preference information via a network; (d) calculating a region to be cropped which is a region of the wide-angle video and smaller than the area captured in the wide-angle video, based on the user preference information acquired in step (c); (e) cropping the wide-angle video into the cropping region; and (f) providing, to a user, a cropped video generated by cropping the wide-angle video.

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: An apparatus and method for manipulating video content that includes accessing, from a server, a list of one or more Internet Protocol television (IPTV) devices and selecting an IPTV device from the list. The server provides a content list of content that may be played on the selected IPTV device. The secondary device provides a control function and reachability (availability to communicate) of the selected IPTV device is determined by the server. The execution of the control function provided by the secondary device is independent of whether the selected IPTV device is reachable or not.