Abstract: System and method of common synchronisation for bursts transmitted over an uplink connection in an integrated multispot satellite communication system (S) in a multimedia broadcasting network for setting up bi-directional communication with a satellite with return channel. The common burst synchronisation (4) is produced in such a way that the transmission rate in the downlink direction (P2; U2; C2) from the satellite is a whole multiple of the network clock reference.

Abstract: A method and system of provisioning a set-top box (STB) with a STB provisioning system are provided which include storing STB profile information in a provisioning datastore, receiving a customer order at a service provisioning system, notifying a billing system of the customer order, and notifying a conditional access system of the customer order. The method and system further include storing information from the customer order in a provisioning datastore, notifying a video device manager about the STB, and delivering a cable operator configuration message from the video device manager to the STB, the configuration message being based on information from the provisioning datastore, thereby provisioning the STB without essential involvement of the conditional access system.

Abstract: According to the present invention, in a content delivery managing section 16, transmission channels and transmission timing are allocated to contents layered according to content properties or respective contents constituting a program. In a content transmission section 10, on the basis of the transmission channels and transmission timing allocated in the content delivery managing section 16, coded bit sequences 101a to 101n of respective contents are multiplexed with timing information 102 such as decoding timing information, combination timing information, presentation timing information and reproduction start timing information for the contents generated in a timing information generating section 14 to generate transmission bit sequences 105a to 105n, and they are transmitted.

Abstract: A digital video recording system is provided that comprises a plurality of digital video recorders in communication with a digital video recorder proxy system. Each of the plurality of digital video recorders is connected to a network and the digital video recorders are configured to send its status to the digital video recorder proxy system when a status change to its local resources occurs. The system further includes a digital video recorder proxy system configured to consolidate program guide information from each of the plurality of digital video recorders. The program guide information is stored in a database. Finally, the digital video recorder proxy system is configured to display the consolidated program guide information.

Abstract: Preferences of a user are analyzed with respect to each of a plurality of pieces of content already viewed by the user, and a piece viewing motivation information that is a combination of attribute entities of the piece of content is generated. A primary viewing motivation portion and a secondary viewing motivation portion are determined from the generated pieces of viewing motivation information, and pieces of viewing motivation information having a common primary viewing motivation portion are grouped together. Content having the determined primary viewing motivation portion and the secondary viewing motivation portion is selected from content not yet viewed by the user, and content information about the selected content is presented to the user in correspondence with the primary viewing motivation portion and the secondary viewing motivation portion.

Abstract: A satellite signal receiver includes a downconverter, a GPS chip and a transmission controller. The downconverter downconverts satellite signal of digital television into baseband signal for output to the transmission controller. The GPS chip scrambles and encrypts GPS signal into address data and outputs address data to the transmission controller for enabling the transmission controller to convert address data into analog signal for output with the baseband signal to a set-top-box, which converts analog address data into digital GPS signal and compares it with an authorization address carried in the satellite signal and then outputs authorized digital television satellite signal when the comparison is matched.

Abstract: A variety of meta data based enhancements to media content viewing are described, including making meta data corresponding to media content available for user searching and using meta data to identify highlight portions of the media content so that only the highlight portions need to be stored. Additionally, comments made to media content can be shared with other viewers of the content, even when viewing the content at different times and even when viewing different versions of the content. Furthermore, a synchronization point can be established for the media content and used by the client systems as a common reference location. In addition, advertisements for media content can be rendered based on how much time has been spent rendering the media content, as well as the amount of a fee paid by the user of the client system.

Abstract: Assets, such as content and related data are packaged, transmitted, received and managed in a digital cable television system to standardize the distribution of content and services from a content/service provider to subscribers in the system. The standardized format for packaging content enables the digital cable system to package, transmit, receive and manage diverse types of content, such as MPEGs, executable files, HTML pages, and the like, using standard system components without requiring reprogramming of the system to deploy new services. Service and content providers are freed from having to develop custom formats for delivering content and data to the cable system. Moreover, the standardized bundling of content and related data that is enabled by the invention allows the cable system operator to automate the deployment of services based on specific content and data to select subscribers.

Abstract: A method of providing a broadcast, method of reproducing the same, terminal for the same, and system thereof are disclosed, by which recorded broadcast data can be summarized and reproduced according to contents or priority of the broadcast. The present invention includes a broadcasting station inserting a summary reproduction information in broadcast data, transmitting the broadcast data; and a broadcast terminal storing the broadcast data received from the broadcasting station, reproducing a summary of the broadcast data using the summary reproduction information.

Abstract: The present invention provides an information processing apparatus, an information processing method and a program storage medium. The user of a personal computer selects a television program to be preset recorded from a program guide stored in an EPG server and downloads the corresponding preset recording data. When, from the downloaded preset recording data, a recording start time is found reached, the personal computer selects commands for starting recording a channel to be recorded and transmits the selected commands from a video mouse as infrared signals. Receiving the recording start command, a VCR starts recording.

Abstract: Disclosed is a user history based multimedia service system, wherein user history data include a multimedia consumption type and/or consumption behavior of the user. The consumption type data includes a start time or end time of the multimedia content consumption (i.e., simple view data), content recording time and format, content backup time and format, and content transfer time and format. The consumption behavior data includes a content access/play data such as a normal finish, skimmed, skipped, slowed, or replay, and a stopped data of the content access/play. The consumption type or consumption behavior data include information on program identification and information on access to the consumption type/consumption behavior data. The respective data is provided for each user and program.

Abstract: Provides methods and apparatus to reduce effects on playback of moving picture data caused by variations in data transmission rate that occur on a communication line, a receiving and playing back apparatus includes a receiver for receiving moving picture data transmitted over a communication line; playback modules for playing back the received moving picture data; buffer B for temporarily storing the moving picture data received by the receiver and outputting the stored moving picture data at a desired speed; and buffer A for providing the playback modules with moving picture data required for playback processing.

Abstract: A vehicle-based video system includes a video processor, a plurality of electronic sensor interfaces that are operable to receive image output data from a plurality of sensor devices and at least one electronic vehicle interface that is operable to communicate with a vehicle communication bus. The video processor generates display signals for displaying video information for viewing and use by a driver in the vehicle for normal operation of the vehicle by the driver. The video processor is operable to fuse data from at least one imaging device and at least one non-imaging device into a single database in a standard format. The video processor, in response to processing the fused data, provides at least one output signal for conveying information to a driver in the vehicle that is used by the driver in the vehicle when the vehicle is being driven by the driver in the vehicle.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a system and method of broadcasting audio and visual information to a plurality of audio reproduction devices and visual display devices utilizing a plurality of control computers linked thereto by a communications network. The invention employs a plurality of pre-recorded digital audio files and corresponding visual representation thereof to allow a user to construct message sequences for broadcast with a minimum of system input. Furthermore, a user may specify a plurality of broadcast zones to broadcast audio and visual messages.

Abstract: It is targeted that CMs by e.g., television broadcast be detected automatically, an access site to detailed contents of a specified one of the CMs be acquired automatically, and connection be made automatically to the access site to enable accessing to the detailed information. A broadcasting station 302 sends out airing signals containing CMs. A consumer terminal (303) detects these CMs from the aired signals and connects to an access site information furnishing device (305) based on the airing time and the airing channel of the detected CM to acquire the access site information of the distribution terminal (301) for e.g., an article of commerce owning the detailed information pertinent to the CM. Based on the access site information, the consumer terminal (303) accesses the distribution terminal (301) to acquire the detailed information pertinent to the CM.

Abstract: A method and mechanism for configuring a receiver as a proxy to transcode data and provide for intercommunication among secondary devices. In one embodiment, a proxy receiver in a viewer's home is configured to perform transcoding and other processing to enable use of services by secondary devices which would otherwise not be able to utilize such services. In addition, the proxy receiver may be configured to provide communication between devices which would otherwise not be able to communicate with one another. In one embodiment, the proxy receiver includes a receiver configured to receive programming signals, an I/O interface configured to communicate with a secondary device, and a transcode subsystem. The transcode subsystem is configured to detect received data, determine a target secondary device of the received data, determine a target data format corresponding to the target secondary device, and initiate transcoding of the received data to the target data format.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and system as well as recording media designed to process information so as to enable individual information to be delivered per user, together with the AV contents. A server analyzes a delivery request received from the terminal, and as a result of this analysis, general purpose additional information is extracted from the additional information master database. Concurrently, reference is made to the user information on the user information database, so the user requested individual additional information is extracted from the additional information master database. The server edits the extracted general purpose additional information and individual additional information, creates the individual metadata for delivery, reads out the delivery requested AV contents stored in the AV contents database, and delivers the relevant AV contents together with the individual metadata via the Internet to the terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining the line of sight of an airborne camera fixed on a target by compensating for overflight velocity of the aircraft. The compensation system automatically commands an angular velocity of the line of sight to maintain the camera pointing at the target being overflown. This angular velocity of the line of sight is computed based upon the aircraft overflight velocity and upon a vector from the aircraft to the target. This automatic compensation for aircraft overflight velocity causes the line of sight to remain fixed upon the target. The compensation system drives a gimbal system upon which the camera is mounted to perform this compensation automatically.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor reception of programs and content by broadcast receivers are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to monitor reception of a broadcast program by a broadcast receiver located in a statistically selected site comprises retrieving an audience measurement data packet from the broadcast receiver in order to identify the broadcast program, detecting a code embedded in the broadcast program in order to identify the broadcast program, extracting a signature from the broadcast program in order to identify the broadcast program, identifying the broadcast program through use of a software agent, and selecting at least one of the audience measurement data packet, the embedded code, the extracted signature or the software agent to identify the received program.