Abstract: The invention applies to the transmission of a multimedia content from a server to a client terminal. The multimedia content is available from the server as one or more sets of files. Upon reception of an initial request from the client, the server sends a document back to the client, said document causing the client to repetitively send fetching request. Upon reception of a fetching request, the server selects the file to download.

Abstract: A digital cable broadcast processing apparatus and a method thereof. A power supply supplies power, and an out-of-band (OOB) receiver receives additional OOB information from a transmission system. A cable card to descramble the received OOB information is mounted in an interface, and a controller controls the power supply in accordance with the presence and absence of the cable card, and accordingly controls the power supply to the OOB receiver. Whether or not the cable card is mounted is determined, and power is cut off or supplied in accordance with the result of the determination. As a result, unnecessary power consumption can be prevented when the cable card is not mounted.

Abstract: An MPEG decoder decodes a video data packet for standard broadcasting to generate video data for standard broadcasting, and detects a decoding error thereof. A MPEG decodes a video data packet for broadcasting under rainfall to generate video data for broadcasting under rainfall. A synthesizing section generates a composite signal obtained by replacing a decoding error part of the video data for standard broadcasting with a corresponding part of the video data for broadcasting rainfall.

Abstract: Provided is a frame rate conversion apparatus for inputting a video signal and inserting an interpolation frame into the video signal so as to convert a frame rate of the video signal. The apparatus includes: an input unit for inputting the video signal; a video interpolation unit for generating an interpolation frame and performing an interpolation process of the video signal; and a control unit for controlling the generation process of the interpolation frame by the video interpolation unit. The video interpolation unit performs the interpolation frame generation process by using a plurality of methods, and the control unit controls switching between the plurality of interpolation frame generating methods.

Abstract: A system and method for chatting between a set-top box and one or more social networks. One or more social networks is associated with a set-top box. User preferences are set for communications with one or more contacts included in the one or more social networks. A chat interface is displayed to a user on a display associated with the set-top box in response to the user preferences and activity trigger determined in response to activity detected by the set-top box. Communications occurs with the one or more contacts using the chat interface.

Abstract: A display configured to display a list of videos that can be reproduced on the terminal on a screen of the terminal, an input unit configured to select a specific video from the list of videos, and a controller configured to select a plurality of key frames from image frames of the specific video based on a predetermined selection criterion. Further, the display displays the plurality of key frames of the specific video.

Abstract: A method for operating conflicting source devices communicating over the same self-configurable asymmetric link, comprising: transmitting uncompressed video from a first source device to a first sink device over a first direction of a self-configurable asymmetric link; receiving a request to transmit uncompressed video from a second source device to a second sink device over the opposite direction of the self-configurable asymmetric link; locating an accessible rendering device able to receive compressed video from the second source device and to transmit uncompressed video to the second sink device without flipping the direction of the self-configurable asymmetric link; and transmitting compressed video from the second source device to the rendering device, whereby the rendering device renders and transmits the video to the second sink device.

Abstract: A method to provide a signal using a communication link. The method disposes a passive transponder on the communication link, where that passive transponder includes a memory. The method reads information relating to the communication link from the memory, and then, based upon that information, adjusts certain characteristics of a signal provided using the communication link.

Abstract: High-speed programs review is described. In embodiment(s), a television client device can initiate a high-speed review of a group of programs that have been recorded together. A content distributor may record a group of television programs that have been previously broadcast for a particular television channel, and then maintain the programs for on-demand viewing when selected by a viewer. The client device can receive program information from the content distributor, and the program information can identify each of the progress when reviewing the group of programs at high-speed. The program information that corresponds to a program can then be rendered for display when the program becomes selectable for on-demand viewing while reviewing the programs at high-speed.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed to provided interactivity using an interactive channel bug. The interactive channel bug (e.g., an “interactive broadcast channel branding logo”) allows a television user to access a variety of interactive services. The interactive broadcast channel branding logo may be configured to launch a functionality determined by a broadcaster. This functionality may change over time. The form of the interactive broadcast channel branding logo may also change over time in which the availability of new interactive services is indicated.

Abstract: Media monitoring and measurement systems and methods are disclosed. Some embodiments of the present invention provide a media measurement system and method that utilizes audience data to enhance content identifications. Some embodiments analyze media player log data to enhance content identification. Other embodiments of the present invention analyze sample sequence data to enhance content identifications. Other embodiments analyze sequence data to enhance content identification and/or to establish channel identification. Yet other embodiments provide a system and method in which sample construction and selection parameters are adjusted based upon identification results. Yet other embodiments provide a method in which play-altering activity of an audience member is deduced from content offset values of identifications corresponding to captured samples.

Abstract: A method and system for browsing videos that are organized as channels. A browsing interface allows a user to browse videos with primarily a simple directional controller. The up and down inputs of the directional controller control navigation between levels of the interface such as search, playback control, full screen playback, video browsing and channel browsing. The left and right inputs of the directional controller control various options at the active level of the user interface and the select input allows the user to select an option. The user can browse various channels and videos within a channel to select media for playback. Videos in a channel play continuously to minimize input from the directional controller.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering video content is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes storing video data packets of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel at an access switch/router system that communicates with an IPTV access network. The method also includes receiving data at the access switch/router system indicating a selection of the IPTV channel from a set-top box device via the IPTV access network. Further, the method includes sending copies of the stored video data packets of the IPTV channel to the set-top box device via the IPTV access network.

Abstract: A cable television (CATV) entry adapter interfaces to a CATV network and serves as a hub in a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) network. MoCA signals are bypassed around the CATV communication paths within the entry adapter to maintain adequate signal strength and to allow a passive port of the entry adapter to be used as part of the MoCA network. MoCA signals are suppressed from exiting the CATV entry adapter onto the CATV network.

Abstract: A content distribution system distributes at least either one of a first content and a second content to a terminal (3) through a network from a distribution server (1) which stores a compression coded bit stream of the first content and a compression coded bit stream of the second content. The content distribution system has a conversion device (2) which, when a syntax indicating an order to be satisfied by the bit stream of the content distributed from said distribution server (1) to said terminal does not match a syntax of decoding information preliminarily notified to the terminal, converts the syntax of the content distributed to the terminal to match the syntax of the decoding information before distributing the same to the terminal (3).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for providing television advertisements while a viewing device is tuning to a channel. In one aspect, a viewing device, in response to receiving a signal to tune to a channel, selects advertisement data for an advertisement from a data storage device storing advertisement data for one or more advertisements, and generates a video signal when tuning to the channel, the video signal generated only for the duration that the viewing device is tuning to the channel and for displaying on the television device, and the video signal causing the advertisement to be displayed on the television device.

Abstract: A system and method for resource sharing are provided. The method includes storing an electronic programming guide (EPG) application and an EPG, determining when local memory of a local video device lacks capacity to download additional time of the EPG, and communicating with another device to transmit a resource request to the other device to download the additional time of the EPG to storage in the other device. The method also includes processing for display monitoring data that indicates remaining storage space in the storage of the other device, querying the other device to determine what programming is being viewed, and processing controls included in the EPG application that enable access to the storage of the other device to interact with the EPG stored on the other device through the local video device to schedule a programming event at the local video device.

Abstract: Deinterlacing of video involves converting interlaced video to progressive video by interpolating a missing pixel in the interlaced video from other pixels in the video. A plurality of interpolants are provided, each of which interpolates a pixel value from other pixels that are nearby in space and/or time. The data costs of using the various interpolants is calculated. A particular one of the interpolants is chosen based on the data costs associated with the various interpolants. The chosen interpolant is used to interpolate the value of the missing pixel. The interpolated pixel value may be refined based on exemplars. The exemplars may be taken from the video that is being deinterlaced.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for retrieving audio signals. A video signal is received that is associated with a content identifier and an alternate audio tag. In response to the alternate audio tag, a query is made for an alternate audio source that corresponds to the content identifier. A query result is received that identifies at least one alternate audio signal that corresponds to the content identifier and that is separately available from the video signal.

Abstract: Media content, based on a predetermined set of constraints, from a content provider is delivered to a local cache of a user device before viewing the media. A client asset manager process resides in the user device, an asset list at the content provider site, and the media assets are located at a remote site.