Abstract: A user receiving device including at least one transceiver module, an output module, and a control module. The at least one transceiver module is configured to receive a file from a first backend device. The file indicates where in a video an object is shown. The output module is configured to playout the video on a display. The display is connected to the user receiving device. The control module is configured to monitor data in the file while the video is being played out to detect the object, and generate a signal to indicate on the display that the object is purchasable.

Abstract: Selectable content is provided within a video stream. Additional content such as advertisements or other information that may be of interest to a user is provided in an interactive fashion providing a richer and deeper viewing experience and giving more control to the user during video viewing. Prescreening of the video content may be done and tags may be inserted in the video stream in association with additional content that may be provided for tagged objects in the video stream. An indication may be provided to the user indicating the availability of additional interactive content in a variety of ways. Upon user request, the content associated with the tags may be presented to the user. The additional content may be provided to the user in a hybrid fashion which involves rendering the video content and additional interactive content simultaneously or by enabling full screen browsing experience.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing Parameterized QoS flows in a managed network can include a Designated Network Node (like a Network Controller or any network node) discovering a plurality of network nodes.

Abstract: Delivery of internet protocol television (IPTV) content, in one aspect, may comprise monitoring social media streams. Trends may be identified from the social media streams, the trends describing interests in IPTV content by location, time and subscriber types. Information may be received associated with a schedule for delivering the IPTV content. The trends may be compared with the received information to predict an expected demand of the IPTV content at the time at different locations and by different subscriber types. Resources may be reallocated to meet the expected demand in delivering the IPTV content to the different subscriber types at the different locations and the time.

Abstract: An exemplary computer-implemented television service system detects, while a media content processing device is presenting a user interface view associated with a television service within a display screen in communication with the media content processing device, an input command provided by a user of the media content processing device and representative of a request for customer support. In response, the system identifies a context within which the input command is provided by the user, selects, based on the identified context, customer support content provided by the television service and associated with the user interface view being presented within the display screen, and directs the media content processing device to present the customer support content within the user interface view. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An interactive media content listing search system is herein disclosed which provides for enhanced interactive access of media content listings contained within an media content display system. Enhanced searching for available media contents is enabled by a plurality of user configurable attributes, which defines characteristics of media content that may be similar to the user's tastes. The plurality of user configurable attributes may be logically combined during the search operation using “AND” and/or “OR” boolean operators. Additionally, means are provided to allow recursive searches of available media content listings in an easy manner such that the results may be more finely tailored to suit the user's tastes. Following the search operation, the user may save the search attributes to a file that is stored within the system for use at a later time.

Abstract: An exemplary system for cloud-based media content transcoding includes a local media content server that records a media content program, divides the media content program into a plurality of program segments, generates a program segment playlist including pointers to the plurality of program segments, receives a request for a media content playback device to download the media content program, and transmits the program segment playlist to the media content playback device. The program segment playlist directs the media content playback device to request and download transcoded versions of the program segments from a cloud-based transcoding system located remotely from the local media content server. The cloud-based transcoding system accesses the program segments from the local media content server, and generates and transmits the transcoded versions of the program segments to the media content playback device.

Abstract: A multi-switch for distributing satellite signals of different levels includes: multiple inputs for connection to controllable sources for satellite signals of the different levels; multiple outputs for connection to receivers for the satellite signals; and a switching unit for connecting outputs to inputs, the switching unit receiving requests for levels via the inputs and assigning the inputs dynamically to outputs on which the same requests were output. The switching unit outputs the requests for levels in accordance with the sequence of their arrival on unused inputs in a corresponding sequence. The requests are dynamically switched at the inputs in accordance with the requests at the outputs and are not assigned according to a predetermined scheme.

Abstract: When the communication method is switched, a reception device synchronizes an I picture of video data transmitted by a communication method before the switching and video data transmitted by a communication method after the switching with each other, and then performs the switching immediately before an I picture. A transmission device generates synchronization data, and a reception device performs synchronization with reference to the synchronization data. Video can be prevented from becoming discontinuous, when the communication method is switched.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a variable compression factor to an incoming video stream in an STB. An increased amount of video may be stored within a PVR or disk on a STB by reducing the data storage requirements of incoming video based on available storage space and the type and size of the incoming video bit stream. Included are real time compression, or reduction in storage space requirements, by various data reduction methodologies including removing bits from the incoming video stream to reduce the amount of storage required to store the video stream. A background data reduction or compression technique is also provided wherein the incoming video stream is stored and data is reduced or further compressed at a later time to reduce data storage requirements.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a portion of a video sequence is displayed on an interface. A video tag is also displayed in the portion of the video sequence. In one embodiment, the video tag is a placeholder tag that shows where the tag would be displayed in the portion of the video sequence. An input area is then displayed that allows input of tag information for the video tag. For example, the user may specify what kind of tag they would like and also any information that can be displayed for the tag. For example, the user may specify that they would like the tag to be a text tag that includes the logo of the company.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiver for processing a DTV signal, the DTV receiver including a receiver to receive a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a protocol version field indicating a protocol version, wherein the ETT instance further contains a CRC 32 field; a demodulator to the digital television signal; and an identifier to identify at least one pertinent ETT instance from a plurality of ETT instances.

Abstract: A method and system for management of day-to-day television consumption is disclosed. More particularly, the disclosure relates to the evaluation and comparison of television providers and television channel packages, as well as management of the programs/channel packs offered by the television providers. The system and method disclosed herein enables the consumer to view and compare television channel offers, construct television channel packages, and purchase the constructed packages.

Abstract: Exemplary media content watch list systems and methods are disclosed. An exemplary method includes a media content watch list subsystem maintaining media content watch list data representing a plurality of media content instances available for experiencing by a user, receiving a request for a media content watch list from a media content access device associated with the user, generating the media content watch list based on the media content watch list data and the request, and transmitting data representative of the media content watch list to the media content access device for presentation to the user. The maintaining of the media content watch list data includes updating the media content watch list data based on at least one predetermined non-watch-list-specific operation performed by the media content access device associated with the user. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital television (DTV) signal in a DTV receiver, the method includes receiving a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a current next indicator field and a section syntax indicator field, demodulating the digital television signal, and identifying at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for embedding and associating triggers within a promotion or other similar content element with the event being promoted are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, consumer premises equipment (CPE) such as a digital set-top box is used to interface between the user and an external network (such as an HFC cable network) and facilitate the user selecting and scheduling viewing or recording of a subsequent event (e.g., broadcast movie) via the promotion itself. The trigger(s) within the promotion allow the user to contemporaneously select the promoted event for viewing, recording, etc. without any further action. The trigger(s) then initiates tuning of the user's receiver to the scheduled event at the appropriate date and time. This approach obviates additional actions by the user (such as programming their DVR), and also permits the user to commit to viewing the event when their interest level is highest; i.e., contemporaneous with the promotion.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital television (DTV) signal in a DTV receiver, the method including receiving a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances appearing in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, and the message body includes an ETM identifier to identify the ETM, the ETM identifier having source identification information specifying a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the each ETT instance, demodulating the digital television signal, and identifying at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.

Abstract: A method of processing a digital television (DTV) signal in a DTV receiver, the method includes receiving a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a protocol version field indicating a protocol version, wherein the ETT instance further contains a CRC 32 field, demodulating the digital television signal, and identifying at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiver for processing a DTV signal, the DTV receiver includes a receiver to receive a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a last section number field, wherein the ETT instance further contains a CRC 32 field, a demodulator to demodulate the digital television signal, and an identifier to identify at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiver for processing a DTV signal, the DTV receiver includes a receiver to receive a digital television signal including a plurality of extended text table (ETT) instances that appear in transport stream packets with common PID values, the ETT instances having common table ID values, each ETT instance comprising a section header and a message body, the section header containing a table identification (ID) extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT instance, the message body containing an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT instance, wherein the section header further contains a current next indicator field and a section syntax indicator field, a demodulator to demodulate the digital television signal, and an identifier to identify at least one pertinent ETT instance from the plurality of ETT instances.