Abstract: A system (10), a method and a utilization of a remote control adapted to display media content from the World Wide Web (12). This is accomplished by utilizing a smart-phone (18) as a remote control by an application program, and transmitting the media content through a backend system (110) utilizing WI-FI adapters to (20) transmit streaming media to for instance a HDMI TV (16).

Abstract: Enable appropriate caching of application programs executed in coordination with AV content. The cache memory temporarily stores a coordinated application that is executed in coordination with received AV content. When a plurality of coordinated applications are stored in the cache memory, a control block controls the cache memory according to the priority of the coordinated applications which corresponds to a predetermined frequency specified for each of them in advance. The present technology is applicable to, for example, television receivers that receive digital television broadcast signals.

Abstract: Systems, methods and/or techniques for detection of user-initiated events in relation to a media device are described, for example utilizing a content recognition system. A method may be executed in a media device that is operable to play video content. The method may include receiving user interaction with the media device and the user interaction causes initiation of a feature that affects video content that plays on the media device. The method may include receiving one or more interactive events from a content recognition system in response to the user interaction. The method may comprise executing the one or more interactive events to affect video content that is playing on the media device, and display one or more overlay windows corresponding to the affected video content. One or more video fingerprints that correspond to the affected video content may be communicated to the content recognition system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system for managing audience data for advertisement placements is disclosed. A server receives a source signal stream comprising metadata and an advertisement space. The server extracts from the metadata a channel identifier, a private client identifier, and information about an intended audience of interest to advertisers. The server identifies a placement opportunity including an owner of the advertisement space based on the channel identifier. The server purges at least some of the extracted information about the intended audience when the owner of the advertisement space is identified as a national network. The server identifies an amount of information about the intended audience to purge and subsequently to fetch for the national network based on a business arrangement between the national network and a service provider, which the server enforces and enables.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for automatic real-time cloud computing processing of live multimedia content are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a portable electronic device can transmit live event multimedia data to a web/cloud computing storage service in real time, wherein the web/cloud computing storage service segmentizes incoming streams of the live event multimedia data into multiple media files during an ongoing transmission of the live event multimedia data. In one embodiment of the invention, the size of each segmented media file depends on a current network traffic condition and/or a bandwidth availability. By automatically segmentizing the streams of encoded multimedia data into individually-viewable segments for the web or cloud-computing storage service, a user can start viewing the currently-uploading multimedia data faster than a conventional single stream upload which requires a longer waiting time.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for providing extrinsic data relevant to a video content feature. A request for a video content feature is obtained from a client. The video content feature and relevant extrinsic data is sent to the client in response to the request. The extrinsic data indicates cast members who perform in the video content feature, a division of the video content feature into scenes, and a corresponding subset of the cast members who perform in each of the scenes.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing playback devices with trick play functionality are described. The system includes a playback device, e.g., without recording capability, and a gateway device with multiple tuner-demodulators and/or a cable modem and recording capability. During normal playback, in some embodiments, both the playback device and gateway receive content in parallel with the gateway recording content at the request of the playback device and supplying the content over the local network when a user of the playback device requests a trick play operation. A single gateway, with multiple tuner demodulator pairs and/or a cable modem, supports trick play functions. In some embodiments if the number of playback devices exceeds the number of tuner-demodulator pairs in the gateway, the playback device can stream content to the gateway for recording and to be returned via the local network in the event of a request for a trick play operation.

Abstract: A method for enabling visual browsing of a plurality videos includes identifying a low frame rate version for each video from a plurality of videos using one or more computers, wherein the low frame rate version of each video from the plurality of videos is at a frame rate that provides a visually perceptible pause between successive visually distinct frames; and outputting information that defines a visual display, wherein the visual display presents a plurality of graphical representations each corresponding to a respective video from the plurality of videos, wherein each graphical representation from the plurality of graphical representations includes the low frame rate version of the respective video from the plurality of videos.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products that allow for the load adaptive downloading, processing, and rendering of video by a video processing client, where the downloading is adaptive to the processing load of a computing system on which a video processing client operates.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for archiving a live media presentation includes archiving the live media presentation as it is being streamed from a live server, wherein the archiving includes recording the live media presentation in fixed-length segments. A segment name is associated with each of the segments, wherein each of the segment names includes a time stamp. The fixed-length segments are stored on a video on-demand (VOD) server. A manifest is generated that describes at least a portion of the live media presentation and identifies a uniform resource locator (URL) to be used by a client device to access a first one of the segments, wherein the URL includes the segment name of the first segment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable broadcast program receiver and a diagnostic method of the cable broadcast program receiver. In an aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic method of a cable broadcast program receiver may include transmitting, at a cablecard, a diagnostic request containing diagnostic information regarding DiiVA connection status to a host according to a protocol of an interface between the cablecard and the host; and receiving, at the host, the diagnostic request and transmitting diagnostic confirmation information containing a diagnostic status report regarding the DiiVA connection status to the cablecard according to the protocol of the interface between the cablecard and the host in response to the diagnostic request.

Abstract: A method and system for a synchronous event manager for automatic content recognition (ACR) are described. A display device, such as a connected television or mobile device, may be operable to perform ACR and may utilize a synchronous event manager comprising a software layer that may continuously be executed as a background process. The software layer may comprise a single framework or framework from which to execute one or more user-interaction applications. The software layer may monitor internal and external events and may detect an event trigger produced in response to a match resulting from the ACR. After receiving a user-interaction application corresponding to the detected event trigger, the software layer may launch or invoke the user-interaction application from the single framework. In some instances, multiple user-interaction applications may be launched concurrently from the single framework. These user-interaction applications may interface with each other through the single framework.

Abstract: A method includes receiving demand information for a first segment of a media content item and receiving demand information for a second segment of the media content item. The method includes assigning the first segment to a first set of distribution nodes of a media content distribution system based at least partially on the demand information for the first segment and based at least partially on a first cost function and assigning the second segment to a second set of distribution nodes of the media content distribution system based at least partially on the demand information for the second segment and based at least partially on a second cost function. The media content distribution system includes a plurality of distribution nodes and each distribution node is configured to provide media content items to at least some of a plurality of endpoints.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating domain-compliant image data. Domain-specific usage rights may be evaluated. The domain-specific usage rights may be associated with the transfer of particular encoded image data to a particular computing system other than the computing system. The domain-specific usage rights may specify maximum allowable spatial frequency content of the particular encoded image data. Domain-compliant image data may be generated by removing particular disallowable spatial frequency content from the encoded image data prior to transfer to the particular computing system.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for receiver access control in an internet television system uses a push mechanism to distribute access control information froth a distribution device to an access device. The access device uses the access control information to make receiver access control decisions for a subsequently received request from a host to join a television channel multicast group.

Abstract: Systems, methods and/or techniques for automatic content recognition protocols are described. A method may be executed in a media device having an automatic content recognition application programming interface. The method may include generating one or more video fingerprints that correspond to video content that displays on the media device. The method may include communicating the one or more video fingerprints to an automatic content recognition backend system. The automatic content recognition backend system compares the one or more video fingerprints with one or more stored video fingerprints and determines whether a match occurs. If the match occurs, one or more event identifiers associated with the one or more video fingerprints may be received from the automatic content recognition backend system. The one or more event identifiers may be communicated to an application server, and one or more interactive events may be received from the application server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cable broadcast program receiver and a diagnostic method of the cable broadcast program receiver. In an aspect of the present invention, a diagnostic method of a cable broadcast program receiver may include transmitting, at a cablecard, a diagnostic request containing diagnostic information regarding DiiVA connection status to a host according to a protocol of an interface between the cablecard and the host; and receiving, at the host, the diagnostic request and transmitting diagnostic confirmation information containing a diagnostic status report regarding the DiiVA connection status to the cablecard according to the protocol of the interface between the cablecard and the host in response to the diagnostic request.

Abstract: A method for two time-scales video stream transmission control is proposed, which mainly includes the following three steps. Firstly, a model-based long time-scale bandwidth trend extraction step is proposed to calculate a current bandwidth through a Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) throughput model, and predict a trend of network bandwidth by using an Exponential Smooth Model (ESM) according to the calculated current bandwidth. Secondly, a short time-scale bandwidth fluctuation detection step is proposed to divide a network status into three categories and according to different network statuses, additively increase or multiplicatively decrease the estimated bandwidth. Thirdly, a target bit rate adjustment step based on two asymmetrical thresholds is proposed to set an up-threshold and a down-threshold of bandwidth to avoid frequently adjusting a target bit rate of an encoder. The method can satisfy the requirements of TCP-friendliness, real-time, and smoothness for the video transmission.

Abstract: A video content network having a plurality of program channels is operated, and a target time slot for an enhanced advertisement is identified. At least some of the plurality of program channels have programs scheduled during the target time slot. The target time slot is signaled to a plurality of terminals connected to the video content network. Each of the terminals is viewing a given one of the program channels prior to the signaling. Responsive to the signaling, the programs scheduled during the target time slot are effectively paused at a program time corresponding to a beginning of the time slot, and the enhanced advertisement is caused to be displayed on the terminals. Responsive to an end of the enhanced advertisement, the programs scheduled during the target time slot are resumed at the program time corresponding to the beginning of the time slot.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. In an example method includes counting a first number of individuals proximate to a media presentation device, counting a second number of signals received from one or more portable devices, each of which is associated with a respective one of one or more monitored individuals, comparing the first number of individuals to the second number of signals, and determining a third number of unidentified ones of the individuals proximate to the media presentation device based on the comparison of the first number of individuals to the second number of signals.