Abstract: An external device may recognize, in the case of including a communication unit that executes communication via a communication path made up of a pair of differential transmission paths included in a transmission path, information relating to the communication unit thereof. A disk recorder transmits function information indicating that a communication unit (high-speed data line I/F 213) configured to execute communication with an external device via a communication path made up of a reserve line and an HPD line of an HDMI cable to a television receiver via a CEC line that is a control data line of the HDMI cable. The television receiver receives function information, whereby whether or not the disk recorder is an eHDMI-compatible device can be determined, and in the case of an eHDMI-compatible device, a compatible transmission format (application) can be recognized.

Abstract: A Cuddle (CUD) system for a user mobile device that allows a user to view broadcast stations worldwide. In this system, a CUD module icon on a screen display is configured to connect to a CUD module. The CUD module interactively receives from the user selections including genre of movies or shows, news, television stations, sports from the one or more broadcast stations. The CUD module selectively interacts with and modifies functionality of an electronic processing unit responsible for functionality of a transceiver module and/or a screen display module to select and automatically display a selected number of one or more broadcast selections from one or more CUD module selections on the user mobile device.

Abstract: A first media server delivers content for broadcast via a first media channel, and a second media server delivers media content for broadcast via a second media channel. The first media server operates in a synchronized mode, under control of the second media server during some periods of time, and during other periods of time operates in an independent mode. When operating in the synchronized mode, content delivered by the first and second media servers can be synchronized, so that the timing of spot blocks played on the two servers generally coincides. When the first server operates in the independent mode, the timing of spot blocks and other content broadcast on the first media channel are not synchronized under control of the second media server.

Abstract: A method of a broadcast receiving device to receive broadcast service includes: receiving a broadcast table; receiving service signaling data corresponding to a service object; determining a consumption model of the service object on the basis of the service signaling data; receiving a content item configuring the service object on the basis of the service signaling data when the consumption model is a predetermined consumption model; displaying a guide on content on the basis of the broadcast table or the service signaling data; identifying one of the received content item according to an additional information request on the content; and controlling the guide on the basis of the identified content item.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a machine architecture implementing a staging automation process, including features such as multiple IR transmitters and composite video inputs for automated high volume quality testing. Diagnostic display outputs from a unit under test are input to OCR and video quality algorithms to validate that the units under test are ready for a functional test process at the next stage.

Abstract: In example embodiments, a system and method for providing interactive advertisement is provided. In some embodiments, a component causes a video program having an interactive advertisement to be displayed to a user on a display screen. The interactive advertisement includes an enhanced content activator. In response to activation of the enhanced content activator by the user, enhanced advertisement information including at least one trigger is provisioned. The enhanced advertisement information is then caused to be displayed with the video program and the interactive advertisement. A selection by the user of the at least one trigger associated with the enhanced advertisement information is monitored. In response to selection of the at least one trigger, access to further content associated with the enhanced content information is provided.

Abstract: Distributed and highly software reconfigurable CMTS (CMRTS) device, based on MAC and PHY units with FPGA and DSP components, for a HFC CATV network. The various CATV RF modulators, such as QAM modulators, may be divided between QAM modulators located at the cable plant, and remote QAM modulators ideally located at the fiber nodes. A basic set of CATV QAM data waveforms may optionally be transmitted to the nodes using a first fiber, and a second set of IP/on-demand data may be transmitted to the nodes using an alternate fiber or alternate fiber frequency, and optionally using other protocols such as Ethernet protocols. The nodes will extract the data specific to each neighborhood and inject this data into unused QAM channels, thus achieving improved data transmission rates through finer granularity. A computerized “virtual shelf” control system for managing and reconfiguring the FPGA and DSP based CMTRS units is also disclosed.

Abstract: The timing for displaying an overlay a video is optimized using a system that includes an engagement component that receives information regarding frames of a video at which respective users of a plurality of users stop engaging with the video and an analysis component that calculates user engagement scores for the frames based on the information, wherein the user engagement scores reflect a percentage of the plurality of users that stop engaging with the video at the respective frames, and wherein the higher the percentage the lower the user engagement score. The system further includes an identification component that identifies a subset of the frames associated with relatively lower user engagement scores in comparison to other frames of the video and an overlay component that configures an overlay for displaying over the video near at least one of the frames included in the subset.

Abstract: A distribution device includes a distribution unit configured to distribute, to a user terminal, a content control program for controlling content displayed on the user terminal. The content control program causes the user terminal to execute a viewable area acquisition procedure of acquiring, as information on a viewable area, information on an area of the content displayed by a browser program, a reference position acquisition procedure of acquiring pieces of information on a plurality of reference positions defined on a display area of the content on which a video image is displayed, a determination procedure of determining whether the plurality of reference positions are located in the viewable area, and a playback start procedure of starting playback of the video image when it is determined that the plurality of reference positions are located in the viewable area.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for using location information to manage spillover in an audience monitoring system are disclosed. An example method involves identifying a first location of a portable metering device at a first time based on a plurality of location coordinates received from a location information system. The example method also involves generating media monitoring information corresponding to a media signal received at the first time. Additionally, the example method involves identifying the media monitoring information as being associated with a spillover signal in response to determining that a media delivery device is not located at the first location of the portable metering device at the first time.

Abstract: Radio frequency (“RF”) signal amplifiers include an RF input, at least one RF output and communications paths therebetween. The communications paths include a downstream path that is configured to pass signals in a downstream frequency band, a first upstream path that is configured to pass signals in a first upstream frequency band that encompasses frequencies that are lower than the frequencies included within the downstream frequency band and a second upstream path that is configured to pass signals in a second upstream frequency band that encompasses frequencies that are between the frequencies included within the downstream frequency band and the frequencies included within the first upstream frequency band. These RF signal amplifiers further include a downstream power amplifier on the downstream path, a first upstream power amplifier on the first upstream path and a second upstream power amplifier on the second upstream path.

Abstract: A system and method manages the provisioning of an client device connected to a service distribution network, such as an interactive television service-providing network. Provisioning is managed by a provisioning manager that knows the specific provisioning data to collect and where the data is located and is to be forwarded. The client or subscriber can initiate the provisioning transaction through the client device.

Abstract: A scheme for providing targeted advertisements in a multicast adaptive bitrate (ABR) streaming environment. In one implementation, ads specific to a subscriber's demographic profile and relevant to the genre of a tuned MABR media channel may be downloaded in a gateway (GW) or into a network storage system. In another implementation, multicast ABR streams of ads may be triggered at specific points (e.g., insertion markers in a multicast ABR media channel) that can be selectively joined by a GW node based on demographics and channel genre. In yet another implementation, continuously streaming multicast ad channels may be switched at suitable points in a multicast ABR media channel based on targeting parameters.

Abstract: A TV display presents a grid of thumbnails representing content available for display from the Internet and next to the grid, a column of thumbnails representing content that conforms to a user-entered query. The conforming content is located by searching the Internet, from an EPG, from local TV storage, and from the TV's home network. Search result thumbnails are prioritized according to user navigation history.

Abstract: Power divider networks are provided that have Multimedia Over Coax Alliance (“MoCA”) bypass paths.

Abstract: A method and computer readable medium for encoding data onto a channel broadcasting a program are disclosed. For example, the method selects a channel that is being used to broadcast a program, generates data having characteristics in accordance with an error burst signature and transmits the data on the channel that is being used to broadcast the program.

Abstract: Methods and systems capable of improving the transmission of data along an upstream path of a Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial Cable Network, from a transmitter in a node to a receiver in a Cable Modem Termination System.

Abstract: A system includes a session and resource manager and a video pump. The session and resource manager negotiates encryption keys from a headend controller and provides the encryption keys to a video pump. The video pump uses the encryption keys from the session and resource manager to encrypt content. Thus, the video pump uses encryption keys to encrypt the content so that it is encrypted right from the video pump prior to transmission over the entire transport system. A generic modulation device may thus be used to modulate the encrypted content over the delivery network.

Abstract: A supplemental content retrieval system is disclosed for playing supplemental video content on a video player. The system comprises a video player for playing video content, a secondary device for receiving supplemental video content, and a remote database for providing supplemental video content, wherein the video player is configured to play the supplemental video content received by the secondary device. A method for using said system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A remote control for a smart TV or a set-top box is disclosed. The remote control includes a capacitive fingerprint sensor, a processor and a wireless transmitter. The present invention takes advantages of the capacitive fingerprint sensor so that every user's personal data and corresponding setting for the smart TV or set-top box are available. Channel (or web-site) content rating can be achieved. Purchasing over TV can be safer than ever.