Abstract: A content access device includes an interface module that receives a transport stream and outputs a processed transport stream. An input buffer buffers the received transport stream. A polling processor processes the transport stream based on the at least one key to generate the processed transport stream, wherein the polling processor operates to descramble individual packets of the transport stream in a plurality of polling slots of a polling loop. An output buffer buffers the processed transport stream for output by the interface module.

Abstract: A commercial detection system generates a probe audio fingerprint of an audio signal associated with a media stream on a broadcast channel and determines whether the media stream has commercial content based on analysis of the probe audio fingerprint. The commercial detection system determines whether a same match between the probe audio fingerprint and a reference audio fingerprint is observed across multiple broadcast channels. Responsive to the number of same matches exceeding a predetermined threshold, the commercial detection system determines that the media stream has commercial content. The commercial detection system may also apply a trained feature analysis model to extracted acoustic features of the audio signal. The commercial detection system determines whether the media stream has commercial content based on a confidence score assigned to the probe audio fingerprint. The commercial detection system reduces false positive detection using program guide information of the media stream.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for applying signals into a filter circuit is disclosed. The apparatus includes a filter circuit that filters an input signal and outputs a signal in a first frequency range, and a filter circuit that filters the input signal and outputs a signal in a second frequency range that is different from the first frequency range, wherein the second filter circuit includes an interface circuit for inserting a signal used to receive the first frequency range signal. The method includes receiving a signal containing content from a first source in a first frequency range and content from a second source in a second frequency range, providing filtering to produce a signal containing the first content, providing filtering to produce a signal containing the second content, and applying a signal to second content signal processing circuitry, the signal provided used for receiving the content from the first source.

Abstract: An approach for facilitating providing personalized recommendations for streaming of broadcast content is provided. Content identifications are obtained for individual sets of broadcast content being streamed separately over the Internet simultaneously by multiple content providers. One or more recommendations of broadcast content is presented to the user based on the user's content preference profile, one or more ambient conditions associated with the user, online social interactions and/or content of the user, and/or other sets of broadcast content being streamed over the Internet.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for sending stored IPTV advertisement data from an IPTV network end user network interface device, the method including but not limited to intercepting data from the end user device connected to the end user network interface device before the data reaches a destination intended by an end user associated with the end user device; determining at the end user network interface device whether a television subscription is active for the end user network device; and sending the advertisement data from the television network device to the end user device for display when the television subscription is not active for the network interface device and instructions to connect the client device to a walled garden indicated by a uniform resource in the advertisement data.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus is provided. The signal processing apparatus includes: a packet classifier configured to receive a transport stream including a content, and classify a plurality of packets constituting the content into a plurality of packet groups according to a predetermined condition; and a transport unit configured to transport the plurality of packet groups through a plurality of signal processing routes to each of which a different signal processing method is applied.

Abstract: Techniques described herein may use a computing device, such as a smartphone or tablet computer, that is attached to a local area network, as a storage device or supplemental storage device for a set-top box (STB) that is also attached to the local area network. In one implementation, the STB may stream, to the computing device, video content corresponding to a television program that is being viewed by a user of the STB. In response to a command such as a rewind or unpause operation, the STB may request the video content from the computing device; receiving the requested video content from the computing device; and satisfying the unpause or rewind operation, based on the received video content.

Abstract: The invention relates, in various aspects, to systems and methods for linking content stored on a computer network with content broadcast over a television network. The system includes a database, a trigger mechanism, a communications interface, and a packet generator. The database stores tokens representative of links to the stored content and delivery information representative of at least a duration for delivering the token. The trigger mechanism indicates an instruction to deliver a token over the television network, generating a signal indicating a respective one of the stored tokens and a time for starting the delivery of the respective token. The communications interface has a channel in communication with a television set top box device for transferring the respective token to the television set top box device. The packet generator generates packets within a stream of television content to be broadcast over the television network.

Abstract: [Object] To provide an information processing apparatus capable of using an application seamlessly executable across channels of different broadcast stations. [Solving Means] Identification information “common” that is common to all business operators can be set as an organization ID for specifying a business operator providing an application. In addition, when the common identification information “common” is set as an organization ID of an acquired XML-AIT, an application controller (508) does not judge that an activation of an application corresponding to the XML-AIT is unpermitted based on the organization ID. Accordingly, it becomes possible to use an application seamlessly executable across channels of different broadcast stations, such as an application for a rating survey.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application that can cause a specific portion of a media asset to be stored based on a user command. For example, if the user requests the closing scene from a given movie, the media guidance application may detect the command, determine that it comprises an instruction to store a portion of a media asset, identify a source of the portion of the media asset, and cause the portion of the media asset to be stored. The media guidance application may also cause the entirety of the media asset to be stored and initiate playback at the start of the requested portion. This may allow users to store and watch portions of particular interest without requiring that the users seek through the entire media asset on their own.

Abstract: The invention provides systems, devices, methods and software to daisy chain multiple individual transmitters, optionally nodes, optionally extenders, and receivers to form any sized scalable system of digital video and audio signal switching and distribution. The video audio systems are for a simpler system design, wiring, control and expansion, to accomplish signal interfacing, switching, splitting for many varied input and output requirements with a scalable pair of transmitters and receivers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application configured to generate for display an icon that provides feedback to a user related to the current brain activity of the user. For example, a media guidance application may monitor the brain activity of the user in order to determine whether or not to perform a particular operation. The media guidance application may further generate a display of icons that inform the user of the current brain activity of the user and/or the progress of the user towards achieving a particular operation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method and system for remote diagnostics in a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) set-top box network having a head-end unit and a set-top box having diagnostics software. The diagnostics software stored in the set-top box enables the head-end unit to remotely query the set-top box about the current condition of the set-top box and, as a result, reduces the necessity of service calls and/or shipping charges that would otherwise be required. The diagnostics software generates data is response to a set-top box identification request, a software version request, a check television connections request, a check I/O ports request, a check HPNA networking request, a check USB request, a check system ICs request, a check DSL connection request, a check error codes request, a read warranty clock request, a read hours of operation request, and a perform default test request received from the head-end.

Abstract: A media distribution system provides controlled distribution of media owned by various parties hosted on a local media access device. The media access device may store temporary media, such as rented or leased media, on a separate provider controlled storage partition. This gives the media provider control over rented or leased media even though it is locally hosted. The media access device can download media from providers at various predefined times so as to limit its use of bandwidth.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller that receives an indication of a resolution preference for presenting first media content received in a digital stream, wherein the digital stream comprises the first media content and second media content, and wherein the digital stream has a bandwidth limit. The controller, responsive to receiving the first media content adjusts a first resolution of the first media content to achieve an adjusted resolution. The controller also adjusts a second resolution of the second media content to offset, at least in part, the adjusted resolution, wherein the first resolution and the second resolution are adjusted without exceeding the bandwidth limit of the digital stream. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for scheduling commercial advertisement are described in which a data processing system having the spot scheduler solver may be operable to receive an advertiser's order to place advertisement or commercial spots into one or more commercial television breaks. The order may comprise various constraints and requirements corresponding to the spots. The spots may be assigned to inventory buckets within the commercial breaks based on the constraints and requirements. When a conflict arises, a prioritization scheme may be performed to complete the assignment of spots not assigned and to generate a commercial break schedule. The prioritization scheme may be based on spot arrival lead time or on maximizing the sum of the rates corresponding to the spots. The data processing system may maximize the spread of the spots over the commercial break schedule. The commercial break schedule may be adjusted when additional orders are received.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus including a communication unit for receiving, from an external device, degree-of-attention information including information on a degree of attention, for each part of first content, calculated based on a state of viewing of a user, and a priority information generation unit for generating, using the degree-of-attention information, priority information including information on a priority for viewing for each part of second content. The communication unit transmits the priority information to the external device.

Abstract: A system and method for session management of streaming media are provided. The system and method authenticate and validate any request for live or streaming video and manage the streaming session in a manner that continues to verify the validity of existing video streams with respect to new requests. The system and method provide for receiving a first request for a first video stream from a client, generating a token based on the first request and at least one parameter associated with the client, validating the token based on at least one predetermined rule associated with the client, and upon validation, providing the first video stream to the client. Upon receiving a subsequent second request for a second video stream, the system and method validate a second token based on the first video stream, terminate the first video stream and provide the second video stream to the client.

Abstract: Electronic program guide descriptions, of content referenced by the electronic program guide, are user-targeted based on user data. Such user-targeted electronic program guide descriptions aid users in identifying desirable content, thereby increasing user interaction performance with a content presentation device providing such user-targeted electronic program guide descriptions. To generate user-targeted electronic program guide descriptions, received electronic program guide information includes different, alternative or mutually exclusive, content descriptions of a given content item. Such electronic program guide information is compared with the user data and user-targeted content item descriptions is generated from the different content descriptions. A visual electronic program guide, including the user-targeted content item description, is displayed to a user on a physical display device.

Abstract: A method of presenting advertising opportunities to users of a digital advertising placement system is described. The method includes receiving sequences of video material from a video material source, the sequences of video material having been processed from original video material to select parts of the original video material which are suitable for placement of digital advertising components. The method further includes incorporating the received sequences of video material into an online catalog accessible to a plurality of users via a data communications network, the online catalog allowing remote access to a user to identify one or more sequences which are of interest to an advertiser wishing to conduct digital advertising placement using said system.