Abstract: A system and method for detecting one or more advertisements broadcasted on a channel in real time includes a step of receiving a live feed, with the live feed being associated with a media content broadcast on the channel in real time. The method also includes a step of deriving one or more characteristics associated with one or more properties associated with the channel. The method also includes a step of analyzing the one or more characteristics associated with the one or more properties. There is also a step of matching the derived one or more characteristics associated with the one or more properties with the stored one or more characteristics associated with the one or more properties. The method also includes a step of detecting the one or more advertisements broadcasted on the channel in real time.

Abstract: A signal receiver may be configured to determine when signal generation adjustments directed to particular components of signals received by the signal receiver, cause performance changes relating to effects of the signal generation adjustments on other components of the received signals. Operations of the signal receiver may then be controlled based on the performance changes, to mitigate at least some of the effects on the one or more other components of the signals. The performance changes may comprise amplitude glitches, phase glitches, and/or bit or packet errors. The signal generation adjustments may comprise channel-to-frequency re-assignment. Controlling operations of the signal receiver may comprise adjusting such parameters as amplification gain and/or tracking loop bandwidth, and/or determining whether (or not) to ignore bit/packet errors.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate connection to a multimedia playback network are disclosed. An example method provides content to a local playback network. The example method includes identifying multimedia content from a content provider. The example method includes passing information regarding the multimedia content to a local playback system including one or more multimedia playback devices in response to a trigger. The example method includes facilitating play of the multimedia content via a local playback network associated with the local playback system.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for maintaining data pertaining to asset insertions into COD content. In one embodiment, a system includes a database that maintains campaign data of a plurality of assets, and a processor that monitors insertions of at least a portion of the assets in a first COD content to record campaign data of the inserted assets. A storage module stores the recorded campaign data of the inserted assets in a list. The processor is also operable to detect a request for asset insertions in a second COD content, to determine that the database of campaign data is unavailable for the asset insertion request of the second COD content, to retrieve the list of campaign data from the storage module, and, in response to determining the unavailability of the database, to direct asset insertions in the second COD content based on the list of campaign data.

Abstract: In a video delivery context, collection and analysis of viewing data can provide insight into viewer interaction with video and the Internet. The viewing data can be transmitted in a controlled manner to a data repository. The system can selectively target specific viewers/households to obtain viewing data, which can be combined with demographics, anonymized, and encrypted. Embodiments enable precision selection of media opportunities, by determining detailed characteristics associated with broadcasts including movement of audiences and specific viewer behavior, such as visits to websites on the Internet. The effective yield of broadcasts, including promotional spots and advertisements, can be determined and predicted based on concrete data at a level of detail down to individual viewers. Accordingly, embodiments enable improvement of the effectiveness and return on investment for programming, promotional spots, and advertisements.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for re-presentation of previously presented content. One of the methods includes providing a video advertisement for presentation on a user device along with a video content item, in response to receiving a request to view the video content item. First information is received that indicates that a user of the user device wants to skip the video advertisement or that the video advertisement has completed play. After receipt of the first information, a control to facilitate re-presentation of the video advertisement is provided. Second information is received indicating that the user of the user device has interacted with the control. The video advertisement is provided for re-presentation to the user device.

Abstract: A binary TV system and a method for a binary TV system are provided. The binary TV system comprises a TV program managing module configured to acquire a user preference for TV programs, and generate messages of recommended actions to be performed by a TV; a content recommender module configured to analyze the user preference and generate a recommendation of TV programs matching the user preference; a channel monitoring module configured to monitor and recognize a current TV program a user is watching; an advertisements (Ads) detecting module configured to detect advertisements in a specific TV channel; and a TV controlling module configured to send the messages generated by the TV controlling module to the TV. The user and the TV is communicated with each other through a binary interaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to address shortcomings in conventional media systems via a novel technique to prevent corruption of a user's viewing profile. In some aspects, a user of an interactive media guidance application may select a media asset for viewing on a user device. The interactive media guidance application may receive a user viewing profile for the user from a remote server. If the media asset is determined to not be consistent with the user viewing profile, the interactive media guidance application may retrieve another user viewing profile for another user of the user device. If the media asset is determined to be consistent with the other user viewing profile, the interactive media guidance application may update the other user viewing profile based on the media asset.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture to facilitate connection to a multimedia playback network are disclosed. An example method provides content to a local playback network. The example method includes identifying multimedia content from a content provider. The example method includes passing information regarding the multimedia content to a local playback system including one or more multimedia playback devices in response to a trigger. The example method includes facilitating play of the multimedia content via a local playback network associated with the local playback system.

Abstract: Provided are a method, system, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium for extracting a highlight image of video content. A method configured as a computer includes providing video content to a client electronic device; receiving a selection on a partial section of the video content from the client electronic device; storing the selected partial section in association with the video content; and providing the stored partial section in a form of a comment on the video content.

Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for selecting a preferred source of ratings (e.g., Metacritic.com) and integrating the ratings into the electronic program guide (EPG) such as displaying the ratings alongside program listings. By allowing the user to select the source of ratings, the media guidance application ensures that the ratings provided are meaningful to the user. The media guidance application retrieves the ratings from the source of ratings selected by the user and displays the retrieved ratings in the corresponding program listing so that the user may make an informed decision about his or her television viewing. The media guidance application may also incorporate the retrieved ratings into media guidance functions such as setting reminders, scheduling recordings, or recommending programs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing the playback of network media across multiple content playback devices, termed herein as “playback devices”, “clients”, or “client devices”. In one implementation, client devices are controlled to parse and buffer media content separately. Once all clients are ready, a controller may cause the client devices to start in a synchronized fashion based on signals sent by the controller. The controller adjusts the timing of the signal so that the outputs are displayed in synchronization on each client device. In other implementations, device lag times may be measured. In still other implementations, a master device may synchronize playback of media content on slave devices. In yet other implementations, devices may buffer and join playback of media content occurring on other devices. In further implementations, the systems and methods may be expanded to include steps of processing authentication for service providers prior to arranging synchronized playback.

Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced content and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a television input, television output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Content, such music, for example, may be imported from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and provided to the television. While the music is playing, the set-top box may generate and provide to the television a control signal that includes instructions to adjust the brightness of the television by dimming the television.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a content receiver to provide supplemental content, such as news content, personal content and advertising content, to a user. Received data is formatted as supplemental content by the content receiver based on user preference information stored therein, and the formatted supplemental content is transmitted to a content display device. The supplemental content is provided to the user in addition or as an alternative to video content, and may replace or supplement closed captioning content. The supplemental content may be translated into another language and/or converted into audio signals utilizing the content receiver. Systems and methods also utilize a content receiver to translate data such as text data into another language. Text data may, in addition or alternatively, be converted into audio signals utilizing the content receiver.

Abstract: A device and a method for realizing accurate TTML subtitle data display control are provided. A TTML subtitle data storage packet storing TTML subtitle data as payload of a MMT packet defined in the MMT format, and a signaling message including subtitle-related information corresponding to the TTML subtitle data are transmitted from a transmission device to a reception device. The signaling message defines therein a time mode (TMD) as subtitle display timing control mode, and an operation mode (OPM) of selectively performing instant display of subtitles or TTML description-based display thereof, and the reception device can conduct display control in a designated mode.

Abstract: A system and method for the assignment of person-level viewership. The system receives viewership information describing the viewing of video content at a household. The system additionally receives demographic information for that household, including the numbers of persons associated with the household. For each combination of viewers, the system calculates the probability that the viewers viewed the content based on the demographic attributes of those viewers and the probabilities that individuals sharing those attributes would view the content. The system then attributes the viewing information to one or more persons from the household based on the calculated probabilities. The system additionally updates the probabilities that individuals having different demographic attributes would view the content based on the selection of persons.

Abstract: A method of processing an interactive service and an apparatus thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A media guidance application is provided by which users can view program listings associated with programming that the user may access using other user equipment devices. The media guidance application, implemented on, for example, a remote system, may determine through communications with television equipment whether or not the television equipment is authorized to provide a particular package of television programming to be viewed by the user. For example, an online program guide application may determine whether or not television equipment allows a user to view particular channels and, based on that determination, proceed to determine what packages of programming the user subscribes to. A customized program guide may then be displayed based on what programming the user subscribes to on various systems.

Abstract: Bandwidth optimized channel surfing allow users to experience channel surfing without delay between switching channels when buffering delays are a concern. Audio associated with the surfed channel can be presented to the user in full. Video can be presented at lower frame rates per second than for continuous video. Video sampling or channel surfing mode can mean, for example, that 5 frames per second are displayed to the user. Main video viewing mode can display the full 24 or more frames per second that continuous video is presented at. An interface for channel surfing can determine an automatic switch back to full video. This switch back to full frames per second can occur when a user has hovered over a channel being surfed for a pre-determined amount of time. A user interactive selection of the channel can also result in the switch from channel surfing to main video viewing mode.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a monitored display monitors data to be output from a monitored display. The monitored data is analyzed to generate one or more content identifiers. The content identifiers are compared to a set of rules to determine if the monitored data should be blocked from being output or if an alert should be transmitted to a supervisor device. One or more supervisor devices may be used to respond to alerts and may also be used to control the output of the monitored display.