Abstract: Methods, systems, and products modify and/or block content. A program is received, along with a default rating of the program and dynamic ratings of portions of the program. A preference is received from memory to at least one of block and modify the program. When a dynamic rating is missing for a portion of the program, then revert to the default rating and block the portion of the program from presentation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing broadcast programming to subscriber locations including an intermediate video supplier, subscriber location equipment and one or more video sources. The intermediate video supplier includes a video buffer and a video server that processes received subscriber requests and retrieves, according to the subscriber requests, either of currently broadcast programming or broadcast programming previously buffered in the video buffer by the video server. The subscriber location equipment includes a remote control and a local control unit that transmits the subscriber requests to the video server via one or more data links and receives, from the video server, the broadcast programming for display on a local video display via the data link. A subscriber may initiate a restart command with a single action via the remote control to restart a currently viewed program from the beginning even if the currently viewed program was joined in progress.

Abstract: Techniques for delivery and presentation/display of audio-visual signals over electronic communications network channels are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a video server for an IPTV system is disclosed. The system includes a video extractor/transporter (shortly referred to as video extractor) for extracting encoded audio-visual signals from at least one video source, and distributing the signals over the electronic communications network channels. The system also includes control logic which can receive control messages from receivers and invoke the video extractor to extract audio-visual signals therefrom.

Abstract: A media processing unit, the media processing unit including: (i) an input interface, configured to receive a second media stream, wherein the second media stream includes first access units and second access units; wherein each second access unit lacks decoding parameters sufficient for full decoding of the second access unit; wherein each first access unit includes decoding parameters required for full decoding of at least one first access unit and of at least one second access unit; (ii) a media-processor, configured to select a selected access unit of the second media stream, and to process the second media stream to provide a processed second media stream by writing into the selected access unit decoding parameters that are responsive to decoding parameters of a previous first access unit; and (iii) a transmitter, configured to transmit the processed second media stream to a splicer.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing broadcast programming to subscriber locations including an intermediate video supplier, subscriber location equipment and one or more video sources. The intermediate video supplier includes a video buffer and a video server that processes received subscriber requests and retrieves, according to the subscriber requests, either of currently broadcast programming or broadcast programming previously buffered in the video buffer by the video server. The subscriber location equipment includes a remote control and a local control unit that transmits the subscriber requests to the video server via one or more data links and receives, from the video server, either of the currently broadcast programming or the previously buffered broadcast programming for display on a local video display via the data link.

Abstract: To provide a video distribution device which can realize a smooth change of reproduction speed without increasing a data transfer rate from the time of a normal reproduction and decrease a decoding load even when the reproduction speed is changed. The video distribution device which distributes a video content composed of a basic signal and one or more extended signals that are hierarchically configured includes content read-out means for reading out the basic signal and the extended signal in the video content at mutually independent bit rates and reproduction speed change means for changing a content reproduction speed by specifying a read-out bit rate for each signal to the content read-out means.

Abstract: Service guide transmission/reception methods and apparatuses for providing users with a service guide supporting multiplay service are provided. Service guide delivery information is received at a terminal. Device class grouping information is extracted from the Service guide delivery information. A Service Guide Data Unit (SGDU) having service guide information required for composing a service guide matched to the terminal is received. The service guide composed using the service guide information received by means of the SGDU is displayed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for the self-provisioning of a feature corresponding to multiple media devices (e.g., set-top boxes). A request to provision a feature on a plurality of set-top boxes is received. It is determined whether the feature is compatible with each of the set-top boxes. The feature is automatically provisioned based on the request and the determination.

Abstract: A method for blackout and retune distribution including receiving a first wide area multiplexed feed, the first wide area multiplexed feed comprising a blacked out feed; and generating a requantized local service feed from a local replacement plus retune service feed, the local replacement plus retune service feed having a retune feed corresponding to a retune programming for the blacked out feed, wherein the requantized local service feed is to be combined with the first wide area multiplexed feed for transmission as a part of an aggregate local outbound traffic. A computer-readable medium, a apparatus and a means for blackout and retune distribution is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention may establish a set top box client based apparatus. The set top box client based apparatus may actively monitor content playback by the set top box. The set top box client based apparatus may subsequently report client playback state for non-managed sources to a service provider's policy or operation support systems (OSS). Embodiments of the invention may recognize that some service providers may use a policy system and OSS, while others will only utilize an OSS for resource management.

Abstract: It is difficult to implement a conventional phase lock loop circuit in a sink device within an HDMI system because the low frequency input causes the conventional phase lock loop circuit to absorb unnecessary noise during a long waiting period. Therefore, the present invention provides a low jitter clock regenerator comprises: an input clock; a divider to divide said input clock into a slower clock; a phase lock loop circuit to regenerate said slower clock to a reference clock; and a parameter transformer to tune said divider and said phase lock loop circuit to increase the adjustment speed of said phase lock loop circuit. The present invention also provides a method to reorganize parameters in order to create new parameters which are better suitable for a clock recovery circuit in a sink device within an HDMI system.

Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a method for routing a signal to a target device. The method may include a control device that may transmit a signal on a first network. The signal may reach devices other than the target device. The devices that receive the signal may recognize that the signal is intended for another device and may transmit the signal on a second network. The signal may be received by the target device via the second network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying an appropriate video signal path is provided for delivery of video-on-demand (VOD) data to a subscriber in a VOD system. The signal path may be a portion of an hybrid fiber optic and cable (HFC) network so that other signal paths in the HFC network may service subscribers in other areas. Because each path need not service every area, the total bandwidth provided by the VOD server need not be provided to every area so that the bandwidth provided to each area can be commensurate with the needs of that area. When a subscriber requests VOD programming, the identification received by the subscriber's terminal from the VOD server is returned to the server along with the request. From the identification, the VOD server may determine the area in which the requesting subscriber is located and the VOD server may then transmit the requested programming to the area in which the subscriber is located for reception by the subscriber.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an image decoding system for a YCbCr formatted signal includes a color space converter capable of representing an RGB image signal with one or two negative image signal components. The image decoding system further includes a degamma correction unit and an image signal formatter. An offset of the image black level from zero corresponding to the image signal offset produced by the color space converter is employed to perform degamma correction. In a further embodiment, gain, offset, and sign are removed from the image signal produced by the color space converter prior to degamma correction. The image signal formatter may utilize a one-dimensional and a three-dimensional lookup table to produce an image signal that may include secondary and white image components. The system advantageously accommodates decoding xvYCC-encoded image data in conventional as well as new hardware display system architectures.

Abstract: A system and a method for facilitating transitions between video streams is provided. The method includes the steps of: (i) receiving a primary video stream that includes a first primary video stream portion and a second primary video stream portion, wherein the second stream portion follows the first primary video stream portion; (ii) receiving a secondary video stream; processing at least one of the primary video stream and the secondary video stream to facilitate a seamless transition, at a multiple tuner device, between the first primary video stream portion and the secondary video stream; (iii) transmitting the primary video stream to a first tuner of the multiple tuner device; (iv) transmitting the secondary video stream to a second tuner of the multiple tuner device; and (v) instructing the multiple tuner device to perform a seamless transition between the first primary video stream portion to the secondary video stream.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus includes a determination unit that determines whether an external apparatus is capable of transmitting broadcast program information about a plurality of channels via a communication unit. When the determination unit determines that the external apparatus is capable of transmitting the broadcast program information, an acquisition unit does not acquire the broadcast program information from the digital broadcast signal. The external apparatus is requested to transmit the broadcast program information. The broadcast program information is acquired from the external apparatus.

Abstract: A content downloading method and apparatus of a mobile device employing an Internet protocol television (IPTV) are provided. The content downloading method and apparatus allow an IPTV to provide a mobile device with content information received from a service provider, allow a user to input content desired to be downloaded to the mobile device, and allow a user to download the content to the mobile device from the service provider via the IPTV, thereby quickly and easily downloading desired content to the mobile device without a complicated process of browsing and copying the content.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a communication system includes a video signal receiver, a video signal output module, a power control signal receiver, and a socket. The video signal receiver is configured to receive a video signal from a first external apparatus. The video signal output module is configured to output, to a second external apparatus, the video signal received from the first external apparatus. The power control signal receiver is configured to receive a power control from the first external apparatus. The power control signal receiver is lower in power consumption than the video signal receiver. A power cable configured to supply power to the second external apparatus is connected to the socket. When the power control signal receiver receives a power control signal for activation, power is supplied to the video signal receiver and the socket.

Abstract: A method and system for providing selective advertising on a television channel is accomplished by downloading appropriate advertisements from an advertising server to a subscriber's set top box over an out-of-band channel. The set top box monitors for events. When an event occurs, the set top box signals the head-end to download ads to the set top box. The ads may be selected using demographic or common channel preference pattern information associated with the set top box.

Abstract: In a two way cable system that includes a controller and a plurality of user terminals, a method of granting rights for upstream data transmission from the user terminals includes processing contention requests to generate contention grants and maintaining a list of connections, each connection having specified therefor a predetermined bit rate. The controller sends a downstream data stream to the user terminals and receives an upstream data stream from the user terminals. The downstream data stream includes a plurality of grant fields, and the upstream data stream includes upstream data slots and upstream control slots.