Abstract: A method of delivering video content is disclosed that includes receiving a request at a video content gifting server from a first set-top box device. The request indicates a selection to purchase video content for a second subscriber associated with a second set-top box device. The method also includes sending notification information to the second set-top box device. The notification information indicates that the video content has been purchased for the second subscriber. Further, the method includes receiving viewing preferences data at the video content gifting server from the second set-top box device. The viewing preferences data indicates a particular time that the second subscriber is to receive the video content. Additionally, the method includes sending video content download data to a particular network entity. The video content download data includes instructions to send the video content to the second set-top box device at the particular time.

Abstract: A method and system for reporting a percentage of an advertisement played by a smart appliance is disclosed. The server receives data from a smart appliance. The server detects a marker in the data corresponding to a segment of an advertisement of a session played by the smart appliance. The server maps the marker to a percentage played of the advertisement in the session by the smart appliance. The server reports the percentage played of the advertisement in the session by the smart appliance to at least one tracking element.

Abstract: A content transmission device that is connected to a plurality of external devices including a reproduction device reproducing content data, including a transmitting section transmitting content data to the reproduction device, a detecting section detecting the state of each of the plurality of external devices, a parental level determining section determining for the reproduction device a boundary between a parental level on content data the viewing of which is restricted and a parental level on content data the viewing of which is allowed according to the state of each of the plurality of external devices detected by the detecting section, and a control section controlling transmission of content data from the transmitting section based on the relation between the boundary determined by the parental level determining section and a parental level set on content data.

Abstract: A method and system of facilitating tuning to content and/or signal streams, including capabilities to facilitate tuning when traveling from one geographical location to another where the different geographical areas may be rely on different identifiers to facilitate locating the content and/or signaling of interest.

Abstract: An information apparatus connectable with plural external apparatuses including an audio visual data outputting portion, a command input portion which inputs a command from an external apparatus for requesting audio visual data, an information managing portion which manages a number of external apparatuses to audio visual data can be distributed to be simultaneously viewed or recorded and a controller portion which controls distribution of the data to the external apparatus which sent the command depending upon a distributing condition. The controller portion makes a decision on whether the number of external apparatuses to which data can be distributed is equal to or smaller than a limited number, and controls the distribution of data to the external apparatus based on a result of the decision.

Abstract: A method and system providing enhanced data for visual displays are provided. A remote selector identifies a plurality of objects and sends at least one request to retrieve data about the objects. A server receives the request from the remote selector and retrieves the data about the objects using one or more unique index keys from a database. A display device displays the data provided by the server, and the data concurrently appears with the objects on the display device.

Abstract: Users of portable devices may stream video content to the portable device based on an entitlement determination that includes determining the location of the portable device. A device may receive a request to authenticate the portable device to receive the streaming video content and determine whether the portable device is in a geographic location corresponding to a customer premise of an account associated with the portable device. The video content may be streamed when the portable device is in the geographic location corresponding to the customer premise.

Abstract: An interactive matrixed video channel presented on a monitor, with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time. An interactive matrixed video channel in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell associated with one of the plurality of individual video feeds, and a text box, wherein statistical data is displayed within at least one of the group comprising the plurality of video cells and the text box, the statistical data generated from outside of the interactive matrixed video channel.

Abstract: An information receiving apparatus includes: a communication unit; a storage unit that stores data; a data acquisition unit that acquires distribution data that are received via the communication unit and stores the distribution data in a prescribed storage area of the storage unit that is determined in advance; and a control unit that, prior to the communication unit receiving the distribution data, performs a storage area securing process that secures a storage area by deleting data that are stored in the prescribed storage area of the storage unit or by transferring the data to another storage area of the storage unit.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for providing periodic fee limited access to videos via Internet Protocol Television. Exemplary embodiments include a method for providing video, the method including receiving a request to download a video to a communications device via an Internet-Protocol-enabled connection, determining whether the download is permitted based on a periodic fee arrangement for providing the video to the communications device and providing the video to the communications device in response to a determination that the download is permitted.

Abstract: Systems and methods can include offering a user an incentive for viewing advertising content, delivering the advertising content to the user, monitoring the delivery of the advertising content to the user and awarding the user the offered incentive upon successful completion of delivery of the advertising content to the user. Systems and methods can further include maintaining a database of incentives awarded to the user for subsequent redemption by the user. Systems and methods can further include offering the user an opportunity to identify advertising content preferences, storing those advertising content preferences in a database and using the advertising content preferences to filter the advertising content identified to the user when the user is offered an incentive for viewing advertising content.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a mobile television signal receiver includes a channel history feature. Methods for adding channels to the channel history, tuning channels from the channel history, and generally maintaining the channel history are provided. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for adding a channel to channel history includes a step of adding a selected channel to the channel history if the channel meets a criterion. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for tuning channels includes steps of receiving a useable program signal from a first channel, testing for presence of a useable program from a second channel without interrupting the receiving step, and if the useable program signal from the second channel is detected, tuning the second channel.

Abstract: A method of controlling devices, and which includes converting, via a transmitting apparatus, a signal including at least one of the video/audio and data into a first definition wireless signal, transmitting, via the transmitting apparatus, the converted first definition wireless signal to a receiving apparatus, receiving, via the receiving apparatus, the first definition wireless signal, extracting, via the receiving apparatus, the at least one of the video/audio and data included in the first definition wireless signal, detecting, via a detector on the receiving apparatus, a quality of the received first definition wireless signal, and comparing, via a processor on the receiving apparatus, the detected quality of the received first definition wireless signal with a predetermined value, and transmitting a first command to the transmitting apparatus to transmit a second definition wireless signal including the at least one of the video/audio and data to the receiving apparatus, when the detected quality of th

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable media are disclosed for presenting a simultaneous multimedia experience to a plurality of computing devices, each at different locations. The method involves coordinating a simultaneous presentation of multimedia content to a plurality of computing devices, receiving a control signal from a computer of one of the plurality of computing devices to control the presentation of multimedia content, and broadcasting the control assigned to each of the plurality of computing devices such that a control event substantially simultaneously occurs in the presentation of a multimedia content at each of the plurality of computing devices.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and virtual servers for providing virtual service are provided. A user of a virtual service is authenticated. An input is received that identifies another user in which to operatively connect for virtual service. Permission is requested to operatively connect to the other user. The user is operatively connected to the other user, in response to receiving an acceptance to operatively connect from the other user. Acquired information is transmitted and received between the user and the other user, while broadcast content is being received by the user and the other user. The acquired information and the broadcast content may be displayed together on a television.

Abstract: A mobile broadcast service center and a mobile wireless network to deliver broadcast video to mobile wireless devices. When the mobile broadcast service center receives a request to deliver a broadcast video channel to a target mobile wireless device, it designates as target an intermediate node in the network that serves the target mobile wireless device. The mobile broadcast service center first determines if an existing channel bundle is routed to the target intermediate node. If this first determination is negative, the mobile broadcast service center routes a new channel bundle to the target intermediate node, including the requested broadcast video channel. If the first determination is positive, the mobile broadcast service center then determines if the requested broadcast video channel is in the existing channel bundle. If this second determination is negative, then it adds the requested broadcast video channel to the existing channel bundle.

Abstract: Media system control technology, in which an advertisement on a selected content channel being experienced by a user using a media system is detected, advertisement preferences of the user are accessed from electronic storage, and secondary content is selected based on the accessed advertisement preferences of the user. The secondary content is substituted for the advertisement on the selected content channel, and the media system is controlled to output the secondary content instead of the advertisement.

Abstract: The invention provides an image display method of displaying an image on a projection plane in response to an input video signal. The method includes steps of: emitting each of multiple color lights having mutually different hues; modulating the each of the multiple color lights; controlling light emission amounts of the multiple color lights individually, based on an analyzed result of the video signal; and correcting tone values of the video signal to generate a driving signal, for providing the modulation. The tone values are corrected such that a plurality of luminance profiles of the multiple color lights approximate each other, the plurality of luminance profiles being varied independently by individually controlling the amounts of light emission, each of the plurality of luminance profiles representing a relation between the tone value and relative luminance value for each of the modulated multiple color light.

Abstract: A content hosting system allows content providers to create channels of video content and make them available to users in a marketplace. Users can search or browse for channels of interest, and selectively subscribe to channels. Users can also pay for the right to view premium videos in each channel. The system ranks channels according to the value provided. Generally, users will seek out and subscribe to the highest ranked channels that provide the greatest value. The ranking function allows different providers to compete for the subscriptions of users. Providers can observe their channel's reception in the market by analyzing rankings and usage statistics to adjust channels to maximize channel performance. The system operator can also create bundled channels containing videos from multiple providers, and the resulting subscription revenue can be distributed to the various providers of the videos in the channel.

Abstract: A system and method are described herein for providing an convenient video program start over system and method for a video entertainment distribution network whereby a user may interactively revert back to the beginning of an ongoing video program that is currently broadcasted over the video distribution network. The novel system and method may be implemented on any video network having interactive television (ITV) capabilities, wherein user requests from a client are serviceable at an upstream head end, and video storage means exist for the purpose of storage of time based broadcast video programs. The system preferably utilizes a process that involves a minimally complicated sequence of commands that are easily understood and remembered by virtually any user, thereby enhancing the probability of consumer acceptance. The start over system and method may be embodied as a program of instructions, defining a controller, that are executed by a micro-processor located in the STB (client) or head end (server).