Abstract: A transmitting device for communicating via a multimedia communication link includes a compression circuitry that receives blanking period data corresponding to blanking states of video blanking periods. The compression circuitry compresses the blanking period data into compressed blanking period data. The transmitting device also includes an interface that transmits signals corresponding to the compressed blanking period data via one or more multimedia channels of the multimedia communication link.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and apparatus for encoding/decoding images. The image-decoding method comprises the steps of: receiving a bit stream including information regarding an NAL unit type; and checking whether or not the NAL unit in the bit stream is a reference picture based on said information regarding an NAL unit type and decoding the NAL unit. The information regarding an NAL unit type indicates whether the NAL unit is a reference reading picture or not a reference reading picture.

Abstract: Methods of operating a communications system comprise, in one example, inserting advertising in a program stream by a receiving device based, at least in part, on an encrypted segmentation message embedded in the program steam. The at least one segmentation message defines an expanse of the program stream to receive the advertising. At least one embedded decoy message is included in the program stream, as well. In one example the receiving device, which may be a set-top terminal, for example, is coupled to a display device, such as a television, at a user location. A method of operating a receiving device coupled to a display device at a user location is also disclosed, comprising programming the receiving device to record a program and recording the program based, at least in part, on at least one segmentation message in a program stream. Systems are disclosed, as well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexing and de-multiplexing video data. The method of multiplexing the video data involves syntax to a header of transmission unit data that is used to multiplex a clean random access (CRA) picture used in a random access, wherein the predetermined syntax indicates a reproduction status of the CRA picture, i.e., normal reproduction or reproduction according to a random access.

Abstract: The present application relates to set top boxes and relates to the inclusion of a diagnostic function in the set top box which may be activated remotely or respond internally to the detection of faults or changes in status. The diagnostic function may emulate key presses from an infrared remote control to perform a test.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to join a multicast group having an associated multicast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with a first content type of a plurality of content types, access encoded content associated with the first content type from the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least one source associated with the multicast group to the multicast address, decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for viewing a collection of media objects, such as a video clip and associated responses (video, audio and text), in a seamless way. Provided with a media object and a series of responses and counter responses, a real time media combining methodology is coupled with a text and audio conversion process to generate a media stream, or downloadable media object, that contains the original media object and some or all of the associated responses. The media content is formatted into the stream so that ancillary content, like text associated with a particular video response, may also be displayed. Advertisements may be inserted into the stream between responses or overlaying some portion of the viewing area during rendering of the stream.

Abstract: A system and method for operating an ad extraction and reconciliation system for a broadcast system includes an extraction manager module that receives an advertisement schedule for an advertisement from an ad sales module. The system also includes a controller module that receives broadcast channel schedule data for broadcast channel signal from a broadcast channel system and generating an advertising content data request signal for advertising content data including an advertisement content identifier for the advertisement. The ad extraction manager module forms an advertisement insertion schedule having advertisement content identifier and an advertising insertion spot associated with the advertising content identifier. The controller communicates the advertisement insertion schedule to a broadcast scheduling system.

Abstract: A two-stage context adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) parser is provided to efficiently transcode an input video bitstream that is partitioned into tiles into a non-tiled based video bitstream. A picture of the input video bitstream is partitioned into one or more tiles, each of which has multiple coding tree units (CTUs) according to the HEVC standard. The two-stage CABAC parser parses the input video bitstream in tile scan order in the first stage and generates a list of identified CTUs, whose CABAC state data are saved for the second stage parsing. In the second stage parsing, the two-stage parser parses the same input video bitstream in raster scan order using the saved CABAC state data of the identified CTUs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for low-delay video streaming featuring multiple video compression ratios. One embodiment of the system includes: a real-time video encoder (RT-VE) that receives an incoming high-definition uncompressed video (HD-UV), processes the incoming HD-UV according to first and second compression ratios, and sends the processed video over a resource reservation communication link to a real-time video decoder (RT-VD). The compression delay added by the RT-VE is below the duration of a single video frame, and the RT-VD converts the processed video into an outgoing HD-UV. Wherein on-the-fly switches between the first and second compression ratios, while continuing to receive the incoming HD-UV uninterruptedly, are both visually lossless switches and maintain a total delay between corresponding frames of the incoming HD-UV and the outgoing HD-UV that is below duration of two video frames.

Abstract: Described is a system and method for programmatically determining credits for a video content item. By determining a point at which credits are displayed, a content provider may effectively provide supplementation information in a contextual and non-intrusive manner. In order to determine when credits are displayed, individual frames of content may be decoded and various characteristics of the individual frames may be analyzed.

Abstract: A system for detecting how many users are watching a given media device, including audio/visual output means such as a television or computer monitor, a monitoring device such as a television or computer monitor, a video capturing device, server means, and a programmable database that registers the users watching a given media content during a predetermined time in a given space. Monitoring means continuously scans the given space for new, unregistered users to charge them for viewing the media content. Once users have registered and paid for the media content, the content is released from the system's servers or a third party's servers and displayed on the audio/visual output means.

Abstract: Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: An adaptive screen and video coding system adaptively selects different coding schemes for coding an image block of a screen or video image based on a type of content included in the image block. The adaptive screen and video coding system further includes a screen coding scheme that classifies pixels of the image block into major colors and escape pixels and convert values of the pixels into index values assigned to the major colors and the escape pixels. Since the number of index values is usually less than a normal range of pixel values, using the index values instead of actual pixel values further facilitate compression and coding of the image block, thus improving coding accuracy and efficiency of the screen or video image. In one embodiment, the adaptive screen and video coding system may be used for screen sharing application.

Abstract: A method of enforcing a media content subscription for a media content receiver is presented. In the method, a media content receiver is determined to be a primary receiver or a secondary receiver. If the media content receiver is determined to be a primary receiver, the primary receiver is operated according to a content subscription associated with the primary receiver, and communication with a secondary receiver is attempted. If the media content receiver is determined to be a secondary receiver, and the primary receiver communicates with the secondary receiver, the secondary receiver is operated according to a content subscription associated with the secondary receiver. If the primary receiver does not communicate with the secondary receiver, the secondary receiver is operated at a reduced level than determined by the content subscription of the secondary receiver.

Abstract: A method for scalable encoding of a digital image into a base layer and at least one enhancement layer comprising an up-sampling step providing at least one part of an enhancement layer, based on a corresponding part of a lower layer having a lower level than the considered enhancement layer, the area of said corresponding parts having a scale factor of 4p (p?1), the lower layer comprising at least one Largest Coding Unit divisible into Q smaller Coding Units, said units being further divisible into K Prediction Units called lower Prediction Units. For a Largest Coding Unit of said lower layer not divided into smaller Coding Units, and having Prediction Units of different sizes, the corresponding portion of said enhancement layer, is divided into K subdivisions having substantially equivalent proportions as the Prediction Units of different sizes.

Abstract: A method of providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising: transmitting programming over-the-air to a mobile device by a first facility in communication with a service provider; and receiving by a second facility comprising a wireless access point in communication with the service provider first information based on the programming from the mobile device is provided. A method of providing interactive services to a mobile device, comprising: receiving programming over-the-air by a mobile device from a first facility in communication with a service provider; and transmitting by the mobile device to a second facility comprising a wireless access point in communication with the service provider first information based on the programming is provided.

Abstract: A comment-provided video generating apparatus includes: a display priority calculating unit which calculates a display priority for each of the comments and subject regions to which the comments are provided, based on comment information indicating comments to be superimposed and displayed on a video and display positions of the comments, and user information, by calculating a higher display priority for one of the comments and the subject regions specified by user information; a comment superimposing method determining unit which determines, as a method for superimposing the comments onto a video, an order of displaying the comments and the subject regions such that a comment or a subject region having a higher display priority is displayed at a position frontward than the others, according to the display priority; and an image composing unit which superimposes the comments on the video, according to the comment superimposing method.

Abstract: Information for a video stream indicating whether the video stream includes stereoscopic three-dimensional video data can be provided to a display device. This information allows the device to determine whether to accept the video data and to properly decode and display the video data. This information can be made available for video data regardless of the codec used to encode the video. Systems, devices, and methods for transmission and reception of compatible video communications including stereoscopic three-dimensional picture information are described.

Abstract: A reference picture information decoding unit (13) omits decoding of a reference list sorting presence or absence flag and/or a reference list sorting order based on the number of current picture referable pictures.