Abstract: A system and method is provided where, in one aspect, a user signals that the user is interested in a particular image being displayed as part of a video, wherein objects in the image are detected and recognized, and wherein an action is taken based on information associated with the recognized objects. By way of example only, the actions may include recording a show (with or without a user's prior confirmation) or displaying information about a product in the image.

Abstract: A system that enables an event or moments within an event to be captured and provided in a record that preserves at least some aspects of the participant's perspective of the event. In particular, the present invention involves centralized recording of the event in one or more modes including video, audio, and still image recordings and a system that enables a participant (i.e., one who perceives the event) to select portions of the event recording substantially contemporaneously with the event occurrence. A personalized record is made by duplicating the selected portions from the event record. In a particular example, the personalized record is recorded on a digital media such as a compact disc (CD) or digital video disk (DVD) or the like.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and receiver devices enable broadcasters with restricted content license areas (e.g., Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”) to distribute content via Over the Top (“OTT”) IP networks. Embodiments enable client reporting and authentication as well as broadcast content encryption. In an embodiment, information from the client may be reported back to the broadcasters, such as a view history/use report. In an embodiment, hand off between DMAs may be enabled. In an embodiment, local advertisement insertion in network content may be enabled. Embodiments may enable Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (“MBSFN”) operation across DMA boundaries.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system includes a resource manager (501) in communication with a central storage server (502), a back office system (503), and a plurality of edge servers (504). The resource manager can receive (523) a video-on-demand session request 524) requesting delivery of content (529), read (525) a content allocation register (520) that includes a popular asset list (301) with a plurality of content assets ranked (314) by highest demand (314) within a predetermined past usage window (316) and an edge server list (302) indicating which edge servers have delivered each content asset of the popular asset list. The resource manger can then Select (526) a selected edge server (527) from the content allocation register as a function of the popular asset list and the edge server list and cause (528) the selected edge server to deliver (529) the content in response to the video-on-demand session request.

Abstract: A video file system for an aircraft carrying a person having a personal electronic device (PED) for displaying video files includes a ground-based video server and an aircraft-based video system. The ground-based video server stores video files, with each video file being updatable from an available status to an unavailable status. The aircraft-based video system copies video files from the ground-based video server while the aircraft is on the ground. A determination is made, via communications with the ground-based video server and while the aircraft is on the ground, whether a given video file has been updated from the available status to the unavailable status. The PED is permitted to display the given video file if it has the available status, and is not permitted to display the given video file if it has the unavailable status.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for television channel selection, including a television controller operatively connected to an electronic memory and configured to process a video selection script. The television controller is also operatively connected to the television and to a television network comprising a plurality of channels. Also provided is a script authoring tool for authoring a video selection script in a Web-based scripting language by a viewer. The television controller is further configured to select a channel to display on the television based on the video selection script and to dynamically update the video selection script based on the occurrence of an event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provides an advertisement queue (ADQ) allowing users (i.e., potential advertisement viewers) to temporarily store a limited number of electronic advertisements for later viewing as an alternative to completely dismissing all advertisements as irrelevant. For example, the electronic advertisements include, but not limited to, online advertisements and television advertisements. In one or more embodiments, a user's ADQ is allocated to store a maximum number of advertisements, referred to as queued advertisements. When the ADQ is full or reaches a pre-determined percentage of maximum entry count, the user is offered to view a queued advertisement in the ADQ, to select a category of advertisement for future queuing, and/or to clear the ADQ.

Abstract: Near real time downloading and verifying of a subscriber's remote record request is provided to control a DVR using the existing satellite network. The insertion of the programming request into the continuous broadcast stream enables near real time processing of the request by a subscriber IRD to accommodate same day and even last minute remote programming requests. The use of a back channel to verify the request provides the subscriber with assurance that the request has been processed successfully and flexibility to change services on the fly.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for the synchronization of media streams. In an embodiment, a gross synchronization may first be performed on the media streams, using the broadcast delays of the streams. A refined synchronization may then be performed, taking advantage of corresponding visual or audio cues in each stream. In the event that the media streams represent the same content (e.g., the same content from different providers), matching momentary actions in the video media streams may be used to achieve refined synchronization. In the event that the media streams are different (e.g., different broadcasts of the same event), other cues may be used to achieve refined synchronization, where these other cues are part of the underlying event but independent of the particular broadcasts. Examples of these latter cues may be the sound of a referee's whistle or the crack of a bat hitting a baseball.

Abstract: Techniques for scheduling transmission of video streams in a network are described. It may be determined whether an amount of data in a buffer of a wireless transceiver is above a threshold. A first video stream and a second video stream are buffered using the buffer. The first video stream is associated with a first transmission schedule. If determined that the amount of data is above the first threshold, a characteristic of the first video stream may be compared to a characteristic of the second video stream. The first video stream may be selected based, at least in part, on the comparison of the characteristic of the first video stream to the characteristic of the second video stream. The first transmission schedule of the first video stream may be modified upon selecting the first video stream.

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: A real time system to televise sporting events from amongst the players on the playing field is disclosed. Sports paraphernalia that are ordinarily used by the players on the playing field are instrumented with a variety of TV cameras, microphones, and bi-directional communication electronics. Sports paraphernalia like footballs, ice hockey pucks, baseball first bases, baseball second bases, baseball third bases, baseball home plates and baseball pitcher's rubbers are disclosed. The instrumentation is built into and contained within the sports paraphernalia themselves. The instrumented sports paraphernalia televise signals to an antenna array relay junction, which relays the signals to a remote base station where they are processed and finally broadcast to a TV viewing audience. The cameraman in the remote base station exercises command and control over the functions of the instrumented sports paraphernalia.

Abstract: Exemplary perspective display systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a perspective display system acquiring visual data representative of a camera view of a user space associated with a display screen, determining, based on the visual data, a position of a user within the user space, identifying, based on the position of the user, a viewable region of an image, and displaying, on the display screen, the viewable region of the image, the displayed viewable region of the image representing a perspective view of the image based on the position of the user. In certain examples, the method further includes the perspective display system detecting a movement of the user to another position within the user space and updating the display on the display screen in real time in accordance with the movement to display another viewable region of the image on the display screen.

Abstract: There is provided methods and apparatus for enabling a fast channel change for a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) system. A channel change processing unit for enabling a channel change in a DSL system includes a demultiplexer and a selector in signal communication with the demultiplexer. The demultiplexer is for receiving a normal stream and a channel change stream. The selector is for receiving a channel change request and for sending the channel change stream in response to receiving the channel change request. The channel change stream coded pictures are of a lower quality than the normal stream coded pictures.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for controlling a presentation of media content are provided. In accordance with some embodiments, methods for controlling a presentation of media content, the methods comprising: causing the presentation of the media content to begin; measuring an elapsed time of the presentation of the media content; determining a first threshold based on at least one of: a characteristic of a person; a characteristic of a current point in time; and a characteristic of the media content; determining if the elapsed time of the presentation has met the first threshold; and ending the presentation in response to determining that the elapsed time of the presentation has met the first threshold.

Abstract: System and methods are presented for providing an interface to select advertising slots in an advertising campaign. In some embodiments, a user equipment device generates for display a plurality of cells in a grid arrangement. Each cell is associated with an advertising slot corresponding to a content source and a time period, and each cell includes a representation of an audience of the associated advertising slot. The user equipment device receives a user selection of a first cell of the plurality of cells, a function is executed with respect to a first advertising slot associated with the first cell.

Abstract: Sensing interfaces associated with a home entertainment system are used to automate a system response to events which occur in a viewing area associated with the home entertainment system. Data derived from such sensing interfaces may also be used to enhance the response readiness of one or more system components. Still further, user presence data derived from such sensing interfaces may be used to capture and report user viewing habits and/or preferences.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and arrangements for accomplishing trick modes. This is achieved by assigning samples within a track to sample groups, wherein all samples within a sample group belong to one temporal level and by allowing the client to access one temporal level independently of lower temporal levels. In this way, the flexibility for the client regarding play out of different frame rates is increased which can result in a lower bandwidth utilization.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented media service system presenting a first user interface view within which a presentation of a media program is provided for experiencing by a user, determining that the media program is included in a first set of curated media programs associated with a first theme, identifying a second theme that is different than the first theme, detecting a theme shift event that occurs in association with the presentation of the media program, and switching, in response to the theme shift event, from presenting the first user interface view to presenting a second user interface view for experiencing by the user, the second user interface view related to a second set of curated media programs associated with the second theme and unassociated with the first theme. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The image output apparatus includes an output unit that outputs content data indicating video content, and a control unit that controls the output unit to cause the output unit to output image data instead of or together with the content data when the output unit is outputting the content data. The image data is for prompting a user to measure to obtain the body information indicating a body condition of the user using an external apparatus.