Abstract: Methods and apparatus to adjust signature matching results for audience measurement are disclosed. An example method to adjust a signature matching result associated with monitoring a media presentation disclosed herein comprises obtaining, from a monitoring device, an audio signature representative of the monitored media presentation, obtaining, from the monitoring device, an environmental characteristic associated with the audio signature, and adjusting the signature matching result using an adjustment value when the audio signature is determined to match a reference signature representative of reference media, the adjustment value being selected from a plurality of adjustment values based on the matched reference signature and the environmental characteristic.

Abstract: A television system allows a viewer of a text-enhanced television program to pause the program at a particular frame, browse the enhancements at his or her leisure, and then resume viewing the program from that frame, without losing continuity of the video and enhancement portions of the program, or program content. This is accomplished by time-shifting the television program for later playback. Time-shifting is accomplished through the use of mass storage devices such as semiconductor memory, optical disks, magnetic storage and other FIFO data storage structures. Markers are available that allow the viewer to return to the program at the point that he stopped watching, replaying the program from that point. Text enhancements are provided through the VBI present in a conventional television broadcast signal, through an Internet connection, or by a wireless means such as a pager or cordless telephone.

Abstract: Video content is identified by a source component via a processor from a plurality of media sources. The media sources can comprise a wireless broadcast media channel, a web site, a web data feed, and/or a wired broadcast channel for communication via a personalized video channel. A profile component can determine user profile data that includes user preferences associated with a first client device for the video content and the plurality of media sources. A control component can generate a set of viewing controls associated with the user profile data that control transmission of the video content via the personalized video channel. A streaming component is configured to communicate the set of predicted video content from the plurality of media sources to a mobile component via the personalized video channel based on the set of viewing controls and the user profile data.

Abstract: A content processing device is configured to receive data requested according to a specified parameter and also to receive an incoming video signal, and is further configured to receive a request to purchase at least one item after providing a data interface and at least a subset of the requested data for display on a video display.

Abstract: Methods and systems enable receiver devices to receive electronic coupons from mobile TV broadcast service providers. Coupon templates may be broadcasted to mobile devices. Coupon templates may be used to communicate with coupon managers to receive digitally signed coupons. Coupon managers may use received data to create digitally signed coupons for delivery to receiver devices via a unicast networks. Digitally signed coupons may also be broadcasted to receiver devices. A receiver device may verify received electronic coupons using the digital signature to identify those coupons intended for them. The electronic coupons may be redeemed at a point of sale. Merchants may locally verify coupons using their digital signature. Coupon digital signatures may be generated using a chain of X.509 certificates leading to a root X.509 coupon-signing authority to enable recipients to confirm that coupons originated from a trustworthy entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for displaying an electronic program guide in a 3D rendered landscape. Program blocks, each having a channel and a program time, are displayed as vertical blocks within the 3D rendered landscape. Channel information blocks are also displayed, one for each distinct channel of the program blocks. The EPG may be perused by navigating within the 3D rendered landscape. Flags are provided for highlighting program blocks which satisfy a user-specified criterion, such as favorite show. Perspective within the 3D rendered landscape allows many program blocks to be displayed, with program blocks for farther channels being compressed. The flags allow a user to see that there is a program of interest in the distance, and to navigate towards the associated program block in order to obtain further details.

Abstract: A method for receiving a measurement report includes: transmitting, by an apparatus including a coexistence manager (CM), a measurement request message for acquiring a measurement report from at least one device that uses a channel in a TV band to a coexistence enabler (CE); and receiving, by the apparatus, a measurement response message including the result of the measurement results from the CE. The measurement request message includes a first element indicating which of a primary detection, a detection of a device that uses the TV band, and a channel load measurement is requested. The measurement request message includes at least one of a start frequency, an end frequency, a channel list, and a measurement time related to the measurement, and the measurement report includes at least one selected from among the result of primary detection, the result of the detection of the device that uses the TV band.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling registered users to select and purchase video sessions from a network to be viewed from any video display devices connected to the network are disclosed. Specifically, these purchased video sessions can be stored within the network and accessed from any viewable display device connected to any video endpoint device at any time upon the users' request. In one embodiment, the stored video sessions can be downloaded and recorded onto a recording medium for future use.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing media options over a network. In one embodiment, the media options are presented in conjunction with a promotion or advertisement for particular content. The precise ones of a plurality of disclosed options that will be presented may be determined based at least in part on a campaign established by a content management entity and a current availability of the content. For example, certain media options may only be made available for content that is currently available, while other options may be only available for content available at a future date/time, or during a particular time window. Rules for determining which options are to be provided in conjunction with which content and/or advertisements are established and by a content management entity, such as an entity of a multiple systems operator (MSO).

Abstract: A profile provider: (i) associates a set of devices (including two or more online devices and possibly a set-top box); and (ii) delivers an advertisement targeted using profile information associated with one of the online devices. The advertisement is presented along with media content. If the media content is viewed using a single-viewer display, then profile information is used that is associated with an online device used to select or receive the media content. If the media content is viewed using a multiple-viewer display, then profile information is used that is associated with an online device used to select, receive, or present the media content or with an online device associated with one or more of those online devices.

Abstract: Video loop apparatus and methods for use with digital television systems are disclosed. The methods and apparatus store a media file loop in a receiver and retrieve the media file loop to generate a video loop signal based on the media file loop. The video loop signal is output for display to a television, a video monitor or the like.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first media data and audience identification data, the audience identification data being collected by prompting audience members in the monitored household to self-identify using a meter while the audience members are exposed to first media provided by a first media system. Audience member behavior is developed data based on the first media data and the audience identification data. The meter is deactivated after the audience member behavior data has been developed. Second media data is collected after the audience member behavior data has been developed without collecting audience identification data, the collecting of the second program identification data occurring while the audience members are exposed to second media. The audience members associated with the second media data are identified based on the audience member behavior data.

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: Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter by compensating for optical dispersion over the fiber optic network.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system for in-stream advertising on an internet connected device comprising: at least a media streaming server adapted to stream media content in relation to a request from said internet connected device, said media streaming server further adapted to read and stream a concatenated file containing said media content and in-stream advertisement, on said internet connected device, in a single request from said internet connected device; at least an adinsert module adapted to concatenate said fetched advertisement and said media content; and at least a file writer configured to write said concatenated file containing fetched said media content and said in-stream advertisement in a single file in order to enable said media streaming server to read and stream said concatenated file on said internet connected device in a seamless manner.

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 system and method for wirelessly transmitting audiovisual information. Training information may be stored in a memory. A plurality of packets may be generated, including the training information. The plurality of packets may also include audiovisual information. The plurality of packets may include first information identifying a first training pattern of a plurality of possible training patterns. The first training pattern may specify one or more locations of the training information in the plurality of packets. The first information may be usable by a receiver to determine the first training pattern of the plurality of possible training patterns. The plurality of packets may be transmitted in a wireless manner.

Abstract: A system and methodology provide for automatic generation of thumbnail images of a video stream of images from a television channel. A still frame image of the video stream of the channel is captured. A plurality of content filters is applied to the still frame image to determine whether the image is suitable for display. Images can be filtered for offensive content, defective content, or advertising content. A filtered image that is appropriate for display is selected and stored. If the still frame image is inappropriate for display, a default thumbnail image is selected. The selected image is stored as a thumbnail image in association with EPG data for the television program. The thumbnail image and EPG data are sent for display to a viewer.

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: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adapting playback bit rate in a content delivery system based on scene complexity of the video content as well as network conditions and other performance factors. A scene complexity map of the video content indicates the complexity levels of different scenes within the video content. Using the scene complexity map, a content player may download scenes of lower scene complexity levels from video streams encoded to lower bit rates to manage the bandwidth consumed to download the video content and allow for the downloading of scenes of higher complexity levels from video streams encoded to higher bit rates.