Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to perform pre-operations at a media device in anticipation of an occurrence of a user action. An exemplary embodiment receives an in-use signal from an electronic device that is remotely proximate to the media device, wherein the received in-use signal corresponds to a user interaction with the electronic device; and performs the pre-operation at the media device. The pre-operation is performed prior to receiving an initial user action configured to operate at least one of the media device and a media presentation device coupled to the media device.

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: One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system or method for detecting an image within a video component of a multimedia presentation on a distribution system. In general, the system or method may analyze one or more frames of a video component of a presentation to detect the presence of an image within the one or more frames that matches or approximates one or more images stored in a searchable database. Once detected, the system or method may compare one or more features of the potentially matching image with the collection of images. If the potential image matches or approximates an image within the searchable database, the system or method may provide a selectable link within the multimedia presentation that links the detected image with associated information concerning the image. Such information may be presented on a display device to the viewer of the presentation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mirroring and transcoding media content are provided. In some embodiments, media content stored on a user equipment device is mirrored on a remote server, and the mirrored copy is transcoded and provided to other user devices in a media content format that is appropriate for the user devices. By so doing, the present invention not only provides a convenient and easy way for users to backup media content and access the media content from virtually any device, but also reduces the complexity and costs associated with maintaining reliable and consistent access to media content across various user devices.

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: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing correlated programming information for broadcast media content and streaming media content. In one implementation, a processing device receives first programming information that includes scheduling information for media content originating at a first source. The processing device correlates the first programming information with second programming information, the second programming information including scheduling information generated based on a current time for a media content item originating at a second source. The processing device provides the second programming information as correlated with the first programming information.

Abstract: Various arrangements for modified channel surfing are presented. Viewing habits of users of a television receiver may be monitored. A preferred television channel list indicating a plurality of preferred television channels based on the monitored viewing habits of users of the television receiver may be determined. User input requesting a channel surfing mode change to a preferred television channel mode may be received via a remote control. The channel surfing mode may be set to the preferred television channel mode. A channel up command or channel down command may be received by the television receiver from the remote control. A first television channel may be selected from the preferred television channel list in response to: the channel up command or channel down command; and the television receiver being set to the preferred television channel mode.

Abstract: Improved techniques for video watermarking are described. In one embodiment, for example, an apparatus may comprise a processor circuit and a watermarking module for execution by the processor circuit to generate disabled video content through modification of a video content item, send a common stream comprising the disabled video content, and send a private content key for the disabled video content, the private content key defining a watermark for the video content item. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system are described for transmitting a television program signal. A portion of a local frequency spectrum may be determined to be free, or relatively unused. A user selection of a television program or broadcast programming channel may be received from a program lineup in an electronic programming guide. The selected program may be selected from a gateway, translated, and transmitted over the portion of the frequency spectrum determined to be free. The translation may include converting a signal from the gateway into a National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) signal or a mobile TV signal.

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 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: A server structure (101) includes one or more multicast servers (106). An analytics engine (207) determines one or more channel maps (217) identifying a group of channels that will be delivered by the multicast servers across a network (104). The analytics engine determines the one or more channel maps as a function of both historical data corresponding to one or more client groups (204,205,206) operating in one or more zones (201,202,203), and optionally from near real time data such as electronic program guide metadata provided by an electronic program guide metadata manager (213). A flap detector (210) can determine one or more flapping thresholds (405,406,407) identifying channels in the group of channels delivered by the multicast servers, as well as whether channels having flapping frequencies greater than the flapping threshold should remain in the group of channels delivered by the multicast servers.

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: A transmission rate acquisition unit acquires the transmission rate of a network. A predictive transmission structure setting unit sets a transmission structure including a basic hierarchy and a supplementary hierarchy. A first transmission unit transmits basic video image coding data of the basic hierarchy. A memory unit stores supplementary video image coding data of the supplementary hierarchy. A second transmission unit transmits the supplementary video image coding data stored in the memory unit. A transmission control unit controls the second transmission unit according to the transmission rate.

Abstract: A transport stream provider for providing a plurality of transport stream packets describing digital media information is configured to provide a transport stream packet of a first packet type including a program association table and key information for decrypting encrypted media information. The program association table contains an association between a program No. and a packet type identifier of a further transport stream packet of a second packet type. The transport stream provider is configured to provide a transport stream packet of the second packet type in such a manner that the transport stream packet of the second packet type contains a reference to packet type identifiers of transport stream payload data packets which describe contents of different content types of the digital media information.

Abstract: A multi-view video prediction method and a multi-view video prediction restoring method. The multi-view video prediction method includes generating a base layer image stream including residual values of I-picture base view key pictures and base view images of a base view by performing inter prediction between the base view images; and generating an enhancement layer image stream comprising residual values of additional view images of an additional view by performing inter-view prediction for predicting the additional view images with reference to the base view images, performing inter prediction for predicting a different additional view key picture with reference to an additional view key picture from among the additional view images, and performing inter prediction for predicting an additional view image other than the additional view key picture with reference to the additional view images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a playlist of series assets and systems and methods for grouping assets of a playlist in clusters are provided. In one embodiment, series assets may automatically be included into a playlist for that series. In another embodiment, an interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters based on one or more user selected parameters or may group assets in cluster based on automatically determined parameters. In yet another embodiment, the interactive media guidance application may group assets in clusters and display at least one identifier in connection with each cluster to indicate a basis for forming the cluster. The identifier may be a key word or catch phrase that succinctly identifies a trait or characteristic of assets in a particular cluster associated with the identifier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing the distribution and delivery of content within a content-based network based on e.g., business or revenue considerations. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network that utilizes a Global Session Resource Manager (GSRM). The GSRM processes subscriber program viewing requests to identify options available to fulfill the request (including, e.g., providing free on-demand (FOD), standard definition on-demand (SVOD), and/or high definition on-demand (HDVOD) content), and evaluate these options to determine the one that optimizes network revenue or profit. The GSRM performs this identification and evaluation process by considering various parameters including network resource (e.g., bandwidth) availability, and different revenue and profit implications for different classes of service, the individual or collective demographic or other profile of network subscribers, and other business or operational rules programmed by the operator of the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a conflict between viewing selections of two users before viewing a media asset. In some aspects, the method comprises receiving an audio input through an audio channel, detecting a first utterance from a first user and a second utterance from a second user in the input of the audio channel, parsing the first utterance and the second utterance, analyzing the first utterance and the second utterance to determine context about the first media asset and the second media asset, and presenting a conflict to the users to display on the media asset.

Abstract: A method, and an associated system, for sending to a first group of recipients only the content portions of a continuity source data-flow which takes the form of ordered, successive, alternating content and non-content segments. From a methodologic point of view, the invention involves, in a manner which utilizes content-segment material buffering, delivering fully, and in correct order, to the first recipient group the material in each content segment, via steps including (a) bridging each gap between next-adjacent content segments at least partially with transmitted injection material that differs from the non-content segment material in the gap, which injection material ends in time no sooner than the end of the gap, and (b) employing, as needed, and as a part of such full delivering of content-segment material, time-progressive, time-length-variable buffering, and subsequent, progressive buffer-delivering, of any content-segment material which overlaps in time with the transmission of injection material.