Abstract: Set top boxes (STBs) in a cable system are configured on a box-by-box basis to facilitate beta and trial testing of new or updated services. STBs are assigned to deployment groups identified by a deployment group identifier. Features configurations including hierarchies of features can be defined individually for different deployment groups. Configuration files for provisioning the STBs are provided by a cable system head end according to the deployment group the STB is assigned to. STBs can be configured at the time they boot and register with the system or in a “hot” manner to avoid rebooting.

Abstract: The present application provides transferring channel allocation tables for receiving radio frequency services. Automatic updating channel allocation tables is provided by storing within at least one central database at least one channel allocation table, storing within each of a plurality of distributed consumer electronic devices at channel allocation table for receiving the radio frequency services, and transferring the channel allocation tables between the central database, and the distributed consumer electronic device via a bidirectional communication link.

Abstract: There is provided a method for guiding viewer selection of television content. The method comprises receiving a request for delivery of television content from a remote system; establishing an identity of the remote system; accessing a viewing history corresponding to the remote system in response to receiving the request; identifying a desirable subset of content items from available television content based upon a first plurality of discrimination criteria including the viewing history; determining a display subset of content items from the desirable subset, to be provided for selection by the remote system, according to a second plurality of discrimination criteria including the viewing history; and delivering an interface to the remote system for enabling a viewer of the remote system to select content items from the display subset.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a message in an interactive television system, comprises receiving at a receiver unit a video stream including video data and a timing stream indicative of the timing of the video data; receiving at the receiver unit an instruction from a user to transmit a message from the receiver unit and in response to the instruction forming the message so as to include a timing indication based on current data from the timing stream; and transmitting the message from the receiver unit.

Abstract: Method and arrangements for providing personal media content of a first user (A) to a device used by a second user (B). A personal TV channel is created (1:1) for the first user as a program with media content by an IPTV portal (100) in a device used by the first user. The created personal TV channel is published (1:2) and stored (1:3) at an IPTV server (104) serving the first and second users. Then, the personal TV channel is introduced (1:7) as an available channel in an electronic program guide (EPG) provided by the IPTV server to the device (104) of the second user. When the second user selects the personal TV channel from his/her electronic program guide, the program with media content is delivered (1:8) from the IPTV server to the second users device.

Abstract: According to this invention, a user may capture a media link on any PC and perform this capture function at any physical location, then save the media link in a playlist, and subsequently play the media located at the media link on a TV server. The TV server may be controlled from a local device—typically a PC or a handheld remote control. Playlists may be maintained on a Web playlist function. Software on a local controller device can then select a media link from a Web playlist through the Internet, and the Web playlist function can then pass that link to a local TV server, thus avoiding the need for the controller device and the TV server to communicate through a LAN. Additionally, a playlist may include targeted advertisements shown physically adjacent to related playlist items.

Abstract: A system, method and various user interfaces enable visually browsing multiple groups of video recommendations. A group of video recommendations includes a central video and a set of related videos displayed at its corresponding display distance from the central video and from each other. The corresponding display distance of a video is calculated as a function of the video's recommendation score and correlation with other videos of the group. The recommendation score is generated based on a weighted covisitation measure. Visually presenting recommended videos to a user provides a quick and intuitive way to find videos of interest and visualize the browsing of the recommended videos.

Abstract: A broadcasting recording apparatus for making a recording reservation with good usability includes a batch recording accepting unit for accepting a batch recording reservation based on an operational input accepted via a remote controller, the batch recording reservation being an operational input for making a set of recording reservations of TV programs corresponding to a TV program recorded in a predetermined period of time that is set in advance, a name extracting unit for extracting recorded program name information from a video storage unit when the batch recording reservation is accepted, the recorded program name information being program name information of the TV program recorded in the predetermined period of time among video information stored in the video storage unit, a TV program decision unit for deciding whether or not the electronic program guide includes program name information matching with the recorded program name information, and a recording reservation unit for making a recording reser

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing interactive television services and for switching between television programs, such as to an interactive program session from another program. An interactive server, capable of providing requested interactive video services to a set of subscribers in a given geographic area, is coupled to a network to which subscriber set top boxes are also coupled. Television programming, which may be furnished by any number of sources, is accompanied by a signal that indicates the availability of other programming, such as interactive television service related to the program being viewed, as well as information to be used in requesting such service. The user, when notified by this signal, may input to the set top box a request for a second program, such as an interactive program or application. The identity of the original program channel is stored, and a session with the video service provider is established over the network.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at a set-top box device first video content associated with a requested channel from a first source. The method includes, in response to receiving the first content, requesting second video content associated with the requested channel from a second source. The method includes, in response to receiving the second video content, determining whether at least one data packet associated with the requested channel was not received based on a comparison of first data packets corresponding to the first video content and second data packets corresponding to the second video content. In response to a determination that at least one data packet was not received, sending a retry request to the first source. The retry request includes an overhead bandwidth factor.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying digital broadcast signals are disclosed. The method displays a broadcast signal, transmitted from a portable terminal having a digital broadcast receiver, on an external device having a decoding unit. When the external device transmits a digital broadcast playback request and selected channel information, the portable terminal controls the digital broadcast receiver to select a broadcast channel according to the selected channel information, demultiplexes a broadcast signal of the selected broadcast channel, and transmits the demodulated broadcast signal. The external device classifies the demodulated broadcast signal as audio, video, and broadcast information, decodes the classified signals and plays them back.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for improved media distribution. More specifically, this disclosure sets forth methods and systems for distributing video to a third party.

Abstract: A system is provided for the storage of content on a network and the delivery of content to subscriber locations. The system includes routers and subscriber set-top boxes in communication with each other and a main content source. Content is delivered over a packet-switching network according to a peer to peer file distribution protocol and is stored in a storage area of the subscriber set-top box, such that each subscriber set-top box is configured to transmit and receive content to and from the main content source and other set-top boxes connected to the network. The set-top boxes may identify a preferred source of content based on various factors, such as geographic distance, Internet Protocol (IP) distance, available bandwidth, integrity of the content, etc. An associated method for accessing content and a set-top box for facilitating the storage and delivery of content are also provided.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for efficiently distributing video content. A peer-to-peer network and a content distribution network are used in combination to distribute video content. A content distribution network relies on servers distributed across the Internet to achieve high quality content delivery at a high cost. A peer-to-peer network distributes content among peers without incurring server side cost but may experience poor performance. The peer-to-peer network and the content distribution network are leveraged in a manner that achieves high content delivery and low cost by allowing the peer-to-peer network to serve as much content as possible while using the content distribution network to bootstrap the content in the peer-to-peer network and using it as a fallback whenever the peer-to-peer network has insufficient bandwidth, insufficient quality or when the missing piece of video content in the video buffer of the client device has an immediate deadline.

Abstract: To apportion desired video processing between a video source device and a video sink device, at one of the devices, and based upon an indication of video processing algorithms of which the other device is capable and an indication of video processing algorithms of which the one device is capable, a set of video processing algorithms for achieving desired video processing is identified. The identified set of video processing algorithms is classified into a first subset of algorithms for performance by the other device and a second subset of algorithms for performance by the one device. At least one command for causing the other device to effect the first subset of video processing algorithms is sent. The one device may be configured to effect the second subset of algorithms.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for efficiently distributing video content. A peer-to-peer network and a content distribution network are used in combination to distribute video content. A content distribution network relies on servers distributed across the Internet to achieve high quality content delivery at a high cost. A peer-to-peer network distributes content among peers without incurring server side cost but may experience poor performance. The peer-to-peer network and the content distribution network are leveraged in a manner that achieves high content delivery and low cost by allowing the peer-to-peer network to serve as much content as possible while using the content distribution network to bootstrap the content in the peer-to-peer network and using it as a fallback whenever the peer-to-peer network has insufficient bandwidth, insufficient quality or when the missing piece of video content in the video buffer of the client device has an immediate deadline.

Abstract: A system that delivers live broadcast media to consumer devices, including a system for enabling devices without native capabilities such as internal bulk storage and stream processing, to have command and control of live broadcast streams, has been provided. This is achieved through intercepting and converting the normal service provider channel mapping data to a new channel map which points to a software system that delivers command and control of live broadcast media, and implementation of a software system which can receive a channel change protocol, establish a command and control session with the device, convert the channel map protocol to the original format, tune in, receive, convert and process the live stream so that it can be delivered to the requesting device and in turn be controlled by user interaction with that device or the software system. A corresponding method is also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow users to tag a multimedia program or stream with data or pointers to external information related to content of the multimedia program. Users in a social network may tag various aspects of the content, such as a particular actor, a type of car, jewelry, a location, a phrase, etc. This tagging information may then be linked to various websites that provide further information about the tagged content and may be keyed to video offset times.

Abstract: A server apparatus used in a system that delivers, to a reception apparatus via a network, a commercial stream of a content prior to a delivery of a main-program stream of the content, the server apparatus including: a reproduction control information storage section to store reproduction control information for the commercial stream, that includes at least first setting information that sets whether to restrict a trick reproduction in the reception apparatus; and a reproduction control information transmission section to extract, in response to a first reproduction control information acquisition request from the reception apparatus, the reproduction control information for the commercial stream from the reproduction control information storage section and transmit the reproduction control information for the commercial stream to the reception apparatus.