Abstract: A method, performed at a computer system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs executed by the one or more processors, includes receiving respective first set-top box (STB) information from a first plurality of STBs. The first STB information received from a respective STB in the first plurality of STBs includes tuning information for the respective STB in the first plurality of STBs, and power status information for a respective display device coupled to the respective STB in the first plurality of STBs. The method also includes filtering the power status information, and determining a viewership metric for the first plurality of STBs based on the tuning information and the filtered power status information in the first STB information.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for providing media content enhancement. A system for providing enhancement of media content displayed by a presentation unit of the system comprises the presentation unit configured to receive and display the media content, and a content enhancement module stored in a memory of the presentation unit. The presentation unit also includes a processor configured to control the content enhancement module to enhance the media content. A method for use by the content enhancement module comprises reading a context data received by the presentation unit, the context data describing a media content provided for display by the presentation unit, processing the context data to identify the media content, requesting an enhancement data corresponding to the media content, and executing instructions received in the enhancement data to enhance the media content displayed by the presentation unit.

Abstract: There is provided a method device and system for streaming media content to a media presentation appliance. There may be provided an appliance specific media stream generator adapted to derive an appliance specific stream from a multicast media stream. The generator may convert a multicast media stream addressed to a set of media presentation appliances into either (1) one or more unicast media streams, wherein each unicast media stream is addressed to a separate media presentation appliance; or (2) a multicast media stream addressed to a subset of the set of media presentation appliances. In both cases, the media content within the derived media stream may be substantially identical to the media content of the original multicast media stream. The generator may also introduce content (e.g. advertising) into the derived media stream(s).

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and an access device for implementing an IP broadband video service, the method is executed by an access device, includes: receiving a request for demanding a program from the user terminal; checking a right of a user corresponding to the user terminal; if the user has right to demand the program and is the first member joining the program group, sending the request to the multicast router and then sending the user terminal a multicast stream of the program received from the multicast router; if the user has right to demand the program and is not the first member joining the group, sending the multicast stream to the user terminal; the method further comprises: generating a record comprising program information and time information that indicates program join and leave activities and sending the record to a video service support system.

Abstract: A television advertisement system whereby a viewer retrieves product placement contact information for a product, that has been promoted on the viewer's television by using a wireless remote control device. The invention provides the means for a viewer to easily obtain in-hand product contact and detailed information which can then be used at-will. Teletext data, which contains product information, is associated with a product's video signal and is automatically decoded and stored in the television's or TV set-top box's memory. The viewer retrieves on demand the product's teletext data stored in memory by using a remote control device. The product data is transferred to and stored in a remote control device's memory. The data is displayed on the remote's screen. The data stored in the remote control can be used to contact an advertiser for further information, or to purchase a product or service.

Abstract: A method and device for dynamically overlaying two or more video streams uses specialized metadata that are attached to at least one of the video streams.

Abstract: A cable television (CATV) optical transmitter includes a tunable laser having a phase bias input and a gain bias input. The tunable laser generates an optical beam at an output. A semiconductor optical amplifier includes an electrical bias input and an optical input that is optically coupled to the output of the tunable laser. The semiconductor amplifier amplifies the optical beam generated by the tunable laser. An integrated balanced modulator includes an electrical modulation input that receives analog CATV signals and an optical input that is connected to the output of the semiconductor amplifier. A third order pre-distortion circuit includes an output that is electrically connected to a modulation input of the integrated balanced modulator. The 3rd order pre-distortion circuit generates a signal that, when combined with the analog CATV modulation signal, at least partially cancels third order distortions that are introduced during modulation.

Abstract: Arrangements for preparing a television channel for presentation are presented. A set of one or more tuners that are idle may be identified. Being idle may correspond to not being used to receive any television channel data for presentation or recording. An electronic programming guide that indicates programming may be output for presentation. One or more television channels may be selected for preparation. The television channels may be selected based at least in part on one or more electronic programming guide operations and/or prior to receiving user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner, to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the television channels for presentation.

Abstract: A device that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller to provide low loss connectivity to a plurality of coaxial ports over a wide range of frequencies from D.C. to 2 GigaHertz in a coaxial network providing Ethernet networking, detune secondary coaxial splitters in the coaxial network that reduces an output-to-output isolation loss among secondary coaxial splitter output ports, and enable re-distribution of modulated radio frequency video signals from any point on the coaxial network to any alternative point on the coaxial network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for providing notifications relating to a digital video recorder (DVR), may include identifying an issue or conflict associated with the DVR. It may be determined whether to generate a notification message relating to the identified issue or conflict. The notification message may be generated when it is determined to generate a notification message relating to the identified issue/conflict. The notification message may be transmitted to a user device separate from the DVR.

Abstract: A computer system and method for generating event distribution information using an audio file and controlling events corresponding to the user inputs based on the event distribution information. The computer-implemented method includes: extracting a predefined number of event-triggering times from event distribution information, wherein the event distribution information is associated with an audio file currently played on the computer and the event-triggering times are arranged in a sequential order; determining a current play time for the audio file; and controlling event locations corresponding to user inputs on the display of the computer based on a comparison of the current play time and the extracted event-triggering times.

Abstract: An optical low-noise block down-converter for a satellite television system is disclosed. The optical low-noise block down-converter includes a first down-conversion module coupled to a satellite antenna of the satellite television system for converting a vertically polarized signal received by the satellite antenna into a first intermediate frequency signal, a second down-conversion module coupled to the satellite antenna for converting a horizontally polarized signal received by the satellite antenna into a second intermediate frequency signal, and a third down-conversion module having a first input terminal coupled between the satellite antenna and a first down-converter of the first down-conversion module and a second input terminal coupled between the satellite antenna and a second down-converter of the second down-conversion module for draining out part of the vertically polarized signal and the horizontally polarized signal to combine and convert into a legacy electrical signal.

Abstract: Arrangements for preparing a television channel for presentation are presented. A tuner of a television receiver may tune to a first television channel and the first television channel may be output for presentation. One or more idle tuners of the television receiver may be identified. One or more television channels other than the first television channel may be selected for preparation. The one or more television channels may be selected prior to receiving user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the one or more television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner of the one or more idle tuners, to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation.

Abstract: A computerized method is disclosed for presenting advertising data extracted from a video data stream, the method including storing a plurality of advertising data items extracted from the video data stream at an end user device; and displaying a plurality of sorted advertising indicator data items at the end user device, wherein each of the advertising indicator data items indicates one of the plurality of stored advertising data items. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed providing a functional and structural interrelationship between a processor in the system and data in the data structure.

Abstract: A broadcasting receiver and a method of determining an operation mode of broadcasting receiver are disclosed. A host device transmits the resource information including A-mode resource information. And a POD receives the resource information and determining an operation mode based on the received resource information and operation mode setting information. The broadcasting receiver can protect content data received from all the transfer protocols including the wired/wireless network and the IP protocol, using the conditional access provided from the conventional cable card. The broadcasting receiver determines whether the host supports the A-mode and determines a method for receiving broadcast data, such that the operation mode of the broadcasting receiver can be properly established according to the determined result.

Abstract: A broadcasting receiver and a method of determining an operation mode of broadcasting receiver are disclosed. A host device transmits the resource information including A-mode resource information. And a POD receives the resource information and determining an operation mode based on the received resource information and operation mode setting information. The broadcasting receiver can protect content data received from all the transfer protocols including the wired/wireless network and the IP protocol, using the conditional access provided from the conventional cable card. The broadcasting receiver determines whether the host supports the A-mode and determines a method for receiving broadcast data, such that the operation mode of the broadcasting receiver can be properly established according to the determined result.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing bandwidth utilization in a cable network. In one embodiment, the method comprises predicting which content will be requested by a set of users based upon the exhibited viewing habits of those users (and/or others). A server process gathers viewership data comprising a listing of programs requested by users at various times of the day. The server process aggregates the viewership data, identifies patterns within the aggregated data, and extrapolates a schedule of programs likely to be requested. In certain embodiments, the server process additionally gathers the capabilities of each cable device in an associated subnetwork. Based upon these capabilities, and based upon the total bandwidth predicted to remain available in the network over a target broadcast period, the server process may also select an optimal compression scheme and video quality level before broadcasting a certain program.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for generating an output signal includes a receiving system 160 generating a plurality of signals having a first format, an encoder 182 encodes the plurality of signals into a plurality of transport streams and a multiplexer 210. A local area network 130 routes the plurality of transport streams to the multiplexer 210. The multiplexer 210 combines the transport streams to form a combined signal and inserts a digital video effect into the combined signal. A modulator 214 modulates the combined signal to form a modulated signal. A system 202 forms the output signal from the modulated signal.

Abstract: An automatic content recognition (ACR)-enabled connected TV device may be associated with a paired device and the paired device may comprise a browser. The ACR-enabled connected TV device may be operable to enable, utilizing an ACR system, the browser to display, within a section of a browser window, interactive content related to certain content being presented by the ACR-enabled connected TV device. The ACR-enabled connected TV device may be operable to enable, utilizing the ACR system, a viewer to interact with the interactive content. The section of the browser window may be changed dynamically. The certain content may comprise an advertisement of a particular product and the interactive content may comprise a link to a website and/or other information related to the particular product. The certain content may comprise a program associated with a network and the interactive content may comprise information on polling questions related to the program.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream on the display. In response to receiving the first request, the electronic device displays the first video stream on the display. While displaying the first video stream on the display, the electronic device receives a second request to display a second video stream on the display. In response to receiving the second request, the electronic device displays at least a portion of the first video stream on the display concurrently with at least a portion of the second video stream, where the second video stream was received, at least in part, from a content source in response to a request from the electronic device to the content source for delivery of the second video stream from the content source.