Abstract: Providing a program guide for digital and analog broadcast television channels specific to a geographic region. A computing device sends a program guide request including a geographic identifier to another computing device. In response, the other computing device filters a master program guide as a function of the geographic identifier to create the requested program guide. The created program guide includes a call sign, physical channel, major channel, and content listing for each of the digital broadcast television channels. In one embodiment, the digital broadcast television channels conform the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) standard.

Abstract: Instant messaging (IM) and TV programming are displayed simultaneously on a TV screen. An instant messaging window on the screen displays posted messages and identifies the TV program (if any) being currently viewed by each user posting messages. An icon accompanying a message can be selected by a message recipient to permit a telephone call to be automatically dialed and completed to the message sender. Video files attached to sent messages include a key which may be compared to a key at the destination, so that the video file may be viewed by the recipient only if the there is a match. Data collected at a server managing the instant messaging may be used to monitor message, television and telephone activity, as well as demographic data associated with the IM users.

Abstract: A method for enabling at least one of a plurality of user devices to provide a service flow is described. In one example, a code is transmitted to a home identification device (HID) to be combined with an HID identification number. The combined response, which is comprised of the code and the HID identification number, is then transmitted from the HID and received by the user device(s). If the combined response is equivalent to at least one predetermined match key, which is stored in the user device(s), that user device(s) provides the service flow to a respective television(s).

Abstract: A home server including a contents storage unit storing contents, a control unit acquiring first section information from an information supply apparatus, a generating unit generating second section information, and a section information storage unit storing pieces of first and second section information by correlating them with contents. The information supply apparatus including a storage unit storing a plurality of pieces of first section information corresponding to a plurality of contents, and an extracting unit extracting pieces of first section information corresponding to the contents stored in the contents storage unit from the storage unit and supplying the extracted pieces of first section information to the home server.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for use in controlling the display of information relative to the playback of programming content and displaying programming guide data. Some embodiments provide a method for use in controlling the display of an electronic programming guide. The method receives programming guide data, determines whether the guide data is to be filtered, filters the guide data to replace at least a first title with a generic title, determines whether limits are to be applied to the guide data, applies the limits to the programming guide data by replacing at least a second title with the generic title, and displays a programming guide according to programming guide data as filtered and as limited. Some embodiments further display progress bars for one or more active applications. Trick commands can be implemented by applications by selecting one or more of the displayed progress bars.

Abstract: Techniques are described for detection of repeated video content to reduce an amount of high bandwidth traffic transmitted across a network from a video source device to remote subscriber devices. In particular, the invention relates to a first intermediate device capable of recognizing patterns of video content and sending a communication to a second intermediate device that transmits a cached version of the video content. In this way, the first intermediate device does not have to resend the high bandwidth video content over the network. The network may comprise any private or public network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for detecting a channel change event are disclosed. The disclosed methods and apparatus detect a channel change event by monitoring an audio signal of an information presentation device such as a television system. The monitored audio signal is tested for certain characteristics indicative of a channel change event. In some information presentation devices, changing channels produces an audible “pop” sound. In other information presentation devices, the “pop” sound produced by changing channels is muted by the information presentation device. Once a channel change event is detected, an audience measurement system may automatically determine what program is on the information presentation device. Alternatively, an audience member may be prompted to manually enter what program is on the information presentation device.

Abstract: A technique for automated analysis of multimedia, such as, for example, a news broadcast. A Broadcast News Editor and Broadcast News Navigator system analyze, select, condense, and then present news summaries. The system enables not only viewing a hierarchical table of contents of the news, but also summaries tailored to individual needs. This is accomplished through story segmentation and proper name extraction which enables the use of common information retrieval methodologies, such as Web browsers. Robust segmentation processing is provided using multistream analysis on imagery, audio, and closed captioned stream cue events according to a finite state model indicative of the presentation class.

Abstract: This invention relates to a digital broadcast receiver device capable of performing excellent reproduction equivalent to recording sessions in the case of receiving digital broadcast by handheld terminals or mobile/movable bodies, such as land vehicles, and then recording it in a storage device for reproduction. For example, when recording hierarchically transmitted digital broadcast on a recording medium, the reception quality is analyzed by a reception quality analyzer based on the information from a transmission path demodulator. A list generator generates a reception quality list from an analysis result from the reception quality analyzer and time information from a writing unit and then records it on the record medium. Upon playback from the record medium, the reception quality list is analyzed by a list analyzer. A selection instruction unit selects the optimum hierarchical service and then performs playback and display.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiver and a decoding method are discussed. According to an embodiment, the DTV receiver includes: a receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcasting signal including a plurality of extended text tables (ETTs) that appear in transport stream packets having common PID values, each ETT comprising a section header and a message body, wherein the section header contains a table identification extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT, and wherein the message body includes an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT; and a program and system information protocol (PSIP) decoder for detecting the table identification extension field to determine uniqueness of each ETT and detecting at least one pertinent ETT from the plurality of ETTs using the determined uniqueness of each ETT.

Abstract: A method for selecting a broadcast program is conducive for worldwide or global use. According to an exemplary embodiment, the method includes steps of receiving a first user input representing a first digit associated with the broadcast program, storing first data representing the first digit within one of a first predetermined time interval for a first region and a second predetermined time interval for a second region, and processing the first data for selecting the broadcast program.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiver and a decoding method are discussed. According to an embodiment, the DTV receiver includes: a receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcasting signal including a plurality of extended text tables (ETTs) that appear in transport stream packets having common PID values, each ETT comprising a section header and a message body, wherein the section header contains a table identification extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT, and wherein the message body includes an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT; and a program and system information protocol (PSIP) decoder for detecting the table identification extension field to determine uniqueness of each ETT and detecting at least one pertinent ETT from the plurality of ETTs using the determined uniqueness of each ETT.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) receiver and a decoding method are discussed. According to an embodiment, the DTV receiver includes: a receiving unit for receiving a digital broadcasting signal including a plurality of extended text tables (ETTs) that appear in transport stream packets having common PID values, each ETT comprising a section header and a message body, wherein the section header contains a table identification extension field that serves to establish uniqueness of each ETT, and wherein the message body includes an extended text message (ETM) which provides detailed descriptions of a virtual channel or an event associated with each ETT; and a program and system information protocol (PSIP) decoder for detecting the table identification extension field to determine uniqueness of each ETT and detecting at least one pertinent ETT from the plurality of ETTs using the determined uniqueness of each ETT.

Abstract: In order to maintain continuity before and after interruption of a streaming broadcast, a receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes: a reception unit which receives data on a stream broadcast; a memory which is capable of storing a predetermined amount of the received data on a stream broadcast; a data processing unit which processes the data on a stream broadcast to generate video data for the stream broadcast; a video output unit which outputs the video data to a display apparatus; and a detection unit which detects interruption point data indicating a position where the stream broadcast should be interrupted out of the received data on a stream broadcast; when an abnormality is detected, the output of the video data is stopped at a position instructed in the interruption point data detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: Screen for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array of irregular cells, which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells, if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen as the cursor moved from a cell of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to conflict management resolution. Typically systems for resolving conflicts between television programs with coinciding broadcast schedules use preferences, a confusing and limited display, or a combination thereof. The present invention, on thee other hand, provides for determining time spans or time slices, that indicate the duration of the conflict, and uses these to determine the available recording options. These can then be displayed in a user friendly interface, that is easy to understand and simple to use. In addition, other example embodiments ensure that the various programs and/or available options are capable of being cycled through, regardless of preference settings.

Abstract: Reporting data related to content processing devices, e.g., television devices, are processed to identify channel tunes and corresponding tune times of the content processing devices. Automatically generated channel tunes based on the corresponding tune times are identified. Content items that are aired during a time period defined by the corresponding tune times can be adjusted.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) signal for use in a DTV receiver includes an extended text table (ETT) which includes a header and a message body. The header includes a table identification extension field which serves to establish uniqueness of the ETT, and the message includes an extended text message (ETM). If the ETT is an event ETT, the table ID extension field includes an event identification which specifies an identification number of an event associated with the ETT. On the other hand, if the ETT is a channel ETT, the table identification extension field includes a source identification which specifies a programming source of a virtual channel associated with the ETT. A section-filtering unit included in the DTV receiver is able to use table identification extension fields of a plurality of ETTs for section-filtering a pertinent event or channel ETT from the ETTs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that support variable play speed control for media streams. The variable play speed control for media streams discussed herein provides an end-to-end solution for media stream delivery, playback, and user interface that enables end users and software developers to dynamically control the playback speed of media streams without losing the ability to comprehend the media content.

Abstract: The present invention is described by an electronic program guide with a calendar tool, and a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving the electronic program guide. The apparatus includes a transmission station and a plurality of receiver stations. The transmission station creates program guide data that is in an “object” format. The transmission station combines the program guide objects with digital audio and video television signals, and transmits an output stream to the plurality of receiver stations. Each of the plurality of receiver stations stores electronic program guide objects. Using data from the electronic program guide objects, the plurality of receiver stations generate a listing of television program representations, and a calendar image separate from and adjacent to the plurality of television program representations.