Abstract: A method for providing channel information is illustrated. The method includes: receiving a command for switching channels when a first channel content is displayed on a display unit; determining whether the command indicates a continuous switching mode or a discrete switching mode; displaying the first channel content and descriptive information of a plurality of channels being switched until a second channel among the channels being switched is selected at the continuous switching mode; displaying preview information of the second channel to replace the first channel content and loading the second channel content when the second channel is selected at the continuous switching mode or when the second channel is switched according to the command at the discrete switching mode; displaying the second channel content when loading completed. The data quantity of the preview information is larger than that of the description information.

Abstract: A multimedia processing device (MPD) includes a relevance engine that is adapted to track a user's viewing preferences over time and to automatically determine which of the programs available in a given time slot is most probably preferred by that user. The relevance engine can then create a sequential play list, with each entry in the list corresponding to the program the user most likely wants to watch at that time. The user can thus be provided with a personalized multimedia channel (PMC) with the play list providing the program for each time slot. The user may be enabled to “tune” to the PMC like any other channel. When the user “tunes” to the PMC, the MPD will take the appropriate action to display the program selected by the PMC.

Abstract: In some example embodiments, a television transmission that a user is viewing at a given time is determined and a website that the user is viewing at the given time is also determined. A first advertisement transmitted at the given time on the television transmission is further determined and a second advertisement transmitted on the website is synchronized with the first advertisement transmitted at the given time on the television transmission.

Abstract: A set top box computer system for delivering video content is provided. The set top box computer system includes a memory device configured to store channel information including a channel identifier and a video source for each of a plurality of video content channels, a user input interface configured to receive a channel selection, and a processor coupled to the memory device and the user input interface, the processor configured to acquire video content based on a comparison of the channel information and the channel selection, the video content acquired from a corresponding video source located on the Internet, the processor further configured to transmit the video content to a media display device such that the transmitted video content is displayed on the media display device without displaying other content from the corresponding video source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling IP service subscribers to share media contents with other IP service subscribers or Internet users in either a secured or open fashion are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention enables the sharing of home movies, pictures, and other media contents, where media could be stored media or media created in real-time. Namely, the present method allows IP service subscribers to effectively create their own TV station, e.g., complete with stored or live content programming and content scheduling. In turn, the method allows a viewing subscriber to select and view a shared media program created by another subscriber.

Abstract: A direct broadcast system having a high altitude communication device that transmits broadcast signals, which are received by an antenna, is provided. The system includes an outdoor unit (ODU) electrically coupled to the antenna. The ODU includes a low noise block converter (LNB) that receives and amplifies the broadcast signals. An ODU receiver is electrically coupled to the ODU and selects a desired frequency of the broadcast signals. Integrated receiver and decoders (IRD(s) are electrically coupled to the ODU receiver via a single distribution cable. The IRD(s) convert the broadcast signals into IRD output signals. Methods of performing the same are also provided, herein, including a transport select method and a service select method for receiving the broadcast signals. A direct broadcast system installation method and wireless communication between the ODU and the IRD(s) are also provided.

Abstract: A set-top box is constructed including a processor, an input port, an auxiliary input port, and an output port. The input port is electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to receive first control signals from a remote control. The auxiliary input port is also electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to receive second control signals from an auxiliary remote control and send the second control signals to the processor. The output port is electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to send graphical representations of a remote control to a display. The processor is configured to compose a graphical representation of the remote control, receive a second control signal, modify the graphical representation of the remote control in response to the second control signal, and send the graphical representation to the output port for display.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.

Abstract: A method of detecting missing devices in a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub includes obtaining a registration of at least one device that includes a source device. An instruction is received from a user to present program content from the source device. A set of one or more sink devices missing from the home entertainment system for a presentation of the program content based on an assessment by the wireless home entertainment hub of presentation capabilities of the home entertainment system using the at least one device registered with the wireless home entertainment hub is determined. The set of one or more sink devices is presented to the user.

Abstract: An isolation device isolates a transport medium internal to a customer premises from a transport medium external to the customer premises such that operational changes to one of the internal and external transport media do not affect the other of the internal and external transport media. A first interface communicates with the external transport medium and a second interface communicates with the internal transport medium. An addressable set-top box external to the customer premises receives encoded telecommunication information from the external transport medium and generates television signals from the encoded telecommunication information for transmission over the internal transport medium.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to identify exposure to three dimensional media presentations are disclosed. An example method includes detecting a first brightness level with a first sensor and a second brightness level with a second sensor at a first time. A third brightness level is detected with the first sensor and a fourth brightness level is detected with the second sensor at a second time later than the first time. A 3D media counter is incremented when either: the first brightness is greater than the second brightness and the third brightness is less than the fourth brightness, or the first brightness is less than the second brightness and the third brightness is greater than the fourth brightness. The media is identified as 3D media when the 3D media counter exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor, verify, and rate the performance of airings of commercials are disclosed. An example method includes receiving an identification of an advertisement that was presented on a media presentation channel at a time, receiving ratings information for the media presentation channel associated with the time period, identifying a buy order for the received identification, receiving a purchased ratings value associated with the buy order, comparing the purchased ratings value to the ratings information, and displaying an indication of whether the ratings information is less than the purchased ratings value.

Abstract: Ad insertion includes providing a multimedia applications gateway that is connected to an access gateway for an end user device and receiving, at the multimedia applications gateway via the access gateway, multimedia program content. The multimedia applications gateway converts the program content from a program media source into a first communication having an open standards protocol recognized by the end user device. The ad insertion also includes receiving directly, at the multimedia applications gateway from an advertising media source, multimedia advertising content. The multimedia applications gateway converts the multimedia advertising content into a second communication having the open standards protocol. The second communication is stored in a local memory of the multimedia applications gateway.

Abstract: A method and system for replacing at least one item in a source string compiled at a TV set-top box for conveying via a TV communication infrastructure. A TV communication gateway receives the source string from the TV set-top box, parses the source string and identifies at least one item that requires replacing. Such item may be incorrectly spelled or the TV communication gateway may run an application that translates the source string to a foreign language. For each item that requires replacing, the TV communication gateway determines at least one replacement item, compiles data which it forwards to the TV set-top box. In the case of a spell-check program, the data may be an XML list including for each incorrectly spelled item a list of alternatives. The list of replacement items relating to the selected item is displayed, allowing a user to select a desired replacement item.

Abstract: A mobile electronic device is provided. The mobile electronic device comprises a radio receiver, an application that selects a message, and an output device to present the message. The radio receiver receives the message broadcast in a television spectrum band. The application, when executed on the mobile electronic device, selects the message for presentation on the mobile electronic device based on at least one of a location of the mobile electronic, a history based user profile associated with the mobile electronic device, and a selection criteria input into the mobile electronic device. The output device then presents the message.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A system for determining the authenticity of a received channel via an Internet port of a smart TV having (a) a first streamer for receiving a channel A via said Internet port, and forwarding a respective video stream of the channel to a synchronizer; (b) a second streamer for receiving a same channel A via a traditional port, and forwarding a respective video stream of the channel to said synchronizer; (c) said synchronizer synchronizing between the two streams, and outputting the two synchronized streams respectively to a correlator; and (d) said correlator correlating between corresponding frames of the stream, and when a similarity above a predefined threshold is determined, declaring channel A as received via the Internet port as authentic; otherwise, if a similarity below a predefined threshold is determined, declaring by the correlator that channel A as received via the Internet port is non-authentic.

Abstract: The present invention achieves wireless delivery of media streams to portable devices for providing media information related to a show or attraction for the purposes of captioning, language translation, and assistive listening. As a person moves about a venue, the device receives infrared or radio signals from transmitters at venue locations. The device decodes each signal as venue location, event time, or device trigger for presentation on the device. The device memory contains audio, text, graphics and device playback may contain one or many of these stored contents. The stored content is synchronized with the user's location, time of travel, time of day, time of a show, or an event in a show and may be in one or many languages. Presentation of stored content on the device may also be altered by user preference, stored logic constraints, automatic learning of user behavior, or user interaction with other devices.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are techniques to enable users to purchase or receive information regarding items identified in a stream output by a content output device, regardless of whether the users are previously associated with the content output device or a device that monitors the stream. With these techniques, for instance, a user watching a video stream displayed on a television may see an advertisement for an item offered for purchase. In response, the user may choose to initiate a purchase of the item from an item offering service, to add the item to a shopping cart of the user at the item offering service, or to receive information regarding the item from the item offering service.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying and/or measuring usage of media data gathered at a user location using remote decoding and/or pattern matching techniques. A data set is formed based on the media data, which includes some, but not all, of the information represented by the media data. The data set is communicated to a remotely located processing system for detecting a code based on the data set and/or conducting a pattern matching process based on the data set.