Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing information to a first client device (e.g., a tablet computer) for presentation on that device. The information may be related to multimedia content (e.g., a television program) that may be presented using a second client device (e.g., a television). Firstly, an activity level for a portion of the multimedia content is determined. Using the activity level, an amount of the information is assigned to that portion of the multimedia content. The amount of the information assigned is dependent on that determined activity level. The assigned information is then provided for use by (e.g., for display on) the first client device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of operating a secondary device in a manner associated with operation of a primary device including obtaining first information corresponding to a media asset being output by the primary device, processing the first information to determine local media-signature information, transmitting the first information for receipt by a server, receiving secondary information from the server, wherein the secondary information includes a plurality of asset-media signatures that respectively correspond to respective portions of the media asset, attempting to determine a time-based correlation between at least one portion of the local media-signature information and at least one of the asset-media signatures, and outputting one or more portions of time-relevant asset streams from the secondary device, the one or more portions being determined at least indirectly based upon the correlation.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for generating or selecting bookmarks for a multimedia presentation. These bookmarks may be encoded with the multimedia presentation into a multimedia container, which may then be transmitted to an end-user device. Also, these bookmarks may be made available to an end-user device over the Internet. Each bookmark may demarcate a content event and may comprise semantic information for that content event. Bookmarks may be generated automatically (e.g., by performing a media-analysis process) reviewed by a human. The end-user device may use the bookmarks to perform a trick play (e.g., semantic trick play) on the multimedia presentation.

Abstract: One provides (101) a media source bundle (200) as pertains to a given subject matter of interest to at least one end user. This media source bundle can comprise, for example and at least in part, content source locations for each of a plurality of independent content sources that each offer content regarding the given subject matter and wherein at least some of these independent content sources are associated with mutually non-compatible electronic content-delivery modalities. (In such an application, the media source bundle will be understood to not comprise the content itself.) These teachings will then provide for transmitting (102) a message that comprises, at least in part, this media source bundle to one or more corresponding end user recipient platforms (303).

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider processor (201) receives (101) audio-visual content from at least a first content provider (203), which audio-visual content is to be distributed to end users (205) of the audio-visual content service provider processor. That audio-visual content service provider processor then facilitates distribution (103) of the audio-visual content to the end users (pursuant, for example, to a corresponding broadcast schedule). This audio-visual content service provider processor also receives (104) metadata that comprises conditions regarding the audio-visual content.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider (200) processor (201) receives (102) an end user (203) selection of at least one particular Internet media content channel via an audio-visual content service provider-end user interface. The audio-visual content service provider then provides (103) on-demand access to this at least one particular Internet media content channel to this end user as a selectable viewing channel along with other televised audio-visual content channels. By one approach, the audio-visual content service provider can receive the described end user selection via a browser-based interface.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider (400) processor (401) receives (101) at least one on-demand broadcasting request for particular audio-visual content from an end user (405). The processor then determines (102) at least one future time at which the on-demand broadcasting request can likely be satisfied and provides (103) a corresponding dynamic programming guide to the end user that comprises, at least in part, this at least one future time.

Abstract: An audio-visual content service provider processor (201) receives (101) audio-visual content (302) from at least a first content provider (203), which audio-visual content is to be distributed to end users (205) of the audio-visual content service provider processor. That audio-visual content service provider processor then facilitates distribution (102) of the audio-visual content to the end users (pursuant, for example, to a corresponding broadcast schedule (304)). This audio-visual content service provider processor also, however, locally records (104) the audio-visual content, in the absence of any corresponding specific requests from the end users, to thereby hold a recorded version of the audio-visual content for subsequent re-broadcasting to the end users.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a predictive motion search in a video encoder system using motion vectors representing the difference in coordinates of a macroblock of data in a current frame of video data and coordinates of a related macroblock of data in a reference frame of video data. A plurality of motion vector predictors is obtained where the motion vector predictors represent approximations of possible motion vectors for a current macroblock. A search pattern is defined. Each motion vector predictor of the plurality of motion vector predictors is searched around using the search pattern. A final motion vector is then determined.

Abstract: A processor (10) utilizes information regarding one or more physical dimensions of an individual (14) to better inform a personal identification process. In one embodiment, the measured physical dimensions are utilized to influence the conduct of a face recognition process. In one embodiment, a Bayesian Belief Network can be utilized to facilitate such processes.

Abstract: A network element of choice receives (101) information and uses (102) that information to develop a content search query. That network element then instigates (103) a content search using the content search query and receives (104), in turn, content search results comprising a plurality of content items. Profile information for a plurality of playback platforms is then accessed (105) and used (106) to identify which of the content items are best played back on particular ones of the playback platforms.

Abstract: An object detection algorithm that generates a two-layer Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) during a training session, and subsequent to the training session, uses the two-layer GMM to perform face detection. No labeling of local features is needed. The only input that is provided by a user is the setting of a few global parameters for the image being captured during the training session, such as, for example, the person's facial pose.

Abstract: A compressed binary schema representation object for metadata processing and a related method are provided. The compressed binary schema representation provides savings in bandwidth and processing requirements as compared to textual schema representations. The binary schema representation makes it possible to select and decode only desired schema elements without the need to parse the entire schema.

Abstract: A video encoding system (200) provides content adaptive rate control that includes a visual analyzer (208) utilizing at least one visual analysis tool for processing a video frame to provide visual information describing the video frame. An encoder (204) generates encoding status information relating to the video frame being processed. A rate controller (206) is responsive to the encoding status information generated by the encoder (204) and the visual information generated by the visual analyzer (208) to generate a rate control adjustment signal. The encoder (204) is responsive to the rate control adjustment signal for encoding the video frame.

Abstract: A system and a method for recording a broadcast being displayed on a mobile device. The system includes a mobile device (102), a server (104), and a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) (106). The mobile device receives and displays a broadcast. Further, the mobile device generates a first information pertaining to the broadcast and sends it to the server. The server, on receiving the first information, generates a second information, and then sends the second information to the DVR. The DVR, on receiving the second information from the server records the broadcast.

Abstract: A method and system for encoding a video sequence is provided that generates a temporally scalable video sequence comprising a plurality of frames. The method comprises classifying (102) a frame into a suitable class, the suitable class being selected from a set of predefined classes. Once a frame is classified, it is encoded (104) by means of a buffer, wherein the buffer includes separate storage for storing frames of different classes. A reconstructed version of the encoded frame is then stored (106) in the buffer. The method steps are iteratively repeated for each frame of the video sequence.

Abstract: A search system (200) for a database (224) including records having a multiple disparate types of media is provided. The search system supports queries, that include different types of search criteria, including content based retrieval search criteria. A fuzzy logic method (400) is provided for effectively combining the results of different types of search criteria. The fuzzy logic method also allows confidence levels entered by the user for search criteria to be considered in combining results. Retrieval relevance values for documents for at least some search criteria are used in the fuzzy logic method. For content based image retrieval searches, the retrieval relevance values are computed by mapping a distance between quantitative characterizations of a search basis image, and other images into a finite range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the quality of a block match for a candidate motion vector in a video encoder system using motion vectors representing the difference in coordinates of a macroblock of data in a current frame of video data and coordinates of a related macroblock of data in a reference frame of video data. The method can include defining a search pattern, searching a region based on the search pattern for a candidate motion vector for evaluation, calculating a difference metric, calculating a bias based on the difference between a predictor motion vector and a candidate motion vector, determining a modified difference metric by adding the difference metric to the bias, and defining a final motion vector based on the modified difference metric.

Abstract: Meta-data retrieved externally is determined to be relevant to the creation of an electronic programming guide (EPG) or relevant to a user's preferred programs. The meta-data is stored locally if it is determined that it is relevant to the creation of the EPG or if it is relevant to the user's preferred programs. All other meta-data is discarded. When a user requests meta-data, an attempt is made to retrieve the data from a local database, and if the attempt fails, then the meta-data is obtained from an external source.

Abstract: At least one visual significance metric is determined (12) for at least some frames belonging to an original series of frames (11). Key frames are identified (13) as a function, at least in part, of the visual significance metric. Cumulative visual significance values are then determined (14) for at least some of the frames that intervene between each pair of key frames. These cumulative visual significance values are then used to identify (15) frames of additional content interest. Various frames are then selected (16) for use in a visual summary. In one embodiment, all of the key frames and frames of additional content interest are selected for inclusion in the visual summary.