Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, an apparatus comprises a data storage unit and a data processing unit. The data storage unit is adapted to store a plurality of advertisements. Coupled to the data storage unit, the data processing unit is adapted to detect an operation that alters playback of an advertisement being part of downloaded digital content, and in response to detecting the operation, to select one of the stored advertisements. The selection is based on heuristic information that is maintained for each of the plurality of stored advertisements.

Abstract: A receiver remote controller has a storage device storing electronic program guide (EPG) data that relates content to television channels containing said content. The remote controller is contained in a remote controller housing with the housing containing: a data interface that receives the EPG data provided by an EPG data source for storage in the storage device; a speech interface that receives speech input from a user and produces speech signals therefrom; a natural language speech processor engine that receives the speech signals and translating the speech signals to a query of the EPG database; and a processor that receives results of the query from the natural language speech processor, and either conveys the results of the query to a user utilizing a user interface or sends navigation commands to the receiver. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An automated method of attaching metadata to a segment of content using a programmed processor consistent with certain embodiments involves retrieving metadata relating to the segment of content; rendering the metadata as visually perceptible text in one or more frames of video; appending the one or more frames of video to the video as the first one or more frames of the video to produce metadata enhanced video; and storing or transmitting the metadata enhanced video. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for content substitution, consistent with certain embodiments of the present invention involves receiving data representing content, the data having at least first and second packet identifiers (PIDs) associated with first and second portions of content. The content having the first PID is placed into a data stream. An initiation flag is received indicating initiation of a PID mapping operation. The content having the second PID is then mapped to the first PID and the mapped content is placed into the data stream. A termination flag is received indicating termination of the PID mapping operation at which point the process returns to placing content having the first PID into the data stream. The content substitution process can be used to replace advertisements, provide multiple plots, multiple endings, multiple views as well as other applications. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system for implementing parental control using a plurality of pairs of shutter glasses comprises a digital device and a first and second pair of shutter glasses. The digital device includes a tuner/demodulator unit, a data processing unit and a transmitter. The tuner/demodulator unit receives content being a scene of a program. The data processing unit decodes the scene during playback which includes determining if the scene includes objectionable content that exceeds the plurality of preset ratings on a scene-by-scene basis.

Abstract: A television demonstration method involves providing a television display and a camera; at a computer processor, receiving a video image from the camera, the computer processor capturing the video image from the camera to determine if the viewer makes a predetermined gesture; and retrieving and playing a specified video segment on the display associated with the gesture in response to determining that the viewer has made the predetermined gesture. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention involves an apparatus and method for controlling periodic play back of demo content by a display device. The method comprises monitoring for a triggering event by a presence sensor within the display device. The triggering event involves a detection of a non-moving or slow-moving object remaining in front of the display device for a predetermined period of time. In response to detecting the triggering event, the demo content is automatically played for a first period of time. Thereafter, play back of the demo content is halted after the first period of time has elapsed and play back the streaming advertising content is continued by the display device for a second period of time, and as an option, even if another triggering event is detected during the second period of time. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention involves an apparatus, method and software for automatically controlling periodic play back of demo content. The apparatus comprises a memory, a radio detection logic and a processor. The radio detection logic is configured to detect a first radio frequency signal within a prescribed frequency range and to generate a control signal in response to detection of the first radio frequency signal. Coupled to the radio detection logic, the processor is configured to permit play back of a first type of content for a first time period upon receipt of the control signal where the first type of content is played back in lieu of playing back a second type of content that is normally processed for play back by the processor, to permit play back of the second type of content for a second time period after the first time period has elapsed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention involves an apparatus, such as a television, that comprises a memory, an optical sensor and a processor. The optical sensor is configured to capture at least one image present in front of the apparatus. The processor is coupled to the optical sensor. The processor is configured to (i) analyze the at least one image and determine if the at least one image depicts a specific action, (ii) render a first type of content for a first time period in lieu of rendering a second type of content that is rendered by the processor at times when the specified action is not detected, and (iii) render the second type of content for a second period of time after the first period of time for rendering the first type of content has elapsed, potentially even if another the specified action is detected during the second period of time. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention involves a display device and method for actively managing playback of demo content within a partially-assisted or non-assisted commercial environment. The playback of demo content is activated through detection of an audio triggering event in which playback of the streaming advertising content is temporarily halted. According to this embodiment, after the demo content is displayed, playback of the streaming advertising content resumes and cannot be interrupted for a selected period of time that is normally greater and will not be less than the playback time for the demo content. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain embodiments of identifying a functional command set for an access device that accesses television programming provided by a service provider at a control device involves transmitting a first command from a first command set of a group of possible command sets for the access device to the access device. The first command includes a command that is expected to cause the access device to generate a text containing video frame. A determination is made as to whether the extracted text corresponds to the first command set. The first command set is identified as the functional command set for the access device in response to determining that the extracted text corresponds to the first command set. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A television content delivery system consistent with certain embodiments has a receiver system that receives television content from a plurality of content suppliers. A selective multiple encrypter selectively multiple encrypts the television content, wherein the resultant selectively multiple encrypted content stream is encrypted under at least one conditional access system (CAS) and at least one digital rights management system (DRMS). A transmitter transmits the selectively multiple encrypted television content stream to multiple receivers, so that the selectively multiple encrypted television content stream can be decrypted under either a system using at least one CAS or at least one DRMS. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of decrypting DRM encoded content in a DTV receiver involves receiving an encrypted license from a license server at the DTV receiver; providing a unique identifier for an integrated DTV SoC forming a part of the DTV television receiver; storing a secret key in an electronic fuse memory forming a part of the SoC, where the secret key is generated using an algorithm that utilizes the unique identifier for the SoC; where the received encrypted license is encrypted using the same secret key as is stored in the electronic fuse memory; decrypting the secret key using the key stored in the electronic fuse memory to produce a clear secret key; decrypting the encrypted license using the clear secret key to determine a content key; storing the license; and decrypting the DRM encoded content using the content key. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method and system for altering a presentation of broadcast content is disclosed. Embodiments provide an accurate and efficient mechanism for suppressing advertisements by using downloaded templates to identify advertisements before suppression for a duration indicated by information downloaded about the advertisement, where the suppression is effectuated by controlling a display or set-top box using remote-control functionality. In one embodiment, a digital signal comprising broadcast content is accessed. A plurality of templates are received and stored, wherein each template represents a known portion of the broadcast content. The digital signal is then compared against a portion of the plurality of stored templates. Upon a match, a control signal operable to alter a component of a presentation of the known portion of the broadcast content is generated.

Abstract: A method of segregating a hybrid fiber cable network involves assigning a packet identifier (PID) to each of a plurality of hubs on the hybrid fiber cable network; assigning a distinct decryption method to each of the plurality of hubs, so that each of the plurality of hubs is identifiable by its associated decryption method and PID; generating selectively multiple encrypted content for transmission to the hubs, where content encrypted for use by each hub is identified by the hub's assigned PID; and transmitting the selectively multiple encrypted content over the hybrid fiber cable network to the plurality of hubs. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An HDMI parental control device consistent with certain embodiments has an HDMI receiver that receives an HDMI audio/video stream and produces editable audio/video output data and a logic processor that receives closed caption data and compares descriptors in the closed caption data with a list of descriptors to be censored. When the logic processor detects a descriptor to be censored it causes the audio/video data corresponding to the descriptor to be censored to be altered from the audio/video output data to produce censored audio/video output data and uncensored audio/video output data and then output via an HDMI transmitter. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A recording method consistent with certain embodiments involves monitoring an output from a video source for video signals encoded in a first format; detecting a frame synchronization signal in the video signal; and responsive to detecting the frame synchronization signal in the video, beginning a recording process. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Certain embodiments consistent with the present invention involve a method of selectively encrypting digital video content that involves receiving a plurality of packets containing the digital video content; identifying packets containing start of frame (SOF) headers; inserting padding into the packets containing SOF headers to move the content of the packets containing the SOF headers to a previous or subsequent packet and create padded packets containing the SOF headers; selecting certain of the packets for encryption according to a selection criterion, wherein the selected packets exclude the padded packets containing SOF headers; encrypting the selected packets; and retaining the padded packets containing the SOF headers unencrypted to form selectively encrypted digital video content. Corresponding decoding method as well as encoding and decoding apparatus are also taught. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a method for securing control words is provided. The method includes receiving scrambled digital content in a descrambler integrated circuit. The method further includes receiving an encrypted control word in the descrambler integrated circuit, decrypting the encrypted control word using a key stored in a register circuit of the descrambler integrated circuit, and descrambling the scrambled digital content in the descrambler integrated circuit using the decrypted control word.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, the descrambler IC comprises a local memory to store a unique key and a plurality of process blocks. A first process block performs cryptographic operations on a first mating key generator using the unique key in order to produce a first key. A second process block uses the first key to perform cryptographic operations on a second mating key generator in order to produce a second key. Using the first key and the second key, a third process block decrypts a first encrypted descrambling key in order to recover a first descrambling key and a fourth process block decrypts a second encrypted descrambling key to recover a second descrambling key. The descrambler IC includes a descrambler to descramble the scrambled digital content using both the first descrambling key and the second descrambling key in order to produce digital content in a clear format.