Abstract: A method of processing television content metadata in a communications system. The system includes a consumer device (e.g., a set-top box and/or television) in communication with an auxiliary display device (e.g., webpad). A broadcast television channel video image signal and the metadata are received by the consumer device. A single video image frame of the broadcast television channel video image signal is captured when a predefined indicator is detected in the metadata. The metadata is modified by changing the predefined indicator to an image identifier associated with the single video image frame. The single video image frame is converted to a well-known format, and the consumer device sends the modified metadata and the converted single video image frame to the auxiliary display device for display thereon.

Abstract: A method for transmitting and receiving data over a shared access carrier network with a plurality of user devices is provided. The user devices each have a modem associated therewith and a network interface for communicating over a local network. The method begins by transmitting a query from each one of the user devices over the local network requesting remaining ones of the plurality of user devices to specify available resources pertaining to shared access carrier network connectivity capabilities of the modem associated therewith. A reply is received over the local network in response to the query from each of the remaining user devices. Based on the replies from each of the remaining user devices, at least one of the user devices is selected to serve as a master device that provides connectivity to the shared access carrier system through which the other of the plurality of user devices transmit and receive data.

Abstract: The present invention provides multi-device distributed digital video recording systems and methods. The present invention enables digital recording devices on a cable plant to share resources. A plurality of networked digital video recorders are provided. A requesting digital video recorder (DVR) on the network may be capable of broadcasting a request to a plurality of DVRs seeking resources of a dormant DVR. At least one dormant DVR on the network may be capable of providing a response to the requesting DVR indicating its availability of resources. The requesting DVR may then select a granting DVR from the dormant DVRs with available resources (i.e., those DVRs that responded to the request). A session may then be established between the requesting DVR and the granting DVR. Once the session is established, the resources of the granting DVR may be made available for use by the requesting DVR.

Abstract: A media presentation device converts media signals based on stored output settings. The media presentation device includes a sink-interaction port to at least partially receive device-specific information of a sink device, a data storage and a processor. The processor determines whether one of the plurality of at least partially stored device-specific information matches the received device-specific information of the sink device, and selects output settings corresponding to the stored device-specific information that matches the received device-specific information of the sink device for use in converting the media signals to an output format supported by the sink device.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium are disclosed that allow a set top box to receive control messages transmitted using multicasting. The set top box is programmed with either an address or a URL that it uses to obtain the control messages directly, or obtain other messages that carry the multicast address. In other implementations, a specialized offer message is transmitted to the set top box in response to a discover message. Embedded within the specialized offer message is the multicast address being used to multicast the control messages.

Abstract: A multimedia server distributes closed captioning over a network to a client device running a media player that does not support standardized closed captioning. The multimedia server receives a media stream including closed captioning that is encoded according to a closed captioning standard such as Consumer Electronics Association CEA-608-B or CEA 708-B, Advanced Television Systems Committee ATSC A/53 or the Society of Cable Telecommunications Engineers SCTE 20 and/or SCTE 21. The multimedia server transcodes the closed captioning into a format that is usable by the media player and transmits the transcoded closed captioning to the client device over the network so that the media player can render the closed captioning synchronously with programming content included in the media stream.

Abstract: A method (200) for verifying a video format supported by a display device (25). The display device (25) is adapted to receive a television signal from a video source (10) via a video interface (15). The method includes: receiving (202) a data structure (75) provided by the display device (25), the data structure (75) specifying a plurality of timing parameters associated with a supported video format; providing (204) a plurality of predetermined value ranges, each of the plurality of predetermined value ranges corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters; separating (206) the data structure into a plurality of portions, each of the plurality of portions corresponding to one of the plurality of timing parameters; comparing (208) at least some of the plurality of portions with at least some of the plurality of predetermined value ranges; and based on the comparisons, determining whether the supported video format is verified.

Abstract: A method for processing a broadcast video signal includes identifying a first advertising component within the video signal; creating control information based on predetermined characteristics of the first advertising component; and recording the video signal and the control information to form an encoded video signal, which is arranged in such a manner that a second advertising component is substitutable for the first advertising component based on a playback status of the encoded video signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for determining digital copy protection levels assigned to received services. A consumer terminal in accordance with the invention includes memory for storing data which defines a set of service tiers. Each service tier is associated with one of a plurality of copy protection levels. A parser is provided for parsing service information from a received service to enable determination of the service tier associated with the received service. A processor is provided for matching the service tier of the received service with its associated copy protection level. A copy protection system enables copy protection for the received service in accordance with the copy protection level associated with the received service.

Abstract: A method for recording a television program with interactive content includes recording data supporting interactive features of the television program in addition to recording the television program.

Abstract: Interactive feature data is accessed with an auxiliary display device that controls a medium player (e.g., DVD player). The interactive feature data is stored on an insertably-removable data storage medium which is inserted in the medium player. The data storage medium also has video data stored thereon which is viewed on a screen device when the data storage medium is played by the medium player. In one embodiment, the interactive feature data is copied from the data storage medium to at least one memory location external to the data storage medium and is viewed on the auxiliary display device while only the video data is viewed on the screen device. In another embodiment, the medium player is controlled by accessing a website on the Internet which instructs the auxiliary display device to send commands to the medium player when command links presented on a webpage of the website are selected.

Abstract: A method and system provide updates of sporting events, including video highlights, to a television or handheld internet-based pad. This method preferably includes recording one or more sporting events, tagging specific plays as highlights of the one or more sporting events, storing the tagged highlights on a server, combining the tagged highlights with a video stream of a provider, accessing the tagged highlights at a consumer location, notifying a user that a highlight has occurred, and displaying the highlights on a television or handheld internet-based pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatically configuring a speaker system. The method includes the steps of placing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on a speaker of the above mentioned speaker system, placing a wireless communication device in a location representing the most likely location of the listener, determining the distance from the device location to the speaker using the RFID tag and said wireless communication device, and transmitting the determined distance from location representing the most likely location of the listener to the speaker to the speaker system controller.

Abstract: A webpad is a wireless remote control unit that can be used to access the Internet and control, for example, a television set. The webpad also incorporates the ability to convert text data to voice data and vice versa. Consequently, a disabled user can use the webpad to communicate regardless of whether the user has a hearing or speech impediment. The webpad can replace traditional text telephone (TTY) devices. The webpad can also include fingerprint recognition capability to allow a disabled user to readily enter a secured identification for authorizing electronic transactions.

Abstract: A method of processing television content metadata in a communications system. The system includes a consumer device (e.g., a set-top box and/or television) in communication with an auxiliary display device (e.g., webpad). A broadcast television channel video image signal and the metadata are received by the consumer device. A single video image frame of the broadcast television channel video image signal is captured when a predefined indicator is detected in the metadata. The metadata is modified by changing the predefined indicator to an image identifier associated with the single video image frame. The single video image frame is converted to a well-known format, and the consumer device sends the modified metadata and the converted single video image frame to the auxiliary display device for display thereon.

Abstract: An auxiliary display device is used in conjunction with a cable television (CATV) system to process television content metadata extracted from a transport stream received by a set-top box (STB) and sent to the auxiliary display device. Text and/or images defined by the metadata are presented on a display of the auxiliary display device adjacent to a predefined image (e.g., an advertisement, supplemental data) retrieved from a memory of the auxiliary display device. The predefined image is presented in an area of the display of the auxiliary display device that is designated by the metadata as being reserved for displaying a broadcast television channel video image. The predefined image can be changed on a periodic basis, or in response to the auxiliary display device receiving new metadata from the STB.

Abstract: An auxiliary display device, capable of remotely controlling a set-top box (STB) and/or television to select a program channel, is used to navigate a web browser in the auxiliary display device to a web site associated with the selected channel. A web page associated with the selected channel is presented on a display of the auxiliary display device. When the channel is selected, current tuned channel information is transmitted by the set-top box (STB) and/or television to the auxiliary display device, irrespective of whether the auxiliary display device was used to select the channel. In an alternate embodiment, the STB and/or television forward channel information to the auxiliary display device via a cable head-end.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for tuning a television appliance using an internet appliance are provided. A first network provides a program advertisement to the internet appliance. A second network provides channel map information to the internet appliance, which channel map information identifies a channel for a program advertised in the program advertisement. The program advertisement is displayed on the internet appliance. The advertised program may be selected via interaction with the program advertisement using a user interface associated with the internet appliance. A tune command is communicated to the television appliance from the internet appliance in response to the interaction with the program advertisement. The television appliance tunes to the channel advertised in the program advertisement in response to the tune command. The internet appliance creates the tune command for the advertised program based on the channel map information.

Abstract: An electronic program guide can be configured by obtaining at a remote controller for a content receiver, such as a set top box, a listing of the available programming from a content provider and filtering the program material at the remote controller so as to filter programming which has not been subscribed to by the user or parental access restricted programming or programming which the user requests be omitted from the program guide. Thus, according to this embodiment, a user can tailor the electronic program guide to the user's preferences.

Abstract: A software-code configurable digital appliance, such as a television settop box, is provided for operating in a network, such as a subscription television system. A storage component of the appliance stores different versions of at least one of firmware and application program code. A processing component is provided for selecting an appropriate version of the firmware and/or application program code, depending on predetermined criteria relating to the network to which the appliance is connected. The selected version is loaded into an operating component of the appliance to enable the appliance to operate in the network. The different versions of firmware and/or application program code are adapted to enable the appliance to be deployed in any of a plurality of incompatible networks.