Abstract: An interactive multimedia device that converts media content in real-time or near-real-time from a variety of input data formats to data formats accepted by a user's available output devices, and to output protocols that can communicate with the user's devices. The multimedia device can acquire content from remote sources and deliver it to the user. The multimedia device further supports interactive use and the generation of content by the user, as well as the purchase of media content on demand.

Abstract: A media production control system with built-in newsgathering and fact-checking tools, able to receive news feeds in multiple formats from many sources, and featuring geographic portability and low cost. The system allows a producer to select and queue individual feeds for broadcast or limited distribution, using either the system's software or an externally coupled device. Shared communications tools comprise a web browser, an instant-messaging package, a chat room, a headlines display, and a virtual whiteboard.

Abstract: A distributed streaming internet server system with multiple layers of servers, featuring data caching, file storage, and application servers. The system provides high reliability and high quality streaming media. The system is designed to be scalable so that additional capacity can be added easily as needed. Existing capacity use is optimized through reallocating user connections as necessary for load-balancing and failure management.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia system that converts media content in real-time or near-real-time from a variety of input data formats to data formats accepted by a user's available output devices, and to output protocols that can communicate with the user's devices. The multimedia system acquires content from remote sources and delivers it to the user. The system further supports interactive use and the generation of content by the user, as well as the purchase of media content on demand. The system receives a plurality of media source signals and a plurality of user device signals and integrates at least one of the media source signals with at least one of the user device signals to form an integrated signal. The present invention also converts the format of the media source signals and sends the integrated signal to user devices via various protocols. The system also can convert between the various protocols.

Abstract: An intelligent adaptive programming system based on collected dynamic market data and user feedback which effectively adapts content to users based on the market data or feedback. After collecting or analyzing the market data and user input, appropriate programming or additional content is sent to users. The data and input collection can be continuously, automatically, scheduled, or periodically updated and analyzed. The system is capable of collecting and analyzing a wide variety of data such as Internet Protocol (IP) number, user history, voting history, viewing history, scheduling history, rating history, purchasing history, current web page, web browsing history, current program identification, and user account information. The user input can be instant messaging, sms messaging, mms messaging, email, audio, chat input, or text input.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia interface and display for providing a wide variety of multimedia content and services to a plurality of users utilizing various platforms. Users or a group of users can participate in interactive multimedia sessions and communicate by text messaging, audio, or video signals in real time. Numerous interactive tools such as application sharing, synchronized internet browsing allowing users to browse the network together, file distribution and sharing, voting and polling, session recording, shared whiteboard, and chat room are provided. Advertising and purchasing information windows allow products to be advertised and purchased. The layout, size, and interactive tools offered can be flexible adapted to requirements.

Abstract: An intelligent dynamic market data collection system which accurately and effectively targets appropriate users based on the collected market data. After collecting or analyzing the market data, appropriate advertisements or other marketing materials are sent to individual users. The market data collection and advertising delivery can be continuously, automatically, scheduled, or periodically updated or sent. The system is capable of collecting and analyzing a wide variety of data. Among the data are, for example, Internet Protocol (IP) number, user history, voting history, viewing history, scheduling history, rating history, purchasing history, current web page, web browsing history, current program identification, and user account information. Since a user's IP indicates their location, regional advertising is easily accomplished. Therefore, only appropriate advertising is sent to users thereby resulting in increased effectiveness.

Abstract: An interactive multimedia system comprising a core server, streaming servers, and encoders. The core server comprises an authentication server, a master server, a web server, and a database. The authentication server is for checking authenticity of users. The master server redirects users to a specific server based on a policy considering IP range, user information, etc. The web server provides information to assist users in selecting a channel. The database stores a variety of data such as user and account information, and policies. To determine which streaming servers are available, the master server periodically sends heart beat signals to each streaming server. The encoders encode the multimedia content and provide various bit rates and resolutions. The encoders utilize an optimized compression codec that allows real-time streaming without the need for buffering. This allows users or producers to interact with the streaming multimedia content in real-time.

Abstract: An intelligent interactive multimedia system that provides a wide variety of multimedia content and services to a plurality of users utilizing various platforms. A plurality of channels is provided to users. Users or a group of users can participate in interactive multimedia sessions and communicate by text messaging, audio, or video signals in real time. Numerous interactive tools such as application sharing, synchronized internet browsing allowing users to browse the network together, file distribution and sharing, voting and polling, session recording, shared whiteboard, and chat room are provided. An advertising and purchasing module allow products to be advertised and purchased.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an instant interactive audio/video management system, which comprises a management program installed in an information processing device, and the management program integrates an instant video window, a text discussion window, a text broadcasting window and at least one media display window into a combined screen, so that the information processing device can send the combined screen to a terminal device, and the terminal device can show the combined screen. Therefore, a user of the terminal device can see the combined screen and the windows can display information directly from different sources.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a cross media information integration system comprising at least one computer, at least one handset and at least one media platform, such as a television and a cross media center, built individually on an end of Internet, telecommunication network and mass media network, so that different types of information among the computer, handset, and television can be sent or received between Internet, telecommunication network or digital mass media network through the cross media center, enabling different kinds of data/information from the media platforms of different types among these networks to be integrated and outputted to each media platform to achieve the data synchronization and the instant and interactive purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a digital real time interactive TV program system comprising a codec for converting image and sound recorded in a studio into a real time digital AV signal and then sending it to at least one user end through a master. Each user end is adapted to send a user AV signal recorded at the user end to the master server. The master server is capable of selecting at least one user AV signal to combine with the real time digital AV signal and sending the combined signal to the codec. After the codec converts the combined signal into a real time digital interactive AV signal, the real time digital interactive AV signal is then sent to each user end through the master server, enabling a real time interactive screen comprising a real time screen region and a user real time screen region to be shown on the user end.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a media and multimedia data authentication and control method, which is utilized in a server of a media program provider connected with at least one computer of consumer through a network, such that at least one multimedia data file supplied by the server is converted into an encrypted media file, and when the computer receives the encrypted media file via the network or other ways, the encrypted media file can be restored to an original unencrypted media file only by utilizing a decryption key obtained from the server through the network, therefore, the said publisher or provider controls the said decryption key and thereby precisely maintains control over multimedia data distribution to ensure proprietary rights and interests.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a digital interactive AV playing and receiving system including the Internet and a satellite both for interconnecting a digital program broadcaster and at least one LAN, wherein the system comprises the steps of converting an AV signal of at least one channel into a DVB-S signal based on a specific protocol by the broadcaster; uplinking the DVB-S signal to the satellite in order to broadcast the DVB-S signal to a predetermined range; receiving and converting the DVB-S signal into a multimedia stream by a satellite signal receiver; sending the multimedia stream to the LAN; and transmitting the multimedia stream to at least one client of the LAN for playing by means of a multimedia player.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying a user for watching a digital television (DTV) program, which enables a user of a client to enter an interactive AV program provider's server through Internet, and input an identification (ID) in a Web page of the provider displayed on the client. After identifying the input ID is an authorized ID, the server may grant an access right of at least one satellite program channel to the client and immediately search a channel selected by the user, and then send a satellite program being received from a satellite and broadcast on the selected channel to the user immediately. Thus, the user can watch satellite program over the Internet on the computer at home in an almost real time manner.