Abstract: An actual language contained within a compressed digital A/V stream within an MPEG-2 (or HDMI) stream is detected upon program transition by monitoring the actual audio content of a currently selected audio stream within the MPEG-2 (or HDMI or MP4) stream. The monitored audio stream is converted in real time to text. A frequency of sequence of three letters (a trigram) in the converted text is generated, and a plurality of the most frequent trigrams within the converted text are retained. An actual language being spoken is detected in the digital audio stream by determining a closest match between the retained plurality of trigrams and a pre-stored entry in a list of most frequent trigrams (MFT) each pre-associated with a given respective language. The detected actual language may be compared to an ISO language descriptor received in the stream, and appended to an AC-3 audio coding descriptor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate integrating and coordinating content requests received by a STB from multiple devices. The methods, systems, and apparatuses described in this disclosure enable the integration and coordination of content requests received from different devices by associating a content request with a key code and generating a synthesized key code. The synthesized key code can be customized according to a status of a corresponding STB.

Abstract: An internet protocol multicast provider is disclosed, which includes a bootstrap code component, a transcoder generator component, a content module and a packetizing module. The bootstrap code component can generate a bootstrap code. The transcoder generator component can generate a transcoder module. The content module can generate content in a first format. The packetizing module can generate internet protocol multicast packets, based on the bootstrap code, the transcoder module and the content. The bootstrap code can determine a second format for which an internet protocol multicast receiver can decode and render the content. The transcoder module can instruct the internet protocol multicast receiver to play the content when the first format is the second format. The transcoder module can instruct the internet protocol multicast receiver to transcode the content from the first format to the second format when the first format is not the second format.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate integrating and coordinating content requests received by a STB from multiple devices. The methods, systems, and apparatuses described in this disclosure enable the integration and coordination of content requests received from different devices by associating a content request with a key code and generating a synthesized key code. The synthesized key code can be customized according to a status of a corresponding STB.

Abstract: Advanced set top devices are beginning to merge with home network gateway devices and will soon become the major single entry point into the home. A growing trend and implementation of home gateways is to provide a centralized data entrance point to end user home. Behavioral information may be compiled from each individual device in the home network, and the home network gateway device determines advertisements to insert specifically to each device based on the entirety of the behavioral information compiled from within the home network. The advertisements provided to individual users within the home network may be determined by the home network gateway device, transparent to entities outside the home network. For example, a headend that delivers content to a home network may not know how many devices are connected to a home network gateway device, the type of devices connected, or which devices are receiving content.

Abstract: An internet protocol multicast provider is disclosed, which includes a bootstrap code component, a transcoder generator component, a content module and a packetizing module. The bootstrap code component can generate a bootstrap code. The transcoder generator component can generate a transcoder module. The content module can generate content in a first format. The packetizing module can generate internet protocol multicast packets, based on the bootstrap code, the transcoder module and the content. The bootstrap code can determine a second format for which an internet protocol multicast receiver can decode and render the content. The transcoder module can instruct the internet protocol multicast receiver to play the content when the first format is the second format. The transcoder module can instruct the internet protocol multicast receiver to transcode the content from the first format to the second format when the first format is not the second format.

Abstract: A source device and method for authenticating a sink device. The source device and method include detecting when the sink device connects to a communication interface and in response to detecting a connected sink device, activating a sink device authentication protocol which authenticates whether the connected sink device is an approved sink device for connecting via the communication interface. The source device determines a level of authentication of the connected sink device from among a first-level authentication and a second-level authentication based on first and second authentication components, respectively derived from different master keys, which affects the type of content provided to the sink device. Responsive to the level of authentication provided through the connected sink device, modifying the content transmitted to the connected sink device, and preventing transfer of any content from the source device to the sink device in response to the sink device not being authenticated.

Abstract: A source device and method for authenticating a sink device. The source device and method include detecting when the sink device connects to a communication interface and in response to detecting a connected sink device, activating a sink device authentication protocol which authenticates whether the connected sink device is an approved sink device for connecting via the communication interface. The source device determines a level of authentication of the connected sink device from among a first-level authentication and a second-level authentication based on first and second authentication components, respectively derived from different master keys, which affects the type of content provided to the sink device. Responsive to the level of authentication provided through the connected sink device, modifying the content transmitted to the connected sink device, and preventing transfer of any content from the source device to the sink device in response to the sink device not being authenticated.

Abstract: There is a communicating of 3D video having associated metadata. The communicating may involve devices and includes receiving a first video bitstream with the 3D video encoded in a first format, receiving the associated metadata. The communicating also includes forming a protocol message, utilizing a processor, including the associated metadata. The communicating also includes transmitting a second video bitstream with the 3D video encoded in a second format and transmitting the protocol message separate from the second video bitstream. The protocol message includes data fields holding processing data, based on the associated metadata, describing the rendering of the 3D video. The processing data is operable to be read and utilized to direct a client device to process the 3D video extracted from a video bitstream and present the 3D video on a display. Also, there is a processing of the 3D video. The processing utilizes the protocol message.

Abstract: A switched digital video (SDV) system and method that provides a seamless transition when tuning a set-top box from a first SDV service to a second SDV service. The method detects a set up service trigger in a content stream before a tune request time to transition the content stream from the first SDV service to the second SDV service, and sends a request to set up the second SDV service at a time before the tune request time, where a time difference between the time and the tune request time is greater than a service set up time for the second SDV service. The method detects a tune request in the content stream for the second SDV service, sends a service select request to tune to the second SDV service, and receives the second SDV service at the tune request time.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing targeted advertisements in a switched digital video system. The method monitors a content stream associated with a channel selected by a subscriber, where the content stream includes an advertisement segment having a start time and an end time, and an advertisement replacement opportunity inserted in the content stream. The method detects the advertisement replacement opportunity at a detection time that is prior to the start time of the advertisement segment, and sends a request to select an advertisement replacement for the advertisement segment, thereby broadcasting a service associated with the advertisement replacement prior to the start time for the advertisement segment. The method receives tune data to identify an advertisement replacement stream associated with the advertisement replacement, and tunes to the advertisement replacement at the start time for the advertisement segment.

Abstract: A set top box includes a tuner for receiving a switched digital video (SDV) stream from an SDV source, in which the SDV stream contains content and a default advertisement. The set top box also includes a memory for storing the SDV stream and a controller for generating and outputting an ad catalog to at least one of an ad server and an SDV manager, in which the ad catalog contains information useable by the ad server in identifying one or more alternative advertisements to be played by the set top box during play of the SDV stream in place of the default advertisement, and in which the controller is configured to receive the one or more alternative advertisements and to replace the default advertisement in the SDV stream.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) and method (40) is provided for detecting data within the vertical blanking interval (VBI) lines of a video or television signal. The VBI data detection (18) samples (42) at least one point from the VBI lines of a video signal and compares (44) at least one data characteristic, such as luminance, from the sample to a threshold to determine if the sample contains VBI data. If the sample contains VBI data, the VBI line from which the sample was taken is routed (46) to the processing unit of a video processing device. If no samples from a VBI line are found to contain VBI data, the VBI line is not processed further. The VBI data detection apparatus improves processing efficiency and resource allocation by allowing only those VBI lines containing VBI data to be processed by the video processing device.

Abstract: A set top terminal is provided that includes a receiver/tuner for receiving (i) switched digital video (SDV) programs over a broadband access network, at least one of the SDV programs including a primary advertisement and (ii) a plurality of alternative advertisements that are each substitutable for the primary advertisement. The set top terminal also includes a processor operationally associated with the receiver/tuner. The processor is configured to selectively cause a first of the alternative advertisements to be rendered instead of the primary advertisement when the first alternative advertisement better matches a prescribed condition than the primary advertisement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for rendering a video program. The apparatus includes a computer-readable storage medium and a processor responsive to the computer-readable storage medium and to a software program. The software program, when loaded into the processor, is operative to: receive a user command specifying a fast forward operation through a program; identify a first commercial associated with a commercial break in the program while fast forwarding therethrough; and select a substitute commercial that appears to be rendered at the normal presentation rate while fast forwarding through the program; and play the substitute commercial.

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 converter terminal is configured, for example, to receive and descramble premium cable television channels or to receive data services over the cable network. The converter terminal is configured by transmitting an abbreviated set of configuration data on an out-of-band control channel. This abbreviated set of configuration information includes an instruction to tune the terminal to a higher-bandwidth in-band data channel, which is used to transmit the remainder of the configuration data. With a substantial amount of the configuration information transmitted using a faster connection, configuration can be achieved in less time. In addition, the larger bandwidth facilitates the transmission of multiple sets of configuration information corresponding to different models of cable television converter terminals.

Abstract: A half-duplex digitally-controlled telephone communication apparatus for permitting half-duplex communication between local and remote subscribers. Analog speech of one subscriber to be transmitted to the other subscriber is converted to a digital format, processed by real-time speech processing apparatus, stored in a delay buffer, and processed in modem apparatus for transmission to the other subscriber. In accordance with the present invention, the delay buffer provides a delay of a sufficient duration to compensate for inherent delays in the system in detecting the presence (or absence) of speech signals and serves to prevent the loss to the remote subscriber of portions of speech of the local subscriber, especially the onset of speech or rapid utterances of the local subscriber.