Abstract: A service module for a dedicated on-site media service. The service module enables a dedicated media service for a broadcast signal. The electronic media module includes a tuner, a media storage device, and an adapter. The tuner, which is coupled to the media storage device, or portion thereof, is tuned to receive a broadcast signal. The media storage device stores this broadcast signal. The adapter is coupled to the media storage device and to the tuner. The adapter further interfaces the tuner and the media storage device of the electronic media module with an electronic media system. A content provider has remote control over the stored content. The content provider also has remote control over on-site presentation of the stored media to the viewer. Multiple dedicated service modules installed on-site allow these functions to be applied across multiple content-providers simultaneously.

Abstract: A mobile device has an inertial measurement unit (IMU) that senses linear and rotational movement, a touch screen including (i) a touch-sensitive surface and (ii) a 3D sensing unit, and a state change determination module that determines state changes from a combination of (i) an output of the IMU and (ii) the 3D sensing unit sensing the hovering object. The mobile device may include a pan/zoom module. A mobile device may include a natural language processing (NLP) module that predicts a next key entry based on xy positions of keys so far touched, xy trajectory of the hovering object and NLP statistical modeling. A graphical user interface (GUI) visually highlights a predicted next key and presents a set of predicted words arranged around the current key above which the object is hovering as selectable buttons to enable entry of a complete word from the set of predicted words.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling distribution and brokering of content information are described. A request to download data is transmitted to a server. Information on multiple content providers storing data obtained from the server is received. Finally, identification information for one content provider, which allowed the download of data, is transmitted to the server along with payment for the download of data.

Abstract: A system for media content selection. In one embodiment, a home entertainment system for accessing content includes a processor for executing instructions adapted for: (i) receiving a request from a user input for selecting a content title; (ii) displaying formats of the content title, with one format stored in a home network and another stored external to the home network; (iii) receiving a request from the user input device to select one of the formats; and (iv) presenting the selected content in the selected format. The content can be a song in a digital format, for example. Selecting the content can include consideration of user preference information and using one or more of: a content manager, a device manager, a network controller, a purchase controller, a device supporter, a content directory, a connection manager, and a digital rights management (DRM) controller. The user input device can include, for example, a remote control device for a home entertainment system.

Abstract: A method for real-time bookmarking of streaming media assets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes dynamically changing a presentation segment of a plurality of segments based one or more bookmark signals from a viewer.

Abstract: A service module for a dedicated on-site media service. The service module enables a dedicated media service for a broadcast signal. The electronic media module includes a tuner, a media storage device, and an adapter. The tuner, which is coupled to the media storage device, or portion thereof, is tuned to receive a broadcast signal. The media storage device stores this broadcast signal. The adapter is coupled to the media storage device and to the tuner. The adapter further interfaces the tuner and the media storage device of the electronic media module with an electronic media system. A content provider has remote control over the stored content. The content provider also has remote control over on-site presentation of the stored media to the viewer. Multiple dedicated service modules installed on-site allow these functions to be applied across multiple content-providers simultaneously.

Abstract: A multi-media broadcasting system that links a user profiles associated with a first user with a second user profile associated with a second user, where the first and second user profiles each comprise an indication of an interest common to the first and second users. The user profiles allow a user to customize a viewing experience via the broadcasting system. In addition, the system detects a content update to the first user profile, wherein the content update is associated with a content item that comprises content having a characteristic within the interest common to the first and second users. Furthermore, the system notifies the second user of the content update if the second user profile has not been updated with the content update.

Abstract: Automated context-sensitive updating of content in an audiovisual (AV) storage system is disclosed. A media storage device for storing a multimedia signal includes a storage medium, such as a dedicated hard drive, a processor, and memory. The storage medium is coupled to the processor and the memory. The memory contains instructions that, when implemented, enable a method of off-site management of data stored on the storage medium. The method includes a step of receiving a media signal with content data and context data at the media storage device. The method also includes a step of receiving storage management instructions from a storage management provider, remotely located from the media storage device. Lastly, the media signal is stored on the media storage device in accordance with the storage management instructions.

Abstract: A system for and method of enabling people to share a common application context for media presentation and playback is described herein. The presentation results from input from a set of active participants where the input includes a set of media types such as music, artwork, visualizations, photographs and text messages. The participants use personal devices to couple to the system and utilize the application.

Abstract: A system for and method of enabling people to share a common application context for media presentation and playback is described herein. The presentation results from input from a set of active participants where the input includes a set of media types such as music, artwork, visualizations, photographs and text messages. The participants use personal devices to couple to the system and utilize the application.

Abstract: A system for media content selection. In one embodiment, a home entertainment system for accessing content includes a processor for executing instructions adapted for: (i) receiving a request from a user input for selecting a content title; (ii) displaying formats of the content title, with one format stored in a home network and another stored external to the home network; (iii) receiving a request from the user input device to select one of the formats; and (iv) presenting the selected content in the selected format. The content can be a song in a digital format, for example. Selecting the content can include consideration of user preference information and using one or more of: a content manager, a device manager, a network controller, a purchase controller, a device supporter, a content directory, a connection manager, and a digital rights management (DRM) controller. The user input device can include, for example, a remote control device for a home entertainment system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating user profiles of interest by identifying sets of user profiles according to common interests and notifying other user profiles of a set when one common interest profile has an update to the common interest.

Abstract: A broadcast of an event is enhanced with synthetic scenes generated from audio visual and supplemental data received in the broadcast. A synthetic scene is integrated into the broadcast in accordance with a depth map that contains depth information for the synthetic scene. The supplemental data may be sensing data from various sensors placed at the event, position and orientation data of particular objects at the event, or environmental data on conditions at the event. The supplemental data may also be camera tracking data from a camera that is used to generate a virtual camera and viewpoints for the synthetic scene. The present invention describes systems, clients, servers, methods, and computer-readable media of varying scope. In addition to the aspects of the present invention described in this summary, further aspects of the invention will become apparent by reference to the drawings and by reading the detailed description that follows.

Abstract: A method of extracting a depth map from known camera and tracking data. The method includes the steps of positioning a virtual camera at the coordinates of the tracked camera, setting the field of view to that of the tracked camera, positioning and orienting a synthetic tracked object to the coordinates of the tracked object, clearing the depth buffer and rendering the tracked object as a depth map.

Abstract: A method for real-time bookmarking of streaming media assets is disdosed. In one embodiment, the method includes dynamically changing a presentation segment of a plurality of segments based one or more bookmark signals from a viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for remote recording of programs using a broadcast without a direct internet connection including receiving preferences provided by a system user via cable service provider, using the preferences to determine broadcast media to be recorded, recording the determined broadcast media and presenting the recorded broadcast media to an end user. The system of the present invention utilizes the broadcast channel to directly send information to the user's audio/video recording system located at a different location. Since the cable service provider presently sends programming information to each household using the broadcast channel, additional information can also be added to this channel. Hence, a system user can access his audio/video recording system without actually having to directly communicate with his audio/video recording system.

Abstract: Multimedia content presented to a user may be augmented by the user. The content may be annotated with information received from the user. Additionally or alternatively, the multimedia content may be bookmarked by the user and sources with related information are automatically found and associated with the content.

Abstract: A method and system for personalizing media presentations based on a target duration is disclosed. The process includes assembling content for viewing based upon a specified duration.

Abstract: A method for providing personalized use of a device. A usage profile, reflective of preferences of a client can be implicitly and/or explicitly updated to generate a refined profile. The profile may then be used to control usage of a corresponding device.

Abstract: A method of extracting a depth map from known camera and tracking data is disclosed. The method includes the steps of positioning a virtual camera at the coordinates of the tracked camera, setting the field of view to that of the tracked camera, positioning and orienting a synthetic tracked object to the coordinates of the tracked object, clearing the depth buffer and rendering the tracked object as a depth map.