Abstract: A transmit digital processing system for wireless transmission of HDMI and/or DVI data using an FPGA. The FPGA converts the data into two data streams and includes a front end component multiplexing video data with control data. A complementary receive FPGA is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying video content includes a scene detector to detect a plurality of consecutive scenes in the video content. The video content may include a video program and an advertisement contained within the video program. A signature generator determines a scene change signature for each of the plurality of consecutive scenes. A content identifier provides the plurality of scene change signatures to a comparator that compares the plurality of scene change signatures to a database having a plurality of video content items to identify the video program. The database includes an ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures for each item of video content in the database. The content identifier receives an identification of the video content from the comparator. The content identifier may further receive information related to a position of the plurality of scene change signatures within the ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures.

Abstract: A remote control device includes one or more mode buttons which, when manipulated, cause plural controlled devices to assume preset configurations.

Abstract: User contact information may be stored in a memory of a near-field communication integrated circuit (IC) card. Upon detecting electromagnetic energy emitted by a reader/writer device, the IC card may power on and automatically transmit the stored contact information. In one embodiment, this transmission may be preceded by an authentication operation, and the contact information may be digitally signed so that the accuracy of the contact information may be verified by its recipient. In another embodiment, the contact information may be stored in one or more of a plurality of memory sections of the IC card. Upon the IC card being activated, the contact information may be transmitted from one such memory section based on a user memory section selection.

Abstract: A remote control device includes one or more mode buttons which, when manipulated, cause plural controlled devices to assume preset configurations. HDMI CEC can be used to convey device ID information to the TV, which can then access the Internet using the ID information and receive back device control information which can be communicated to the remote to enable the remote to control the device.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing a remote control configuration procedure includes a settop box that receives electronic programming from a program source and a television that is configured to reproduce the electronic programming. A remote control device controls various functionalities of the television over an RC-TV communications link. The remote control configuration procedure is coordinated by the television and a configuration server to allow the remote control device to also control various functionalities of the settop box over an RC-STB communication link. The television and the configuration server support a user-friendly interactive procedure to automatically determine and provide certain settop-box control information for adding appropriate settop-box control functions to the remote control device during the remote control configuration procedure.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying video content includes a scene detector to detect a plurality of consecutive scenes in the video content. The video content may include a video program and an advertisement contained within the video program. A timer determines a plurality of scene lengths for each of the plurality of consecutive scenes. A content identifier provides the plurality of scene lengths to a comparator that compares the plurality of scene lengths to a database having a plurality of video content items to identify the video program. The database includes an ordered plurality of previously determined scene lengths for each item of video content in the database. The content identifier receives an identification of the video content from the comparator. The content identifier may further receive information related to a position of the plurality of scene lengths within the ordered plurality of previously determined scene lengths for the identified video content.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a search technique for image query. A region of interest (ROI) containing an image in a scene of a displayed content is captured. The ROI is analyzed locally or remotely to search for related content associated with the image. The related content is received.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively determining a current physical location of a remote control device includes a television device that is configured to receive television control information over an RC-TV communications link. The remote control device transmits the device control information over the RC-device communications link for controlling various functions of the television device. In situations in which the current physical location of the remote control device is unknown, a system user may initiate a location search procedure with a search trigger event to locate the remote control device. The remote control device then generates one or more location indicators in response to the search trigger event to thereby facilitate determining the current physical location of the remote control device.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively implementing a charging base for a remote control includes a television device that is controlled by the remote control over a wireless RC-TV communications link. The charging base recharges a battery of the remote control when the remote control is docked to the charging base. In addition, the remote control may be docked to the charging base for bi-directionally communicating with the television and other external entities over a wireless base-TV communications link. Furthermore, various compatible peripheral devices may also recharge their batteries and bi-directionally communicate with the television and the external entities over the base-TV communications link while the peripheral devices are docked to the charging base.

Abstract: A TV-set is equipped with HDMI and USB connections that allow it to display and run audio-video content from a variety of conventional consumer devices. The TV-set is further equipped to provide a secure HDMI-USB interface that will allow the transfer of licensed high definition content and Internet subscriber services. Such secure HDMI-USB interface also enables a selection of proprietary application modules to be attached. Downloadable user interface templates, much like XML style sheets, are rendered to a user interface displayed on the screen. These are associated with corresponding thumbnails and URI's that allow a user to surf through lists and catalogs of materials, and then to play them in the appropriate formats and provide the machine with a customized controller. A remote commander is simplified, yet expanded to control all the attached devices through interactions with the user interface.

Abstract: A TV has a TV processor and a display presenting a map showing the topology of the home network of which the TV is a part. A user can manipulate the user input device to navigate around the map and cause content to be transmitted from a source component shown in the map to a sink component shown on the map. Using the map, the HDD of a PC can be used in addition to that in a PVR to source content to the TV.

Abstract: Home network resources and communication paths are managed using network path bandwidths, network storage capacities, and quality of service.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided where a media server temporarily stores a DRM license that is associated with downloaded media content prior to copying the DRM license to a physical archival medium such as an optical disc. When the media server confirms that the DRM license is successfully copied to the physical archival medium, it destroys the temporarily stored DRM license.

Abstract: Network registration for a device is achieved by providing the device with an RFID chip bearing a MAC address, cryptographic capabilities and keys, and then disposing the device near a registration server (such as a home network server/server TV) to cause the information on the RFID chip to be automatically transferred to the server and thus execute registration of the device on the network automatically, relieving a person from having to enter long strings of numbers.

Abstract: A method of playing back content based on digital rights management (DRM) between a portable storage and a device and a portable storage for the same are provided. The method of playing back content using a portable storage includes requesting the portable storage to transmit a right to play back content protected through digital rights management (DRM), receiving the right to play back the content protected through DRM from the portable storage, and informing the portable storage of completion of the playback when a playback of the content protected through DRM using the right is completed.

Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device or a server using RFID or using network discovery procedures. The control information if gathered by the server is provided to the remote. In this way, the need to manually program the remote with component code information is eliminated.

Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device using RFID and then transmitted to a TV using RFID so that the TV can display components to be controlled and/or remote control device buttons and/or functions of remote control device buttons for particular components to be controlled, to train the user.

Abstract: A radio frequency receiver includes a receiver circuit for processing RF signals, an antenna to receive millimeter wave RF signals, and an attenuator circuit, coupled between the receiver circuit and antenna. In one embodiment, the attenuator circuit may be used to determine a signal strength of the millimeter wave RF signals, compare this signal strength to a first threshold value. If the signal strength is above the first threshold value, a level of attenuation applied to the millimeter wave RF signals may then be increased.

Abstract: To achieve ultra-high bandwidth data transmission according to embodiments of the invention, a plurality of parallel 60 GHz band frequency signals traveling in substantially parallel paths is employed. A connector or housing includes a plurality of metallized, grounded shells or chambers having antenna pairs that are embedded therein. There is no physical contact between the transmitter and receiver antennas. Instead, the metallized, grounded connector chambers provide isolation between adjacent radio links which all operate on the same frequency.