Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for allowing responses to offers displayed with digital content. The responses may be provided on a receiver system via a conventional feedback through the same distribution channel through which the content and offer were provided, or through an alternative channel, with data being transmitted from an alternative channel device to a transacting entity. For time-shifted playback, content is identified and time-adapted offers may be provided, taking into account factors such as the content, the time of play back, the date of play back, and so forth. The alternate response channel may be more suitable for time-adapted offer responses then for contemporaneously transmitted offers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for allowing responses to offers displayed with digital content. The responses may be provided on a receiver system via a conventional feedback through the same distribution channel through which the content and offer were provided, or through an alternative channel, with data being transmitted from an alternative channel device to a transacting entity. For time-shifted playback, content is identified and time-adapted offers may be provided, taking into account factors such as the content, the time of play back, the date of play back, and so forth. The alternate response channel may be more suitable for time-adapted offer responses then for contemporaneously transmitted offers.

Abstract: A system for coordinated playback of time-shifted content with time-adapted complimentary content is provided. The time-shifted content may be played back from storage media, both local and remote. Time-shifting may occur by independent playback such as from optical discs and other memory devices, as well as from user manipulation of features in a playback system based upon real-time or near real-time content distribution. The content is identified, along with timing information identifying where in the content the playback is occurring. Time-adapted complimentary content may then be selected and transmitted to the playback system. Such time-adapted content may include advertisement, product and service offerings, complimentary information, audio and/or video content, and so forth.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for allowing responses to offers displayed with digital content. The responses may be provided on a receiver system via a conventional feedback through the same distribution channel through which the content and offer were provided, or through an alternative channel, with data being transmitted from an alternative channel device to a transacting entity. For time-shifted playback, content is identified and time-adapted offers may be provided, taking into account factors such as the content, the time of play back, the date of play back, and so forth. The alternate response channel may be more suitable for time-adapted offer responses then for contemporaneously transmitted offers.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of blending multimedia with a multimedia composition system may include generating a swap list by identifying potential match points of objects, scenes, or assets, in a multimedia template that are capable of being replaced with personal multimedia assets (PMA) in a user's collection, generating a composition list by designating particular PMA from the PMA in the user's collection to replace at least a portion of the objects, scenes, or assets in the multimedia template identified in the swap list by matching metadata of the particular PMA with metadata of the objects, scenes, or assets in the multimedia template, and composing blended multimedia using the composition list by swapping the objects, scenes, or assets in the multimedia template with the particular PMA matched based on the respective metadata.

Abstract: A system for coordinated playback of time-shifted content with time-adapted complimentary content is provided. The time-shifted content may be played back from storage media, both local and remote. Time-shifting may occur by independent playback such as from optical discs and other memory devices, as well as from user manipulation of features in a playback system based upon real-time or near real-time content distribution. The content is identified, along with timing information identifying where in the content the playback is occurring. Time-adapted complimentary content may then be selected and transmitted to the playback system. Such time-adapted content may include advertisement, product and service offerings, complimentary information, audio and/or video content, and so forth.

Abstract: A selected spatial portion of digital base content is selected, and one or more alternative content objects is selected to replace the spatial portion. The spatial portion may comprise less than a full frame of the base content, although it may span multiple frames, and may move within the successive frames. The replacement may occur before or after distribution of the content. The selections may be made based upon knowledge of general or specific audiences. The selections may facilitate bandwidth or processing, allow for product placements, or generally enhance the audience experience.

Abstract: A digital content distribution scheme allows for monitoring of a wide range of data, such as system and behavior events of audiences and playback devices, as well as environmental factors, such as those present at the playback venue. More “static” data may be considered, such as subscriptions, settings, bandwidth, and the like. Based upon the data considered, real or near-real time changes in the content provided to audiences may be made. The changes may be based upon predictions of audience interest made by prediction engine. The techniques may also allow for time-shifting and adaptation of content based upon playback times.

Abstract: Digital content, such as video, audio, multimedia, and similar files may be associated with metadata that is in some manner descriptive of the content by means of a unique identifier generated based on the content or a portion of the content. The two may be packaged in a wrapper. If the content is separated from the metadata, such as by circulation in a non-compliant environment, the content may be recognized by a regeneration of the identifier. Based upon the re-created identifier, the metadata may be re-associated with the content. Other scenarios may include generation of compilations for files that are not included in a wrapper with content and metadata, content that becomes dissociated with metadata by transcoding, and so forth.

Abstract: A technique is provided for the parallel communication of digital content via broadcast channels and two-way data communications channels. Mobile devices may receive the digital content by the broadcast channels, and depending upon user preferences, signal quality, signal strength and other factors, coordinated switchover may be made from reception and playback of the content from a broadcast channel to reception and content from a two-way data communications channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of blending multimedia with a multimedia composition system may include generating a swap list by identifying potential match points of objects, scenes, or assets, in a multimedia template that are capable of being replaced with personal multimedia assets (PMA) in a user's collection, generating a composition list by designating particular PMA from the PMA in the user's collection to replace at least a portion of the objects, scenes, or assets in the multimedia template identified in the swap list by matching metadata of the particular PMA with metadata of the objects, scenes, or assets in the multimedia template, and composing blended multimedia using the composition list by swapping the objects, scenes, or assets in the multimedia template with the particular PMA matched based on the respective metadata.

Abstract: A digital content distribution scheme allows for monitoring of a wide range of data, such as system and behavior events of audiences and playback devices, as well as environmental factors, such as those present at the playback venue. More “static” data may be considered, such as subscriptions, settings, bandwidth, and the like. Based upon the data considered, real or near-real time changes in the content provided to audiences may be made. The changes may be based upon predictions of audience interest made by prediction engine. The techniques may also allow for time-shifting and adaptation of content based upon playback times.

Abstract: A selected spatial portion of digital base content is selected, and one or more alternative content objects is selected to replace the spatial portion. The spatial portion may comprise less than a full frame of the base content, although it may span multiple frames, and may move within the successive frames. The replacement may occur before or after distribution of the content. The selections may be made based upon knowledge of general or specific audiences. The selections may facilitate bandwidth or processing, allow for product placements, or generally enhance the audience experience.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for allowing responses to offers displayed with digital content. The responses may be provided on a receiver system via a conventional feedback through the same distribution channel through which the content and offer were provided, or through an alternative channel, with data being transmitted from an alternative channel device to a transacting entity. For time-shifted playback, content is identified and time-adapted offers may be provided, taking into account factors such as the content, the time of play back, the date of play back, and so forth. The alternate response channel may be more suitable for time-adapted offer responses then for contemporaneously transmitted offers.

Abstract: A system for coordinated playback of time-shifted content with time-adapted complimentary content is provided. The time-shifted content may be played back from storage media, both local and remote. Time-shifting may occur by independent playback such as from optical discs and other memory devices, as well as from user manipulation of features in a playback system based upon real-time or near real-time content distribution. The content is identified, along with timing information identifying where in the content the playback is occurring. Time-adapted complimentary content may then be selected and transmitted to the playback system. Such time-adapted content may include advertisement, product and service offerings, complimentary information, audio and/or video content, and so forth.

Abstract: A technique is provided for the parallel communication of digital content via broadcast channels and two-way data communications channels. Mobile devices may receive the digital content by the broadcast channels, and depending upon user preferences, signal quality, signal strength and other factors, coordinated switchover may be made from reception and playback of the content from a broadcast channel to reception and content from a two-way data communications channel.

Abstract: Digital content, such as video, audio, multimedia, and similar files may be associated with metadata that is in some manner descriptive of the content by means of a unique identifier generated based on the content or a portion of the content. The two may be packaged in a wrapper. If the content is separated from the metadata, such as by circulation in a non-compliant environment, the content may be recognized by a regeneration of the identifier. Based upon the re-created identifier, the metadata may be re-associated with the content. Other scenarios may include generation of compilations for files that are not included in a wrapper with content and metadata, content that becomes dissociated with metadata by transcoding, and so forth.

Abstract: A method for converting video data in a first video format to video data in a second interlaced video format comprising: determining a number of frames of the first video format to map into a frame of the second video format, the frame of the second video format having four fields; determining a number of lines from each of the number of frames of the first video format to be mapped into each of the four fields of the frame of the second video format; selecting the determined number of lines from each of the number of frames of the first video format; determining a sequence for mapping the number of selected lines into the fields of the frame of the second video format; and mapping the selected lines from each of the number frames of the first video format into the four fields of the frame of the second video format according to the determined sequence.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a transport stream analyzer, the transport stream analyzer adapted to receive an encrypted MPEG transport stream and to output a program stream map stream, a conditional access table stream, a program stream directory stream, an encrypted video signal stream, one or more encrypted audio streams, an entitlement control message stream and an entitlement management message stream, all as MPEG packetized elementary stream data structures; and a packet multiplexer adapted to receive the output of the transport stream analyzer and to assemble the output of the transport stream analyzer into an encrypted MPEG compliant modified program stream comprised of packs of MPEG packetized elementary stream data structures and to output the encrypted MPEG compliant modified program stream.

Abstract: A method and structure manage a database. A first device that includes data is coupled to a second device that includes metadata relating to the data. The second device is removed from the first device and the metadata is modified. The second device is again coupled to the first device and the modified metadata on the second device modifies the data on the first device.