Abstract: A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data.

Abstract: A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data ; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data.

Abstract: A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data ; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data.

Abstract: A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data.

Abstract: The document discloses a method for communicating information, such as audiovisual data and other information to a user. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal on a content receiver. The broadcast signal includes a video signal and a graphical signal, and the graphical signal includes a matrix barcode. After the content receiver receives the broadcast signal, the content receiver determines whether the matrix barcode should be displayed. The determination that the matrix barcode should be displayed may be based on the geographic location of the content receiver or user settings/preferences stored on the content receiver. If the matrix barcode should be displayed, the content receiver creates and outputs a modified signal. The modified signal includes the video signal with the matrix barcode overlaid on top of the video signal. If the matrix barcode should not be displayed, the content receiver outputs the broadcast signal.

Abstract: A media content processing system includes a first tuner programmed to receive a first media content signal and a second tuner programmed to receive a second media content signal. A processing device is programmed to receive a popularity signal representing a popularity of a media content instance. The processing device is further programmed to command the second tuner to tune to the media content instance identified by the popularity signal.

Abstract: A media content processing system includes a first tuner programmed to receive a first media content signal and a second tuner programmed to receive a second media content signal. A processing device is programmed to receive a popularity signal representing a popularity of a media content instance. The processing device is further programmed to command the second tuner to tune to the media content instance identified by the popularity signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting the placement of a progress bar that is displayed on top of audiovisual content being presented on a display device when a viewer issues a “trick-play” command to change the rate at which the audiovisual content is being presented, such as rewind, pause, or fast-forward. The placement of the progress bar is selected such that it does not obscure audiovisual content used by the viewer to determine how long to issue the trick-play command.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data.

Abstract: A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for skipping, filtering, or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the stream, wherein the stream has segments of a show interspersed with commercial breaks. A method for processing the stream determines that a commercial break is currently being output for presentation, and monitors for receipt of a user-initiated command to skip the commercial break. When a user-initiated skip command is received during the commercial break, the method automatically skips to a location in the stream that is at or near an end of the commercial break, and seamlessly continues presentation of the stream from that location. If a skip command is not received during output of the commercial break, then output of the current commercial break continues as usual. This methodology is repeated for all subsequent commercial breaks in the stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for selecting the placement of a progress bar that is displayed on top of audiovisual content being presented on a display device when a viewer issues a “trick-play” command to change the rate at which the audiovisual content is being presented, such as rewind, pause, or fast-forward. The placement of the progress bar is selected such that it does not obscure audiovisual content used by the viewer to determine how long to issue the trick-play command.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for skipping, filtering, or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the stream, wherein the stream has segments of a show interspersed with commercial breaks. A method for processing the stream determines that a commercial break is currently being output for presentation, and monitors for receipt of a user-initiated command to skip the commercial break. When a user-initiated skip command is received during the commercial break, the method automatically skips to a location in the stream that is at or near an end of the commercial break, and seamlessly continues presentation of the stream from that location. If a skip command is not received during output of the commercial break, then output of the current commercial break continues as usual. This methodology is repeated for all subsequent commercial breaks in the stream.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of presenting alternative audio content for an audio/visual content segment, such as a television program or a motion picture. In the method, the audio/visual content segment is received into a media content receiver. The audio/visual content segment includes primary visual content and primary audio content. A request to receive alternative audio content for the audio/visual content segment is transmitted. After transmitting the request, the alternative audio content is received into the media content receiver. The primary audio content is replaced with the alternative audio content to generate a revised audio/visual content segment. The revised audio/visual content is transferred for presentation to a user.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described for skipping, filtering, or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the stream, wherein the stream has segments of a show interspersed with commercial breaks. A method for processing the stream determines that a commercial break is currently being output for presentation, and monitors for receipt of a user-initiated command to skip the commercial break. When a user-initiated skip command is received during the commercial break, the method automatically skips to a location in the stream that is at or near an end of the commercial break, and seamlessly continues presentation of the stream from that location. If a skip command is not received during output of the commercial break, then output of the current commercial break continues as usual. This methodology is repeated for all subsequent commercial breaks in the stream.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of presenting alternative audio content for an audio/visual content segment, such as a television program or a motion picture. In the method, the audio/visual content segment is received into a media content receiver. The audio/visual content segment includes primary visual content and primary audio content. A request to receive alternative audio content for the audio/visual content segment is transmitted. After transmitting the request, the alternative audio content is received into the media content receiver. The primary audio content is replaced with the alternative audio content to generate a revised audio/visual content segment. The revised audio/visual content is transferred for presentation to a user.