Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for digital video distribution that provides for joint video content watching amongst a group of watchers using multiple mini browsing windows (MBWs), such that the watchers can simultaneously interact with each other in a video conferencing-like setting (i.e., seeing selected watchers' videos in MBWs and hearing their voices) while they view together specific video content in a synchronized way. The MBWs can be displayed as overlays on the main video window being watched on full screen.

Abstract: Techniques for delivery and presentation/display of audio-visual signals over electronic communications network channels are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a video server for an IPTV system is disclosed. The system includes a video extractor/transporter (shortly referred to as video extractor) for extracting encoded audio-visual signals from at least one video source, and distributing the signals over the electronic communications network channels. The system also includes control logic which can receive control messages from receivers and invoke the video extractor to extract audio-visual signals therefrom.

Abstract: Techniques for delivery and presentation/display of audio-visual signals over electronic communications network channels are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a video server for an IPTV system is disclosed. The system includes a video extractor/transporter (shortly referred to as video extractor) for extracting encoded audio-visual signals from at least one video source, and distributing the signals over the electronic communications network channels. The system also includes control logic which can receive control messages from receivers and invoke the video extractor to extract audio-visual signals therefrom.

Abstract: Techniques for transmission and preparation for display of real-time audio-visual content of a plurality of TV programs over electronic communications network channels and display of the audio-visual signals as a part of a TV Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) are disclosed herein. In particular, the use of video coded using a layered codec, and stored in a layered format, allows a properly configured system to present to an end user a live preview of multiple TV channels, along with EPG information (e.g., the channel, time, title and genre of video content, a list of programs scheduled in the future, as well as the ability to, for example, set parental controls, order pay-per-view programs, to search for programs based on theme or category, and to set recordings for the future when combined with a recording system), on his/her TV screen, without taking significantly more resources (e.g., in terms of bandwidth, system complexity) than the traditional digital TV transmission.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, apparatus, system, and computer readable media containing instructions for preparing and displaying a plurality of audio-visual signals in a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV), which enables fast channel switching between channels. The system includes a server which sends a plurality of audio-visual signals coded in a base layer and enhancement layer format to an endpoint. The endpoint receives and decodes the base layer of a first channel, at least one second base layer of a second channel, and at least one enhancement layer of the first channel, and displays them on a video display.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for a system and protocol that provides for composition of a video scene that embeds one or more video sequences into a background image. The protocol enables a video stream presentation system (e.g., IPTV) to automate the embedding by one or more decoders of video sequence content and non-background information, for example, stock tickers, close caption, or date/time information, into a background.

Abstract: Techniques to enable the monitoring, quality control, automatic verification of content use, confidence monitoring, and/or net-return monitoring of a forward video transmission between an originating site or content producer (e.g., a TV studio) and distribution or consuming site(s). In particular, the distribution site(s) return video signals based on the forward video transmission, from various handover points back to the originating site, to provide information on the video quality at the handover point.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for directing the gaze of a subject whose image is captured by a camera, including the direction in which the subject looks, or the distance between the subject and the camera, in such a way that a visually appealing image can be captured by the camera, where a media professional (e.g., an interviewer or a director) or other person knowledgeable in media best practices is non co-located with the subject. The techniques enable the media professional to provide visual hints both manually and automatically to the remotely located subject.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques to implement a web based remote control application and/or stand alone application running on an unmodified, commercially available smartphone, that is used to control an video distribution system (e.g., IPTV or video conferencing system) endpoint, for example the ones disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/172,355 and 61/220,061. The application connects directly to a video server that resides on an IP network (e.g., Internet), and not to (or through) the controlled endpoint. The connection to the server utilizes standard smartphone data network services to access, through the IP network, the server. Remote control commands entered by a user to the smartphone, by the means of keys, touch screen, or other smartphone user input devices, are conveyed to the server, which, in some cases, acts on those commands and, simultaneously and only when applicable, forwards them to the endpoint for local execution.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for a protocol that provides for a TV viewing experience with interaction by allowing for social collaboration of non co-located TV viewers and integrating the TV viewing experience with social networking concepts and interactive multimedia communication. The protocol enables a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV) to provide a user with presence, channel, and grouping information regarding other users in the IPTV system and available video content. The protocol also enables users of the IPTV system to interact using real-time and/or non-real time communication.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques for digital video distribution that provides for joint video content watching amongst a group of watchers using multiple mini browsing windows (MBWs), such that the watchers can simultaneously interact with each other in a video conferencing-like setting (i.e., seeing selected watchers' videos in MBWs and hearing their voices) while they view together specific video content in a synchronized way. The MBWs can be displayed as overlays on the main video window being watched on full screen.

Abstract: Techniques for transmission and preparation for display of real-time audio-visual content of a plurality of TV programs over electronic communications network channels and display of the audio-visual signals as a part of a TV Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) are disclosed herein. In particular, the use of video coded using a layered codec, and stored in a layered format, allows a properly configured system to present to an end user a live preview of multiple TV channels, along with EPG information (e.g., the channel, time, title and genre of video content, a list of programs scheduled in the future, as well as the ability to, for example, set parental controls, order pay-per-view programs, to search for programs based on theme or category, and to set recordings for the future when combined with a recording system), on his/her TV screen, without taking significantly more resources (e.g., in terms of bandwidth, system complexity) than the traditional digital TV transmission.

Abstract: Techniques for delivery and presentation/display of audio-visual signals over electronic communications network channels are disclosed herein. In an exemplary embodiment, a video server for an IPTV system is disclosed. The system includes a video extractor/transporter (shortly referred to as video extractor) for extracting encoded audio-visual signals from at least one video source, and distributing the signals over the electronic communications network channels. The system also includes control logic which can receive control messages from receivers and invoke the video extractor to extract audio-visual signals therefrom.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method, apparatus, system, and computer readable media containing instructions for preparing and displaying a plurality of audio-visual signals in a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV), which enables fast channel switching between channels. The system includes a server which sends a plurality of audio-visual signals coded in a base layer and enhancement layer format to an endpoint. The endpoint receives and decodes the base layer of a first channel, at least one second base layer of a second channel, and at least one enhancement layer of the first channel, and displays them on a video display.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media containing instructions for displaying video files for rapid searching. In two different types of exemplary embodiments, a standalone video skimming system, and a video skimming system includes a server and a client system are disclosed, where the video file may be locally or remotely stored, or can be obtained from a live feed. The system displays many small windows simultaneously, in which different parts of the video chosen by the user are shown at the same time to shorten the skimming time. The video file is encoded using layered encoding to display smaller versions using lower layers, and without needing any processing to generate smaller versions of the video from the original full screen version.