Abstract: Video data with both ultra-high definition (UHD) resolution and high or enhanced dynamic range (EDR) data are coded in a backward-compatible layered stream which allows legacy decoders to extract an HD standard dynamic range (SDR) signal. In response to a base layer HD SDR signal, a predicted signal is generated using separate luma and chroma prediction models. In the luma predictor, luma pixel values of the predicted signal are computed based only on luma pixel values of the base layer, while in the chroma predictor, chroma pixel values of the predicted signal are computed based on both the luma and the chroma pixel values of the base layer. A residual signal is computed based on the input UHD EDR signal and the predicted signal. The base layer and the residual signal are coded separately to form a coded bitstream. A compatible dual-layer decoder is also presented.

Abstract: In particular embodiments a social networking system may receive authorization from a first user of a social-networking system to control at least in part one or more functions of a set-top box (STB) of the first user, determine one or more social actions of one or more second users of the social-networking system, determine one or more instructions for the STB of the first user based at least in part on the social actions, and provide the instructions for the STB of the first user. The social-networking system includes a graph having a plurality of nodes and edges connecting the nodes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving data are provided. In the method of receiving data, at least one of a plurality of media data generated by encoding content to have different qualities is received, the plurality of media data each including at least one segment; location information indicating a randomly accessible point of each of the at least one segment is obtained; and random accessing is provided on the received media data, based on the location information.

Abstract: A method for receiving a broadcasting service according to the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving service signaling data for receiving a object; receiving network property information related to the object if the object that is to be received exists; determining whether the object is received according to network connection status of an apparatus for receiving a broadcast and the received network property information; receiving the object based on the service signaling data; receiving a first packetized stream; extracting a trigger including a trigger action and trigger time from a payload of the first packetized stream; and performing the trigger action in response to the object at the predetermined time using the trigger time based on the network property information.

Abstract: Systems and techniques are provided for smart snap to interesting points in media content. A position control input may be received from a user to a control interface for a content player being used with a content item. A smart snap point and an associated smart snap area t may be determined for the content item based on the received position control input. The smart snap point and the associated smart snap area may be stored. A second position control input to the control interface for the content player being used with the content item may be received. The position control input may be determined to move a position indicator into the associated smart snap area for the smart snap point. Use of the content item may be resumed with the content player from the smart snap point.

Abstract: A client TV in a home entertainment network receives and buffers an audio/video stream from a server, before playing the stream. In the case of buffer underflow, the client TV requests the server to raise the transmission rate. If this causes an ensuing buffer overflow, the client TV requests the server to reset the transmission rate or stop transmitting altogether for a short time.

Abstract: This disclosure provides examples of computer-implemented systems and processes for determining a user browsing session context, intent, or activity based on contextual information associated with a user's browsing session, and using this determined context as a basis to filter or improve selection of content items for the user. For example, if the user is building up a watch list (for example, discovering new titles), then it may be desirable to filter out items for recommendation which are already on that watch list. However, when the user is searching for something to watch in the current session (for example, consuming content), then it may be more appropriate to show items already added to the watch list as recommended content. Item recommendations can thus be improved or filtered based in part on parameters of the user's browsing activity with respect to content items.

Abstract: A method of setting controls on a digital communication device operated by an end user participant in a digital content event provided from a digital communication network includes operating a tracking control in the digital communication network to track activity of the digital communication device in a context of the digital content event; operating a timer in conjunction with the activity to form a time-stamped set of ranking controls; attenuating the time-stamped set of ranking controls according to an elapsed time; applying the time-stamped set of ranking controls and content inputs from a digital content manager to operate a ranking control and digital filter to generate a control interface for the digital communication device, the control interface comprising a plurality of individually operable controls; and configuring the digital communication device with the control interface.

Abstract: A method is provided for a reception apparatus to access content. The method includes outputting a distribution schedule for a plurality of content and receiving a selection of one of the plurality of content for which distribution started before or starts after a current time. At least one processor of the reception apparatus determines whether on-demand access is requested for the selected content. When on-demand access is determined to be requested for the selected content, a request for the selected content is sent over a first communication medium and the selected content is received via a second communication medium.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for causing a stunt switcher to run a snipe-overlay video effect (DVE). An example method involves (i) selecting a first log-entry from a traffic log, the first log-entry corresponding to a snipe-overlay DVE, to a snipe video, and to a start time; (ii) selecting a second log-entry from the traffic log, the second log-entry corresponding to a video component (VC) and the start time; (iii) causing the VC to start being channeled through the stunt switcher proximate the start time; (iv) making a determination that a threshold time-period has passed since the start time; and (v) responsive to making the determination (a) causing the snipe video to be sent to the stunt switcher, and (b) causing the stunt switcher to run the snipe-overlay DVE, thereby overlaying the snipe video on the VC as the VC is being channeled through the stunt switcher.

Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to presentation of content in a coordinated manner through a plurality of output devices is described. A smartphone, for example, may enhance a visual presentation made by a digital billboard by adding audio to the presentation. Various methods are described. Various apparatus are described. Further embodiments are described.

Abstract: Enhanced history buffer systems and methods are operable to temporarily store program content for program events. An exemplary embodiment receives program content corresponding to each of the plurality of program events, generates a unique discrete program content file in the enhanced history buffer for each of the plurality of program events, and stores the received program content for each of the plurality of program events in the associated one of the discrete program content files. Each discrete program content file begins at a known starting location in the enhanced history buffer and ends at a known ending location in the enhanced history buffer.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service user interface system 1) providing a media service graphical user interface (“GUI”) for display, 2) detecting user input to launch a user interface customization mode, 3) launching the user interface customization mode, 4) receiving user input defining a customization of the GUI, 5) implementing the customization, and 6) exiting the user interface customization mode. In certain examples, the GUI may include a main menu bar that includes a set of menu objects representing a set of feature modules of the media service and a menu bar management object, the customization mode may be launched in response to a user selection of the menu bar management object included in the main menu bar, and the customization may be of the main menu bar. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of receiving and processing a broadcast signal including a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service in a broadcast receiver, the method comprises receiving and processing first signaling information including content access information and second signaling information including content detail information, receiving and processing third signaling information including content update information, receiving and storing a content including at least one file through NRT based on the first signaling information and the second signaling information, identifying update availability of the content based on the content update information included in the third signaling information, and receiving at least one file included in the content by accessing a File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) session transmitting the content when the update is available.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a metadata extractor to extract a series of metadata tags associated with media playing on a presentation device. The example apparatus includes a media event detector to detect a media event associated with the media playing on the presentation device. The example apparatus also includes a metadata selector to identify a subset of the series of metadata tags for reporting to a central facility. The subset includes a first metadata tag extracted approximate in time to the media event. The example apparatus further includes a transmitter to transmit the subset of the series of the metadata tags to a central facility.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for session management and control procedures for supporting multiple groups of sink devices in a peer-to-peer wireless display system are described. One implementation may include an apparatus configured to transmit multimedia content to a plurality of sink devices. The apparatus may comprise a processor configured to connect to each of the sink devices with a Wi-Fi peer-to-peer connection. The processor may further be configured to receive capability information from each of the sink devices. The processor may further be configured to generate a control message including a group session ID and a transport port number. The processor may further be configured to determine a set of streaming parameters for the sink devices. The processor may further be configured to transmit, using the transport port number and according to the set of streaming parameters, the particular multimedia content to each of the Wi-Fi peer-to-peer connected sink devices.

Abstract: An information processing device that includes circuitry that selects content including at least one name specified by a user; selects a plurality of contents in which the name possibly occurs; acquires a plurality of face groups by grouping, per person, face images occurring in the plurality of contents selected by the circuitry; calculates a number of similar face groups appearing in other content for each of the plurality of face groups; acquires, as a candidate face group, a face group having a greatest number of similar face groups appearing in other content; and determines a face group to associate with the name from face groups.

Abstract: A system for automatically managing the delivery of digital media assets allocates media assets to video programs so that audience members will receive the digital media assets when they view the video programs. An example is the automated allocation of sponsored videos to television programs. The system includes data stores, a digital media server, and a campaign manager system. The campaign manager system receives consumption data corresponding to a first campaign, along with an allocation value and other parameters, and uses that information to automatically allocate digital media assets to additional digital programming files and their corresponding video programs for a second campaign.

Abstract: A smart playlist system is described. In one example embodiment, a collector module obtains content utilization data from a plurality of client devices associated with respective plurality of viewers. A hot list generator module generates a list of popular content items based on the obtained content utilization data. A customization module generates a customized playlist for a target viewer from the plurality of viewers, based on the list of popular content items and a profile of the target viewer. The communications module communicates the customized playlist to a client device of the target viewer.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for identifying a content source of media content being transmitted to a viewer in situations when a specific media asset is being transmitted to the viewer from two different content sources nearly simultaneously. For example, if a certain movie is being broadcast at nearly the same time by two different channels, the system is able to identify the channel that the viewer is watching. The system performs the identification by obtaining content identifiers for two different channels, matching the content identifier based on time and then finding a divergent pair of content identifiers by iterating in reverse chronological order through the pairs and comparing the content identifiers. The system then compares the content identifiers to content identifiers in a log that stores content identifiers and timestamps for content that the viewer is consuming. The matching content identifier corresponds to the correct content source.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable storage mediums for providing and/or processing service usage reporting data. The reception apparatus includes a receiver, a parser, and a processor. The receiver receives closed caption service data. The closed caption service data includes closed caption data within a first service block having a service number in the range of 1-6, and the service usage reporting data within a second service block having a different service number in the range of 1-6. The closed caption data includes closed caption text. The parser parses the service usage reporting data within the second service block having the different service number in the range of 1-6. The processor provides service-usage information to a service-usage reporting server (SURS) based on the service usage reporting data.

Abstract: A method of providing communications services to customer premise equipment (CPE) coupled to a television. The method includes operating a network element as a communications terminal server, the network element being part of a communications network. The network element receives from the CPE a request to initiate communications with a diagnostic system coupled to the communications network. The network element accesses a communications application executing on a communications server coupled to the communications network and pushes a communications interface to the CPE. The network element receives message information from the CPE and routes the message information to the communications server to initiate delivery of a message to the diagnostic system.

Abstract: An exemplary apparatus for use in a cable-based network includes passive circuitry coupled with an input of the apparatus and configured to generate an output signal having frequency response characteristics controlled as a function of a value of at least one component in the passive circuitry. The apparatus further includes active circuitry coupled with the input of the apparatus. The active circuitry is configured to generate a message signal indicative of a presence of the apparatus in the cable-based network in response to an interrogation signal supplied to the apparatus.

Abstract: A display apparatus having a virtual machine includes a reception module configured to receive an application written in a specific programming language, a detector configured to detect a first data format included in the application, a translator configured to translate the detected first data format into a second data format capable of being processed by an enhanced virtual machine, the enhanced virtual machine configured to process the translated second data format, a video processor configured to translate the second data format processed by the enhanced virtual machine into outputtable data, and a display module configured to output the translated data.

Abstract: A data processing system includes a first virtual machine, a second virtual machine, a switching unit, an external data processing device, and a video output unit. The first virtual machine performs video processing on input processing data. The second virtual machine transmits/receives the processing data to/from an outside. The switching unit switches an input destination of the processing data from the first virtual machine to the second virtual machine. The external data processing device receives the processing data transmitted from the second virtual machine, performs the video processing on the processing data, and transmits the processing data to the second virtual machine. The video output unit outputs, to a video output device, the processing data on which the video processing has been performed by the first virtual machine, and outputs, to the video output device, the processing data that the second virtual machine has received.

Abstract: A DVR sends, over the Internet, to a server, information that indicates a set of programs. The information also may indicate a ranking of the programs in the set relative to each other. In response to receiving the information from the DVR, the server determines a “to do” list of programs that the DVR should record as those programs are broadcasted in the future. The “to do” list indicates recording times and channels for each program. The server sends the “to do” list back to the DVR over the Internet. The DVR receives the “to do” list over the Internet and stores the “to do” list. As the programs on the “to do” list are broadcasted, the DVR automatically records those programs at the list-specified times and on the list-specified channels. The DVR stores those programs on the DVR's hard disk drive for later viewing by the DVR user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus with improved operatability. With the information processing apparatus in which the user is capable of watching a television program and connecting to the Internet, the index panel 1 shows channel buttons 2 to be operated to select a desired program, a site button 71 to be operated to make an access to site A available on the Internet and a site button 72 to be operated to make an access to site B on the Internet. The present invention allows the user to watch a television program and can be applied to an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, which can be connected to the Internet.

Abstract: A DVR, server, or other agent correlates media metadata from diverse sources, like an EPG data provider and multiple video-on-demand (VOD) service providers. Metadata sets from different sources are compared in order to attempt to identify identical programs to which the metadata sets pertain. From at least one metadata set, information about the program that the other metadata set lacks is selected. A “canonical” data structure instance for the program is created. The information that is lacking from at least one of the metadata sources is inserted into that instance. For each source from which a program is available, the DVR stores the identity of that source on the DVR's persistent storage device in association with the canonical data structure instance for that program. The DVR receives search criteria from a user and then searches the stored canonical data structure instance for programs that satisfy the criteria.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for a method for transmitting, by a first system including at least one first processor, to a second system including at least one second processor, a tag retrieved by the first system from a stream associated with a media program that is received by the first system, identifying, by the second system, a plurality of records associated with the tag, determining, by the second system, a temporal characteristic of the tag according to a comparison of a scheduled presentation time of the media program and a time of receipt of the tag, selecting, by the second system, a record from the plurality of records according to the temporal characteristic, and transmitting, by the second system, content information retrieved from the record selected from the plurality of records. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing media mosaics are described. One embodiment provides a media mosaic management method in a media device. The method generates a mosaic filter based on a program selected from a first media mosaic. The mosaic filter is used to identify related programs for presentation in a second, customized media mosaic.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and publishing content are described. A content item, such as a video, having a first time length, is identified by a system to be included in a program scheduled for a first time period. The video may be hosted on a third party system. A first span of time within the first program is allocated for the video, wherein the first span of time is longer than the first time length. The system determines, prior to or at the first time period, a time difference between a current length of the video and the first span of time. At least partly in response to determining that the video has a time length shorter than the first span of time, the system selects supplemental content based at least in part of the determined time difference to be streamed to user terminals over a data network within the first time period.

Abstract: RF signal amplifiers are provided that include an RF input port, a power divider network having a plurality of active output ports, an active path connecting the RF input port to the power divider network, the active path including an upstream diplexer, a downstream diplexer and a power amplifier between the upstream diplexer and the downstream diplexer, a passive output port, a MoCA diplexer that is coupled to the passive output port, a passive path connecting the RF input port to the MoCA diplexer and a MoCA rejection filter between the power divider network and the active path.

Abstract: The satellite television antenna device scans the sky and locks onto a first satellite candidate by measuring microwave radiation. The antenna acquires identification (ID) of a first satellite candidate from a set top box (STB), if possible. Then, the antenna moves to a second satellite candidate and acquires the corresponding ID from the STB, if possible. Antenna dish orientation information is stored in memory for at least all satellites that were identified as corresponding to a user's television programming package. The antenna can switch directly between two or more stored dish positions in response to the user changing channels on the STB. The antenna can be powered solely by the STB. A two-way communication conduit can be established between the STB and the antenna via a single cable. The communications conduit can also be used to transmit power to the antenna.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a storage unit that stores first moving image data and a processor. The processor performs processes including monitoring a state of a communication network, generating second moving image data in accordance with a result of the monitoring by deleting a frame from the first moving image data in a manner such that a first frame rate indicating a first number of frames per unit time of the first moving image data becomes a second frame rate that is lower than the first frame rate, generating frame information related to the deleted frame, and transmitting the second moving image data and the frame information.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for generating preference rankings in response to requests for streaming media content received from client devices. The preference rankings are used to indirectly partition streaming media content across different content distribution networks (CDNs). Such partitions may be referred to as a “soft” partition, as all of the streaming media content remains available from each CDN. That is, the partitioning of content across CDNs is not absolute, and any content item may be requested from any CDN. Doing so ensures that content remains available even where the preferred CDN for a given content item fails, while at the same time increasing the probability of a cache hit at the CDNs, without increasing the cost or the actual cache sizes of the content caches of different CDNs.

Abstract: A video receiving apparatus includes: a receiving unit which receives video content; an extracting unit which extracts a partial content which is a portion of the video content by analyzing the video content, to obtain a feature of the partial content item, the feature being characteristic within the video content; an information generating unit which generates a composition information item indicating the partial content item and including at least one of a character and an image; a priority setting unit which sets a priority of the composition information item based on the feature obtained from the partial content item, the priority indicating a degree of association between the video content and the composition information item; and a display control unit which controls display of the composition information item on a display screen according to the priority of the composition information item set by the priority setting unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving an MPEG-2 TS-based media file are provided. In the method of transmitting an MPEG2 Transport Stream (TS)-based media file, a Presentation Time Stamp (PTS) of a Presentation Unit (PU) is mapped to a Media Presentation Time (MPT) for synchronization with other media with respect to at least one program element forming a program included in the media file; and synchronization information including the mapped media presentation time is transmitted together with the media file, wherein the media presentation time is provided for a first PU in a segment of the transmitted media file.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving an MPEG-2 TS-based media file are provided. In the method of transmitting an MPEG2 Transport Stream (TS)-based media file, a Presentation Time Stamp (PTS) of a Presentation Unit (PU) is mapped to a Media Presentation Time (MPT) for synchronization with other media with respect to at least one program element forming a program included in the media file; and synchronization information including the mapped media presentation time is transmitted together with the media file, wherein the media presentation time is provided for a first PU in a segment of the transmitted media file.

Abstract: The present invention includes systems and methods for providing video clips. One or more users may set one or more parameters for automatically creating one or more video clips of an event. One or more sources may provide event information used to trigger video clip creation. An advertisement may be inserted into one or more created video clips. Each video clip may be associated with metadata and downloaded by a user device user, wherein metadata may identify one or more parameters associated with the video clip.

Abstract: Disclosed are a signal transmitting method, a signal transmitting apparatus, and a system for transmitting and receiving a signal. The signal transmitting method comprises the steps of: discovering a companion device using a multicast mode; receiving and storing device type information from the discovered companion device; receiving an application uniform resource identifier (URI) and storing the application URI to correspond to the device type information; and identifying the device type information of the companion device selected by a user and transmitting to the selected companion device the application URI corresponding to the device type information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method performed by a computerized device, comprising: obtaining consumption data comprising readings indicating consumption of a product, the consumption data is monitored by a plurality of metering devices, wherein the metering devices are associated with a plurality of consumption entities, wherein the plurality of consumption entities comprising a consumption unit and one or more sub consumption units of the consumption unit, wherein the product is supplied serially to the one or more sub consumption units via the consumption unit; and calculating residual consumption of the plurality of consumption entities at a point in time, wherein the residual consumption is consumption of the consumption unit and which is not associated with a sub consumption unit, wherein the residual consumption is calculated based on the consumption by the plurality of consumption entities at a plurality of points in time.

Abstract: An apparatus for interrogating radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags within an enclosure. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises an RFID module, a first assembly comprising a processor, a second assembly comprising an RFID radiator operatively coupled to the RFID module, and a connection element coupled to the first assembly and second assembly such that the second assembly is movable relative to the first assembly between a first configuration and second configuration. The processor may be configured to interrogate RFID tags via the RFID module and RFID radiator when the second assembly is in the second configuration, and not interrogate RFID tags when the second assembly is in the first configuration. In addition, both the first assembly and the second assembly may comprise attachment components configured to removably couple its respective assembly to one or more surfaces of an enclosure.

Abstract: A method of processing telematics data associated with multiple machines. The method includes receiving the telematics data from multiple telematics data providers in communication with the machines. The method also includes determining if the telematics data from each of the telematics data providers is in a non-standard format and transforming the telematics data in the non-standard format to a standard format. The method further includes displaying, via a Graphical User Interface (GUI), the telematics data in the standard format.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating biofeedback to a user through a wearable device that includes collecting physiological data of at least one physiological property of a user; processing the physiological data into at least one biosignal; monitoring the at least one biosignal for a feedback activation condition; and upon satisfying a feedback activation condition, delivering haptic feedback.

Abstract: Devices state changes in a building may be determined using a combination of power monitoring and network monitoring. Power monitoring may be performed by obtaining a power monitoring signal and processing the power monitoring signal with models to determine information about state changes of one or more devices in the building. Network monitoring may be performed by receiving information about network packets transmitted by devices in the building and processing the information about the network packets to determine information about state changes of one or more devices in the building. For some devices and some implementations, information about state changes of a device may be determined by using both power monitoring and network monitoring.

Abstract: Data center network architectures, systems, and methods that can reduce the cost and complexity of data center networks. Such data center network architectures, systems, and methods employ physical optical ring network and multi-dimensional network topologies and optical nodes to efficiently allocate bandwidth within the data center networks, while reducing the physical interconnectivity requirements of the data center networks. The respective optical nodes can be configured to provide various switching topologies, including, but not limited to, chordal ring switching topologies and multi-dimensional chordal ring switching topologies.

Abstract: A switchable optical amplifier includes: a first optical amplifier; a second optical amplifier; and an optical switch which includes first and second input ports and first and second output ports, the optical switch that switches between a first connection state where the first input port and the first output port are in an optical connection and the second input port and the second output port are in a no optical connection and a second connection state where the first input port and the second output port are in an optical connection and the second input port and the first output port are in an optical connection, wherein an output of the first optical amplifier is optically coupled to the first input port of the optical switch, an input of the second optical amplifier is optically coupled to the second output port of the optical switch.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the systems and methods of hybrid DWDM aggregation and extension for time division multiplexing passive optical networks as disclosed herein solves problems facing cable operators and telecommunications operators by using WDM and DWDM technologies for time division multiplexing passive optical network aggregation and by extending the reach of the TDM PON beyond standard reach limits. An example system uses a downstream optical amplifier and an upstream repeater to extend the reach and for DWDM aggregation of the time division passive optical network.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for transporting deterministic traffic in a gigabit passive optical network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Optical Line Termination (OLT) for exchanging data traffic in a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) having a controller programmed to generate a timeslot schedule for transport of a desired bandwidth of constant bit rate (CBR) data traffic by selecting one or more timeslots from periodic frame clusters operating according to a GPON Transmission Convergence (GTC) protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A sense channel signal processing block is time-domain multiplexed among multiple MEMS devices and utilizes an anti-aliasing filter disposed after track-and-hold switches, to prevent the bandwidth of the sense channel from being limited by the anti-aliasing filter.