Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for efficiently “catching-up” a user that is interested in a media asset when that user has missed a portion of the media asset while consuming the media asset together with other people. The system may detect that multiple people are consuming a media asset and may determine, based on a respective profile of each person, whether that person is interested in the media asset. When the system detects that the user is disregarding the media asset, the missed portion of the media asset is stored if the user is interested in the media asset, and is not stored if the user is not interested in the media asset.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining social network information associated with a first user, wherein the social network information includes information identifying a second user who is related to the first user. A determination is made that the first user had selected, during a presentation of a first media content item by a first media processing device of the first user, recording of a second media content item that had been advertised during the presentation of the first media content item. Responsive to the determining that the first user had selected the recording of the second media content item, a second media processing device of the second user is directed to record the second media content item. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for data transmission are described. A sending terminal sends data and a data identification of the data to a server. The data identification is broadcasted to one or more receiving terminals through a short distance wireless communication. The receiving terminal obtains the data from the server according to the data identification. When the sending terminal needs to transmit data to multiple receiving terminals, the techniques of the present disclosure do not require the sending terminal to establish a point-to-point connection with each of the receiving terminal. Thus, the techniques of the present disclosure effectively reduce transmission time with multiple receiving terminals, improve data transmission efficiency, and lower power consumption at the sending terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus information acquisition unit 444 acquires information representative of a limitation relating to viewing or recording of a broadcasting program in regard to each of a plurality of recording apparatus. An operation detection unit 44 accepts a user operation which designates a recording target program. When the user operation is accepted, a recording apparatus selection unit 446 determines a priority of each recording apparatus in response to the limitation relating to viewing or recording of a broadcasting program in each recording apparatus, and selects a recording apparatus which has the highest priority as a recording apparatus which is to record the recording target program.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application relate to a method, apparatus, and system for processing subtitle data. The method includes dividing subtitle data into multiple subtitle groups according to subtitle data display time information related to a played object, wherein a subtitle group comprises at least one subtitle data entry, and wherein a subtitle data entry comprises subtitle content, a subtitle display time in relation to the played object, and a speed of subtitle motion, selecting a piece of subtitle data from a subtitle group according to the display time information of the played object, and causing the selected piece of subtitle data to be displayed on a track such that the selected piece of subtitle data does not overlap with or pass another piece of subtitle data displayed on the track.

Abstract: A Dynamic Video Source Selection (DVSS) component that can be implemented in a physical or virtual STB that is capable of presenting a high quality service and consistent navigational paradigm to the viewer, while detecting, selecting, and presenting the best quality programming possible based upon the current position of the viewer's device within the network.

Abstract: A network device can manage the storing of content. In one aspect, the content may be managed to prevent the storing of multiple versions of the same content. A deduplication process may be performed by comparing digests generated at user devices. Based on the comparison of the digests, the network device can efficiently and effectively manage the retrieving and storing of content.

Abstract: In many aspects, systems and methods for recording overlapping media content using interactive media guidance applications are provided. The systems and methods for recording overlapping media content generally relate to cropping overlapping portions of the media content thereby allowing a user to enjoy most of the recording while only forgoing a portion of the beginning or the end of a program.

Abstract: A data processing device including an output control unit configured to extract a character string targeted for a search from subtitle data of content data including image data, voice data, and the subtitle data, search the voice data for data of a voice uttering the character string, acquire timing information indicating time when the character string is uttered, which is included in the image data, generate subtitle timing information including identification information provided to identify the subtitle data including the character string and the timing information, where the identification information and the timing information are associated with each other, so that the subtitle timing information is acquired, and synchronize the subtitle data and image data of time indicated by timing information associated with identification information of the subtitle data, and output the subtitle data and the image data based on the subtitle timing information is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver controls a digital recording device via a digital data bus to enable sub-channel recording and playback. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a processor that is operative to process signals representing a plurality of sub-channels to generate digital data for a first one of the sub-channels. The digital data includes program data and identification data for the first sub-channel. An input/output terminal is operative to provide the digital data to a digital recording device via a digital data bus.

Abstract: A networked personal video recording (“PVR”) system couples a plurality of clients to one or more PVR media servers over a network. One or more PVR media servers include television tuners to tune television signals. A storage medium buffers the television signals to implement PVR functionality. For example, the PVR media server records television programs for clients. Clients are assigned to television tuners, and the clients display television programs received at the assigned tuner. The network transfers the buffered television signals to the clients.

Abstract: A virtual set-top box (vSTB) for executing a middleware component, designed originally for use with the physical STB, including emulating hardware capabilities of the physical STB to process IPTV content received over a connection for presenting the IPTV content on a display of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide time-based management for MPEG decoding are provided. In one example, a method for live decoding in a personal video recorder system includes the steps of receiving at least one data packet; determining at least one program clock reference (PCR) using the at least one data packet; and locking a timing mechanism to the at least one determined PCR.

Abstract: A Headend system including a video codec to encode a video sequence yielding an encoded video sequence having video packets, a multiplexer, a signal generator to receive a notification of a splice point, analyze at least some of the encoded video packets based on the notification in order to find a random-access-point-packet, the random-access-point being a point from which to start decoding the encoded video sequence by the rendering device so that the video sequence may be rendered for output from the splice point, create a timing signal estimating a location of the random-access-point-packet in the encoded video sequence, and output the timing signal to the multiplexer or transmission equipment. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: An image recording method for a time shift function and an image recording apparatus thereof are provided. The image recording method includes, if a channel is changed, tuning one of first and second tuners to the change channel, based on time information of each channel received through the first and second tuners, and controlling a record progress state of each channel image received through the first and second tuners based on the time information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording programs using a user's equipment and a network recording device are provided. An interactive television application may determine whether the user's equipment has sufficient resources (e.g., tuners or space) to record a program selected for recording. If the interactive television application determines that the user's equipment does not have sufficient resources, the interactive television application may select, automatically or in response to a user instruction, the program for recording with a network recording device. In some embodiments, the user may have to pay for the use of the network recording device, or may be required to purchase a given tier level of service. The interactive television application may play back programs from the network recording device as VOD offerings, or may direct the network recording device to transfer recorded programs to the user's equipment when it has sufficient resources.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and method of processing data are disclosed. The digital broadcasting system includes a transmitting system and a receiving system. The transmitting system comprises a distributed transmission adapter and a plurality of transmitters each being operated as a slave of the distributed transmission adapter, and each sharing the same frequency and transmitting the same signals.

Abstract: Improving storage efficiency for a digital video recorder is provided. It is determined whether television programming is being presented on a high definition channel or a standard definition channel. The television programming is recorded using the digital video recorder in response to determining that the television programming is being presented on a standard definition channel without making any resolution changes to the television programming. It is determined whether the content of the television programming originates in high definition or standard definition. When the television programming originates in standard definition, it is determined whether a corresponding standard definition channel is available. In response to determining the corresponding channel is available, the television programming is recorded in standard definition from the corresponding channel. Otherwise, the television programming is downscaled on the high definition channel to a standard definition resolution.

Abstract: A data processing device connects to a first display and operates in a power state including a power-off state, a recording standby state, and a power-on state. A second display displays an operation state of the data processing device. A power controller supplies electric power to a driver in the power-on state and the recording standby state, and stops supplying the electric power in the power-off state. The second display indicates that power is ON in the power-on state, and indicates that the power is OFF in the recording standby state and the power-off state. The power controller switches the power state from the recording standby state to the power-on state when a signal instructing start of a recording operation is received from the first display and the power state is the recording standby state.

Abstract: A virtual set-top box (vSTB) for executing a middleware component, designed originally for use with the physical STB, including emulating hardware capabilities of the physical STB to process IPTV content received over a connection for presenting the IPTV content on a display of the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a receiving apparatus for sending received contents to a recording apparatus and for getting the recording apparatus to record the contents in accordance with preset recording reservations, the receiving apparatus including: a recording ready time information acquisition section configured to acquire from the recording apparatus information about a recording ready time; a continuous recording determination section configured to determine whether two chronologically successive broadcast contents are reserved for recording based on the preset recording reservations; and an end time setting section configured such that if the two chronologically successive broadcast contents are found reserved for recording, then the end time setting section sets the time at which to end processing for recording the earlier of the two contents based on a broadcast start time of the latter of the two contents and on the acquired information about the recording ready time.

Abstract: An information delivery apparatus includes an encoder for encoding and packetizing digital data of an image or an audio, a frame assembly identification packet insertion unit for inserting a frame assembly identification packet including time information in the data packetized by the encoder on a frame assembly basis, and a transmission side communication module for outputting to a network the stream data having the frame assembly identification packet inserted therein by the frame assembly identification insertion unit.

Abstract: One object of example embodiment is to provide arrangements for enabling a user to willfully record a highlight position and highlight importance without having to perform any burdensome procedure during highlight scene shooting. When a highlight button acquisition information and weight information input from a user interface 103 are acquired in a situation where a system control section 101 retains a predetermined time-shift time, the system control section 101 calculates marker information that includes the weight information and the information about a position earlier by the time-shift time, and records the marker information on a recording medium 105 via a drive control section 104.

Abstract: A digital video recorder having hierarchical memories and a method for implementing the hierarchical memories are disclosed. The digital video recorder in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes i) a storage unit, which includes a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, and a hard disk drive and ii) a memory controller, which controls audio and video streams successively outputted from a demultiplexer to be moved to and stored in the volatile memory, the non-volatile memory, and the hard disk drive in the order of the volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and hard disk drive.

Abstract: An apparatus determines whether a combination of a certificate type of a content certificate recorded on a source recording medium and a medium type of the source recording medium is a proper combination. If the combination is a proper combination, the apparatus requests a license server, which is connected to the apparatus via a network, to give approval to record content on a target recording medium. If the apparatus is a legitimate DVD recorder, the license server sends to the content recording apparatus a content certificate including on the source recording medium as the certificate type. The apparatus records the content together with the received content certificate on the target recording medium.

Abstract: A method of playing back a television program on a playback device connected to a local area network while simultaneously storing a television program on a storage device connected to the network is disclosed. The method includes receiving a television broadcast that includes at least one program at a first settop box. A first program is stored on a permanent storage device of a network storage server connected through a network to the first settop box. While receiving the television broadcast and while storing the first program, a program is rendered on a digital media rendering device connected through the network to the first settop box.

Abstract: An interface is realized that can prevent video signals from being copied easily and which uses a luminance/color difference signal transmission scheme with an excellent harmony with a television circuit. In a video transmission using a digital interface, colorimetry information for defining the conversion from the luminance/color difference signal into a primary color signal and video aspect ratio information are transmitted along with the luminance/color difference type video signal. This allows reproduction of video with high quality and high resolution and also realizes a copyright protection which allows only the users authorized by key information to use the content of the video. With this transmission scheme, it is possible to provide a transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus and an interface which highly harmonize with a rationalized television-based circuit.

Abstract: The invention comprises an application for recording and the playback of MPEG-2 transport-streams transmitted via DVB-systems with optical discs. Apart from audio- and video-signals, additional information (which describe the content of the DVB-multiplex) will also be transmitted in DVB-SI descriptors. These descriptors correspond to the incoming transport-stream-packets and can be used for comfortable features, like event-triggered start of a recording or automatic generation of play-lists.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and method of processing data are disclosed. The digital broadcasting system includes a transmitting system and a receiving system. The transmitting system comprises a distributed transmission adapter and a plurality of transmitters each being operated as a slave of the distributed transmission adapter, and each sharing the same frequency and transmitting the same signals.

Abstract: Embodiments of a secure module recorder system and method for securing recording and storing of information is provided. The system may include at least one secure module and a docking station having at least one receptacle for holding one of the secure modules. The secure module may include a tamper-resistant case, an input port for receiving an analog signal, a recording circuit for converting the analog signal into digitally formatted data, a memory device for storing the digitally formatted data, a playback circuit for reading the digitally formatted data from the memory device and converting the digitally formatted data into an analog playback signal, and an output port for transmitting the analog playback signal. The docking station may further include a first interface for receiving the analog signal from an external device and a second interface disposed within the receptacle for interfacing with the input port of the secure module.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver receives and decodes a digital broadcast containing video data and audio data transmitted in the form of a transport stream. An interface supports communication with a recording apparatus. The receiver determines information corresponding to a transmission rate of a received transport stream of a received digital broadcast. The receiver also generates a recording rate setting command on the basis of the information corresponding to the transmission rate and transmits the recording rate setting command to the recording apparatus through the interface when a connection between the recording apparatus and the interface is initiated, when a request command is received from the recording apparatus, or periodically after predetermined intervals.