Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a Media Expiration System (MES) that improves upon current content control systems by better managing media recordings. The MES enables media owners to disable recordings of their broadcast content and/or advertising, locally, after the content has been recorded by a consumer. In one embodiment, the MES places expiration stamps into broadcast media as it is recorded by a consumer electronics device. The MES tracks viewing habits, enables the purchasing of extended views of programs, and removes expired media programming content. The manner and way in which this is achieved results in the expiration of stale media content.

Abstract: A personal video recorder (PVR) enabled set-top box (STB) may be operable to store an advertisement and associated playback control information received from a media provider into a storage device in the PVR enabled STB, schedule the stored advertisement for viewing based on the associated playback control information. The PVR enabled STB may be operable to insert the stored advertisement into media content for one or more times based on the scheduling. The PVR enabled STB may be operable to cause display of the stored advertisement and the media content in different transport formats. At a forward/reverse playback position during a PVR playback, the PVR enabled STB may be operable to cause display of the stored advertisement when a play count associated with the stored advertisement is less than a count threshold at the forward/reverse playback position.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an electronic device that includes video storage memory, a video signal receiver, and a video storage controller. The video signal receiver is configured to receive a video stream containing advertising content and program/movie content from a broadcast source. The video storage controller is configured to identify locations of advertising content interspersed among program/movie content in the received video stream, and to record addressable chapter marks for the identified locations of the advertising content and a video stream that is based on the received video stream into the memory. The addressable chapter marks may be displayed on a display and used by a viewer to jump playback of the video stream between the chapter marks.

Abstract: An information reproducing apparatus for making sure a viewer watches commercial broadcast information contained in broadcast information. Concretely, a sequentially supplied series of broadcast data is stored in a storage unit linked with a supplied sequence. Also, based on predetermined identification information contained in this broadcast data, the commercial portions of the broadcast data are detected at a commercial detector. At the time of reproduction of the broadcast data, the detected commercial portions are first sequentially read from the storage unit and reproduced as images, audio, etc. at a reproduction unit. Then, after all detected commercial portions are reproduced, another series of broadcast data other than the commercial portions is read from the storage unit in sequence in accordance with the supplied sequence and reproduced at the reproduction unit.

Abstract: An entertainment system, having a capability to playback a stored digital video record that includes frames of video data received from a television broadcast system, approximates ranges of frames in a digital video record that are either commercials or non-commercials. The system also approximates frames that are either a beginning or an ending of a commercial or a non-commercial. The system then associates as a commercial two of the approximated frames that are a beginning or an ending of a commercial or a non-commercial and one or more of the approximated ranges there between until a predetermined percentage of the playback time of the digital video record is taken up by the associated commercials.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments relate to a device and/or an associated method in which a recorded television or radio program can be played back from a recording of said program without additional programs, such as commercial breaks. A current program can be resumed once the recording has been played back. Processed program segments can be retrieved while repeated segments can be tuned out during playback. The current program can be resumed more quickly if processed program segments are retrieved during playback.

Abstract: A signal processing unit includes a feature quantity extracting unit, a segmentalizing unit, a clustering unit, an existence probability function deriving unit, an existence probability function similarity calculating unit, a cluster integrating unit and a cluster information output unit. The signal processing unit classifies the signal feature quantity which characterizes the content signal segmentalized into segments according to the similarity with respect to each other, obtains functions which indicate the existence probabilities for clusters of classified segments, and integrates the clusters whose obtained functions are at the high level of similarity.

Abstract: A method of scanning content comprises receiving an input signal indicating that content being displayed is to be scanned, sensing a duration of the received input signal, and scanning the content at a rate based at least in part on the sensed duration of the received input.

Abstract: Providing re-addressable alternate video content to consumers during trickplay modes of operation. For example, providing first video content for standard playback to a consumer; receiving a first consumer request for a first trick mode operation during the standard playback of the first video content; responsive to the first consumer request, providing addressable second video content, different from the first video content, to the consumer; receiving, during providing of the addressable second video content, a second consumer request for a second trick mode operation on the addressable second video content; and responsive to the second consumer request, providing addressable third video content, different from the first and second video contents, to the consumer.

Abstract: An advertisement-section detecting apparatus includes: a captioned-section acquisition unit (12) configured to acquire a captioned section including a caption generated by caption data, on the basis of a temporal position of the caption data; a non-captioned-section acquisition unit (13) configured to acquire a pattern of a non-captioned section that do not include the caption, on the basis of the captioned section; a memory (14) configured to store a broadcasting-program template which is a template corresponding to a broadcasting-program format including a main-section format and a peripheral-section format, and which is used for identifying a pattern of a non-captioned section format including the peripheral-section format; an identifying unit (15) configured to compare the pattern of the non-captioned section and the pattern of the non-captioned section format, and thus to identify the non-captioned section corresponding to the non-captioned section format; and a detector (16) configured to detect a secti

Abstract: A method embeds product information in videos with product placements using an electronic device. The electronic device defines product information of one or more products that are embedded in a video, and embeds the product information in an image file having a file format that is compatible with the video, the embedding according to appearance times of the one or more products. During display of the video on the display device, the electronic device determines whether the image file includes product information about a product that is presented during display of the video. If the image file includes product information about the product, the electronic device displays a prompt on the display device concurrently with the product. After receiving a selection operation to select the prompt, the electronic device displays the product information on the display device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for presenting information regarding interstitials of a video stream. A recording of a television show may include segments of the show interspersed with interstitials (e.g., commercials). The location of the interstitials within the recording is identified, and the locations of the interstitials are presented in progress bar during presentation of the video stream. The location of the interstitials may also be utilized to determine durations of the interstitials, and provide a user with information regarding the lengths of the interstitials of a recording, and/or the length of the other content of a recording (e.g., segments of a television show).

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping and/or filtering content from a video stream using text data associated with the video stream. The text data is parsed using metadata to identify portions of the video stream to skip during presentation, and/or to identify portions of the video stream to present to a user. The portions of the video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the video stream, and the filtered video stream is presented to a user.

Abstract: A method and a system of displaying a user interface to control playback and features that may be associated with a prerecorded media. A media player, such as a DVD player, a personal computer, a home media server, a high definition video player, an optical player, a hard drive based player, or a software DVD-ROM player receives streams of video from different media and displays its content. Simultaneously, and without interrupting the video playback, a user interface is overlaid on the video image. The user interface may include menu selections to control the playback of the video including scene selection, settings, and viewing rights. The user interface may include menu selections to control features associated with the video such as Documentaries, Games, Purchases, Activities, Commentaries, Outtakes, Karaoke, Trailers, Songs, Wishlists, and Events.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, in an apparatus according to the present invention, an event detection module detects a section in which a specific feature is produced from video images. An event time information storage module stores therein a start time, and an end time of the detected event section, obtains an analysis time between the start time and the end time, and stores therein the obtained analysis time. A plural event section specification module specifies event sections adjacent to each other as event sections in a group, when an interval between two analysis times adjacent to each other satisfies a predetermined condition. And a video image type distinction module distinguishes first and second types of video image, the first type being sections in the group and the second type being other sections.

Abstract: An ad in a movie can be a static ad having a position in the movie that cannot be moved, or a dynamic ad having a position in the movie that can be changed. When a viewer of the movie wishes to skip a portion of the movie containing the ad, the playback system determines whether the ad is static or dynamic. If the ad is static, then only the portion of the movie preceding the static ad can be skipped, that is, the ad is unskippable; this technique is referred to as “bounceback” since the end of the skip bounces back to the start of the static ad. If the ad is dynamic, then the ad is moved to after the end of the skip; this technique is referred to as “slip-ad” since the ad slips to later in the movie. When a movie has multiple ads, some can be static and some can be dynamic.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for modifying a television broadcast signal. In one embodiment, the system includes a memory that stores an alternate commercial signal, and a controller that is coupled to the memory and receives the broadcast signal. The broadcast signal includes a program signal and commercial signals. The controller substitutes the alternate commercial signal for one of the commercial signals upon determining that a first condition has been met, for example, upon the sensing two video/audio blank periods in the broadcast signal separated by a predetermined time period. In another embodiment, a broadcast signal including a series of screen signals alternating with a series of blanking signals is embedded, at an upstream location, with additional information relating to alternate commercials or commands during the blanking signals. At a downstream location, a controller processes the additional information and modifies the broadcast signal in response.

Abstract: A video player unit, system and method, and a video hierarchy. Included are at least one memory device, a plurality of communication access points for receiving at least one program play, an open application programming interface associated with the at least one memory device, wherein a plurality of applications correspondent to the open application programming interface allow a user to manipulate metadata associated with ones of the programs plays, wherein the metadata relates to interframe interactivity with detailed aspects of the ones of the program plays, and at least one correlation engine in communication with the open application programming interface, wherein the at least one correlation engine provides for correlation among at least the interframes of the program play to ones of the interframes of other ones of the program plays.

Abstract: A device for generating audiovisual display signals, including a first input terminal receiving content signals representative of an audiovisual event, the signals including insertion points indicating the output of an advertisement, a second input terminal receiving ad signals representative of an advertisement, a first buffer storing the ad signals, and a processor converting the content signals into display signals of the event and converting ad signals stored in the first buffer into display signals of an advertisement upon detection of an insertion point.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a recording control apparatus includes an output controller, a watching state detector, and a recording controller. The output controller is configured to execute control to output first content data corresponding to a first channel according to selection of the first channel and to execute control to output second content data corresponding to a second channel instead of the first content data according to a channel change from the first channel to the second channel. The watching state detector is configured to detect a watching state of the first channel. The recording controller is configured to execute control to record the first content data based on a result of detection of the watching state and the channel change.

Abstract: A record/playback apparatus includes a recording unit that records a televised program being received by a receiving unit to a disk-shaped recording medium such as a DVD or HD. Also, a commercial message detecting unit detects a switch from main program to commercial message and a switch from commercial message to main program. The recording unit records the main program and commercial messages inserted in the main program to the recording medium under separate titles, based on a result of the detection by the commercial message detecting unit.

Abstract: A recording apparatus includes a recording unit that records a televised program being received by a receiving unit to a disk-shaped recording medium. The recording apparatus also includes a commercial message detecting unit that detects a switch from main program to commercial message and a switch from commercial message to main program when the recording unit is recording the program. The recording unit records the program to the recording medium with chapter breaks set at first time intervals when commercial messages inserted in the main program are being received by the receiving unit, and set at second time intervals when the main program is being received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video analyzer includes a still image detector, a characteristic detector, and a boundary position detector. The still image detector detects a still image in video frames of content including video and audio data, and create a still image group of substantially the same still images. The characteristic detector includes at least one of a monochrome detector that detects a monochrome video frame in the video frames of the content and a silence detector that detects a silent portion in which the sound volume of the audio data is lower than a predetermined threshold. The boundary position detector detects a position where the type of the content changes based on information on at least one of the monochrome video frame and the silent portion contained in a segment where the still image group is present and a segment where no still image group is present.

Abstract: An approach provides control of digital media. A stream of digital media that includes an advertisement is received. The stream is selectively skipped to avoid the advertisement. In addition, the amount of advertisement played back is tracked. Further, tracking information is generated based on the tracking.

Abstract: A method for use in advertising includes initiating playing of interactive content, suspending playing of the interactive content, displaying an advertisement, and resuming playing of the interactive content. A computer program product includes a medium embodying a computer program for causing a computer to perform these operations, and a system for use in advertising includes a display and a processing system configured to perform these operations.

Abstract: A digital video recorder is operable to receive and record an audio/video stream including a segment of a program and at least one first advertisement. The digital video recorder is then operable to identify a temporal location within the segment of the program for insertion of a second advertisement during playback of the recorded audio/video stream. The second advertisement is then inserted within the segment of the program during playback.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a digital medium, such as a Digital Video Disc (DVD), enabling playback of different versions of a media presentation depending on the locality of the viewer, where each version includes embedded advertisements for a corresponding locality. In one embodiment, a DVD stores a media presentation such as, for example, a movie, an episode of a television program, or the like. Depending on the location of the viewer, the DVD provides a version of the media presentation having embedded advertisements relevant to the locality of the viewer.

Abstract: A reproducing method is disclosed, that comprises the steps of determining whether or not additional data has been read from data that had been read from a loaded record medium, and when the determined result represents that the additional data has been read from the data, performing a reproducing process for the data that had been read from the record medium corresponding to reward data contained in the additional data.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system for a Media Expiration System (MES) that improves upon current content control systems by better managing media recordings. The MES enables media owners to disable recordings of their broadcast content and/or advertising, locally, after the content has been recorded by a consumer. In one embodiment, the MES places expiration stamps into broadcast media as it is recorded by a consumer electronics device. The MES tracks viewing habits, enables the purchasing of extended views of programs, and removes expired media programming content. The manner and way in which this is achieved results in the expiration of stale media content.

Abstract: A reproducing method is disclosed, that comprises the steps of determining whether or not additional data has been read from data that had been read from a loaded record medium, and when the determined result represents that the additional data has been read from the data, performing a reproducing process for the data that had been read from the record medium corresponding to reward data contained in the additional data.

Abstract: A signal processing device and a signal processing method can accurately detect CMs out of broadcast signals and also be used for storing, accessing, retrieving and viewing/listening to CMs. CM detecting section (202) detects CM sections out of a broadcast signal. CM extracting section (201) extracts the signal part for the CM section from the broadcast signal on the basis of the CM section detection signal (202a) of the CM detecting section (202) and CM characteristics extracting section (203) extracts the characteristic value of the CM. Then, CM recording section (205) records the signal of the CM section and the characteristic value. CM index generating section (206) generates CM index information by using the signal of the CM section and the characteristic value and characteristics comparing section (204) determines agreement/disagreement of CMs.

Abstract: A closed caption tagging system provides a mechanism for inserting tags into an audio or video television broadcast stream prior to or at the time of transmission. The tags contain command and control information that the receiver translates and acts upon. The receiver receives the broadcast stream and detects and processes the tags within the broadcast stream which is stored on a storage device that resides on the receiver. Program material from the broadcast stream is played back to the viewer from the storage device. Tags indicate the start and end points of a program segment. Program segments such as commercials are automatically replaced by the receiver with new program segments that are selected based on various criteria.

Abstract: A method for facilitating playback of recorded content having a service transition point is provided. The method includes recording content containing a pre-transition service and a post-transition service, in which the pre-transition service occurs prior to the service transition point and the post-transition service occurs after the service transition point. The method also includes generating a content change file having content change records associated with the pre-transition service, the service transition point, and the post-transition service, and communicating the content and the content change file to a playback device configured to play the recorded content.

Abstract: Exemplary trick play advertising systems and methods are described herein. An exemplary method includes a media content access system detecting a command to execute a trick play function on a media content program, accessing a splash screen advertisement in response to the detected command, and providing the splash screen advertisement for display during an execution of the trick play function. Corresponding methods and systems are also described.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method is disclosed for playing a video program for a user that has an associated commercial that can be avoided to some extent if the user is authorized. In one step, the video program is received with the associated commercial and made available for display. An attempt by the user to avoid normal playback is detected. A playback point in the video program for the associated commercial is determined. The attempt is correlated to the playback point in the video program for the associated commercial. It is determined whether the user is authorized to avoid normal playback of the associated commercial. If the user is not authorized to avoid normal playback of the associated commercial, the attempt is thwarted.

Abstract: A rule storage unit stores a plurality of pieces of specifying information each showing a feature of frames to be specified as start frames, and each corresponding to a different type of content. A program obtaining unit obtains a content of which start frames are to be specified. An information obtaining unit obtains type information showing the type of the obtained content. A selecting unit obtains, from the rule storage unit, apiece of specifying information corresponding to the obtained type information. A specifying unit specifies, as the start frames, frames in the obtained content having the feature shown by the obtained piece of specifying information.

Abstract: A provisioning device intercepts program content from a video client or another multimedia device, where the program content includes copy-protection encryption, and receives additional content from a local router or another networked device, where the additional content is Internet protocol (IP) content. The provisioning device removes the copy-protection encryption from the program content and combines the additional content with the program content. The provisioning device also adds copy-protection encryption to the combined additional content and program content, and sends the copy-protected combined content to a display device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of detecting a boundary of a content item in a digital video stream. The method comprises the steps of determining (130) an average bit rate of the video stream over a period of time, and detecting (140) a change of the average bit rate indicating the boundary of the content item. A moving average of the bit rate may be determined. The method can be used for an encrypted digital video stream. The invention also relates to a device for detecting a boundary of a content item in a digital video stream. The invention further relates to a receiver for receiving at least one content item in a digital broadcast video stream, and a video recorder for recording at least one TV program.

Abstract: A system and method for linking media components may include a processor that executes a handshake protocol according to which a video component is rendered conditional upon receipt of notification of rendering of an associated media component. The system and method may additionally perform a keyword comparison algorithm to determine a relevancy between the video and other associated media component.

Abstract: Video advertising overlay technique embodiments are presented that generally detect a set of spatio-temporal nonintrusive positions within a series of consecutive video frames in shots of a digital video and then overlay contextually relevant ads on these positions. In one general embodiment, this is accomplished by decomposing the video into a series of shots, and then identifying a video advertisement for each of a selected set of the shots. The identified video advertisement is one that is determined to be the most relevant to the content of the shot. An overlay area is also identified in each of the shots, where the selected overlay area is the least intrusive among a plurality of prescribed areas to a viewer of the video. The video advertisements identified for the shots are then respectively scheduled to be overlaid in the identified overlay area of a shot, whenever the shot is played.

Abstract: A method for interpreting messages, user-defined alert conditions, voice commands and performing an action in response is described. A method for annotating media content is described. A method for presenting additional content associated with media content identified based on a fingerprint is described. A method for identifying that an advertisement portion of media content is being played based on a fingerprint derived from the media content is described. A method of one media device recording particular media content automatically in response to another media device recording the particular media content is described. A method of concurrently playing media content on multiple devices is described. A method of publishing information associated with recording of media content is described. A method of deriving fingerprints by media devices that meet an idleness criteria is described. A method of loading, modifying, and displaying a high definition frame from a frame buffer is described.

Abstract: A plurality of standard television broadcast programs recorded on a recording medium are selected. Video and audio signals of one of the selected plurality of standard television broadcast programs are reproduced. Markers are attached to a standard video-and-audio part of the reproduced video and audio signals of the one of the selected plurality of standard television broadcast programs. The standard video-and-audio part is registered. Video and audio signals of another one of the selected plurality of standard television broadcast programs are serially reproduced. The reproduced video and audio signals are compared with the standard video and audio signals of the registered standard video-and-audio part to thereby determine a video-and-audio part of the reproduced video and audio signals, which is substantially matched with the registered standard video-and-audio part.

Abstract: A Digital Micro Ad (DMA) system and method designed to adapt to changing viewer behavior by detecting spot fast-forward, or other trick play, and popping a graphic, or other messages, over video. This graphic displays the advertiser brand message to achieve a brief imprint on the viewer. The DMA system augments the linear advertisement or the like (the spot) so the advertiser can reach their intended target audience. The system starts with offline media processing. Off the shelf encoded spots are processed to embed DMA enabling content identifying “metadata” packets and in-line graphics images. Next, when the content is played to air, this DMA enabled content is streamed to the DVR device. Within the DVR, the DMA engine detects the embedded graphic images which are recovered and saved in the DVR. Finally, when a DVR recorded program is played back, the embedded content ID metadata packets “arm” the DMA engine.

Abstract: A method and system of providing access to television programs without requiring a user to operate an electronic programming guide or to independently determining information required to access the television program. Optionally, access to the television program may be facilitated by scheduling a recording of the televisions program or providing instructions to facilitate accessing an on-demand showing of the television program.