Abstract: Processing a media file includes receiving a request for a media file from a client system and determining, using a processor, a non-chronological ordering of a plurality of segments of the media file for buffering according to historical playback data for each of the plurality of segments of the media file. A first segment of the media file is sent for buffering to the client system as specified by the non-chronological ordering of the plurality of segments. The non-chronological ordering is determined prior to sending any segment of the media file to the client system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing blackout support in video mosaic environments are disclosed. In response to receiving a request for a video mosaic page, screen data, which may include blackout information, is received. The screen data identifies the video assets in the video mosaic page. A determination is made, based at least in part on the screen data, whether any video assets in the video mosaic page should be blacked out. Blacked out assets may be masked and their associated audio blocked. In addition, an overlay of options associated with the blacked out asset may be presented. The overlay may include options to substitute the blacked out asset with replacement content, search for similar content, or retrieve more information about the blackout.

Abstract: In a content management system, the still image extracting unit extracts a plurality of frames of still image data from the moving image data based on the motion of the person of interest. The scene determining unit determines a scene of the moving image including a still image corresponding to each of the plurality of frames of the still image data. The management marker registration unit registers, as a management marker, each of the plurality of frames of still image data or an image feature amount of each still image in association with a scene of a moving image corresponding to each still image. The management image generator generates management image data including at least two pieces of the still image data.

Abstract: Example program clustering methods disclosed herein include accessing person-level program viewing data representing lengths of time respective people in an audience have tuned to respective television programs to be clustered. Disclosed example methods also include determining adjusted person-level program viewing data for respective ones of the people having tuned to respective ones of the television programs. For example, first person-level program viewing data for a first person having tuned to a first program is adjusted based on a ratio characterizing a relationship between a first program rating associated with the first person having tuned to the first program and a first network rating associated with the first person having tuned to a first network associated with the first program.

Abstract: A compact image sequence descriptor (101), used for describing an image sequence, comprises a segment global descriptor (113) for at least one segment within the sequence, which includes global descriptor information for respective images, relating to interest points within the video content of the images. The segment global descriptor (113) includes a base descriptor (121), which is a global descriptor associated with a representative frame (120) of the image sequence, and a number of relative descriptors (125). The relative descriptors contain information of a respective global descriptor relative to the base descriptor allowing to reconstruct an exact or approximated global descriptor associated with a respective image of the image sequence. The image sequence descriptor (101) may further include a segment local descriptor (114) for a segment, comprising a set of encoded local feature descriptors.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for estimating a source resolution of image data presented to a system. According to these techniques, input image data may be converted to a domain of frequency coefficients. Each coefficient may represent content of the input image along a respective pair of frequencies extending in two dimensions. For each set of frequency coefficients having a common frequency in one of the dimensions, zero crossings of coefficient values may be detected. The zero crossings may be counted at each frequency position in the second dimension. An estimate of the input image's source resolution may be estimated from a comparison of the zero crossings. For video, this process may be performed across images of an input video sequences.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for interactively identifying same individuals or objects present in video recordings is disclosed. When a thumbnail in a set of thumbnails is selected, new information is obtained. The new information may be that an individual or object is present in the portion of the video recording associated with the thumbnail. A search can be carried out for the individual or object based on the new information. The search generates new match likelihoods for each of displayed thumbnails within a user interface page. The displayed thumbnails are re-ordered based on the new match likelihoods.

Abstract: Automatic population of a programming guide mosaic screen is provided. Attributes relating to a user or group of users may be collected and utilized to identify one or more recommended content items relevant to the user. A visual display of the recommended content may comprise a combination of content currently airing on a channel selected by the user as a favorite channel, content rated highly by the user and/or by other users, content matching a commonly watched genre by the user, content associated with keyword searches, etc. Factors utilized to determine the type of content to automatically include in the programming guide mosaic screen may be dynamically updated according to changes in video viewing activity, received feedback, content purchases, or changes made to the user's preference data.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and an apparatus for making a personalized dynamic emoticon. The method includes: acquiring a video; receiving a picture selection instruction input from a user interface (UI) for making dynamic emoticons; determining, from the acquired video according to the picture selection instruction, multiple frames of images for making a dynamic emoticon; and synthesizing the multiple frames of images for making the dynamic emoticon, to form a picture having a dynamic effect.

Abstract: A processor included in an image processing apparatus includes a display control portion configured to display any one of a plurality of operation screens in the display, a setting portion configured to control the operation panel, accept a setting value defined for the displayed operation screen, and set the setting value, an operation screen extraction portion configured to search screen information respectively associating one or more search indexes with one or more operation screens among the plurality of operation screens using a search key and extract one or more operation screens, an operation screen determination portion configured to determine one operation screen from among the one or more extracted operation screens, and a change portion configured to change the screen information based on an operation of a user accepted by the operation panel after the determined operation screen is displayed in the display.

Abstract: An interactive media content listing search system is herein disclosed which provides for enhanced interactive access of media content listings contained within an media content display system. Enhanced searching for available media contents is enabled by a plurality of user configurable attributes, which defines characteristics of media content that may be similar to the user's tastes. The plurality of user configurable attributes may be logically combined during the search operation using “AND” and/or “OR” boolean operators. Additionally, means are provided to allow recursive searches of available media content listings in an easy manner such that the results may be more finely tailored to suit the user's tastes. Following the search operation, the user may save the search attributes to a file that is stored within the system for use at a later time.

Abstract: A method of operating an apparatus for displaying content items on a display, a corresponding computer program for operating an apparatus and an apparatus for displaying content items on a display that is arranged for being coupled to the apparatus are provided. In particular, an apparatus is configured to display a plurality of content items in a two-dimensional grid in dependence of a respective relatedness between a selected content item and one of the content items to be displayed. The selected content item is positioned at a center of the display and the related content items are displayed such that associated relatedness values decrease both in left, right, up and down direction with respect to the center position. A user terminal that comprises such apparatus is provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems, methods and apparatus for providing a compact, yet informative, representation of meeting content.

Abstract: An electronic device that includes a touch-sensitive surface stores a plurality of sequences of images. The device displays a first representative image for a first sequence of images in a movable first area on a display. The device detects a gesture on the touch-sensitive surface, the gesture including movement by a contact that corresponds to movement in a first direction on the display. In response to detecting the gesture on the touch-sensitive surface: the device moves the first area in the first direction on the display; moves a movable second area in the first direction on the display; and, in accordance with a determination that sequence-display criteria are met, displays, in chronological order in the second area, at least some images for a second sequence of images acquired by the camera before acquiring a second representative image for the second sequence of images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a Media Asset management System for managing at least one media asset maintained by a media asset repository. This system comprises a media asset repository for maintaining at least one media asset and further a user terminal that is adapted to access the media asset repository where the repository is coupled to the user terminal over a communications link. The media asset management system further comprises a media asset feedback detection Part that is adapted to detect feedback of a user at said user terminal on the media asset at managing the media asset by the user terminal and a feedback interpreting part that is adapted to determine an annotation to the media asset managed based on an interpretation/analysis of the feedback on the media asset.

Abstract: Management methods and systems for item change are provided. First, a plurality of items are provided. An instruction for performing a change between the items is received. When the change between the items is performed, a notification is generated to inform the performance of the corresponding change.

Abstract: A unique session identifier may be utilized to announce the availability of an electronic programming guide to users of an enhanced television distribution system. In some embodiments, the unique session identifier may be utilized in a variety of systems to provide a uniform way of recognizing the availability of an electronic programming guide in conjunction with enhanced television distribution systems.

Abstract: One or more content sequences are created from a store of video content, which could simply be broadcast content which has been captured and stored at a server within a network. The content sequences are generated according to the viewer's specified, or demonstrated, viewing preferences. The viewer preferences are captured form entry by the user themselves, or by observation of their viewing habits. Multiple ‘users’ per household and multiple content sequences per viewer are possible. A content sequences is then streamed to the viewer, and looks to him/her just like a TV channel: when one program ends, another starts automatically. It is also possible for a viewer to select an item within the content sequence using an interactive program controller.

Abstract: Devices connected with a computer system are interrogated to detect whether they are configured and functioning. In an audio device implementation, a known audio sample is output to a loudspeaker. If the loudspeaker is properly configured and functional, an attached microphone will capture the sound corresponding to the audio sample generated by the loudspeaker. If sound corresponding to the audio sample is detected, an indication is provided to the user that the microphone and loudspeaker are operational. If no sound corresponding to the audio sample is detected, an indication is provided to the user that the loudspeaker is not enabled and additional configuration is required.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing enhanced channel flipping are disclosed. A user may selectively mark and unmark channels as temporary favorite channels. These channels may be dynamically added or removed from the channel changing or channel flipping sequence. Unauthorized channels and channels locked by parental controls may also be automatically removed from the channel flipping sequence. A plurality of custom channel flipping sequences may be maintained on the user equipment device. Users may access any of these custom channel flipping sequences in order to flip only through the channels associated with the custom sequence. Channels in the flipping sequence may also be pre-tuned in order to reduce delays associated with tuning.

Abstract: A content server includes a stored search keyword information receiver for receiving stored search keyword information transmitted from a video display apparatus or a information terminal device, a content extractor for extracting a content to be recommended, from a content group stored in the content server on the basis of the received stored search keyword information, and a recommended content information transmitter for transmitting information on the extracted content to be recommended to the video display apparatus. The video display apparatus includes a recommended content information receiver for receiving the information on the content to be recommended, and a display unit capable of displaying the information on the content to be recommended. The information terminal device includes a keyword information storage unit capable of storing the stored search keyword information required to extract the content to be recommended.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to receive broadcast relevant data, a controller configured to acquire identification information identifying image data matching a broadcast content from the received broadcast relevant data if a broadcast content purchase mode is entered to purchase the broadcast content, and a display configured to display the image data identified by the identification information.

Abstract: A video playing system and a method thereof are described. When the video playing system randomly plays sections of a multimedia video, it can control scheduled events in-between so as to ensure the user does not miss important events when an important blocking effect exists in the multimedia video schedule. During the random playing of the multimedia video, the video playing system will detect the scheduled event(s) between an original playing position and a new playing position. Then, the video playing system will execute the earliest scheduled event between the original playing position and the new playing position, or execute all of the scheduled events in sequence.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for providing broadcast programming to subscriber locations including an intermediate video supplier, subscriber location equipment and one or more video sources. The intermediate video supplier includes a video buffer and a video server that processes received subscriber requests and retrieves, according to the subscriber requests, either of currently broadcast programming or broadcast programming previously buffered in the video buffer by the video server. The subscriber location equipment includes a remote control and a local control unit that transmits the subscriber requests to the video server via one or more data links and receives, from the video server, the broadcast programming for display on a local video display via the data link. A subscriber may initiate a restart command with a single action via the remote control to restart a currently viewed program from the beginning even if the currently viewed program was joined in progress.

Abstract: A personal wireless navigation system operable on wireless phone devices provides a platform for empowering a merchant-paid search. Performance of a navigation functionality in a personal wireless navigation system is higher and more comparable and competitive with portable navigation devices and in-car navigation systems, and the search capability is comparable and competitive with the most popular web search engines. A user interface (UI) and look and feel of the personal wireless navigation system is provided which is enhanced so that users do not simply want to use the product—they covet it. The personal wireless navigation system may be constructed such that a subset of it with fewer features and functions can be productized, marketed and deployed to users.

Abstract: A system and method for recommending video programs to a user comprising determining a first video program that is of interest to a user and then determining a second video program to recommend to the user, the second video program being determined from a recommendation database assembled by analyzing access logs from one or more search engines or online video content providers.

Abstract: A user interface for a content distribution system is disclosed which allows a manager of an environment of TV sets to view which content is playing on individual TV sets, and to change, track and otherwise adjust the content. The invention advantageously provides these features without interfering with other TV sets' programming when another TV set is being adjusted, changes or tracked by the manager. The invention provides auto-tuning of program guides.

Abstract: A reasoning apparatus (101) is arranged to determine device locations for user profile elements of a distributed user profile. A user profile processor (201) receives a user profile which comprises a plurality of user profile elements. Each user profile element furthermore comprises associated metadata. The apparatus (101) also comprises a device profile receiver (203) that receives device profiles for a plurality of devices. A device location processor (205) proceeds to determine device locations for the user profile elements in response to the associated metadata and the device profiles. Specifically, a user profile element may be assigned to a specific device if the device profile for that device matches the metadata for the user profile element. The reasoning apparatus (101) may furthermore comprise a user profile element synchronizer (207) which synchronizes the user profile elements with the appropriate devices.

Abstract: Integration of a personalized mosaic screen within a programming guide is provided. The programming guide may be displayed in one of various formats including a mosaic format. The programming guide may be personalized to the user. For example, the user may select to view a display of currently airing content recommended to the user, a display of currently airing content similar to a selected or currently viewed program, a display of currently airing content fitting a specific mood, a display of currently airing content from the user's favorite channel(s), or a display of currently airing content fitting one or more user-selected or automatically-selected themes. The content personalized to the user may be displayed in any of the programming guide formats. The user may selectively switch to a different format, wherein the personalized content may be seamlessly provided in the selected format.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for displaying video from a plurality of video streams on a display. It includes an input interface for receiving video data from a plurality of video streams and transferring the video data to a frame controller in communication with a television display. The frame controller causes the video data from each of the plurality of different video streams to be displayed in a separate frame on the television display, and each frame occupying an area of the television display separate from an area occupied by any other frame. A system for displaying video from a plurality of video stream using the correct aspect ratio and resolution is also provided.

Abstract: A story index of story elements is provided in which each story element is able to be referenced in a story by name and by language that does not include the name. The story index may also contain references to the same story elements in other associated stories, including other stories in a series or that are in a different type of media. An associated story presentation application program may enable a viewer to view the entries in the story index for a specified story element and to then view the specified story element at any of the referenced locations. The application may enable purchase or downloading of the associated stories.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods to facilitate and enhance compatibility between a source device, such as a set-top box, and a sink device, such as a television or audio system. The source device is configured to recognize extended display identification data (“EDID”) associated with sink devices which have been determined to provide incorrect EDID data. A replacement EDID is used by the source to provide operability. Likewise, commands from the source which are incompatible with, or produce undesired results in the sink may be removed or replaced with replacement commands.

Abstract: A media device includes a communication interface communicatively coupling the media device to one or more other media devices and a display, and a controller associated with the communication interface. The controller is adapted to access one or more templates comprising a layout of a graphical user interface (GUI). The controller further identifies one or more other media devices from which media content may be streamed and one or more media content streams available from each of the one or more media devices and determine, based upon the template and the one or more media content streams, at least one of the media content streams to display. The controller then acquires and outputs the at least one of the media content streams for display in accordance with the layout.

Abstract: Techniques described herein enable a service to receive search requests from client systems and perform an integrated search across databases containing informational data for broadcast content and broadband content. The service receives the search request from the client device and formulates a query for at least one broadband database and at least one partner broadcast database. The service queries each broadband database with a compatible query that the service creates using information regarding the type of database queries each partner's database requires. Partners pay the service provider a fee for placing data in the database or for having their database searched by the service. The service formats the data received from the searches of the databases into a user interface screen that is presentable by the client device. The screen information instructs the client device on how it should respond to any key presses by the user.

Abstract: A content manager initiates play back of corresponding content on a display screen. The corresponding content is received on a primary broadcast channel selected amongst multiple available channels. During play back of the corresponding content, the content manager receives selection of over-the-top content available over a secondary channel with respect to the primary broadcast channel. The over-the-top content includes supplemental content associated with the corresponding content. In response to receiving the selection of over-the-top content, the content manager: i) retrieves the over-the-top content, and ii) initiates play back of the over-the-top content on the display screen. Accordingly, the user can selectively retrieve and play back supplemental content associated with a primary broadcast channel.

Abstract: A method including dividing a first image into first sub-images; calculating a first checksum value for each of the first sub-images; dividing a second image into second sub-images; calculating a second checksum value for each of the second sub-images; comparing the first checksum values with the second checksum values; and determining whether one or more differences in checksum values exist between the first checksum values and the second checksum values and correspondingly whether one or more differences exist between the first sub-images and the second sub-images.

Abstract: A method and system for selection of recordable events from among a set of recordable events, based on categories and sub-categories, that cumulatively describe a substantial portion of the entire set of recordable events. After receiving a first set of categories, and first sets of sub-categories corresponding to the first set of categories, at a device, the device is configured to use the first set of categories and the first set of sub-categories, to guide a user in selecting a series of recordable events to experience and/or record. Thereafter, the device receives a second set of categories and respective second sets of sub-categories that correspond to the categories of the second set of categories, and the device responsively configures itself to use the second set of categories and the second sets of sub-categories, to guide a user in selecting a series of recordable events to experience and/or record.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a set top box, an instruction or command from a user to view program listings associated with programs that were broadcast by a television service provider during a first period of time that is prior to a current time. The method also includes identifying at least one television program that was broadcast during the first period of time and that is available to the user, and outputting, by the set top box, a program guide identifying the at least one television program. The method further includes receiving, at the set top box, a selection corresponding to a first one of the at least one television program and outputting, by the set top box, the first television program.

Abstract: Circuitry of a hybrid fiber-coaxial network may comprise a first transceiver configured to connect the circuitry to an optical link, a second transceiver configured to connect the circuitry to an electrical link, a first processing path, a second processing path, and a switching circuit. In a first configuration, the switching circuit may couple the first transceiver to the second transceiver via the first processing path. In a second configuration, the switching circuit may couple the first transceiver to the second transceiver via the second processing path. The first transceiver may comprise a passive optical network (PON) transceiver and the second transceiver may comprise a data over coaxial service interface specification (DOCSIS) physical layer transceiver. The switching circuit may be configured based on the type of headend to which the circuitry is connected.

Abstract: A method includes requesting, by a user device, video program related content. The video program related content includes content related to one or more video programs provided by a service provider. The method also includes receiving the video program related content. A selection of a video program from the one or more video programs is received. The video program is selected at a set top box. The method also includes controlling a viewing session for the video program using the user device.

Abstract: An interactive television system with programming-related links is provided. The system may include user television equipment on which interactive program guide and non-program-guide applications may be implemented. Information that is displayed in a display screen for a non-program-guide application may be related to programming. A display screen or overlay for programming that is related to the information may be displayed when a user selects the displayed information. The display or overlay for the programming may include advertisements, video, graphics, options, or programming descriptions. The display screen or overlay may have been displayed by the program guide application.

Abstract: Natural language image tags are described. In one or more implementations, at least a portion of an image displayed by a display device is defined based on a gesture. The gesture is identified from one or more touch inputs detected using touchscreen functionality of the display device. Text received in a natural language input is located and used to tag the portion of the image using one or more items of the text received in the natural language input.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time DVR programming employ secure instant message protocol in a DVR environment. An embodiment sends an instant message to the DVR which causes the DVR to open a new secure connection with the service provider for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider. Another embodiment uses an already established connection with an instant message server for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an interactive media program guide system 1) displaying a user-scrollable view of a section of a paginated column of an interactive media program guide that includes a two-dimensional matrix grid of cells representing a plurality of media program listings, 2) detecting a user selection of a cell included in the matrix grid of cells and the user-scrollable view, the cell representing a media program listing included in the plurality of media program listings, and, 3) in response to the user selection of the cell, expanding the cell in-place within the paginated column of the interactive media program guide and populating the expanded cell with display content associated with a media program represented by the media program listing. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An approach is provided for discovering proximity-based and/or location-based services over an ad-hoc network. A request to share at least one content item from at least one device is determined. Further, one or more compressed representations of the at least one content item are generated, where the one or more compressed representations include at least one link for retrieving the at least one content item. Furthermore, the one or more compressed representations are broadcast in one or more broadcast messages over an ad-hoc network to one or more other devices.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods are disclosed herein to identify a user interacting with a content presentation system, adaptively learn, in a passive manner, a user's pattern of accessing content over time, and globally store the user's identifying and use information. Specifically, disclosed are systems and/or methods for creating a smart electronic programming guide, including determining an identity of a user interacting with a content presentation system, collecting channel use information for each of a plurality of channels from the user's interaction with the content presentation system, storing the channel use information, determining a value for each of the plural channels as a function of the channel use information, and creating a smart electronic programming guide for the plural channels as a function of the determined value.

Abstract: The present inventors devised, among other things, systems, methods, and software for enhancing the relevancy of content presented to users in response to queries in an online information retrieval system. One exemplary system refines a user input query by making suggestions of alternatives queries. A switchboard module converts the refined query, administers one or more searches, and collects search results from one or more search engines based on the refined query. And, a post-processor module refines the collected search results by, for example, modifying the order of the results, removing inappropriate or undesirable content from the results, and/or applying historical performance analysis, based for example on social feedback.

Abstract: Provided is a broadcasting receiving apparatus and a control method thereof capable of receiving recommendation information, the control method of a broadcasting receiving apparatus receiving recommendation information about a broadcasting program; comparing a time of confirming the recommendation information and a broadcasting time of a recommended program included in the recommendation information; and supplying a function of the broadcasting receiving apparatus for using the recommendation information to correspond to a comparison result. Accordingly, a broadcasting receiving apparatus and a control method thereof capable of supplying a broadcasting service having an improved user convenience is provided.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting search results, including receiving a set of search results corresponding to a search query. The search results include: first results and second results. The first result corresponds to one or more time-bounded events, scheduled for showing on one or more television channels, that match the search query, and include links to an online application for accessing additional information about the one or more time-bounded events. The second results correspond to Internet accessible documents that satisfy the search query, and include links to the Internet accessible documents that satisfy the search query. The method also includes presenting the first and second results in a single web browser window.

Abstract: One or more of a system, method, apparatus, and computer-program product to enable implementation of one or more features that together or separately enhance Quality of Experience or Quality of Service as a particular user interacts with a television receiver.