Abstract: The individual parts of a media presentation are associated with one another, and in addition to maintaining pointers in individual parts which indicate the last point at which playback was stopped, a pointer is maintained for the “container” created by the association. This pointer indicates the last part in the “container” that was played. When the presentation is played back, the user can select a particular part or can select “resume.” If “resume” is selected, the pointer is retrieved and used to select the part to be played. Within the part, a further pointer may indicate where in the part to begin playback, based on where playback was last stopped.

Abstract: An interactive, multi-media presentation viewing system and process for viewing educational or business presentations integrating presentation graphics in the form of presentation slides, video, audio, text, and other streaming media into a powerfully coordinated viewing experience for the end user. The viewing system is an aggregate of synchronized presentation graphics, video, and text displays employing a graphical user interface that allows the user to control all aspects of media playback.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program and a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The viewer may browse through video-on-demand programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to order a given video-on-demand program, and set a desired broadcast time for that program.

Abstract: An image display apparatus and method are discussed. According to an embodiment, the image display apparatus includes a signal receiver configured to receive broadcasting signals including broadcasting schedule information, and to process the received broadcasting signals; a storage configured to store the broadcasting schedule information and at least one broadcasting material processed by the signal receiver; and a controller configured to determine whether at least part of a particular broadcasting material identified in the broadcasting schedule information is stored in the storage when a broadcasting schedule information display command is received from a user, and to output a control signal based on this determination result, so as to display modified broadcasting schedule information including information regarding the particular broadcasting material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing media items is disclosed. The method involves selecting a sub-set (106) of the media items (102), and concurrently displaying a spatial representation (606) and a temporal representation (610) of the selected sub-set. Using this starting point, a user can browse, using either a temporal control input (414) or a spatial control input (406), applied to the associated temporal or spatial display (610, 606 respectively), to modify the media item selection (106). The display corresponding to the non-selected navigation mode is automatically and contemporaneously changed to reflect the change in the media item selection.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus that allow viewers to access timely data showing what other viewers are watching at (or near) a given moment. Thus, for example, a viewer could tune in, find out which ten programs currently being broadcast are most popular, and then select from among these programs. In one embodiment, the data is displayed with links to those popular programs so viewers can easily tune to listed programs. In another embodiment, the viewer can identify a group of friends and find out what those friends are watching. The viewer could then tune into one of the programs his or her friends are watching, and so be prepared to discuss that program later.

Abstract: A method and system in accordance with the present invention allows an accessory to control settings of a portable media player when providing video to an accessory, to control playback of the portable media player and to provide for navigation between video tracks in a hierarchical fashion. In so doing, a portable media player can then utilize this information to provide for the maximum functionality of the accessory when connected to the portable media player.

Abstract: Interactive program guide data is received and elements to be included in an interactive program guide are generated based at least in part on the interactive program guide data. Each of the elements is positioned in a graphical user interface with respect to each of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.

Abstract: A system for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The system includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.

Abstract: Creation and manipulation of a media presentation. A user may answer one or more questions in a questionnaire. A media presentation may be generated based on the questionnaire. Alternatively, a media presentation template or wizard may be presented to the user for completion of the media presentation (independent of or in response to completion of the questionnaire). The user may choose from one or more media assets associated with segments of the media presentation. The media assets may be presented for display as icons which represent the media assets. The media presentation may be created and provided to the user.

Abstract: In an information presenting apparatus, information associated with each of one or more motion images stored in a storage apparatus is displayed at a location corresponding to a file production time in the form of a calendar view. A plurality of frames of representative images are extracted from each motion image in accordance with a specified frame extraction method. Thumbnail images of the respective extracted representative images are produced, and each thumbnail image is related to a playback position in the motion image. The resultant thumbnail images are managed as a set of motion image thumbnail images in accordance with a production time of the motion image. Information associated with each motion image is displayed at a location corresponding to the production time of the motion image in the form of the calendar view. Thumbnail images associated with each motion image are displayed in an expanded form in the order of time.

Abstract: To improve the art of graphical user interfaces, the present invention introduces a system that displays iconic resource representations having a salient dimension in a manner that provides the user with an indication of where the user is within that resource. The system of the present invention achieves this goal with the use of a novel system of icon label placement for that resource icon. Specifically, the system of the present invention uses the position of a label on an iconic resource representation that extends beyond at least one edge of a window to convey a proportional position within than iconic resource representation. Thus, a user is given an understanding of the current proportional location within an iconic resource representation from where the graphical interface system renders the label on the iconic resource representation.

Abstract: Apparatus, system and method for the navigation of aggregated content using skipping and content metadata. An apparatus includes a processor to receive a control signal from a navigation controller and to display a skip function user interface on a display device. The skip function user interface is used to navigate aggregated content items and includes one or more skip boxes. Each of the one or more skip boxes is associated with a content item in the aggregated content items. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling special windows in a display comprises a window manager in an operating system that is called by application programs to create special windows. The window manager embeds static key signals including encoded special window information, such as the coordinates of a window area to be specially processed, into a video RAM. An existing video interface scans the video RAM and transmits display information, including the key signals, to the display. The present invention further comprises a window decoder in the display, that detects the key signals, extracts the encoded special window information, and controls display circuitry performing the desired special processing. The key signal encoding scheme does not create visually discernible display aberrations that could distract the user or interfere with normal window management.

Abstract: A remote control apparatus is disclosed, in which a first remote control device and a second remote control device can be separated or combined. A configuration is also disclosed in which a remote control apparatus including a first remote control device and a second remote control device controls a display apparatus. Also disclosed is a display apparatus controlled by a remote control apparatus including a first remote control device and a second remote control device that can be separated or coalesce.

Abstract: A system provides customized user interface data to a media application, such as a media discovery interface, or to any application for that matter, thereby extending the original application. Via a network connection, elements of the user interface can be downloaded to the application in a package of markup data and resources, including images, text, and links. A user interface framework of the media application processes the markup data from the downloaded package and utilizes packaged resources, local code components, and externally-obtained (e.g., Web resources) to render a customized application page for the media application. Based on a wide variety of computing system and user parameters, the offerings and application pages presented to the user can be filtered and/or reordered to be more appropriate for the computing system and user.

Abstract: A user interface device and method of implementing the user interface device capable of controlling a display device are provided. The user interface device provides a single integrated user interface capable of displaying information regarding image data such as broadcast program information and has a function of controlling the display device for a user, thereby providing the user interface device and method of implementing the user interface device which can be intuitively and easily used by the user.

Abstract: A method for organizing a sequence of video frames includes selecting one of the frames in the sequence as an initial frame in a first portion of a segment of the sequence and adding further frames in the sequence, subsequent the initial frame, to the first portion, while a measure of similarity of each of the added frames to the frames already in the first portion is within a first predefined bound. One of the added frames in the first portion is selected to be a representative frame for the segment. A second portion of the segment is generated by adding still further frames in the sequence, subsequent to the last frame in the first portion, to the second portion, while the measure of similarity of the added frame to the representative frame is within a second predefined bound. The first and second portions together are determined to constitute the segment that is represented by the representative frame.

Abstract: A method for displaying an Internet site search menu of a video apparatus having an Internet function, which is capable of easily selecting and editing a plurality of Internet sites on the screen of the video apparatus, is provided. The method for displaying the video and audio information of an Internet site on the screen of a video apparatus includes the steps of generating an Internet site search menu comprising a channel guide window for arranging channel numbers, in which the addresses of Internet sites are previously registered, and the titles of the Internet sites respectively corresponding to the channel numbers when an Internet channel guide key signal is input by a user and a channel number range designation window for designating the channel numbers to be in predetermined ranges and arranging the channel numbers and displaying the Internet site search menu on the screen of the video apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of displaying an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). In one embodiment, an EPG is constructed of a three dimensional virtual mesh, in which independent objects representing television programs are situated. The virtual mesh is displayed perpendicularly, so that the hardware requirements of the set top box (STB) may be reduced. A user can navigate the mesh to find television programs that they wish to view. A user can designate the types of television programs that they prefer, and these programs will be displayed more prominently. In addition, the mesh is constructed of at least two planes. The first plane is flat, while all other planes are hyperbolic to correct for a viewer's line of sight.

Abstract: A moving image processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit adapted to acquire moving image data captured with an image capturing unit and image capturing information of the image capturing unit associated with each image frame constituting the moving image data; and an addition unit adapted to add marker information for performing display control of a marker display to the moving image data, in association with an image frame that has been designated from the moving image data.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that automatically produces a summary of a video. During operation, the system partitions the video into scenes and then determines similarities between the scenes. Next, the system selects representative scenes from the video based on the determined similarities, and combines the selected scenes to produce the summary for the video.

Abstract: Computing devices capable of internetworking and receiving, storing and viewing programmed (scheduled) television and multimedia content provide a platform for access to a combination of Internet and Television content and services. On this platform, a mix of pre-scripted and live interactive dialog (chat with offered responses) are broadcast by a connected server or servers to provide supplemental entertainment, information regarding programmed content, enhancements to scheduled television advertising, a community experience, and an interface to Internet applications and services. The dialog provides a “Social Interface” allowing fictional and non-fictional characters to interact with viewers. The fictional and non-fictional characters are each emblematic of a specific affinity group categorization, which a user personally identifies with and is drawn to. Selection of an affinity character also provides a filter for selecting internet and broadcast content associated with that character.

Abstract: An indexing method for allowing a viewer to control the mode of delivery of program material. By mapping from time to data position, data delivery can begin at any selected time in the program material. The indexing method also provides for controlling data delivery to begin at the beginning of a frame of data. A synchronizing method is provided to minimize a time offset between audio and vide data, particularly in environments using groups of pictures.

Abstract: Systems and methods for filtering and viewing collaborative indexes of annotations of multimedia or video streams can include obtaining a multimedia or video stream, obtaining user indexes of annotations of the multimedia or video stream, merging the indexes, associating portions of the multimedia or video stream with the annotations, determining high-value annotations and displaying the high value annotations. Systems and methods for providing useful visualizations of the indexes of annotations and high value annotations are also provided.

Abstract: An XML schema and a set of user customization rules are utilized to produce a set of components that interact to provide a user-specific, document specific, multi-modal interface for an XML document. Each generated component provides a specific input and output mode. For example, one component could be an HTML component, which produces a HTML rendering of the XML tree while another component may be a speech component, which produces a speech-based rendering of the XML tree. A series of these components work together to produce a multi-modal view of the XML tree.

Abstract: A computer and Internet-based system and method for providing television and radio programming information to users, through a multi-tabbed viewing screen, where at least one of the tabs is individualized to a particular viewer's preferences.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system and a method for automatically authoring video compositions from longer units of digitized video (or a source video) by using short segments of video (or video “cliplets”). The video composition authoring process provides an aesthetically-pleasing layout of data elements to create a video composition. The data elements include multimedia elements, parameter information and description information. Any data elements that are missing but required are automatically selected by the system. The user may then review preliminary video composition results and refine the results if desired. The video composition authoring system includes an element selection and layout module for selecting the data elements in the video composition, and an iterative refinement module that allows the user to change and refine the preliminary results.

Abstract: The relation between the edit resultant clip and the clip to be edited is managed with the hierarchical structure by managing means, so that the complicate editing works can be easily performed if the editing works are performed based on the information stored in the managing means.

Abstract: There is provided a reproduction apparatus for reproducing stream data recorded on a recording medium, the stream data containing menu item coordinate information representing a display location of a menu item and image information representing an image. The reproduction apparatus includes: a reading section for reading the stream data from the recording medium; an extraction section for extracting the menu item coordinate information contained in the stream data; a reproduction section for reproducing the image information contained in the stream data; a determination section for determining whether or not the menu item has been selected by comparing the extracted menu item coordinate information against a user input in the form of coordinate information; and an execution section for executing a process corresponding to the menu item if the menu item is determined to have been selected.

Abstract: A method for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The method includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.

Abstract: A feature video image vdt and a thumbnail picture sdt read from a receiving section C10 are recorded onto a mass storage medium M1, and meta information mdt is recorded into a high-speed storage unit C12. Semantic browser means C1 extracts a partial video image from the feature video image on the basis of the meta information mdt so as to organize a preview video image, and also displays a semantic graph and a current position on the screen on the basis of the meta information and replays the feature video image or the preview video image from that position when there is a position designation input. Furthermore, when there is a browsing instruction input, the semantic browser means C1 carries out browsing between the feature video image and the preview video image, or browsing within the feature video image or within the preview video image. An accounting section C18 carries out accounting processing.

Abstract: A master movie and player are created on the fly. The master movie is created based on characteristics of a movie or other asset to be viewed by the player. The player is constructed from a template having rudimentary player capabilities for a predetermined connection speed. Tracks selected by suppliers and user/e-tailers are added to customize the player. Different players are constructed for various predetermined connection speeds. When an asset is to be viewed, a server downloads the master movie matching a content viewer's request to the content viewer's machine. The master movie determines the connection speed and send a message back to the server. The server then downloads the player for the asset requested by the content viewer and matching the content viewer's connection speed. The requested asset is then streamed to the content viewer.

Abstract: A media services interface for use in a readable medium playback device enables synchronization of disparate media playback, network directed playback of media, media playback control via displayed html/javascript file, logging of consumer identifier, media identifier, and playback device identifier in a cookie or log file. The media services comprises a command handler, a properties handler, an event generator, a cookie manager, a navigator state module, an identifier engine, an initialization module, and a bookmark manager. The command handler executes commands received from a connected network, a displayed html/javascript file, etc.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cut-list creation system allowing a cut list to be made and edited automatically through a network at a request made by the user. The cut-list creation system comprises advertisement design terminals, a center server and a network for connecting the terminals to the server. The center server comprises a storage unit for storing video contents created by using an advertisement design terminal and a cut-list creation apparatus for creating template data of a video-content-scene list. The template data is created by extracting selected scenes from a video content stored in the storage unit in a division process carried out on the video content along the time axis. The division process is carried out by an advertisement design terminal by making accesses to the video content.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: An information system having a plurality of user options is provided. A graphical representation is uniquely associated with each user option. In response to a single user action, the graphical representations are successively displayed in a focus area within the display screen. When the user sees a graphical representation of a desired option, the user takes some additional action and the successive display of graphical representations is discontinued. The graphical representation of the desired user option is then displayed in the focus area within the display screen, and may be visually enhanced. Once navigation has been discontinued, the user may select the user option associated with the displayed graphical representation.

Abstract: A television system allows viewers to access a number of different groups of television content, or “service aggregates.” A portal interface for each group provides a direct means for the viewer to navigate between members of a service aggregate, without necessarily having to accesses a global program guide for the television system. The groups of television content can be formed from various criteria including forming the groups based on business rules.

Abstract: A system that represents a video sequence comprising plurality of video clips as a number of images. The plurality of video clips is represented as a reduced representation of video images. A video clip is represented as a keyframe, wherein multiple keyframes may then be arranged according to chronological order. All or only a representative portion of the video clips can be represented as keyframes. The size of the keyframe may be configured to represent the length or importance of the video clip. The keyframe may depict an entire frame of a video clip, or a region of meaningful information within a frame of a video clip. Multiple keyframes may be arranged in a two dimensional array, in an S-shaped curve, or some other pattern. The keyframes may depict motion of an object occurring over time in the video clip by configuring groups of pixels in the key frame.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multimedia device, which detects at least one information item in an audio and/or video data stream processed by the multimedia device, saves the detected information items as a function of a weighting consisting of the time of occurrence of an information item and at least one selection criterion and displays follow-up information relating to the information item selected by a user on an output unit of the multimedia device.

Abstract: A method summarizes unknown content of a video. First, low-level features of the video are selected. The video is then partitioned into segments according to the low-level features. The segments are grouped into disjoint clusters where each cluster contains similar segments. The clusters are labeled according to the low-level features, and parameters characterizing the clusters are assigned. High-level patterns among the labels are found, and the these patterns are used to extract frames from the video according to form a content-adaptive summary of the unknown content of the video.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and systems for bookmarking an area of interest of stored video content is provided. As a viewer is watching a video and finds an area of interest, they can bookmark the particular segment of the video and then return to that segment with relative simplicity. This can be accomplished by pressing a button, clicking with a mouse or otherwise sending a signal to a device for marking a particular location of the video that is of interest. Frame identifiers can also be used to select a desired video from an index and to then retrieve the video from a medium containing multiple videos.

Abstract: User interfaces for a number of services offered by an information distribution system. In one method, first (e.g., interactive program guide) and second (e.g., video-on-demand) applications are provided to support a first and second user interfaces for first and second services, respectively. A control mechanism coordinates the passing of control between the applications. A root application supports communication between the first and second applications and a hardware layer. The control mechanism may be implemented with first and second message queues maintained for the first and second applications, respectively. Control may be passed to an application via a (launch) message provided to the associated message queue. Each application is operable in an active or inactive state. Only one application is typically active at any given moment, and this application processes key inputs at the terminal. The transition between the active and inactive states may be based on occurrence of events.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention is a technique to navigate a user interface for program selection. Program information of a plurality of program cells is displayed in a visible window. The plurality of program cells is in an electronic program guide (EPG) grid. A visual indicator is moved in the visible window from a current position in a current row to a next position in response to a user command. The next position corresponds to a program cell is the plurality of program cells. The next position is in one of the current and a next row. The visual indicator is moved in response to a user command. The command is one of a move right and a move left command.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an improved interactive menu structure for an on-screen program guide within an interactive information distribution system. The menu structure is generated in service provider equipment and delivered to subscriber equipment as a digital video bitstream. The menu structure enables a viewer to view program schedules in an interactive manner with substantially no latency when switching from one program guide page to another. A mask and reveal technique is used to provide an interactive environment through which a viewer can identify programming, preview programming, launch multi-media programming for viewing, and cause other events within an information distribution system to occur.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: Systems and methods generate a video for virtual reality wherein the video is both panoramic and spatially indexed. In embodiments, a video system includes a controller, a database including spatial data, and a user interface in which a video is rendered in response to a specified action. The video includes a plurality of images retrieved from the database. Each of the images is panoramic and spatially indexed in accordance with a predetermined position along a virtual path in a virtual environment.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing mixed-media data files that comprises receiving a streaming media file, receiving a static media file, producing a streaming output from the streaming media file, querying the streaming output for a time marker upon receiving an input, and associating the static media file with the time marker and the streaming media file in an output file. An apparatus for synchronizing mixed-media data files that comprises a computer system including a database with one or more data structures relating to streaming media files and static media files stored on a storage device. The computer system also includes an application program coupled to the database that is configured to execute the methods described above.