Abstract: There is included a method and apparatus comprising computer code configured to cause a processor or processors to perform obtaining video data, parsing a video parameter set (VPS) syntax of the video data, determining whether a value of a syntax element of the VPS syntax indicates a picture order count (POC) value of an access unit (AU) of the video data, and setting at least one of a plurality of pictures, slices, and tiles of the video data to the AU based on the value of the syntax element.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a computer-implemented method for processing video data. The method comprises receiving a user input corresponding to a first picture of the video data, generating, based on the user input, prediction information of the first picture with respect a reference picture of the video data, and encoding the first picture using the prediction information.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for searching for media content across multiple sources. A multi-source content system can connect various media content sources (e.g., internet streaming platforms, local or cloud storage, OTA networks, cable network, satellite network, public library databases, etc.) to a gateway. When a user searches for media content, the gateway can detect the search and perform a query across the various media content sources to locate the media content. The multi-source content system can prioritize the search results according to free content, local storage devices, gateway content services or bandwidth management metrics, and present the search results to the user. The multi-source content system can aggregate multiple media content sources and devices connected to a gateway to retrieve media content.

Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced content and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a television input, television output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Content, such music, for example, may be imported from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and provided to the television. While the music is playing, the set-top box may generate and provide to the television a control signal that includes instructions to adjust the brightness of the television by dimming the television.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements in a client node and a server node support a decision on decoding and playout of a certain content in the client node. The methods and arrangements relate to the determining, conveying and obtaining of information related to the characteristics (level) required for decoding and playing out the certain media content at a non-regular playout rate. The method and arrangement in the client node further relate to determining, based on the obtained information, which playout rate(s) is/are supported by the client node in regard of level. The methods and arrangements enable the client node to refrain from attempting to decode and play out of the content at a non-regular rate requiring a level which is not supported by the client node.

Abstract: A system for transcoding a media stream includes at least one network interface; at least one memory; and at least one processor each coupled to one or more of the at least one network interface and one or more of the at least one memory. The at least one processor is configured to publish, via a messaging bus, a segment transcode request in a segment transcode request queue, retrieve the segment transcode request by a transcode worker thread, wherein the first transcode worker thread monitors the segment transcode request queue, transcode by a second transcode worker thread a segment referenced by the segment transcode request, determine by the manifest processor whether the second transcode worker thread has completed transcoding the segment and is still operating, and, if not, transcode the segment by a third transcode worker thread, and store the transcoded segment.

Abstract: A broadcast signal transmitter includes a first bit interleaver to bit interleave core layer data of at least one core layer Physical Layer Pipe (PLP) for a core layer; a second bit interleaver to bit interleave enhanced layer data of at least one enhanced layer PLP for an enhanced layer; an injection level controller to control power ratio between the bit-interleaved core layer data and the bit-interleaved enhanced layer data; a combiner to combine the core layer data and the enhanced layer data which the power ratio is controlled and to output Layered Division Multiplexing (LDM) data; a power normalizer to normalize power of the LDM data; a time interleaver to perform time-interleaving on the LDM data which the power is normalized; a framer to generate a signal frame comprising a preamble and the time-interleaved LDM data; and a modulator to perform Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulation on the signal frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for indicating an amount of available storage space. To this end, the systems and methods monitor storage space associated with a media storage device to determine whether an amount of storage space available is less than a threshold. In response to determining the amount of storage space available is less than the threshold, the systems and methods enter a deletion mode. Systems and methods monitor user interactions between a user and a user device after entering the deletion mode. Systems and methods further generate for display a notification at an appropriate time, based on the monitored user interactions, to indicate the amount of storage space available to the user.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system for extracting custom content from network packets. During operation, the system receives a stream of packets. The system then parses packets in the stream to determine a protocol for each packet. Next, the system applies a custom-content-extraction rule to each packet associated with a target protocol to obtain the extracted content. Then, the system stores the extracted content in events in a data store to facilitate subsequent queries involving the extracted content.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage compartment that is divided into a plurality of storage sections, and a door coupled to the main body to selectively open or close the storage compartment. The door includes a door glass having at least one transparent display area, and a door frame surrounding one or more edges of the door glass and configured to protect the door glass. The transparent display area is configured to display, based on being touched by a user, information on food stored in one or more of the plurality of storage sections that corresponds to the touched transparent display area.

Abstract: A method forms a digital value from a clock signal and a digital data signal. The method includes sampling the clock signal in order to obtain a clock signal digital value sequence and sampling the digital data signal in order to obtain a data signal digital value sequence. Sampling points are ascertained from the clock signal digital value sequence, at which data signal digital values are extracted from the data signal digital value sequence. The digital value is formed from the data signal digital values.

Abstract: When a media client is receiving a media stream, the media client determines an upcoming time point at which the media client is to perform a content revision involving insertion (e.g., substitution or overlaying) of new content. The media client further determines an advanced time point when the media client should initiate a process of acquiring the new content, setting the advanced time point sufficiently in advance of the upcoming content-revision time point to enable the media client to obtain at least enough of the new content to be able to start the content revision on time. In an example implementation, the media client could determine the advanced time point by predicting how long the content-acquisition process will take, based on consideration of past instances of content acquisition, possibly correlated with operational factors such as content source, processor load, memory load, network speed, and time of day.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, identifying video content having a scheduled broadcast time during a first viewing period that satisfies a viewership threshold and facilitating a transfer of the video content to a multimedia storage device. The video content is transferred to the multimedia storage device during a second viewing period prior to the first viewing period. The video content includes the data to prevent the multimedia storage device from sending the video content to another device prior to the time when the program is scheduled to be broadcast. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for changing a communication network for video communication is provided. The method includes performing, by a user equipment (UE), video communication through a mobile communication network; searching for whether there is a wireless local area network (WLAN) accessible by the UE; displaying, if a WLAN accessible by the UE is found, the accessible WLAN; and when the displayed WLAN is selected by a user, changing a communication network for the video communication to perform the video communication through the selected WLAN.

Abstract: There is provided a system including a non-transitory memory storing an executable code and a hardware processor executing the executable code to provide access to a plurality of media contents in a content repository, wherein each of the plurality of media contents has a rating, receive a rating input from a user device assigning a user rating to a first media content of the plurality of media contents, update the rating of the first media content based on the rating input, if the rating of the first media content exceeds a threshold, add the first media content to a programming queue of a broadcast channel, and transmit the first media content to a plurality of user devices on via the broadcast channel.

Abstract: A content platform can receive information identifying a plurality of exit times, in an on-demand content element, associated with respective user-initiated exit events. The plurality of exit times can be based on a time duration of the on-demand content element. The content platform can generate an exit time distribution based on the plurality of exit times, and can identify a maximum exit time density in the exit time distribution and a maximum exit time density gradient in the exit time distribution. The content platform can determine, using a machine-learning regression model, an end screen time in the on-demand content element based on the maximum exit time density and the maximum exit time density gradient. The content platform can generate an instruction to display an end screen user interface at the end screen time during playback of the on-demand content element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing network traffic are provided. An exemplary system may include a plurality of network nodes distributed in multiple geographical regions. The plurality of network nodes may be configured to collect mass scanning network traffic data. The system may also include at least one processor configured to receive, from the plurality of network nodes, the collected mass scanning network traffic data. The processor may also be configured to generate an omnidirectional network traffic database based on the received mass scanning network traffic data. The processor may further be configured to receive a query against the omnidirectional network traffic database. The query may include information of a source of a network scanning activity. Moreover, the processor may be configured to determine whether the source matches any record in the omnidirectional network traffic database and generate an indication based on the determination.

Abstract: A method for processing a broadcast signal, the method includes receiving a broadcast signal via a broadcast stream, the broadcast signal including service components of a broadcast service, service signaling information for signaling the broadcast service and a service list table; parsing the broadcast signal and obtaining the service list table, the service list table including bootstrap information for indicating a Real time Object delivery over Unidirectional Transport (ROUTE) session which delivers the service signaling information; obtaining the service signaling information by using the bootstrap information, the service signaling information includes first and second metadata, wherein the first metadata is used to determine a transport mode of each of the service components, and wherein the second metadata provides session description information for accessing the service components from the broadcast stream; and obtaining the service components for the broadcast service, and providing the broadcast s

Abstract: A broadcast signal transmitter includes a first Forward Error Correction (FEC) encoder configured to encode core layer data, a second FEC encoder configured to encode enhanced layer data, an injection level controller configured to control power ratio between the encoded core layer data and the encoded enhanced layer data, a combiner configured to combine the core layer data and the enhanced layer data and to output Layered Division Multiplexing (LDM) data, a power normalizer configured to normalize power of the outputted LDM data, a time interleaver configured to time-interleave the LDM data, a framer configured to generate a signal frame comprising a preamble and the time-interleaved LDM data, the preamble carrying signaling information, and a modulator configured to perform Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) modulation on the generated signal frame.

Abstract: A method for targeting marketing for user conversion includes receiving a list of users. Data pertaining to the users is received. A conversion likelihood score representing an estimation of how likely the user would be to converted from a trial user to a paid user is determined for each user. A similarity score representing how similar the users of the pair are to one another is determined for each possible pair of users. A graph in which each node thereof represents each user and edges between the nodes have edge weights representing the determined similarity scores is constructed. Each node is associated with a value representing its conversion likelihood score. A marketing potential score is calculated for each user using both the node-associated-values and the edge weights of the graph. A set of target users having highest marketing potential scores is constructed.

Abstract: A hardware encoder includes a network interface configured to receive configuration information via a private network and a processor configured to encode at least one media stream based on the configuration information. The configuration information is received from a mobile device connected to the private local network.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system contains a network testing engine that sends test data along different paths of a network between a source and a destination, wherein each path contains a plurality of network nodes, and receives, in response to sending the test data, response data about the paths. The system further contains a network path characteristics engine that determines characteristics of each path based on the response data, and a delivery parameters engine that receives a request for delivery of a data load from the source to the destination and determines, based on the request, delivery parameters. Furthermore, the system contains the source and a path selection engine that determines a selected path of the different paths based on the characteristics of the paths and the delivery parameters, and sends the selected data path to the source, which sends the data load along the selected path to the destination.

Abstract: Systems and methods can use client-side video buffer occupancy for enhanced quality of experience in a communication network. The systems and methods provided herein can drive changes in the communication system using control responses. Example control responses include responses for scheduling of packets under capacity constrained conditions. An access node, such as a base station, may transmit video from a server to a client in a user device. The access node can estimate client-side video buffer occupancy and predict video playback stalls. The client-side video buffer occupancy can be estimated by emulating behavior of the client. The buffer occupancy can be used to enhance quality of experience for the user. For example, when the buffer occupancy is low, the access node may increase scheduling priority of packets conveying the video.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium are disclosed for performing an automated anti-spoofing configuration operation, comprising: determining whether a source address of an internet protocol (IP) packet is allowed by a receiving interface of a firewall; determining whether the IP packet comprises a multicast packet when the IP packet is allowed by the receiving interface of the firewall; replacing the source address with a rendezvous point address; using the rendezvous point address to determine whether routing path information associated with the multicast packet matches information stored within a multicast routing information base for the receiving interface of the firewall; and, identifying the multicast packet as spoofed when the routing path information associated with multicast packet does not have corresponding information stored within the multicast routing information base.

Abstract: Remote management of a digital terrestrial television device. In terrestrial television reception, a control command is transmitted by a distant remote management server through another communication channel, the control command requesting the video device to set at least a digital terrestrial television parameter related to a service list management.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program wherein the apparatus comprises: processing circuitry; and memory circuitry including computer program code; the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, cause the apparatus at least to perform; detecting user selection of a part of an image wherein the image is displayed on a display; obtaining context information; and determining information to be provided to the user based on the user selection, the displayed image and the obtained context information.

Abstract: A control system includes a plurality of control apparatuses each capable of controlling a first communication terminal connected to the control apparatus. Each control apparatus transmits search information including terminal identification information for identifying a second communication terminal to other control apparatuses of the plurality of control apparatuses, searches for one of the other control apparatuses that is connected to the second communication terminal based on responses that are transmitted from the other control apparatuses in response to the search information, and transmits state information indicating a state of the first communication terminal connected to the control apparatus to the searched control apparatus connected to the second communication terminal.

Abstract: A trigger manager and related processes and systems for managing triggers for a plurality of subscribing set-top boxes in an interactive television environment are provided. In response to receipt of a configuration update request originating from a specific set-top box, the trigger manager accesses a database of subscribing set-top box profiles associating subscribing set-top boxes with respective sets of triggers. The database is processed based on the configuration update request to identify a profile associated with the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. Trigger update information associated with the identified profile is transmitted over a network to the specific set-top box from which the configuration update request originated. In response to receipt at the specific set-top box of the trigger update information, the set of current triggers in the memory unit is updated at least in part based on the information received.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for displaying a bullet curtain in a VR video. During playback of the VR video, a VR device may detect a visual field of a user, determine a target bullet curtain to be displayed in the visual field of the user based on location information of a plurality of bullet curtains stored in a bullet curtain library, and then display the target bullet curtain in the display area corresponding to the visual field of the user.

Abstract: A candidate companion screen device is located by a primary display device as being in the same room as the primary device using low energy Bluetooth, and in response ancillary content related to content being shown on the primary display device is provided to the companion screen device. The ancillary content may be provided from the Internet based on information in the content being presented on the primary display device by, e.g., providing a link to a website to the companion device.

Abstract: Techniques for coordinated and device-distributed detection of abnormal network device operation are provided. In some embodiments, a method may include identifying a suspicious activity condition associated with a suspect network device. The suspicious activity condition may also be associated with the device itself. Activity of the network device may be detected and analyzed, including additional data corresponding to the activity from one or more other network devices in the same network. In response to determining that the suspicious activity condition is satisfied, an alert communication can be transmitted that identifies the suspect network device. When the activity is associated with the device itself, a local operation at the network device may be changed.

Abstract: A method, system, and executable instructions are provided that receive a request to change a television tuner from a first channel to a second channel, the first channel providing first programming and the second channel providing second programming, wherein the first and second programming are different and changing from the first channel to the second channel causes a delay in providing, by the television tuner, the second programming, determine, based on metadata associated with the second channel and/or second programming, an image associated with the second programming, and, during the delay, display, on a screen of the television, the image.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to security management in communications involving computing devices, e.g. Internet of Things (IoT) devices. An IoT device can perform various activities, e.g., social networking activities, for or on behalf of a user. An IoT device is typically insecure, especially when accessing user data. To control the type of activities that can be performed by various types of devices, a server device (“server”) can issue different types of tokens to different IoT devices. Which token an IoT device has determines the types of activities the IoT device can perform. For example, the server can issue a restricted token, which restricts the type of activities an IoT device can perform, and an unrestricted token to a more secure device, e.g., a smartphone, that can perform a broader range of activities. For example, the restrictive token may not permit the IoT device to change the password of a user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a broadcast signal transmitter. A broadcast signal transmitter according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first BICM unit configured to FEC-encode the data of a core layer, a second BICM unit configured to FEC-encode the enhanced layer data, an LDM injection unit configured to combine the core layer data and the enhanced layer data and to output Layered Division Multiplexing (LDM) data, a time interleaver configured to time-interleave the LDM data, a framing unit configured to generate a signal frame including a preamble for carrying signaling information and the LDM data, and a waveform generation unit configured to generate a broadcast signal by performing OFDM modulation on the signal frame.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide content on demand in content broadcast systems are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving a first portion of a program via broadcast signal and receiving a second portion of the program via an Internet protocol (IP) based signal. The example method may further comprise combining the first and the second portions and at least one of store the combined first and second portions in a file or playback the combined first and second portions.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to one or more peripheral devices at a location via a local advertisement server. In certain exemplary embodiments, the local advertisement server within a location receives advertisements from the central advertisement network and rebroadcasts them to peripheral devices within that location. Advertising information may be tracked and reported, e.g., for accounting, revenue-sharing, and/or other purposes in certain exemplary embodiments. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, the distribution of advertisements is provided to peripherals via a non-web- and non-PC-dependent network. Moreover, in certain exemplary embodiments, reporting and advertising related communications are substantially bi-directional regardless of device type.

Abstract: A method for controlling light presentation of a light system is proposed to include steps of: (a) performing, by a media renderer, playback of a multimedia program; and (b) controlling, by the media renderer during the playback of the multimedia program in step (a), the light system to change light presentation thereof according to a light-timing file set that is prepared prior to step (a), and that indicates time points at which the light system is to change light presentation thereof during playback of the multimedia program.

Abstract: An apparatus of processing a digital service signals and a method thereof are disclosed.

Abstract: A method executes at a server system with one or more processors and memory. The server receives demographic information for a plurality of household members. The demographic information includes at least age and gender. The server receives television viewing information for the household. The server identifies one or more television viewing sessions from the television viewing information and selects one of the television viewing sessions. The server identifies one or more television programs tuned during the selected televisions viewing session and accesses demographic skew data for at least a subset of the television programs tuned. The demographic skew data for a television program identifies fractions of viewers of the television program from predefined demographic segments. The server associates a household member with the television viewing session at least in part by correlating the demographic skew data of the television programs tuned with the demographic information of the first household member.

Abstract: A receiving device and a method for receiving a multiview three-dimensional broadcast signal, including a method for processing multiview three-dimensional broadcast signal having the steps of: receiving a broadcast signal, which includes a three-dimensional broadcast image for a plurality of views and includes signaling data for signaling the three-dimensional broadcast image; parsing three-dimensional broadcast image view information, parsing multiview subtitle stream packet identifier information, and parsing multiview subtitle segment identifier information; and outputting the three-dimensional broadcast image for the plurality of the views including the three-dimensional broadcast image of the particular view, to which the subtitle data is applied.

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

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

Abstract: A method executes at a server system with one or more processors and memory. The server receives demographic information for a plurality of household members. The demographic information includes at least age and gender. The server receives web activity information for the household. The server identifies one or more web activity sessions from the web activity information and selects one of the web activity sessions. The server identifies one or more web sites visited during the selected web activity session and accesses demographic skew data for at least a subset of the web sites visited. The demographic skew data for a web site identifies fractions of visitors to the web site from predefined demographic segments. The server associates a household member with the web activity session at least in part by correlating the demographic skew data of the web sites visited with the demographic information of the first household member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing a plurality of data packets. A data packet is received. A determination is made as to whether a portion of the data packet follows a selected digital recorder standard protocol based on a header of the data packet. Raw data in the data packet is converted into human-readable information in response to a determination that the portion of the data packet follows the selected digital recorder standard protocol.

Abstract: A content delivery resource in a cable network receives a request for specified content. The content delivery resource retrieves profile information assigned to the subscriber domain. The profile information indicates multiple different playback formats assigned to the subscriber domain. To service the request, the content delivery resource utilizes the profile information associated with the subscriber domain to select versions of the specified content encoded in accordance with the multiple different playback formats. The content delivery resource then initiates transmission of the versions of the specified content in the multiple different playback formats to the subscriber domain for playback on multiple types of playback devices.

Abstract: This document describes methods, systems and computer program products related to cloud-based rendering. The subject matter of this document is embodied in a method that includes receiving, at a server from a remote client application, files related to rendering of a frame, and storing the files related to the rendering of the frame at storage locations local to the server. The files are stored in accordance with an organization of the files on a remote computing device associated with the remote client application. The method also includes rendering the frame from the files using a rendering application determined based on information associated with the files, and making the rendered frame available to the remote client application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying and manipulating the display of digital character strings where the length of the character string extends beyond the width of a desired output display. In response to a user request to display a character string, a client can generate a truncated representation of the character string using at least one truncation symbol when the character string extends beyond the width of an output display. A client can modify the display of the truncated representation of the character string in response to detecting a signal corresponding to a change in location of the truncation symbol. The signal can be detected from a touchscreen or input device. This allows a user to view any portion of a selected character string, including those portions that may be obscured by the truncation symbol.

Abstract: A module configured in operation to connect to a host, the module including: a decryptor operable to decrypt an encrypted transport stream received from the host, the transport stream including content data and a decryption seed; a decryption key generator operable to extract the decryption seed from the transport stream and to generate a decryption key from the decryption key seed; and a secure channel generator operable to generate a secure channel between the module and the host, whereby the secure channel generator is further operable to provide the generated decryption key to the host over the secure channel.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a given UE joins a local group communication session between a group of UEs, establishes itself as a director, obtains media feeds captured by media capturing UEs in the group of UEs and transmits a selected subset of the media feeds to a server for transmission to target UEs. In another embodiment, the server receives the media feeds itself and sends the media feeds to a director UE. The director UE indicates a selection of the subset of the media feeds to the server, and the server transmits the selected subset of media feeds to the target UEs. Accordingly, a local director UE can direct the subset to the target UEs by controlling which media feeds are sent to the server, or a remote director UE can direct the subset to the target UEs by controlling which media feeds the server sends to the target UEs.

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