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: 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: 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 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.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for changing the size of media content sent to a mobile device during a media session. In one embodiment, during the media session, the mobile device requests media content that has a second size. In response to the request, the content provider transmits the media content having the second size and discontinues transmission of the media content having the first size. The size of the media content transmitted to the mobile device may be changed multiple times during the presentation of the media content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a service data scheduling method and related devices. The method includes: receiving a service attribute message; obtaining a user priority of a UE according to the service attribute message and attribute information of each service corresponding to service data of the UE that is cached locally; granting authorization to the UE according to user priority of the UE; granting authorization to each service of the UE according to the authorization granted to the UE and the service priority of the service of the UE; and sending authorization information of the each service corresponding to the service data of the UE that is cached in the base station controller to the base station controller. When the service data of the same user is cached in the base station and the base station controller in a distributed way, service data scheduling for a user is implemented.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for controlling data packet transmissions from a server to a client having a client buffer in accordance with a waiting mode and a dynamic mode. The waiting mode is performed before packets containing data encoded subject to a current bit rate have reached the client buffer; the dynamic mode is performed otherwise. In the waiting mode, down-switches to lower bit rates are allowed but up-switches to higher bit rates are disabled. In the dynamic mode, up-switches and down-switches are both allowed, with adjustments in the bit rate of packets controlled based, in part, on the amount of data contained within the client buffer when packets containing data encoded subject to the current bit rate first reached the client buffer. The two modes help avoid unnecessary rate switches.

Abstract: A method (500) of indicating a process to be implemented in support of a mobility transfer operation and a method (600) of responding to a mobility transfer operation being initiated. A session initiation protocol (SIP) request (120, 124, 128, 220, 226, 228) can be generated. The SIP request can indicate a mobility transfer type that corresponds to the mobility transfer operation. The SIP request can be sent from a first device (102, 106) participating in the mobility transfer operation to at least a second device (106, 102) participating in the mobility transfer operation.

Abstract: Members of a social network service may share real-time comments about multimedia content they are viewing. The comments are attached to bookmarks that allow other members to view the video and add to the discussion thread.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling users to access video capture services from a home market while temporarily located in outside of it, i.e., roaming. The user temporarily located outside of their home market uses a regional system as a proxy in a home market in which the user is able to receive regional content. The regional system then transfers the regional content to the roaming user.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a media playback device is disclosed comprising a first interface configured to communicate with a media output device, a second interface configured to communicate with a data storage device, and control circuitry. In one embodiment, the control circuitry is configured to receive information identifying media files from a data storage device (DSD) over the second interface; generate a user interface for the media output device, the user interface identifying at least one of the media files; transmit the user interface to the media output device over the first interface; receive a play command from a user to play a selected media file; and transmit the play command over the second interface to the DSD to stream the selected media file on the media output device, wherein the media stream from the DSD bypasses the media playback device.

Abstract: A first user device establishes a video telephony session with a second user device over a best effort network. The voice quality for the video telephony session is upgraded by establishing a voice call with the second user device over a telephony network providing a quality of service guarantee for the voice call, and coupling the voice call over the telephony network with the video telephony session.

Abstract: Disclosed is a radio technology independent method for coexistence among dissimilar or independently operated TV Band Device (TVBD) networks and dissimilar TV Band Devices. A resource allocation method on centralized topology is disclosed, which comprises steps of receiving at least one available resource; performing a neighbor set calculation based on the received at least one available resource; calculating the resource according to the neighbor set calculation, where the calculated resource is allocated to at least one device.

Abstract: A method of displaying content on a TV using over-the-top (OTT) processes where the viewer has a user experience similar to or identical with conventional TV usage. The viewer powers on the TV and the last channel or service that was watched is displayed wherein all the content is displayed using OTT and the viewer does not have to execute any other steps, such as going to an app menu and launching a TV app in order to watch OTT content. It is determined whether an input source for the TV is set to a virtual input source. A TV app that enables OTT viewing (viewing TV content via an IP network) is executed. Once the TV app launches, normal TV operations can be performed. The virtual input source of the TV is linked to the TV application.

Abstract: A system and method for analyzing, summarizing, and transmitting life experiences captured using a life recorder is described. A life recorder is a recording device that continuously captures life experiences, including unanticipated life experiences, in video and/or audio recordings. In some embodiments, the video and/or audio recordings generated by a life recorder are automatically summarized, indexed, and stored for future use. By indexing and storing life recordings, a life recorder may search for and acquire life recordings generated by itself or another life recorder, thereby allowing life experiences to be shared minutes or even years later. In some embodiments, recordings generated by a life recorder may be analyzed in real-time and automatically pushed to one or more target devices. The ability to automatically and instantaneously push life recordings as live feeds to one or more target devices allows friends and family to experience one's life experience in real-time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sorting, grouping, and rendering subsets of large datasets over a network are described. Records may be sorted according to a user input, and the system may identify the subset of records that would be displayed on a client. The system may render for display only the identified records. Additionally, the system may render and cache records proximate to the identified records. Further, the system may perform searches upon the records and use the search results to further find results for a refined search.

Abstract: A method and system of providing conditional access to encrypted content includes receiving unsolicited multiply encrypted video content and first decryption data over a broadcast network. Partially decrypted video content is obtained by decrypting a first layer of encryption of the encrypted video content using the first decryption data. The partially decrypted video content is stored. A request for viewing the encrypted video content is transmitted and second decryption data is received. A second layer of encryption of the encrypted video content is decrypted using the second decryption data.

Abstract: Method and system of managing subscriber access to services. The method and system including features for use in determining sub scriber entitlements to the services and managing presentation of the services for subscriber selection and access as a function of the subscriber entitlements.

Abstract: A conditional access system generating a permission packet in response to the content request. The permission packet has information for a user device to access content through a connection of a content delivery network so that in response to the permission packet, a first connection from the content delivery network to the user device may be opened by the user device.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method operable to store video data and/or audio data is adapted to a first peer of a video and audio data system having a plurality of peers, and each peer has a corresponding storage space. In the method, before the first peer has not received a service request of a second peer of the plurality of peers, determines whether the video and audio data received by the first peer is stored in its corresponding storage space with a dynamically adjustable first video and audio storing probability, and extends a time interval of the first peer for storing received video and audio data; and when the first peer receives the service request of the second peer, sets a second video and audio storing probability. Thereby the second peer obtains at least one stored video and audio data from the first peer.

Abstract: A system instructs that a first carrier signal that is modulated with a first digital media stream be sent to a first receiver, where the first digital media stream uses a first bandwidth. The system receives a second request from a second receiver to send a second digital media stream, where second digital media stream uses a second bandwidth that is greater than the first bandwidth, and determines that transmitting the second digital media stream will require use of the first bandwidth. The system instructs that a second carrier signal be modulated with the first digital media stream and sent to the first television receiver, and sends to the first television receiver an identifier of the second carrier signal as carrying the first digital media stream.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to receive a selection of media content that has finished being broadcast where the selection is of the previously broadcast media content, transmit a request for the media content, and receive the media content for presentation at the display device, where the media content includes a plurality of segments, where one or more of the segments is provided by each of a plurality of digital video recorders (DVR's) that have recorded the media content, where the DVR's are remote from the set top box, and where the plurality of segments are merged prior to presentation by the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A process for providing a print-augmented broadcast signal for transmission to one or more convention broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal comprising (i) standard content for a particular broadcast program and (ii) a non-content portion. Supplemental content which is associated with the standard content of the particular broadcast program is additionally received. Next, the supplemental content is combined onto the non-content portion of the broadcast signal to form a print-augmented broadcast signal, the print-augmented broadcast signal comprising the standard content, which can be rendered on a conventional broadcast receiver, and the supplemental content, which is printable on-demand at a destination conventional broadcast receiver substantially concurrently with the rendering of the standard content.

Abstract: A novel advanced set top terminal capable of digital decompression, menu generation, interactivity and other advanced functional capabilities for use in a television program delivery system (200) is described. The invention relates to methods and apparatus for upgrading existing set top terminals (220) to provide menu generation capability and advanced functional capabilities. The invention is particularly useful in television program delivery systems (200) with hundreds of channels of programming, providing (i) menu driven program selection through the addition of an upgrade module (300) or menu generation card and (ii) advanced functional capabilities using a set of hardware upgrades (e.g., 130) and/or an expansion card. Specifically, the invention is an upgradeable system that supports advanced set top functionality through the use of internal software, hardware upgrades, an upgrade module and/or expansion cards. The upgraded hardware generally includes a microprocessor, various input/output ports (e.g.

Abstract: A system may send a request for video content to a server device; obtain, in response to the request, control information, associated with the video content, where the control information may include one or more digital versatile disc (DVD) features that correspond to one or more portions of the video content; and present the control information, for display, via a user interface, where presenting the control information for display may enable a user, of the video client device, to interact with the control information as though the video content was being played by a DVD player. The system may also receive selection of a DVD feature, of the one or more DVD features; and obtain, from the server device, a portion of the video content, of the one or more portions of the video content, that begins at a point that corresponds to the selected DVD feature.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering data over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes the allocation of dedicated end-to-end network resources via a “session request, as well as data flow control and packet size adaptation, by a data server based on feedback from the requesting/receiving client device (e.g., DSTB) within the network. Mechanisms for retransmission requests for error recovery are also provided.

Abstract: A method can include initiating a video request via an application operating on a smart device. The method can also include transmitting the video request to a service provider from the smart device via a network to enable transmission of configuration information to a one-way set-top box and to enable transmission of video content corresponding to media content associated with the video request to the one-way set-top box based on the configuration information.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adapting playback bit rate in a content delivery system based on scene complexity of the video content as well as network conditions and other performance factors. A scene complexity map of the video content indicates the complexity levels of different scenes within the video content. Using the scene complexity map, a content player may download scenes of lower scene complexity levels from video streams encoded to lower bit rates to manage the bandwidth consumed to download the video content and allow for the downloading of scenes of higher complexity levels from video streams encoded to higher bit rates.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video server apparatus includes a memory, a recorder, a decoder, a controller, a synchronizer, a sync signal transmitter and a time manager. The synchronizer generates sync signals in frame unit. The sync signal transmitter distributes the sync signals generated by the synchronizer in frame unit, to the memory, the recorder, the decoder and the controller. Each of the memory, recorder, decoder and controller includes a time manager. The time manager manages the sync signals distributed.

Abstract: Method, system and computer-readable medium to distribute VOD content are disclosed. A method of displaying video content includes accessing an association table for video-on-demand (VOD) content. The association table includes a first segment entry associated with a first video segment of a first length and a second segment entry associated with a second video segment of a second length that is longer than the first length. The first segment entry includes a first multicast group ID and the second segment entry includes a second multicast group ID. The method further includes receiving the first video segment via the first multicast group ID, displaying the received first video segment, and receiving the second video segment via the second multicast group ID within a period of time of displaying the first video segment.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for data processing in a device with integrated set-top-box and femtocell functionality are provided. Data may be received via an integrated femtocell and set-top-box device and may be synchronously processed, utilizing a common clock, to perform one or more femtocell functions and/or set-top-box functions. The common clock may be derived from global navigation satellite system signals. The integrated femtocell and set-top-box device may convert the received data from a first to a second format. The converted data may be transmitted to a cellular enabled communication device via a cellular transmitter within said integrated femtocell and set-top-box device and/or to a multimedia device via a multimedia interface within said integrated femtocell and set-top-box device. The received data may comprise multimedia content.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to support multiple audio tracks in an adaptive media stream. Segments of the adaptive stream are encoded so that the player is able to locate and request a specific one of the available audio tracks using byte range requests or the like. Audio content can be removed from video segments, or at least moved to the end of the segments so that a byte range request obtains just the video content when the default audio is not desired. The audio content can be obtained from a separate audio segment. Indeed, multiple audio tracks can be packaged into a common audio segment so that byte range requests can obtain just the particular audio track desired.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting channels to at least one digital video recorder is described. A server receives at least one recording schedule from a plurality of digital video recorders (step 304). A subset of channels is selected from the channels associated with the at least one program identification of the received at least one recording schedule (step 306). Information is transmitted from the server to at least one of the plurality of digital video recorders, the information indicating channels associated with the at least one program identification of the at least one recording schedule that were not selected (step 308). The selected subset of channels is also transmitted from the server to at least one of the plurality of digital video recorders (step 310).

Abstract: A multi-screen interaction method is provided that includes sending, by a source device, device parameters of the source device to a target device that accesses a local area network where the source device is located, and receiving device parameters of the target device that are sent by the target device; sending, by the source device, media information of media content to the target device; requesting, by the target device, the media content from a network server according to the media information and the device parameters of the target device; sending, by the network server according to the device parameters of the target device, media content corresponding to the device parameters of the target device to the target device; and finding, by the target device, a play state of the media content that is being played by the source device, and playing the media content according to the play state.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method of integrating video games into live sporting events, or the converse, in an interactive way. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a viewer watching a broadcast sporting event can elect to become a “phantom participant” in an event. At one or more designated points in the event (e.g., a golf tournament), the viewer's set-top box will switch from feeding the broadcast event to the viewer's television screen to feeding a stream from a video game unit to the same television screen. The video game unit is configured to receive information from the broadcast feed that includes information such as, but not limited to, the event location, the hole being played (in the golf example), the participants, and statistics related to the performance of the participants. This information may be used by the video game unit to present the viewer with the opportunity to “virtually” compete with the participants in the broadcast event.