Abstract: Methods and apparatus to enforce a power off state of an audience measurement device during shipping of the device are disclosed herein. An example portable audience measurement device includes a housing, a media detector in the housing to collect media exposure data, and a packaging sensor to receive an audio signal. A packaging detector generates a frequency spectrum of the detected audio signal, determines an energy of a first frequency associated with the generated frequency spectrum, determines an energy of a second frequency higher than the first frequency and associated with the generated frequency spectrum, and compares the difference between the energy of the first frequency and the second frequency to a muffling threshold to determine whether the device is located within a package.

Abstract: A method of recommending media content for a media playing system includes identifying a user in a viewing area; determining whether personal information of the user is stored in a database; and generating information related to a first media content recommendation according to the personal information when the personal information of the user is stored in the database.

Abstract: Example methods, systems, apparatus and machine readable media are disclosed to identify candidate media events for modification. An example method includes dividing a media instance into components and correlating physiological response data from a subject exposed to the media with the components to form correlated data. The example method also includes processing the correlated data to identify transitions representative of changes in a subject response. The example method also includes parsing the components a plurality of events based on the transitions. In addition, the example method includes identifying events of the plurality of events as candidates for modification based on the changes in the subject response.

Abstract: Generally, this disclosure describes a system and method for dynamic content management across a variety of television input sources. The system may include an audience detection module configured to identify a viewer in a viewing area of a display configured to display received media content; a media scanning module configured to determine a media content rating associated with a portion of a media content received from at least one of a local content source and a remote content source; and a media player configured to adapt display of the portion of the received media content based on a policy when the associated media content rating corresponds to inappropriate content for the identified viewer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing latency times associated with sessionizing log events from streaming logs are disclosed herein. In an aspect, event data related to user consumption of media content items can be monitored. Further, respective event data based at least in part on user playback of the media content items can be analyzed. In another aspect, pending and finalized event data can be summarized into a finalized playback record. In yet another aspect, the size of a time window can be adjusted based in part on observed logsaver latency. Further, in an aspect, watch time data can be integrated into a de-spamming pipeline.

Abstract: A viewing behavior learning apparatus includes: a viewing history acquiring unit that acquires a viewing record that indicates an attribute of a program and start and end times during which a viewer viewed the program; a viewing history dividing unit that divides the viewing record every discretized time points that is discretized by a unit time; a viewing history replicating unit that discretizes a viewing time period denoted by the divided viewing records by interval shorter than the unit time to obtain discretized viewing time periods; a viewing behavior storage unit that builds a model of the viewing behavior by use of a Bayesian network having the viewing time period and the attribute as random variables and stores a conditional probability table of the Bayesian network; and a viewing behavior updating unit that updates the conditional probability table using the discretized viewing time periods.

Abstract: A system measures a frequency with which a user views a television program and identifies the television program as one of the user's favorite programs based on the measured frequency. The system automatically records, without intervention of the user, the one of the user's favorite programs.

Abstract: A network device may be configured to receive video quality data that includes information corresponding to a delivery of video content from a content source to a user device via a network and information corresponding to video presentation conditions corresponding to the user device. The network device may also be configured to determine video quality metrics based on the video quality data. Each of the video quality metrics may correspond to a characteristic of the delivery of the video content from the content source to the user device or the video presentation conditions corresponding to the user device. The network device may also be configured to determine, based on the video quality metrics, a video quality score that corresponds to an estimated user viewing experience corresponding to the video content. The network device may also be configured to communicate the video quality score to an operator of the network.

Abstract: A media viewing method and system monitors user interaction with an electronic program guide. An awareness engine collects data generated by the user interaction and forms awareness indicators and information. The awareness information is output to end users and is indicative of which users in a social circle are accessing (e.g. viewing, playing, or recording) or have accessed which media works. Some output enables user-to-user interaction. The media works may be supplied by cable television, satellite television, online or global computer network sources.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention enable a bottom up analysis approach that derives physiological responses from measured physiological data of viewers of a media, and calculates scores of instances of an event type based on the physiological responses. The scores are then aggregated to rate the event type in addition to scoring the individual event instances. The approach can also form an overall rating of the media by aggregating the event ratings of set of event types within the media.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, including receiving, at a computing device, a request from a user to display descriptors of media programming content for a time period; identifying people associated with the user employing information stored in a computer database, and identifying time-associated media programs electronically scheduled on behalf of the identified people; and providing for display, to the user, the descriptions of the identified people and of the time-associated media programs.

Abstract: A computer readable medium is disclosed containing a computer program useful for performing a method for estimating an audience reaction to a data stream, the computer program comprising but not limited to instructions to send data containing a plurality of filter objects data to a plurality of filtered sensors associated with end user devices, instructions to receive response data from the filtered sensor in response to the data stream in accordance with the plurality of filter objects and instructions to estimate an audience reaction to the video data from the response data. A system is disclosed including a processor for performing a method for estimating an audience reaction to video data. A data structure is disclosed for containing data useful for performing the computer program and method.

Abstract: Systems and methods can include offering a user an incentive for viewing advertising content, delivering the advertising content to the user, monitoring the delivery of the advertising content to the user and awarding the user the offered incentive upon successful completion of delivery of the advertising content to the user. Systems and methods can further include maintaining a database of incentives awarded to the user for subsequent redemption by the user. Systems and methods can further include offering the user an opportunity to identify advertising content preferences, storing those advertising content preferences in a database and using the advertising content preferences to filter the advertising content identified to the user when the user is offered an incentive for viewing advertising content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing targeted advertisements is provided herein. In particular, targeted advertisements are provided to users based on face clustering for time-varying video. During operation video is continuously obtained of users of the system. Users' faces are detected and measured. Measurements of users' faces are then clustered. Once the clusters are available, advertisements are targeted at clusters rather than individual users.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods and computer programs provided for metering and accounting in a commercial e-services infrastructure address the requirement for handling composite services in which higher-level services are built using simpler underlying services, each of which may be autonomously owned and operated. Metering records for each service underlying a composite service are correlated by a process associated with the composite service, and then sent to an accounting service where they can be aggregated. The correlation is performed in a distributed manner with correlated usage data provided on a per-request basis. Accounting services can take account of the usage and charges associated with the underlying services to provide accounting and billing on a per-request basis or per customer-provider pair for a billing period.

Abstract: Example systems and methods to wirelessly meter audio/visual (A/V) devices are disclosed. A disclosed example method receives media content from an A/V source device, embeds a video overlay in the wirelessly received media content, and wirelessly transmits the media content and the video overlay to the wireless A/V device. The example method wirelessly receives audience identification information in response to the transmitted video overlay, and wirelessly receives audience behavior information.

Abstract: A method for data communication is provided and may include transmitting picture objects and/or video objects from a media center for display on a communications terminal. The media center may receive, from an eye tracker at the communications terminal, direction of view information (DoV) of at least one eye of a user of the terminal with respect to the displayed objects. The DoV may be determined by detecting a position of a pupil based on light reflected off of the pupil. Subsequent picture objects and/or video objects may be transmitted for display by the communications terminal based on user interests determined from the received DoV information. The DoV information may be determined using: a beam splitter, a lens, and a position sensing diode which receives light from the lens which has been received from the beam splitter, wherein the position sensing diode outputs a signal to the eye tracker.

Abstract: A social networking system provides relevant third-party content objects to users by matching user location, interests, and other social information with the content, location, and timing associated with the content objects. Content objects are provided based on relevance scores specific to a user. Relevance scores may be calculated based on the user's previous interactions with content object notifications, or based on interests that are common between the user and his or her connections in the social network. Context search is also provided for a user, wherein a list of search of results is ranked according to the relevance score of content object associated with the search results. Notifications may also be priced and distributed to users based on their relevance. In this way, the system can provide notifications that are relevant to user's interests and current circumstances, increasing the likelihood that they will find content objects of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for inferring a service plan for seamlessly providing an IPTV service. The present invention proposes a context inference algorithm for performing multiple-criteria decision-making using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for context element evaluation through a context inference apparatus for providing a seamless IPTV service using a context awareness technology for recognizing device change and environmental change in a ubiquitous home networking environment including various types of information terminals.

Abstract: A television receiving device includes an operating mode determining unit and a power supply control unit. The operating mode determining unit is configured to determine an operating mode of the television receiving device. The power supply control unit is configured to automatically turn off the television receiving device when a default time elapses. The power supply control unit is further configured to change the default time to a modified time that is shorter than the default time based on the operating mode determined by the operating mode determining unit.

Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.

Abstract: A content providing apparatus, a content providing method, an image forming displaying apparatus, and a computer-readable recording medium are provided. A content providing apparatus includes a communication interface configured to receive viewer reaction information related to a program from an image displaying apparatus, a highlight information generator configured to measure a level of viewer reaction by analyzing the received viewer reaction information, and generates highlight information by detecting highlights based on the measured level of viewer reaction, wherein the generated highlight information is stored, and the image displaying apparatus is provided with the stored highlight information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor advertisement exposure are disclosed. An example method includes determining via a meter that a media content segment was presented at a media content presentation device and determining via an activity monitor different than the meter that a computing resource related to the media content segment was accessed by outputting an indication of an association between the computing resource access and the media content presentation after the presentation of the media content segment.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems to quantify and understand the behavior and consumption patterns of audiences with respect to Internet video and rich media applications. In operation, an end user video player or a rich media application (such as an interactive advertisement built with Flash or other method) is instrumented to capture data. The data is collected by a service provider and made available for viewing by customers of a video experience and rich media behavior measurement service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to count audience members are disclosed. An example method includes identifying a first audience member present at a first time, incrementing a stored first count of a number of times the first audience member is present during a day part corresponding to the first time, incrementing a stored tuning occasion count, identifying a second audience member present at a second time, incrementing a stored second count of a number of times the second audience member is present during the day part, incrementing the stored tuning occasion count, determining a probability that an unidentified audience member is the first audience member based on the first count, the second count, and the tuning occasion count, and counting the first audience member based on a comparison of the probability to a threshold.

Abstract: A television audience measurement system measures viewing of a television program viewed on digital television located in a statistically selected site by (i) retrieving an audience measurement data packet from a television set in order to identify the television program, (ii) detecting an audio code embedded in the television program in order to identify the television program, (iii) extracting an audio signature from the television program in order to identify the television program, (iv) identifying the television program through use of a software agent, and (v) selecting at least one of the retrieving means, the detecting means, the extracting means, and the software agent in order to identify the television program.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to monitor for a triggering event that is associated with viewing of media content, retrieve a screen saver from a remote server when the triggering event is detected, and apply the screen saver to a display device connected with the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic advertisement system is provided by which, when an advertisement effect that corresponds to billing conditions is not obtained, an advertiser is free from an obligation to pay advertisement fee so that the advertiser can run an advertisement without having an economic risk. An electronic advertisement sending side computer has a billing tag addition means for adding, to electronic advertisement data, a tag composed of information describing billing conditions. A receiving side computer includes: a display unit that outputs, as output data, video and audio of received electronic advertisement data; and an electronic device that acquires the circumstance around the display unit as input data. A program of the receiving side computer has an input video analysis means that determines whether billing conditions for outputted electronic advertisement data are achieved or not by analyzing input data from the electronic device.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms are described herein for facilitating the detection of user responses to media content. According to various embodiments, movement data transmitted from a first client machine may be received. The movement data may be associated with a presentation of a media content item. The movement data may be detected at a sensor located at the first client machine. The received movement data may be compared with movement calibration information to create media content response data. The movement calibration information may correlate movement data with a plurality of user responses to the presented media content item. The media content response data may indicate one or more of the plurality of user responses. The media content reaction data may be stored on a storage medium.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a detection unit, a comparison unit, and a warning unit. The detection unit generates a detection signal. The comparison unit determines whether the detection signal exceeds a predetermined detection signal. If it is determined that the detection signal exceeds the predetermined detection signal, the comparison unit generates a first comparison signal indicating the proximity of an object to the electronic device. The warning unit sends a warning message in response to the first comparison signal.

Abstract: Interactive program guide systems and related processes are provided which can automatically tune a television, or program a VCR, based on program selections made from program schedule information displayed on a television or other suitable video monitor. The interactive program guide is preferably implemented using a microprocessor-controlled set-top box that is coupled to the viewer's television set. The set-top box receives program schedule information and software from a headend telecasting center. Preferably, program schedule information for the current day and at least six subsequent days is stored in a memory within the set-top box. The interactive program guide provides a display mode for allowing the viewer to apply a restrictive search selection criterion and a nonrestrictive sort attribute to the program schedule information.

Abstract: A method of detecting missing devices in a home entertainment system using a wireless home entertainment hub includes obtaining a registration of at least one device that includes a source device. An instruction is received from a user to present program content from the source device. A set of one or more sink devices missing from the home entertainment system for a presentation of the program content based on an assessment by the wireless home entertainment hub of presentation capabilities of the home entertainment system using the at least one device registered with the wireless home entertainment hub is determined. The set of one or more sink devices is presented to the user.

Abstract: A content hosting system allows content providers to create channels of video content and make them available to users in a marketplace. Users can search or browse for channels of interest, and selectively subscribe to channels. Users can also pay for the right to view premium videos in each channel. The system ranks channels according to the value provided. Generally, users will seek out and subscribe to the highest ranked channels that provide the greatest value. The ranking function allows different providers to compete for the subscriptions of users. Providers can observe their channel's reception in the market by analyzing rankings and usage statistics to adjust channels to maximize channel performance. The system operator can also create bundled channels containing videos from multiple providers, and the resulting subscription revenue can be distributed to the various providers of the videos in the channel.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for detecting hacked modems in a cable network system. A cable Internet service provider can provide the disclosed heuristic to determine whether a particular cable modem has likely been hacked by obtaining a score corresponding to this likelihood. This score, as well as information regarding failure and success of various tests, can be used to generate a report identifying the likelihood that various modems have been hacked.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to maintain audience privacy while determining viewing of video-on-demand (VOD) programs are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products described herein may allow for the capture of a user's reaction to an advertisement. The reaction may be verbal or may take the form of a gesture. Once the reaction is captured, the reaction may be interpreted to infer whether the user's opinion of the advertised product or service is positive. The opinion may be combined with metadata that is associated with the advertisement. The metadata may include the identity of the product or service being advertised and/or may include the identity of the advertiser, i.e., the producer or source of the product or service. The combination of the user's identity information, the metadata, and the user's opinion may collectively represent the user's interest in the advertised product or service. This interest information may be saved in a wish list or shopping list for the user, and may be stored via a network at a location removed from the user, i.e., “in the cloud.

Abstract: This document describes techniques and apparatuses enabling a user interface for presenting a media reaction. The techniques receive media reactions of a person to a media program, such as the person laughing at one point of a comedy show, then smiling at another point, and then departing at a third point. The techniques may present these and other media reactions in a user interface through which a user may interact.

Abstract: A device and method for timing advertisement breaks in video-on-demand applications based on viewer attention level includes a video device configured to display video content and receive biometric data indicative of the attention level of a viewer. The video device may notify a video-on-demand server that the attention level of the viewer has exceeded a threshold. In response to the notification, the video-on-demand server may determine a time to display advertisement content on the video device. The advertisement break time may be determined in relation to the video content. The advertisement content may be selected based on the video content. The video device may determine the viewer attention level during playback of the advertisement content and pause playback if the viewer attention level falls below the threshold.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to identify wireless carrier performance effects are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving an indication of media content presentation on a wireless communication device, monitoring a wireless carrier operating parameter in response to receiving the indication of media content presentation, and monitoring the wireless communication device for a media content presentation command. The example method also includes associating the media content presentation command and the wireless carrier operating parameter with a scoring factor indicative of subscriber preferences, and generating a report including the scoring factor.

Abstract: Provided is a method of receiving digital television programming content from a television service provider, receiving a first user input of a selected digital television programming content, receiving a message from a system, in response to receiving the message, causing a notification to be displayed on the television as an overlay over the displayed television programming content, receiving a first user command, determining a first control message to transmit to the system in response to receiving the first user command, transmitting the first control message. Also provided is a system including a video camera, an entry way security system, an HVAC system, a lighting system, an alarm system, or other system. User inputs may be received via a remote control to a set top box or from a computing device at a remote computer system through the internet and/or a mobile telephone network.

Abstract: Television viewers want to watch previously broadcast videos for a number of reasons. For example, a viewer may have missed one or more episodes of his or her favorite series. As another example, a viewer may have mistaken the broadcast date of a show. Functionality can be implemented in a video recording device to submit rebroadcast requests for previously broadcast videos to a content provider. The content provider can use the rebroadcast requests to determine popularity of the previously broadcast video and dynamically schedule rebroadcasts of the most popular videos. The rebroadcast requests represent intended viewership of the video and can be leveraged by the content provider when assigning advertisement rates for the rebroadcast.

Abstract: A computer includes at least one processor and at least one computer readable storage medium accessible to the processor. The medium bears instructions executable by the processor to cause the processor to receive at least one image of at least one viewer of a display on which content is presented. The instructions also cause the processor to generate a signal representative of at least one expression of the viewer made at or around the time the content was presented based on the image of the viewer, and also to receive metadata identifying the content. The instructions then cause the processor to associate the metadata identifying the content with the at least one expression of the viewer.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems to collect audience measurement data are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes collecting first program identification data and audience identification data during a first time period, the audience identification data being collected by prompting audience members in the monitored household to self-identify using a people meter, developing audience member behavior data based on the first program identification data and the audience identification data collected in the first time period, collecting second program identification data in a second time period after the first time period without collecting audience identification data, and identifying the audience members associated with the second program identification data based on the audience member behavior data.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide clickstream captures at a remote component, such as a video control system of a television network, by receiving user commands generated by the viewer that are sent to the remote component concurrently relative to when they are generated by the viewer. The commands are captured and then information related to these commands is stored remotely from the premises of the viewer. Additionally, the user commands may be executed remotely such as at a video control system of a television network or alternatively may be executed at the premises of the viewer such as within a set top box. Information related to these user commands continues to be stored remotely from the premises of the viewer after the user commands have been executed such that the information related to these user commands can be processed as necessary and used for various purposes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for capturing, transmitting and processing data for generating ratings relating to multimedia programming based on passively obtained user cues are disclosed herein.

Abstract: The MOBILE CONTENT TRACKING PLATFORM METHODS (“Mobile-Track”) transforms TV program schedule listing information and user channel selection via Mobile-Track components, into TV audience viewing data and ad effects data. A method is disclosed, comprising: obtaining TV program schedule listing data; providing the obtained TV program schedule listing data to a user mobile device; receiving an indication of user channel selection; determining a media program associated with the received indication of user channel selection; determining an ad associated with the determined media program; providing a survey question related to the determined ad to the user mobile device; and receiving a user response to the survey question.

Abstract: Profiling a television viewer by monitoring and processing, locally at a television viewing environment, the viewer's interactivity (e.g., via a remote control unit) with the television viewing environment. Generating one or more profiles for each viewer based on one or more of the multitude of interactions of each viewer and on, in general, the viewing habits and preferences of the viewer. Automatically and reliably, detecting or inferring at a particular time, which specific individual or individuals, are actually interacting with the TV in household comprising more than one individual. Such viewer identification and profile generation can be used to facilitate the delivery of targeted content, including targeted advertising.

Abstract: A system for generating passive and anonymous feedback of multimedia content viewed by users is disclosed. The multimedia content may include recorded video content, video-on-demand content, television content, television programs, advertisements, commercials, music, movies, video clips, and other on-demand media content. One or more of the users in a field of view of a capture device connected to the computing device are identified. An engagement level of the users to multimedia content being viewed by the users is determined by tracking movements, gestures, postures and facial expressions performed by the users. A report of the response to viewed multimedia content is generated based on the movements, gestures, postures and facial expressions performed by the users. The report is provided to rating agencies, content providers and advertisers.

Abstract: A method of operating a video services system is presented here. The method presents an audiovisual stream to a user of a video services receiver. The audiovisual stream includes a first segment of primary audiovisual content, a second segment of primary audiovisual content, and a segment of secondary audiovisual content between the first segment of primary audiovisual content and the second segment of primary audiovisual content. The method continues by detecting presentation of the segment of secondary audiovisual content, obtaining a segment of audiovisual exercise content at the video services receiver, and presenting the segment of audiovisual exercise content concurrently with the segment of secondary audiovisual content.