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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: A method of providing content includes receiving emotional information in relation to the content; generating information about a representative type of emotion associated with the emotional information received from the client; updating an Electronic Program Guide associated with the content or a header of the content using the information about the representative type of emotion; and providing the content with the updated Electronic Program Guide or the updated header to the user.

Abstract: The generation of engagement factors sufficient to represent user engagement, attention, recognition, interest and/or responsiveness to media being shown or otherwise access through an output device is contemplated. The engagement factors may be values or other representations sufficient to facilitate categorizing viewer activities during playback of particular portions of the media.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided in which a first record control means controls record of user presence time information indicating time in which a user was present within a predetermined range around a display means displaying content, based on an output from a sensor detecting the user; a second record control means controls record of operation history information including content specifying information for specifying the content as target of operation, operation content information for indicating content of operation related to display of the content by the user, and operation time information for indicating time of the operation; and an audience-quality constituent item calculation means calculates an audience-quality constituent item constituting audience quality which indicates quality of content watched by the user, based on the recorded user presence time information and operation history information.

Abstract: A system and method for marking and recording content includes a network operation center receiving an incoming programming stream, monitoring the incoming programming stream, generating descriptive data corresponding to the programming stream, combining the descriptive data with the programming stream to form a composite signal and broadcasting the composite signal to a receiving unit. The system may also include a receiving unit having a monitoring term stored therein. The receiving unit monitors the composite signal for the monitoring term within the descriptive data and storing content or sub-content in a memory of the receiving unit when a monitoring term corresponds to the descriptive data.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling network bandwidth that uses a timer to monitor the length of time that a set top box is set to a channel and, in response to the timer reaching a time limit, requesting a response from a user to verify that the channel is still being watched. If a response is not received with a specified time duration, the signal for the IPTV channel may be disconnected. The system may be configured to include “thin client” middleware on a network server or “thick client” middleware on a set top box, for example, to operate in conjunction with a network server.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an image display apparatus including a display unit; a camera unit configured to capture a subject, and to acquire a depth image from the captured subject; and a controller operatively connected to the display unit and the camera unit, the controller configured to control the camera unit to restore an interest region based on depth information and light intensity information when the interest region exists in the acquired depth image.

Abstract: A computer conversation system comprising: at least one server including a processor and memory and configured for communication with a plurality of user computers which each comprise a display; a video recording application configured to record video or receive recorded video from some, and preferably all, of the individual computers of the plurality of user computers; wherein the at least one server is configured to send a sequence of recorded videos to the plurality of users, the sequence of recorded videos based on the videos recorded or received from the individual computers and optionally the system is configured to send a file to the plurality of user computers which results in each of the plurality of computers displaying on the display an array of visual indicators in a set order, wherein each of a plurality of the visual indicators corresponds to at least one recorded video to be sent by the server, and the set order of the array corresponds to the order of at least part of the sequence of recorded

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture determine compliance with usage guidelines of an audience measurement system. Initially, location information associated with an audience member is obtained. It is then determined whether the audience member is in compliance with the usage guidelines based on the location information. Media monitoring information corresponding to the location information is then tagged as non-compliant if the audience member is not in compliance with the usage guidelines.

Abstract: A method of advertising tailored based on usage patterns of a portable electronic device includes determining if a portable electronic device has entered an area associated with a local area network (LAN). A link is established between the portable electronic device and the LAN if it is determined that the portable electronic device has entered the area associated with the LAN. User services are established between the portable electronic device and a remote server using the established link based on a user profile associated with the portable electronic device. Devices associated with the remote server communicatively coupled to the LAN are controlled using the portable electronic device. Actions and/or behaviors of a user are tracked based on use of the portable electronic device. Advertisements are displayed and/or played on at least one of the controlled devices based on the tracked user actions and/or behaviors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. An example method includes detecting, at a base meter located in proximity to a media presentation device, registration information from a portable metering device within proximity of the base meter, the registration information identifying a user associated with the portable metering device. A content identifier associated with media presented by the media presentation device is determined. A polling query is sent to the portable metering device for presentation to the user. A response to the polling query, the registration information, and the content identifier are communicated to a data collection facility.

Abstract: A system for acquiring feedback from an audience, such as a group of participants in an educational class or a business meeting. The system includes a camera that is controlled to capture an image of the group of participants. Each participant may be provided with a set of encoded objects that both reflect responses that can be selected by the participant and the identity of the participant. These objects may be encoded with a pattern that facilitates computerized recognition in the image of the response selected by the participant and participant identifier. Based on information acquired from the image, the system can automatically, or with user input, analyze responses from the group of participants.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning execution of a control function on a determination of whether or not a person's attention is directed toward a predetermined device. The method involves acquiring data concerning the activity of a person who is in the proximity of the device, the data being in the form of one or more temporal samples. One or more of the temporal samples is then analyzed to determine if the person's activity during the time of the analyzed samples indicates that the person's attention is not directed toward the device. The results of the determination are used to ascertain whether or not the control function should be performed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for reducing bandwidth consumption in a switched broadcast multimedia distribution system. When a subscriber requests a channel, bandwidth is allocated to deliver a current program to the subscriber via the requested channel. The allocated bandwidth is then terminated upon expiration of a timer. The timer may have a defined value, or the timer may correspond to program scheduling.

Abstract: A system and method of controlling access to media content are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a viewing request at a set-top box device at a user premises. The method also includes retrieving a permission policy stored at the set-top box device and identifying a wireless device associated with the permission policy. Further, the method includes fulfilling the viewing request when the wireless device is present at the user premises and is within a first relative proximity to the set-top box device, and not fulfilling the viewing request when the wireless device is present at the user premises and is within a second relative proximity to the set-top box device.

Abstract: An interactive TV device is configured to receive and process multiple broadband input streams simultaneously. The device includes functionality to perform as a Web browser, HF, cable and satellite TV receiver, a digital PVR, an interactive TV set-top box, an advanced central processing unit and a videoconferencing device, thanks to an integrated videoconferencing camera. The present interactive TV device is configured to manage all multimedia sources identically, whether the input is a TV channel, a Web page, or a video stream played back from a data carrier such as a DVD, for example. The present interactive TV device is also configured to enable a user to watch and record a plurality of video streams simultaneously and to display them on four independently manageable quarter screen segments.

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: The SOCIAL CONTENT MONITORING PLATFORM METHODS (“Social-Watch”) transforms social media contents via Social-Watch components, into ad effects data. A method is disclosed, comprising: identifying a request to access user social media content; obtaining user authorization credentials to access user social media content; sending an access request with the obtained user authorization credentials to a social media platform; receiving social media content data from the social media platform; determining a type of the received media content data; tagging the received media content data based on the type according to a progressive taxonomy mechanism; receive a social media analytics request for an item; querying the tagged media content data based on key terms related to the item; and determining impression heuristics for the item based on query results.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed for identifying members of an audience tuned to a program broadcast by a programming signal source, comprising the steps of storing personal identification signals in a plurality of portable devices to be carried by members of the audience; periodically transmitting said identification signals from the portable devices; providing a stationary detector to detect the identification signals if they exceed a selectable response of said detector; and setting the selectable response of said detector to a level such that the identification signals are detected only if the respective portable devices are located relative to the detector in positions where persons can perceive performance of the broadcast program.

Abstract: The SOCIAL CONTENT MONITORING PLATFORM APPARATUSES AND SYSTEMS (“Social-Watch”) transforms social media contents via Social-Watch components, into ad effects data.

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.

Abstract: A system for displaying selected information to a person undertaking exercises includes a physical data assessment unit, a physical data gathering unit, and a motion template database. The physical data gathering unit and the motion template database are in communication with the physical data assessment unit. The system further includes an impairment profile generator, an information database including audiovisual information to be displayed to the person according to the impairment profile, and an audiovisual display unit. The information database and the audiovisual display unit are in communication with the impairment profile generator and the impairment profile generator is in communication with the physical data assessment unit. Information such as advertisements is displayed on display to the person where advertisement selection rules are based on Bayesian inference.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product. The method includes: receiving a display power consumption level indicator; determining, in response to the display power consumption level indicator, whether a program that is sent to a signal converter that is coupled to the display, is being displayed on the display; and transmitting to a remote system, by the signal converter, and in response to the determining, a program viewing indicator.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for conserving bandwidth. A user's bandwidth consumption is monitored and compared to a threshold value. When the user's bandwidth consumption equals or exceeds the threshold value, then behavior is incentivized that reduces the user's bandwidth consumption.

Abstract: A user interaction request is received during playback of video content. The user interaction request can be received independent of any indication from the video content that user interaction is possible. In response to receiving the interaction request, one or more menus are displayed allowing the user to select one or more reaction options and to select whether the selected one or more reaction options are to be communicated to another user or to a content provider.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of operation involves two operations. The first operation involves receiving feedback information from a viewing audience concerning a displayed video content. After receipt of the feedback, substituting portions of a downloaded data stream with video content selected based on the feedback information.

Abstract: A method of delivering event notifications includes receiving data from a network-based calendar system at a notification system. The data indicates that a notification related to a calendar-based event is to be sent to a subscriber. The method also includes receiving presence information related to the subscriber from a presence system. The presence information indicates whether the subscriber is present at one or more of a plurality of subscriber devices. The plurality of subscriber devices includes a set-top box device. Further, the method includes sending an event notification related to the calendar-based event to the set-top box device when the presence information indicates that the subscriber is present at the set-top box device.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment a storage medium having computer instructions which, responsive to being executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations. The operations can include analyzing data from data sources of an internet-protocol television network where the data provided by the data sources includes set-top-box data having voice over internet protocol usage for a plurality of subscribers of the internet protocol television network in a geographic area and correlating video provisioning information obtained from the data sources, individual subscriber channel viewing information, internet-usage data, subscriber data and demographic data to produce correlated information. The operations can include generating one or more reports associated with the plurality of subscribers in the geographic area based on the correlated information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system comprising, at least one processor, at least one eye tracking system electronically connected to the at least one processor, at least one means for electronically connecting a display device to the system, wherein the means for electronically connecting a display device is electronically connected to the at least one processor, and computer executable instructions readable by the at least one processor and operative to use the at least one eye tracking system to determine the number of persons that are capable of viewing at least one display device electronically connected to the system, and control the content displayed on at least one display device connected to the system based on how many persons are determined to be capable of viewing the at least one display device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed for conserving bandwidth. If a presence of a multimedia device is detected, then a stream of data is delivered to the multimedia device. If the presence of the multimedia device is not detected, then the stream of data is degraded to conserve bandwidth.

Abstract: A radio station market analysis program extends Cume values for individual stations to multiple stations (for a particular geographic market, a particular demographic, and a particular daypart) according to the formula C=[1??i=1,n(1?(Ci/P))]*P, where n is the number of media stations, P is the population, and Ci is each Cume value. Cume values may be provided for a limited set of input dayparts from Arbitron and Nielson, and are translated to an arbitrary daypart. The arbitrary daypart can represent a sum of component dayparts in a proposed advertising schedule. The reach of the proposed advertising schedule can be further computed based on a hyperbolic function of spot count.

Abstract: Information requested by a client is intercepted by a network server, which sends the request to the requested information source. The requested information is received and examined by the server to determine if the information is HTML format. If so, the server modifies the requested information by inserting format and request instructions then sends same to the client computer. The client uses the format and request instructions to send a request for supplemental information from a supplemental information source. The associated supplemental information is sent from the supplemental information source to the network client. The format instructions cause the requested information and supplemental information to be displayed in respective first and second display areas.

Abstract: A content information reproducing apparatus, a content information reproducing system, a content information reproducing method, a content information reproducing program, a recording medium storing the program, and an information processing apparatus facilitate introductory comment creators creating introductory information while creating introductory information reflecting the intent of the content distributor.