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

Abstract: A method, system API and computer product for adapting reverse data channel (RDC) utilization by selectively restricting the reporting of statistics data from client devices using a client-side filter adapted in response to configuration data from a file or other source file.

Abstract: Disclosed is a display system and a method of a display system including a display device configured to provide visual output in a direction, and a camera associated with the display, the camera image collector being pointed in the direction of the visual output, the camera configured to collect facial data. A processor is provided to correlate facial data with content data so that the display will display specific content while the camera collects the facial data. A user's mobile communication device can detect the display system and transmit facial data to the display system. When a user is positioned so that the camera of the system can collect facial data of the user's face, the system can push specific content based upon facial recognition of the user correlated with the user's preferences or other criteria. A determination as to content to display is based upon facial recognition.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to preferred embodiments enable a subscriber to participate in fantasy league competitions with other subscribers of the service, and to view other broadcasts simultaneously with fantasy league data on one or more televisions. A service provider enables the creation of a fantasy league related to real activities. One or more teams are associated with the fantasy league and players are then assigned to each of the created teams. In one embodiment, the teams are configured via a television interface and a remote control. Fantasy league data is tracked for each team based on participation of the team's assigned players in the real activities. Television broadcasts are then displayed simultaneously with fantasy league data on the television, a service that is not possible or practical in conventional television systems.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are described for frequency optimization of advertisement streams. The methods and systems described in this specification may enable determination of an optimal presentation frequency of an ad stream, or a number of times the ad stream is to be broadcast and/or rebroadcast, prior to the audience becoming interested in the ad, or acting on the ad to generate a conversion event.

Abstract: An application for a television has a detector capable of determining the identity and/or presence of at least one viewer in a viewing area of the television. In response to viewers entering and leaving the viewing area of the television, the television adjusts its operation based upon settings for the currently present viewers (e.g., enables channels, content, etc).

Abstract: Systems and methods for measuring audience information of programs are described. Systems and methods for providing audience information to users of interactive television applications are described.

Abstract: A device receives, from one or more of a set-top box (STB) or a user device, usage information associated with video content and high definition video content, and calculates a cost factor, based on the usage information, for a customer associated with one or more of the STB or the user device. The device also compares the cost factor to a threshold, and receives, from one or more of the STB or the user device, a request for free video content. The device further one of provides reduced quality free video content to one or more of the STB or the user device when the cost factor exceeds the threshold, or blocks transmission of free high definition video content to one or more of the STB or the user device when the cost factor exceeds the threshold.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, articles, and methods are described including operations for selectively adjusting picture quality features of a display based at least in part on whether a user can perceive a loss in video quality and/or on power supply data.

Abstract: An apparatus for recommending content based on a user's emotion. The apparatus includes an emotion information acquiring unit configured to acquire emotion information of a user at the time of use of particular content; an emotion information managing unit configured to store and manage emotion information corresponding to the particular content; and a content recommending unit configured to search for and recommend content corresponding to an emotion-descriptive word which is input by the user to request content search.

Abstract: A video stream measurement method and system. The method includes receiving by a computing system, a video stream comprising plurality of timestamps located at specified intervals of the video stream. The computing system broadcasts the video stream for a user and decodes a first time stamp broadcasted during a first time period. The computing system monitors a user interaction function performed by the user and associated with the video stream. The computing system generates and transmits a report comprising a description associated with the user interaction function. The computing system receives an analysis associated with the report.

Abstract: Video analysis may be used to determine who is watching television and their level of interest in the current programming. Lists of favorite programs may be derived for each of a plurality of viewers of programming on the same television receiver.

Abstract: A method of generating demographic statistics related to an event includes using sensor data acquired at a mobile device to estimate a value for a category of a demographic model of a user of the mobile device; using sensor data acquired at the mobile device to detect an occurrence of the event in which the user of the mobile device participates; and associating the estimated value for the category of the demographic model of the user of the mobile device with the event.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting, analyzing, and using sensory reactions and involuntary or spontaneous movements by members of a television viewing (or listening) audience. While known programming is displayed on a television receiver, a plurality of sensors monitor the viewer or viewers for recognizable evidence of an emotional response that can be associated with a discrete program segment. Where positive (or negative) responses can be associated with a certain type of program content, the system monitors subsequent programs for the opportunity to notify the viewer or simply present (or avoid presenting) the program automatically.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a personalized channel on packet networks are disclosed. For example, a customer may subscribe to a personalized channel service. In one embodiment, a network service provider determines a customer's viewing preference and matches the customer's viewing preference to at least one program that is currently being broadcasted on one of a plurality of broadcast channels. In turn, the personalized channel is populated with the at least one program, i.e., with the program of most interest to the customer.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a storage device configure to store cheer level information which indicate a time change of a cheer level included in video content data and applause level information which indicate a time change of applause level included in the video content data, and video content information displaying module configure to display two types of graphs of a cheer graph showing a time change of the cheer level in accordance with the cheer level information and an applause graph showing a time change of the applause level in accordance with the applause level information in a volume level indication area in a two-dimensional display area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. In an example method includes counting a first number of individuals proximate to a media presentation device, counting a second number of signals received from one or more portable devices, each of which is associated with a respective one of one or more monitored individuals, comparing the first number of individuals to the second number of signals, and determining a third number of unidentified ones of the individuals proximate to the media presentation device based on the comparison of the first number of individuals to the second number of signals.

Abstract: A system and method of delivering personalized media items to users of an interactive television is disclosed. The system comprises a television terminal, a computing device and a remote control device. The computing device further comprises a set top box. The computing device may be connected to a server through a communication network. The system stores a personal profile for each of its users. Personal mobile devices associated with the users are connected wirelessly to the computing device. Identities of the users may be transmitted from the personal mobile devices to the computing device. Media items are selected based upon the personal profiles according to a predetermined algorithm. Selected media items may be delivered using scrolling tickers displayed on the television terminal.

Abstract: Various user behaviors are passively monitored and recorded when a user/viewer interacts with a network video player, e.g. a web video player, while watching an online video clip. For one embodiment, a data collection agent (DCA) is loaded to the player and/or to a web page that displays the video clip. The DCA passively collects detailed viewing and behavior information without requiring any specific input or actions on the part of the user. Indications of user preferences are inferred by user actions leading up to viewing the video, while viewing the video, and just after and still related to viewing the video. The DCA periodically sends this information to a central server where it is stored in a central database and where it is used to determine preference similarities among different users. Recorded user preference information may also be used to rate a video itself.