Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling entertainment systems are described. In accordance with one embodiment, one or more conditional directives are developed and injected from externally of an entertainment system into the system. The conditional directives direct the entertainment system to conditionally perform some action that is directed to enhancing the user's experience. Typically, the conditional directives come from an external third party. A conditional directive comprises one or more conditions and one or more actions. The conditions define conditions that are to be met before an action is performed. The actions define actions that are to be performed in the event that one or more associated conditions are met.

Abstract: A short-term content buffer maintains segments of audio and/or video content and the content segments are identified with segment identifiers which enables management and playback of the content segments. In an embodiment, independent video content segments corresponding to a particular broadcast channel can be identified by associated content segment identifiers and the video content segments can be recorded together to generate a single recording of the content.

Abstract: A television receiver includes: broadcast wave receiving means for receiving a broadcast wave; obtaining means for obtaining information for specifying a program being a common program of programs received in accordance with first program information related to a receivable broadcast and programs received in accordance with second program information different from the first program information, said program having starting time of broadcast earlier in said first program information than in said second program information; and recording means for recording said program specified by said information.

Abstract: A device for obtaining, storing and displaying information from a remote server, the device has a modem for establishing communication sessions with the remote server. A memory coupled to the modem stores the obtained information, and a display is coupled to the memory for displaying the stored information. The device automatically and periodically communicates with the remote server for obtaining the information.

Abstract: A user of a combined mobile telephone and IPDC receiver (10) accesses a WAP portal (16) through the Internet (82) and/or a mobile telephone network (81). The WAP portal (16) provides a service menu, comprising a number of links to service menus further down in the hierarchy or to IPDC services. The WAP portal (16) is provided with information relating to IPDC services by an IPDC operator (80). This information includes at least the name of the service, the IP address and the port number relating to each service. The information may additionally include a Network Information Table, IP/MAC Notification Table and Program Mapping Table, although this information may be provided to the mobile terminal instead by broadcast from a DVB transmitter (13).

Abstract: Among other things, while a primary video program is being presented through a primary communication channel on a video device, a remote sewer receives, through a secondary communication channel from a handheld wireless device that is within viewing distance of the video device, identification information that is generated automatically and sent in response to an action at the handheld wireless device of selecting the primary video program presented on the video device, the identification information not based on information received electronically from the video device, and interactivity material is delivered from the remote sewer through the secondary communication channel to the handheld wireless device, the interactivity material delivered from the remote server being matched with the primary video program based on the identification information, and being delivered for presentation on a display of the handheld wireless device, the secondary communication channel comprising a wireless local area network.

Abstract: In an interactive broadcasting system, television programming may be broadcast with interleaved web content information. The progress in broadcasting the web content information over one or more transports and over one or more channels within those transports, may be monitored to provide a time based indication of what content has been broadcast. In one embodiment, markers may be inserted into the data transmission flow and a method may be utilized to associate a handle with a particular marker. A method may be called which obtains the handle and another method may be utilized to invoke the handle to obtain current information about broadcast transmissions. This information may be used within a broadcast encoder or may be provided to a content provider, for example, through a log-in server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for the delivery of digital television and interactive broadband service in a manner that maximizes the useage of the digital broadcast spectrum. A digital television signal is transmitted to a given broadcast area in a relatively small part (for example, a 1 MHz band) of one or more licensed portions of the digital broadcast spectrum. Interactive broadband service is delivered within at least a portion of the same broadcast area covered by the broadcast digital television signal, in the remainder (for example, a 5 MHz band) of an unused part of the same licensed portion of the digital broadcast spectrum as is occupied by the digital television signal, or within an unlicensed (unused) portion of the digital broadcast spectrum. The broadcasting of the digital television and delivery the interactive broadband service occur simultaneously. In one embodiment, digital television and broadband service are delivered by the same equipment within the same bandwidth.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to deliver broadcast channels by way of interactive TV (iTV) edge routers using multicast virtual private networks, share a same multicast state for the broadcast channels and share a same multicast delivery tree for the broadcast channels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for viewer real-time access complementary information related to a broadcast program including selecting a plurality of topics drawing his or her attention and for accessing additional information related to these topics from the WWW. The system is based on a synchronization of the local times of receivers and transmitters according to a same universal-time. The synchronization uses a universal time such as the Global Positioning System Time, the Global Orbiting Navigational Satellite System time or others GPS or GLONASS receivers may be integrated or connected to devices independent or separate from the radio or television receivers. The system includes associated with the transmitted information and can be retrieved, selected and activated during the time intervals for which they have been defined.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a system and a method for synchronizing interactive content with individual video stream. In particular, it concerns a method for generating an interactive mark, comprising, at a generating device, the steps of receiving video packets of a video stream, creating an interactive mark intended to enable an interactive service during a period of the video stream, periodically inserting the interactive mark into Internet Protocol packets, noted IP-based packet, said IP-based packets being synchronized with packets that transport the associated video stream, and sending the IP-based packets.

Abstract: A TV broadcast cooperative type data perusal apparatus is provided that can establish connection to websites in which is provided information related to the subject matter of a program that is being broadcast, and can simply peruse the information related to the subject matter from these websites, even when no website address information is appended as descriptor information for searching to the program being broadcast, provided that the information related to the subject matter in the program being broadcast is appended to the program as the descriptor information for searching.

Abstract: An exemplary method of communicating between a host device and a rendering device for controlling a user interface of the rendering device includes generating messages, encoding the messages in a buffer as blobs of data and communicating the blobs of data to the rendering device. Various other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology for in the realm of digital video broadcast technology or other such technology. One implementation, described herein, relates to broadcasting web content to client devices in a DVB (digital video broadcast) environment using rotational sequences of data modules (e.g., DSMCC carousels). One implementation, described herein, relates to emulating an interactive browsing experience of web content over a broadcast channel. One implementation, described herein, relates to the client device “smartly” caching select portions of the web content being broadcast. The scope of the present invention is pointed out in the appending claims.

Abstract: A portable media player communicates with a host computer for enabling a user of the player to manage media distribution using the control software of the host computer. The host computer can send a GUI that is displayed on the otherwise “dumb” player, and the user can view the GUI and press a single button to command the control software to download a media title to the player. The host computer can periodically poll the player to determine its status.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are presented to allow the extension of a DOCSIS cable modem service over a wireless link. According to the invention a wireless hub transceiver is connected to a distribution coax cable of a DOCSIS based system. The downstream data are transferred over a wireless link to a remote subscriber radio frequency (RF) unit connected to a cable modem that provides the downstream data to the subscriber. Similarly, upstream data are sent from the subscriber cable modem over the wireless link to the wireless hub transceiver where such data are inserted back to the distribution coax cable.

Abstract: An enhanced interactive television broadcast is disclosed wherein an audio/video broadcast is viewed on a first display system, and an “enhancement” to the broadcast is simultaneously viewed or experienced on a second, separate display system. The “enhancement” is synchronized to the broadcast, and delivered to a user as a code fragments, such as a JavaScript message. URLs are not required. Portions or elements of a web page are reduced to single code fragments, rendered client-side upon receipt. The invention implements Network Time Protocol (NTP) to synchronize the client's application clock to global time. Messages, or JavaScript code fragments, are time-stamped and evaluated based on the client's application clock.

Abstract: A digital television (101) which allows the user to view a digital broadcast program receives a digital broadcast signal, and outputs it on the display screen. The digital television sequentially stores print information of the broadcast program in response to a predetermined output instruction during viewing of the broadcast program. The digital television transmits the stored print information to a printer in response to a print start instruction after the predetermined output instruction. In this way, the digital television sequentially saves print data of the broadcast program that the user is viewing, allows the user to select required data later, and can print the selected data all together.

Abstract: A multi-channel streaming device for transmitting audio/video signals or any data from a remote location to a server computer. The device may include an input for receiving a signal, a distribution module coupled to the input and operable to divide the signal into a plurality of packets and operable to distribute the packets and a plurality of transmission channels coupled to the distributor such that the distributor distributes packets amongst the plurality of channels, each channel having a bandwidth wherein the distribution module is operable to change the distribution to a channel based on the bandwidth. Such real-time analysis of each communication channel offers an advantage of customizing the use of each channel according to its ability to deliver signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for accessing services in a television system. In one implementation, a DHCT presents a user a menu containing a plurality of selectable link representations corresponding to separate services or applications offered by the cable television system. The user navigates the menu with a remote device and selects a desired service by choosing the selectable link representation corresponding to the desired service or application. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selectable link command into an executable call, and activates the service or application corresponding to the selected link representation from the menu chosen by the user.

Abstract: A system for supporting entertainment distribution via at least one network comprises a content provider (100) for distributing a program; a metadata provider (102) for distributing metadata, the metadata including a content reference identifier of the program and data relating to ambience complementing the program. The system further comprises a user terminal (118) comprising an input (106) for receiving the metadata; an input (106) for receiving the program using the content reference identifier; a rendering unit (116) for rendering the received program; an ambience generator (108) for generating an ambient effect different from audio or video; and an ambience controller (110) for controlling the ambience generator synchronously with the rendering of the content, based on the received data relating to ambience complementing the program.

Abstract: A system includes a receiver and a communication interface. The receiver is adapted to tune to an audio/video portion over a transport medium. The communication interface is adapted to receive announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video content directed to a first addressable location and to receive a special announcement directed to the first addressable location. The special announcement indicates availability of the announcement data associated with the tuned audio/video program, and the announcement data is associated with the tuned audio/video content and indicates enhancement data is being transmitted. The controller is adapted to redirect the announcement data to a second addressable location other than the first addressable location in response to the special announcement.

Abstract: A network element (400) can receive (101) (from an end user (404) and via a data network (403)) a message as regards an aggregation of multiple different renderable content items. By one approach this message comprises, at least in part, selection criteria as have been selected by the end user. This network element can then automatically use (102) this selection criteria to select a plurality of specific renderable content items from amongst a plurality of candidate different renderable content items. These teachings will then support automatically combining (103) the plurality of specific renderable content items to form the requested aggregation of multiple different renderable content items.

Abstract: General electronic program information described on a general level and individual electronic program information described on an individual level are prepared according to electronic program information of a channel service of a broadcast service provider for each channel service according to electronic program information degree of detail setting information. The electronic program information degree of detail setting information indicates a degree of detail for the contents of the individual electronic program information described on an individual level and a degree of detail for contents of the general electronic program information described on a general level. The general level corresponds to a low degree of detail, and the individual level corresponds to a high degree of detail.

Abstract: A television system for providing standard television programming and Internet browsing includes a television set for viewing digital and/or analog programming and includes a memory storage device and an integral embedded web browser for displaying data received from an Internet portal. The data is in the form of URLs and web pages that are synchronized with selected TV programming and/or advertising. A remote control selectively displays URLs and/or their associated web pages stored in memory by the Internet portal. In one aspect of the invention, TV programming can be displayed simultaneously on the screen with related web pages and URLs.

Abstract: A broadcast signal is received that includes a data identifier that identifies data associated with the broadcast signal. The broadcast signal also includes the data associated with the broadcast signal encoded in the broadcast signal. The data associated with the broadcast signal includes an indicator to ignore the data identifier contained in the broadcast signal. The system decodes the data encoded in the broadcast signal while ignoring the data identifier contained in the broadcast signal. The indicator to ignore the data identifier contained in the broadcast signal may include an associated time period during which the data identifier should be ignored. The data identifier is broadcast in scan line twenty-one of a broadcast image. The data associated with the broadcast signal is encoded in vertical blanking interval lines of a broadcast image.

Abstract: A real-time program transmission system and method may receive a signal from a content source, and generate two different data streams. One stream may be of a higher quality than the other. The two streams may then be inserted into time slice frames, such that a single frame carries two portions of data: one corresponding to a first time segment in the program, and a second corresponding to a different time segment in the program. A receiving mobile terminal may buffer the received data, and may use the lower quality data as a backup in the event of a transmission error in the higher quality data.

Abstract: A recording medium having a data structure for managing additional content data of main data recorded thereon in accordance with the present invention comprises a data area storing at least one clip file including main data and/or additional content data of the main data; and a navigation area storing a clip information file including information to indicate whether the clip file includes additional content data.

Abstract: A support server receives via a communication network, facility condition information provided by a content providing terminal that provides a content, showing the condition of the facility where a content is used, and facility information provided by a content user terminal, which is set in the facility where the content is used. The support server stores the received facility condition information and the facility information in a database. The support server extracts facility information that meets the condition shown by the stored facility condition information, from the stored facility information. Then, the support server selects the content user terminal set in the facility specified by the extracted facility information, as the providing destination of the content.

Abstract: A system for converting TV content to an interactive TV game program uses viewer input pointing to “hot spot” objects in TV programs to enter answers in the game program. Viewers can point to hot spot objects whose locations are mapped in the image display frames of a TV program using a standard remote control and TV set-top box. In a preferred embodiment, the interactive TV game program is a crossword puzzle game offered through the TV's electronic program guide (EPG). Correct answers to the crossword puzzle clues can be entered by linkages from corresponding hot spot objects found in TV movies, ads, video spots, and other types of TV programs on the TV channels.

Abstract: A client-server architecture synchronizes streaming content with enhancing content via pre-announced triggers. The architecture includes server-based components to generate announcements containing information specifying how and when to receive upcoming triggers that will be transmitted at a later time. The server transmits the announcements to a general broadcast or multicast IP address. Client-based components monitor the IP address to receive and filter the announcements. Selected announcements are stored in a guide database in correlation with the streaming content programs to indicate that the programs are interactive. When a user tunes to an interactive program, the client opens a container HTML page that contains controls to receive the streaming content program and to extract the announcements from the guide database. The latter control monitors the IP address at the times specified in the selected announcements to receive the triggers corresponding to the interactive program.

Abstract: An adaptive scheduling process is disclosed which dynamically decides which frames need to be transmitted and which ones need to be dropped at any transmission opportunity based on current channel conditions and on characteristics of each video frame.

Abstract: An interactive television system includes “connected” receiver units capable of establishing bi-directional connections to remote information stores, such as Web servers, and “disconnected” receiver units unequipped to make such connections. The system supports the use of broadcast triggers that include connectivity values indicating whether an information resource identified by a trigger refers to “connected content” or “disconnected content.” The term “connected content” refers to information resources that require bi-directional connections to remote information stores; the term “disconnected content” refers to information resources, such as a locally stored program guide, that do not require such bi-directional connections. Disconnected receiver units identify and reject connected-content triggers by examining connectivity values broadcast as part of triggers.

Abstract: A television receiver includes an LCD unit and an EEPROM in which broadcasting program selection information for controlling a tuner section and channel numbers are stored in a coordinated relationship and program-relating information for executing object processing programs and the channel numbers are stored in a coordinated relationship. A control section accepts a selective input of a channel number from a user through a key operation section and reads out information corresponding to the accepted channel number from the EEPROM. When the read out information is the broadcasting program selection information, the tuner section is controlled based on the information, but when the readout information is the program-relating information, a program corresponding to the program-relating information is executed.

Abstract: A recording medium is applicable to information service system for receiving and transmitting information when a terminal device on the user's side accesses an administrative server, which is a server device, using a communication line such as the Internet. This recording medium (10a) comprises a lead-in region (16a), a data recording region (14a) positioned on an outer region than the lead-in region, and a lead-out region (12a) positioned on an outer region than the data-recording region. In at least any one of these regions (12a), (14a), and (16a), multiple pieces of identification information are recorded.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel or via channel-up, channel-down buttons on the remote control device. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: A system includes additional information together with a video stream, where the additional information is related to at least one of the frames. Preferably the additional information is related to an object within the frame. A receiver receives the video and additional information and decodes the video in the same manner independently of whether the additional information is provided. The additional information is selectively presented to a viewer at approximately the time of receiving the frames. The system may also present information to a viewer from a unitary file containing an image and additional information associated with the image. A selection mechanism permits the selection of objects in the image for which the additional information is related thereto. A presentation mechanism provides the additional information to a viewer in response to selecting the object.

Abstract: A data storage, multiplexing, and distribution method is provided for use in a digital data distribution system. The system provides simultaneous transmission of a plurality of uniquely identified, independent data streams within an assigned channel bandwidth of local, metropolitan and wide area distribution media. The independent data streams can include presentations specifically requested by the receiving user. Upon request from some number of users from their premises, the system assembles a combination of optional image elements such as motion and still frame video, background and descriptive audio, text and graphical overlays into presentation data streams appropriate to the user requests. Individual data streams are multiplexed within a higher bandwidth data stream for simultaneous delivery within the bandwidth assigned for this data transmission. The techniques unique to the system, in regard to storage, timing and synchronization, can be implemented using techniques described within the MPEG profile.

Abstract: A method comprising combining Internet linear video together with interactive video content into a single video stream that is compressed and transmitted in the form of streaming interactive video through the Internet to a user client device.

Abstract: Methods and devices for end-user generation of content previews including selecting digital content stored on a communications device, and generating a content preview on the communications device from the digital content selected based on content transcoding information. In one embodiment, a mobile wireless communications device (300) includes a content preview generator (340) for generating content previews from content stored in memory based on content transcoding information, and a transmitter (380) for sharing the content previews with other mobile wireless communications devices, for example, in peer-to-peer communications.

Abstract: A broadcast system includes a transmitting unit configured for: receiving a web page as input; converting the web page into video image data; and providing a link to the video image data on a basis of a link provided to the web page; an encoder for compressing the video image data; and a receiving unit for receiving the compressed video data; decoding the compressed video data; and directly transmitting the decoded video data to a video display device, without requiring a browser application.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods to track end-user content viewing and navigation in a distributed computing environment are described. In one aspect, a document for communication to a data warehouse is generated during transcoding of Web content. The document includes characteristics of Web content interface pages and links. The characteristics identify the links within scope of respective ones of the interface pages. Identifiers (IDs) in the document map the characteristics to specific ones of the interface pages and links. Transcoded source content representing the Web content is communicated to a client. Responsive to end-user presentation and navigation of the transcoded source content, the client records corresponding ones of the IDs to a log for subsequent uploading to the data warehouse. The data warehouse maps particular ones of the characteristics to corresponding log recorded ID(s) to identify specific ones of the interface pages and the links of interest to the end-user.

Abstract: An internet on-demand system for television presents internet content and traditional television programming as part of a single coherent interface. The system includes a server and a client capable of providing a dynamic graphical user interface. The system can display an internet gateway interface which actively scrolls through and highlights links to selected web pages which are organized according to templates corresponding to their content. The web pages are presented on the graphical user interface as channels as part of the same milieu as channels of traditional television programming. The user can select a channel from a rotary menu wheel or via channel-up, channel-down buttons on the remote control device. An intelligent agent passively filters selected web pages for a user to explore based on the user's past pattern of usage of the client.

Abstract: A media enhancement system and method, the system including a media player structured to deliver a media selection to a user and an enhancement registry associated with the media selection and including time data and/or other data associated with the media selection and a communicative link to additional materials. A user interface is further provided and operatively associated with the media player to receive a user input during delivery of the media selection by the media player, the media player further structured to identify a corresponding time marker of the media selection at a time that corresponds receipt of the user input. Finally, an activation assembly is provided to access the enhancement registry and to correspondingly activate the communicative link for delivery of the additional materials to the user.

Abstract: The invention includes improvements in the method and apparatus for enabling a video presentation, that is located at a remote location from the email, such a special video server, to be begin playing almost immediately when that email is opened.

Abstract: A mixed-media service collection for multimedia platforms allows simultaneous access to various mixed-media services for rendering multimedia content, depending on current client conditions. In one implementation, in response to the client accessing a service collection, for example, by changing channels, only some of the mixed-media services in the service collection are simultaneously actuated based on client conditions. The client conditions may include the availability of subsystems to implement services and the client's authorization to receive services. If client conditions do not allow some services in the service collection to be actuated, then other services in the service collection are available to be actuated instead.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to browse the Web without using a web browser. The application server in a transmitting unit converts a web page transmitted from the Internet into video data and provides links to the video data on the basis of the links provided to the web page. In the video server of the transmitting unit, the video data transmitted from the server is compressed by the MPEG2 encoders, and sent with information about the links provided to the video data. A ‘Set-Top Box’, of the receiving terminal outputs the received video data to a display, and establishes an association between the links provided to the video data and a position of a cursor displayed on the screen of the display.

Abstract: A video-based system is described, which provides video link navigation between the various videos uploaded to the system. The video link navigation tool can be a graphically displayed interface that links multiple video nodes to one another and allows users to navigate the videos represented by the nodes. In various embodiments, the video link is a system representation of similarities in content between multiple videos, videos belonging to a same story or sequence, video comments submitted and published in response to a particular video and other forms of video relationships. The video nodes can be displayed as graphical thumbnails on a visual interface and can have various sizes, positions and/or color-codings which indicate the types of relations and other information regarding the videos.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting fantasy sports content with broadcast content is disclosed. One aspect of the invention is to provide a way for a user to customize and configure how fantasy-sports-related content is presented along with broadcast content. In one embodiment, an online user interface is used to set a plurality of user preferences and settings which tailors and formats the fantasy-sports-related content and services available via a client-side device. Another aspect of the invention is to present the customized fantasy-related content along with broadcasted content, such as a sporting event. In one embodiment, a user is able to view a broadcasted sporting event simultaneously with information relating to the user's fantasy team and players.

Abstract: A video distribution method and a video distribution system connected to a transmission path such as the Internet. The system has a video signal input unit, an encoder for converting the video signal into a digitally compressed image data, an image accumulation and distribution unit for accumulating and distributing the digitally compressed image data, a notification unit for reading the accumulated images and detecting an image change, an image browsing data converter for reducing the accumulated image, and an information terminal for accessing the images of the image accumulation and distribution unit and the image browsing data converter. The notification unit, upon detection of an image change, records the image change occurrence time. The information terminal acquires the image from the image accumulation and distribution unit or the video browsing data converter based on the change occurrence time information stored in the notification unit.