Abstract: An electronic device and a method of application control by an electronic device are provided. The electronic device includes a memory configured to store a first application list including an application installed in the electronic device; and a processor configured to update the first application list according to at least one of an operation of the application, use history of the application, and a user request, and to limit the operation of the application.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing devices capable of the reception and playback of one or more crafted media channels transmitted over an intermittent connection. The one or more channels may be customized by the end user to bias the programming towards individual tastes or moods. The channels may be delivered over an intermittent, unidirectional link, for example a Satellite Radio receiver in a home or car. Content may also be delivered over an intermittent, bidirectional link, for example to a portable media player via a wireless 802.11 or other networked connection.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus is disclosed. The electronic apparatus includes a communicator configured to receive a first signal from among a plurality of signals and a second from among the plurality of signals from a server through different communication methods and a processor configured to identify a first bandwidth of the first signal from among a plurality of bandwidths and a second bandwidth of the second signal from among the plurality of bandwidths, transmit information regarding a selected bandwidth from among the plurality of bandwidths, and control the communicator to receive one of the plurality of signals corresponding to the selected bandwidth.

Abstract: A roaming video experience, in which users continue watching a content item when moving from viewing device to viewing device is enabled herein via Radio Frequency (RF) enabled remote controls and set top boxes. A device identifier from a first RF-enabled set top box is communicated to an active RF-enabled remote control. When a user signals a second RF-enabled set top box, the viewing session parameter set associated with the active RF-enabled remote control is passed to the second RF-enabled set top box. Using the parameter set, the second set top box is enabled to learn the system settings, user preferences, and content item that were used on the first set top box, and provide a continued viewing experience—the roaming video experience—for the user on an associated viewing device.

Abstract: A method includes concurrently receiving, at a first communication interface of a media device, a first media content stream and a second media content stream. The method includes sending, from the media device to an output device, decoded first media content processed from the first media content stream. The method includes storing decoded second media content processed from the second media content stream in a buffer. The method includes detecting an error associated with a portion of the second media content stream during receipt of the first media content stream and the second media content stream. The method also includes sending, from a second communication interface of the media device to a media content source, a request for the portion. The second communication interface is distinct from the first communication interface.

Abstract: A degradable polymer composite comprises a polyurethane comprising one or more of the following groups: ester groups; carbonate groups; or ether groups, in a backbone of the polyurethane; and about 1 to about 30 parts by weight of an acidic or basic powder comprising particles having an average size of about 5 microns to about 1 millimeter per 100 parts of the polyurethane.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an encoder having a controller adapted to receive a digital video stream with metadata, retrieve from at least a portion of the metadata a native video format, configure encoding of at least a portion of the digital video stream according to the retrieved native video format, generate from at least the portion of the digital video stream an encoded video stream conforming to a moving picture experts group format and the native video format, and submit the encoded video stream to an acquisition server for multicast distribution. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented multimedia broadcast platform provides multimedia content to one or more users that allows users to dynamically send, receive, and modify content data associated with the multimedia broadcast platform. An embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for receiving event identification information, receiving second content information, processing the second content information in real time, and outputting combined content. In one example, the second content information includes multimedia commentary related to the received event identification information. Another embodiment of the present invention provides a computer-implemented method for transmitting event identification information, processing second content information, and transmitting generated content information based at least in part on the second content information.

Abstract: A Web application (such as a workforce management application) on a cloud computing platform controls telephony software used by an agent who operates a remote agent computer. The telephony software may reside on the agent computer, may reside in the cloud and be used by the agent using a browser, or may reside in the cloud and include a client on the agent computer. The agent does not have access to login credentials of the telephony software and cannot log in. The Web application remotely controls the telephony software using an API and makes decisions based upon the scheduled shift activities of the agent or demand for tasks within the enterprise or call center. The Web application is able to log the agent in to or off of the telephony software or to change the status of the agent within the telephony software.

Abstract: An electronic game-providing device is provided that stores log information relating to electronic game play conducted by an invitor user in association with link information used to access said log information, in the form of a game play database; transmits invitation information containing the link information to an invitee user; and, upon receipt of a link information selection from the invitee user, refers to the game play database and transmits the log information associated with the selected link information.

Abstract: The current invention provides a system for distributing content data to user locations. The content data preferably includes digital video data that is available on demand from a requesting location. A system server stores user accounts and generated customized program schedules for the user account based on user criteria which includes user preferences. Authorized users access their accounts to modify user criteria and to select program transmissions. Preferably, a computer and a television set receive program transmissions from a system network, wherein the computer provides a logical interface between the television set and content data transmitted over the system network.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a resource downloading method and apparatus. The method includes: intercepting an access request for current resources; finding, through a resource relationship index file, resources which have dependency relationships with the current resources and do not exist locally on the client as predicted resources, wherein the resource relationship index file is generated in advance according to dependency relationships between individual resources in the full client of a network application; and allocating a first thread from unoccupied threads available for downloading the predicted resources, and downloading the predicted resources locally to the client using the first thread. In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide a resource downloading apparatus.

Abstract: Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with flags associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the flags, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for determining whether a video frame is of a 3D TB type (Top-Bottom) or a 3D LR type (Left-Right) frame, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: receiving a video frame (100); extracting at least three portions (121-124) of the frame, each portion belonging to a distinct quarter of the frame (100, 120) and being positioned at the same fragment of the quarter; calculating color histograms for each portion (121-124); comparing the color histograms of at least two different pairs of portions; generating a frame type indicator based on the result of comparison of the color histograms.

Abstract: The present aspects relate to techniques of timing synchronization of audio and video (AV) data in a network. In particular, the techniques for a AV master to distribute AV data encoded with one or more time markers to a plurality of processing nodes. The one or more time markers may be indexed to a precision time protocol (PTP) time stamp used as a time reference. In one technique, the nodes extract the time markers to determine an offset value that is applied to a PLL to synchronize AV data packets at a distribution node or a processing node. In another technique the distribution node or the processing node determines the worst case path, which corresponds to a system offset value. The distribution node then reports the system offset value to the AV master, which in turn adjusts the phase based on the report.

Abstract: A terminal device for carrying out an interactive internet protocol television (IPTV) service comprises: a near distance communication unit to receive set-top box information from a remote controller which controls a set-top box used for the interactive IPTV service; a session setup unit to set up a session to communicate between the terminal device and the set-top box based on the set-top box information; a content information receiver to receive, from the set-top box, content information on content being played by the set-top box over the set up session; a content information transmitter is configured to transmit the content information received from the content information receiver to an information provider; and content-related information receiver to receive content-related information from the information provider, the content-related information is extracted by the information provider from prestored information on a plurality of contents based on the content information.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms for performing circuit-switched routing and packet-switched routing for network communication. In an embodiment, a router evaluates control information of a packet received by the router, the evaluation to detect whether the packet includes data for a sideband communication. Based on the evaluation, the router performs a selection from among a plurality of modes of the router, the plurality of modes including a first mode to route the packet for packet-switched communication of sideband data in a network. The plurality of modes also includes a second mode to configure a circuit-switched channel according to the packet. In another embodiment, the router determines a direction for routing a packet in a hierarchical network, wherein the determining of the direction is based on a level of the router in a hierarchy of the hierarchical network.

Abstract: By way of a non-limiting example, a server resource receives portions of a non-adaptive bit rate data stream. The server resource also receives portions of an adaptive bit rate data stream. The server resource interleaves the portions of the adaptive bit rate data stream and the portions of the non-adaptive bit rate data stream onto the multi-stream data channel. Thereafter, the server resource initiates transmission of the multi-stream data channel (which includes the adaptive bit rate data stream and the non-adaptive bit rate data stream) over a network such as a backbone or core network to a downstream resource such as a distribution resource. The distribution resource, in turn, transmits the adaptive bit rate data stream and the non-adaptive bit rate data stream to a group of multiple subscribers that have shared access to communication link in a cable network environment.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided herein relating to video chunking for robust, progressive upload. Video can be parsed to determined byte offsets associated with prospective chunk boundaries. Chunks can be generated based on the prospective chunk boundaries and a preferred chunk size. Sample tables can be generated for each chunk. The chunks can be fully self contained, in that they can be received and transcoded independently of other chunks. Thus, if one chunk fails, only that chunk needs to be retransmitted versus the entire video.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously distributing program content originating from hundreds of remote multicast transmit units to a global network such as the Internet, and configured to receive at a host multicast receiver/server the transmitted program content segments from each of the remote multicast transmit units in real time, at full bandwidth and minimum latency. A command center station coupled to a first output of the multicast receiver/server for distribution of the program content segments via a satellite broadcast network interface to one or more affiliated stations and a second output of the multicast receiver/server via a third party network interface for streaming distribution to the affiliated stations.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods of providing content to a user via communications between a content provider and a user over a plurality of disparate communication channels are provided. Content is provided to a user via a first transmission channel for presentation. Metadata associated with the content identifies a content event trigger at a point in the content. The content is displayed using a first presentation system. When the content event trigger is reached, supplemental content is provided to the user via a second transmission channel. The supplemental content is provided to the user during continued presentation of the content, and the supplemental content is provided to the user using a content providing system that is wholly separate from the first presentation system.

Abstract: A media switch enables a terminal to access content by receiving a content request from a terminal for a first piece of content to be distributed over a cable system, identifying a personal channel within resources available in the cable system to distribute the first piece of content to the terminal, transmitting access information to the terminal to enable the terminal to access the first piece of content through the personal channel, and interfacing with a cable headend to provide the first piece of content on the personal channel.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including providing, by a processor in a dongle coupled to a display device, a graphical user interface at the display device, and transmitting a message to an authentication server in accordance with authentication information stored in a storage device of the dongle and an input via the graphical user interface. The method also includes obtaining an authentication confirmation; obtaining content from a content server; and recording the content in accordance with a second input via the graphical user interface. The recorded content is transmitted for storage at a storage server. The display device communicates with equipment of a video provider that is associated with a service area. In accordance with the authentication confirmation, the processor is authorized to obtain the content based on the location of the dongle relative to the service area. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A communication method including: generating image data of an item on which an electric appliance performed processing; obtaining setting information of the electric appliance which indicates the processing performed on the item; converting the obtained setting information into reference setting information that is setting information in a general format; generating combined data by adding the converted reference setting information to the generated image data; and transmitting the generated combined data to a storage server. For instance, in the communication method, setting information of the electric appliance when the processing was performed on the item is obtained by performing proximity wireless communication with the electric appliance.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for delivering electrical signals from a cable network to a telecommunications network. The electrical signals are received from a community antenna television network and communicated via the telecommunications network. The telecommunications network may then communicate those electrical signals to end-users and to customers. Because the electrical signals may include video, music, data, and other cable content, this cable content is communicated along the telecommunications network and, thus, distributed to an end user.

Abstract: A method, a system, and an apparatus provide for a cable modem termination system (CMTS). The CMTS may include a virtual machine configured to provide a plurality of virtual CMTSs (vCMTSs). The CMTS may also include a plurality of subscriber groups. Each subscriber group of the plurality of subscriber groups may be assigned to a vCMTS of the plurality of vCMTSs. Additionally, each vCMTS is configured to provide a process.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for global server load balancing in a communication network using a global site selector and an application control engine in communication with the global site selector, in which the application control engine notifies the global site selector in response to a state change for a virtual internet protocol (VIP) address. Keepalive methods generally rely on periodically polling VIP addresses to check whether they are in an ONLINE or OFFLINE state. A minimum interval between two keepalives can be as long as 40 seconds, during which, without a mechanism to reflect state change to the load balancer in real time, if a VIP address changes state (e.g., VIP address failure), a customer can experience network outage during the time interval. Embodiments provide a mechanism to reflect, in real time, the current VIP address state to a global server load balancer to reduce failure detection time.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling members of a television viewing location to generate user profiles on behalf of a video middleware system. The method comprises intercepting data exchanged between an end user apparatus and the video middleware system; processing the data to generate either first processed data in a first format familiar to a user lifecycle management system, or second processed data in a second format familiar to the video middleware system; and providing either the first processed data to the user lifecycle management system, or the second processed data to the video middleware system.

Abstract: A system comprises a database configured to store a presentation, the presentation having a presentation identifier and comprising a sequence of discrete presentation items, a first discrete presentation item of the plurality being associated with first content with first content type and a second discrete presentation item of the sequence being associated with second content of a second content type. A presenter interface is configured to receive viewer identification information identifying a viewer to which the presentation is to be made accessible. An access controller is configured to create an access credential using both the presentation identifier and the viewer identification information, the access credential to enable access to the presentation by a viewer computer system. A tracker configured to generate access history data pertaining to access by the viewer computer system to each of the sequence of discrete presentation items.

Abstract: A system and method provides transcoding a video in parallel by multiple transcoders based on a measure of video coding complexity (VCC). The system has a video pre-processing module, a master transcoder, a transcoding controller and multiple transcoders. The video pre-processing module transcodes a source video into an intermediate video. The master transcoder partitions the intermediate video into multiple transcoding units, where a transcoding unit identifies a portion of data of the intermediate video for transcoding. The master transcoder further generates a transcoding request for each transcoding unit. The transcoding controller distributes the transcoding units to the multiple transcoders, which transcode the data of the transcoding units in parallel into transcoded data.

Abstract: A method of a broadcast receiving device to receive broadcast service includes: receiving a broadcast table; receiving service signaling data corresponding to a service object; determining a consumption model of the service object on the basis of the service signaling data; receiving a content item configuring the service object on the basis of the service signaling data when the consumption model is a predetermined consumption model; displaying a guide on content on the basis of the broadcast table or the service signaling data; identifying one of the received content item according to an additional information request on the content; and controlling the guide on the basis of the identified content item.

Abstract: Probabilistic methods and apparatus to determine the state of a media device are described.

Abstract: A method for mapping signaling information to announcement information and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Managing communications with a subscriber rendering device by identifying a message that is applicable at a target time and that is designated to be received by a subscriber rendering device, determining that there is no time between a current time and the target time during which the subscriber rendering device is able to receive the message thereby determining that the message cannot be received by the subscriber rendering device prior to the target time, and performing an action responsive to determining that the message cannot be received by the subscriber rendering device prior to the target time. Related methods and apparatus are also included.

Abstract: A broadcast signal reception method and a reception system are provided. The reception system includes a first processor, a second processor, and a storage medium. The first processor receives and processes a signaling table, the signaling table comprising first signaling information including access information of Non-Real-Time (NRT) service data and second signaling information including media object association information of the NRT service data. The second processor receives the NRT service data and processes a file including the received NRT service data based on the access information and the media object association information processed by the first processor. The storage medium stores the processed file of the NRT service data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for distributing content using a spectrum generation device. In one embodiment, digital content is received via a time-multiplexed network transport (such as Gigabit Ethernet), and converted to frequency channels suitable for transmission over a content distribution (e.g., Hybrid Fiber Coaxial (HFC)) network. In one variant, the conversion is performed using digital domain processing performed by a full spectrum generation device. Additionally, methods and apparatus for selectively adding, removing, and/or changing digital content from the full spectrum device are also disclosed. Various aspects of the present invention enable physical (infrastructure) consolidation, and software-implemented remote management of content distribution.

Abstract: A communications method and system which can accommodate changes in various parameters on a dynamic basis. A communications method and system utilizing a proxy for delivery of content at an optimal level to a client, even in the face of constantly changing client, channel conditions, or content parameters.

Abstract: The concepts relate to radio white space utilization. One example can measure a potential radio white space frequency. The example can also communicate results of the measuring for other devices and receive other results from the other devices relating to the potential radio white space frequency. The method can further determine whether the potential radio white space frequency is actually an available radio white space frequency based upon the results and the other results.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for displaying a first video in an html compliant email on a computerized device. The method may comprise defining a predetermined number of frames to be included in the first video and creating at least one first video file comprising the frames. In embodiments, the frames may be ordered in a selected sequence. The method may also comprise storing the first video file on a server and embedding a link in an html code of the email to automatically call the first video file from the server and to display the video frames of the first video file in an email page of the email when the email is opened or otherwise viewed.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product to schedule transmissions in a two-tier network are provided. In an example, the system includes a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) scheduler configured to generate a MAP message to allocate bandwidth and a first instance in time to a cable modem to transmit data to a branch node. The system further includes a MAP message translator coupled to the DOCSIS scheduler and configured to determine a second instance in time at which data from the cable modem arrives at the branch node and generate a GATE message that grants the branch node bandwidth to transmit the data received from the cable modem at the second instance in time to a headend node.

Abstract: System and method for providing a probabilistic order of tiles relative to a current section of a video that a user is viewing. A cache implementation uses this ordering to decide what tiles to evict from the cache, i.e. which tiles will probably not be accessed within a particular timeframe, but not when to evict (this is up to the cache implementation). A cache implementation can also use the prioritized list of the present embodiment to pre-fetch tiles.

Abstract: Without using a gateway, an AV device is controlled as intended by an operator without causing a conflict between an operation by a user and an operation by the operator.

Abstract: Automated media programming (AMP) systems and methods are provided. The systems and methods allow independent users to submit, edit, rate, and watch video content (preferably, although not necessarily, from other users) over a broadcast media channel or network. In one embodiment, among others, the AMP system employs a topic generator means for determining one or more topics that will be used for identifying one or more videos to be broadcast, an upload means for receiving uploads of one or more user videos relating to the determined topics, a prescreening means for allowing users to view the uploaded user videos, a rating means for rating the uploaded user videos, their respective producers, or both, a pre-production means for scheduling the uploaded videos for transmission based upon the ratings, and a broadcast means for enabling broadcast of the videos.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods provide an automatic capability for delivering interactivity event applications for execution on receiver devices within a broadcast network based upon interactivity event application data, information and sequence logic. Interactivity event content providers may provide to a broadcast network interactivity event application data, event metadata information and sequence logic a broadcast network. Receiver devices may be configured to receive only real-time interactivity event assets relevant to a currently monitored real-time channel, or channels adjacent to the currently monitored channel. Receiver devices may also be configured to avoid acquiring assets for interactive sequences not related to a currently viewed or adjacent channel.

Abstract: A method includes multicasting by a server center of streaming interactive video/audio streams to multiple destinations via an outbound Internet traffic interface. A given video/audio stream is routed to multiple destinations simultaneously. At least one of the video/audio streams is received at a delay buffer of the server center, the delay buffer storing a replayable portion of at least one of the video/audio streams.

Abstract: An online video distribution network includes an online video portal and an online video merchant. In one embodiment, when the consumer orders a video, the merchant provides a pick-up ticket to the consumer. The portal uses the merchant identity in the pick-up ticket to connect to the merchant, and the merchant uses a product identity in the pick-up ticket to retrieve and send the video to the portal. In another embodiment, the portal provides the consumer with a drop-off ticket, which is provided to the merchant. The merchant connects to the portal using the portal identity in the drop-off ticket, and sends the video and a customer identity in the drop-off ticket to the portal. The portal determines a consumer record associated with the consumer identity and stores the video in the consumer record. The consumer can then easily access the video at the portal.

Abstract: A system for managing delivery of content from multiple platforms maintains data for various video channels. Some of the video channels are television channels, while others are over-the-top (OTT) video content sources such as video streaming websites. The system includes a package generation module by which a service provider may define a package of both traditional and OTT channels to offer to subscribers in a unified programming interface. When a user uses the interface to select a set of video channels, the system compiles the set of the video channels in a subscriber package of both television and OTT channels. The system assigns a name to the subscriber package, and it stores the defined package and name, along with other information about the package, in a data storage facility for offering to a subscriber of content from the service provider.

Abstract: System and method for providing a probabilistic order of tiles relative to a current section of a video that a user is viewing. A cache implementation uses this ordering to decide what tiles to evict from the cache, i.e. which tiles will probably not be accessed within a particular timeframe, but not when to evict (this is up to the cache implementation). A cache implementation can also use the prioritized list of the present embodiment to pre-fetch tiles.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the delivery of digital content in a network. In one embodiment, the digital content comprises internet content received from an Internet host server in a first container format, and converted to a second container format at a headend entity of a cable television or satellite network. The headend entity transmits the re-containerized content to one or more consumer devices, and acts as a gateway device between the consumer devices and various internet content sources. Delivery of internet content from the gateway device can be via broadcast, nPVR, DVR and/or VOD delivery mechanisms. The internet content gateway device is adapted to request, receive and process the internet content. Requests for internet content may be made from either a CPE or the gateway device itself according to one or more rules. The content may also be selectively transcoded before re-encapsulation based on the consumer device capabilities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including receiving buffer maps of neighbor peers, measuring serving rates from the neighbor peers, measuring serving rates to the neighbor peers, requesting a unit of data from one of the neighbor peers responsive to information in the buffer maps of the neighbor peers at a rate responsive to the serving rate from the one of the neighbor peers, receiving incoming requests for units of data, sorting the incoming requests into a plurality of queues, selecting one of the incoming requests to serve responsive to the serving rates to the neighbor peers corresponding to the incoming request, updating the queues and selecting a new neighbor peer.