Abstract: A system for scheduling content includes a scheduling system having a plurality of queues each having a priority level and a block type. The scheduling system assigns content to one of the plurality of queues. The scheduling system obtains a channel block from a schedule manager and assigns the plurality of queues to the channel block based on the priority level and block type. A communication system communicates the plurality of channel blocks to a user device through a channel using the channel blocks.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a television configuration technique includes determining a location, from a web service, of a television set using an internet protocol address of the television set or a zip code corresponding to a physical location of the television. Electronic programming guide, interactive programming guide or the like data for a plurality of service providers in the determined location are downloaded. The electronic programming guide data, interactive programming guide data or the like for one or more channels that are unique between the plurality of service providers are checked against transmitting station identifier data or system information protocol data to identify the specific service provider that the television set is connected to. A channel list for the specific service provider is then determined from the electronic programming guide or interactive programming guide corresponding to the specific service provider.

Abstract: A method of generating a stream comprising synchronized interactive content is described. The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a first stream from a studio to a terminal or a terminal system of a first user and to a buffer; transmitting in response to the first stream a second stream to a mixer connected to the buffer, the second stream comprising content generated in reaction to the content of the first stream; providing the mixer with a temporal relation between the packets in the first and second stream; generating a first output stream comprising a substantially synchronized content by mixing packets in second stream with packets of the buffered first stream on the basis of the temporal relation.

Abstract: An integrated DSS/WebTV receiver is communicatively connected to an Internet service provider, a DSS service provider, and (optionally) a local broadcast station to provide a display of DSS programs, Internet web sites, and local broadcast channels in a seamless fashion. The DSS/WebTV receiver downloads graphic images, corresponding to DSS programs, from a DSS communication medium or the Internet into a local memory. The graphic images are periodically updated by the DSS service provider or Internet service provider. The DSS/WebTV receiver generates a graphical user interface (GUI), displayed on a television screen, for facilitating a user's navigation through the DSS, Internet, and local broadcast data. The GUI includes a selectable DSS program listing that displays DSS programs that are currently being broadcast or that will be broadcasted in the future. If a user selects a currently broadcasted program, the DSS/WebTV receiver displays the selected program on the television.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video distribution server includes an SSD, a counter, a determination unit, an output unit, and a first and second distribution controller. The first distribution controller, when target content data of a request belongs to a preferential data, reads the target content data from the SSD. The first distribution controller buffers the read target content data in a first storage area included in the output unit, and distributes the buffered target content data to a request source. The first distribution controller caches the read target content data in a second storage area included in the output unit. When the first distribution controller receives a request for the target content data after the caching of the target content data, the first distribution controller distributes the cached target content data to a request source.

Abstract: A system may receive, from a set top box (STB), a request for a video asset; retrieve a profile, associated with a user of the STB, that identifies a device, associated with the user, that is a different type of device than the STB; determine whether a transaction history associated with the STB or another transaction history, associated with the device, indicates that the video asset is authorized to be transmitted to the STB; transmit the video asset to the STB based on a determination that the transaction history or the other transaction history indicates that the video asset is authorized to be transmitted to the STB; perform a transaction on the video asset based on a determination that the first transaction history or the second transaction history does not indicate that the video asset is authorized be transmitted to the STB, and transmit the video asset to the STB as a result of the transaction.

Abstract: A system and method of providing access to content of an interrupted digital broadcast is disclosed. A digital broadcast connection is established between a digital broadcast provider and at least one receiver. The digital broadcast connection is monitored and upon detecting an interruption in the digital broadcast connection, content of the interrupted digital broadcast signal is stored. A message is sent to the at least one receiver to indicate that the content of the interrupted digital broadcast signal is available.

Abstract: A network device sends a first set of images associated with an electronic program guide (EPG) to a client device. The network device determines that an image of the first set of images has been modified, and receives one or more calls for displaying the first set of images at the client device. The network device sends the modified image, or one or portions of the image that have been modified, to the client device without sending a remainder of the images in the first set of images, or without sending the remaining portions of the image.

Abstract: The various embodiments disclosed herein provide methods, systems, and devices for capturing broadcast streams, analyzing the broadcast streams to obtain information about the media content transmitted in the broadcast streams, obtaining additional information about the media content if available, and assigning a unique event identifier specific to the instance of broadcast of the broadcast stream and/or media segment transmitted in the broadcast stream. In other embodiments, the unique event identifier is broadcasted to broadcast receiving devices. With the unique event identifier, broadcast receiving devices can access the obtained information associated with the media content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing video transport is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to predict visibility to a viewer of packet loss impairment for communicated video content based at least in part on scene information for one or more packets of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques for implementing distributed infrastructure are provided. In some techniques, a plurality of user devices, each at a customer premises, can provide video calling services over a network. In some embodiments, each of one or more user devices might be established as a distributed infrastructure element for cloud computing, cloud-based application hosting, and/or cloud-based data storage. One or more software applications, customer data, and/or media content (collectively, “hosted content”) might be provided to the one or more user devices for hosting thereon. Resource usage information and/or network connectivity information might be collected for each user device, and suitability of a user device to host the hosted content might be determined based at least in part on the collected resource usage information and/or network connectivity information. One or more courses of action may be determined, and invoked, based on performance metrics of the user devices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method comprising the steps of receiving, by a computer system including at least one computer, a media work; receiving, by the computer system, a tag associated with the media work having a media work identifier; storing, by the computer system, the media work identifier and the associated tag; obtaining, by the computer system from a user electronic device, a query related to the associated tag; correlating, by the computer system, the query with associated information related to an action to be performed; and providing, from the computer system to the user electronic device, the associated information to be used in performing the action.

Abstract: A user electronic device comprising one or more processors; and one or more computer readable media operatively connected to the one or more processors and having stored thereon computer instructions for carrying out the steps of: (a) receiving, at the user electronic device from the computer system, a media work and one or more associated tags; (b) receiving, at the user electronic device from a user input device, a query related to at least one of the one or more associated tags; (c) obtaining, at the user electronic device, instructions for an action to be performed based on the query; and (d) performing, at the user electronic device, the associated action, in response to the query.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a PVR server for storing and playing back TV programs, in particular to an improved method for operating a network PVR and to an improved PVR server (102). The inventive method consists in determining the number of users storing in the personal archives thereof a determined TV program, which is stored in the memory (108) of the PVR server (102). When the user number is less than a predefined limit value, an erasing signal occurs to them and the program is cleared during a configurable period of time if no user selects said program as to be preserved.

Abstract: The techniques related to providing a live program over the Internet are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a data stream representing a live program is preprocessed to produce a plurality of substreams, each of the substreams comprising decimated samples of the data stream. The number of substreams is relatively large so that the bandwidth requirement for delivering one of the substreams is relatively low. With a group of seeding boxes receiving the substreams, a group of boxes in services are designated to receive the substreams from the seeding boxes, each of these boxes including the seeding boxes is able to support multiple outbound streams (e.g., greater than 2) so that there are enough data suppliers to service the ordering boxes or colonize more boxes to become the data suppliers. As a result, a live program can be timely serviced by peer boxes, significantly reducing the computation and bandwidth burdens on a server(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to broadcasting/multicasting of media content over a communication network using shared bandwidth available from peer-to-peer networking. The system of the present invention includes a plurality of broadcast devices, a plurality of receiving devices, a plurality of databases, and a control center. The control center is the central nerve of the network, and provides a number of services, including but not limited to channel control, ad insertion, conditional access, program guide services, and the like. The broadcast device converts media content, which can be television, radio, and other data, received from various content providers, into digital data packets, having a suitable format for transmission over the Internet. Each receiving device will request the relevant packets, decode the received packets, and display or present the media content contained in the packets via an associated device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying which video segment is being displayed on a screen of a television system. The video segment is identified by deriving data from the television signals, the derived data being indicative of the video segment being displayed on the screen. This feature can be used to extract a viewer's reaction (such as changing the channel) to a specific video segment (such as an advertisement) and reporting the extracted information as metrics. The systems and methods may further provide contextually targeted content to the television system. The contextual targeting is based on not only identification of the video segment being displayed, but also a determination concerning the playing time or offset time of the particular portion of the video segment being currently displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for modifying metadata associated with content that is improperly formatted. In one configuration a metadata pre-processor receives metadata from a remote source, determines whether the received metadata is properly formatted, and, if it is not, modifies the metadata based on information received from a second remote source. In one configuration the modified metadata is then used to identify information associated with the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for evaluating online videos. One method includes receiving a URL; determining a URL type; detecting whether the URL includes one or more videos; determining at least one of a size of the video, a position of the video on a web page of the web page URL, whether the video is set to autoplay, and whether the video is set to mute; computing a score based on one or more of the size of the video, the position of the video on the web page of the web page URL, whether the video is set to autoplay, and whether the video is set to mute; obtaining at least two frames of at least part of the video, wherein each frame is obtained at one or more predetermined intervals during playback of the video; and classifying each detected video based on the at least two frames.

Abstract: An ingestion controller, system, and method for managing ingestion of electronic content in a Content Distribution Network (CDN). The content is received from one or more content sources (CSs) through an inbound content pipe having a maximum bandwidth capacity. A database stores bandwidth weightings assigned to each CS by a network Policy Management System (PMS). The bandwidth weighting assigned to each CS corresponds to a fraction of the maximum bandwidth capacity of the inbound content pipe. An input buffer receives the content from the CSs in one or more input buffer queues associated with the CSs. A content retrieval mechanism retrieves the content from the input queues at an upload rate for each CS based at least on each CS's assigned bandwidth weighting, thereby causing a flow control mechanism to control the upload bitrate of each CS in proportion to the bandwidth weightings.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning television viewing behavior data collected from set top boxes by detecting and correcting various problems that can occur in the viewing data. Three problems that may be detected and corrected by the system include: overflows of memory buffers; inclusion of non-human generated tuning events; and presence of clock offsets. After cleaning the television viewing behavior data, the cleaned data may be used to analyze audience viewing behavior in a manner that achieves a higher degree of accuracy than can be achieved by using uncleaned television viewing behavior data.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that involve copying recorded content from a host device (e.g., a PVR) to a portable device. A storage medium within the portable device may include a portion that is assigned to store desired content received from the host device. Allocation of this portion may be based on a user selection. In embodiments, content may be automatically copied (“synchronized”) from the host device to the portable device. This copying may be based on various factors, such as previous synchronization and/or outputting activities.

Abstract: AN IPTV receiver and a method of providing channel map management information are provided. A network interface transmits and receives an IP packet through a network. An IP network stack checks a destination of the received IP packet and classifies the IP packet according to a protocol. A Service Information (SI) decoder parses a system information (SI) decoder parsing a provision information record included in the IP packet to read location information of a master SI table included in the provision information record, and parses a master SI table record included in the IP packet to read channel map management information included in the master SI table record. An IPTV terminal function (ITF) operation controller controls the reception of the master SI table record based on the read location information of the master SI table.

Abstract: Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A network personal video recorder (NPVR) system, method and associated subscriber device. In one method operating on an NPVR element, a request for playing back a program asset is received from a first subscriber. If the program asset is determined to be in an associated content system, the method includes performing retrieving the program asset's location information from the associated content system, retrieving external media content from at least one of a local media campaign management system and a national media campaign management system wherein the external media content was included in a broadcast transmission of the program asset, building a playlist including the program asset and inserting the external media content into the playlist at appropriate insertion points, and transmitting the playlist including the program asset and the inserted external media content to the first subscriber.

Abstract: A method of processing an interactive service and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes sending a discovery message to a second screen application, receiving a request for descriptions of the second screen support services, sending a response with the descriptions, receiving a trigger, and delivering the trigger to the second device using a trigger service.

Abstract: A POD module system includes a housing, a coaxial cable connector formed on the housing and connectable to a first device to receive a cable signal, a port formed on the housing to receive a wire or wireless signal from a second device, a module unit to process at least one of the cable signal and the at least one of the wireless signal to generate at least one of a copy protection signal and one of video and audio signals, respectively, and a connector formed on the housing and connectable to a third device to transmit the at least one of the copy protection signal and the one of video and audio signals to the third device such that the third device generates at least one of an image and a sound to correspond to the at least one of the copy protection signal and the one of video and audio signals.

Abstract: There are many boxes (e.g., set-top boxes) in a system offering media services to users. Each of the boxes maintains a library with a significant number of titles. Techniques for updating the library in each of these boxes using a transmission infrastructure are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a service provider is provided with a high bandwidth broadcasting or multicasting capability, a release fragmented into a header and several segments is transmitted to all boxes that are respectively configured to receive a proper release package to update the library. Alternatively, separate release packages may be transmitted via different channels to the boxes, wherein each of the boxes is tuned to a proper channel to receive a proper release package.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for reproducing broadcast content in a digital television (DTV) in real time, and a method and apparatus for providing broadcast content to a DTV. In the reproducing method, reproduction of broadcast content is controlled to be temporarily stopped if an error is present in received packets constituting the content; packets received after the temporary stopping of the reproduction are stored; a errorless packet, which corresponds to a packet having the error, is obtained; and the content is reproduced using the obtained packet and the stored packets.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a media content processing subsystem within a plurality of media content processing subsystems configured to receive transmissions of media content instances from a media content provider by way of a network sends a shared content request to the media content provider, the request being for a media content instance included in the transmissions of media content instances from the media content provider. The request is configured to cause the media content provider to identify at least one other media content processing subsystem within the plurality of media content processing subsystems that is able to provide the media content instance to the media content processing subsystem, and instruct the at least one other media content processing subsystem to transmit, to the media content processing subsystem, the media content instance received by the at least one other media content processing subsystem from the media content provider.

Abstract: A media agent that monitors multiple broadcast transmissions and a method for the same. The media agent establishes connections with broadcast transmissions and then identifies characteristics of the media content contained within the broadcast transmission. The association between the identified characteristic of the media content and the connected broadcast transmission is maintained to allow the information gathered from the broadcast transmission to be used meaningfully.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a first receiver, a screen transmitter, a second receiver and a controller. The first receiver receives first information associated with a display function of an external device. The screen transmitter generates an operation screen for operating the apparatus based on the first information, and transmits a video signal of the generated operation screen to the external device. The second receiver receives second information associated with content of an operation on the operation screen from the external device. The controller controls operation of the apparatus based on the second information.

Abstract: In the method of the invention, said CDN comprises a plurality of server nodes, said content acquisition process is performed when an end-user requests uploading content and said method is characterised in that it comprises: —selecting, a central entity receiving an uploading request from said end-user, at least one of said plurality of server nodes according to location of said end user, current status of said plurality of server nodes, CPU requirements of said plurality of server nodes and/or any other monitoring parameter of said CDN; —directing, said central entity, said uploading request from said end-user to said at least one of said plurality of server nodes; and—uploading, said end-user, said content to said at least one of said plurality of server nodes upon acceptance of said uploading request by said at least one of said plurality of server nodes. The system of the invention is arranged to implement the method of the invention.

Abstract: A digital video viewing system including methods for user selection of video advertisement content and time of display of video advertisements during a live video content stream. The digital video viewing system includes modules for receiving, evaluating and transmitting data within the digital video viewing system and to Internet protocol content providers. Also shown are methods for recording and re-playing live internet protocol content in conjunction with the video advertisement display methods.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for transmitting high quality multimedia data from a mobile device for live and on-demand viewing. The mobile device adjusts the quality of a single multimedia data stream based on one or more factors, such as the available bandwidth of a wireless link with a server, whether there are any “live” subscribers of the multimedia data stream, whether any “live” subscribers are interacting with the mobile device, and a change in the privacy settings of the user of the mobile device. Any data that was removed from the multimedia data stream before it was transmitted to a server is subsequently sent to the server. The server generates multiple versions of the multimedia data stream that vary in terms of quality. The server selects which version of the multimedia data stream to transmit to a subscriber of the multimedia data stream based on one or more criteria.

Abstract: In a television, which can be connected to a portable information terminal, it is possible to display video based on the data of a multimedia file stored on a storage medium even in cases where there is no built-in decoder. In cases where a TV itself does not possess a decoder which can decode the data of a multimedia file selected by the user from the multimedia files stored on the USB memory, the CPU of the TV transmits to a smartphone the data of the selected multimedia file and a decoding request command to request that the data be decoded, thus receiving a video signal and/or an audio signal obtained by various types of decoders of the smartphone. Consequently, the CPU of the TV can output video and/or audio to a display unit and a speaker on the basis of the data of the selected multimedia file.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive content, an acquiring unit configured to acquire a time required for reproducing the content, a counter configured to count a first time including at least the required time, and a display controller configured to display the content on the display unit and terminate display of a video on the display unit after expiration of the first time.

Abstract: System and methods for finding and accessing desired audio content from audio content sources, including means and methods for extracting captions from a broadcast; aggregating the captions in a database; indexing the database content; searching the captions for a mention of at least one target; analyzing the results for desired content; indexing into the database to extract the desired content; thereby providing a method for quickly finding and accessing desired audio and video content from a large number of sources.

Abstract: A method for bit-interleaving coded bits for Incremental Redundancy (IR) transmission in a transmission apparatus of a digital video broadcasting system is provided. The method includes sequentially writing the coded bits in a memory area having a predetermined size, reading the coded bits written in the memory area based on a reading order that is differently set for each of normal transmission and at least one IR transmission, and outputting one coded systematic bit stream interleaved for the normal transmission and at least one coded parity bit stream interleaved for at least one IR transmission.

Abstract: Provided is a video processing device capable of displaying an easily viewable video utilizing a broader area in a display. A video processing unit that is included in the video processing device and processes an input video includes a first memory that stores the input video, a second memory that stores the input video, a compression/expansion control unit that compresses and/or expands a first area of the input video stored in the first memory and compresses and/or expands a second area of the input video stored in the second memory, and an image composing unit that generates an output video in which a video of the first area compressed and/or expanded by the compression/expansion control unit and a video of the second area compressed and/or expanded by the compression/expansion control unit are horizontally aligned.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to determine audience viewing of recorded programs are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises processing first bus information obtained by monitoring a bus of a time shifting device to determine a record time corresponding to when the time-shifting device stored data associated with first media content being recorded for later presentation, processing second bus information obtained by monitoring the bus of the time shifting device to determine a playback time corresponding to when the time-shifting device later retrieved the data to present the recorded first media content, and estimating a possible distribution time corresponding to when the first media content was initially distributed to the time-shifting device based on a difference between the playback time and the record time.

Abstract: A method of managing digital rights is disclosed that includes recording media content at one or more servers supporting a multimedia content distribution service. The one or more servers are configured to transmit multimedia data to multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. The method further includes determining recorded media content at the one or more servers that is associated with a content source and providing a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible to a content manager at the content source to manage digital rights. The GUI includes a list of the recorded media content and at least one selectable element associated with each item of the list accessible to select media content and to configure digital rights associated with the selected media content.

Abstract: Systems and methods of performing on the fly transcoding of video on demand content for adaptive streaming are disclosed. For example, a media server has access to a single rendition of a video on demand item. The media server receives a request from a computing device. The request is for a portion of one of a plurality of renditions of the video on demand item that are available for adaptive streaming, where each of the renditions has a distinct bitrate. In response to the request, the media server generates, on the fly, the requested portion of the requested rendition by transcoding a corresponding portion of the accessible rendition. The media server sends the generated portion to the computing device.

Abstract: An electronic device and a control method thereof are disclosed, the electronic device including: an operation implementation unit conducting a predetermined operation; a first main controller controlling the operation of the operation implementation unit; an input reception unit receiving an input signal; a second main controller processing the input signal and being in the power saving state in the standby mode; and a subcontroller controlling the second main controller to process the input signal when the input signal is received in the standby mode, wherein the second main controller processes the received input signal according to control of the subcontroller, controls the first main controller to operate in the normal mode when the input signal corresponds to entering the normal mode, and returns to the power saving state in the standby mode when the input signal does not correspond to entering the normal mode.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to cloud-based media distribution and management systems, providing pushing of content to regional playout servers geographically dispersed for local rebroadcasting of network based content. Automation may be controlled through a hierarchical system, allowing easy and efficient playlist editing and media control. In another aspect, the present disclosure is directed to a playout server for retrieving or receiving content from a network or cloud based storage, and playing content according to an automated playlist received from a media distribution and management system.

Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronized video playing across multiple user terminals are disclosed. The method includes sending a continued video playing request to a server from a first user terminal to play a video from a break point, receiving video information from the server, the video information being submitted from a second user terminal, and playing the video from the break point based on the received video information. The method and system consistent with the present disclosure may improve a user's video watching experience by enabling a user to seamless switch between different user terminals.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system that features retrieving, with a comparator module, a first characteristic of a first media asset and associated with a first media asset identifier from a media server storing a plurality of media assets. A second characteristic of a second media asset associated with a second media asset identifier from an archive server is retrieved with the comparator module. The comparator module is utilized to compare the first characteristic to the second characteristic based on an association of the first media asset identifier and the second asset media identifier. A report that includes an indication of the result of the comparison of the first characteristic and the second characteristic is generated by the comparator module.

Abstract: A video playing device capable of external connection to an application processor includes a remote controller and a processor. The remote controller includes a first button group having a plurality of buttons for use in operating the video playing device and a second button group having a plurality of buttons for use in operating a portable carrier. The processor processes an external video signals and portable carrier video signals from the portable carrier, sends the signals to a screen, and processes remote control signals corresponding to the first and second button groups. The processor sends to the portable carrier a plurality of signals according to the remote control signals of the second button group. A portion of the signals triggers the application processor of the portable carrier to execute a plurality of App accordingly.

Abstract: A “pause live television” service is implemented, where in one embodiment, a continuously streaming video from a broadcast programming source is copied into a circular buffer. A set top box (“STB”) requests a trick function, such as “pause,” by sending a message to the system, which in one embodiment suspends the display of the present broadcast video in the STB. The system determines an pointer and when the user requests resumption of the broadcast video (e.g., “play”), the system uses the pointer for that particular STB to determine the appropriate resumption point in the particular buffer to resume streaming of the video for that STB. In various embodiments, the network may begin streaming of the video at the resumption point on another channel and direct the STB to then tune to that channel. Thus, the program appears to have been seamless suspended and resumed using a network based capability.