Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing audio or video content to a mobile handset is provided.

Abstract: Data broadcast data, which is broadcast in data broadcasts, is constructed by disposing, for example, EMD (Electric Music Distribution) links required to acquire song data as actual broadcast data, which is broadcast in actual broadcasts by a transmitting device, the actual broadcast data is transmitted, and the data broadcast data wherein the EMD links for the song data in the actual broadcasts are disposed, is transmitted periodically during the transmission of the actual broadcast data. The actual broadcast data and the data broadcast data are received by a user terminal, and the EMD links disposed in the data broadcast data are stored whenever there is an input of an operation to attach a “bookmark”. Thus, audio data such as songs in programs broadcast can easily be acquired by radio.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for playing online video and a video playing server thereof This method includes: splitting a video play file into multiple sequentially connected video segments; receiving a video downloading request from a user, obtaining a video segment corresponding to positioning information carried in the video downloading request, and returning content of the video segment corresponding to the positioning information to a client; and confirming that returning content of the current video segment is finished, and releasing bandwidth resources occupied by the user. By applying the present invention, the bandwidth utilization rate can be improved and the bandwidth resource pressure of the video playing server can be decreased.

Abstract: A digital electronic device supports program transmission to a recipient device via the Internet. A frame adapter decodes incoming IP program packets and re-encodes resulting program signals adaptively to optimally suit the recipient device based upon configuration data of the recipient device. The frame adapter receives feedback from the recipient device, which may include a characterization of a communication path between the digital electronic device and the recipient device. The frame adapter utilizes the configuration information to generate the optimal video frame stream that is transmitted to the recipient device. The compression itself involves producing optimal number of base and predicted video frames.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transmission apparatus, including: an application data transmission section adapted to transmit data of an application for HbbTV; and an table transmission section adapted to transmit an table including an application profile which represents one or more additional functions to the application and is configured from a first bit region of high-order n bits and a second bit region of lower-order (16-n) bits which represent presence or absence of functions allocated to bit positions thereof with a bitmap structure and wherein, in the first bit region, values for changing over the functions to be allocated to the bit positions in the second bit region are set.

Abstract: A method for tagging subcontent includes creating a first begin tag for a program to be delivered over a network, wherein the first begin tag defines a beginning of a first video segment of the program. A first video frame is identified for the first video segment, the first video frame representing content of the first video segment. A second begin tag is created for the program, the second begin tag defines a beginning of a second video segment of the program. A second video frame is identified for the second video segment, the second video frame representing content of the second video segment. The first begin tag is distinct from the second begin tag, the first video frame is distinct from the second video frame, and the first video segment is distinct from the second video segment.

Abstract: A method for controlling viewing a broadcast in a terminal. A terminal having a broadcast control function includes a first replaceable identity device attached to a portion of the terminal and a controller for setting a broadcast viewing level when a second identity device replaces the first identity device, wherein the broadcast viewing level was previously set by the first identity device.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, and apparatuses for multicast broadcast multimedia service (MBMS)-assisted content distribution in a wireless communication network. A proxy terminal may include an MBMS access client configured to receive and cache an MBMS transmission including media data and metadata. The proxy terminal may further include a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP) server module configured to transmit at least a portion of the media data to a user equipment (UE) of the wireless communication network via an HTTP transmission. The media data and metadata may be in a dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH) format. The proxy terminal may be included in an evolved Node B (eNB), the UE, or another UE of the wireless communication network.

Abstract: A method and system for broadcast of additional content such as metadata required for client specific interactive application in an analog domain along with conventional audio, video and PSI or SI data is disclosed. The present invention enables transmission of encoded audio data or EPG data, timestamp information required for audio video synchronization referred to as metadata by embedding such metadata in the pixels of video pixels and then encoding by the standard video encoder to generate an encoded stream. The encoded stream is decoded using the standard video decoder at the receiving station to generate a Composite Video Blanking and Sync (CVBS) analog video signal. From the CVBS signal, the RGB or YUV pixels of the videos are extracted. Finally a data extractor module retrieves the embedded metadata from the RGB or YUV pixels.

Abstract: A decoding method and apparatus are provided for decoding an audiovisual stream that is divided into a plurality of segments. The decoding method and apparatus obtain metadata that specify a segment out of the plurality of segments. The metadata is described in a structured description. The segment that is specified by the metadata is obtained, and a start time for rendering the segment from the metadata is derived. The segment is decoded based on the metadata to generate decoded segment data before the start time.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention provides an interactive, multi-platform video network. In another aspect, the invention provides a dynamic scheduling method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a channel-associated optional service. The method for providing a channel-associated optional service includes transmitting, in response to a service request from a user terminal, the service request to a broadcast receiving device that is mapped with the user terminal using an identifier mapping table; receiving channel information of a currently received program from the broadcast receiving device that has received the service request, and searching for program information of a relevant channel using the received channel information; searching for optional service information related to a program scheduled to be currently broadcast using the found program information; and providing the found optional service information to the user terminal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control device and a control target device, and particularly, to a method for transmitting a content list of a control target device and a control device. A method for allowing a control point device to receive a content list from a control target device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: transmitting a content list request message to the control target device; receiving a response message which includes a fragment of the content list; and displaying the content list based on the fragment, wherein the fragment includes a plurality of content objects corresponding to the number of content objects for one content list fragment.

Abstract: [Object] To expand end control of an application related to a broadcast content. [Solving Means] In an information processing system capable of controlling an application related to a broadcast content by an AIT, “SUSPEND” is newly added to a set of application control codes of an ETSI standard. By executing “SUSPEND”, a new function of setting an application from an executed state to a pause state can be added. As a result, control involving storing a processing result up to an application end point and resuming processing while taking over the past processing result when the application is activated next time can be realized.

Abstract: A video multiplexing apparatus includes: a control unit which determines first decode/display time information and second decode/display time information for each picture in video data and for each encoding unit of first media data; a video packet generating unit which appends the first and second decode/display time information for the picture to encoded data of the video data; and a media packet generating unit which appends the first and second decode/display time information for the encoding unit to encoded data of the first media data. The first decode/display time information is used when the decoding unit of the video data is a picture, and the second decode/display time information is used when the decoding unit is a sub-picture. The picture display time based on the second decode/display time information is earlier than the picture display time based on the first decode/display time information.

Abstract: A request is received from a subscriber of a video content network offering a switched digital video service, to establish a new switched digital video session within a service group of the video content network, which group includes both preferred and standard subscribers and has a plurality of existing sessions. It is determined whether adequate bandwidth is available to establish the new switched digital video session without tearing down any of the existing sessions. Responsive to the determination indicating that adequate bandwidth is not available without tearing down any of the existing sessions, at least one of the existing sessions is torn down. In this step, those of the existing sessions corresponding to the preferred subscribers are exempted from teardown. The new switched digital video session is established in accordance with the request. A switched digital video control apparatus, a set-top terminal, and a system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent to with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for implementing adaptive video stream testing are presented. In particular, installation of a digital rights management (DRM) client is validated. Furthermore, a decrypted video stream at a particular bitrate is received in response to validating a DRM client. Data throttling is implemented to simulate one or more network speeds for the decrypted video stream. Additionally, video playback time is measured for a codec at the one or more network speeds and it is determined whether the video playback time for the codec exceeds a predetermined threshold value. A test report is generated that lists the codec and the video playback time for the codec at the one or more network speeds.

Abstract: Methods and systems for time shifting advertising to provide enhanced advertisement targeting are presented. An exemplary method of time shifting advertising of a video service comprises generating a private profile based upon a private play history of a receiver and receiving one or more predetermined advertisements, each of the one or more advertisements including meta data. The profile can be generated by a profiler within a receiver unit. The predetermined advertisements are selected and stored based upon the meta data and the private profile. A program is received and a targeted advertisement is selected from the subset of the predetermined advertisements based upon the meta data and the private profile and played with the program. Management of the advertisements (e.g. selecting and storing predetermined advertisements and selecting targeted advertisements) can be facilitated by an advertisement controller within the receiver.

Abstract: A technical method related to a server and a client processing multiple sets of channel information is disclosed. Herein, An apparatus of processing multiple channel information according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a decoder decoding encoded data received from a server, a demultiplexer demultiplexing video data, audio data and metadata for each channel from the decoded data, a controller extracting video data, audio data and metadata for a channel group for on-screen display (OSD) data, the channel group including one or more channels, an OSD generator generating OSD data based on the extracted video data, audio data and metadata for the channel group, and a display module displaying the generated OSD data on a predetermined section along with a broadcast screen of a currently selected channel.

Abstract: A content distribution system is provided, in which time-shift viewing among a plurality of devices can be realized. The system includes, a device group management unit which manages a group to which audio-visual devices capable of realizing time-shift viewing mutually belong; a viewing state management unit which acquires viewing information of a content by the audio-visual device, and a time shift control unit which transmits permission information for viewing the content in a time-shifted manner and the viewing information of the content acquired by the viewing state management unit, to the audio-visual device included in the group managed by the device group management unit, in response to a time shift request issued by the audio-visual device.

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 this case suspends the present broadcast video in the STB. The system determines an offset and when the user requests resumption of the broadcast video (e.g., “play”), the system uses the offset 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.

Abstract: Three contiguous segments of video data are kept in video cache memory for streaming video data to a host application from a video file in data storage. For example, three buffers are allocated in the cache memory for each video stream, and at any given time during sequential access, a particular one of the three buffers is a middle buffer from which pre-fetched data is streamed to the host application. For forward or backward streaming, the buffers also include a backward buffer as well as a forward buffer on opposite sides of the middle buffer. In order to simplify the assembling of the buffers, a shift or rotation of the roles of the buffers and an asynchronous pre-fetch for continuance of a stream or for a switched direction of a stream is triggered by the cache state of the offset requested by the video application.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information management device includes a generator, a storage module, a structuring module, a retrieval module, and a result notification module. The generator generates a characteristic quantity of a reproduction content. The storage module stores the generated characteristic quantity. The structuring module generates structure information by dividing a single reproduction content into a plurality of reproduction intervals based on the generated characteristic quantity and by structuring the reproduction content by taking into account a time sequence of the reproduction intervals of the reproduction content that is being reproduced. The reproduction content is structured by the reproduction intervals. The retrieval module retrieves a related content based on the structure information. The result notification module notifies the retrieval result of the related content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating bandwidth in a switched digital video (SDV) system based on charmed interest. In some embodiments, bandwidth is deallocated from channels and allocated to requested channels having a higher interest. Tiered approaches for allocating bandwidth are disclosed. Embodiments in which QAMs are allocated across services in a multi-service system based on interest are also disclosed. Embodiments for accommodating emergency access system (EAS) functionality in a SDV system are also disclosed.

Abstract: To increase the efficiency of a cache and delivery resource control of video data streams in a network. A meta file including information used by a client terminal to acquire a predetermined number of video data streams of given content deliverable by a delivery server via a network is generated. When a transmission request is received from a client terminal, the meta file is transmitted to the client terminal via the network. The meta file includes an index regarding a cache of each of the video data streams.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing data are disclosed, which are robust to error when mobile service data are transmitted. To this end, additional encoding is performed for the mobile service data, whereby it is possible to strongly cope with fast channel change while giving robustness to the mobile service data.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adapting playback bit rate to available delivery bandwidth in a content delivery system comprising a content server and a content player. A content player periodically estimates whether a given playback bit rate can feasibly provide complete playback for a given title assuming currently available bandwidth. If playback becomes unfeasible at a current bit rate assuming currently available bandwidth, then the content player adapts the bit rate downward until a feasible bit rate is achieved. If playback is feasible using a higher bit rate, then the content player may adapt the bit rate upward.

Abstract: A system and method are described below for reducing the effects of packet loss in a video communication system. For example, one embodiment of a computer-implemented method comprises: logically subdividing each of a sequence of images of a video stream into a plurality of tiles, each of the tiles having a defined position within each of the sequence of images; and packing the tiles into a plurality of data packets to maximize the number of tiles which are aligned with boundaries of each of the data packets; and transmitting the data packets containing the tiles over a communication channel from a server to a client.

Abstract: Provided are a transmitting and receiving system for non-realtime based digital realistic broadcasting, and a method thereof. The transmitting system includes a broadcasting TS generator for generating a 2-D TS for a 2-D image and an auxiliary TS for auxiliary information necessary for realistic broadcasting of the 2-D image, and a transmitter for transmitting the generated auxiliary transport stream before a corresponding broadcasting time and transmitting the generated 2-D transport stream according to a corresponding broadcasting schedule.

Abstract: An audio/visual (A/V) transceiver is provided for supplying intent access to a computing device. The A/V receiver comprises a first format module configured to receive and process electronic data in a first format and an Ethernet module configured to transmit electronic data to the computing device in Ethernet format via an Ethernet port. The transceiver further comprises a bridging application executing on a processor, the bridging application configured to convert internet data in the first format into the Ethernet format. A method is also provided for supplying internet access to a computing device over an audio/visual (A/V) receiver. The method comprises receiving an internet signal in a first protocol standard at an A/V receiver, bridging the internet signal in the first protocol standard into a second protocol standard understood by the computing device, and transmitting the internet signal in the second protocol standard to the computing device.

Abstract: A method of transmitting metadata document associated with a video, each metadata document comprising format information and time information, comprising the steps of: identifying, within every metadata document, distinct elements by their format information and storing elements of equivalent format within sets; multiplexing, within each set, elements of common time information; compressing at least one of the said multiplexed elements; and transmitting a bit-stream containing said at least one multiplexed element.

Abstract: A request for a unit of video information is received from a remote video receiver. An initial transmission rate for the unit of video information is determined based at least in part on a decoder model and a typical steady-state transmission rate for the unit of video information. The initial transmission rate is faster than the typical steady-state transmission rate. For a first time period after receiving the request, a first portion of the unit of video information is transmitted to the remote video receiver at the initial transmission rate. The first time period, the initial transmission rate, or both are determined so as not to overflow an input buffer that is based at least in part on the decoder model. For a second time period after the first time period, a second portion of the unit of video information is transmitted to the remote video receiver at the typical steady-state transmission rate.

Abstract: The invention refers to providing a sequence of media segments (21, 22, 23) to a media player (111) to be fetched one after another, wherein the media segments are generated from data packets received at a media receiver (112), the media receiver detecting that a certain media segment (22) cannot be recovered from the received data packets, and generating a replacement media segment (22?) to be fetched by the media player instead of the certain media segment. The information further refers to a corresponding media receiver (112) and a corresponding computer program.

Abstract: Various technologies described herein pertain to performing collaborative rendering. A GPU of a mobile device can generate a mobile-rendered video stream based on a first instance of an application executed on the mobile device. A GPU of a server can generate one or more server-rendered video streams based on instance(s) of the application executed on the server. Based on the one or more server-rendered video streams, the server can generate a compressed server-manipulated video stream. The mobile device can further combine the mobile-rendered video stream and the compressed server-manipulated video stream to form a collaborative video stream, and a display screen of the mobile device can be caused to display the collaborative video stream. The mobile-rendered video stream can have a first level of a quality attribute and the collaborative video stream can have a second level of the quality attribute greater than the first level of the quality attribute.

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: An exemplary system includes a content delivery subsystem configured to receive media content from a content provider and transmit the media content over a network to a content processing subsystem configured to process and provide the media content for presentation to an end user. The content delivery subsystem is further configured to maintain resource data associated with at least one of the media content and the content provider, make at least a subset of the resource data available to the content processing subsystem for inclusion in an end user interface, provide a content customization portal for access by the content provider, authenticate the content provider accessing the content customization portal, receive custom content from the authenticated content provider via the content customization portal, validate the custom content, and provide the custom content to the content processing subsystem for inclusion in the end user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods of inserting overlays into a stream are disclosed. A media server may receive a stream. The media server may selectively add one or more images (e.g., graphics and/or text) to the stream prior to scaling the stream to produce one or more scaled streams. The media server may also selectively add one or more images to the scaled streams. The scaled streams may be encoded for adaptive streaming to a computing device.

Abstract: An intelligent retransmission of data stream segments is disclosed. One embodiment comprises detecting a missing media data segment at a media receiver, assigning a value to the missing media data segment based upon media playback consequences of not utilizing the missing media data segment, comparing the value with a threshold, and requesting retransmission of the missing media data segment from a media server if the value meets a predetermined condition relative to the threshold. In this manner, retransmission is requested when it is determined that retransmission will improve playback performance relative to non-retransmission.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing a live video stream are provided. An ingestion component receives segments of a live video stream in association with a request to process the live video stream. A control component generates an instruction graph for the live video stream based on predetermined criteria. The instruction graph defines a workflow for processing the live video stream, the workflow comprising a set of services for processing the segments. A transcoding component employs a subset of the services to process the segments based at least in part on the instruction graph and a distribution component then streams the segments to a device in response finishing process of the segments. With the live video processing system, segments of a video stream are processed and distributed as they are received. Thus segments of the video stream are processed and distributed prior to processing of the entire video stream.

Abstract: A device, system and method are provided to dynamically manage bandwidth for audiovisual communications and content distribution. The device, system and method may include dynamic qualification of content or channels for distribution in accordance with one or more distribution models, such as a broadcast distribution model and a narrowcast distribution model (e.g., a multicast distribution model and/or a unicast distribution model). In some embodiments, the qualification may be based on demand as reflected in requests for, or access to, content from user terminals. In some embodiments, based on changes in demand for content, a requalification of the content in terms of one or more distribution models may take place.

Abstract: A reception device receives program data transmitted by an outside transmission device, and comprises: an information storage unit storing first information that includes processing capability information for playing back the program data and user preference information relating to a viewing mode for programming; an information reception unit receiving second information that is associated with a program and indicates a condition for determining the viewing mode for programming; a determination unit using the first information stored in the information storage unit and the second information received by the information reception unit to make a determination of the viewing mode for programming associated with the second information; and a decoded output unit decoding and outputting the program data of the program associated with the second information, in the viewing mode determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: An aspect provides a method, including: receiving, at a remote device, selection information from a controller user device, the selection information comprising a source user device, one or more media files of the source user device, and one or more destination user devices; using the selection information at the remote device to determine the source user device and the one or more destination user devices; and issuing an instruction from the remote device to the source user device instructing the source user device to transmit the one or more media files to the one or more destination user devices. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a communications gateway associated with a customer premises, multimedia content from a communications network. The method includes superimposing, via the communications gateway, a heartbeat signal on an alternating current electrical power signal associated with an electrical wiring system of the customer premises. The method includes encoding the multimedia content based on the heartbeat signal to produce encoded multimedia content at the communications gateway. The method also includes wirelessly transmitting the encoded multimedia content from the communications gateway to a device.

Abstract: A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple audio streams for a video over a network such as the Internet. The system comprises a server that includes an encryption unit and a slicing unit, a plurality of boxes, and an ordering box. The server encodes multiple audio streams and a single video to be sliced into segments. The sliced segments of multiple audio streams and the single video are seeded to a number of the plurality of boxes. This may be repeated for other videos with multiple streams. When the ordering box makes a request for a single video with a single audio, then the number of boxes with segments of the requested video and multiple audio streams, filters and sends the requested video and requested single audio stream to the ordering box. Similarly, multiple closed caption streams can be handled and provided like the audio streams.

Abstract: A method, executed by a processor, for selecting content segments to serve to a viewer based on time-delayed television content viewed by the viewer includes receiving by the processor, a notification for a visit by the viewer to the resource; accessing by the processor, a time-delayed content viewing history; and in response to the notification, identifying by the processor, based on the history, one or more content segments to serve at the resource.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: A method of facilitating video search is disclosed. A video on or linked to by a display page is located. A video search index entry associated with the video is generated, at least in part, using an additional information data, retrieved at least in part programmatically from a location other than the display page.

Abstract: A method of delivering personalized content to customers of a subscription television service for display on their televisions, the method comprising: (a) converting Internet-based content from an Internet based format to a format suitable for display on a customer's television through a customer's set top box, and (b) after the conversion, delivering the converted content to a set top box associated with that customer for display on that customer's television. With such a method, the customer's set top box need not be Internet-enabled. Preferably, the customer's subscription television service is a cable television service.