Abstract: The invention concerns a device for inserting additional video content (inlays, secondary programmes) into a main video programme. Said device works in baseband within a single encoding box under the control of a common supervisor. The supervisor is configured to pass metadata associated with the images to the coder, said metadata comprising temporal, spatial and dynamic data relating to the planning of the insertion, and analysis data for the image files, which analysis data have been produced prior to the insertion. The coder receives said metadata and is configured to deduce therefrom optimization strategies for the coding that are implemented by line coding and file coding processes that are capable of being carried out simultaneously or sequentially.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique for extracting private user data. A data sequence in a packetized transport stream is parsed to obtain a user data identifier (UDI) associated with a pre-defined data structure. The UDI is registered with a registration authority and is different from a standard identifier that is defined by a standard organization in a published standard document. The UDI is recognized. The private user data is extracted from the data sequence according to the pre-defined data structure corresponding to the recognized UDI.

Abstract: Fans or other persons can upload content that others can choose to view when they play back a film, television show or other packaged media content item. A server system receives a playback indication from a remote media player via a data network, and in response retrieves an uploaded supplemental content item. The playback indication can not only identify the film, television show or other packaged media content item, but can further identify a playback location in the identified content item, such as a specific scene. The server system can use such information to select and retrieve one of a number of uploaded supplemental content items. The server system transmits the supplemental content item to the media player, which then plays back the supplemental content item in association with the packaged media content item.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for transmitting and a process for receiving update data. According to the invention, the update data are dispatched by a communication center to terminals with the aid of a broadcasting network. Next, the terminals report their update to the center through a bidirectional network. The center renews the campaign or stops the current campaign as a function of the number of terminals updated. When only a minimum number of terminals to be updated remains, the campaign is stopped, the last terminals not updated will be so via the bidirectional link. The invention also relates to the center implementing a dispatch process and the receiver for receiving and processing the update data.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT.

Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.

Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.

Abstract: A communication apparatus comprises a reception unit that receives a reception signal from a metal cable and extracts reception data; a transmission unit that sends a transmission signal obtained by modulating transmission data with a frequency included in a first frequency band to the metal cable; an interference signal detection unit that detects a signal used in communication using a cable modem, modulated by a frequency included in a second frequency band, and transmitted over the metal cable as an interference signal; and a signal transmission control unit that instructs the transmission unit to modulate transmission data using a frequency included in a third frequency band that does not have any frequency band overlapping the second frequency band when the interference signal is detected and a frequency band overlapping both the first frequency band and the second frequency band exists.

Abstract: A source rate associated with a video bit stream (112) and a channel (140) rate associated with an LTE environment can be identified. The video bit stream (112) can be a Scalable Video Codec (SVC) of an H.264/MPEG4 Advanced Video Coding. The channel (140) rate can be associated with one or more segment bandwidth (142) rates. An enhancement path from an enhancement profile (332) associated with the SVC can be determined. The enhancement profile (332) can include one or more cumulative source rates and an associated enhancement options. The enhancement options can be a frame quantity, frame size, and a frame quality (122, 124, 126). The enhancement path can be a subset of nodes of the enhancement graph (400). The channel (140) rate can be matched to a cumulative source rate to a node within the enhancement path. One or more Network Abstraction Layer (NAL) units (144) with the appropriate enhancement values can be conveyed.

Abstract: A device receives key frame information for each of a plurality of key frames of a video content item and sends the key frame information from the device to a recipient while a corresponding segment of the video content item is being rendered by the device. The key frame information may include key frames of the video content item, references to the key frames of the video content item stored by one or more remote sources, or information identifying the key frames of the video content item to enable extraction of the key frames by a recipient device. Each key frame is representative of a segment of the video content item. The key frame information for the video content item is then sent to second users while the first user views the corresponding segment of the video content item. Advertisements may be sent with, or replace, the key frame information.

Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.

Abstract: A method of receiving and processing a broadcast signal including a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service in a broadcast receiver, the method comprises receiving and processing first signaling information including content access information and second signaling information including content detail information, receiving and processing third signaling information including content update information, receiving and storing a content including at least one file through NRT based on the first signaling information and the second signaling information, identifying update availability of the content based on the content update information included in the third signaling information, and receiving at least one file included in the content by accessing a File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) session transmitting the content when the update is available.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for measuring the performance of a remote display. One method includes an operation for embedding in display frames a respective frame identifier and a respective frame picture. The respective frame picture is placed in a respective region that depends of the value of the respective frame identifier. Additionally, the method includes operations for sending the plurality of display frames to a remote client, and for extracting each received frame picture from the respective region of each received display frame at the remote client based on the received frame identifier. The received frame quality is calculated for each received display frame based on the comparison of the extracted received frame picture with the respective frame picture. Further, the method includes an operation for calculating a remote display quality for the remote client based on the calculated received frame quality for the received display frames.

Abstract: A method for providing video content from a server to a plurality of media devices is disclosed, the method comprising: determining, by the server, the bandwidth to allocate to each of the plurality of media devices using a hypertext transfer protocol-based live streaming client model or a need parameter vector and providing the allocated bandwidth to each of the plurality of media devices, wherein the video content is transmitted in a plurality of segments from the server, and wherein each segment is transmitted at a bitrate that may vary from segment to segment.

Abstract: The intended display aspect-ratio for video is determined automatically by analyzing an image to identify image blocks resulting from prior block-based processing of the video; comparing horizontal and vertical dimensions of those image blocks with horizontal and vertical dimensions of the image, with black border regions excluded as necessary; and determining from that comparison a display aspect ratio for the video.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A user recovers and records multiple programs communicated simultaneously using a communications channel, e.g., QAM communications channel. The simultaneous communication may be by communicating, e.g., an MPEG-2 transport stream including data corresponding to multiple programs through a corresponding to QAM communications channel. Thus a user device, e.g., a set top box, is able to receive and record programs corresponding to multiple simultaneously broadcast programs using a single tuner. This allows a device to receive and record or display more programs at any given time, than the number of QAM tuners and/or receivers in the user device. Novel user interface features which facilitate a user's ability to identify and record multiple programs corresponding to a QAM channel are also described. Methods and apparatus for determining program to communication channel mappings based on user program recordation information are also described.

Abstract: A higher network sends a base stream of a data stream to a first network node, and sends an enhancement stream of the data stream to a second network node. The first network node transmits the base stream over a multicast channel and the second network node transmits the enhanced stream in synchronism with the transmitted base stream over a unicast channel. Various options are detailed for how this synchronism is achieved, and the second network node need only transmit the higher bit-rate enhancement stream on user request or if network conditions permit. A user equipment receives the base and enhancement streams, combines them, and displays the combined stream to a user at a graphical display interface. Various apparatus, methods, and computer programs are detailed for various nodes and the user equipment.

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: 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: Provided are a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving media data, which can provide D-layer timing information, which is transmitted from a media transmission service based on an MMT system and required for timely synchronization playout time of the media and media. The apparatus for transmitting the media data comprises a packetizer for generating a delivery layer packet (D-layer packet), which packetizes encapsulation layer data (E-layer data) to include timing information, wherein the timing information comprises sampling time information and transmission process delay information.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods to identify local market media content utilizing a disturbed system and to determine what additional content is relevant in a self-aware, automatic way. A central location stores identification information and related content so in the future it is available if and when another user watches the same content. Therefore, the next time local market media content is played, it can be identified and additional related content can be quickly (e.g. in real time) made available.

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: The invention provides a new solution for multimedia service guides, so as to aid the user equipment to receive multimedia service. The multimedia service management device notifies a service identifier and a service address of the multimedia service to a network server, and notifies the service identifier of the multimedia service to multimedia service guide device. Multimedia service guide device generates multimedia service guides comprising service identifier. After the user equipment obtains the multimedia service guides, it queries the network server for the service address corresponding to the multimedia service according to the service identifier comprised in the multimedia service guides, and obtains the multimedia service according to the service address.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for delivering content are provided. A request for desired content may be received by a content management server from a customer device associated with a customer. The content management server may include one or more computers. Additionally, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is in communication with one or more additional devices associated with the customer. Based at least in part upon the communication determination, the content management server may determine whether the customer device is located within a subscription area for the customer. Based at least in part upon the determination of whether the customer device is located within the subscription area, the content management server may determine access rights to the desired content.

Abstract: A system for providing television (TV) service including high definition television (HDTV) service, and for providing verification that a subscriber has connected an HDTV to the system includes a TV service provider headend and a set top box (STB). The HDTV may have an HDTV digital video interface (DVI) interconnect. The STB may be electrically coupled to the headend and have an STB DVI interconnect. When the HDTV DVI interconnect is initially electrically coupled to the STB DVI interconnect, the HDTV generally presents a data signal to the STB and the STB generally presents the data signal to the headend.

Abstract: [Object] To enable a user to conveniently use broadcast of a data program that the user wishes to view under an environment where data broadcast and Internet-related broadcast coexist. [Solving Means] There is provided an information processing apparatus that acquires a startup document of data broadcast including instruction information that instructs to acquire an application information table related to an application for presenting a data program related to a television program, acquires the application information table based on the instruction information stored in the startup document, acquires the application based on the application information table, and executes the application to present the data program.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are disclosed for managing multimedia traffic across a common wireless communication network. Embodiments may include content devices, end point devices, a network node, and a wireless dongle. The network node and the wireless dongle may have application functions transmitting and receiving application data streams including a video application. The video application may include a conversion engine to compress, expand, or convert video data. Further, both the network node and the wireless dongle may transmit downstream video streams and receive upstream video streams. In addition, the network node may have a master controller function and a node management function, and a dongle management function each managing video traffic streams and application data streams. In addition, the dongle management function controls admission of a video traffic stream originating from the wireless dongle to the wireless communication network.

Abstract: [Object] To stably supply an application processed together with broadcast content. [Solving Means] An information processing apparatus includes a broadcast content processing unit that receives and processes broadcast content, and a controller that acquires, for each request for acquiring an application capable of being processed together with the broadcast content from a server, an application information table in which first information for calculating a random timing is stored, and calculates, based on the first information, a timing at which the request for acquiring the application is transmitted.

Abstract: Systems and method of video quality adaptation include acquiring video data to be streamed. An available bandwidth on a communications network is determined. A determined playback speed is determined based upon a bitrate of the video data to be streamed and the available bandwidth on the communications network. The video data is decoded to produce decoded video data which is encoded at the determined playback speed to produce encoded video data. The encoded video data is streamed across the communications network.

Abstract: A system and method for broadcasting to a plurality of client side devices over a network, such as the Internet, using visual layers for assembly in a media broadcast. In response to receiving input for simulating the media broadcast defined by content objects and arrangement of each layer in the simulation, transmitting the content objects for each of a plurality of the layers in a different live stream to each of the client side devices and transmitting design parameters defining the arrangement of the layers in the simulation to each of the client side devices. Each of the client side devices may be adapted to assemble the layers of a media broadcast according to the content objects and design parameters of the transmissions so that the content objects and design of the media broadcast assembled at each of the client side devices substantially matches that of the simulated media broadcast.

Abstract: A server center for hosting low-latency streaming interactive audio/video (NV) includes a plurality of servers that run one or more applications an inbound routing network that receives packet streams from users via a first network interface and routes the packets to one or more of the servers. The packet streams include user control input. One or more of the servers are operable to compute A/V data responsive to the user control input. A compression unit is coupled to receive the A/V data from the one or more of the servers and output compressed A/V data therefrom. An output routing network that routes the compressed A/V data to each of the users over a corresponding communication channel via a second interface, the compression unit is operable to modify a compression rate responsive to current characteristics of the corresponding communication channel for each user so as to optimize performance of the one or more applications.

Abstract: An IPTV receiver and a method of acquiring a resource for an Internet protocol TV (IPTV) service 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 parsing an Internet protocol TV (IPTV) service record containing a resource locator element representing location of a resource included in the IP packet and read a child element contained in the resource locator element. An IPTV terminal function (ITF) operation controller controls the retrieval of the resource according to information included in the child element.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are described for providing media content to a plurality of set-top boxes (“STBs”) over a licensed spectrum and over an unlicensed spectrum. In an aspect, each of the plurality of STBs might comprise a first transceiver configured to receive media content or data over a licensed spectrum and a second transceiver configured to receive and send media content or data over an unlicensed spectrum. The first STB of the plurality of STBs might receive a first portion of the media content at the first transceiver and receive a second portion of the media content at the second transceiver from a second STB of the plurality of STBs. The plurality of STBs might query each other to determine available frequencies and/or bandwidth, and might store results of the query in a table in local memory or in a database accessible by all of the plurality of STBs.

Abstract: A system and method of managing delivery of content is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first request for delayed broadcast of a content item at a first time. The first request is from a first user having access to broadcast content. The method further includes receiving a second request for delayed broadcast of the content item at a second time. The second request is from a second user having access to broadcast content. The method further includes scheduling the content item for broadcast to a plurality of users at a third time. The third time is after the first time and after the second time. The plurality of users includes the first and second user.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing over-the-top delivery of content through a plurality of content delivery networks (CDN). The method provided works transparently with standard HTTP servers supporting an initial request for content from a client to a first preferred CDN. If the first CDN does not have the content, the method includes provisions for the first CDN to acquire the content from a second CDN, or for the client to request the content from a second CDN directly. A system is also specified for implementing a client and server infrastructure in accordance with the provisions of the method.

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: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, wirelessly receiving adjustment information from a mobile communication device, wirelessly receiving a request for video content from the mobile communication device, generating multiple versions of the video content, wirelessly transmitting a second version to the mobile communication device for presentation on the display device according to the adjustment of the access plan, and transmitting a first version to the mobile communication device for presentation on the display device and ceasing transmitting the second version responsive to a determination of an undesired condition associated with the presentation of the second version on the display device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Network interface devices and methods are provided. A particular network interface device includes a first network interface adapted to terminate one or more communication lines and a second network interface to terminate at least one coaxial line. The network interface device also includes at least one interface connector adapted to receive a removable plug-in module. The removable plug-in module includes a video unit that is operable to receive video data from a network device via at least one of the one or more communication lines and to process the video data for communication via the at least one coaxial line or a twisted wire pair when the plug-in module is connected to the at least one interface connector. The removable plug-in module also includes a power coupling device to receive power via at least one of the one or more communication lines.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and method for adjusting bitrate among multiple media streams delivered on a common subscriber connection. One such method comprises receiving information describing a maximum bitrate provisioned on the subscriber connection, and receiving a plurality of media streams. Each media stream utilizes a corresponding bitrate, and the plurality of media streams has a combined bitrate. The method also comprises adjusting the bitrate of at least a portion of the plurality of media streams so that the combined bitrate is related to the maximum bitrate provisioned on the subscriber connection.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for delivering three-dimensional (3-D) content. The device includes a receiving unit configured to receive a first signal containing at least two-dimensional (2-D) content, a processing unit configured to (i) determine an amount of a difference in the content in the first signal to be visualized by a left visual sensor and a right visual sensor, (ii) determine whether the amount of the difference is less than or equal to a predetermined minimum value, and to discard the signal to be visualized by one of the right and left visual sensors when the amount is determined to be less than or equal to the predetermined minimum value, and (iii) generate a second signal containing the 2-D content of the first signal and 3-D content in which the first signal to be visualized by the one of the right and left visual sensors is discarded.

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 method for receiving media according to one embodiment comprises the following steps: selecting a receiving channel; receiving a media transport stream transmitted through the receiving channel; generating a media storage stream based on the received media transport stream; and recording the media storage stream. The media transport stream comprises at least one sync bite which represents data removed from the media transport stream.

Abstract: A method includes storing, at a first network device configured to communicate with at least one set top box (STB) and at least one digital video recorder (DVR), information identifying parameters associated with bandwidth in a home network. The method may also include receiving, at a first network device in the home network, a request having a corresponding first bandwidth and identifying a class of traffic associated with the request. The method may further include determining whether the first bandwidth is less than an available bandwidth associated with the identified class of traffic, approving the request when the first bandwidth is less than the available bandwidth, and modifying the available bandwidth associated with the identified class of traffic in response to approving the request.

Abstract: A video playback system, transmission apparatus, and content playback apparatus are provided that are capable of performing accurate resource prediction when playing back content via a network. A transmission apparatus generates consumption resource information in which a playback time and band information of content corresponding to the playback time are paired from management information of content to be played back, and transmits this consumption resource information to a content playback apparatus. Utilizing consumption resource information transmitted from the transmission apparatus, the content playback apparatus predicts a resource that will be consumed by the content playback apparatus, using a table held in the content playback apparatus, according to the playback time and playback mode.

Abstract: A video server controller has an instruction receiver, a command forming unit, and a command issuing unit. The instruction receiver receives the first instruction for recording the material data name of the program material data and the time code indicating the site of interruption of broadcasting of the program material data, and a second instruction for restarting broadcasting of the program material data from the interruption site. The command forming unit, upon receiving the first instruction, stores the material data name and the time code, and upon receiving the CUE UP WITH DATA command as the second instruction, which is standard to the VDCP protocol, the stored material data name and time code are read out. The command issuing unit issues the CUE UP WITH DATA command, the material data name, and the time code to the video server.

Abstract: A video transmission method includes receiving a selected area from an input device. The selected area includes a first portion of a video image received from a video device. The video image includes a second portion, at least some of which is not included in the selected area. The first portion of the video image is transmitted at a first resolution over a network for display. The second portion of the video image is transmitted at a second resolution over the network for display. The second resolution is lower than the first resolution, which allows the system and method to utilize available transmission bandwidth to transmit the video image with the first portion, which may be a portion of interest in the video image, at a higher quality than the second portion, which may be a portion in the video image of less interest than the first portion.

Abstract: In a cable television system in accordance with the invention, program materials are made available to subscribers in a neighborhood on an as needed basis. Specifically, when a subscriber at a set-top terminal selects a program channel to watch, the selection request is transmitted to a headend of the system. In response to such a request, a controller in the headend determines whether the material of the selected program channel has been made available to the neighborhood. If it has been made available, the controller identifies to the set-top terminal the carrier which is carrying the requested program material, and to which the set-top terminal tunes to obtain the requested program material. Otherwise, the controller assigns an unused carrier to carry the requested program material, and informs the set-top terminal of the identity of the newly assigned carrier. The controller also retires those carriers assigned for the program channels which are no longer watched by the subscribers in the neighborhood.