Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for correlating a cost of receiving media to a user's exposure to advertising. A media display system including a media recorder detects and reports that a media display system user has skipped over an advertising program without watching or listening to the advertising program. A fee is calculated and charged to the user in lieu of the user's watching or listening to the advertising program. Alternatively, a user may subscribe to a service that allows the user to skip over some or all advertising programs displayed on the media display system.

Abstract: A communication system 100 includes a content repository storing a plurality of content files, a content delivery network 280 communicating with a content repository 274, a content management system 221 determining a plurality of publication times respectively corresponding to each of the plurality of content files and a content distribution system 260 communicating with the content management system and content delivery network. The content distribution system determines an earliest publication time and transfers the plurality of content files to the content delivery network in order of publication in response to determining the earliest publication time.

Abstract: A communication system 100 is used to manage content includes a user device with a storage device 306 and a content processing system 102 in communication with the storage device and communicating content to the storage device, generating a conditional access packet, communicating the conditional access packet to a storage device. The user device 112 receives the content and the conditional access packet and controls the storage device to manage the content in response to the conditional access packet.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiving apparatus includes an operating unit with a channel up/down key, an EEPROM for storing a channel map in which a virtual channel and a physical channel are associated with each other, and a control unit for obtaining virtual channel information that is multiplexed with the physical channel that is currently received. When a tuning operation of the operating unit is performed, a comparing unit of the control unit compares the virtual channel information of the received physical channel with the channel map. If there is an unregistered virtual channel in the channel map, a registration control unit of the control unit registers the virtual channel in the channel map.

Abstract: A method for preparing a first multimedia stream, for use with an environment comprising a repository for storing a plurality of tracks. Each track may be associated with at least one second multimedia stream. A track may comprise a single type of data (e.g., audio, video, etc.). The method may comprise receiving a request comprising an associated parameter (e.g.,a position parameter)and determining at least two of the plurality of tracks associated with the parameter. The at least two tracks may have associated information that matches the position parameter. Responsive to the determining the at least two tracks, the determined at least two tracks may be collated in order to generate the first multimedia stream.

Abstract: An exemplary system includes a content processing subsystem configured to record at least a subset of a media content program, the media content program including at least one commercial segment. The content processing subsystem is further configured to provide a commercial free status indicator to an output device for presentation to a user when a sufficient sub-portion of the media content program has been recorded to enable commercial free playback of the media content program.

Abstract: Program data for use in electronic program guides is fragmented in advance of delivery to a low resource client. In the described implementation, the program data is fragmented into equal size fragments. The size of each fragment is selected to guarantee that the data fragments will fit in pre-allocated memory segments at the client. When the program data is delivered to the client, the client stores the data packets in the memory segments without making system calls to the memory.

Abstract: A broadcasting device and a receiver excellent in responsiveness are obtainable through transmitting program information, organized by condition and including a program satisfying a search condition, from a broadcasting station.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for providing a personalized data broadcasting service, a user terminal and method for using a personalized data broadcasting service, and a data broadcasting application structure therefor, to provide a desired broadcasting service to a viewer anytime and anywhere by using diverse terminals. The user terminal includes: a data broadcasting middleware for receiving unidirectional data broadcasting contents transmitted through a broadcasting network; a personalized broadcasting middleware for receiving bidirectional data broadcasting contents transmitted through a communication network; and a contents storing means for storing the unidirectional data broadcasting contents and the bidirectional data broadcasting contents, wherein the data broadcasting middleware executes the unidirectional data broadcasting contents and bidirectional data broadcasting contents.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus includes a receiver that receives a signal for playing back a program, a storage device that stores the signal received by the receiver, and a controller that, during a period in which a first program is selected, starts control for starting reception of a signal for playing back a second program different from the first program, and, when a predetermined portion of signals for playing back the second program is stored in the storage device during the period in which the first program is selected, stops reception of another portion of the signals for playing back the second program.

Abstract: A recording system includes: a receiving apparatus that receives a content; and a recording apparatus that records the content received by the receiving apparatus. The receiving apparatus includes reception means for receiving the content, acceptance means for accepting a user's operation instructing to record the received content, generation means for generating a control signal for controlling a recording operation of the recording apparatus according to the accepted operation, and supply means for supplying the received content and the generated control signal to the recording apparatus, and the recording apparatus includes acquisition means for acquiring the content and the control signal supplied from the receiving apparatus, recording means for recording the acquired content, and control means for controlling the recording means according to the acquired control signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved methods and systems for transmission of images overlaid on video, particularly images requiring high levels of responsivity (e.g. mouse pointers) relative to the underlying video, from a computing device to a television. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of transmitting at least one video frame with an overlaid image, comprising the steps of capturing at least one frame of video data separate from the overlaid image at a first rate, capturing the overlaid image separate from the frame of video data at a second rate, packetizing the captured frame of video data, packetizing the overlaid image, wherein the frame video data are in data packets separate from the overlaid image data packets, and transmitting separate video data packets and overlaid image data packets.

Abstract: A decoder for use in an interactive television system in which items of enhanced content can be presented to users, the decoder: including a receiver for receiving enhanced content data, a signal including timing indications and a video stream; a memory for storing enhanced content data received by the receiver and a timing schedule indicating timings associated with the enhanced content data; a timer; playout means for presenting the video data to a user, and being responsive to the timer for presenting the enhanced content data stored in the memory to a user in accordance with the state of the timer and the timing schedule; and synchronising means for synchronising the timer in accordance with the received timing indications.

Abstract: A system for providing interactive services in a subscription television system includes a system controller for controlling the interactive services, a video signal source for transmitting a video signal and a subscriber terminal for receiving a downstream transaction from the system controller and the video signal. The system controller comprises a memory for storing subscriber terminal address data and transaction data, a processor for generating a downstream transaction including subscriber terminal address data and transaction data, a transmitter for transmitting the downstream transaction, and a receiver for receiving an upstream transaction. The subscriber terminal includes memory for storing the downstream transaction, an on screen display generator for overlaying data in place of or superimposed on the video signal, data input circuitry for generating upstream data, and an upstream transmitter for transmitting the upstream data to the system controller.

Abstract: A set top terminal includes a processor and a runtime execution engine adapted to run on the processor. The runtime execution engine has at least one interface to expose one or more functions of the runtime execution engine. The set top terminal also includes a software application adapted to run on the runtime execution engine. An application interface shim is also provided to chain calls between the software application and the runtime execution engine and to redirect select functions calls over a communications network to a remote device. The select function calls enable at least one feature not otherwise available to the software application.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method of providing modified media content is disclosed and includes receiving media content that includes audio data and video data having a first number of video frames. The method also includes generating abstracted media content that includes portions of the video data and audio elements of the audio data, where the abstracted media content includes less than all of the video data and includes fewer video frames than the first number of video frames.

Abstract: A method for reestablishing presentation of a paused media program is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Set-Top Box (STB) located in a building can have a controller element that presents a media program to a media device operable only in the building, pauses presentation of the media program responsive to a pause request, generates a departure mark that identifies a presentation point in the media program associated with the pause request, receives a request to resume presentation of the media program from the departure mark at a portable communication device capable of maintaining communications with the STB outside the building, and transmits to the portable communication device a presentation of the media program from the departure mark. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user.

Abstract: A method of processing channel information of a transmitter/receiver, and a receiver are disclosed. The method of processing channel information in the receiver receives at least two of provider identification information, region identification information, content source identification information, content genre identification information, content data characteristic identification information, channel level identification information and content existing channel number identification information, forms multi-part channel information using the received identification information according to a preset channel information format, and connects to a content service server providing content service corresponding to the multi-part channel information.

Abstract: A system for monitoring order fulfillment of telecommunication services is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a monitoring system having a controller element that submits a correlation ID to a service orchestration system (SOS) that manages one or more order fulfillment systems (OFSs) that collectively fulfill a select one of a plurality of telecommunication service orders according to a plurality of intermediate fulfillment steps, receives from the SOS information associated with the plurality of intermediate fulfillment steps tagged with the correlation ID, records said information according to the correlation ID, and collects correlated fulfillment activity for the plurality of telecommunication service orders from a plurality of iterations of the foregoing steps. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: When a digitized broadcast is recorded in a storage medium, a required capacity of the storage medium is firstly calculated on the basis of a bit-rate of digitized broadcast data and a recording time which is known in advance. If the remaining capacity of the storage medium is smaller than the required capacity of the storage medium, for example, a frame rate decimation and pixel reduction are performed upon a broadcast to be newly stored, a re-encoding processing is performed for the broadcast and then the resultant broadcast is stored in the storage medium. If the remaining storage capacity of the storage medium is larger than the required capacity of the storage medium and thus remains, a frame interpolation and pixel interpolation are performed for the broadcast to be stored and then a re-encoding processing is performed for the resultant broadcast in order to improve its image quality. As a result, recording of the broadcast data in the storage medium can be ensured.

Abstract: Pre-recorded video library (PVL) is much more difficult to realize than other pre-recorded multimedia library (PML). Among the existing, mature mobile mass storages, portable HDD (with 1?<disk diameter<3.5?) is the only one that can store a PVL. Accordingly, the present invention discloses a portable video hard-disk drive (pVHDD). It should be removable from the mobile video device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and devices for controlling at least one entertainment device and further relates to at least one remote in two-way communication with a base device.

Abstract: A method and a system for acquiring information on the basis of a media content (106) is disclosed. The method includes detecting (304) one or more particular image patterns or audio patterns in the media content to correspond to one or more of a plurality of pre-defined image and audio patterns. Further, the method further includes associating (306) a detected image pattern or the audio pattern to a predetermined list of response profiles. Furthermore, the method includes executing (308) one or more associated response profiles.

Abstract: An information recording apparatus includes a recording medium receiver to receive a recording medium whereon information may be recorded by the apparatus and a non-volatile memory to store management information about the recording medium provided in the recording medium receiver. The management information provides information about whether or not data can be recorded on the recording medium.

Abstract: A system is provided for the storage of content on a network and the delivery of content to subscriber locations. The system includes routers and subscriber set-top boxes in communication with each other and a main content source. Content is delivered over a packet-switching network according to a peer to peer file distribution protocol and is stored in a storage area of the subscriber set-top box, such that each subscriber set-top box is configured to transmit and receive content to and from the main content source and other set-top boxes connected to the network. The set-top boxes may identify a preferred source of content based on various factors, such as geographic distance, Internet Protocol (IP) distance, available bandwidth, integrity of the content, etc. An associated method for accessing content and a set-top box for facilitating the storage and delivery of content are also provided.

Abstract: An entertainment head-end provides broadcast programming, video-on-demand services, and HTML-based interactive programming through a distribution network to client terminals in subscribers' homes. A number of different features are provided, including novel user interfaces, enhanced video-on-demand controls, a variety of interactive services (personalized news, jukebox, games, celebrity chat), and techniques that combine to provide user experiences evocative of conventional television.

Abstract: The buffer of a programmable video recorder includes a backing store having a plurality of discrete temporary files that are configured to store non-byte streamed data, such as ASF data. The data stream includes a number of data samples that are each assigned a time stamp upon receipt. Each data sample is then assigned and written to a temporary file based on a corresponding duration assigned to each of the temporary files. The backing store operates like a moving window as the oldest temporary files are replaced with the newest temporary files.

Abstract: A method of controlling a temporary recording based on a variable temporary record interval, and a broadcast receiving device adopting the same, are provided. The broadcast receiving device includes a broadcast receiving unit which receives a broadcast program; a storage unit which temporarily records the broadcast program being received through the broadcast receiving unit; and a control unit which variably determines a temporary record interval with reference to additional information of the broadcast program currently received through the broadcast receiving unit, and controls the storage unit so that a temporary recording is performed during the determined temporary record interval. Accordingly, even if the currently viewed broadcast program has a long running time, the user can view again the previously viewed part of the broadcast program.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a method for parsing RASP events in a number of packets in a PVR-enabled set-top system using a software RASP parser. The method includes retrieving a first SCID from a first packet, determining if the first SCID is on a SCIDList, and determining if the first packet is scrambled if the first SCID is on the SCIDList. The method further includes retrieving a second SCID from a second packet if the first SCID is not on the SCIDList. The method further includes determining if the first packet is an auxiliary packet if the first packet is not scrambled. The method further includes checking for a bundle boundary RASP event if the first packet is scrambled. The method further includes parsing the first packet for a scrambled RASP event if the first packet is scrambled.

Abstract: A broadcasting signal receiving apparatus including a broadcasting signal tuning unit which receives a broadcasting signal; an input unit which receives a channel changing command; a memory which saves information regarding a representative channel corresponding to a major channel; and a controller which searches selectable channels corresponding to the major channel if the major channel is selected through the channel changing command received by the input unit, determines whether the representative channel is included in the searched selectable channels and controls the broadcasting signal tuning unit to change a current channel to the determined representative channel.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide for supporting programming blackouts is provided. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may unschedule the reminding and recording of blacked-out programs that have been scheduled by a user for reminding or recording. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may prevent a user from scheduling blacked-out programs for reminding and recording. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may prevent a user from ordering blacked-out pay-per-view programs. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may provide blackout information in information displays. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may provide replacement media for blacked-out programs.

Abstract: A method of concurrently storing an input history of a user as interactive service control information in addition to an AV stream and data content which are digital broadcast signals and an apparatus therefor are provided. Accordingly, the user can determine when and how the user acted during an interactive digital broadcast service while reproducing a recorded broadcast program by receiving digital broadcast signals including an AV stream and data content through an external interactive communication channel, receiving interactive service control information that is input by a user on the basis of the data content and storing the AV stream, the data content, and the interactive service control information.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods for reducing channel switching time in a network environment. The user of a mobile terminal may receive a data stream containing numerous television programs or services. Each of the programs or services may have a Packet Identification (PID) and/or IP address. The invention reduces channel switching time by predicting channel changing behavior. Various procedures are presented in which data is received and cached. The cached data may then be used to reduce the channel switching time during synchronizing and decoding of the new channel.

Abstract: A memory accessing apparatus and a method thereof are provided, which are suitable for methods and apparatuses that access memory data in blocks, such as a video decoder. An advanced memory mapping method is adopted to generate the column address and row address of a data word in a memory based on the logic address of the data word in a video frame. Macroblocks are organized into clusters, macroblocks of the same cluster are stored in the same row of the memory, and the orders in which the video decoder reads and writes macroblocks are rearranged so as to reduce the number of row changes in memory access and improve the throughput of memory access. Furthermore, memory accesses between the video decoder and the display controller can be coordinated.

Abstract: When a digitized broadcast is recorded in a storage medium, a required capacity of the storage medium is firstly calculated on the basis of a bit-rate of digitized broadcast data and a recording time which is known in advance. If the remaining capacity of the storage medium is smaller than the required capacity of the storage medium, for example, a frame rate decimation and pixel reduction are performed upon a broadcast to be newly stored, a re-encoding processing is performed for the broadcast and then the resultant broadcast is stored in the storage medium. If the remaining storage capacity of the storage medium is larger than the required capacity of the storage medium and thus remains, a frame interpolation and pixel interpolation are performed for the broadcast to be stored and then a re-encoding processing is performed for the resultant broadcast in order to improve its image quality. As a result, recording of the broadcast data in the storage medium can be ensured.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring broadcast programs from the beginning of the programs is provided. The system includes a tuner configured to receive and decode broadcast signals and provide programming as an output. The system also includes a buffer coupled to the tuner that stores programming from the tuner and provides buffered programming as an output delayed in time from the programming provided by the tuner. The system further includes processing circuitry coupled to the tuner and buffer that determines if the tuner is selected as a source for programming, and if a program is in progress when the tuner is selected. The processing circuitry provides the tuner programming as an output of the system if a program is not in progress when the tuner is selected, and provides the buffered programming as an output of the system if a program is in progress when the tuner is selected.

Abstract: A system for processing video information, the system including a memory configured to store video information, a memory controller coupled to the memory and configured to receive memory requests for the video information, a first video signal processing client coupled to the memory controller. The first video signal processing client including a video signal processor, a buffer coupled to the video signal processor, and a memory request module coupled to the memory controller and to the buffer, the memory request module being configured to submit amortized memory requests to the memory controller.

Abstract: A search menu includes a search input field and input characters rendered on a multi-dimensional displacement surface that rotates in response to a user input. A highlight region intersects the multi-dimensional displacement surface and highlights input characters while the input characters intersect the highlight region according to the rotation of the multi-dimensional displacement surface.

Abstract: Media is exchanged by the interaction between devices of an environment. A first device of a first user discovers existing devices within a proximity-based communication range of the first device that have media capable of being shared. As the first user encounters different people and places that have other devices, those other devices are discovered by the first device of the user. A list of available media is provided from the discovered devices to the first device where it is then displayed. The first user may then select a media item from the list to obtain it via sharing or purchase, have it bookmarked for future retrieval from the current source, or request playback of the media item such as by streaming or broadcast. The first device may provide information about capabilities and/or user profile information to the other devices to filter which media items are presented to the first device.

Abstract: A personal video recorder (PVR) system includes a processing unit, a system memory coupled to the processing unit by a system memory bus, and an insertion module being coupled to the processing unit for inserting a packet into a PVR bit stream according to packet information. During a packet insertion operation, the processing unit is for reading data from the system memory, processing the data to generate the packet insertion information, and directly transferring the packet insertion information to the insertion module. By directly transferring the packet insertion information generated by the processing unit to the insertion module, memory bandwidth requirements of the system memory are reduced, and data access of the system memory is improved.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rearranging valid data within a block of data for transmission along a data path are described herein. By utilizing previously unused bits in data words, the valid data can be transmitted in fewer clock cycles, thereby increasing the availability of the data bus to other masters. An exemplary embodiment of a system for transmitting data along a data bus includes one or more masters, one or more slaves, and a data bus interconnecting the masters and slaves. One of the slaves is a memory controller configured to access data from an external memory device. The memory controller may be further configured to pack video data for transmission along the data bus. One of the masters is a video display controller configured to feed video data to an external video display. The video display controller may be further configured to receive the packed video data and unpack the packed video data for transmission to the video display.

Abstract: Synchronizing signals in a communication system may include determining the amount of data stored in a buffer, comparing the amount of data to a plurality of threshold levels and adjusting a speed of a clock used for decoding the data based on the comparing. The signals to be synchronized may correspond to a decoder clock in a set top box and to an encoder clock in a head end. The data in the buffer may correspond to packets of data corresponding to compressed audio and video information. The process may also include decoding information based on the clock and slew limited limiting the clock may. The process may further include setting at least one threshold to a calibration threshold during a calibration mode and a post-calibration threshold during a post-calibration.

Abstract: A streaming content management apparatus and method for recording and replaying video and audio data using a real time video indexing function are provided. A streaming content management apparatus of a multimedia broadcast receiver includes a recording unit for recording an incoming content stream in units of segment together with indexes and a player for replaying the content stream recorded by the recording unit in response to an index that is input to request playback from a segment corresponding to the input index. The streaming content management apparatus divides the streaming content incoming through a broadcast channel in units of segment and stores segments of the streaming content with storage index and chapter information such that it is possible to quickly retrieve a playback position using the storage index or chapter information.

Abstract: Aggregating media content catalog data from a plurality of content providers. The catalog data is merged according to rules and provided to a user on a scheduled basis or on demand. In an embodiment, the merged catalog data represents an incremental update to previously deliverred catalog data.

Abstract: In a method for playing content on a multi-channel media device, the device receives content, which comprises one of cached and streamed content, and plays the content on a first channel of the multi-channel media device. The multi-channel media device detects a first user-interaction and plays content on a second channel in response to the detected first user-interaction, while simultaneously playing the content on the first channel.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver and data broadcast content processing method for the same are disclosed. The method includes receiving and displaying contents of a broadcast web site (BWS); selecting a displayed content for storage; storing the content selected for storage in a state existing at the time of selection; selecting a stored content for reproduction; and reproducing the content selected for reproduction. As a result, the user can store desired broadcast content in a memory unit during viewing of BWS contents, and reproduce desired content stored in the memory unit on a screen when necessary.

Abstract: A method of producing an audio/video format recording in a venue includes correlating multiple unique viewing position in the venue to viewers. An event is then recorded the venue that viewers are attending. Multiple custom versions of recordings or productions are created corresponding to the viewers. Such custom versions are then made available to corresponding viewers.

Abstract: A method and system are provided in which one DVR device is able to coordinate scheduling of selected TV shows with other DVRs in an interconnected or network environment which includes additional remote recording resources. If one DVR is unable to perform the recording of a selected TV show, other interconnected DVR devices are accessed to record one or more portions of the selected TV program. When a user desires a playback of the recording, the recorded program is played-back from the various networked multiple storage resources, each of which may contain one or more portions of the recorded program.