Abstract: A resident application and a second application are provided in a set-top terminal to receive a TV broadcast service and network personal video recorder (NPVR) service, respectively. The resident application is suspended in favor of the second application when a user changes from a broadcast channel to an NPVR enabled channel, and vice versa. In an embodiment where a digital video recorder (DVR) set-top terminal is used, a DVR server therein provides trick mode functions (pause, rewind and fast-forward) before an NPVR session, e.g., a Look Back session, is established. In another embodiment, during an NPVR session the DVR server plays back recorded programming content downloaded from a communications network, and provides trick mode functions as well.

Abstract: A system for delivering contents includes a center system which delivers the contents, a plurality of terminal systems which receive the contents from the center system and displays the contents, and communication lines connecting the center system to the plurality of terminal systems. The center system includes a delivery-schedule setting unit which sets a schedule of delivery, and a contents-delivery unit which delivers the contents to the terminal systems according to the schedule of delivery during a time period when a load on the terminal systems is lower than a predetermined level.

Abstract: A media reading apparatus is described. In one embodiment, a media reading apparatus is comprised of a reading component adapted to read data from a media storage device. The reading can be at a selectable accelerated playback speed. The media reading apparatus also includes a digital encoder, coupled with the reading component and a data pump, adapted to digitally encode data read by the reading component. The encoding is performed at a corresponding selectable accelerated speed. The data pump is for synchronizing encoded media with and for transferring encoded media to a data storage device of a digital terminal device and for receiving encoded data from the data storage device and transferring the encoded data back to the digital encoder. The media reading apparatus also includes a high speed communication channel, coupled to said data pump and the digital terminal device, which enables high speed transference of the encoded data to and from the data storage device of the digital terminal device.

Abstract: A variety of meta data based enhancements to media content viewing are described, including making meta data corresponding to media content available for user searching and using meta data to identify highlight portions of the media content so that only the highlight portions need to be stored. Additionally, comments made to media content can be shared with other viewers of the content, even when viewing the content at different times and even when viewing different versions of the content. Furthermore, a synchronization point can be established for the media content and used by the client systems as a common reference location. In addition, advertisements for media content can be rendered based on how much time has been spent rendering the media content, as well as the amount of a fee paid by the user of the client system.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first bus to transfer various data. A first processor is provided to manage, as a file, data recorded in the storage device. A receiver is provided to receive externally supplied streaming data. A second bus is provided to transfer the streaming data received by the receiver. A third bus is electrically connected to the storage device. A second processor is electrically connected to the first bus, the second bus, and the third bus. Streaming data from the receiver via the second bus is stored in the storage device via the third bus. File management information from the first processor via the first bus is also stored in the storage device, in response to an access request from the first processor via the first bus.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing television services and/or presentations to a plurality of televisions located at a customer premises. One such method, among others, includes: receiving by a set-top terminal (STT) located at a customer premises, via a transmission link that is coupled to the STT, a television service that was transmitted from a remote location, and transmitting the television service by the STT, via the transmission link, to a television that is located at the customer premises.

Abstract: In order to maintain continuity before and after interruption of a streaming broadcast, a receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes: a reception unit which receives data on a stream broadcast; a memory which is capable of storing a predetermined amount of the received data on a stream broadcast; a data processing unit which processes the data on a stream broadcast to generate video data for the stream broadcast; a video output unit which outputs the video data to a display apparatus; and a detection unit which detects interruption point data indicating a position where the stream broadcast should be interrupted out of the received data on a stream broadcast; when an abnormality is detected, the output of the video data is stopped at a position instructed in the interruption point data detected by the detection unit.

Abstract: A speech recognition remote control unit (SR RCU) having the ability to leverage the advanced processing and memory capabilities of a settop box in order to provide enhanced SR capability and enhanced user control of components in an audio-video system. Programming of commands takes place in either the SR RCU or in the settop box, or both. Commands programmed into the settop box may be initiated by speech communications received by the SR RCU that are then sent to the settop box via wireless transfer. The initiated commands may further be sent to a device either directly from the settop box, or via relay from the settop box to the SR RCU, and then to the device. The SR RCU may be capable of receiving both speech communications and wireless information.

Abstract: A system for packet parsing and data reconstruction in an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network includes a network interface unit, a processing unit, and a memory wherein an operating system resides. The operating system includes a streaming services module and a multimedia Application Program Interface (API) module. The network interface unit receives a stream of packets from a transmission device. Each packet includes a header portion, and may also include a data portion. The data portion, if present, stores data content generated from source data organized in accordance with a predetermined format. The streaming services module stores and then parses the received packets. A method for packet parsing and data reconstruction includes the steps of receiving a packet stream; storing a first and a second packet; locating a header portion within the first packet; and determining whether a header portion within the second packet immediately follows the header portion within the first packet.

Abstract: To precisely adjust a playback reference time counter in a host device by transmitting a time adjustment signal included in a broadcast signal from a broadcast reception apparatus to the host device so that transmission delay inequalities do not occur in a broadcast receive/play system constituted by the host device, which is a portable information terminal or the like that functions to playback stream data based on the MPEG-2 system standard or the like, and the broadcast reception apparatus, which has a card configuration or the like, is mountable in a card slot or the like of the host device, and operates when mounted in and having power supplied from the host device, the broadcast reception apparatus conducts transmission/reception of reception control commands, response data and so forth with the host device via a connection terminal in a first group in sync with a clock signal from the host device, and also, in sync with a clock signal generated within the broadcast reception apparatus, extracts stream

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a variable compression factor to an incoming video stream in an STB. An increased amount of video may be stored within a PVR or disk on a STB by reducing the data storage requirements of incoming video based on available storage space and the type and size of the incoming video bit stream. Included are real time compression, or reduction in storage space requirements, by various data reduction methodologies including removing bits from the incoming video stream to reduce the amount of storage required to store the video stream. A background data reduction or compression technique is also provided wherein the incoming video stream is stored and data is reduced or further compressed at a later time to reduce data storage requirements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for managing recordings of data originating from a broadcasting network. The process analyses whether recording resources are available at the moment envisaged for executing the task envisaged, and as appropriate, for reporting the execution of this task during a next re-broadcasting of the data. An improvement consists in instigating a search for the equivalent resources, then instigating a negotiation with the current users of the resources when no equivalent resource is available. The invention also relates to a device and a centre for the implementation of the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a virtual video on demand services is disclosed. The method and apparatus disclose the storing of a segment of the video program in advance for VOD viewing at a later time. When the subscriber selects VOD service, a pre-stored video segment is retrieved for presentation to the subscriber. Remaining video program segments simultaneously broadcast on a plurality of channels are recorded in parallel while the pre-stored video program segment is retrieved and presented to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to download a main program from a memory card in a digital receiver. The digital receiver includes a central processing unit, a memory, a memory card interface, and a key input unit. The method executes a boot program to initialize the digital receiver, detects a memory card insert signal triggering a search of a file having an predetermined file extension in the memory card through the memory card interface, reads and stores the file in an auxiliary memory, reads a header of the file read having the predetermined extension, determines whether the file read is the main program, downloads the main program to the memory, and determines whether the main program is downloaded by checking information of the file recorded in the header and a capacity of the main program recorded in the memory.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting and inserting advertisements into a video programming feed at the household level. An advertisement insertion device in a home entertainment system receives a plurality of advertisements from an advertisement source. The advertisement insertion device selects one of the advertisements for display to a viewer according to advertisement selection criteria combined with viewer and system information. The video programming is displayed to a viewer while the advertisement insertion device monitors the programming feed for a triggering event indicating an appropriate time to display the selected advertisement. At the appropriate time, the video programming feed is interrupted and the selected advertisement is displayed. Selecting advertisements at the household level allows advertisers to target viewers with a high degree of specificity.

Abstract: A system for streaming data includes a channel for communicating requests between a client and server and another channel for transmitting streaming video. The client creates a media file for archiving received video data. A global list maintained by the client identifies all available data in the media file. A monitoring thread tracks the global list to identify unavailable data needed for playback, identify approaching data discontinuities, merge global list entries for contiguous chunks of available data and identify remaining unavailable data. The client requests unavailable data from the server until the media file is full. A client-side player with a graphical user interface facilitates pause, stop, play, fast forward, jump (scroll), and rewind operations. The system may play video data as streamed and store the streamed video data for playback in a download and store mode.

Abstract: An asset provider can identify a segment of a broadcast stream to be extracted at a distribution endpoint and formatted for on-demand viewing by cable subscribers. An asset provider can use a start time code and a stop time code to identify the start and end of the segment in the broadcast stream. The asset provider can also insert tags into the broadcast stream identifying a segment to be extracted at the distribution endpoint. Upon receiving the broadcast stream, the distribution endpoint can then extract the segment identified by either the start and stop time codes or the tags.

Abstract: A media playout system for playing out media to receiver units, the system comprising: a broadcast data channel; a playout arrangement for broadcasting over the broadcast data channel enhanced content data associated with video data; a distribution unit for receiving the broadcast data and distributing it to the receiver units, and comprising a buffer for storing enhanced content data, and a transmission controller responsive to signalling from the playout arrangement to retrieve enhanced content data from the buffer and make it available to the receiver units.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving apparatus that receives a TS and stores into an HDD a partial TS which contains a broadcast program selected by a TS decoder. A CPU creates broadcast program attachment information from PMT or the like in which control information of the selected broadcast program is written, and stores the broadcast program attachment information into a flash ROM. The broadcast program attachment information contains copy control information, bit rate information, and PIDs of CAT and EMM. When outputting the partial TS to an external VCR for copying, the digital broadcast receiving apparatus refers to the broadcast program attachment information, and gives instructions as necessary to update PMT or set the recording mode in the VCR, prior to the output of the partial TS to the external VCR.

Abstract: Broadcast signals carrying video and audio data are transmitted after encoding and compression process at a broadcast station and then stored temporarily in a hard disk recorder/player in a broadcast recording apparatus. The broadcast signal includes a row of video and audio packets having no empty spaces for synchronization with the actual program playback speed. The playback of a program is controlled with a timing data which is carried in each of the video and audio packets. Accordingly, the broadcast signals of the program transmitted at a speed faster than the actual program playback speed are temporarily stored and when desired, can be played back at any time.

Abstract: The available amount of storage space of a fixed HDD on a CE device is adjustable via a data network. The consumer can upgrade the device via a third party service that remotely control's the HDD's settings.

Abstract: A technique for transferring data between a first device and a second device using a shared line buffer connected to a system bus which couples the first device and the second device. The technique includes (i) transferring data between the line buffer and dedicated memory associated with the first device, wherein the first device includes a data controller coupled to the system bus through a bus interface. The transferring (i) includes using the data transfer controller to effectuate a multiword data transfer between the dedicated memory and the line buffer. The technique further includes multiword data (ii) transferring between the line buffer and the second device across the system bus. When the transferring (i) precedes the transferring (ii), data is read from the dedicated memory from output to the second device, and when the transferring (ii) precedes the transferring (i), data is written to dedicated memory from the second device.

Abstract: A consumer electronic apparatus includes at least a clock, and in some cases a microprocessor, which produces data, such as time-of-day or control parameters, which are stored in volatile memory. A power failure can cause this data to be lost. The data are stored in nonvolatile memory according to an algorithm during normal operation, so that they are available after a power failure. In one version, the parameters are stored at fixed intervals. In another version, the parameters are stored in response to a change. In yet another version, the parameters are stored in a manner which is distributed among plural memory locations to extend life.

Abstract: There is disclosed a decoder buffer capable of receiving streaming video data packets and storing the data packets in a plurality of access units. Each of the access units holds at least one data packet associated with a selected frame in the streaming video. The decoder buffer comprises: 1) a first buffer region comprising at least one access unit for storing data packets that are less immediately needed by the video decoder; and 2) a re-transmission region comprising at least one access unit for storing data packets that are most immediately needed by the video decoder. The decoder buffer, in response to a detection of a missing data packet in the re-transmission region, requests that the streaming video transmitter retransmit the missing packet.

Abstract: A semiconductor circuit includes a recording device having first data stream and second data stream, the second data stream may be program data that contains multiple sections, and the first data stream may be program information data, may read out whereby the program information data related to the sections may be correlated to the time elapsed from program commencement. A graphic generating device may read out the first data stream and create a first image based on the first data stream. A control device may detect some of the second data stream and read out based on information contained in the first data stream. A decoding device may decode some of said second data stream read out by the control device and a second image may be played back, the second image may be included in the program data.

Abstract: In a private video recorder for recording contents of TV program delivered from TV stations, data of the contents of TV program (contents data) are memorized into segments in a contents data memory area, and the contents data are controlled as one video picture file by appointing the segments memorizing the contents data in segment appointing information of the video picture file. When the contents recorded in the private video recorder is edited, only the appointment of the segments in the segment appointing information is rewritten without cutting, copying or inserting the contents data.

Abstract: A radio receiver and storage unit which concurrently and continuously receives and records a plurality of separate, simultaneously broadcast programs, and then selectively reproduces desired programs at desired times. User interface buttons selectively perform the following five functions not available on a conventional radio: Pause: suspends the reproduction of the live or recorded programming currently being played; Save: permits the listener to save the complete content of a live program currently being reproduced; Jukebox: permits the listener can select and playback previously recorded programming; Mark: allows the user to “bookmark” a specific position on a program; and Options: permits the user to obtain information about available programming, or to perform less frequently used functions.

Abstract: An auxiliary display device, capable of remotely controlling a set-top box (STB) and/or television to select a program channel, is used to navigate a web browser in the auxiliary display device to a web site associated with the selected channel. A web page associated with the selected channel is presented on a display of the auxiliary display device. When the channel is selected, current tuned channel information is transmitted by the set-top box (STB) and/or television to the auxiliary display device, irrespective of whether the auxiliary display device was used to select the channel. In an alternate embodiment, the STB and/or television forward channel information to the auxiliary display device via a cable head-end.

Abstract: A system and method for partitioning storage space in a video recording system or multi-media system into a plurality of discrete partitions. Each of the discrete partitions can be allocated to a different user of the video recording system or application of the multi-media system. Furthermore, the systems are designed to allocate an amount of the storage space to each partition to eliminate hoarding of the storage space by only one user or application.

Abstract: Methods and systems for content distribution are provided that include a broadcast transmitter for transmitting a signal that comprises content, a receiver for receiving the signal, and an optical disc recorder coupled to the receiver for recording the content to an optical disc, which may be an optically altered optical disc.

Abstract: A computer program of exercise recording system of recording user's body exercise performs, in the exercise recording system, an exercise contents setting step of setting exercise contents for a plurality of body exercising parts, an exercise contents displaying step of displaying exercise contents images having a plurality of display areas corresponding to the plurality of exercising parts.

Abstract: A recording/reproduction apparatus includes a magnetic disk. An information apparatus sets an instruction to initialize the magnetic disk and transmits the set instruction to the recording/reproduction apparatus through a network. The recording/reproduction apparatus receives the instruction from the information apparatus through the network and initializes the recording medium in accordance with the instruction. Thus, a user can finely initializes the recording medium of the recording/reproduction apparatus from remote locations.

Abstract: The present invention is capable of reducing a time required for channel switching, and selecting or searching a user request channel quickly by storing a packet identifiers of a video and an audio signal of a digital television channel, extracting the stored packet identifiers according to a channel switching request of a user, and outputting the video and audio signal corresponding to the user select channel.

Abstract: An address storage section 12 stores addresses and their attribute data included in received broadcast. An address extracting section 14 extracts one or more addresses to be transmitted from the received addresses based on the state of a broadcast receiving apparatus 210 managed by a state managing section 13 and received attribute data. For transmission of the extracted addresses, update information associated with the addresses is transmitted from a transmitting/receiving section 16 to a transmitting/receiving section 26. An information terminal 220 immediately displays the addresses extracted by the broadcast receiving apparatus 210 on a screen. In accordance with an instruction from a user, the information terminal 220 retrieves information from a Web server 42. An address editing section 27 edits any of the addresses and their attribute data stored in the address storage section 12.

Abstract: Stories are detected in multimedia data composed of concurrent streams for different modes such as audio, video and text and linked to related stories. First, time periods of uniformity in attributes of the streams serve as “building blocks” that are consolidated according to rules that are characteristic of the story to be detected. The attributes are then ranked by their respective reliabilities for detecting the story to be detected. An inter-attribute union of the time periods is cumulated attribute-to-attribute in an order that is based on the ranking. A buffered portion of the multimedia data that is delimited by the starting and ending times is retained in mass storage. The starting and ending times are indexed by characteristics of content of the portion to form a story segment which is maintained in a data structure with links to related story segments.

Abstract: A two-way CATV system where a center device (1) and a cable modem (8) are connected via a CATV line (7) comprises a hard disc drive (11) for recording TV broadcasting programs transmitted from the center device (1) to the cable modem (8) via the CATV line (7). An e-mail transmitted over the Internet (5) to the center device (1) is transmitted to the cable modem (8) via the CATV line (7). The cable modem (8) analyzes the content of the e-mail to execute the processing specified by this e-mail, so that recording of TV broadcasting programs, download of digital contents, etc. with the CATV can be remotely operated from outside where a user stays with an internet-compatible portable information terminal.

Abstract: A real-time rich media recording system. The system includes a capture module, a recording module and a random access module. The recording module real-time records a rich media source captured by the capture module as digital data. The recording module constructs a rich media relational table, and inserts an event label into the rich media relational table in response to an action instruction. The random access module stops the recording process of the recording module in response to an interrupt instruction, locates a location in the digital data, disables the event labels located after the location in the rich media relational table, and reinstates the recording module to record the rich media source at the position following the location in the digital data.

Abstract: A digital radio broadcast system provides various interactive features, including skip forward and skip backward. In one embodiment, data is transmitted at a faster than real time rate and accumulated in a buffer at a receiver. The user can play a current track or skip to subsequent or earlier tracks. In another embodiment, two or more programming service streams (i.e., user channels) are communicated such that a user can move directly from a current track to the beginning of a track of another stream. In another embodiment, tiers of service levels are provided so that paying subscribers can bypass some or all of the commercial messages, while non-paying subscribers can not bypass the commercials. Replacement programming may be transmitted in a portion of the bandwidth of the free service. At a receiver, control data may be used with multimedia data to provide a multimedia clip which identifies features of a track, such as artist, song title or lyrics.

Abstract: An adaptive memory system remembers facts, e.g. names the user has asked for, and the depth of information a user has requested on a certain topic. The adaptive memory builds a data structure of the user's knowledge base and behavior. The system applies this knowledge when retrieving segments of interests, augmenting video programs, recommending new programs. Also the system can use this knowledge and select items for a personal TV channel.

Abstract: A system manages the allocation and storage of media content instance files in a hard disk of a storage device of a media client device in a subscriber television system. In one embodiment among others, the system includes a memory for storing logic, a buffer space in the hard disk for buffering media content instances as buffered media content instance files, and a processor configured with the logic to track the size of permanent media content instance files and the buffered media content instance files to provide an indication of available free space, such that the indication is independent of the buffer space.

Abstract: A system is provided for managing and accessing media content received via a plurality of display channels and stored in a plurality of buffers in a storage device. The system associates the plurality of buffers with a composite buffer file.

Abstract: A media content recording system in a subscriber network television system includes a memory for storing logic, a storage device comprising a buffer space for continuously buffering media content instances, and a processor configured with the logic to represent each of the media content instances in the buffer space.

Abstract: When an IC card is placed close to an IC card reader/writer in a hard disk recorder, the hard disk recorder writes the profile thereof including an IP address on the IC card. The hard disk recorder reads a card ID and a profile list including, for example, the profile of a television receiver from the IC card. Based on the card ID and the profile list, the hard disk recorder accesses the television receiver. The hard disk recorder notifies the television receiver of the profile list which is read from the IC card and to which the profile of the hard disk recorder has been newly added. The hard disk recorder thus establishes a virtual private network with the television receiver.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an apparatus along with a method for displaying a list of data to be transferred from one storage area to another in conjunction with a progress status report of the data transfer, thereby allowing users to know at a glance how far the transfer of desired data has progressed.

Abstract: A data elementary buffer with underflow and overflow operational constraints is incorporated into a digital televison receiver to regulate the flow of data related to an ancillary data service to be presented in synchronization with a video or audio program element. The data elementary buffer ensures that data is received in time for decoding and presentation in synchronization with the video or audio element. The data elementary buffer also limits the amount of data that the receiver may be required to cache. The minimum size of the data elementary buffer is three times the size of a nominal data access unit or three times the quantity of data that the receiver can receive at the maximum rate in the period that a video element is displayed by the receiver.

Abstract: An interfacing system enables an application client to interface with a device driver in a client device with persistent storage. In some preferred embodiments, the interfacing system includes a memory with logic and a processor configured with the logic to use the normal play time locations to reference media content instances of a buffer file stored in clusters of a hard disk. In some prefererd embodiments, the processor is configured with the logic to designate one of the referenced media content instances of the buffer file as a permanent file.

Abstract: In interactive television, information from an information resource may be displayed along with television video in a synchronized fashion. When information is to be displayed at a point in the television video, a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) that identifies the information resource is broadcast along with the television video on a one-way broadcast communication channel. A receiver unit receives the URI from the broadcast channel. If the information resource identified by the URI is available locally (for example, is present in local storage on the receiver unit), then the receiver unit uses the URI to retrieve the information resource locally. If, on the other hand, the information resource is not available locally, then the receiver unit uses the URI to retrieve the information resource from the Internet.

Abstract: Responding to an event in the environment of a computing device by pausing the display of a television program. After detecting an event that indicates that the viewing experience of a viewer is likely to have been interrupted, a computing device automatically pauses the output of the television program and begins recording a television signal on which the television program is encoded. When the interruption is completed, the recorded television signal is resumed in a time-shifted manner such that the viewer can continue viewing without missing the portion of the television program that would have otherwise been displayed during the interruption. In this manner, the television program can be automatically paused in response to events that may interrupt the viewing experience, such as an incoming telephone call, the receipt of an electronic message, or other events occurring in the home or in the environment of the computing device.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus transmits image data of a plurality of pictures to a receiver side, and transmits the high-resolution information of a picture requested by the receiver side, among the plurality of pictures, in a mode of transmission different from the mode of transmission for the moving image data. The image communication apparatus thus serves two purposes of transmitting a high-resolution still image and transmitting efficiently a moving image.

Abstract: A system for utilizing metadata created either at a central location for shared use by connected users, or at each individual user's location, to enhance user's enjoyment of available broadcast programming content. A variety of mechanisms are employed for automatically and manually identifying and designating programming segments, associating descriptive metadata which the identified segments, distributing the metadata for use at client locations, and using the supplied metadata to selectively record and playback desired programming.