Abstract: Systems and methods that provide personal video recording trick modes are provided. In one example, a method that provides a trick mode in a personal video recording system may include the steps of receiving a transport stream; storing data from the transport stream in a data storage; generating index table using the data from the transport stream; receiving a trick mode command; and accessing, based on the trick mode command, particular data in the data storage using the index table.

Abstract: A portable memory device dimensioned and configured as any of a removable flash memory card, a USB flash drive, and a jump drive and a method of wireless communication, wherein the portable memory device comprises a single housing component; a data storage component within the single housing component; and a wireless receiver operatively connected to the data storage component and within the single housing component, wherein the wireless receiver is adapted to receive wireless signals comprising radio signals, satellite signals, TV signals, and Bluetooth™ specification signals, and wherein the wireless receiver is adapted to wirelessly communicate with a LAN. The portable memory device may further comprise an interface component adapted to connect to a host computing device. Preferably, the TV signals comprise mobile TV signals.

Abstract: A set-top box receives media transport streams from a content provider server, decodes the media transport streams to a video program, and records the video program to a storage system. The video program includes program titles, program sections, and advertisements. The set-top box generates a plurality of unique identities of frames in one program title using types and media transport stream quantities of the frames. The set-top box signs other program titles in the video program by comparing types and media transport stream quantities of the frames with the generated unique identities during recording the video program. The set-top box can filter the advertisements according to the signed program titles.

Abstract: A hypermedia document display method can include presenting hypermedia content, the hypermedia content containing hyperlinks to additional hypermedia content; storing selected ones of the hyperlinks in a delayed viewing list; and, caching hypermedia content associated with the stored hyperlinks during the presenting step. The method can further include reconfiguring the stored hyperlinks to point to the cached hypermedia content. The presenting step can include displaying Web content in a Web browser. In that case, the Web content can contain hyperlinks to additional Web content. The presenting step also can include playing back multimedia content in a multimedia content player. Finally, the presenting step can include displaying audiovisual television content combined with hypermedia content in a television set.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for providing subscribers with conditional access to data receivable across a communications medium in an MHP or OCAP broadcast system (100, 300). The invention can be implemented for use with standard MHP or OCAP receivers, without the need for a backchannel or specialized hardware.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a personal video recorder (PVR) software buffer management to support the software passage are disclosed. A first plurality of receive buffer descriptors may be allocated for recording at least one received packet in at least a portion of a shared memory. The received packet may be recorded in the shared memory utilizing at least one of the allocated first plurality of receive buffer descriptors. A plurality of playback buffer descriptors may be allocated for playback of the recorded received packet from the shared memory. A first portion of the received packet may be simultaneously played back from the shared memory while recording a second portion of the received packet in the shared memory. If at least one of the recorded received packet is consumed, the playback buffer descriptors corresponding to a number of the consumed received packet may be de-allocated.

Abstract: An apparatus and an associated methodology is provided to select and run an image of an executable software, the method including the steps of: starting a self executable boot and load software stored in the apparatus configured to run an executable software image; reading a table stored internally in the apparatus by the self executable boot and load software, referencing an executable software images that are stored in the apparatus; selecting an uncorrupted executable software image from one of the executable software images that are referenced in the table; and starting the image chosen by said selecting.

Abstract: Personal video recorders (PVRs) contain many desirable features, including the ability to skip undesirable portions of a recorded broadcast program. Disclosed is a method and system for a PVR user to share with other users tags identifying desirable program portions or segments (“Hot-Spots”) and undesirable segments (“Cold-Spots”). Other users are able to either automatically or manually to adjust the replay of the program based on the tags.

Abstract: A personal network may be established by interconnecting a plurality of satellites as part of the personal network. Each satellite may be configured to communicate with one or more other satellites. On any given one of the plurality of satellites, data indicating a connectivity status for the one or more other satellites is automatically received, and information indicating a capability of the one or more other satellites is automatically received. The given satellite may be configured to enable at least one other corresponding satellite in the plurality of satellites to be made available for use, so that a capability of the at least one other corresponding satellite is made available for the given satellite.

Abstract: A method for real-time bookmarking of streaming media assets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes dynamically changing a presentation segment of a plurality of segments based one or more bookmark signals from a viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing requested content includes a content management system 12 and a device 14 such as a set top box that selects a selection corresponding to content in the content management system 12 and transmits a first material identification to the content management system. The content management system 12 transmits the content to the device with a second material identification associated therewith. The device 14 receives the content and the second material identification and compares the first material identification to the second material identification. When the second material identification corresponds to the content, the device continues downloading the content. When the second material identification does not correspond to the content, downloading of the file is discontinued. A content prefix may also be used alone or in combination with the material identification. The content is prevented from being transmitted if the content prefix does not correspond to the content type.

Abstract: Media device systems and methods are operable to automatically present a program at its beginning while a remaining portion of the program is being received at the media device. An exemplary embodiment receives a program in a media content stream; receives a presentation request to present the program, wherein the presentation request is received after an initial portion of the program has been received and wherein the presentation request is received before a conclusion of the program; accesses a stored initial portion of the program from a memory medium; and initiates presentation at a beginning of the program residing in the accessed initial portion of the program.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus and a method for providing user information are provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus transmits user information stored in a storage medium to a broadcast station. Therefore, a user may participate in data broadcasting more conveniently.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing personal media using a digital recorder transfers multimedia content via email to a digital video recorder.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple video presentations per audio program.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A method and system for embedding information into streaming media is disclosed. In order to avoid a prolonged waiting period between the time a video stream is selected for viewing and the time it actually begins to play, information relevant to the content of the video stream is independently obtained and locally stored. This information may be advertising, text, games or any other media which may be of interest to the user. The information is embedded into the video or other media stream to be presented to the viewer and played immediately, so that the user avoids any wait time in viewing the selected stream that may occur due to bandwidth shortages or other system considerations.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to record broadcast programming for at least one television channel for a period of time, wherein the recording is performed upstream from subscribers in a television distribution system, and further including after the period of time, keeping recorded programming by request from at least one subscriber. And further wherein the request is for at least one television program contained in the recorded programming or for a time window for a particular channel. According to another embodiment a subscriber requests that broadcast programming be saved for the subscriber upstream from the subscriber in a television distribution system, and wherein the subscriber may request the programming be saved for later viewing by the subscriber between the time the programming was broadcast and a later point in time.

Abstract: A method is provided for recording a switched digital video (SDV) program received over a content delivery system. The method includes receiving a single program digital transport stream on a first SDV channel. The single program digital transport stream includes at least one program elementary stream and associated program specific information. The program elementary stream and the associated program specific information are stored. In response to a force tune request, a second SDV channel is tuned to on which a subsequent portion of the single program digital transport stream will be provided. After tuning to the second SDV channel, subsequent portions of the program elementary stream are stored in a content file in which previous portions of the program elementary stream are stored.

Abstract: A video display includes a display, a memory, a timer, and a processor. The memory is used for storing schedules and a predetermined time intervals, wherein each schedule comprising at least one scheduled event and at least one predetermined time corresponding to the at least one scheduled event. The timer is used for obtaining a current time. The processor is used for obtaining a scheduled event based on the current time and the predetermined time interval, and displaying the obtained scheduled event in the display. A set-top box is also provided.

Abstract: A system for displaying electronic program guide information about a plurality of video items on a screen, the system including a display module to display a plurality of pages layering into the screen, each of the pages including a plurality of graphical panels associated with the video items, and a user input module to receive a user input to turn at least one of the pages such that the at least one page is peeled away from other ones of the pages in order to bring the graphical panels of the at least one page in or out of view, wherein the display module is operative to show the turning of the at least one page bringing the at least one page in or out of view. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a broadcast program are provided. The apparatus includes: a signal processing unit which generates an audio/video (A/V) file, an application file, and a first electronic program guide (EPG) file by appropriately processing a plurality of A/V signals, application information, and EPG information, respectively, which are included in an input broadcast program transport stream; a synchronization unit which receives the A/V file, the application file, and the first EPG file from the signal processing unit, generates storage information for the A/V file and storage information for the application file, and converts the first EPG file into a second EPG file comprising the storage information for the A/V file and the storage information for the application file; and a storage unit which stores the A/V file, the application file, and the second EPG file.

Abstract: Systems having a user interface comprising a filtered view of media available for consumption are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a first user with a view that enables consumption of only the available media that matches characteristics of a media filter. The characteristics of the media filter may be specified by a second user, and the second user may define the characteristics of the media filter remotely, via a communication network. The user interface may support separate media filters for each of a number of different users. Filter characteristics such as type of media channel, the language of any dialogue, an industry rating, an overall viewer rating, and the media format may be supported. The media filter characteristics may be applied not only to what is displayed on the user interface, but also the media available for selection via a remote control.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to record broadcast programming for at least one television channel for a period of time, wherein the recording is performed upstream from subscribers in a television distribution system, and further including after the period of time, keeping recorded programming by request from at least one subscriber. And further wherein the request is for at least one television program contained in the recorded programming or for a time window for a particular channel. According to another embodiment a subscriber requests that broadcast programming be saved for the subscriber upstream from the subscriber in a television distribution system, and wherein the subscriber may request the programming be saved for later viewing by the subscriber between the time the programming was broadcast and a later point in time.

Abstract: Enhanced history buffer systems and methods are operable to temporarily store program content for program events. An exemplary embodiment receives program content corresponding to each of the plurality of program events, generates a unique discrete program content file in the enhanced history buffer for each of the plurality of program events, and stores the received program content for each of the plurality of program events in the associated one of the discrete program content files. Each discrete program content file begins at a known starting location in the enhanced history buffer and ends at a known ending location in the enhanced history buffer.

Abstract: The present invention may be regarded as personal video recorder and a method of displaying a targeted advertisement on a display in conjunction with displaying of a broadcast stream on the display. The method defines a viewer profile of a viewer of the display based on signals received by a controller indicating usage of a viewer control interface by the viewer, for example based on viewer reactions to a broadcast stream or to an advertisement. A targeted advertisement is selected from stored advertisements based on the viewer profile of the viewer of the display. The targeted advertisement is displayed on the display. The viewer profile is updated based on subsequent signals received by the controller indicating usage of the viewer control interface. The signals indicate viewer reactions, for example, a viewer reaction to a broadcast stream or a viewer reaction to an advertisement or a viewer purchase.

Abstract: A system for displaying electronic program guide information about a plurality of video items on a screen, the system including a display module to display a plurality of pages layering into the screen, each of the pages including a plurality of graphical panels associated with the video items, and a user input module to receive a user input to turn at least one of the pages such that the at least one page is peeled away from other ones of the pages in order to bring the graphical panels of the at least one page in or out of view, wherein the display module is operative to show the turning of the at least one page bringing the at least one page in or out of view. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a contents reception device and method, a contents transmission device and method, a program, and a recording medium, whereby a Push-type NRT service can be realized. “Ch. 4” is taken as a broadcasting channel for normal broadcasting, and “Ch. 5” and “Ch. 6” are taken as broadcasting channels for NRT. The broadcasting channel “Ch. 5” is multiplexed on logical channels “VC5-1”, “VC5-2”, and “VC5-3”. The logical channel “VC5-1” is assigned to a single Push-type NRT broadcasting service, and “VC5-2” is assigned to a Pull-type NRT broadcast. The logical channel “VC5-3” is assigned to another Push-type NRT broadcasting service. Three FLUTE sessions are provided to “VC5-2”.

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: A system and method are provided for dynamically adjusting advertisement (“ad”) time for a multicast channel. In one embodiment, a variable ad insertion function operates to receive one or more multicasts of media content from a core distribution network, insert ad timeslots into the media content, and optionally perform late-binding of ads to the ad timeslots. The media content including the inserted ad timeslots and late-binded ads, if any, is then multicast to associated client devices over a feeder network using corresponding multicast channels. For each multicast channel, insertion of ad timeslots into the associated media content is dynamically controlled based on the number of users currently consuming or predicted to consume the multicast channel, the number of client devices receiving or predicted to receive the multicast channel, or both.

Abstract: A mobile phone, which is capable of reproducing a broadcast program supplied through a broadcast wave and stored programs stored in a program data storage, is provided with (i) a program ID extraction section that obtains a broadcast program ID for identifying a supplied broadcast program and a stored program ID for identifying a stored program, and (ii) a program reproduction control section that selects, as a reproduced program, at least one of a broadcast program and stored programs. On this account, a suitable program is selected and reproduced even if a broadcast program is broadcasted in a one-to-many manner. As a result, a suitable reproduced program is selected at suitable timing, in accordance with a supplied broadcast program and stored programs, and hence diversified needs of the users are satisfied.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method and system for receiving in a set-top-box a signal including a conditionally accessible content and encoded based on a first audio/video encoding standard (AVES); conditionally accessing the content of the signal in set-top-box based on predetermined access criteria; transmitting the content to a device external to the set-top-box; transcoding the content by the device from the first audio/video encoding standard to a second AVES; and providing the transcoded content to the set-top-box. In another embodiment, an apparatus including a set-top-box including a conditional accessing logic to access the content of a signal; and a set-top-box housing including an opening to allow interfacing between set-top-box and a transcoder system, the transcoder system to receive the content from the set-top-box via the opening, to transcode the content from a first AVES to a second AVES, and to provide the transcoded content to set-top-box via the opening.

Abstract: A broadcasting program storing method of a mobile communication terminal and a mobile communication terminal using the same are disclosed. The method includes according to an embodiment allocating and storing a presently receiving broadcasting stream to and in at least one time section of a plurality of time sections while playing a broadcasting stream, and selecting at least one time section from the plural time sections to reproduce a broadcasting stream allocated to the selected time section. Thus, the broadcasting stream can be stored in real time while viewing the broadcasting program and the stored broadcasting stream can be easily searched for or reproduced.

Abstract: A content reproduction method is provided. First, a broadcast program having a program content is received and electronic program guide data including program information on the broadcast program is received. Then, a content corresponding to the program content of the broadcast program is retrieved from a network based on the electronic program guide data. Finally, identification information identifying the content is displayed with the program information.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing content to users of a network that can be selectively recorded via the user's equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions are used to provide high-speed download of the requested content to the users. The user's equipment (e.g., set-top box) is equipped with a high-density recording device which can both record the content onto a selected medium (e.g., DVD) and optionally provide copyright protection via one or more means such as limiting the number of copies that can be made, and/or digital watermarking. The network operator can also restrict the establishment of the on-demand sessions and/or release of the content to subscribers based on parameters including prior purchase of the content by the user, and the timing of the release of the same content via other distribution channels such as rental and retail.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver capable of reducing time and labor to back-up contents recorded on one recording medium to another recording medium. A digital broadcast receiver extracts the contents recorded, out of order, on a first recording medium by an extracting unit according to the titles or genres recorded in a content list, and automatically rearranges the extracted contents using an arranging unit according to video-recording date-and-hour recorded in the content list, for recording as a content list onto a second recording medium (300).

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus which can be used in first and second modes and to the manner in which the change in modes of operation can be achieved. In a first mode, the apparatus operates to receive data which is received typically from a television programme broadcast system and process the same and in the second mode the apparatus has the additional feature of a data storage device in which received data can be stored and be made available for subsequent retrieval. The data storage device can be provided as part of an assembly which can be mechanically and electrically connected to the apparatus housing and which allows the transfer of data between the assembly and the remainder of the apparatus. In one embodiment the assembly also includes cooling means which allow a cooling functionality to be provided to the apparatus.

Abstract: A fast adaptive channel converting method and apparatus, and a computer readable recording medium having recorded thereon a program to execute the fast adaptive channel converting method. The fast adaptive channel converting method includes generating adjacent channel data by pre-signal processing an adjacent channel signal of a reference channel, receiving a channel change request from a user, searching for channel data corresponding to a changed channel in the adjacent channel data, and reproducing the searched channel data. Unlike a conventional technology, the fast adaptive channel changing apparatus and method prevents a screen blank time that may occur while changing a channel in a digital broadcast receiving apparatus, and thus boredom or inconvenience of a user can be removed. Also, when a channel is changed by using a preferred channel list, a channel search time can be remarkably reduced, and the user can easily watch a program of a preferred channel.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus receives a broadcast signal containing video image information representing a video image, pay program identifying information indicating whether or not the video image is a pay program video image, and address information indicating a predetermined communications server, the broadcast signal containing the video image information, the pay program identifying information, and the address information in a predetermined format. The broadcast receiving apparatus has: a display portion displaying the video image; a pay program judging portion judging whether or not the video image information is pay program video image information based on the pay program identifying information; and a recording portion recording the video image information. If the pay program judging portion judges that the video image information is pay program video image information, the recording portion records the address information in addition to the video image information.

Abstract: A cable set-top box system with integrated cable tuners and MoCA may implemented on a single integrated circuit, supporting communication over a shared coaxial cable line. The system may include a memory interface shared by DOCSIS and video/audio subsystems. The system may further include an embedded processor in the MoCA subsystem, enabling autonomous operation of the MoCA subsystem and secure flash memory that is not directly accessible by the DOCSIS subsystem.

Abstract: A system for providing requested data sets of broadcast data service transmitted as part of a broadcast signal, including a broadcast headend configured to receive a data request from a receiver, and configured to broadcast requested data sets to the receiver in response to the data request from the receiver, a processor configured to periodically extract all of the requested data sets of the broadcast data service from a broadcast carousel included in the broadcast signal, a memory configured to store all of the requested data sets of the broadcast data service, defining a plurality of digital-audio/video-data-sets including television clips, a first controller configured to allow selection from a list of the plurality of sets of the digital-audio/video-data-sets, and a second controller responsive to a user initiated selection signal to cause the memory to output a user selected one of the plurality of digital-audio/video-data sets selected from the list, wherein the processor converts the digital-audio/vid

Abstract: A system comprising a media processing apparatus and a computer where the media processing apparatus emulates a mass storage device and interfaces with the computer is disclosed. In one embodiment the media processing apparatus appears to the computer as a Universal serial bus (USB) mass storage device, and the operating system (OS) on the computer, using its pre-installed USB mass storage device driver, establishes bi-directional communication channel with the media processing apparatus. Thus, the need to develop an OS specific kernel-mode device driver for the media processing apparatus is eliminated. The system may employ a proprietary communication protocol on the USB bus to send and receive data between the computer and the media processing apparatus.

Abstract: A system, method, computer program product, and apparatus for automatically ensuring consistency between program and system information protocol (PSIP) tables and program specific information (PSI) tables in a digital television (DTV) stream, for example, in ATSC DTV stream. Encoders generate MPEG streams including PSI tables. A PSIP generator generates PSIP information from program information. A remultiplexer combines the MPEG information and the PSIP information while resolving any conflicts between the PSI tables and the PSIP tables based on a set of rules. The transport stream output by the remultiplexer includes consistent information in both the PSI tables and the PSIP tables.

Abstract: A method for activating several applications, where a received start up application determines whether a first application or a second application will be activated. The first application, which is received, along with the start up application, is activated if a file of additional data is not present in a memory. Conversely, the second application will be activated if the file is present in the memory.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver and data broadcast content processing method are disclosed. The method uses Program Associated Data (PAD) and includes receiving PAD-based broadcast contents; selecting one of the PAD-based broadcast contents to be stored; storing the selected PAD-based broadcast content in a state existing at the time of selection; selecting a stored PAD-based broadcast content for reproduction; and reproducing the PAD-based broadcast content selected for reproduction. As a result, reproduction of a stored audio broadcast can be delivered with the same level of service as real-time audio broadcast reception.

Abstract: A method for providing adaptive video compression includes encoding a video stream in a first compressed format, storing the video stream in a storage device, retrieving the video stream from the storage device, decoding the video stream, encoding the video stream in a second compressed format, and storing the video stream in the storage device. Systems and other methods for providing adaptive video compression are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for television program announcements, involving a television; a storage device connected to the television that stores multimedia summaries of a plurality of television programs, including the channel and time of display of the program for which it is a summary; the capacity to change channels; and a processor program to sense when the television has been connected to a new channel and to select and display on that television the multimedia summary of the program being presented on the new channel at the time of the connection of the television to the new channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rewinding a video to a point before the video was first viewed. Video transmitted by a media source is cached by a remote server. Upon a trick-play request for the video, the server generates a rewind stream that includes the video that was transmitted by the media source before the user started to view the video. Upon receiving the rewind stream, the user's equipment may cache the rewind stream in a rewind buffer and rewind or play from the rewind buffer. The server may also generate and transmit a forward stream of the video that the media source has not yet transmitted. The user's equipment may cache the forward stream in a forward buffer. To perform trick-play operations with the video, the user's equipment may migrate the playback of the video to the rewind and forward buffers and rewind or fast-forward the video from the buffers.

Abstract: A live video is directed to a display buffer of the device. The device is preferably a set top box and a live video frame stored in the display buffer is preferably displayed by a display device coupled to the set top box. The display device is preferably a television. A capture command preferably signals the set top box to store one or more frames of the currently displayed live video. Upon receiving the capture command, the live video is paused, thereby preventing the display buffer from loading subsequent live video frames. The live video is then re-directed to a capture buffer, the live video is un-paused, and a current live video frame is captured from the capture buffer. The captured frame is then stored using a conventional storage medium. After the frame is captured, the live video is re-directed from the capture buffer to the display buffer to resume display of the live video.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.