Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering advertisements with a video. A video is received at a client device, and data identifying a frame of the video, and an advertisement associated with the frame of the video are identified. The video is displayed during a playback of the video on the client device, and it is determined from the data identifying the frame of the video that the frame of the video is displayed during the playback of the video. The advertisement and the frame of the video are displayed proximate to a display of the video in response to the determination.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products and apparatus for providing broadband television service (BTS) are provided. The method includes receiving a channel selection at a receiver located at a service location. The channel selection is correlated to an Internet address. Data is requested from the Internet address. The request is made to a digital subscriber line (DSL) network via a modem. Video data packets containing live streaming video content are received from the Internet address in response to the requesting. The video data packets are received from the DSL network via the modem. The video data packets are assembled into video signals for display on a television and the video signals are transmitted to the television.

Abstract: When electronic mail is arrived while digital broadcasting is being viewed in a portable receiving terminal (2), a process for automatically opening the electronic mail, or a process for opening the electronic mail according to an instruction by a user is to be carried out. In addition, when the process for opening the electronic mail is thus carried out while a video obtained by receiving broadcast is being displayed, a process for switching to a display screen for an electronic mail content (body text) is not carried out. Instead, the video obtained by receiving broadcast is remained displayed, and the content (body text) obtained as a result of opening the electronic mail, too, is displayed by an OSD function within the same screen (liquid crystal display panel 202).

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for dynamically switching between unicast and broadcast carriers for delivering content in a mobile network. A first listing of channels is provided to a client mobile device, wherein a first unicast content stream is associated with a first channel. A determination is made to provide an event through a broadcast carrier over the first channel. The first content stream is disassociated with the first channel, and the broadcast event is associated with the first channel. A broadcast alert is communicated to the client mobile device to indicate the change. A second listing of channels is provided to the client mobile device.

Abstract: A DVR sends, over the Internet, to a server, information that indicates a set of programs. The information also may indicate a ranking of the programs in the set relative to each other. In response to receiving the information from the DVR, the server determines a “to do” list of programs that the DVR should record as those programs are broadcasted in the future. The “to do” list indicates recording times and channels for each program. The server sends the “to do” list back to the DVR over the Internet. The DVR receives the “to do” list over the Internet and stores the “to do” list. As the programs on the “to do” list are broadcasted, the DVR automatically records those programs at the list-specified times and on the list-specified channels. The DVR stores those programs on the DVR's hard disk drive for later viewing by the DVR user.

Abstract: Enhanced features and functionality of a radio station website, and offline advertising operations are disclosed to improve listener interactions, provide improved services to users, and enable more effective radio or television-based advertising.

Abstract: A technique for providing interactive television viewing. A programming signal is combined with a code signal to form a transmission signal, wherein different programming signals correspond to respective code signals. The technique includes broadcasting the transmission signal, receiving the broadcast transmission signal with a TV receiver at a viewer's location, and displaying the programming signal in the received transmission signal. At least one code signal is pre-stored at the viewer's location. Interactive program data is also pre-stored at the viewer's location, wherein different interactive program data correspond to respective ones of the pre-stored code signals.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling closed-captioning at a client device includes a client device and a server device that communicates content to the client device. The server device determines a content type corresponding to the content communicated from the server device to the client device, generates a closed-captioning disable signal and communicates the content type disable signal to the client device. The client device disables the closed-captioning in response to the closed-captioning disable signal.

Abstract: A method and system for remote control at a client of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) enables a user to configure a wireless user device as a remote control device (RCD). The RCD may communicate via a wireless network and an MCDN server to execute remote control commands at the MCDN client. The RCD may implement a remote control interface, including control elements configured for touch operation. The control elements may provide specific interactive functionality for channel selection, volume selection, playback of multimedia content, and other remote control features. The RCD may also receive feedback and status information associated with remote control commands.

Abstract: A method for use with content includes analyzing a sequence of frames of the content, determining whether an area exists in a scene depicted by the sequence of frames where additional content such as advertising can be inserted without obstructing activity in the scene, for any such area, determining an amount of time that the area is available when the sequence of frames is being played, and for any such area, determining a size of the area. A storage medium storing a computer program for causing a processor based system to execute these steps and an apparatus for use with content are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus are provided for signaling a transmission code set in data broadcasting. A client using the transmission code set signaling method includes a demultiplexer demultiplexing a packetized elementary stream (PES) packet corresponding to a program selected by a user from the broadcasting stream received by the system interface, an image decoder decoding the demultiplexed PES for images, a sound decoder decoding the demultiplexed PES for sound, and a CPU fetching information about a transmission code set of a character string used in an object carousel message from the demultiplexed message PES and decoding the character string used in the object carousel message based on the fetched information about the transmission code set.

Abstract: Systems, methods, devices, and computer program products provide social and interactive applications for mass media based on real time ambient-audio and/or video identification. In some implementations, a method includes: receiving descriptors identifying ambient audio associated with a media broadcast; comparing the descriptors to one or more reference descriptors; and determining a rating for the media broadcast based at least in part on the results of the comparison.

Abstract: Methods and devices for alerting users to live programming on digital television broadcast receiver devices provide an on-screen object revealing a content item broadcast in an overhead flow portion of a broadcast signal. Information regarding programs available on other channels or content flows may be presented in a portion of the display screen. A variety of user touch gestures may be recognized on a touchscreen-equipped digital television receiver to enable users to respond to promotion messages. Users may use touch gestures to request a next promotion message, request further details regarding a promotion, discontinue promotion displays, and select a promoted program. Digital broadcast television systems may be configured to transmit promotion messages within the overhead flow in response to developments in broadcast content, special messages received from content providers, and the programs currently being broadcast.

Abstract: A viewer may directly interact with a 3D object that is virtually placed in a physical location in a video scene. Initially, the object appears as an integral part of the original video scene and does not interfere with the general viewer's experience of the program. A viewer may initiate interaction with the object using an input device. An interested viewer may navigate through the object's architecture based on the viewer's interest. For example, the viewer may drag the object to a new physical insertion point in the scene. The user may rotate the 3D object into different orientations and zoom in. Each orientation of the object, if selected by the viewer, may invoke a new linked object in the predefined architecture. For example, the viewer may walk through the linked objects in the predefined architecture or observe an object at an increasing level of detail.

Abstract: An electronic device may generate a matrix code that includes information for performing an interactive activity related to content, combine the matrix code with the content, and transmit the combination of the matrix code and the content to a display device. Subsequently, the displayed matrix code may be captured by a matrix code reader in order to initiate performance of the interactive activity. In some implementations, the content may be a sporting event and capture of the matrix code may initiate performance of an activity corresponding to a fantasy sporting event league associated with the sporting event. In various implementations, the matrix code reader's initiation of performance of the interactive activity related to the content may utilize one or more other electronic devices located in a user location.

Abstract: A TV receiver transmits video data from its tuner unit to its monitor unit via wireless transmission by using a channel shared with radar. When the tuner unit receives a program to be viewed, a recorder/player starts recording of the received program. When wireless transmission of the received program cannot be started on time at the program start time because of detecting an unused channel for wireless transmission, or when a radar wave in the shared channel is detected after starting wireless transmission and then wireless data transmission is interrupted, the recorder/player plays back on a time-shift basis the program recorded on the recording medium, and the program data played back is transmitted to the monitor unit. The TV receiver is capable of preventing the user from missing a program that he wants to view even when wireless data transmission is interrupted.

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

Abstract: A television receiver system and corresponding method, the television receiver system comprising: a television receiver for receiving broadcast television signals, signal processing apparatus operable to process the received television signals for output to a television screen, and a control device allowing a user to select a viewing activity by controlling the output to the television screen. The television receiver further comprises a memory storing a communication client application; and communications processing apparatus operable to execute the communication client application. The client application is programmed so as when executed to allow the user to establish bidirectional communications with one or more other users via a packet-based communication network, and to provide notifications to the user of incoming communication events from other users.

Abstract: This disclosure describes methods and systems for synchronizing broadcast and network content, such as web content. It also describes related technology for facilitating linking from broadcast content to related information and e-commerce on a network. One method detailed in this disclosure synchronizes broadcast content with dynamic network content at a network address. This method embeds an identifier in a broadcast, extracts the identifier embedded in broadcast content, and uses the identifier to identify corresponding network content. The method then posts the corresponding network content on a network device located at the network address (e.g., a web page at the URL of the broadcaster). The network device (e.g., web server) is responsive to requests sent to the network address to provide the network content over a network. Using this method, the broadcast content is synchronized with the corresponding network content.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and computer program products for providing instant messaging in conjunction with an audiovisual, video, or audio program are provided. The methods include providing an audiovisual, video, or audio program to a user. Viewer/listener input is received requesting activation of a program-based instant messaging function. A viewer/listener identifier corresponding to the viewer/listener is associated with a program identifier that uniquely identifies the audiovisual, video, or audio program being provided to the user to thereby generate a program viewer/listener record. The program viewer/listener record is transmitted to an electronic database. A list of other users who are viewing or listening to the program in addition to the viewer/listener is acquired from the electronic database. The list of other users is transmitted to the viewer/listener.

Abstract: An interactive program manager comprises a receiver, a controller and an analyzer. The receiver presents audio and visual content for display. The controller directs the receiver to select a first channel and to forward a second channel different from the first channel. The analyzer monitors a program guide and at least the second channel for content of interest in accordance with a user profile. The controller also directs the receiver in response to an operator input.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for transferring an interactive walkthrough movie located at a server via a network and displaying the same at a user station, which comprises: (a) a display unit at the user station for displaying movie frames; (b) a control device at the user station for enabling the user to navigate within the movie; (c) a map of the movie describing the links between the individual movie frames and the index of each movie frame, said map also maintains at any given time the present virtual location of the user within the map; and (d) a prediction unit for receiving inputs from said map and from a user control device, and based on said inputs predicting those future frames that may be required for view by the user, and instructing the server to convey said predicted future frames to the user station.

Abstract: A method and system for the creation of interactive programming using captions. A caption and program information extractor monitors a broadcast media signal having captions and program information encoded in the broadcast media signal. The captions and program information are extracted and stored in a content database. A moderator accesses the content database to retrieve captions and for a program specified by the program information. The moderator uses the services of a moderator server to generate interactive programming from the captions and the moderator's own comments. The interactive programming is transmitted to a plurality of viewers who interact with the interactive programming by entering viewer comments. The viewer comments are received by the moderator along with additional captions and new interactive programming is generated using the viewer comments, additional captions, and additional moderator commentary.

Abstract: Content management using a website is described. In an implementation, one or more computer readable media include instructions that are executable to provide an option, via a website, that is selectable by a first user though interaction with a website to specify that a second user is permitted, through interaction with the website, to cause content to be recorded locally at a client of the first user.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcasting system includes a baseband processor, a table handler, a FLUTE handler, and a display module. The baseband processor receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. Herein, the mobile service data may configure an RS frame. And, the RS frame may include mobile service data, file data, and a table having at least one channel configuration information on the mobile service data and estimated download time for the file data described therein. The table handler parses the table from the RS frame, thereby extracting and outputting at least one channel configuration information on the mobile service data and estimated download time information of the file data. The FLUTE handler parses the file data from the RS frame and storing the parsed data.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for monitoring and reporting various metrics associated with objects of interest. The present invention is adapted to monitor objects of interest, such as contact center agents, to determine whether a triggering event has occurred and, if so, report metrics associated with the object of interest in a dynamic, customized, and real-time fashion.

Abstract: A method of setting up communication sessions in a telepresence call including a multiple point-to-point connections between at least two telepresence systems, wherein the information required for setting up the communication sessions is embedded in a control protocol message flow establishing a first communication session between the two telepresence systems.

Abstract: A method of delivering a regional television channel to a user over an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service comprising the steps of forming a multicast of channels intended for delivery to a user each channel having a specific channel slot, the multicast of channels including one or more regional channels corresponding to one of the multicast of channels; broadcasting the multicast channels to the user through a regional gateway; forming a regional channel control signal for scheduling and requesting broadcast of the at least one regional channel instead of the one of the multicast of channels; transmitting the regional channel control signal to the regional gateway; and in accordance with the regional channel control signal, at the required time, switching the regional gateway to the at least one regional channel instead of the corresponding one of the multicast channels such that the regional channel is in the specific channel slot of the corresponding channel.

Abstract: A system and a method for facilitating transitions between video streams is provided. The method includes the steps of: (i) receiving a primary video stream that includes a first primary video stream portion and a second primary video stream portion, wherein the second stream portion follows the first primary video stream portion; (ii) receiving a secondary video stream; processing at least one of the primary video stream and the secondary video stream to facilitate a seamless transition, at a multiple tuner device, between the first primary video stream portion and the secondary video stream; (iii) transmitting the primary video stream to a first tuner of the multiple tuner device; (iv) transmitting the secondary video stream to a second tuner of the multiple tuner device; and (v) instructing the multiple tuner device to perform a seamless transition between the first primary video stream portion to the secondary video stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving filtered content based on an age limit. A client transmits to a server a content request message requesting original content, part of which is blocked due to an age limit, and receives from the server filtered content according to the age limit in response to the content request message.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling a switched digital video (SDV) client to intelligently generate and transmit reverse request in a SDV system. In this manner, reverse channel traffic is reduced. During rapid channel changes using the up and down keys on a remote control, the SDV client waits a predetermined amount of time before generating a reverse request that is subsequently transmitted upstream to a headend server. By way of example, changing broadcasted channels quickly will not generate a reverse request until the predetermined amount of time is over. In the event that a changed channel is an SDV session, a program select request is immediately generated in order to begin receiving the SDV session.

Abstract: An interactive method includes receiving background video including a multiplicity of video frames, at least one of the multiplicity of video frames include a plurality of sub-pictures, each of the plurality of sub-pictures representing an alternative background (1200), and switching between a first sub-picture of the plurality of sub-pictures and a second sub-picture of the plurality of sub-pictures (1210).

Abstract: A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment and information system using a television set-top box, wherein pages of information are periodically provided to the set-top box for user interaction therewith. The pages include associated meta-data defining active locations on each page. When a page is displayed, the user interacts with the active locations on the page by entering commands via a remote control device, whereby the system reads the meta-data and takes the action associated with the location. Actions include moving to other active locations, hyperlinking to other pages, entering user form data and submitting the data as a form into memory. The form data may be read from memory, and the pages may be related to a conventional television program, thereby providing significant user interactivity with the television.

Abstract: A method of transmission of application data (97) in a digital transport stream characterized in providing an application data table (110) containing information regarding the applications (97) carried in each service (91, 92) within the transport stream. The application data table (110) may conveniently be designated by a fixed PID value and a TID extension value varying in dependence on the bouquet of services chosen. The use of a single application data table to provide information across all services within a bouquet provides a number of advantages, in particular when deciding whether or not to maintain certain applications when switching between services.

Abstract: A system and method for adding hyperlinked information to a television broadcast in which an interactive content icon is used. The broadcast material is analyzed and one or more regions within a frame are identified. Additional information can be associated with a region, and can be transmitted in encoded form, using timing information to identify the frame with which the information is associated. A receiver displays the annotation information associated with the video signal in response to a viewer request on a frame by frame basis. The interactive content icon can be used to inform a viewer of the presence of hyperlinked information, for teaching the viewer how to use the system, and for informing the viewer about the hyperlinked information.

Abstract: An audiovisual content posting system enables a user to post audiovisual comments in response to instances of audiovisual content such as podcasts. The user identifies a specific instance of audiovisual content on which s/he wishes to comment. The audiovisual content posting system prompts the user to record an audiovisual comment, and automatically transmits the recorded audiovisual comment to a destination associated with the content that is the subject of the comment. The audiovisual content posting system can automatically maintain a database storing identifiers of multiple instances of audiovisual content as well as electronic addresses to which to transmit comments thereon. The audiovisual content posting system can then detect changes to these electronic addresses, and automatically update the database accordingly. When the audiovisual content posting system transmits a comment, it can retrieve the appropriate, current electronic address to use from the database.

Abstract: A communication system for accessing media items via a display device. A receiver is coupled to the display device and a transmitter is coupled to a computer system. Media items stored locally on the computer system and/or remotely on a remote server may be wirelessly transferred from the transmitter to the receiver for display on the display device. In addition, the transmitter and the receiver may be pre-paired prior to delivery to the user, allowing for the network to be configured without any user input. Advantageously, embodiments provide a user with the ability to conveniently view content stored on a computer or a web server without the user having to perform any wireless network setup procedures.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing system, comprising: a viewing apparatus equipped with a content reproduction unit that reproduces content containing video data or audio data; a radio communication apparatus equipped with a storage unit in which user data correlated to a user to whom said radio communication apparatus belongs are stored and a data transmitting unit that transmits viewer data that include part of or all of said user data stored in said storage unit; and an information processing apparatus equipped with an analyzing unit that analyzes, based upon the user data, a viewership effect of the content reproduced by said viewing apparatus and a content distribution unit that distributes content data to be used to reproduce the content to said viewing apparatus.

Abstract: A stream of time-ordered data, such as a movie, is divided into multiple fragments of equal length, which are repetitively transmitted at different respective repetition rates. The fragments are reordered for transmission so that those which occur near the beginning of the original data stream are transmitted more frequently than those which occur later in the data stream. When a user enters a request to utilize the data, the individual fragments are stored upon receipt at the user's premises, and reassembled into a contiguous stream. The ordering of the fragments is such that the wait time required before utilization of the data can begin is limited to a predetermined maximum, and at least one copy of every fragment becomes available by the time it is needed.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus for enhancing an information resource, such as a Web page, simultaneously residing in memory on a number of remote receivers. A content creator, (e.g., a program producer, broadcaster, affiliate, cable company or satellite provider), embeds a trigger in a data service channel of a broadcast signal. The trigger includes a resource identifier unique to the information resource and a script capable of modifying the information resource. The script might be a script or a segment of a script written in a conventional scripting language. Each receiver that includes the targeted information resource monitors the data service channel of the broadcast video signal for script-bearing triggers directed to that resource. If a receiver receives a script-bearing trigger directed to the resident resource, the receiver executes the script contained within the trigger to alter the resource and/or the displayed video defined by the resource.

Abstract: A method and system for linking a web page to a portion of a video is provided. Users can enter comments into a video that include a start and end time index for identifying a portion of a video. Comments are indexed to the media presentations such that they may be searched and located, thus media playback can be executed from any comment. The system allocates a unique comment track to each user that can be turned on and off at will by users during playback.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments included systems and methods which allow two persons in different locations to enjoy a synchronized and shared viewing experience of original content that has been edited differently for broadcast in each location. Closed captioning text data to identify synchronization points in the broadcasts and used to provide synchronization services between the two broadcasts.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a display; a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal including a program with a data format; an image processing part which processes the received program according to an available data format; and a controller which controls the image processing part to display a message informing that both data formats are not matched on the display if the data format of the received program is not matched with the available data format to be processed by the image processing part.

Abstract: A method of sending video data over a network is disclosed. The method includes initiating a video data stream between a first site and a second site over the network, sending compressed video content from the first site to the second site, decompressing the video content at the first site, decompressing the video content at the second site and synchronizing the decompressed video content at the first and second site whereby the video data stream can be controlled by either the first or second site.

Abstract: A method of generating information on relationships between characters of a content includes dividing a text extracted from the content into one or more predetermined units, determining one or more dominant relationships between characters of the content by comparing the divided units with relationship keyword information in which keywords contained in categories are defined, wherein the categories represent one or more relationships between the characters, and generating information on the relationships between the characters in accordance with the determined dominant relationships. The dominant relationships are determined by matching the divided units of text to the categories with reference to the relationship keyword information, counting the number of divided units of text corresponding to each of the categories, and determining the relationship represented by the category measured by the highest number of divided units of text.

Abstract: In certain implementations, a television tutorial Widget method involves providing a tutorial Widget running on a television processor to produce video images rendered as a video overlay that overlays the picture on a television display. The tutorial Widget: loading upon receipt of a command to run the tutorial Widget; identifying an operating state of the television set; retrieving and presenting a list of available tutorial videos associated with the operating state of the television set in the video overlay; identifying a tutorial video selected by a user; and retrieving and playing the tutorial video selected by the user in the video overlay. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method and system of mass multimedia messaging in a system having a service provider and a plurality of subscriber communication terminals supported by the service provider, wherein at least some of the subscriber terminals have different messaging capabilities and different message format requirements. The method includes adaptation and handling of a mass multimedia message, and mass multimedia message notification. The system uses a retrieval platform and a processing platform. The retrieval platform generates a unique message identifier for the mass multimedia message, and pre-adapts the message into adapted content messages for the terminal types supported by the service provider. The processing platform formats message notifications for the subscriber terminals based on each terminal's messaging capabilities, with each notification containing the unique message identifier.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for injecting synchronized stream data into a Motion Picture Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) video/audio transport stream for a digital data broadcasting service. The apparatus and method for injecting synchronized stream data calculate the injection time point of data access unit (DAU) that forms the synchronized stream data and injects DAU into the MPEG-2 video/audio transport stream based on the calculated injection time point so that the synchronized stream data could be presented smoothly in a receiver. The synchronized stream data injecting apparatus includes: an additional data storing unit, a synchronized stream data selection/establishment unit, a synchronized stream data analyzing unit, a transport stream analyzing unit, a synchronized stream data injection/management unit, a presentation time stamp re-stamping unit and a multiplexing unit.