Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping and/or filtering content from a video stream using text data associated with the video stream. The text data is parsed using metadata to identify portions of the video stream to skip during presentation, and/or to identify portions of the video stream to present to a user. The portions of the video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the video stream, and the filtered video stream is presented to a user.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus, systems and/or methods are described for generating metadata utilized by a DVR to filter content from a video stream. A video stream is reviewed to identify portions the video stream to skip during presentation of the video stream. Text data associated with the video stream is parsed to identify a string in the text data that identifies boundaries of the portions of the video stream that are to be skipped during presentation by the DVR. The string is provided to the DVR, and the DVR utilizes the string to skip the portion of the video stream during presentation of the video stream by the DVR.

Abstract: A system for the automatic collection of closed caption text wherein broadcast source of closed caption text are received by a tuner, then decoded and a text handler writes text files. A remote inquiry client is operably connected to the tuner and a server, to push the text files from the inquiry client to the server. A previously submitted search profile originated by the inquiry client is automatically compared with the text files and parsed to create a inquiry client search result, and the useful inquiry client is then automatically contacted regarding the search result.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to process customized recording contents includes generating customized replay control information at a time of recording contents. The method also includes extracting broadcasting-associated additional information from a broadcasting stream, extracting user interaction information by matching the extracted additional information with one or more viewing preferences of a user, selectively parsing the broadcasting stream according to the user interaction information to generate stream parsing information, and generating replay control information corresponding to the broadcasting stream based on the user interaction information and stream parsing information.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for allowing a user to search for specific content across many television channels in order to locate desirable television shows related to the searched content. Multiplexed cable signals flow thorough a logical unit which buffers text associated with the voice stream of each station via the pre-encoded closed-captioning signal or through the real-time voice translation within the logical unit. The user then enters search terms through one of a variety of different input devices. Upon entry of the search terms, the logical unit will compare the entered term with those available keywords stored in each buffer. Lexical parsing associates terms which may differ from plural to singular forms, or in tense. Additionally, synonym comparisons may be made. The logical unit will return a list of matches for the search criteria and allows the user the option of going directly to the television program.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a broadcast signal (28) comprises receiving a broadcast signal (28), the broadcast signal including a timebase (23), monitoring the broadcast signal (28) for an identification signal (24), and pausing the timebase (23) if the identification signal (24) is not present. The method further comprises restarting the timebase (23), once the identification signal (24) is present.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving, processing, and storing electronic data transmitted in the vertical blanking interval of a video signal. The system provides a flexible mechanism for reading electronic data from video signals including those in National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) and Phase Alternation by Line (PAL) formats. Some implementations provide for receiving electronic programming guide data transmitted at a single byte rate or at multiple byte rates. The data is stored on a computer-readable medium such as a hardrive for further processing and use.

Abstract: A method of providing interactive video content is presented that includes receiving video content from a video content source. An initial interactive content indicator is encoded within a closed-captioning portion of the video content at the video content source. The method also includes selecting a substitute uniform resource locator (URL) associated with interactive content related to the video content. Further, the method includes replacing the initial interactive content indicator with the substitute URL within the closed-captioning portion of the video content.

Abstract: A view restriction method surely blocks a program voluntarily designated by a viewer from view. When a restricted program is designated by the viewer (step S1), receiver identification information for identifying a receiver of a viewer is associated with the restricted program (step S2). View restriction information is broadcasted together with the restricted program in a broadcasting time range of the restricted program (step S3). At the receiver, the view restriction information is captured (step S4). At the receiver, display of the restricted program is restricted if the receiver identification information included in the view restriction information matches that set at the receiver (step S5).

Abstract: A speech displaying system and method can display playing progress by waveform and synchronously display text of a speech file using rolling subtitles when playing the speech file. After the speech file is loaded via a loading module, a sentence unit determining module partitions content of the speech file into a plurality of sentence units to produce a list of sentence units. A subtitle highlighting speed calculating module calculates a speed of highlighting every single letter or character contained in the subtitles in the sentence unit index for a sentence unit. A subtitle rolling module displays content of the list of sentence units. When the speech file is played, the subtitles in the sentence unit index are clearly marked, and every letter or character of the subtitles is highlighted. A waveform displaying module marks positions of sentence pauses and playing progress on an oscillogram for the speech file by lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides an architecture for translating closed captioning text originally provided with a video program from one language to another and presenting the translated closed captioning text with the video program to a viewer. As such, the viewers are able to receive the closed captioning text in languages other than that used for the closed captioning originally provided with the video program. The original closed captioning text may be translated from one language to another by a centralized closed captioning processor, such that the customer equipment for various subscribers can take advantage of centralized translation services. Once the original closed captioning text is translated, the translated closed captioning text may be delivered to the customer equipment in different ways.

Abstract: A video production facility system may produce closed caption data that includes text data and timing data. The system may receive script data for a video program. The system may then determine identifiers for individual programming events that make up the program. The system may then produce closed caption data for the program. The closed caption data may include text data corresponding to the script data, and timing data provided at locations that correspond to the beginning of each of the programming events. The timing data may comprise an identifier of the corresponding programming event. Further timing data may be provided that marks the ends of programming events, or that marks individual segments within a programming event. Related embodiments may pertain to systems that implement such processing. The closed caption data may be synchronized to a video signal based on the display of corresponding text by a teleprompter system that is used in the production of the video program.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus for an interactive communication system using a broadcast wave, which includes a first storage unit, a second storage unit, and a transmitting unit. The first storage unit stores a plurality of frames of image data. The second storage unit stores control information which shows links between said plurality of frames of image data stored in the first storage unit, and which indicates a combining of a supplementary design with the image data. These supplementary designs are stored by a receiving apparatus and are combined with the image represented by the image data. The transmitting unit repeatedly transmits a predetermined number of frames of image data together with corresponding control information.

Abstract: There is provided a system for the automatic collection and conditioning of closed caption texts originating from multiple geographic locations, comprising: (1) at least one remote capture client means having a tuner to receive one or more television signals, a decoder to decode closed caption text stream in the television signals, and means to write the closed caption text stream to a text file, (2) central server means operatively connected to the remote capture client means for storing the text files and making the text files available to a user, and (3) an inquiry client means operatively connected to the central server means for searching the text files. The central server is adapted to automatically process search requests from the inquiry client and notify the inquiry client via any suitable communications means, even when the inquiry client is not in active communication with the central server.

Abstract: Disclosed is a caption display method and device in contents retrieval on an A/V network supporting web service technologies. A caption display method in contents retrieval on an A/V network comprises searching for captions corresponding to contents selected for retrieval, and loading the searched captions; parsing the loaded captions; decoding the parsed captions and the contents selected for retrieval; and encoding contents containing the decoded captions into a retrievable format. Thus, since the contents and the captions are simultaneously provided, user's convenience is enhanced.

Abstract: A tool usable in an interactive television environment comprises a module having code to analyze a dynamic text string and to determine where to split or truncate the text string, at spaces, for each row and/or into substrings for each page. The module takes onto account the pixel width of the characters in the text string and the available rows of the display area of the television to write the text string. The module can truncate the text string after a particular number of lines at a space and append an ellipsis, or the module can dynamically write code to accommodate the entire text string in a “page flipper,” where the user sees substrings of the text string on each page (broken at a space at the end of each page) and can “page” forward or backward through the entire text string.

Abstract: A book on-demand system having reading data for reading book contents and printing and bookbinding data for printing and bookbinding on the server thereof and also having a function to transmit the reading data to a reading device via a network at a user's request and also transmit the printing and bookbinding data to a printing and bookbinding device, wherein the server separately handles reading charge data concerning a reading charge applied to reading data transmission and printing and bookbinding charge data concerning a printing and bookbinding charge applied to printing and bookbinding processing.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.

Abstract: There is provided a system for the automatic collection and conditioning of closed caption texts originating from multiple geographic locations, comprising: (1) at least one remote capture client means having a tuner to receive one or more television signals, a decoder to decode closed caption text stream in the television signals, and means to write the closed caption text stream to a text file, (2) central server means operatively connected to the remote capture client means for storing the text files and making the text files available to a user, and (3) an inquiry client means operatively connected to the central server means for searching the text files. The remote capture client is preferably adapted to automatically create text files and “push” them to the central server. The central server is preferably adapted to provide search results and/or text files to the inquiry client via a web browser.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying related components of a media stream that has been transmitted over a computer network includes at least one storage device that communicates with a television decoder and with the video display. Information from one or more components of the media stream is extracted from the media stream and delivered to one or more storage devices. This stored component is subsequently transmitted to the video display in response to an information release signal that is embedded in the information. The invention can be used to display closed caption and other information with associated audio and video signals using an audio-visual media player.

Abstract: Flexible systems and methods are disclosed that may be used for provisioning, configuring, and controlling a host embodied in a cable set top box or other digital device attached to a digital communication network, such as cable distribution network. An enhanced services system maintains various host files for various types of hosts that a cable subscriber may purchase and connect to the cable network. The Enhanced Services Server interacts with the host using the host files. The host files may be downloaded from the host manufacturer into a database that distributes the modules as required to the various enhanced services systems. The host may be purchased by the cable subscriber and provisioning may be initiated by the retailer at the time of purchase using a provisioning network interacting with the appropriate cable system serving the subscriber. This abstract is not intended to limit or construe the scope of the claims.

Abstract: A tuner component module within a home network based on the HAVI standard, i.e. a tuner FCM, according to the present invention includes the funtionality to provide the capability of the tuner and/or to introduce the DVB/DTV concepts of components and events to the HAVi network. In this context, components could be audio, video, or data streams associated with a service and events could e.g. be information for an electronic programming guide (EPG). The capability of a tuner in this context are all functions supported by the tuner. Therefore, a tuner FCM according to the present invention includes at least one of the following APIs and the corresponding (data/signal) structures necessary to have a proper functionality: GetItemComponentList API, GetEventList API, SelectItemComponent API, GetCurrentItemComponent API and GetCapability API.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for controlling a program information display on an electronic program guide (EPG) screen to supply perfect program information on the EPG screen to viewers by controlling length of the program information serviced through a set top box. A descriptor analysis is performed through SDT (service description table) and EIT (event information table) filtering processes for the corresponding channels by grouping channel IDs to be shown to the viewers on one screen. And, a display range of the program information is controlled by using length data of the program information obtained through the analysis processes, thereby showing the perfect program information to the viewers.

Abstract: TeleWeb services are currently being developed, in which HTML-encoded images are transmitted in the vertical blanking interval of a conventional analog television signal. For special applications, such as subtitling and targeted advertising, the relevant TeleWeb images must be displayed substantially in synchronism with given video frames of the television signal. This is achieved by transmitting the encoded images in advance and provide them with a time stamp (33) which specifies the display time in terms of a reference clock. The reference clock is preferably derived from the teletext clock time (31,32). A possible display time stamp format is hh:mm:ss′ff, where ff specifies a frame within a second. At the receiver end, the teletext clock is interpolated to reconstruct the reference clock, and the subtitles are buffered until the display time stamp matches the actual clock time.

Abstract: A method for outputting supplemental media streams with a main media stream is presented. The method monitors for triggering events and, upon detecting a triggering event, causes one or more supplemental media streams associated with the triggering event to output. The associated supplemental media streams may be output either synchronously or asynchronously with the main media stream. Synchronous supplemental media streams are output concurrently with the main media stream. Asynchronously output supplemental media streams suspend the main media stream while they are output and terminate any currently outputting supplemental media streams. A supplemental media stream may cause a conditional triggering event to trigger a second supplemental media stream to output synchronously with the first. A second main media stream with associated supplemental media streams may be output asynchronously as a compiled supplemental media stream in connection with a first main media stream.

Abstract: A description is given of a method for choosing a reference information item in a television signal, which can be employed in particular for calling up an Internet and/or email address with a television set. A television signal comprises a video signal and a supplementary signal, the reference information item being contained in the supplementary signal. According to the invention, the reference information item is assigned to a sub-area of the picture content of the video signal, the reference information item being chosen by selecting the assigned sub-area and a reproduction of assigned information being enabled. The supplementary signal contains contour information items which are assigned to the sub-area of the picture content and represent an approximation of the outer contour of the sub-area The supplementary signal is preferably situated in the vertical blanking interval in the case of an analogue television signal and in the so-called user data in the case of a digital television signal.

Abstract: A news search resultant database containing a plurality of decoded closed captioned common news story texts from geographically diverse television stations, which texts have format consistency regardless of the origin of the respective texts. The database is readily readable.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture for generating a video signal having an auxiliary data payload complying with a data payload protocol selectable from at least two available data payload protocols is disclosed. An exemplary embodiment of the method comprises the steps of generating a data reference signal (which describes an auxiliary data payload protocol including an auxiliary data payload clock speed) at a baseline clock speed compliant with both of the two data protocols; appending the auxiliary data payload signal at the auxiliary data payload clock speed to the data reference signal; and inserting the data reference signal and the appended auxiliary data payload signal in a portion of at least one line of a video frame. An exemplary embodiment of the apparatus comprises a generator, for generating at least one line of a video frame having a data reference signal at a baseline clock speed compliant with two data protocols and an appended auxiliary data payload.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling a formerly passive-display television infrastructure, such as in a single-location commercial establishment, includes a text and graphical information input interface which uploads the text and graphical information, and the control information for its display, to dedicated control modules connected to each television. The apparatus can provide an addressable or a direct-wired ability for the operator to display text and graphics overlaid on an existing television channel at the operator's choice of time, text, and location on the screen. Alternate video source inputs may further be controlled to replace the currently displayed television channel for a selected amount of time.

Abstract: An interactive television system for selectively retrieving video images or teletext pages from a remote transmitter (1). User requests are communicated to the transmitter through the telephone network (5). The selected images (e.g. teletext pages) are provided with an image address (a personal teletext page number) and transmitted through a broadcast medium (4). A broadcast receiver (6) captures, stores and displays images having a particular address in a further autonomous manner. In order to prevent co-viewers from tracing the image address and thus watching personal information intended for an individual user on their broadcast receivers (3), the service provider sends a control command (the teletext “stop” command) to the receiver through the network whenever a new image has been transmitted. Then, the provider broadcasts a different image having the same image address. In view of the stop command, the individual receiver will ignore this “pseudo-image” while this image will.

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 CATV system including a CATV network, a multiplicity of subscriber units, apparatus for transmitting over said CATV network encrypted information individually addressed to a subscriber unit and apparatus associated with each of said multiplicity of subscriber units for decoding the encrypted information addressed thereto.

Abstract: A video signal and an audio signal are time division multiplexed, encrypted, and transmitted. A transmission side time-compresses the audio signal, multiplexes, encrypts, and transmits the time-compressed audio signal in a blanking period of the video signal. Control is performed using an audio signal data enable signal ADE, and a audio signal/video signal switch signal.

Abstract: A method for processing auxiliary information, such as closed caption or teletext data, in a video system enables an increased number of characters to be displayed per line. According to an exemplary embodiment, a video system (100) includes a tuner (10) operative to receive a video signal including auxiliary information representative of a first number of characters to be displayed per line. A memory (13) is operative to store display list data representative of the received auxiliary information. A controller (11) is operative to retrieve the stored display list data in accordance with a format representative of a second number of characters per line, the second number being less than the first number.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving device and method thereof is capable of synchronizing text data to currently broadcasting video data and/or audio data and displaying the same. The digital broadcast receiving device has a text data reading unit for reading a text data from a bit stream of a digital broadcast program; a text data synchronizing unit for synchronizing the read text data to currently-broadcasting video data and/or audio data; and a text data outputting unit for outputting, thus displaying the read text data on a display. The text data outputting unit outputs the read text data such that certain portion that is synchronized to the currently broadcasting video data and/or audio data can be distinguished among others. As a result, viewers can catch the intended information immediately even when the information is ETT text data that contains a large amount of information.

Abstract: A system for organizing digital videos to archive and access them at different levels of abstraction uses data available from a closed-caption text along with off-the-shelf natural language processing tools to segment the video into self-contained story sections and speaker blocks. If the subject changes are marked, the system uses these points to divide the video into distinct stories which are represented as nodes attached to the root node in a tree structure and groups speaker segments belonging to a story under the story node as its children.

Abstract: A multiple Interactive Program Guide (IPG) system provides different television programming and different IPGs to several different users respectively. A single set-top box is capable of providing programming and scheduling data to several different television sets. Each of the different IPGs share a common database. Therefore, a first IPG being viewed by a first user can display data added or modified via a second IPG by a second user of the system. Furthermore, the data added or modified by the second user can influence the viewing rights of the first user. Also, all the competing and conflicting requests for limited resources, such as VCR scheduled recordings, will be brought to the users' attention and will be displayed by the system.

Abstract: A video and digital multimedia aggregator includes a content decoder, coder (codec) and formatter. The codec formatter receives coding and formatting requests that characterize input source content and desired output target content. Data conveyed about the source and target content may include parameters such as physical and/or logical addresses, coding and compression parameters, format descriptions, content size, description of auxiliary services, and other metadata elements that may be required for coding and formatting.

Abstract: A method and system for broadcasting activity occurring in a baseball game is provided, wherein the activity includes one or more base runners occupying bases in a field where the baseball game is being played. The method comprises the steps of (i) providing a video image of activity occurring in the baseball game; (ii) creating a graphic overlay for the video image, wherein the graphic overlay provides indicia representing identity information of the one or more base runners occupying bases; and (iii) overlying the graphic overlay over the video image to create a combined image comprising the graphic overlay and the video image. The indicia representing identity information of the one or more base runners occupying bases is provided in the form of uniform numbers of the base runners.

Abstract: A method and system for allowing a plurality of devices at a physical drop to receive access to video and/or data services from a plurality of video/data service providers in a digital broadband network serviced by a telecommunication services provider utilizes a broadcast manager, in communication with the video/data service providers, for transmitting an electronic message in a modified format determined by the telecommunication services provider, wherein the electronic message contains information identifying the physical drop, a type of the device being provisioned a the physical drop, and a maximum number of devices for the device type allowed to receive corresponding service at the physical drop. A broadband digital terminal, in communication with the broadcast manager and the physical port, is programmed to receive the electronic message and store the corresponding information.

Abstract: A digital data distribution system that comprises a broadcasting station and an end station. The broadcasting station broadcasts a broadcast signal repetitively modulated with a digital information signal. The digital information signal includes a file group composed of body files containing any or all of audio, graphics and text information. The end system includes a receiver, a user interface, a memory, a controller and a reproduction section. The receiver receives the broadcast signal from the broadcasting station and demodulates the digital information signal from the broadcast signal to generate a digital bit stream. The user interface allows a user to select at least one of the body files for storage as a selected body file. The memory is substantially smaller than the file group. The controller identifies the selected body file in the digital bit stream and causes the selected body file to be stored in the memory.

Abstract: In a data extraction circuit used for reproducing character data such as a closed caption and a text, a horizontal sync digital PLL circuit generates an fh sync system clock signal, which is synchronized with a horizontal sync signal fh, in response to a digital video signal from an ADC. Based on the fh sync system clock signal, a clock generation circuit generates a data extracting clock signal which is synchronized with the horizontal sync signal fh. The data extracting clock signal can thus be caused to follow horizontal jitters. Consequently, character data can be reproduced with stability, irrespective of variations in frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering interactive television (ITV) data by using the same TV scan line that also carries closed caption data. The ITV data is inserted into the scan line with CC data by detecting a gap associated with a first CC data unit. If the gap is large enough to contain all of the group of ITV data units then electronically insert the entire group of ITV data units into the gap. If the gap is not large enough to contain the entire group of ITV data units, insert a subset of the entire group of the ITV data units into the gap and continue to the gaps associated with successive CC data units, inserting subsets of the ITV data into subsequent gaps until the entire ITV message has been inserted into the gaps between CC data units.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method that can acquire high quality display effect when a high-resolution is showed on a low-resolution display (e.g. SDTV) using digital image processing technology at client-end. Meanwhile any part of the original image can also be arbitrarily zoomed to display high-resolution images on SDTV with different display ratio. When the original image can not be entirely displayed on the screen of SDTV due to zooming, the rest of the original image can be browsed by changing the relative position of visible screen area on the original image. So it is more convenient for the user to surf and browse on-tine by SDTV.

Abstract: A mechanism for enabling interactive communications between mass media operators and mass media audiences is described. The mechanism associates an interactive prompt with a communication over a communications medium so that the prompt is received by a member of a mass media audience member and receives a response from the mass media audience member in response to the interactive prompt from a communications device.

Abstract: The slicing circuit is provided with a data bus 8, a control register 1, a text RAM 2, a digital arithmetic and logic unit 3, a timing control circuit 4, an A/D converter 5, a SYNC separator 6, and a PLL circuit 7.

Abstract: A video production facility system may produce closed caption data that includes text data and timing data. The system may receive script data for a video program. The system may then determine identifiers for individual programming events that make up the program. The system may then produce closed caption data for the program. The closed caption data may include text data corresponding to the script data, and timing data provided at locations that correspond to the beginning of each of the programming events. The timing data may comprise an identifier of the corresponding programming event. Further timing data may be provided that marks the ends of programming events, or that marks individual segments within a programming event. Related embodiments may pertain to systems that implement such processing. The closed caption data may be synchronized to a video signal based on the display of corresponding text by a teleprompter system that is used in the production of the video program.

Abstract: A recording arrangement (1) can be programmed to record an information signal (FS) of an information broadcast by the entry of a broadcast identification (VPS-SI, VPS-PI) and a broadcast start time (SBZ) transmitted in the information signal (FS). The recording mode of the recording arrangement (1) is activated both when the broadcast identification (VPS-SI, VPS-PI) is detected in the received information signal (FS) and when a recording start time (ABZ) is reached, which recording start time is reached a lead time interval (VZ) before the broadcast start time (SBZ-PI) of the programmed information broadcast.

Abstract: A system and method by which a user can select the language in which on-screen displays are displayed and audio programs are broadcast on a receiver by making a single-on-screen selection. The on-screen displays may include user menu, close captioning and/or teletext.