Abstract: A computer implemented method dynamically modifies media content to be presented to a group of viewers. A plurality of content filters, each of which has multiple sub-components and is based on a member profile of a different member of a media viewing audience, is generated. Media content is then modified, based on the plurality of content filters, to create a dynamically modified media content for viewing by the media viewing audience.

Abstract: Audiovisual reproduction system comprising a central unit managing a sound control circuit, and a telecommunications modem connected to a distribution network controlled by a host server, through a multitask operating system created around a tools and services library, characterized in that the operating system comprises a function that adjusts the sound control circuit to couple volumes in the various areas in which the loudspeakers in the audiovisual reproduction system are used, this function being accessible through a management mode of the multitask operating system, the coupling maintaining the ratios between the various volumes in each area when the volume in one area is modified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a survey independent of location and participant schedules is disclosed herein. An exemplary method of the present invention comprises sending a multi-media data file to a plurality of survey participants, receiving reactionary feedback from a plurality of participants via a wide area network, and compiling the reactionary feedback to generate the survey results. Subsequently, a viewer synchronously displays the compiled survey results with the corresponding streamed media from the multi-media data file.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for correlating ads viewed on a Television through a Set-Top Box (STB) to subsequent website visits or online/mobile sale transactions in an anonymous manner. In accordance with one or more embodiments, the method includes the steps of (a) receiving from a STB the contents and ad runs, with the STB being identified by a STB ID; and (b) correlating the website visit or online/mobile sale transaction with identifiers such as IP Address and/or Unique Carrier User ID to the TV ad viewed by matching the STB ID based on two Advertisers with two different Ad IDs, one of which is a Local Ad, delivered to the same STB ID from two different Content IDs, and two visits by a user from the same IP Address to the respective URLs, both visits within a pre-determined time period after the respective ad runs.

Abstract: A method of (and associated system and computer program product for) providing a rating for an event. A user submits feedback data using an interface provided on a user terminal, the feedback data related to the event. A user submitting feedback data may have a member user weighting, preferably obtained from one or more other member users, or may be initially allocated as a default weighting. The rating for the event is determined at least partially based on the feedback data, and may also be based on the member user weighting of the member user who submitted the feedback data. The rating may be determined or adjusted by feedback data and respective member user weightings received from other member users. An event may be a broadcast, concert, exhibition, tour, show, movie, competition, party, and/or function.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and system for automatically identifying and presenting video clips or other media to a user at a client device. One embodiment of the invention provides a method for updating a user profile or other persistent data store based on user feedback to improve the identification of video clips or other media content responsive to the user's profile. Embodiments of the invention also provide methods for processing user feedback. Related architectures are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring a display venue are disclosed. One method involves receiving information generated by an audience in response to a request associated with content provided to the audience at a display venue, and determining at least one condition at the display venue based on the information.

Abstract: In an automatic, computer-implemented method, a selected television advertisement is presented automatically in association with a television program or channel. A relationship is identified between an online user profile and the television program or channel, and the television advertisement is selected based at least in part on information from the online user profile. The selected television advertisement is presented, in association with the television program or channel that is identified as being related to the online user profile, via a set-top box having a corresponding set-top box identifier that is associated with the online user profile.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a computer-implemented method for a digital broadcast system is described. The method involves an operation of receiving an electronic questionnaire that includes a plurality of questions registered to avoid duplication of any one of the plurality of questions. The electronic questionnaire, when processed by a receiver of the digital broadcast system, generates for display a plurality of questions. The receiver acquires answers to the electronic questionnaire, where the answers are used in adjusting content subsequently downloaded to the receiver.

Abstract: A method of providing video entertainment content on-line without advertising interruptions of the video entertainment content is provided. A user request to provide video entertainment content is received. An amount of credits required to display the entertainment content is determined. The user is informed of the amount of credits required to view the video entertainment content. A list of advertisements the user may watch to earn credits is provided. It is determined whether the user has watched an advertisement and earned credits. The user is allowed access to the video entertainment content without advertising interruptions when the user has the amount of credits required to display the entertainment content.

Abstract: Portable audience measurement architectures and methods for portable audience measurement are disclosed. A disclosed system contains a plurality of portable measurement devices configured to collect audience measurement data from media devices, a plurality of data collection servers configured to collect audience measurement data from the plurality of portable measurement devices, and a central data processing server. A portable measurement device establishes a communication link with a data collection server in a peer-to-peer manner and transfers the collected audience measurement data to the data collection server. Because the portable measurement device is not dedicated to a particular local data collection server, the portable measurement device periodically or a periodically broadcasts a message attempting to find a data collection server with which to establish a communication link.

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: A method, system, and computer-readable medium for collecting usage information in real-time for a computing device receiving digital content for presentation, such as to enable various types of real-time content modifications or content-related service enhancements. In some situations, real-time information is collected about Set-Top Boxes that allow viewers to receive various types of content (e.g., video broadcasts such as single-channel or multi-channel television programming, audio broadcasts, media-on-demand, etc.) and to interact with the content and with related services in various ways, such as information about content viewing and types of viewer interactions. Having access to information related to content viewing and to various types of user interactions provides a variety of benefits, with real-time or near real-time collection of such information enabling dynamic modifications to provided content, functionality, and services.

Abstract: A method of displaying customised media content wherein the viewer can affect the media content displayed by giving answers to a question displayed with the media content is provided. For example, a method of displaying customised media content, comprising receiving video data, including an advertisement, at an output device; displaying the advertisement on the output device; receiving interactive data, including a question, a correct answer to the question and at least one incorrect answer to the question, at the output device; displaying the question, the correct answer and the incorrect answer on the output device; receiving an indication of a user's answer to the question at the output device; and displaying further visual content on the output device based on the answer.

Abstract: An apparatus includes unit acquiring comment information items related to video content, each of the comment information items including a comment, and a start time and an end time of the comment, unit dividing the comment into words by morpheme analysis for each of the comment information items, unit acquiring an estimated value of each of the words, the estimated value indicating a degree of importance used when the scenes are extracted, unit adding the acquired estimated value of each of the words for each of the words during a period of time ranging from the start time to the end time of the comment that contains a corresponding word to acquire estimated value distributions of the words, and unit extracting a start time and an end time of one scene and to be extracted from the video content, based on a shape of the estimated value distributions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for identifying a particular user of an receiver, such as a set-top box or receiver. A user is identified by the manner in which she uses an input device, such a wireless remote. Each individual user of the receiver is assigned a profile that includes values for a number of information points that serve to distinguish the user from other users of the receiver. With a user identified through tracking of her usage of a input device, customized content such as target advertisements or programming suggestions may be provided.

Abstract: A user is prompted during television commercial breaks to depress one or more pushbuttons on a television remote control at certain times to confirm that the user is watching the advertisements. A set top box connected to the television receives and decodes the signal from the remote control. When the user responds properly to a prompt, the set top box increments a tally maintained in the set top box memory to accumulate points by which the user can earn rewards.

Abstract: A favorites list of program channels which a cable TV user likely prefers is generated automatically from which the user may select a program channel to watch. Each program channel in the favorites list is identified based on a measure of the duration in which the program channel is continuously tuned to. In an embodiment, this measure varies nonlinearly with such a duration. The favorites list may further comprise sublists of program channels which may correspond to different periods of a day, week, etc. The favorites list may be generated from programs watched on multiple viewing devices.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for collecting user response information corresponding to a request transmitted as a part of unidirectional media broadcast. Mobile devices used to display media broadcast containing the request, such a survey, are also configured to send information using other communication networks, such as cellular networks. Mobile devices collect users' responses to the request and send information corresponding to these responses to a response processing server. The response processing server in turn processes the information, generate a report, and transmit this report to the broadcasting service. These reports may be used for a variety of purposes. In one example, reports are used to update broadcasted content such that mobile device user can view results of their responses as a part of the updated broadcast.

Abstract: A broadcast system, method and apparatus providing content on demand. In one embodiment, the disclosed broadcast system includes a server that broadcasts meta-data to a plurality of clients. The meta-data describes a plurality of data files that are to be broadcast or potentially broadcast later by the server. Each client receives the broadcasted meta-data from the server and updates and maintains a local meta-data table and a content rating table. Based on the meta-data, previous access habits of the user and optional user classifications, the client system selectively receives and/or stores the data files that are later broadcast by the server. In one embodiment, the client systems transmit back to the server ratings of each one of the data files described by the meta-data based on the user's previously accessed data files and optional user classifications. The server then determines the data files to be broadcast and the broadcast schedule based on the ratings received from the clients.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for generating viewing recommendations in a television viewing personalization system, including parsing, in accordance with a set of stored processing rules, a stream of command signals generated by a remote control unit in response to control sequences entered into the control unit by a viewer, to generate information representative of the viewer's viewing behavior; and determining, from the generated information, at least one viewing recommendation.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling media for consumption via a demand broadcast channel based upon notifications received during user consumption of media. An embodiment of the present invention may employ notifications generated when users select media for consumption, to calculate one or more statistics. The statistics may be calculated and used by a media provider to schedule media into a demand broadcast channel in which the frequency of repetition or time of availability of the media is set according to a ranking of the relative frequency of requests for the media. The statistics may also be shared with a third party, to enable a third party media provider to arrange the scheduling of media availability according to the relative frequency of requests for the media.

Abstract: A user preference information data structure which is capable of classifying and setting user's preference information regarding multi-media contents with multiple items to thereby provide users with user's request-based whole or partial multi-media information, and a method for providing multi-media information by using the user preference information data structure. The multiple item user preference information data structure for multi-media contents comprising: single item user preference information for single items related to the multi-media information; and multiple items user preference information for multiple items formed by combining the single items.

Abstract: An automation server interfaces with broadcast scheduling systems of various types to automatically synchronize the behavior of interactive applications relative to various broadcast programs, such as television shows and commercials, so as to maintain the appropriate interactive application for whatever broadcast program is airing. This allows for television shows which have an associated interactive application, but which are segmented by commercials (which may have their own interactive applications) to have their interactive application displayed while the television show in on, but not during commercials, while maintaining any state information that has been created during execution of the interactive application. The automation server includes multiple channel interfaces, each having a translator and an event manager. The translator translates native control signals from the scheduling system into a fixed set of atomic commands which represent the lifecycle behavior of a broadcast program.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present media content provided by a media content source operating in an interactive television (iTV) network, access a client program which presents an overlay that superimposes onto the media content, wherein the client program enables the media processor to associate at least a portion of the media content with a user-generated comment, receive the user-generated comment, wherein the user-generated comment provides commentary on the portion of the media content, associate the user-generated comment with the portion of the media content, and transmit the user-generated comment to a third party for determination of marketing parameters of the portion of the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of processing data from a plurality of entertainment devices are provided. The method may include: receiving user interaction information, said user interaction information comprising information regarding user interaction with an advertisement displayed on an entertainment device, said entertainment device being configured to perform entertainment content; and associating the user interaction information with venue information regarding a venue in which the entertainment device is located.

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: Methods and systems capture user commands. A user command is received at a viewer's appliance. A determination is made whether the user command is automatically locally stored in memory of the viewer appliance. A look-up is performed when the user command is not automatically locally stored in the viewer appliance to determine if local storage is require. When the look-up determines that local storage is required, then the user command is captured and locally stored for execution at the viewer appliance. When the look-up determines that local storage is not required, then the user command is forwarded to a remote location for remote storage in a network.

Abstract: A video client receives an advertisement for presentation on a display and presents to a user, on the display, the advertisement and a rating interface for the advertisement. The video client receives, via the rating interface, a user input to rate the advertisement and sends, to a server, rating information based on the user input to rate the advertisement. The video client also receives, from the server, incentive information based on the rating information and presents to the user, on the display, the incentive information.

Abstract: A broadcast program processing apparatus that enables a user to acquire evaluation data provided by others who have already watched a broadcast program when the user intends to play back the recorded broadcast program. A broadcast program receiving apparatus records the broadcast program. Before playing back the broadcast program, the broadcast program receiving apparatus acquires the evaluation data concerning the broadcast program provided by others using a cell phone unit. The acquired evaluation data is outputted in connection with the recorded broadcast program. The user can determine whether he or she wants to watch the broadcast program with reference to the evaluations made by others.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for encouraging viewers to pay attention to commercials by incentivizing viewers to watch. Viewers are notified that they can receive rewards for answering one or more questions during or at the conclusion of the commercial. To verify that the viewer paid attention to the commercial, the answer to the question may be based on the content of the commercial. A sponsor might ask, for example, that the viewer identify the name of the sponsor or the color of an announcer's shirt. A correct answer indicates that the viewer watched the commercial, and the viewer is therefore entitled to some reward. For example, viewers who watch the commercial may be entered in a prize drawing, or may receive prize points, such as frequent-flier miles. In other embodiments, viewers may verify that they watched a given program by selecting an icon or pressing a button on a remote control.

Abstract: A survey message is received at a server from a host of a broadcast station currently broadcasting a program over a broadcast network, which is one of a TV program and radio program, where the survey message is to survey an audience of the program concerning content of the program. The survey message is then transmitted to communication devices of a plurality of users who have registered with the server to participate in the program over a data network. Response messages are received from at least some of the registered users in response to the survey message, each response message including geographic information collected from the communication devices of the users. An analysis is performed on the response messages to generate a statistical result representing percentages of answers selected by the users in view of the geographic and/or demographic information of the users.

Abstract: An electronic information card generation and transmittal system generates audience member or user initiated electronic information request cards. Such electronic information request cards (EIRCs) enable broadcasters, network operators, advertisers and program producers to capture and take advantage of the impulse purchase urges, as indicated by the generation of an information request, of the audience members for converting those urges into purchases or information sharing. For example, a network provider/broadcaster notifies an audience member of eligibility to participate in the facility of the system. The audience member signs up to participate in the facility by registering the system for that user. Upon viewing or listening to a program or commercial of interest, the audience member initiates an EIRC through a user interface.

Abstract: Methods and systems for post-processing video to identify interests based on clustered user interactions are provided. A client application program running on a set-top box is provided to enable a user to interactively select a point of interest within video content being played via the set-top box. The selected points of interest of multiple users is aggregated, and clusters of the points of interest are determined. Objects associated with the clusters are determined by analyzing video segments containing the clustered points of interest. Messages related to the objects are created and sent to the relevant users that indicated selection of points of interest which correlate to the objects.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes providing, by a media content access subsystem, a media content program for presentation to a user, receiving user input with the media content access subsystem, capturing, by the media content access subsystem, a snapshot image of the media content program based on the user input, associating, by the media content access subsystem, metadata with the snapshot image, and transmitting, by the media content access subsystem, data representative of the snapshot image and the metadata to a media content chaptering subsystem for use by the media content chaptering subsystem in chaptering the media content program. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Set top box logs are received from a television provider and processed to compensate for broadcast latency and generate normalized log data, e.g., log data that are indexed to a relative time. Channel tunes and the channel tune times of the normalized log data can be compared to expected air times of television advertisements on channels, and an impression values, e.g., projected viewers, can be generated for each television advertisement.

Abstract: In the method for providing an interactive television broadcast, an area of interest in a television picture, corresponding to an object of interest shown in the picture and intended to be associated with interactivity, is determined by means of a marking surface arranged in a particular location relative to the object of interest and differing from the marking surface surroundings on the basis of the radiation from it, the marking surface being detected by a detector sensitive to said radiation.

Abstract: A method for allowing television viewers to express their interest in goods or services advertised on television. The present invention is comprised of a Viewer Preference Program, a Viewer Interest Program, and a Viewer Expression Program. The Viewer Expression Program interfaces with the viewer database, the advertiser database, and the cable provider program and runs the cable provider program, the Viewer Preference Program, and the Viewer Interest Program. The Viewer Preference Program allows the viewer to input the method by which he/she desires to be contacted and the type of information he/she desires to receive from the advertiser. The viewer may indicate an interest during any commercial or program and the Viewer Interest Program records the time and channel of interest. The Viewer Interest Program then cross-references the advertisement with the advertiser responsible for the advertisement and sends the requested information to the viewer.

Abstract: The invention records real-time radio and television listener data utilizing automated, interactive questions and radio and television broadcast audio segments recorded by telephone, including wireless cell phones. Telephone users are asked to hold their phone in the direction of any broadcast audio they are hearing or listening to. Streaming program audio directly from radio and television broadcasts is matched to the program audio recorded from telephone users using computer audio matching technology. When an audio match is made, recorded data will automatically populate an alpha/numeric database creating a record including fields for identifying the radio or TV station, time of recording, the phone user's 10 digit telephone number and demographic information on the listener. Demographics may be obtained prior to the call or by automated interactive questioning, during a call, with the phone user responding to questions verbally or by pushing appropriate keys on the telephone keypad.

Abstract: A system and method for managing video storage on a video surveillance system is disclosed. The system calculates an importance score for a video segment based on a weighted average of multiple scores corresponding to the video event. The multiple scores include an event correlation score correlating a video event with a plurality of other video events, an abnormality score indicating the abnormality of the observed event, a user entered score, a score relating to the number of times a specific location was visited by a moving object, the amount of times a video has been retrieved, and a predicted future storage space. The importance score may be used to determine a video retention operation, such as retaining the video event, purging the video event, reducing the video quality of the event, or storing the video in mix-reality format.

Abstract: Provided are a question and answer service method for exchanging information related to a program or a scene being viewed, a broadcast receiver having a question and answer service function, and a computer readable storage medium storing a program for executing the method. The question and answer service method includes: obtaining image information on a special area on a screen image displayed on a display unit at a point of time when a question of a user is generated while watching a program; selecting question type information displayed on the display unit with respect to the obtained image information; transmitting information about the obtained image information and information about the selected question type to a server via a network; and outputting, if information about at least one answer to the selected question type information is sent from the server via the network, information on the received answer.

Abstract: A method configured for facilitating an interactive multimedia experiences comprising accessing a system-readable specification defining a multimedia experience configured for audience interaction and performing the multimedia experience in accordance with information comprised by the system-readable specification. The information comprised by the system-readable specification includes information for enabling facilitation to of audience response tracking, experience navigation and feedback of audience responses. Performing the multimedia experience includes gathering audience responses, analyzing the audience responses, outputting information resulting from the analyzing audience responses and outputting experience content.

Abstract: User-annotated video markup is described. In embodiments, recorded video content can be rendered for display, and an annotation input can be received that is associated with a displayed segment of the recorded video content. The annotation input can be synchronized with synchronization data that corresponds to the displayed segment of the recorded video content, and then a video markup data file can be generated that includes the annotation input, the synchronization data, and a reference to the recorded video content.

Abstract: Reporting data related to content processing devices, e.g., television devices, are processed to identify channel tunes and corresponding tune times of the content processing devices. Automatically generated channel tunes based on the corresponding tune times are identified. Content items that are aired during a time period defined by the corresponding tune times can be adjusted.

Abstract: Exemplary automated presence detection systems comprise set top box components equipped with a Bluetooth receiver, or another receiver configured to receive data from a personal identification device via a wireless and automatic radio frequency standard. In various embodiments, the Bluetooth receiver may be integrated into the set top box or may operate as an adjunct to an existing set top box. The wireless radio frequency receiver in the set top box will poll to determine the presence of previously paired personal identification devices. If any such device is present, then the set top box will track and record the presence of a viewer that is associated with the device and correlate the viewer's presence with content displayed on the television or other local content display component. Alternatively, based on detected viewer presence, some embodiments of an automated presence detection system may be configured to push and/or restrict specific content.

Abstract: A system and method for audience participation with a broadcast, such as a radio or television program distributed via terrestrial or satellite broadcast and IPTV multicast, is described. The system provides a distributed application architecture that self-organizes the audience's computers, including PCs, mobile devices, and set-top boxes, so that they work together and distribute the audience-participation communications and processing load so as to not overburden any one machine or communication channel. This same technique ensures that no over reliance is placed on one machine or channel. The system is arbitrarily scalable, without requiring significant infrastructure enhancements, with o(log n) response times. This allows live, real-time audience interactions such as voting or participation as a contestant, with live, real-time feedback to the studio originating the broadcast.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and presenting an interactive advertising quiz in conjunction with video media. The system generates an interactive advertising quiz having video content with one or more redacted elements. A redacted element may be, for example, a brand, logo, product, actor, or other identifier that is normally present in the video content. The system presents the interactive advertising quiz to a user and quizzes the user as to the identity of the missing element in the video content. The system receives the user's guess regarding the redacted element in the video content, and determines if the user's guess was correct. Correct guesses may result in incentives being awarded to the user. The interactive advertising content is shown in a post-roll position following online video content that has been shown to the user. The user may also challenge other users to play the interactive advertising quiz.

Abstract: A remote response system that utilizes portable response devices that require a user to input a program code and response data, which are transmitted over existing communication systems to a central location for processing. Certain response devices communicate over wireless systems, while other response devices communicate over plain old telephone systems by sending data bursts or by dialing different, pre-established telephone numbers. A user of the response device can communicate with a presenter of programming that is live or broadcast over audio/visual mediums in real time, without requiring the user to have a personal computer.

Abstract: A television programming recommender is disclosed that selectively obtains feedback information from a user to update one or more profiles associated with the user. Previously obtained implicit and explicit preferences are utilized to selectively focus the collection of feedback information to further update and refine the implicit and explicit preferences. The present invention obtains feedback from a user in a manner that maximizes the value of the obtained information and improves the performance of the television programming recommender. The present invention automatically requests feedback from the user upon the occurrence of predefined criteria. The nature of the requested feedback, and the manner in which the obtained feedback is used to adjust a profile, can vary.

Abstract: A collection of digital media is stored at a source device and transferred to a target device. A subset of the collection may be transferred based on a priority related to a points assigned by a user's rating of particular digital media and on rules based on particular user actions.