Abstract: A set-top box for changing channels and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the set-top box includes a network interface controller that is configured to receive a source internet protocol television signal, which includes two channels, from an external source and at least partially prepare the source internet protocol signal in order to forward the tuned signal to a television. The set-top box saves in a buffer the at least partially prepared second channel beginning at a recent periodic, sequential signal access point. In response to receiving a channel change instruction when the set-top box is forwarding the at least partially prepared first channel signal, the set-top box causes the television tuner to forward the at least partially prepared signal based on the second channel stored in the buffer beginning at the recent periodic, sequential signal access point.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing an enhanced viewing experience for one or more users of an interactive media program. One example method includes receiving, at a computing device, the interactive media program, wherein the interactive media program comprises a plurality of alternative segments followed by a common segment. A selection of a first alternative segment is received and is generated for output. A summary of at least one segment from the plurality of alternative segments is generated, and the summary is generated for output. The common segment of the interactive media program is generated for output.

Abstract: A system and method of communication traffic management on a portable communication device having a computer processor and a network connection to a computer server for transmitting or receiving data with the processor over a network is provided. The method includes: identifying, by a traffic manager application running on the processor, a first application running on the processor and delivering first data to or from the server over the network; intercepting, by the traffic manager application, electronic traffic of the first data to or from the first application or to or from the server; and controlling, by the traffic manager application, a rate of delivery of the first data to or from the first application. The system includes the portable communication device and a nonvolatile storage device coupled to the processor and storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to execute the steps of the method.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a video stream along with a slow motion video showing a particular event depicted in the video stream are described herein. The method includes generating a first video stream and generating a second video stream, which is a slow motion video stream, from the first video stream by modifying a playback speed of the first video stream. The method includes monitoring content of the first video stream to identify an event trigger of a predefined set of event triggers. Each event trigger indicates a presence in the first video stream of an event that is to be generated for display using the second video stream. The method includes determining, based on the identifying of the event trigger, to transmit the second video stream along with the first video stream, and simultaneously transmitting both the first video stream and the second video stream.

Abstract: The present embodiments introduce a new type of random access point in video bitstreams that can be used for random access operations but can be represented in encoded form at a lower bit-cost as compared to IRAP pictures. The random access point is a dependent random access point (DRAP) picture that is encoded and decoded using an IRAP picture as sole reference picture for the DRAP picture. The DRAP picture is encoded as a trailing picture that may be used for reference and constitutes a random access point in a video bitstream.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to the field of video processing, and disclose a method, an apparatus, a server, and a storage medium for generating a live broadcast video of highlight collection. The method for generating a live broadcast video highlight in the embodiments of the present disclosure includes: identifying a live broadcast picture from a live broadcast video and determining if a target image element exists in the live broadcast picture; if the target image element exists in the live broadcast picture, saving, as a highlight segment, a segment of live broadcast video having the live broadcast picture; when a merging condition is satisfied, merging the highlight segment into the live broadcast video based on the merging condition to obtain a merged video of highlight collection; and switching an output live broadcast video to the merged video of highlight collection.

Abstract: The described technology is generally directed towards adaptively selecting a repetition level in wireless communications, based on events to improve coverage range via the repetition level while not unnecessarily reducing throughput. One such event can include a current signal-to-noise-ratio, e.g., as reported in a channel quality indicator report from a user equipment. Another such event can comprise a number of consecutive hybrid automatic repeat request acknowledgments or negative acknowledgments (HARQ ACKS/NACKS), in which consecutive ACKs tend to indicate good signal quality, while consecutive NACKs tend to indicate poor signal quality. A combination of channel quality indicator-based adaptive repetition level and HARQ ACK/NACK-based adaptive repetition level can be employed.

Abstract: The disclosed method for performing content-based transcoding of images may include determining an image, calculating an extraction-feature set based on content of the image, calculating a distance measure based on the extraction-feature set according to an image recognition model, determining an image type for the image based on the distance measure, and storing the image according to the image type. When the image type of the image is a first image type, the disclosed computer-implemented method may generate a transcoded image from the image, store the transcoded image at a content-provider computing system, and refrain from storing the image at the content-provider computing system. Alternatively, when the image type of the image is a second image type, the disclosed computer-implemented method may refrain from generating the transcoded image from the image and store the image at the content-provider computing system. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention prevents a plurality of robots from outputting identical messages to a single user. The present invention includes a message determining section (83) that determines whether or not a message to be outputted from a robot (2) is identical to a first message to be outputted from a robot (1) or a second message which has been outputted from the robot (1). In a case where the message to be outputted from the robot (2) is identical to the first message or the second message, the message determining section (83) controls the robot (2) to (i) output a message different from the first message or the second message, or (ii) not to output any message.

Abstract: Facilitation of a network assisted device-decided system can increase throughput of D2D devices and the link reliability of macrocells. In a network assisted device-decided system a macrocell can broadcast resource allocation data to D2D devices. The D2D devices can then select channels and adjust transmission power to offload traffic from the macrocell, thus creating a high spectrum efficiency with low power.

Abstract: A method for detecting beaconing behavior includes preprocessing network records to identify candidate source and destination pairs for detecting beaconing behavior, where each source and destination pair is associated with a specific time interval in a plurality of time intervals forming a time range, the time interval and time range having been predefined. The activity time interval information is converted from the time domain into the frequency domain. Candidate frequencies are determined from the source and destination pairs, as likely candidate frequencies/periodicities of beaconing activities.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing a sequence of images. Signal-to-noise ratios are identified for potential tracks using a tree having hierarchies of nodes identifying potential positions for an object over a period of time and using the sequence of images. Each hierarchy in the hierarchies of nodes represents a time and the potential positions in the tree form the potential tracks for the object. A potential track is selected from the potential tracks as an established track for the object using the signal-to-noise ratios, and a detection of the object is reported.

Abstract: In some embodiments a wireless access point receives digital television content. The digital television content is transmitted in a wireless manner over a wireless network of the wireless access point. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for capturing one or more image frames of a real-time streaming video using a wrapper module configured to function with a video player. The wrapper module is in electronic communication with a server. The method includes receiving, by the wrapper module, during streaming of the video by the video player, an indication from a user of a current viewing location in the video to initiate image capturing. The method includes capturing, by the wrapper module, one or more image frames from the video based on the indication of the current viewing location. The method also includes transmitting, by the wrapper module, the one or more captured image frames to the server.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to capturing a record of an event which is individualized to a specific event attendee. Event attendees carry a wearable device configured to periodically transmit a payload that may, for example, include an identifier for the wearable device. The device's transmissions may be received by one or more receiver components located at the event venue. Each receiver component may have one or more associated content capture components configured to capture content (e.g., video, audio, text, etc.) relating to the event as it is ongoing. The location of each receiver component over time is known, and so receipt of transmissions from the wearable device by different receiver components over time indicates an approximate location of the attendee over time, and thus the vantage point(s) from which the attendee witnessed the event.

Abstract: A method for distributing a video program to first and second devices is disclosed. The method comprises receiving a request for the video program from one of the first and second devices, both registered in an account at the server; transmitting the video program, but not information related to the video program, to a first selected one of the two devices according to a distance between the two devices; and transmitting the information related to the video program, but not the video program, to a second selected one of the two devices according to the distance.

Abstract: An in-vehicle display for audio-video distribution. The in-vehicle display may comprise a mounting arrangement and an entertainment system, wherein the entertainment system may further comprise: a housing, at least one display screen, a communication tool, and one or more connection modules. The mounting arrangement is generally configured to mount the entertainment system to a roof or headrest of a vehicle. The communication tool may be electrically connected to the display screen and may be configured to communicate with an external electronic device of a user via the connection modules, such that the communication tool links the display screen with the external electronic device in order to establish an interaction between the display screen and the external electronic device. Thus, user may be able to operate and control a digital content on the display screen through the external electronic device.

Abstract: A method of displaying an Internet signal on a TV. Preferably, at least a portion of the Internet signal is selectively displayed by a remote activation control signal.

Abstract: A TV system for displaying TV broadcast signal and Internet signal. Preferably, the TV system is configured to simultaneously or selectively display the TV broadcast signal and Internet signal.

Abstract: A plurality of input data streams, from a plurality of data sources, are identified. The input data streams are in a plurality of different formats. For each of the input data streams, one of a plurality of transcoders is selected, to obtain a transcoding plan. Each of the plurality of transcoders has an associated transcoding cost. A potential output for each of the plurality of transcoders has an associated storage cost, and the selecting step includes jointly reducing the overall cost, subject to appropriate constraints. The method can be employed, for example, for designing a new system or efficiently utilizing an existing system. The plurality of streams can be transcoded in accordance with the plan.

Abstract: A system may include a group of user devices; and one or more base stations configured to receive programming content from a content provider, and distribute the received programming content, via a broadcast or multicast technique, to the group of user devices. A particular user device, of the group of user devices, may receive distributed programming content, and output, to device that is external to the user device, the programming content received from the particular base station.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a selection of an image from a graphical user interface, identify an entry in a contact book responsive to the detected selection of the image, and retrieve one or more communication identifiers associated with the party from the entry of the contact book for initiating a communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for enabling a user to easily select and consume on-demand content is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method is performed by a communication device and includes the following steps: (1) receiving meta-data received by a set-top-box from a head-end system; (2) in response to receiving the meta-data, obtaining information associated with the received meta-data; (3) displaying one or more on-demand options in response to obtaining the information associated with the meta-data; (4) receiving user input indicating a user of the communication device has selected one of the displayed on-demand options; and (5) in response to receiving the user input, causing the set-top-box to (i) tune to an on-demand channel or (ii) display an on-demand menu.

Abstract: The present invention is a set top box or other content management device that can convert television programming stored in a temporary buffer into a persistent event. The present invention may also trim data from a temporary buffer, such as an input buffer, without requiring additional software, RAM and other hardware normally associated with general purpose computers.

Abstract: A method for displaying a TV broadcast signal and Internet signal on a a TV. Preferably, a Web link image is displayed on the TV, which a user can select to display IP content.

Abstract: A television receiver including a tuner and one or more processors may be presented. The television receiver may be configured to tune the tuner to a television channel. The television receiver may be configured to create and store an omnibus channel file containing a plurality of television programs broadcast consecutively on the television channel over a period of time. The television receiver may be configured to, after a predefined period of time, select the omnibus channel file for deletion. The television receiver may be configured to determine a television program to receive extended storage. The television receiver may be configured to store a portion of the omnibus channel file as an individual program file, wherein the portion of the omnibus channel file corresponds to the television program. The television receiver may be configured to, after storing the portion of the omnibus channel file, delete the omnibus channel file.

Abstract: A media playback apparatus and a method for providing a multimedia content using the same are disclosed. In accordance with the apparatus and the method, a content reception information stored in a disk media is read and a connection to an external apparatus is established based on the content reception information to receive and provide the multimedia content.

Abstract: A system and method for conserving bandwidth for a data connection. A television is detected to have been turned off. Recording information is requested from a digital video record. A content stream to the digital video recorder and the television is terminated in response to receiving the recording information and determining the DVR is inactive.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recording programming content in a signal distribution system are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, an interrupt is received, which may be associated with an incoming telephone call, email message, alarm or other type of message, and a corresponding interrupt indicator is presented on a user interface screen of a device such as television, laptop computer, mobile telephone, etc. Also presented on the user interface screen of the device is an activatable pause control that if activated initiates recording of a portion of the programming content that would otherwise be presented via the device absent activation of the pause control. Various trick play functions, such as pause, play, forward and rewind, may be provided utilizing the recorded portion of the programming content.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to content management in a cloud-enabled network-based digital video recorder. In some embodiments, a request to view a listing of content assets associated with a user account may be received from a user device. One or more content assets associated with the user account may be identified. The listing of content assets may be generated based at least in part on the identified one or more content assets. The listing of assets may be transmitted to the user device.

Abstract: Determining ranked candidate media in response to media query data corresponding to a query media includes receiving the media query data including feature data of the query media, coordinate data, and boundary data, matching the features with corresponding features of an media database using the feature data to identify features in the media database within a predetermined hamming distance in a hash table from the corresponding features of the query media to obtain matched features in the media database, determining candidate media whose number of matched features exceeds a matched feature threshold, generating a geometry similarity score between the query media and each candidate media using the feature data and the coordinate data, generating a boundary similarity score between the query media and each candidate media using the boundary data, ranking the candidate media based on the numbers of matched features, the geometry similarity scores and the boundary similarity scores.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivering data over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes the allocation of dedicated end-to-end network resources via a “session request, as well as data flow control and packet size adaptation, by a data server based on feedback from the requesting/receiving client device (e.g., DSTB) within the network. Mechanisms for retransmission requests for error recovery are also provided.

Abstract: A method for playing back a program which includes one or more interactive applications. A program which is stored, either in the form of a data stream or as a set of files is played back from a storage device. When playback is started, applications which are detected are launched. Applications are detected in the playback of pushed content when they become available in the playback stream. Applications are detected in the playback of pulled content by comparing the validity ranges of the applications to a current playback index. When special playback modes are used, signals which affect the lifecycle of an application are detected and corresponding signals are generated to maintain the proper state of the application. During these special playback modes, these various notification signals may be conveyed to applications which are configured to operate during these modes.

Abstract: In a receiver for downloading video content including 3D video and outputting the downloaded video content to a removable medium, information concerning 3D video is made usable also by the removable medium. A content receiver includes a download control unit for receiving, via a network, video content and reproduction control information for use in reproducing and outputting, to outside, the video content and an output control unit for exporting the received video content to an external medium. In the content receiver, when outputting the video content to an external medium, the output control unit records, based on first 3D video information delivered being included in the reproduction control information and indicating a state of 3D video existence in the video content, second 3D video information indicating whether the video content includes 3D video in management information of the external medium for recording the video content.

Abstract: A mobile equipment having television function, which renders a user to watch a television program, characterized in that said mobile equipment comprises: a data storing section for storing image data and voice data transmitted through digital broadcast wave; and a display control section for conducting a display with a predetermined timing for confirming whether said user hopes to watch the television continuously or said user hopes that the television program being watched is stored, in a case that start of an application program preventing said user from continuing to watch said television program is indicated by said user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and systems for extracting digital content using an interactive television application. The interactive television application may allow the user to record programs on a set-top box. The interactive television application may also allow the user to extract the audio from one of the recorded programs and transfer the extracted audio to removable media (e.g., a CD-R). The interactive television application also be configured to perform a future transfer of digital content to removable media. The future transfer may occur without requiring any further user interaction.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for automatically analyzing multimedia data are disclosed. Embodiments receive multimedia data, detect portions having specified features, and output a corresponding subset of the multimedia data. Content features from downloaded or streaming movies or video clips are identified as a human probably would do, but in essentially real time. Embodiments then generate an index or menu based on individual consumer preferences. Consumers can peruse the index, or produce customized trailers, or edit and tag content with metadata as desired. The tool can categorize and cluster content by feature, to assemble a library of scenes or scene clusters according to user-selected criteria. The results may be sent to visual search engines so that further related content may be identified for use as a customized trailer, replacement content for advertisements, or as material to be shared with others.

Abstract: A broadcast program recording overrun and underrun scheduling system provides a system for adjusting the start and end times of a broadcast program's recording schedule that has a start and end broadcast time. The viewer selects a particular broadcast program to record from the program guide using a remote input device. The system schedules the broadcast program to be recorded by inserting the program's information such as program identifier, start and end times, and storage duration into a recording schedule database. The system allows the viewer to adjust the scheduled start and/or end recording times for a broadcast program by specifying the time increment to add or subtract from the start and/or end recording times of a specific program or series of programs.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for identifying and recording program segments and sub-segments for later playback and use. In general, in one aspect, the invention features a method of recording a sub-segment of a broadcast program. The method includes receiving a user input of one or more user specified parameters, identifying a program sub-segment starting point within a program using data in a broadcast stream, and identifying a program sub-segment ending point within a program. The method also includes storing a program sub-segment and presenting the program sub-segment to a user.

Abstract: A network system in which a terminal apparatus, a recording apparatus, and a server apparatus are connectable via a network is disclosed. The server apparatus includes a service processing unit performing a service of reserving recording of a content to the recording apparatus by a request from the terminal apparatus, and an available service information provision unit managing information on the service available to the recording apparatus as available service information and transmitting the available service information to the terminal apparatus in response to a request from the terminal apparatus.

Abstract: A network audio system allows AV files existing in a PC to be readily registered and music to be reproduced using a client machine. The client machine is connected to the PC and a server application and a controller application are installed in the PC. Music is reproduced using the client machine based on an AV file existing in a user folder, when the user drags and drops an icon for the AV folder to an icon for the client machine. In response to the operation, the controller application produces music piece information including the artist name and the like based the tag information of the AV file. When the music piece information is not yet registered, the server application provides the music piece information with a music piece ID for registration in the content information database. The controller application transmits a command including the ID to the client machine.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus comprises a recorder of the received digital contents and commercial messages. Commercial message retrieved from the recorder is interposed into a digital content or between a pair of digital contents in accordance with the type of commercial message. Interposition of commercial message is controlled by internal information, such as history of actually displaying the same commercial message, or history of skipping the same commercial message. The receiving apparatus controls the repetition time of displaying the same commercial message, or decision whether or not actually displaying a specific commercial message, or the order of displaying commercial messages. Skip of commercial message is prevented unless display has been repeated over a minimum requirement, or user agrees with a compensation for the skip. Repetition of the same commercial message ceases with skip repeated over a limit. Notice of interposing commercial message or of compensation for skip is made in advance.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and non-transitory storage mediums provide a program handoff between user devices. The program handoff permits a user to select a user device with which to resume a playing of the program. The program handoff also permits a user to set a reminder for playing the program. Methods, devices, and non-transitory storage mediums provide for an application layer-based network offloading of programs. A program is buffered based on a network offloading time and the program is played from a buffer during an execution of a network offload. Network offload prediction is used to minimize network offload time and buffering.

Abstract: A system and method of providing access to content of an interrupted digital broadcast is disclosed. A digital broadcast connection is established between a digital broadcast provider and at least one receiver. The digital broadcast connection is monitored and upon detecting an interruption in the digital broadcast connection, content of the interrupted digital broadcast signal is stored. A message is sent to the at least one receiver to indicate that the content of the interrupted digital broadcast signal is available.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a computing device, a first selection of first video content. The method also includes sending the first video content to a display device. The method further includes adding a first element corresponding to the first video content to a list. The list includes multiple elements and each element of the list corresponds to respective previously displayed video content. The method includes sending the list to the display device. The elements of the list are ordered based on display times of the corresponding video content.

Abstract: A method for controlling the output of media content, particularly audio content, to a user in relation to an apparatus, such as a set-top-box, having an input, for receiving media content, and an output, for providing the media content to an output device such as a television or other display device. Media content is received at the input and then analysed using a media content recognition unit. The media content recognition unit undertakes the step of identifying portions of the received media content that contain undesired content, such as offensive language. The output of media content to a user is then controlled, based on any identified undesired content, to prevent the output of content when the identified undesired portions are to be output. A corresponding apparatus and computer program are also provided.

Abstract: A method of pre-caching video content is provided and includes measuring an available bandwidth of a data connection to a set top box. The available bandwidth measurement can be an average available bandwidth of the data connection to the set top box or a minimum available bandwidth of the data connection to the set top box. Each of a plurality of video files is divided into a first portion and a second portion and the size of each first portion is based on the available bandwidth measurement. The first portion of each of the plurality of video files is downloaded over the data connection and stored in a memory within the set top box. A list is displayed at a display device and includes a list of video titles that correspond to the plurality of video files that have only a first portion downloaded to the memory.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain implementations involves receiving a triggerable declarative object (TDO) at a digital television receiver device that carries out a programmed script upon execution; the programmed script including a parameter discovery function that determines an operational parameter of the television receiver device and further includes a programmed function; initiating the execution of the TDO in order to initiate execution of the script on a processor of the television receiver device; running the script on the processor of the television receiver device in order to discover the operational parameter and in order to carry out the programmed function; and where the programmed function is conditional upon the discovered operational parameter of the television receiver. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A media recording element having capabilities to facilitate recording media for subsequent playback. The recording element further including features associated with limiting operations of a hard drive or other similarly mechanical memory under certain operating conditions so as to limit power consumption and/or memory degradation.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for managing content storage and selection activities. The method includes aggregating content from content providers and presenting the content to a content device. The method also includes monitoring consumption of storage space with respect to storage capacity in the content device, relocating content contained in the storage space of the content device when a predetermined condition is met, and providing access to relocated content. The relocation is operable for freeing up the storage space of the content device.