Abstract: A system and method of operating a content distribution system includes determining a placement metric for a first object, communicating the first object to a local cloud associated with a user device or a network cloud based on the placement metric by control of a content distribution system, storing the first object in the local cloud or the network cloud and consuming the first object using the local cloud or the network cloud.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing data and/or operations on data such as content are disclosed. A method can comprise receiving data from a source, determining timing information associated with the source and automatically modifying a storage operation of data received from the source based upon the timing information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for detecting a presence of a second user inside an aural range of the video but outside of a visual range of the display device, determining that a profile of the second user indicates a conflict for the second user with respect to the video, in response to determining that the profile of the second user indicates the conflict, and dynamically adjusting a volume of the video so that the second user is outside of an adjusted aural range of the video. The systems and methods may determine that the second user has entered the visual range of the display device, and, in response to determining that the second user has entered the visual range of the video, may alter a visual component of the video.

Abstract: A device for preventing cables against external damage based on sound source localization comprises a power supply unit, and a sound source sensor unit, a camera unit, a signal processing unit and a wireless communication unit which are electrically connected to the power supply unit. The signal processing unit is connected to the sound source sensor unit, the camera unit and the wireless communication unit. The camera unit is associated with the sound source sensor unit. When the sound source sensor unit recognizes a target signal, the signal processing unit sends a trigger signal to the camera unit, and then the camera unit is triggered to replay a surveillance video to determine whether or not a target really exists. Compared with the prior art, the device has the advantages of being good in safety, high in reliability and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for real-time alteration of media content based on stress monitoring is disclosed. A computer system present a single media content item in two distinct content streams to a first and second user. Using sensor generated data the computer system measures at least one user response indicator for the first and second user and estimates a stress level for the first and second users. The computer system determines whether the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold. In accordance with a determination that the estimated stress level for the first user exceeds a first predetermined stress threshold the computer system alters the first stream of the presented media content item to modify the particular portion of the media content item associated with the estimated stress level for the first user.

Abstract: A transmitting apparatus generates an audiovisual content item data stream (e.g. transport stream) comprising a plurality of individual audiovisual data streams with audiovisual components for the content item. A generator (301-307) generates a first stream comprising both mandatory audio data and replaceable audio data for the audio representation where the replaceable audio data being data can be replaced by alternative audio data. A combiner (309) includes the resulting stream into the content item data stream. A receiving apparatus includes an extractor (403) which extracts the mandatory audio data from the received stream. A replacer (415) may replace the replaceable audio data by alternative audio data and an output (415) can generate an audio signal from the mandatory and alternative audio data. The approach may specifically provide an improved and more flexible data stream for audiovisual content.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for sharing encoder output of video streams. In a particular embodiment, a method provides determining video profiles for each of a plurality of devices. The method further provides determining if two or more of the video profiles are similar by determining if parameters associated with each video profile differ by less than a threshold value. The method further provides transmitting a video stream encoded in a single format to the devices if they have similar profiles and transmitting video streams encoded in different formats to the devices if they do not have similar profiles.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to providing a digital media editing environment for editing at least a portion of a digital video using a mobile device, establishing communication between the mobile device and a data source, receiving, from the data source, a first portion of the digital video, the first portion including a first set of frames including less than all frames of the digital video, applying an edit to the first portion of the digital video, while less than all frames of the first digital video are stored on the mobile device, subsequent to applying the at least one edit, receiving, from the data source, a second portion of the digital video, the second portion including a second set of frames, and storing an edited digital video including at least one frame of the first set of frames, at least one frame of the second set of frames, and the edit.

Abstract: The technology includes a method to test what information an application transfers to an external computing device. A user's consent is explicitly obtained before the application transfers certain types of information, such as sensitive information. When a determination is made that an application is transferring sensitive information, a prompt for consent from a user may be provided that is accurate and detailed. In pre-production environments, technology can be used to detect whether this sensitive information is being transferred, and to validate whether a prompt for consent is necessary or unnecessary. To determine this, shimming is used to intercept application calls to APIs that return sensitive information. Requested sensitive information may be substituted with recorded or forged information from those APIs to produce a sentinel or canary. Similarly, network traffic of the application may be analyzed by another shim to determine when the substitute information is present.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for alerting a user to household environmental sounds. Data representative of a sound may be captured using a microphone. A sound profile may be received, the sound profile may include a definition associated with the sound and an acoustic signature. A match may be identified between the data indicative of the sound recorded by the microphone and the sound profile. A message may be output to a television for visual presentation based on the definition from the sound profile identified as the match.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a multimedia audio inserter removes the left and right audio channel data from a multimedia signal, for example an HDMI® signal and replaces it with an alternate audio signal, which may be the center channel audio signal provided by a digital surround sound receiver. In exemplary applications, the resulting, modified multimedia signal may be provided to a digital television that is part of a surround sound system, enabling the television to play the center channel signal through its speakers. Optionally, the multimedia audio inserter may provide a copy of the multimedia signal at a multimedia feedthrough output. In exemplary applications, the multimedia feedthrough output may be used to play left and right channel audio, present in the HDMI® signal, through dedicated left and right speakers.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to cloud-enabled network-based digital video recording. In some embodiments, a request to copy a file to a plurality of target file locations may be received. A file may be retrieved and processed. The processing may include apportioning the file into a plurality of data blocks. At least one of the plurality of data blocks may be stored. A plurality of references pointers associated with each of the plurality of data blocks may be generated. The plurality of reference pointers may be stored to each of the plurality of file locations.

Abstract: Real-time access by a requestor to surveillance video is conditionally pre-authorized dependent on the existence of at least one pre-specified automatically detectable condition, and recorded in a data processing system. A requestor subsequently requests real-time access to the surveillance video (e.g., as a result of an alarm), and if the pre-specified automatically detectable condition is met, access is automatically granted, i.e., without the need for manual intervention. An automatically detectable condition could, e.g., be an alarm condition detected by a sensor at the site of the video surveillance. Alternatively, it could be a locational proximity of the requestor to the site of the video surveillance. Alternatively, it could be a previously defined time interval.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for the delivery of digital content in a network. In one embodiment, the digital content comprises internet content received from an Internet host server in a first container format, and converted to a second container format at a headend entity of a cable television or satellite network. The headend entity transmits the re-containerized content to one or more consumer devices, and acts as a gateway device between the consumer devices and various internet content sources. Delivery of internet content from the gateway device can be via broadcast, nPVR, DVR and/or VOD delivery mechanisms. The internet content gateway device is adapted to request, receive and process the internet content. Requests for internet content may be made from either a CPE or the gateway device itself according to one or more rules. The content may also be selectively transcoded before re-encapsulation based on the consumer device capabilities.

Abstract: A wireless multimedia brokerage service supports sharing of real-time multimedia content whereby a mobile device user can perceive real-time content from a device in visual proximity, such as a nearby display device, and share the content of the display device with another mobile terminal user without the need to download or otherwise directly access the real-time content. The brokerage service can handle the transactional details of obtaining rights to the real-time content and also manage establishing and terminating a real-time multimedia session with the device(s) of the recipient user(s). In some embodiments, the wireless multimedia content brokerage service can proactively obtain subscriptions to content providers based on the location of one or more users. The brokerage service can also proactively obtain and buffer real-time content after receiving a request to share the content, with the buffering allowing for content to be preserved while the recipient user or users are contacted.

Abstract: A method of verifying a blackout event is disclosed that includes receiving blackout event data from an event log database of a video distribution platform at a subscriber event transmission interface (SETI) communicating with an electronic data warehouse (EDW) system. The method also includes creating at least one EDW load-ready file that includes at least a portion of the blackout event data.

Abstract: A method comprising executing a program on a server of a server center that generates and streams a user page in the form of streaming interactive video on a display of a user computer connected to the server via the Internet, the user page including a plurality of video windows, one or more of the video windows including streaming interactive video as well as simultaneously recorded video segments which are replayable by the user.

Abstract: Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a video server apparatus includes a memory, a recorder, a decoder, a controller, a synchronizer, a sync signal transmitter and a time manager. The synchronizer generates sync signals in frame unit. The sync signal transmitter distributes the sync signals generated by the synchronizer in frame unit, to the memory, the recorder, the decoder and the controller. Each of the memory, recorder, decoder and controller includes a time manager. The time manager manages the sync signals distributed.

Abstract: A live streaming video sharing system. Implementations may include a video camera, portable computing device, video streaming server, database, application server, web server, and a portable computing device associated with a user operatively coupled together. The video camera sends a live stream of video data wirelessly to the portable computing device. The computing device associated with a user receives a live stream of video data from the web server, processes the live stream of video data, and generates a computer interface. The computer interface may include a public computer interface including a public channel and an invisible computer interface including an invisible shares channel associated with the user including an icon corresponding with one or more invisible shares, each invisible share corresponding with a live stream of video data and each invisible share not retrievable using a search form in the computer interface, the application server, and the database.

Abstract: Digital multimedia is broadcast by a wireless provider by first decoding incoming multimedia streams and then encoding each stream using one of at least two encoding parameter sets as appropriate for the particular user or groups of users to receive the stream.

Abstract: An ingestion controller, system, and method for managing ingestion of electronic content in a Content Distribution Network (CDN). The content is received from one or more content sources (CSs) through an inbound content pipe having a maximum bandwidth capacity. A database stores bandwidth weightings assigned to each CS by a network Policy Management System (PMS). The bandwidth weighting assigned to each CS corresponds to a fraction of the maximum bandwidth capacity of the inbound content pipe. An input buffer receives the content from the CSs in one or more input buffer queues associated with the CSs. A content retrieval mechanism retrieves the content from the input queues at an upload rate for each CS based at least on each CS's assigned bandwidth weighting, thereby causing a flow control mechanism to control the upload bitrate of each CS in proportion to the bandwidth weightings.

Abstract: A content capability clearing house that can act as a trusted and neutral mediator among network providers to manage rich content capabilities among multiple networks is provided. Content capabilities that can be brokered include, but are not limited to, quality of service and content screening. In an embodiment, a content capability clearing house includes a receiver that receives content capability request messages and other messages from network providers. A content capability request message includes a quality of service request and/or a subscriber profile request for use with content screening and subscriber specific advertisements. The present invention includes a series of methods for determining content capabilities for data transmission over a transaction between a content provider and a subscriber in which a content capability clearing house is used to efficiently broker and manage the capability among multiple network providers.

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: Systems, methods and devices described herein enable producing and utilizing a clustered search index as a way of searching correlated data groups, such as channel lineups. In particular, in some implementations systems, methods and devices are operable to create a clustered search index that includes clusters of TV channels frequently provided together in various channel lineups in order to improve searching efficiency. That is, the resultant search index is based on sub-lineups of channels that are shared by multiple channel lineups (i.e. sub-lineup indexing). Each sub-lineup includes channels that are frequently provided together, as determined by analysis of the channel lineups offered by the various providers. Additionally and/or alternatively, in some implementations systems, methods and devices are operable to process a search query by selecting a number of pertinent channel clusters from a clustered search index associated with one or more characteristics associated with the query.

Abstract: Segmentation messages indicative of locations of upcoming events, such as the start and end of programs and program portions, and/or rights related to the programs and program portions, are used by cable systems and the like to store programs and program portions for later retrieval and transmission to customers on request. Storage, retrieval and management of programming is thereby facilitated. Methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for cleaning television viewing behavior data collected from set top boxes by detecting and correcting various problems that can occur in the viewing data. Three problems that may be detected and corrected by the system include: overflows of memory buffers; inclusion of non-human generated tuning events; and presence of clock offsets. After cleaning the television viewing behavior data, the cleaned data may be used to analyze audience viewing behavior in a manner that achieves a higher degree of accuracy than can be achieved by using uncleaned television viewing behavior data.

Abstract: A POD module system includes a housing, a coaxial cable connector formed on the housing and connectable to a first device to receive a cable signal, a port formed on the housing to receive a wire or wireless signal from a second device, a module unit to process at least one of the cable signal and the at least one of the wireless signal to generate at least one of a copy protection signal and one of video and audio signals, respectively, and a connector formed on the housing and connectable to a third device to transmit the at least one of the copy protection signal and the one of video and audio signals to the third device such that the third device generates at least one of an image and a sound to correspond to the at least one of the copy protection signal and the one of video and audio signals.

Abstract: A TV control device, for an external TV device includes a storage unit storing a user identification code and user setting data corresponding to the user identification code, and a wireless communication unit transmitting a control signal to the external TV device according to the user identification code and the user setting data, wherein the external TV device determines a TV setting of the external TV device according to the user identification code and the user setting data when the external TV device receives the control signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a media content processing subsystem within a plurality of media content processing subsystems configured to receive transmissions of media content instances from a media content provider by way of a network sends a shared content request to the media content provider, the request being for a media content instance included in the transmissions of media content instances from the media content provider. The request is configured to cause the media content provider to identify at least one other media content processing subsystem within the plurality of media content processing subsystems that is able to provide the media content instance to the media content processing subsystem, and instruct the at least one other media content processing subsystem to transmit, to the media content processing subsystem, the media content instance received by the at least one other media content processing subsystem from the media content provider.

Abstract: In a television, which can be connected to a portable information terminal, it is possible to display video based on the data of a multimedia file stored on a storage medium even in cases where there is no built-in decoder. In cases where a TV itself does not possess a decoder which can decode the data of a multimedia file selected by the user from the multimedia files stored on the USB memory, the CPU of the TV transmits to a smartphone the data of the selected multimedia file and a decoding request command to request that the data be decoded, thus receiving a video signal and/or an audio signal obtained by various types of decoders of the smartphone. Consequently, the CPU of the TV can output video and/or audio to a display unit and a speaker on the basis of the data of the selected multimedia file.

Abstract: A digital video viewing system including methods for user selection of video advertisement content and time of display of video advertisements during a live video content stream. The digital video viewing system includes modules for receiving, evaluating and transmitting data within the digital video viewing system and to Internet protocol content providers. Also shown are methods for recording and re-playing live internet protocol content in conjunction with the video advertisement display methods.

Abstract: A method of managing digital rights is disclosed that includes recording media content at one or more servers supporting a multimedia content distribution service. The one or more servers are configured to transmit multimedia data to multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. The method further includes determining recorded media content at the one or more servers that is associated with a content source and providing a graphical user interface (GUI) accessible to a content manager at the content source to manage digital rights. The GUI includes a list of the recorded media content and at least one selectable element associated with each item of the list accessible to select media content and to configure digital rights associated with the selected media content.

Abstract: A display apparatus includes a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal, a display which displays an image based on the received broadcasting signal, a communication unit which communicates with a mobile device, and a controller which determines whether the mobile device interferes with at least one channel of a plurality of broadcasting channels received through the receiver, and controls the display to display a user interface (UI) indicates a user whether image noise has resulted from channel interference by the mobile device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system that features retrieving, with a comparator module, a first characteristic of a first media asset and associated with a first media asset identifier from a media server storing a plurality of media assets. A second characteristic of a second media asset associated with a second media asset identifier from an archive server is retrieved with the comparator module. The comparator module is utilized to compare the first characteristic to the second characteristic based on an association of the first media asset identifier and the second asset media identifier. A report that includes an indication of the result of the comparison of the first characteristic and the second characteristic is generated by the comparator module.

Abstract: A multiple-resolution audio and video system is disclosed that includes: at least one shared network infrastructure; at least one audio file, video file or a combination thereof, wherein each of the at least one audio file, video file or combination thereof has at least one resolution format and wherein one of the at least one resolution format is a studio quality resolution; at least one executable user interface application; and at least one device that accesses the at least one executable user interface application.

Abstract: A media playout system for playing out media to receiver units, the system comprising: a broadcast data channel; a playout arrangement for broadcasting over the broadcast data channel enhanced content data associated with video data; a distribution unit for receiving the broadcast data and distributing it to the receiver units, and comprising a buffer for storing enhanced content data, and a transmission controller responsive to signalling from the playout arrangement to retrieve enhanced content data from the buffer and make it available to the receiver units.

Abstract: A system to provide personalized promotional content using a broadcast television signal is described. Broadcast television content contains an information band called as ticker band (38) that carries promotional information along with a video signal. This promotional content is captured and stored as several images that correspond to information sets (40). This captured content that is image based is played out in the television optionally with original promotional content, thus providing a personalized promotional information band. This system enables capturing and recalling promotional information reliably for both over the air and terrestrial television broadcasts and works with existing television receivers without needing upgrades to video distribution networks.

Abstract: An audio/video storage/retrieval system and method that permits efficient and cost-effective simultaneous recording of multi-channel A/V information from a variety of sources is disclosed. The system/method may be broadly described as generally incorporating baseband conversion of source RF modulated A/V information followed by analog-to-digital conversion and storage on a storage device utilizing a dual port interface that incorporates an additional computer access port to permit transparent storage access by a computer system. Retrieval of stored A/V programming from the storage device via the dual port interface permits the stored A/V data to be converted to analog and RF modulated for presentation to an A/V presentation device. Additional A/V source and/or target selectors may be incorporated into the system/method to permit recording a plethora of A/V sources such as raw A/V signaling, OTA broadcasts, clear/encrypted cable QAM broadcasts, cable set top boxes (STBs), and the like.

Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating distribution of content are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a method of facilitating demand-driven population and management of online content within a video-on-demand (VOD) service includes receiving trend information and a link reference at one or more input ports, the reference being at least indirectly indicative of a location at which the content is available, and obtaining and normalizing, by way of one or more processing devices, metadata pertaining to the content. The method further includes determining business rule information pertaining to the content based at least indirectly upon the trend information, content provider policy information, and the normalized metadata, via the processing device(s), and outputting via one or more output ports the business rule information for receipt by the VOD service, whereby availability and prioritization of the content at the VOD service is based at least in part upon the output business rule information.

Abstract: A content capability clearing house that can act as a trusted and neutral mediator among network providers to manage rich content capabilities among multiple networks is provided. Content capabilities that can be brokered include, but are not limited to, quality of service and content screening. In an embodiment, a content capability clearing house includes a receiver that receives content capability request messages and other messages from network providers. A content capability request message includes a quality of service request and/or a subscriber profile request for use with content screening and subscriber specific advertisements. The present invention includes a series of methods for determining content capabilities for data transmission over a transaction between a content provider and a subscriber in which a content capability clearing house is used to efficiently broker and manage the capability among multiple network providers.

Abstract: The on-train information providing device, which is provided with a controlling unit that transmits to the display device video data that is transmitted from the ground transmitting and receiving device to the on-train transmitting and receiving device, includes a storage unit that stores therein a program listing in which a valid period of video is stored in accordance with each advertisement, audio data transmitted from the ground transmitting and receiving device to the on-train transmitting and receiving device, and video data including audio data; and a sound recognizing unit that attaches a value of 1 or greater as an audio flag to the program listing when the video data does not include any audio data, and attaches 0 as the audio flag to the program listing when the video data includes audio data. The controlling unit sends the audio data corresponding to the audio flag to the radio radiating device.

Abstract: Reproduction of digital data using a fallback mechanism is disclosed. The digital data can be reproduced in a first mode and in an at least second mode, the operability of a selected mode is monitored and in a situation of failure, a switching between the mode in which a failure is detected to a mode which is operable can be made, so that least some functionality is ensured. An apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus being operable in a first mode where the digital data is accessed in a first format, and the apparatus being operable in an at least second mode where the digital data is accessed in at least a second format. Also a system, a method, a computer readable code and a data stream are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing content from a server computer to a number of client computers is disclosed. A file to be distributed to a requesting client computer is identified. If another client computer of the plurality of client computers can distribute the file to the requesting client computer, the requesting client computer requests the file from the other client computer. If no client computer can distribute the file to the requesting client computer, the requesting client computer requests the first file from the server computer. Then the requesting client computer receives the first file from either the other client computer or the server computer. Each client computer can act both as a client and a server to the other client computers, providing content that would otherwise be provided by the server computer.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method for receiving a user input identifying a video signal, recording the video signal to the video data file and sending an instruction to a backup server. The instruction causes the backup server to concurrently record the video signal to a second video data file. The backup server can also record a second video signal to a second video data file based on a second instruction. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an interactive, visual complement to one or more audio programs. In one aspect, the system comprises an audio subsystem for generating an audio signal corresponding to a sound recording. The system also comprises a video subsystem for generating a video image specification based, at least in part, on the sound recording. In one aspect, the audio signal and video image specification are transmitted to an audio/video signal transmission system. The transmission system receives the video image specification and generates a video signal that conforms to the video image specification. The video signal and the audio signal are transmitted to at least one consumer receiver. In this way, the system provides a visual complement to an audio program.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple audio streams for a video over a network such as the Internet. The system comprises a server that includes an encryption unit and a slicing unit, a plurality of boxes, and an ordering box. The server encodes multiple audio streams and a single video to be sliced into segments. The sliced segments of multiple audio streams and the single video are seeded to a number of the plurality of boxes. This may be repeated for other videos with multiple streams. When the ordering box makes a request for a single video with a single audio, then the number of boxes with segments of the requested video and multiple audio streams, filters and sends the requested video and requested single audio stream to the ordering box. Similarly, multiple closed caption streams can be handled and provided like the audio streams.

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

Abstract: A distributed stream processing system including a plurality of storage devices, at least one of which is configured to process at least one segment of a data stream, thereby producing a changed segment of the data stream, and provide output of at least the changed segment of the data stream, and a server configured to accept the output of the storage devices and combine the output into a transport stream. A method for combining a plurality of data streams including using one or more storage devices for processing at least one segment of a data stream, thereby producing a changed segment of the data stream, and providing output of at least the changed segment of the data stream, and combining the output of the storage devices into a combined data stream. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A multiple-resolution audio and video system is disclosed that includes: at least one shared network infrastructure; at least one audio file, video file or a combination thereof, wherein each of the at least one audio file, video file or combination thereof has at least one resolution format and wherein one of the at least one resolution format is a studio quality resolution; at least one executable user interface application; and at least one device that accesses the at least one executable user interface application. Methods of using a multiple-resolution audio and video system are also included. Devices and related software applications are also contemplated herein.