Abstract: According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a first receiver, a screen transmitter, a second receiver and a controller. The first receiver receives first information associated with a display function of an external device. The screen transmitter generates an operation screen for operating the apparatus based on the first information, and transmits a video signal of the generated operation screen to the external device. The second receiver receives second information associated with content of an operation on the operation screen from the external device. The controller controls operation of the apparatus based on the second information.

Abstract: A video playback system, transmission apparatus, and content playback apparatus are provided that are capable of performing accurate resource prediction when playing back content via a network. A transmission apparatus generates consumption resource information in which a playback time and band information of content corresponding to the playback time are paired from management information of content to be played back, and transmits this consumption resource information to a content playback apparatus. Utilizing consumption resource information transmitted from the transmission apparatus, the content playback apparatus predicts a resource that will be consumed by the content playback apparatus, using a table held in the content playback apparatus, according to the playback time and playback mode.

Abstract: A video transmission method includes receiving a selected area from an input device. The selected area includes a first portion of a video image received from a video device. The video image includes a second portion, at least some of which is not included in the selected area. The first portion of the video image is transmitted at a first resolution over a network for display. The second portion of the video image is transmitted at a second resolution over the network for display. The second resolution is lower than the first resolution, which allows the system and method to utilize available transmission bandwidth to transmit the video image with the first portion, which may be a portion of interest in the video image, at a higher quality than the second portion, which may be a portion in the video image of less interest than the first portion.

Abstract: The present application is directed to a test system for testing set-top boxes which provide a video output to a televisión. The test system records the execution of a test script, inputs to the set-top box and video output, each separately with a time stamp. The test system has a graphical user interface for playing back the video, inputs and scripts in a synchronised fashion.

Abstract: A system for providing video conference touch blur. More specifically, in certain embodiments, a video conference touch blur operation is performed by actuating (e.g., via touch or via a mouse operation) a video conference screen image to blur areas that are not to be transmitted in high definition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a data broadcast processing device, method, and program which enable secure control of an operation of a data broadcast processing device. Since a flag standalone is not set in a script NCL Script 133, the script NCL Script 133 is executed from time t13 till time t15, simultaneously with a script NCL Script 132 and a script NCL Script 134. In contrast, a script NCL Script 135, in which the flag standalone is set, is prohibited from being executed simultaneously with another script NCL Script 134 in which the flag standalone is set.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for mosaics of live views of traffic via Internet Protocol Television. Exemplary embodiments include a network-based method for providing traffic views, the method including receiving a request to display a traffic views mosaic on a communications device, retrieving traffic views data and providing the traffic views data to the communications device.

Abstract: A delay controller performs a delay control so as to stepwise increase a first delay amount in a first delay generator or second delay generator so as to minimize the delay amount of a video signal and an audio signal output from a first AV decoder and a second AV decoder. Thus, immediately after channel selection, the first video signal and the first audio signal or the second video signal and the second audio signal are output without a delay. This can provide a receiver capable of synchronizing the video signal output and the audio signal output between a plurality of receivable broadcast methods.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for priority-based digital multi-stream decoding. A multi-stream decoder may be enabled to decode and present multiple streams of a multi-stream multimedia application, simultaneously. The multi-stream decoder may be enabled to determine a priority level for each of the received multiple streams of the multimedia application. A high-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a high frame rate and a relative high resolution level, while a lower-priority stream may be decoded and presented at a low frame rate and a relative low resolution level. The decoded frames may be presented in a picture-in-picture format. The priority level for each of the received multiple streams may depend on user input, a user profile, and/or a display capability.

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: According to an illustrative embodiment, a display controller is provided. The display controller includes a control section for controlling a display to display a sequence of images, first character information corresponding to a first displayed image of the sequence of images, and other character information corresponding to an image in the sequence of images which is prior to the first displayed image, wherein the control section controls display of the first character information and the other character information in response to a user operation.

Abstract: A jukebox system, including a server that stores a master library of audiovisual selections; a plurality of jukeboxes, each of which is operable to store audiovisual selections received from the server and to play the audiovisual selections at the request of a user; a communication system through which the server and the jukeboxes communicate; wherein the server is operable to define authorized uses for the audiovisual selections received from the server; and further wherein the authorized uses correspond to various rights that third parties have in the audiovisual selections, the rights requiring by law or regulation payment of respective royalties; and further wherein the server maintains information on the authorized uses made by each of the jukeboxes and determines the amount of royalties due.

Abstract: An electronic device and a control method thereof are disclosed, the electronic device including: an operation implementation unit conducting a predetermined operation; a first main controller controlling the operation of the operation implementation unit; an input reception unit receiving an input signal; a second main controller processing the input signal and being in the power saving state in the standby mode; and a subcontroller controlling the second main controller to process the input signal when the input signal is received in the standby mode, wherein the second main controller processes the received input signal according to control of the subcontroller, controls the first main controller to operate in the normal mode when the input signal corresponds to entering the normal mode, and returns to the power saving state in the standby mode when the input signal does not correspond to entering the normal mode.

Abstract: A system is provided in which IP or media content residing on or being streamed to a mobile phone is forwarded to a display. The media content supports a native resolution of the mobile phone that is significantly smaller than a native resolution of said display. The system has media content processing circuitry, which up-scales the media content to the display native resolution. The system forwards the up-scaled media content to the display, whereby the display provides the up-scaled media content to a viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for determining data usage based on provenance information, in a stream-processing system, includes progressively setting usage information for output stream data objects (SDOs), determining input SDOs that an output SDO depends on, based on a provenance dependency function; recursively feeding back the usage information for a subset of SDOs that can be discarded; and discarding the subset of SDOs. A system and method for data retention based on usage information, in a stream-processing system, includes managing retention of SDOs by deleting SDOs that are determined to be of null usage; and enhancing retention characteristics of SDOs that are deemed to have usage.

Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a network media device including a processing unit configured to execute instructions stored on one or more storage media, and a first communication component coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive a video signal over an audio/video interface from a broadcast receiver. The video signal may include an image code including identifying information regarding the broadcast receiver. The processing unit may be configured to process the image code to extract the identifying information. A second communication component may be coupled to the processing unit and configured to transmit control signals based on the identifying information of the broadcast receiver.

Abstract: This technique relates to a receiving device, a receiving method, and a program that can demodulate transmitted signals with high accuracy. A receiving device of this disclosure includes: an amplifying unit that amplifies a received signal; an adjusting unit that adjusts gain of the amplifying unit in accordance with power of the signal; a demodulating unit that demodulates the amplified signal; and a detecting unit that detects an interval from the signal, information having the same content continuously appearing in the interval. The adjusting unit restricts the process of adjusting the gain of the amplifying unit in accordance with a result of the detection of the interval. This disclosure can be applied to receiving devices that receive broadcast signals compliant with DVB-C2 via a CATV network.

Abstract: A processor for a cable television set-top box has an interface for coupling the processor to a second processor. The processor also has a port that is coupleable to control a tuner, a demodulator and a DOCSIS module with or without DSG support. The tuner has an output coupled to the demodulator input, and the demodulator has an output to the DOCSIS module input. The demodulator's output is also coupled to a conditional access module controlled by the second processor. The processor issues commands via the port to control at least one of the tuner and the demodulator based on instructions received via the interface from the second processor.

Abstract: A method and system for supporting media services on devices lacking capabilities to execute reverse transmission communicates necessary to request and/or locate the services. The method and system may be suitable for use with switched broadcast television (SBT) system having unidirectional digital cable products (UDCPs) which are unable to execute reverse transmission communicates necessary to support SBT.

Abstract: An enhanced multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) implementation having a single Receive (Rx) physical (Phy) module that is arranged to receive data via one of at least two Rx radio frequency (RF) modules, which are arranged to be in communication with a coaxial cable, and at least two transmit (Tx) Phy modules respectively arranged to be in communication with two Tx RF modules, which are also arranged to be in communication with the coaxial cable.

Abstract: A method includes detecting, from an Enhanced Television (ETV) Integrated Signaling Stream (EISS), an indication that an ETV application is available to be downloaded; downloading, in response to the indication, the ETV application from a video stream identified by the indication, where the ETV application does not conform to an ETV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) standard; detecting, from the EISS, another indication that the ETV application is to be started; executing, in response to the other indication, the ETV application to generate an ETV page, where the ETV page includes information that is not permitted by the EBIF standard; and displaying the ETV page on a video display device to enables a user to interact with the ETV page.

Abstract: A technique of operating a network node in a media distribution network in which media data are transmitted in media bursts to a buffer of a media client is described. Each media burst is followed by an idle period in which no media data are transmitted. A method aspect of this technique comprises determining a fill level of the media client buffer, and generating a media burst. Media burst generation includes adjusting at least one of a media data volume of the media burst and a duration of an idle period following the media burst dependent on the fill level of the media client buffer.

Abstract: A method of processing a multi-mode service (MMS) broadcast signal in a digital television receiver facilitates the selection of logical channels of a received MMS broadcast according to user preference. The method includes steps of receiving a transport stream corresponding to a selected channel; extracting side information from the received transport stream; determining, based on the extracted side information, whether the selected channel is an MMS broadcast channel broadcasting a primary broadcast program, the MMS broadcast channel including a single physical channel accompanied by a plurality of logical channels configured with the single physical channel, each logical channel transmitting a different programming attribute of the primary broadcast program; and displaying information on the plurality of logical channels, if it is determined that the selected channel is an MMS broadcast channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving Ultra High Definition (UHD) broadcasting service in a digital broadcasting system are provided. The method includes receiving a TS through a transport channel, determining whether or not the TS includes information about an association relation with other TSs, analyzing the information about the association relation from the TS, determining whether or not the TS includes information about a program provided in association with the other TSs based on the information about the association relation, extracting the information about the program from the TS, and obtaining the program based on the information about the program. In accordance with the present invention, high definition broadcasting service can be provided because a broadcasting program having a great transmission bandwidth can be transmitted and received in a digital broadcasting system.

Abstract: An apparatus for enabling display of composite audio and video (AV) signals on a television set with a coaxial input connector is disclosed. The apparatus receives composite AV signals through a single tip AV connector and delivers AV signal on a coaxial output. The apparatus receives low voltage DC power from a USB connector.

Abstract: A device is provided for use with an input signal and a selecting signal. The input signal has a first format, and the selecting signal has a first state and a second state. The device comprises a receiving portion and a transcoder portion. The receiving portion can receive the input signal and output a received signal. The transcoder portion is arranged to receive the selecting signal and can output a first transcoded signal when the selecting signal is in the first state and can output a second transcoded signal when the selecting signal is in the second state. The first transcoded signal is based on the received signal and is in a second format. The second transcoded signal is based on the received signal and is in a third format, wherein the first format is different from the second format, the first format is different from the third format and the second format is different from the third format.

Abstract: Embodiments provide for outputting video and allowing a user to switch between different audio steams in a synchronous manner without impacting the timeline of the audio presentation. The audio and video streams may be directed to a single sporting event. For example, a user can view video associated with a national television broadcast of a baseball game, and switch between the audio from the national broadcast and the audio from the radio broadcast. Similarly, the user can view video associated with a local television broadcast, and switch between the audio from the national, regional, and/or radio broadcast. As any sport fan would appreciate, such flexibility enables users to watch the video with, e.g., the best quality and camera angle, while at the same time listening to the audio or broadcaster they find the most appealing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing information in conjunction with media content, including a receiver, wherein the receiver receives at least one of a transmission of media content and a broadcast of media content, wherein the media content includes at least one of broadcast media content and entertainment media content, and further wherein the receiver receives information regarding the media content, a processor for processing at least one of the received media content and the received information regarding the media content, a display device for visually displaying the information regarding the media content, and/or a speaker device for audibly announcing the information regarding the media content.

Abstract: An Internet protocol television system includes a server that records content on a set-top box, determines storage capacity utilization, and when utilization is greater than a threshold, prompts to select other content on the storage device to be deleted.

Abstract: An advanced wireless IP STB is provided with multiple built-in antennas capable of capturing plural downstream transmissions simultaneously on dedicated receivers using different modem technologies without the use of wires to the home. The proposed solution facilitates the advanced wireless IP STB being able to receive multiply sourced data traffic, including, for example, IPTV, digital TV, web TV, radio web, internet chat: written, voice and video, GPS tracking locator signals, media player web support, web based video gaming, You Tube and the like video streaming, TV surveillance, video intercom surveillance, and much more. The advanced wireless IP STB is configured to be able to establish a broadband (internet) session through previously assigned or negotiated channel assignments between one or more modems and plural remote wireless infrastructures widely deployed in a municipality, such as WIMAX, LTE, WCDMA, CDMA 1×, TDSCMA, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, 5G or the like.

Abstract: A method and computing device for determining the location of a point of interest in a media stream. The method receives an order of duplication for a media stream and a sequence of caption data strings associated with the media stream. The method computes a hash value for a selected string in the sequence. The hash value representing the selected string, and a number of strings in the sequence that immediately precede the selected string, where the order of duplication determines the number of strings. The method receives a media stream time for the selected string based on the hash value, and determines a time at a point of interest in the media stream relative to the media stream time for the selected string.

Abstract: When a decision is made that receiving performance deterioration due to an interfering wave is present in a digital broadcasting wave, an operating point of an RF AGC amplifier 6 and a time constant of gain control of the RF AGC amplifier 6 are altered.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving the visual quality of low-resolution video displayed on large-screen displays. A video format converter may be used to process a low-resolution video signal from a media providing device before the video is displayed. The video format converter may detect the true resolution of the video and deinterlace the video signal accordingly. For low-resolution videos that are also low in quality, the video format converter may reduce compression artifacts and apply techniques to enhance the appearance of the video.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a selection of a television program to record may be received by a television receiver. The television program may be broadcast on a first television channel and as part of a first transponder stream. A plurality of television channels that are transmitted as part of the first transponder stream may be determined. A user interface may be presented that permits a user to select from the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream. A selection of a second television channel from the plurality of television channels may be received. In response to the selection of the first television program to record and the selection of the second television channel from the plurality of television channels, record the first television channel and the second television channel via a single tuner.

Abstract: When a request for a content item is received from a device, the resolution parameters of the device are identified. Based on the resolution parameters of the device, a selection is made as to a version of the content item to recommend from a plurality of versions of the content item. Each version of the content item has a different resolution. A recommendation is provided to the user of the device that the selected version of the content item be displayed on the device.

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: A method includes receiving input from a remote control device at a set-top box device. The input identifies media content that includes audio content and video content. The input also indicates that the audio content is to be output via an audio output device coupled to the set-top box device without sending the video output from the set-top box device to an external display device coupled to the set-top box device. The method includes determining whether the media content is stored at a local memory device of the set-top box device. When the media content is stored at the local memory device, the method includes retrieving the media content from the local memory, sending a first audio signal corresponding to the audio content of the media content to the audio output device and blocking output of the video content to the external display device.

Abstract: A video signal is provided to a set top box. An instruction to record a specified portion of the video signal, thereby creating a video sample, is provided to the set top box. The video sample is received from the set top box. Reference video corresponding to the video sample is obtained. A comparison of the video sample and the reference video is performed.

Abstract: A method for reestablishing presentation of a paused media program is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Set-Top Box (STB) located in a building can have a controller element that presents a media program to a media device operable only in the building, pauses presentation of the media program responsive to a pause request, generates a departure mark that identifies a presentation point in the media program associated with the pause request, receives a request to resume presentation of the media program from the departure mark at a portable communication device capable of maintaining communications with the STB outside the building, and transmits to the portable communication device a presentation of the media program from the departure mark. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Probabilistic methods and apparatus to determine the state of a media device are described. An example method to determine the state of a media device includes processing a first output signal from a first sensor measuring a first property of the media device to generate a first parameter value and processing a second output signal from a second sensor measuring a second property of the media device to generate a second parameter value. Next, the example method includes combining first conditional probabilities of the first parameter value and the second parameter value to determine a first state probability for the first state of the media device and combining second conditional probabilities of the first parameter value and the second parameter value to determine a second state probability for the second state of the media device. Then, determining the state of the media device by selecting the greater of the first state probability or the second state probability.

Abstract: A multi-platform television comprises at least one television signal interface to receive premium television services from at least two different television service providers. The television further comprises a programmable conditional access system to enable conditional access to the premium television services received by the at least one television signal interface from the at least two different service providers.

Abstract: A print control unit 118 that, once it receives a datacasting automatic activation notification or a datacasting manual activation notification, determines whether or not datacasting is present for a currently selected channel. In a case in which datacasting is present, the print control unit 118 acquires maintenance information acquired from a printer 200 through a maintenance information acquisition process. Based on the acquired maintenance information, the print control unit 118 determines whether or not to issue a command to the printer 200 requesting execution of a maintenance process.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a method and device for handling of audio/video signals originating from a mix of analog and digital sources of audio/video signals. In particular, the present invention relates to optimization of hardware resources and of wiring needed for the interconnection of various analog and digital sources of audio/video signals.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing information to a first client device (e.g., a tablet computer) for presentation on that device. The information may be related to multimedia content (e.g., a television program) that may be presented using a second client device (e.g., a television). Firstly, an activity level for a portion of the multimedia content is determined. Using the activity level, an amount of the information is assigned to that portion of the multimedia content. The amount of the information assigned is dependent on that determined activity level. The assigned information is then provided for use by (e.g., for display on) the first client device.

Abstract: To receive new services including audio or video content for presentation by a cable-compatible digital television or other digital audio/video receiver, a module may be connected to the HOST-POD interface of the digital television. The module has a receiver for receiving audio or video content in a first compression format, a transcoder for converting said audio or video content from the first compression format into a second, different compression format, and a controller for transmitting the audio or visual content in the second compression format to the digital television over a HOST-POD interface. By using such a module, front-end components of the digital television may be bypassed while back-end components may be utilized to decompress and present the content. The module may be a PC card or smart card for example.

Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of a control circuit that provides a combined power signal and control signal to an LNB of a satellite system. The control circuit output may be transmitted to an LNB by a set-top box (STB) such that the STB may control the LNB. The control circuit may accept an enable signal from the STB to alter the circuit from a transmitting circuit to a receiving circuit. The control circuit may also integrate the functionality of a low pass filter into the communication signal circuit, thereby removing the need for a low pass filter at a power supply output. The control circuit may also provide a low overall power consumption of the circuit by isolating the communication signal from the power supply signal before the signals are combined.

Abstract: A system and method for programming a remote control includes pressing keys to enter a programming mode. State changes are communicated from the remote to a set top box. A user selects a device to be controlled and instructions are communicated to a user. The set top box tracks signals received from the remote corresponding to a device code entered by the user into the remote. A program guides and informs the user of programming success or failure based on signals received by the set top box. The remote includes a transmitter and runs a program associating a particular device code with a particular electronic device. The set top box includes a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter and runs a program providing an interface on a display. The interface guides the user through programming in response to signals received by the set top box from the remote.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method to be used in a telecommunication network for providing individually marked digital signals (S1, S2) to be transmitted to a plurality of recipient user devices (UE1, UE2), wherein a content digital signal (SO) is received together with one or a plurality of mark signals (M1, M2), and wherein an individually marked signal (S1, S2) to be provided to one of the user devices (UE1, UE2) is generated by combining the content signal (SO) with one or a plurality of mark signals (M1, M2). The invention further refers to a program and to devices for performing the method.

Abstract: A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel.

Abstract: A receiving unit 28 includes a tuner circuit board 104 that receives a satellite signal. The tuner circuit board 104 demodulates and decodes the satellite signal to form a second signal. The second signal is provided to a processor board 112 that is separated from the tuner and formats the second signal to form an audio signal and a video signal. An integrated bus 100 couples the tuner circuit board 104 and the processor circuit board 112. The integrated bus 100 comprises the second signal, the audio signal and the video signal.