Abstract: Content broadcast system enabling broadcast content and advertising data to be solicited at low cost, and enabling providers readily to offer content they create. The content broadcast system is configured with a central processing device (10) and a plurality of terminal devices connected via a network (2) for broadcasting content from the central processing device (10) to the terminal devices.

Abstract: An electronic appliance remote controller which includes a display screen (which may be part of the appliance, e.g. a TV screen) for displaying icons representing possible operations of the electronic appliance, and a motion detector circuit for detecting a motion within a field of view of the motion detector circuit. The motion detector circuit detects a predetermined motion of a moving object within the field of view as an indication that a remote control operation is to be started and, thereafter, tracks the movement of the object. The motion detector circuit outputs a cursor control signal representative of the motion of the object. A control circuit, connected to the display screen, the electronic appliance, and the motion detector circuit and supplied with the cursor control signal, controls the display screen to display a movable visual indicator, e.g.

Abstract: A program guide displaying apparatus (1) is provided with: a program information obtaining device (3 to 7) for obtaining program information including information indicative of a program name, a genre name, a start time, a length of a program or an end time, a broadcasting channel and a broadcasting date of respective one of a plurality of programs; and a program information displaying device (8, 9, 200) for displaying the program information as for the programs in a first display mode or a second display mode which are exchangeable to each other, wherein said program information displaying device displays the program information in such a manner that the programs are distinguishable from each other by colors set for respective genres of the programs for a wide time range on a time axis and a wide channel range on a channel axis in the first display mode and that the programs are distinguishable from each other by at least program names of the programs for a narrow time range on the time axis and a narrow cha

Abstract: An EPG database for a home entertainment system includes files that contain information about television programs retrievable by time and channel. The files are linked to each other so information about a future television program can be obtained by accessing a file about a current television program. A current television program displayed on the screen (20) of a home entertainment system includes an announcement or advertisement (56) of a future television program. The availability of an electronic program guide function (54) is signaled during, before, or after the announcement. A command is issued to invoke the EPG function (54). The information about the future television program is retrieved from the file about the current television program in the database. The EPG function (54) is executed with the retrieved information. The EPG function can be performed with respect to a future television program without embedding information about the future television program in the television signal.

Abstract: A pay-per-use system streams a data product from a head end to one or more users allowing interactive, discontinuous use by establishing a user terminal address memory location at the head end in response to each initial pay-per-use request. The system starts playing the movie on an available channel and enables the user to view the feature. The system stores associatively with the user address a limit on the user's use of the requested product; in a specific embodiment a time period during which the movie can be viewed, or the number of times the movie can be viewed, or both, even though the data transmission channel between the user and head end is not in use continuously.

Abstract: A system for delivering rerun digital programming via digital side channels and the Internet to consumers, which system includes a video recorder which provides the rerun programming in other than real time.

Abstract: For providing a device for serving search/report to viewers responding to an inquiry from the viewers, about information relating to EPGs of the BS digital broadcasting and contents of the data broadcasting services, all channels of the EPGs information of the BS digital broadcasting and the content information of the data broadcasting are received, so as to establish a data base thereof, and at the same time a key-word search data base is also established, thereby supplying a EPG service and a search service, etc., responding to a request for information supply from the viewer.

Abstract: An information processing device with a TV function, which is capable of visually presenting information necessary for a viewer when viewing a TV picture on a main display screen. A power supply control IC discriminates which switch button is pressed for the information processing device or the TV. When the switch button for TV was pressed and start control is turned ON only for the TV, the power supply control IC supplies electric current to only the TV function block and sets a TV tuner and a NTSC decoder. It sets a display controller and an amplifier portion so that display data and sound data of the TV function block can be output. The power supply control IC manages and converts the current TV channel number and channel information into displayable codes and sends the codes to a display controller that in turn internally develops the received code on a bitmap and display the codes on a small display device.

Abstract: A method for providing Pay TV services to subscribers offers to the services provider enhanced flexibility in billing procedures and the marketing advantage of granting an initial credit to each subscriber upon his subscription.

Abstract: Cable/satellite/Internet-ready television providing surround-sound, purchase-payment, and multimedia capabilities. A satellite access card slot, a wireless communication system for transmitting signals to and from a remote control device, and a surround-sound control panel are integrated into the television cabinet. A credit/debit card reader is incorporated within the cabinet or remote control device.

Abstract: An entertainment head-end provides broadcast programming, video-on-demand services, and HTML-based interactive programming through a distribution network to client terminals in subscribers' homes. A number of different features are provided, including novel user interfaces, enhanced video-on-demand controls, a variety of interactive services (personalized news, jukebox, games, celebrity chat), and techniques that combine to provide user experiences evocative of conventional television.

Abstract: The invention is directed to producing commercials at low cost, providing interactive advertising, and presenting commercials that match the tastes of actual viewers.

Abstract: A system (FIGS. 7 and 8) and method (FIG. 1) for video transmission of active events, for example sports events, having in the background physical images in designated targets, wherein the physical images are electronically exchanged with preselected virtual images, so that objects or shadows actually blocking the same portions of the virtual images, and the motion of players or a ball blocking the physical image will block corresponding regions of the exchanged virtual image, so that the exchanged electronic image will remain in the background of the event, exactly as the original image.

Abstract: A novel method for generating revenues in space missions is provided. The method includes: creating an advertisement related to a creative audiovisual work; receiving payment for the display or presentation of the advertisement in conjunction with the space mission; and displaying or presenting the advertisement in conjunction with the space mission. Preferably, the audiovisual work is selected from one or more of a movie or motion picture, a television show or program, a film, a video, or a webcast. The present invention provides significant advantages over existing methods of generating revenues in relation to space missions and significantly enhances the development of space missions and technology.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is disclosed which mediates a transaction regarding a CM broadcast between a broadcasting station and a sponsor. A CM frame is registered and laid open, and a tender is accepted from sponsors. When it is discriminated that a tender deadline has come, conditions are counted, and a result of the counting is transmitted. When a sponsor is determined, CM frame acquisition is conveyed and a CM material is received. The CM material is transmitted to the broadcasting station. Then, a CM broadcast is conveyed, and a CM broadcasting charge is calculated and a claim therefor is sent to the sponsor. Then, the processing is ended. However, when a sponsor is not determined, if conditions are reset, then the processing returns to the CM frame laying open processing described above. However, if conditions are not reset, then the processing is ended.

Abstract: A billing system for use in a chargeable program broadcasting is capable of reliably billing a subscriber for program reception while preventing unauthorized reception thereof. A receiving terminal includes a primary terminal 100 and a secondary terminal 150. The primary terminal 100 receives a compressed video signal and confirms by an error checker 113 thereof whether there is a transmission error and bills, by a billing device 114 thereof, the receiving subscriber on the basis of an error information and a program information, etc., separated from the video signal by a separation circuit 112. The compressed video data is time-axis multiplexed with a terminal identifying code and a key signal and transmitted to the secondary terminal 150. In the secondary terminal 150, a bill for the subscriber is confirmed by the terminal identifying code and the compressed data is decoded by a decoder circuit 166 thereof.

Abstract: A system and method for tracking and processing transactions for such purposes as creating billing record and detecting possible fraudulent activities. The system and method relates to processing transactions associated with viewing movies, e.g. a video content distributed digitally on a digital video disc (DVD) in an scrambled format, where the video content is only viewable in conjunction with the use of a specially designed and enabled player. This method of distributing and billing movie content provides an alternative to current methods such as viewing via video tapes, open format DVDs, pay-per-view, or cable service. The system and method permits a user to establish, via a single authorization, multiple access to a service during a period of time, where each event of access is not individually billed. The system and method does not create a billable charge for a user authorization if the user does not actually access the service.