Abstract: Disclosed is a video signal processing apparatus including a telecine conversion signal detecting unit configured to detect whether or not an input video signal in an interlaced system is a telecine converted video signal; an IP converting unit configure to convert the input video signal into a signal in a progressive system according to a detected result obtained by the telecine conversion signal detecting unit; and a noise level detecting unit configured to detect a noise level of the input video signal. The video signal processing apparatus further includes a control unit configured to control a detection sensitivity of the telecine conversion signal detecting unit such that the input video signal is detected as the telecine converted video signal less easily if a noise level is increased based on the detected result obtained from the noise level detecting unit.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a television configuration technique includes determining a location, from a web service, of a television set using an internet protocol address of the television set or a zip code corresponding to a physical location of the television. Electronic programming guide, interactive programming guide or the like data for a plurality of service providers in the determined location are downloaded. The electronic programming guide data, interactive programming guide data, or the like for one or more channels that are unique between the plurality of service providers are checked against transmitting station identifier data or system information protocol data to identify the specific service provider that the television set is connected to. A channel list for the specific service provider is then determined from the electronic programming guide or interactive programming guide corresponding to the specific service provider.

Abstract: A television audience measurement system measures viewing of a television program viewed on digital television located in a statistically selected site by (i) retrieving an audience measurement data packet from a television set in order to identify the television program, (ii) detecting an audio code embedded in the television program in order to identify the television program, (iii) extracting an audio signature from the television program in order to identify the television program, (iv) identifying the television program through use of a software agent, and (v) selecting at least one of the retrieving means, the detecting means, the extracting means, and the software agent in order to identify the television program.

Abstract: A device is configured to perform a method that detects a trigger marker for an action corresponding to a segment of a multimedia signal. A fingerprint is generated based on the segment of the multimedia signal at a trigger time point. The generated fingerprint is stored in a database and communicated to the device. During playback of the multimedia signal, fingerprints of segments of the multimedia signal are generated and matched against fingerprints in the database. When a match is found, one or more associated actions for the segment are retrieved by the device. The trigger time point may be determined as a time point near or at the segment of the multimedia signal with the matched fingerprint. In this way, trigger markers for actions may be enabled without modifying the multimedia signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to maintain audience privacy while determining viewing of video-on-demand (VOD) programs are disclosed.

Abstract: Digital video signature apparatus and methods for use with video program identification systems are disclosed. The example apparatus and methods generate a signature associated with a video program. An example system includes a frame scanner to scan video frames associated with the video program. The frame scanner is to select a video frame based on a number of intra-coded macro blocks within the video frame. The example system also includes an intra-coded macro block extractor to extract intra-coded macro blocks from the video frame and a scaled image extractor to extract a scaled image from the intra-coded macro blocks. A signature generator is also included in the example system to calculate a plurality of centroids associated with video frame based on the scaled image and to form the signature based on the plurality of centroids.

Abstract: Systems and methods for matching live media content are disclosed. At a server, obtaining first media content from a client device, herein the first media content corresponds to a portion of media content being played on the client device, and the first media content is associated with a predefined expiration time; obtaining second media content from one or more content feeds, wherein the second media content also corresponds to a portion of the media content being played on the client device; in accordance with a determination that the second media content corresponds to a portion of the media content that has been played on the client device: before the predefined expiration time, obtaining third media content corresponding to the media content being played on the client device, from the one or more content feeds; and comparing the first media content with the third media content.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture determine compliance with usage guidelines of an audience measurement system. Initially, location information associated with an audience member is obtained. It is then determined whether the audience member is in compliance with the usage guidelines based on the location information. Media monitoring information corresponding to the location information is then tagged as non-compliant if the audience member is not in compliance with the usage guidelines.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for collecting program viewership information are described. A viewership monitoring module is provided access to decrypted program content allowing program information to be recovered without having to capture output program content using a microphone or camera. The monitoring module is loaded onto a secure device, e.g., a home network device, such as a router used to deliver content to a secure playback device. Alternatively the secure device which performs the monitoring maybe the secure playback device. Since a user of the secure device or a company implementing the viewership monitoring process loads the monitoring module onto the secure device, the network used to deliver the secure content need not be informed of which network customers are contributing to the viewership information which is being collected.

Abstract: Audibly announcing program channels is provided upon the detection of a channel information display, such as a programming banner or graphical channel representation. In response to the channel information display being detected, data corresponding to the channel information display may be captured and parsed. Once speech data representative of the current program channel has been generated, an audible announcement of the program channel may be made to the user, thereby enabling visually impaired individuals to ascertain the currently selected program channel. In another embodiment, the broadcast network corresponding to the current program channel may also be identified and audibly announced with the current program channel.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for identifying an end of a television program is described. During a scheduled presentation of a television program, a determination is made that the television program is within a predetermined time interval including a time when the television program is scheduled to end. Subtitles for the television program are monitored during the predetermined time interval. When a sequence of strings in the subtitles corresponds to a known sequence of strings in an aggregation of subtitles indicating that the television program has ended, at least one client device is notified that the television program has ended.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for logging triggers in a video data stream the method including but not limited to monitoring a video data stream at an multimedia processor end user device; receiving from a data distribution server, the video data stream at the multimedia processor end user device; detecting a trigger in the video data stream at the multimedia processor end user device; logging a time for the trigger detected in the video data stream in a trigger log at the multimedia processor end user device; and sending the trigger log an advertising verification system in the data distribution system for correlating the time the trigger occurred with an Advertising Schedule.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting distribution of multimedia content. The volume level of data traffic is monitored for a plurality of users to select any users with high-bandwidth usage. The time of day and the day of the week may be considered when determining whether a user is a high-bandwidth user. Upon selecting a user as one with high-bandwidth usage, such user may be subject to packet inspections of data traffic streams. In some embodiments, content identification parameters or watermarks are added to one or more packets in a data traffic stream carrying multimedia content.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for program telecast monitoring using watermarks are disclosed. An example method for program monitoring disclosed herein comprises obtaining a sequence of watermarks detected from a presentation of media content at a monitored site, and comparing a data pattern obtained from the sequence of watermarks with a set of possible data patterns to identify a particular program transmission of the media content, the set of possible data patterns being associated respectively with a set of possible transmissions of the media content. An example method to watermark media content disclosed herein comprises encoding the media content with a sequence of watermarks, a watermark in the sequence of watermarks including content identifying payload data, and modifying the sequence of watermarks to also include a data pattern associated with a particular transmission of the media content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media are disclosed herein. An example method includes extracting metering data from media obtained from a media provider. Metadata identifying the media based on the extracted metering data is generated. The media is transcoded into a transport stream, the transport stream having a streaming format. The metadata is embedded in a timed text track accompanying the transport stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for identifying and/or measuring usage of media data gathered at a user location using remote decoding and/or pattern matching techniques. A data set is formed based on the media data, which includes some, but not all, of the information represented by the media data. The data set is communicated to a remotely located processing system for detecting a code based on the data set and/or conducting a pattern matching process based on the data set.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus efficiently encode multimedia data, such as live video streams. An encoding complexity of a predetermined time interval, such as 1 second, is estimated before the actual encoding that will be used. This permits the actual encoding to be performed with an a priori estimate of complexity, permitting the bits allocated for the predetermined time interval (bit rate) to be efficiently allocated within the predetermined time interval. Moreover, the estimated complexity can be provided to a device, such as a multiplexer, which can then allocate the available bandwidth for a collection of multiplexed video channels according to the encoding complexity anticipated for those video channels, which then permits the quality of a particular channel to remain relatively constant even when the bandwidth for the collection of multiplexed video channels is relatively constant.

Abstract: A television program currently being watched can be identified by extracting at least one decoded frame from a television transmission. The frame can be transmitted to a separate mobile device for requesting an image search and for receiving the search results. The search results can be used to identify the program, and the user's social networking friends can be notified of the program identification.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the invention provide a method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for processing viewing usage data in a set-top box. A set-top box (STB) receives, via broadcast, distinct programmable instructions for data collection, data manipulation, and data reporting for viewing usage data. The STB then obtains/collects raw viewing usage data in accordance with the instructions for data collection. Once collected, the STB manipulates the raw viewing usage data to create a report in accordance with the instructions for data manipulation. The report is then transmitted from the set-top box to a centralized data mining system in accordance with the instructions for data reporting.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to collect audience information associated with a media presentation are described herein. In an example method includes counting a first number of individuals proximate to a media presentation device, counting a second number of signals received from one or more portable devices, each of which is associated with a respective one of one or more monitored individuals, comparing the first number of individuals to the second number of signals, and determining a third number of unidentified ones of the individuals proximate to the media presentation device based on the comparison of the first number of individuals to the second number of signals.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to distinguish a signal originating from a local device from a broadcast signal are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes analyzing a first predetermined characteristic of a video component of the audio-video signal to generate a first indication of the source of the audio-video signal, analyzing a second predetermined characteristic of an audio component of the audio-video signal to generate a second indication of the source of the audio-video signal, and determining if the audio-video signal was generated by a local device based on the first and second indications.

Abstract: A centralized media device accesses media sources via a networked system to display a unified preview of media contents stored on different devices. The unified previews are provided in real-time, pushing previews to multiple user devices. The centralized media device can employ user profile information to tailor the unified previews to individuals. It can also employ external sources to obtain relevant content images and information to provide to a user. The centralized media device can operate independently of the type of media, media source and/or viewing devices.

Abstract: An input processing circuit decodes a digital video signal selected by an input signal selector. Decryption circuits each decrypt the encryption of a video signal output from the input processing circuit, and generate an authentication key of the encryption. A video signal selector selects and outputs one of the video signals output from the decryption circuits, to a monitor. The decryption circuits each include a pseudo-signal generation circuit which extracts information from the video signal, and based on the extracted information, generates a pseudo-video signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reproducing broadcast data in a mobile terminal. The present invention comprises receiving broadcast data through a broadcast channel, storing a part of the received broadcast data, receiving a command to reproduce the broadcast data, and reproducing the stored broadcast data from a past time point while continuing to store the part of the received broadcast data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying viewing information associated with a digital media device are disclosed. In an example method, data conveyed via a data bus communicatively coupled to a processor and a data storage device associated with the digital media device is monitored. Event information associated with the digital media device is extracted from the data and the viewing information is identified based on the event information.

Abstract: A related word presentation device includes a program information storage unit that stores program information of each program; and an information dividing unit that generates, for each of the attributes of the words included in the program information, at least one group which includes a reference word belonging to the attribute and a set of words which co-occur with the reference word in a program. A degree-of-relevance calculating unit stores attribute-based association dictionaries each of which indicates, for the corresponding attribute of words, (i) the words and (ii) the degrees of relevance between the words calculated based on the frequency of co-occurrence in each of groups. A search condition obtaining unit obtains the search word and the attribute; a substitute word obtaining unit selects substitute words from the attribute-based association dictionary for the obtained attribute; and an output unit presents the selected substitute word.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing interactive television services and for switching between television programs, such as to an interactive program session from another program. An interactive server, capable of providing requested interactive video services to a set of subscribers in a given geographic area, is coupled to a network to which subscriber set top boxes are also coupled. Television programming, which may be furnished by any number of sources, is accompanied by a signal that indicates the availability of other programming, such as interactive television service related to the program being viewed, as well as information to be used in requesting such service. The user, when notified by this signal, may input to the set top box a request for a second program, such as an interactive program or application. The identity of the original program channel is stored, and a session with the video service provider is established over the network.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture for media monitoring are disclosed. In particular, the example methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture generate signatures. Initially, a first plurality of filtered values are identified by performing a wavelet transform on a first frame of media samples. A first energy value is determined based on a first portion of the first plurality of filtered values, and a second energy value is determined based on a second portion of the first plurality of filtered values. A first descriptor of the first frame of media samples is determined based on a comparison of the first energy value and the second energy value. A first signature is generated based on the first descriptor.

Abstract: An advertising monitoring system is presented in which subscriber selections including channel changes are monitored, and in which information regarding an advertisement is extracted from text related to the advertisement. The text related to the advertisement is in the form of closed caption text, data transmitted with the advertisement, or other associated text. A record of the effectiveness of the advertisement is created in which measurements of the percentage of the advertisement which was viewed are stored. Such records allow a manufacturer or advertiser to determine if their advertisement is being watched by subscribers. The system can be realized in a client-sever mode in which subscriber selection requests are transmitted to a server for fulfillment, in which case the advertisement monitoring takes place at the server side.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.

Abstract: Information about the context of electronic media may be extracted automatically. The extracted information may then be used to select ancillary services or applications that may be of interest to the user. The context information may be developed from ancillary information associated with the media, such as metadata or electronic programming guides. It may also be extracted from the media itself, including identification of image elements, audio elements, or other depicted features within the media in order to obtain information about what is being displayed.

Abstract: Methods and devices for alerting users to live programming on digital television broadcast receiver devices provide an on-screen object revealing a content item broadcast in an overhead flow portion of a broadcast signal. Information regarding programs available on other channels or content flows may be presented in a portion of the display screen. A variety of user touch gestures may be recognized on a touchscreen-equipped digital television receiver to enable users to respond to promotion messages. Users may use touch gestures to request a next promotion message, request further details regarding a promotion, discontinue promotion displays, and select a promoted program. Digital broadcast television systems may be configured to transmit promotion messages within the overhead flow in response to developments in broadcast content, special messages received from content providers, and the programs currently being broadcast.

Abstract: A computational recommendation engine is described. In embodiment(s), identifiers of ranked programs can be distributed to television client devices, and then a viewing vector from each of the television client devices can be received where the viewing vectors indicate which of the ranked programs have been displayed for viewing at different ones of the television client devices. A client devices group can be created that includes a subset of the television client devices based on the viewing vectors that are received from respective ones of the television client devices. A ranked program can be determined that has not been displayed for viewing by some of the television client devices in the client devices group, and a recommendation of the ranked program can be communicated to the television client devices in the client devices group that have not had the ranked program displayed for viewing.

Abstract: A broadcast system, method and apparatus providing content on demand. Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and apparatuses for rating content to be broadcast or to be broadcast potentially from a server. Additional aspects of particular embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for automatically managing storage resources of client systems. For one embodiment of the present invention, a user consumes a number of data files each having an associated temporal metadata table (TMDT). Each TMDT contains a plurality of time-indexed entries, each entry containing metadata describing a segment of the corresponding data file. The TMDT and user interaction during consumption of a one or more data files are used to create a preference profile table (PPT) for the user. The PPT is stored at the client system and is used to evaluate subsequent content. Such evaluation is used to determine broadcast schedules or automatically manage storage resources.

Abstract: System and methods for finding and accessing desired audio content from audio content sources, including means and methods for extracting captions from a broadcast; aggregating the captions in a database; indexing the database content; searching the captions for a mention of at least one target; analyzing the results for desired content; indexing into the database to extract the desired content; thereby providing a method for quickly finding and accessing desired audio and video content from a large number of sources.

Abstract: A video advertising insertion system is comprised of a processing system, interface, and video advertising. The video advertising insertion system receives a video stream carrying selected video content from a video-on-demand system. The video advertising insertion system selects and inserts video advertising into the video stream. The video advertising insertion system transfers the video stream carrying both the selected video content and the selected video advertising for display to a target viewer.

Abstract: Monitoring one or more media content channels is disclosed. Monitoring includes receiving one or more search criteria associated with desired media content, receiving channel data associated with media content being broadcast via a channel, detecting a match between at least one of the search criteria and the channel data, and providing a notification of the detected match.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to maintain audience privacy while determining viewing of video-on-demand (VOD) programs are disclosed.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a video network analyzer processes the packet data to generate network and media session data relating to the distribution of video content via the data distribution network in at least one media session, wherein the network and media session data includes at least one session metric, location data, protocol identification data, video encoding parameter data, and audio encoding parameter data. An analytics database stores the network and media session data for generation of report data.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting distribution of multimedia content. The volume level of data traffic is monitored for a plurality of users to select any users with high-bandwidth usage. The time of day and the day of the week may be considered when determining whether a user is a high-bandwidth user. Upon selecting a user as one with high-bandwidth usage, such user may be subject to packet inspections of data traffic streams. In some embodiments, content identification parameters or watermarks are added to one or more packets in a data traffic stream carrying multimedia content.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to monitor streaming media content are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to monitor streaming media content comprises extracting first metering data from media content to be provided to a content presentation device via a transport stream, the first metering data identifying at least one of the media content or a source of the media content, combining the first metering data with second metering data obtained independently of the media content, the combined metering data not being decodable by a meter associated with the content presentation device, and transcoding the combined metering data to form transcoded metering data having a format decodable by the meter associated with the content presentation device.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments included systems and methods which allow two persons in different locations to enjoy a synchronized and shared viewing experience of original content that has been edited differently for broadcast in each location. Closed captioning text data to identify synchronization points in the broadcasts and used to provide synchronization services between the two broadcasts.

Abstract: A system and method that allows content to be broadcast without commercial interruption, yet lets the company or companies that sponsor the broadcast to offer advertisements and discounts and various special offers to the viewers at a later time. The amount of time a viewer spends watching a particular broadcast is recorded along with information about the sponsoring companies or organizations for the broadcast. The viewer later accesses a central database, which sends back to the viewer advertisements, coupons, discounts, contests, and other enticements to purchase products, based on the amount of time the viewer spent watching broadcasts or segments of broadcasts that were sponsored by the advertiser.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods of delivery DVDs, games, other electronically or computer readable media, or other high value items through the mail or via any other delivery service for return and redelivery to a second customer. For example, in one embodiment, items returned by a first customer are identified during processing of a container or mailer containing the item, the second customer is determined, a new address label is affixed to the container, and the item is delivered to the second customer.

Abstract: A method of receiving and processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods of memorializing a viewer's viewing experience are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment presents a movie to the viewer, detects an occurrence of one of a plurality of event capture triggers, captures at least one image of the viewer in response to detecting the event capture trigger, and stores the image of the viewer.

Abstract: A cooperative electronic media measurement system is disclosed that measures the electronic media usage of one or more individuals by a media research entity. The media research entity defines at least one specialized task useful to the media research entity. The at least one specialized task is performed by a media handler provided by another entity and concerns a handling of electronic media by the media handler. The individual is tracked with at least one software agent of the media research entity. At least one software agent obtains a product of the specialized task performed by the media handler via at least one defined interface that provides interoperability between the media handler and the at least one software agent. Cooperative media handlers automatically obtain information from, or otherwise obtain information about, presented media objects including identification tags, if present, and other information, for collection by the research data collection agents.

Abstract: Signature-based program identification apparatus and methods for use with digital audio and/or video systems are disclosed. The disclosed systems and methods develop signatures of digital audio and/or video content from a digital data stream at two or more sites and compare the signatures to one another to identify the content.

Abstract: A computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed by a computer configure blackout event data indicating at least one event criterion data for selecting client devices subject to the blackout event for restricted content data; configure client devices into a client device group subject to the blackout event in accordance with the event criterion data; configure at least one substitution event data table for the client device group; and send restricted content and the substitution event data table embedded in the restricted content data to each client device in the client device group.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for the selective replacement of objectionable content in a program with less-objectionable material. The selective replacement of objectionable content in a program with less-objectionable material is accomplished by applying an encoding process and a decoding process to the audio and/or video signal of the program. The encoding process includes marking potentially objectionable material in the program with replacement information that identifies the type (e.g., audio, violent content, sexual content, etc.) and intensity level (e.g., mild, graphic, extreme, etc.) of the potentially objectionable material using replacement codes.