Abstract: A method for targeted advertising is disclosed. The method includes accessing at least one piece of demographic information associated with a user of a portable device, selecting an advertisement to be delivered to the user based at least in part on the demographic information, and initiating communication of a version of the advertisement configured for presentation at the portable device.

Abstract: One embodiment of a system (3) that provides more than one technique for delivering media and advertisements to consumers (26a) and consumers (26b) over a network (23) and, where a technique permits, measuring the exposure of consumers (26a) and (26b) to the media and advertisements with precision and, where a technique does not permit, using exposure information from other techniques to demonstrate consumer (26a) and (26b) exposure to the media and advertisements. Advantageously, offline consumer (26b) exposure to downloaded media content and advertisements can be demonstrated, which significantly increases the attractiveness of downloaded media content to advertiser (5).

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system for pre-parsing a large XML document to enable faster processing, comprising providing an XML document that is idle or is being generated, pre-parsing the XML document to generate one or more indices associated with the XML document, storing the indices in the XML document, and storing the XML document in a storage area. At the time of processing the XML document, an XML consumer is able to process the XML document more quickly than normal by using the one or more indices.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device having a controller programmed to receive a media program having a repetitive portion that plays every time the media program is played. A first portion of the repetitive portion of the media program is modified while leaving another portion unmodified to produce a first modified portion. The first modified portion is presented after an initial presentation of the repetitive portion. The repetitive portion is further modified to produce multiple different modified repetitive portions used for successive presentations of the repetitive portion. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Example methods and apparatus to generate relevance rankings for use by a program selector of a media presentation system are disclosed. An example method comprises tabulating a plurality of occurrence counts for respective ones of a plurality of terms of a program guide, each of the occurrence counts indicating a corresponding number of times each of the terms appears in the program guide, computing a plurality of relevance ranking scores for respective ones of a plurality of programs listed in the program guide based on the plurality of occurrence counts, selecting a list of programs from the program guide based on the relevance ranking scores, and outputting the list of programs.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, are provided for handling user-created advertisements. In one aspect, a method includes receiving data from a first end user to create a first advertisement; receiving targeting criteria associated with the first advertisement, the targeting criteria indicating a second end user to whom the first advertisement is to be shown: receiving, from a client device, a first indication of the second end user browsing a webpage; and providing the first advertisement to be displayed to the second user on the webpage upon receiving the first indication.

Abstract: A method of social broadcasting is disclosed. A metadata is generated indicating items of content expected to be included in a broadcast and for each item of content a manner in which the item of content is to be included in the broadcast. The metadata is provided and at least a subset of said items of content to a broadcast platform in one or more network communications sent to the broadcast platform via a network interface. A method of social broadcasting is disclosed. A metadata is received via a server interface indicating items of content expected to be included in a broadcast and for each item of content a manner in which the item of content is to be included in the broadcast. At least a subset of said items of content is stored in a media cache.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses can replace content within a manifest driven streaming video program. A generic manifest file can be retrieved, original content within the streaming program can be identified for replacement, and a user specific manifest file can be generated that includes references to replacement content instead of the original content identified for replacement.

Abstract: First topics related to a content page, such as a web page, are identified. Thereafter, second topics related to a first content element, such as advertisements, and a second content element, such as media files, are identified based on the first topics. Common topics are identified that are common to the first and second topics. Based on the common topics, first and second content elements are identified and combined in a bundle that is transmitted to a user requesting the content page.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream and in response, displays the first video stream on the display in a first video tile and plays first audio content that corresponds to the first video stream. While displaying the first video stream, the device receives a second request to display a second video stream. In response to receiving the second request, the device slides the first video tile off of the display and slides a second video tile that corresponds to second video tile onto the display. The device also starts to play second audio content for the second video stream and increases an amplitude of the second audio content relative to an amplitude of the first audio content in accordance with an amount of the second video tile that is displayed on the display.

Abstract: A videoconferencing system is described that is configured to select an active speaker while avoiding erroneously selecting a microphone or camera that is picking up audio or video from a connected remote signal. A determination is made whether an audio signal is above a threshold level. If so, then a determination is made as to whether a tag is present in that audio signal. If so, that signal is ignored. If not, a camera is directed toward the sound source identified by the audio signal. A determination is made whether a tag is present in the video signal from that camera. If so, the camera is redirected. If not, local tag(s) are inserted into the audio signal and/or the video signal. The tagged signal(s) are transmitted. Thus, system will ignore sound or video that has an embedded tag from another videoconferencing system.

Abstract: Some examples are directed to selecting at least one candidate solution from a first plurality of candidate solutions that has converged on a suboptimal solution during a computer simulation. The computer simulation tests fitness of the first plurality of candidate solutions for an optimization problem. Some examples are further direct to storing a copy of the at least one candidate solution, performing a cataclysm on the first plurality of candidate solutions, and generating a second plurality of candidate solutions. Some examples are further direct to integrating the copy of the at least one candidate solution into the second plurality of candidate solutions after performing of one or more additional computer simulations that test the fitness of the second plurality of candidate solutions for the optimization problem.

Abstract: Provided is an on-vehicle device which can build a charge system which can charge in accordance with use of advertisement information. The on-vehicle device stores uplink information including some or all of information indicating whether the advertisement information is received, information indicating whether the received advertisement information is displayed, and information indicating whether a vehicle (C) has stopped before reaching an advertisement object point indicated by the advertisement information. Each of the information is made to be a charging object for advertisement.

Abstract: An audio/video broadcast system, a method for operating the same and a user device for operation in the interactive broadcast system. The broadcast system comprises an capture unit, an editing unit and a user device. A plurality of video streams is captured by the capture unit, a main signal A is broadcast via a broadcast channel to the plurality of user devices. A user request S is transmitted from the user device to the editing unit and is indicative to information about a topic for an edited replay clip. After processing of content at the editing unit so as to generate the edited replay clip in response to the user request, said reply clip is broadcast using free bandwidth of the broadcast channel. A copy of the replay clip is cached at the user device and reproduced upon reception of a user command.

Abstract: A moving picture providing method includes playing, by a processor, a second moving picture provided with respect to a first moving picture before or during playing the first moving picture; playing, by the processor, the first moving picture in response to a termination or a suspension in playing the second moving picture; activating, by the processor, a recall user interface (UI) for recalling the second moving picture during playing the first moving picture; and playing, by the processor, the second moving picture again in response to a request for recalling the second moving picture through the recall UI.

Abstract: First video material is transmitted from a video source, over a video content network, to consumer premises equipment, via a hub router. The video source has a source address and there is a first path length between the hub router and the video source. Upon occurrence of a first triggering condition, a short route metric is announced from a supplemental video material server coupled to the hub router. The short route metric causes the hub router to perceive a second path length, between the hub router and the supplemental video material server, as shorter than the first path length. The supplemental video material server has a source address identical to the source address of the video source. Thus, the consumer premises equipment obtains supplemental video material from the supplemental video material server instead of first video material from the video source.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of producing, by a media providing apparatus capable of editing recorded media content, media from which an advertisement has been removed, including the steps of searching the recorded media content for an advertisement part; deleting the retrieved advertisement part; generating an advertisement DB by separately storing the deleted advertisement part; determining whether or not a frame that belongs to the recorded media content and that is identical with one image frame of the advertisement DB is present; deleting an advertisement part from the recorded media content based on a black image at the front and rear of the same frame as the one image frame of the advertisement DB; and generating media content from which the advertisement part has been deleted based on the black image at the front and rear of the same frame as the one image frame of the advertisement DB.

Abstract: Provided are a method and device for sending media data. The method is realized by providing a media substitute node between a sender and a receiver. The method comprises: a media substitute node receives an original media data stream from a sender; the media substitute node acquires substitute data for substituting for the original media data stream within a designated interval; the media substitute node converts the format of the acquired substitute data into a media format which conforms to a media parameter of the original media data stream; and the media substitute node sends the converted substitute data to the receiver within the designated interval. The technical solution provided in the disclosure is adopted to solve the technical problems in the related art, such as the reduction in communication efficiency due to the need for re-negotiating a media parameter between substitute data and original media data.

Abstract: The disclosure belongs to the field of communication, and provides an audio/video-on-demand method, server, terminal and system. The method includes: receiving, from a first terminal, a request for the audio or video and an identification for an object associated with a second terminal; receiving blessing information from the first terminal, wherein the blessing information is audio information or video information; and sending the blessing information and the audio or video to the second terminal for playing. The disclosure can solve the problems that it is inconvenient for a user to input literal information to the first terminal character by character and the literal on-demand blessing information may lead to inaccurate expression of the user's real emotion and achieve the advantage of entering the on-demand blessing information conveniently and accurate expression of the user's real emotion since the user can enter an audio/video information as the on-demand blessing information.

Abstract: A system and method in a television system for presenting information associated with a user-selected object in a television program is provided. An identity of a user-selected object in a television program being presented to a user is determined. Based at least in part on the identity of the user-selected object in the television program, information to present to the user is determined. The determined information is presented to the user on a television display.

Abstract: Sponsored-content may be placed based on images in video content. A first image in a frame of a video content item is identified. The first image is matched with a second stored image. A sponsored-content item to be presented is selected based on an association between the second stored image and the sponsored-content item.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to generate and use content-aware watermarks are disclosed herein. In a disclosed example method, media composition data is received and at least one word present in an audio track of the media composition data is selected. The word is then located in a watermark.

Abstract: An early warning system is provided. The early warning system includes a plurality of sensors, a server, and an information appliance device. The sensors produce status information. The server produces event information according to the status information of the sensors, transforms the event information into a first multimedia signal, and transmits the first multimedia signal to the information appliance device through a computer network. The information appliance device is connected to a display device, wherein the information appliance device transforms the first multimedia signal into a second multimedia signal capable of displaying through the display device. The disclosure further provides an early warning server, an early warning method, and a computer program product for report information.

Abstract: A method of providing information including providing a communication session of at least one of audio and video media and applying automatic recognition to media transferred on the communication session. An advertisement is selected by a processor, based on the automatic recognition and non-advertisement information is selected by the processor, responsive to the automatic recognition. The selected advertisements and the selected non-advertisement information, are presented during the communication session.

Abstract: A digital television system is connected to a mobile computing and communication device through an ad hoc communication link. A program broadcasted by the television system includes a plurality frames delivered in a sequential manner. A user can freeze a frame by employing the mobile device. The frame can then be transmitted to the mobile device and be redisplayed on the mobile device. The redisplayed frame includes visible symbols pointing to displayed items associated with advertising messages. The frame can also be stored in a photograph folder for the user to view the frame and associated advertising messages in a later time.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a multimedia device, a data stream representing multimedia content, the data stream comprising first timing information for the multimedia content, and metadata representing interactive event information associated with the multimedia content, the metadata comprising second timing information for the interactive event information. During the playback of the multimedia content, a first user interactive event is identified that is associated with a first time point in the playback of the multimedia content based on the interactive event information, and the first user interactive event is performed concurrent with the first time point in the playback of the multimedia content.

Abstract: The present invention provides techniques relating to rich media advertising. Techniques are provided in which an advertiser-provided image-based component of an advertisement creative is matched with an advertiser-provided audio component of the advertisement creative. A rich media advertisement may be served that includes the image-based component and a synchronously presented audio component. Presentation of the rich media advertisement on a user computer may not require downloading or utilization of a video player.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving apparatus including a display, a storage configured to store priority information corresponding to a current output state of the broadcast receiving apparatus and priority information corresponding to an event, a communicator configured to receive, from an external device, a signal indicating an occurrence of the event at the external device, and a controller configured to, upon the communicator receiving the signal indicating the occurrence of the event at the external device, selectively display a notification message regarding the event on the display, based on the priority information corresponding to the event and the priority information corresponding to the current output state of the broadcast receiving apparatus.

Abstract: In one form, the present teachings provide a method and apparatus for broadcasting an event. The method includes receiving data related to an event via an uplink. Another aspect of the method includes determining whether the data is broadcast on a recurring basis. The method also includes determining whether a transponder channel associated with multiplexed program channels has any unused data or bandwidth to broadcast a portion of the data along with the multiplexed program channels. Additionally, the method includes broadcasting the portion of the data in a data stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating social content items into a produced video are provided. The system presents a producer interface to a user that allows the user to query for social content items. The user may then select and arrange social content items in an on-air queue. In an on-air mode, the system generates a broadcast-ready on-air format of the social content items and provides a video stream including the broadcast-ready social content items in the on-air queue to a video production system. The broadcast-ready social content items are incorporated into a produced video by the video production system. The user may navigate through the social content items in the on-air queue while on camera as part of the produced video.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a media program on a first media channel, detecting a first segment in the media program, where the first segment comprises media content combined with an embedded advertisement, determining a first emotional context from a first analysis of the media content, determining a second emotional context from a second analysis of the embedded advertisement, and detecting an inconsistency between the first emotional context and the second emotional context. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Dynamically replaceable assets are inserted in program content and may be used for the insertion of cinematic stage props therein. Such assets can be used for advertising purposes in that images of different products and services can be inserted therein and are changeable via a network. Such assets may be created by identifying locations in the content where the assets can be inserted, establishing the assets in the identified locations, and determining location and visual effects information for each asset. Replacement images, such as images of products, may be obtained via a network. The visual appearance of each replacement image may be modified using visual effects information so the inserted objects appear natural as if they were part of the original scene.

Abstract: A customized consumer advertisement module and process are provided for inserting a user selected object into a user selected category of program. The user stores model objects locally at the user site, or communicates the model objects to a remotely located broadcaster for storage at a broadcaster site. The user selects categories of programs in which the model objects, or portions thereof, will be inserted. The customized consumer advertisement module inserts the model objects, or portions thereof, into the selected categories of programs.

Abstract: A method of processing an interactive service and an apparatus thereof are disclosed. The present invention includes generating a trigger, wherein the trigger contains a first identifier and a parameter, wherein the first identifier identifies an application to be launched, wherein the parameter contains a media time stamp and a content identifier, wherein the media time stamp indicates a current point in the playout of a content, wherein the content identifier identifies the content currently being viewed, wherein the trigger is passed into the application after the application is launched, and wherein the application delivers the content identifier to a server in order to identify the content currently being viewed; generating a broadcast signal including the trigger; and transmitting the broadcast signal.

Abstract: An emergency alert is received. Information representing a map is generated from emergence alert information identifying an affected area, including a code that identifies a political region and a primitive shape corresponding to the affected area. Customer premises equipment is authenticated and the information representing the map is transmitted for receipt by the customer premises equipment. An indication of a selection of a user-selectable field is received, and in response, a second video stream associated with the emergency and the affected area is transmitted for presentation to customer premises. The first information is displayable as overlay video, providing a map of the affected area and occupying a portion of a display area. The map is displayable together with a user-selectable display field indicating that more information is available in relation to the emergency.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and apparatus for improving viewer engagement in video advertising. The method comprises configuring a plurality of skip options for presentation in advertising content, such that each skip option of the plurality of skip options is presented in series for a limited duration during display of the advertising content until a presented one of the skip options is selected.

Abstract: A method including receiving video of an event; generating an overlay for the video; generating an information message containing information enabling a receiver of the video and the overlay to selectively display or hide the overlay; and transmitting the video, the overlay, and the information message. The video is transmitted in a primary stream of a multi-stream transmission including a primary stream and one or more auxiliary streams. The overlay is transmitted in a first one of the auxiliary streams.

Abstract: A video-on-demand (VOD) server in an Internet protocol television (IPTV) network with a network of set-top boxes includes IPTV operational data and an analysis module that selects a content item. The VOD server divides the content item into sequential chunks, divides the chunks into stripes, pre-populates set-top boxes in a peering network with at least one stripe from each chunk, receives a request for the content item, and directs each set-top box to sequentially stream its stripes. A method includes selecting a content item based upon IPTV operational data, dividing the content item into sequential chunks, dividing the chunks into stripes, pre-populating set-top boxes in a peering network with at least one stripe from each chunk, receiving a request for the content item, and directing each set-top box to sequentially stream its stripes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for monitoring user interest in a video as it is being played and autonomously selecting a section of the video for replaying based on an identified user interest in the section. A monitoring component monitors user interaction with a video being streamed to one or more devices as the video is played at the one or more devices. An identification component further determines level of user interest based on the monitored user interaction and identifies a section of the video associated with the level of user interest in response to the level of user interest being above a predetermined threshold. Then a replay component streams the section of the video to the one or more devices again at least in response to the identification of the section.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for suppressing display of advertisements within a video over IP stream provided by a content provider. Metadata is prepended to advertisements within the stream. When the stream is received by an access aggregation point, the access aggregation point compares the metadata of an advertisement with preset criteria provided by an enterprise subscriber, and suppresses the advertisement if a comparison of the metadata and the preset criteria indicate that the advertisement is undesirable to the enterprise subscriber. The access aggregation point suppresses the advertisement by switching to a second video channel within the stream for the duration of the advertisement.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for inserting targeted/addressable advertisements into video streams delivered to users within the context of a start over service.

Abstract: A system for modifying commercials for multi-speed playback detects when a commercial break begins in a broadcast program content stream. If the viewer selects fast-forward playback mode during the commercial break, then the system selects the appropriate alternate content to be played to the viewer. The alternate content can include images, video, and/or audio content. The system is provided configuration information by the service provider or broadcaster to identify what alternate content will be played, when it will be played and any additional processing tasks required. A service provider can charge an advertiser or content provider a fee based on viewership of the alternate content. When the system detects that the commercial break has ended, it returns the viewer back to the program material.

Abstract: A broadcast system provides consumers with inducement to consume portions in which they may not have an active interest, such as commercials. To dissuade consumers from leaving the vicinity of the broadcast receiver or from switching to other broadcasts while a first broadcast airs such a portion, the first broadcast is augmented by a second content entity calculated to be of interest to the consumer. Interaction is required of the consumer in order for him to receive the second content entity, which necessitates his presence and attention.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method determines first information from a component of a computing device to determine when receiving of one or more advertisements will affect an available bandwidth reading that is based on receiving of a media program. Then, the method dynamically disables a multiple bitrate algorithm based upon the first information such that a new bitrate version of the media program cannot be requested by the multiple bitrate algorithm for the media player. Second information is determined from the component of the computing device to determine when the available bandwidth reading will not be affected by receiving of the one or more advertisements. The method then dynamically enables the multiple bitrate algorithm based on the second information. The multiple bitrate algorithm is then allowed to request the different bitrate version of the media program based on the available bandwidth reading.

Abstract: A method for providing a main content and an extra content to a user by accessing said extra content through a reference item. The method includes receiving said main content from a first source and displaying said main content by said first device. Also, based on said reference item, said extra content is retrieved and/or received from a second source and simultaneously displayed together with said main content on said first device. Or said reference item may be forwarded to a second device, and thereby said extra content is retrieved and/or received from a second source by said second device and, simultaneously, the main content is displayed on said first device and the extra content is displayed on said second device.

Abstract: An information processing terminal includes an operation part to receive a user's operation, an output part to play back an arbitrarily input content while outputting posted information which is posted on the WEB in connection with the content, and a controller to output a content at a playback time, correlated to a posted time of posted information selected via the user's operation, to the output part with reference to a time table which stores the playback position of the content in connection with the posted time of the posted information relating to the content. The controller aligns a plurality of posted information, correlated to a desired content, in an order of posted times on the screen. Upon receiving a user's scroll operation, it is possible to scroll and display a plurality of posted information at the predetermined position on the screen.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include analyzing an image, identifying one or more faces in the image using a face recognition technique, designating at least one of the identified faces collectively as a first area of interest, and determining whether an insertion area exists in the image where additional content can be inserted without obstructing the first area of interest. Another computer program is adapted to cause a processor based system to execute steps that include determining whether the insertion area can be divided into two or more regions based on color. Methods and processor based apparatuses that perform one or more of these steps are also disclosed.

Abstract: A user can create a video segment or employ an existing video segment, upload the segment to a server, indicate an advertisement to be associated with the video, and then send it to a recipient over a computer network. The user provides an indication that one or more particular video segments and advertisements are to be shared over the network. An identifier for the video segment is automatically created and the segment and the identifier are automatically uploaded to a host computer over the network such as the Internet. The video segment, the identifier (optionally with other identifying material such as an identity of the sender, and an advertisement selected by the sender can be stored at the direction of the host computer.

Abstract: A method to enhance broadcast content of an event received by a television set by supplying additional information related to the event. A user builds a request message for getting more information through a displayed menu where some items are extracted from metadata broadcast with the content. The request message, completed with user preference and identification data, is sent to a management center. The latter performs a search in local databases or in remote databases of providers distributed in a cloud comprising a plurality of internet services and resources. The search results are filtered before sending to the television set in the form of enhanced data comprising abstracts including at least text, or any combination of text with graphics or pictures.

Abstract: An application on a second-screen device can receive an advertisement stream and an interactive component. The application can display at least a partial display of the advertisement stream and the interactive component in a video display area on the second-screen device. The displayed advertisement stream can be associated with an advertisement stream being displayed by a primary display with the two advertisement streams being associated with the same content and substantially synchronized.