Abstract: A digital cable broadcast receiver and a method for automatically processing caption data of various standards and types, is disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes: a demultiplexer for dividing a received broadcast stream into video data, audio data, supplementary information; a controller for determining whether caption data included in the video data is digital caption data or analog caption data on the basis of caption information included in the supplementary information, and outputting a control signal according to a result of the determining; a digital caption decoder for extracting and decoding digital caption data from the video data according to the control signal; and an analog caption decoder for extracting and decoding analog caption data from the video data according to the control signal.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system for in-stream advertising on an internet connected device comprising: at least a media streaming server adapted to stream media content in relation to a request from said internet connected device, said media streaming server further adapted to read and stream a concatenated file containing said media content and in-stream advertisement, on said internet connected device, in a single request from said internet connected device; at least an adinsert module adapted to concatenate said fetched advertisement and said media content; and at least a file writer configured to write said concatenated file containing fetched said media content and said in-stream advertisement in a single file in order to enable said media streaming server to read and stream said concatenated file on said internet connected device in a seamless manner.

Abstract: A method and computing devices are provided for determining whether an advertisement aired in accordance with predefined airing specifications. A plurality of advertisement identification markers may be inserted into an advertisement by a first computing device. The plurality of advertisement identification markers may be inserted between the start and end of the advertisement. A second computing device may receive a broadcast stream including the advertisement having the plurality of advertisement identification markers. Airing parameters of the advertisement may be determined by the second computing device based on the advertisement identification markers. The airing parameters of the advertisement may be compared with predefined airing specifications corresponding to the advertisement. Auditing data may be generated that describes whether or not the advertisement aired in accordance with the predefined airing specifications.

Abstract: An entertainment system receives entertainment programming interposed with commercials. The entertainment system selectively renders the commercial in accordance with characteristics associated with a user of the entertainment programming. In one embodiment, the entertainment system selectively renders a selected one among multiple received versions of a commercial. In another embodiment, the entertainment system selectively renders a selected one among multiple received commercials.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing advertisement (ad) delivery and ad inventory for advertisements (ads) placed in video content are provided. An exemplary method receives campaign criteria for a new advertising campaign, the campaign criteria including at least a desired date range. The method then retrieves indications of unsold ad space inventory. In response to determining, based at least in part on the unsold ad space inventory in the desired date range, that the campaign criteria cannot be satisfied, the method: renders, in a user interface, an interactive ad delivery and distribution report indicating forecasted ad distribution and ad delivery for at least part of the desired date range during which the campaign criteria cannot be satisfied; and redistributes ad delivery by adjusting an ad delivery plan based on adjusted report parameters received via the interface in order to accommodate the new advertising campaign.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for providing an enhanced media presentation. In one embodiment, an enhanced media presentation is provided. To provide the enhanced media presentation, one or more content items associated with subject matter associated with a segment of an enhanced media presentation are identified. Each content item may be associated with at least one uniform resource identifier. Then, a content object based at least in part on at least one content item is created. The content object is an abstract representation of the content item. The content object can be associated with the segment and provided for simultaneous displayed simultaneously with at least a portion of the segment.

Abstract: Computer program products, methods, systems, apparatus, and computing entities are provided for providing an enhanced media presentation. In one embodiment, an enhanced media presentation is provided. To provide the enhanced media presentation, one or more content items associated with subject matter associated with a segment of an enhanced media presentation are identified. Each content item may be associated with at least one uniform resource identifier. Then, a content object based at least in part on at least one content item is created. The content object is an abstract representation of the content item. The content object can be associated with the segment and provided for simultaneous displayed simultaneously with at least a portion of the segment.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server comprising a memory to store executable instructions and a controller coupled to the memory. The controller, reponsive to executing the instructions, performs operations comprising presenting a graphical user interface enabling selectable advertisements or a selectable channel distribution service for delivery to a set top box, presenting filters for targeted delivery of advertisements to subscriber equipment based on information descriptive of the subscriber, selecting advertisements from an advertising server based on detected selections of advertisements or a detected channel distribution service preference, transmitting a globally unique identifier of the set top box to a billing server, initiating storage of the selectable advertisements at a remote advertisement delivery server, and presenting the selectable advertisements to the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Presented is a system that allows a user who subscribes to the system to avoid viewing commercials with unacceptable content (e.g. alcohol related, sexual content) during real-time television broadcasts. The system has a residential component consisting of a control unit having a user interface a local database and a specialized router, a remote processing component having monitoring stations where the monitored network feeds are processed, and a system DBMS component that stores channel and user information in real time. The control unit is connected to the internet, such as via a wireless connection on the user's network, to retrieve remotely-stored data obtained through monitored network feeds. The control unit retrieves real-time data associated with viewable content and applies logic to switch the viewing channel or signal source for display on the television.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a media device is configured so that it automatically causes a first predetermined channel to be displayed on an output device when a user sends a request signal to the media device to turn the output device off. The media device may be configured so that it causes the output device to shut off after the first predetermined channel has been on for a dwell period of time after the request signal has been received. The dwell period of time may be approximately two seconds. In some embodiments, a media device is configured so that it automatically causes a first predetermined channel to be displayed on an output device when a user sends a request signal to the media device to turn the output device on. In some embodiments, the media device is a television device. In other embodiments, the media device is a radio device.

Abstract: A process for providing a print-augmented broadcast signal for transmission to one or more convention broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal comprising (i) standard content for a particular broadcast program and (ii) a non-content portion. Supplemental content which is associated with the standard content of the particular broadcast program is additionally received. Next, the supplemental content is combined onto the non-content portion of the broadcast signal to form a print-augmented broadcast signal, the print-augmented broadcast signal comprising the standard content, which can be rendered on a conventional broadcast receiver, and the supplemental content, which is printable on-demand at a destination conventional broadcast receiver substantially concurrently with the rendering of the standard content.

Abstract: VISUAL IMAGE MARKETING (VIM) is a system whereby the visual image on a film or television program is utilized to market that specific product. In VIM, film.backslash.television is combined with computer technology to provide real-time or delayed access to product data. Viewers identify a product or object displayed in a video, television show or movie and by merely pointing and clicking on the object to obtain marketing and other data.

Abstract: A display device for processing an information code included in an image is provided. The display device includes an image receiver configured to receive an image signal including an information code, a communicator configured to communicate data with an external device, a display configured to display an image, and a controller configured to capture a still image from the image signal processed to be displayed on the display, to detect the information code from the captured still image, to discover the external device to which information about the recognized information code will be transmitted, and to control the communicator to transmit the information about the information code to the discovered external device.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving a product placement event that is triggered by a placement stamp in a media program. The placement stamp may identify an occurrence of a product in the media program, where the occurrence is not an explicit advertisement. The method further may include searching a product description database according to a product identifier of the product placement event and receiving product advertising information matching the product identifier in an entry of the product description database. The product description database may have been updated, and the product advertising information may differ from what the product advertising information would have been if the product description database had not been updated. The method may further include presenting a product advertisement according to the product advertising information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Commercial break content that is viewed during fast-forwarding through a commercial break is provided by embedding one or more frames of commercial break content at various points in time during a commercial break segment. During fast-forwarding, the video stream for at least some of those points in time are displayed by the recording device to the viewer. Accordingly, multiple occurrences of frames that have been embedded are displayed during the fast-forwarding such that the commercial break content expressed by the frames is conveyed to the viewer during the fast-forwarding period.

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

Abstract: A data analyzer engine can be configured to receive feedback indicating different content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumed content amongst the different content and produces a content guide to include multiple selectable channels from which content is available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. The content guide can include one or more selectable viewing options to view a rendition of content being identified as more or most popular. Each of one or more playback devices or other suitable resources retrieves and initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. Accordingly, a subscriber can view different available content options as well as an identification of content that is currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers.

Abstract: Technologies are presented that provide location-based information distribution to targeted media devices. A method of distributing information by an information server in a networked media system may include determining a location of a first media device, determining one or more topics being consumed on the first media device, obtaining information categorically associated with one or more of the determined topics or the location of the first media device, and providing the obtained information to one or more of the first media device or a second media device in use within a predetermined proximity of the first media device. Determination of the location of the first media device may include determining whether the first media device is within a predetermined proximity of one or more other media devices with fixed known locations or of the information server. The provided information may include such information as advertisements, media recommendations, etc.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a media delivery system including a television, a smart phone and a smart watch comprises an ad hoc communication network. The smart phone is employed as remote control. In one implementation, the smart phone controls the television directly. In another implementation, the smart phone controls the television through the smart watch. A media item stored in the smart watch can be rendered by the television using the smart phone as the remote control. An advertising message can be transferred from the television to the smart watch using the smart phone as the remote control. In other embodiments, the smart watch or a tablet computer can be used as the remote control.

Abstract: A reception apparatus includes: a broadcast reception unit (101) receiving broadcast content including a video stream, broadcast subtitles, and timing information, the video stream being composed of a plurality of images output along a time axis, the broadcast subtitles being composed of character strings, the timing information being used to output the broadcast subtitles in synchronization with the images; an alternative subtitle acquisition unit (110) acquiring alternative subtitles prior to reception of the broadcast content, the alternative subtitles being composed of character strings that are alternatives to the character strings constituting the broadcast subtitles in a different representation; an alternative subtitle holding unit (111) holding the acquired alternative subtitles; and the timing control unit (112), an alternative subtitle screen generation unit (115), and an alternative subtitle output unit (116) performing alternative subtitle synchronization processing to output the alternative subt

Abstract: During the display of video content to a viewing audience, a system receives feedback information from the viewing audience concerning the displayed video content. At a later time and based on the feedback, the system substitutes portions of a downloaded data stream with different content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention generate linked advertisements. Linked advertisements may include a preliminary advertisement and one or more subsequent advertisements. In one embodiment, the viewer is only shown the subsequent advertisement upon detecting a positive reaction to the preliminary advertisement. The subsequent advertisement is associated with presentation triggers that specify a context in which the subsequent advertisement should be presented. The context may be defined by a time of day, location, user activity, and/or other parameters. For example, the presentation trigger may specify a context in which the user is able to purchase an advertised good or service. For example, the context could be the user driving (activity context) near a coffee shop (location context) in the morning (time context). The reaction to the preliminary advertisement may be explicit or implicit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are for identifying online advertisements to display to a user based on historical user data collected across the user's use of a plurality of Internet devices. One method includes receiving, over a network, a request for an advertisement to display at a first device of the user, the request including a unique identifier stored on the user's first device; accessing, in a database, a demographic or browsing history information generated from the user's use of a second device, the demographic or browsing history information being stored in the database in relation to the unique identifier; and identifying, based on the demographic or browsing history information, an advertisement to display at the user's first device. The demographic or browsing history information is synchronized based on the unique identifier being stored on the user's first device and the user's second device.

Abstract: Embodiments related to delivering a video stream to a requesting viewer are disclosed. In one example embodiment, a video stream is delivered by receiving a request for the video stream from a requesting device, the request including the requesting viewer's identity, assembling a list of selected video content items for display to the requesting viewer, the selected video items being selected from a plurality of video items based on the identity of the requesting viewer and a viewing interest profile comprising the requesting viewer's viewing interests, and sending the video stream for display, the video stream including one or more of the selected video items.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing data stored in an EPG database for modifying advertisement information. In this way, a service provider and/or an advertiser can transmit a single advertisement to all the television stations regardless of their geographic location and other user specific information, and need not re-transmit the advertisement even if there is a change in the show's program description. When the advertisement is displayed, the correct updated information is retrieved from the EPG database and inserted into the advertisement. In one aspect, the present invention describes a method for modifying an advertisement in an EPG comprising the steps of: storing television schedule information in a first database; storing advertisement information in a second database; incorporating a portion of the television schedule information into a portion of the advertisement information to form a modified advertisement; and displaying the modified advertisement on a screen.

Abstract: A media system replaces content in a first sequence of media content. The media system presents the first sequence of media content to an end-user and generates a fingerprint of the sequence of media content. The fingerprint is for comparison with a plurality of reference fingerprints so as to identify the first sequence of media content and determine a reference position within the first sequence of media content. The media system sends a request for a replacement sequence of content to a content replacement system, and receives replacement media content selected based on the identified first sequence of media content. The media system presents the replacement media content to the end-user instead of the first sequence of media content. Presenting the replacement media content begins at a position in the first sequence of media content that is determined based on the reference position.

Abstract: The present invention provides a passenger guidance display system comprising a service managing apparatus configured to manage on-rail information and a service schedule of a train and a passenger guidance display apparatus provided in a station premise and configured to perform display of passenger guidance using service information of a train scheduled to arrive next transmitted from the service managing apparatus.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system for determining user input values for demographic categories is provided. The system includes user television equipment having a receiver for receiving program guide information for the interactive television program guide, a user input receiver for receiving user input from user interface, such as a remote control, a microprocessor which utilizes the user input received to determine user values for demographic categories, and memory for storing the user values determined. In one illustrative use of the system for targeting advertisements to a user of the interactive television program guide, the receiver also receives advertisements, where the advertisements have preselected values for specified demographic categories.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing data such as content are disclosed. A method can comprise selecting a closed caption buffer and storing a service trace in the selected closed caption buffer. The closed caption buffer comprising the stored service trace can then be activated to provide service information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a configuration for inserting an advertisement (ad) break into a live stream by a server. One example embodiment includes a system (and method) that receives index files periodically from a media encoder of a live stream. Each index file comprising pointers to current segments of the live stream encoded in real-time. The system sets a status of the live stream to a live status and determines whether an indicator for ad break is included in a received index file. If there is no indicator for the ad break in the received index file, the system transmits the received index file to one or more client computers. If there is an indicator for the ad break in the received index file, the system processes the received index file by removing segments following the indicator from the index file, updates the status of the live stream to an ad-break status, and transmits the processed index file to the one or more client computers.

Abstract: A method of arranging row ads system within a program guide includes communicating row ad metadata to a user device and communicating program guide information to a user device. The program guide information defines a plurality of rows, wherein at least a first row is associated with a first channel. The method includes associating positioning information with the row ad relative to the first row, populating a second row from the plurality of rows in response to the metadata and displaying the row ad and displaying the first row associated with the first channel within a program guide structure on a display associated with the user device in response to the positioning information.

Abstract: A content summarization server, a content providing system and a method for summarizing a content are provided. The method for summarizing a content in a content summarization server includes receiving information regarding a content for which a content summary request is received from a display apparatus in response to a content summary request being input from a user, acquiring caption information related to a content for which the content summary request is input based on the received content information, extracting a summarized image of the content according to a rule which corresponds to the content by analyzing the caption information, and transmitting the summarized image of content to the display apparatus.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and systems for adding or removing virtual channels from a terminal. A controller may send a virtual channel map to one or more terminals. The controller may also send a bitmask to one or more terminals. Each bit of the bitmask may indicate whether a virtual channel should be ignored. The channels that a terminal is permitted to receive may be altered by updating the bitmask.

Abstract: Alternate digital content is inserted into mobile devices with a method and apparatus that comprises an alternate content scheduler, an alternate content reporter, and a micro-splicer. The alternate content scheduler further comprises a mobile network interface for interaction with a mobile data and broadcast network, a micro-splicer interface for interfacing with a micro-splicer, a rulebook that is shared with the network which provides the rules for alternate content scheduling, a preference provisioning module comprising an alternate content scheduler library for storing user or network preferences, a scheduler for providing tight synchronization between original program content and alternate content, and a metric recording interface to an alternate content reporter. The micro-splicer works in tandem with the alternate content scheduler to render synchronized display of alternate multimedia content on the mobile device.

Abstract: Managing advertisements for multimedia content delivered over the Internet for a live event. In one embodiment, the method receives the multimedia content over a network connection for playback on a media player, and receives a first advertisement marker that indicates a first start time and a first scheduled duration of a first advertisement break. The method adjust the first scheduled duration to a first adjusted portion, and selects one or more advertisements for playback on the media player to fill the first adjusted duration of the first advertisement break, instead of the first scheduled duration.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for multiplexing a dynamic bit-rate video stream with an audio stream received by a client device in a manner that allows the resulting multiplexed stream to be played back without disruption, despite dynamic changes in the bit rate of the video stream that may occur. A content server may stream both a video stream and an audio stream to a client device for playback. The client device may multiplex the video and audio streams prior to them being presented to a playback engine for decoding and playback to a user.

Abstract: This disclosure describes systems and methods related to content management in a cloud-enabled network-based digital video recorder. In some embodiments, a request to view a listing of content assets associated with a user account may be received from a user device. One or more content assets associated with the user account may be identified. The listing of content assets may be generated based at least in part on the identified one or more content assets. The listing of assets may be transmitted to the user device.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for measuring ad impressions and receiving feedback on local ad assets inserted into a video transport stream at the set top box level. Each set top box stores the number of times an ad asset is inserted into an ad avail, along with a variety of other information relating to the playback of the ad asset. This measurement data is aggregated and sent to the ad decision service. In order to balance bandwidth usage, each set top box may report its measurement data to the ad decision service at a different time interval that is randomly selected. As it is desirable to receive the data in a timely manner, the random intervals may be confined so that all measurement data is reported within a predefined time period, such as for example over a twelve hour period.

Abstract: Methods and systems for post-processing video to identify interests based on clustered user interactions are provided. A client application program running on a set-top box is provided to enable a user to interactively select a point of interest within video content being played via the set-top box. The selected points of interest of multiple users is aggregated, and clusters of the points of interest are determined. Objects associated with the clusters are determined by analyzing video segments containing the clustered points of interest. Messages related to the objects are created and sent to the relevant users that indicated selection of points of interest which correlate to the objects.

Abstract: A method and system for adding a conditional access system to a digital audio/video transmission system that delivers content from a source to a security device associated with an audio/video processing device by providing at the broadcast source a datastream having system information data including an unused identifier reserved for security data associated with the additional conditional access system.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for creating contextual messages for videos. In one example, there is provided a method operable by a network entity, involving receiving a request to create a video clip of a media broadcast. The network entity may identify a video segment of the media broadcast then determines a context identifier for the video segment. The network entity may create a contextual message to accompany the video segment based on the context identifier and may provide the contextual message along with the video segment to a clip viewer.

Abstract: A video processing method, a terminal, and a caption server are provided. The method includes receiving a video program stream corresponding to a video program; requesting, from a caption server, obtaining of a caption corresponding to the video program stream; receiving the caption corresponding to the video program stream and returned by the caption server; and displaying the video program and the caption. In the present invention, a caption is obtained in real time according to a video program.

Abstract: An automatic content recognition (ACR) enabled (ACR-enabled) connected TV device may be operable to present, utilizing ACR, an overlay starting at a time that is synchronized to an identified event in presented content. The overlay may comprise one or more messages associated with an online social network. The presented content may comprise a program, a movie, a game or a commercial. The one or more messages may be pre-generated, before presentation of the content, for presentation synchronized to the identified event during the presentation of the content. The one or more messages may be generate during broadcast or streaming of a program or a movie, and the presented content, which comprises the program or the movie, may be presented during a time-delayed playback. The ACR-enabled connected TV device may track, utilizing the ACR, how each of the presented one or more messages is actually being viewed and/or interacted with.

Abstract: Systems and methods have been developed for displaying contextually relevant advertisements to users as media objects are being rendered. One or more data sources with contextual information for different portions of each media object are maintained. From this contextual information, keywords may be generated and used to locate contextually-related advertisements. The advertisements are selected based on contextual information about the media object in order to match or otherwise be contextually relevant with the media content being rendered. As the subject matter of the media object changes during rendering, different advertisements related to the new context are provided that replace the prior advertisement. The advertisements are displayed in an area that could be used for other purposes when the rendering device is not rendering media objects.

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

Abstract: Methods and systems for presentation of content through an interface to provide personalized video feeds to a user. A video feed is harvested from feed items gathered at various Internet sources. The feed items are filtered to remove those that do not link to video content. A criteria specified by the user is used to filter the feed items.

Abstract: A method and computer readable medium for encoding data onto a channel broadcasting a program are disclosed. For example, the method selects a channel that is being used to broadcast a program, generates data having characteristics in accordance with an error burst signature and transmits the data on the channel that is being used to broadcast the program.

Abstract: A system and method for providing targeted advertising messages to a user, in particular users viewing Internal TV or broadcast programs. Advertising data files from one or more advertising entities are stored in a centralized location, such as a server or similar platform. Data relating to the user is acquired from the user's device settings and/or identification, so that a targeted advertising message may be selected from one of the stored advertising data files. The content data is transmitted to the user, the data having a cue for insertion of the selected targeted advertising message prior to or after the content file has been transferred.

Abstract: A multilingual audio service supporting system and a method thereof which allow multiple viewers using different languages to watch the same TV program based on a multiplatform. The system may include a content data providing device, a multilingual audio data providing device, a content image output device, and a multilingual audio output device. Audios in various languages, in time synchronization with main content, are provided through multilingual audio output devices in the vicinity to the content image output device, so that new broadcast-associated multilingual audio services can be provided.