Abstract: Systems and methods that request emergency services through an Internet-Protocol Television (IPTV) infrastructure. One embodiment comprises an IPTV network infrastructure comprising an IPTV server coupled to an IPTV set-top box of an end user that subscribes to IPTV services. The IPTV server receives a request for an emergency service from the end user through the IPTV set-top box. The infrastructure further includes a management server that receives the request for the emergency service from the IPTV server, and identifies information regarding the end user from an IPTV account of the end user. The infrastructure further includes a text message engine that receives the request for the emergency service from the management server, formats a text message for requesting the emergency service, inserts the information regarding the end user in the text message, and sends the text message to an emergency services center.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of operating a remote control system having a touch interface. The method comprises receiving a user input through the touch interface, generating a control communication corresponding to the user input and transferring the control communication from a communication transceiver to remotely control a display of content on a video display system, receiving into the communication transceiver supplemental content for display on the touch interface, and displaying the supplemental content on the touch interface while the video display system displays the content.

Abstract: Customer-specific information such as billing information, a listing of available services or the like can be provided to multiple receivers via a satellite or other high-bandwidth connection. The customers to receive customer-specific information are selected, and a broadcast message is created that includes the customer-specific information, as well as an identifier for each receiver associated with the selected customers. The broadcast message is transmitted on the high-bandwidth connection to thereby allow each of the receivers associated with the selected customers to extract the customer-specific information based upon the identifier and to display the customer-specific information to the customer.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example transmitting, by a system comprising a processor, via a first emergency media channel a first video stream comprising first evacuation routing information for a first evacuation group responsive to receiving a notification of an emergency event, instructing, by the system, a first media processor device to select the first emergency media channel while disabling selection of other media channels according to the first evacuation routing information, where the content of the emergency media channel is presented at a display device by way of the first media processor device, and enabling, by the system, the first media processor device to select the other media channels responsive to receiving user input acknowledging the emergency media channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A content management resource transmits a received digital data stream in a respective network data channel to one or more subscribers. The content management resource receives an emergency notification control signal, which indicates occurrence of an emergency message. In response to receiving the emergency notification control signal, the content management resource transmits the emergency message in the digital data channel to the one or more subscribers in lieu of transmitting the received digital data stream of content in the data channel to the one or more subscriber. Thus, a subscriber can tune to a particular channel to play back selected content and be apprised, via receipt of the message over the particular channel, of a corresponding condition such as an emergency.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for the broadcast and reception of targeted content. Using the systems and methods, a wide variety of different types of content can be targeted to a single client or a group of clients. The methods and systems utilize application handlers to handle different types of content. Further, the system can distribute packets with different rates depending on their priority.

Abstract: An alert generation method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor, alert data indicating filters for specified alert types associated with possible future events. The computer processor receives monitor definition data and media generated audio/video data; compares the alert data to the media generated audio/video data; determines a first alert type matches first audio/video data of the media generated audio/video data; and determines that the first audio/video data comprises a primary event. The computer processor broadcasts the primary event.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for bypassing an emergency alert break-in for a recorded event. For example, in one embodiment, a set top box is disclosed that includes a memory component for storing computer executable instructions; a communication interface for receiving media content data from a cable service provider; a decoder module for decoding the received media content data; an emergency alert break-in monitoring module for identifying an emergency alert break-in from the received data; a digital video recorder controller module for determining whether the identified emergency alert break-in affects a recording of a program on a recorded channel; and an emergency alert break-in bypass module for bypassing the identified emergency alert break-in for enabling the digital video recorder controller module to record the program without the identified emergency alert break-in.

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: 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 content service provider can transmit a plurality of content streams each including audio, video, or audio-video content to a plurality of premises. In addition, the content service provider can transmit one or more command streams, along with the plurality of content streams over a common content distribution network. The one or more command streams may each include a repeating set of premises automation commands. The premises automation commands may be sent to one or more appropriate systems if a user selects a channel associated with the corresponding command stream. Each set of premises automation commands may be configured to instruct a system at a premises to perform a function. The commands may, for example, instruct a lighting system to turn on/off lights, a security system to enter an arm or disarm operational state, a thermostat to adjust its temperature, etc.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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: Alerts may be received from an event monitoring system that monitors computing resources of a computer system. Based on an alert ruleset, an alert management module may determine whether to provide notification of the alert. If the alert management module decides to provide notification of the alert, then the alert management module may initiate the creation of an issue ticket corresponding to the alert in an issue tracking system. If the alert management module decides not to provide notification of the alert, then the alert management module may discard the alert.

Abstract: A transmitter and a receiver of data frames and related methods are disclosed. The transmitter includes: a frame generator configured to generate a first frame comprising data to be transmitted; and a preamble inserter configured to insert a preamble into the first frame, wherein the preamble inserter is further configured to insert, in the preamble, emergency alert service (EAS) information related to a preset emergency alert event, and set an indicator in the frame to indicate whether the EAS information is inserted in the preamble. Accordingly, only important information related to the EAS is transmitted in the form of a preamble to achieve robust transmission, and L1 information of related data is directly transmitted to reduce power consumption.

Abstract: An application management server includes: a terminal management table storage unit configured to store terminal device identification data for identifying a terminal device and information indicating whether or not transmission of notification data is necessary while correlating the terminal device identification data with the information; a registration request reception unit configured to receive from the terminal device, a registration request for registering transmission of notification data, and update the terminal management table storage unit based on the registration request; a release request reception unit configured to receive from the terminal device, a release request for releasing transmission of notification data, and update the terminal management table storage unit based on the release request; a via-broadcasting notification transmission unit configured to perform a process of including notification data in a broadcasting signal and transmitting the notification data; and a via-communicatio

Abstract: A home gateway (102) includes a receiving component (106), a reformatting (109) component, a transcoding component (107), and a transmitting component (110). The receiving component (106) can receive an emergency alert system message in a first format. The reformatting component (109) can output a reformatted emergency alert system message in a second format, wherein the reformatted emergency alert system message is based on the received emergency alert system message. The transcoding component (107) may transcode content of the received emergency alert system message. The transmitting component (110) can transmit a notification, based on the reformatted emergency alert system message, to a client device (104).

Abstract: A method for controlling an image display apparatus includes determining a type of a video signal included in an input signal, determining whether three-dimensional (3D) format information is included in the input signal, if the video signal is a 3D video signal, requesting 3D format information about the video signal to a server that stores 3D format information, if the input signal does not include the 3D format information about the video signal, and processing, upon receipt of 3D format information from the server in response to the 3D format information request, the video signal according to the 3D format information and displaying a 3D image based on the processed video 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 method for video insertion using backpropagation may include determining a first camera model from a first frame of the sequence. The method may also include determining a transition location. The method may further include generating a transform model based on an analysis of the first frame and a second frame that occurs earlier in the video sequence and applying the transform model to the first camera model to generate a second camera model for the second frame. The method then includes inserting an insertion into one or more frames earlier in the sequence between the second frame and the transition location based on the second camera model, wherein the inserting is performed before displaying the frames. A system for video insertion using backpropagation includes search, transition, track and insertion subsystems.

Abstract: A method of displaying an alert from a broadcast source in an electronic device while the electronic device is not playing back a currently received broadcast signal is disclosed. The method comprises steps of playing back a signal recorded in a first device connected to the electronic device responsive to a user command; detecting an alert from a broadcast source while playing back the recorded signal; and presenting the alert responsive to detecting the alert.

Abstract: An emergency notification control device includes an input unit which inputs settings reflecting user preferences, a storage unit which stores the settings that are input using the input unit, and an emergency notification control unit which switches whether or not to perform an emergency notification based on the settings stored in the storage unit when an emergency broadcast is broadcast.

Abstract: A method includes displaying content on a television, detecting a personal display device in proximity of the television, detecting a selection of content displayed on the television, detecting an instruction associated with the selection, displaying, based on the instruction, information associated with the selection on the personal display device and displaying on the television an alert indicating that the information associated with the selection is on the personal display device.

Abstract: A reverse 911 can be sent to a TV communicating with the Internet. The TV is automatically turned on if it is off, and a viewer can acknowledge the reverse 911 using a TV remote control.

Abstract: An audio video display device (AVDD) includes a display, a processor controlling the display and a computer readable storage medium that is accessible to the processor. The computer readable storage medium bears instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to present, on the AVDD, AV content that is not associated with information pertaining to an emergency. The instructions cause the processor to receive, at the AVDD, data associated with an emergency alert and, responsive to receiving the data associated with the emergency alert, change audio presented on the AVDD from first audio presented on the AVDD and associated with the AV content to second audio associated the data to present the second audio. The second audio is presented on the AVDD automatically without receiving user input to change from the first audio to the second audio subsequent to receiving the data associated with the emergency alert.

Abstract: The purchase of entertainment content online via advertising credits is disclosed herein. One disclosed embodiment comprises providing an advertising content item to a user over a network, and awarding an amount of advertising viewing credit to the user based upon the advertising content item provided to the user. Next, a request is received from the user to view an entertainment content item. In response, the entertainment content item is provided to the user, and at least a portion of the advertising viewing credit is deducted in exchange for providing the entertainment content item.

Abstract: Technology is described for personalizing a product placement in content. The method may include identifying a dynamic location in the content available for the product placement. A user profile may also be identified. The product placement may be selected based on the dynamic location identified in the content and the user profile. The product placement for the dynamic location identified in the content may then be provided.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods and computer readable mediums for efficient and unconstrained information distribution and IP multicasting are provided. An exemplary method may include receiving, from a set top box, information indicative of criteria associated with targeted advertisement; and determining, at a set top box, whether the criteria corresponds to a characteristic of a household at which the criteria is received. The method may also include joining, from a set top box, a multicast group associated with the criteria in the event the criteria is determined to correspond to the characteristic of the household at which the criteria is received. The method may also include receiving, via multicast, at a set top box, the targeted advertisement associated with the criteria; and displaying, at a video display device, the targeted advertisement. The exemplary method may allow efficient and unconstrained information distribution leading to improved application quality and performance.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for transmitting alert information in association with television programming in a transport stream. The alert information may be transmitted to a plurality of television receivers for which the message may be applicable to at least a portion of the television receivers. Each television receiver receives the alert information and determines whether to output the alert information for presentation to a user.

Abstract: A method for displaying interactive advertisements on a television having a controller connected thereto and configured for receiving input from a viewer of the television is disclosed. The controller has a receiver operable to receive advertisements and a processor operable to modify the advertisements. The method generally comprises requesting action by the viewer of the television, modifying an advertisement based on the action of the viewer, and displaying the modified advertisement on the television.

Abstract: A method of substituting a primary content (110) being transmitted on a primary channel (100) with a secondary content (220) corresponding to a content being transmitted on a secondary channel (200), characterized by substituting the secondary content in response to a highlight occurring in the content transmitted on the secondary channel (210-3), said secondary content (220) being a summary of the content already transmitted on the secondary channel. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the program being transmitted on the secondary channel (200) corresponds to a live event.

Abstract: Provided a terminal device having a network interface that forces network connection when not connected to a network. A terminal device 101a that has a network interface includes: a connection check unit 109a that makes a check as to whether the terminal device 101a is connected to a network; and an invalidation unit 115a that, when the connection check unit 109a judges that the terminal device 101a is not connected to the network as a result of the check, invalidates a function included in the terminal device 101a.

Abstract: A live performance is monitored by analyzing an input data stream comprising real-time updates related to the live performance. Different sets of excitement levels, excitement curves, alerts and teasers are generated based on the analysis and reported to a plurality of subscribers using any of a variety of mobile communication and/or computing devices.

Abstract: A reverse 911 can be sent to a TV communicating with the Internet. The TV is automatically turned on if it is off, and a viewer can acknowledge the reverse 911 using a TV remote control.

Abstract: A method and broadcast terminal for receiving an emergency alert message in a sleep mode, are discussed. In one embodiment, the method includes monitoring fast information channel (FIC) wake-up indicator in an FIC segment to determine if the broadcast terminal should be switched to an active mode to receive the emergency alert message; getting an FIC-Chunk payload responsive to the FIC wake-up indicator in the FIC segment, the FIC-Chunk payload including an emergency alert data package indicator; receiving an alert data indicated by a data package identification included in the FIC-Chunk payload, the emergency alert data package indicator indicating an emergency alert table describing the emergency alert message is carried in the data; and parsing the emergency alert message based on the emergency alert table.

Abstract: A data stream processing system receives a transport stream containing single/multiple program/s and receives alternate content. The system identifies portions of the transport stream to replace with the alternate content. An alternate content data stream is generated that includes the alternate content and at least one sync packet. The sync packet enables synchronous replacement of the alternate content into the transport stream. The system then distributes the alternate content data stream.

Abstract: A mobile device stores a TV application for serving as a remote control capable of controlling a TV receiver. The mobile device starts the process of starting the TV application and transmits, to the TV receiver, control signals to turn on the TV receiver before the TV application has been started. More particularly, the mobile device transmits the control signals to turn on the TV receiver while performing the process of starting the TV application. When the mobile device has started the TV application and then the TV receiver has been turned on in normal mode, a user can control the TV receiver by using the mobile device.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for selecting an advertisement for play on a specified device for one or more users. Each of the users has a defined relationship with the specified device, and has an information description stored on a mobile communications device. In one embodiment, the method comprises transmitting the respective information description of each of one or more users from the user's communications device to a provider server. The server analyzes one or more information descriptions to identify an advertisement for playing on the specified device. The specified device, in one embodiment, is a television. In an embodiment, advertisements are displayed based on common purchase profiles and common purchase plans among different people. The purchase plans may be sent to the television when the users are in a defined area or come within a given distance of the television.

Abstract: A method for controlling the output of media content, particularly audio content, to a user in relation to an apparatus, such as a set-top-box, having an input, for receiving media content, and an output, for providing the media content to an output device such as a television or other display device. Media content is received at the input and then analysed using a media content recognition unit. The media content recognition unit undertakes the step of identifying portions of the received media content that contain undesired content, such as offensive language. The output of media content to a user is then controlled, based on any identified undesired content, to prevent the output of content when the identified undesired portions are to be output. A corresponding apparatus and computer program are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method, apparatus and program product for processing messages. The messaging system includes a plurality of information processing devices communicating via a network and an output status determining unit for verifying a first information processing device is connected to a video output device. It also includes a message processing unit configured to provide a message on a first or a second information processing device. The message is provided in a certain manner based on information provided by the output status determining unit.

Abstract: An emergency alert is received. Information representing a map is generated from emergence alert information that identifies an affected area. The information identifying the affected area includes primitive shapes. Customer premises equipment within the affected area is identified based upon the primitive shapes. The information representing the map is transmitted for receipt by customer premises equipment.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method can automatically present a plurality of selectable rich media video clips associated with goods and/or services offered for sale via an interactive networked communication system including at least one client and at least one server. A request to the server can be initiated at the client via the interactive networked communication system to select a plurality of rich media video clips from a database of rich media video clips associated with corresponding goods and/or services. A static descriptor can be displayed on the client for each of the plurality of rich media video clips as selected and received from the server. The plurality of rich media video clips can automatically be presented on the client in a concatenated sequence in a continuous rich media video stream.

Abstract: Improved enhanced TV programming provides the capability for a TV viewer watching one channel to be notified of interesting programming events happening or about to happen on other channels. The present invention overcomes the problem addressed by “surfing TV channels” by providing notifications that alert enhanced TV viewers to other programming events happening or about to happen on different channels that are not presently being watched. This enables the viewer to watch a primary program on one channel without interruption and be timely notified about interesting programming events about to occur on other channels. The viewer then may have the option of switching to another channel based on the information included with the event notification.

Abstract: The service profile of an emergency alert system (EAS) message provides an indication of the alert and technology attributes associate with the delivery of the emergency alert message. In an example configuration, the service profile comprises an alert profile and a technology profile. The alert profile contains information pertaining to alert attributes and alert attribute contents. The technology profile contains information pertaining to text attributes, audio attributes, in band video attributes, out of band video/multimode attribute, and/or multimedia attributes.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box (STB) having a controller to communicate with a location server on an interactive TV network used by the STB to find a mobile communication device of a targeted party, receive information from the location server that monitors a communication network to find a location of the mobile communication device when the mobile communication device approaches or traverses a predetermined boundary or approaches a targeted location where the targeted party carries the mobile communication device operating on the communication network that has location determining functionality, and presents the location of the mobile communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A mobile terminal including a wireless communication configured to wirelessly communicate with at least one other terminal; a touch screen display unit configured to display a video; and a controller configured to receive metadata that can be displayed in association with the video and to control the display unit to display a metadata information indication indicating the metadata is available.

Abstract: A geocast alerting system employs wireless geocast transmissions to deliver customized alerting messages to particular geographic areas. Geocast alerting regions and sub-regions can be defined within the system. Upon notice of the occurrence of an emergent situation, one or more geographic areas that may potentially be affected by the emergent situation are determined. The potentially effected geographic regions are compared with geocast alerting regions and sub-regions corresponding to particular geographic areas. Target alerting regions that should receive alerting messages are identified based on the comparison. The content of alerting messages can be tailored for each target alerting region. The content of alerting messages can contain distinct portions of content, each portion tailored based upon one or more conditions related to communications devices within the target alerting region.