Abstract: Described are systems and methods for dynamic integration and presentation of advertising content and media content. The method includes providing, by a server computing device, an advertising unit comprising a first content layer including the media content and a media player, a second content layer including the interactive advertising content, wherein the advertising content includes a virtual toy box, and an integration module. The integration module is configured to display the media content in the media player and, after determining that playback of the media content is complete, display the advertising content. The method includes transmitting, by the server computing device, the advertising unit for presentation on the remote computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting and displaying information in a television distribution system (10), or the like, transmits information that is targeted to a viewer matching particular demographic data.

Abstract: A method of determining advertising content to be included in a broadcast is disclosed. An inclusion criterion is received for each of a plurality of items of advertising content to be used to determine one or both of whether and how that item of advertising content is to be included in a broadcast. Stored user profile data associated with a plurality of users who provided within an observation period an indication that the user was consuming the broadcast is processed, and the respective inclusion criteria of the items of advertising content, to select and integrate into the broadcast selected ones of the items of advertising content.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network device having a controller programmed to store a subscriber selectable preference for advertisements used for selecting advertisements to send to a set top box (STB) and receive a signal from a broadcast stream indicating the location for insertion of an advertisement based on the subscriber selectable preference. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for inserting personalized information into digital content. A request for digital video content is received by a computing device. The request includes authentication data associated with a user of a client device. Personalized data to be inserted into the requested video content is generated by the computing device. The personalized data and the requested video content are combined by the computing device. The combining includes replacing one or more frames of the requested video content with the personalized data to generate personalized video content.

Abstract: A digital television recording method comprising: broadcasting a television program associated with a broadcaster set of parameters enabling access to a first set of predetermined portions of the program; operating an agent for determining whether to record the program and for associating with the program, upon recording of the program, an agent set of parameters enabling access to a second set of predetermined portions of the program; storing the program together with the broadcaster set of parameters and the agent set of parameters to generate an addressable program; retrieving at least a portion of the addressable program; displaying the at least a portion of the addressable program to a user; receiving from the user a user set of parameters enabling access to a third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program; editing the addressable program to include the user set of parameters enabling access to the third set of predetermined portions of the addressable program thereby generating an edited

Abstract: A method and a device for transmitting a transport stream according to a digital television-transmission standard for stationary and/or mobile receivers with program and service data for a national and a regional broadcast determines the transmission capacity in the transport stream provided in each case for the national and the regional broadcast through a first multiplexer within a centrally positioned headend. The first multiplexer then fills the transport stream with program and service data for national broadcast within the transmission capacity of the transport stream provided for the broadcast and marks the transmission capacity provided within the transport stream for the regional broadcast.

Abstract: Various embodiments related to delivery of advertising content for video on-demand are disclosed. One example embodiment comprises receiving a set of VOD metadata including a first configuration of ad avails to be included in a VOD content item. The first configuration specifies a first set of locations of ad avails and a size of each ad avail in the first configuration. The method further includes comparing the VOD metadata to a set of one or more policy rules specifying a second configuration of ad avails to be included in the VOD content item, the second configuration of ad avails specifying a second set of locations of ad avails and a size of each ad avail in the second configuration. The method further includes determining a number of advertisements to be included in the VOD content item based upon a result of the comparing and obtaining an ad decision.

Abstract: A method of delivering a regional television channel to a user over an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) service comprising the steps of forming a multicast of channels intended for delivery to a user each channel having a specific channel slot, the multicast of channels including one or more regional channels corresponding to one of the multicast of channels; broadcasting the multicast channels to the user through a regional gateway; forming a regional channel control signal for scheduling and requesting broadcast of the at least one regional channel instead of the one of the multicast of channels; transmitting the regional channel control signal to the regional gateway; and in accordance with the regional channel control signal, at the required time, switching the regional gateway to the at least one regional channel instead of the corresponding one of the multicast channels such that the regional channel is in the specific channel slot of the corresponding channel.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a substitution for a broadcast content, includes: a substitute content engine configured to detect a break in a broadcast content and to show substitute content in response to the break in a broadcast content; and a processor configured to execute the substitute content engine. An apparatus for substituting broadcast content displayed on a screen, including: a customer premise equipment capable to receive broadcast content; the customer premise equipment including a viewing engine capable to permit the display of substitute content in response to a break in the broadcast content.

Abstract: A digital multifunction peripheral provided with a scanner portion, an operation portion, an image forming portion, a device control portion, a fax modem, a communications portion, a management portion, and a hard disk (HD) is connected to a server apparatus via an external network. A large-format display is attached integrally to a rear face of a case of the digital multifunction peripheral, with a first display screen facing toward the outside. The device control portion is connected to the server apparatus via the external network, and displays various pieces of provided information managed by the server apparatus on the first display screen.

Abstract: In the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for recommending contents. The information processing apparatus may include recommended content extracting means for, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, during a period within a predetermined time from a point in time at which the predetermined condition is satisfied, with one or more contents that are being distributed or whose distribution is to be started from one or more distribution sources, respectively, as processing objects, extracting a recommended content to be recommended to a user from the processing objects on a basis of content information on each of the processing objects and preference information.

Abstract: A method and system for use in providing content to a viewer that includes providing a service comprising an on demand video service to the viewer wherein the viewer has an option to view video content. The system is configured to compensate the viewer a reward for having viewed the video content, and the system maintains an accounting of the reward and corresponding viewer identification.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for automatic localization of advertisements is provided. In example embodiments, a transmission signal is received. A portion of the transmission signal is identified. A determination of whether localized advertisement data corresponds to the identified portion is performed. Localized advertisement data that correspond to the identified portion of the transmission signal is retrieved. The localized advertisement data is then inserted into the identified portion of the transmission signal to generate an altered signal. The altered signal is transmitted to a user device.

Abstract: An information signal is received, which includes a main information content signal carrying the contents of the information, a CM portion signal carrying commercial messages (CM) and an information mode discriminating signal used for discriminating information modes of the main information content signal and the CM signal from each other according to the contents. A video signal is encoded per plurality of several video frames, the video signal including the main information content signal and the CM portion signal. The encoded video signal is recorded in a storage medium. The video signal is reproduced, during the recording, from the storage medium while the CM portion signal is skipped. The received main information content signal and CM portion signal are recorded in the storage medium. The information mode discriminating signal is recorded in the storage medium or another temporary storage medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating advertisements using a media guidance application are provided. In some embodiments, an advertisement database is searched to identify a stored advertisement for display in an advertisement display region of a media guidance application display screen. Upon determining that the advertisement database does not include a suitable stored advertisement, a new advertisement may be generated for display in the advertisement display region.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes receiving at a television processing device an airing schedule for a specified advertisement. The airing schedule includes data specifying past airings of the specified advertisement, a local frequency at which the specified advertisement is to be shown, and a schedule of airings of replaceable advertisements. The device determines, from viewing log data, whether the local frequency for the specified advertisement has been achieved. If the local frequency has not been achieved, the specified advertisement is aired in place of a replaceable advertisement when the television processing device is tuned to a channel of a scheduled airing of the replaceable advertisement at a time of the scheduled airing, and the local frequency of the specified advertisement is incremented. Otherwise, the replaceable advertisement is presented.

Abstract: Systems and methods of monitoring blackout events are provided. A particular method includes receiving a server blackout event associated with a scheduled blackout of a first media service. The method also includes receiving at least one client blackout event from at least one set top box (STB) affected by the scheduled blackout. For example, the server blackout event and the client blackout event(s) may be received at a subscriber event transmission interface (SETI). The method further includes storing the server blackout event and the client blackout event(s) at a data warehouse.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for sending targeted advertising data, the method including monitoring in a plurality of data communications networks, single sign on (SSO) subscriber event data from a first SSO subscriber end user device and a second SSO subscriber end user device, calculating product interest correlation scores in a plurality of advertising categories for an SSO subscriber advertising profile based on the monitoring SSO subscriber event data, selecting advertising data in at least one of the advertising categories from an advertiser database based on the SSO subscriber advertising profile, selecting a format to deliver the selected advertising data to a third SSO subscriber end user device and sending the targeted advertising data to the third SSO subscriber end user device. A system and a computer program are disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for providing an interrelationship between a processor and data structure data.

Abstract: This application describes a method of referencing content in an application. The method comprises, for a content element, creating a reference to the content element and associating that reference with the content element. This enables the content element (for example, text or images) to be dissociated from other features related to content; for example, its presentation on the screen. In this way, control over presentation may be achieved separately from control of the content itself. In an example, a Content Provider provides referenced content to an Operator. A Program Provider sends referenced scenarios to the Operator. The Operator resolves the reference and sends data for broadcast by the Broadcaster.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes maintaining data representative of a plurality of advertisements each having one of a plurality of different resolutions, detecting a message indicative of an upcoming advertisement break in a media content program being transmitted to a media content access device by way of a content channel, detecting a resolution of the media content program, directing a dynamic advertisement delivery subsystem communicatively coupled to the media content access device to dynamically transmit a subset of the advertisements by way of one or more advertisement channels, wherein each advertisement included in the subset has the same resolution as the resolution of the media content program, and distributing tuning information associated with each of the one or more advertisement channels to the media content access device prior to an occurrence of the advertisement break. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for providing selective advertising on a television channel is accomplished by downloading appropriate advertisements from an advertising server to a subscriber's set top box over an out-of-band channel. The set top box monitors for events. When an event occurs, the set top box signals the head-end to download ads to the set top box. The ads may be selected using demographic or common channel preference pattern information associated with the set top box.

Abstract: User generated targeted advertisements is described. In embodiments, a selection of an advertisement template for a targeted advertisement can be received when initiated by a user. Advertisement content to incorporate in the advertisement template can be received, as well as selections of recipients to receive the targeted advertisement. A program grid can be generated for display from which a television program and advertisement time slot can be selected to display the targeted advertisement for viewing. Confirmation to purchase the targeted advertisement for delivery to the recipients can also be received to initiate the targeted advertisement being displayed for viewing during the selected television program and advertisement time slot.

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 server may select an advertisement based on a location of a set-top box and information relating to television programming to be provided to the set-top box or being provided to set-top box. The server may further provide the selected advertisement to the set-top box for simultaneously displaying with the television programming.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing application service are disclosed. The method of providing application service in a digital data broadcasting system coupled to at least one broadcasting terminal through a network includes generating a preview contents by using first data combined with an application for data broadcasting service, wherein the preview contents has second data provided when a user requests the application service, and transmitting the generated preview contents to the broadcasting terminal. Here, the broadcasting terminal outputs the preview contents before data broadcasting standby time. Accordingly, useful information may be provided to the user before the application is executed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for bypassing an emergency alert break-in. An emergency alert break-in means any message, alert, and/or newscast that interrupts by preempting and/or modifying displaying of a regularly scheduled program to present information associated with an urgent and/or important event. For example, in one embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving data from a media content provider; identifying from the data an emergency alert break-in; presenting a user interface that includes an option for bypassing the emergency alert break-in; and displaying a regularly scheduled program in response to receiving a request to bypass the emergency alert break-in.

Abstract: A digital video program is obtained. The program includes: (i) at least one broadcast segmentation message specifying at least one location for at least one broadcast advertisement, and (ii) at least one time-shifted segmentation message specifying at least one location for at least one time-shifted advertisement. The program is broadcast with at least one broadcast advertisement in accordance with the at least one broadcast segmentation message, and is made available to a subscriber at a time after the broadcasting, with at least one time-shifted advertisement in accordance with the at least one time-shifted segmentation message.

Abstract: It is desired to link photo data and video data taken by a digital camcorder. Therefore, there is provided a device and method for linking multimedia data, wherein linking information is formed on the basis of first and/or second multimedia data. The linking information is stored on a recording medium together with the first multimedia data. The second multimedia data may be stored together with respective linking information to the first multimedia data on a second recording medium. Thus, a camera-man while recording is able to set up logo or index pictures for a video film.

Abstract: A content distribution device includes a first receiver which receives, from the broadcasting station, the program content having the commercial image data and electronic program information; an commercial extractor which extracts the commercial image data and creates commercial metadata based on the electronic program information; a first storage which stores the commercial image data and the commercial metadata that are associated with each other; a second storage which stores distribution contents; a content selector which selects the distribution content according to a request from the view terminal from the second storage; a third receiver which receives, from the viewer terminal, viewing history information of program contents; an commercial inserter which selects the commercial metadata from the first storage based on the viewing history information and inserts the commercial image data corresponding to the selected commercial metadata in the distribution content; and a distribution unit which distribu

Abstract: The present invention relates to an advertisement information providing system and an advertisement information providing method. According to the present invention, when a data addresser transmits data to a data addressee through a data transmitting server of a network service medium or when the data addressee receives data from the data addresser through a data receiving server of the network service medium, an advertisement matched with the field of interests of which the data addresser and the data addressee are the most interested is generated in real-time and the generated advertisement is transmitted to the data addresser or the data addressee.

Abstract: The solution of the ad delivery platform described herein provides for the marketing and monetizing of media assets via the delivery of advertisement with on-demand video. The ad platform optimizes the delivery of ads by controlling the insertion frequency and format of the ad delivered with video streams. The ad platform provides flexible and configurable ad insertion rules to specify the insertion frequency and format for the composition of ads during playback of on-demand video media. The ad insertion rules may be based on a user profile, user behavior history, topic of the stream to be delivered, duration of the video or ad, and/or the popularity rating of the video or ad. The ad platform includes a reporting tool and usage reports to measure the effectiveness of the ad insertion rules in delivering ads to market and monetize the video media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a real time media stream provided as a plurality of media fragments from a plurality of remote nodes in a communications network is described. Media fragments are requested from the plurality of remote nodes. A series of media fragments is received from at least one of the plurality of remote nodes. A selection criterion is determined for identifying the series of data fragments, and a blocking request is sent to at least one other of the plurality of remote nodes, the blocking request instructing the at least one other node to block the media fragments satisfying the selection criterion from being sent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining a real time media stream provided as a plurality of media fragments from a plurality of remote nodes in a communications network. A first series of media fragments satisfying a first selection criterion is requested from a first remote node and a further series of media fragments satisfying a further different selection criterion is requested from at least one further remote node. When combined, the first series of fragments and the further series of fragments provide the complete media stream.

Abstract: A method and system for arranging advertising breaks based on channel surfing characteristics of viewers. The surfing characteristics of a plurality of viewers is determined, the surfing characteristics bearing on a likelihood of a respective viewer channel surfing. Advertisements are assigned to time slots among a plurality of channels based on the surfing characteristics of the plurality of viewers to form an advertising schedule. Programming is delivered with the plurality of advertisements according to the advertising schedule. The reduction of simultaneous channel surfing increases availability and efficient use of a shared medium by a plurality of different users.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and an information processing method for providing the results of searches of broadcast content. A search space processing section acquires a search keyword based on search information coming from a user terminal, and searches a search keyword dictionary database for search-related keyword data related to the search keyword. On the basis of the search keyword and search-related keyword data, the search space processing section generates a search keyword space and submits the generated space to a correction process. A search processing section compares the corrected search keyword space, EPG data, and an EPG keyword space for a match. A search display processing section prepares a list of display-ready information from the result of the matching and sends the list to the user terminal.

Abstract: The solution of the ad delivery platform described herein provides for the marketing and monetizing of media assets via the delivery of advertisement with on-demand video. The ad platform optimizes the delivery of ads by controlling the insertion frequency and format of the ad delivered with video streams. The ad platform provides flexible and configurable ad insertion rules to specify the insertion frequency and format for the composition of ads during playback of on-demand video media. The ad insertion rules may be based on a user profile, user behavior history, topic of the stream to be delivered, duration of the video or ad, and/or the popularity rating of the video or ad. The ad platform includes a reporting tool and usage reports to measure the effectiveness of the ad insertion rules in delivering ads to market and monetize the video media.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aggregating the data for a plurality of individualized programs into a single channel, and allocating the channel bandwidth as-needed for provision of short video programs on an “on demand” basis, so that the total bandwidth required to provide the individualized channels and associated video clips is substantially reduced. Also provided is a real-time, single-user-targeted individualized advertising associated with the viewer selection that personalizes the user's iTV experience. The advertisements are targeted in real-time based on an immediate interest revealed by the user in a search request for content. Short duration videos are provided so as not to over-tax the individualized “on demand” channel's limited bandwidth.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and/or displaying personalized video content are provided. In some embodiments, a video asset made up of a set of frames, including a preliminary frame with an object region, is received at user equipment. A media element is identified and transmitted to a remote server, where it is processed to produce a modified version of the media element and then transmitted back to the user equipment. The video asset is displayed at the user equipment, except that a modified frame incorporating the modified version of the media element is displayed in place of the preliminary frame. The modified version of the media element is incorporated in an area of the modified frame corresponding to the object region of the preliminary frame.

Abstract: The system and method of the present invention provides access to interactive features of an electronic program guide by a user from within a broadcast advertisement. The method of the present invention comprises receiving the broadcast advertisement comprising audio, video and promotional metadata over a broadcast distribution network. The received promotional metadata is analyzed to determine one or more valid electronic program guide features and present options on a display device corresponding to the one or more valid electronic program guide features. The user selects a presented option for execution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for displaying audiovisual sequences, typically advertisements, carried out by a device provided with means for the reception and recording of said sequences. A display scenario is sent to the device. Said scenario comprises groups of data made up of sequence identifiers and at least one time display window. Following the reception of a signal which typically announces an advertising spot, the device selects a sequence whose associated time display window includes the present moment and displays it. Usual behavior of the user is stored by the device which plans the display of said sequences when the user is not normally present during the planned time window. In an advanced form, the time window is broken down into periods and the scenario specifies a number of displays of the sequence during said period. The invention also relates to a device which can receive a scenario and run it in order to select sequences and display them according to the display method.

Abstract: A method for content insertion is provided. In this method, a first media data is received from a server and a placement request is transmitted to a content provider service. As a result, a placement response is received from the content provider service. The placement response includes data identifying a second media data associated with the first media data. The second media data is retrieved and merged with the first media data. After the merge, the first and second media data are transmitted to the server.

Abstract: A system and method for managing airtime on an out-of-home television network may include partitioning out-of-home television network airtime between a national network service provider and retailer local affiliate. Unbooked airtime may be reserved for a booking agent. In response to identifying the booking agent, the booking agent may be enabled to book reserved airtime on the out-of-home television network. Airtime may be booked with content in response to receiving a booking request. The content may be uploaded and distributed for display on the out-of-home television network.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a service provider determines whether to inform one or more users of an interactive television service of available content. Responsive to determining to inform the one or more users of the available content, a hot key signal is generated. The hot key signal is sent to the users via a side channel out-of-band with one or more channels for content. The hot key signal from the out-of band side channel is received by a terminal device. The terminal device determines whether the hot key signal is relevant to a user currently viewing content from the service provider. Responsive to determining the hot key signal is relevant to the user, an indication that the hot key signal has been received is displayed. Responsive to receiving an indication that the hot key is accepted, the user is directed to the available content indicated by the hot key signal.

Abstract: In a method for delivering targeted television advertisements based on online behavior, IP addresses indicating online access devices and IP addresses indicating television set-top boxes are electronically associated for a multitude of users. Using user profile information derived from online activity from one of the online access IP addresses, a television advertisement is selected, such as by using behavioral targeting or demographic information, and automatically directed to the set-top box indicated by the set-top IP address associated with that online access IP address. Preferably neither the user profile information nor the electronic association of online access and set-top box IP addresses includes personally identifiable information.

Abstract: A data carousel exists as an out-of-band carousel (OOBC), and accessed as a hidden background service from the channel map, and that discriminates against metadata that is never (or is rarely) accessed, and that is acquired in the background, filling a cache even when the subscriber is not accessing Video on Demand.

Abstract: A method of generating a program signal stream comprises creating a sequence of serial programs that include a first event and a second, later occurring event and inserting a plurality of messages in the sequence of serial programs, between the first event and the 5 second event. The messages may be indicative of a time to the second event, as measured from each respective message of an elapsed time since the first event, to each respective message. Alternatively or in addition, the messages may be at equal time intervals between the first event and second events. The first and second events may be the start and end of a program or a program portion, such as a chapter, an advertisement, unscheduled content or an 10 entire program, for example. At least one message indicative of the time to the second event may be inserted in the sequence of serial programs prior to the first event.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for delivering video content over a wide area network (WAN). Included is at least one server for transcoding or transrating the video content for delivery over the WAN.

Abstract: An aspect of the invention relates to a method and apparatus for multiplexing content. In one example, a first transport stream is received. The first transport stream includes a sequence of burst cycles, each of the burst cycles having a plurality of packet bursts respectively associated with a plurality of primary services. In one example, a primary service is a national service. A packet burst stream is received that is associated with a secondary service. In one example, a secondary service is a regional service. The first transport stream is multiplexed with the packet burst stream to produce a second transport stream. The second transport stream includes a deterministic relationship between the plurality of packet bursts in each of the burst cycles and packet bursts of the packet burst stream. Additional packet burst streams associated with additional secondary services may be received and multiplexed in a similar manner.

Abstract: A method and arrangement is provided for the multicasting of streaming digital content to a plurality of Internet users. Streaming digital audio, video or other digital data content that is to be multicast to Internet users is formatted into IP protocol at a head-end content source transmission site. The streaming IP digital data is transmitted from the head-end transmission site to at least one distant/remote routing station of an Internet service provider (i.e., a provider-edge router or Internet point of presence) via a bandwidth portion of a digital communications data transport service or transmission medium that is substantially unaffected by conventional Internet communications traffic. The Internet service provider (ISP) maintains at least one access router for providing Internet access via its Internet domain for its customers accessing the Internet via conventional two-way IP connection.