Abstract: Described herein is a screen reader system for providing contextually relevant information for ambiguous link(s). Input is received from a user requesting information about a particular link of a web page. In response to the received user input, a request for contextually relevant information regarding the particular link (e.g., page identifier) is provided to a search engine. The request can include a uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the particular link. Contextually relevant information regarding the particular link is received from the search engine. The received contextually relevant information is provided (e.g., displayed and/or read) to the user in response to the received request for information.

Abstract: Provided is a method for processing information associated with video. The method includes: storing an association relationship between identification information of a first video and identification information of a second video, the two videos including a same video content segment; receiving a video query request message; in a case where the video query request message includes the identification information of the first video, acquiring and returning the identification information of the second video associated with the identification information of the first video; or in a case where the video query request message includes the identification information of the second video, acquiring and returning the identification information of the first video associated with the identification information of the second video.

Abstract: A method and system for providing content to a receiving device from a local headend is set forth. The local headend communicates channel data for content stored at a video server to a receiving device, receives a selection of the channel data to form selected content from the receiving device and communicates content corresponding to the selection to the receiving device. The local headend stores a purchase record corresponding to the selection at the local headend, associates the purchase record with the receiving device within the local headend and communicates a request for a callback from the local headend to the receiving device. The receiving device communicates a callback signal from the receiving device to an external headend comprising purchase data corresponding to the purchase record.

Abstract: A hospitality establishment includes guest rooms having media devices installed therein. Each guest room has one or more in-room media devices for providing a pay-per-use media function. A media system controller dynamically associates a credit corresponding to a monetary value with a particular guest room in response to an occurrence of a first event, configures an in-room media device of the particular guest room to indicate the credit associated with the particular guest room and allow a guest of the particular guest room to utilize at least an amount of the credit toward an order of the pay-per-use media function, activates the pay-per-use media function on at least one of the in-room media devices of the particular guest room in response to a received order, and decreases the credit associated with the particular guest room according to the amount of the credit utilized toward the received order.

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: 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: Digital multimedia is broadcast by a wireless provider by first decoding incoming multimedia streams and then encoding each stream using one of at least two encoding parameter sets as appropriate for the particular user or groups of users to receive the stream.

Abstract: Distribution schemes for subscriber-created content are described. Subscribers create and upload content for distribution to communities of recipients. The recipients join the communities in response to invitations from the subscribers. When connections to devices associated with the recipients are detected, any content due for delivery to the recipients is distributed. Systems supporting these distribution schemes may include content distribution modules that receive the content from the subscribers, and that provide corresponding content notifications. Content storage modules store the uploaded subscriber content. In response to the content notifications, notification modules notify the recipients that the content is available. Presence modules detect the connections to the devices, and provide corresponding device notifications. In response to the device notifications, device management modules provide recipient notifications, which associate recipients with the detected devices.

Abstract: A method is performed by one or more devices in a provider network. The method includes providing, to a user device, selected media content (such as television content) from a group of content options available from different content providers. A user device tracks viewer selections and provides the viewer selections as device tracking data that includes a viewing history for the user device. The method includes receiving, from the user device, the device tracking data and generating a billing record, for a user account associated with the user device, that includes a billing amount calculated using the device tracking data. The method includes compiling tracking data from multiple user accounts, including the device tracking data associated with the billing record and calculating, based on the compiled tracking data, proportional revenue shares for the different content providers.

Abstract: An internet-based content platform that includes subscribable paid channels is provided. The internet-based content platform receives, via a user interface, a request of an end user to subscribe to a paid channel. The paid channel is one of a plurality of channels of the internet-based content platform and has dynamically changed content. The internet-based content platform requests, via the user interface, end user information that includes payment information of the end user. The internet-based content platform receives the end user information and creates a subscription to the paid channel for the end user based on the end user information. The internet-based content platform provides, via the user interface, access to the content of the paid channel to the end user at substantially the same time as creating the subscription for the end user.

Abstract: A data storage device protecting security code stored therein and a data storage system including same are disclosed. The data storage device efficiently prevents unauthorized access to the security code by allowing command descriptor block (CDB) information to be read using only a read-only memory (ROM).

Abstract: A system, device, and method for receiver access control in an internet television system uses a push mechanism to distribute access control information froth a distribution device to an access device. The access device uses the access control information to make receiver access control decisions for a subsequently received request from a host to join a television channel multicast group.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for providing periodic fee limited access to videos via Internet Protocol Television. Exemplary embodiments include a method for providing video, the method including receiving a request to download a video to a communications device via an Internet-Protocol-enabled connection, determining whether the download is permitted based on a periodic fee arrangement for providing the video to the communications device and providing the video to the communications device in response to a determination that the download is permitted.

Abstract: A content distribution system is described. The content distribution system includes a show account database and a plurality of credit cards stored in the show account database. The content distribution system also has a linking module associating a viewer entering the call-in number with a credit card number in the show account database. The system has a charge module that charges a credit card account corresponding to the credit card number associated with a viewer entering the call-in number. The system also has an interactive recognition system that provides a qualifying question for the viewer to answer before a call of the viewer is connected to a studio.

Abstract: A video playback system includes a content provider server, first and second video decoders, a playback control server, and first and second mobile communication devices. The first and the second mobile communication devices belong to the same accessing group. The first mobile communication device transmits a first selection message to the playback control server to request the first video decoder to playback a target video provided by the content provider server. The second mobile communication device transmits a second selection message to the playback control server to request the second video decoder to playback the same target video. The content provider server performs a billing process on the basis of the accessing group, so that the first mobile communication device and the second mobile communication device would not be repeatedly charged for the target video.

Abstract: A method of providing an Internet protocol television service to a subscriber, and a network element to execute this method. At an acquisition tier, IPTV packets are generated from video stream data of one or more video channels and transmitted to a FCC server cluster at a client-facing tier. IPTV packets associated with one of the one or more video channels selected by the subscriber are delivered from the deliver server cluster to a receiver of the subscriber at a client tier wherein the IPTV packets associated with the one of the one or more video channels are reassembled at said receiver into a coherent video stream. Said generated IPTV packets are routed from a network (5) of a TV broadcaster to networks of one or more TV operators or from a network of a TV operator to networks of one or more TV operators by means of IPTV service routers installed at an intertwine tier arranged between the acquisition tier and the client-facing tier.

Abstract: A method and system to permit TV viewers to interact with program content broadcast over a subscriber network, such as cable, satellite, internet, or cellular telephone. The details of the ability for the viewer to interact is embedded as data in the program signal. The subscription provider broadcasts a visual indicator as a small icon during programming that informs the viewer that interaction is permitted. The viewer then uses a remote control to purchase products, vote on events, respond to polls, download files, request information, and request callback actions. The TV viewer uses the remote control to send information to a set-top box front-end application, and to iteratively create transactions that are batched and then sent to a back-end core application and database which then handles fulfillment.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for selling or licensing digital video clips includes receiving a first catalog image file representing first digital video in a raw image format and receiving a second catalog image file representing second digital video in a raw image format. The method further includes receiving a selection of the first catalog image file, a selection of one or more first parameters, and payment information for a purchase or a license of a first image file that is a version of the first catalog image file. At least one of the first parameters specifies a second format, and the first image file has the second format. The method further includes generating the first image file, where generating the first image file includes processing the first catalog image file based on the first parameters. The method further includes transmitting the first image file.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting content distribution in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of electronic devices. The electronic devices are initially preloaded in a distributed manner with various content segments from corresponding content items. When a system user selects a particular content item on a corresponding electronic device, a download manager of the electronic device may automatically generate content segment requests to other appropriate electronic devices in the peer-to-peer network. The download manager may then download and automatically reassemble the content segments to produce the selected content item for utilization by the system user.

Abstract: A method and system for providing content to a receiving device from a local headend is set forth. The local headend communicates channel data for content stored at a video server to a receiving device, receives a selection of the channel data to form selected content from the receiving device and communicates content corresponding to the selection to the receiving device. The local headend stores a purchase record corresponding to the selection at the local headend, associates the purchase record with the receiving device within the local headend and communicates a request for a callback from the local headend to the receiving device. The receiving device communicates a callback signal from the receiving device to an external headend comprising purchase data corresponding to the purchase record.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables a feature among a plurality of features in an application loaded on a client, with the client located remotely from a server. The server receives a data profile request from the client. In response to the data profile request, a data profile is sent from the server to the client, the data profile including a profile key to identify the client, an application identification to identify the application, and a feature selector. The application uses the feature selector to enable the feature among the plurality of features.

Abstract: An automatic search and transfer apparatus that automatically searches for and transfers data one or more computers connected via a network, that includes a keyword input section that inputs at least one keyword, a search section that searches for data including the at least one keyword and acquires attribute data of concerned data from the one or more computers connected via the network, a reporting section that reports information relating to the concerned data to a user, a reception section that receives the concerned data from one or more computers, and a data storage section that stores the data. The reporting section reports acquisition of the attribute data to the user when the attribute data is acquired, and the reception section starts reception of the concerned data after the reporting section has reported the acquisition of the attribute data of the concerned data to the user.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for selling or licensing digital video clips includes receiving a first catalog image file representing first digital video in a raw image format and receiving a second catalog image file representing second digital video in a raw image format. The method further includes receiving a selection of the first catalog image file, a selection of one or more first parameters, and payment information for a purchase or a license of a first image file that is a version of the first catalog image file. At least one of the first parameters specifies a second format, and the first image file has the second format. The method further includes generating the first image file, where generating the first image file includes processing the first catalog image file based on the first parameters. The method further includes transmitting the first image file.

Abstract: An apparatus automatically recommends content. A preference operation history managing unit generates history information of an operation relating to a preference for a content according to a plurality of operations relating to a preference for the content and explanation information relating to the content and using preference value parameters for each kind of these operations. A preference information managing unit generates and renews preference information including preference values in which a given preference value is based on a combination of a given keyword and a preference value for that keyword. A content recommending unit calculates a preference degree for the content according to the preference information and the explanation information with respect to the content and recommends at least a portion of the content according to the preference degree.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an appliance to authenticate access of a client to a protected directory on a server via a connection, such as a secure SSL connection, established by the appliance. A method comprises the steps of: receiving, by an appliance, a first request from a client on a first network to access a server on a second network, the appliance providing the client a virtual private network connection from the first network to the second network; determining, by the appliance, the first request comprises access to a protected directory of the server; associating, by the appliance, an authentication policy with the protected directory, the authentication policy specifying an action to authenticate the client's access to the protected directory; and transmitting, by the appliance in response to the authentication policy, a second request to the client for an authentication certificate. Corresponding systems are also disclosed.

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 and for video channel distribution 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: A method according to the present disclosure comprises displaying a program in a first format on a first television channel to a user and automatically displaying a message to the user indicating that the program is available in a second format on a second television channel. The message may be displayed on the first television channel while the program in the first format is being displayed. Additionally, the automatic displaying of the message may be unprompted by the user. In certain embodiments, the user may be provided the option to purchase the program in the second format if the second format is not within the user's subscription.

Abstract: An information providing device, having a route acquisition unit that acquires a reference travel route between two points, a route finding unit that finds a fuel-saving travel route between the two points, a fuel cost calculating unit that calculates a difference in cost of fuel between the reference travel route and the fuel-saving travel route based on fuel consumption and a fee of fuel, a communication cost calculating unit that calculates a communication cost concerning the fuel-saving travel route, and a control unit that executes control for transmitting predetermined information to a terminal device based on the result of a comparison between the difference in cost of fuel and the communication cost.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for distributing media content to a plurality of display devices. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for distributing media content to a display device is disclosed. The method comprises configuring a middleware device to provide media content to the display device and to a set of display devices. In response to the middleware device receiving a request for media content from the display device, the method determines whether the there is sufficient bandwidth to provide a requested media content to the display device. In one embodiment, if the method determines that there is insufficient bandwidth to provide the requested media content to the display device, the method provides the requested media content to the display device based on a set of preconfigured user preferences.

Abstract: A method to reduce bandwidth necessary for renewal of subscriptions for reception of broadcast services including: defining a plurality of sets of subscriber identification numbers, each set being associated with a product; splitting a set of subscriber identification numbers into groups of subscribers; searching for an available subscriber identification number related to the desired product at the time of initialization of a new subscriber; confirming that an inhibit duration has elapsed between the end of the previous subscription and the start of the new subscription; sending an initialization message to the new subscriber addressed with his unique identification address and containing the subscriber identification number of, and rights to, his product; preparing a group rights renewal message for the product to the group containing the subscriber identification number, this message comprising the group header containing this subscriber and a compressed bitmap allowing to individually address each of the

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for enabling viewers to participate in a television program. In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a linear television program that includes a request for viewer responses to be submitted using a user device and receiving, through a communication network, an electronic message including a viewer response to the request from a user. Consideration is received from the user, and the consideration is associated with the viewer response. Credits are allocated to the user in response to receiving the viewer response and consideration. A record of the one or more credits is stored in association with an identifier of the user, and in response to a request from the user, credits associated with the identifier of the user are redeemed in exchange for virtual goods or services associated with delivery of content over a network.

Abstract: A system, device, and method for receiver access control in an interne television system uses a push mechanism to distribute access control information from a distribution device to an access device. The access device uses the access control information to make receiver access control decisions for a subsequently received request from a host to join a television channel multicast group.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method for selling or licensing digital video clips includes receiving a first catalog image file representing first digital video in a raw image format and receiving a second catalog image file representing second digital video in a raw image format. The method further includes receiving a selection of the first catalog image file, a selection of one or more first parameters, and payment information for a purchase or a license of a first image file that is a version of the first catalog image file. At least one of the first parameters specifies a second format, and the first image file has the second format. The method further includes generating the first image file, where generating the first image file includes processing the first catalog image file based on the first parameters. The method further includes transmitting the first image file.

Abstract: A multimedia processing device and method for using virtual resources to manage multimedia content system resources and access to such resources by system applications. A multimedia content processing device, such as a set-top box, is configured to provide virtual resources that emulate actual resources, such as a media playing resource, in a manner that allows system applications, such as a television or video on demand application, to believe they have access to the actual underlying system resource. The method includes providing a virtual resource for a system application seeking access to a system resource. The virtual resource can be configured in an attached mode, in which the virtual resource forwards information between an active system application and the accessed resource. The virtual resource also can be configured in a detached mode, in which the virtual resource emulates the actual resource to which a non-active system application is seeking access.

Abstract: An apparatus transfers the title of content to an ID-assigning unit which assigns an ID to the content and transmits the content ID to a broadcasting unit via a tagging unit. A broadcasting apparatus then broadcasts the content ID and a receiver extracts the content ID from a received signal and transfers the content ID to a verification unit which determines whether or not the content ID received from a reception functional unit matches a stored content ID. If the content ID received from the reception unit matches a stored content ID, user information of the receiver is transmitted to a privacy-guarding unit. The privacy-guarding unit searches privacy-guarding items and, in accordance with a result of the search, only necessary user information presented by the verification unit is transmitted to a provider unit.

Abstract: Personal content server apparatus and associated methods that allow a user (e.g., cable or satellite network subscriber) to access content, such as a video program, from a location outside the subscriber's network. In one embodiment, a personal content server streams the content to the subscriber over a network connection from the local e.g., (subscription) network to a remote network upon authorization by a content manager process. Various access, business or operational rules are applied depending on the content and delivery mode; e.g., to live video broadcast, video-on-demand (VOD), or archived content from the subscriber's digital video recorder (DVR) or networked PVR. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively replaced if desired in order to make the remotely delivered content more appropriate to the remote user's context.

Abstract: A system for delivering digital content to user devices. The system includes a content delivery server for establishing respective sessions with the user devices and for delivering streams of content to the user devices during the sessions according to a streaming protocol. An asset server is communicatively coupled to the content delivery server through an asset protocol for maintaining an asset scheduling table including asset entries, each asset entry including an asset identifier identifying a given asset in association with a starting time parameter, user identifiers identifying at least one target user device, and a set of session identifiers each identifying a session established with a target user device identified by the user identifiers.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which performance is simulated for each of a plurality of traffic allocation models during each of a plurality of historical time segments to obtain a performance metric for each time segment. Thereafter, an allocation value is calculated for each model based on the performance metrics. Once the allocation value has been established for the models, allocations are auctioned among the plurality of models during a plurality of auction rounds. These auctioned allocations are used to determine traffic allocation probabilities among the plurality of model so that traffic can be served on at least one website according to models corresponding to the determined traffic allocation probabilities. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: A method for handling service failures for in a communications network comprising a user equipment, a first network element and a serving network element, the method comprising the following steps. Receiving at the first network element a first message from the user equipment. Transmitting the first message from the first network element to the serving network element. Detecting at the first network element that the serving network element is out of service. Determining at the first network element the type of the first message, and in dependence on the type of the first message sending from the first network element to the user equipment an error message including an indication that the serving network element is out of service.

Abstract: A method performed by a video provisioning system may include receiving metadata associated with a video asset; storing the metadata in a catalog of video assets available through the video provisioning system; publishing information from the stored metadata to a first device associated with a video assets store front for set top boxes; and publishing information from the stored metadata to a second device associated with a video assets store front for devices other than set top boxes. A method may further include registering a user device with a user profile; identifying a media manager application for the user device that is configured to play video assets available via the video provisioning system on the user device; providing the media manager application to the user device; and synchronizing settings associated with the media manager application with settings associated with another user device registered with the user profile.

Abstract: A determination is made whether a first application server of a group of N application servers, N being at least two, is a coordinator of the group. Responsive to determining that the first application server is the coordinator of the group, a connection to a billing system is established, via a terminal server, by the first application server. A determination is made whether a second application server of the group of N application servers is the coordinator of the group. Responsive to determining that the second application server is not the coordinator of the group, a periodic check is made whether the second application server of the group of N application servers is the coordinator of the group. The second application server may later be determined to be the coordinator of the group, when the first server experiences difficulty.

Abstract: A system and method for billing for interactive television (ITV) includes recording the content accessed by a consumer and the time of access to render an access record. The access record for each interaction with the ITV is stored in a consumer database. When it is time to bill the consumer for a period of usage of the ITV system, the access record for each interaction with the ITV system is retrieved from the consumer database. Access records which do not contain billable content are discarded and a billing list of access records that contain billable content is constructed. Accordingly, each consumer is billed based on his or her respective billing list.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided in which performance is simulated for each of a plurality of traffic allocation models during each of a plurality of historical time segments to obtain a performance metric for each time segment. Thereafter, an allocation value is calculated for each model based on the performance metrics. Once the allocation value has been established for the models, allocations are auctioned among the plurality of models during a plurality of auction rounds. These auctioned allocations are used to determine traffic allocation probabilities among the plurality of model so that traffic can be served on at least one website according to models corresponding to the determined traffic allocation probabilities. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

Abstract: The invention shows a method for connecting and sharing content over a plurality of devices, and over a plurality of networks public and private while respecting the content's Digital Rights by implementing a software layer (software alternately integrated into hardware component) that will assign a mac address and an ip address to each device and peripherals and where content can be assign to specific devices inside a network, and can be accessed directly, shared remotely, wireless, or physically connected. The software layer also integrates drivers, players, codec's that can be updated dynamically in order to keep them updated. This software layer can also “virtualizes” peripherals, devices or group of peripherals and devices into single addressable group of components that will act like one.

Abstract: A user at a computing device interacts with a networked site so that the user can log in thereto. The site receives a selection to log in and in response downloads at least one replacing driver for bypassing a corresponding driver operating on the computing device that may possibly copy log-in data including authentication credentials as entered by the user. Each replacing driver is loaded into an operating system of the computing device so as to bypass the corresponding possibly copying driver and be employed in the operating system rather than such corresponding bypassed driver. The site then delivers a log-in screen to a presentation application of the computing device after each replacing driver has been loaded. The presentation application displays the log-in screen and the user enters the log-in data thereinto. Accordingly, each non-trusted and bypassed driver is unable to copy the entered log-in data.

Abstract: Techniques for third party verification using override IP addresses is described, including detecting a request header from an endpoint, the request header being associated with a request for a media file, initiating a download of the media file to the endpoint, evaluating the request header to identify an address associated with the endpoint, generating a notification comprising the address, the notification being configured to indicate the address overrides a source address identified by a field in a packet associated with the request header, and sending the notification to report data associated with the media file, wherein the address overrides the source address to identify a source of the request.

Abstract: A determination is made whether a first application server of a group of N application servers, N being at least two, is a coordinator of the group. Responsive to determining that the first application server is the coordinator of the group, a connection to a billing system is established, via a terminal server, by the first application server. A determination is made whether a second application server of the group of N application servers is the coordinator of the group. Responsive to determining that the second application server is not the coordinator of the group, a periodic check is made whether the second application server of the group of N application servers is the coordinator of the group. The second application server may later be determined to be the coordinator of the group, when the first server experiences difficulty.

Abstract: A controller receives an encrypted media stream (“EMS”) and an identifier indicative of a selected content key from a headend. The EMS is encrypted with an encryption key and can be decrypted with a corresponding decryption key which is determinable from the selected content key. The controller receives indexes and content keys from the headend prior to receiving the EMS. Each index respectively corresponds to an identifier with one index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The content keys correspond to the indexes with one content key corresponding to the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The controller selects the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key upon receiving the EMS, determines the selected content key from the selected index, determines the decryption key from the selected content key, and decrypts the EMS with the decryption key.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a record information storage module stores record information related to content recorded by an external apparatus in association with a keyword representing the content and user information. A search information storage module stores a search phrase used for searching in an external apparatus in association with user information. A search word handler extracts a predetermined number of words having high search frequency from search phrases stored in association with specific user information to generate a word list. A record information handler extracts keywords stored in association with the specific user information to generate a keyword list. A ranking processor generates ranking information indicating a word in the word list which matches a keyword in the keyword list. A communicator provides the ranking information to an external apparatus corresponding to the specific user information.

Abstract: A method of recognizing an audio and/or visual format in a digital transmission network such as the Internet wherein formats include a quasi-continuous or divided in packets sequence of data, at least part of the sequence of data is analyzed for the presence of one or more bit patterns, and a notice is given in response to recognition of a predetermined format in an analyzed bit pattern.