Abstract: A method for setting a frame rate conversion (FRC) and a display apparatus using the same are provided. According to a method for setting FRC, an FRC level is received from a user; and a motion estimation and motion compensation level when performing FRC is set according to the input FRC level. Therefore, a user may set the FRC level according to the user's preference.

Abstract: A television receiver device consistent with certain implementations has a display associated with the television receiver device. A filter converts a stream of audio/video content that is to be displayed on the display associated with the television receiver device into a stream of digital audio data. A buffer stores a sample of the digital audio data. A modem transmits the sample of audio data from the buffer to a content identification server and that receives metadata identifying the audio data from the content identification server. A display processor renders at least a portion of the metadata to the display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing interactive television services and for switching between television programs, such as to an interactive program session from another program. An interactive server, capable of providing requested interactive video services to a set of subscribers in a given geographic area, is coupled to a network to which subscriber set top boxes are also coupled. Television programming, which may be furnished by any number of sources, is accompanied by a signal that indicates the availability of other programming, such as interactive television service related to the program being viewed, as well as information to be used in requesting such service. The user, when notified by this signal, may input to the set top box a request for a second program, such as an interactive program or application. The identity of the original program channel is stored, and a session with the video service provider is established over the network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to inform a user of a broadcast stream, which has multiple, concurrently received channels of program content, about recommendations of a subset of the content currently playing across the available channels or to be played within a selected future time period. The subset of content is selected based on user preferences and system data (e.g., program topic and channel affinities among the broadcast content and channels) to recommend a more diverse subset of content than would be discovered if only user preferences were employed to make the selection of recommended content.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a touchpanel display and a program information display module. The program information display module is configured to display, while a first screen is displayed, a second screen if a first touch operation is recognized. The first screen presents an electronic program guide. The second screen presents first information on a television broadcast program. The program information display module is further configured to display, while the first screen is displayed, a third screen if a second touch operation is performed. The third screen presents second information on the television broadcast program.

Abstract: A TV program searching apparatus includes: an image receiving unit that receives an image having additional information from an external device; an additional information reading unit that reads the additional information from the image received from the image receiving unit; and a TV program searching unit that searches for a TV program related to the additional information using the additional information read by the additional information reading unit.

Abstract: A digital television (DTV) data stream includes PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT including a descriptor including a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length; and at least one category selection code for an associated event in a DTV data stream.

Abstract: A system provides an intra-program event guide for display. The intra-program event guide enables a User to identify the events (e.g. scenes, episodes, alternative scenes, program portions etc.) occurring within a program and to initiate viewing (or initiate other functions associated with the event) via the guide. A method for processing information concerning intra-program events (e.g. comprising particular MPEG compatible groups of pictures (GOPS)) occurring within a program involves receiving signal data and identifying in the signal data information items describing intra-program events occurring during a program. The information items describing intra-program events are processed to provide processed data representative of intra-program events sequentially ordered by time and the processed data is communicated to a device. Generation of an intra-program event guide of the information items is initiated in response to user command.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and means for presenting menu options in a media guidance application are provided. In particular, a user selection of a primary menu option is received in the media guidance application. A plurality of sub-menu options that correspond to the primary option selected is determined. Subsequently, for each of the plurality of sub-menu options, it is determined whether the sub-menu option has guidance data and/or content associated with the primary menu option selected. This guidance data and/or content can be either data and/or media in accordance with some embodiments of the invention. For each of the plurality of sub-menu options that does not have guidance data and/or content associated with the primary menu option selected, the sub-menu option is prevented from being presented to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting multiple assets in an interactive media guidance application are provided. A guidance display containing media guidance application listings is provided, where non-linear media assets are extracted from the media guidance application listings and the guidance display is divided into different portions to present media guidance application listings of non-on-demand media assets and non-linear media assets. One portion of the guidance display may include media guidance application listings of non-on-demand assets and may indicate the non-linear media assets extracted from the portion of the guidance display. Another portion may include media guidance application listings of non-linear media assets that were extracted from the media guidance application listings. This portion may also include additional non-linear assets that are available for retrieval and playback.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting an interactive media guidance application are provided. One or more three-dimensional objects are presented in a guidance display, where each three-dimensional object represents a media asset. In response to receiving an indication from the user of one of the three-dimensional objects, the selected three-dimensional object or a region containing the selected three-dimensional object may be animated. The animation of the selected three-dimensional object or the region containing the selected three-dimensional object in the guidance display may be made relative to the remainder of three-dimensional objects that have not been selected by the user.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for content-based non-linear control of video data playback. A multimedia database having multimedia data including multimedia content data is searched based on a user query to determine a first set of multimedia data. The multimedia data includes indexes to and condensed representations of corresponding video data stored in a video database. A portion of the first set of multimedia data is displayed at a control device in response to the user query. A user of the control device selects an element of the first set of multimedia data for video playback and video data corresponding to the element delivered to a video device for playback. A user of the control device selects an element of the first set of multimedia data for additional information and a second set of multimedia data corresponding to the element delivered to the control device.

Abstract: Provided is a program reception terminal that can more kindly remind the user of the existence of a forgot-to-view program. The program reception terminal comprises: a want-to-view program identifying unit 149 that identifies a want-to-view program of a viewer based on the viewing history; a not-yet-viewed program extracting unit 301 that extracts not-yet-viewed programs; a forgot-to-view program determining unit 148 that searches whether there is a want-to-view program in the not-yet-viewed programs and that determines the program found out by the searching as the forgot-to-view program; a related program determining unit 154 that determines whether a related program identified from the forgot-to-view program based on a predetermined rule exists in a program group in a predetermined period later than the predetermined time; and a program guide display control unit 144 that displays the existence of the forgot-to-view program if the related program exists.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, user interfaces and computer program products provide social and interactive applications for mass media based on real-time ambient-audio and/or video identification.

Abstract: A method of displaying program progress time in a TV receiver which receives and processes program guide information containing a program schedule, includes storing the program guide information, and displaying time information about a relevant program on the picture tube when the user issues a command requesting the displaying of a program progress time with respect to a currently viewed program.

Abstract: A method of displaying program progress time in a TV receiver which receives and processes program guide information containing a program schedule, includes storing the program guide information, and displaying time information about a relevant program on the picture tube when the user issues a command requesting the displaying of a program progress time with respect to a currently viewed program.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method of controlling the same are provided. The electronic device includes: a communication unit including a broadcasting receiver and an Internet module; and a controller for performing, when at least one broadcasting related information related to broadcasting data that can be acquired through the broadcasting receiver is included in data acquired from another electronic device through the Internet module while generating a display signal of broadcasting data acquired through the broadcasting receiver, a function according to broadcasting related information selected from the at least one broadcasting related information. Therefore, by enabling to perform a function according to specific broadcasting related information selected from broadcasting related information acquired from another electronic device, while viewing broadcasting, necessary information can be acquired and the acquired information can be easily executed.

Abstract: A metadata augmentation system trains individual classifiers associated with digital objects, such as digital videos. Textual features of the classifiers determined to be significant from the weights of the classifier are chosen to be added to the video as metadata.

Abstract: A method of processing EPG metadata in a network device includes performing a services discovery procedure utilizing multiple service discovery metadata components supplied by a service provider, and requesting specific SGDDs (service guide delivery descriptors) or specific fragments.

Abstract: A terminal, a computer program product and a method of providing broadcasts thereto by which a single SIM card can receive broadcasts provided by a plurality of broadcast providers in a manner of deactivating a function of receiving broadcasts provided by a first broadcast provider. A function of only receiving a broadcast provided by a first broadcast provider is deactivated, broadcasts of a plurality of broadcast providers in a current area are searched, and information for the searched broadcasts are displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed are a digital TV and a method for controlling same. The method for controlling a digital TV according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: displaying a user interface (UI) capable of selecting the standby mode for a power-off operation; and disconnecting the power source for a display panel so as to enter the standby mode when the standby mode is set through the UI in the power-off operation, and a power-off command is received. The standby mode includes a lower standby mode based on the operation of the digital TV and a network function, and the digital TV in the standby mode stops AV channel communication and performs SI channel communication.

Abstract: A synchronization information providing server to synchronize a broadcast program with additional information related to the broadcast program, a synchronization information providing method of synchronizing a broadcast program with additional information related to the broadcast program, a client apparatus to process synchronization information received from the synchronization information processing server and a method of processing synchronization information received from the synchronization information processing server are provided. The synchronization information providing server manages metadata of a broadcast frame constituting a broadcast program and additional information related to the metadata. The metadata includes time information and image feature information of the broadcast frame.

Abstract: An image display apparatus, a server, and methods for operating the same are disclosed. The method for operating an image display apparatus includes displaying a broadcast program list listing a plurality of broadcast programs, receiving, upon selection of one of the plurality of broadcast programs, a broadcast signal of the selected broadcast program, and displaying the received broadcast program. The broadcast program list includes real-time viewer rating information, a thumbnail image, and a name for each of the plurality of broadcast programs.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a viewership rating system presented on a monitor. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a plurality of broadcast programs, each broadcast program in the plurality of broadcast programs given a rating, the rating based on a current viewership of the plurality of broadcast programs within a geographical area, and a control bar; displayed on the monitor, wherein a command displayed on the control bar selects a screen for display on the monitor, the screen comprising information related to at least one of the ratings of the plurality of broadcast programs.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and device for transmitting and receiving broadcast signals. The disclosed reception method comprises a step for extracting second programme table information which indicates the association properties between a plurality of programmes, the programmes being obtained by using a broadcast stream which comprises at least one programme, programme table information which indicates the broadcast stream, and at least one broadcast service, from a received broadcast signal. The method further comprises a step for parsing the broadcast stream by using the extracted programme table information; and a step for acquiring information about the groups to which the plurality of programmes belong by using the extracted second programme table information.

Abstract: A client-side multimedia content targeting system schedules the recording, storing, and deleting of multimedia content on a client system storage device. The invention accepts as input a prioritized list of program viewing preferences which is compared with a database of program guide objects that indicate when programs of interest are actually broadcast. The viewer may request that certain content be captured, which results in the highest possible priority for those content. The viewer may also explicitly express preferences using appurtenances provided through the viewer interface. Preferences may additionally be inferred from viewing patterns. The viewer's client system locally retains the viewer's preferences and other personal information that the viewer has entered and is sent targeting information relating to program guide objects by a server.

Abstract: A mobile terminal includes a receiving unit for receiving broadcast data and supplementary information data associated with the broadcast data, a controller for retrieving and synchronizing the supplementary information data with the broadcast data for output, and an output unit for outputting the synchronized supplementary information data and the broadcast data in real time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and system for retrieving information about television programs. This includes a website being connected to that includes information about a television program being watched. The information from the website is downloaded and then processed. Further, the information is then either displayed along with the television program being watched or stored for later playback.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media system having a controller element that contextually associates a plurality of portals with a corresponding plurality of multimedia broadcast channels as an aggregated service offering. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a method of receiving digital television signals involves tuning a radio frequency tuner to receive a radio frequency modulated channel containing a transport stream; demodulating the channel to produce an output transport stream; the output transport stream containing an Internet Protocol (IP) stream of packets containing non-real time content, a FLUTE file description table (FDT), NRT service metadata and NRT content metadata; demultiplexing the IP stream of packets to produce: NRT content that is stored in an electronic storage medium, the FLUTE FDT, NRT service metadata, and NRT content metadata; parsing the metadata to produces NRT service metadata; NRT content description text and NRT content metadata; and processing the NRT content description text derived from a Text Fragment Table (TFT). This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a version of an entertainment program based on user preference includes receiving entertainment programming input, identifying multiple available versions of an entertainment program, identifying, for each of the multiple versions, a set of descriptive information regarding the respective version, accessing user preferences, and selecting one of the multiple versions for display based on a comparison of the descriptive information to the user preferences.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aggregating user data and targeting content to users are described. User data is collected through quizzes and users are associated with a particular fictional or nonfictional character profile based on the user-submitted information. The user data associated with each character profile is aggregated to identify and recommend content for the user, such as television shows, news feed, web pages, promotions, advertisements, and the like. The invention can be used in connection with fan sites or other topic-specific sites that are associated with the character of the character profile.

Abstract: A browser application and toolbar are described according to some embodiments. The browser application presents wagering game content in a toolbar. Some embodiments are directed to determining that a first player account uses the toolbar to access the wagering game content, determining that a second player account referred the first player account in response to determination that the first player account uses the toolbar, and providing a referral award to the second player account for referring the first player account.

Abstract: A network browser and wagering game toolbar (“toolbar”) are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar can be in, or a part of, the network browser. The network browser and the toolbar can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar can receive and display wagering game content from a wagering game network as the main display area can receive and display content originating outside the wagering game network. In some embodiments, the toolbar can present content originating from one or more wagering game player accounts that provide audience participation in, or related to, wagering game activity presented on the toolbar.

Abstract: A server device configured to store settings information, the settings information indicating which type of operations are permitted by a user of a video client; receive a request to perform an operation associated with television content; perform a first operation to obtain program information associated with the television content when the settings information permits the first operation, the program information being a measure of popularity regarding the television content; perform the second operation to obtain performer information associated with the television content when the settings information permits the second operation, the performer information being a measure of popularity regarding the performer; perform the third operation to obtain review information associated with the television content when the settings information permits the third operation, the review information including reviews associated with the television content; and present, to the video client, the program information, the pe

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an interactive service during a broadcast service includes a transmitting element and a processing element. The transmitting element is capable of communicating broadcast content of the broadcast service to a plurality of receiving terminals. The processing element is configured to at least partially control the transmitting element. The processing element is configured to communicate with a network device in order to request a program specific group for communication of the interactive service to a receiving terminal that is a member of the program specific group. The interactive service is communicated to the receiving terminal that is a member of the program specific group with reception of the broadcast service. The content associated with the interactive service originates from the receiving terminals.

Abstract: A method for providing a user of a target device with placeshifted content. The method includes detecting, utilizing the target device, a matrix code associated with an audio/visual program. Data encoded in the matrix code includes program identifying information and elapsed time information with respect to the program. The method further includes generating, utilizing the target device, a request for the program based at least in part on the encoded data. The method also includes transmitting, utilizing the target device, the program request across a network.

Abstract: A service distribution system supports creation of a personalized and virtual service broadcast that can be selectively clipped and cached based on content descriptors of popularity, freshness, etc. A method for selectively receiving broadcast of one or more content items associated with a service to provide a unicast or multicast user experience is described. The method may comprise: detecting a characteristic of a service, or detecting a characteristic of one or more content items, wherein the one or more content items are associated with the service, and wherein the characteristic is generated by a mobile operator and pertains to an objective measure of current user interest, selectively receiving by broadcast, to the mobile device, one or more content items associated with the service based on the characteristic, and storing the one or more content items associated with the service for access through a user interface of the mobile device.

Abstract: A device for receiving a broadcasting program and a method for displaying a favorite channel may be disclosed. A method for displaying a favorite channel in a device for receiving a broadcasting program includes presetting a favorite program viewing standard time; identifying whether a key signal is inputted by a user, displaying a broadcasting program received from a selected channel; detecting a viewing time of the program based on the inputted key signal; comparing the detected program viewing time with the preset viewing standard time; and registering the broadcasting program with a favorite program list based on the result of the comparison.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a content information acquisition unit that acquires content related information related to content data managed by a content management server from the content management server managing the content data, a selection unit that selects content from a content list which is a list of the content based on the content related information, and an externally connected device control unit that notifies, when the selected content is executed by an externally connected device connected externally, the externally connected device of location information of content data corresponding to the selected content and acquires reproduction state information representing a reproduction state of content when the externally connected device reproduces the selected content from the externally connected device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.

Abstract: The present disclosure introduces a Social Network Content Driven Electronic Program Guide (EPG). In one embodiment, the computer program language when executed by a processor performs operations that allow a user to specify whether media content information presented by an EPG is presented within a context of multiple contexts of one or more social network(s) and corresponding social circle(s) associated with the user. Responsive to the user indicating that the EPG present media content within a particular one context of the multiple contexts, the EPG edits any context intersecting media content information with associated information from the social network to personalize the media content information. The edited content is then highlighted and presented by the EPG. All other media content information is presented without highlights. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a DVR sends a user's contact information over a network to an interested party. The DVR prompts the user to enter contact information. After the user has supplied the requested contact information to the DVR, the DVR stores the contact information on the DVR's hard disk drive. Upon determining that a television program or advertisement contains a special tag that is associated with an interested party, the DVR displays, to the user, a prompt that invites the DVR user to allow the DVR to send the user's contact information to the interested party. If the user gives permission for the DVR to send the contact information to the interested party, then the DVR sends the contact information to the interested party (e.g., over the Internet).

Abstract: Information providing method and apparatus. The method includes generating scene information based on broadcasting related information received from a broadcasting information generation apparatus, providing the generated scene information to a user device in response to a scene information request received from the user device, receiving an information request from the user device and providing information with reference to the scene information to the user device in response to the information request. The broadcasting information generation apparatus generates the broadcasting related information based on a broadcasting program schedule generated by a broadcasting transmission apparatus.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for managing a broadcast for a portable terminal receiving supplementary information related to the broadcast are provided. The method includes tuning a broadcasting receiver of the portable terminal to a frequency from among a plurality of frequencies of a broadcasting channel, receiving, by the broadcasting receiver, a broadcasting signal on the tuned frequency, determining whether a moving speed of the portable terminal is equal to or more than a predetermined speed when a broadcasting receiver is tuned to the frequency and is receiving a broadcasting signal, measuring a field strength of the received broadcasting signal when the moving speed of the portable terminal is equal to or greater than the predetermined speed, and controlling the broadcasting receiver to be tuned to another frequency in order to receive the broadcasting signal of the broadcasting channel when the measured field strength is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Provided is a method for providing electronic program guide of an image display device. A system for displaying an electronic program guide includes a management server and an image display device. The management server collects recommended program-related information from at least one image display device connected through a network, and compiles the same. The image display device receives the compiled recommended program-related information from the management server, and reflects the received recommended program-related information to the electronic program guide to reconstruct the electronic program guide.

Abstract: Provided is a server device including a storage unit that stores, for each content, facet data composed of a plurality of facet items and facet values hierarchically arranged in a lower level of each of the plurality of facet items, priorities being assigned to the plurality of facet items, a receiving unit that receives content identifying information for identifying one content from a client terminal, a selection unit that selects one or more than one facet item of the one content and any facet value belonging to each of the one or more than one facet item, an acquisition unit that acquires relevant information of the one content based on a selected facet item and a selected facet value selected by the selection unit, and a transmission unit that transmits the relevant information acquired by the acquisition unit to the client terminal.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a content acquiring means capable of acquiring content acquired via a network or from inside of the electronic device, or generated inside of the electronic device; a first displaying means capable of displaying the acquired first content; a second displaying means arranged as a touch panel which is capable of accepting an input operation of a user, and capable of displaying the acquired second content; a display controlling means which, based on a predetermined condition, when the content acquiring means acquired third content in a state where the first and second content are displayed in the first and second displaying means, respectively, performs one of: (1) displaying in the second displaying means the third content clearing the second content, (2) presenting a split view by splitting the screen of the first display means into parts for the first and second content, and displaying in the second displaying means the third content, and (3) presenting a split view by splitti

Abstract: A method for processing an electronic television program that arranges a viewing schedule for a user is provided, in which the method receives an electronic television program list that includes electronic television program information, and records the electronic television program selected by the user from the electronic television program list, and receives a calendar information including at least one schedule event, and compares and determines whether a time period of the electronic television program selected by the user conflicts with a time period of the scheduled event, and generates a reminder message reminding the user of recording the electronic television program in advance or to alter the scheduled event when the time periods are in conflict.

Abstract: Techniques for transmission and preparation for display of real-time audio-visual content of a plurality of TV programs over electronic communications network channels and display of the audio-visual signals as a part of a TV Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) are disclosed herein. In particular, the use of video coded using a layered codec, and stored in a layered format, allows a properly configured system to present to an end user a live preview of multiple TV channels, along with EPG information (e.g., the channel, time, title and genre of video content, a list of programs scheduled in the future, as well as the ability to, for example, set parental controls, order pay-per-view programs, to search for programs based on theme or category, and to set recordings for the future when combined with a recording system), on his/her TV screen, without taking significantly more resources (e.g., in terms of bandwidth, system complexity) than the traditional digital TV transmission.