Abstract: A video application that is configured to prompt the display of images on a screen for viewing by a user. The screen includes a display layer that includes a display image having a representation of a sub-stream image. The user can select the representation of a sub-stream image to display a video stream.

Abstract: Interactive program guide data is received and elements to be included in an interactive program guide are generated based at least in part on the interactive program guide data. Each of the elements is positioned in a graphical user interface with respect to each of an x-axis, a y-axis, and a z-axis.

Abstract: Display features of an interactive user interface for an online environment allow a user to interact with objects and/or information within a display space.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and distributing overlay streams in real time over an overlay stream distribution channel that overlays events of a video stream distributed in a separate video channel. Overlay streams are distributed to subscriber recipient components via a unicast channel in order to enhance user viewing. A publisher subscriber component and caching techniques a low latency, high availability unicasting based real time overlay distribution system for a large numbers of concurrent overlay recipients.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for adding and displaying interactive annotations for existing online hosted videos. A graphical annotation interface allows the creation of annotations and association of the annotations with a video. Annotations may be of different types and have different functionality, such as altering the appearance and/or behavior of an existing video, e.g. by supplementing it with text, allowing linking to other videos or web pages, or pausing playback of the video. Authentication of a user desiring to perform annotation of a video may be performed in various manners, such as by checking a uniform resource locator (URL) against an existing list, checking a user identifier against an access list, and the like. As a result of authentication, a user is accorded the appropriate annotation abilities, such as full annotation, no annotation, or annotation restricted to a particular temporal or spatial portion of the video.

Abstract: A control device controls a television. The control device includes a touch module. The control device displays a menu containing a number of soft keys on a screen. The soft keys are activated to control the television to carry out corresponding functions. All positions on the menu are associated with all positions on the touch module correspondingly. As a result, a user can select desired soft keys to carry out corresponding functions by viewing the menu on the television and touching the touch module, rather than viewing the touch module.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver controlled by a screen remote controller and a space remote controller and controlling method, the method including according to an embodiment displaying a screen remote controller, partitioning a portion of a whole screen of the broadcast receiver into at least two control regions, displaying a pointer to enable a first pointing signal outputted from the space remote controller to indicate one control region of the screen remote controller, receiving a second pointing signal from the space remote controller, and executing a function corresponding to the one control region indicated by the pointer.

Abstract: A television receiving apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive a broadcasting program, a program information obtaining unit configured to obtain program information about the broadcasting program, a language setting unit configured to set a language used to display an Electronic Program Guide (EPG), a selection unit configured to select a program to be broadcasted in a language set by the language setting unit using the program information, and a program guide generating unit configured to generate the EPG using the program information, wherein the program guide generating unit is configured to generate the EPG that displays and identifies a program selected by the selection unit while not displaying a program that is not selected by the selection unit.

Abstract: An Internet protocol television (IPTV) system includes a server operable to send a performance guide and a time code over the IPTV system to two or more clients. The server receives a performance from each of the clients over the IPTV system, combines the performances into an overall performance, and sends the overall performance over the IPTV system to the clients.

Abstract: This image receiving apparatus includes a communication portion capable of receiving content through a network, and a control portion controlling a menu display region on which a menu of the content is displayed and a content display region on which information of the content is displayed independently from each other and controlling a display portion to display the menu display region and the content display region.

Abstract: Provided are a video display device and a video display method, by which a user can easily select a program to be watched even if a numerical keypad is not provided in a remote control device. A display portion displays a video of a program. While the video of the program is displayed on the full screen of the display portion, an operation detection portion detects a rotational operation of a dial provided in a remote control device. When the rotational operation is detected by the operation detection portion, a control portion functions so that while the video of the program is displayed on the display portion, a program list including a plurality of program items associated with different programs is displayed on the display portion.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining available media content from one or more content sources and providing at least a portion of the available media content for display in a programming guide on a display device of a user. The programming guide includes a plurality of entries each associated with one of the available media content. The method further includes determining that an update action button should be displayed on the display device, providing the update action button for display on the display device when it is determined that the update action button should be displayed, and updating the programming guide in response to a user selection of the update action button. The update action button is operable to cause the social-networking system to update the programming guide.

Abstract: An embodiment of a dynamic messaging system receives a message presentation request from a program distributor, the message presentation request having a first identifier that identifies the receiving device and a second identifier corresponding to one of a fixed message indicator and a dynamic message indicator. In response to receiving the message presentation request identifying the receiving device and the fixed message indicator, the dynamic messaging system retrieves a fixed message from a memory of the receiving device based upon the fixed message indicator. In response to receiving the message presentation request identifying the receiving device and the dynamic message indicator, the dynamic messaging system receives a dynamic message from an information stream communicated from the program distributor.

Abstract: A broadcast programming receiver is provided which includes a broadcast programming interface, a memory, a communication network interface, and output circuitry. The broadcast programming interface is configured to receive broadcast programming, while the output circuitry is configured to transfer the broadcast programming to an output device. The memory is configured to store data related to the broadcast programming. In one embodiment, the communication network interface is configured to receive the data related to the broadcast programming over a communication network from a second broadcast programming receiver and transfer the data to the memory. In another implementation, the communication network interface is configured to receive the data from the memory and send the data over the communication network to a second broadcast programming receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods of interacting with a virtual space, in which a mobile device is used to electronically capture image data of a real-world object, the image data is used to identify information related to the real-world object, and the information is used to interact with software to control at least one of: (a) an aspect of an electronic game; and (b) a second device local to the mobile device. Contemplated systems and methods can be used to gaming, in which the image data can be used to identify a name of the real-world object, to classify the real-world object, identify the real-world object as a player in the game, to identify the real-world object as a goal object or as having some other value in the game, to use the image data to identify the real-world object as a goal object in the game.

Abstract: An assistance method for selecting a program using a display device (112) is disclosed. The method (1200) selects one or more attributes associated with a first program, the one or more attributes being selected dynamically by a processor associated with the display device (112) according to one or more predetermined criteria. The method searches for a second program associated with one or more of the selected attributes. The second program and the one or more attributes associated therewith are displayed on the display device, according to the search for the second program.

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: A system and method in a television system for providing information associated with a user-selected person in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Abstract: Methods and systems for voice and video messaging are provided here. In some embodiments a method for voice and video messaging may include establishing a telecommunication session with a calling device associated with a first user in response to an indication that a call request from the calling device directed to a called identifier associated with a second user failed, providing to the calling device an option to leave a video message and an option to leave an audio message, receiving a selection from the calling device indicating the selection of the option to leave a video message, disconnecting the established telecommunication session, and receiving a video message from the calling device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow a user to efficiently navigate media selections in an interactive media guidance application and easily identify media for viewing. The disclosed methods and systems provide an environment wherein video assets are displayed according to a user preference on a mosaic page with multiple cells. A subset of the assets appropriate for display in a particular cell is determined based on the user preference. Relevance scores of the assets meeting the user preference are computed, and the asset having the greatest relevance for the user is selected and displayed the corresponding cell. The relevance scores can be computed based on the user's historic viewing habits, user interaction with a media guidance application, or on specific user input.

Abstract: A system and method for using information codes for recording television programs. Information codes may be published in magazines, newspapers, and the like, much like VCR Plus+™ codes. When a user desires to record one or more television programs based on information codes, the user selects an appropriate command button on his or her input device, and enters the information code that identifies a desired filter category (e.g. an actor filter represented as “01”) followed by a desired filter identifier (e.g. Richard Gere represented as “1234”). A processor receiving the user input searches an electronic program guide database for programs matching the filter information. The identified programs are then stored in a record memory for recording at an appropriate time. The identified programs may be further displayed for verification prior to storage in the record memory. Programs recommended to the viewers may also be identified via information codes.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may inform a program guide of the user's interests. Information on the user's interests may be stored in a preference profile. There may be more than one preference profile, each for a different user. Each preference profile contains a number of preference attributes (program titles, genres, viewing times, channels, broadcast characteristics, etc.). A preference level (e.g., strong or weak like, strong or weak dislike, illegal, mandatory, don't care, etc.) that is indicative of the user's level of interest is associated with each preference attribute. Preference profiles may be used to restrict the programs that are listed in various program listings display screens and may be used to limit the channels to which the program guide allows the user to tune.

Abstract: Digital television channels are preemptively cached based on a modeling of a user to reduce delays while switching channels. A current television channel is selected using a first tuner. A future television channel selection of the user is then predicted based on a modeling of the user. The recorded content of the predicted future television channel is preemptively cached using a second tuner. A buffer of the recorded content of the predicted future television channel is displayed when the user switches from the current television channel to the predicted future television channel. The modeling of the user is updated and stored in storage.

Abstract: Exemplary interactive media content presentation systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes an interactive media content presentation system presenting a media content instance on a display screen associated with a media content access device, detecting, during the presentation of the media content instance, an interaction by a user with the media content instance being presented on the display screen and representing a request to access enhanced content related to the media content instance by way of the display screen, and dynamically transitioning, in response to the request, from presenting the media content instance on the display screen to presenting an interactive portal on the display screen, the interactive portal comprising a continued presentation of the media content instance and the enhanced content. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and system for presenting a user with multimedia digital content available to and having a high correlation of potential viewing interest to the user, comprises determining which multimedia assets are available to the user; ranking the available multimedia assets as a correlation between the user's interests and demographic information and metadata associated with each multimedia asset. Higher ranking and relevance of each respective multimedia asset is indicative of a higher likelihood of viewing interest to the user. The ranked and available multimedia assets are presented to the user on an interactive display screen, where the higher ranked multimedia assets are featured more prominently to the user on the interactive display screen. The user is then able to take further action with respect to each presented multimedia asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods for updating the search requests in interactive grid displays are presented. User equipment may receive a request to search a database of media asset information to find a media asset related to a received search string and the time window of the displayed interactive grid. After the search is complete, the search results may be presented to a user on the display. The user equipment may then receive a request to update the time window of the interactive grid display. In response to the update, the user equipment will search the database of media asset information for media assets related to the search string and the updated time window. The new search results may then be presented to the user. In some embodiments, the search results may be based on the search string and the displayed set of media asset sources on the interactive grid display.

Abstract: In general, embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system for synchronizing an advertisement stream on a mobile device with the contents of a video source that includes audio data. In one example, the method includes receiving a mobile device identifier of a mobile device of the at least one user; receiving a television event identifier from the television platform, wherein the television event identifier is associated with a television event included in the television program content; selecting marketing information associated with the television event based on the television event identifier, wherein the television event identifier and the mobile device identifier are usable by the network server to determine that the television program content is provided to the at least one user associated with the mobile device; and transmitting a message that includes the marketing information from the network server to the mobile device.

Abstract: An apparatus provides an on-screen program guide that includes information indicating channel signal strength. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory operative to store data related to the program guide, and a processor operative to enable display of the program guide using the stored data. The program guide includes a plurality of program titles. The processor determines a program title pointed to by a pointer and determines a channel associated with the determined program title. Signal strength of the determined channel is displayed along with the program guide.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing real-time access to movie information to viewers in an interactive television viewing system. During select times when viewing a program on a television, the viewer is presented information, typically an advertisement, regarding a movie available for viewing in a movie theater. The viewer can opt to review supplemental information regarding the movie, including information directed to the actors, plot, rating, and where and when it is showing relative to the viewer's location. The viewer can opt to purchase tickets as well. The system can be controlled in one embodiment by the user interacting with a set top box sending signaling information to a processor in the network headend that retrieves the appropriate information for display to the viewer. The information can be provided to the set-top-box and displayed to the user using an overlapping window, or other techniques.

Abstract: Provided are a terminal, system and method for providing augmented broadcasting service. The method includes receiving augmented broadcasting service information including information indicating that it is possible to provide augmented broadcasting service, information on an augmented content providing server, and information on an augmented scene description data providing server for presenting augmented content on a television (TV) screen, acquiring augmented scene description data and augmented content selected by a user from the augmented content providing server and the augmented scene description data providing server, and outputting the augmented content to be overlaid on broadcast content according to the augmented scene description data.

Abstract: A system and method of switching services in a receiver unit includes a verifier module in the receiver unit receiving a service signal and middleware within the receiving unit receiving an evaluate signal and enabling the verifier to determine a service change from the service signal. The middleware changing a service flag for the service when a service change is determined at the verifier.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (“EPG”) coordinates the display of availability metadata representing the availability of listed multimedia programs from one or more alternative content sources. The EPG presents multimedia programs available from a primary content source. A system identifies alternative content sources for one or more multimedia programs listed in the EPG, estimates availability parameters from these alternative content sources, and supplements the EPG with availability metadata that represent the determined availability parameters of the versions of the multimedia programs from one or more alternative content sources. The system estimates missing availability parameters based on application of one or more availability rule sets, which can reflect, for example, a contractual agreement or arrangement, a data analysis performed on historical availability data for the multimedia program or the content provider, and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus 100 and method is provided for generating an EPG. The apparatus 100 is configured to output data to generate an EPG in which upcoming programs are shown as tiles with a uniform size, regardless of the duration of the program. A tile representing a program which has already partially been shown is shown as spanning a reference indicator. The apparatus 100 may output data to automatically update the EPG when a new time is selected by a user. The automatic updating of the EPG may involve scrolling the tiles of the EPG past the reference indicator which represents a reference time. The rate of scroll of the tiles may be in inverse proportion to the duration of the program being shown on that program.

Abstract: Provided are an apparatus and method for providing additional information of media content. In digital contents management, the apparatus for providing additional information of media content includes a media source, a media renderer, an additional information analyzer, a smart progress bar, and an additional information renderer. The media source receives media and additional information from a local file, a portable storage medium or a network and transfers the received media and additional information into the apparatus. The media renderer renders the received media to a user. The additional information analyzer analyzes the received additional information. The smart progress bar controls the playback of the media based on the analyzed additional information. The additional information renderer displays the additional information to the user by controlling the smart progress bar.

Abstract: A method and system including a controller with an internet interface of providing enhanced content is provided. The controller receives an electronic program guide data and retrieves at least one characteristic identifying a program currently being displayed on a primary display device within the electronic program guide. At least one external content source is searched using the internet interface for information related to the program based on the at least one characteristic and the information related to the program obtained during the search is stored into a memory. The information stored in the memory and related to the first program is displayed by a user interface display processor on a second display.

Abstract: A method may include selecting a plurality programs to recommend to a user based on preferences of the user. The method may include displaying a program guide including a timeline, wherein the program guide indicates times that the plurality of recommended programs are scheduled to play. The program guide may also include a gap between the displayed recommended programs, the gap indicating a time during which one or more programs not selected to recommend to the user is scheduled to play. In one embodiment, the method may include displaying a video on demand (VOD) program or a personal video recorder (PVR) program in the gap between the displayed recommended programs.

Abstract: Methods and system for providing companion content at a secondary device for a content being rendered on a main device includes establishing a connection between the secondary device and a device that interfaces with the main device so as to enable the secondary device to access and control the content being rendered on the main device. The method further includes detecting data associated with the content being rendered on the main device through the connection, wherein the data includes metadata associated with the content rendered on the main device. The metadata is communicated to a remote application over the internet. The remote application is configured to analyze the metadata to produce communication content that relates to the content rendered on the main device. Companion content for the content being rendered on the main device is obtained from the remote application and rendered on the secondary device while the content is rendering on the main device.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide are disclosed. In one embodiment the method comprises receiving, for a plurality of first events, first event metadata comprising a first event description and a first logical channel number, receiving, for a plurality of second events, second event metadata comprising a second event description and a second logical channel number, assigning the first logical channel number associated with a particular first event to a particular second event, wherein the assignment is based on the first event metadata of the particular first event and the second event metadata of the particular second event, and displaying a program guide comprising at least a portion of the second event metadata of the particular second event.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention may be found in a method and system for communicating media and may comprise controlling communication of media from a television without consuming the media by the television. Under control of the television, the media may be transferred from a first location to at least one media peripheral located at a second location. A command initiated from or through the television may also cause media to be transfer from the first location to the second location. At least one command may be received that may effectuate the transfer of media from the first location to the second location. Accordingly, at least one request may be received by the television and utilized to facilitate or control transfer of the media. The television may redirect media from a first location to a second location with the media being received and/or consumed by the television.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for associating and synchronizing extrinsic data with video content at particular points of time in the video content. A user interface is rendered that facilitates a selection from extrinsic data items that are associated with a video content feature that is currently being presented to a user. A user selection of a particular extrinsic data item is received through the user interface, and a time in the video content feature is determined corresponding to the user selection. An association is then generated between the particular extrinsic data item and the time in the video content feature.

Abstract: A multiple-resolution audio and video system is disclosed that includes: at least one shared network infrastructure; at least one audio file, video file or a combination thereof, wherein each of the at least one audio file, video file or combination thereof has at least one resolution format and wherein one of the at least one resolution format is a studio quality resolution; at least one executable user interface application; and at least one device that accesses the at least one executable user interface application.

Abstract: In order to offer contents on demand services triggered by broadcasted TV programs in an efficient and effective way, notifications are received by a TV receiver, for example, a set-top box, on the availability of additional contents, such as, movie tracks, back stages, audio and/or video interviews, written articles, songs, photos, games, software programs, catalogues, brochures, electronic books, electronic tickets, electronic discounts, and electronic bonuses, together with TV programs, and these additional contents are automatically collected and stored into electronic appliances, for example, a portable electronic appliance, at the request of a user.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes receiving a data stream; determining a prediction of the amount of resources used to cache the data stream at a network element; identifying current resources being consumed by the network element; and determining whether to cache the data stream based on a sum of the current resources being consumed and the prediction of the amount of resources used to cache the data stream at the network element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for receiving electronic programming guide (EPG) selections entered via a separate wireless remote, storing the EPG selections on a storage device, and transmitting the EPG selections to be displayed when requested. In one embodiment, the EPG selections are transmitted to one or more separate wireless remotes to be displayed on the wireless remotes when requested. In addition, in one embodiment, one or more programs are also transmitted to be separately displayed concurrently with displaying the EPG selections.

Abstract: An electronic program guide includes a plurality of elements arrayed in a grid of rows and columns, with the rows corresponding to program sources and the columns corresponding to time intervals. Each element corresponds to a program played out from a particular program source during a corresponding time interval. The background of each element changes, such as by way of a color gradient or changing shape, to indicate one of a program beginning or ending. In this way, a viewer can ascertain the length of the program even if the element gets clipped upon updating the electronic program guide.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for resuming playback of media content from more than one Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) device. The playback of a media asset or media content typically contains an asset ID and a start time. Based on the architecture of a second display device (e.g., a second IPTV device) the IPTV system determines the identity of an account and its associated IPTV devices. When a user pauses an asset, the system sends the asset identification (ID) and the stop time to a server operatively coupled to the system. The next time (within a predefined duration) the user requests the same asset ID, the pause time and the asset ID are returned. Using the pause time and the asset ID, the user can resume playback of the asset.

Abstract: A device consistent with certain embodiments has a television receiver and an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) receiver. A decoder decodes television programming from either of the television receiver or the IPTV receiver. A programmed processor(s) retrieves metadata relating to television programming, IPTV content, any installed Widgets, and the television (TV) receiver device's function, all of which are considered search targets. The programmed processor stores tags from the metadata in a database and associates the tags with their targets. A search engine searches the database for tags in response to a search query and to retrieve the associated target on command. The control processor executes the target by either tuning to the target's program content or by launching or resuming a Widget or TV device function. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus which includes an acquisition unit acquiring an instruction for selecting content information and related information, a search unit searching for plural pieces of the content information or related information which are related to at least a part of the selected content information or the selected related information, an image data generation unit generating first image data in which the content information is arranged using axes of two attributes of the content information, and second image data in which the content information or the related information is arranged using axes of one or two attributes of the content information or the related information in different directions from the two axes of the first image data, and a display control unit controlling a display screen to transparently overlay and display the first image data and the second image data.

Abstract: A subscriber to a video service generally has available to them an on-screen program guide. The program guide lists programming (e.g., TV shows) that are available to the subscriber for a certain upcoming time period. The programming guide may sort the listings by channel and time, areas of interest, age appropriateness and/or MPAA or TV rating, free or additional cost, etc. In an embodiment, the programming guide includes an ability to make a selection to see which TV shows are recommended by reviewers. Such reviewers may be individuals or panels or institutions to which some credibility may be attached—a trusted source. After selecting a reviewer, the subscriber is made aware of the programs recommended by the selected reviewer.

Abstract: A method controls one or more attributes of a secondary video stream for display in combination with a primary video stream. The method comprises: identifying a primary video stream; identifying a secondary video stream; assigning one or more settings for one or more attributes of said secondary video stream to a predetermined set of one or more user identifiers; identifying the user identifier associated with a given video processing module; determining the one or more attribute settings assigned to the user identifier; and processing the secondary video stream for display in combination with the primary video stream in accordance with the one or more attribute settings for the user identifier.