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: Methods and system are described herein for a media guidance application, which allows a user to more quickly and easily navigate available media listings. Specifically, the media guidance application generates a plurality of media cells each corresponding to a particular media listing. In addition, the media guidance application generates a plurality of presentation criterion cells. Upon selection of a particular presentation criterion cell, the media guidance application reveals media cells that are associated with the particular criterion and conceals media listings that are not associated with the particular criterion.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that provide a user with efficient video-rich navigation (VRN) of media assets in an interactive media guidance application, such as an interactive program guide. A user can select a displayed video asset and perform an action on the selectable video asset, for example, using a remote control. The manner in which the video assets are displayed and the actions enabled for the particular video assets are defined by screen data transmitted to the user equipment in a VRN data feed.

Abstract: A method of presenting content to a viewer is described. The method includes: receiving a schedule of content at a client operable by the viewer, the schedule of content including a directed graph, the directed graph including a plurality of nodes, wherein each node in the plurality of nodes is connected to one or more other nodes in the plurality of nodes by one or more paths, wherein each path represents content presentable to the viewer; traversing the directed graph by following a route between nodes and along paths of the directed graph, wherein at each node the client determines a path to follow according to state information accessible by the client; and presenting content to the viewer as each path is followed.

Abstract: A contextual navigational control for digital television is described. An apparatus, comprises a contextual navigation control interface (CNCI). The CNCI includes a first area that represents a plurality of cable television programs having a first level of relevance. A second area represents a first group of the plurality of programs having a second level of relevance. A third area represents a first subgroup of the first group having a third level of relevance. A fourth area represents a second subgroup of the first group having a fourth level of relevance. There may be additional areas representing additional sub-groups of relevance to the current viewing context.

Abstract: A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An override of automatically shared meta-data of media method and apparatus are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a server device includes automatically populating a hierarchy using a play-list history data associated with a media data of a client device and modifying the hierarchy based on a user override. The hierarchy may be a hierarchy of the play-list history data of the certain items associated with the media data of the client device. A modified hierarchy may be generated based on an addition, deletion and/or an adjust modifying operation of the user override on the hierarchy and may be automatically populated on a new mark-up language file based on the modified hierarchy. A new compatibility rating may be determined between the user and the other users based on the similar attributes between the modified hierarchy and the other hierarchies and each user of the server device may be enabled to view mark-up language files of the other users.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for media content search and retrieval, and a virtual television channel capable of using that system. The present system may be implemented on a computing device, such as for example a media service server, and a client device, such as for example a set top box for a television system, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or a gaming console. A first aspect of the present system relates to a media download control engine which enables a client device with limited capabilities to play media content which comes from a website in a format not supported by the client device. A second aspect of the present system may make use of the media download control engine to obtain media content and create customized virtual channels. The second aspect in particular relates to a virtual channel engine that schedules a continuous stream of content for the user, which content is selected based on topics of interest to the user.

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: A user interface may be provided. First, a first input may be received, and in response to the received first input, at least a portion of a plurality of content elements may be displayed. Then, a second input indicating a selection of a one of the displayed plurality of content elements may be received. In response to the received second input, a displayed full version of a programming content and the displayed plurality of content elements may be removed. Also, in response to the received second input, a shrunken version of the full version of the programming content and a more detailed version of the selected one of the plurality of content elements may be displayed. Next, in response to a received third input, the more detailed version and the displayed shrunken version may be removed and the full version of the programming content may be redisplayed.

Abstract: A method of processing a non-real time service of a broadcast receiver, which receives and processes a service being transmitted in non-real time, and a broadcast receiver are disclosed. Herein, the method of processing a non-real time service of a broadcast receiver includes receiving a signaling information table including additional information on contents configuring a non-real time service and a content identifier for each content, acquiring the additional information on contents and the content identifier for each content from the signaling information table, storing contents being downloaded through a FLUTE or an internet in a storage medium, based upon the additional information on contents and the content identifier for each content, and displaying a list of recordings including the contents stored in the storage medium, wherein a list of recordings screen displaying the list of recordings includes at least one of a content name, a channel name, a date of recording, and a content size.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a search interface for an electronic device including a tuner configured to tune the electronic device to receive scheduled programming content. A search query is received and one or more data sources including information about media content are searched based, at least in part, on the search query. The results of the search are presented on a user interface using a time-based axis and a time-independent axis.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box comprising a controller to receive media content over an Internet Protocol Television network, detect Secondary Audio Programming (SAP) content associated with the media content, present an SAP indicator with the media content to a user when the SAP content is detected for the media content, receive a selection of the SAP content by the user, and present the media content with the selected SAP content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) for television programming may be provided by changing a size of at least a portion of textual information to be displayed in the EPG. In embodiments, a television receiving device may include: a memory configured to store an EPG, the EPG including textual information corresponding to television programs scheduled to be broadcast; a user interface configured to receive user input; and a processor in communication with the memory and the user interface, configured to output the EPG to be displayed with at least one portion of the textual information in a first size in response to first user input received via the user interface, and configured to output the EPG to be displayed with the at least one portion of the textual information in a second size different from the first size in response to a second user input received via the user interface.

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 is a display control device including a display control unit that, when display information of one content among a plurality of contents is selected on a display screen, creates a next display screen containing display information of at least any of a plurality of contents relevant to the one content, wherein the display information contained in the next display screen is display information of contents according to a selection sequence of a plurality of display information having been selected before among the plurality of contents relevant to the one content.

Abstract: A method and system for providing listings of multimedia events and for allowing a user to create virtual channels from the listings is described. The user can specify a headend or zip code and enter a search query to find multimedia events that are of interest to the user. In response, the system provides a list of multimedia events as the results of the user's search query. If the user so desires, the user can create a virtual channel based on the search results, according to certain embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A reception apparatus includes: a reception unit configured to receive a broadcast stream at least including a data stream for data broadcasting; a first style selector configured to select a display style for each of data broadcast content acquired from the broadcast stream received by the reception unit; a second style selector configured to select, when the data broadcast content corresponding to the style selected by the first style selector corresponds to a plurality of display styles, one display style out of the plurality of display styles; and a display unit configured to display the data broadcast content corresponding to the style selected by the first style selector or the second style selector.

Abstract: A content listing may provide a listing of content items a variety of ways including using 3-D images, alphanumeric text, and video data. Viewers and/or programmers may be allowed to select between varying display environment. In addition, non-content listing objects, such as interaction objects, may be conflated with the presentation of the display environment and with the content listing information.

Abstract: A method and a device for presenting a video navigating interface, a displaying device and a computer programming product are provided, the method includes: providing a video navigating interface; obtaining a plurality of video information of a plurality of online videos corresponding to a searching condition, wherein each of the video information includes a plurality of quantitative information; generating a plurality of video blocks according to the video information; retrieving at least two quantitative information from the quantitative information of each video information; adjusting the order of the video blocks and the width of each video block according to the retrieved quantitative information, to generate a video block sequence; and presenting the video block sequence in the video navigating interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides.

Abstract: Reproduction of digital data using a fallback mechanism is disclosed. The digital data can be reproduced in a first mode and in an at least second mode, the operability of a selected mode is monitored and in a situation of failure, a switching between the mode in which a failure is detected to a mode which is operable can be made, so that least some functionality is ensured. An apparatus is disclosed, the apparatus being operable in a first mode where the digital data is accessed in a first format, and the apparatus being operable in an at least second mode where the digital data is accessed in at least a second format. Also a system, a method, a computer readable code and a data stream are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving video content at a mobile device, utilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of an area of attention in an image of the video content based on a desired display resolution, utilizing the mobile device for adjusting dimensions of a peripheral portion that surrounds the area of attention, and replacing the image with the adjusted image during presentation of the video content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A novel electronic program guide (EPG) based method and system for the distribution and display of programs enables the system service provider to determine which program a subscriber will initially see upon power-up of the subscriber's television receiver. The service provider maintains one or more Initial Program Display Tables that list information about programs to be displayed upon power-up of subscribers' receivers, from highest to least priority. The Initial Program Display Table or Tables are periodically transmitted to all subscribers and stored by the subscribers' set-top boxes. Upon power-up of a subscriber's receiver, the set-top box will attempt to cause the receiver to immediately display the highest ranked program from the Initial Program Display Table. The service provider controls which programs are displayed upon initial power-up and the ranking of programs in the case where there is difficulty displaying the highest ranked program.

Abstract: A system receives a plurality of streaming videos from a plurality of providers of television channels. Each television channel provider delivers a respective streaming video. The television channel content delivering process creates a thumbnail image representation of the content for each of the streaming videos of each television channel. The thumbnail image representation is a sill picture taken from the video stream. The television channel content delivering process then transmits the thumbnail image representation to a device capable of rendering the thumbnail image representation, and renders the thumbnail image representation on the device. The thumbnail image is representation temporarily rendered in place of the streaming video.

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: Provided is a display device including a display mode controller for controlling a screen transition to a whole screen display mode for displaying an image in an entire screen of a display section, a multiple content display mode for displaying, on the screen, a plurality of thumbnail images related to contents, or a panel display mode for displaying, on the screen, a panel on which information related to the contents is displayed, and a panel shape determination section for determining a shape of the panel based on the contents to be displayed on the panel.

Abstract: The present invention relates an interactive media guidance application that provides channel groups. Channel groups may include media channels, such as television channels, radio stations, Internet web sites, etc. Channel groups may be organized around a common characteristic, by utilizing user profile information, and by human editorial selection (e.g., by a service provider or by a user). The guidance application provides information on the channel groups, including media listings, reminders, pending and completed recordings, purchased programs, and previously accessed programs for the channel group. The guidance application enables the user to focus a guidance application function on the channel group. In response to a user initiation to execute the function on the channel group, the function may be executed on all the media channels belonging to the channel group.

Abstract: Exemplary program guide interface systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a mobile device presenting a program guide interface by way of a touch screen, detecting a pinch gesture provided in relation to the program guide interface, and presenting, in response to the pinch gesture, a plurality of graphical objects representative of a plurality of media programming channel groups. Corresponding methods, systems, and devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, including receiving, at a computing device, a request from a user to display descriptors of media programming content for a time period; identifying people associated with the user employing information stored in a computer database, and identifying time-associated media programs electronically scheduled on behalf of the identified people; and providing for display, to the user, the descriptions of the identified people and of the time-associated media programs.

Abstract: A method for providing broadcast service includes: (a) receiving schedule information for a multiple number of broadcast programs from a headend; (b) outputting a program selected by a user as a full screen; and (c) outputting a program navigation page by using the schedule information of the multiple broadcast programs if a pre-designated hand motion is detected. The program navigation page includes one of a category list page and a program list page, the category list page containing categories grouped according to use time, and the program list page containing programs belonging to each category. Depths are assigned in the order of the category list page, the program list page, and the A/V page, from higher to lower depths. A movement from a higher to a lower depth and a movement from a lower to a higher depth are performed via hand motions having different directionalities.

Abstract: Meta-channels identify content entries and indicate an order with which to experience the content entries. The meta-channels may include a multi-source meta-channel that includes at least a first content entry that relates to first content broadcast by a first content provider at a specific time and a second content entry that relates to second content made available, over a network, by a second content provider in response to user requests. A selection of a meta-channel is received and the selection of the meta-channel is mapped to a content entry defined by the selected meta-channel. A media system is controlled to render content based on a content entry mapped to by the selected meta-channel.

Abstract: Techniques are described that permit the flexible introduction of branding elements into or around video rendered by a media player. One or more sets of metadata related to the presentation of branding elements may be collected, and then one or more sets of the metadata may be selected based on business rules when the media player requests a particular piece of content. The selected metadata may indicate what branding element is to be displayed, and how it is to be displayed (e.g., position of element in video rendering window). The media player is then instructed based on the metadata to access and appropriately place the branding elements in or outside of the video rendering window (e.g., overlayed on top of the video content).

Abstract: A method of providing a user interface in a data broadcasting receiver is provided. The method of providing a user interface in a data broadcasting receiver comprises selecting one of a plurality of search factor information transmitted together with video information through data broadcasting and displaying selection options for selecting one of a plurality of video information comprising a part of the video information corresponding to the selected search factor. Therefore, the user can simply search for various information while viewing a movie, a TV program, a sports, etc provided through data broadcasting.

Abstract: A remote control device is operative to enable and facilitate user control of video systems that are operative to provide one or more three-dimensional (3D) viewing effects. According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control device includes a user input terminal having an input element operative to receive user inputs to adjust at least one of a volume setting and a channel setting of a video system, and further operative to receive user inputs to adjust a three-dimensional (3-D) viewing effect of the video system. A transmitter is operative to transmit control signals to the video system in response to the user inputs.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for identifying importance of scenes or moments in video content relative to one another. Closed captioning data is extracted from a video content feature. A textual analysis of the closed captioning data is performed. The importance level of scenes can be ranked with respect to one another.

Abstract: Techniques for video encoding and decoding a common guide media logic channel (MLC) to enable fast acquisition and re/synchronization of the video stream while preserving compression efficiency are provided. Systems and methods to process multimedia data using channel switch frames are presented. The system comprises an encoder operative to generate a common guide media logical channel (MLC) of a plurality of channel switch frames (CSFs), each respective active channel having one or more CSFs in the guide MLC. The decoder in the system is operative to decode a set of the plurality of CSFs from the guide MLC. The decoder simultaneously displays programming content of the decoded set of the plurality of CSFs on a display and automatically switches to a primary bitstream of an active channel associated with a selected one displayed CSF.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for graphically providing customer service features on a set top box (STB) or other television receiver in response to viewer instructions received from a remote control. Imagery including a customer service tile is presented on the display. A two-dimensional input is received from the remote control that indicates that the tile has been selected, and, in response to the received two-dimensional input, the customer service feature is provided. The customer service feature may provide information received from a remote source via a network, programming connection or other medium.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) capable of displaying DBS program information and NTSC program information seamlessly and in real-time on a display device is accomplished, in one form, by a wide-band data link between a DBS receiver adapted to receive a DBS broadcast data stream and an internet set-top unit, the internet set-top unit adapted to receive NTSC audio/video signals and internet data/information. In another form, the DBS receiver is controlled by the internet set-top box. Supplemental information transmittable on the DBS data stream may also be displayed on the display device.

Abstract: Content from a source, such as the Internet, may be displayed on a window on a television, such as a crawl screen, closed caption area, or picture-in-picture (PIP) area. This may allow a user to watch television and view both television content and Internet content simultaneously without the need to access another device, such as a laptop computer, personal digital assistant, or the like. For example, a user may connect a data processing system, such as a computer, to a video control module, e.g., digital video recorder (DVR) or other box used to control a television. The user may then access a tool bar, for example, provided with an Internet browser that runs on the data processing system to identify portions of one or more Web sites to be displayed on the television through the video control module. The video control module may also be configured to allow the user to interact with the Internet content displayed on the television through use of the television remote, for example.

Abstract: A method of providing recommendations related to a service is disclosed and includes receiving data from a device associated with a service subscriber, the data identifying an individual. The method also includes creating a personalization profile associated with the service subscriber. The personalization profile is populated with information included in a profile of the identified individual. The method further includes providing at least one recommendation based on the personalization profile of the service subscriber.

Abstract: Content monitoring and control technology, in which content download activity, content playing activity, and/or remote control activity of a media system is monitored. Data descriptive of use of the media system is tracked based on the monitoring of the content download activity, the content playing activity, and/or the remote control activity. One or more operations are performed based on the tracked data descriptive of use of the media system.

Abstract: Predicting user-interest in particular media content. Data associated with scheduled program recording timers may be accumulated across accessible subscribing customers of a particular television provider. A ranking parameter may be assigned to particular programs associated with particular ones of the scheduled program recording timers. A list may be presented itemizing particular programs based on assigned ranking values.

Abstract: The technology is a system and method for displaying a non-grid electronic program guide. Available television channels and episodes are identified in a program guide database. The available television channels are displayed in a first window of the guide. The television series associated with the available episodes are displayed in a second window of the guide. In response to selecting one of the available television channels, the available television episodes are narrowed to the television series that air on the selected television channel. In response to the selection of one of the television series, episodes of the selected television series are displayed in a third window of the guide. Selecting an episode displays the episode information in a fourth window of the guide.

Abstract: A digital receiver and method of controlling the same are provided. An embodiment of the method of providing service data in a digital receiver includes transmitting device information including information about a country and a receiver type to a server; receiving a group identifier, ID, in accordance with the device information from the server; transmitting a service list including the received group ID and first service data to the server at a first interval; and receiving second service data from the server, configuring a service guide, and providing the service guide.

Abstract: A program guide in which a video layer includes a plurality of video objects including title objects, each title object having associated with it a channel and at least one time slot, the video layer being formed in response to a received video stream; and a graphics layer comprising a plurality of graphics objects including title overlay objects, each of the title overlay objects selectively imparting at least a visual de-emphasis to a respective title object in the video layer, the visual de-emphasis being imparted to title objects not being associated with a desired time slot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for accessing services in a television system. In one implementation, a DHCT presents a user a menu containing a plurality of selectable link representations corresponding to separate services or applications offered by the cable television system. The user navigates the menu with a remote device and selects a desired service by choosing the selectable link representation corresponding to the desired service or application. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selectable link command into an executable call, and activates the service or application corresponding to the selected link representation from the menu chosen by the user.

Abstract: A method includes receiving data associated with a plurality of multimedia channels. The data includes a multimedia channel numbering set. The method includes presenting the data at a display device communicatively coupled to the set-top box device via an electronic programming guide that includes an option to customize the electronic programming guide by genre. The method includes receiving a selection of one or more genres and a particular multimedia content source. The method includes automatically replacing the multimedia channel numbering set with a renumbered multimedia channel numbering set. Multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with the particular multimedia content source are assigned a lower channel number in the renumbered multimedia channel numbering set than other multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with other multimedia content sources.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a system and method for providing a program guide for past programming comprising receiving a user command to retrieve program data, retrieving the program data from a data source, and outputting, to a display device, the program data in response to receiving the user command. The program data may comprise information relating to previously-aired programming.