Abstract: A program information retrieval system in which a broadcast receiving terminal and a resolver server are connected through a communication network includes a local storing unit that stores a program information, a taste-information acquiring unit that acquires taste information of a user, a program-information requesting unit that requests the resolver server to provide program information, and a program-information receiving unit that receives the program information transmitted from the resolver server.

Abstract: A styleswitcher displayed in a graphical user interface allowing a user to transform the appearance of the graphical user interface with one-click access. The styleswitcher captures viewing settings previously selected and saved by the user. By clicking on an available styleswitcher, the user causes the entire graphical user interface to refresh and display in viewing settings corresponding to the selected styleswitcher.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: There is provided according to an embodiment, a digital television (DTV) data stream containing a program and system information protocol (PSIP) table associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP table comprising a descriptor which comprises: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: Disclosed is a type of meta data structure that provides data and/or or a link to such data that is used by an EPG generator in a DTV receiver to display visually-compelling information about an event. Such information can include: an icon associated with the broadcaster of the event and/or the source of the event; a graphic representing a rating of potentially-objectionable content in the event; a still image representative of or having a relation to the event; a video excerpt of or having a relation to the event; an advertisement related to the event, its broadcaster and/or its source; etc.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor; a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting TV channels to a viewer is provided. One or more channel lists are generated based on selection criteria. The channel shuffle scanning is performed by presenting per channel content to a viewer from a channel list, for user viewing within a pre-selected period of time until the viewer picks a channel.

Abstract: Annotation techniques are provided. In one aspect, a method for processing a computer-based material is provided. The method comprises the following steps. The computer-based material is presented. One or more portions of the computer-based material are determined to be of interest to a user. The one or more portions are annotated to permit return to the one or more portions at a later time. In another aspect, a user interface is provided. The user interface comprises a computer-based material; a viewing focal area encompassing a portion of the computer-based material; and one or more indicia associated with and annotating the portion of the computer-based material.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: The present application describes systems and methods for creating customized media channels. A method of the invention according to some embodiments includes: (a) transmitting to a user device information comprising a list of music genres; receiving from the user device a message indicating that a user selected one of the listed genres and including an identifier identifying the selected genre; selecting one or more media content items in response to receiving the message, wherein the selection is based, at least in part, on (i) the genre selected by the user and (ii) profile information associated with a user identifier input by the user and/or a device identifier associated with the device; and transmitting the selected media content items to the device.

Abstract: Genre or theme assignment data (104) for a program in a digital television or other data transmission is recovered by a receiver (100) and mapped to a genre in a standardized genre assignment schedule (240). A country associated with the transmission is identified, such as by obtaining a country code (105) from the digital data transmission, or via a receiver setting. A genre assignment schedule is identified based on the country. Data, such as user nibbles (220) or standard content nibbles (230), is obtained from the transmission to identify the original genre and assign the program to a corresponding standardized genre.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes a receiving unit configured to receive image data of program content and genre information relating to the program content, a selection unit configured to select a size selection parameter for causing the genre information received by the receiving unit to be reflected in a block size, a determination unit configured to determine a block size in accordance with the size selection parameter selected by the selection unit, the block size being used for orthogonal transformation, and an orthogonal transformation unit configured to perform orthogonal transformation on the image data received by the receiving unit at the block size determined by the determination unit.

Abstract: As television programs increases, it becomes necessary to find means for rapidly accessing the users' preferred programs. Furthermore, television programs are addressed to different types of users such as children and adults. The proposed system processes a program grid comprising at a higher level the whole information on programs and at a lower level, information specific to a users group as well as parameters defining a user profile. The parameters are divided into several sets of parameters, each set corresponding to a filter layer allowing selecting a category or categories of required information. The first layer, defining a global restrictive filter, is defined by an administrator of the system and the following layers, defining a filter specific to a users group and containing filtering short commands, are defined by at least one member of the users group.

Abstract: A video decoder system collates program guide information acquired from a variety of local and remote sources. Program guide information is received from a first source and a selectable program guide menu icon is displayed. A category of program guide information items from the first source is collated by a display attribute in response to selection of the menu icon and the collated program guide information items are displayed. The display attribute allocated to the category of program guide information items is common to both the category of items and to the menu icon. Codes identifying program categories may be converted to other codes using equivalence mapping information for classifying programs according to a master set of program categories. Composite program map information may be formed including new data identifiers allocated to program guide information items for use in retrieving the items from a second source.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for displaying electronic program guide (EPG) content for a plurality of programs, the method including: receiving the EPG content for the plurality of programs; and displaying tags associated with the received EPG content in a tag cloud.

Abstract: A system may provide a video program or information associated with the video program on a video display device, and provide an interactive content icon on the video display device. The interactive content icon may indicate that interactive content is available for the video program.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

Abstract: In a broadcasting receiver according to one implementation of this document, a method for providing information comprises displaying items to be included in a menu by arranging the items based on preference information managed by the broadcasting receiver; and, if a predetermined item is selected from the displayed menu, displaying sub-items to be included in a menu associated with the selected item by arranging the items based on the preference information or displaying a program list associated with the selected item. The preference information can comprise information categorized into multiple steps, information at each step can comprise more than one item, and each item of information at each step can store the number of reproduction of the program related to the corresponding item in an associated manner. Based on the number of reproduction, display order of items to be included in the corresponding menu can be changed.

Abstract: A navigation interface display system generates a navigation element that organizes television programming data in an easy-to-use manner. The navigation element employs a hierarchical display protocol for a plurality of selection items that represent the various television programs, channels, and/or networks. The hierarchical display scheme displays a limited number of active selection items at a first magnification level and additional active selection items at a second magnification level. In addition, the selection items are displayed on distinctive areas or features of the navigation element, where such features represent different content genres or categories. Subcategories can also be displayed in a hierarchical manner, thus providing additional information related to the content as the magnification level of the navigation element changes.

Abstract: A method of recommending local and remote content, comprising: receiving, at a television apparatus, a first set of content items and linking information linking each of the content items of the first set to a respective subset of the first set; providing a second set of further content items, the content items of the second set being locally available at the television apparatus; and determining for each content item in a unified set including the first and second sets further linking information linking the content item to a further subset from the unified set; wherein for a certain content item of the first set, the further subset is determined by adding content items of the second set to the respective subset of the certain content item, the content items added being determined by comparing meta data associated with the certain content item with meta data respectively associated with all content items of the second set.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a storage unit configured to store one or a plurality of content playlists; a virtual playlist generating unit configured to generate a virtual playlist of the content and stored in the storage unit in a manner correlated with the content; a reception unit configured to receive user instructions; an editing unit configured to, in the event of receiving editing instructions as to the content, subject the virtual playlist to editing processing following the editing instructions; and a title display control unit configured to, in the event of receiving a title display instruction for displaying the title of the content on a predetermined display unit, displaying the title of the content based on the virtual playlist which has been subjected to the editing processing by the editing unit.

Abstract: A unique session identifier may be utilized to announce the availability of an electronic programming guide to users of an enhanced television distribution system. In some embodiments, the unique session identifier may be utilized in a variety of systems to provide a uniform way of recognizing the availability of an electronic programming guide in conjunction with enhanced television distribution systems.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a television receiver having a display to indicate a banner thereon, and a controller to adjust a position of the banner on the display. Further, the controller is capable of adjusting the position of the banner on the display according to television program information received.

Abstract: In a display device, items of information relating to specified information, which is displayed as the largest item, via a selected relation criterion, are displayed aligned on a selection axis, and items of information relating via other relation criteria are displayed aligned on non-selection axes. An item of information selected as the specified information can be sequentially changed in response to an input from up and down direction keys. The relation criteria for items of information displayed on the selection axis and the non-selection axes can be sequentially changed in response to an input from left and right direction keys. An information selection by the user is confirmed with present specified information by an input from a circle button, and a jump is made to a process according to the present specified information.

Abstract: Continuous selection graphs are described. In embodiments, a continuous selection graph can be displayed as a graphical user interface, where the continuous selection graph includes a similarity continuum to indicate media content that is progressively similar, and includes an axis of identifying criteria for the media content. The axis of identifying criteria for the media content associates the media content along the similarity continuum, where the axis of identifying criteria is displayed perpendicular to the similarity continuum.

Abstract: A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc.

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 linked information system employing evolutionary media content links is provided. In another aspect of the present invention, a media content distribution system includes selected media content accessible to remotely located users in an electronic format over a computer network. A further aspect of the present invention selects media content during the course of a human analysis based on relevance to tracked topics.

Abstract: Based on a user profile, content that is predicted to be desired by the user, including past episodes of a series that may have been missed by the user, is downloaded to the user's home system during periods of low bandwidth usage in the home system. A determination is made dynamically as to whether to provide the content from a server or a peer-to-peer network based on network attributes, file size, etc.

Abstract: A user speech interface for interactive media guidance applications, such as television program guides, guides for audio services, guides for video-on-demand (VOD) services, guides for personal video recorders (PVRs), or other suitable guidance applications is provided. Voice commands may be received from a user and guidance activities may be performed in response to the voice commands.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, apparatuses, and systems for use in controlling the display of information relative to the playback of programming content and displaying programming guide data. Some embodiments provide a method for use in controlling the display of an electronic programming guide. The method receives programming guide data, determines whether the guide data is to be filtered, filters the guide data to replace at least a first title with a generic title, determines whether limits are to be applied to the guide data, applies the limits to the programming guide data by replacing at least a second title with the generic title, and displays a programming guide according to programming guide data as filtered and as limited. Some embodiments further display progress bars for one or more active applications. Trick commands can be implemented by applications by selecting one or more of the displayed progress bars.

Abstract: A system is provided that allows a user to select a pay program for purchase from a program guide. The program guide determines whether the selected program is part of a package of pay programs. If the selected program is part of a package, information regarding the package is provided to the user so that the user may decide whether to purchase the package. If the selected program is part of several packages, information for all packages is provided. The system automatically sets reminders for packages containing repetitive programming. The system monitors whether the user has watched any of the programs in such packages. When the user watches a program from the package, the remaining reminders are cancelled. If a user does not watch any programs in a package of any type, purchase of the package is cancelled and the user is provided with the opportunity to reschedule.

Abstract: A television program guide is displayed having a station identifier portion in a first location. A determination is made as to when a user navigates in the television program guide between past programs and future programs. In response to the user navigating in the television program guide between the past programs and the future programs, the station identifier portion is changed to a second location.

Abstract: Continuous selection graphs are described. In embodiment(s), a continuous selection graph can be displayed that includes a similarity continuum to indicate media content that is progressively similar. The continuous selection graph can also include an axis of identifying criteria for the media content by which to associate the media content along the similarity continuum. Similar media content that is associated with the identifying criteria can be determined, and selectable indicators of the similar media content can be displayed to indicate a relationship between the identifying criteria and the similar media content along the similarity continuum.

Abstract: Techniques are described to provide a categorized electronic program guide, as well as other user interfaces. In an implementation, each of a plurality of representations of content that is currently available via network for consumption are grouped into a respective one of the plurality of categories. An electronic program guide is output for display such that at least one of the categories, which is not have one or more items categorized of the currently available content, is not available for display in the electronic program guide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital television system where access rights to a programme or channel are received analyzed by the decoder in determining whether to permit or prohibit full audio and visual access by the user to that programme or channel when displayed in respective windows of a mosaic formation.

Abstract: A sequence of cards representing filters is displayed along a first axis of a user interface with a single card being displayed in a focus area. The card in the focus area defines a selected object type filter, which is applied to another sequence of available options. The filtered sequence is then displayed along another (perpendicular) axis of the user interface, which only includes options corresponding to the selected option type filter.

Abstract: A system for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) to a viewer. The system includes displaying one or more data slices representative of broadcast programming to a viewer. In response to input from the viewer, the displayed number of data slices is increased, for example, from one slice to two slices. In browser mode the viewer can scroll through multiple EPG data slices without selecting to view full mode EPG, while in full mode the EPG can expand from a single column of data slices to multiple columns of data slices based upon viewer selections. The EPGs of the present invention can display programming that a viewer is more likely to watch at a particular time than other programming. A data slice representing the predicted programming can be inserted into the EPG so that the viewer can identify programming that is likely to be of interest.

Abstract: Method for retrieving online content in an interactive environment. The method is executable by a computing device. The method comprises obtaining a plurality of descriptive information elements; parsing at least some of the descriptive information elements into one or more subsets of information elements associated with respective information categories; retrieving online content for each of the one or more subsets of information elements; and causing the retrieved online content to be presented to a user.

Abstract: A method is provided for registering and displaying digital multimedia broadcasting (DMB) channels in a mobile terminal capable of receiving DMB. A selection of DMB mode is detected and electronic program guide (EPG) information is received. The received EPG information is analyzed and the analyzed received EPG information is divided into fixed program channel information and dynamic program channel information. The fixed program channel information is matched with a genre in which a fixed program channel has been registered, and a result of the matching is displayed. The dynamic program channel information is matched with a genre in which a dynamic program channel has been registered and a genre of a program currently being broadcast on the dynamic program channel, and a result of the matching is displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus includes: a display control section which controls to generate a table with days of the week allocated in one of first and second directions and time zones of a day in the other direction and displays the table on a specified display device for showing setting status of recording reservation on a specified tuner; an acquiring section which acquires first information, second information, and third information, respectively indicating a specified broadcast station, a specified day of the week, a specified time zone of a day, inputted by a user; and an setting section which makes reservation for recording the contents that the broadcasted contents specified with the first to third information acquired by the acquiring section are received by the specified tuner and the received contents are recorded as data in a specified recording medium.

Abstract: In a TV displaying thumbnails of videos grouped by genre, genre labels are shown so that a user can conveniently move genre to genre with a single click on a remote control device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products describe customizing the presentation of a content-access list. A preference for a subscriber is received, and a content database is searched for content related to the preference and for content unrelated to the preference. An option list is received including an option, and a non-preference-related option is also received. The non-preference-related option is added to the option list, and the option list is sent to the subscriber.

Abstract: The method of receiving program listing data comprises the steps of receiving program listing data, determining whether the program listing data would fit into a certain memory when stored according to a first policy and selecting a second policy for storing program listing data if the program listing data would not fit into the certain memory when stored according to the first policy, a certain field of information of at least part of the received program listing data being stored according the first policy, but not according to the second policy.

Abstract: A method of building an interactive display related to TV programs in an internet protocol television (IPTV) environment includes parsing a plurality of TV programs provided in an IPTV environment for display to a user. The step of parsing includes capturing an image in each TV program, identifying video content in each captured image, interpreting the video content, capturing audio data, identifying an audio content in each captured audio data, and interpreting the audio content for each captured audio data. The method further includes the steps of identifying a selected TV program by the user; determining a correlation level between the interpreted video and audio content of the selected TV program and the interpreted video and audio content of each of the other TV programs; determining TV programs other than the selected TV program; and building and presenting a mosaic display on a TV display including the selected TV program.

Abstract: When a digital data transmission such as a digital television transmission is received by a receiver (100), the receiver attempts to locate parental rating data for a program in the transmission for a home country or jurisdiction (105, 220) in which the receiver is located. If the home jurisdiction rating data is available, it is used to control blocking of the program (270). If the home jurisdiction rating data is not available, rating data is obtained from the transmission for a foreign jurisdiction to control blocking of the program (270). If ratings for multiple foreign jurisdictions are available, the highest, most strict rating (240), may be used to control blocking of the program.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for browsing a collection of metadata to locate media content associated with an item of metadata. The system operates by receiving a selection of an affinity from a user, wherein the affinity specifies a baseline preference of the user. Next, the system determines a value for each item of metadata in the collection of metadata that specifies how well each item of metadata fits the affinity. Finally, the system arranges the collection of metadata in a view, so that items of metadata with similar values are arranged in close proximity within the view, and so that items of metadata with dissimilar values are not arranged in close proximity within the view.

Abstract: A user interface allows for blending of television program choices from which a viewer may select, the blending representing options for linear and non-linear programming presented together within a single hierarchy of a designated category. The blending may further include managed content relevant to the designated category, where desired. Such designated categories may include television programming categories and/or content categories. The options for linear and non-linear programming may be presented together within a single screen of the user interface.