Abstract: The present disclosure provides a channel classification method and device. The method comprising: receiving preset channel tags and content information of channels; the content information includes program contents that individual channels broadcast in periods of time or program content tags corresponding to included non-live contents; classifying the current individual channels according to the channel tags and generating first classification items; determining a program content tag corresponding to the program content or the non-live content that is currently being broadcasted, respectively, according to the program content or the non-live content that is currently being broadcasted by the channels; and classifying the channels according to the program content tag corresponding to the program content or the non-live content that is currently being broadcasted and generating second classification items.

Abstract: A mobile device is coupled to a computer system configured to access media content sources and play media content items provided thereby on a media device. The mobile device receives a first control specification that includes a plurality of first information items each associated with one of the media content sources and a first action definition. The first information items are concurrently displayed on a remote control user interface of the mobile device. In accordance with a selection of one of the first information items corresponding to a first content source, the mobile device transmits a command of a first action definition corresponding to the selected first information item to the computer system, and receives a second control specification that includes a plurality of second information items. Each second information item is associated with a respective content item provided by the first content source and a second action definition.

Abstract: An interactive video distribution system can distribute video content to customer premises of a service provide. Content servers store video content items received from content providers. A content management server maintains a content index including content metadata describing the video content items. A request for content is received from customer premises equipment of a customer premises via a content distribution network. An iterative matching process is performed to match the request with content metadata in the content index to identify a matching video content item to deliver to the customer premises equipment in response to the request.

Abstract: A system for facilitating access to items of content presents recommendations to a user. Items of content may include movies and television shows. Recommendations may include access plans specifying a plurality of digital media services, where each specified digital media service provides availability to items of content included in a user defined set. Further, recommendations may be based on one or more use defined constraints. User defined constraints may include a user budget for accessing items of content during a specific time period.

Abstract: In a graphical user interface, when a cursor is positioned over an icon or link associated with a target, the appearance of the cursor changes to present information describing or related to the target. Such information can include, for example, an excerpt of the contents of the target, and/or meta-data for the target, and/or an indication of what application or applications may be used to open the target. The information presented in the cursor can be shown in graphical form or in text form, or in a combination of both.

Abstract: A method and system of providing access to television programs without requiring a user to operate an electronic programming guide or to independently determine information required to access the television program. Optionally, access to the television program may be facilitated by scheduling a recording of the televisions program or providing instructions to facilitate accessing an on-demand showing of the television program.

Abstract: A user device and method comprises a screen display and a user interface. A display control module defines a first display area with a first boundary therearound and displaying a first category indicator for a first category therein. The display control module defines a second display area with a second boundary and displays a second category indicator for a second category therein. A gesture control module receives a movement signal from the user interface for moving the first display area relative to the second display area using a user interface. The display control module defines a third boundary around a third display area representing the first category and the second category when the first boundary and the second boundary touch or overlap and displays the first category indicator and the second category indicator within the third boundary. When the third display area is selected, a function may be performed.

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 that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television system having a controller to create a template defining a format of presentation of an webpage or HTML page using an iTV or IPTV application system, receive a request for the page from a subscriber of the iTV or IPTV system. The system can access application system subscriber data for the subscriber and a presentation of the page is dynamically adapted according to the application system subscriber data. In one alternative at, the page can be dynamically adapted by changing in content or by changing a look and feel of an HTML page or webpage. In another alternative, the webpage or HTML page can be dynamically adapted by modifying graphic user interface elements based on the application system subscriber data. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method transmitting a video program having an initial video quality and information related to the video program to multiple devices having an initial information quality is disclosed.

Abstract: A system for facilitating access to items of content presents recommendations to a user. Items of content may include movies and television shows. Recommendations may include access plans specifying a plurality of digital media services, where each specified digital media service provides availability to items of content included in a user defined set. Further, recommendations may be based on one or more use defined constraints. User defined constraints may include a user budget for accessing items of content during a specific time period.

Abstract: System, computer implemented process and computer program product for managing media content among a plurality of devices which includes the exchange of device status data among two or more devices. The exchanged device status data includes individual device capabilities and indicia of available media content stored within each of the devices. Each device determines from the exchanged device status data whether any differences exist in available media content stored among the plurality of devices and also whether any of the determined differences in media content will require transcoding to compatible data formats. Once the determinations have been completed, synchronizing and optionally transcoding of the available media content is performed based on the determinations made from the exchanged device status data. Any required transcoding may be performed either before or after media content synchronizing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a transmission apparatus for distributing a content to a client, including: a question generation section configured to generate question information representative of a question regarding liking of a user of the client; and a transmission section configured to transmit the question information and provider side answer information in the form of a bit string representative of an answer set by a provider which provides the content to the question regarding the liking of the user to the client.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television system having a controller to create a template defining a format of presentation of an webpage or HTML page using an iTV or IPTV application system, receive a request for the page from a subscriber of the iTV or IPTV system. The system can access application system subscriber data for the subscriber and a presentation of the page is dynamically adapted according to the application system subscriber data. In one alternative at, the page can be dynamically adapted by changing in content or by changing a look and feel of an HTML page or webpage. In another alternative, the webpage or HTML page can be dynamically adapted by modifying graphic user interface elements based on the application system subscriber data. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a method of controlling the display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes: an image processor configured to process an image of a predetermined content; a display configured to display the processed image of the content; a communicator configured to communicate with a remote controller configured to receive a user command and display information related to the content; and a controller configured to control the display to display the image of the content in accordance with the received user command, store information related to a use history that the user has used the content, and transmit information to the remote controller related to the stored use history of the user so that the information related to the content can be displayed on the remote controller based on the use history of the user.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service provider system 1) generating, based on a first set of most-accessed media programs of a first media distribution model of a media service and a second set of most-accessed media programs of a second media distribution model of the media service, data representative of a merged set of most-accessed media programs that includes at least one media program from the first set of most-accessed media programs and at least one media program from the second set of most-accessed media programs and 2) providing, for display, user interface content representing the merged set of most-accessed media programs. In the method, the first media distribution model includes a digital media distribution model that utilizes a digital media distribution channel, and the second media distribution model includes a physical media distribution model that utilizes a physical media distribution channel.

Abstract: An exemplary computer-implemented media service system detects an input command provided by a user to initiate a viewing session by way of a display screen in communication with a media content processing device that operates in accordance with a media service, identifies a context within which the input command is provided by the user, selects, based on the identified context, a media program available by way of the media service and that is potentially of interest to the user, and directs the media content processing device to present the media program by way of the display screen when the viewing session begins in response to the input command. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method for recommending premium on-demand multimedia content based on event information is provided. The method includes (i) obtaining the event information associated with a time period, (ii) mapping the event information with structured metadata associated with a plurality of premium on-demand multimedia content, (iii) generating a recommendation for at least one matching premium on-demand multimedia content based on the event information and a structured metadata associated with the at least one matching premium on-demand multimedia content. The time period includes a current time during which an event is trending. A metadata associated with at least one premium multimedia content corresponds to the event information.

Abstract: A method for implementing user scoring by utilizing a program service guide includes: a service guide server transmitting to a terminal a program service guide embedded with a scoring function; and the terminal submitting user scoring information to the service guide server. The present application further discloses a system for implementing user scoring by utilizing a program service guide. The above scheme embeds a scoring function into the program service guide, which increases the interaction between mobile TV users and operators, and enables a user to rate a channel, a program etc. by utilizing the program service guide, thus improving user experience.

Abstract: The invention discloses an audio signal processing apparatus and method and a monitoring system. The audio signal processing apparatus includes: a window dividing unit for sequentially reading an inputted audio signal using a sliding window; an energy calculating unit for calculating energy of each frame of the audio signal in each window; a segmenting unit for segmenting, according to distribution of the energy of each frame of the audio signal in each window, the audio signal in the window into multiple segments, such that each segment includes successive frames with approximate energies; a classifying unit for classifying the audio signal in each segment using at least one sound model; and a recognizing unit for recognizing a sound class of the audio signal in each segment according to a result of the classifying by the classifying unit.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television system having a controller to create a template defining a format of presentation of an webpage or HTML page using an iTV or IPTV application system, receive a request for the page from a subscriber of the iTV or IPTV system. The system can access application system subscriber data for the subscriber and a presentation of the page is dynamically adapted according to the application system subscriber data. In one alternative at, the page can be dynamically adapted by changing in content or by changing a look and feel of an HTML page or webpage. In another alternative, the webpage or HTML page can be dynamically adapted by modifying graphic user interface elements based on the application system subscriber data. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A video media viewport/window may be progressively scaled and/or repositioned based on sequential navigational commands received via an input device. A process may include presenting video media within a viewing window that substantially spans an area of the display, and receiving, during playback of the video media, a plurality of sequential user input commands via an input device that indicate a navigational command in a first direction. In response to receiving the sequential user input commands, the system may progressively scale the viewing window to increasingly smaller size viewing windows, position the smaller size viewing windows a distance from a center of the display relative to the direction of the received navigational commands, and present one or more interactive elements outside of the smaller size viewing windows.

Abstract: Index channel technology, in which input to display an index channel is received from a user identity and an index channel definition for the user identity is accessed. The index channel definition defines a sequence of content preview files for content files organized within channels. Display of the index channel is controlled by displaying the content preview files in the sequence defined by the accessed index channel definition and, during display of the content preview files in the sequence defined by the accessed index channel definition, a selection is received to view a content file that corresponds to a content preview file being displayed in accordance with the accessed index channel definition. Display of the content file is controlled and display of the index channel is returned at a position within the sequence of content preview files that corresponds to the received selection.

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.

Abstract: A system includes a content processing system receiving row ad metadata for a row ad, communicating the row ad to a user device and communicating program guide information to a user device. The program guide information defines a plurality of rows. The user device populates a row from the plurality of rows in response to the metadata and displays the row ad and the program guide on a display associated with the user device.

Abstract: There is provided a content server which stores a content and provides the stored content to a terminal including: a content information storage portion which stores information relating to the content to be provided to the terminal; a terminal history storage portion which stores the history of each of the terminal; a terminal control information generating portion which generates control information to the terminal to which the content is to be provided based on information stored in the content information storage portion and the terminal history storage portion; and a terminal control portion which controls the content to be provided to the terminal based on the information generated by the terminal control information generating portion.

Abstract: A method includes displaying content on a television, detecting a personal display device in proximity of the television, detecting a selection of content displayed on the television, detecting an instruction associated with the selection, displaying, based on the instruction, information associated with the selection on the personal display device and displaying on the television an alert indicating that the information associated with the selection is on the personal display device.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. Program guide display elements are arranged and styled using markup language documents. These markup language documents may also indicate and select program guide functions. The program guide interprets the markup language documents and generates the display screens and program guide functionality without user intervention. The program guide may also be updated by supplying new markup language documents that modify display screens and program guide functionality. The markup language documents may be supplied by a main facility or a television distribution facility.

Abstract: A system and method for aggregating subscriber information at a delivery edge is disclosed. The method comprises interfacing a user profile aggregation device (UPAD) at a subscriber location with at least one subscriber database in each of a wired network core and a wireless network core. The wired network core and the wireless network core are operated by a Multi-System network Operator. Profile information can be aggregated at the UPAD about the subscriber from at least one database in the wired network core and the wireless network core. The subscriber's aggregated profile information can be communicated to the MSO.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are described for conserving energy in an entertainment system. An entertainment device tracks usage patterns of a user over time while outputting presentation content and utilizes the collected information to determine whether to automatically enter a low power mode state at appropriate times.

Abstract: Techniques for displaying graphical representations of contacts are described. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a group of graphical representations of contacts is displayed at a first size in a display region. In response to a selection of a subgroup of the graphical representations, the subgroup of graphical representations is automatically resized to fit in the display region at a second size.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for displaying an electronic program guide in a 3D rendered landscape. Program blocks, each having a channel and a program time, are displayed as vertical blocks within the 3D rendered landscape. Channel information blocks are also displayed, one for each distinct channel of the program blocks. The EPG may be perused by navigating within the 3D rendered landscape. Flags are provided for highlighting program blocks which satisfy a user-specified criterion, such as favorite show. Perspective within the 3D rendered landscape allows many program blocks to be displayed, with program blocks for farther channels being compressed. The flags allow a user to see that there is a program of interest in the distance, and to navigate towards the associated program block in order to obtain further details.

Abstract: In a broadband communications system, e.g., a cable system, programming content can be readily reserved and accessed for viewing using an interactive program guide, a network home graphic user interface (GUI), Quick View Guide, etc., in accordance with the invention. Such programming content may include in-progress programs, future programs and previously broadcast programs which are recorded at a headend in the cable system, and which may or may not have overlapping broadcast times. In addition, the user may reserve programs at a set-top terminal, and may also do so remotely from the terminal through a communications network such as, the Internet, a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a wireless telephone network, etc.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to expert modeling in a KM system and provide method, system and computer program product for organically ranked knowledge and categorization for a KM system. In one embodiment of the invention, a method for organically ranked knowledge and categorization in a KM system can be provided. The method can include bookmarking answer content for a first end user of the knowledge management system, suggesting a set of categories previously associated with the answer content by other end users of the knowledge management system, and categorizing the bookmarked answer content with a category selected from the set of categories.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide and/or utilize a system, device, and/or method for managing changes to data, such as a method that includes transmitting a change to a static object (SO1) by means of a change object (SO*) in a data distribution service that communicates a plurality of static objects (SO1, . . . , SO5) via a carousel transmission (KUE) and real time data (RD) via a streaming transmission (SUE), wherein the change object (SO*) is formed on the basis of at least one information item (I*) to be changed and on the basis of at least one change rule (R*) specifying a procedure for carrying out the change, and the change object (SO*) is communicated via the streaming transmission (SUE).

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate generation, distribution, and presentation of category-based predefined channel lists. In one embodiment, an electronic program guide (“EPG”) manager is provided for execution on a receiving device, such as a set-top box. The EPG manager receives from a program distributor a predefined channel list that includes multiple channels that carry related programming. The channel list includes an associated category and indicators of the multiple channels, the multiple channels each carrying at least some programming in the associated category. The EPG manager presents to a user at least some of the multiple channels in an electronic program guide. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service provider system 1) providing an end user of an integrated media service with access to a media program by way of a plurality of different media distribution models, 2) maintaining a catalog that includes comprehensive information about the media program, the comprehensive information being an aggregate of non-redundant information about the media program obtained from a plurality of independent source catalogs corresponding to the plurality of different media distribution models, and 3) providing, based on the comprehensive information included in the catalog, a media service user interface that supports discovery of the comprehensive information about the media program regardless of a user interface context from which a user request for information about the media program is received. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

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: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for generating an enhanced programming guide. Programming events are associated as packages of programming. The programming guide is generated as a programming grid of cells. The programming grid lists a wrapper associated with each package and each package's associated events. The wrapper surrounds all the cells in the programming grid that are associated with the events for each package.

Abstract: A video service provider system may include one or more devices. The one or more device may receive thumbnails of programs that are currently airing on a group of television channels and match the received thumbnails with metadata. The metadata may include information relating to at least one of the television channels or the programs. The one or more devices may further provide, to a remote device, a set of thumbnails, of the captured thumbnails, and the metadata matching the set of thumbnails. The remote device may make the set of thumbnails and the metadata available to a user.

Abstract: A displayed matrix having a menu of presentation genres and an opposing menu of ranking systems prioritizing each genre according to the values of a set of parameters. A viewer is enabled to select at least one genre from the menu and the viewer is also enabled to select at least one ranking system. Selections are correlated to generate a set of proposed presentations prioritized in accordance with the parameter values of a selected ranking system and displayed as a tag cloud wherein each of the proposed presentations is visually distinguished according to the priority ranking of the proposed television program presentation.

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: 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: 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 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: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing enhanced entertainment data. For instance, in one embodiment, a computer implemented method for providing enhanced entertainment data includes receiving a request for additional information related to a selected show and displaying the additional information, which includes a list of selectable merchandise associated with the selected show, in response to the request. In one embodiment, the method presents information related to a selected merchandise and an option for a user to purchase the selected merchandise. The method may further include retrieving a billing address associated with a subscriber account associated with the user in response to receiving a purchase request for the selected merchandise and placing an order for the selected merchandise using the billing address. The method may also include billing the order as part of a monthly service charge to the user.

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: 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: Provided is a method and system for displaying video streams, including receiving video data from a plurality of video stream by a frame controller in communication with a television display including a first picture and a second picture, and also receiving a television program summary list. The television program summary list includes television program data corresponding to the received video streams, and displaying the television program summary list in the second picture, and allowing the selection of a program from the television program summary list by a consumer, and displaying the selected video stream in the first picture.

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.