Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving an identification of a media program from a broadcast channel on an electronic program guide for inclusion in a personalized channel, adding the identified program to a personalized channel at a first time, and adding one or more additional programs to the personalized channel at times other than the first time.

Abstract: A set top box for use in interactive television systems includes a generation engine and a display engine. The generation engine automatically stores channel favorites in a channel favorites table. The generation engine may include cumulative viewing time for each channel in the table as well as the number of times each channel in the table has been viewed. The display engine, upon request, displays a list of channels in the channel favorites tables according to a viewer order preference.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide layout structures and methods for user interfaces.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and a system for constructing virtual video channels comprising video content. While playing back video content to a user comprising a number of visual aspects, s/he can select at least one of the visual aspects appearing from said played back video content. Based on the selected aspects, a virtual channel is created comprising video content or a theme relating to said selected visual aspect.

Abstract: A method and system for presenting interactive Television (iTV) interfaces is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an interactive Television (iTV) subsystem having a controller element that presents one among a plurality of selectable user interfaces (UIs) each having a selectable help menu contextually adaptable to its UI. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A broadcasting system, receiving device, and method that allows the viewer to set conditions for the display of commercials (CMs) with broadcast programs. A broadcasting device transmits the programs and CMs via separate channels. A receiving device receives the separate channels and records the CM information. The receiving device combines the recorded CM information with the programs for display in accordance with customer requirements set by the viewer. The customer requirements are also sent back to the commercial broadcasting company to adjust the CMs transmitted to the viewer and the fees charged for viewing the programs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating a user profile in indexing/browsing of multimedia data and a multimedia browsing method using the same. The multimedia data browsing method is characterized in that: (a) constructing a user profile by incorporating a user-preferred application description scheme indicating a user-preferred multimedia browsing method or browsing criterion, wherein the browsing method or browsing criterion is described in different way according to a type of the multimedia data in terms of genre; (b) analyzing the user-preferred application description scheme and selecting a relevant application for implementing a user-preferred browsing; and (c) browsing corresponding multimedia data using the selected preferred application.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for selecting a broadcast channel are provided. The apparatus includes a controller which constructs a broadcast information providing screen image such that broadcast information of each of a plurality of channels is arranged at a location corresponding to a location of each of a plurality of user input keys, based on arrangement information of at least one piece of the user input keys; a display processor which controls outputting of the broadcast information providing screen image; and a user input signal receiving unit which receives an input signal from one of the user input keys, wherein the controller selects a broadcast channel corresponding to broadcast information at a location corresponding to a location of the user input key through which the input signal is received.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention provide layout structures and methods for user interfaces.

Abstract: An entertainment head-end provides broadcast programming, video-on-demand services, and HTML-based interactive programming through a distribution network to client terminals in subscribers' homes. A number of different features are provided, including novel user interfaces, enhanced video-on-demand controls, a variety of interactive services (personalized news, jukebox, games, celebrity chat), and techniques that combine to provide user experiences evocative of conventional television.

Abstract: Within a personal computer media center, a user interface module generates graphical commands representing a user interface. A network interface then sends the graphical commands via a home network to a media center extension, where a display interface renders the graphical commands into the user interface on a television. In one configuration, the user interface includes a focus area intersected by a first axis, as well as a first sequence of cards displayed along the first axis, each card graphically representing an available option, one card being displayable within the focus area. The first sequence of cards is to be scrolled along the first axis in response to an initiating action to progressively change the card within the focus area. Furthermore, the scrolling of cards is to be halted in response to a terminating action to show a selected card from the first sequence within the focus area.

Abstract: Techniques for searching a program guide database. In accordance with a method, one or more search criteria (e.g., keywords) are received and a request for a search is then sent, along with the search criteria, to a head end of an information distribution system. In response, one or more search results are received from the head end. In this server-centric system, the program guide database is searched at the head end. The search results can be displayed on one search result IPG page (or more, if necessary) or displayed one at a time on the respective IPG page that includes the search result. Upon receiving an indication that a particular search result has been selected, one or more streams associated with the selected search result can be retrieved and decoded to recover the selected program, which can then be displayed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a broadcast program are provided. The apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a broadcast program, a user input unit that receives a folder selection signal for selecting a folder in which the broadcast program is to be stored, and a controller that controls the broadcast program to be stored in a folder that is selected in response to in the folder selection signal.

Abstract: The new zooming feature of the present invention applies to video service on mobile phones. The feature offers more interaction between the end user and the video server and it provides more interesting viewing. It has the potential to become a service differentiator for video services provided by wireless service providers. Because the bandwidth required for the streams does not change, the only complexity incurred is the control message processing and the only extra storage required is at the video server or the proxy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically displaying personalized interactive media guidance application screens based on the time of day are provided. The interactive media guidance application may monitor user interactions with the user equipment, and identify individual user profiles for different times of day. Using this information, the interactive media guidance application may partition the day into day parts, each associated with a user profile. The interactive media guidance application may also create or select a plurality of personalized interfaces or configurations for displaying media guidance information, where each interface or configuration reflects the interests of an identified user profile. When a user accesses the interactive media guidance application, the interactive media guidance application may identify the user profile associated with the current day part, and display the personalized interface or configuration associated with the identified user profile.

Abstract: A method of personalizing a broadcast channel, comprising: receiving an input from a user (110); and personalizing the broadcast channel; and transmitting the personalized broadcast channel to the user using a compressed video transport method. Preferably, computer generated information is overlaid on the channel to achieve the personalization.

Abstract: A image processing apparatus includes a storage area which stores user data related to a service information item; a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal comprising a service application; a transmitter which transmits the user data in response to the service application; and a controller which edits the user data in the storage area independently of performance of the service application if a user desires to edit the user data in the storage area.

Abstract: A content recommendation device is provided, including a selection engine selects content items from a content item pool and generates a selection list including the selected content items, wherein said selection engine selects the content items from a content item pool according to a user profile, and/or a receiving unit configured to receive a selection list selected from a content item pool according to a user profile, and a user profiling engine that a part of at least one previously generated selection. The user feedback includes explicit and implicit feedback so that a very simple explicit feedback, which gets refined by the corresponding implicit feedback, is possible.

Abstract: A method for providing television advertising includes receiving user input for selecting an advertising parameter and providing a user with an advertisement corresponding to the advertising parameter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an user profile information data structure for browsing of multimedia data and a multimedia browsing method using the same. The multimedia data browsing method is characterized in that: (a) multimedia data contains a contents description scheme for indexing/browsing based on contents; (b) an user profile includes an user preference description scheme indicating an user-preferred multimedia browsing method or browsing criterion; and (c) multimedia data is browsed by analyzing the user-preferred application description scheme for user-preferred browsing in a corresponding user profile, if the user desires multimedia browsing.

Abstract: A method, device and computer program product are provided for enabling a user to semi-automatically create a media diary or media blog associated with one or more media items consumed by the user during a given period of time. A method, apparatus, system and computer program product are further provided for distributing a corresponding media podcast that takes into consideration the network traffic, the storage space of the network entity responsible for providing access to the media podcast, the storage space of a mobile terminal associated with a party subsequently downloading the media podcast, and the fact that the entity receiving the media podcast may already have access to one or more of the media items associated with the media podcasts.

Abstract: A display has a display part displaying an image signal, an image signal processor providing the image signal to the display part, a pen sensor sensing at least two locations on a main body of the pen positioned on the display part and generating a first pen sensor signal and a second pen sensor signal, and a controller controlling the image signal processor to display the image as rotated based on the first pen sensor signal and the second pen sensor signal. The display senses an exact display direction which a user wants to use without operating a display direction converting switch and rotates the displayed image according to the sensed display direction.

Abstract: The disclosure describes techniques that enable a server to receive content submitted for delivery to a user and stream the submitted content to a receiver associated with the user. Such content may streamed along with generic, shared content. To handle streaming of received content, the server may modify a play list associated with a user to include the submitted content. The timing of content streaming may be affected by play scheduling information specified by a submitter such as a specific streaming time or a number of times to stream the content.

Abstract: In an information system, caller identification information for incoming telephone calls can be selectively displayed on displays at any of the set top box, television, remote or keyboard. Further, microphones and speakers on each of the remote control and keyboard can be used for communication on a telephone call, at the user's option, in place of a microphone on the main unit and a television speaker.

Abstract: A content editing apparatus that edits digital broadcast content that is composed of a plurality of data carousels for realizing pseudo-interaction is provided. An operation reception unit receives identification information and a transmission start time and a transmission end time of each module that constitutes a data carousel from an operator. A control unit stores the received information as module information into a module information storage unit. A data carousel definition unit sorts each transmission start time and transmission end time included in the module information, defines a carousel time period of each data carousel based on the sorted times, and selects modules to be transmitted during each carousel time period.

Abstract: A user interface for multimedia centers advantageously utilizes hand-held inertial-sensing user input devices to select channels and quickly navigate the dense menus of options. Extensive use of the high resolution and bandwidth of such user input devices is combined with strategies to avoid unintentional inputs and with dense and intuitive interactive graphical displays.

Abstract: A method for displaying on a viewer information processing system with an interface to a display (a device for rendering audio and video), a set of multimedia segments to form a multimedia presentation. The method comprising the steps of receiving the play-list, wherein the play-list is a list of instructions for rendering each of the multimedia segments, and the sequence of the multimedia segments in the play-list is directed by the provider of the presentation; receiving multimedia segments and rendering the multimedia segments received based on the play-list. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an information processing system and computer readable storage medium is disclosed for carrying out the above method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing for expanded search functionality in an electronic program guide (EPG) for television is described. The expanded search function finds show titles that are the same or similar to the show title of the program data currently displayed by the EPG. The expanded search function also finds shows similar to the one currently displayed by the EPG by using additional search elements based on the descriptive part of the EPG program data, such as actors, director, genre, etc., as well as search parameters based on the show time, channel, etc. Rather than only finding exact matches, the expanded search function uses fuzzy logic to find near matches and prioritizes the results according to the search elements and parameters as specified by the viewer.

Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) for an interactive video casting network can be provided that is capable of being customized per element or as a scene of one channel or universally on all channels. For example, a user can select a desired appearance (e.g., a skin or schema) of individual elements related to a channel, such as scroll bars, backgrounds, icons, GIFs, menus, and the like. Alternatively or in addition, a user may choose to customize the appearance of items/elements such as graphical overlays, pop-up screens, trigger indicators, buttons, interactive applications, web pages, and the like. Non-exhaustive and non-limiting examples of skin themes may include, space, travel, animals, architecture, cartoons, etc. The skins may include settings related to shapes, color and pattern schemes, graphics, animation, and other variations.

Abstract: A method of using an audiovisual system including the steps of providing usage preferences descriptions, providing a first user identification description which identifies a particular user of at least one of the usage preference descriptions where the usage preference description is created by the user by interaction with the system or provided by the user to the system, and providing a second user identification description which identifies a different particular user of at least one of the usage preference descriptions, wherein the first user identification description and its associated usage preference description is disabled prior to the different user using his associated usage preference description. The usage preferences descriptions include at least two of a browsing preferences description, a filtering preferences description, a search preferences description, and a device preferences description.

Abstract: A method of using an audiovisual system including the steps of providing usage preferences descriptions, providing a plurality of usage history descriptions, and providing a user identification description. The usage preferences descriptions include at least two of a browsing preferences description, a filtering preferences description, a search preferences description, and a device preferences description. Each usage history description includes at least one of a browsing history description, a filtering history description, a search history description, and a device usage history description. The user identification description identifies a corresponding set of at least one of the usage preference descriptions and at least one of the usage history descriptions.

Abstract: A program transmitting/receiving system has a center device and a terminal device connected through a communication device to the center device. The center device has a program information memory, a program information transmitter, a broadcasting device, and a request program transmitter. The terminal device has a program information receiver, a program receiver, an image information generator, a program request signal transmitter, and a request program receiver. The memory stores a program information. The program information transmitter transmits the program information to the terminal device. The broadcasting device broadcasts the program to the terminal device in accordance with a schedule, and stores the program. The request program transmitter receives a request signal of the program from the terminal device, and transmits the program corresponding to the request signal to the terminal device. Then, the program information receiver receives the program information.

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

Abstract: A service provider broadcast system and method are described. The method includes acquiring network service information regarding broadcast service content to be broadcast by a broadcast service system over a predetermined period. Using the network service information, a composite content list is created, including meta-data describing service provider content available from the service provider system and the broadcast service content. The composite content listed is broadcast to client systems, which in turn, provide ratings for the service provider and broadcast service content described by the composite content list. Using the received ratings, the service provider system selects a portion of the broadcast service content and generates a broadcast schedule for the selected content. The broadcast schedule is then broadcast to the client systems to enable the client systems to store one or more of the content data files from the selected portion of the broadcast service content.

Abstract: There is provided a system which allows information related to a broadcasting program to be processed efficiently. The program related information related to the certain program created on the transmitter side is composed of Event Data, Channel Data, Character Data, CM data and the like and is converted into EPG_contents_data. Further, display related information concerning on a layout and the like in displaying the program related information created on the transmitter side on a screen is composed of Layout Data, Color Data, Font Data and Operation Data and is converted into EPG_control_data. The receiver side generates EPG_management_data as necessary from the EPG_contents_data and the EPG_control_data transmitted from the transmitter side and generates EPG_display_data which is display information from the EPG_contents_data and the EPG_control_data.

Abstract: A method of using a system with at least one of audio, image, and a video comprising a plurality of frames comprising the steps of providing a usage preferences description where the usage preferences description includes at least one of a browsing preferences description, a filtering preferences description, a search preferences description, and a device preferences description.

Abstract: A system residing preferably in a television set-top box monitors the television watching habits of one or more viewers and creates one or more profiles for each viewers descriptive of various characteristics of each viewers, including television watching preferences and demographics. The set-top box is able to select among various available video programming segments to create customized and/or targeted video programs for delivery to the viewer or viewers as a linear program. The customized linear video programs may include targeted content, advertising, and other video programming.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a direct-to-home integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) and a program for storing and displaying digital objects associated with an electronic television program guide using fuzzy logic. The method and apparatus maintains and adapts a user profile in order to efficiently select digital objects associated with an electronic program guide. The fuzzy logic based user profile may be used to select digital program guide objects for deletion from memory and/or to efficiently select digital program guide objects for display in an electronic program guide. Selection is based on fuzzy variables associated with the objects. In this manner, memory requirements and the number of programs displayed are reduced to decrease cost and reduce the amount of time a user must spend viewing the program guide.

Abstract: Disclosed is a computer system including a computer body operated according to a predetermined operating system, and a display device having a display section for receiving a video signal from the computer body to display images on the screen thereof in response to the received video signal. The computer body includes a language information-providing section adapted to provide the display device with information about the kind of language used in the operating system. The display device includes an OSD generating section adapted to generate an OSD for setting a display environment of the display device, a memory adapted to store a plurality of languages that can be used in the OSD therein and to store the language information received from the computer body, and an OSD control section adapted to control the OSD generating section to display the OSD on the display section by means of the same language as that used in the operating system in accordance with language information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recommending a schedule of events to a user is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment of the system and method, each channel schedule is broken down into time slices. A novel fuzzy-now recommendation-time value is calculated for each time slice. This fuzzy-now recommendation-time value is a two dimensional value measured in units of recommendation-time, or “enjoyment minutes”. By means of the calculated fuzzy-now recommendation-time values, recommended schedules may be generated using a wide variety of selection methods.

Abstract: A method for providing television functionality includes defining a time period, associating a user preference with the time period, providing a first result in accordance with the user preference if a request for television functionality is received during the defined time period, and providing a second result if the request for the television functionality is received outside the defined time period.

Abstract: A method and system is described for providing a customized media list to a user over a data network. The method comprises providing a personalized data of the user to a computer system, generating a customized media list by the computer system for the user based on the personal data, and providing the customized media list to the user through the computer system where the customized media list represents a customized content and a customized advertising. A system is further disclosed and claimed for providing customized media list to a user over a data network.

Abstract: An individual can upload media objects to a server and specify a manner in which the media objects are to be played as a media program to an end user. The media program can be provided to the end user via a synthetic channel, which can be tuned to by the end user as if tuning to a conventional television broadcast channel. Information related to the synthetic channel such as media program listings, can be provided in an electronic program guide. If a client terminal of the end user is tuned to the synthetic channel, the media program(s) scheduled by the individual who uploaded the media objects are streamed to the client terminal for viewing by the end user.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method generate customized content for in-route entertainment on a mobile element, such as an aircraft. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a shared program input for receiving a shared program stream, which includes primary entertainment content (e.g., video segments) intended for a plurality of mobile elements; a supplemental content input for receiving customized supplemental content, such as advertising and branding segments; a scheduler providing scheduling information, which indicates insertion points in the shared program stream for customized supplemental input as a function of characteristics of the mobile element; and an output for outputting the shared program stream, the customized supplemental content, and the scheduling information for subsequent generation of an entertainment content stream customized for the mobile element.

Abstract: A method that incorporates a detailed, precise procedure of designing a user interface by utilizing agent behavioral models. This method applies quantitative and qualitative agent behavioral models derived through the Categorize Describe-Model (CDM) methodology to the iterative design stage of interface development. The method includes: (1) categorizing at least two users; (2) validating targeted user behaviors and preferences; (3) capturing emergent behaviors and preferences; (4) tracking design requirements and implementations; (5) accommodating diversity in performance and preference during interactive testing; and (6) customizing a user interface design to each of the at least two users.

Abstract: A tuner may select a predetermined real channel from a plurality of real channels, and may obtain a broadcast signal of this selected real channel. A program information extracting section may extract program information (IPG) of a plurality of real channels from this broadcast signal. A controller may create a user profile in which information of programs received at every unit time of a day were accumulated as user profile information by using the program information (IPG). Further, the controller may create a virtual channel guide in which programs of a plurality of real channels are located selectively by using this user profile.

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 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 filter, which is applied to another sequence of available options. The filtered sequence is then displayed along another (perpendicular) axis of the user interface.

Abstract: A program-guide-display controlling apparatus for displaying a plurality of program guides on a display unit in a matrix form by using one of the ordinate and the abscissa as a channel number axis and another one as a time axis comprises means for displaying to discriminate a time period in which a purchased program is present and a time period in which the purchased program is not present, so as to ensure that a situation in which two or more PPV programs which are broadcast during the same time period happen to be purchased is made difficult to occur.

Abstract: To provide a system for processing program information in which the display structure of a program table can be freely changed in accordance with a requirement of or the taste of an audience, the system for processing program information is structured to include program information storage means 1 for storing program information, and program table display means 4 for two-dimensionally displaying a program table employing as the two axes, two attributes 102 and 103 selected from among all of the attributes that have been given to each piece of program information, to make the program table 101. For the audience, program tables of various constructions can be displayed on the display means at will and in respective program retrieval operations, a program table that is easy to use to search for a program can be obtained. An specific desired program can be found in a short time by selecting key word(s) related to each program and extracting them from the program or the like.