Abstract: Methods and devices for presenting an interactive media guidance application are provided in accordance with various embodiments.

Abstract: A recording apparatus is disclosed which records at least either a video or an audio signal of a broadcast program in accordance with reservation information.

Abstract: In a subscriber television system, assigning categories to a channel as an entity reduces the searching requirements associated with searching a database of thousands of individual program records, identifying the channel on which an identified program will be displayed, and then sorting the resultant information. The channel information is searched for the assigned category information and the associated program information for just those channels is retrieved. This reduces the processor requirements for searching the thousands of records in the program records database. With the reduced processor requirements and the increased efficiency of information organization for searching, a single machine state change is possible between viewing full screen video and a browse banner or between viewing full screen program information and video with a browse banner.

Abstract: The present invention relates in particular to a method for processing multimedia content memorised in the form of digital data in at least one multimedia unit. This method includes the following steps: reception of a program map table containing at least one indication of a proprietary type of data associated to a packet identification data (PID) as well a flag; reception of a matching table between the flag value and the real type of data; search for the flag values appearing in the program map table PMT received by the multimedia unit; search for the corresponding flag values in the matching table between the flag value and the real type of data; and modification of the program map table by replacing the indication of the proprietary type of data of the program map table with the corresponding real type of data of the matching table. The invention furthermore concerns a method for sending multimedia content in the form of digital data, as well as a multimedia unit for implementing these methods.

Abstract: A method for processing program information and a broadcast receiver are disclosed. The method includes selecting a program from a service guide screen, identifying a group to which the selected program belongs, and displaying a group list of programs included in a signaling table that signals information of the identified group.

Abstract: This specification describes technologies that relate to creating animation effects in an animation at runtime and without requiring the animation effects to be stored in every frame or time instance of the animation. In general, one aspect of the subject matter described in this specification can be embodied in a method that includes obtaining animation information having a primary object and a first effect object associated with the primary object. The method also includes generating an animation sequence using the animation information. The animation sequence includes the primary object on which the first effect object and a second effect object can be applied. The act of generating an animation sequence includes interpolating between the first and second effect objects to create at least one intermediate effect applied to the primary object in the animation sequence. Other embodiments of this aspect include corresponding systems, apparatus, and computer program products.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus and an information processing method for providing the results of searches of broadcast content. A search space processing section acquires a search keyword based on search information coming from a user terminal, and searches a search keyword dictionary database for search-related keyword data related to the search keyword. On the basis of the search keyword and search-related keyword data, the search space processing section generates a search keyword space and submits the generated space to a correction process. A search processing section compares the corrected search keyword space, EPG data, and an EPG keyword space for a match. A search display processing section prepares a list of display-ready information from the result of the matching and sends the list to the user terminal.

Abstract: Optimized scanning for EPG data in the streams is provided by performing interim scans based on user data. The user data is gathered based on services accessed by one or more users of the device. The streams are then ranked according to the data and a scan threshold of a subset of streams to scan is defined. A interim scan occurs on a subset of streams up to the threshold streams after a first time interval after which scanning may end.

Abstract: A method of receiving and processing a Non-Real Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Provided are a method and a system for recording a video broadcast using a video recording device. A scheduling update is obtained for the video broadcast over a network. A recording schedule is updated for the video broadcast in response to the obtained scheduling update. The video broadcast is recorded according to the updated recording schedule.

Abstract: In certain embodiments, a digital television broadcast method involves generating a digital television signal having one or more transport streams; where data in at least one of the one or more transport streams supports non-real time (NRT) services; where such data comprises an Internet protocol (IP) stream of packets containing non-real time content, a FLUTE file description table (FDT), NRT service metadata and NRT content metadata; where the NRT metadata further comprises NRT content description text that is contained in Text Fragment Table (TFT); and outputting the one or more transport streams for broadcast as a digital television signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A media object being played by a user may be marked by creating a mark object comprising the playback time when the mark was created. The time may be used to reference metadata with information about the media object at the time referenced. The metadata may be used to launch web searches corresponding to elements of the media at the time in question, for example, a back up singer at a point in a music track or the name of a resort in a movie. The searches may be performed from media player or the mark object may be transferred to a networked computer for performing the searches. The technique is equally applicable to portable media players, software or firmware media players on computers, or set top boxes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for dynamically updating descriptions of AV content, such as MPEG-7 content descriptions. One embodiment provides for a method in which first a server issues a command indicating the type of update to make to the description on a client computer. Specifically, the update may be to add, delete, or change a node in a tree or graph structure describing the AV content. For example, the command may specify an update to an instance document or its associated schema. The server also specifies the location in the description to perform the update, which may be at an absolute or relative address. Next, the server sends the data, if any, to be added or used for the change. Embodiments also provide for steps to check that the update is authorized.

Abstract: Multiple channel maps are embedded in a television transmission and the appropriate channel corresponding to the particular television service used by the viewer is downloaded for use with the television receiver. Each channel map is accompanied by a channel map identifier which identifies the source of the television transmission and a geographic identifier. The source of a television transmission is automatically detected by monitoring the radio-frequency spectrum allocations of telecast stations. The geographic area identifier is determined by comparison with a user inputted geographic area identifier. The channel map having a channel map identifier corresponding to the detected television transmission source and the user inputted geographic area identifier is downloaded and stored for future use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, a method, and a program which can appropriately perform jump playback when content transmitted through a network is played back in real time. A terminal 3 receives stream data transmitted from a server 1, buffers the stream data, and plays back the buffered data. The terminal 3 has multiple buffers to allow content data of the positions of jump destinations that can be specified as a jump destination during jump playback to be pre-buffered in the multiple buffers. As a result, upon receiving a request for jump playback, the terminal 3 can start playback from a jump destination without delay, since the data of the jump destination has already been buffered. The present invention is applied to, for example, television receivers.

Abstract: A program recording reservation system includes a recording apparatus including a recorder for recording broadcast programs; and a remote controller for setting a recording reservation for a broadcast program to be recorded by the recorder of the recording apparatus. There are provided a recording management section for obtaining a remaining recordable capacity, an average recording bit rate, a recording duration of a program, and the recording mode of the program, for computing a necessary recording capacity, for comparing the total sum of the necessary recording capacities of programs with the remaining recordable capacity, and for allowing the predetermined operation to be continued; a display section for displaying a message of an insufficient remaining recordable capacity of the recorder and first, second, and third choices; and an operation section for stopping the predetermined operation, for editing or deleting a program, and for continuing the predetermined operation.

Abstract: Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, allows for storage and playback of interactive user elements in a television stream. In one approach to this technology, a content data stream, including a television program and a user experience element, is received. This content data stream is transformed, and the transformed data stream is examined, to identify which packets are associated with the user experience element. Those packets are then passed to a handler appropriate for the user experience element.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing media planners for planning a user's media content viewing activities are provided. The media planner may include an interactive grid of content with scheduled viewing, recording, or reminders set within a user-selectable time window. The media planner may prioritize content within the planner grid and automatically resolve conflicts when the number of available tuners within the user equipment device has been exceeded. Programs matching a user's viewing interests may also be automatically recorded in the user's absence. Coming-soon announcements may be received for programming outside the current program schedule window. Conditional media guidance application functions may be scheduled based on preliminary availability and attribute data associated with a coming-soon asset.

Abstract: The present invention claims a method and a system for managing a Program In Word (PIW) service of a video program.

Abstract: A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including an NRT service, method comprises receiving a broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying the NRT service based on the first signaling information, identifying an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an NRT service signaling data based on the first signaling information and the second signaling information, receiving the NRT service signaling data by accessing the IP address, and downloading a desired NRT service based on the NRT service signaling data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a system and method for simultaneously displaying advertisements with an electronic program guide (EPG). The system displays television schedule information in rows of schedule information items including the time and channel for least a portion of the displayed television schedule information items. An advertisement is selected for display from a plurality of advertisements, and the selected advertisement is displayed between two rows of the schedule information items simultaneously with the displayed television schedule information items.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a data processing apparatus that sets identification information for identifying each of a plurality of contents based on metadata added to each of the contents. The apparatus includes: title information acquisition means for acquiring title information of each of the contents, the title information concerning a title of the content and being included in the metadata; information extraction means for comparing the title information of each of the contents to extract a part of the title information that is common to all of the contents; and identification information setting means for setting the identification information of each of the contents based on the other part of the title information than the part of the title information that is common to all of the contents.

Abstract: A broadcast system includes a program guide system, a traffic and scheduling system having a traffic and scheduling database having a program schedule therein. The system also includes a broadcast operation channel management system initiating a channel mapping change or channel definition change using the program schedule and communicating a change notification to a traffic scheduling system from the broadcast operation channel management system, extracting channel data from the channel mapping or channel definition change. The broadcast operation channel management system communicates the channel data to a program guide system.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a television schedule system with a user interface which allows a user to control access to television programs by time, rating, content, and/or channel. Furthermore, the user may set a limit on pay-per-view (PPV) spending to limit the purchase of PPV programs.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide a first electronic program guide (EPG) screen having a plurality of channel identifiers, program information, and an icon corresponding to increasing scroll speed, and responsive to a user selection corresponding to the icon, enable a user to scroll among the plurality of channel identifiers at the increased scroll speed.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus including a data file storing section storing data files; a user interface section assigning first objects to respective data units, displaying the first objects on-screen, and accepting an operation on the data files in the form of an operation on the first objects, the data units each being a data file or a group of a plurality of data files stored in the data file storing section; a condition acquisition section acquiring a condition on attribute information attached to the data units, pertaining to contents of the data units; and a judgment section displaying on-screen a second object to which a function of searching for a data unit conforming to the condition is assigned, moving the second object within the screen according to an instruction from a user.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed herein for merging EPG data associated with a variety of program sources. In one aspect, EPG data is accessed for different program sources and rules are selected that define how entries in the EPG data are to be merged. The rules may be selected based on whether the EPG data was collected in-band or out-of-band. In addition, the merging rules can be dependent on the program source, which allows the flexibility of applying different rules to different program sources. The EPG data from the different program sources is merged into a single EPG based on the selected rules.

Abstract: A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) Receiver Targeting service is disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) Receiver Targeting service, the method comprises receiving broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying an NRT service based on the first signaling information, parsing a Receiver Targeting Descriptor from the second signaling information, determining validity of the NRT service or an NRT content based on a targeting_criterion_type_code included in the Receiver Targeting Descriptor, and downloading the NRT service or the NRT content when a receiver determines the NRT service or the NRT content to be valid.

Abstract: Delivery of feedback information to a scheduling service to determine optimum broadcast times based upon client platform tuner contention is described. A usage pattern of an electronic media device is recorded. The usage pattern is communicated to a scheduling server. Media content is received during a time period selected by the scheduling server based upon the usage pattern.

Abstract: A request for video advertisements is received and video advertisements that can be provided in response to the request are identified. Performance features associated with the video advertisements are identified and are provided as input to a video advertisement performance model trained to estimate a play through rate for each of the video advertisements. The video advertisements are ranked based on the estimated play through rates for the video advertisements provided by the video advertisement performance model, and one or more video advertisements are provided in response to the request according to the ranking of the video advertisements.

Abstract: To provide a receiver which, by a simple process and in consideration of purpose of use of an electronic program guide, reduces the data size of program guide information to be stored in a storage device, a television broadcast receiver (1) of the present invention receives EPG data and records it in a memory (28). The EPG data includes broadcasting period information indicating, for each program individually manageable by the receiver (1), the broadcasting time length of the program. The receiver (1) includes: a storage target selecting section (52) that selects, by referring to the broadcasting period information of the each program included in EPG data received, a program having a broadcasting time whose length falls within a predetermined range, and generates adjusted EPG data (60) including the selected program; and (ii) an EPG data recording section (54) that records the generated adjusted EPG data (60) in the memory (28).

Abstract: A method (1) of transmitting interactive television, whereby interactive television applications are transmitted inside application-modules. These modules are transmitted in a broadcast stream. Recording systems cannot decide which modules are to be recorded. Therefore storage related information of said modules is signalled in the broadcast stream. Module identification information related is implemented in the Application Information Table (AIT) and/or in the Download Information Indication (DII) message. Thus information is included in the broadcast stream concerning categories stating whether application modules are mandatory, optional or forbidden to record. Alternatively properties of a module are chosen from Code/Data/Both and/or Fixed/Variable. Recording systems use this information do decide if application modules are to be recorded or disregarded. Alternatively, application module identification information is transmitted in said broadcast stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for, when a broadcasting receiver outputs a broadcast program, determining whether the same program is present in a program list of an Internet television (TV) provided by an Internet server, and performing a notification function when the same program is present in the program list of the Internet TV, and a broadcasting receiver employing the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic display of next or future television program information when tuned to a television channel. Acquired or received program information for a television program to be shown next or later on the currently tuned television channel is automatically displayed on the currently tuned channel. In this manner, a viewer is provided with information regarding a next or future television program on the television channel currently being watched without active intervention by the viewer. According to an aspect of the invention, if a new or next television program guide or program information (update) is received before the end of a current television program, the television apparatus automatically updates the display of program information according to the information included in the newly received program guide.

Abstract: Systems and methods applicable, for example, in the provision of service listings, channel listings, and/or the like. The location of a device may, for example, be determined, and one or more service parameters corresponding, for instance, to the location may, for example, be employed in receiving service listings data, channel listings data, and/or the like.

Abstract: After judgment that timer reservation has been set, upon judgment that a channel, a scheduled broadcast date, broadcast start time, and broadcast end time included in the EPG information respectively agree with a channel, a recording reservation date, recording start time, and recording end time included in recording reservation information, agreement information is displayed on a display device. On the other hand, upon judgment that any of them do not agree with each other, disagreement information is displayed on the display device. After the agreement information is displayed on the display device, a replacement from recording reservation through timer reservation for the desired program to recording reservation based on electronic program guide information is made for the desired program.

Abstract: A system utilizing one or more auxiliary or scanning tuners provides real time information for providing programming guides. The one or more auxiliary tuner scans or tunes across the band of television signals to gather information relevant to metadata, programming guides, and or message alerts. For example, this information is converted to text, graphic, and or audio form for displaying or listening.

Abstract: A method, in one embodiment, can include a server receiving data from a television via a communication medium. The data includes an identifier of a television channel that the television is tuned to. In addition, the server transmits a token to the television via the communication medium. Furthermore, the television transmits the token to a cloud storage via the communication medium. Moreover, the cloud storage stores a live broadcast television video from the television channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the storage of recordings in a recording device in which the recordings were requested by several users are provided. Each user may be assigned a storage space limit defining the amount of storage space each user is entitled to use. In some embodiments, the storage space limit may be flexibly increased to take advantage of extra space available from other users. The system may intelligently borrow space from other users to limit the risk that a requested recording is canceled due to unavailable storage resources. In some embodiments, the system may jointly allocate a recording to several users who commonly requested a recording. The system may also set aside space in the recording device that is saved exclusively for a particular user. In some embodiments, the recording device may allocate the storage resources based on the usage of the recordings.

Abstract: A system and method of registering or exchanging information about the availability of multimedia information and services is disclosed. Access devices in a wireless local area network (WLAN) and/or personal area network (PAN) may register, with a wireless broadband access gateway, selected information about multimedia information and services that they have and may share. Information about the available multimedia information and services may be shared by the wireless broadband access gateway with other access devices within the coverage area of the WLAN or PAN. Access devices may then access the multimedia information and services of other access devices via the wireless broadband access gateway, based upon information identifying and authenticating the recipient. A broadband connection permits the gateway to pass multimedia information and service activity to and from the access devices within the coverage area of the WLAN or PAN.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for screen display in a digital broadcast receiver for receiving moving picture contents. The method includes: receiving head-end side data including configuration data of lattice-type moving picture contents sent via a broadcasting network, and converting the received head-end side data into content picture configuration data; editing the content picture configuration data and configuring a curved-type circular selection picture so as to display the edited content picture configuration data through the curved-type circular selection picture on a display means of a user terminal; and displaying the configured curved-type circular selection picture containing the moving picture contents on the display means of the user terminal.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide implemented on user television equipment obtains program guide data from two data delivery mechanisms. Current program guide data is obtained from a continuous data stream. Other program guide data (which may include the current program guide data) is obtained by the program guide from a program guide server. The continuous data stream may also include program and program grouping identifiers. The program guide may perform real-time actions associated with programs identified in the continuous data stream.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention significantly decrease the processing requirements as well as the cost of digital television receivers. In an embodiment, processing requirements of both hardware and software components in digital television receivers are lowered by generating the channel map without regard to channel map information present in a Virtual Channel Table (VCT). In another embodiment, significant recurring portions of an ATSC signal can be neglected with no processing power, cost, and time spent thereon. In another embodiment, processing typically used to process channel map information contained in the VCT portion of the ATSC signal is freed and may instead be used to process other information, thereby enabling further enhancements and features in digital television services.

Abstract: A program recording reservation system includes a recording apparatus including a recorder for recording a broadcast program; and a remote controller for making a recording reservation for the recording apparatus. A content management section is provided for managing, as recording parameters, an average recording bit rate for each of a plurality of provided recording modes and the remaining recordable capacity of the recorder. Date and time at which a broadcast program is scheduled to be broadcast are obtained as program information. A recording capacity necessary for recording a program shown in the program information is computed. On the basis of the average recording bit rate for each recording provided by the recorder, the duration of the broadcast program, and the remaining recordable capacity, the capability or incapability of recording of a broadcast program is determined. The determined capability or incapability of recording for each program is displayed in the program table.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content playback apparatus includes a read module which reads information that is recorded in a recording medium, a clock module which is managed such that tampering is prevented, and a control module which controls the read module and the clock module. Content information and time management information is recorded in the recording medium. The time management information includes date/time recording information indicative of a date/time at which previous playback of the content information is stopped, playback allowable period information, start date/time information of a playback allowable period and end date/time information of the playback allowable period. The control module includes a time management module which corrects the start date/time information of the playback allowable period and the end date/time information of the playback allowable period, with use of time information which is acquired from the clock module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing a broadcast program are provided. The apparatus includes: a signal processing unit which generates an audio/video (A/V) file, an application file, and a first electronic program guide (EPG) file by appropriately processing a plurality of A/V signals, application information, and EPG information, respectively, which are included in an input broadcast program transport stream; a synchronization unit which receives the A/V file, the application file, and the first EPG file from the signal processing unit, generates storage information for the A/V file and storage information for the application file, and converts the first EPG file into a second EPG file comprising the storage information for the A/V file and the storage information for the application file; and a storage unit which stores the A/V file, the application file, and the second EPG file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting video asset information to a viewer to assist the view in selecting a video asset for viewing is described. The video assets can be available from a plurality of different video asset sources, such as VOD (video on demand), PVR (personal video recorders) and broadcast (including over the air, cable, and satellite). Images from the video assets are displayed in a uniform manner, along with information about the video assets. The information includes data in a metadata category, wherein metadata can be received from the video asset, external sources, or manually input by a user. The view can select one of the video assets for viewing, but also can navigate using metadata categories such as genre, actors, director, and the like. This allows a much easier and natural navigating and selection process for viewers.

Abstract: An electronic programming guide generator utilizes filters to select only programming filtered to display in an electronic programming guide display.

Abstract: An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) for television programming may allow access to program information based on a specified date. In embodiments, the EPG may be output for display with timeslots containing program information corresponding to television programs being broadcast currently and to television programs scheduled for future broadcast, and a header indicating a plurality of dates for accessing corresponding program information. User input received while the EPG is being output for display with the header indicating a plurality of dates that identifies one of the plurality of dates may cause program information in the EPG corresponding to the identified date to be accessed and the EPG to be output for display with the program information corresponding to the identified date and with a header indicating times of the timeslots. In embodiments, the header indicating times of the timeslots may replace the header indicating a plurality of dates.

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.