Abstract: Methods and systems of optimizing EPG data include: (i) receiving EPG data comprising a plurality of schedule objects; (ii) identifying a recurrence pattern in a subset of the schedule objects based on an association between properties of the schedule objects in the subset; (iii) based on the recurrence pattern, identifying at least one base schedule object in the subset, each at least one base schedule object comprising properties that are common to two or more of the schedule objects in the subset; (iv) generating at least one recurrence pattern property for identifying the recurrence pattern; (v) generating an optimized schedule grouping comprising the at least one base schedule object and a metadata object, wherein the metadata object comprises the at least one recurrence pattern property; and (vi) providing optimized EPG data in which the subset of schedule objects is substituted with the optimized schedule grouping.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention a method, system and apparatus for conveying personalized content to a viewer is provided. A method for conveying personalized content comprises obtaining an indication of viewer-selected content and receiving an indication of a viewing time by which a target receiver device is required to have received the viewer-selected content. The method further comprises determining a delivery window based on the viewing time and generating a delivery component including the viewer-selected content and an identifier associated with the target receiver device. The method further comprises causing the delivery component to be delivered to the target receiver device during the delivery window.

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: An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an electronic program guide based on user preference data collected at different time intervals in a day. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory operative to store first and second sets of user preference data collected at respective first and second time intervals in a day, and a processor operative to enable display of an electronic program guide including a list of channels. The channels are arranged in the list based on one of the first and second sets of user preference data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating a media guidance application with real-time media information for enhancing recording features. In particular, real-time schedule changes, actual and estimated, are provided for updating instructions for a media guidance application operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for updating a media guidance application with real-time media information for enhancing recording features. In particular, real-time schedule changes, actual and estimated, are provided for updating instructions for a media guidance application operation.

Abstract: An IPTV receiver and a method of providing channel details information are provided. A network interface transmits and receives an IP packet through a network. An IP network stack checks a destination of the received IP packet and classifies the IP packet according to a protocol. A Service Information (SI) decoder parses a channel map record included in the IP packet to read a channel map instance included in the channel map record, parses a channel details record included in the IP packet to read the channel details information included in the channel details record, wherein the channel map instance includes channel details reception information. an IPTV terminal function (ITF) operation controller controls the reception of the channel details record based on the channel details reception information.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying, accessing, and managing service applications for use with associated consumer electronic devices in a home network system. A client side process, executed by a client computing system in the home network system, operates in conjunction with a server side process executed by a server computing system that is coupled with the client computing system via the Internet. The client computing system is implemented by a gateway device coupled with each of the devices via the home network.

Abstract: The invention provides an information providing apparatus and method by which the amount of data to be transmitted when data of a program table composed of characters and images or the like are to be transmitted is reduced and it is made possible to cope with a change in contents of data rapidly. Data of an electronic program guide to be provided is hierarchized into data (A1 data) which may possibly be changed such as the broadcasting date, the start time and the end time, data (A2 data) which are not changed at all such as a program name, and data (A3 data) composed of still pictures, moving pictures, voice and so forth which have comparatively large data amounts, and for each medium, data of a hierarchy suitable for the medium is provided. Each A3 data is referred to by one or a plurality of A2 data, and each A2 data is referred to by one or a plurality of A1 data.

Abstract: The address information for reading the detailed information of a computer server which provides the detailed information of distribution information displayed on a predetermined display screen together with a single program or plural programs is transmitted with each program information, so as to realize an information transmitting method and a television broadcasting receiving apparatus which easily obtain, if necessary, the detailed information of the distribution information transmitted with each program information without storage of it at a receiving side.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system is provided in which an interactive television program guide is implemented on user television equipment containing a memory. The system allocates the memory among different categories of program guide data used by the program guide. When new channels are added to the channel line-up, the program guide adjusts its memory allocation accordingly. When it is desired to install a new non-program-guide application on the user television equipment in addition to the program guide, memory can be reallocated to accommodate the new application.

Abstract: Channel lineup information in a television system is efficiently managed with an internal electronic program guide manager (IEM). The IEM creates and maintains an internal electronic program guide (EPG) information database for a user program preference determination engine (PDE), which is resident in a STB, DTV or PVR. The internal EPG data are for use by software agents of the PDE only. The external EPG is used for a graphical user interface display. First, external channel lineup information is received from an external program guide; from that, internal channel lineup information is generated that contains less information than the external channel lineup information, yet sufficient information to render the internal channel lineup information useful in the internal database management system; and the internal channel lineup information is updated upon receiving notification of a change to the external channel lineup information.

Abstract: A region rating table includes a number of rating dimensions and a number of rating levels. The rating dimensions may be identified by an index. Also, one or more rating level tags are added to the rating levels. The rating level tags identify each rating level within a rating dimension uniquely. The rating region table may be downloaded to the receiver for the user to set blocking preferences. A content advisory description may be specified. When content is received, it is analyzed to determine if it should be blocked based on the dimension index and the rating level tag. If the content is acceptable, it is not blocked, and if it is not acceptable, then it is blocked. Using the rating level tag to identify a rating level within a dimension allows changes to be made to the region rating table without creating unwanted blocking behavior and viewer confusion.

Abstract: In one of many possible implementations, a system includes a content delivery subsystem providing online resource data and programming data associated with media content. The system further includes a content processing subsystem configured to communicate with the content delivery subsystem via a network. The content processing subsystem is configured to receive the programming data and to generate a program guide user interface including at least a subset of the programming data. The content processing subsystem is configured to access and utilize the online resource data to generate the program guide user interface when the online resource data is accessible via the network. The content processing subsystem is further configured to maintain and utilize offline resource data instead of the online resource data to generate the program guide user interface when the online resource data is inaccessible via the network.

Abstract: Detection devices (1) for controlling storage devices (20) for receiving and storing video signals for a plurality of subscribers are provided with memories (2, 3) for storing subscriber's profiles and detectors (4, 5) for detecting video signals comprising content according to the subscriber's profiles. Indication transmitters (6, 7) transmit indications with respect to the video signal to indication receivers (26, 27) of the storage devices (20) for in response to receptions of the indications storing the video signals or to indication receivers (71) of subscriber devices (70) for in response to receptions of the indications informing the subscribers. Switches (8, 9) activate/deactivate the detection devices (1) in response to un-availabilities/availabilities of the subscribers to check the video signal.

Abstract: Partial data related to information data is received, image data corresponding to the received partial data is generated by sequentially processing the received partial data, and the generated image data is output to a display unit. Before output of the image data corresponding to the partial data to the display unit is completed, reception of the information data is started. Then, image data corresponding to the information data is generated by processing the received information data, and image data to be displayed on said display unit is switched to the image data corresponding to the information data from the image data corresponding to the partial data after the reception of the information data is started.

Abstract: The invention comprises an application for recording and the playback of MPEG-2 transport-streams transmitted via DVB-systems with optical discs. Apart from audio- and video-signals, additional information (which describe the content of the DVB-multiplex) will also be transmitted in DVB-SI descriptors. These descriptors correspond to the incoming transport-stream-packets and can be used for comfortable features, like event-triggered start of a recording or automatic generation of play-lists.

Abstract: A method for updating an electronic service guide (ESG) that includes sending version information of the ESG currently maintained by the server along with ESG data to a terminal. When the server receives an ESG request carrying second version information from the terminal, the server compares the first version information with the second version information and if the first version information differs from the second version information, the server sends the first version information and the ESG data that is related to the ESG requested by the terminal and updated relative to the ESG corresponding to the second version information to the terminal. The present disclosure also discloses a system for updating an ESG, an ESG server and a terminal. With the present disclosure, ESG update is more specific and processing load of the terminal is reduced.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and distributing customized channel map information used by set top boxes to access program channels and provide access to content delivery services are described. One or more regional headends broadcast base channel maps. Set top boxes request base channel map enhancement information from a server which may service multiple regions, e.g., regions corresponding to different head ends. The channel map server dynamically generates base channel map enhancement information, or identifies previously generated base channel map enhancement information, based on one or more business policy rules applicable to the individual set top box requesting the update channel map enhancement information. The channel map server may be implemented nationally or covering multiple regions, and customization of channel maps for set top boxes can be implemented on customer, business or even an individual set top box basis based on business policy rules.

Abstract: An interactive mosaic channel video stream with indicators as to the action on a given video stream. The interactive mosaic channel is displayed on a video monitor, with a plurality of individual video feeds being presented at a given time, comprising a plurality of video cells presenting at least video information, each video cell associated with one of the plurality of individual video feeds, each video cell further comprising an area within the video cell reporting data related to the video feed, and a cursor, which can be moved between the plurality of video cells, for selecting at least one characteristic associated with a selected video cell, such that the user can then directly select a video program associated with the selected video cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for providing and obtaining product information through a broadcast signal. In this present invention, information identifying a product item, which is in a scene to be presented from a broadcast signal, is provided together with a broadcast signal, then a signal receiving terminal stores the product information for a new product item and displays the stored information to a viewer to select one product item while or after watching an interesting broadcast program, and transmits data identifying a selected product item to a predetermined web site and receives web site address for the selected item from that site. As a result, detailed information for the selected item is acquired from a server addressed by the received web site address.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for upgrading to a new codec used in a digital broadcasting environment are provided. The apparatus includes a first transceiver that receives a transport stream; a first parser that parses the transport stream to determine a codec packet, and decodes codec information contained therein; and a codec-comparison unit that compares the decoded codec information with existing codec information, and determines whether a codec should be downloaded. The system includes a device manufacturer that manufactures a codec packet; a broadcaster that transmits a transport stream containing the codec packet; and a rendering device that parses the transport stream, compares existing codec information with new codec information, and upgrades a codec based on the comparison. The method includes receiving a transport stream; parsing the stream; decoding new codec information; comparing the new codec information with existing information; and upgrading the codec based on the new codec information.

Abstract: Upon reception selecting a program to be viewed, upon recording a received program, and upon reproducing a recorded program, as well as at the end of each operation thereof, a master creates viewing information including a corresponding program name, a transmission station name, and a name of a current operating mode thereof, and transmits the created viewing information to the slave via the viewing information management server, and when an option for “viewing an identical program to the master” provided in an input unit for selecting the program to be viewed is selected, a slave receives and displays or receives and records a program having an identical station name to a program that is currently being received and displayed or received and recorded in the master, on the basis of the latest viewing information of the master received from the viewing information management server.

Abstract: According to the invention, a method for generating a personalized menu promoting other video programs available from a video content delivery system is disclosed. The video content delivery system provides a plurality of channels of video content simultaneously. In one step, it is determined that a triggering event has occurred with a video content delivery conduit. First information about one or more users is gathered. The one or more users are associated with an account with the video content delivery system. Alternative video programs are determined and personalized for the one or more users based, at least in part, upon the first information. The context for the triggering event is analyzed to produce second information. A configuration of the personalized menu is determined based, at least in part, upon the second information. The personalized menu is formulated for presentment to the one or more users. The personalized menu comprises links to the alternative video programs.

Abstract: Electronic program guide (EPG) information is updated based on watermark data conveyed with video. Such systems permit EPGs to be updated automatically to reflect changes to program scheduling caused by sporting events running long, late breaking news, etc. In one arrangement, a system identifies incoming programming by reference to watermark data, and conforms the EPG presentation to match the incoming programming. The electronic program guide paradigm can also be applied to indexing online messaging forums that are related to video programs, and access to such forums can be provided through use of watermark data.

Abstract: A system, may include, at least one of audio, image, and a video comprising a plurality of frames. A preferences description, describing preferences of a user with respect to the use of at least one of the audio, image, and video, where the description normally includes multiple preferences.

Abstract: A broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 can display channel map information of receivable channels on a screen of a monitor display apparatus when a user desires. The broadcast signal receiving apparatus 1 comprises a channel map information updater (primary controller) 8 that updates the channel map information regularly. The channel map information includes a deletion counter for each channel registered in the channel map information which is used to judge whether channel information of the channel is deleted from the channel map information or not. The channel map information updater 8 increases a value of deletion counter of a channel by one when broadcast signal of the channel cannot be received, resets a value of deletion counter of a channel when broadcast signal of the channel can be received in each updating of the channel map information, and deletes channel information of a channel from the channel map information when the value of deletion counter of the channel reaches to a threshold.

Abstract: A receiving device receives a plurality of first and second program information. The first program information is information relating to each of broadcasting scheduled programs within a predetermined time period from the date of transmission of a broadcasting signal by a broadcasting station apparatus. The second program information is information relating to a broadcasting scheduled program in the future after a predetermined time period from the date of transmission of the broadcasting signal. A controller in the receiving device stores, when there is a reservation based on the second program information, the reserved second program information in a reservation information storage. Thereafter, the controller compares the reserved second program information with a plurality of first program information newly received, and determines whether or not there is first program information that coincides with the second program information.

Abstract: A data modeling method for modeling data for an electronic program guide (EPG) at a broadcast headend is described.

Abstract: A digital television translator includes a digital television receiver for receiving a first digital television signal at a first frequency and generating a digital transport stream from the first digital television signal. The digital transport stream can include original Program and System Information (PSIP) data having RX channel data that is indicative of the first frequency, the first major channel number, and/or the first minor channel number. The digital television translator also includes a PSIP update module for updating the original PSIP data in the digital transport stream by replacing the RX channel data with TX channel data. The TX data is indicative of a second frequency, a second major channel number, and/or a second minor channel number.

Abstract: A device for updating component of application software in a digital broadcasting signal receiver and a method thereof. A storage section stores executing data for executing application software that produces a user interface of the digital signal receiver. A program specific information/service information extracting section extracts program specific information/service information (PSI/SI) from a received digital broadcasting signal. An updating data extracting section extracts updating information for partially updating the application software from the program specific information/service information, and extracts updating data for updating the application software from the digital broadcasting signal according to the updating information in order to update the executing data stored in the storage section to the extracted updating data. An application software section updates and executes the application software according the updated executing data.

Abstract: To add new additional content to the reproduction schedule on the basis of reference content scheduled in a time slot in the reproduction schedule, a digital television in accordance with the present invention includes: an additional content extracting section for identifying, as the additional content, content associated with content information which meets conditions determined on the basis of content information of the reference content; and a placement position determining section for determining, based on time slot determining procedure information based on which a time slot is determined for the additional content related to the reference content, a time slot for the additional content identified by the additional content identifying means. The digital television therefore produces an optimal reproduction schedule to the user.

Abstract: A system for structuring usage history for audiovisual materials.

Abstract: A search-enabled remote control device to facilitate viewers' ability to search through programming and/or content options and view results. In one embodiment, a viewer is able to use a traditional remote control interface to navigate through menus or selections and to display search results on screen. In another embodiment, a viewer's watching behavior and/or searching habits are tracked by the search-enabled remote control and used to develop a viewer profile, which may in turn be used to target advertisements, information and/or future programming options.

Abstract: A system provides customized user interface data to a media application, such as a media discovery interface, or to any application for that matter, thereby extending the original application. Via a network connection, elements of a menu in a user interface can be downloaded to the application in a package of resources, including images, text, and links. A user interface framework of the media application processes a menu markup data resident on the local computer system and utilizes packaged resources, local code components, and externally-obtained (e.g., Web resources) to render a customized menu for the media application.

Abstract: In one of many possible implementations, a system includes a content delivery subsystem providing online resource data and programming data associated with media content. The system further includes a content processing subsystem configured to communicate with the content delivery subsystem via a network. The content processing subsystem is configured to receive the programming data and to generate a program guide user interface including at least a subset of the programming data. The content processing subsystem is configured to access and utilize the online resource data on demand to generate the program guide user interface when the online resource data is accessible via the network. In certain implementations, the content processing subsystem includes offline resource data and is configured to utilize the offline resource data to generate the program guide user interface when the online resource data is inaccessible via the network.

Abstract: The availability of a new information service is publicized by displaying an icon in an EPG when the presence of a new information service is detected. A list of new services is then displayed responsive to a user command. When one of the new services is displayed instead of the list.

Abstract: A household level electronic program guide which provides a PC user with a specific guide of television stations which are available at a location where a cable has been scanned to determine the television channels and stations being broadcast thereon and being provided to the PC.

Abstract: In one implementation, a method is described that may include applying at least one of a capitalization rule and a spacing rule to a word obtained from compressed electronic program guide (EPG) data. The compressed EPG data includes a plurality of word encoding values and a plurality of character encoding values. Each of the capitalization and spacing rules may be based on an arrangement, in the compressed EPG data, of one said word encoding value that references the obtained word with respect to one or more character encoding values. The capitalization and spacing rules may also be based on an arrangement, in the compressed EPG data, of one word encoding value that references the obtained word with respect to at least one other word encoding value. An output is made of the obtained word to which there has been applied at least one of the capitalization rule and the spacing rule.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) may include entries that enable access to one or more images. In some implementations, when an image-related entry is selected by a user, a device presents the one or more images that are associated with the selected entry. In some implementations, portions of the EPG are presented as links. Selection of a link effectuates a search and may be followed by the visual presentation of one or more images resulting from the search. Additionally, in some implementations, an image can be communicated with an electronic communication. In response to the electronic communication, an image entry may be added to the channel lineup of the EPG. Selection of the image entry in the EPG may cause the device to visually present the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing security through sessions. In an implementation, a method includes initiating a session, by an operating system, in which operating system services are executable and initiating another session, by the operating system, in which a user-interactive application is executable.

Abstract: A system communicates video information including television content associated with a plurality of channels and ancillary information. Information may be transmitted with the ancillary information that is indicative of the type of content included in the ancillary information. This provides the user, in one embodiment of the present invention, with a visual indication of the type of information that accompanies television content. This helps the user to decide whether the user wishes to view the ancillary information and provides the opportunity to select that enhancement for viewing.

Abstract: A recording and reproducing module records a signal (broadcast program) based on a first compression method to a recording medium, and during a period of time during which recording is not performed, reproduces the signal based on the first compression method, which has been recorded to the recording medium. Then, a transcoding module transcodes the signal based on the first compression method to a signal based on a second compression method. The signal based on the second compression method, whose transcoding has been completed, is recorded to the recording medium; and the signal based on the first compression method is erased from the recording medium. The controller refers to recording history information and sets a schedule including a target broadcast program to be transcoded and a time zone in which the target broadcast program is transcoded.

Abstract: Process for receiving files sent by a central server to an audiovisual data reproduction system, managed by an operating system and linked to the server, by means of a data transfer link, characterised in that the process comprises: a step consisting of initialising a link between the central server and an audiovisual data reproduction system, a step consisting of storing files sent by the central server on storage means of the audiovisual data reproduction system, each file comprising specified information representative of the type of data contained in the file, a step consisting of searching, for each file received, a specific reception function, this search step being carried out by means of the specified information representative of the type of data contained in the file, a step consisting of processing each file by the corresponding reception function, the processing comprising copying of the file received to a specified storage area.

Abstract: A controlled content distribution system (CCDS) employs a peer-level application into which a content producer can import digital content (e.g., video, audio, graphic, image, text, code files, etc.) The content producer identifies distribution parameters including an initial distribution list and a level limit representing the maximum number of levels, or degrees of separation for allowed distribution in a FOAF social network. Distribution parameters also include an alteration definition for one or more allowable levels in the network. Alteration definitions may identify a file degradation characteristic, file augmentation, or deletion parameter for altering the digital content from its original form. Alteration definitions often vary at each level. A distribution package is created by the CCDS and includes the digital content, a configuration data file, a key ID and a license key seed. The distribution package is processed at a FOAF license server before being sent to additional content recipients.

Abstract: A digital television translator includes a digital television receiver for receiving a first digital television signal at a first frequency and generating a digital transport stream from the first digital television signal. The digital transport stream can include original Program and System Information (PSIP) data having RX channel data that is indicative of the first frequency, the first major channel number, and/or the first minor channel number. The digital television translator also includes a PSIP update module for updating the original PSIP data in the digital transport stream by replacing the RX channel data with TX channel data. The TX data is indicative of a second frequency, a second major channel number, and/or a second minor channel number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of displaying an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). In one embodiment, an EPG is constructed of a three dimensional virtual mesh, in which independent objects representing television programs are situated. The virtual mesh is displayed perpendicularly, so that the hardware requirements of the set top box (STB) may be reduced. A user can navigate the mesh to find television programs that they wish to view. A user can designate the types of television programs that they prefer, and these programs will be displayed more prominently. In addition, the mesh is constructed of at least two planes. The first plane is flat, while all other planes are hyperbolic to correct for a viewer's line of sight.

Abstract: Information included within metadata broadcast within an overhead flow of a mobile broadcast network enables receiver devices to determine when metadata updates will occur. The mobile broadcast network can include within metadata messages information related to a time for the next metadata update. Using this information, receiver devices can determine when the next metadata update will occur and de-energize the receiver until that time. Enabling mobile devices to remain de-energized until the next metadata update improves their power efficiency. Synchronizing mobile devices to access the overhead flow for updated metadata reduces the content delivery latency that the system must accommodate, thereby improving system flexibility and bandwidth efficiency. Specify the time of a next metadata update enables the broadcast system to change the rate and timing at which metadata updates are performed.

Abstract: A device for provisioning, retrieving, and using data guide information transmitted in a digital broadcast signal is disclosed. A receiver receives the digital broadcast signal which includes digital television programming packets multiplexed with data packets and thereafter routes the received signal to a demodulator. The demodulator provides a demodulated signal to a detector which identifies data packets contained therein. A processor then determines the types of data in the data packets, as well as the respective channels on which the identified types of data are transmitted. The processor prepares a menu for a display screen enabling a user to select the channel of interest, and enables the user to be connected accordingly.

Abstract: A device for provisioning, retrieving, and using data guide information transmitted in a digital broadcast signal is disclosed. A receiver receives the digital broadcast signal which includes digital television programming packets multiplexed with data packets and thereafter routes the received signal to a demodulator. The demodulator provides a demodulated signal to a detector which identifies data packets contained therein. A processor then determines the types of data in the data packets, as well as the respective channels on which the identified types of data are transmitted. The processor prepares a menu for a display screen enabling a user to select the channel of interest, and enables the user to be connected accordingly.