Abstract: Determining a video audience is disclosed, including: identifying a set of videos based at least in part on a received criterion; querying a video database to retrieve engagements associated with each of at least a subset of the set of videos; identifying a set of audience members associated with the engagements associated with each of the at least subset of the set of videos; and querying a user database to gather events associated with each of at least a subset of the set of audience members.

Abstract: A method for enabling visual browsing of a plurality videos includes identifying a low frame rate version for each video from a plurality of videos using one or more computers, wherein the low frame rate version of each video from the plurality of videos is at a frame rate that provides a visually perceptible pause between successive visually distinct frames; and outputting information that defines a visual display, wherein the visual display presents a plurality of graphical representations each corresponding to a respective video from the plurality of videos, wherein each graphical representation from the plurality of graphical representations includes the low frame rate version of the respective video from the plurality of videos.

Abstract: When a scene group including plural scenes, for example a group of scenes bookmarked during viewing of video contents is inputted, a combination of a scene and metadata in a group of metadata that represents characteristics of the scene, corresponding to the respective scenes in the scene group, which combination has a largest distance between the metadata, is selected as explanatory descriptions that are explanations for distinguishing among the scenes, and the selected explanatory descriptions for each scene included in the scene group is added to each scene.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium having computer instructions to present a plurality of unassociated media programs from a single presentation device having overlapping presentation periods, and cause the single presentation device to present a user interface for one of the plurality of unassociated media programs responsive to detecting a request for the user interface. Each of the plurality of unassociated media programs can be viewable only with a viewing apparatus. The viewing apparatus can be configured for viewing one of the unassociated media programs at a time. Other embodiments are disclosed and contemplated.

Abstract: A program information processing apparatus and a program information processing method that are capable of easily conducting a program search using an electronic program guide and displaying the search result clearly on the electronic program guide. A display control unit for displaying on a display unit an electronic program guide containing information relating to a plurality of programs, a selection unit for selecting a program from the plurality of programs in response to the operation of a user, and a search unit for searching a program containing information identical to or similar to at least a part of the information of the program selected by the selection unit are included, wherein the display control unit displays search result by the search unit on the electronic program guide.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a search interface for an electronic device including a tuner configured to tune the electronic device to receive scheduled programming content. A search query is received and one or more data sources including information about media content are searched based, at least in part, on the search query. The results of the search are presented on a user interface using a time-based axis and a time-independent axis.

Abstract: A program search device is configured to extract a program using search condition attribute information of the program. The device includes a unit storing information concerning the storage condition, and a display control to control display of a list that includes both search condition information and a program list. The display control highlights a search condition as most recently stored in the storing unit.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices described herein enable producing and utilizing a clustered search index as a way of searching correlated data groups, such as channel lineups. In particular, in some implementations systems, methods and devices are operable to create a clustered search index that includes clusters of TV channels frequently provided together in various channel lineups in order to improve searching efficiency. That is, the resultant search index is based on sub-lineups of channels that are shared by multiple channel lineups (i.e. sub-lineup indexing). Each sub-lineup includes channels that are frequently provided together, as determined by analysis of the channel lineups offered by the various providers. Additionally and/or alternatively, in some implementations systems, methods and devices are operable to process a search query by selecting a number of pertinent channel clusters from a clustered search index associated with one or more characteristics associated with the query.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing preferred broadcast information are provided. A Social Networking Service (SNS) server is requested to search for pieces of information in an SNS that are related to at least one broadcast channel by providing at least one keyword that identifies the at least one broadcast channel to the SNS server. The pieces of information are extracted from the SNS server. Preferred broadcast information is extracted from the pieces of information. The preferred broadcast information is provided to a user of the apparatus.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide application is provided that queries a user regarding the user's interest in television programs and suggests television programs to the user based on the user's responses. The interactive television program guide application identifies a television program that is potentially of interest to the user. The interactive television program guide application then queries the user regarding the user's interest using questions that are formulated based on attributes associated with the identified television program. Using the user's responses to the questions, the interactive television program guide application identifies and suggests one or more television programs to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for information querying are described. At least one recent image of a video signal may be accessed. Recent text associated with the at least one recent image may be accessed. A presentation image may be provided from the at least one recent image for presentation on a display. An original portion of the recent text may be identified within the presentation image. A selection of a user portion of the recent text may be received. An information source may be queried with the selection of the user portion of the recent text. The information source may be capable of using the selection to provide a result.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a phrase similarity is reduced when a common genre characteristic word is included in a program of interest interested by a user and a similar phrase program including the same phrase. A genre similarity is increased when a common genre characteristic word is included in the program of interest and a similar genre program including the same genre as the program of interest. The similar phrase program is presented based on the phrase similarity, and the similar genre program is presented based on the genre similarity.

Abstract: A content program information search system and method is described. The system comprises a digital signal receiver for detecting and displaying a content signal and/or detailed content information for one or more search terms from a digital signal transmitted from a transmitter; and a server having a database for storing search terms inputted from external devices, the inputted search terms being stored by order of priority based for example on search frequency, such that the server extracts and transmits to the transmitter search terms from the first database, and the digital signal receiver displays according to the order of priority at least one search term transmitted from the transmitter. The viewer thus has search terms of high search frequency to enable the viewer to rapidly and easily search for information on a desired content program.

Abstract: In a television system in which at least program title information for programs which are to be transmitted in the future is transmitted in advance to form a channel guide listing, apparatus is provided for searching the listing for specific user-entered information, and upon successful conclusion to the search, the apparatus schedules the tuning of the desired program, or in the alternative, notifies the viewer of the availability of the program. In those instances where descriptive text accompanies the program listing, apparatus of the invention performs a search of the text for a particular text string which may relate to the title, the star, the director, or the context of the program, among other search criteria.

Abstract: An interactive system is provided in which information is displayed in response to the entry of the digits of a channel number. The interactive system may be implemented on a television, a computer, or a radio system. The displayed information may be program listings information such as the channel designator or the program currently airing on the channel. The displayed information may also be a list of channels. The list of channels may be associated with the entered digits, may be component channels, or channels of the same type and may be sorted by various techniques such as numerically, by favorite channels, by type, etc. The interactive system may allow a user to specify a source identifier to channels from different sources and display the channels with the source identifier when they are entered.

Abstract: An improved television guide system. According to one embodiment of the invention, television guide information is provided that includes multiple occurrences of a single show. The guide system of the present invention allows the user to identify a show and, thereafter, identify when the identified show will be played again. Accordingly, the user may more easily select shows for viewing or recordation.

Abstract: A system and method of managing delivery of content is disclosed. The method includes receiving a first request for delayed broadcast of a content item at a first time. The first request is from a first user having access to broadcast content. The method further includes receiving a second request for delayed broadcast of the content item at a second time. The second request is from a second user having access to broadcast content. The method further includes scheduling the content item for broadcast to a plurality of users at a third time. The third time is after the first time and after the second time. The plurality of users includes the first and second user.

Abstract: A video playback apparatus for playing back a recorded program video which is connected with an ECG server for providing information related to a program through a communication network includes a designation information transmitting portion to transmit designation information designating a program containing a specific recorded program video to the ECG server, a related information receiving portion to receive a related information associated with the designated program, which is selected from related information each containing an ECG scenario related to each program video constituting a program and a scheduled time of each program video and stored in association with the program, from the ECG server, and a display/playback control portion to control display of the ECG scenario related to the specific program video in synchronization with playback of the specific program video based on the scheduled time of the program video.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing augmented broadcast content. The apparatus includes: a broadcast content receiving unit configured to receive broadcast content and a first reference signal from a broadcast content provider, the first reference signal including information used to recognize a target object in the broadcast content and composite the broadcast content and augmented content associated with the target object; an object identifying unit configured to identify the target object in the broadcast content by analyzing the broadcast content using an image or sound analysis algorithm with reference to the first reference signal; an augmented content acquiring unit configured to acquire the augmented content associated with the target object; and an augmented content compositing unit configured to composite the acquired augmented content into an augmentation region determined based on the first reference signal.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus that provides recommended program information based on a viewing history of an audience. The apparatus includes an extractor to extract, based on a specific performer whom a viewing audience likes, a similar performer. The extractor extracts the similar performer using a relation between a plurality of performers. The extractor selects a node satisfying a first condition that a number of links between a first node corresponding to the specific performer and one or more second nodes corresponding to the similar performer is not more than a predetermined upper limit and a second condition that the number of links between the first node and second nodes is not more than a threshold from the second nodes. The apparatus also includes a selector to select a recommended program from a plurality of broadcast planned programs, and a creator to create the recommended program information.

Abstract: System and method are provided to associate or compare media programs. A method includes: obtaining, using at least one processing circuit, first metadata for a first media program and second metadata for a second media program, wherein the first metadata are organized into a plurality of first fields, and the second metadata are organized into a plurality of second fields; extracting, using at least one processing circuit, a plurality of first tokens from one of the plurality of the first fields and a plurality of second tokens from one of the plurality of second fields; assigning a weight factor to each of the first and second tokens; cross-correlating the first and second tokens between the plurality of first fields and the plurality of second fields; and calculating a similarity score between the first and second media programs based on the cross-correlating.

Abstract: A multifunctional display device displays a first area containing a program received through a channel, a second area containing card objects, and a third area containing additional information of a downloadable applications selected in association with one of the card objects.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using a second display with a network-enabled television. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently enter search terms and other commands for control of their IPTV device directly from a second display device using voice commands. Such is particularly convenient when the second display is a device such as a smart phone or tablet computer with limited display space for user data entry.

Abstract: The user of an Internet TV device can control the Internet TV device using a mobile device such as a smart phone. The smart phone also obtains program information from the Internet TV device and sends the information to a server as a search term, presenting supplemental program information received from the server on the display of the mobile device so that a person can browse the supplemental information without disturbing viewers of the Internet TV device. The mobile device can also grab a link related to the program from the Internet TV device and use that link as a recommendation to friends on social networking sites.

Abstract: A system and a method for using the system for targeted commerce in network broadcasting are provided. The system includes an interface device configured to receive a multimedia stream from a network, wherein the multimedia stream includes a close captioning string and wherein the interface device is further configured to process the multimedia stream by providing advertisements in the multimedia stream according to a correlation between the close captioning string and a plurality of vendor keywords; and a viewing device configured to receive the processed multimedia stream and display to a viewer.

Abstract: A system may include a media content processing subsystem configured to provide media content to a display device. The system may further include an adjunct computing device in communication with the media content processing subsystem and configured to receive interactive program guide data, receive social information associated with an account on a social network, and display the interactive program guide data augmented with the social information.

Abstract: Techniques to deliver targeted advertisements and multimedia contents to viewers. Various types of advertisements are encoded and transmitted. The advertisements may be targeted for different coverage areas (e.g., national and local levels) and may further include various categories (e.g., kids, sports, business, and so on). At the terminal, one or more advertisements may be selected for display based on various selection schemes. The particular advertisement to be selected for display at a terminal may be based on the terminal's assigned profile or user interaction at the terminal. The profile may be assigned based on the last program viewed at the terminal, a particular filter icon selected at the terminal, the observed television viewing habits of the viewer at the terminal, and so on. The techniques may also be advantageously used for delivery of other multimedia contents and for other applications.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for retrieving audio signals. A video signal is received that is associated with a content identifier and an alternate audio tag. In response to the alternate audio tag, a query is made for an alternate audio source that corresponds to the content identifier. A query result is received that identifies at least one alternate audio signal that corresponds to the content identifier and that is separately available from the video signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as television screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV.

Abstract: When the user views the information available on a program (in a Personal Video Recorder), the keywords that determine whether a program will be recorded are accentuated. This can be done by using the size of the text or by using colors or any other kind of varying accentuation i.e. encircled or blinking text. This makes it easy for the user to identify the keywords used in their personalized profile. Additionally the user can navigate between keywords and change the accentuation of the keywords, to indicate a rating (in multiple levels) of the keyword.

Abstract: A display device and a method for providing content using the display device are disclosed. A controller receives a search term and searches for at least one content including a video frame associated with the received search term. A display displays a list of the searched content.

Abstract: A method may include receiving, from a user device, a search query associated with identifying media content items available from a service provider. A database of key words associated with a plurality of media content items is searched to identify a set of media content items having key words associated therewith that match the search query. It is determined, for each media content item in the set of media content items, whether the matching key word is a global key word representative of the media content item in its entirety, or a local key word representative of one or more portions of the media content item. The set of media content items based on the determining. The ranked set of media content items is transmitted to the user device for display to a user.

Abstract: A device consistent with certain embodiments has a television receiver and an Internet Protocol television (IPTV) receiver. A decoder decodes television programming from either of the television receiver or the IPTV receiver. A programmed processor(s) retrieves metadata relating to television programming, IPTV content, any installed Widgets, and the television (TV) receiver device's function, all of which are considered search targets. The programmed processor stores tags from the metadata in a database and associates the tags with their targets. A search engine searches the database for tags in response to a search query and to retrieve the associated target on command. The control processor executes the target by either tuning to the target's program content or by launching or resuming a Widget or TV device function. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A commercial search engine for searchmercials. The system manages and searches advertising media video and audio files and associating the media with one or more calls to action. The system contains Metadata utilized for various queries including search, channels of distribution and account information. The system uses a manually data entry interlace or a custom retrieval system to selectively update media files and Metadata from Meta tags or feeds on a scheduled basis automatically without having to manually update this data in the system. The system spiders these custom Meta tags or feeds for new Metadata on a scheduled basis to automate the submission and programming of the searchmercials content over the search engine. The system provides videos tailored for search in the results list in order to better inform users as to the contents of a link URL. The system can also provide users with other call to action options such as click to call, literature, order forms, etc.

Abstract: A computer implemented method for using search queries related to television programs. A server receives a user's search query from an electronic device. The server then determines, in accordance with the search query and television program related information for television programs available at a location associated with the electronic device during a specific time window, a television program currently being displayed in proximity to the electronic device, wherein the television program related information includes program descriptions for a plurality of television programs being broadcast for the associated location.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for quickly and easily displaying supplemental information about an event occurring in a media asset. In some embodiments, a media application may use a content-recognition module to determine the context of an event and distribute itemized tasks to multiple entities in order to generate the supplemental information about the event.

Abstract: Method for virtual channel management, in an embodiment, includes the following steps. A command including a keyword is detected. Searching local program data for any program satisfying a first search criterion which includes the keyword is made to obtain a local search result, and searching for any external network video content satisfying the first search criterion is made to obtain an external search result. A program list is generated with a combination of the local and external search results. The program list is presented. If a selection indicating virtual channel addition is detected during the presenting of the program list, the program list is set to be a virtual channel associated with a channel identity code, and program content of the virtual channel is played. While the network-based multimedia reproduction system operates, if the channel identity code is detected to be selected, the program content thereof is played.

Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for Internet-delivered media. In some embodiments, information on available media on the Internet is gathered. The information is associated with existing media guidance data. The associations enable a media guidance application to identify relevant online media and to display listings in a user-friendly way. A user interface for an online media guidance application is also provided. The user interface allows a user to narrow down the large amount of Internet-delivered media in a systematic way according to criteria that interests a user.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively implementing a personal channel for interactive television comprises a personal channel manager that may include a configuration module, a search module, and a content packaging module. A system user may utilize the configuration module to perform a personal channel configuration procedure to specify personal channel configuration data for performing a content record search procedure. The search module may manage the content record search procedure according to one or more search parameters that may be defined during the personal channel configuration procedure. The search module finds content records from content databases during the foregoing content record search procedure. The content packaging module coordinates a content record sorting procedure according to user-specified sorting criteria.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems and tools are presented that allow the summarization of text, audio, and audiovisual presentations, such as movies, into less lengthy forms. High-content media files are shortened in a manner that preserves important details, by splitting the files into segments, rating the segments, and reassembling preferred segments into a final abridged piece. Summarization of media can be customized by user selection of criteria, and opens new possibilities for delivering entertainment, news, and information in the form of dense, information-rich content that can be viewed by means of broadcast or cable distribution, “on-demand” distribution, internet and cell phone digital video streaming, or can be downloaded onto an iPod™ and other portable video playback devices.

Abstract: An assistance method for selecting a program using a display device (112) is disclosed. The method (1200) selects one or more attributes associated with a first program, the one or more attributes being selected dynamically by a processor associated with the display device (112) according to one or more predetermined criteria. The method searches for a second program associated with one or more of the selected attributes. The second program and the one or more attributes associated therewith are displayed on the display device, according to the search for the second program.

Abstract: An Internet TV video guide shows thumbnails of video assets available from one or more providers, and one or more of the assets may represent a playlist with two or more associated video clips. When a viewer selects a playlist asset, the thumbnail is expanded to show the individual clips so that a viewer can select a desired clip for play on the TV.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for media content search and retrieval, and a virtual television channel capable of using that system. The present system may be implemented on a computing device, such as for example a media service server, and a client device, such as for example a set top box for a television system, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or a gaming console. A first aspect of the present system relates to a media download control engine which enables a client device with limited capabilities to play media content which comes from a website in a format not supported by the client device. A second aspect of the present system may make use of the media download control engine to obtain media content and create customized virtual channels. The second aspect in particular relates to a virtual channel engine that schedules a continuous stream of content for the user, which content is selected based on topics of interest to the user.

Abstract: Methods, devices, systems and tools are presented that allow the summarization of text, audio, and audiovisual presentations, such as movies, into less lengthy forms. High-content media files are shortened in a manner that preserves important details, by splitting the files into segments, rating the segments, and reassembling preferred segments into a final abridged piece. Summarization of media can be customized by user selection of criteria, and opens new possibilities for delivering entertainment, news, and information in the form of dense, information-rich content that can be viewed by means of broadcast or cable distribution, “on-demand” distribution, internet and cell phone digital video streaming, or can be downloaded onto an iPod™ and other portable video playback devices.

Abstract: A method performed at an apparatus includes receiving a request for media content corresponding to a user equipment; requesting and receiving some of the media content from a server; and if the requested media content should not be optimized, sending, through the network toward the user equipment, information that causes a node to direct additional requests from the user equipment for the media content through the network toward the server without passing through the apparatus. Another method includes receiving a redirect message comprising an indication corresponding to a location of media content and comprising a tag indicating the redirect message should cause a first apparatus to redirect requests from a user equipment for the media content to a server having the media content without passing through a second apparatus; and for requests received from the user equipment and corresponding to the indication, forwarding requests through the network toward the server.

Abstract: A recommender engine for recommending content items to a user comprises a profile generation unit having a pre-profile input unit, which is configured to receive pre-profile data comprising pre-profile text data suitable for identifying entities of interest to a given user, and having a pre-profile analysis unit, the entities of interest and to generate an initial user profile data set for the given user from the extracted identification data; a query generation unit, to generate at least two queries semantically different from each other to be directed to at least one content repository; a content retrieval unit, to issue the generated queries to the content repository and to receive in response to the queries, content-related response data comprising respective hit lists and an interleaver unit to generate from the different hit lists a single recommendation list.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a search interface for an electronic device including a tuner configured to tune the electronic device to receive scheduled programming content. A search query is received and one or more data sources including information about media content are searched based, at least in part, on the search query. The results of the search are presented on a user interface using a time-based axis and a time-independent axis.

Abstract: An automatic search system and method is disclosed which automatically displays a search menu on a TV in response to opening a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. Since a text entry keyboard is known to be in use a streamlined search menu may be displayed without an on screen keyboard. A separate on screen keyboard search menu may be activated in a different mode by using the remote in a closed configuration.

Abstract: A system for searching TV program data via the Internet, wherein TV program data is received from broadcasting stations via the Internet and recorded in a database. A program data search means enables the user to search for specific TV program data or search tabulation data for the TV program data provided by a search tabulation means.