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: 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: 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 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: According to one embodiment, a video display apparatus including, a registering module, a sending module, a receiving module, and a controller. The registering module configured to register a keyword. The sending module configured to send the keyword to a server. The receiving module configured to receive control information based on the keyword from the server. The controller controls a turning on power or switching channels or turning off power on the basis of the control information.

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 method and system including a controller with an internet interface of providing enhanced content is provided. The controller receives an electronic program guide data and retrieves at least one characteristic identifying a program currently being displayed on a primary display device within the electronic program guide. At least one external content source is searched using the internet interface for information related to the program based on the at least one characteristic and the information related to the program obtained during the search is stored into a memory. The information stored in the memory and related to the first program is displayed by a user interface display processor on a second display.

Abstract: A related content providing method using broadcast service guide information of a mobile terminal is disclosed. The method includes playing broadcast content stored in the mobile terminal, searching for real-time broadcast content related to the played broadcast content while displaying the played broadcast content, and displaying information associated with the searched real-time broadcast content.

Abstract: A searching method for a digital stream system, includes acquiring a plurality of selecting keywords related to a broadcast program from a network service terminal of the digital stream system according to a program consultation of the broadcast program; selecting at least one of the plurality of selecting keywords for assembling a searching keyword string; and acquiring a plurality of on-demand information from at least one on-demand resource service terminal according to the searching keyword string.

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 content library may be provided. First, a video on demand content program may be received. Then, video on demand information corresponding to the video on demand content program may be added to a video on demand information list. The video on demand information corresponding to the video on demand content program may be maintained in the video on demand information list after a rental window for the video on demand content program is over.

Abstract: There is provided an information processing apparatus which includes an acquisition unit acquiring an instruction for selecting content information and related information, a search unit searching for plural pieces of the content information or related information which are related to at least a part of the selected content information or the selected related information, an image data generation unit generating first image data in which the content information is arranged using axes of two attributes of the content information, and second image data in which the content information or the related information is arranged using axes of one or two attributes of the content information or the related information in different directions from the two axes of the first image data, and a display control unit controlling a display screen to transparently overlay and display the first image data and the second image data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting user-generated content in as easily accessible manner using an interactive media guide are provided. In particular, a user may be able to peruse user-generated content through an interactive media guide which is also used to access non-user-generated media content such as linear programming (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, cable, and satellite scheduled programming) and on-demand media. The interactive media guide may include a provider of user-generated content populated with user-generated content according to the user's interests or most recently added to the provider.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for presenting a program guide for a video-on-demand system describing a plurality of media programs, each media program having a plurality of video frames. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of accepting a search request from a user, the search request comprising a search parameter having a search value; searching the media program database for the search value, the media program database having first metadata associated with a first individual video frame of the media program; and providing the program guide comprising a thumbnail depicting the first individual video frame of the media program associated with the first metadata to the user if the first metadata includes the search value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a version of an entertainment program based on user preference includes receiving entertainment programming input, identifying multiple available versions of an entertainment program, identifying, for each of the multiple versions, a set of descriptive information regarding the respective version, accessing user preferences, and selecting one of the multiple versions for display based on a comparison of the descriptive information to the user preferences.

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

Abstract: A method for watching a missed television (TV) program and a user terminal are provided. The method includes the following steps. Electronic program guide (EPG) information distributed by a headend is received, and a local table of missed programs and current time are obtained. It is determined that a missed program exits when the user terminal is in a non-working status according to the local table of missed programs and the current time. Information of the missed program in the local table of missed programs is updated according to the EPG information. It is detected whether the missed program is played currently, and if yes, a service of watching a missed program is implemented. By using the method for making up for watching the missed TV program and the user terminal, when the missed program of the user is played in a system, the user is reminded in time of watching the missed program, and a trouble that the user searches the missed program through the EPG is avoided.

Abstract: A dialog type interface apparatus providing contents corresponding to a voice signal received from the display apparatus is disclosed. The dialog type interface apparatus includes a communicator which receives a voice signal corresponding to a user's voice collected in the display apparatus; and a controller which determines the user's utterance intentions using the voice signal, and which controls to generate a query for searching contents corresponding to the determined utterance intentions, divide metadata on the contents, and transmit the divided metadata to an external server, wherein the controller extracts an utterance element for determining the utterance intentions from the voice signal, and converts the extracted utterance element to correspond to contents dividing criteria of each item to generate the query.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a server which implements an interactive system are disclosed. The server includes a communicator which receives text information corresponding to a user voice collected at the display apparatus from the display apparatus, and a controller which extracts an utterance component from the text information and controls so that a query to search contents is generated using the extracted utterance component and transmitted to an external server which categorizes metadata of the content under each item and stores the same, in which the controller generates the query by adding a preset item to a criteria to search a content, when a number of criteria to categorize the content under an item corresponding to the extracted utterance component is less than a preset number.

Abstract: A system for presenting an electronic programming guide in a media system is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver having a controller element to transmit to a portal information associated with an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). The portal processes the information to present a Graphical User Interface (GUI) window corresponding to a slideable canvas of the EPG in an Internet browser of a communication device requesting the EPG. Other embodiments are disclosed.

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: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for recording a content. An embodiment of the invention provides a method for recording a content that includes: determining a recording state of a first content through a first path; searching a second content corresponding to the first content through a second path according to the recording state of the first content through the first path; and recording or downloading the second content found by the search through the second path or providing a link by which to obtain the second content.

Abstract: A system is configured to receive a portion of a word; retrieve a group of words matching the portion of the word; retrieve information associated with a set of words in the group, where the information, for a particular one of the words, indicates a measure of popularity of the particular word, geographic location information associated with the particular word, time information associated with the particular word, or user preference information associated with the particular word; rank the set of words based on the information; present a list of words from the set of words for display based on the ranking; receive selection of a word from the list of words; perform a search for television content based on the selected word to identify a group of television content; receive selection of television content from the group of television content; and present the selected television content for display.

Abstract: A method of providing a user interface in a data broadcasting receiver is provided. The method of providing a user interface in a data broadcasting receiver comprises selecting one of a plurality of search factor information transmitted together with video information through data broadcasting and displaying selection options for selecting one of a plurality of video information comprising a part of the video information corresponding to the selected search factor. Therefore, the user can simply search for various information while viewing a movie, a TV program, a sports, etc provided through data broadcasting.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiment providing for the capture of video content. The video content is segmented in real-time into clips by topic, and those clips are delivered as customized queues of video items relevant to the consumer according to their interests as aggregated from their social graph data and manual entry.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a system includes a server configured to: receive, from a first device, a request to generate a widget interface and a search parameter for video content, generate a list of video content corresponding to the search parameter for the video content, generate the widget interface associated with the generated list of video content, and transmit the generated widget interface; and a second device configured to: receive the transmitted widget interface, receive an input to select the transmitted widget interface from among a plurality of widget interfaces, and display the list of the video content associated with the selected widget interface.

Abstract: A set top box includes a processor configured to detect a commercial and analyze the commercial to identify an advertised video content. The processor is further configured to search an electronic programming guide for availability of the video content and record the video content in response to a user input.

Abstract: A method performed by one or more computing devices includes determining a relevancy function of viewer tendencies based on set-top box data from a subscription television service and defining a cluster of set-top boxes based on the relevancy function. The method also includes building a tendency profile for the cluster, the tendency profile including predicted actions for viewers within the cluster. The method further includes assigning the set-top box to the cluster and directing a cluster-oriented presentation to a particular set-top box within the cluster.

Abstract: In an example, a system for distributed video creation is provided. In an example, the system enables users to create the ideas that they and others might film and/or upload. These may be single scene ideas, or multiple scene ideas. These ideas may be as part of a broader, existing video work, or a new video work. These ideas may be manifested as text (such as descriptions or instructions) or verbal (audio), or through pictures or video.

Abstract: A method for outputting an EPG and a broadcasting receiver employing the method are disclosed. More particularly, a method for outputting an EPG and a broadcasting receiver employing the method are disclosed, in which the EPG output from the broadcasting receiver includes RSS information to allow a user to easily identify the RSS information from the EPG.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that provide a user with efficient video-rich navigation (VRN) of media assets in an interactive media guidance application, such as an interactive program guide. A user can select a displayed video asset and perform an action on the selectable video asset, for example, using a remote control. The manner in which the video assets are displayed and the actions enabled for the particular video assets are defined by screen data transmitted to the user equipment in a VRN data feed.

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: The present invention relates to a method for a control point of initiating actions on a device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a method for a device of initiating actions on said device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a control point of initiating actions on a device in a communication network comprising at least two control point both adapted to control said device. Further, the present invention relates to a device in a communication network comprising at least two control points both adapted to control said device based on action requests received from a control point along with control point identification.

Abstract: A method of overlaying layers of a user interface on a display of a computing device is presented herein. In a preferred embodiment, while a media item is displayed within the user interface, an overlay having features associated with the media item being displayed on the user interface is layered on top of the user interface such that the media item beneath the overlay layer is at least partially viewable through the overlay layer.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products utilize a content receiver to generate a dynamically modifiable expanded programming guide with a grid containing a plurality of regions. Each region is associated with a plurality of channels over a timeframe. The content receiver transmits the expanded programming guide to a content display. The grid may be utilized to navigate through regions and therefore across a large amount of programming information associated with a wide range of channels and timeframes. The content receiver may transmit a magnified view of the expanded programming guide and may display content-related information associated with a subset of regions for the associated channels and timeframes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a detailed information management system configured so that detailed information linked to the viewed scene is displayed in real-time on a display of a terminal device such as a remote controller at hand, in a simple operation.

Abstract: In a method and system for accessing content, a selection of a media content item having at least one set of episodes is received. Each of the at least one set of episodes is displayed as a user-selectable element in a user interface. A selection of a user-selectable element corresponding to a set of the at least one set of episodes is received. The display of the selected user-selectable element is expanded to display the episodes of the set within the selected user-selectable element, with each episode of the episodes of the set being represented by an additional user-selectable element. A selection of an episode from the set of episodes is received. At least one content source from which the selected episode is available to be retrieved is displayed. A content source of the at least one content source from which the selected episode is to be retrieved is received.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system comprises at least a first video source device, at least a first remote control device, a digital display device comprising logic to receive, in a digital display device, a first video signal from a first video source, extract at least a first metadata from the first video signal, use the first metadata to obtain a second video signal from a second video source, present the first video signal on the digital display device, combine at least a portion of the second video signal and at least a portion of the first video signal to generate a combined video signal, and present the combined video signal on a display.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the field of players, and provides a portable multimedia player includes a housing; an integrated circuit module received in the housing for playing multimedia; a storage device interface electrically connected to the integrated circuit module, and configured to connect to an external storage device; and a male HDMI connector electrically connected to the integrated circuit module, configured to be connected to a female HDMI of an external display device. The multimedia function of the external display device is expanded by connecting the male HDMI 11 to the female HDMI of the external display device. The portable multimedia player is connected to the display device without any corresponding interface cable, such that it affords convenient using to users and beautiful appearance.

Abstract: A system for presenting media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The program recommendation device includes a search term receiver that receives at least one search term designated by a user, a partial match searcher that searches an electronic program list for programs having program information with words and phrases partially matching the search term designated by the user and outputs a partial match search result set, a language analyzer that performs a language analyzing process on the program information of each of the programs contained in the partial match search result set and outputs an analyzed search result set, an exact match searcher that searches the analyzed program information contained in the analyzed search result set for programs with words and phrases exactly matching the search term designated by the user and outputs an exact match search result set. A recommended program display displays programs contained in the exact match search result set as recommended programs.

Abstract: A digital video recorder (DVR) has a memory manager to determine a particular date and a particular video program in a download schedule for which the DVR will reach a low memory condition based on the download schedule and an amount of unoccupied memory space in the DVR. The DVR outputs a display signal to indicate the particular date and the particular video program.

Abstract: A method and system includes a first device having an ordering interface and forming a recording command comprising a linear channel, a start time, time duration and date. The first device communicates a customer identifier and the recording command to a content processing system corresponding to the linear content. The content processing system forms a control word from the recording command and communicates the control word to a user device. The user device receives the content corresponding to the recording command in response to the control word.

Abstract: A metadata providing apparatus receives a first request for requesting metadata representing a broadcast schedule of a first program to be promoted in the first receiving device. A request ID is issued to the first request, and the first request and the associated request ID are stored. A request response including the request ID is sent to the first request. When the second receiving device receives a second request requesting metadata corresponding to the request ID after metadata has been prepared in the second storing device, the relevant metadata is searched for and sent.

Abstract: Techniques for the aggregate and hierarchical display of grouped items spanning multiple storage locations are described. Some techniques may aggregate items in response to user input identifying a scope for item retrieval. The user input may identify a scope such as selection of a local storage location or a search query for retrieving items. The aggregated items may span multiple storage locations and include items within the identified scope and related items outside the identified scope. A group of aggregated items are presented in a hierarchical display within a user interface. The hierarchical display may visually differentiate items inside and outside of the identified scope, and may identify parent-child relationship between related items. An aggregate header for the group of aggregated items may be displayed indicating total items in the group and a status for items in the group within the identified scope. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A video recording/playing device includes a trending word acquiring portion that acquires, from the Internet, a trending word for which a search frequency is rising, and a program information searching portion that searches a program information database for program information that includes the trending word.

Abstract: A method of displaying a list is provided. The method includes receiving a user command to display a list of multimedia content, determining at least one multimedia content which matches a pre-stored keyword from among a plurality of multimedia content included in the list, in response to the user command, and displaying the list including the plurality of multimedia content based on the result of the determination, wherein the displayed list displays the pre-stored keyword as overlapping the least one multimedia content matching the pre-stored keyword from among the plurality of multimedia content.

Abstract: In a system and method for enabling a user to simultaneously display a set of selectable categories, a set of channels related to a selected category, and individual content associated with a selected channel, of potential interest to the user. The system includes a graphical user interface which includes a set of selectable categories, sets of channels, each set of which includes channels which are relevant to each selectable category, and individual content, each of which is associated with a selectable channel and a selectable category. The graphical user interface uses hypertext markup language as the content description language, for enabling generation of guide information with links to related information and search functionality. The graphical user interface is further adapted to enable the selection of a category, a related channel, and associated individual content by the user. The internet websites and the internet content may be displayed in the same context as the video content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for content recording and indexing are described. Content may be accessed from a content source. The content may be processed to generate an index of the content. Programming data for future content may be accessed. A content selection guide may be generated in accordance with the index and the programming data. The content selection guide may include a listing of the indexed content and the future content.