Abstract: A content platform that includes subscribable paid channels is provided. The content platform receives, via a user interface, a request of an end user to subscribe to a paid channel. The paid channel is one of a plurality of channels of the content platform and has dynamically changed content. The content platform requests, via the user interface, end user information that includes payment information of the end user. The content platform receives the end user information and creates a subscription to the paid channel for the end user based on the end user information. The content platform provides, via the user interface, access to the content of the paid channel to the end user at substantially the same time as creating the subscription for the end user.

Abstract: A method for providing a content service to a subscriber terminal (MS) from a first server, i.e. content server (CS). The provision of the content service from the content server to the subscriber terminal is controlled by a second server, i.e. proxy (CBP). The control comprises the following steps: 1) determining (5-4 to 5-10, 706) a billing address for the content service by means of the proxy (CBP); 2) under the control of the content billing proxy, providing (5-48) a content service corresponding to a service request from the content server (CS) to the subscriber terminal (MS); and 3) generating (5-46) billing information (CDR) related to the content service.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of issuing credit to a subscriber by a managing device in an on-demand video system. The method includes receiving a request for credit information on a subscriber from a receiver, determining exchangeable credit based on the remaining purchase information on the subscriber in response to the request for credit information, transmitting information on the determined credit to the receiver, receiving an exchange request including selective information on at least some pieces of the determined credit for the receiver, and issuing credit corresponding to the selective information, to the subscriber.

Abstract: A hospitality media system includes a media system controller and a plurality of media devices located in a plurality of rooms and coupled to the media system controller. Each room has one or more in-room media devices located therein for performing a media function. A connection port allows a user of a room to establish data communications between the media system controller and a guest device. The media system controller is coupled to the connection port and configured to catalogue guest content available on the guest device to thereby form a guest content list, associate the guest content with one or more associated rooms at least including the user's room, and perform the media function utilizing content selected from the guest content list only on the in-room media devices located within the one or more associated rooms.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an interactive shopping channel. A head-end server may be configured to access product information, to access customer information specific to a set-top receiver, and to process purchase requests. The head-end server can be used to generate metadata which can be associated with broadcast video of a shopping channel. The head-end server may be configured to extract data from video content of the shopping channel in order to generate the metadata. The head-end server is configured to send the video content and the metadata to a set-top receiver and other companion client devices. The client devices can be configured to receive and play the shopping channel video, as well as facilitate purchasing of one or more products shown by the broadcast video. A purchase transaction can be initiated from the client devices by sending a communication to the head-end server which references the metadata.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a wireless LAN service using a rental digital television is provided. When a wireless-LAN-embedded digital television leased to a first user is turned on, the digital television accesses a management authentication server using a service server included in the digital television to determine whether or not the first user is a lease service subscriber. A TV tuner of the digital television is activated if the first user is a lease service subscriber. When a terminal of a second user has accessed an access point of the digital television, the digital television accesses the management authentication server using the service server to determine whether or not the second user is a wireless LAN service subscriber. A wireless LAN service is provided to the terminal of the second user if the second user is a wireless LAN service subscriber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a remote control unit for intelligent digital audiovisual reproduction systems, comprising storage means, payment means, a sound control circuit, display means and a metal chassis wherein said remote control unit comprises a distant radio frequency transmitter that is associated with a radio frequency receiver connected to the sound control circuit of the audiovisual reproduction system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing subscription-on-demand (SOD) services for a interactive information distribution system, where a consumer may subscribe to packages of on-demand programs for a single price and view the programs in the subscribed package at any time for no additional cost. The apparatus and method are embodied in a combination of software, which provides a so called navigator, and hardware, including a subscriber terminal that provides certain functionality for the navigator and service provider equipment that supports the functionality of the terminal. As such, graphical user interface functionality is distributed between the service provider equipment and subscriber equipment (subscriber terminal). Such distribution provides an enjoyable, real time interactive process for accessing SOD services that allows the subscriber to rapidly identify and access a subscription service.

Abstract: Techniques are presented herein for delivering multimedia content to members of an audience. At a content delivery device, an activation event is detected that causes the content delivery device to operate in a first mode to detect a presence of one or more of members of an audience in a viewing area. A number of members of the audience in the viewing area is determined. The content delivery device switches to a second mode to initiate a payment request event. The payment request event requests payment for the multimedia content based on the number of members of the audience. A determination is made as to whether an appropriate payment has been received based on the number of members of the audience. When the appropriate payment has been received, the content delivery device switches to a third mode to deliver the multimedia content to the members of the audience in the viewing area.

Abstract: Automatic generation of questions and evaluation answers about a media item is provided for a system such as a video on demand system. A virtually unlimited number of questions can be generated without the need for subjective information. Questions about a media item are generated by selecting a media segment of the media item. At least part of the media item within the selected media segment is shown to a user. The user is asked to indicate a position within the media item where the user thinks that the segment is located. The indicated position is compared to the actual position of the segment to evaluate the answer.

Abstract: A method and cloud security framework for implementing tenant license verification. The method and framework conduct tenant license verification transparently to cloud resources and users who request them. An exemplary method comprises receiving by the framework from a client device a request for access to a cloud resource and user information; authenticating by the framework a user of the device using the information; obtaining by the framework a security context for the user including a tenant identifier identifying a multi-user enterprise to which the user belongs using the information; transmitting by the framework to an outside entity over a web services interface a tenant license verification request including the identifier; receiving by the framework from the entity a verification that a tenant license associated with the identifier is in good standing; and granting by the framework to the device access to the resource.

Abstract: Methods and systems for message notification are described. A video message is received from a source access device. A selection of a target user may be received for the video message. A message notification of availability of the video message for a target access device associated with the target user may be provided.

Abstract: A jukebox system, including a server that stores a master library of audiovisual selections; a plurality of jukeboxes, each of which is operable to store audiovisual selections received from the server and to play the audiovisual selections at the request of a user; a communication system through which the server and the jukeboxes communicate; wherein the server is operable to define authorized uses for the audiovisual selections received from the server; and further wherein the authorized uses correspond to various rights that third parties have in the audiovisual selections, the rights requiring by law or regulation payment of respective royalties; and further wherein the server maintains information on the authorized uses made by each of the jukeboxes and determines the amount of royalties due.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for providing periodic fee limited access to videos via Internet Protocol Television. Exemplary embodiments include a method for providing video, the method including receiving a request to download a video to a communications device via an Internet-Protocol-enabled connection, determining whether the download is permitted based on a periodic fee arrangement for providing the video to the communications device and providing the video to the communications device in response to a determination that the download is permitted.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for providing the digital content of non-free event to viewers through mobile computing devices. The present invention collects the viewer's preferred date and time, ticket count, the content provider and non-free event information. Then the present invention initiates the payment process and communicates to appropriate media server to book the tickets and download the digital content of non-free event. At the time of the event the present invention authorizes the authentication code on ticket, leverages the mobile device camera to validate the count of viewers watching the event based on count of tickets purchased and if viewers are in right age to watch the event depending on rating of the event. Then the present invention downloads the digital content of event and streams to viewer's computing device from the non-free digital event content provider.

Abstract: A hospitality establishment includes guest rooms having media devices installed therein. Each guest room has one or more in-room media devices for providing a pay-per-use media function. A media system controller dynamically associates a credit corresponding to a monetary value with a particular guest room in response to an occurrence of a first event, configures an in-room media device of the particular guest room to indicate the credit associated with the particular guest room and allow a guest of the particular guest room to utilize at least an amount of the credit toward an order of the pay-per-use media function, activates the pay-per-use media function on at least one of the in-room media devices of the particular guest room in response to a received order, and decreases the credit associated with the particular guest room according to the amount of the credit utilized toward the received order.

Abstract: A method for realizing a convergent Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) Authentication and Privacy Infrastructure (WAPI) network architecture with a split Medium Access Control (MAC) mode involves the steps: a split MAC mode for realizing WLAN Privacy Infrastructure (WPI) by a wireless terminal point is constructed through separating the MAC function and the WAPI function of the wireless access point apart to the wireless terminal point and an access controller; integration of a WAPI and a convergent WLAN network system architecture is realized under the split MAC mode that the wireless terminal point realizes WPI; the association connection process is performed among a station point, a wireless terminal point and an access controller; the process for announcing the start of performing the WLAN Authentication Infrastructure (WAI) protocol between the access controller and the wireless terminal point is performed; the process for performing the WAI protocol between the station point and the access controller i

Abstract: An internet-based content platform that includes subscribable paid channels is provided. The internet-based content platform receives, via a user interface, a request of an end user to subscribe to a paid channel. The paid channel is one of a plurality of channels of the internet-based content platform and has dynamically changed content. The internet-based content platform requests, via the user interface, end user information that includes payment information of the end user. The internet-based content platform receives the end user information and creates a subscription to the paid channel for the end user based on the end user information. The internet-based content platform provides, via the user interface, access to the content of the paid channel to the end user at substantially the same time as creating the subscription for the end user.

Abstract: A method for introducing and playing a media is disclosed, in which the method is implemented through a display device that is capable of linking to a network. In the method, detection is performed to determine whether a display of the display device shows a channel preview frame, and a plurality of preliminary previews are automatically and sequentially played when the channel preview frame is showing on the display. Further, detection is performed to determine whether a user selects one of the preliminary previews, and the user is provided with options of channel subscribing or detailed preview when the user selects one of the preliminary previews. Next, a fee paying procedure is executed when the user chooses to subscribe to the channel, and a channel information of the channel subscribed to is set.

Abstract: A method, computer readable medium and an apparatus for providing supplemental information related to a character featured on a broadcast television program, wherein the supplemental information is not broadcast along with the broadcast television program. A viewer can request specific supplemental information associated with the broadcast television program through a telephone or electronic network interface. In some embodiments, a service controller transmits the requested supplemental information such that an audio component of the supplemental information does not conflict with the audio component of the broadcast television program.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling display of a broadcast program for use in a system including an electronic device with a communication function and an external display device is provided. The broadcast playback control method of an electronic device includes displaying program information including a schedule registration icon, scheduling, when the schedule registration icon is selected, a broadcast program slotted to play at a broadcast time included in the program information, and controlling playback of the registered program at the broadcast time.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods in the field of bi-directional (or interactive) networks. In some embodiments, bi-directional networks which provide, include, and/or enable point-of-purchase options (e.g., to or within displays or plays of media such as movies, television, and/or video). In some embodiments, bi-directional networks which permit or allow product placements to be directly monetized. In some embodiments, bi-directional or interactive networks which provide and/or include selectively visible advertising. In some embodiments, bi-directional or interactive networks which provide or include selectively visible advertising or point of purchase opportunities which are uniquely associated, affiliated, or connected to a consumer interest. In still other embodiments, methods and/or apparatus for increasing advertising and/or product placement effectiveness and/or for apportioning profits related to commercialization of advertised goods and/or services.

Abstract: A method performed by one or more devices within a subscription television network includes receiving a customer profile for a viewer, the customer profile being based on historical data of the viewer provided over the television network. The method also includes applying, based on the customer profile, a price utility function for each on-demand program of a group of programs, the price utility function identifying dynamic pricing for each on-demand program; and offering, to the viewer over the television network, each of the programs of the group of programs at a price based on the price utility function.

Abstract: A method for authorising access to multimedia digital programmes with access control and broadcast by a broadcast server (11) to descrambling devices (13) through a communications network, in which access request messages are transmitted for a reduced period of time, to a scrambled multimedia digital programme from descramblers (13) to a licence server (12); comparison in the licence server (12) of the request messages received with a specific trust level associated with a predetermined credit level stored in the licence server (12) and in which each customer is assigned a credit level; if the comparison is positive, transmission of an access authorisation and descrambling key from the licence server (12) to the descrambler (13), and retransmission of the authorised request messages received to the broadcast server (11), when the multimedia digital programme is being played or has finished.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes: a program executing unit which interprets and executes codes of a computer program created in a procedural language in an environment with a tamper resistant performance, wherein a security attribute and an authentication key are provided in units of functions in the computer program executed by the program executing unit, and wherein the program executing unit executes authentication processing with the authentication key for executing the function, which makes it possible to execute the function based on the security attribute.

Abstract: A wireless communication method for modifying a subscription that includes, receiving subscription information, demodulating the subscription information according to a wireless scheme, displaying a set of available program packages for subscription using the demodulated subscription information and allowing a selection of one or more displayed packages, wherein the subscription is modified as a result of the selection.

Abstract: A method for subscribing users to a video monitoring service and video broadcast service are disclosed. Viewers can login to a secure website run by a server in the cloud to remotely view streamed video images from one or more portable video monitoring devices. The viewers and subscribers to the service have many options to select the monitoring devices and to process and customized viewed images according to their needs. A server based system implements the method, and can include a cloud server.

Abstract: An encoded contents receiving method of a contents receiving device is disclosed. The method includes pairing with a mobile device through wired or wireless communication, receiving a private key which is generated by the paired mobile device, receiving an encoded control word (CW) from a contents supplying device, and decoding the encoded CW based on the received private key to descramble an encoded contents supplied by the contents supplying device.

Abstract: An electronic commerce method and system using an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) and a mobile terminal are provided. In an electronic commerce method and system, an IPTV or mobile terminal transmits binding information to a server where a purchaser selects product information, the server determines a purchaser authority using the received binding information, and transmits sales information for the selected product information to the mobile terminal in response to the purchase authority being valid, and the mobile terminal makes an offer to purchase the product to the server using the received sales information.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for causing a playback device to be automatically added to a secure network for rendering media in synchrony with other devices in the secure network. The playback device may, without any input from a user, transmit a first message indicating that the playback device is available to join the network. Upon receiving the first message, a device already in the secure network may transmit to the playback device a second message indicating security parameters for joining the network. The playback device may then join the secure network accordingly. Embodiments are also provided for causing a playback device to be automatically configured, without any input from a user. Another device in the secure network may receive a configuration table indicating setup information for the playback device, and may subsequently transmit the setup information to the playback device and cause the playback device to be configured accordingly.

Abstract: Set top box logs are received from a television provider and processed to identify channel tunes and channel tune times. The channel tunes and channel tune times of the log data can be compared to expected air times of television advertisements on channels, and an impression values, e.g., projected viewers, can be generated for each television advertisement.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, system having a controller to receive from a set-top box (STB) a request for assistance, identify a subscriber account associated with the STB, identify from the subscriber account a subscription grade, select one of a plurality of subscriber support services according to the subscriber grade, and establish communications between the STB and the selected subscriber support service. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for excluding specific application traffic from customer consumption-based data billing counts. This is useful for excluding traffic from consumption totals where the application traffic has been accounted for using other means, such as through billing as a separate or technically distinct service. In practice, a tablet computer (or other end user device) can run a video application that uses a high-speed data network via a cable modem. This video application may be included as part of a core video package associated with a distinct cable television service. The system then provides accurate consumption billing of customer traffic that is outside of any other managed services by creating separate logical data service flows at a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) for excluding specific traffic counts.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for providing multimedia data, wherein the method includes defining, by a first user, a task for requesting multimedia data, wherein the task includes criteria for the requested multimedia data; maintaining, by an operator, the defined task based on the criteria, wherein the task being available for a second user; receiving multimedia data, from the second user, in response to the defined task based on the criteria; and maintaining, by an operator, the received multimedia data based on the criteria, wherein the multimedia being available to a third user.

Abstract: An approach is provided to facilitate network connectivity and consumption of broadband services. A data network connection is established by a set-top box. Sharing of the data network connection by a plurality of user devices is permitted by the set-top box. A credit count is maintained based on the sharing of the data network connection by the plurality of user devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer products for providing periodic fee limited access to videos via Internet Protocol Television. Exemplary embodiments include a method for providing video, the method including receiving a request to download a video to a communications device via an Internet-Protocol-enabled connection, determining whether the download is permitted based on a periodic fee arrangement for providing the video to the communications device and providing the video to the communications device in response to a determination that the download is permitted.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms providing a visual indication of ordinal ranks of objects in an ordered list. When an object is selected for the ordered list, an ordinal rank for the object within the ordered list is determined and a visual indication of the ordinal rank is rendered to a user interface.

Abstract: A process for a language selection using one or more language preferences is disclosed. Information for presenting a language preference selection control may be sent to a user. A language preference may be received from the user and stored to a server. A cookie, which includes an indication of the language preference, may be caused to be stored to a device of a user. The stored language preference may be accessed from the cookie responsive to a communication from the user. Responsive to whether the user has logged into an account, the language preference may be retrieved from either the server or from the cookie. The retrieved language preference may be compared with languages available in an application and a most preferred language for the application may be determined based upon the comparison. Information from the application may be provided to the user in the most preferred language.

Abstract: A method is provided for generating a presentation menu for presenting audio and audiovisual contents on the screen of a receiver, which are downloadable from a broadcasting network or from dedicated sites. A user selects accessible contents and makes payment to make these contents available at the receiver. The receiver retrieves information on availability of all the contents from the receiver and requests display of a presentation menu presenting a list of available contents. Thus each user gets to know all the available contents from the receiver, including those purchased by other users. The presentation menu can visually associate each document with the identity of the user who made the document available. The presentation menu can display an indication that the replay of an available content has already begun and has been interrupted at a certain point in time. This point in time is made available at the display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a device and a system for ordering a pay program, which aim to play an ordered program automatically once a user's payment is completed. The method includes: sending an order request to an EPG server; receiving an amount should be recharged sent by the EPG server; sending a redirection request to the payment platform, where the redirection request carries an HTTP URL provided by the EPG server, and the HTTP URL is saved by the payment platform; receiving a redirection response sent by the payment platform, where the redirection response carries the HTTP URL; redirecting to the order processing page of the pay program according to the HTTP URL; obtaining an RTSP URL from the order processing page; and requesting a CDN to play the pay program according to the RTSP URL.

Abstract: A gateway server and a method of providing personalized services are disclosed. The gateway server can store settings information for each client device, and when a client device is connected, the gateway server can transmit menus and programs to the client device after filtering and recreating the menus and programs according to the settings information for the client device.

Abstract: A hospitality establishment includes guest rooms having media devices installed therein. Each guest room has one or more in-room media devices for providing a pay-per-use media function. A media system controller dynamically associates a credit corresponding to a monetary value with a particular guest room in response to an occurrence of a first event, configures an in-room media device of the particular guest room to indicate the credit associated with the particular guest room and allow a guest of the particular guest room to utilize at least an amount of the credit toward an order of the pay-per-use media function, activates the pay-per-use media function on at least one of the in-room media devices of the particular guest room in response to a received order, and decreases the credit associated with the particular guest room according to the amount of the credit utilized toward the received order.

Abstract: A social networking system provides relevant third-party content objects to users by matching user location, interests, and other social information with the content, location, and timing associated with the content objects. Content objects are provided based on relevance scores specific to a user. Relevance scores may be calculated based on the user's previous interactions with content object notifications, or based on interests that are common between the user and his or her connections in the social network. Context search is also provided for a user, wherein a list of search of results is ranked according to the relevance score of content object associated with the search results. Notifications may also be priced and distributed to users based on their relevance. In this way, the system can provide notifications that are relevant to user's interests and current circumstances, increasing the likelihood that they will find content objects of interest.

Abstract: Techniques are presented herein for delivering multimedia content to members of an audience. At a content delivery device, an activation event is detected that causes the content delivery device to operate in a first mode to detect a presence of one or more of members of an audience in a viewing area. A number of members of the audience in the viewing area is determined. The content delivery device switches to a second mode to initiate a payment request event. The payment request event requests payment for the multimedia content based on the number of members of the audience. A determination is made as to whether an appropriate payment has been received based on the number of members of the audience. When the appropriate payment has been received, the content delivery device switches to a third mode to deliver the multimedia content to the members of the audience in the viewing area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling registered users to select and purchase video sessions from a network to be viewed from any video display devices connected to the network are disclosed. Specifically, these purchased video sessions can be stored within the network and accessed from any viewable display device connected to any video endpoint device at any time upon the users' request. In one embodiment, the stored video sessions can be downloaded and recorded onto a recording medium for future use.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing content to users of a network that can be selectively recorded via the user's equipment. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) network, and on-demand (OD) sessions are used to provide high-speed download of the requested content to the users. The user's equipment (e.g., set-top box) is equipped with a high-density recording device which can both record the content onto a selected medium (e.g., DVD) and optionally provide copyright protection via one or more means such as limiting the number of copies that can be made, and/or digital watermarking. The network operator can also restrict the establishment of the on-demand sessions and/or release of the content to subscribers based on parameters including prior purchase of the content by the user, and the timing of the release of the same content via other distribution channels such as rental and retail.

Abstract: Aspects herein describe at least a new method, system, and computer readable storage media for recognizing the content of the audio. A computing device determines whether the content comprises a product and/or service, correlates the product and/or service with one or more promotional deals provided by an organization such as a financial institution, generates a subset of the one or more promotional deals based on the correlation, and transmits the subset to a multimedia viewing device such as a television. The subset of the one or more promotional deals may be viewed by a viewer. The one or more promotional deals are displayed on a portion of the screen of the television for viewing by the viewer. The viewer may make a purchase decision based on the one or more promotional deals displayed.

Abstract: An image projection kit and an imagery content distribution system and method.

Abstract: A content hosting system allows content providers to create channels of video content and make them available to users in a marketplace. Users can search or browse for channels of interest, and selectively subscribe to channels. Users can also pay for the right to view premium videos in each channel. The system ranks channels according to the value provided. Generally, users will seek out and subscribe to the highest ranked channels that provide the greatest value. The ranking function allows different providers to compete for the subscriptions of users. Providers can observe their channel's reception in the market by analyzing rankings and usage statistics to adjust channels to maximize channel performance. The system operator can also create bundled channels containing videos from multiple providers, and the resulting subscription revenue can be distributed to the various providers of the videos in the channel.

Abstract: A system and technique for simultaneously presenting multiple, content object data streams on a user interface in a manner which encourages multidimensional browsing using directional navigation commands from a traditional remote control allows a viewer to select from live broadcast content, previously recorded content, and content which has yet to be recorded. According to another aspect of the disclosure, a viewer may view in a time shifted manner, not only previously recorded content, but any advertisements or commercials contained in, including possibly skipping an advertisement, if the profile associated with the viewer has earned enough viewing credit to perform such activity.