Abstract: In embodiments, the present invention provides a method and system for managing playback of content delivered to a mobile device with a pause and resume functionality. The method and system includes receiving delivered content on a mobile device, initiating playback of the delivered content, pausing playback of the content being delivered to the mobile device in response to an action and resuming delivery of the content upon a request.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a user interface including an electronic program guide and scrollable visual directories.

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: Media can be provided by requesting a data channel, wherein the request includes a bid for bandwidth. The bid can be indicative of a price that a user is willing to pay for the bandwidth. It can subsequently be determined, based on the price, to service the request for the data channel, establish the data channel, and charge an account an amount, based on the price.

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 method includes detecting, from an Enhanced Television (ETV) Integrated Signaling Stream (EISS), an indication that an ETV application is available to be downloaded; downloading, in response to the indication, the ETV application from a video stream identified by the indication, where the ETV application does not conform to an ETV Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) standard; detecting, from the EISS, another indication that the ETV application is to be started; executing, in response to the other indication, the ETV application to generate an ETV page, where the ETV page includes information that is not permitted by the EBIF standard; and displaying the ETV page on a video display device to enables a user to interact with the ETV page.

Abstract: A viewer who is consulting a television programming guide with additional information that involves a comprehensive set of visual images. Preferably, the set of sequential images are stills or snapshots representative of portions of the television program.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling Internet users to schedule recordings of electronic programming content. One method includes displaying on a web page, over the Internet, a user interface element associated with an advertisement for electronic programming content; wherein selection of the user interface element, by a user of a web browsing device, initiates a recording device of the user, separate from the web browsing device, to schedule a recording of the electronic programming content. Another method for enabling Internet users to request television content includes displaying on a web page, over the Internet, a user interface element associated with an advertisement for television content; wherein a user's selection of the user interface element initiates a request for the advertised television content from a carrier that provides television service to the user.

Abstract: A mobile device may be registered to participate in selection of television programming for presentation by a display device external the mobile device. An indication of selection of particular television programming for presentation by a display device may be received from the mobile device. A determination may be made, based on the indication of selection, whether a collective indication of selection tally of the particular television programming is greater than a collective indication of selection tally of other television programming. The particular television programming may be output for presentation by the display device when the particular television programming has a collective indication of selection tally greater than a collective indication of selection tally of other television programming.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer readable media, and apparatuses are disclosed for providing event messages to a user. The event messages may include video data or a link to video of the event. In some variations, a user or content provider may define criteria for the event messages that are to be displayed to the user. The event messages may be stored so that a user may be able to browse through the stored event messages and decide when to view the video of the event. Upon a user's selection of the event message, the video of the event may be displayed to the user on the same display device or another display device.

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: The present disclosure provides a user interface, a method, a system and an electronic device for providing channel indexed contents as an over-the-top (OTT) service. The user interface, the method and the system may be implemented on electronic devices to provide a “channel mode” other than the default operation modes of the electronic devices. In channel mode, content are selected by inputting a channel index value using a remote controller or a smart phone, and the electronic device then retrieves the content according to the content address corresponding to the channel index value. More specifically, the electronic device switches from its default operation mode to the channel mode when the electronic device is connected to an external display, such as a television. Therefore, the electronic device may provide a large-screen experience for OTT services with a large-screen device as an external display.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting media content to a set-top box. The media content includes an advertisement having a selectable reminder indicator related to an event. The method further includes receiving an input selection related to the selectable reminder indicator from the set-top box, sending a first menu to the set-top box including at least one option to schedule a reminder associated with the event, and sending a second menu to the set-top box in response to receiving a selection of the at least one option. The second menu includes a device menu including an option to specify a device order in which to send the reminder to a plurality of devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving a broadcast stream, and a method for use of the apparatus, are disclosed. The apparatus includes an application portal for launching a predefined application. The apparatus receives application information including identification ID information which identifies an application and protocol information which indicates a protocol to be used to launch the identified application, and launches the predefined application from the application portal in response to the ID information identifying the predefined application and the protocol information indicating the application portal. The apparatus may be arranged to only launch the identified application from the portal in response to the predefined application has at least the minimum version number. The application information can be received as an Application Information Table (AIT), and the ID information can be provided as organization_id and application_id fields in the AIT.

Abstract: A system and method in a local television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

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: An Open Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform is provided. By providing remote medical services to users in the Open IPTV environment using a remote medical service providing apparatus including: an application programming interface (API) calling unit to call, when receiving a request for receiving a remote medical service from a counselor's terminal, an API of an Open Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) platform; and a service provider to provide the remote medical service to a user through the API, it is possible to provide remote medical service operators with environments where they can develop and share various remote medical to services and content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for venue-oriented commerce via a mobile communication device are presented. An example system may include an access device and a communication node. The access device may be located at a commercial venue and communicatively coupled via a local area network with a mobile communication device located at the venue. The communication node may be communicatively coupled to the access device via a wide area network to provide a commercial service related to the commercial venue to a user of the mobile communication device. The access device may exchange information relating to the commercial service between the communication node and the mobile communication device.

Abstract: Remote control based output selection techniques are described in which an output to a display device is selected based on identification of a remote control device that is manipulated by a user. In an implementation, each of a plurality of remote control devices is associated with a respective client device in an audio visual system. When a user manipulates one of the plurality of remote control devices, the manipulated remote control device is detected and a corresponding client device is determined. Then, an output to a display device is set to present audio visual data from the determined client device. In another implementation, when a manipulated remote control device is identified, a user interface for output on the display device is configured according to the identified remote control device and/or the functional capabilities of the identified remote control device.

Abstract: A system and method in a television system for responding to user-selection of an object in a television program based on geographical location, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods, and computer programs for implementing radio frequency (RF) and Internet Protocol (IP) virtual channel maps (VCM) in an integrated RF/IP digital video receiver (DVR) are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for managing virtual channel information in an integrated RF/IP digital video receiver. One such method comprises: receiving a data set associated with at least one IP transport stream; determining at least one virtual channel number (VCN) and at least one corresponding delivery parameter associated with the IP transport stream; and associating the VCN with the delivery parameter in a virtual channel map (VCM).

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiver controlled by a screen remote controller and a space remote controller and controlling method, the method including according to an embodiment displaying a screen remote controller, partitioning a portion of a whole screen of the broadcast receiver into at least two control regions, displaying a pointer to enable a first pointing signal outputted from the space remote controller to indicate one control region of the screen remote controller, receiving a second pointing signal from the space remote controller, and executing a function corresponding to the one control region indicated by the pointer.

Abstract: A control device controls a television. The control device includes a touch module. The control device displays a menu containing a number of soft keys on a screen. The soft keys are activated to control the television to carry out corresponding functions. All positions on the menu are associated with all positions on the touch module correspondingly. As a result, a user can select desired soft keys to carry out corresponding functions by viewing the menu on the television and touching the touch module, rather than viewing the touch module.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting content are disclosed. One method can comprise presenting an interface such as a content guide comprising a field relating to content. A selection of one or more of a plurality of filters can be received. A first indicator representing first information can be presented if a first one of the filters is selected, wherein the first information relates to the field. A second indicator representing second information can be presented if a second one of the filters selected, wherein the second information relates to the field.

Abstract: A method of operation of a composite broadcast system includes: receiving a client AV stream from a user station and a user profile associated with the client AV stream; receiving a user interaction from the user station; approving the client AV stream for airing based on the user interaction and the user profile; receiving a program AV stream; generating a visualization based on the user interaction and the user profile; and mixing the client AV stream, the program AV stream, and the visualization for broadcasting to multiple devices.

Abstract: A system and method in a television system for providing information associated with a user-selected person in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at an electronic device, a first input from a user identifying a program and a viewing time and creating a first calendar event corresponding to the viewing time in an electronic calendar associated with the user. The method also includes determining a first device to deliver the program to, where the first device is associated with the user. The determination is based on the viewing time and a second calendar event in the electronic calendar. Further, the method includes delivering the program to the first device.

Abstract: Systems and methods of interacting with a virtual space, in which a mobile device is used to electronically capture image data of a real-world object, the image data is used to identify information related to the real-world object, and the information is used to interact with software to control at least one of: (a) an aspect of an electronic game; and (b) a second device local to the mobile device. Contemplated systems and methods can be used to gaming, in which the image data can be used to identify a name of the real-world object, to classify the real-world object, identify the real-world object as a player in the game, to identify the real-world object as a goal object or as having some other value in the game, to use the image data to identify the real-world object as a goal object in the game.

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: According to the invention, a program delivery system for playing a plurality of video vignettes, which correspond to a plurality of video programs is disclosed. The program delivery system includes a first store, a second store a command signal. In one example, a method for selecting the types and order of video vignettes to be played can be selected. The first store holds a number of programs, where the number of video programs includes a first and second video programs. The second store holds a number of video vignettes that correspond to the number of video programs. The number of video vignettes includes a first and second video vignettes. The first video vignette promotes at least the first video program, and the second video vignette promotes at least the second video program. The command signal causes playing the first video vignette, but switches to cause playing the second video vignette when either a manual command is detected from a user or a triggering event automatically occurs.

Abstract: The information processing device of the present invention includes: a display portion that displays objects that respectively performed a function assigned in advance by being selected; an operation portion that inputs operation information to select one of the objects; and a control portion that displays supplementary information linked to the object on the display portion, based on the operation information. The control portion, based on predetermined conditions, performs a first process to display first supplementary information on the display portion. If operation information is not newly input during a prescribed period of time after the first process is performed, the control portion performs a second process to acquire second supplementary information and display the second supplementary information on the display portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enhanced sports-related media content access and display are provided. An intelligent tuning module for multi-tuner systems may designate one sporting event as a primary sporting event and another sporting event as a secondary sporting event. A primary tuner may tune the primary event whenever possible and a secondary tuner may tune the secondary event whenever possible. Sporting events may be assigned user profile scores and tuned away from in reverse priority order. An interactive scoreboard may also be displayed with various game status and alert icons. The interactive scoreboard may allow a viewer to quickly tune between high-interest sporting events. Sports-specific features, such as wagering and fantasy league support, are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying an electronic program schedule guide is provided. The system has areas for displaying program schedule information. In addition, the system also has areas that may be used for advertising programs, products or services. In another embodiment, the system has areas for displaying messages to the user.

Abstract: Exemplary interactive media content presentation systems and methods are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes an interactive media content presentation system presenting a media content instance on a display screen associated with a media content access device, detecting, during the presentation of the media content instance, an interaction by a user with the media content instance being presented on the display screen and representing a request to access enhanced content related to the media content instance by way of the display screen, and dynamically transitioning, in response to the request, from presenting the media content instance on the display screen to presenting an interactive portal on the display screen, the interactive portal comprising a continued presentation of the media content instance and the enhanced content. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for using information codes for recording television programs. Information codes may be published in magazines, newspapers, and the like, much like VCR Plus+™ codes. When a user desires to record one or more television programs based on information codes, the user selects an appropriate command button on his or her input device, and enters the information code that identifies a desired filter category (e.g. an actor filter represented as “01”) followed by a desired filter identifier (e.g. Richard Gere represented as “1234”). A processor receiving the user input searches an electronic program guide database for programs matching the filter information. The identified programs are then stored in a record memory for recording at an appropriate time. The identified programs may be further displayed for verification prior to storage in the record memory. Programs recommended to the viewers may also be identified via information codes.

Abstract: A method of creating a multi participant session among a plurality of viewers of media content. The method comprises automatically identifying which media content is currently presented on a plurality of client terminals of a plurality of subscribers, receiving, from a first subscriber, a first selection indicative of a template of a multi participant session object and a second selection indicative of a group from the plurality of subscribers, creating a multi participant session object adapted for simultaneous presentation with the media content according to first and second selections and establishing a multi participant session among at least one member of the group and the first subscriber using the multi participant session object.

Abstract: A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via an Internet-enabled device or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system. In some exemplary embodiments, changes via a first user interface on a first device are reflected on second user interface on other properly-configured devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing enhanced consumer access to information sources and controllable entities. An Access device can be a stand alone device such as a DVD player in which the DVD disk contains the back-end information network. Other Access devices obtain the back-end information network from remote sources. By way of a specific example, the consumer can then view a game and interactively select every television camera located at the game venue.

Abstract: Method and system for providing intuitive user interaction for sharing among multiple devices is provided, where a remote device without intuitive user interaction is connected to a local device configured with intuitive user interaction; a thumbnail control scheme in which display images of remote device screen are rendered in local device's screen and intuitive method to allow user to quickly interact with remote side application is provided; generic remote control scheme in which local device is acting as an external user interaction peripheral device of remote device is provided; and a region enhancement mode is provided by having areas pre-defined in the remote device, and having the pre-defined areas' respective layouts resized, reconfigured and mirrored in the local device, while the touch events that have occurred in the mapped areas in the local device are remapped and sent to an application that is rendered in the remote device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a process that monitors consumption of media content of equipment of a user. A tout message associated with a media content item is constructed based on the consumption. The tout message includes information including a selectable link. The selectable link provides instructions to direct a media processor of the subscriber to access the media content item without receiving additional input from equipment of the subscriber. A mobile communication device of the subscriber is selected based on a determined likelihood of reaching the subscriber, and the tout message is transmitted to the mobile communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided that allows a user to select a pay program for purchase from a program guide. The program guide determines whether the selected program is part of a package of pay programs. If the selected program is part of a package, information regarding the package is provided to the user so that the user may decide whether to purchase the package. If the selected program is part of several packages, information for all packages is provided. The system automatically sets reminders for packages containing repetitive programming. The system monitors whether the user has watched any of the programs in such packages. When the user watches a program from the package, the remaining reminders are cancelled. If a user does not watch any programs in a package of any type, purchase of the package is cancelled and the user is provided with the opportunity to reschedule.

Abstract: Provided is a display control device including a display control unit that, when display information of one content among a plurality of contents is selected on a display screen, creates a next display screen containing display information of at least any of a plurality of contents relevant to the one content, wherein the display information contained in the next display screen is display information of contents according to a selection sequence of a plurality of display information having been selected before among the plurality of contents relevant to the one content.

Abstract: A screen time control device includes a source interface for receiving a video signal, a processor connected to the video source interface for overlaying the video signal with a translucent signal to produce an overlaid video signal, and a device interface connected to the processor for receiving the overlaid video signal and providing the overlaid video signal to the display device. The processor substitutes the translucent signal in the overlaid video signal with a parental signal, where the parental signal can be a substantially opaque overlay signal that masks an image on the screen of the display device to prohibit viewing of the screen, a textual message, or a combination of both.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus is provided that is controlled such that the display position of a cursor for a pointing type remote controller does not change when input is switched in a configuration where the video processing apparatus is connected to an external video apparatus. When input video data is switched, a controller transmits position information regarding the display position of a cursor image to the external video apparatus via a communication unit. The controller receives cursor image data generated by the external video apparatus from the external video apparatus and causes a cursor image, based on the cursor image data, to be displayed on a display unit, such that a cursor image after the input video data is switched is displayed at a position corresponding to the display position of a cursor image that has been displayed before the input video data is switched.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a t-commerce platform, which is linked to the content from a video signal that the user is currently watching. At some point during the broadcast of the content, a close-up of the product is shown. Simultaneous with this, a VBI-based trigger is added to the video signal of the broadcast. This trigger causes the television, a set-top box, or a similar device to capture in a memory, a “freeze-frame” of the image being shown. This action is transparent to the user while the video being displayed on the television is continuing normally. If the user chooses to perform an interactive “buy” transaction the saved image data is used as part of the interactive screen display.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating between a content delivery network and a user device includes the user device generating a first request for a content file at a user device and communicating the request to the content delivery network. The content delivery network authenticates the first request, generates a redirection response and communicates the redirection response to the user device. The user device authenticates the redirection response, generates a second request for a content file in response to the redirection request and communicates the second request from the user device. The content delivery network communicates the content file from the content delivery network in response to the second request.

Abstract: A system for retrieval of executable applications, comprising: a broadcast television receiver apparatus; and a server; wherein the broadcast television receiver apparatus includes a communication unit having an interface for bidirectional communication with a network and adapted to determine channel information from a currently decoded channel carried in a broadcast television signal, the channel information identifying the currently decoded channel, the communication unit being further adapted to send the channel information to a server over the network, and to receive application information from the server, the application information describing a set of applications which are available for execution, and to receive executable code components for the set of applications corresponding to the application information, and wherein the broadcast television receiver apparatus further includes a data processor adapted to execute the application while the channel is decoded; and wherein the server is adapted to r

Abstract: A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications.

Abstract: A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via an Internet-enabled device or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system. In some exemplary embodiments, changes via a first user interface on a first device are reflected on second user interface on other properly-configured devices.

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.