Abstract: Media content quick speed presentation systems and methods are operable to present selected portions of a media content stream at a quick speed presentation rate. An exemplary embodiment receives the media content stream; identifies a normal speed scene in the received media content, wherein the normal speed scene is presented at a normal speed presentation rate; and identifies a quick speed scene in the received media content, wherein the quick speed scene is presented at a quick speed presentation rate.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide systems and methods for conducting transactions with a customer using text messages. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first text message from a mobile communication device associated with a customer. The first text message includes a request from the customer to receive one or more text messages from a vendor. The method also includes adding the customer to a set of consenting customers in a customer database in response to receiving the first text message. The set of consenting customer including customers that consent to receiving text messages from the vendor. The method also includes sending a second text message to the mobile communication device. The second text message is associated with a service offered by the vendor.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include a method and an apparatus for digital content transmission that comprise: (a) partitioning the digital content into a plurality of sequential segments; (b) selecting a plurality of transmission time instants for each of the sequential segments as a function of their order; (c) generating a plurality of linear combinations of the plurality of sequential segments during the plurality of transmission time instants resulting in a plurality of linearly combined coded segments; and (c) transmitting the plurality of linearly combined coded segments from a server to a plurality of clients. In particular embodiments, the method and apparatus further comprise performing error correction based on an implicit error correction (IEC) method that employs the redundancy present in the linearly combined coded segments to perform error correction at the client side without extra bandwidth cost.

Abstract: A system includes a set-top box and a server for a subscription television service. The set-top box includes a processor to receive a video-on-demand (VOD) programming suggestion from a user and send, to the server, the VOD programming suggestion. The server includes a processor to receive the VOD programming suggestion, compile the VOD programming suggestion with other VOD programming suggestions from other set-top boxes, and send a notification to the set-top box that the VOD programming suggestion has been added to the list of available VOD programming for the subscription television service.

Abstract: A resource management system may use information regarding the bandwidth status of a downstream communication path to determine what portion of queued content should be sent in the current available bandwidth timeslot. In some embodiments, multiple versions of the same requested content may be available, and the system may select a lower-quality version to send if needed to meet a time deadline included in the original content request.

Abstract: A user is given the ability to control the display of content items such as advertisements, by for example skipping over content items that are not of interest. Metadata tags associated with non-skipped viewings of content are stored and tracked. Subsequently, candidate content items are scored according to their metadata tags, giving higher scores to candidate content items associated with higher occurrences of non-skipped viewings. The higher-scoring candidate content items can then be favored over other candidate content items. Thus, based on the choices the user makes with respect to skipping or not skipping particular content items, inferences are made as to the user's level of interest in various subjects, and subsequent content items are delivered in a personalized manner to the user.

Abstract: A resource scheduling apparatus, a resource scheduling method, a program requesting method, a program requesting system, and a Set Top Box (STB) are provided. The resource scheduling method includes: distributing bandwidth greater than an inherent code rate of a program respectively requested by a user to a Video On Demand (VOD) program of the user within available bandwidth of a frequency point according to a received VOD user request; and reducing the bandwidth distributed to at least one VOD program to which bandwidth has been distributed according to the received VOD user request for currently requesting the program when the available bandwidth of the frequency point is smaller than an inherent code rate of a currently requested program, so that the available bandwidth of the frequency point is greater than or equal to the inherent code rate of the currently requested program. Thus, a transmission speed of the program and a utilization ratio of the bandwidth are increased.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed in which an estimated time a user will have to wait before a user selected video begins playing is calculated. The estimated time may be calculated based on, for example, speed of the connection, quality of the video (e.g., HD versus standard definition), length of the video, load on the server at the current time, etc. A game may be selected based at least in part on the calculated estimated wait time and the approximate time to finish the game. In some embodiments, one or more advertisements may be selected based on, for example, the type of video selected by the user (e.g., Sci-Fi, Action, Comedy, etc.), the search term(s) used by the user to search for the video, history of games played (e.g., what games, if any, has the user played previously), etc. The selected game and the one or more advertisements may be served to the user substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: The time required to review or playback multi-media program material can be controlled to reduce the time required to review a program. Segments of the program are indexed to mark their beginning and/or end. By detecting segments in the program material, segments can be selectively played back that are of interest to a viewer with other segments being skipped over.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide a selected video segment to customer premises equipment. A request is received from the customer premises equipment for transmission of the selected video segment. A copy of the selected video segment is transferred to one of a plurality of buffers. One of the plurality of buffers is mapped through a routing network to a port interfaced with the customer premises equipment. The selected video segment is transmitted from the one of the plurality of buffers through the routing network and port to the customer premises equipment.

Abstract: Method, medium and apparatus for receiving a request for a conferencing session identifying a group to participate in the conferencing session, the group comprising a first user terminal and a second user terminal, the request identifying media content to transmit to the group during the conferencing session, initiating the conferencing session including the group, in response to the request, receiving conferencing data comprising first communication data associated with the first user terminal and second communication data associated with the second user terminal, in response to the initiating the conferencing session, generating a first media stream and a second media stream, the first media stream comprising the media content and the second communication data and the second media stream comprising the media content and the first media stream and sending the first media stream to the first user terminal and the second media stream to the second user terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing information in conjunction with media content, including a receiver, wherein the receiver receives at least one of a transmission of media content and a broadcast of media content, wherein the media content includes at least one of broadcast media content and entertainment media content, and further wherein the receiver receives information regarding the media content, a processor for processing at least one of the received media content and the received information regarding the media content, a display device for visually displaying the information regarding the media content, and/or a speaker device for audibly announcing the information regarding the media content.

Abstract: A display configured to display a list of videos that can be reproduced on the terminal on a screen of the terminal, an input unit configured to select a specific video from the list of videos, and a controller configured to select a plurality of key frames from image frames of the specific video based on a predetermined selection criterion. Further, the display displays the plurality of key frames of the specific video.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method for audio-video re-matching of TV programs on a mobile terminal, including that: when a mobile terminal receives from a user a request to perform re-matching on a current program, the mobile terminal determines whether the user requires to re-match the current program with a new audio; when the mobile terminal determines that the user requires to re-match the current program with a new audio, the mobile terminal stops playing an audio of the current program, acquires target information called for by the user, and outputs a target audio included in the target information and a video of the current program respectively to a corresponding local playing module so as to be played. The disclosure further discloses a corresponding mobile terminal.

Abstract: A digital video program is obtained. The program includes: (i) at least one broadcast segmentation message specifying at least one location for at least one broadcast advertisement, and (ii) at least one time-shifted segmentation message specifying at least one location for at least one time-shifted advertisement. The program is broadcast with at least one broadcast advertisement in accordance with the at least one broadcast segmentation message, and is made available to a subscriber at a time after the broadcasting, with at least one time-shifted advertisement in accordance with the at least one time-shifted segmentation message.

Abstract: A method and a streaming server for timely delivering of frames/packets to a client. The method includes fetching of stream data from an operating cog in a calendar wheel and by use of the fetched stream data the frame/packet indicated in the operating cog is transmitted from its location in a video storage to the client. The stream data includes information on stream, movie and frame. Optionally also information on packet is provided.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing interactive television services and for switching between television programs, such as to an interactive program session from another program. An interactive server, capable of providing requested interactive video services to a set of subscribers in a given geographic area, is coupled to a network to which subscriber set top boxes are also coupled. Television programming, which may be furnished by any number of sources, is accompanied by a signal that indicates the availability of other programming, such as interactive television service related to the program being viewed, as well as information to be used in requesting such service. The user, when notified by this signal, may input to the set top box a request for a second program, such as an interactive program or application. The identity of the original program channel is stored, and a session with the video service provider is established over the network.

Abstract: A system for providing one or more interactive applications to one or more users via a wireless communications network, the system including: one or more servers cooperating with the network to substantially deliver one or more interactive applications to one or more wireless access devices each corresponding to at least one of the users; wherein, after the one or more wireless access devices receive the substantially delivered one or more applications, upon request of one of the users the one or more corresponding wireless access devices receives communication from the server to facilitate the one of the users accessing the one or more interactive applications using the corresponding wireless access device.

Abstract: A method and system for ordering content includes a first device having an ordering interactive interface having available content. The first device forms a content selection corresponding to the available content from the ordering interactive interface and communicates the content selection to a content processing system. The content processing system generates an unencrypted control word comprising instructions for locating the available content from a user device and communicates the unencrypted control word to the user device. The user device receives the unencrypted control word to enable storing the available content corresponding to the content selection in response to the instructions contained in the unencrypted control word and stores the available content in a storage device of the user device.

Abstract: Herein described is a system and a method of storing and distributing multimedia data selections to the tenants or occupants of a multi-unit building. The multi-unit building may comprise a hotel, motel, office complex, or apartment complex, for example. The storage capacity of the data storage device may be easily expanded by way of adding one or more additional hard disk drives. The data storage device may be conveniently located in a front office or manager's office of the multi-unit building. The system distributes one or more of the stored multimedia data selections to one or more display devices communicatively coupled to the data storage device. Each of the one or more display devices may be located in corresponding units of the multi-unit building. The one or more display devices are used to view the multimedia data selections requested by a tenant or occupant.

Abstract: An audio/video storage/retrieval system and method that permits efficient and cost-effective simultaneous recording of multi-channel A/V information from a variety of sources is disclosed. The system/method may be broadly described as generally incorporating baseband conversion of source RF modulated A/V information followed by analog-to-digital conversion and storage on a storage device utilizing a dual port interface that incorporates an additional computer access port to permit transparent storage access by a computer system. Retrieval of stored A/V programming from the storage device via the dual port interface permits the stored A/V data to be converted to analog and RF modulated for presentation to an A/V presentation device. Additional A/V source and/or target selectors may be incorporated into the system/method to permit recording a plethora of A/V sources such as raw A/V signaling, OTA broadcasts, clear/encrypted cable QAM broadcasts, cable set top boxes (STBs), and the like.

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: 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: An advertisement storage and filtering system for selectively identifying targeted advertisements to be stored in the memory of the STB. This storing of the selected advertisements can be accomplished in a number of ways. In one embodiment, the advertisements, in real-time and as they are received at the STB, are processed by the STB and only those advertisements with the appropriate characteristics are stored on the hard drive (HD). This may require some buffering of the advertisements in the STB memory as the STB processes and determines whether or not to store the advertisement. The information required to determine whether or not to store the advertisement could also be sent in advance, e.g., as a data service in an advertisement channel. Alternatively, the STB may store incoming advertisements in a memory temporarily and subsequently determine whether or not to retain the stored advertisements.

Abstract: Multimedia communications in multimedia communications with different user terminals. Various optimization for the delivery of multimedia content across different channels are provided concurrently to a plurality of user terminals.

Abstract: Digital television channels are preemptively cached based on a modeling of a user to reduce delays while switching channels. A current television channel is selected using a first tuner. A future television channel selection of the user is then predicted based on a modeling of the user. The recorded content of the predicted future television channel is preemptively cached using a second tuner. A buffer of the recorded content of the predicted future television channel is displayed when the user switches from the current television channel to the predicted future television channel. The modeling of the user is updated and stored in storage.

Abstract: To effectively utilize the bandwidth of a cable TV network, which is limited, analog TV program material is digitized and compressed before its transmission over the network. The resulting signals consume only part of the analog TV band traditionally needed for transmission of the analog TV program material. The newly available bandwidth in the analog TV band may be utilized for other cable TV services, e.g., video-on-demand (VOD) services. A reception gateway is employed at a user location to frequency-translate any VOD signals, transmitted through the analog TV band, to another frequency band, thereby avoiding disturbing the normal operation of a set-top terminal in receiving the analog TV program material through the analog TV band at the user location.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide a method and system for communicating information in a distributed media network. The communication of information in a distributed media network may include detecting availability of new media, data and/or service and migrating the newly available media, data and/or service to at least a first media processing system within the distributed media network. The migrated media, data and/or service may be stored at a first media processing system. If the stored media, data and/or service is to be processed, then the media, data and/or service may be migrated to a media view and/or a channel view associated with a media processing system. If the newly available migrated media, data and/or service is to be pushed, then the migrated media, data and/or service may be pushed to a second media processing system and/or a personal computer coupled to the media exchange network.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for indirectly monitoring and controlling at least one media peripheral device in a media exchange network by accessing a media management system (MMS) via a first media peripheral (MP) device (e.g., a TV screen) using a user control device (e.g., a remote control). An operation corresponding to a second media peripheral (MP) device (e.g., a digital camera) may be selected via the MMS using the first MP device and the user control device. The operation is then carried out (i.e., performed) by the second MP device. A status of the second MP device may be selected via the MMS using the first MP device and the user control device. The selected status is then displayed on the first MP device.

Abstract: A reception apparatus includes: a reception unit configured to receive a broadcast stream at least including a data stream for data broadcasting; a first style selector configured to select a display style for each of data broadcast content acquired from the broadcast stream received by the reception unit; a second style selector configured to select, when the data broadcast content corresponding to the style selected by the first style selector corresponds to a plurality of display styles, one display style out of the plurality of display styles; and a display unit configured to display the data broadcast content corresponding to the style selected by the first style selector or the second style selector.

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 method and apparatus provides immediate audience interaction and participation with a movie while the movie is being shown to the audience, either in a public theater or at home. Theatre patrons are provided the option of responding to prompts on their handheld communication/computing devices to vote on upcoming pre-staged scene selections, thereby enabling majority voting audience participation to control a movie flow.

Abstract: A computerized method for determining a model refresh rate for a model representing a list of network user identifiers includes receiving a first and a second model representing the list at a first and a second time, respectively. Similarity between the first and second model is calculated. If the similarity is less than a threshold value, the model refresh rate is a predetermined rate. If the similarity is equal to or exceeds the threshold value, the model refresh rate is decreased to a less frequent rate. A similarity between a reference model and a selected model in a same content category may be calculated. If the similarity is less than a threshold value, the model refresh rate for the selected model is a predetermined rate. If the similarity is equal to or exceeds the threshold value, the model refresh rate for the reference model is applied to the selected model.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for selectively displaying a video program are disclosed. A system for selectively displaying a video program in accordance with the present invention comprises a transmission station, including a server for attaching information to the video program, a plurality of satellites receiving at least an uplink signal which includes the information and the video program from the transmission station and producing a downlink signal based on the uplink signal, an antenna, the antenna receiving the downlink signal, and at least one receiver, coupled to the antenna, for receiving the downlink signal and interpreting the information in the downlink signal, wherein the at least one receiver selectively displays the video program based on at least the interpreted information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for saving power in a receiver includes a power savings mode selector for enabling a user input power savings mode or an automatic power savings mode based on detected battery life. When in power savings mode, a lower resolution time-advanced stream is selected and processed. The normal stream (generally at a higher resolution) is not decoded thereby requiring less power at the receiver decoder.

Abstract: A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent to with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.

Abstract: A communication apparatus comprises a connecting unit for connecting with a power line, a circuit for receiving a power supply through the connecting unit, and a communicating unit for communicating with an external apparatus through the connecting unit, a controlling unit for determining whether or not to permit a power supply stop, in accordance with the communicating unit receiving information on a request for the power supply stop, and controlling the communicating unit to transmit response data corresponding to the determination.

Abstract: A method for transferring content across a content delivery network (CDN) may include receiving a notification of a request. The request may include a client identifier and a content identifier. The method may also include accessing one or more global policies applicable to the request. The method may additionally include determining, using the one or more global policies, that a client is eligible to receive content associated with the content identifier from another client; identifying, using the one or more global policies and the content identifier, one or more authorized transfers of at least a portion of the content; identifying one or more eligible clients that are associated with the one or more authorized transfers; and sending a set of client identifiers that are associated with the one or more eligible clients.

Abstract: A request is sent from a client device to a host device hosting an application. A display associated with execution of the application on the host device may include a video portion and one or more non-video portions. Information may be sent from the host device to the client device over the communication network. Such information may include display information for the video portion as described by raster data and information for the non-video portions as described by vector data. Such information may be used by the client device to generate a display corresponding to the host display. The video portion of the client display may be based on the raster data, and the non-video portions of the client display may be based on the vector data.

Abstract: In an inherited communication management apparatus, a storage unit stores viewing information relating to the content viewing state of a user of a terminal. On a request from the user of the terminal for content viewing, a requesting unit requests another inherited communication management apparatus to examine whether or not the other inherited communication management apparatus stores viewing information including information relating to interruption of the content viewing by the user. A receiving unit receives a result of the examination requested by the requesting unit. When the examination result received by the receiving unit includes the viewing information including information relating to the interruption of the content viewing, a transmitting unit transmits information relating to interrupted content based on the viewing information to the terminal of the user that has requested the content viewing.

Abstract: A system and method for allocating wireless video resources among video streaming sources at an event (or events) according to a crowd selection mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods to process program wish list data are provided. A system includes a media receiver adapted to receive media content from a media distribution system and a recording module responsive to the media receiver. The system also includes a program guide module to receive a published program guide identifying media content available to be distributed via the media distribution system. The system further includes a wish list module to generate wish list data including identifying information associated with at least one program. The at least one program is not listed in the published program guide when the wish list data is generated. The system also includes a reporting module to report information related to the wish list data to a remote network element.

Abstract: A profit redistribution device, profit redistribution method, program storage medium, profit redistribution system, content providing device, content providing method, program storage media, and content providing system are disclosed. Profit redistribution processing is performed according to the accumulated points proportionate to the number of times the content with a commercial video is provided to a client PC. Thus, a fair profit redistribution can be easily performed. A preset content with a commercial video is provided to a user when requested from the client PC, and it is possible to provide advertisement information without the user being aware of the commercial.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes receiving, at a media server, a request from a first viewer to create a media content server including select segments of media content for display at a display device. The computer implemented method includes accessing a media content analyzer generated based on viewer annotation data associated with media content. The viewer annotation data is received from viewers other than the first viewer. The computer implemented method includes identifying segments of the media content using the media content analyzer. The computer implemented method includes selecting at least one segment of the identified segments of the media content for inclusion in a media content summary. The computer implemented method includes sending the media content summary including the at least one selected segment of the media content to the display device.

Abstract: A remote control device is operative to enable and facilitate user control of video systems that are operative to provide one or more three-dimensional (3D) viewing effects. According to an exemplary embodiment, the remote control device includes a user input terminal having an input element operative to receive user inputs to adjust at least one of a volume setting and a channel setting of a video system, and further operative to receive user inputs to adjust a three-dimensional (3-D) viewing effect of the video system. A transmitter is operative to transmit control signals to the video system in response to the user inputs.

Abstract: A request is sent from a client device to a host device hosting an application. A display associated with execution of the application on the host device may include a video portion and one or more non-video portions. Information may be sent from the host device to the client device over the communication network. Such information may include display information for the video portion as described by raster data and information for the non-video portions as described by vector data. Such information may be used by the client device to generate a display corresponding to the host display. The video portion of the client display may be based on the raster data, and the non-video portions of the client display may be based on the vector data.

Abstract: A request is sent from a client device to a host device hosting an application. A display associated with execution of the application on the host device may include a video portion and one or more non-video portions. Information may be sent from the host device to the client device over the communication network. Such information may include display information for the video portion as described by raster data and information for the non-video portions as described by vector data. Such information may be used by the client device to generate a display corresponding to the host display. The video portion of the client display may be based on the raster data, and the non-video portions of the client display may be based on the vector data.

Abstract: A direct memory-to-memory to streaming protocol driver for a media content playback system is provided. In one embodiment, the direct memory-to-memory to streaming protocol driver is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA). In general, the RDMA to streaming protocol driver utilizes an RDMA-enabled network interface to obtain media content from a remote content distribution server. In order to emulate a streaming protocol layer of a network stack such as, for example, the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the RDMA to streaming protocol driver encapsulates the media content according to the streaming protocol to provide streaming media content. The streaming media content is then provided to an associated streaming protocol-based playback function.

Abstract: A video delivery system and service for use with a video presentation and methods of delivering and receiving a video representation. In one embodiment, a method of receiving a video representation includes receiving a request to program a video viewing device to record a video presentation employing a selected content. The method also includes remotely programming the video viewing device employing the selected content to provide the video representation.

Abstract: A moving image reproducing apparatus which receives moving image data transmitted through a network and reproduces the moving image data includes an analysis unit adapted to analyze first moving image data stored in a storage unit and additional information of the first moving image data, a determination unit adapted to determine a storage destination on the network which is configured to acquire second moving image data following the first moving image data on the basis of the analysis result on the additional information, an acquisition unit adapted to acquire the second moving image data from the storage destination of the second moving image data, and a reproducing unit adapted to reproduce the second moving image data acquired by the acquisition unit concurrently with finishing reproduction of the first moving image data.