Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus or system, in which a computing device may obtain an index of a media file, the computing device may use the index as a basis to download just part of the media file as a modified media file, the computing device may adjust the index to account for omission of the remainder of the media file, and the computing device may use the modified index as a basis to play out content of the modified media file.

Abstract: The present technology relates to a transmitter apparatus, an information processing method, a program, and a transmitter system capable of easily transmitting a wideband signal. The transmitter apparatus includes: a first acquisition unit that obtains first transmission control information; a second acquisition unit that obtains second transmission control information similar to information input to another transmitter apparatus; and a generating unit that processes transmission target data based on a parameter contained in the first transmission control information and generates data including the processed transmission target data and the second transmission control information. The present technology can be applied to a transmitter apparatus that transmits a DVB-C2 signal.

Abstract: A method of operating an IP client device for presentation of video content to a viewer includes the step of transmitting a trickplay request to a server. The client device receives from the server a manifest that references at least first and second consecutive video content fragments. The first fragment contains a sequence of N1 frames and the second fragment contains a sequence of N2 frames, and defines a set of M1 frames of the first fragment, where M1 is less than N1, and a set of M2 frames of the second fragment, where M2 is less than N2. The client device transmits a request for the M1 frames and the M2 frames and receives the M1 frames and the M2 frames. The client device presents the M1 frames and the M2 frames consecutively at the uniform, predetermined frame rate. The sequence of the M1 frames and the M2 frames has a presentation duration of (M1+M2)/F.

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: 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: At least one trickplay source file is generated from original media content. Trickplay view files for rendering particular trickplay view rates are then generated from the trickplay source file.

Abstract: A method of operating an IP client device for presentation of video content to a viewer includes the step of transmitting a trickplay request to a server. The client device receives from the server a manifest that references at least first and second consecutive video content fragments. The first fragment contains a sequence of N1 frames and the second fragment contains a sequence of N2 frames, and defines a set of M1 frames of the first fragment, where M1 is less than N1, and a set of M2 frames of the second fragment, where M2 is less than N2. The client device transmits a request for the M1 frames and the M2 frames and receives the M1 frames and the M2 frames. The client device presents the M1 frames and the M2 frames consecutively at the uniform, predetermined frame rate. The sequence of the M1 frames and the M2 frames has a presentation duration of (M1+M2)/F.

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: 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: An apparatus and a method for data streaming, as well as a combination, of an apparatus for data streaming and a plurality of user devices, are presented. The apparatus is adapted to receive a plurality of streaming requests, including mode requests, from a plurality of user devices, the apparatus comprising a memory unit adapted to store media data in the form of a plurality of payload data sets, a state device adapted to set a mode in accordance with each one of the mode requests, and a streaming unit adapted to stream the payload data sets in accordance with the set modes. The streaming unit is adapted to receive from the memory unit a plurality of control data sub-sets, each comprising at least two edit portions, each comprising data corresponding to an address in the memory unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for performing dynamic compensation for delays over extant infrastructure within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and the infrastructure comprises that nominally used for on-demand (OD) services such as VOD. The method includes periodically or situationally assessing variable delays within the system associated with functional commands (such as “trick mode” commands), and dynamically compensating for these variable delays in order to improve the accuracy and timeliness of the user's trick mode command. This approach increases user satisfaction, and obviates the issuance of additional compensatory trick mode commands that only further degrade the performance of the network.

Abstract: A method is provided which is suitable for implementation in a switched digital video content-based network, wherein a head end obtains a first group of program streams and sends to a client only a subset of the program streams selected by subscribers in a neighborhood of the client. At least one of imminence and presence of a condition of inadequate bandwidth is determined. Responsive to the determining of the at least one of imminence and presence of the condition of inadequate bandwidth, a bit rate of at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client is dynamically decreased by adjusting encoding thereof, while maintaining adequate quality for the at least one of the subset of the program streams selected by the subscribers in the neighborhood of the client, based on an objective quality measure, in order to address the at least one of imminence and presence of the condition of inadequate bandwidth.

Abstract: The invention relates to delivering a program to an individual business or residence. In one embodiment, a process for receiving a program by a user location that is sent from a content distributor is described. In one step, a first portion of the program is received and stored at the user location. A user request for the program is detected after storage of the first portion. A second portion of the program is received in response to the detecting the user request.

Abstract: A wireless communication channel operation method and a system of the portable terminal for preventing data loss when switching between different wireless video transmission modes are provided. The method includes transmitting multimedia data to a recipient terminal on a communication channel of a second transmission mode in a wireless video transmission mode, the wireless video transmission mode supporting a first and second transmission modes, receiving buffer state information from the recipient terminal, pausing, when a request for switching to the first transmission mode is detected, transmission of the multimedia data to the recipient terminal, determining the buffer state information, waiting, when the buffer state information indicates presence of multimedia data in a reception buffer of the reception terminal, for completion of playing of the multimedia data in the reception buffer, and switching to the first transmission mode after the multimedia data in the reception buffer is played completely.

Abstract: Portions of streaming media are selectively removed for storage and/or delivery over a computer network medium. The amount of data in a media stream itself may be selectively reduced and, the amount of data in the media stream may be selected for delivery and/or storage so that it is reduced in a manageable and consistent fashion. Data within a media stream of a given temporal duration may be selected for delivery and/or storage in such a way that leads to a proportional increase in the maximum speed at which data from the given temporal duration of the media stream may be transmitted and reviewed while simultaneously providing the benefit of reducing overall storage capacity requirements.

Abstract: A method for recording linear content and delivering it for time-shifted viewing is described. The linear content may be recorded live by the content delivery system in response to user requests. The content delivery system divides the recording into at least two portions, the first portion of sufficient duration to permit real time continuous playback of the recorded content on the customer premises equipment (CPE) if the first portion has previously been transmitted to the CPE and the second has not been transmitted. The content delivery system transmits the first portion to the CPE prior to playback, and the second portion is streamed to the CPE after playback has begun. The playback is under control of the CPE from local storage.

Abstract: A digital electronic device supports program transmission to a recipient device via the Internet. A frame adapter decodes incoming IP program packets and re-encodes resulting program signals adaptively to optimally suit the recipient device based upon configuration data of the recipient device. The frame adapter receives feedback from the recipient device, which may include a characterization of a communication path between the digital electronic device and the recipient device. The frame adapter utilizes the configuration information to generate the optimal video frame stream that is transmitted to the recipient device. The compression itself involves producing optimal number of base and predicted video frames.

Abstract: A process for secure distribution of video sequences coded in accordance with a nominal stream format including visual data and data for configuration of decoding of the stream that does not represent the visual data, wherein, prior to transmission to client equipment, an analysis is made of the stream for generating a modified main stream having a format of the nominal stream and having pictures/images modified by modification of the data for configuration of decoding, and complementary digital information of any format including digital information suitable to permit reconstruction of modified pictures, then, for separately transmitting the modified main stream and complementary digital information generated from a server to the client equipment, and wherein a synthesis of a stream in the nominal format is calculated on the client equipment as a function of the modified main stream and the complementary information.

Abstract: A system, method and data structure for processing basic client application data types to add thereto extension types and priority levels adapted for use by each of a plurality of set top box classes.

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: Media streaming with smooth fast-forward and rewind is disclosed. One embodiment receives a media stream encoded at a first bit rate over a network connection, and in response to an input to fast-forward or rewind the media stream, the media stream may be retrieved at a second bit rate, and rendered at the second bit rate for fast-forward or rewind playback. By receiving the media stream at multiple bit rates, a media stream may be rendered at increased forward or reverse speeds without dropping frames in the media stream.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for implementing a cross frame playing mode in media-on-demand in a peer to peer network, comprising the following steps of: (a) partitioning a requested media file into blocks and encapsulating the blocks into a media content file, and recording a number of a block where each media key frame is located so that a frame index file is formed; (b) distributing said media content file and said frame index file in the peer to peer network; (c) when requesting a media, a client acquiring said frame index file and media blocks in said media content file from a source node; (d) when cross frame playing is required, the client calculating the number of a block where a next key frame is located according to said frame index file, and acquiring a corresponding media block to de-encapsulate, decode and play.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a buffering server transfers a dynamic burst transfer of data encoded using an inter-coded compression technique. The dynamic burst transfer is timed so that an initial transfer rate is reduced to a remaining transfer rate at the same time or before a decoding endpoint joins a corresponding data stream. The decoding endpoint merges the video stream and the dynamic burst transfer to decode and quickly reconstruct a displayable video frame.

Abstract: A method of displaying images of a video sequence during the spatial navigation in the video sequence in order to pass from a first to a second viewing mode, in which the video sequence comprises encoded images continuously transmitted from a server (23) to a client machine. The method comprises the following steps, performed by the client machine, during the navigation between the first and second viewing mode: sending to the server at least one request for obtaining supplementary data with respect to images to be displayed (S205) which were received beforehand, and, while awaiting the reception of a response to said at least one request: processing according to the second viewing mode at least one image of current resolution RN to be displayed (S203), which was received and decoded beforehand, and displaying said at least one processed image (S204).

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to present bandwidth adjustments options for customer premises equipment comprising the set top box where the bandwidth adjustments options include a bandwidth limit for the customer premises equipment, receive a selection of the bandwidth adjustments options, and transmit the selection of the bandwidth adjustments options to a network device for adjusting the bandwidth limit for the customer premises equipment. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A video playback system with multiple video decoders includes a content provider server for providing video signals of a target video; a first video decoder; a first display for displaying video content outputted from the first video decoder; a second video decoder; a second display for displaying video content outputted from the second video decoder; a playback control server for controlling the first and the second video decoders; and a mobile communication device for transmitting selection messages to the playback control server via internet and then transmitting modification messages to the playback control server via internet. The playback control server opts to utilize the first video decoder to receive a portion of video signals of the target video according t o the selection message, and opts to utilize the second video decoder to receive subsequent video signals of the target video according to the modification message.

Abstract: The method comprises the management and delivery of a requested live stream using a P2P-based architecture, where peers exchanging content with one another are end points of a CDN. The delivery of the requested live stream to one or more end users is performed from one or more of said end points. The requested live stream is split into segments that the serving end points, preferably, obtains from neighbouring end points and/or from the origin server of the live stream using a scheduling algorithm and depending on the availability of segments thereof. The end point is designed for implementing the method of the invention.

Abstract: A method of receiving content includes joining an in-progress multicast stream to receive a first portion of a content. The method further includes sending a request to a peer for a catch-up portion of the content, the request including a deadline for delivery of the content, and receiving the catch-up portion of the content from the peer prior to the deadline.

Abstract: A video terminal and display image forming method are provided that enable power consumption to be reduced while maintaining a moving image display quality level sensed by a user, even if a variety of types of images are displayed superimposed on a moving image, and a method of representing such images is complicated. In a video output apparatus (100), an update rate adjustment section (104) decides a moving image update rate based on a “moving image exposure area.” Specifically, the update rate adjustment section (104) decides an update rate based on an update rate adjustment table in which moving image status pattern candidates are associated with update rate target values, and a moving image status pattern actually used in a display image forming section (103). A moving image status pattern candidate is a combination of “moving image exposure area,” presence or absence of special processing, and type of special processing.

Abstract: The present invention discloses systems for monitoring advertisements. A system for monitoring advertisements in a broadcast television channel in accordance with the present invention comprises a sound level monitor for monitoring an audio level of a first broadcast television channel, a data tagger, coupled to the sound level monitor, for tagging a start and an end of an advertisement segment within the first broadcast television channel, and a receiver, wherein when the receiver is first tuned to the first broadcast channel and then tuned to a second broadcast channel, an on-screen display is displayed on a monitor displaying the second broadcast channel, the OSD being displayed when the end of the advertisement segment within the first broadcast channel occurs.

Abstract: A distribution system 100 includes a transmission device 110 and a reception device 120. The transmission device transmits content data coded with a certain code rate to the reception device. The reception device, while receiving the content data transmitted by the transmission device, stores received data into a storage device and also reproduces content based on the stored data. The distribution system determines a code rate based on a remaining time before reproduction start time from a present moment and an available reproduction time, which is a time available for reproduction of the content based on the stored data. The transmission device changes the code rate of the content data to be transmitted to the determined code rate. The reception device starts reproduction of the content at the reproduction start point.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multiple audio streams for a video over a network such as the Internet. The system comprises a server that includes an encryption unit and a slicing unit, a plurality of boxes, and an ordering box. The server encodes multiple audio streams and a single video to be sliced into segments. The sliced segments of multiple audio streams and the single video are seeded to a number of the plurality of boxes. This may be repeated for other videos with multiple streams. When the ordering box makes a request for a single video with a single audio, then the number of boxes with segments of the requested video and multiple audio streams, filters and sends the requested video and requested single audio stream to the ordering box. Similarly, multiple closed caption streams can be handled and provided like the audio streams.

Abstract: A method, system and devices for delivering a switched digital video (SDV) channel to a network element, such as an end user set-top box, based on the decoding capabilities of the network element. The system determines whether to deliver the SDV channel in a first format, such as MPEG-4, or a second format, such as MPEG-2. When only network elements capable of decoding MPEG-4 content are tuned to the SDV channel, the system can realize bandwidth savings by delivering only the MPEG-4 version of the SDV channel. When legacy network elements capable of decoding only MPEG-2 content tune to a particular SDV channel, the system delivers only the MPEG-2 version of the SDV channel. The methods and devices can be used in headends, including those that deploy switched digital video, and other appropriate locations within the content distribution system, such as within the edge devices in the distribution hub.

Abstract: Various techniques for providing a video-on-demand (VOD) system based on distributed networks are disclosed. According to one aspect of the VOD system, individual client devices on a network are identified to supply each other with needed sources in pieces to render required services. As a result, the loading pressure on a central server or centralized servers is distributed into the network. A VOD system so contemplated can sustain a substantial growth in its subscribers.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content synchronizing method includes: first transmitting when receiving an acquiring request for reference time to determine a timing to synchronize a plurality of pieces of content executed by a plurality of modules with each other from a first module out of the modules, the acquiring request for the reference time to a second module out of the modules; receiving source information indicating an acquisition source of the reference time from the second module; and acquiring reference time information indicating the reference time from the acquisition source indicated by the source information, wherein second transmitting to the first module, together with the reference time information, processing time information indicating processing time from receiving the acquiring request until transmitting the reference time information, the processing time information being used to calculate a time lag between time in the first module and the reference time.

Abstract: A server (2) includes an index information generator (24) and an encoder (23). When a plurality of items of segment data (27) have been encoded up to predetermined sub segment data, the index information generator (24) generates index information (28) used for switching content, which serves as a playback subject, at this sub segment data. The encoder (23) causes a client (1) to obtain the index information (28) generated by the index information generator (24).

Abstract: Disclosed is a content management server that enables a playback restart from a suitable playback interruption position to be made possible even when editing processing has been executed on content copied to a content playback apparatus.

Abstract: A system includes a video-on-demand server and an authentication server. The video-on-demand server is configured to provide video-on-demand content through a broadband connection to a set-top box device. The authentication server is in communication with the video-on-demand server. The authentication server is configured to receive a request to allow access to a video-on-demand package that includes the video-on-demand content, to determine if a user is currently authorized to constantly receive a broadcast package that includes a plurality of broadcast channels related to the video-on-demand content, and to authorize a broadcast channel in the broadcast package when not currently authorized to receive the broadcast package.

Abstract: A method, a terminal, a server, and a system play a media file. The method includes: obtaining a fast play state of a media file that is based on the HLS protocol; determining intra-coded frame information corresponding to the fast play state; sending a request message to a server, where the request message includes the intra-coded frame information; receiving a response message, which is sent by the server according to the request message, where the response message includes intra-coded frame data corresponding to the intra-coded frame information; and playing the intra-coded frame data according to the response message. According to the present invention, i a terminal supporting HLS can obtain the intra-coded frame data corresponding to a fast play state of the media file and play the data.

Abstract: A first media service is acquired in response to a scheduled acquisition command, where the acquiring operation is performed by a user receiver. The time the acquiring operation takes place depends on information in the command, which indicates when the acquiring operation is supposed to take place and when operation terminates. The receipt of a non-scheduled command by the user receiver causes the acquisition of a second media service, where upon the expiration of the non-scheduled command, the first media service is re-acquired. Upon the expiration of the scheduled command, a third media service is automatically acquired, where the third media service was previously selected by a user.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for supporting time shift playback in an adaptive HTTP streaming transmission solution are disclosed. The method includes: sending a live MPD request message to a media server; receiving a response message that includes MPD for a current time period, where the MPD further includes media presentation information for another time period; determining that a moment of a media segment to be requested currently exceeds a time range corresponding to the MPD; acquiring the corresponding MPD according to the media presentation information corresponding to the media segment, and requesting, according to the acquired corresponding MPD, the media segment. In this manner, a client supports time shift playback of a larger time range, and at the same time, the size of the MPD is capable of remaining in an acceptable range.

Abstract: A system, method, and web-based application platform enabling a television viewer to utilize an Internet device to request a Video-On-Demand (VOD) server to stream a selected video to the viewer's Set Top Box (STB). An Internet Protocol (IP) connection is established between the Internet device and an application executing at a web site, and an Internet device identifier is passed to the application. The application communicates with the VOD server to obtain a listing of available videos, and provides the listing to the Internet device. When the viewer selects a video, the application accesses an equipment-mapping table, which associates the Internet device identifier with an STB identifier. The application then sends the STB identifier and a request for the selected video to the VOD server, which delivers the video to the STB over a television delivery system.

Abstract: Logical content is defined by start/end times into a VoD media offering. The calculation of byte-range markers corresponding to the start/end times is distributed among the STBs to first request the particular logical content. Upon receiving an initial request for a logical content offering, an IPTV AS returns a VoD media file URL, start/end times, and null values of byte-range markers corresponding to the start/end times. In response to the null values, the initially-requesting STB downloads the entire VoD media file from a Download Media Server, and calculates the byte-range markers by comparing the start/end times to timestamps in non-encrypted headers in the VoD media file. The non-null byte-range markers are transmitted back to the IPTV AS, which provides them to STBs subsequently requesting the same logical content. The subsequently-requesting STBs may download only the logical content by providing the non-null byte-range markers to the Download Media Server.

Abstract: A method includes detecting a client device, determining a maximum number of channels based on the client device and selecting different targeted channels from a set of available channels. At least one of the different targeted channels is selected to form a preloaded channel.

Abstract: A system and method of generating an output signal includes a receiving system generating a plurality of signals having a first format, an encoder 162 encoding the plurality of signals into a plurality of transport streams and a multiplexer 210. The system also includes a local area network 130 routing the plurality of transport streams to the multiplexer 210 to form a combined signal, a modulator 214 modulating the combined signal to form a modulated signal and a system 202 forming the output signal from the modulated signal. In one aspect, the output signals may be satellite uplink signals.

Abstract: Video-coded information is transmitted over a network at a priority level that is determined based on feedback from the network. In an embodiment, the feedback comprises a response to a request for information on whether the network currently has the available capacity to transmit additional high priority traffic. In an embodiment, a candidate base layer frame is transmitted over a network as a base layer frame if permission to send high priority data was granted and is transmitted over the network as an enhancement layer frame if permission to send high priority data was denied. In a further embodiment, the candidate base layer frame is deleted if permission to send high priority data was denied.

Abstract: Provided are a video on demand (VOD) service method, a VOD receiver, and a VOD server. The VOD service method includes downloading a first content from a VOD server in a download-and-play mode, receiving feedback information from a client terminal during buffering the first content in order to reproduce the first content, and transmitting the feedback information to the VOD server.

Abstract: A disclosed method of distributing multimedia content to end users in a multimedia content distribution network includes segmenting time in a series of intervals referred to herein as limited-chain relay (LCR) intervals. The LCR intervals may have a duration of time T although an LCR interval may be terminated before the duration expires. During any interval, the LCR distribution method includes responding to a first request for a program of multimedia content (PMC) from a first requestor by delivering the PMC from a video server to the customer premises equipment (CPE) of the requestor and storing the PMC on the CPE of the first requestor. The method further includes responding to subsequent requests for the PMC that occur before the time T and before the interval terminates otherwise from subsequent requestors by delivering at least some portion of the PMC to the subsequent requestors from the CPE of at least one previous requestor.

Abstract: Decoding video data. At least one video stream including a first plurality of frames encoded at a first resolution and a second plurality of frames encoded at a second resolution are received, wherein the second plurality of frames encoded at the second resolution directly correspond to at least a subset of the first plurality of frames encoded at the first resolution, and wherein the first resolution is greater than the second resolution. The video stream is decoded based on at least one received frame of the first plurality of frames encoded at the first resolution and at least one received frame of the second plurality of frames encoded at the second resolution.