Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating cross device resumable media content consumption. In an aspect, a system includes an update component that receives a media statistics update where the media statistics update includes information identifying an account, media content identification information, and a first playback time position associated with media content. A monitoring component is also included that identifies when the account accesses the media content associated with the media content identification information. A resume component is also included that plays back the media content at the first playback time position in response to identifying an access of the media content associated with the account.

Abstract: Implementations discussed herein are directed to providing interactive advertisements to a viewer of a broadcast or other program service transmission. Interactive advertisements include product offering advertisements that give details regarding sales of specific products or retailers that offering specific products for sale. A user may create a shopping list or other indicator that specifies which product offering advertisements are displayed. Product offering advertisements may be displayed concurrently with content from a program service transmission. Extended product offering advertisement that provide further details regarding a product for sale may be displayed in response to user selections of particular product offering advertisements. Product offering advertisements and/or extended product offering advertisements may be displayed on a front panel screen of a receiver or on a television or other output device used to display program service content.

Abstract: Viewers of a video content item may provide reaction videos, that show the viewer's reactions to a content item while the viewers view the content item. The reaction videos may be provided to a friend, or other member of a social circle of the viewers, when the friend views the content item. The reaction videos may be locked until the friend provides consent to have his or her reaction captured while watching the content.

Abstract: Misaligned map data received from different sources is corrected to generate a map that includes aligned features. Each data source is associated with a reliability value that identifies the likelihood that the map data received from the corresponding source is aligned with a particular map location. A corrected version of the map data is generated based on the reliability values of the data sources. Generally, map data from unreliable sources is adjusted toward map data from more reliable sources until the map data from the different sources is aligned.

Abstract: An voice command processing method provides a unified voice control interface to access and control Internet of things (IoT) devices and configure value of attributes of graphical user interface (GUI) elements, attributes of applications, and attributes of the IoT devices. As a voice command comprises an expression of a percentage or a fraction of a baseline value of an attribute, or an exact value of the attribute of an IoT device, the unified voice control interface sets the attribute of the IoT device in response to the percentage, the fraction, or the exact value in the voice command.

Abstract: Personalized content is generated from different media items using a content index. The content index is generated or updated by identifying segments of media items that are of particular interest to users. User interactions with the media items are analyzed and metadata of segments of media items that are determined to be of particular interest to the users is recorded. The parameters associated with a request for personalized content for a user are matched with the recorded metadata to identify relevant media items or segments of media items which are transmitted to the user as the personalized content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the efficient and non-redundant transmission of a single video program in multiple frame rates, optionally employing a combination of video coding standards, in a way that is backwards-compatible with legacy receivers only supportive of some subsection of frame rates or of some subsection of video coding standards.

Abstract: PVR functionality is enabled on a media player of a placeshifting system, which allows a user to record media programs from locations that are physically remote from a source of the media programs. The media player may receive program schedule information and present the program schedule information to the user. Based on user input, the media player identifies a media program and associated schedule information. When the media program is scheduled to play, the placeshifting device directs a media recording device to receive the media program and to store the program. The placeshifting device may digitize, transcode, and/or transrate the media program, if necessary, and transmit the media program to the remote device for playback.

Abstract: A video switcher includes: a reception unit which receives video data within a range of a prescribed bandwidth via a network from video output apparatuses; a transmission unit which selects one or more pieces from among received video data, and transmits the selected one or more pieces to a video processing apparatus; a selection unit which dynamically sets a priority degree of each piece of video data, and selects video data to be received; and a control unit which controls a transmission and reception of video data. When a bandwidth necessary for a reception of new video data is insufficient, the selection unit selects video data for which reception is to be stopped from among video data being received based on the priority degree, and the control unit performs a control so as to stop a reception of selected video data and start a reception of the new video data.

Abstract: A guide data server stores program guide content in a memory and transmits the stored content to a multicast server. The multicast server transmits the received content to set top boxes according to three independent time periods. The three time periods include an update blocking time period, a multicast blocking time period, and a normal time period. During the update blocking time period, the multicast server transmits old program guide content to the set top boxes. During the multicast blocking time period, the multicast server (1) performs a one-time request for the new program guide content from the guide data server, and (2) receives new program guide content from the guide data server. During the normal time period, the multicast server receives new program guide content transmitted from the guide data server and transmits the new program guide content to the set top boxes.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for efficiently and flexibly providing caption data (e.g., closed captioning) to subscribers of a content-based network, such as for example Internet protocol television (IPTV) subscribers. In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a server performing real-time extraction and encapsulation of caption data, transport of caption data to client devices over the network, and use of one or more applications running on the client devices to decode and display the caption data consistent with the multimedia (audio/video) content with which it is associated. In one variant, instant messaging (IM) infrastructure is used to authenticate clients and receive and display the caption data via a separate transport process. Server and client-side apparatus adapted for caption data receipt, decoding and display are also disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for enabling multicast traffic for a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) Modular Headend Architecture (MHA) system. The techniques allow a single modular CMTS core Media Access Control (MAC) domain to service a plurality of physical layer devices. When combined with an independent control plane, Downstream External physical layer (PHY) Interface (DEPI), and Upstream External physical layer (PHY) Interface (UEPI), a downstream PHY device becomes a completely independent and scalable network element.

Abstract: A system for generating edited video, the system comprises a storage module configured to store a plurality of video tags; a network interface configured to receive an unedited video clip and a video tag selection from a user device and automatically transmit and edited video to a video sharing website; and a transformer module configured to generate an edited video based on the unedited video clip and the video tag selection.

Abstract: Provided is a system and method for a local area broadcast service, and a wireless transmission apparatus applied to them. In the system, contents to be broadcasted in a predetermined local area are transmitted from a broadcast server to a wireless transmission apparatus through a wired network based on an Internet Protocol and the contents are then broadcasted from the wireless transmission apparatus to one or more user terminal devices. Therefore, according to the present invention, a server of a wired network can easily provide particular contents for each particular local area to one or more user terminal devices in the local area. Moreover, it is possible to reduce the load of the server, when the server provides multiple types of contents or provides contents to a plurality of user terminal devices.

Abstract: A method, computer program, reception apparatus, and information providing apparatus for accessing or providing access to content. The method includes receiving a transport stream from a content provider. A virtual channel table (VCT) is extracted from the transport stream. Further, a determination is made as to whether one or more services, corresponding to an entry included in the VCT, are supported by the reception apparatus based on one or more parameterized service descriptor (PSD) instances, which are associated with a predetermined Service Type and included in the VCT.

Abstract: A DVR sends, over the Internet, to a server, information that indicates a set of programs. The information also may indicate a ranking of the programs in the set relative to each other. In response to receiving the information from the DVR, the server determines a “to do” list of programs that the DVR should record as those programs are broadcasted in the future. The “to do” list indicates recording times and channels for each program. The server sends the “to do” list back to the DVR over the Internet. The DVR receives the “to do” list over the Internet and stores the “to do” list. As the programs on the “to do” list are broadcasted, the DVR automatically records those programs at the list-specified times and on the list-specified channels. The DVR stores those programs on the DVR's hard disk drive for later viewing by the DVR user.

Abstract: [Object] To realize processing for switching a reproduction state from broadcast data to network data and resuming the reproduction of the original broadcast data. [Solving Means] A browser (241) acquires, via a network, an XML-AIT having a content equivalent to a broadcast AIT defining a life cycle of a broadcast application while a VoD content is reproduced after being switched from the broadcast application. The browser (241) manages the broadcast application based on the XML-AIT and resumes the reception of the broadcast application after the reproduction of the VoD content is ended. With this structure, processing of separating two transport streams at the same time becomes unnecessary, and one demultiplexer (23) only needs to be provided.

Abstract: The present distribution system is formed by a plurality of clients enabled to receive a plurality of channels of signals and a distribution server enabled to output the plurality of channels of signals to respective clients. Each of the plurality of clients includes a switch unit and a transmission unit. The distribution server includes a plurality of transceiver units, a delay amount determining unit and a delay adjusting unit. The respective transceiver units output the plurality of channels of signals to the plurality of clients and receive selection information and dependent information from the respective plurality of clients. The delay amount determining unit determines delay amount to be instructed to the respective plurality of transceiver units based on the dependent information. The delay adjusting unit controls delay amount for the respective plurality of transceiver units based on the delay amount determined by the delay amount determining unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for designating a memory region for receiving image frames from an image frame server, the image frames are from a first sequence of image frames. Each image frame in the first sequence of image frames is associated with a time position on a first timeline. A needed image frame is selected, the needed image frame associated with a second time position on a second timeline. The second time position is mapped on the second timeline to a first time position on the first timeline. The image frame server is requested to provide an image frame from the first sequence of image frames at the first time position on the first timeline.

Abstract: A video server adaptively selects an appropriate video encoding standard and an appropriate video encoding rate for encoding video content to be downloaded to one or more video client devices over a communication network. The video server adaptively selects the video encoding standard and the video encoding rate based upon factors such as the data transmission rate of the communication network, the processing speed of the video client device, or the type of the video content to be downloaded. Once the video encoding standard and the video encoding rate are selected, video content can be transcoded prior to downloading to one or more video client devices. During the download, the video content may be adaptively transrated, such as in response to a change in the data transmission rate of the communication network.

Abstract: A receiver recovers local service data symbols from first Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexed (OFDM) symbols in the presence of second OFDM symbols. The second OFDM symbols carry national broadcast data symbols and modulated on to the sub-carriers of the second OFDM symbols using a first modulation scheme. The first OFDM symbols carry the national broadcast data symbols and the local service data symbols from a local insertion pipe and modulated on to the sub-carriers of the first OFDM symbols using a second modulation scheme. The receiver comprises an OFDM detector which includes an equalizer to recover local service modulated sub-carriers of the second modulation scheme.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for optimizing streaming of a group of videos. Throughput of video streams through a common link to at least two different destinations is permitted. An effective flow rate for each video stream is ascertained, and a playout lead for each video stream is estimated. The playout leads are equalized via dynamically changing the effective flow rates of the video streams.

Abstract: Automated media programming (AMP) systems and methods are provided. The systems and methods allow independent users to submit, edit, rate, and watch video content (preferably, although not necessarily, from other users) over a broadcast media channel or network. In one embodiment, among others, the AMP system employs a topic generator means for determining one or more topics that will be used for identifying one or more videos to be broadcast, an upload means for receiving uploads of one or more user videos relating to the determined topics, a prescreening means for allowing users to view the uploaded user videos, a rating means for rating the uploaded user videos, their respective producers, or both, a pre-production means for scheduling the uploaded videos for transmission based upon the ratings, and a broadcast means for enabling broadcast of the videos.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing streaming data of content in a digital broadcast system supporting Video On Demand (VOD) service are provided. A data processing method of a set-top box supporting Video On Demand (VOD) service includes requesting content selected by a user, configuring, if streaming data of the content is received, file block information for storing the streaming data, and storing the streaming data in units of file blocks according to the file block information. The streaming data processing method and apparatus of the present invention are capable of processing the streaming data of the content of which size is larger than the available storage space efficiently. Also, the streaming data processing method and apparatus of the present invention is capable of reducing total manufacturing cost of the set-top box by reducing costly storage device in size.

Abstract: An approach is provided for simulating a connection to a head-end system to enable execution of content and features of a set-top box. A simulation platform stores a plurality of control data signals associated with a head-end system. In response to a determined loss of connectivity to the head-end system, the platform invokes a head-end simulation process using the control data signals, including timing information, dynamic data and channel map data.

Abstract: An online video distribution network includes an online video portal and an online video merchant. In one embodiment, when the consumer orders a video, the merchant provides a pick-up ticket to the consumer. The portal uses the merchant identity in the pick-up ticket to connect to the merchant, and the merchant uses a product identity in the pick-up ticket to retrieve and send the video to the portal. In another embodiment, the portal provides the consumer with a drop-off ticket, which is provided to the merchant. The merchant connects to the portal using the portal identity in the drop-off ticket, and sends the video and a customer identity in the drop-off ticket to the portal. The portal determines a consumer record associated with the consumer identity and stores the video in the consumer record. The consumer can then easily access the video at the portal.

Abstract: The present invention provides for closed loop multimedia content management systems and methods to ensure accurate and timely delivery of VOD content from multiple content providers using multiple distribution systems. The present invention provides for a method of distributing multimedia content using a VOD management system by receiving a multimedia asset data file and associated metadata from a content provider and/or a MSO, tracking the delivery of the multimedia asset data file to a MSO, tracking the upload of the multimedia asset data file to a VOD server maintained by the MSO, and providing usage reports relating to usage of multimedia asset data files by end users of the MSO. Usage reports are prepared by receiving data from the VOD servers regarding the files requested by end users, creating a master reporting database using that data, and generating the usage reports using the data contained in the master reporting database.

Abstract: A system for managing delivery of content from multiple platforms maintains data for various video channels. Some of the video channels are television channels, while others are over-the-top (OTT) video content sources such as video streaming websites. The system includes a package generation module by which a service provider may define a package of both traditional and OTT channels to offer to subscribers in a unified programming interface. When a user uses the interface to select a set of video channels, the system compiles the set of the video channels in a subscriber package of both television and OTT channels. The system assigns a name to the subscriber package, and it stores the defined package and name, along with other information about the package, in a data storage facility for offering to a subscriber of content from the service provider.

Abstract: A system and process is provided in which original video or dialog content is securely received from the content owner. Subtitle language data is derived, translated, stored and served on a separate database for synchronous playback with the content in video streaming, downloading or online TV following the activation of an option by the end user through a media player.

Abstract: A video transmission system includes a video server module that selectively operates in a unicast mode and a multicast mode, wherein the video server module generates a video signal that includes a unicast video signal when the video server module is in the unicast mode and that includes a multicast video signal when the video server module is in the multicast mode. A wireless access device transmits the video signal to at least one mobile video device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal. The method for receiving a broadcast signal comprises: generating a broadcast stream including at least one program; generating first program table information that represents the broadcast stream; receiving non-real time (NRT) service schedule information; generating second program table information that represents the NRT service, in accordance with the received NRT service schedule information; configuring a stream including the broadcast stream, the 1st program table information and the second program table information; and transmitting the stream.

Abstract: A system may send a request for video content to a server device; obtain, in response to the request, control information, associated with the video content, where the control information may include one or more digital versatile disc (DVD) features that correspond to one or more portions of the video content; and present the control information, for display, via a user interface, where presenting the control information for display may enable a user, of the video client device, to interact with the control information as though the video content was being played by a DVD player. The system may also receive selection of a DVD feature, of the one or more DVD features; and obtain, from the server device, a portion of the video content, of the one or more portions of the video content, that begins at a point that corresponds to the selected DVD feature.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and receiver devices enable broadcasters with restricted content license areas (e.g., Designated Market Areas (“DMAs”) to distribute content via Over the Top (“OTT”) IP networks. Embodiments enable client reporting and authentication as well as broadcast content encryption. In an embodiment, information from the client may be reported back to the broadcasters, such as a view history/use report. In an embodiment, hand off between DMAs may be enabled. In an embodiment, local advertisement insertion in network content may be enabled. Embodiments may enable Multicast-Broadcast Single Frequency Network (“MBSFN”) operation across DMA boundaries.

Abstract: A system and method for providing content providers with network distribution nodes for distributing content to subscribers of a communications service provider may include maintaining multiple network nodes by the communications service provider, where the network nodes may be in communication with the Internet and be configured to enable subscribers of the communications service provider to access and download content over a controlled service provider network without the content having to be communicated over the Internet. Multiple respective content service providers may be enabled to store content at the network nodes for subscribers local to each respective network node to download the content. Multiple customer databases configured to store information associated with subscribers of the communications service provider may be operated.

Abstract: A system and method for customizing communication in a social television framework is described. The method includes retrieving a current context data set corresponding to multiple users, wherein the current context data set includes a user profile component and a media content component. A customized mark set is determined based on an analysis of the current context data set, and at least one of the marks in the customized mark set is sent to a client end device to be experienced by at least one of the users.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed include a method and a system. The method includes receiving a first media stream, in a first network device from a remote network device, using a first network protocol. The may method include converting the first media stream in real-time to a second media stream according to a second network protocol and transmitting the second media stream to a user device. The method may include receiving a first trick-mode command according to a first trick-mode protocol from the user device, wherein the first trick-mode command includes rewind, fast forward, or pause. The method may include converting the first trick-mode command into a second trick-mode command according to a second trick-mode protocol and transmitting the second trick-mode command to the remote network device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for selectively caching (and de-caching) video content in network so as to reduce content transformation requirements and also cache storage requirements. In one embodiment, a content caching controller associated with a content server differentiates content requests based on content attributes such as the requested codec format (e.g., MPEG or Windows Media), resolution, bitrate, and/or encryption type or security environment. If the content requested by a user is not available with the requested attribute(s), the content server transfers to content to the user by first transforming it. The content server also speculatively caches the transformed content locally, so that a future request for the same content with the same attributes can be filled by transferring without the intermediate transformation step. The controller allows the network operator to optimize use of available storage and transcoding resources.

Abstract: A display terminal and a method for displaying content on the display terminal are embodied and broadly disclosed herein. The method may include displaying an indicator that indicates a presence of at least one new content available in a channel; displaying a list of the at least one new content in response to an acknowledgement request corresponding to the indicator; and connecting to the channel to display the at least one new content in response to an input, wherein the input is a selection of one or more of the at least one new content in the displayed list.

Abstract: A videoconference system includes a plurality of computers associated with the system to collectively send and receive video data streams. A video encoding program is stored in a memory and is executable by at least a first computer. When executed, the executing computer encodes video data using one or more encoding parameters. A decode information set request monitoring program is stored in a memory and is executable by at least the first computer, causing the first computer to perform the steps of monitoring the network for receipt of a decode information set request message and responding to the received request message by querying the received message for an ID and, if the ID of the received message corresponds to a video data stream generated from the first computer, communicating the corresponding decode information set including the encoding parameters to at least a computer that transmitted the message.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that addresses and resolves the issues currently affecting the ability to offer Enhanced TV, in particular, those issues concerning timing and synchronization, interaction with other modules in the STB, and distribution.

Abstract: A method for controlling an image display apparatus includes determining a type of a video signal included in an input signal, determining whether three-dimensional (3D) format information is included in the input signal, if the video signal is a 3D video signal, requesting 3D format information about the video signal to a server that stores 3D format information, if the input signal does not include the 3D format information about the video signal, and processing, upon receipt of 3D format information from the server in response to the 3D format information request, the video signal according to the 3D format information and displaying a 3D image based on the processed video signal.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting channels to at least one digital video recorder is described. A server receives at least one recording schedule from a plurality of digital video recorders (step 304). A subset of channels is selected from the channels associated with the at least one program identification of the received at least one recording schedule (step 306). Information is transmitted from the server to at least one of the plurality of digital video recorders, the information indicating channels associated with the at least one program identification of the at least one recording schedule that were not selected (step 308). The selected subset of channels is also transmitted from the server to at least one of the plurality of digital video recorders (step 310).

Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of streaming video content from a server to a client over a channel via a network. Video content is offered as a set of consecutive fragments, each fragment of said set of consecutive fragments being offered in a plurality of quality levels corresponding to respective encoded data rates. The method comprises a session of transmitting one or more of requests for fragments and receiving via the network one or more replies to the requests containing fragments with target quality levels at said client. These fragments are displayed at said client. At a capture node requests and/or replies to the requests of the session are captured. The captured data is used to reconstruct at least part of the session as experienced (QoE) at the client.

Abstract: a media file is electronically communicated by programmatically generating a link for an electronic communication, where the link identifies a media file that is stored on a given terminal of a user. Selection of the link at a remote terminal is detected, indicating that a recipient of the electronic communication has selected to view the media file. In response to the link in the message being selected from the remote terminal, streaming data from the media file to the recipient. An embodiment such as described may be performed from a user terminal or system, correspond to, for example, where the media file was recorded, created and/or stored.

Abstract: A system supporting the remote management of options related to media consumption in a media exchange network. A system may comprise a set top box communicatively coupled to a television display and storage. The set top box may be used for the consumption of media via a communication network. In such a system, server software may enable the remote modification, via a communication network, of options related to the consumption of media by a user of the set top box. The media consumed may be one or more of digital audio, a digital still image, digital video, and digital data. Other aspects may be seen in a personal computer monitor and personal computer circuitry, communicatively coupled to a storage and a communication network. A system may also enable the modification of TV viewing options via a telephone voice response system.

Abstract: A content distribution system that is supplied with power from a plurality of power sources having different environmental loads and that distributes content to a content playback apparatus connected via a communication circuit, the content distribution system distributing content with respect to a content distribution request from the content playback apparatus with a service quality that is determined so as to suppress the environmental load by the power supplied from the plurality of power sources to a predetermined environmental load.

Abstract: At least one of a probability density for a video and a granularity mapping for the video based upon the probability density are generated at an analytics server. The probability density is calculated according to a predetermined set of points in the video and a pseudo-randomly generated set of points in the video. The probability density is non-degenerate. The granularity mapping for the video provides a mapping of the probability density to the video. The at least one of the probability density and the granularity mapping are sent from the analytics server to a video content server so that the video content server sends the video and the at least one of the probability density, and the granularity mapping to each of a plurality of clients. A set of beacons is generated by the each of the plurality of the clients according to the probability density and the granularity mapping.

Abstract: A network system in which a terminal apparatus, a recording apparatus, and a server apparatus are connectable via a network is disclosed. The server apparatus includes a service processing unit performing a service of reserving recording of a content to the recording apparatus by a request from the terminal apparatus, and an available service information provision unit managing information on the service available to the recording apparatus as available service information and transmitting the available service information to the terminal apparatus in response to a request from the terminal apparatus.

Abstract: A method of providing video-on-demand content includes receiving a request from a set-top box, and determining the video-on-demand content is not stored locally. The request includes a content identifier for the video-on-demand content. The method further includes identifying a peer likely to have the video-on-demand content, receiving at least a first portion of the video-on-demand content from the peer, and providing the video-on-demand content to the set-top box.