Abstract: Provision of non video on demand applications and associated content through a video on demand (VoD) infrastructure is provided. An existing VoD application may be used to allow services other than traditional VoD services to be provided to a requesting networked device, such as a cable system set-top box. Applications may be provided by remote application servers acting as VoD servers. Remote content or applications may be requested by a client VoD application, wherein the requested content may be streamed to the requesting device, and a personalized client experience may be provided. The thin VoD client application may interact with the remote application as if the content were VoD content. Accordingly, normal VoD command functionality may be utilized to interact with the remote application.

Abstract: Meta-channels identify content entries and indicate an order with which to experience the content entries. The meta-channels may include a multi-source meta-channel that includes at least a first content entry that relates to first content broadcast by a first content provider at a specific time and a second content entry that relates to second content made available, over a network, by a second content provider in response to user requests. A selection of a meta-channel is received and the selection of the meta-channel is mapped to a content entry defined by the selected meta-channel. A media system is controlled to render content based on a content entry mapped to by the selected meta-channel.

Abstract: A device is dedicated to the processing of audio and video data for multimedia communication, via an asynchronous network, between first LAN audio and video terminals and second LAN audio and video terminals. This device includes i) a connector which establishes communications with the first LAN audio and video terminals and with other connectors installed in another device, ii) a first dating module which attaches a transmit time mark and an identifier to the audio and video data emitted by the first LAN audio and video terminals, before their transmission to the other connector and iii) a processor which determines a time difference representing the transmission time difference between the received audio and video data and presenting the same identifier.

Abstract: A content reproduction device includes: a plurality of communication units (a cellular phone and a wireless LAN communication unit), each receiving a content transmitted in segments from a content transmission device over a communication path; a content reconstruction unit that has a buffer in which each segmented data of the content received by each of the communication units is temporarily accumulated, and that reconstructs each segmented data accumulated in the buffer into the content; a reproduction unit that reproduces, at a predetermined bit rate, the content reconstructed by the content reconstruction unit; and a communication control unit that: calculates, for every predetermined time, target transmission speeds to be assigned for content reception performed by the respective communication units, based on free space in the buffer and the bit rate; and transmits a first request signal indicating the calculated target transmission speeds to the content transmission device via one of the communication un

Abstract: A method and system for tailoring a multimedia presentation of an event on a computerized multimedia system to meet a user's desires. In a preferred embodiment, a set of video streams and a set of audio streams for the event are provided to the user via a network coupled to the multimedia system. From the set of available video streams for the event, one or more video streams are selected for presentation to the user. From the set of available audio streams for the event, one or more audio streams are selected for presentation to the user. Furthermore, the relative volumes of the different audio streams may be adjusted. In response to user input, the selected video and audio streams are assigned to respective portions of video and audio output devices. The event is presented to the user according to the selected video stream assignments.

Abstract: Apparatus for establishing a packet-based connection between a video display equipment (such as a set-top box) having an analog modem and a remote computer. The translation apparatus receives a connection initiation request from the video display apparatus and responsive to the connection initiation request establishes a modem connection with the video display apparatus. The translation apparatus further receives communication data from the video display apparatus via the modem connection and transmits the communication data to the remote computing apparatus via a packet-based network. The translation apparatus can also receive communication data from the remote computer and relay the same to the video display apparatus. The connection can be established upon powering up of the video display apparatus, upon loading of an Interactive TV application or upon other pre-determined event. The connection can be maintained “always-on” or substantially “always-on”.

Abstract: Integrating external on-demand services is performed through embedding a pseudo on-demand video-title for each new on-demand external service, which is activated by an original session manager (SM) once a particular set-top converter box (STB), which belongs to a particular group_id, initiates a request for the external service. An STB application intercepts SM tuning information on the selected transport_id and service_id of the pseudo service and recovers the address of the selected edge device and QAM in the original system, associated with the intercepted transport_id, through the inverse mapping the couple (group_id, transport_id) to the edge and QAM IP and UDP port addresses which map is set by external management system.

Abstract: A video on demand (VoD) network architecture implements a gateway that provides both satellite-based communications and radio frequency-based communications. The gateway may receive a content request from a video client and determine whether the content request corresponds to a content delivery network (CDN). When the content request corresponds to the CDN, the gateway may install a VoD access point name (APN) route designated for VoD traffic between the video client and the CDN, and communicate the content request to the CDN via the VoD APN route. The VoD APN route may include a VoD APN of a wireless wide area network (WWAN) connected to the gateway via an air interface. When the content request does not correspond to the CDN, the gateway may communicate the content request via an Internet APN route.

Abstract: Assets, such as content and related data are packaged, transmitted, received and managed in a digital cable television system to standardize the distribution of content and services from a content/service provider to subscribers in the system. The standardized format for packaging content enables the digital cable system to package, transmit, receive and manage diverse types of content, such as MPEGs, executable files, HTML pages, and the like, using standard system components without requiring reprogramming of the system to deploy new services. Service and content providers are freed from having to develop custom formats for delivering content and data to the cable system. Moreover, the standardized bundling of content and related data that is enabled by the invention allows the cable system operator to automate the deployment of services based on specific content and data to select subscribers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aggregating the data for a plurality of individualized programs into a single channel, and allocating the channel bandwidth as-needed for provision of short video programs on an “on demand” basis, so that the total bandwidth required to provide the individualized channels and associated video clips is substantially reduced. Also provided is a real-time, single-user-targeted individualized advertising associated with the viewer selection that personalizes the user's iTV experience. The advertisements are targeted in real-time based on an immediate interest revealed by the user in a search request for content. Short duration videos are provided so as not to over-tax the individualized “on demand” channel's limited bandwidth.

Abstract: A wireless video uplink system comprises wireless access systems and a reservation system. The reservation system receives a video uplink request that indicates a user, a geographic location, and a time period. The reservation system processes the video uplink request to select one of the wireless access systems that serves the geographic location. The reservation system determines if the selected wireless access system has available video uplink capacity during the time period, and if so, the system directs the selected wireless access system to provide the wireless video uplink to a wireless video device associated with the user during the time period. The selected wireless access system wirelessly receives video data over the video uplink from the wireless video device during the time period. The selected wireless access system also inhibits another video uplink attempt from another wireless video device during the time period.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to deliver broadcast channels by way of interactive TV (iTV) edge routers using multicast virtual private networks, share a same multicast state for the broadcast channels and share a same multicast delivery tree for the broadcast channels. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, a method, and a program which can appropriately perform jump playback when content transmitted through a network is played back in real time. A terminal 3 receives stream data transmitted from a server 1, buffers the stream data, and plays back the buffered data. The terminal 3 has multiple buffers to allow content data of the positions of jump destinations that can be specified as a jump destination during jump playback to be pre-buffered in the multiple buffers. As a result, upon receiving a request for jump playback, the terminal 3 can start playback from a jump destination without delay, since the data of the jump destination has already been buffered. The present invention is applied to, for example, television receivers.

Abstract: In a content distribution system, a content distribution device performs on-demand distribution of video content to a content playback terminal via a network. Before a user plays back video content from a distribution menu, the content playback terminal preliminarily receives from the content distribution device, the distributed video content to which cache control information is added, and then writes the received video content in a temporal storage device included therein. If video content selected by the user is present in the temporal storage device, that video content is played back. On the other hand, if the selected video content is not present in the temporal storage device, a distribution request for the selected video content is made to the content distribution device.

Abstract: A video processing system and method of operation transports a video stream between a video source and a remote wireless device and includes a communication interface and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry couples to the communication interface, establishes a reception verified communication link with the remote wireless device via the communication interface, and establishes a non-reception verified communication link with the video source via the communication interface. The processing circuitry further receives the video stream (and an audio stream) from the video source via the communication interface using the non-reception verified communication link and transmits the video stream (and audio stream) to the remote wireless device via the communication interface using the reception verified communication link.

Abstract: A head-end system for providing a two-way VOD service and a service method thereof are disclosed. The head-end system includes: a terminal which is based on a Java virtual machine and a Java TV/GEM standard middleware and has a VOD navigator application of a tool set form for replaying and controlling an audiovisual (AV) which is processed to be replayed in real time and an application related to the AV which is processed to be replayed in real time; and a two-way VOD head-end system server for providing a VOD content list and content information to the terminal through the Internet and providing information of an application related to an AV which is processed to be replayed and an application execution-related file together when a VOD content is selected and requested by a user.

Abstract: An initiating viewer identifies a multimedia channel and submits a request to share the multimedia channel with at least one recipient viewer at another viewer premises. This request is processed by the multimedia receiver of the initiating viewer so as to generate a channel change request for submission to a service provider. In response to the channel share request, the service provider queries the recipient viewer to determine whether the recipient viewer accepts or rejects the offered multimedia channel. If the recipient viewer accepts the multimedia channel, the multimedia channel can be provided to the multimedia receiver of the recipient viewer either for storage for later playback or for immediate playback concurrent with the provision of the multimedia channel to the initiating viewer. Billing for costs associated with the shared multimedia channel is conducted based on billing feedback provided by the initiating viewer.

Abstract: What is disclosed is a method of operating a video system. The method includes, in a video server, monitoring a geographic location of a wireless communication device, transferring reference frames of a video for delivery to the wireless communication device over a wireless communication system if the geographic location is within a group of predefined geographic areas and stopping the transfer of the reference frames if the geographic location is not within the group of predefined geographic areas. The method also includes, in the video server, transferring update frames of the video for delivery to the wireless communication device over the wireless communication system without regard to whether the geographic location is within the group of predefined geographic areas. The method also includes, in the wireless communication device, receiving the reference frames and the update frames of the video over the wireless communication system and displaying the video.

Abstract: Methods for proactively offering a network turbo boost service to consumers including receiving a set of one or more turbo boost triggering criteria associated with a user. A network is monitored for a task that meets at least one of the turbo boost triggering criteria. If the monitoring results in locating a task that meets at least one of the turbo boost triggering criteria, then the network turbo boost service is invoked for the task.

Abstract: A disclosed example method to manage network bandwidth allocation in a media delivery environment involves detecting insufficient bandwidth available to deliver requested media to a media receiver and presenting user-selectable options via the media receiver to allocate bandwidth to deliver the requested media to the media receiver. The example method also involves receiving a first user selection of one of the user-selectable options and implementing the selected one of the user-selectable options specifying a second user selection identifying a particular media stream to be delivered at a media quality that is lower than a higher media quality previously selected for that particular media stream.

Abstract: A network and methods for supporting concurrent consumption of broadcast and user captured media content are disclosed. Various embodiments of the present invention permit a first user to concurrently consume media content from a server and a second user of a media exchange network. The first user may also concurrently provide media content to the second user of the media exchange network. The media content shared by users may be stored at a user's location, stored on a server at a third location in the media exchange network, or may originate from a media peripheral device, and may be audio, a still image, video, or data.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a Video-on-Demand (VOD) program involves at a service provider head-end, separating VOD program data into first and second parts; transmitting the first part over a communication network to a recipient receiver for storage at a storage device as cached speculative data, where the transmitting is carried out as a data push when the communication network has available bandwidth to permit such transmitting and without regard for any order having been received for the VOD program to be sent to the receiver; receiving an order for the VOD program to be sent to the receiver; and streaming the second part to the receiver for reassembly into the VOD program at the receiver by combining the second part as it is streamed with the cached speculative data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: The present invention is to disclose an IP-based hometown TV program delivery system comprising at least one TV program provider for providing a plurality of channels of TV programs; and at least one agency at a server-end for providing a plurality of digital video contents converted from said corresponding TV programs; characterized in that said agency at a server-end distributes said plurality of digital video contents to authorized users at a client-end via a broadcasting network, wherein each authorized users has subscription to said TV programs so as to get permission for watching and receives from said agency said digital video contents converted from said corresponding TV programs via said broadcasting network.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method that delivers content from one or more content sources to a plurality of subscriber units via a flow transport subsystem that transports content flows originated from the one or more content sources over a wide area network in response to one or more requests for deadline-driven content flows. E.g., live or interactive flows. One or more gateways interface with the flow transport subsystem for receiving the deadline-driven content flows. Each of the one or more gateways is associated with one or more subscriber units and is selected based on one or more requests for deadline-driven content flows. A content processor converts the deadline-driven content flows to modulated content flows, and a flow delivery subsystem delivers the modulated content flows to one or more subscriber units associated with a selected gateway over an allocated frequency bandwidth of one or more transmission mediums.

Abstract: A video playback system, transmission apparatus, and content playback apparatus are provided that are capable of performing accurate resource prediction when playing back content via a network. A transmission apparatus (401) generates consumption resource information in which a playback time and band information of content corresponding to the playback time are paired from management information of content to be played back, and transmits this consumption resource information to a content playback apparatus (501). Utilizing consumption resource information transmitted from the transmission apparatus (401), the content playback apparatus (501) predicts a resource that will be consumed by the content playback apparatus (501), using a table held in the content playback apparatus (501), according to the playback time and playback mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing video-on-demand loading include processing that begins by receiving a concurrent additional request for accessing a video program (i.e., while the server associated with the video program is processing one request for access to the video program another is received). The processing continues by providing the video program to a 2nd server in response to the concurrent additional request. The 2nd server causes the video program to be stored in the redundant array of independent disks (2nd RAID) associated with the 2nd server. The 2nd server processes the concurrent additional request via the 2nd RAID such that processing of multiple requests for the same video program is distributed throughout the video on demand system.

Abstract: A system for redistributing a multiple input audio/video and data signals having a redistributing device equipped to receive signals in a multiple formats and redistribute a selected signal to a user's premises over conductors, preferably existing twisted-pair telephone wire. The redistributing device is in interactive communication with a communications interface located in the user's premises which receives user-input control signals and contains switching circuitry which routes the selected signal to the user's premises where it is received by the receiving unit such as a television receiver. A single redistributing device services an entire multi-user network from a common distribution point, and services multiple users independently. The system of the invention does not interfere with normal use of the telephone network, so users can interactively access services provided by the system and use the telephone at the same time.

Abstract: A content on demand system includes logic to compose set top box configuration information into an audio and/or video stream format, and to communicate the configuration information to a plurality of set top boxes.

Abstract: It is an object to provide a digital TV broadcast system and a cellular phone in which content of a data broadcast can be checked with a small display area, and work for checking desired content in detail is easy. Extracted character strings extracted from content data are provided in a picto display area 21 in a horizontally long display state as a marquee display. In the case where a display screen is switched to a vertically long display state during the display of the extracted character strings, a cursor 26 is placed on a character string corresponding to an extracted character string displayed in the horizontally long display state upon the switching, among character strings displayed in a data broadcast display area 25.

Abstract: An access/edge network node (300) according to the invention includes a single proxy function (301) to terminate on the subscriber side a single requesting protocol for a plurality of streaming video services.

Abstract: A system, method, and node for providing an end-user device with access to an operator's service capability through a third-party provider. The system increases sales of Video-On-Demand (VOD) content stored in a telecommunication operator network by enabling a third-party supplier to retrieve a catalog of the VOD content stored in the operator network, and to sell videos from the retrieved catalog to end-user devices. When the third-party supplier receives a request from a wireless end-user device to purchase a video from the catalog, the third-party supplier notifies the operator network, which then delivers the video to the wireless end-user device. The third-party supplier may pay a fee to the operator network for each video sold.

Abstract: A system for redistributing a multiple input audio/video and data signals having a redistributing device equipped to receive signals in a multiple formats and redistribute a selected signal to a user's premises over conductors, preferably existing twisted-pair telephone wire. The redistributing device is in interactive communication with a communications interface located in the user's premises which receives user-input control signals and contains switching circuitry which routes the selected signal to the user's premises where it is received by the receiving unit such as a television receiver. A single redistributing device services an entire multi-user network from a common distribution point, and services multiple users independently. The system of the invention does not interfere with normal use of the telephone network, so users can interactively access services provided by the system and use the telephone at the same time.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access to high definition (HD) content includes a master customer premises equipment (CPE) device enabled for prioritizing conflicting requests for HD content based on predefined priority settings associated with a plurality of client CPE devices. Access to HD content by the client CPE devices may be associated with a token and conflicting requests may be resolved in favor of the client CPE device that holds the token. Disclosed systems permit administrators to control the use of limited resources within a location by limiting access to the limited resources by secondary users.

Abstract: Channel changes between services with differing bandwidth in a switched digital video system. A services map published by the headend and distributed to all of the edge devices, allows a bandwidth requirement to be correlated with each request from a device in the home. The bandwidth requirement is passed upstream along with the request for service and is subject to a system resource management validation.

Abstract: Systems having a user interface comprising a filtered view of media available for consumption are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a first user with a view that enables consumption of only the available media that matches characteristics of a media filter. The characteristics of the media filter may be specified by a second user, and the second user may define the characteristics of the media filter remotely, via a communication network. The user interface may support separate media filters for each of a number of different users. Filter characteristics such as type of media channel, the language of any dialogue, an industry rating, an overall viewer rating, and the media format may be supported. The media filter characteristics may be applied not only to what is displayed on the user interface, but also the media available for selection via a remote control.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for alternate multi-channel bi-directional data transmission in a multi-unit environment. In one embodiment, legacy infrastructure connects entertainment centers in respective rooms to a service server to provide downstream communication from the service server to the entertainment center. To provide bi-directional data transmission, an upstream data transmission channel is provided which includes multiple transmission mediums from the entertainment centers to the service center. The resulting bi-directional channel is asymmetrical with respect to bandwidth and the upstream communication link includes non-continuous bandwidth links.

Abstract: Systems and methods of compressing source video to 3 MBits/sec and under (deep compression), making it is possible to distribute a wide range of movies, sports and other action laden videos simultaneously to a wide number of viewers. In one embodiment, deeply compressed video distribution is delivered on demand to requesting viewers via an addressable network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a capability is disclosed for a user to pause a VOD program being viewed at a first video service provider (“VSP”), such as a cable service provider. The user then requests to resume viewing of the remaining portion of the VOD program using a separate display device, typically in another location using a different VSP. The streaming of the remaining portion can originate by a connection from the separate display device to the first VSP using a connection through the second VSP. Or, the streaming of the remaining video can occur by the second VSP streaming the remaining portion of the video. In the later case, the bookmark location must be communicated from the first VSP to the second VSP. Other embodiments allow transferring the remaining portion of the video program from the first VSP to the second VSP for streaming.

Abstract: A system for displaying electronic program guide information about a plurality of video items on a screen, the system including a display module to display a plurality of pages layering into the screen, each of the pages including a plurality of graphical panels associated with the video items, and a user input module to receive a user input to turn at least one of the pages such that the at least one page is peeled away from other ones of the pages in order to bring the graphical panels of the at least one page in or out of view, wherein the display module is operative to show the turning of the at least one page bringing the at least one page in or out of view. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A remote access to video on-demand (“VOD”) system provides a user with the ability to retrieve VOD content from a remote service location. The user first registers for this service and receives a mobile application downloaded to a mobile device. The user subsequently requests VOD content in one embodiment by accessing a web site, identifying themselves and the requested VOD content. The system provides a visual token to the user, where the mobile device uses the camera function to transmit a corresponding token value to a remote access VOD server. Upon determining the values correlated, the system provides the requested VOD content in accordance with the user's subscription profile for receiving VOD services. A remote access server in one embodiment provides the mobile application download, receives the request; generated the visual token, receives the response, and causes the selected VOD program to be streamed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing data identifying a video for processing and mapping an instruction graph to the video based on one or more predetermined criteria and the data identifying the video. The instruction graph describes a workflow for processing the video, and the workflow includes a series of services that each provide particular processing of the video. The method includes calling the services in series to process the video based on the instruction graph. The video streams to each service in series as the video processes. A downstream service may begin processing one or more portions of the video after an upstream service has finished processing the one or more portions of the video and before the upstream service has finished processing the video in its entirety.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling the transmission and reception of WLAN and short range wireless packets over a common antenna. The system includes WLAN communication circuitry to generate data packets for wireless transmission via the antenna and to process data packets received via the antenna, and includes short range wireless communication circuitry to receive and transmit audio packets via the antenna. The system further includes an arbiter to control access of the WLAN communication circuitry and short range wireless communication circuitry to the antenna. The arbiter causes the data packets to be transmitted and received by the WLAN communication circuitry during time intervals during which no audio packets are transmitted or received by the short range wireless communication circuitry.

Abstract: A system is described that consists of a variable modulation unicast system that utilizes multiple modulation schemes in a cable network for unicast applications and is capable of assigning users to different channels of differing modulation schemes in the network based on a feedback signal received in response to a transmitted probe signal. The system may also, in response to the feedback signal from a remote device in the network, assign a channel from a plurality of channels having differing carrier frequencies and modulation schemes to the remote device and may also modify the carrier frequencies of the channels.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system encodes multiple video streams from media content, such that the video streams have staggered intra-frame intervals. When a client device requests a video stream, the video-on-demand system selects one of the multiple video streams based on the position of the intra-frames, and transmits the selected video stream to the client device.

Abstract: A video segment can be shared over a computer network by first receiving the video segment at a receiving computer on the network. The receiving computer assures that the video segment is in a streaming video format, and creates at least one identification tag for the video segment. The receiving computer also stores the video segment, and communicates the identification tag to another computer on the network. Upon subsequent receipt of that identification tag, the receiving computer streams the video segment to a destination computer on the network.

Abstract: Methods of providing a media file include receiving the media file and an identification of a destination set-top box for the media file at a server device. The received media file is transmitted from the server device to the identified set-top box in an Internet protocol television (IPTV) multimedia format.

Abstract: A unified VoD service system includes an interworking gateway that is positioned between a video server providing video in a PDL scheme (or streaming scheme) and a plurality of user terminals requesting the video in different schemes (e.g., PDL scheme or streaming scheme). The video is provided even to the user terminal requesting the video in a scheme that is different from the video server by using the interworking gateway.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an efficient video-on-demand (VoD) service using unicast/multicast in an Internet Protocol (IP) network are provided. A VoD service system includes a multicast efficiency factor (MEF) checking unit to check an MEF in content in response to a request for the content from a client, and a content transmission unit to multicast or unicast the content over a network depending on the checked MEF. Here, the MEF includes an indicator of efficiency for multicast transmission relative to unicast transmission of the content.

Abstract: A method includes at a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device coupled to a multimedia distribution network, generating a first request for multimedia content. The method also includes sending the first request to a network node of the multimedia distribution network. The method further includes receiving the multimedia content from a virtual peer located at the network node and storing the multimedia content at the first CPE device. The method also includes receiving a message via the multimedia distribution network, the message indicating a transmission of a second request for the multimedia content by a second customer premises equipment (CPE) device. The method further includes transmitting at least a portion of the stored multimedia content to the second CPE device.

Abstract: This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing user selected IP Data Network Protocol multi-media content via a CATV communication channel. In one example, a method of providing multi-media content includes receiving control data at a cable television provider server system from an controller device at an end-user location via an IP Data Network, the controller device having a display screen, a user interface, and at least one processor, and being configured to send and receive signals from the IP Data Network, where the control data indicating multi-media content to be provided by the provider system to a display system at the end-user location.