Systems and techniques are described herein for processing media content. For example, an item of media content and a content identifier associated with the item of media content can be obtained. Based on the content identifier, a customization profile, a first media platform, and a second media platform associated with the item of media content can be determined. The customization profile can be provided to the first media platform and to the second media platform.
Techniques and systems are provided for generating media content. A trigger associated with an event at a site can be detected (e.g., by a server computer or other device or system) from a device located at the site. Media segments of media captured by a plurality of media capture devices located at the site can be obtained. At least one of the media segments corresponds to the detected trigger. One or more quality metrics of a media segment can be determined based on a first motion of an object captured in the media segment and/or a second motion of a media capture device used to capture the media segment. A subset of media segments can be selected from the media segments based on quality metrics determined for the obtained media segments. A collection of media segments including the subset of media segments can be generated.
A machine detects a set of first control operations and, in response, causes a display screen to present a graphical interface in which a central window suggests first content by presenting a first preview and a first identifier superimposed on the first preview. The machine then detects a second control operation that indicates dismissal of the first content. In response to the second control operation, the machine causes the display screen to present a transition to an interest-improved version of the graphical interface. The transition includes sliding the first preview, the first identifier, a second preview', and a second identifier together in a shared direction and at a shared speed within the central window. The second preview and the second identifier correspond to second content. In the interest-improved version of the graphical interface, the central window suggests the second content by presenting the second preview and the second identifier.
Systems, methods, and computer readable media are described for modifying or updating a user interface. In some examples, systems, methods, and computer readable media include receiving, via an operator console on an operator system, one or more inputs for a template for a user interface, generating, based on the one or more inputs, the template for the user interface, and generating, based on the template, a plurality of designs for the user interface, wherein each design in the plurality of designs is associated with an interface profile.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/8545 - Content authoring for generating interactive applications
5.
NET-AWARE SERVICE TO CONTROL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION NODE OUTPUT
A method includes receiving a first control command including a value for a first control parameter. The method further includes determining an association between the first control command and an identifier of the first control parameter. The method also includes identifying a graphical user interface (GUI) tool and information of the GUI tool based on the identifier of the first control parameter. The method includes launching a GUI that includes the GUI tool. The method further includes updating the first control parameter using the GUI tool based on the information of the GUI tool and the value for the first control parameter. The method also includes initiating content streaming using a first modulator in response to updating the first control parameter. The method includes identifying performance data for the first modulator associated with the content streaming. The method further includes sending the performance data to a server via the network.
A method for securing transmission of digital data in a communication network comprising a central station or a terminal and at least one device monitored by the central station via the communication network. The at least one device is configured to produce and to transmit a digital data stream to the central station or terminal. The at least one device further comprises a secure non-volatile memory for storing at least device specific information. The at least one device forms a data block based on at least the device specific information stored in the secure memory. The data block thus formed may compose additional data to be merged with the digital data stream produced by the at least one device. A modified digital data stream results from this merging operation and is transmitted by the at least one device to the central station or terminal.
A method includes obtaining an association of a client device with the secondary device. The method further includes identifying a triggering event related to an operation of the secondary device. The method also includes responsive to identifying the triggering event, sending, by the secondary device via a network, a message to the client device with a request for information related to the operation of the secondary device. The client device may have a client device interface configured to present the message and to receive input pertaining to the message. The method includes receiving, via a network, input pertaining to the information from the client device. The method further includes configuring the secondary device to perform the operation at the secondary device using the input received from the client device.
Systems and methods for optimizing a content change process are provided. In example embodiments, a digital receiver causes playback of a first piece of content. The digital receiver receives a selection of a new piece of content for playback during the playback of the first piece of content. In response to the receiving of the selection, the digital receiver maintains a bitrate used for playback of the first piece of content to initiate playback of the new piece of content.
Example implementations are directed to methods and systems for individualized multimedia navigation and control including receiving metadata for a piece of digital content, where the metadata comprises a primary image and text that is used to describes the digital content; analyzing the primary image to detect one or more objects; selecting one or more secondary images corresponding to each detected object; and generating a data structure for the digital content comprising the one or more secondary images, where the digital content is described by a preferred secondary image.
Example embodiments provide a system and method for optimizing content changes (e.g., channel changes). A digital receiver monitors, in real-time, user interactions with a content access page presented on a viewing device. Based on the real-time user interactions, the digital receiver determines a plurality of content of interest, and triggers acquisition of metadata for the plurality of content of interest determined based on the real-time user interactions. The metadata comprise preconditions for the display of a selected piece of content. The digital receiver fetches the metadata for one or more of the plurality of content of interest. The metadata for the one or more of the plurality of content of interest is then cached and is immediately available in response to a selection, for viewing, of a piece of content associated with the metadata in the cache.
H04N 21/438 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving MPEG packets from an IP network
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
Example embodiments provide a media content news feed identifying one or more media content streams that may be received and displayed. In an example embodiment, media content alert information is received at a media content device that describes at least one of a plurality of media content streams receivable at the media content device via a network. The received media content alert information is processed to generate a content news feed including one or more content news items. The content news feed is presented using the display device. A selection of one of the content news items of the feed is received, with the selected content news item identifying a corresponding media content stream of the plurality of streams. Based on the selected content news item, the corresponding media content stream is processed.
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabi
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
Example embodiments provide a system and method for configuring remote control devices to display application dependent control frames of a remote control user interface. A digital receiver runs a plurality of applications at the receiver device. The digital receiver detects a switch command. The switch command causes a background application to become a primary application, whereby the primary application is the application in focus on a display device. The digital receiver switches the background application into the primary application, the switching causing a previous primary application to become a new background application. The digital receiver retrieves, from a settings datastore, configuration information for remote control settings corresponding to the primary application, and causes, based on the configuration information for the remote control settings, a remote control frame corresponding to the primary application to replace, on a display of the remote control device, a remote control frame corresponding to the previous primary application.
Example embodiments provide systems and methods for emphasis modification of an informational overlay in augmented reality displays. In an example method, an informational overlay is presented atop a scene on a display device. The informational overlay includes at least one of a graphical element or a textual element to partially obscure the scene. Scene change data indicating a change in the scene is accessed. Based on the scene change data, a visual emphasis on the display device of at least a portion of the informational overlay relative to the scene is modified.
Example embodiments provide systems and methods for overlay contrast control in augmented reality displays. In an example method, contrast enhancement data including data describing at least a portion of a background image for presentation under an informational overlay on a display device is accessed. The informational overlay includes at least one of a graphical element or a textual element to partially obscure a scene. Data identifying at least a portion of the information overlay under which the background image is to be presented is generated. The background image is presented on a display device atop the portion of the scene corresponding to the portion of the informational overlay, and the information overlay is presented on the display device atop the background image and the scene.
Systems and methods for managing provisioning of keys prior to a key rotation are provided. A license server generates a license that is associated with a renewal time. The renewal time is a time that is prior to a key rotation time, and triggers a receiver device to send a renewal request prior to the key rotation time. The renewal time may be a randomized time prior to the key rotation time that differs for different receiver devices. The license is transmitted to the receiver device. The license server then receives a renewal request from the receiver device that is triggered at the renewal time. The license server generates a next license that comprises a next key, whereby the next key is a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted signal after the key rotation time. The next license is transmitted to the receiver device prior to the key rotation time.
Example embodiments provide a system and method for dynamically triggering display of recommendations during an end-of-show period. A digital receiver identifies an end-of-show period for a piece of digital content. The end-of-show period indicates a portion at an end of the piece of digital content during which display of recommendations can be triggered. The digital receiver monitors for a motion indication signal from a remote control device. In response to both playback of the piece of digital content being within the end-of-show period and a determination that the motion indication signal is received, the digital receiver causes immediate display of one or more recommendations of further digital content.
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
Example embodiments provide systems and methods for replacing recorded media content. In an example method, at least one media content source is searched for a media content item recorded to storage of a first media content device. Based on the media content item being found at a first media content source of the at least one media content source, a recording of the media content item to storage of a second media content device is scheduled based on the media content item being recordable from the first media content source at the second media content device. Based on the media content item not being recordable from the first media content source at the second media device, the availability of the media content item is indicated to the second media content device.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/40 - Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of, or interaction with, content, e.g. STB [set-top-box]; Operations thereof
Example embodiments provide systems and methods for crowdsourced skipping of media content portions. In an example method, a plurality of content tags are received from a plurality of media content devices over a communication network. Each of the plurality of content tags may designate a location within a media content item. The content tags are processed to generate aggregated content tags for the media content item. The aggregated content tags may designate one or more portions of the media content item for modified playback. The aggregated content tags for the media content item are transmitted over the communication network to a first media content device separate from the plurality of media content devices.
Systems and methods for dynamically determining and displaying user interface analytics in a relevant context are provided. The system accesses a plurality of user interfaces of a content provider. The system renders and causes display of a first user interface of the plurality of user interfaces. The system accesses, from a data store, data corresponding to a user interface element on the first user interface. The accessed data is associated with actions performed by users with respect to the user interface element in order to access content provided by the content provider. A conversion result is generated based on the accessed data corresponding to the selected user interface element, whereby the conversion result indicates a percentage of users advancing further in a navigation path based on a selection of the user interface element by the users. The system causes display of the conversion result on the first user interface.
G06F 17/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabi
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
Systems and methods for generating and displaying a non-time bound content channel in a time-bound grid is provided. The system comprises receiving content data representing non-time bound content to be displayed in the time bound grid. The system generates the time bound grid, by creating, based on the content data, a non-time bound content channel. The non-time bound content channel displays one or more content objects representing the non-time bound content in the time bound grid. The system incorporates the non-time bound content channel with a plurality of time bound channels in the time bound grid. The system then causes display of the generated time bound grid on a viewing device of a user.
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabi
Example embodiments provide a system and method for dynamically providing a mute alert on a communication device. The system receives an audio signal during a communication session. Using one or more hardware processors of the system, the audio signal is analyzed to detect speech. The system determines whether the detected speech transgresses a predetermined threshold. In response to determining that the communication device is in a mute mode and the detected speech transgresses the predetermined threshold, the system provides an alert, via the communication device, notifying the user that the communication device is in the mute mode.
Example embodiments provide systems and methods for rewinding digital content during playback based on context of the digital content. A content rewind system electronically accesses digital content. A rewind trigger is detected by the system. The system analyzes the digital content to detect at least one dialog segment within the digital content. The analysis is based on context of the digital content (e.g., dialog within the digital content). The system rewinds playback of the digital content by rewinding to a starting point of a previous dialog segment.
A summarizer machine can be configured provide a summary file of at least one episode of a media series. The summary file may be generated or otherwise provided based on one or more social media messages. The summarizer machine detects a request that the summary file be generated for a user, and the request may specify the episodes to be summarized. The machine accesses a media database that stores the episodes and also accesses a communication database that records communications among social connections of the requesting user. The communications all identify a same media scene in a same episode, and some of the communications all reference a same media frame in that media scene. The machine determines an excerpt of a media file for the episode and incorporates the excerpt into the generated summary file. The machine causes the summary file to be provided in response to the request.
Example embodiments provide systems and methods for accelerating digital content playback based on speech. A content acceleration system electronically accesses digital content. The system analyzes the digital content to detect at least one audio portion within the digital content, each of the at least one audio portion comprising speech. The system creates at least one digital content segment from the digital content based on the at least one audio portion, whereby a beginning of each digital content segment of the at least one digital content segment coincides with a beginning of a corresponding audio portion of the at least one audio portion. The system then accelerates playback of the digital content by fast forwarding through parts of the at least one digital content segment where speech is absent.
G10L 15/25 - Speech recognition using non-acoustical features using position of the lips, movement of the lips or face analysis
G10L 21/043 - Time compression or expansion by changing speed
G10L 25/57 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups specially adapted for particular use for comparison or discrimination for processing of video signals
G10L 25/78 - Detection of presence or absence of voice signals
H04N 21/233 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/439 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
25.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENABLING TRANSITIONS BETWEEN ITEMS OF CONTENT BASED ON MULTI-LEVEL GESTURES
A computing device for facilitating access to items of content includes is configured to enable communication with a companion device. A companion device includes a user interface including a touch panel. The computing device is configured to determine whether touch event data received from a companion device corresponds to a particular gesture. The computing device causes a transition from a selected item of content to another item of content accessible through a selected media application, upon determining that the touch event data corresponds to a first level associated with a particular gesture and causes a transition from the selected media application to another media application, upon determining that the touch event data corresponds to a second level associated with the particular gesture.
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
H04N 21/40 - Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of, or interaction with, content, e.g. STB [set-top-box]; Operations thereof
26.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENABLING TRANSITIONS BETWEEN ITEMS OF CONTENT BASED ON SWIPE GESTURES
A computing device for facilitating access to items of content includes is configured to enable communication with a companion device. A companion device includes a user interface including a touch panel. The computing device is configured to determine whether touch event data received from a companion device corresponds to a particular gesture. A computing device causes a transition from the selected item of content to an adjacent item of content within an ordered set of items of content, upon determining that the touch event data corresponds to the initiation of a swipe gesture and determines whether to change the selected item of content to the adjacent item of content based on whether the swipe gesture exceeds a threshold.
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
27.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENABLING TRANSITIONS BETWEEN ITEMS OF CONTENT
A computing device for facilitating access to items of content includes is configured to enable communication with a companion device. A companion device includes a user interface including a touch panel. The computing device is configured to determine whether touch event data received from a companion device corresponds to a particular gesture. The computing device causes a guide to be presented on the display, upon determining that the received touch event data corresponds to a swipe gesture, and causes a transition from the selected item of content to another item of content, upon determining that the received touch event data corresponds to a perpendicular swipe gesture.
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
G06F 3/0481 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
28.
INTERACTIVE APPLICATION SERVER ON A SECOND SCREEN DEVICE
A server version of an interactive application executed by a processing device of a first mobile device communicatively connected to a video rendering device collects first data generated by a first client version of the application executed by the processing device. The server version of the interactive application generates first displayable content relating to the first client version of the interactive application based on the first data, wherein the first displayable content is rendered on a display of the first mobile device. The server version of the interactive application generates second displayable content based at least on the first data and additional data relating to the server version of the interactive application, wherein the first displayable content is different from the second displayable content. The server version of the interactive application, transmits the second displayable content to the main video rendering device to be rendered on a main video display.
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/8545 - Content authoring for generating interactive applications
A63F 13/30 - Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers
H04N 21/478 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application
A63F 13/323 - Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections between game devices with different hardware characteristics, e.g. hand-held game devices connectable to game consoles or arcade machines
A63F 13/26 - Output arrangements for video game devices having at least one additional display device, e.g. on the game controller or outside a game booth
A63F 13/2145 - Input arrangements for video game devices characterised by their sensors, purposes or types for locating contacts on a surface, e.g. floor mats or touch pads the surface being also a display device, e.g. touch screens
A63F 13/327 - Interconnection arrangements between game servers and game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game devices; Interconnection arrangements between game servers using local area network [LAN] connections using wireless networks, e.g. Wi-Fi or piconet
A63F 13/31 - Communication aspects specific to video games, e.g. between several handheld game devices at close range
In example embodiments, a system and method for presenting multiple content (e.g., programs) on a single presentation device to a plurality of viewers is provided. The method comprises causing presentation of a combined video stream on the single presentation device. The combined video stream combines video data for at least a first video content of a first content stream and a second video content of a second content stream. The first video content is viewable by a first viewer and the second video content is viewable a second viewer. A control signal is received from a handheld device of the first viewer that indicates an action to be performed on the first video content. The combined video stream is modified to cause the action to be performed on the first video content. The adjusting of the combined video stream has no effect on the display of the second video content.
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
H04M 3/42 - Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
In example embodiments, a system and method for presenting a combined audio stream from a single presentation system to a plurality of users is provided. The method comprises receiving an audio filtering signal, the audio filtering signal corresponding to unwanted audio data to be filtered from an ambient audio signal that includes a combined audio stream output from an audio output device of the single presentation system. A device filtering signal is generated based on the audio filtering signal. The device filtering signal is output by an audio device of a user (e.g., headphone). The device filtering signal is played through the audio device to filter out the unwanted audio data while allowing other audio data in the ambient audio signal to be heard by the user.
G10K 11/178 - Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general using interference effects; Masking sound by electro-acoustically regenerating the original acoustic waves in anti-phase
A system for facilitating access to items of content presents recommendations to a user. Items of content may include movies and television shows. Recommendations may include access plans specifying a plurality of digital media services, where each specified digital media service provides availability to items of content included in a user defined set. Further, recommendations may be based on one or more use defined constraints. User defined constraints may include a user budget for accessing items of content during a specific time period.
A device (400, 500) for enabling actions associated with items of content to occur is configured to present icons (602) representing items of content based at least in part on user preference information. User preference information may include a list of favorite channels. User preference information may be based at least in part on a recognized pattern of user behavior. The device may be configured to present action icons (604) associated actions available for items of content actions. The device may enable a user to cause actions associated with an action icon to be performed by executing an action drag and drop activation.
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
33.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF RECALLING CHANNELS AND REVIEW BUFFER MANAGEMENT
A device for enabling a user to cause programming associated with a channel to be presented is configured to enable a user to add channels to a subset of channels. Channels included in the subset of channel may be recalled upon activation of a dedicated button. Each of the subset of channels may be assigned a review buffer for storing previously received channel contents. The device may be configured to resolve review buffer conflicts.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
Primary media content played on a media device, such as a television, handheld device, smart phone, computer, or other device, is sampled and data is derived from the sample for identification of the primary media content. Supplementary digital content is then selected and transmitted to the media device, or to another device, based upon the identified primary media content. The supplementary digital content may be adapted in layout, type, length, or other manners, based upon the platform and/or configuration of the media device or any other device to which the supplementary digital content is transmitted.
Methods and systems of modifying a media presentation are presented. In one example, a first media item including first audio data is played. During that time, a user indication is received. In response to the indication, detection data for a first audio segment of the first audio data is generated. A second media item including second audio data is then played. A second audio segment in the second audio data corresponding to at least a portion of the first audio segment is detected based on the detection data. Whether a location in the second audio segment corresponds to a location in the detection data associated with the user indication is determined. In response to the location in the second audio segment corresponding to the location in the detection data, the playing of the second media item is altered during at least a portion of the second audio segment.
A method and system to share advertisement content from a main reception device to a secondary reception device. The method comprising steps of: receiving a transmitted content containing at least one advertisement topic on the main reception device from a transmission center, said main reception device being associated with a user identification, selecting the advertisement topic for sharing ad content with the secondary reception device, retrieving an identifier related to said advertisement topic, selecting one destination address corresponding to a secondary device, sending a notification to a management center, said notification comprising at least the ad identifier, the destination address and the user identification, storing, in a database at the management center in a user record corresponding to the user identification, at least the ad identifier and the destination address, retrieving an ad content corresponding to the ad identifier, pushing the advertisement content to the secondary device corresponding to the destination address.
A heat sink assembly and a method of utilizing a heat sink assembly where the heat sink assembly is configured to dissipate air from the bottom of the heat sink assembly to the top of the heat sink assembly utilizing a plurality of vents to cool a desired electrical component.
A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a graphical user interface including a plurality of panes. The plurality of panes may include items of content which are time sensitive and items of content which are not time sensitive. Further, the device may be configured to display other graphical user interfaces include graphical user interfaces that enable menu bar navigation and grid guide navigation.
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
Methods and systems of associating a user with an interaction via a media gateway are presented. In an example method, a media gateway may identify a user of a user device interacting with the media gateway via a local interface. The media gateway may associate the user with at least one interaction of the user device with the media gateway. The media gateway may also authenticate itself with a server, and provide to the server an indication of the association of the user with the at least one interaction of the user device with the media gateway.
Methods and systems of localizing a device are presented. In an example method, a communication signal from a device is received by a wireless reference point during a period of time. A sequence of values is generated from the communication signal, as received by the wireless reference point, during the period of time. The sequence of values is supplied to a learning model configured to generate an output based on past values of the sequence of values and at least one predicted future value of the sequence of values. The current location of the device is estimated during the period of time based on the output of the learning model.
H04W 64/00 - Locating users or terminals for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
G01S 5/02 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinations; Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using radio waves
G01S 5/06 - Position of source determined by co-ordinating a plurality of position lines defined by path-difference measurements
Disclosed techniques can be used to provide a video magnification function whereby a user is able to selectively zoom in on a certain region of the displayed video and be able to view content detail that is otherwise lost during the downsampling process. Some configurations may use two different decoders, a first decoder that decompresses and downsamples an entire image and a second decoder that downsamples only a select portion under the magnifier window. The results of the two decoders are combined to produce a final video for display on the screen.
Methods and systems of targeting advertising are presented. In an example method, a media content device of a user accesses user product information originating from a user product and describing at least one characteristic of the user product. At least one advertisement is selected from a plurality of available advertisements based on the user product information. The selected advertisement is forwarded from the media content device for presentation to the user.
A pay television satellite broadcast includes validation data that can be used to validate authenticity of live global positioning system (GPS) data. The validation data may be included within entitlement messages and encrypted for security and selective reception by authorized receivers. A navigation system may compute checksums of received live GPS data and compare with the validation data for a match. A decision about whether or not to use the live GPS data may be taken based on whether or not the computed checksums match the validation data received via the pay television satellite broadcast signals.
A system and method for providing aggregated metadata for programming content is provided. In example embodiments, data regarding a program is collected from a third party source. The collected data is parsed to identify metadata for the program. The metadata collected from the third party source is merged with official metadata for the program to create aggregated metadata for the program. The aggregated metadata is stored to a metadata warehouse that is searchable.
A device for enabling a user to control a home device is described. The device may present graphical user interfaces to a user. The graphical user interfaces may include icons associated with each of a plurality of home devices. The icons may include a status associated with a home device. The icons may be selected by a user and enable a user to control a home device. The graphical user interface may be displayed in conjunction with digital media originating from one or more of a television service or a multimedia service.
Methods and systems for providing health care remotely via a television communication system are presented. In one example, a communication gateway configured to communicate with a head-end of a television communication system may receive information associating a user with the communication gateway. Health care information related specifically to the user, as well as a gateway identifier associated with the user, may be received at the gateway from the head-end. The health care information may be forwarded to a display communicatively coupled to the gateway based on the gateway identifier corresponding to the communication gateway.
A system and method for providing multiple views recording is provided. In example embodiments, an indication to record serial events including a first event and a second event on a same channel is received. A recording stream is started at a beginning of the first event and ends at an end of the second event. View markings are inserted in the recording stream that differentiate a first view corresponding to the first event from a second view corresponding to the second event. Thus, the recording stream creates a single file that contains multiple views. The single file is stored for later playback.
An improved user premises device enhances the channel change experience. In response to a channel-up or a channel-down command, a currently displayed program is re-sized to fit within a smaller program window. In the display area that is exposed due to the re-sizing of the currently displayed program, additional content such as an advertisement or channel change progress information is displayed. Additional program windows that render snapshots of content from one or more program up and one or more program down may be displayed in windows that are organized in a vertical alignment with the program window of the currently displayed program. The program windows are animated or scrolled in a direction to bring the program window of the user-desired next program in place of the program window of the currently displayed programmed. The program window of the next program is then resized to occupy the entire display.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
49.
A GATEWAY DEVICE FOR RECEIVING AND REDISTRIBUTING MEDIA CONTENT IN A HOME MEDIA NETWORK
The present invention relates to a home gateway device and a home media network comprising the home gateway device, wherein the home gateway device is adapted to use slave media clients within the home media network to display an announcement message, thereby allowing for an intercom function within the home network. A mobile communications device having a wireless connection to the home gateway device is used to provide the announcement message to be displayed on one or more media clients within the home media network. This message is then received by the slave media client and a commend to sent to the display device to switch-on or switch the source of the display device to the one connected with the media client.
A device for enabling content selection is configured to display one or more sub-categories of content included within a category of content. The one or more sub-categories of content may be displayed using stack structures. The stack structures may include a plurality of icons representing available content. The stack structures may enable thumbnail browsing of content available from a plurality of diverse sources. The device may enable a user to cycle through sub-category types.
A device for enabling content selection is configured to display one or more item of content with associated popularity indicator. The popularity indicators may be based on usage data from a social media service. The popularity indicators may indicate a rate of change in popularity as well as a relative level popularity. In one example, a device may display comments from a social media service in conjunction with content during the playback of content.
Advertisements included in a stored digital video program are identified and indexed. A user can time shift the advertisements to play out at a different time position in the program or not play the advertisement at all. A user may incur an advertisement debt for skipping or fast forwarding an advertisement. The advertisement debt can be offset by viewing ads, trading the debt with other users or by paying for the debt in another form.
Techniques and systems for providing a trend server outside a content provider network to communicate with the content provider network to build a trend record based on responses received from the content provider network for monitoring certain activity trend or tendency in the content provider network and provide an alert when the content provider network behaves abnormally.
A system, method and device for adding security features associated with a hardware-based root of trust to a system for playing encrypted media content is described. The system allows for traceability of content linked to or derived from a decrypting element within the system should its decryption capabilities be made available to a third party without authorisation, thereby allowing for at least the decryption element to be revoked.
H04N 21/418 - External card to be used in combination with the client device, e.g. for conditional access
H04N 21/4367 - Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
H04N 21/2347 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream encryption
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/4405 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving video stream decryption
H04N 21/6334 - Control signals issued by server directed to the network components or client directed to client for authorisation, e.g. by transmitting a key
55.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE MAINTENANCE OF USER UNITS
An aim of the system and the method for remote maintenance of user units according to the invention is to allow an efficient diagnosis of failures in a reduced time. Each user unit, connected to a management server, via a communication network, transmits to the management server state data related to hardware and software parameters associated to an operating mode of the user unit. The method includes steps of: storing state data in a memory of the user unit, monitoring state data stored in the memory, and detecting at least one datum of a state indicating an operational failure of the user unit. When a failure is detected, state data corresponding to current states of the user unit at the moment of the failure and state data corresponding to the states stored during a predetermined period before the failure are extracted from the memory and transmitted to the management server which determines a statistic correlation coefficient between the values of each state of a user unit and the values of states of other user units.
In example embodiments, a system and method for providing advertising consistency is provided. In example embodiments, identifying information for a primary advertisement that is presented on a primary device is received. A secondary advertisement that is consistent with the primary advertisement is determined. The secondary advertisement is to be presented on a secondary device at a same time that the primary advertisement is presented on the primary device. The secondary advertisement is provided to the secondary device.
A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an "app-sync indicator" for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.
Systems and methods of pushing content to secondary connected devices include pushing targeted content such as interactive advertisements, banners, games or application to secondary connected devices in a household. The targeted content may reflect user preferences associated with the secondary connected devices, including user behaviour and previous interaction with various forms of content viewed on the secondary connected devices. The targeted content may be either locally cached or retrieved from an advertisement server at the time of pushing to the secondary connected devices.
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
An advertisement delivery system includes a billing system that provides a plurality of schedule files providing time and zone information for inserting advertisement in a first delivery format and in a second delivery format to subscribers of a cable television network, an ad inserter that inserts advertisements according to the plurality of schedule files, and a merge module that receives a first plurality of log files that provide information about advertisement playback status for the first delivery format and a second plurality of log files that provide information about advertisement playback status for the second delivery format and merges the first plurality of log files and the second plurality of log files according to a set of rules to produce a plurality of merged log files, and delivers the plurality of merged log files to the billing system.
In example embodiments, a system and method for managing the resale of digital media rights is provided. In example embodiments, user accounts that store digital media rights for digital content may be maintained. An indication that a first user having a first user account intends to transfer digital media rights for a particular digital content may is received. A verification process is performed to verify that the digital media rights of the first user are transferable. Based on an indication that a transaction has occurred, the digital media rights are transferred from the first user account to a second user account associated with a second user that is a recipient of the digital media rights.
Methods and systems for transmitting data are presented. In one example, a plurality of streams of data received from at least one data source is retained in at least one buffer. Each of the streams of data is associated with a unique data rate. A request is received from a device to transmit data to the device. In response to the request, data from one of the plurality of streams of data is transmitted from the at least one buffer to the device at the data rate associated with the one of the plurality of streams of data.
Media content may include one or more advertisements for a product or a company, and such an advertisement may display a visual object (e.g., a logo) of an advertiser. An advertisement impact machine accesses media content, where the media content includes a frame within which the visual object is depicted. The advertisement impact machine accesses a viewer count that represents a number of viewers of the media content. The advertisement impact machine determines a duration during which the visual object is presented within the media content. The advertisement impact machine determines an impact factor based on the duration and on the viewer count. The impact factor may then be provided by the advertisement impact machine as a numerical score indicating a degree of effectiveness of an advertisement that includes the visual object within the media content.
G06Q 20/14 - Payment architectures specially adapted for billing systems
H04H 20/14 - Arrangements for monitoring, testing or troubleshooting for monitoring programmes
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/2547 - Third party billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
A system for collecting data from different sources is described. In one example embodiment, the system obtains content-related data from a plurality of source computer systems, automatically identifies, based on the content-related data, content items having respective popularity values greater than a predetermined threshold value as popular content items, and automatically generates a list of popular content items based on the popular content items.
In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide smart media selection to a set of one or more individuals at a location associated with a display device of a receiver system is provided. In example embodiments, an indication of a presence change at the location is received. User specific information associated with the set of the one or more individuals identified as being at the location is accessed. A recommendation playlist based on the user specific information is generated.
Methods and systems for generating and sharing media clips are described. Consistent with some embodiments, while a selection of digital media content (e.g., a movie, television program, audio track, and so on) is being presented at a media player, a user creates one or more sets of waypoints (e.g., time markers) that define the boundaries (e.g., beginning and end) of one or more media clips. These waypoints are communicated from one media player device to another, enabling the receiving media player device to retrieve and play back the media clips from a source other than the media player device where the waypoints were generated.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide gift media is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at an interactive media component, a selection of the media item and a selection of at least one recipient for the media item from a user of a client device. A purchase transaction based on the selection of the media item and the at least one recipient is processed. Delivery of the media item to the at least one recipient is triggered.
A commitment-based GUI is provided. In one example embodiment, a system to provide commitment-based GUI comprises a menu activation module, an actions monitor, a commitment detector, and a presentation control module. The menu activation module may be configured to activate a multi-panel media interface on a display device, the multi-panel media interface presenting one or more menu panels. The actions monitor may be configured to monitor activity of a user with respect to the multi-panel media interface. The commitment detector may be configured to determine a commitment level of the user, the commitment level indicating the user's interest level in navigating a menu structure associated with the multi-panel media interface. The presentation control module may be configured to adjust presentation of the multi-panel media interface based on the determined commitment level.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
A community-based recommendation engine is provided. In one example embodiment, a system to provide community-based recommendation engine comprises a recommendation detector and a decision module. The recommendation detector is configured to receive, at a viewer's system, a recommendation for a content item from a contact of a viewer. The decision module may be configured to determine an action to be performed at the viewer's system, based on the recommendation and on one or more rules, accept the recommendation as an instruction to perform the action, and initiate the action at the viewer's system.
Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to present viewable content to a viewer on a display screen, receive a transmitted signature from a user interface device (UID) associated with the display screen (wherein the signature results from at least one gesture initiated by the viewer and detected by the UID), and compare the transmitted signature to a stored signature associated with a known individual to determine whether an identity associated with the viewer matches an identity associated with the known individual. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
In an example embodiment, computer-implemented methods, apparatus, and systems to navigate extensible video functions are provided. These may operate to receive a first request for a banner interface region. In response, the banner interface region is rendered with video content. The banner interface region includes a graphical user interface that maps to a variety of extensible video functions. A second request to access one of the video functions may be received, and the selected extensible video function is then executed. Additional methods, apparatus, and systems are disclosed.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
71.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SPEEDING UP CHANNEL CHANGE
A method and apparatus is described to reduce delay when changing channels in a television environment. The method may comprise receiving a plurality of television channels from a remote content provider wherein each channel includes channel information used to display the channel. At least one channel of the plurality of channels may be identified as a stored channel and channel information of the at least one stored channel may be stored in storage (e.g. in a circular buffer). Thereafter, upon selection of the stored channel, the stored channel information is accessed for display. In an example embodiment, the storage may be updated to maintain a most recently received I-frame and subsequent MPEG signals of the stored channel. Accordingly, when changing channels it may not be necessary to wait for the next I-frame to display a newly selected channel.
A system to search to search viewable content in the context of television entertainment is provided. In one example embodiment, the system comprises a communications module to receive a request associated with one or more directional keys on a control device, a search term detector to determine a search term associated with the request, a search module to locate a content item associated with the search term; and a presentation module to present the content item associated with the search term.
A method and system to navigate viewable content in the context of television entertainment is provided. In one example embodiment, the system comprises a presentation module to present main content on a display screen, a communications module to receive a first request associated with a first directional key on a remote control device, a navigation mode detector to determine a navigation mode associated with the first request; a margin menu module to activate a margin menu associated with the determined navigation mode. The margin menu may be presented along one of the margins of a display screen, while permitting viewing of the main content.
A method and system is described to control operation of a playback device. The method may include receiving a trigger signal generated automatically without human intervention by an external device, and performing a selected operation on digital content being played back when the trigger signal is received. The playback device may include a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) and the external trigger signal may be received from the external device that is separate from a handheld remote control associated with the playback device. In an example embodiment, the trigger signal is received directly from a telephony network, the trigger signal being an incoming call to a telephony device. In addition or instead, the trigger signal may be received indirectly from a telephony device via a television network.
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
An apparatus and method enable multicasting a reply to a request for a module to a plurality of receivers on an interactive television network. Requests for multiple modules are packaged into a single request to be transmitted to a broadcast service provider. A request is multicast to a plurality of receivers on the interactive television network and the response to the request is multicast to the plurality of receivers. A user device determines whether to request a module by accessing a list of modules to be multicast by the broadcast service provider within a specific time period. The user device determines whether to perform an action upon accessing a directory listing modules present in a carousel of a broadcast service provider.
The invention relates to a method and system to communicate primary and secondary content streams to at least one remote unit, for example, via a television channel in a targeted television environment. The secondary content stream comprises a plurality of tertiary content streams (e.g., video streams) providing commercials, advertisements or any other content. The tertiary content streams are included in the secondary content stream as a mosaic so that each tertiary content stream is a subset or portion of an active display area or frame provided by the single secondary content stream. In one exemplary embodiment, the method and system provide targeted or specific commercial advertisements to demographically selected audiences.
A method and apparatus is described to reduce delay when changing channels in a television environment. The method may comprise receiving a plurality of television channels from a remote content provider wherein each channel includes channel information required to display the channel. At least one channel of the plurality of channels may be identified as a stored channel and channel information of the at least one stored channel may be stored in storage (e.g. in a circular buffer). Thereafter, upon selection of the stored channel, the stored channel information is accessed for display. In an example embodiment, the storage may be updated to maintain a most recently received I-frame and subsequent MPEG signals of the stored channel. Accordingly, when changing channels it may not be necessary to wait for the next I-frame to display a newly selected channel.
Techniques are presented for providing multimedia queue services. A multimedia queue manager manages queues of subscribers. The queues include selections for multimedia. The multimedia queue manager schedules broadcasts for the selections and informs recording devices of the subscribers to record the selections during those broadcasts. Moreover, the multimedia queue manager updates the queues in response to actions of the subscribers and/or actions of the recoding devices of the subscribers.
patents
