Enhanced trick-play modes for video content that is being streamed to a client from a server are described. In an embodiment, the enhanced trick-play modes are provided with relatively low latency and high quality using trick-play optimization techniques for a streaming environment, avoiding the need to stream the entire contents of the portions through which the viewer is fast forwarding. By employing sophisticated selection criteria of which parts of the content to download at what time, the quality of the playback experience is improved versus that which would conventionally be possible when using a simple sequential frame data download. The streaming client maintains a cache of nearby significant frames, such as nearby key frames, in forward and/or reverse directions of the current playback position, without having to download the entire portions of the video stream in which the significant frames reside. The trick-play modes utilize these frames.
H04N 21/433 - Opération de stockage de contenu, p.ex. opération de stockage en réponse à une requête de pause ou opérations de cache
H04N 21/472 - Interface pour utilisateurs finaux pour la requête de contenu, de données additionnelles ou de services; Interface pour utilisateurs finaux pour l'interaction avec le contenu, p.ex. pour la réservation de contenu ou la mise en place de rappels, pour la requête de notification d'événement ou pour la transformation de contenus affichés
Techniques, systems, and methods are disclosed to generate messaging to view content on media devices based on predictive factors. Information may be received to trigger one or more predictive factors and then generate a candidate set of offers to view content at a media device based on the information. Based on the one or more predictive factors, confidence values may be determined for each offer in the candidate set of offers. The candidate set of offers may be ranked based on the associated confidence values. Subsequently, presentation of at least one offer of the candidate set of offers may be caused to display in a user interface screen on the media device based on the ranking.
Tag data is created from in-band data in a media content item by a remote location while the media content item is being broadcasted by a content provider and received by the remote location. The tag data identifies locations in the media content item which enables media devices to accurately jump to particular locations in the media content item based on the tag data.
H04N 21/2362 - Génération ou traitement d'informations de service [SI]
H04N 21/236 - Assemblage d'un flux multiplexé, p.ex. flux de transport, en combinant un flux vidéo avec d'autres contenus ou données additionnelles, p.ex. insertion d'une adresse universelle [URL] dans un flux vidéo, multiplexage de données de logiciel dans un flu; Remultiplexage de flux multiplexés; Insertion de bits de remplissage dans le flux multiplexé, p.ex. pour obtenir un débit constant; Assemblage d'un flux élémentaire mis en paquets
H04N 21/434 - Désassemblage d'un flux multiplexé, p.ex. démultiplexage de flux audio et vidéo, extraction de données additionnelles d'un flux vidéo; Remultiplexage de flux multiplexés; Extraction ou traitement de SI; Désassemblage d'un flux élémentaire mis en paquets
H04N 21/8352 - Génération de données de protection, p.ex. certificats impliquant des données d’identification du contenu ou de la source, p.ex. "identificateur unique de matériel" [UMID]
A method and apparatus for an adaptive search user interface is provided. An interface is provided that returns search results upon receiving each alphanumeric character of a search query term. Correlations of prefixes of alphanumeric characters and search results selected from previous searches are stored in a correlation matrix. Based upon the correlations in the correlation matrix, relevance rankings for search results with respect to the prefixes of alphanumeric characters are updated. Search results may be grouped based upon one or more common traits. Relevance rankings are also updated based upon the rate of change of selections recorded for a search result.
A portable device includes solid-state memory, an Ethernet and/or wireless network connection, and an HDMI. The portable device receives content guide data from a first server and displays a content guide on a display. In response to a user's selection of a content item, the portable device requests the content item over the Internet from a second server. The portable device receives the content item, stores the content item in solid- state memory, generates display signals that represent the content item, and sends the display signals to a display. The second server may match the content item with relevant advertisements based on keywords associated with the content item and the advertisements. The second server may send selected advertisement URLs to the portable device. Using the URLs, the portable device may obtain the advertisements over the Internet and cause the display to display the advertisements in conjunction with the content item.
H04N 21/458 - Ordonnancement de contenu pour créer un flux personnalisé, p.ex. en combinant une publicité stockée localement avec un flux d'entrée; Opérations de mise à jour, p.ex. pour modules de système d'exploitation
G06F 3/14 - Sortie numérique vers un dispositif de visualisation
6.
MULTIMEDIA CONTENT SEARCH AND RECORDING SCHEDULING SYSTEM
Techniques described herein enable searching for multimedia content and for downloading or scheduling the recording of the multimedia content. The multimedia content may have been previously stored on one or more databases. The client device may download or schedule the recording of multimedia content in one step, for example, in one touch. When desired multimedia content is not available, the multimedia content is added to the client device's wish list. When the client device's does not have a wish list, the client device's wish list may be created on the spot. During the scheduling of the recording, a tag associated with the multimedia content is checked to determine whether the multimedia content is live or delayed. When the tag indicates the multimedia content is live or delayed, the client device prompts with a suggestion to add extra time to the end of the recording of the multimedia content.
H04N 5/765 - Circuits d'interface entre un appareil d'enregistrement et un autre appareil
H04H 20/38 - Dispositions de distribution lorsque des stations inférieures, p.ex. des récepteurs, interagissent avec la radiodiffusion
H04H 20/93 - Dispositions caractérisées par des caractéristiques techniques particulières de l'information radiodiffusée, p. ex. par la forme du signal ou par le format des informations qui localisent des ressources relatives à d'autres informations, p.ex. des adresses URL [localisateur uniforme de ressources]
H04H 60/72 - Systèmes spécialement adaptés à l'utilisation d'informations spécifiques, p.ex. d'informations géographiques ou météorologiques utilisant des guides électroniques de programmes
H04N 21/278 - Base de données de descripteurs de contenu ou service de répertoire pour accès par les utilisateurs finaux
H04N 5/7617 - Systèmes pour programmer l'horaire auquel des canaux de télévision prédéterminés seront sélectionnés pour l'enregistrement en utilisant des données introduites par l'utilisateur et des données de référence transmises par la station de télédiffusion
A method and apparatus for performing an integrated search is provided. An interface is provided that allows users to search and select any data related to a searchable term. Searchable terms may comprise titles of content, actors, and tags. Upon receiving results from the initial search, the user progresses through the initial search by selecting a result from the initial search and conducting a further search of that selection. The search may progress through many layers of searching in order to find information useful to the user and the user may perform actions based upon results of the search. The search implements a display with two columns, the first column displaying selectable data, and the second column displaying results to the selected data. The search is further customizable based upon a privacy level selected by the user.
Techniques for generating customized rating systems for use in a DVR are described. According to one technique, a user submits a rating system definition that comprises different ratings of the user's choosing. The rating system definition is stored. The rating system definition defines a customized ratings system. That system's creator and other users may then associate various entities, such as channels, series, and episodes, with ratings from the customized rating system. DVRs may use these associations between entities and ratings for various purposes. For example, DVRs may use these associations to allow a user to search for entities that satisfy specified rating criteria. For another example, DVRs may use these associations to restricting which entities and information about those entities can be displayed or recorded when the DVR is in a restricted mode of operation. Customized rating systems may be modified by multiple users in collaboration.
H04N 21/472 - Interface pour utilisateurs finaux pour la requête de contenu, de données additionnelles ou de services; Interface pour utilisateurs finaux pour l'interaction avec le contenu, p.ex. pour la réservation de contenu ou la mise en place de rappels, pour la requête de notification d'événement ou pour la transformation de contenus affichés
A method and apparatus for downloading ancillary program data to a DVR. An embodiment allows multimedia device users to select programs to record or download movie or music over a network, such as the Internet, from a content provider. The system automatically downloads and stores ancillary program data that is directly related to, and associated with, a program that has been selected for recording or content requested for download. When a user selects a program to view the user is offered the opportunity to browse ancillary program data associated with the program and view an ancillary program data. The service can charge the content provider or an advertiser for each time their ancillary program data is viewed by a user. The ancillary programming is deleted when the associated recorded program is deleted.
H04N 21/25 - Opérations de gestion réalisées par le serveur pour faciliter la distribution de contenu ou administrer des données liées aux utilisateurs finaux ou aux dispositifs clients, p.ex. authentification des utilisateurs finaux ou des dispositifs clients ou
H04H 60/27 - Dispositions d'enregistrement ou d'accumulation des informations radiodiffusées ou des informations relatives à la radiodiffusion
H04H 60/33 - Dispositions de contrôle du comportement ou des opinions des utilisateurs
H04H 60/46 - Dispositions d'identification ou de reconnaissance de caractéristiques en liaison directe avec les informations radiodiffusées ou le créneau spatio-temporel de radiodiffusion, p.ex. pour identifier les stations de radiodiffusion ou pour identifier le pour reconnaître les préférences des utilisateurs
H04H 60/66 - Dispositions pour des services utilisant les résultats du contrôle, de l'identification ou de la reconnaissance, couverts par les groupes ou pour utiliser les résultats côté distributeurs
H04N 21/2547 - Facturation de tiers, p.ex. facturation d'un publicitaire
10.
PERFORMING TRICK PLAY FUNCTIONS IN A DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER WITH EFFICIENT USE OF RESOURCES
Techniques for selecting a picture of a video program for display in accordance with a selected trick play mode of a DVR are described herein. Sometimes, when desired playback speed is faster than normal, a DVR is forced to select some pictures to play and some pictures to skip. Ideally, in order to preserve "smooth" viewing quality, the next picture to be displayed should be temporally close to the currently displayed picture. Since some pictures can take longer to decode than others, accounting for picture decoding costs helps ensure that the best picture can be selected for decoding given playback speed requirements. According to one embodiment of the invention, for each picture of a plurality of pictures in a video data stream, a DVR determines a decoding cost for that picture. Based on the determined costs, the DVR selects a particular picture. The DVR outputs the selected picture for display.
Methods and apparatuses for presenting targeted advertisements to DVR users are described. After a DVR has finished playing a recorded television program, or in response to other specified events, the DVR presents a screen which comprises a "save or delete" menu. In addition to the "save" and "delete" options, the menu additionally comprises other options. Each of these other options may correspond to a separate promotional item. For example, a user's selection of such an option may cause the DVR to display or play an advertisement on the user's television set. Additionally or alternatively, these other options, when selected by a user, may cause the DVR to display a user interface through which the user can actually purchase a product or service. The product or service advertised or offered may be one that was featured or referenced in the television program that the user was just watching.
H04N 21/458 - Ordonnancement de contenu pour créer un flux personnalisé, p.ex. en combinant une publicité stockée localement avec un flux d'entrée; Opérations de mise à jour, p.ex. pour modules de système d'exploitation
H04N 5/7617 - Systèmes pour programmer l'horaire auquel des canaux de télévision prédéterminés seront sélectionnés pour l'enregistrement en utilisant des données introduites par l'utilisateur et des données de référence transmises par la station de télédiffusion
12.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING AND VIEWING CUSTOMIZED MULTIMEDIA SEGMENTS
A system for creating and viewing customized multimedia segments allows a user to create event identification data from in-band data in a program stream. The in-band data is processed and compiled into event identification data associated with the content stream. The event identification data identifies patterns or sequences of in-band data associated with events in the content stream. Metadata are also included in the event identification data. The event identification data is provided to multimedia devices which receive multimedia content streams containing content streams with in-band data. The in-band data are parsed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to identify events or perform specified actions.
H04N 21/434 - Désassemblage d'un flux multiplexé, p.ex. démultiplexage de flux audio et vidéo, extraction de données additionnelles d'un flux vidéo; Remultiplexage de flux multiplexés; Extraction ou traitement de SI; Désassemblage d'un flux élémentaire mis en paquets
H04N 21/85 - Assemblage du contenu; Génération d’applications multimédia
13.
IN-BAND DATA RECOGNITION AND SYNCHRONIZATION SYSTEM
A method and apparatus for recognizing and synchronizing to in-band data at a multimedia device is provided. A content stream includes in-band data. The in-band data is processed and in-band data pattern data associated with the content stream are created. Metadata are attached to the event identification data. The event identification data are provided to multimedia devices which receive broadcasted multimedia content streams containing video programs with in-band data. The in-band data are processed and compared to the event identification data. If a match occurs, the multimedia device uses the metadata to perform specified actions.
H04N 21/435 - Traitement de données additionnelles, p.ex. décryptage de données additionnelles ou reconstruction de logiciel à partir de modules extraits du flux de transport
H04H 20/31 - Dispositions de radiodiffusion simultanée de plusieurs informations par un canal unique au moyen de signaux intra bande, p.ex. un signal infra sonore ou un signal de repérage
H04H 60/73 - Systèmes spécialement adaptés à l'utilisation d'informations spécifiques, p.ex. d'informations géographiques ou météorologiques utilisant des méta-informations
Techniques for recommending recording and/or downloading suggestions to a DVR user are provided. According to one technique, a list of suggestions is received from a recommending entity. Each of the suggestions identifies either to-be-broadcasted content or downloadable content. The entity is mapped to the list, thereby establishing an entity-to-list mapping. Data, which indicates a user's selection of a list, is received. The user's DVR is mapped to the selected list, thereby establishing a DVR-to-list mapping. Based on this mapping, one or more candidate items are automatically selected from among a set of items. Identities of the candidate items are sent to the DVR. The recommending entity does not own or operate the DVR.
G06F 3/00 - Dispositions d'entrée pour le transfert de données destinées à être traitées sous une forme maniable par le calculateur; Dispositions de sortie pour le transfert de données de l'unité de traitement à l'unité de sortie, p.ex. dispositions d'interface
Techniques described herein enable parents to establish a child-protective "kids zone" on a DVR (104). According to one technique, a DVR (104) receives, from a parent, identities of DVD content items (106B) that the parent does not want children to view. The DVR (104) maps the identities to a kids zone. During times that the DVR (104) is set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR(104) prevents itself from presenting any content from DVD that are associated with the identities. At other times, during which the DVR (104) is not set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR (104) may allow itself to present DVD content that are associated with the identities.
H04N 5/775 - Circuits d'interface entre un appareil d'enregistrement et un autre appareil entre un appareil d'enregistrement et un récepteur de télévision
G11B 19/02 - Commande de fonctionnement, p.ex. commutation "enregistrement–reproduction"
Techniques described herein enable parents to establish a child-protective "kids zone" on a DVR. According to one technique, a DVR receives, from a parent, identities of content items that the parent does not want children to view. The DVR maps the identities to a kids zone. During times that the DVR is set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR prevents itself from presenting any content items that are associated with the identities. However, during these times, the DVR still may obtain and store these content items. At other times, during which the DVR is not set to operate in the kids zone operational mode, the DVR may allow itself to present the content items that are associated with the identities, including content items that the DVR obtained and stored during times that the DVR was set to operate in the kids zone operational mode.
A method and apparatus for secure transfer of previously broadcasted content enables the secure transfer of previously broadcasted content between DVRs on a computer network: A DVR user is presented with a user interface for requesting the previously broadcasted content. The service provider vatidates the request by inspecting data associated with the user to determine if the user should be allowed to retrieve the previonsly broadcasted content . The service provider indentifies one or more DVRs on a computer network that currently have the previously broadcasted content and filters them according to a number of factors, including bandwidth, to create a pool of DVRs.The service provider initiates the transfer by either requesting each DVR in the pool to begin transfering the previously broadcasted content to the requesting DVR, or by directly requesting the DVR to retrieve the content from the pool of DVRs.
H04N 21/436 - Interfaçage d'un réseau de distribution local, p.ex. communication avec un autre STB ou à l'intérieur de la maison
H04L 9/32 - Dispositions pour les communications secrètes ou protégées; Protocoles réseaux de sécurité comprenant des moyens pour vérifier l'identité ou l'autorisation d'un utilisateur du système
H04N 5/76 - Enregistrement du signal de télévision
H04N 21/25 - Opérations de gestion réalisées par le serveur pour faciliter la distribution de contenu ou administrer des données liées aux utilisateurs finaux ou aux dispositifs clients, p.ex. authentification des utilisateurs finaux ou des dispositifs clients ou
18.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE TRANSFER AND PLAYBACK OF MULTIMEDIA CONTENT
A method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content enables the secure transfer of multimedia content from a digital video recorder (DVR) to a personal computer (PC) and further to a handheld device. A DVR determines which devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) are authorized to share and/or retrieve content from the DVR. The DVR receives a connection request from a PC on the LAN, authorizes the connection request and establishes a secure connection between the DVR and the PC. Once the secure connection is established, the DVR receives a request for multimedia content from the PC, prepares the multimedia content for transfer and transfers the multimedia content to the PC.
H04N 21/436 - Interfaçage d'un réseau de distribution local, p.ex. communication avec un autre STB ou à l'intérieur de la maison
H04L 9/32 - Dispositions pour les communications secrètes ou protégées; Protocoles réseaux de sécurité comprenant des moyens pour vérifier l'identité ou l'autorisation d'un utilisateur du système
brevets
