GENERAL INSTRUMENT CORPORATION Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20150319510 | INTERACTIVE VIEWING EXPERIENCES BY DETECTING ON-SCREEN TEXT - Systems, methods, and devices for an interactive viewing experience by detecting on-screen data are disclosed. One or more frames of video data are analyzed to detect regions in the visual video content that contain text. A character recognition operation can be performed on the regions to generate textual data. Based on the textual data and the regions, a graphical user interface (GUI) definition to can be generated. The GUI definition can be used to generate a corresponding GUI superimposed onto the visual video content to present users with controls and functionality with which to interact with the text or enhance the video content. Context metadata can be determined from external sources or by analyzing the continuity of audio and visual aspects of the video data. The context metadata can then be used to improve the character recognition or inform the generation of the GUI. | 11-05-2015 |
20150089372 | METHOD OF USER INTERACTION FOR SHOWING AND INTERACTING WITH FRIEND STATSU ON TIMELINE - A system and method of viewing media content on a timeline is presented. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a companion device user interface provides the user a second screen experience on a companion device by giving the user an opportunity to create secondary supplemental content related to the media content they are watching on a primary screen, such as a television. The user interface provides the user interaction by using visual indicators on a timeline to show the current position of all their friends, who are watching the same media content, along with the status of their media players. Being able to view the current status of all the friends on a timeline enables the users to make relevant comments to each other as the show progresses. | 03-26-2015 |
20150030332 | ARCHITECTURE TO COMMUNICATE WITH STANDARD HYBRID FIBER COAXIAL RF SIGNALS OVER A PASSIVE OPTICAL NETWORK (HFC PON) - One or more overlay wavelengths are applied to a GPON architecture to provide sufficient, cost-effective forward bandwidth per home for targeted, unique narrowcast services to allow traditional HFC operators to use a PON architecture with their existing HFC equipment. A separate return path capability using a separate coaxial cable with RF signals to the GPON may also be used. This return capability may be provided either by a fiber optic link or coaxial link from the home. | 01-29-2015 |
20150020134 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH RF AND DIGITAL COMBINING NETWORK - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. The transmitter preferably includes a combining network that combines CATV signals received from a CATV head end. | 01-15-2015 |
20150013015 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROUP LICENSING OF DEVICE FEATURES - Methods and systems for group licensing of homogeneous and heterogeneous devices features is disclosed. Licensing servers manage the generation and distribution of licenses to devices, and enforce validation rules that prevent granting devices licenses that do not comply with group licensing limits. | 01-08-2015 |
20140380376 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STREAMING VIDEO - A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for a CPT stream to a client device via an HTTP live streaming (HLS) protocol having a plurality of HLS media files is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises generating an HLS playlist specifying a plurality HLS media files before generating any of the HLS media files, wherein each of the plurality of HLS media files has a unique name, transmitting the HLS playlist to the client device, after generating the HLS playlist, transcoding the CPT stream into at least a subset of the plurality of HLS media files, and providing at least one of the subset of plurality of HLS media files to the client device, wherein the at least one of the plurality of HLS media files is a client-requested media file selected from the HLS playlist. | 12-25-2014 |
20140344894 | Restriction Lists for Remote Video Transfer - A method of granting a client device remote access to a media server after receiving a port request from a remote client device at a residential gateway through an intermediate remote access control server by opening one or more wide area network ports temporarily mapped to local area network ports, such that the remote client device can communicate with the media server through the wide area network ports, transmitting a list of the one or more wide area network ports to the remote client device through the remote access control server, receiving a media content request from the remote client device and passing the media content request to the media server through the one or more wide area network ports, and passing media content from the media server to the remote client device through the one or more wide area network ports according to one or more restriction lists. | 11-20-2014 |
20140344893 | Remote Access to Streaming Video - A method of granting a client device remote access to a media server after receiving a remote access request at a remote access control server from a remote client device over a wide area network by receiving an opened port list at the remote access control server from the media server over the wide area network, the opened port list describing one or more wide area network ports opened at a residential gateway operating a local area network to which the media server is connected, and transmitting the opened port list and a network address of the residential gateway to the remote client device from the remote access control server, such that the remote client device can communicate with the media server on the local area network through the one or more wide area network ports opened at the residential gateway. | 11-20-2014 |
20140337927 | AUTHORIZATION OF MEDIA CONTENT TRANSFER BETWEEN HOME MEDIA SERVER AND CLIENT DEVICE - A method for authorizing media content transfer between a home media server and a client device and provisioning DRM credentials on the client device, the method comprising receiving a service authorization credential at a client authorization server from a PKI provisioning server, wherein the service authorization credential is associated with a client device, and sending a validation response from the client authorization server to the PKI provisioning server if the client authorization server determines that the service authorization credential was previously provided by the client authorization server to the client device, wherein the validation response releases the PKI provisioning server to send DRM credentials to the client device. | 11-13-2014 |
20140337411 | PROXY FOR FACILITATING STREAMING OF MEDIA FROM SERVER TO CLIENT - A method for preparing streaming media content to be rendered by a media player employs a proxy for the media player. The proxy sends a request over a network to a content server. In response, a rolling manifest file is received by the proxy. The manifest file includes a sequence of media segment URLs indicating an ordering of the media segments that create a representation of a portion of the content stream. The URLs follow a predefined naming convention that allows URLs occurring prior to and subsequent to the URLs included in the manifest file to be predicted. The proxy predicts additional URLs that occur prior to and/or subsequent to the URLs included in the manifest file. The manifest file is modified by inserting the additional media segment URLs into the manifest file. The additional URLs are sequentially located before or after the URLs included in the manifest file. | 11-13-2014 |
20140334800 | SELF CORRECTING RECORD PIPELINE - Systems and methods for a self-correcting DVR record pipeline may provider for simpler, lower cost transport producer hardware elements. A free running transport pipeline producer may fill transport buffers without waiting for feedback from the data consumer that data has been completely processed. The pipeline data consumer independently detects transport buffers that are overwritten before processing on the buffer content is complete. The pipeline data consumer drops or deletes any invalid content or stream data to recover from the data overflow condition. | 11-13-2014 |
20140314335 | SYSTEM FOR REDUCING NOISE IN VIDEO PROCESSING - A system includes a data storage configured to store a model human visual system, an input module configured to receive an original picture in a video sequence and to receive a reference picture, and a processor. The processor is configured to create a pixel map of the original picture using the model human visual system. A first layer is determined from the pixel map. A weighting map is determined from a motion compensated difference between the original picture and the reference picture. A processed picture is then determined from the original picture using the weighting map and the first layer. | 10-23-2014 |
20140313677 | RADIO FREQUENCY SHIELD - A radio frequency shield is disclosed. | 10-23-2014 |
20140310605 | DISPLAYING INFORMATION IN A HIERARCHICAL STRUCTURE - Methods and systems for displaying information in a hierarchical structure are disclosed. An embodiment provides a method for displaying HFC network monitoring information and alarms in a hierarchical, topological fashion within a network monitoring system. | 10-16-2014 |
20140307774 | RE-SAMPLING WITH PHASE OFFSET ADJUSTMENT FOR LUMA AND CHROMA TO SIGNAL ADAPTIVE FILTERS IN SCALABLE VIDEO CODING - A sampling filter process is provided for scalable video coding. The process provides for re-sampling using video data obtained from an encoder or decoder process of a base layer (BL) in a multi-layer system using adaptive phase shifting to improve quality in Scalable High efficiency Video Coding (SHVC). In order to compensate for phase offsets introduced by downsampling an appropriate phase offset adjustment is made for upsampling in SHVC with an appropriate offset included for proper luma/chroma color space positions. In one approach, an adaptive filter is signaled with its phase offset adjusted to account for the luma/chroma offset. | 10-16-2014 |
20140307773 | RE-SAMPLING WITH PHASE OFFSET ADJUSTMENT FOR LUMA AND CHROMA TO SELECT FILTERS IN SCALABLE VIDEO CODING - A sampling filter process is provided for scalable video coding. The process provides for re-sampling using video data obtained from an encoder or decoder process of a base layer (BL) in a multi-layer system using adaptive phase shifting to improve quality in Scalable High efficiency Video Coding (SHVC). In order to compensate for phase offsets introduced by downsampling an appropriate phase offset adjustment is made for upsampling in SHVC with an appropriate offset included for proper luma/chroma color space positions. In one approach the luma/chroma phase offset is specified and a filter is selected to apply the appropriate phase change. | 10-16-2014 |
20140304373 | Filtering Content for Adaptive Streaming - Creating a filtered adaptive streaming playlist in a content delivery network. The playlist is for delivery of a plurality of chunks of stored video content to a streaming client device. The filtering is based on a determination of whether information associated with each chunk is in compliance with a personalized rule set associated with the streaming client device. | 10-09-2014 |
20140301488 | DERIVATION OF RESAMPLING FILTERS FOR SCALABLE VIDEO CODING - A method for determining a resampling filter for resampling a video signal used in scalable video coding includes estimating a set of row filters based on a video signal. The video signal has a base resolution that is resampled to provide an output signal that enables more efficient coding of the video signal with an enhanced resolution higher than a base resolution. The set of row filters is applied to the video signal to generate a first output signal having rows that are interpolated to the enhanced resolution. A set of column filters is estimated based on the first output signal for resampling the columns in the video signal. The set of column filters is applied to the first output signal to generate a second output signal having columns as well as rows that are interpolated to the enhanced resolution. | 10-09-2014 |
20140301482 | INDIVIDUAL BUFFER MANAGEMENT IN VIDEO CODING - In one embodiment, a method determines buffer parameter settings for a plurality of layers in a scalable video stream for a video. Each layer includes a respective buffer parameter setting. Then, the method applies respective buffer parameter settings to individual buffers for respective layers in the plurality of layers. The respective layers are buffered in the individual buffers according to the respective buffer parameter settings where the respective layers are combined after the buffers to form a combined bitstream including the respective layers for decoding. | 10-09-2014 |
20140301440 | SIGNALING FOR ADDITION OR REMOVAL OF LAYERS IN VIDEO CODING - In one embodiment, a method determines an encoded plurality of layers for a scalable video stream for a video where each of the plurality of layers includes a respective layer parameter setting. An additional layer for the plurality of layers is determined where the additional layer enhances a base layer in the plurality of layers and the respective layer parameter settings for the encoded plurality of layers do not take into account the additional layer. The method then determines an additional layer parameter setting for the additional layer. The additional layer parameter setting specifies a relationship between the additional layer and at least a portion of the plurality of layers where the additional layer parameter setting is used to decode the additional layer and the at least a portion of the plurality of layers. | 10-09-2014 |
20140297745 | PROCESSING OF SOCIAL MEDIA FOR SELECTED TIME-SHIFTED MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing social media posts. The methods may include certain multimedia content being identified as multimedia content for which social media posts relating to a broadcast of that multimedia content are to be stored. Using this identifying information, one or more filtering criteria may be provided for use by a filtering module. The filtering module may receive (e.g., from a social networking service) a stream of social media posts, filter the received stream to extract social media posts that relate to the broadcast of the certain multimedia content, and stores the extracted social media posts. Alternatively, a storage module may store the stream of social media posts, and a filtering module may filter the stored social media posts to identify social media posts that relate to the broadcast of the certain multimedia content. | 10-02-2014 |
20140289654 | INTERACTIVE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MIXED MEDIA INTERACTIVE METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MIXED MEDIA - An interactive interface for a computing device enables a user to select the medium of expression in which a segment of a narrative will be presented. | 09-25-2014 |
20140289625 | SYSTEM TO GENERATE A MIXED MEDIA EXPERIENCE - Segments of plural media expressions of a narrative are defined and linked by metadata enabling substitution of a segment of one medium expression of the narrative for a segment of another medium expression the narrative when requested by a user. | 09-25-2014 |
20140282805 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH SIGNAL INSERTION - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282804 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH RF INPUT - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282803 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATIC PARAMETER CONTROL - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. The transmitter preferably monitors performance attributes of a transmitted signal and selectively configures the transmitter based on the monitored attributes. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282802 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATIC DISPERSION COMPENSATION - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter by compensating for optical dispersion over the fiber optic network. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282801 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH HYBRID INPUT - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network from a transmitter. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282787 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTISCREEN NETWORK DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDING USING ON-DEMAND TRANSCODING - A method is disclosed that includes: receiving, via a network digital video recorder, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder at a first time, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the first format; storing, via the network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format; deleting, from network digital video recorder, the requested content in the second format after a predetermined time period; and transcoding, via an on demand transcoder, the requested content in the first format to the requested content in a third format after the predetermined time period. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282785 | CATV VIDEO AND DATA TRANSMISSION SYSTEM WITH DIGITAL INPUT - Improved systems and methods for delivering CATV content over a fiber optic network to a receiver. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282775 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING 3DTV CONTENT TO VARIETY OF RECEIVERS - An internet protocol multicast provider is disclosed, which includes a bootstrap code component, a transcoder generator component, a content module and a packetizing module. The bootstrap code component can generate a bootstrap code. The transcoder generator component can generate a transcoder module. The content module can generate content in a first format. The packetizing module can generate internet protocol multicast packets, based on the bootstrap code, the transcoder module and the content. The bootstrap code can determine a second format for which an internet protocol multicast receiver can decode and render the content. The transcoder module can instruct the internet protocol multicast receiver to play the content when the first format is the second format. The transcoder module can instruct the internet protocol multicast receiver to transcode the content from the first format to the second format when the first format is not the second format. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282771 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTIVE BIT RATE CONTENT DELIVERY - A method performed by an apparatus provides for adaptive bit rate content delivery to one or more client devices. The method includes: receiving data presentation content encoded into a first data stream using a first set of encoding parameters, wherein the first data stream comprises a first plurality of frames corresponding to a first encoded bit rate, wherein each frame in the first plurality of frames includes as payload a portion of the data presentation content; receiving a request, for a client device, for a second data stream having a second bit rate that is lower than the first encoded bit rate; determining a first subset of the first plurality of frames, which corresponds to the second bit rate, and generating the second data stream using the first subset of the first plurality of frames, for delivering the data presentation content to the client device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282762 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPTIMIZING STORAGE AND TRANSCODING COSTS IN NETWORK DVR - A method includes: storing, via a network storage device, information related to the playback history of a content playing device; receiving, via a network digital video recorder scheduler, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; and storing, via the network digital video recorder, only one of the requested content in the first format or the requested content in a second format based on the information related to the playback history. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282761 | System and Method for Optimizing Storage and Transcoding Costs in Network DVR - A method includes: storing, via a network storage device, information related to the playback history of a content playing device; receiving, via a network digital video recorder scheduler, a request to record requested content; receiving, via a network digital video recorder, the requested content in a first format and the requested content in a second format; and storing, via the network digital video recorder, only one of the requested content in the first format or the requested content in a second format based on the information related to the playback history. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282760 | METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING TRICKPLAY - A method of operating an IP client device for presentation of video content to a viewer includes the step of transmitting a trickplay request to a server. The client device receives from the server a manifest that references at least first and second consecutive video content fragments. The first fragment contains a sequence of N1 frames and the second fragment contains a sequence of N2 frames, and defines a set of M1 frames of the first fragment, where M1 is less than N1, and a set of M2 frames of the second fragment, where M2 is less than N2. The client device transmits a request for the M1 frames and the M2 frames and receives the M1 frames and the M2 frames. The client device presents the M1 frames and the M2 frames consecutively at the uniform, predetermined frame rate. The sequence of the M1 frames and the M2 frames has a presentation duration of (M1+M2)/F. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282756 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TRICK-PLAY CAPABILITY WHEN PRESENTING LINEAR CONTENT - A method of outputting video to a display is provided in which an incoming signal of linear content as delivered from a service provider on a tuned channel is decoded with a first electronic device and a corresponding video signal is output to an associated display for presentation of the linear content. Information of the tuned channel is transmitted to a separate second electronic device having a time shift buffer for use in recording the incoming signal of the linear content. When a trick-play request is received by the first electronic device for the linear content, the first electronic device ceases outputting the video signal corresponding to the incoming signal as delivered from the service provider and switches to outputting a video signal corresponding to streamed content received from the time shift buffer of the second electronic device in a manner enabling trick-plays to be accomplished. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282739 | NON-LINEAR NAVIGATION OF DATA REPRESENTATION - A method for scrolling through a representation of data that is too large to be presented legibly in its entirety within confines of a display is disclosed. The method includes presenting a section of the representation on the display. A portion of the representation is selected, using the section presented on the display, for scrolling on. The presentation of the section presented on the display is modified to include additional representation based on the portion selected. The additional content is to be presented in a non-linear fashion. Input from a user interface associated with movement through the additional content is received. The movement is to provide non-linear scrolling through the additional content. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282738 | REMOTE TRIGGER COMMAND TO RECALL COMPLEX NAVIGATION - In one embodiment, a method receives a trigger initiation command for configuring a trigger command and receives the trigger command from a trigger device that is separate from the computing device. The trigger command is based on a selection of a trigger command input on the trigger device. Then, the method determines a state of a complex navigation that requires multiple actions to output content associated with the state. An association is stored between the state of the complex navigation and the trigger command. The method receives the trigger command from the trigger device where the trigger command is sent based on a single input selecting the trigger command input. Then, the state of the complex navigation is recalled to output the content. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282736 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR DYNAMIC VIDEO PROCESSING - In one embodiment, a method of providing preset video processor configuration information in a video program stream is disclosed, the method including: identifying event boundaries of a video program; classifying the video program as an event type based on program title; selecting a preset from a list of at least two video processor configuration information presets for the event type; and delivering the program stream to one or more subscribers. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282692 | Advertisement Insertion - A method implemented in a computer system for inserting advertisements into an audio/video stream. The method receives the audio/video stream, and monitors it to detect an advertisement insertion notification for the audio/video stream. The advertisement insertion notification references an advertisement insertion point at a position in the audio/video stream. The method determines a disposition of the audio/video stream at the position, and examines at least one advertisement stream to identify a matching advertisement stream having an advertisement disposition that agrees with the disposition of the audio/video stream at the position. The method inserts the matching advertisement stream into the audio/video stream at the position. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282682 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND IMPLEMENTING BLACKOUT IN IPTV NETWORKS - A media content broadcast blackout control method, comprising receiving a retune message requesting a blackout of a primary media content broadcast in specific regions, generating a playlist for each region comprising a content key wrapped in a region-specific media key, wherein the content key in the playlists for regions that are not subject to the blackout is configured to access the primary media content broadcast, and the content key in the playlists for regions that are subject to the blackout is configured to access an alternate media content broadcast, providing the playlists to client devices within each region, providing the primary media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the primary media content broadcast, and providing the alternate media content broadcast to client devices whose region-specific media key unwraps the content key for the alternate primary media content broadcast. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282642 | ATTENTION ESTIMATION TO CONTROL THE DELIVERY OF DATA AND AUDIO/VIDEO CONTENT - A method implemented in a computer system for controlling the delivery of data and audio/video content. The method delivers primary content to the subscriber device for viewing by a subscriber. The method also delivers secondary content to the companion device for viewing by the subscriber in parallel with the subscriber viewing the primary content, where the secondary content relates to the primary content. The method extracts attention estimation features from the primary content, and monitors the companion device to determine an interaction measurement for the subscriber viewing the secondary content on the companion device. The method calculates an attention measurement for the subscriber viewing the primary content based on the attention estimation features, and the interaction measurement, and controls the delivery of the secondary content to the companion device based on the attention measurement. | 09-18-2014 |
20140282262 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING NAVIGATION IMAGES ASSOCIATED WITH ADAPTIVE BIT RATE VIDEO CONTENT - Systems and methods that improve navigation within video content in an adaptive streaming environment are provided herein. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281985 | Maximum Value Displayed Content Feature - Techniques for enhancing a user's viewing experience include providing new opportunities for viewing information or manipulating data during the viewing experience. The user may take an action that has an intended purpose of changing a mode of play of content displayed at the client device. An event prompted by the user action, such as a pause or rewind of the displayed content, may be an event that triggers at least one extended option associated with the displayed content. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281537 | PROTECTION OF CONTROL WORDS EMPLOYED BY CONDITIONAL ACCESS SYSTEMS - In accordance with a method for communicating a control word (CW) from a client such as an encryptor to a server such as the entitlement control message generator (ECMG) of a conditional access system (CAS), communication is established between the client and server over a secure connection. A control word to be encrypted is received by the client and encrypted using a first and second key. The first key is a global secret key (GSK) that is known to the client and the server without being communicated over the secure connection. The second key is a control word encryption key (CWEK) that is derived from a locally generated client nonce (CN) and a server nonce (SN) obtained from the server over the secure connection. The encrypted control word (ECW) is sent to the server over the secure connection. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281502 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EMBEDDING SECRET INFORMATION IN DIGITAL CERTIFICATES - A method and system is provided for embedding cryptographically modified versions of secret in digital certificates for use in authenticating devices and in providing services subject to conditional access conditions. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281497 | ONLINE PERSONALIZATION UPDATE SYSTEM FOR EXTERNALLY ACQUIRED KEYS - A method is provided for updating identity data on network-enabled devices. The method provides for providing certificate signing requests and/or device identifiers to an external trust authority, which in response generates digital certificates and/or key pairs. The generated digital certificates and/or key pairs can be provided to a network-enabled device in response to an update request. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281493 | PROVISIONING SENSITIVE DATA INTO THIRD PARTY - A method for providing identity data to network-enabled devices includes receiving a request for identity data from a network-enabled device that is deployed to an end-user. The network-enabled device is pre-provisioned with a PIN, a global key pair, a user-accessible first device identifier, and a second device identifier usable by a service provider delivering a service to the device. The identity data request includes the first and second identifiers, a protected rendition of the PIN, and an encryption key or other data from which an encryption key is derivable. The identifiers, the protected rendition of the PIN, and the encryption key or the other data are signed by a private key in the global key pair. The validity of the PIN included in the request is verified to authenticate the device. If the PIN is valid, identity data for the device is generated, encrypted and sent to the network-enabled device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281481 | DLNA/DTCP STREAM CONVERSION FOR SECURE MEDIA PLAYBACK - A process for converting a DTCP-IP transport stream into HLS format, comprising receiving an encrypted DTCP-IP transport stream comprising DTCP frames at a secondary device from a source device, with each of the plurality of DTCP frames comprising encrypted 16-byte portions, forming chunks from the DTCP frames by grouping encrypted 16-byte portions into a chunk, adding HLS padding bytes to the end of each chunk and encrypting the HLS padding bytes to form an encrypted chunk, loading each of the encrypted chunks and a playlist to a media proxy server at the secondary device, loading a DTCP key onto a security proxy server, and providing the playlist, each of the encrypted chunks, and the DTCP key to a native media player on the secondary device, such that the native media player follows the playlist to decrypt the encrypted chunks using the DTCP key and plays back the chunks. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281010 | STREAMING MEDIA FROM A SERVER DELIVERING INDIVIDUALIZED CONTENT STREAMS TO CLIENTS - A method for preparing media content to be streamed to a client divides a stream of the media content at the server into multiple media segments. Each of the multiple media segments is to be stored as an individual file in a memory in a transfer protocol compliant format. A top-level manifest file is generated, which has a plurality of Universal Resource Locators (URLs). The plurality of URLs indicates an ordering of the multiple media segments to recreate the stream of media content. Responsive to a client request received over a network to present the media content in a trick play mode of operation, a modified manifest file is obtained based on the top-level manifest file. The modified manifest file includes a subset of the plurality of URLs indicating an ordering of media segments that create a representation of the stream of media content presentable in the trick play mode of operation. | 09-18-2014 |
20140281002 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR MANAGING AND ADJUSTING ADAPTIVE STREAMING TRAFFIC - Systems, devices and methods for managing and adjusting adaptive streaming traffic to optimize fairness are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises: receiving a request for a media segment; locating the media segment; determining the bitrate of the requested media segment; and assigning priority information to the media segment, wherein a media segment having a lowest guaranteed bitrate is assigned a higher priority than media segments having higher bitrates. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280828 | FEATURE LICENSE-RELATED REPAIR/REPLACEMENT PROCESSES AND CREDIT HANDLING - A system and method for issuing a license for a device through a license server is provided. A server receives identification information for a device that communicates to the server if a first license binding identity and/or a first display identity has changed. A previous license for the device is revoked and a previous license credit is returned to a user's credit pool if the first license binding identity and/or the first display identity has changed. A license request is received, which includes a second license binding identity identifying the device. If the second license binding identity is the same as the first license binding identity, the previous license for the device is issued. If the second license binding identity is not the same as the first license binding identity, a new license for the device is issued and a new license credit is deducted from the user's credit pool. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280784 | File Transfer Based Upon Streaming Format - Systems and methods are provided for delivery and playback of bounded multimedia data files. A media gateway communicates with a client device, the communications being related to content lists, playlists, media assets, and security dialogs. A client device can perform playback while in communication with a media gateway. Several playlist can be employed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280781 | ENHANCED PLAYLIST DEFINITION AND DELIVERY FOR FAST CHANNEL CHANGE WITH HTTP ADAPTIVE STREAMING - An adaptive bit rate system uses adaptive streaming to deliver content to client devices capable of adaptive bit rate streaming. Enhancing or generating compound manifest files for delivery to clients in an adaptive streaming environment permits a direct acquisition of media segments to services not currently being viewed. For example, the compound playlist can be designed to offer direct access to neighboring channels or other services in the same genre. These novel enhancements to the manifest files may reduce channel change times as well as the efficient delivery of manifest files. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280750 | PROVIDING USER CONTENT WITH STREAMED MEDIA CHUNKS - In a streaming server, companion content may be received and incorporated along with media that is streamed to clients. The companion content may originate from one of the clients, in some cases. In other cases, the companion content may originate from a source other than a client. The companion content may be any media relates to the media being streamed to the clients or directives that control the processing of the media being streamed to the clients. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280699 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING DISCOVERY AND COMMUNICATIONS BETWEEN UNRELATED BROWSER SESSIONS - A method and apparatus for communicating data to a browsing session is disclosed In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving a first information from a first browsing session in a proxy, the first information comprising a request for a webpage having at least one webpage element, transmitting a second information comprising a first wrapper distinct from the requested webpage, establishing a first communications session between the first wrapper and the proxy; and transmitting a third information to the first browser via the first communications session, the third information comprising at least one element based on the requested webpage element for rendering by the first browsing session via the first wrapper. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280649 | RUNWAY CHAT - In an implementation, a selection of a program is received by a computing device. The program is associated with a duration of time. In response to the selection, a plurality of messages is retrieved by the computing device. Each message is associated with a time during the duration of time. Playback of the selected program is caused by the computing device on a display associated with the computing device. One or more of the retrieved plurality of messages are presented on the display at the times associated with the messages during the duration of time associated with the program by the computing device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280626 | Method and Apparatus for Adding and Displaying an Inline Reply Within a Video Message - Methods of adding an inline reply to a video email/message and presenting a chain of video emails/messages are provided. A video email/message is received and an inline reply to the video email/message is generated and associated with a point during playback of the video email/message. The inline reply is sent by return email such that, during subsequent playback of the video email/message, playback of the video email/message is paused at the point and the inline reply is displayed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280571 | PROCESSING OF USER-SPECIFIC SOCIAL MEDIA FOR TIME-SHIFTED MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing social media posts. The methods may include a filtering module receiving a stream of social media posts. The filtering module may acquire one or more filtering criteria. The filtering module may, using the acquired filtering criteria, filter the received stream to extract, from the stream, those social media posts that relate to the certain multimedia content. The filtering module may then, without providing the extracted social media posts for playback, at a current time, on a client device, store (e.g., within a database) the extracted social media posts for future provision to the client device. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280529 | CONTEXT EMOTION DETERMINATION SYSTEM - Systems, methods, and devices for determining contexts and determining associated emotion profiles using information received from multiple emotion sensor enabled electronic devices, are disclosed. Contexts can be defined by a description of spatial and/or temporal components. Such contexts can be arbitrarily defined using semantically meaningful and absolute descriptions of times and locations. Emotion sensor data is associated with or includes context data that describes the circumstances under which the data was determined. The emotion sensor data can include emotion sensor readings that are implicit indications of an emotion for the context. The sensor data can also include user reported data with explicit descriptors of an emotion for the context. The emotion sensor data can be filtered by context data according a selected context. The filtered sensor data can then be analyzed to determine an emotion profile for the context that can be output to one or more users or entities. | 09-18-2014 |
20140280138 | CONTEXT DEMOGRAPHIC DETERMINATION SYSTEM - Systems, methods, and devices for determining contexts and determining associated demographic profiles using information received from multiple demographic sensor enabled electronic devices, are disclosed. Contexts can be defined by a description of spatial and/or temporal components. Such contexts can be arbitrarily defined using semantically meaningful and absolute descriptions of time and location. Demographic sensor data is associated with or includes context data that describes the circumstances under which the data was determined. The demographic sensor data can include demographic sensor readings that are implicit indications of a demographic for the context. The sensor data can also include user reported data with explicit descriptions of a demographic for the context. The demographic sensor data can be filtered by context data according a selected context. The filtered sensor data can then be analyzed to determine a demographic profile for the context that can be output to one or more users or entities. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279597 | AUTOMATED TRANSFER OF A UNIQUE IDENTIFIER FOR A CONSUMER ELECTRONICS DEVICE - A method for automated transfer of the unique ID of a consumer electronics device (CED) is disclosed. The method includes initiating registration of the CED with an external entity. The CED does not have ability to complete the registration with the external entity by itself. A unique identification for the CED is obtained and provided to the external entity in order to complete the registration of the CED. Registration of the CED is initiated by executing a registration program. The unique identification is obtained using a universal plug and play (UPnP) service that includes requesting the universal identification from the CED and receiving the universal identification from the CED. The unique identification is provided to the external entity by inserting it in an associated field provided as part of registration process. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
20140279047 | ENHANCING TARGETED ADVERTISING IN A HOME NETWORK GATEWAY DEVICE - Advanced set top devices are beginning to merge with home network gateway devices and will soon become the major single entry point into the home. A growing trend and implementation of home gateways is to provide a centralized data entrance point to end user home. Behavioral information may be compiled from each individual device in the home network, and the home network gateway device determines advertisements to insert specifically to each device based on the entirety of the behavioral information compiled from within the home network. The advertisements provided to individual users within the home network may be determined by the home network gateway device, transparent to entities outside the home network. For example, a headend that delivers content to a home network may not know how many devices are connected to a home network gateway device, the type of devices connected, or which devices are receiving content. | 09-18-2014 |
20140278273 | METHOD FOR ESTIMATING CABLE PLANT TOPOLOGY - A method of estimating a topology of a network in which an estimated geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is automatically generated from data providing the geographic location of the network component and the geographic location of the terminal network element. If the estimated geographic path includes an intersection of separate branches of the path located a predetermined distance from the network component in a downstream direction extending from the network component to the terminal network element, the estimated geographic path is automatically adjusted by replacing the intersection in the estimated geographic path with separate non-intersecting paths extending from different outlet ports of the network component to the separate branches. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270717 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AND MANAGING DIGITAL MEDIA RECORDING - A method of scheduling a digital video recording via a remote device, comprising providing a digital video recorder comprising one or more tuners and a recording database stored on a storage device within the digital video recorder, the recording database being configured to store one or more recording schedules that describe programming events to be recorded by the digital video recorder, receiving a message over a data network connection from a remote device, the message describing instructions to add a new recording schedule about a particular programming event to the recording database, comprising a program identifier, a program name, a program icon URL, a channel identifier, a start time, an end time, a deletion priority, and a recording type, processing the message to add the new recording schedule to the recording database, and transmitting an error message to the remote device when the new recording schedule conflicts with another recording schedule already stored in the recording database. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270505 | Legibility Enhancement for a Logo, Text or other Region of Interest in Video - A video processing system enhances quality of an overlay image, such as a logo, text, game scores, or other areas forming a region of interest (ROI) in a video stream. The system separately enhances the video quality of the ROI, particularly when screen size is reduced. The data enhancement can be accomplished at decoding with metadata provided with the video data for decoding so that the ROI that can be separately enhanced from the video. In improve legibility, the ROI enhancer can increase contrast, brightness, hue, saturation, and bit density of the ROI. The ROI enhancer can operate down to a pixel-by-pixel level. The ROI enhancer may use stored reference picture templates to enhance a current ROI based on a comparison. When the ROI includes text, a minimum reduction size for the ROI relative to the remaining video can be identified so that the ROI is not reduced below human perceptibility. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270504 | LOGO PRESENCE DETECTION BASED ON BLENDING CHARACTERISTICS - A video processing system detects an overlay image, such as a logo, in a picture of a video stream, the overlay for example being a broadcaster's logo. The detection is based on evaluation of blending characteristics of a picture frame. The method of detection of an overlay defines first and second areas within the image, the first and second areas being non-overlapping. Next an alpha-blended value is calculated for the mean color value of the second area with an overlay color value. Then, if the mean color value of the first area is closer to the alpha-blended value than it is to the mean color value of the second area, the overlay can be indicated as detected and defined within the picture. Detection of the overlay can be used to identify an owner of the video, or detect when a scene change such as a commercial occurs. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270503 | System for and Method of Detecting Strobe Using Spatial Features in Video Frames - A video processing device includes a histogram generating component, an analyzing component, a comparator and an encoding component. The histogram generating component can generate a histogram for image data of an image frame. The analyzing component can analyze the histogram, can identify an isolated spike in the histogram and can output at least one strobe parameter. The comparator can compare the at least one strobe parameter with at least one predetermined threshold, can output a first instruction signal when the at least one comparison operation is indicative of a strobe and can output a second instruction signal when the at least one comparison operation is not indicative of a strobe. The encoding component can encode the image data in a first manner based on the first instruction signal and can encode the image data in a second manner based on the second instruction signal. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270501 | DETECTION OF LONG SHOTS IN SPORTS VIDEO - A method of identifying long shots of sports video comprising receiving a video frame comprising a plurality of pixels, classifying each of the plurality of pixels as a candidate field pixel or a candidate non-field pixel, determining whether at least a predefined percentage of the plurality of pixels are candidate field pixels, calculating a first standard deviation, the first standard deviation being the standard deviation of the hues of all candidate field pixels, and classifying the video frame as a long shot of sports video when at least the predefined percentage of the plurality of pixels are candidate field pixels and the first standard deviation is equal to or lower than a predefined maximum standard deviation value. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270161 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SECURE STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL OF LIVE OFF DISK MEDIA PROGRAMS - A method and system are provided for securely storing and retrieving live off-disk media programs. Events delineate media segments, each of which are encrypted with a different key so as to be streamable to a remote device via digital living network alliance (DLNA) or HTTP live streaming protocols. Media segments and identifiers for managing the storage and retrieval of such media segments are compatible with live streaming data structures, obviating the need to re-encrypt data streams. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270095 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING FAULT LOCATION IN NETWORK TRUNK - A method of estimating a location of a fault in a network including the detection of a status of nodes connected to a head end of the network via a trunk of the network as being in-service or out-of-service. A node is considered out-of-service when the head end loses communication with all terminal network devices associated with the node. In addition, a status of head end network components is monitored for faults occurring therein. The location of a fault is automatically estimated as being on the trunk of the network when the head end network components are without a monitored fault condition and when at least one node on the trunk is detected as being out-of-service. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269903 | METHOD OF BIT ALLOCATION FOR IMAGE & VIDEO COMPRESSION USING PERCEPTUAL GUIDANCE - A video processing system is provided to create quantization data parameters based on human eye attraction to provide to an encoder to enable the encoder to compress data taking into account the human perceptual guidance. The system includes a perceptual video processor (PVP) to generate a perceptual significance pixel map for data to be input to the encoder. Companding is provided to reduce the pixel values to values ranging from zero to one, and decimation is performed to match the pixel values to a spatial resolution of quantization parameter values (QP) values in a look up table (LUT). The LUT table values then provide the metadata to provide to the encoder to enable compression of the original picture to be performed by the encoder in a manner so that bits are allocated to pixels in a macroblock according to the predictions of eye tracking. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269897 | ADAPTIVE SAMPLING FILTER PROCESS FOR SCALABLE VIDEO CODING - A sampling filter process is provided for scalable video coding. The process provides for re-sampling using video data obtained from an encoder or decoder process of a base layer (BL) in a multi-layer system using adaptive phase shifting to improve quality. Examples of a multi-layer encoder or decoder process are MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding (AVC) and High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC). The re-sampled BL data can be used in encoding or decoding of a corresponding video data of higher layers in a scalable video coding system. For example, the re-sampled or upsampled data can be used as a basis for prediction of the higher resolution video data. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269869 | METHOD USING EQUALIZATION DATA TO DETERMINE DEFECTS IN A CABLE PLANT - A method of estimating a defect location within a network is provided. Information of pre-equalization coefficients of an adaptive pre-equalizer of a terminal network element on the network is received. A total amount of equalization applied by a negative delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to a main tap level and a total amount of equalization applied by a positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer relative to the main tap level is determined. The terminal network element is determined as being affected by a defect if at least one of the total amount of equalization applied by the negative or positive delay portions relative to the main tap level is at an unacceptable level. If a defect is identified, a location of the defect is estimated differently depending upon whether the negative or positive delay portion of the adaptive pre-equalizer applies the greatest amount of equalization. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269416 | ESTIMATION OF NETWORK PATH AND ELEMENTS USING GEODATA - A method of mapping a network path in which a geographic path of cables of a network between a geographic location of a network component and a geographic location of a terminal network element is estimated electronically using walking directions data from a geodata services provider. A geographically accurate street map is populated with the geographic location of the network component, the geographic location of the terminal network element, and the estimated geographic path. The map is capable of being displayed with the use of geospatial software. A signal processing electronic device for populating a display of an interactive graphical user interface with network path mapping information and a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the above referenced operations are also provided. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269401 | PASSIVE MEASUREMENT OF AVAILABLE LINK BANDWIDTH - A method of passively measuring available link bandwidth at a client device that receives media data over a network connection comprising receiving packets of a media stream at the client device, wherein one or more the of packets comprises a unique identifier indicating that one or more the packets are associated with a macro burst sorting the received packets into one or more of the macro bursts based on the unique identifiers, and determining the link bandwidth available to the client device based at least in part on the time intervals between arrival times of the packets sorted into individual macro bursts, wherein the macro bursts each comprise a plurality of packets transmitted together by a sending device to regulate the sending device's transmission rate. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269314 | ADAPTIVE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR MULTI-SCREEN VIDEO APPLICATIONS OVER CABLE WI-FI NETWORKS - Combining network and client based adaptive streaming approaches enable a distributed and adaptive resource management system for carrier quality video transmission over cable Wi-Fi systems. The adaptive resource management over cable Wi-Fi heterogeneous networks includes a network based approach using client based feedback. The resource management of a video stream is performed on a service provider's network, for example in a cable modem termination system, by evaluating a margin and a fairness index. In embodiments, the rate of a video stream to a requesting client is adjusted and, in embodiments, the rate of a video stream for non-requesting clients is adjusted. Embodiments include mechanisms for call admission control and adaptive streaming based on adjustable resource margins and fairness indices for DOCSIS and Wi-Fi hetnet systems. | 09-18-2014 |
20140269293 | CABLE MODEM TERMINATION SYSTEM CONTROL OF CABLE MODEM QUEUE LENGTH - Buffer bloat continues to cause latency problems for all kinds of network traffic, e.g., internet protocol traffic. Implementing network based control of packet upstream packet discards enables a scheduler of packets to manage congestion, instead of the network element with bloat. In embodiments, a cable modem termination system may schedule delivery of packets and, after receiving the scheduled packets, discarding packets. The cable modem termination system may determine when to discard a packet based on a detected backlog of data in a cable modem upstream flow queue. For example, a late discard of such packets may be based on information in a schedule request received from the network element. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267923 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETECTING STROBE USING TEMPORAL WINDOW - A video processing device is provided that includes a buffer, a luminance component, a maximum threshold component, a minimum threshold component and a flagging component. The buffer can store frame image data for a plurality of video frames. The luminance component can generate a first luminance value corresponding to a first frame image data and can generate a second luminance value corresponding to a second frame image data. The maximum threshold component can generate a maximum indicator signal when the difference between the second luminance value and the first luminance value is greater than a maximum threshold. The minimum threshold component can generate a minimum indicator signal when the difference between the second luminance value and the first luminance value is less than a minimum threshold. The flagging component can generate a flagged signal based on the maximum indicator signal and the minimum indicator signal. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267788 | METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING AND PRIORITIZING FAULT LOCATION IN A CABLE PLANT - A method of prioritizing estimated fault locations within a network includes monitoring multiple different performance parameters for unacceptable threshold levels via communications with a set of terminal network elements and separately analyzing the different performance parameters to identify potential network fault locations on the network. Accordingly, a plurality of priority rankings of potential network fault locations can be generated, one for each performance parameter monitored, and then combined to generate an overall priority ranking of potential fault locations including at least a highest priority inspection point estimated as being a most likely source of a fault on the network. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267786 | PROCESSING PATH SIGNATURES FOR PROCESSING ELEMENTS IN ENCODED VIDEO - In one embodiment, a method receives packets including video data that was encoded or decoded. The packets are dynamically routed through processing elements in different routes and some of the packets include signatures from processing elements that processed each respective packet. The method then determines a plurality of captures each including a set of packets and determines for each capture, a set of processing elements that processed the set of packets. The set of processing units inserted respective signatures into a user data section of the packets that is defined by a standard used to encode or decode the video data. The determined set of processing elements are analyzed for each capture to determine a processing element in the set of processing elements that is considered to be causing a performance degradation. Then, the method performs a remedial action associated with the processing element. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266782 | CONTEXT HEALTH DETERMINATION SYSTEM - Systems, methods, and devices for determining contexts and determining associated health profiles using information received from multiple health sensor enabled electronic devices, are disclosed. Contexts can be defined by a description of spatial and/or temporal components. Such contexts can be arbitrarily defined using semantically meaningful and absolute descriptions of time and location. Health sensor data is associated with or includes context data that describes the circumstances under which the data was determined. The health sensor data can include health sensor readings that are implicit indications of health for the context. The sensor data can also include user reported data with explicit descriptions of health for the context. The health sensor data can be filtered by context data according a selected context. The filtered sensor data can then be analyzed to determine a health profile for the context that can be output to one or more users or entities. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259049 | Viewer-Initiated Delivery of Supplemental Advertising Content - Methods and apparatuses for providing selective access to supplemental program content may include receiving a program stream, outputting the program stream to a display, receiving an indication of a viewer request for supplemental program content, obtaining an identifier related to supplemental program content, requesting supplemental program content using the identifier, receiving reception information related to the supplemental program content, and receiving the supplemental program content based upon the reception information. Another method includes, but is not limited to, transmitting a first program stream, receiving a request for supplemental program content, the request comprising metadata, identifying supplemental program content using the metadata from the request, sending reception information for the identified supplemental program content, and transmitting supplemental program content in accordance with said reception information. | 09-11-2014 |
20140259043 | GATHERING AND USING INFORMATION REGARDING VIEWERS' FAMILIARITY WITH MEDIA-CONTENT ITEMS - When an advertisement is presented to a viewer, that viewer is also presented with a question related to the contents of the advertisement. The viewer is rewarded if he correctly answers the question. In some embodiments, the reward is the cancellation of the unviewed portion of the advertisement. The viewer's response is directly related to this viewer's familiarity with and reaction to the advertising campaign. Information about that response is gathered and analyzed. If it is determined that the viewer is sufficiently aware of this advertisement, then a different advertisement could be sent in the future to avoid boring the viewer. Responses from several viewers could be used to determine when a particular phase of an advertising campaign has reached an optimum “saturation” level among the viewers. The campaign can then move on to the next phase. | 09-11-2014 |
20140258204 | INFERRING ATTRIBUTE AND ITEM PREFERENCES - User-preference datapoints are collected. At least some of these datapoints are associated with user-preference information about an item (e.g., a movie), and some of these datapoints are associated with user-preference information about an attribute (e.g., a movie genre or an actor). A profile of the user is created based, at least in part, on these datapoints. When a new datapoint is collected, the new datapoint is assigned a user-preference “score.” If, for example, the new datapoint does not come with an explicit user-preference rating, then the score is based on related item and attribute datapoints already in the profile. Depending upon the relationship of the new datapoint to the already existing datapoints, a confidence value is assigned to the user-preference score. The profile is then updated with the new datapoint along with its assigned score and confidence rating. The user profile can be used in performing any number of actions. | 09-11-2014 |
20140254807 | SIGNATURE MATCHING OF CORRUPTED AUDIO SIGNAL - Devices and methods that match audio signatures to programming content stored in a remote database. | 09-11-2014 |
20140254806 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERACTIVE BROADCAST CONTENT - Devices and methods for scoring viewer's interactions with content broadcast on a presentation device by processing at least one audio signal received by a microphone proximate the viewer and the presentation device, to generate at least one audio signature, which is compared to at least two different reference audio signatures. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253472 | TELESTRATION SYSTEM FOR COMMAND PROCESSING - In one embodiment, a method detects a user input for a telestration on an image being displayed on a display device and determines a plurality of image portions of the image based on the telestration. The plurality of image portions are determined by a boundary around each image portion based on the telestration. The method then determines a set of tags for the plurality of image portions. The set of tags are determined based on image recognition of content in the plurality of image portions. An operator is determined based on the telestration where the operator characterizes an operation to perform for the plurality of image portions. The method determines a search query based on applying the operator to the set of tags and causes a search to be performed using the search query. | 09-11-2014 |
20140253298 | Control Device - Disclosed is a control device for remotely controlling other devices. The control device comprises a first device interface for transmitting control signals to a first device that is remote from the control device, a second device interface for receiving an input signal from a second device, a user interface corresponding to a function of the first device, and a protocol translator. The control signal is in accordance with a first communication protocol. The input signal is in accordance with a second communication protocol. The user interface is operable by a user so as to cause a control signal to be transmitted by the first device interface, for use by the first device. The protocol translator is configured to convert signals received by the second device interface from being in accordance with the second communication protocol to being in accordance with the first communication protocol. | 09-11-2014 |
20140245452 | RESPONDING TO A POSSIBLE PRIVACY LEAK - When a user is about to perform a “communicative act” (e.g., to send an e-mail or to post to a social-networking site), the proposed communicative act is reviewed to see if it may lead to a privacy leak. If, upon review, it is determined that performing the proposed communicative act could lead to a privacy leak, then an appropriate response is taken, such as preventing the proposed act from being performed or suggesting a modification to the proposed act that would lessen the likelihood of a privacy leak. A privacy server creates a privacy profile for a user based on information about the user's personae and how those personae are used. Using that profile, the privacy server can judge whether a proposed communicative act would support an unwanted inference. | 08-28-2014 |
20140245341 | Extending Blackout Control - Systems and methods for blackout management in media distribution systems may include a central data center in a service provider's domain. The central data server may coordinate with a blackout manager that implements control features for blackout. In contrast to (or to supplement) blackout control solutions that require integrated receiver decoders (IRD)s to be physically installed at each of the regional headends in the service provider network, the blackout manager may provide three functions: 1) a Virtual IRD (VIRD) function 2) access control functions via access control component, and 3) VIRD-to-EndPoint mapping function in the linkage manager. | 08-28-2014 |
20140223502 | Method of Operating an IP Client - An IP client device that is connected to a display device for presentation of AV content pulls AV content for a user-selected service from a server and presents the AV content to the user. Concurrently, the IP client device pulls a selected version of AV content for an additional service from a server that hosts multiple versions of the AV content for the additional service, the multiple versions providing the AV content for the additional service at different bit rates, and temporarily storing the selected version of the AV content for the additional service in a memory. In response to a request from the user for presentation of the AV content for the additional service, the IP client device reads the selected version of the AV content for the additional service from the memory and presents the AV content for the additional service to the user. | 08-07-2014 |
20140219446 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USE IN A DOWNLOADABLE CONDITIONAL ACCESS SYSTEM - In a downloadable conditional access system (DCAS), preferably all DCAS-specific code is implemented in a configurable secure (CS) processor that is in communication with the host processor. Preferably, no DCAS-specific code is executed in the host processor. The host processor delivers commands to the CS processor, which the CS processor performs to configure itself in accordance with the particular DCAS encryption scheme used by the DCAS. Once configured, the CS processor executes a DCAS software module that has been downloaded to the CS processor, which looks for the corresponding EMMs and ECMs, processes them to obtain the CW, and then uses the CW to decrypt the content stream. | 08-07-2014 |
20140215601 | AUTHENTICATION USING A SUBSET OF A USER-KNOWN CODE SEQUENCE - Authentication in a system includes presenting information to a user containing a partial sequence of a passcode along with distractors. The user is challenged to identify the partial sequence from among the information in order to gain access to the system. | 07-31-2014 |
20140215011 | MESSAGE EXCHANGE VIA GENERIC TLV GENERATOR AND PARSER - A system and methods are provided for processing Type-Length-Value (TLV) Messages with TLV Engines in any TLV-based protocol by using configuration files associated with the protocol. One method provides for generating a TLV message by receiving output from a sender at a message engine, loading one or more configuration files associated with a TLV-based protocol onto the message engine, wherein the configuration files describe information about one more message elements, generating a TLV message at the message engine by creating and ordering the message elements into a TLV message according to the configurations files, and transmitting the TLV message over a network from the message engine. | 07-31-2014 |
20140214765 | SELECTIVE DATA SYNCHRONIZATION AND TRANSFER TO REMOTE DISTRIBUTED DATABASE SERVERS - A method for resolving the synchronization of identity data from a central database server to distributed database servers is provided. The method involves synchronizing identity data to central and distributed database servers based on identity data types associated with a factory. The method first includes assigning by a configuration manager identity data types to factories which manufacture devices that will need identity data. Next an Identity Data (ID) Loader receives a file containing the identity data, and the ID Loader loads the identity data to a central database server and creates a file history record indicating a record of the file loaded. Next, a Factory Synchronizer Loader (FSL) is triggered to create and execute jobs to load identity data, configuration data or other data. Finally, the identity data is synchronized between the central data base with the remote database servers in a location of the factory. In some embodiments, the FSL corrects identity data and resynchronizes, or determines when synchronization fails and repeats synchronization processes when the failure occurs. | 07-31-2014 |
20140201518 | FRAMEWORK FOR PROVISIONING DEVICES WITH EXTERNALLY ACQUIRED COMPONENT-BASED IDENTITY DATA - A method is provided for updating identity data on devices. The method provides for acquiring a device comprising a component associated with a component identifier and having a One Time Programmable Key installed on the component, submitting the component identifier and the One Time Programmable Key to an External Trust Authority, receiving new identity data tied to the component identifier from the External Trust Authority that is encrypted with the One Time Programmable Key, loading the new identity data onto an Update Server, receiving a request at the Update Server from the device that requests new identity data, and providing the new identity data upon receipt of the request, upon which the device decrypts and installs the identity data using the One Time Programmable Key installed on the component within the device. | 07-17-2014 |
20140185614 | MULTIPLE DOMAIN ADDRESSING IN MESSAGE ROUTING - In one embodiment, a method determines a first address of a sender and a second address of a receiver. The first address includes a first hierarchy of a plurality of domains and the second address includes a second hierarchy of a plurality of domains. The method then calculates a crossover point and an index based on the crossover point and the first hierarchy of the first address. The method sends a message from the sender to the receiver where the message includes the index. Before the index reaches a predefined value, each node that receives the message adjusts the index and sends the message to a parent node based on the first address. Also, when the index reaches a predefined value, each node sends the message to a child node based on the second address until a domain in which the receiver is located is reached. | 07-03-2014 |
20140185428 | Dynamic Load Balancing Under Partial Service Conditions - Methods and apparatuses for controlling load balancing of modems may include receiving an indication of impairment of a channel, placing modems using the impaired channel into a partial service mode and removing the impaired channel from a list of channels available for load balancing, monitoring the quality of the impaired channel, and, responsive to detection of acceptable quality on the impaired channel, removing the modems from partial service mode and adding the channel back to the list of channels available for load balancing. Another method includes, but is not limited to, receiving an indication of a partial service mode for a modem, incrementing a partial service mode counter for a channel associated with the partial service mode indication, computing a partial service mode metric based in part upon the partial service mode counter, and responsive to a determination that the partial service mode metric meets a threshold, determining an allocation of modems to channels. | 07-03-2014 |
20140181160 | SEQUENTIAL SEMANTIC REPRESENTATIONS FOR MEDIA CURATION - Generating a sequential semantic representation and a resulting content item sequence or presentation is disclosed. A set of nodes and paths among the nodes are determined. Each node includes a corresponding a set of criteria. The paths define a relationship among the plurality of nodes. Transitional operators that define additional criteria for the nodes, are associated with the paths. Content items that include characteristics that are determined to match the corresponding set of criteria for at least one of the nodes are retrieved. | 06-26-2014 |
20140176604 | Automated Object Selection and Placement for Augmented Reality - A system to facilitate AR processing includes receiving captured media from a user device and context information relating to media that is being delivered to a receiving device. The system may use the media being delivered with the captured media to generate one or more virtual objects. The user device may augment a user's view of reality that is reflected in the captured media by overlaying or otherwise incorporating the virtual objects in the user's view of reality. | 06-26-2014 |
20140173075 | USING ANALYTICAL MODELS TO INFORM POLICY DECISIONS - The power of analytical modeling is added to existing methods for specifying policies. Generally speaking, humans use their knowledge and experience to draft policies at a relatively high level. These policies then incorporate analytical models which provide the intelligence on how to most effectively apply the high-level policy to a particular situation. When a policy is invoked, the analytical model provides up-to-date intelligence at a level of completeness and refinement not possible with previous techniques. As a result, fewer policies need to be drafted, and those few need to be updated less frequently than in previous schemes. Rather than updating the policy itself, the analytical model is automatically updated whenever new data are fed into it. As the analytical model incorporates new observational data, it grows more powerful and thus automatically increases the effectiveness of the high-level policy. | 06-19-2014 |
20140169458 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USING BASE LAYER INTRA PREDICTION MODE FOR ENHANCEMENT LAYER INTRA MODE PREDICTION - Devices and methods for using base layer intra prediction mode for enhancement layer intra mode prediction are disclosed. | 06-19-2014 |
20140163704 | SYSTEM, APPAREL, AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING PERFORMANCE OF WORKOUT ROUTINES - A system for automatically identifying performance of workout routines is provided. The system includes a set of sensors wearable on a body of an exerciser during performance of exercises. Each sensor is configured to measure a parameter selected from motion, acceleration, position, and applied force, and to communicate parameters measured. The system also includes a device configured to receive a set of parameters measured over a period of time by the set of sensors and to access stored pattern information corresponding to a plurality of predetermined exercise activities and a plurality of predetermined workout routines to identify one or more performed exercise activities performed by the exerciser and to identify a performed workout routine performed by the exerciser during the period of time. Apparel and methods are also disclosed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140161322 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACTIVITY RECOGNITION - A method for automatic recognition of human activity is provided and includes the steps of decomposing human activity into a plurality of fundamental component attributes needed to perform an activity and defining ontologies of fundamental component attributes from the plurality of the fundamental component attributes identified during the decomposing step for each of a plurality of different targeted activities. The method also includes the steps of converting a data stream captured during a performance of an activity performed by a human into a sequence of fundamental component attributes and classifying the performed activity as one of the plurality of different targeted activities based on a closest match of the sequence of fundamental component attributes obtained during the converting step to at least a part of one of the ontologies of fundamental component attributes defined during the defining step. A system for performing the method is also disclosed. | 06-12-2014 |
20140157305 | Advertisement Distribution in a Subscriber Network - A computing device for providing Advertisement Decision Management services to a subscriber network that connects display devices. The computing device acquires a network program media stream associated with a network service from a provider network, delivers the network program media stream to a display device connected to the subscriber network, and collects usage data for the display device. When the computing device detects an advertising opportunity in the network program media stream, it selects an advertisement to fulfill the advertising opportunity, delivers the advertisement to the display device at the start time of the advertising opportunity, and delivers the network program media stream to the display device at the end time of the advertising opportunity. To select the advertisement, the computing device either requests the advertising opportunity from an advertisement server, or retrieves the advertisement from local data storage. | 06-05-2014 |
20140157016 | Power Saving in Computing Devices - Power saving in computing devices is provided. A first computing device communicates with a second computing device using a first set of tones. A low power event is detected by the first computing device. In response to the detected low power event, a request to communicate using a second set of tones is sent to the second computing device by the first computing device. The second set of tones has fewer tones than the first set of tones, and may be a subset of the first set of tones. | 06-05-2014 |
20140156800 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MULTI-STREAMING MULTIMEDIA DATA - A method for multi-streaming multimedia content data over a network to affiliated client devices is provided. A manifest including a list of Universal Resource Indicators (URIs) for different segments of multimedia content data for selected primary multimedia content and a list of URIs for different segments of multimedia content data for at least one alternate multimedia content related to and different from the selected primary multimedia content is built and made available for download over the network with a transfer protocol. Synchronization of display of the selected primary multimedia content on a primary display and display of the at least one alternate content on the at least one auxiliary client device is thereby enabled. A system for streaming multimedia data over a network to affiliated client devices is also disclosed. | 06-05-2014 |
20140143803 | ATTENTION-BASED ADVERTISEMENT SCHEDULING IN TIME-SHIFTED CONTENT - An advertisement system includes an advertising manager that receives a content-event indicator, which indicates playback of an advertisement for viewing on a first display screen at a media-playback device or indicates playback of recorded content that includes advertisements. The advertising manager can determine an optimal time offset as a duration of time before or after playback of an advertisement to the start of an event that is associated with the advertisement for viewing on a second display screen at a mobile device. For recorded content, an optimization schedule is determined that replaces and time-shifts advertisements during playback of the recorded content. The advertising manager can also determine a fulfillment criterion for a product or service based on latency constraints to indicate a duration of time within which fulfillment of the product or service is expected when offered as a second advertisement corresponding to a first advertisement. | 05-22-2014 |
20140143440 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STREAMING MEDIA CONTENT TO CLIENT DEVICES - A method and apparatus for providing streamed media to client devices includes providing, for a client device, a variant playlist file that identifies a plurality of variant streams each corresponding to a different encoding of the same presentation but each presenting the same content having the same duration; and receiving, from the client device, a first request to provide a first set of identifiers that directs the first client device to a first set of media segments from a first variant stream of the plurality of variant streams in the variant playlist file, wherein the first set of media segments corresponds to a first encoding. The method further includes, responsive to the first request, providing a second set of identifiers that directs the client device to a second set of media segments, which corresponds to a second encoding, to use in downloading a first portion of the content. | 05-22-2014 |
20140143439 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STREAMING MEDIA CONTENT TO CLIENT DEVICES - A method and apparatus for streaming media content to a client device includes a server providing, for the client device, a variant playlist file that identifies a plurality of variant streams having different encoded bitrates; tracking sequence numbers of a first set of media segments downloaded by the client device from a first playlist file that corresponds to the first variant stream encoded at a first bitrate; receiving, from the client device, a request for a second playlist file that identifies a second set of media segments from a second variant stream encoded at a second bitrate; determining whether to identify, in the second playlist file, at least one media segment in the second set of media segments that has a same sequence number as any of the media segments, from the first variant stream, downloaded by the client device; and providing, to the client device, the second playlist file. | 05-22-2014 |
20140143043 | MULTI-SCREEN ADVERTISEMENT CORRELATION BASED ON PURCHASES - An advertisement system includes an advertising manager that receives a content-event indicator, which indicates playback of an advertisement for viewing on a first display screen at a media-playback device or indicates playback of recorded content that includes advertisements. The advertising manager can determine an optimal time offset as a duration of time before or after playback of an advertisement to the start of an event that is associated with the advertisement for viewing on a second display screen at a mobile device. For recorded content, an optimization schedule is determined that replaces and time-shifts advertisements during playback of the recorded content. The advertising manager can also determine a fulfillment criterion for a product or service based on latency constraints to indicate a duration of time within which fulfillment of the product or service is expected when offered as a second advertisement corresponding to a first advertisement. | 05-22-2014 |
20140140406 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING OF NON-IDR RELATED SYNTAX FOR HIGH EFFICIENCY VIDEO CODING (HEVC) - Syntax cleanup methods and systems for High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) are disclosed. | 05-22-2014 |
20140140402 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING A CODING MODE - A method and apparatus for selecting a coding mode are described. For example, the method receives at least one block of a signal to be encoded. The method determines a frame vertical pixel difference in the at least one block and determines a field vertical pixel difference in the at least one block. The method then compares the frame vertical pixel difference with the field vertical pixel difference to determine a first coding mode for the at least one block. | 05-22-2014 |
20140137158 | SCALABLE DATA ACQUISITION AND ACCUMULATION IN A RESOURCE CONSTRAINED ENVIRONMENT - A method of acquiring and accumulating data from a server via a network is provided. A request is transmitted for a plurality of items of data and includes at least one ingestion marker associated with the data. The at least one ingestion marker represents a last occurrence of when a change was made to the data. Data is received with a transfer protocol in response to the request. The data has at least one associated ingestion marker different than the at least one associated ingestion marker transmitted with the request. The received data and the at least one associated ingestion marker is stored in memory. The request is transmitted and the data is received and stored electronically by an electronic client device communicating with the server over the network. A system of acquiring and accumulating Electronic Program Guide (EPG) data from a web-server over a network is also disclosed. | 05-15-2014 |
20140136807 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SECURE ACCESS TO DATA FILES COPIED ONTO A SECOND STORAGE DEVICE FROM A FIRST STORAGE DEVICE - A method and system for secure access to data files copied onto a second storage device from a first storage device. A computer receives data from a first storage device that is in communication with the computer. A data file is stored to a second storage device. A passkey is generated and associated with the data file. A passkey image file corresponding to the passkey is generated. The passkey image file is transmitted to the first storage device for storage. Subsequent access to the data file on the second storage device requires entry of the passkey. The passkey is only accessible to a user that has access to read the passkey image file on the first storage device. | 05-15-2014 |
20140133533 | Upstream Receiver Integrity Assessment for Modem Registration - A method and computing device for assessing the integrity of receivers in a Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS) to improve load balancing. The method configures a load balancing manager to move registered modems between the receivers, where each receiver is tuned to a frequency. The method obtains a signal quality measurement for each receiver, and, for each receiver, evaluates the signal quality measurement, and identifies the receiver as an impaired receiver when the frequency to which the receiver is tuned is identified by the evaluating as an impaired frequency. The method attempts to repair each impaired receiver, and notifies the load balancing manager to not allow moving the registered modems to each impaired receiver that is not repairable, and to allow moving the registered modems to each receiver that transitions from impaired to unimpaired. | 05-15-2014 |
20140130099 | USER-INTIATED FEEDBACK AND CORRECTION OF PROGRAM METADATA THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - A system provides for display of an electronic programming guide (“EPG”) that facilitates user feedback to identify or propose corrections to potentially inaccurate program metadata through users' interactions with a user-feedback interface. The user-feedback interface may include a “flag-for-correction” feedback option whereby the user flags program metadata as potentially inaccurate. In response to receiving at least a specified threshold number of “flag-for-correction” indicators for particular program metadata, the system may alert an administrator to initiate the administrator's review of the flagged program metadata. The user-feedback interface can include an interface that permits the users to propose a corrected version of the identified program metadata. The system may then initiate administrative review of the program metadata in response to the proposed correction indicators or enable automatic correction of the program metadata in response to the user feedback. | 05-08-2014 |
20140130092 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH DISPLAY OF ALTERNATIVE-SOURCE MULTIMEDIA PROGRAM OPTIONS AND ESTIMATED AVAILABILITY PARAMETERS - An electronic program guide (“EPG”) coordinates the display of availability metadata representing the availability of listed multimedia programs from one or more alternative content sources. The EPG presents multimedia programs available from a primary content source. A system identifies alternative content sources for one or more multimedia programs listed in the EPG, estimates availability parameters from these alternative content sources, and supplements the EPG with availability metadata that represent the determined availability parameters of the versions of the multimedia programs from one or more alternative content sources. The system estimates missing availability parameters based on application of one or more availability rule sets, which can reflect, for example, a contractual agreement or arrangement, a data analysis performed on historical availability data for the multimedia program or the content provider, and the like. | 05-08-2014 |
20140129618 | METHOD OF STREAMING MULTIMEDIA DATA OVER A NETWORK - A method of streaming multimedia data over a network to a client device is provided. At least one playlist file is downloaded using a transfer protocol, such as HLS, from a streaming server over the network for a selected multimedia presentation. The client device subscribes to an update event notification service with the streaming server or an intermediate server with respect to the at least one playlist file for the selected multimedia presentation and then listens for an update event notification. Only when such a notification is transmitted by the streaming server or the intermediate server to the client device is an updated version of the at least one playlist file downloaded by the client device from the streaming server over the network using the transfer protocol. | 05-08-2014 |
20140123321 | HANDSHAKE PROTOCOL TO CONTROL ACTORS AND FUNCTIONS IN A CABLE SET-TOP-BOX SYSTEM TO PROPAGATE ACCEPTANCE OF AN IP LICENSE TO SECURELY AUTHENTICATE SOFTWARE APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACES (APIs) - A system for securely authenticating software Application Program Interfaces (APIs) includes a handshake protocol that enables promulgation of licensing rights controlling Intellectual Property (IP) to multiple Actors. The Actors include components of a cable system that can include a Conditional Access System, Middleware, a Browser for a Set-Top-Box, a Guide and a Guide Data Provider. The handshake is a Challenge-Response protocol that includes a Challenge issued by one Actor who controls IP rights to verify a second Actor has Licensed IP rights when the second Actor Response includes a Hook IP function IPF | 05-01-2014 |
20140123242 | BUSINESS METHOD INCLUDING HANDSHAKE PROTOCOL TO CONTROL ACTORS AND FUNCTIONS TO PROPAGATE ACCEPTANCE OF AN IP LICENSE TO SECURELY AUTHENTICATE SOFTWARE APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACES (APIs) - A system for securely authenticating software Application Program Interfaces (APIs) includes a handshake protocol that enables promulgation of licensing rights controlling Intellectual Property (IP) to multiple Actors. The handshake is a Challenge-Response protocol that includes a Challenge issued by one Actor who controls IP rights to verify a second Actor has Licensed IP rights when the second Actor Response includes use of a function IPF1. The function e.g. IPF1 is provided through the IP licensing agreement. Other Actors who wish to use software that the first Actor provides will be encouraged to acquire rights to the IP License to obtain the function IPF1 for access. Subsequent Actors who have IP rights controlled by another function IPF2 can be pulled into the same IP Licensing system, or another IP License that becomes part of the same ecosystem with the system controlled using function IPF1. | 05-01-2014 |
20140123220 | BUSINESS METHOD INCLUDING CHALLENGE-RESPONSE SYSTEM TO SECURELY AUTHENTICATE SOFTWARE APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACES (APIs) - A system for securely authenticating software Application Program Interfaces (APIs) includes a handshake protocol that is provided to validate whether the parties involved are licensed to use the system which includes rights to Intellectual Property (IP) and corresponding obligations. The handshake is a Challenge-Response protocol that includes several steps. First, a Claimant sends a request to a Verifier requesting access to a function through an API. The Verifier reacts to the request by outputting a Challenge that is sent to the Claimant. The Challenge is also retained by the Verifier for use in its internal calculation to verify the Claimant's response. The Claimant next processes the Challenge using components under the license, known as Hook IP, and issues a Response to the Verifier. The Verifier compares the possibly-correct Candidate Response from the Claimant to the known-correct Target Response and if a match occurs the Verifier allows the Claimant access to the API. | 05-01-2014 |
20140123172 | CHALLENGE-RESPONSE CABLE SET-TOP-BOX SYSTEM TO SECURELY AUTHENTICATE SOFTWARE APPLICATION PROGRAM INTERFACES (APIs) - A system for securely authenticating software Application Program Interfaces (APIs) includes a handshake protocol provided between a Conditional Access System (CAS) and Middleware running on a Set-Top-Box. The handshake is a Challenge-Response protocol that includes several steps. The CAS or the Middleware can either act as a Claimant or Verifier in Challenge-Response process. First, a Claimant sends a request to a Verifier requesting access to a function F through the API. The Verifier reacts to the request by outputting a Challenge that is sent to the Claimant The Challenge is also retained by the Verifier for use in its internal calculation to verify the Claimant's response. The Claimant next processes the Challenge using components under a patent License Agreement, known as Hook IP, and issues a Response to the Verifier. The Verifier can then verify the Response to allow the Claimant access to the API. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119429 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A MEDIA ENCODING FORMAT OF A MEDIA STREAM - A device and a method are disclosed. The device contains a network interface configured to receive a media stream, a processing device coupled to the network interface and configured to implement the method to determine an unknown media encoding format of a media stream, and a decoder device configured to decode media frames of the media stream. | 05-01-2014 |
20140119230 | COMPUTING AND REPORTING LATENCY IN PRIORITY QUEUES - Providing an efficient way for operators to use an out-of-band (OOB) channel may enable the operator to better make decisions about how to configure priority queues for maximum effectiveness. Techniques for efficiently using the OOB channel include an assessment of parameters important for optimizing the configuration of priority queues in a downstream channel. For example, an improved latency metric for assisting an operator to judge the relative effect that priority assignments have on traffic is a parameter assessed for better use of the OOB channel. Further, measuring the queue latency and making the queue latency visible to the operator may enable a better configuration of the priority queues. | 05-01-2014 |
20140115628 | Remote Control with User Profile Capability - A control unit ( | 04-24-2014 |
20140115032 | PRESERVING A CONSUMPTION CONTEXT FOR A USER SESSION - Continuity of an entire user session (including the primary content stream, secondary content streams, and user context) is preserved so that the user can resume the session at a later time, at a different place, and, possibly, using different equipment. When a user pauses a session, the context of that session is automatically preserved. Upon resumption, the session begins where the user left off, resuming the primary media stream at the point where the user stopped, knowing what secondary content items the user has already seen, and re-establishing any user-set parameters for the session (e.g., playback volume, allocation of streams to particular screen real estate, whether closed captioning is turned on, and the like). For time-shifted content consumption, the system intelligently selects, filters, and processes contextual information (such as characteristics of the primary media) in order to present companion streams that are relevant and engaging to the user. | 04-24-2014 |
20140115031 | PRESERVING A CONSUMPTION CONTEXT FOR A USER SESSION - Continuity of an entire user session (including the primary content stream, secondary content streams, and user context) is preserved so that the user can resume the session at a later time, at a different place, and, possibly, using different equipment. When a user pauses a session, the context of that session is automatically preserved. Upon resumption, the session begins where the user left off, resuming the primary media stream at the point where the user stopped, knowing what secondary content items the user has already seen, and re-establishing any user-set parameters for the session (e.g., playback volume, allocation of streams to particular screen real estate, whether closed captioning is turned on, and the like). For time-shifted content consumption, the system intelligently selects, filters, and processes contextual information (such as characteristics of the primary media) in order to present companion streams that are relevant and engaging to the user. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112386 | ALGORITHMS FOR DETERMINING BITRATE FOR A STATISTICAL MULTIPLEXING SYSTEM TO ACCOUNT FOR SIGNAL COMPLEXITY INCLUDING FILM MODE AND GOP STRUCTURAL CHANGES - A statistical multiplexer (statmux) system for encoding multiple channels of digital television data is provided with improved algorithms for determining bitrate for encoding and decoding to account for signal complexity, including accounting for film mode and GOP structural changes. In film mode when the lower frame per second rate for film mode is identified, rather than faster rate SD or HD modes, instead of determining bit rate from viewing the next picture in the look ahead buffer (LAB), the system looks at a start time stamp for specific data in the LAB. Accounting for GOP structural changes includes identifying the number of pictures (N) between I type pictures in data provided to an encoder and the number of pictures (M) between P type pictures, rather than using a fixed number for N and M. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112385 | ALGORITHMS FOR DETERMINING BITRATE FOR A STATISTICAL MULTIPLEXING SYSTEM TO ENSURE STREAM ALIGNMENT FROM ENCODERS TO THE MULTIPLEXER - A statistical multiplexer (statmux) system for encoding and multiplexing multiple channels of digital television data is provided that limits dropped bits due to misalignment of bit rate allocations to the encoders. Without such a system, if for example an encoder is allotted 0 bits during a first time period and 20 kilobits during a second time period, if the encoder jumps ahead from the first period to the second time period allocation, the 20 kilobits could be output during the 0 bit output allocation time period. This can cause buffer overflow downstream if other encoders are outputting at their maximum rate. To limit such misalignment, a maximum percentage increase of an encoder's bitrate allocation is set from time period to time period based on a formula to prevent bits from being dropped when misalignment occurs. | 04-24-2014 |
20140112384 | ALGORITHMS FOR DETERMINING BITRATE FOR A STATISTICAL MULTIPLEXING SYSTEM USING SCENE CHANGE - An improved statistical multiplexer (statmux) system for coding and multiplexing multiple channels of standard definition (SD) digital television data, or multiple panels of high definition (HD) digital television data is provided, the system considering when a scene change occurs. A need parameter (NP) is determined for each of the multiple encoders considering scene change that occur, and the NP is provided to a statmux controller to enable a bit rate to be determined for the encoder. The system considers the new scene data after a scene change as well as current scene data being evaluated to determine data complexity for the NP value. This ensures significantly different complexity data after the scene change does not cause an inadequate bit rate determination. | 04-24-2014 |
20140101709 | Optical Fiber Management Bridge - An improved optical fiber management bridge | 04-10-2014 |
20140101257 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AUDIO FRAME LOSS RECOVERY - In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a message from a user client device associated with a user. The message is generated in response to a code being captured by the user client device. A computer system determines a user identifier for a user associated with the user client device based on the message. Also, the computer system determines a control data set based on the message, the control data set including information used to automatically control a set of controllable devices. Then, the computer system automatically makes the control data set available to allow access by a user network device associated with the user identifier. The user network device is configured to download the control data set to automatically allow controlling of the set of controllable devices when connected to the user network device. | 04-10-2014 |
20140101110 | HIGH AVAILABILITY EVENT LOG COLLECTION IN A NETWORKED SYSTEM - A method includes storing data received at a first server to a first file and storing data received at a second server to a second file, where the data in the two files are substantially similar. The two files are distinct, independent files. The first server provides a copy of the first file to the second server to store. The first server then stores additional data to the first file, while the second server maintains the copy of the first file unchanged. The second server may also provide a copy of the second file to the first server to store and continues to store additional data to the second file, while maintaining the copy of the second file on the first server unchanged. Event reports may then be generated using the various files, which provide high availability due to the above method and corresponding system arrangement. | 04-10-2014 |
20140099079 | Method of Processing a Sequence of Coded Video Frames - A method of processing a sequence of coded video frames conveyed by a digital data stream, where each frame represents an image, includes receiving the sequence of coded video frames at a recording device, determining a frame interval between presentation of an ith coded frame of the sequence and an (i+1)th coded frame of the sequence, calculating a stream time stamp for the ith coded frame, and calculating a stream time stamp for the (i+1)th coded video frame based on the stream time stamp for the ith coded video frame and the previously determined frame interval. | 04-10-2014 |
20140098293 | INFORMATION PROVISION - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing information to a first client device (e.g., a tablet computer) for presentation on that device. The information may be related to multimedia content (e.g., a television program) that may be presented using a second client device (e.g., a television). Firstly, an activity level for a portion of the multimedia content is determined. Using the activity level, an amount of the information is assigned to that portion of the multimedia content. The amount of the information assigned is dependent on that determined activity level. The assigned information is then provided for use by (e.g., for display on) the first client device. | 04-10-2014 |
20140095608 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSOCIATING ONLINE CONTENT TO A SECOND INDEXED CONTENT - A method includes receiving content-association input, including identification of accessed first content and an index position of a second content, and associating the accessed first content with the second content at the index position. Users accessing the second content are provided information related to the first content in response to the access of the second content. The information provided may be a link to the first content, a description of the first content, a portion of the first content, or the entire first content. Another method includes providing a user interface within an application window while the application window displays a first content and providing a second window in response to selection input via the user interface. The second window displays an indexed second content. Input may be received via the second window to create an association of the first content with the second content at an index position. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092984 | PROCESSING OF PULSE CODE MODULATION (PCM) PARAMETERS - In one embodiment, a method determines a pulse code modulation (PCM) flag that indicates whether a PCM mode can be used to encode or decode a portion of video. A single conditional statement is evaluated once to determine if the PCM flag indicates the PCM mode is enabled. Based on the evaluating of the single conditional statement, when the PCM flag indicates the PCM mode is enabled, the method encodes or decodes a first PCM parameter, a second PCM parameter, a third PCM parameter, a fourth PCM parameter, and a fifth PCM parameter. The first PCM parameter, the second PCM parameter, the third PCM parameter, the fourth PCM parameter, and the fifth PCM parameter are encoded or decoded consecutively without any bits or syntax between them in or from an encoded bitstream associated with the portion of video. | 04-03-2014 |
20140092975 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR USING BASE LAYER MOTION VECTOR FOR ENHANCEMENT LAYER MOTION VECTOR PREDICTION - Devices and methods for using base layer motion vector for enhancement layer motion vector prediction are disclosed. | 04-03-2014 |
20140089967 | PROVIDING SECONDARY CONTENT TO ACCOMPANY A PRIMARY CONTENT ITEM - While a user views a primary content item (for example, a movie on a television screen), secondary content items are selected and presented to the user, either on the same screen or on a screen of the user's companion device. To choose selections that are relevant to the user's current interests, the selection process considers information beyond the realm of primary and secondary content. Over time, the selection process learns to make more relevant selections by monitoring selection choices made by other systems. | 03-27-2014 |
20140086407 | Conditional Access to Encrypted Media Content - A method and apparatus for processing encrypted content distributed for end users in multiple services includes receiving entitlement information for a subset of at least two of the services separately from the encrypted content for the services and either calculating decryption key information for the subset of services from the entitlement information and storing the decryption key information in memory so that decryption key information for a selected service can subsequently be read from memory, or storing the entitlement information for the subset of services in memory so that the entitlement information for a selected service can subsequently be read from memory and decryption key information for the selected service can be calculated. | 03-27-2014 |
20140086311 | SIGNALING OF SCALING LIST - In one embodiment, a method determines when a scaling list for a non-default quantization matrix is being used to perform quantization of one or more units of video. Transform unit sizes are determined that are not available for performing a transform of the one or more units of video. Then, the method encodes or decodes scaling list data for each of the transform unit sizes available for performing the transform of the one or more units of video. The scaling list data is for transform unit sizes not available for performing the transform of the one or more units of video are not encoded or decoded. | 03-27-2014 |
20140086121 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING A WIRELESS STATION - Methods and apparatus for controlling a wireless station ( | 03-27-2014 |
20140082701 | DYNAMICALLY CONFIGURABLE ONLINE DATA UPDATE SYSTEM - A data object update system provides a flexible framework that can be used to upgrade, renew, replace or supplement data objects that are provisioned in a large base of network-enabled devices that been deployed in the field to end users. The system has the flexibility to configure, for example, the following items, based on different requirements received from network operators: which device key and/or certificate is to be used to authenticate request messages from network-enabled devices before a specific data object update request is accepted into the system; which device identifier is to be used to authorize data object update requests; which device identifier is to be used for generating device specific data objects; and which protection mechanism is to be used to secure the delivery of data objects to network-enabled devices. | 03-20-2014 |
20140082359 | EFFICIENT KEY GENERATOR FOR DISTRIBUTION OF SENSITIVE MATERIAL FROM MULTIPLE APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDERS TO A SECURE ELEMENT SUCH AS A UNIVERSAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CARD (UICC) - A method provides end-to-end security for transport of a profile to a target device (e.g., a mobile computing device) over at least one communications network that includes a plurality of nodes. In accordance with the method, the profile is encrypted for transport between the target device and an initial node of the network through which the profile is transported. The encryption is an end-to-end inner layer encryption performed prior to hop-to-hop encryption. The encrypting uses a public key of a public, private key pair. The private key is derivable from a seed securely provisioned in the target device using a public key algorithm. The encrypted profile is transmitted over the communications network to the target device. | 03-20-2014 |
20140082358 | EFFICIENT KEY GENERATOR FOR DISTRIBUTION OF SENSITIVE MATERIAL FROM MULITPLE APPLICATION SERVICE PROVIDERS TO A SECURE ELEMENT SUCH AS A UNIVERSAL INTEGRATED CIRCUIT CARD (UICC) - A method provides end-to-end security for transport of a profile to a target device (e.g., a mobile computing device) over at least one communications network that includes a plurality of nodes. In accordance with the method, the profile is encrypted for transport between the target device and an initial node of the network through which the profile is transported. The encryption is an end-to-end inner layer encryption performed prior to hop-to-hop encryption. The encrypting uses a public key of a public, private key pair. The private key is derivable from a seed securely provisioned in the target device using a public key algorithm. The encrypted profile is transmitted over the communications network to the target device. | 03-20-2014 |
20140082144 | USE OF A RECEIVE-WINDOW SIZE ADVERTISED BY A CLIENT TO A CONTENT SERVER TO CHANGE A VIDEO STREAM BITRATE STREAMED BY THE CONTENT SERVER - A method for transmitting video streams from a server to a media device includes selecting by the server first encoding parameters for a first set of video streams based on a first current bandwidth capacity for a network and based on a first current window size of a receive buffer of the media device, and transmitting the first set of video streams from the server to the media device. The method includes selecting by the server second encoding parameters for a second set of video streams based on a second current bandwidth capacity for the network based on a second current window size of the buffer. The first current bandwidth capacity is different from the second current bandwidth capacity or the first window size is different from the second current window size. The method includes transmitting the second set of video streams from the server to the media device. | 03-20-2014 |
20140082012 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ENHANCED ACCESS TO MULTIMEDIA CONTENTT - A Digital Media Server (DMS) is used to manipulate a Content Directory Service (CDS) database operatively connected to a Digital Media Player (DMP), where the DMS hosts multimedia content that a user wishes to be presented on the DMP. | 03-20-2014 |
20140081921 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO REGIONS OF INTEREST WITHIN MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - A Digital Media Player (DMP) is used to selectively process multimedia files that are hosted on a Digital Media Server (DMS) operatively connected to a Content Directory Service (CDS) database archiving objects associated with the multimedia files, by selecting a desired object. | 03-20-2014 |
20140079398 | Architecture to Communicate with Standard Hybrid Fiber Coaxial RF Signals over a Passive Optical Network (HFC PON) - One or more overlay wavelengths are applied to a GPON architecture to provide sufficient, cost-effective forward bandwidth per home for targeted, unique narrowcast services to allow traditional HFC operators to use a PON architecture with their existing HFC equipment. A separate return path capability using a separate coaxial cable with RF signals to the GPON may also be used. This return capability may be provided either by a fiber optic link or coaxial link from the home. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078401 | DISTRIBUTION AND USE OF VIDEO STATISTICS FOR CLOUD-BASED VIDEO ENCODING - A method for processing a video stream includes receiving first and second copies of the video stream by first and second video processing devices, respectively, and generating first and second statistical data for the video stream by the first and the second video processing devices, respectively. The method further includes transmitting in first and second transmissions the first and the second copies of the video stream with the first and the second statistical data respectively from the first and the second video processing device to a third video processing device, and reading the first and the second statistical data from the first and the second transmissions by the third video processing device. The method further includes combining the first and the second statistical data with one copy of the video stream by the third video processing device, and transmitting the one copy of the video stream with the first and the second statistical data. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078400 | LOW COMPLEXITY SYNCHRONOUS CONTROL OF VIDEO PROCESSING USING VIDEO INFORMATION IN IN-BAND PORTIONS OF VIDEO - A method for processing a video stream includes receiving the video stream at a first video processing circuit, and generating video information for the video stream by the first video processing circuit. The method further includes inserting the video information into an in-band portion of the video stream by the first video processing circuit, and transmitting the video stream with the video information in the in-band portion from the first video processing circuit to a second video processing circuit. The method further includes reading the video information from the in-band portion of the video stream by the second video processing circuit, and processing the video stream by the second video processing circuit using the video information in the in-band portion of the video stream. The method further includes transmitting the video stream with the video information in the in-band portion from the second video processing circuit for additional processing. | 03-20-2014 |
20140078394 | SELECTIVE USE OF CHROMA INTERPOLATION FILTERS IN LUMA INTERPOLATION PROCESS - In one embodiment, a method determines one or more luma interpolation filters for interpolating sub-pel pixel values for a luma component. The one or more luma interpolation filters have a first number of coefficients. Then, the method determines one or more chroma interpolation filters for interpolating sub-pel pixel values for a chroma component. The one or more chroma interpolation filters have a second number of coefficients where the second number of coefficients is less than the first number of coefficients. When the one or more chroma interpolation filters should be used to interpolate a sub-pel pixel value for the luma component, the method uses a chroma interpolation filter to interpolate a sub-pixel value for the luma component by applying coefficients of the chroma interpolation filter to corresponding pixel values for the luma component. | 03-20-2014 |
20140074923 | SELECTIVE CONTENT DISCLOSURE IN AN AD-HOC NETWORK BASED ON SOCIAL COHESION - In a device that is a member of an ad-hoc group in a network, a method includes determining an encounter history of the device with other devices in the ad-hoc group and filtering content intended to be shared by the device with the ad-hoc group based on the encounter history. A device includes a network interface to communicate with other devices in an ad-hoc group of a network and a disclosure assessment agent to determine a disclosure factor for disclosure of content to the ad-hoc group based on an encounter history of the device with other devices in the ad-hoc group. The device further includes a disclosure filter agent to filter content intended to be shared with the ad-hoc group based on the disclosure factor. | 03-13-2014 |
20140068690 | BROADCAST CONTENT TO HTTP CLIENT CONVERSION - In embodiments of broadcast content to HTTP client conversion, a client converter ( | 03-06-2014 |
20140063737 | COMPACT FRONT TO BACK HORIZONTAL COOLING FOR RACK MOUNTED CHASSIS - An improved electronic communications system and process | 03-06-2014 |
20140059594 | PROCESSING EMERGENCY ALERT SYSTEM MESSAGES - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing an emergency alert message (e.g., a national warning system message e.g., an Emergency Alert System (EAS) message). The methods may comprise a digital media server receiving the message. The digital media server may notify client devices (that are connected to that server via a residential Local Area Network) that it has received such a message. The client devices notified may be those that have requested (e.g., to the digital media server) that they are notified if the digital media server receives such a message. The digital media server may convert the message from being in a first format to being in a second format. The digital media server may acquire, and provide for use by the client device, information that may be used a client device to ascertain whether the message is a new, an updated, or a duplicate message. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059351 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONNECTING TO A WIRELESS NETWORK USING A VISUAL CODE - A method for connecting a wireless communication device to a wireless network using a visual code includes reading the visual code that includes an access token that is associated with a wireless access point of the wireless network. The method further includes establishing a secure channel with the wireless access point, and sending the access token to the wireless access point over the secure channel, wherein the access token is used for network access control. Moreover, the method includes receiving security key information from the wireless access point over the secure channel, wherein the security key information is different than the access token. Additionally, the method includes establishing a secure link with the wireless access point using the security key information. | 02-27-2014 |
20140059244 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STREAMING MULTIMEDIA DATA WITH ACCESS POINT POSITIONING INFORMATION - A method and apparatus for streaming multimedia data over a network is provided. A playlist file for a selected multimedia presentation is downloaded by a client device over the network from a streaming server using a transfer protocol. The playlist file provides a list of URIs for media files each providing compressed video data corresponding to a segment of the multimedia presentation. The compressed video data includes reference frames used for video compression. A data file that is associated with the playlist file is also downloaded by the client device over the network from the streaming server using a transfer protocol and provides information identifying a location, a size, and a time stamp for each the reference frames contained in the media files listed by the playlist file. This information can be used by the client device to perform trick plays and to switch and stitch between variant streams. | 02-27-2014 |
20140056367 | CARRIAGE SYSTEMS ENCODING OR DECODING JPEG 2000 VIDEO - A system configured to decode video data in a packetized elementary stream (PES) including frames of image data. The system includes a processor configured to receive a transport stream including control information associated with the image data including video metadata parameters associated with application specific functions applicable to the image data. The processor is also configured to receive the PES including the frames of image data in video access units. The processor is configured to retrieve and decode the retrieved video access units using the control information to form a signal including the frames of image data. The system also includes a storage device configured to store the frames of image data and the control information. | 02-27-2014 |
20140051505 | SOFTWARE-APPLICATION INITIATION - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for triggering (i.e., initiating, launching, or running) a software application (e.g., an interactive game application) or other computer program or application on a user device (e.g., a computer, etc.) based on multimedia content being provided to (e.g., displayed on) a different user device (e.g., a different computer, a television, etc.). The methods may comprise displaying, using a first device, multimedia content. A multimedia-analysis process may then be performed to determine an attribute of the multimedia content being displayed. These attributes may be used to acquire (e.g., select or produce) a software application comprising one or more elements that relate to the multimedia content. The software application may then be launched (i.e., triggered, initiated, or run) on a second device, the second device being different from the first device. | 02-20-2014 |
20140050082 | DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE SWITCHING OF MULTICAST CONTENT DELIVERY TO OPTIMIZE BANDWIDTH USAGE - Systems, devices and methods for adaptive switching in multicast media streams are disclosed herein. In an embodiment, a method for adaptively transmitting content to one or more users based on currently available bandwidth via internet protocol (“IP”) multicast protocol, includes: receiving a first content stream having a plurality of data packets, the first content stream encoded at a first bit rate; receiving a second content stream having a plurality of data packets, the second content stream encoded at a second bit rate, wherein the first bit rate is different than the second bit rate and wherein the first and second content streams represent the same content; transmitting the first content stream to a user; determining that the user could receive the second content stream based on available bandwidth for transmitting data to the user; and transmitting the second content stream to the user. | 02-20-2014 |
20140047488 | LOCATION-BASED PROGRAM LISTING - Disclosed are methods that aid users, especially users temporarily staying in locations remote from home, in finding and accessing media content. A program listing tailored for the user's current location, and showing only services actually available at that location, is created and presented to the user. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the listing to access available media content items. If the user has expressed specific location-based preferences, then those preferences can be taken into account when creating the listing. If a service subscribed to by the user is not available at this remote location, then an alternate provider will be searched for, and, if found, the user's favorite shows can be added to the created program listing. | 02-13-2014 |
20140047479 | LOCATION-BASED PROGRAM LISTING - Disclosed are methods that aid users, especially users temporarily staying in locations remote from home, in finding and accessing media content. A program listing tailored for the user's current location, and showing only services actually available at that location, is created and presented to the user. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the listing to access available media content items. If the user has expressed specific location-based preferences, then those preferences can be taken into account when creating the listing. If a service subscribed to by the user is not available at this remote location, then an alternate provider will be searched for, and, if found, the user's favorite shows can be added to the created program listing. | 02-13-2014 |
20140047063 | LOCATION-BASED PROGRAM LISTING - Disclosed are methods that aid users, especially users temporarily staying in locations remote from home, in finding and accessing media content. A program listing tailored for the user's current location, and showing only services actually available at that location, is created and presented to the user. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the listing to access available media content items. If the user has expressed specific location-based preferences, then those preferences can be taken into account when creating the listing. If a service subscribed to by the user is not available at this remote location, then an alternate provider will be searched for, and, if found, the user's favorite shows can be added to the created program listing. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043539 | Power for an HDMI Source Device - A device is provided for use with an audiovisual device and a cable having a first end and a second end. The audiovisual device can receive digital television audiovisual signals. The cable includes a data channel, a control channel and a power line and can transmit the digital television audiovisual signals. The first end can connect to the audiovisual device, whereas the second end can connect to the device. The device includes a connector, a detecting portion and a power source. The connector can connect to the second end. The detecting portion can generate a connection signal based on a connection of the connector to the second end. The power source can provide power based on the connection signal. | 02-13-2014 |
20140043538 | Two-Way HDMI Communication - A device is provided for use with an audiovisual device and an HDMI cable having a first end and a second end. The first end can connect to the audiovisual device, whereas the second end can connect to the device. The audiovisual device can provide power to the power line of the HDMI cable when providing the digital television audiovisual signals. The device includes an output portion, and input portion and a control portion. The output portion can provide output signals as the digital television audiovisual signals to the second end. The input portion can receive input signals as the digital television audiovisual signals from the second end. The control portion can instruct the output portion to output the digital television audiovisual signals to the second end or can instruct input portion to receive the digital television audiovisual signals from the second end based on the power. | 02-13-2014 |
20140040496 | ON-DEMAND HTTP STREAM GENERATION - In embodiments of on-demand HTTP stream generation, a manifest file ( | 02-06-2014 |
20140038514 | DISPLAY AWARE TRANSCODER SOURCE SELECTION SYSTEM - Systems and methods for efficiently managing the resources in a delivery system may include managing the processing power of a transcoder. By managing the input selection functions of a tuner and linking the selections with functions of a transcoder, the transcoder may process fewer instructions for a given request, resulting in the ability of the transcoder to support more streams. Modifying the inputs to the transcoder that need to be transcoded, therefore, may enable the media content delivery system to support more inputs and, thereby, more media playback devices. Managing the processing power of a transcoder can more efficiently support the delivery of media content to a media playback device, particularly where the delivery system supports multiple media playback devices. | 02-06-2014 |
20140036995 | Method and Apparatus for Selecting a Coding Mode - A method and apparatus for selecting a coding mode for a block of a current picture are disclosed. For example, the method selects a coding mode in accordance with a cost function, for coding the block, wherein the cost function comprises a coding distortion parameter and a number of coding bits parameter, wherein said coding distortion parameter is measured in accordance with at least one of: between a prediction residual and a reconstructed prediction residual, or between a transformed prediction residual and a dequantized transformed prediction residual, wherein the number of coding bits parameter is computed in accordance with at least one of: from a true number of compressed bits resulting from coding said block, directly from a plurality of bins, or directly from a plurality of quantized transform coefficients. | 02-06-2014 |
20140033248 | INCLUDING INSERTS IN MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for including an insert (e.g., an advertisement) in multimedia content. The method comprises receiving, by a receiving module, one or more indications, each indication being an indication that a consumer intends to consume, at some time in the future, the multimedia content. Using the indications, a value of a metric is then determined. The metric is dependent upon the number of received indications or one or more attributes of consumers whom the indications indicate intend to consume the multimedia content. An insert is then selected depending on the determined value for the metric. The selected insert is then included in the multimedia content. | 01-30-2014 |
20140029913 | Controlling Trick Play And Progress of Media Playback For Multiple Media Devices - Controlling trick plays, such as play, pause, fast forward, and rewind, of a plurality of content items includes respectively assigning, via a remote-control device, a plurality of trick-play bars to the plurality of content items. The plurality of trick-play bars is operative on the remote-control device. The controlling further includes directing, via the remote-control device, a plurality of media devices to respectively play the plurality of content items. The controlling further includes displaying, on the remote-control device, the plurality of trick-play bars based on the assigning of the plurality of trick-play bars to the plurality of content items, and controlling an operation, via the remote-control device, of a trick play of one of the plurality of content items, respectively, via an input respectively received by one of the plurality of trick-play bars. | 01-30-2014 |
20140029747 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSCODING CONTENT - A system is provided for use with secure content in a first format. The system includes a conditional access device, a transcoding device and a media processor. The conditional access device is operable to receive the secure content and can generate a second secure content based on the secure content. The conditional access device can further provide the second secure content to the transcoding device. The transcoding device can transcode the second secure content into transcoded content of a second format, can secure the transcoded content as secure transcoded content and can provide the secure transcoded content to the media processor | 01-30-2014 |
20140029655 | METHOD OF CHARACTERIZING IMPAIRMENTS DETECTED BY EQUALIZATION ON A CHANNEL OF A NETWORK - An automated method of characterizing distortion detected by equalization on a channel of a network is provided. Equalization stress of an observed channel equalization response of an end device of the network is estimated, and equalization stress is calculated for a theoretical channel equalization response of the end device mathematically based on the observed channel equalization response and a theoretical removal of a suspected impairment from the network. The above referenced calculating step is separately repeated for each of a plurality of suspected impairments stored in a database of suspected impairments. A highest ranking suspected dominant impairment is determined from the database of suspected impairments such that removal of the highest ranking suspected dominant impairment from the network would provide a greatest reduction of equalization stress of a channel equalization response of the end device. | 01-30-2014 |
20140029654 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHARACTERIZING IMPULSE NOISEAND OPTIMIZING DATA LINK EFFICIENCY - Method and apparatus for characterizing an impulse noise impairment impacting communications over data links of a network are provided. A test signal comprising a bit stream of a predetermined bit sequence and packet size is configured and transmitted over the data links. The test signal is received, and the bit stream of the test signal as transmitted is compared to a bit stream of the test signal as received to identify differences in bit sequence. Thereafter, characteristics of the impulse noise impairment impacting communications between the data links are estimated based on the detected differences in bit sequence. | 01-30-2014 |
20140028917 | DISPLAYING MULTIMEDIA - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for displaying multimedia feeds. The method comprises receiving a plurality of multimedia feeds and, for each of the plurality of multimedia feeds, acquiring a value of a metric and displaying, on a common display, the plurality of multimedia feeds. The metric is variable and its value for a particular multimedia feed and for a particular time is dependent upon either events occurring within that particular multimedia feed at or before that particular time or upon a rating (by one or more entities), at that particular time, of that particular multimedia feed. The multimedia feeds are displayed on the common display such that a first feed is displayed in a manner different from the manner of display of a second feed, the first feed having a first metric value, the second feed having a second metric value, and the first and second metric values being different. | 01-30-2014 |
20140023142 | SIGNALING OF TEMPORAL MOTION VECTOR PREDICTOR (MVP) ENABLE FLAG - In one embodiment, a method determines an I slice in a current picture that is currently being encoded and a value for a flag to enable or disable using temporal motion vector predictors for the I slice. The value for the flag is encoded in an encoded bitstream associated with the I slice being encoded. The method then sends the encoded bitstream to a decoder where encoding the value for the flag for the I slice allows pictures that follow the I picture in a decoding order to use temporal motion vector predictors from a picture that precedes the I picture in the decoding order when temporal motion vector predictors are enabled. | 01-23-2014 |
20140022183 | SENDING AND RECEIVING INFORMATION - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for sending information from a first computer to a second computer. The first computer may comprise a gesture module, a device-detection module, and a transmission module. The method may comprise receiving, by the gesture module, an input. The input may specify the information that is to be sent and a direction relative to the first computer. The input may have been generated by a user of the first computer performing a gesture. Using the specified direction, the device-detection module may then identify the second computer. The second computer may be located relative to the first computer substantially in the specified direction. The specified information may then be sent, by the transmission module, to the second computer. | 01-23-2014 |
20140019952 | SECURE METHOD OF ENFORCING CLIENT CODE VERSION UPGRADE IN DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method for enforcing a software upgrade for software operable on a device includes receiving, at the device, a message including software-version information for the software from a domain controller. The software-version information indicates a list of approved versions of the software. The method includes determining, by the device, the software-version information from the message, and determining a current version of the software included on the device by performing a comparison of versions in the list of approved versions to the current version of the software on the device. If the current version of the software is not included in the list of approved versions, the method includes causing the device to not have or use a set of up-to-date security credentials for a set of content servers, for accessing any pieces of media on the set of content servers until the device has an approved version of the software. | 01-16-2014 |
20140019539 | DETERMINATION OF INFLUENCE SCORES - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining an influence score for a user of one or more social-networking services. The methods comprise acquiring a set of one or more criteria, the criteria having been specified by a first party, acquiring a dataset comprising information that relates to the user's interactions with one or more of the social networks provided by one or more of the social-networking services, selecting from the dataset data that are in accordance with the one or more criteria, and determining some function of the selected data, thereby providing the influence score for the second party. | 01-16-2014 |
20140009476 | AUGMENTATION OF MULTIMEDIA CONSUMPTION - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for augmenting a user's multimedia consumption experience. The methods comprise whilst the user is consuming the multimedia presentation using a first device, that device provides (to one or more remote processors) information that may be used to identify a relevant location. The one or more processors use this information to identify the location and acquire a virtual environment. This virtual environment may be a virtual representation the location. The virtual environment is presented to the user on a second (companion) device. Using the second device, the user may explore the virtual environment and interact with virtual objects therein. | 01-09-2014 |
20140002736 | Determining the Location of a Point of Interest in a Media Stream that includes Caption Data | 01-02-2014 |
20140002362 | User Interface Device Having Capacitive Trackball Assembly | 01-02-2014 |
20130347057 | Privacy Manager for Restricting Correlation of Meta-Content Having Protected Information Based on Privacy Rules - A method intercepts correlation instructions related to a plurality of meta-content elements associated with a primary content. The primary content or the meta-content elements may have associated privacy rules. At least one meta-content element of the group is selected as having privacy protected information specified in the privacy rules. A set of meta-content items, of meta-content element, are determined that are subject to a correlation restriction based on evaluation of the privacy rules with respect to each meta-content item contained in the meta-content element, and the privacy rules for the set of meta-content items are enforced. The privacy rule enforcement may involve preventing execution of the correlation instructions, excluding the selected at least one meta-content element from a correlation based on the correlation instructions, excluding the set of meta-content items from a correlation based on the correlation instructions, or restricting access to a correlation result based on the correlation instructions. | 12-26-2013 |
20130347056 | Content Rights Protection with Arbitrary Correlation of Second Content - A disclosed content rights management system defines a content usage policy via a conditional rule set contained in metadata. The conditional rule set is correlated to at least one second content. An access control manager determines, dynamically, access rights conferrable to a user device or a server, based on the content usage policy and user history parameters. The embodiments may confer limited access rights for a first activity by a user device, or by a server, with respect to the protected content and the second content, and block a second activity with respect to the protected content and the second content, in response to determining that the request for the second content, in conjunction with the user history parameters, does not comply with the conditional rule set for the second activity. | 12-26-2013 |
20130347017 | IDENTIFYING MEDIA ON A MOBILE DEVICE - Disclosed is a method of associating, at a secondary device, secondary media content with primary media content being output at a primary device. The method includes receiving, at the secondary device, first information based upon the primary content being output at the primary device, wherein the first information includes at least one of an audio and a visual signal, determining at the secondary device second information corresponding to the first information, receiving at the secondary device one or more portions of secondary media content that have been made available by a third device, determining at the secondary device whether one or more of the portions of the secondary media content match one or more portions of the second information, and taking at least one further action upon determining that there is a match. | 12-26-2013 |
20130346631 | TIME-SYNCHRONIZING A PARALLEL FEED OF SECONDARY CONTENT WITH PRIMARY MEDIA CONTENT - Disclosed is a method of operating a secondary device in a manner associated with operation of a primary device including obtaining first information corresponding to a media asset being output by the primary device, processing the first information to determine local media-signature information, transmitting the first information for receipt by a server, receiving secondary information from the server, wherein the secondary information includes a plurality of asset-media signatures that respectively correspond to respective portions of the media asset, attempting to determine a time-based correlation between at least one portion of the local media-signature information and at least one of the asset-media signatures, and outputting one or more portions of time-relevant asset streams from the secondary device, the one or more portions being determined at least indirectly based upon the correlation. | 12-26-2013 |
20130346414 | Correlation Engine and Method for Granular Meta-Content Having Arbitrary Non-Uniform Granularity - One disclosed method includes receiving correlation instructions related to a plurality of meta-content elements that are associated with a primary content. The primary content may be multimedia content such as, but not limited to, an audiovisual content. The method includes performing a correlation in response to receiving the instructions. The correlation is between the meta-content elements, where the meta-content elements each have an arbitrary granularity defining meta-content segments. The method returns a result based on the correlation. Another disclosed method include receiving a request having correlation instructions related to a plurality of meta-content elements, where the meta-content elements are associated with a primary content. Again, each meta-content element has an arbitrary granularity defining meta-content segments. The method includes determining, in response to receiving the request, a composite of meta-content segments of the plurality of meta-content elements, based on the correlation instructions. | 12-26-2013 |
20130339153 | CUSTOMIZATION OF MULTIMEDIA - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing customized multimedia content to a user. Multimedia content is provided to a further user. The multimedia content comprises non-customizable, non-advertisement primary content and a customizable advertising opportunity. The further user may customize the advertising opportunity to produce customized multimedia content, which may then be sent, or shared with the user (for consumption by that user). Customization may include selecting an advertisement and including the selected advertisement in the advertising opportunity or selecting an advertising policy for the advertising opportunity. The advertisements (or policies) may be based on preferences (e.g., likes, dislikes, hobbies, interests) of the user. | 12-19-2013 |
20130336384 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EFFICIENT SLICE HEADER PROCESSING - A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for encoding or decoding a sequence comprising a plurality of pictures, each of the plurality of pictures partitionable into one or more slices, each of the one or more slices processed at least in part according to a slice header. In one embodiment, all the relative syntax and function calls under the condition of slice type equal to P or B are grouped together, and syntax describing the initial value for a quantization parameter to be used in coding blocks of data and deblocking related syntax are separately grouped. | 12-19-2013 |
20130335627 | CUSTOMIZATION OF MULTIMEDIA - Disclosed are methods and apparatus for processing video content. The method comprises receiving the video content, processing the received video content, and providing, for display on a client device (e.g., a television, computer display, etc.), the processed video content. The processing of the video content uses one or more rules, each of which specifies one or more conditions and one or more actions. Each condition is a criterion for an attribute of the video content. Each action is a transformation of the video content that transforms the values of one or more attributes of the video content. The processing of the video content comprises, for each rule, determining whether the received video content satisfies each of the one or more conditions specified by that rule, and, if it does, performing, on the received video content, each of the actions specified by that rule. | 12-19-2013 |
20130326577 | POLICY ENFORCEMENT FOR MULTIPLE DEVICES USING AN AUDIENCE DEFINITION - In one embodiment, a method determines an audience rule to be applied for delivering content. The audience rule specifies an audience that is defined based on a combination of device properties, content properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties. A device group associated with a group of devices is determined where devices in the device group are associated with content authorization properties, device properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties. The method then applies the audience rule to the device group to determine any devices in the group of devices in which a content authorization for a device should be altered based on analyzing the content authorization properties, device properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties of the device group and the combination of device properties, content properties, and digital rights management (DRM) properties of the audience rule. | 12-05-2013 |
20130322547 | METHOD OF DETERMINING BINARY CODEWORDS FOR TRANSFORM COEFFICIENTS - A system is provided for determining a binary codeword for a symbol representing a transform coefficient within transform units (TUs) that divide up coding units (CUs) in a High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) system. The system determines a truncated rice prefix and, when a parameter variable is greater than zero, determines a truncated rice suffix for the symbol. The system determines a main prefix either from the truncated rice prefix alone, or from a combination of the truncated rice prefix and the truncated rice suffix. When the main prefix is the same as a comparison string, the system also determines a main suffix. The system determines the final binary codeword for the symbol either from the main prefix alone, or from a combination of the main prefix and the main suffix. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321970 | Surge Protector - A surge protection circuit having an open circuit voltage surge protector, such as a gas discharge tube (GDT), a closed circuit current surge protector, such as a thermistor, and a thyristor. The GDT has a breakdown voltage that is at least a first defined amount higher than an anticipated highest peak voltage. The thermistor has a series resistance associated with a series resistance of electrical equipment being protected and a breakdown voltage that is at least a second defined amount higher than an impulse voltage (voltage required to excite the GDT based on the breakdown voltage) for the GDT. The thyristor has a rated peak current at least a third defined amount greater than a peak current for the thermistor. | 12-05-2013 |
20130321964 | Surge Protector - A surge protection circuit having an open circuit voltage surge protector, such as a gas discharge tube (GDT), a closed circuit current surge protector, such as a thermistor, and a thyristor. The GDT has a breakdown voltage that is at least a first defined amount higher than an anticipated highest peak voltage. The thermistor has a series resistance associated with a series resistance of electrical equipment being protected and a breakdown voltage that is at least a second defined amount higher than an impulse voltage (voltage required to excite the GDT based on the breakdown voltage) for the GDT. The thyristor has a rated peak current at least a third defined amount greater than a peak current for the thermistor. | 12-05-2013 |
20130315306 | Personal Video Recorder - A sequence of picture slices is encoded as reference slices and non-reference slices, wherein the reference slices include B slices, by forming, for each B slice, at least one data packet containing data values derived from brightness and color information pertaining to the slice. The data packet for each B slice includes a header element indicating whether the B slice is a reference slice. The header element of each reference B slice has a value that depends on depth of the reference B slice in a hierarchy of discardability. | 11-28-2013 |
20130312048 | ARRAY OF TRANSCODER INSTANCES WITH INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) PROCESSING CAPABILITIES - In one embodiment, a method processes video in a system including a host computer processing unit (CPU) and a plurality of transcoder instances. The method receives, by a transcoder instance in the plurality of transcoder instances, first Internet Protocol (IP) packets from a host router coupled to the host CPU. The transcoder instance decapsulates the first IP packets to determine video from a payload of each of the first IP packets and generates a transport stream of video from the video from the payload. The transport stream is in a format in which the transcoder instance can perform a transcoding operation. The transport stream of video is processed by performing the transcoding operation on the transport stream of video. The transcoder instance then encapsulates the processed video from the transport stream of video in second IP packets and sends the second IP packets to a destination. | 11-21-2013 |
20130311298 | TARGETED AUDIO STREAM - A system and method is configured to receive a single video stream, synchronized with multiple audio streams, from a content producer. In addition, viewer information is received from a client device; and viewer profile information is retrieved. The client device is provided instructions to switch to one of the multiple audio streams that closely correspond to the viewer profile information, while maintaining the same video stream and synchronization. | 11-21-2013 |
20130308440 | REDUNDANT ARCHITECTURE FOR FAILOVER OF TRANSCODER INSTANCES - In one embodiment, a system includes a first subsystem that includes components configured to route video to transcoder instances for transcoding. The first subsystem includes a first host CPU configured to coordinate routing of first IP packets including video through a first routing system to the transcoder instances. The system also includes a second subsystem that includes components configured to route video to transcoder instances for transcoding. The second subsystem includes a second host CPU configured to coordinate routing of second IP packets including video through a second routing system to the transcoder instances. A redundancy connection connects the first subsystem and the second subsystem together to allow routing of the first IP packets or the second IP packets from the one of first subsystem and the second subsystem through the other of the first subsystem and the second subsystem. | 11-21-2013 |