| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080201738 | Digital broadcast playback method for mobile terminal - A digital broadcast playback method for a mobile terminal is disclosed. The digital broadcast playback method includes updating, upon transitioning to a broadcast reception mode, electronic service guide (ESG) data, displaying a service channel list using the ESG data, selecting a service channel in the service channel list, downloading at least one auxiliary data element from an auxiliary data page associated with the selected service channel and playing back a broadcast program of the selected service channel together with at least one of the downloaded auxiliary data elements, | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080201739 | Master guide table for digital broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the table - A master guide table for a digital broadcast protocol, and a method of broadcasting and updating an electronic program guide using the table, uses identification information included in a bit stream syntax of the master guide table to classify whether contents of an event information table are merely shifted in time, or are actually changed. The master guide table is transmitted in accordance with a program and system information protocol (PSIP) for an advanced television system committee (ATSC) defined standard digital television broadcast protocol. A digital television receiver of a receiving party, or a digital cable broadcast receiver, can determine whether the contents of the event information table EIT are merely shifted in time or actually changed by parsing the identification information in the master guide table MGT. If the parsed contents of the identification information indicate that the event information table contents are merely shifted in time without any change, then a database maintaining previous event information table is not updated. Accordingly, time wasted in unnecessarily updating the database can be decreased. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080201740 | INTERNET TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM - An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view television program guide listings and related video stills and video clips. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings (e.g., to search for a particular type of television program). If desired, the user can select an option that directs the multimedia system to tune directly to a television channel for a selected program or to a related television program guide or movie guide service on a television channel. The user can order pay-per-view events using the system. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080209468 | Clock-Based User Interface for Audio/Video Play Lists Navigation/Editing - An apparatus for navigating an area ( | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080209469 | Extensible encoding for interactive user experience elements - Detailed herein is a technology which, among other things, allows for storage and playback of interactive user elements in a television stream. In one approach to this technology, a content data stream, including a television program and a user experience element, is received. This content data stream is transformed, and the transformed data stream is examined, to identify which packets are associated with the user experience element. Those packets are then passed to a handler appropriate for the user experience element. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080209470 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE GENERATION - A receiver-decoder apparatus has a receiver-decoder circuit capable of receiving and decoding broadcast television signals of different services to generate therefrom a video signal for display of an image on a display device. The apparatus has an EPG generator for generating a signal for display on said display device of an electronic program guide listing services and events in respect of those services. The EPG generator identifies further events which are related to respective events in the electronic program guide. In the electronic program guide, the further events are shown associated with the events to which they are related. The events in respect of each service are shown by blocks arranged along a time line. The further events are shown by adjacent blocks scaled to create a perspective view of the blocks of the further events being more distant than the blocks of the events to which they are related. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080209471 | PROGRAM TABLE DISPLAY DEVICE AND PROGRAM TABLE DISPLAY METHOD - According to one embodiment, in a case of displaying an electronic program table prepared based on program information so that the table can move on a screen, when it is requested that the displayed electronic program table be moved to display, on the screen, a portion corresponding to a date on which any program information is not distributed, it is notified that no program information is present. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080216116 | Providing Zapping Streams to Broadcast Receivers - Methods and systems for providing zapping data for one or more programs transmitted using timeslicing are disclosed herein. Zapping data may be provided by a zapping data provider or server, or may be created at the mobile terminal based on received program information. Zapping data may be provided to mobile terminals via a wireless multicast network, such as a DVB-H network, using a variety of timeslicing techniques, including providing a separate zapping data stream, providing zapping data as part of the source stream, or allowing mobile terminals to derive zapping data from the source content's broadcast stream. Zapping images may be selected from I-frames of video transmissions. An IP encapsulator may synchronize broadcast streams such that I-frames are transmitted concurrently, and at the beginning of timeslice bursts. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080216117 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR COLLECTING USER INTEREST INFORMATION - A user interest information-collecting method and apparatus of the present invention are provided for collecting user interest information on the basis of program viewing-behavior patterns of a user. The user interest information-collecting method includes extracting program guide information from a digital broadcast data received by the digital broadcast receiver; classifying by keyword information items contained in the program guide information; selecting at least one of the information items as user interest fields on the basis of user-viewing history; retrieving relevant information items of the user interest fields; and designating at least one of retrieved relevant information items selected by the user as user interest information item. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080216118 | METHOD OF PROVIDING USER INTERFACE IN DATA BROADCASTNG RECEIVER - A method of providing a user interface in a data broadcasting receiver is provided. The method of providing a user interface in a data broadcasting receiver comprises selecting one of a plurality of search factor information transmitted together with video information through data broadcasting and displaying selection options for selecting one of a plurality of video information comprising a part of the video information corresponding to the selected search factor. Therefore, the user can simply search for various information while viewing a movie, a TV program, a sports, etc provided through data broadcasting. | 09-04-2008 |
| 20080222677 | METHOD OF DISPLAYING BROADCAST CHANNEL INFORMATION AND BROADCAST RECEIVER IMPLEMENTING THE SAME - A method of displaying broadcast channel information on a broadcast terminal. The method includes touching a pointer at a first position on a touch screen of the broadcast terminal and then dragging the pointer to a second position on the touch screen, and displaying information about broadcast channels respectively assigned in advance to the first and second positions while the pointer is dragged from the first position to the second position. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080229356 | Real-time video compression - There are provided a method, a system and machine-readable medium for encoding a video broadcast. The method includes obtaining one or more first compression settings for the video broadcast from an electronic program guide (EPG), the EPG associating the video broadcast with the one or more first compression settings. The method further includes compressing the video broadcast using the one or more first compression settings into a distribution broadcast. Yet further, the method includes distributing the distribution broadcast. There is also provided a method, system and machine readable medium to provide compression settings for encoding a video broadcast. The method includes inserting one or more compression settings into an electronic program guide (EPG) in association with the video broadcast based on a content type of the video broadcast. The method further includes distributing the EPG. | 09-18-2008 |
| 20080235727 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING BROADCAST PROGRAM LISTING INFORMATION THEREOF - A broadcast receiving apparatus which displays broadcast program listing information is disclosed. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes an EPG processor which configures an EPG screen displaying broadcast programs listing information as a plurality of icons, and a display unit which displays the EPG screen configured by the EPG processor. Accordingly, a user can select desired broadcast program quickly and easily. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080235728 | BROADCASTING RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR EXECUTING APPLICATIONS IN BROADCASTING RECEIVING APPARATUS - Provided are a broadcast receiving apparatus, and a method for executing an application in the broadcast receiving apparatus. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a controller which assigns a channel number of the broadcast receiving apparatus to an application; a storage unit which stores the channel number; a user input unit which receives a user input signal; and a communication unit which controls data transmission or reception through an interactive communication network, wherein, if the user input signal selects the channel number, the controller executes the application. Accordingly, by utilizing the broadcast receiving apparatus, users can easily access services which are provided through an interactive communication network. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080244650 | PROGRAM TABLE DISPLAYING APPARATUS AND PROGRAM TABLE DISPLAYING METHOD - According to one embodiment, a program table displaying apparatus is provided with a preparing section configured to prepare an electronic program table describing a program name and an explanatory text thereof for each program based upon acquired program information, a setting section configured to set a display aspect of the program name and the explanatory text thereof to the prepared electronic program table, and a displaying section configured to display the electronic program table prepared by the preparing section based upon the set display aspect such that the program name and the explanatory text thereof are displayed different in display aspect. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080244651 | BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS AND BROADCAST RECEPTION METHOD - According to one embodiment, there is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus includes a tuner which selects one from a plurality of channels, demodulates a selected broadcast signal, and outputs a demodulation signal, an extracting unit extracting an electronic program information from the demodulation signal output, a superimposing unit which produces a video signal based on given channel history information and program title information corresponding to the channel history information, and superimposes the video signal onto a video signal produced based on the demodulation signal, and a control unit which stores the channel history information selected by the tuner, extracts the program title information corresponding to the channel history information from the electronic program information of the extracting unit, and supplies the program title information to the superimposing unit together with the channel history information. | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080250452 | Content-Related Information Acquisition Device, Content-Related Information Acquisition Method, and Content-Related Information Acquisition Program - Information relating to content such as a broadcast program is collected from a wide range of sources. Upon input of content-identifying information, which is information specifying content, a content-affiliated information acquisition unit ( | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080250453 | Log Processing - Reporting data related to content processing devices, e.g., television devices, are processed to identify channel tunes and corresponding tune times of the content processing devices. Automatically generated channel tunes based on the corresponding tune times are identified. Content items that are aired during a time period defined by the corresponding tune times can be adjusted. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080250454 | INFORMATION TRANSMITTING APPARATUS AND METHOD, INFORMATION RECEIVING APPARATUS AND METHOD, PROVIDER, AND BROADCASTING SYSTEM - MPEG video encoders and MPEG audio encoders encode video signals and audio signals, respectively. An SI/EPG data generator generates program information. A transport stream multiplexer multiplexes the program information with video data and audio data. A system controller controls the data output rates of the encoding operations and the multiplexing ratio. | 10-09-2008 |
| 20080256575 | PROGRAM GUIDE DATA MANAGEMENT FOR MEDIA CONTENT ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary system includes a data loader and a data slicer. The data loader is configured to receive and process raw program guide data, and to store the processed program guide data in a data store, the processing including generating a unique program identifier for each program represented in the raw program guide data. The data slicer is configured to generate a program guide data configuration from the processed program guide data, the program guide data configuration including program guide data organized into a plurality of data structures based on categories of the program guide data. The plurality of data structures includes at least one channel data structure, at least one schedule data structure, at least one detailed program information data structure, and indices for use as references between different ones of the data structures. | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080256576 | Method and Apparatus for Detecting Content Item Boundaries - The invention relates to a method of identifying a boundary ( | 10-16-2008 |
| 20080263593 | Data collection for a comprehensive program guide - Data collection for a comprehensive program guide is described. In embodiment(s), a content distributor communicates media content to client devices via an IP-based network. The client devices also receive off-air media content along with off-air program guide data that corresponds to the off-air media content. The content distributor can then receive the off-air program guide data from any one or more of the client devices to update a comprehensive program guide at the content distributor. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080263594 | Schedule of a Broadcast Management System - The invention concerns schedules of a broadcast management system. In particular but not limited to, the invention concerns the managing of electronic schedules by a TV broadcaster having one or more television channels. The invention also concerns methods for creating, managing and broadcasting schedules database by a broadcast management system. The invention further concerns a datastore, a software application program and a computer system for implementing these methods. The schedule is comprised of events ( | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080263595 | Information processing apparatus and method and program - In the present invention, there is provide an information processing apparatus configured to present, to a user, a content guide arranged with a plurality of content frames including information for guiding predetermined content, the information processing apparatus including: a presentation control unit for presenting, to the user, if a first content guide of a first range is being presented, a second content guide formed by a second range different from the first range when a first condition is satisfied, the second content guide including a focus content frame focused as processing subject when the first condition was satisfied, instead of the first content guide. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20080271075 | Broadcasting System, Broadcasting Station Apparatus, Receiving Device, and Broadcasting Method - A receiving device receives a plurality of first and second program information. The first program information is information relating to each of broadcasting scheduled programs within a predetermined time period from the date of transmission of a broadcasting signal by a broadcasting station apparatus. The second program information is information relating to a broadcasting scheduled program in the future after a predetermined time period from the date of transmission of the broadcasting signal. A controller in the receiving device stores, when there is a reservation based on the second program information, the reserved second program information in a reservation information storage. Thereafter, the controller compares the reserved second program information with a plurality of first program information newly received, and determines whether or not there is first program information that coincides with the second program information. The controller updates, when there is first program information that coincides with the second program information, information relating to the reserved program stored in the reservation information storage on the basis of the first program information. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080271076 | Method and Apparatus for Switching Between Edge Device Resources in an SDV System - A process is provided that may be employed by a set top terminal when a viewer is engaged in a SDV session and is required to switch from one edge device to another. The method begins when a set top terminal receives an SDV program forwarded over an access network by a first digital modulator. The SDV program is received on a first SDV channel associated with the first digital modulator. Next, a request is received to tune to a second SDV channel associated with a second digital modulator to thereby continue receiving the SDV program over the access network. The set top terminal detects an event indicating that a change from the first SDV channel to the second SDV channel will lessen disruption to a viewer of the SDV program. Finally, the set top terminal tunes to the second SDV channel. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080271077 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING AND APPARATUS OF RECEIVING MOBILE SERVICE DATA - A data transmission system for minimizing the number of errors during Tx/Rx times of mobile service data under mobile environments, and a data processing method for the same are disclosed. The system additionally codes the mobile service data, and transmits the resultant coded mobile service data. As a result, the mobile service data has a strong resistance to noise and channel variation, and can quickly cope with the rapid channel variation. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080276275 | Program guide system with video-on-demand browsing - An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a viewer may direct a television to simultaneously display a selected television program and a program guide display. A viewer may use the program guide display to browse available video-on-demand (VOD) while continuing to view a previously selected program in the background. The viewer may browse through video-on-demand programs on the program guide display using a variety of keys on a remote control unit. The viewer may direct the program guide to order a given video-on-demand program, and set a desired broadcast time for that program. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080276276 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF RECEIVING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - An apparatus for and a method of receiving an electronic program guide (EPG), the EPG receiving apparatus including: a receiving unit to receive basic EPG information and detailed EPG information corresponding to the basic EPG information from the server; a buffer to temporarily store the detailed EPG information; a control unit to request the detailed EPG information corresponding to the basic EPG information that is currently displayed on a screen, to receive the detailed EPG information from the server, and to store the detailed EPG information in the buffer; and a display unit to display selected detailed EPG information from among the detailed EPG information stored in the buffer and the basic EPG information. Accordingly, the detailed EPG information is provided to users within a short time period. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20080282288 | REMOTE CONTROL UNIT AND REMOTELY OPERATING METHOD - Provided is a remote control unit for remotely controlling an external device. The remote control unit includes a key input part having a plurality of keys, a wireless communication module, a memory device, a display part, and a controller. The wireless communication module transmits/receives data to/from the external device. The memory device stores key codes controlling operations of the external device, and electronic program guide information transmitted from the external device. The display part displays the electronic program guide information. The controller allows the electronic program guide information stored in the memory device to be output through the display part when a predetermined key of the key input part is input, and allows program information selected by manipulation of the key input part to be transmitted to the external device through the wireless communication module. | 11-13-2008 |
| 20080288979 | System and method for providing fast channel surfing - A system and method for enabling television watchers to “channel surf” faster and reduce the amount of bandwidth used over a network to communicate television channels to end-users. Electronic programming guide information and images associated therewith may be communicated to an end-user. An image associated with a video program may be displayed on an electronic display (e.g., television) in response to an end-user selecting a channel prior to video programming being displayed. By displaying an image prior to the video programming, the end-user may determine whether he or she wants to watch the video program prior to the video programming being displayed, which improves the speed of “channel surfing.” Because end-users can view the image when selecting a channel, a network can be configured to distribute the channels that are currently being watched rather than distributing many on a continuous basis, thereby preserving bandwidth. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080288980 | Interactive computer system for providing television schedule information - The present invention provides systems and methods for providing television schedule and/or listing information to a viewer, and for allowing the viewer to link, search, select and interact with information in a remote database, e.g., a database on the internet. The television schedule and/or listing information can be displayed on a variety of viewer interfaces, such as televisions screens, computer monitors, PCTV screens and the like. The television schedule and/or listing information may be stored on the viewer's computer, television, PCTV, or a remote server (e.g., a website), or the television schedule and/or listing information may be downloaded from a remote database to the viewer's computer, television or PCTV. | 11-20-2008 |
| 20080295131 | System and method of delivering media content | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080301731 | Data Processing Apparatus and Data Processing Method - A data processing apparatus for generating a screen image includes an obtaining section ( | 12-04-2008 |
| 20080307459 | Modular remote control and user interfaces - Techniques are described to customize the functional capabilities of a remote control device with one or more modular hardware components. In an implementation, a modular hardware component coupled to a remote control device is identified. A user interface is configured according to the identified modular hardware component and/or the functional capabilities of the identified modular hardware component. The configured user interface corresponds to the modular hardware component and is operable via inputs or data provided through user manipulation of the modular hardware component. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20080320515 | Self-organizing media content - Self-organizing media content is described. In embodiment(s), a self-organizing map can be applied to metadata that corresponds to television media content. A media content array of television media content choices can then be generated based on the mapped metadata where the media content array is organized to include n-dimensions that are each based on a different attribute of the metadata. The media content array can then be displayed on a user interface that facilitates dynamic traversal of the media content array for viewer selection of the television media content choices. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090007173 | APPARATUS, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR PRESENTING AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAMMING GUIDE - Apparatuses, methods, and computer program products for presenting an interactive programming guide are provided. An embodiment may include providing an apparatus configured to deliver media programs and an interactive programming guide to a monitor to be viewed by a user. The interactive programming guide may list channels and media programs available to the user. The apparatus may be configured to filter the interactive programming guide by limiting the channels and media programs listed in the interactive programming guide based on one or more attributes of the media programs. The user may be able to choose the attributes to be used as the filter either through a current media program being watched by the user or through the interactive programming guide. The attributes may be identified through metadata associated with the media programs. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090007174 | RECEIVING APPARATUS AND RECEIVING METHOD - A receiving apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit for receiving television broadcasts and a communication unit for receiving streaming broadcasts via a network. A guide information producing unit produces guide information for displaying a program guide for television broadcast programs and a program guide for streaming broadcast programs on the same screen. An outputting unit outputs to a display device image data on the television broadcasts, image data on the streaming broadcasts, and the guide information. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090007175 | IMAGE DISPLAYING METHOD AND DISPLAY APPARATUS USING THE SAME - An image displaying method and a display apparatus using the same are provided. A broadcast forwarding device processes OSD. In a poor reception state of a broadcasting signal received from the broadcast forwarding device, the display apparatus displays an image informing of the bad reception state. The display apparatus displays the stored image including a guidance message through the decoding, rather than the OSD. Accordingly, even without a component for generating the OSD, the display apparatus can show the necessary message to a user. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090007176 | CONTENT SYNDICATION TO SET TOP BOX THROUGH IP NETWORK - Tools are provided for supporting content syndication to a set top box. The set top box requests a syndicated feed at regularly scheduled times, and receives the syndicated feed through an Internet Protocol (“IP”) network. Hence, a syndicated feed is distributed to the set top box that subscribes to the syndicated feed. Additionally, the set top box converts the syndicated feed for use by the set top box, and causes at least one image based at least in part on the syndicated feed to be displayed on a display device for a user. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090007177 | Packet-Based Digital Display System - An all-digital display system includes an electronic processor that is operable to receive an internet protocol video packet and to generate a control signal based at least in part on the internet protocol video packet. In one particular embodiment, the electronic processor includes at least a header processor, a CPU electronic processor, and a display processor unit. The all-digital display system also includes one or more light sources capable of generating one or more optical signals and one or more light modulating chips. The one or more light modulating chips are operable to receive the one or more optical signals and to modulate the one or more optical signals based at least in part on the control signal. The all-digital display system further comprises one or more display screens operable to receive the modulated signals communicated from the light modulating chips. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090013350 | Display of movie titles in a library - Techniques for displaying a library of many movies and providing interactive mechanisms for users to browse the library, select or order a title are disclosed. In one embodiment, movie titles are presented or displayed in movie banners, each resembling at least part or all of a corresponding movie poster distributed and promoted commercially by a studio or production company. Such a movie banner provides an expression with substantially similar style, colors and background such that a coincident impact may be created on audience when the movie banner is seen. Further each of the banners is embedded with a link that leads to a full review of the movie when selected. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090013351 | Distribution Device and Reception Device - There is provided a preview distribution technique capable of realizing a flexible preview distribution between a distribution side and a user side. According to the technique, preview meta data describing reference destination information to the preview-constituting data of a plurality of types constituting the content preview is transmitted to a reception terminal. The reception terminal acquires the preview-constituting data by using the reference destination information described in the preview meta data and generates/reproduces the preview. Thus, when modifying the preview, the reception terminal can reproduce the preview after the modification, by acquiring only the data constituting the preview of the modified part, thereby easily modifying the data constituting the preview. That is, it is possible to perform a flexible preview distribution. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090013352 | PROGRAM GUIDE DATA DECODING METHOD AND APPARATUS OF DIGITAL BROADCAST RECEIVER - A program guide data decoding method for a digital broadcast receiver includes detecting a request to decode structural data including a data unit and decoding the structural data using a template that matches the structure of the data unit when the matching template exists. | 01-08-2009 |
| 20090019480 | SYSTEM FOR REMOTE ACCESS OF MEDIA SERVICES - A system for remote access of media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to present at a communication device one or more manageable services of a Set-Top Box operating in an Internet Protocol Television media system. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090019481 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090019482 | IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD THEREOF - An image display apparatus and an information providing method using the image display apparatus are provided. The image display apparatus such as a digital TV classifies RSS information, which is provided from a web server, according to the time slot and displays the RSS information in predetermined categories at corresponding time slots on a screen in order to provide a user with the RSS information. Therefore, the user can check desired information easily and rapidly. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090025031 | METHOD FOR SCHEDULING A BROADCAST BASED ON VIEWING TIME AND BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS - A method for scheduling a broadcast based on a viewing start time and a broadcast receiving apparatus using the same are provided. The broadcast scheduling method includes detecting a viewing start time of a current broadcast, and scheduling at least one of a plurality of broadcast relating to the current broadcast based on the viewing start time. Accordingly, desired broadcasts can be scheduled. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090025032 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE DISPLAY DEVICE, AND ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE DISPLAY METHOD - In the present invention, a remote control input analyzing part ( | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090025033 | INTEGRATED CONTENT GUIDE FOR INTERACTIVE SELECTION OF CONTENT AND SERVICES ON PERSONAL COMPUTER SYSTEMS WITH MULTIPLE SOURCES AND MULTIPLE MEDIA PRESENTATION - A integrated content guide for multiple sources is provided with hyper-text type links to allow for the selection of various programs. The hyper-text links are provided for a transmitted and then stored digital bit stream. This allows for the embedding within the content guide what could be additional commercial information. The embedding may also be as to additional information for other related television or radio shows or the like. Information can be additional television shows, related information or activities on on-line services or automatic telephone ordering of products or services being displayed. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090031343 | INTUITIVE ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE DISPLAY - A method and system for generating an electronic program guide includes a receiving unit | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090031344 | METHOD FOR ARRANGING VIRTUAL CHANNELS AND LINEAR CHANNELS FOR A CONTENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A method for arranging virtual channels and linear channels for a content processing system includes establishing a linear channel number assignment for linear channel, generating a virtual channel assignment and arranging the virtual channel assignments with a predetermined relationship to the linear channel number assignment. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090031345 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREORDERING CONTENT IN A USER DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH A CONTENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A system and method for preordering content includes a content processing system and a user device in communication with the content processing system. The content processing system receives program guide data for linear channels and receives future available content data at the user device. The future available content data comprises an availability window having an availability start time and an availability end time. The user device stores the program guide data in the user device storing the future available content data in a memory of the user device, forms a future content selection, and stores the future content selection in a queue until the availability window is reached. When within the availability window, the user device communicates a material identification to the content processing system. The content processing system communicates the content corresponding to the material identification to the user device. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090031346 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POPULATING A MENU STRUCTURE ON A USER DEVICE - A method and system includes a user device and a content processing system establishing a structure for a menu. The content processing system receives content, receives metadata corresponding to the content from a content provider and communicates the metadata to the user device. The user device populates the menu with the metadata. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090031347 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSOCIATING CONTENT AND CONTENT INFORMATION IN A MENU STRUCTURE - A system and method includes a user device and a content processing system receiving content from a content provider, assigning a material identification to the content, receiving content information different than the content, associating the content information and the content and communicating the content information and material identification to the user device. The user device forms a menu from the content information and associated material identification, generates a menu selection from the menu, and communicates the material identification associated with the menu selection to the content processing system. The content processing system communicates the content corresponding to the menu selection to the user device. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090031348 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TUNING VIRTUAL CHANNELS AND LINEAR CHANNELS IN A USER DEVICE ASSOCIATED WITH A CONTENT PROCESSING SYSTEM - A system for tuning virtual channels and linear channels includes a user device receiving program guide data for linear channels and receiving homepage data for a virtual channel. The user device stores the program guide data and the homepage data for the virtual channel in a memory. The user device has a user interface generating a channel number selection. The user device tunes to the linear channel when the channel number selection corresponds to a linear channel and retrieves the homepage data from the memory. The homepage information is displayed when the channel number selection corresponds to a virtual channel. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090031349 | METHOD FOR SELECTING CHANNELS OF MAIN SCREEN/SUB-SCREEN, AND IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A method for selecting channels for a main screen and a sub-screen, and an image display apparatus using the method are provided. The method for selecting channels enables a user to select channels for not only the main screen but also the sub-screen. If a channel of the sub-screen is selected from the channel list, the image display apparatus may automatically turn on the sub-screen so that the selected channel is displayed on the sub-screen. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090031350 | PROGRAM INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND PROGRAM INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD - A program information processing apparatus and a program information processing method that are capable of easily conducting a program search using an electronic program guide and displaying the search result clearly on the electronic program guide. A display control unit for displaying on a display unit an electronic program guide containing information relating to a plurality of programs, a selection unit for selecting a program from the plurality of programs in response to the operation of a user, and a search unit for searching a program containing information identical to or similar to at least a part of the information of the program selected by the selection unit are included, wherein the display control unit displays search result by the search unit on the electronic program guide. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090031351 | Apparatus and Method for Setting Broadcasting Program as a Background Image, and Portable Device Using the Same - A method of providing a background image in a portable device includes extracting broadcasting signals of broad-casting channels in a given order on the basis of a background image setting information, and displaying broadcasting images corresponding to the broadcasting signals as the background image on corresponding displaying areas of the portable device. In the method, broadcasting image(s) of predetermined broadcasting channels are used as the background image of the portable device, and thus a moving image as well as a still image may be set as the background image of the portable device. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090037953 | METHOD FOR SELECTION OF A USER DESIRED PART OF A VIDEO SIGNAL - Method for selection of a user desired part of a video signal based on user input data, comprising: receiving said video signal, receiving said a data signal, said data signal comprising a content descriptor which is descriptive of a current content of said video signal, determining segments of said video signal based on said content descriptor, wherein a respective boundary of a segment is defined by a change of content, determining said user desired part of said video signal by comparing said user input data and said segments. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090037954 | Content Reproducing Apparatus, Method, and Medium - A content reproduction method is provided. First, a broadcast program having a program content is received and electronic program guide data including program information on the broadcast program is received. Then, a content corresponding to the program content of the broadcast program is retrieved from a network based on the electronic program guide data. Finally, identification information identifying the content is displayed with the program information. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090049471 | Digital Broadcast Receiving Apparatus and Content Display Method - The invention is directed to the provision of a digital broadcast receiving apparatus that presents the details of a plurality of content for viewing before a user performs a content switching (determining) operation, and thereby enables the user to precheck the details of the plurality of contents by a simple operation and start viewing the desired content quickly. The receiving apparatus includes a display for displaying content by receiving data broadcast, list displaying means for displaying content items in the form of a list, a preview displaying section for displaying the content simultaneously with preview content, a preview switching section for switching the display of the preview content to destination content associated with an item selected by a pointer as the pointer is moved over the content items, and a display control section for displaying a preview of destination content associated with an item located adjacent to the item selected by the pointer. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090049472 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD - A digital broadcasting system for transmitting/receiving a digital broadcasting signal and a data processing method are disclosed. A program table information has an identifier identifying mobile service data and main service data in a broadcasting signal. The program table information is mulitiplexed with the mobile service data and main service data. Then, broadcast receiving system can receive and output the mobile service data by parsing the program table information and using the identifier. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090055863 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONTENT - Methods and systems for providing content. A selection of a single virtual channel may be received from the user. Virtual programming data for the single virtual channel may be accessed. The virtual programming data may define content to be provided over the single virtual channel. The content may be provided over the single virtual channel in accordance with the virtual programming data. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090055864 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA IN THE DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM - A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcast system includes a mobile service data processor, a main service data processor, a controller, and a display module. The mobile service data processor receives mobile service data through a mobile service data path. Herein, the mobile service data configures an RS frame, and the RS frame includes mobile service data including a mobile A/V broadcast signal and at least one channel configuration information on the mobile service data. The main service data processor receives main service data through a main service data path. Herein, the main service data includes a main A/V broadcast signal and a program guide information of the main A/V broadcast. The controller extracts a link information for the program guide service of the mobile A/V broadcast signal from the channel configuration information, and acquires a corresponding program guide information from the main service data processor by using the extracted link information. And, the display module outputs the program guide information acquired from the controller to a display screen. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090055865 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA IN THE DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM - The present invention provides a method of processing data. The method of processing data includes receiving a broadcasting signal where mobile service data are multiplexed with main service data, extracting transmission-parameter-channel signaling information and fast-information-channel signaling information from a data group within the received mobile service data; obtaining first program table information describing virtual channel information of an ensemble and a service provided by the ensemble using the fast-information-channel signaling information, the ensemble the ensemble corresponding to a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, obtaining information indicating that second program table information, which describes an additional service provided by the ensemble, is included in the ensemblem and parsing the second program table information according to the obtained information; and providing the additional service by using the second program table information. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090055866 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA IN DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM - A digital broadcast receiver and a control method thereof are disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes a reception unit for receiving a broadcast signal which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, an extractor for extracting transmission parameter channel signaling information and fast information channel signaling information from a data group in the received mobile service data, an acquirer for acquiring a program table describing virtual channel information and a service of an ensemble by using the extracted fast information channel signaling information, the ensemble being a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, a detector for detecting a descriptor defining Internet access information corresponding to the mobile service data by using the acquired program table, and a controller for controlling such that the Internet access information of the detected descriptor and the mobile service data are displayed. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090055867 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA IN DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM - The present invention provides a data processing method includes receiving a broadcasting signal where mobile service data are multiplexed with main service data, extracting transmission-parameter-channel signaling information and fast-information-channel signaling information from a data group within the received mobile service data, parsing first program table information describing virtual channel information of an ensemble and a service provided by the ensemble using the fast-information-channel signaling information, the ensemble corresponding to a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, obtaining permission information of broadcasting contents included in the mobile service data from the first program table information and controlling the contents included in the mobile service data in accordance with the permission information. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090064223 | DTV VIEWING TERMINAL, EPG SERVICE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXHIBITING EPG - The method for accessing an EPG server includes the steps of: sending a web request from a browser-embedded DTV viewing terminal to the EPG server through the Internet; identifying the web requester in the EPG server; providing collected EPG in a webpage mode in the EPG server; and providing DTV presenting parameters from the EPG server to the browser-embedded DTV viewing terminal as soon as a desired program is selected. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090064224 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A PROGRAM GUIDE - The method for integrating audio/video with the EPG is applied to an open standard or closed type. If used in an open standard, the method comprises the steps of: capturing a representative frame and/or recording a part of a program while the digital television (DTV) is in standby mode, and combining the captured frame and/or recorded part with the EPG. If used in a closed type, the method comprises the steps of: identifying additional audio and/or video that is not a broadcast program in a digital television viewing terminal, and integrating the additional audio and/or video with the EPG. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090064225 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING SCREEN LAYOUT IN DIGITAL BROADCAST RECEIVER FOR RECEIVING MOVING PICTURE CONTENT - Disclosed is an apparatus and a method for screen display in a digital broadcast receiver for receiving moving picture contents. The method includes: receiving head-end side data including configuration data of lattice-type moving picture contents sent via a broadcasting network, and converting the received head-end side data into content picture configuration data; editing the content picture configuration data and configuring a curved-type circular selection picture so as to display the edited content picture configuration data through the curved-type circular selection picture on a display means of a user terminal; and displaying the configured curved-type circular selection picture containing the moving picture contents on the display means of the user terminal. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090070809 | Method for Providing an Electronic Program Guide Based on User Preference Data - An apparatus such as a television signal receiver provides an electronic program guide based on user preference data collected at different time intervals in a day. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory operative to store first and second sets of user preference data collected at respective first and second time intervals in a day, and a processor operative to enable display of an electronic program guide including a list of channels. The channels are arranged in the list based on one of the first and second sets of user preference data. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090070810 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OUTPUTTING MEDIA SIGNAL AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING MEDIA SIGNAL - A method and apparatus for outputting a media signal by performing video muting and a method and apparatus for transmitting a media signal in such a way to allow for video muting. The method of outputting a media signal including at least one of an audio signal and a video signal includes receiving the media signal and an additional information signal regarding the media signal and selectively performing video muting for outputting the media signal from which the video signal is excluded, based on the additional information signal. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090070811 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND DATA PROCESSING METHOD - The present invention relates to a digital broadcasting system and a processing data method thereof. The present invention includes acquiring a first ensemble providing service guide information for mobile service data from a broadcast signal in which the mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, acquiring, from the first ensemble, first program table information including information which indicates that the first ensemble provides service guide information for a second ensemble, and decoding the first program table information and acquiring service guide information for mobile service data included in the second ensemble by using the decoded first program table information. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090070812 | PROGRAM TABLE GENERATOR, TELEVISION BROADCAST RECEIVER, AND PROGRAM TABLE GENERATION METHOD - A program table generator | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090077582 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR STORING DIGITAL MULTIMEDIA BROADCASTING IN MOBILE TERMINAL - Provided is an apparatus and method for storing Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) in a mobile terminal. The method includes, upon receipt of a request for storing contents, searching received channel information for contents relation information that is relation information on the contents, and storing the contents and the searched contents relation information. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090077583 | System, Apparatus, and Method for a Remote Commander for Internet Protocol Television - The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for displaying electronic programming guide (EPG) data, received from an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), on a remote commander. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving electronic programming guide (EPG), that includes a plurality of unique identification numbers and corresponding program titles, data at a remote commander. The method may also include storing the EPG data in a memory of the remote commander In one embodiment, the method may also include displaying the plurality of program titles on a display of the remote commander, and transmitting the unique identification number corresponding to the selected title to an IPTV in response to receiving a selection of a title at the remote commander. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090077584 | Methods, systems, and products for sharing presence information - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for sharing presence information. Presence notifications are received from users, and the presence notifications describe content items currently being received by the users. A popularity of one or more of the content items being received by the users is determined. An electronic programming guide is provided that includes information regarding the one or more of the content items and the determined popularity associated with the one or more of the content items. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090077585 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENABLE FAST CHANNEL SWITCHING WITH LIMITED DVB RECEIVER MEMORY - An apparatus and method for channel switching comprising encapsulating a plurality of IP datagrams associated with a plurality of real time audio/visual (A/V) streams or a plurality of file objects onto a plurality of MPE sections; inserting the plurality of MPE sections into one of a plurality of elementary streams; and multiplexing the plurality of elementary streams associated with the plurality of real time A/V streams or the plurality of file objects into a plurality of non-consecutive bursts, wherein the plurality of elementary streams are adjacent in a channel line-up. In one aspect, the plurality of non-consecutive bursts is transmitted to a DVB-H receiver with a limited memory size for enabling fast channel switching. In one aspect, the channel line-up is presented in an electronic service guide (ESG). | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090077586 | DVD Playback Over Multi-Room By Copying to HDD - DVD playback over Multi-room by copying to the hard drive of a primary device in a networked multi-room system (NMS). The DVD content is saved to a hard drive and can then be retrieved by any of the remote devices in the NMS by accessing the program guide or the recorded programs list. The DVD menu can be altered to include previews, contests, products, etc. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090077587 | Technique for providing a virtual digital video recorder service through a communications network - In response to a request initiated by a user at a user terminal, selected entertainment programming content, when broadcast, is recorded at a location remote from the user terminal. The request is communicated through a communications network, e.g., cable TV network, which is also used for transmission of entertainment programming content to user terminals. The recorded programming content is stored in a storage space at the remote location, which is allocated to the user terminal. In response to a review request from the user terminal, the recorded programming content is retrieved from the storage space allocated thereto, and transmitted to the user terminal through the communications network. The presentation of the recorded programming content may be manipulated by the user to perform rewinding, pausing and fast-forwarding thereon. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20090083793 | BROADCASTING RECEIVING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A broadcasting receiving apparatus includes: a receiver which receives a broadcasting signal of one of a plurality of broadcasting channels, the broadcasting channels belonging to at least one of a plurality of channel categories; and a controller which deletes a broadcasting channel having the channel category selected by a user from a memory channel group including memory broadcasting channels among the plurality of the broadcasting channels, and controls the receiver to receive a broadcasting signal of one of the broadcasting channels selected by a user from the memory channel group excluding the broadcasting channel. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090083794 | METHOD AND DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING AND RECEIVING ESG - Disclosed is a method and a digital broadcasting system for transmitting and receiving an Electronic Service Guide (ESG). When there are ESG fragments to be transmitted through a communication network among ESG fragments included in ESG data, a digital broadcast transmitter generates an ESG data session such that the ESG data session may include route information through the communication network of the relevant ESG fragments. Then, the digital broadcast transmitter transmits the generated ESG data session to a broadcast receiving terminal, which obtains the route information through the communication network of the relevant ESG fragments. Accordingly, a user can more easily and conveniently receive the ESG data by using the route information through the communication network obtained by the broadcast receiving terminal. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090083795 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA IN DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM - A digital broadcast receiver and a control method thereof are disclosed. The control method of the digital broadcast receiver includes receiving a broadcast signal into which mobile service data and main service data are multiplexed, extracting TPC signaling information and FIC signaling information from a data group in the received mobile service data, acquiring a program table defining a mapping relation between each of all ensembles transmitted at a physical frequency and at least one virtual channel corresponding to the ensemble, using the extracted FIC signaling information, and detecting IP address information required for channel tuning to the at least one virtual channel corresponding to the ensemble, using the acquired program table. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090083796 | INFORMATION RECOMMENDATION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An information recommendation apparatus and method displaying recommendation information based on a user's preference generated from a search index of information of operation(s) previously performed by the user including calculating a degree of similarity between recommendation information and operation information based on a search index for the recommendation information and a search index for the operation information, and outputting operation information having a degree of similarity that satisfies a specified condition as a recommendation reason for the recommendation information. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090089834 | 3D electronic program guide - A method and apparatus are provided for displaying an electronic program guide in a 3D rendered landscape. Program blocks, each having a channel and a program time, are displayed as vertical blocks within the 3D rendered landscape. Channel information blocks are also displayed, one for each distinct channel of the program blocks. The EPG may be perused by navigating within the 3D rendered landscape. Flags are provided for highlighting program blocks which satisfy a user-specified criterion, such as favourite show. Perspective within the 3D rendered landscape allows many program blocks to be displayed, with program blocks for farther channels being compressed. The flags allow a user to see that there is a program of interest in the distance, and to navigate towards the associated program block in order to obtain further details. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090089835 | PROGRAM INFORMATION DISPLAY SYSTEM, PROGRAM INFORMATION DISPLAY METHOD AND TELEVISION SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a program information display system includes: a tuner that selects a channel of a received digital broadcast signal and extracts an video signal, a audio signal, and EPG information from the received digital broadcast signal; an acquiring unit that acquires a finish time of a current program of the selected channel from the EPG information; a generator that generates a program information table including program information of each channel at a start time of a program next to the current program from the extracted EPG information; and a provider that provides a superposed video at the finish time of the current program or a certain time before the finish time. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090089836 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA IN DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM - A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. The digital broadcast receiving system includes a baseband processor, a management processor, and a presentation processor. The baseband processor receives a broadcast signal including mobile service data and main service data. Herein, the mobile service data configure a Reed-Solomon (RS) frame, and the RS frame includes mobile service data and at least one channel configuration information on the mobile service data. The management processor acquires simple guide information on at least one of a current program and a next program of a corresponding channel from the channel configuration information and stores the acquired simple guide information. The presentation processor receives simple guide information of any one of the current program and the next program, wherein the programs are provided as mobile service through a user-selected channel, from the management processor and displays the received simple guide information on a portion of a display screen of the corresponding channel. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090094643 | Providing a Customized User Interface - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first input may be received and a currently displayed programming content may be shrunken. Next, the shrunken programming content may be displayed. Then, in response to the received first input and concurrent with the shrunken programming content, a media guide comprising at least three display elements may be displayed. At least one of the three display elements may be customized for a user. Each one of the three display elements may include a first content element, a second content element, a third content element, a fourth content element, or a fifth content element. The first content element may display available programming channels. The second content element may display programs available on the available programming channels. The third content element may display description information. The fourth content element may display actions that can be taken. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090094644 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SERVICE GUIDE IN A MOBILE BROADCASTING SYSTEM - A method and apparatus for providing an SG in a mobile broadcasting system are provided. The apparatus and method include a terminal for receiving a first SG, for acquiring reception information about a second SG from the first SG, if a service fragment list extracted from the first SG includes information about at least one second SG different from the first SG, and for receiving the second SG based on the acquired reception information. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090094645 | METHOD OF CONTROLLING REMOTE-CONTROLLED ELECTRONIC DEVICE USING UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROLLER AND UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROLLER THEREOF - A method of controlling a remote-controlled electronic device using a universal remote controller comprises the following steps. The first step is to provide a universal remote controller. The second step is to establish a communication link between the universal remote controller and a first electronic device, such that the universal remote controller is able to obtain a playback list from the first electronic device through the communication link and the first electronic device is able to obtain a user related information from the first electronic device through the communication link. The third step is that the universal remote controller classifies the playback list. The fifth step is that the universal remote controller receives execution commands from an input device based on the classified playback list, and the universal remote controller transmitting wireless signal commands corresponding to the execution commands to a second electronic device based on the execution commands. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090100463 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND/OR PRESENTING A CONDENSED LIST OF CHANNELS - A method of generating a condensed list of channels for display on a client device of a broadcasting system may include: monitoring channels viewed via a client device configured to receive a plurality of channels; selecting a subset of the plurality of channels based at least in part on a frequency of viewing and/or an amount of time of viewing of the channels; and associating the subset together to generate a condensed list of channels. A related system may include: a client device configured to receive a plurality of channels from a source of programming; and a processor configured to monitor channels viewed via the client device, to select a subset of the plurality of channels based at least in part on a frequency of viewing and/or an amount of time of viewing of the channels, and to associate the subset together to generate a condensed list of channels. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090100464 | Content filter - Techniques are described to filter content. In an implementation, channels are filtered according to whether a respective item of content that is currently available via a respective channel complies with one or more criteria. Direct sequential navigation is then provided through a lineup of the filtered channels such that at least one channel having respective content that does not comply with the one or more criteria is not available via the direct sequential navigation. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090100465 | CONTENT DELIVERY PROXY SYSTEM AND METHOD - A content delivery proxy system and method delivers content to an unsupported client device within a content delivery system by converting messages and data from the unsupported client device into content delivery system supported messages and data. Client log-in messages received from the unsupported client device are converted into a content delivery system supported format and sent to the content delivery system, and user entitlement information of a user of the unsupported client device is requested from the content delivery system. If the user is a subscriber of the content provider, an unsupported client device identifier is created for the client device. A user interface for selecting content from the content delivery system is displayed on the client device in a client device supported format, and selections on the user interface are sent to the content delivery system. Selected content is provided to the client device in the proper format for playback on the client device. | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090106795 | RECEIVING DEVICE, REBROADCAST CONTENT SCHEDULING DEVICE, RECEPTION STATE NOTIFYING METHOD, REBROADCAST CONTENT SCHEDULING METHOD, REBROADCAST CONTENT SCHEDULING SYSTEM, REBROADCAST CONTENT SCHEDULING PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A rebroadcast content scheduling device receives reception state information and schedules rebroadcast content, where the reception state information includes content identification information for identifying content represented by the broadcast wave received by the receiving section and indicates that the reception defection occurred in the reception of the content. Thus, the rebroadcast content scheduling device can determine to rebroadcast, as the rebroadcast content, the content that was received with many reception defections. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090113473 | NAVIGATION IN DATA SETS WITH NON-UNIFORM FIELDS - The present invention provides methods for navigation in data sets that can contain non-uniform fields. In one embodiment, data sets are defined by horizontal and vertical axes, and horizontal and vertical bias lines are calculated to determine which field is highlighted in response to vertical or horizontal navigation of the data set. In response to a user's navigation, at least one bias line is recalculated. Additional axes, for example a z-axis, and corresponding additional bias lines can be implemented. The invention can be practiced as an interactive program guide for a subscription television service. The fields of the program guide may not be uniform because programs listed in the program guide may have variable start times and/or durations, or because channel information may be redundant. The invention provides more predictable navigation within an interactive program guide. By reversing navigation movements, a user returns to a previously highlighted field. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090113474 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO DISTINGUISH ELEMENTS OF A USER INTERFACE - Methods and apparatus to distinguish elements of a user interface are described. An example user interface includes a plurality of channel cells including a first channel cell having a first attribute and a second channel cell having a second attribute; and a plurality of program cells associated with the plurality of channel cells, wherein at least one program cell has a third attribute, wherein the third attribute distinguishes the at least one program cell from an associated channel cell. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090113475 | Systems and methods for integrating search capability in interactive video - This invention is a system and method that enables video viewers to search for information about objects or events shown or mentioned in a video through a search engine. The system integrates search capability into interactive videos seamlessly. When viewers of such a video want to search for information about something they see on the screen, they can click on it to trigger a search request. Upon receiving a search request, the system will automatically use an appropriate search term to query a search engine. The search results will be displayed as an overlay on the screen or in a separate window. Targeted ads that are relevant to the search term are delivered and displayed alongside search results. The system also allows viewers to initiate a search using voice commands. Further, the system resolves ambiguity by allowing viewers to select one of multiple searchable items when necessary. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090113476 | ELECTRONIC CATALOG SYSTEM - A set-top-box receives catalogs through digital TV data broadcast or through the Internet. The catalogs are stored as files on the STB e.g. on hard drive or solid state memory. Usually, a particular user will receive only a subset of transmitted catalogs according to preferences set or deduced from user-specific information such as location. Users can search the catalogs by store, category keyword or other terms. Catalogs can appear in the “channels” menu or the “library” menu or any other menu. The ordering of catalogs displayed in a menu can be arranged according to likely interest to a viewer, or with “specials” first, or “newest” first or “closest” first etc. Viewers can click straight to a catalog or item when invited during watching a show or a commercial. They can be notified of specials, new catalogs or new items by means of an icon or other popup, or a notice appearing on a menu, or by SMS or email etc. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090119708 | USER INTERFACE DISPLAY WITHOUT OUTPUT DEVICE RENDERING - System and method for providing accessing to media available through a media output device. The access being facilitated through user interaction with user interface displayed on the media output device. The user interface may be displayed on the media output device without requiring the media output device to support graphical rendering associated with generating the user interface. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090119709 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING COMMUNICATION USING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE (EPG) AND IMAGE APPARATUS USING THE SAME - A method for providing communication of an image apparatus, and an image apparatus applying the same are provided. The method includes selecting, using an input device, a program on an Electronic Program Guide (EPG); and inputting, using the input device, a communication request regarding the selected program to an external image apparatus connected via a communication network. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090119710 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING SUPPORT FOR USER-GENERATED CONTENT DELIVERY - A user-generated content (UGC) mobile distribution system supports creation of a personalized and virtual UGC broadcast channel that can be selectively clipped and cached by filtering based inter alia on content descriptors of popularity and freshness. A broadcast service provider can further provide meta data categorization for filtering that is more objective than what is supplied by a posting user of UGC content items. A broadcast program guide enables mobile devices to schedule clip downloads. Popularity, which can be sorted by applicable demographic, represents a criterion (e.g., rating scores, number of views, quantity of online discussion, etc.) whether associated content item should be downloaded for subsequent accessibility by a user, enhancing filtering based upon user profile and genre. Freshness represents how recent the associated content was made available for download by the broadcast service provider. Popularity can also be used as weighting to sort a display of cached content items. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090119711 | Program recording apparatus and preset condition processing method - A program recording apparatus includes an acquiring means, a preset condition storage unit, a determining means, and a notifying means. The acquiring means acquires electronic program guide information. In the preset condition storage unit, a plurality of preset conditions used for retrieving a program from the electronic program guide information acquired by the acquiring means are stored. The determining means determines a preset condition whose recommended level of selection is high out of the plurality of preset conditions stored in the preset condition storage unit on the basis of the electronic program guide information acquired by the acquiring means. The notifying means notifies a user of the preset condition whose recommended level of selection is high determined by the determining means. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20090125939 | Television capable of and method for changing output effect based on program type - A television capable of and a method for changing an output effect based on program types are provided. The television stores a lookup table recording the corresponding relationship between program types and scenario modes and receives a television program signal containing a program type information so as to search the scenario mode corresponding to the program type from the lookup table. Then the television adjusts the output effect, such as an image display effect or an audio output effect based on the searched scenario mode. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090125940 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM INFORMATION AND APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING THE ELECTRONIC PROGRAM INFORMATION - A data transmission system for minimizing the number of errors during Tx/Rx times of digital data under mobile environments, and a data processing method for the same are disclosed. The system additionally codes digital data, and transmits the resultant coded data. As a result, the program information has a strong resistance to noise and channel variation, and can quickly cope with the rapid channel variation. | 05-14-2009 |
| 20090133062 | PMCP EXTENSION METADATA, DATA STREAM GENERATING DEVICE, DIGITAL DATA BROADCASTING EMISSION SYSTEM AND DIGITAL DATA BROADCASTING EMISSION METHOD THEREOF - Provided are a data server, which is added to a digital broadcast emitting system to emit data broadcasting based on the Programming Metadata Communication Protocol (PMCP), a conventional international specification defined to secure inter-operability between devices of a digital broadcast emitting system; a metadata structure for securing inter-operability between devices of the conventional digital broadcast emitting system; a data stream generating device using the metadata structure; and a digital data broadcast emitting system and method thereof. The PMCP extended metadata of the present invention are formed to include channel type metadata which provide system information of a data event constituting a data broadcast program; and Program and System Information Protocol (PSIP) data event metadata which provide identification information, program guide, and encapsulation information of a data event. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090138911 | VIDEO BROADCASTING SYSTEM - A method, medium and implementing processing system, are provided in which premium programming content is included in a standard program broadcasting system. The added content is stored at a user site for subsequent viewing at the user's convenience. The receipt and storing of the premium programming is accomplished without interfering with the receipt of standard broadcast signals. The premium programming, in one example, is transmitted and incrementally received and stored on a user's system even while standard programming is received and viewed by the user. When all of the broadcast increments of a premium program have been received and the premium program has been stored in the user's system, a signal is provided to the user to indicate the availability of the premium program for selective viewing by the user. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090138912 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING A BROADCAST OF THE MOBILE TERMINAL - A mobile terminal and a method for controlling a broadcast displays information on an interactive service associated with a broadcast program, the information provided prior to displaying the associated broadcast program. The present invention includes a wireless communication unit receiving interactive service information, an input unit selecting an interactive service using the received interactive service information, and a controller scheduling the execution of the selected interactive service. | 05-28-2009 |
| 20090144768 | MAPPING MOBILE DEVICE ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE TO CONTENT - A user computing device, such as mobile device, is provided with an electronic program guide (EPG). The EPG lists video content that is available or being broadcast on one or more websites. The video content may be considered to be premium content or user content. Premium content may be video content that is available from the website of a commercial broadcaster. Premium content may be generated by the commercial broadcaster. User content may be video content that has been generated and provided to websites for viewing and sharing by users such as members of the websites. An EPG may display listings of both user content and premium content. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090144769 | Digital Video Recording Device and Method - A multi-media content playback method comprising: detecting a user request to play-back stored multi-media content for a selected program; determining whether a loss of signal (LOS) condition is associated with the stored multi-media content; and if a LOS condition is determined to be associated, alerting the user, prior to play-back of the stored multi-media content, that at least a portion of the multi-media content for the selected program is missing. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090144770 | APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE INFORMATION, SYSTEM FOR RECEIVING DIGITAL BROADCASTS, AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING PROGRAM INFORMATION - A apparatus for processing EPG information that EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information can be read prior to display independently of an operation by an input device. The EPG information processing apparatus controls the amount of EPG information stored in a database prior to display so that the speed of acquiring EPG information and the speed of supplying EPG information indicating the frequency of using an acquired electronic program guide are kept in a predetermined relation. In response to a direction for updating an on-display electronic program guide, the EPG processing apparatus supplies new EPG information, and stores another piece of EPG information associated with the EPG information in the database prior to next display. The amount of information stored in the database in advance is decided so that the acquiring speed and supplying speed can be kept in a predetermined relation. Therefore, the amount of information stored in advance is raised with increase in the frequency of using an electronic program guide in correlation with the acquired supplying speed, and the amount of information stored in advance is decreased with decrease in the using frequency. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090144771 | Electronic service guide broadcaster and method of processing an electronic service guide - The invention relates to a method of processing an ESG of a mobile device is proposed. The method includes the step of storing ESG data for the ESG. The ESG data contains service information data. The service information data comprises location dependent service information data. The method also involves receiving mobile device location data. The received mobile device location data is suitably ready for further processing or may comprise information from which the location data can be determined and/or calculated. The processing of the location dependent service information data is dependent on the received mobile device location data. | 06-04-2009 |
| 20090150931 | Display control apparatus, display control method, and program - A display control apparatus includes an acquisition section acquiring EPG data, an extraction section extracting a sentence formed by a plurality of words from information of each item of content included in the EPG data acquired by the acquisition section, and a display control section causing the sentence extracted by the extraction section to be displayed on a list of content and accepting selection of an item of content. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090150932 | Digital broadcasting receiver and a data processing method - A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A data processing method of a digital broadcasting receiver comprises receiving a mobile/handheld (MH) broadcasting signal including mobile service data and main service data; generating RS(Reed-Solomon) frames from the received MH broadcasting signal; extracting ESG (electronic service guide) data from the generated RS frame; extracting SDP (session description protocol) data from the extracted ESG data; checking a port number corresponding to subtitle having reference information, among the extracted SDP data; and controlling the subtitle having reference information using the checked port number so that the subtitle having reference information is displayed. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090158330 | IPTV receiver and method of acquiring a resource for an IPTV service - An IPTV receiver and a method of acquiring a resource for an Internet protocol TV (IPTV) service are provided. A network interface transmits and receives an IP packet through a network. An IP network stack checks a destination of the received IP packet and classifies the IP packet according to a protocol. A Service Information (SI) decoder parses parsing an Internet protocol TV (IPTV) service record containing a resource locator element representing location of a resource included in the IP packet and read a child element contained in the resource locator element. An IPTV terminal function (ITF) operation controller controls the retrieval of the resource according to information included in the child element. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090158331 | MANAGEMENT OF GENERIC SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS FOR TELEVISION SERVICES - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090158332 | UPGRADING ACCESS OF TELEVISION PROGRAM INFORMATION WITH OPTIONAL FEATURES - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
| 20090165045 | CONDENSED PROGRAM GUIDE FOR MEDIA CONTENT ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a program guide including a matrix of cells associated with a plurality of media content instances, and a condensed program guide including a condensed matrix of a subset of the cells and at least one interstitial symbol representing at least one of the cells excluded from the condensed matrix. In certain embodiments, the media content processing subsystem is configured to provide a graphical user interface to a display for presentation to a user, the graphical user interface including at least a portion of the condensed program guide. In certain embodiments, the graphical user interface includes a visual indicator of the interstitial symbol indicating a matrix position of a cell excluded from the condensed matrix. In certain embodiments, the interstitial symbol is spatially insubstantial in the condensed matrix. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090165046 | PROGRAM GUIDE IMAGE OBJECTS FOR MEDIA CONTENT ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary system includes a media content processing subsystem configured to provide a program guide including a matrix of cells associated with a plurality of media content instances, and a selector object within the program guide. The selector object is configured to select one of the cells such that the cells in the matrix include a selected cell and at least one unselected cell. The subsystem is further configured to provide at least one image object within the at least one unselected cell. The image object represents the media content instance associated with the unselected cell. In certain embodiments, the image object includes a video content stream. The subsystem is further configured to provide a graphical user interface to a display for presentation to a user, the graphical user interface including at least a portion of the program guide and the image object. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090165047 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS FOR ACCESSING AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAM - An embodiment of an interactive program and access trigger system receives a signal having a program, an interactive program, and an access trigger therein; presents the program and the access trigger on a presentation device; receives selection of the access trigger; loads the interactive program in response to selection of the access trigger; continues presentation of the program during the loading of the interactive program; and changes from presentation of the program to presentation of the interactive program in response to completion of the loading of the interactive program. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090165048 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PRESENTING GUIDE LISTINGS AND GUIDANCE DATA IN THREE DIMENSIONS IN AN INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Methods and devices for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application are provided. In some embodiments, methods for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application are provided, the methods comprising: presenting guide listings in a two-dimensional configuration; receiving a user selection of at least one of the guide listings in the two-dimensional configuration; identifying guidance data related to the selection; and presenting the guidance data so that the guidance data appears to be in a third dimension relative to the two-dimensional configuration. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090165049 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PRESENTING AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Methods and devices for presenting an interactive media guidance application are provided. In some embodiments, methods for presenting an interactive media guidance application in a user equipment device are provided, the methods comprising: determining a location of the user equipment device; determining a destination of the user equipment device; determining an arrival time for the user equipment device to be located at the destination; selecting, as guide listings, listings corresponding to media available at the destination at/after the arrival time; and presenting the guide listings on the user equipment device. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090165050 | Method for controlling a channel and an IPTV receiver - A method for controlling an inactive channel for building a channel map in an internet protocol television (IPTV) receiver and the IPTV receiver thereof are provided. The method includes receiving a master service information (SI) table including a first element defining location of a virtual channel map table, parsing the first element in the received master SI table, receiving the virtual channel map table including a second element defining location of a virtual channel description table based on the parsed location element, parsing the second element in the received virtual channel map table, receiving the virtual channel description table, which includes a third element indicating designation of times when a virtual channel service is active, based on the parsed second element, parsing the third element in the received virtual channel description table, and controlling display of a virtual channel according to the parsed third element. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090172732 | Method and Apparatus for Providing a Dynamic Programming Guide Containing Future Times When On-Demand Broadcasting Requests Can be Satisfied - An audio-visual content service provider ( | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090172733 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTENT RECORDING AND INDEXING - Methods and systems for content recording and indexing are described. Content may be accessed from a content source. The content may be processed to generate an index of the content. Programming data for future content may be accessed. A content selection guide may be generated in accordance with the index and the programming data. The content selection guide may include a listing of the indexed content and the future content. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090172734 | BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS AND BROADCAST RECEIVING METHOD - A broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a storage module storing a table correspondingly showing a program identifier identifying a broadcast program, and a broadcast start time of the program; a detecting module detecting whether the broadcast start time is brought forward or not based on program guide information acquired from a broadcast signal and the program identifier; a video-recording module starting a video-recording of the program at the broadcast start time which is brought forward when the bringing-forward is detected; and a reproduction module reproducing the video-recorded program at the broadcast start time before it is brought forward. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090172735 | Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 07-02-2009 |
| 20090178076 | Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090178077 | Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090187942 | RECEIVING APPARATUS - An apparatus operable with taking an allowable number of copies information into consideration. Provided is a receiving apparatus including a receiving unit configured to receive programs in a plurality of broadcast networks and data including information of the programs, a program guide preparing unit configured to prepare a program guide based on the information of the programs, and a display controlling unit configured to control a program guide prepared by the program guide preparing unit to be displayed, wherein: the display controlling unit controls information relating to copy control according to the broadcast networks to be displayed on the program guide. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090193461 | Information processing device and information providing method - The information processing device of the present invention includes: a display portion that displays objects that respectively performed a function assigned in advance by being selected; an operation portion that inputs operation information to select one of the objects; and a control portion that displays supplementary information linked to the object on the display portion, based on the operation information. The control portion, based on predetermined conditions, performs a first process to display first supplementary information on the display portion. If operation information is not newly input during a prescribed period of time after the first process is performed, the control portion performs a second process to acquire second supplementary information and display the second supplementary information on the display portion. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090193462 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING/RECEIVING ELECTRONIC SERVICE GUIDE IN DIGITAL VIDEO BROADCASTING SYSTEM - Provided is an apparatus and a method for transmitting/receiving Electronic Service Guide (ESG) data in a digital video broadcasting system. The method includes creating ESG data bursts by grouping ESG data supporting a plurality of languages for each ESG support language; establishing sessions corresponding to respective ESG data bursts; creating ESG setting data including session information and ESG grouping criteria information, the session information including Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and port numbers corresponding to the entire sessions, respectively, the ESG grouping criteria information indicating that the ESG data bursts are grouped for each ESG support language; and broadcasting the ESG setting data via a specific session and broadcasting the ESG data bursts via the established sessions. | 07-30-2009 |
| 20090199237 | System and Method of Recording Television Content - A method of recording television content is disclosed and includes receiving one or more television program search criteria from a set-top box device at a recurrent searching system. The method also includes storing the one or more search criteria at the recurrent searching system. Further, the method includes performing a first search of electronic program guide (EPG) data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria and performing at least one additional search of EPG data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria after the first search. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090199238 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE USAGE - Systems and methods provide information to a user in response to usage of an electronic program guide provided by an appliance coupled to a display. Usage of the electronic program guide is observed from within the appliance, and any triggering events in the usage of the electronic program guide are identified. An instruction is then executed in response to the triggering event to thereby provide the information on the display. Information provided may include a graphic display, a video clip, a highlight of any portion of the electronic program guide, or other information as appropriate. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090199239 | BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS, BROADCAST RECEIVING METHOD AND BROADCAST RECEIVING SYSTEM - According to one embodiment, a broadcast receiving apparatus is equipped with a server function so as to cause a client terminal to recognize the broadcast receiving apparatus as a server on a network and to select a channel for the broadcast receiving apparatus by way of a user operation. The broadcast receiving apparatus incorporate the image of the channel selected by the client terminal in the GUI image generated by the client terminal without transmitting the actual image of the channel on the network. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090199240 | Computer System Capable of Instantly Showing Electronic Program Guide and Method for Using the Same - The invention relates to a method for showing an electronic program guide (EPG) on a computer screen. The computer has EPG data, a desktop application and a TV play program. The method includes the following steps. First, the desktop application program is launched, and an application window is displayed on the screen. Then, the EPG data is retrieved, and program information which is played is shown in the application window. Then, a message showing that the program information is clicked is received. Afterward, the TV play program is launched, and the TV program corresponding to program information is played. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090204991 | Systems and Methods for Sorting Programming Search Results - A set top box includes a processor. The processor is configured to identify first and second instances of a show, and retrieve feature information for the first and second instances. The processor is further configured to sort the first and second instances into a list based on the feature information according to a user defined criteria and display the list. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090210903 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a graphic user interface (GUI) for customizing an electronic programming guide (EPG), the GUI including a plurality of scrollable media channels, each media channel accompanied by an image, a description of the media channel, an option to select the media channel for inclusion in the EPG, a first button to customize the EPG according to one or more media channels selected, and a second button to request additional information about a media channel highlighted in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090210904 | Control Of Multimedia Content Delivery - Disclosed herein is a computer implemented method and system for controlling delivery of multimedia content. A multimedia control console is provided to console operator for controlling the multimedia content. The multimedia content is acquired from providers, for example, presenters or performers. The acquired multimedia content is listed on the multimedia control console. The multimedia content is selected for the delivery from the list based on predetermined criteria, for example, context of end user activity, end user behavior, and time and schedule of events. The selected multimedia content is then managed in the multimedia control console to suit end user requirement. The managed multimedia content is then delivered for real-time broadcasting to one or more end users. The multimedia control console therefore enables the control of the delivery of the multimedia content. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090217322 | Method and System for Customizing Metadata in TV Network - A method for customizing metadata in a content delivery network, said method comprising: (a) storing customized metadata for a program, said customized metadata being inputted by a user; (b) modifying default metadata with said customized metadata and providing said modified metadata to said EPG; and (c) displaying program information based on said modified metadata. | 08-27-2009 |
| 20090222855 | Method and apparatuses for hierarchical transmission/reception in digital broadcast - In accordance with various aspects of the invention, there is being provided a method and apparatus for transmitting, and a method and apparatus for receiving a digital broadcast signal including a hierarchical modulation having a high priority stream and a low priority stream. The content to be received or transmitted in encoded into two stream so that a first stream is configured to be transmitted or received with the high priority stream, and a second stream to be transmitted/received with the low priority stream is configured to contain additional information for increasing the bitrate of the first stream. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090222856 | Virtual channel table for a broadcast protocol and method of broadcasting and receiving broadcast signals using the same - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20090249393 | Advanced Digital TV System - A system for displaying electronic program guide information about a plurality of video items on a screen, the system including a display module to display a plurality of pages layering into the screen, each of the pages including a plurality of graphical panels associated with the video items, and a user input module to receive a user input to turn at least one of the pages such that the at least one page is peeled away from other ones of the pages in order to bring the graphical panels of the at least one page in or out of view, wherein the display module is operative to show the turning of the at least one page bringing the at least one page in or out of view. Related apparatus and methods are also described. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090249394 | MINI EPG INTERFACE FOR ON-DEMAND AND OTHER CONTENT DATA - A method and system are disclosed for providing an on-demand mini EPG interface displayed over underlying content. The underlying content may for example be broadcast content. The on-demand mini EPG interface may be populated with discovery data for video-on-demand content which may be selected and organized within the interface based in part on the underlying content. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090249395 | Application Gadgets - Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090249396 | METHOD OF SHARING CHANNEL INFORMATION AND RELATED DEVICE - To provide convenience to usage of an electronic program guide, known as EPG, the present invention provides a method of sharing channel information for a client device coupled to a server including a plurality of communities. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of channels is received to generate a first program list. Community information corresponding to the device is obtained. One of the communities of the server is selected according to the community information. The first program list is then uploaded to the selected community. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090254941 | LINEUP DETECTION - The technology is a system and method for selecting a television lineup. The available television lineups capable of being viewed on a digital device are identified. One of the tuner positions is selected and the television channel designated in each available television lineup identified. If any of the television channels identified is a likely identifiable channel and is designated by approximately half of the available television lineups, available television lineups may be deleted based on the television signal received by the selected tuner position. In on embodiment, the tuner positions are selected in numerical order. In an alternative embodiment, the tuner positions are first sorted before one is selected. It may not be possible to delete lineups based on likely identifiable channels. In this case, a viewer may be prompted to identify a channel. | 10-08-2009 |
| 20090260031 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REPRODUCING CONTENT - A content reproducing method and apparatus that can provide an Internet protocol television (IPTV) based on electronic program guide (EPG) data. The content reproducing method includes detecting information of a program that a user is currently viewing or that the user has recently viewed from electronic program guide (EPG) data, receiving a content list from an Internet protocol television (IPTV) service server based on the detected program information, displaying the received content list, selecting content based on the displayed content list, and receiving and reproducing the selected content from the IPTV service server. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090260032 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DISCOVERING STREAMING SERVICES, AND SERVICE DISCOVERY APPARATUS - The present disclosure provides a method and system for discovering streaming services, and a service discovery apparatus. The method includes steps as follows: The IMS network side generates streaming service information, and sends the information to a UE according to the information of the UE accessing the IMS network. The method, system and service discovery apparatus are based on IMS technologies. The service discovery unit may send the streaming service information to the UE automatically according to the information of the UE accessing the IMS network, without requiring requests from the UE or the address of the EPG generating unit. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090260033 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING IPTV SERVICE - Systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing IPTV service are disclosed according to the present invention. In particular, a user equipment initiates an IPTV service request to an IPTV application subsystem in an IMS session. The IPTV application subsystem acquires content description from a service selection function entity according to the IPTV service request, and enables a multimedia delivery subsystem to provide content to the user equipment based on the acquired content description. According to the present invention, a content description function entity is provided in the system. The content description function entity is able to provide content description which may be utilized in the IMS session procedure for the purpose of implementing IPTV service. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20090271823 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE BROADCASTING PROGRAM INFORMATION ON SCREEN OF BROADCAST RECEIVER - Disclosed is a method of providing broadcasting program information, the method including obtaining electronic program guide (EPG) information, extracting first program information from the obtained EPG information, the first program information being program information with respect to all channels, generating second program information based on the first program information, the second program information being information regarding first programs currently being broadcast and second programs to be displayed next in each of the channels, and displaying the generated second program information and a vertical line or a horizontal line indicating a current time on a screen. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090276806 | Systems and Methods for Identifying Content - A set top box includes a processor. The processor is configured to provide an electronic programming guide including a listing of channels, and to identify a plurality of shows matching a user defined criteria. The processor is further configured to sort the listing of channels based on a scheduled start time of the identified shows. | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090282436 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DIRECTING RECIPIENTS OF VIDEO CONTENT ITEMS TO INTERESTING VIDEO CONTENT ITEMS - A method of directing a recipient of video content items employing a mobile device to at least one video content item of interest to the recipient comprises: storing a plurality of predetermined pattern identifiers and corresponding pattern data, the pattern identifiers and pattern data generated by reference to data predictive of recipient interest; detecting a predetermined pattern in at least one video content item by reference to the stored pattern data; and in response to the detection, transmitting an indication of the at least one video content item and the pattern identifier corresponding to the stored pattern data used to detect the predetermined pattern in the video content item to a plurality of mobile devices including the mobile device employed by the recipient, the indication directing the recipient to the video content item that is associated with the detected predetermined pattern that is of interest to the recipient. This allows users to follow desired live events without having to watch undesirable programming waiting for something interesting to happen. | 11-12-2009 |
| 20090293087 | BACKWARDS COMPATIBLE REAL-TIME PROGRAM GUIDE CAPACITY INCREASE - A system and method for transmitting program guide information describing a second set of programs to subscribers is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method is implemented in a network broadcasting a first signal having a first set of programs and a second signal having a second set of programs. The method comprises the steps of broadcasting first program guide information describing the first set of programs to the subscribers on a first service channel on a first signal and broadcasting second program guide information describing the second set of programs to a subset of the subscribers on the first service channel on a second signal, wherein a fundamental signal characteristic of the second signal differs from the fundamental signal characteristic of the first signal. In another embodiment, the method comprises the steps of receiving first program guide information describing the first set of programs on a first service channel on a first signal; and receiving second program guide information describing the second set of programs on the first service channel on a second signal, wherein a fundamental signal characteristic of the second signal differs from the fundamental signal characteristic of the first signal. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090300678 | BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS TO PROVIDE EXTERNAL DEVICES WITH A LIST OF RECORDED FILES, METHOD FOR PROVIDING RECORDED FILE, AND SYSTEM USING THE SAME - A broadcast receiving apparatus, and a method and system for providing recorded files are provided. The broadcast receiving apparatus generates a recorded file list having information regarding addresses at which recorded files are stored, and transmits the generated recorded file list to an external apparatus. Therefore, a user may conveniently use files recorded on a TV. | 12-03-2009 |
| 20090307723 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MANAGING ASSETS STORED IN LOCAL MEMORY OF AN OPTICAL DISC PLAYER DEVICE - Methods and apparatuses are provided, which may be implemented for use in managing data assets stored in local memory of the optical disc player device. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20090320067 | SYSTEM FOR DOWNLOADING AUDIO CONTENT - A method for recording a clean broadcast free of background, such as fade-ins and fade-outs on a receiver includes providing program data associated with an upcoming broadcast, the broadcast being selected by a broadcaster, on the receiver to describe the upcoming broadcast to a user. The receiver records the upcoming broadcast to an internal memory of the receiver in response to either the broadcast being automatically selected based on the user's preferences or the user manually selecting the upcoming broadcast. Start and stop commands, independent of any manual input, are received by the receiver to begin and end the recording of the clean broadcast. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090320068 | Communicating Video Content - A method is disclosed that includes receiving a selection of a channel at a set-top box device. In response to the selection of the channel, a still image associated with a program being transmitted via the selected channel is displayed at a display device. The method further includes receiving a multicast stream of video content associated with the selected channel at the set-top box device. At least a portion of the multicast stream is received while the still image is displayed at the display device. The method also includes transmitting the video content to the display device. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090320069 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE TEMPORAL CONTENT ORGANIZATION - A method and system which temporally sorts data such as program guide data for example, to ensure that near-term data (i.e. most likely to be used, or “now data”) is always available for rapid access from a physical memory location such as a high-speed temporal cache. The method incorporates two low-priority background processes or algorithms, termed “event horizons” into the storage and manipulation of the data so that applications using the data may be run without having to always access a mass storage device. The method and system are highly applicable to all set top boxes (STBs) used in various communication systems such as satellite communication, Cable-TV and DVB systems. The method and system are economical in that superior STB and/or system performance may be obtained with the inclusion of lesser amounts of expensive high-speed RAM. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090328098 | SYSTEM FOR PROACTIVELY TROUBLESHOOTING SET TOP BOX ISSUES - A system for proactively troubleshooting set top box issues may include a media distribution network with a remote requesting device and a programming guide server. The programming guide server may be configured to identify a guide data retrieval profile of the requesting device, compare the guide data retrieval profile to an expected profile, and flag the requesting device for troubleshooting based on a lack of correspondence between the retrieval profile and the expected profile. Additionally methods for discovering related devices, predicting that the related devices also require troubleshooting, and limiting restorative measures to only those devices that have been confirmed to be affected by a service issue may also be implemented by the system. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090328099 | BROADCAST SYSTEM WITH A LOCAL ELECTRONIC SERVICE GUIDE GENERATION - A broadcast system includes a terminal system having a display module for displaying an Electronic Service Guide (ESG) of programs to be broadcasted. The ESG initiates the storing of a program selected through such ESG and broadcasted to the terminal system. The broadcast system includes a module for creating and displaying a local ESG on the terminal system. This local ESG corresponds to programs which have been selected, broadcasted and stored in the terminal system. The local ESG launches the rendering of a stored program in response to actuating a corresponding item in the local ESG. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090328100 | PROGRAM INFORMATION DISPLAY APPARATUS AND PROGRAM INFORMATION DISPLAY METHOD - According to one embodiment, a program information display apparatus includes a signal processing module which acquires program information which announces contents of a scheduled program from a broadcast signal to output the program information for display, and a magnetic disk drive which accumulates the program information acquired by the processing module. The signal processing module analyzes the broadcast signal with respect to a common content characteristic which can identify program information. When it is confirmed as the analysis result that the program information is identified, program information related to at least a program name and broadcasting date and time is detected from the program information. The program attribute is accumulated in the magnetic disk drive in association with the program information. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100023969 | DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME CAPABLE OF AUTOMATICALLY ENTERING AND SWITCHING OPERATIONAL MODES AND METHOD THEREOF - A method used in a digital photo frame (DPF) for automatically entering and switching operational mode is provided. In an exemplary embodiment, the method includes: obtaining TV program information from a TV program table under a DPF mode; determining whether a TV program is on or about to start at the current time; automatically entering a TV mode or switching from the DPF mode to the TV mode when a TV program is on or about to start; and automatically receiving and playing the TV program. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20100031290 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR AUTOMATIC CHANNEL SWITCHING FOR IPTV - A method of providing automatic channel switching for IPTV is disclosed. The method includes: authenticating a user having an IPTV service profile upon receiving an indication that the user has powered on the user's IPTV viewing device; downloading the user's IPTV service profile from a subscriber database; retrieving the user's IPTV-related calendar data from a Calendar Server and storing the IPTV-related calendar data in a local database, wherein the calendar data includes the exact date and time at which the user wants to watch at least one IPTV broadcast on an IPTV viewing device; transmitting IPTV content to the user's IPTV viewing device through a set-top box; and changing the channel on the IPTV viewing device automatically based on the user's calendar data. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100037258 | MOBILE BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ENHANCING MOBILE BROADCASTING SERVICES WITH RICH MEDIA INCLUDING AN ENHANCED SERVICE GUIDE - Embodiments of a mobile broadcasting system and method for enhancing mobile broadcasting services with rich media are described herein. In some embodiments, a rich media element is included as part of a terminal capability requirement element of an access fragment of a service guide. The rich media element indicates capabilities to access and render associated rich media content. A rich media element may also be included in a preview data fragment of the service guide to indicate how to obtain a rich media clip to enable a user to preview a service or rich media content in a rich media format. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100037259 | EPG SERVER AND EPG PROCESSING METHOD - An electronic program guide (EPG) server bridges at least one middleware server with at least one set-top box (STB). The EPG server transmits an EPG request to the middleware server to receive electronic program guides comprising one or more different file formats to the middleware server and transforms the EPGs into EPGs having a preset file format. The EPG server further transmits the EPGs with the preset file format to the at least one STB. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100037260 | Handheld terminal, information providing method, information processing program, information providing server, broadcasting reception apparatus, and information providing system - A handheld terminal includes a device communication unit which communicates with at least one or more broadcasting reception apparatus receiving contents and content information about the contents from a content provider and receives the content information from the broadcasting reception apparatus, a content display unit which displays the content information received from the broadcasting reception apparatus, a server communication unit which communicates with an information providing server which manages related information relating to the contents and receives the related information relating to the content information received from the broadcasting reception apparatus from the information providing server, and a related information display unit which displays the related information received from the information providing server. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100050207 | System and Method of Providing Access to Content of an Interrupted Digital Broadcast Signal - A system and method of providing access to content of an interrupted digital broadcast is disclosed. A digital broadcast connection is established between a digital broadcast provider and at least one receiver. The digital broadcast connection is monitored and upon detecting an interruption in the digital broadcast connection, content of the interrupted digital broadcast signal is stored. A message is sent to the at least one receiver to indicate that the content of the interrupted digital broadcast signal is available. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100058385 | System and Method for Detecting Closed Captioning and Creating a Closed Captioning Electronic Programming Guide - A set-top box device includes a detector module and an electronic programming guide module. The detector module is configured to detect a closed captioning flag in a video stream, and to cache electronic programming guide information for the video stream if the video stream includes the closed captioning flag. The detector module is further configured to create a closed captioning electronic programming guide including the electronic programming guide information. The electronic programming guide module is in communication with the detector module, and is configured to output the closed captioning electronic programming guide. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100058386 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TUNING A DIGITAL TELEVISION CHANNEL - There is provided a method and apparatus for tuning a digital television channel. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a method comprising receiving a request to access a first digital television channel, downloading a first program map table associated with a frequency of the first digital television channel, storing the first program map table, receiving a request to access a second digital television channel, determining if the second digital television channel is associated with the frequency of the first digital television channel, and creating a conditional access program map table for the second digital television channel based on the stored program map table if the second digital television channel is associated with the frequency. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100058387 | METHOD FOR UPDATING STRUCTURED DATA BROADCAST IN LOOP TO MOBILE TERMINALS - A method for the acquisition of structured data to be memorized by a terminal, the structured data being periodically broadcasted in the form of sets of structured data flows, the method comprising: receiving a starting data flow available at an address known by the terminal and comprising information for accessing at least one selected set of structured data flows, associated to an update piece of information, determining according to the update piece of information if the selected set has been updated, and if the selected set has been updated: receiving structured data flows of the selected set, and updating the data memorized by the terminal with the updated data received. | 03-04-2010 |
| 20100064317 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING BACK A PROGRAM - This invention provides a method and apparatus for playing back a program, and the program is being broadcast. Firstly, receiving a request on the program being broadcast for playing back a section of the program in non-real-time mode from a subscriber; acquiring a corresponding internet address according to information in the broadcast signal of the program; and obtaining the section according to the internet address for playing back; and finally, playing back the section. The request includes one of the following commands: pause, fast winding, fast rewinding, rewinding, and playing back at designated non-real time point. During the broadcast of a program, the present invention obtaining a section of the program in a non-real time mode by acquiring an internet address corresponding to the program and in the stream media form. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100064318 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND DISPLAY METHOD THEREOF - An electronic device provides an electronic program guide, viewable on a screen providing a plurality of display areas. The electronic program guide includes a plurality of first options, a main option, and a plurality of second options. When one of the first options is selected, first sub-options of the selected first option are displayed on a first display area, the first options are moved from the first to a second display area, and the main option is moved from the second to a third display area. When a second option is selected, second sub-options of the selected second option are displayed on the third display area, the second options are moved from the third to the second display area, and the main option is moved from the second to the first display area. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100064319 | MULTIPLEX TRANSMISSION INTERFACE METHOD OF ELECTRONIC SERVICE GUIDE - The present invention discloses an electronic service guide multiplex transmission interface method comprising: Step S | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100070999 | Moderated Interactive Media Sessions - Systems and methods to provide interactive moderated collaborative sessions are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method is disclosed that includes receiving a media stream and associating moderator controls with the media stream to create an interactive media session. The interactive media session enables multiple remote users to interact with one another with respect to the media stream. The moderator controls enable a moderator to facilitate the interaction of the multiple remote users. The method also includes sending display data to display devices of the multiple remote users. The display data is based on moderator control input received via the moderator controls, interactive input received from the multiple remote users, and the received media stream. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100071000 | GRAPHICAL ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE - Disclosed systems and methods present a graphics based electronic programming guide (EPG) that organizes available content in radial fashion on a display. Which content appears on a screen shot of the EPG may be determined using rating data, user preferences or collaborative filtering. Through collaborative filtering, disclosed embodiments may predict which programs a user may like according to group member ratings. Some disclosed EPGs include a mosaic with graphical indications of an overall rating and graphical indications of which of a plurality of characteristics (e.g., genres) apply to multimedia programs. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100077431 | User Interface having Zoom Functionality - A user interface having zoom functionality is described. In an implementation, a user interface is displayed having representations of a plurality of content. Each of the representations is formed using a respective picture-in-picture stream of respective content. When an input is received to select a particular one of the representations, the respective content is displayed by zooming in from the picture-in-picture stream of the respective content to a respective video stream of the respective content. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100083311 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO ENABLE ADAPTATION BETWEEN PHYSICAL BEARERS AND OMA-BCAST - Systems and methods are provided that combine Open Mobile Alliance Mobile Broadcast Services (OMA BCAST) with different bearers, such as China Multimedia Mobile Broadcasting (CMMB) by associating service-related identifiers within an OMA BCAST Electronic Service Guide (ESG) with CMMB bearer-specific parameters. Furthermore, associating IP source and/or destination address pairs of a service with the location of the service within the CMMB bearer can be achieved and used with unicast, multicast, and broadcast environments. Further still, systems and methods are provided that allow for ESG bootstrapping, where a desired electronic service guide can be discovered by bootstrapping, e.g., OMA BCAST ESG. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100083312 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GRAPHICAL CONTROL OF USER INTERFACE FEATURES IN A TELEVISION RECEIVER - Systems and methods provide for graphically providing features on a set top box (STB) or other television receiver in response to viewer instructions received from a remote control. Imagery including various tiles each corresponding to one of the provided features is presented on the display. A two-dimensional input is received from the remote control that indicates a selected one of the plurality of tiles, and, in response to the received two-dimensional input, the feature associated with the selected tile is provided. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100083313 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GRAPHICAL ADJUSTMENT OF AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - Systems and methods provide for displaying an electronic program guide (EPG) on a display generated by a set top box (STB) or other television receiver. The electronic program guide is presented in at least a portion of the display. A resize indicator is also provided on the display so that viewer inputs corresponding to the resize indicator can be received. The size of the electronic program guide presented on the display can be adjusted in response to the viewer input corresponding to the resize indicator. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100083314 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHOD, RECORDING MEDIUM RECORDING INFORMATION ACQUISITION PROGRAM, AND INFORMATION RETRIEVAL SYSTEM - An information processing apparatus includes: a content-information acquisition section obtaining content information including character information on a content; a keyword acquisition section transmitting the content information obtained by the content-information acquisition section to a keyword extraction server extracting a keyword from the content information and obtaining the keyword extracted from the content information; a retrieval-information acquisition section transmitting the keyword obtained by the keyword acquisition section to a retrieval server retrieving information on the Internet by the keyword and obtaining the information retrieved by the keyword from the retrieval server; and a display control section displaying the information obtained by the retrieval-information acquisition section to a display section. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100088722 | System, method and device for realizing multimedia service - A realization system, method and device for multimedia service are provided. In the realization system for multimedia service, a service middleware receives multimedia service location information updated by users, multimedia service scheduling policy and device maintenance information of a service control proxy and loads them onto a service location register; the service middleware starts up or stops corresponding service control proxy according to device maintenance information of the service control proxy; the service location register authenticates a user multimedia service control request according to multimedia service location information and determines a service control proxy for the user through authentication according to multimedia service scheduling policy; the user multimedia service control request is forwarded to a determined service control proxy; the determined service control proxy provides multimedia service interactive control with an interactive electronic program guide and multimedia service control with a service server. The control flow of multiple multimedia services is unified. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20100100905 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MASTER SCHEDULER - A system and method for associating and controlling multimedia supporting events with a primary event. The events are translated into tasks and sent to media servers for execution at a predetermined time by being further translated into media specific tasks to control a bit-pump. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100115551 | Method for Transmitting Mobile Multimedia Broadcast Electronic Service Guide - A method for transmitting mobile multimedia broadcast electronic service guide, and the method comprises: a multiplexer receives the electronic service guide message; the multiplexer multiplexes the electronic service guide message into a multiplexing frame, the multiplexing payload of the multiplexing frame includes one or more multiplexing sub-frames; the multiplexer sends the multiplexing frame to a broadcast station; the broadcast station modulates and sends said multiplexing frame to the mobile user equipments. The method of the present invention could transmits the ESG data alone in the individual service multiplexing sub-frames, thus transmits a large number of ESG messages rapidly; alternatively, the relative ESG messages can be transmitted along with the audio/video data, thus the user equipments can receive the service data and this ESG messages simultaneously when the user equipments open only one time slot. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100115552 | Method and apparatus for receiving electronic service guide by mobile communication terminal in digital video broadcasting-handheld system - A method and apparatus is provided for receiving an Electronic Service Guide (ESG) by a mobile communication terminal in a Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H) system including a service provider providing a broadcast service and the mobile communication terminal receiving the broadcast service from the service provider. Upon receipt of a broadcast service request, the mobile communication terminal determines whether a first ESG about the broadcast service has been stored. When the first ESG has been stored, the mobile communication terminal requests the service provider to first transmit broadcast data among a second ESG and the broadcast data contained in the broadcast service, based on the first ESG. The mobile communication terminal receives the broadcast data first from the service provider and displays the received broadcast data. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100115553 | AGGREGATING DISCOVERY DATA IN A DISCOVERY INTERFACE - A discovery interface presents aggregated discovery data in a discovery interface through which a user may select between television content and Internet Protocol content. In one implementation, the discovery interface includes a television channel region associated with a television channel that lists television programs. The discovery interface further includes an Internet Protocol content region associated with the television channel that lists Internet Protocol content based on user navigation within the television channel region. | 05-06-2010 |
| 20100122291 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING IMAGE - Disclosed is an image processing apparatus including: an image processing unit which processes and displays a broadcasting signal; a user input unit through which a user inputs a key selection signal; and a controller which performs a switch to a favorite channel or performs a certain function in association with the favorite channel if an input time of the key selection signal is equal to or longer than a predetermined time. With this, a viewer can more directly and conveniently search favorite channels. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100122292 | PROGRAM GUIDE APPLICATION INTERFACE SYSTEM - A program guide system is provided that supports a program guide application and multiple non-guide applications. The program guide system has a program guide application interface that allows the non-guide applications to use both device resources and program guide resources. The application interface maintains a list of registered applications and directs control requests from various applications to the current primary application. The application interface also has a user interface input director that directs keystrokes and other user input commands to the appropriate application. If a keystroke for the program guide application is detected while a non-guide application is running, the program guide application is invoked. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100138861 | MOBILE TERMINAL AND METHOD OF PURCHASING BROADCAST PRODUCT THEREIN - A mobile terminal including a wireless communication unit configured to receive broadcast content information, a display unit configured to display the received broadcast content information, an input unit configured to generate a selection signal indicating a selection of a broadcast product included in the displayed broadcast content information, a memory unit configured to store user-specific personal information, and a controller configured to extract broadcast product subscription information about the selected broadcast product from the broadcast content information, to extract user-specific personal purchase information for purchasing the broadcast product from the user-specific personal information stored in the memory unit of the mobile terminal, to create a message including the extracted broadcast product subscription information and the extracted user-specific personal information, and to control the wireless communication unit to transmit the created message using a messaging service to a server so as to make a request for a purchase of the selected broadcast product. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100138862 | CHANNEL SELECTION METHOD, SYNTHESIS CODING DEVICE AND IPTV STB - A channel selection method for an interactive network television is provided in the present invention. The method comprises: simultaneously displaying images of each channel in a channel set on a screen according to the received media stream; each channel is presented in different areas of the screen in thumbnails; receiving a signal from a controller; if the signal is used for switching between pages, switching the channel set; if the signal is used for selecting a particular image in this channel set, switching to the channel represented by the image. An encoding method, a synthesis coding device and a set top box for the interactive network television are also provided in the present invention. The solution mentioned above helps accelerate switching in the conventional art. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20100146546 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE FOR MOBILE NAVIGATION DEVICE, DESTINATION INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD, AND DEVICE - Provided is a method for providing target information related to a medium program. The method includes: a step that a user medium device receives a medium program containing destination information related to the medium program; a step that the user medium device extracts the destination information from the received medium program; a step that the user medium device transmits at least a part of the extracted destination information so that a user position identification device further performs processing on it; and a step that the user position identification device processes at least a part of the transmitted destination information. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100153995 | RESUMING A SELECTED VIEWING CHANNEL - A method and system for resuming a desired program on a selected viewing channel is provided using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN). A user of the MCDN may select a primary channel for viewing the desired program transmitted by the MCDN. The MCDN may also transmit channel metadata for detecting interruptions to programs. During an interruption to the desired program, the user may become distracted, for example, by selecting a second viewing channel. A resume alert may be provided to indicate that the interruption has ended and that the desired program has resumed. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100153996 | GESTURE BASED ELECTRONIC PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A computing system includes a display surface that displays an electronic program guide. A sensor is used to sense the presence of an object adjacent to the display surface. Based on the data from the sensor about the object adjacent to the display surface interacting with the electronic program guide, the system determines which gesture of a set of possible gestures the object is performing. For example, the system may determine that a hand is sliding across the display surface or rotating an icon on the display surface. The system will perform a function related to the electronic program guide based on the determined gesture. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100153997 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION SYSTEM WITH TEMPLATES FOR MANAGING VENDOR-SPECIFIC VIDEO-ON-DEMAND CONTENT - An interactive television system is provided in which a user can use an interactive television application to access and request media-on-demand programming from one or more specific vendors. The interactive television application may display vendor-specific interface screens that allow the user to access and request content from a particular vendor. The application may generate a vendor-specific interface screen by incorporating vendor-specific interface elements into an interface template. The template may include vendor-invariant interface elements and attributes for the incorporated elements. The generated vendor-specific interface screen may then be displayed on the user equipment. The system may also include a remote server to provide vendor-specific interface elements and templates to the application, and memory on the user equipment where these elements and templates may be stored. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100153998 | BROADCASTINGS SERVICE SYSTEM USING MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL - A system capable of receiving a television signal and telephone signal on a mobile communication terminal. In particular, the system is capable of displaying each television broadcast on a monitor of the mobile communication terminal by receiving the video and audio signal, decoding it, and outputting it to the monitor of the mobile communication terminal. In addition, the system can transmit an EPG (Electronic Program Guide) data corresponding to a subscriber request and a selected broadcasting program in real time. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100153999 | INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION WITH INTELLIGENT NAVIGATION AND DISPLAY FEATURES - Methods and systems are disclosed that allow a user to efficiently navigate media selections in an interactive media guidance application and easily identify media for viewing. The disclosed methods and systems provide an environment wherein video assets are displayed according to a user preference on a mosaic page with multiple cells. A subset of the assets appropriate for display in a particular cell is determined based on the user preference. Relevance scores of the assets meeting the user preference are computed, and the asset having the greatest relevance for the user is selected and displayed the corresponding cell. The relevance scores can be computed based on the user's historic viewing habits, user interaction with a media guidance application, or on specific user input. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100162305 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTENDING RECORDING TIME FOR A DIGITAL VIDEO RECORD (DVR) - A system and method for extending recording time over an allocated time slot for a AN recording device including receiving, at a programming content server, a request for one or more programs and transmitting, via the programming content server, the request for one or more programs to at least one of a linear content system and a digital content system. Also, the system and method may include receiving, at the programming content server, the one or more requested programs from at least one of the linear content system and the digital content system; and transmitting, via the programming content server, one or more programming content identification messages to a set-top box in the event that the one or more requested programs extend over an allocated time slot. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100162306 | USER INTERFACE FEATURES FOR INFORMATION MANIPULATION AND DISPLAY DEVICES - Systems and methods are provided for improving the market appeal and/or usability of information manipulation and/or display devices (IMDDs). | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100162307 | Method for receiving a broadcast signal and broadcast receiver - A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including an NRT service, method comprises receiving a broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying the NRT service based on the first signaling information, identifying an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an NRT service signaling data based on the first signaling information and the second signaling information, receiving the NRT service signaling data by accessing the IP address, and downloading a desired NRT service based on the NRT service signaling data. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100162308 | Method for receiving a broadcast signal and broadcast receiver - A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including an NRT service, the method comprises receiving a broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying the NRT service based on the first signaling information, parsing the second signaling information to identify an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an NRT service signaling channel, receiving the NRT service signaling channel by accessing the IP address, and downloading a desired NRT service based on the NRT service signaling channel. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100162309 | NAVIGATING CONTENT - A method to separately assign and modify multiple attributes of information and structure to an individual block or to a larger unitary whole comprised of multiple blocks is disclosed. A number of block instances of a block is determined. Each block instance is associated with one or more structure attributes. A number of data elements is determined. Each data element is associated with one or more information attributes. The data elements are mapped to the block instances. The mapped block instances are displayed contiguously. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100169918 | Community Programmed Television - A community programmed television (CPT) network comprises a provider of community programmed television schedules and a plurality of community programmed television receivers. The television receivers may receive schedules from the provider and execute activities such as displaying a television program, playing a game, chatting, and shopping at times specified by the schedule. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100169919 | ACQUIRING CABLE CHANNEL MAP INFORMATION IN A CABLE RECEIVER - The present invention is a method, system, and computer-readable medium for acquiring a channel map in a cable receiver. The channel map associates physical analog and digital channels in an RF spectrum to channel identification data, where the channel identification data includes physical RF channel numbers, modulation type, virtual channels, and channel names. The method obtains a list of available channels from an electronic program guide service provider, and initializes the channel map based on the list of available channels. The method performs a channel scan to detect clear channels, and collect identification information for each detected clear channel. Based on the identification information, the method updates the channel map for each detected channel. The method receives changes to the channel map from a user of the cable receiver device, updates the channel map based on the changes to the channel map from the user, and uploads the channel map to the electronic program guide service provider. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100169920 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE SIGNALS - A system and method for use in a cable network to acquire electronic programming guide (EPG) content signals from one or more EPG vendors. The system includes a set-top box (STB) for receiving cable signals and EPG signals from a headend controller so that the STB can output the signals to a media output device for display. A conversion table is provided to each STB for use by the STB in determining source IDs associated with a given channel for each EPG vendor, the source IDs for use in acquiring the EPG content signals. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100169921 | Method and System for Providing Quick Service Access - Provided are apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving quick access services. For example, a mobile terminal may receive a data stream containing a quick access service of a particular type. The quick access service may have a fixed Packet Identification (PID) and/or fixed IP address. The fixed PID and/or fixed IP addressed may be associated with a quick access service based on the particular type of the quick access service. In another example, a mobile terminal and a user interface on a mobile terminal may provide a menu for selection of an access mode for accessing the quick access service. Also, a quick access service may be selected based on the type of the quick access service. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100169922 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100169923 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100169924 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BRAOADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 07-01-2010 |
| 20100175085 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - Provided is a method for providing electronic program guide of an image display device. A system for displaying an electronic program guide includes a management server and an image display device. The management server collects recommended program-related information from at least one image display device connected through a network, and compiles the same. The image display device receives the compiled recommended program-related information from the management server, and reflects the received recommended program-related information to the electronic program guide to reconstruct the electronic program guide. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100175086 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING TRANSPORT CONTROL - A transport control interface may be provided by an interactive television program guide application to provide information, control or both for live and recorded video programming. The transport control interface may indicate to the user the time duration of a live or recorded program and any time segments of the program that have been recorded. The transport control interface may automatically adjust the start and end time shown to accommodate various factors such as continuous viewing on a particular channel, multiple recorded segments, buffer size, etc. Various information associated with the live or recorded video programming may be displayed in the transport control interface. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100175087 | Notifying Users of Interactive Functions - A method and apparatus for notifying a user of an interactive event using a remote control device. In one embodiment, a remote control device contains either a display or a bright light, or both, which can create a visual alert to let a user know that an interactive function is available. The nature of the function may be displayed on a screen attached to the remote control device. | 07-08-2010 |
| 20100180298 | TERMINAL DEVICE, BROADCASTING RECEIVING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - A terminal device coupled to a broadcasting receiving apparatus is provided. The terminal device includes a communication unit which receives electronic program guide (EPG) information from the Internet, a display unit which displays an EPG screen including broadcasting channel information based on the EPG information, and a control unit which controls the broadcasting receiving apparatus to perform an operation corresponding to a selection. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100180299 | System and Method for Receiving Broadcast Content on a Mobile Platform During International Travel - A vehicle information system for passenger vehicles, such as automobiles and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The vehicle information system includes a multi-regional antenna subsystem and a multi-regional receiver system for receiving viewing content provided by diverse content sources during travel, including international travel. The multi-regional antenna and receiver system provide selected viewing content for distribution throughout the vehicle information system and presentation via one or more passenger interfaces. As the vehicle approaches the coverage region of a selected content source, the vehicle information system automatically reconfigures the multi-regional antenna and receiver system to receive viewing content from the content source without requiring manual adjustment to, or replacement of, the multi-regional antenna subsystem and/or receiver system. Passengers traveling aboard the vehicle thereby can continuously enjoy the viewing content during travel with limited interruption in service and without unwanted travel delays. | 07-15-2010 |
| 20100186033 | PREMIUM CHANNEL PROMOTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - The present invention is directed to a television schedule guide which includes a detector for determining whether a previously scrambled program is unscrambled. If a previously scrambled program is momentarily unscrambled due to promotional efforts by the program provider, the system will visually distinguish the program on the guide, and a viewer may tune to or record the program from the guide. The view may also subscribe to the program provider through the guide during the promotional period. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100192178 | Capture of stylized TV table data via OCR - In certain implementations consistent with the present invention, a method of detecting text in a television video display table involves saving a frame of video to a memory device; determining that the frame of video contains a table having cells containing text; storing a working copy of the frame of video to a memory; isolating text in the table by: removing any table boundaries from the image; removing any cell boundaries from the image; determining if the image has three dimensional or shadow attributes and removing any three dimensional or shadow attributes identified; thereby producing text isolated against a contrasting color background; and processing the isolated text using an optical character recognition (OCR) engine to extract the text as data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100199307 | Enhanced Display Panels of Television Receiving Devices and Methods - Information may be provided via a display panel of a television receiving device by determining satisfaction of at least one condition while at least one television program is selected, and displaying information other than the information regarding the selected at least one television program via the display panel of the television receiving device when satisfaction of the at least one condition is determined. Determining satisfaction of the condition may involve: determining an elapse of a predetermined period of time without user input after the information regarding the selected at least one television program is initially displayed; determining an elapse of a predetermined period of time without a change of the selected at least one television program after the information regarding the selected at least one television program is initially displayed; determining a standby state of the television receiving device; or determining an off state of the television receiving device. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100205632 | Electronic Program Guides, Systems and Methods Providing Variable Size of Textual Information - An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) for television programming may be provided by changing a size of at least a portion of textual information to be displayed in the EPG. In embodiments, a television receiving device may include: a memory configured to store an EPG, the EPG including textual information corresponding to television programs scheduled to be broadcast; a user interface configured to receive user input; and a processor in communication with the memory and the user interface, configured to output the EPG to be displayed with at least one portion of the textual information in a first size in response to first user input received via the user interface, and configured to output the EPG to be displayed with the at least one portion of the textual information in a second size different from the first size in response to a second user input received via the user interface. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100205633 | DISPLAY APPARATUS, DISPLAY METHOD, AND DISPLAY PROGRAM - This display apparatus includes a receiver that receives a broadcast signal and extracts program scheduling information from the received broadcast signal, a program table generator that generates a program table in a selected time zone selected by a user, on the basis of the program scheduling information extracted by the receiver, a display that displays the program table generated by the program table generator, and a controller that controls the program table generator. The program table displayed in the display includes a time axis indicating broadcast schedule time and a program display section that displays program frames indicating information about broadcast-scheduled programs along the time axis. On the basis of the program scheduling information, program frames indicating broadcast-scheduled programs firmly scheduled in the selected time zone are displayed as first program frames in the program display section. On the basis of the program scheduling information, a determination is made as to whether there is an empty display region where no first program frame is present in the program display section. When there is an empty display region, a program frame indicating a broadcast-scheduled program firmly scheduled in a time zone out of the selected time zone is displayed as a second program frame in the empty display region. | 08-12-2010 |
| 20100211973 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA IN DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM - A digital broadcasting system and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. A method for controlling a digital broadcast receiving system includes the steps of receiving a broadcast signal having mobile service data and main service data multiplexed therein, extracting transmission parameter channel (TPC) signaling information and fast information channel (FIC) signaling information from a data group within the received mobile service data, by using the extracted fast information channel (FIC) signaling information, acquiring a program table describing virtual channel information and service of an ensemble, the ensemble being a virtual channel group of the received mobile service data, by using the acquired program table, detecting a descriptor defining basic information required for accessing the received service, and, by using the detected descriptor, controlling the receiving system to enable access to the corresponding service. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100211974 | Navigation within switched digital streamed content - In certain embodiments, a method carried out in a digital television receiver device incapable of full two way communications, of receiving switched digital television programs involves storing a virtual channel table in the digital television receiver device, the virtual channel table having entries for each available channel and having a channel type indicator that identifies switched digital channels; receiving a command indicative of selection of a switched digital channel having the switched digital channel type indicator in the stored virtual channel table; sending a request from the television receiver device for the switched digital channel; responsive to the request, receiving a response that either grants the request or denies the request; and if the response grants the request, receiving an updated virtual channel table having updated table entries. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100218212 | Digital Television Translator With PSIP Update - A digital television translator includes a digital television receiver for receiving a first digital television signal at a first frequency and generating a digital transport stream from the first digital television signal. The digital transport stream can include original Program and System Information (PSIP) data having RX channel data that is indicative of the first frequency, the first major channel number, and/or the first minor channel number. The digital television translator also includes a PSIP update module for updating the original PSIP data in the digital transport stream by replacing the RX channel data with TX channel data. The TX data is indicative of a second frequency, a second major channel number, and/or a second minor channel number. The digital television translator further includes a digital television modulator for converting the digital transport stream having the updated PSIP data into a second digital television signal at the second frequency, where the second frequency can be the same or different from the first frequency. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100229194 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTE CONTROL BASED CUSTOMIZATION - A system and method for customizing a user interface. The method includes receiving an input signal from a remote control device. The input signal may include an input command and identification information operable to be used for identifying the remote control device. A determination is made as to whether the remote control device has sufficient rights for execution of the input command by a content access system. In response to a determination of sufficient rights, a profile associated with the remote control is accessed. A customized user interface is then presented according to the profile. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100229195 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING A PROGRAM GUIDE - A system and method for displaying an electronic program guide are disclosed. In one embodiment the method comprises receiving, for a plurality of first events, first event metadata comprising a first event description and a first logical channel number, receiving, for a plurality of second events, second event metadata comprising a second event description and a second logical channel number, assigning the first logical channel number associated with a particular first event to a particular second event, wherein the assignment is based on the first event metadata of the particular first event and the second event metadata of the particular second event, and displaying a program guide comprising at least a portion of the second event metadata of the particular second event. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100229196 | REMOTE CONTROLLER WITH MULTIMEDIA CONTENT DISPLAY AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF - Provided are a remote controller and a method of controlling the remote controller, wherein the remote controller is operable to be in one of a first operating mode or a second operating mode, and which is connectable to a docking station, the remote controller including: an internal display screen, which displays at least one digital image; and a controller which may be operable to change between the first and second operating modes, wherein if the remote controller is connected to the docking station and if the remote controller is in the second operating mode, the controller controls the remote controller to change to the first operating mode to provide predetermined multimedia content. | 09-09-2010 |
| 20100235860 | Headend modeling of data - A data modeling method for modeling data for an electronic program guide (EPG) at a broadcast headend is described. The method includes grouping receiver types according to a first set of characteristics associated with a receiver type, thereby producing a plurality of groups of receivers, assigning a bit-number to each group of receivers, providing EPG data, the EPG data including data for display at an EPG, the EPG data being included in a data fragment, evaluating the data fragment and the EPG data included therein according to at least one characteristic from a second set of characteristics, thereby producing a result, adding metadata to the data fragment, the metadata including a bit field including the assigned bit number, the bit number being determined in accordance with the result, the metadata being indicative of at least one characteristic from the first set of characteristics with which a data container and EPG data included therein are associated, and broadcasting the data fragment in the data container. Related methods and apparatus are also described. | 09-16-2010 |
| 20100251297 | TIME-SHIFT RECORDING BUFFER AS HOME NETWORK OBJECTS - In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided comprising: creating a temporary home network electronic program guide object for a television program currently stored in a time-shift buffer of a home network-enabled device; and storing an identifier for the temporary home network electronic program guide object in an object for a channel. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100251298 | Navigation of Multimedia Content - Methods and systems for navigating multimedia content are disclosed. A first plurality of selectable icons is displayed. A selection of a particular selectable icon of the first plurality of selectable icons is received. The particular selectable icon represents multimedia content associated with a particular user. In response to receiving the selection of the particular selectable icon, a display of a second plurality of selectable icons is initiated. At least one of the second plurality of selectable icons represents a particular multimedia program that is associated with the particular user. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100251299 | System and Method to Send Information Identifying Reccomended Media Content Items - A method includes accessing an electronic program guide (EPG). The method includes identifying recommended media content items using the EPG and selecting one or more addresses of recipients. The method further includes sending information identifying recommended media content items to the selected addresses. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100251300 | Interactive Display Highlight Systems, Methods, and Computer Program Products - In one example, a user interface is provided for interactively displaying data. The interactive user interface includes: an interactive display window that displays data indicating a schedule of events, wherein the data is displayed according to a first display format; and a highlight selection item that reformats a subset of the displayed data to visually distinguish the subset from the displayed data. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100251301 | CLIENT-SERVER BASED INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH REMOTE SERVER RECORDING - An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100262994 | CONTENT PROCESSING DEVICE AND METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - A content processing device includes: a keyword acquiring means for acquiring a keyword for specifying content; a title acquiring means for acquiring a content title; a processing means for processing the acquired title on the basis of a predefined processing rule; a similarity calculating means for calculating similarity between the processed title and the keyword; and an identifying means for identifying content having a title specified by the keyword on the basis of the calculated similarity. | 10-14-2010 |
| 20100269137 | TRANSMISSION DEVICE, VIDEO SIGNAL TRANSMISSION METHOD FOR TRANSMISSION DEVICE, RECEPTION DEVICE, AND VIDEO SIGNAL RECEPTION METHOD FOR RECEPTION DEVICE - [Object] To allow a contents list of a video camera recorder to be smoothly displayed on a television receiver and improve the performance of a selecting operation on video content by a user. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100269138 | SELECTION AND PRESENTATION OF CONTEXT-RELEVANT SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT AND ADVERTISING - Media content is paired with context-relevant supplemental content, and the media and supplemental content are provided to a user. A media stream containing the media content may be received from a source system, and context information about the media content is determined from information about the media stream. The supplemental content may be selected based on the determined context information. This may enable a business model in which third parties can register advertising or other supplemental content and specify the criteria that cause it to be combined with the media content. | 10-21-2010 |
| 20100275229 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR INSTANT MULTI-CHANNEL VIDEO CONTENT BROWSING IN DIGITAL VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS - Disclosed are a method, apparatus, system, and computer readable media containing instructions for preparing and displaying a plurality of audio-visual signals in a digital video distribution system (e.g., IPTV), which enables fast channel switching between channels. The system includes a server which sends a plurality of audio-visual signals coded in a base layer and enhancement layer format to an endpoint. The endpoint receives and decodes the base layer of a first channel, at least one second base layer of a second channel, and at least one enhancement layer of the first channel, and displays them on a video display. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100281501 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING SERVICE GUIDE INFORMATION - A system and method for providing Electronic Service Guide (ESG) information to one or more terminals. Sliding time windows are used in a hierarchical fashion in order to prioritize file delivery sessions. In this arrangement, file delivery sessions representing a first interval of the hierarchy are extended to cover a longer interval whenever the interval becomes obsolete, i.e., when the end point of the interval becomes a point in the past before the current time. The end point of the first interval is extended beyond the current time by creating one or more subsequent intervals in the hierarchy. When a session is dropped, a new session is introduced at the end of the hierarchy. Various embodiments also provide a mechanism by which bandwidth can be allocated so that more bandwidth is provided to desired portions of the ESG. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100281502 | METHOD OF ACQUIRING PROGRAM GUIDE INFORMATION, PROGRAM GUIDE METHOD APPROPRIATE FOR THE SAME, AND PROGRAM GUIDE APPARATUS - A method and apparatus of acquiring program guide information for a digital television receiver. There is provided a digital television signal receiver, including: a tuner to receive a digital television transport stream (TS) which includes audio, video, and program information; an extractor to extract the program information from the received TS; a storage to store the extracted program information; a processor to access the storage to generate a channel list based on the stored program information stored in the storage, where the channel list comprises at least one channel number and the at least one channel number comprises at least one main channel number; and a user interface to allow a user to navigate the channel list to search a channel number, wherein if the at least one main channel number has a corresponding sub-channel number, the sub-channel number can be listed after the at least one main channel number. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100287587 | VIRTUAL MEDIA CHANNELS - Methods for displaying a user's personal media content via an EPG that also displays third-party broadcast television channels. Personal media content associated with a user is retrieved from one or more networks, and aggregated by type of media. The personal content media is further sorted into groups of media content sharing a common attribute. A virtual media channel is created for each group of media, and is added to the EPG. Each virtual media channel is populated with the user's personal media content affiliated with the group. | 11-11-2010 |
| 20100293572 | METHOD OF PROVIDING TELEVISION PROGRAM INFORMATION - A method for providing television program information, comprising: determining a device profile of an receiver, transmitting the device profile to a server, determining a user profile of a user of the receiver, determining, at the server, the television program information based on the user profile and on the device profile. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100293573 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING BROADCASTING CHANNEL - The present invention relates to an apparatus of searching a broadcast channel and a method of the same. According to the present invention, a quick channel searching is achieved because information of two channels may be searched simultaneously on at least two divided sections of a screen with a single channel change input signal. Furthermore, it is possible to compare and select channels because one of the channels is fixed and only the other one is changeable on the at least two divided sections of the screen. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100293574 | DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SEARCHING CHANNEL - Provided are a display device and a channel search method thereof. The display device comprises: a key input unit for inputting a request command from a user; a tuner unit for sequentially searching broadcast channels of each band according to a channel search command input from the key input unit; and a control unit for controlling a channel re-search to be performed sequentially from an already-searched channel when a channel re-search command is input from the key input unit during the sequential channel search. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100299701 | MEDIA CONTENT RETRIEVAL SYSTEM AND PERSONAL VIRTUAL CHANNEL - A system is disclosed for media content search and retrieval, and a virtual television channel capable of using that system. The present system may be implemented on a computing device, such as for example a media service server, and a client device, such as for example a set top box for a television system, a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant or a gaming console. A first aspect of the present system relates to a media download control engine which enables a client device with limited capabilities to play media content which comes from a website in a format not supported by the client device. A second aspect of the present system may make use of the media download control engine to obtain media content and create customized virtual channels. The second aspect in particular relates to a virtual channel engine that schedules a continuous stream of content for the user, which content is selected based on topics of interest to the user. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100299702 | DELIVERY OF SELECTIVE CONTENT TO CLIENT APPLICATIONS BY MOBILE BROADCAST DEVICE WITH CONTENT FILTERING CAPABILITY - Methods and systems enable application content for use by an application running on a receiver device to be broadcast by a mobile multimedia broadcast network for energy-efficient reception and use by receiver devices. Information about application content that will be broadcast is broadcast in application metadata messages. Receiver devices may receive such application metadata messages in a broadcast receiver client which passes the information to the application. The application may inform the broadcast receiver client of particular application content or filtering attributes to use in selecting application content to be received. The broadcast receiver client receives the indicated application content at the designated broadcast time and passes the received content to the application for processing. In an embodiment the application is a Mobile Billboard Advertising (MobAd) application, the application metadata includes attributes about ad content and the broadcast application content includes ad content. | 11-25-2010 |
| 20100319024 | Broadcast Receiving Apparatus - There is provided a broadcast receiving apparatus | 12-16-2010 |
| 20100325664 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ELECTRIC PROGRAM GUIDE - In a display apparatus, an Electric Program Guide (EPG) is distinctively displayed to overlap with current broadcasting data being displayed. A method for displaying EPG includes determining whether an EPG display request signal is received while broadcasting data is displayed. When the EPG display request signal is received, at least one of brightness and chroma of a screen displaying the broadcasting data is modified. The EPG is displayed on the screen so that the displayed EPG has a different brightness or chroma than the modified brightness or chroma of the screen. This may improve recognizability and/or legibility of EPG by employing a modification in brightness or chroma when the EPG is displayed on current broadcasting data. For further improved recognizability and/or legibility, a border effect or a blur effect may be applied to a user's selected item in the displayed EPG. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100333135 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE ON A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control interactive media guidance applications running on user equipment. The wireless communications device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that are coordinated with the features of the interactive media guidance or other applications. The wireless communications device may function as a remote controller for user equipment. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100333136 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE ON A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control interactive media guidance applications running on user equipment. The wireless communications device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that are coordinated with the features of the interactive media guidance or other applications. The wireless communications device may function as a remote controller for user equipment. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100333137 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CONTENT SCHEDULING ACROSS MULTIPLE DEVICES - Methods and systems for scheduling media content presentation across multiple devices are disclosed. A media planner application generates media event presentation schedules for one or more users based on user-scheduled media events and automatic media event recommendations. Media events can be scheduled for presentation on multiple user devices, including portable devices. Media event recommendations can be generated based at least in part on user preferences and habits, such as user media preferences, device availability, device usage, device connectivity, and user mood. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20100333138 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING REMOTE ACCESS TO INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods for providing remote access to interactive media guidance applications are provided. In particular, the systems and methods for providing remote access to interactive media guidance applications provided herein generally relate to enhancing remote access capabilities by providing algorithms and techniques for managing and correcting disparities that may be found between program listings data used by the interactive media guidance application and the remote access server. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110004901 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A SCHEDULE SHIFT FUNCTION IN A MULTI-CHANNEL BROADCAST MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM - A global program guide pause function in a broadcast multimedia system including a first main control configured to process multimedia content received from a packet processor, the first main control including an analyzer module for acquiring and analyzing program guide data to determine multiple time-delayed start content, a filtration module for filtering undesired content and enabling desired data streams to be saved in at least one global memory device, and a guide module for creating a program guide comprising only non-filtered programs being offered at time-delayed start times. The guide module is further configured to create multiple listings in the program guide showing a real-time versus a delayed-start time for each non-filtered program. A popular stream packet processor can be provided for saving data content corresponding to popular programs. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110004902 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTENT STREAM FILTERING IN A MULTI-CHANNEL BROADCAST MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM - A system for providing content stream filtering in a broadcast multimedia system having a global pause function includes a pre-pause controller configured for processing audio and video data content prior to the global pause function, the data content being received from a packet processor. The pre-pause controller includes an analyzer module for acquiring and analyzing program guide data to apply selection criteria to determine desired content to be stored in a pause function memory device, a filtration module for filtering out undesired content and enabling desired data content comprising primary filtered content to be saved in at least one pause function memory device, and a guide module for creating a program guide comprising only primary filtered content to be offered to viewers. A post-pause controller is provided for processing content subsequent to the global pause function, the post-pause controller including a user-customized filtration module for filtering the primary filtered content in accordance with viewer requests. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110004903 | METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY PROVIDING DVB-H AND STREAMING SERVICES IN A PORTABLE TERMINAL - A method for providing Digital Video Broadcasting-Handheld (DVB-H) and streaming services in a portable terminal includes receiving Electronic Service Guide (ESG) data of DVB-H and displaying a DVB-H channel, confirming whether a field associated with a streaming channel is present in a reserved field of the received ESG data, and if the associated field is present in the ESG data, displaying a steaming channel corresponding to the associated field together with the DVB-H channel. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110010739 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TRANSMITTING/RECEIVING STEREOSCOPIC VIDEO IN DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM - Provided is a method for transmitting a stereoscopic video in a digital broadcasting system, the stereoscopic video being composed of a left view and a right view. The method includes: generating information indicating that the video is stereoscopic, information about a composition type of the stereoscopic video, and additional information based on the composition type; and transmitting the stereoscopic video and the generated information. The composition type is to compose the stereoscopic video of a single or two encoding streams by using the left view and the right view. In the case of a single stream mode in which the stereoscopic video is composed of the single encoding stream, the additional information includes information about positions of the left and right views. In the case of a dual stream mode in which the stereoscopic video is composed of the two encoding streams, the additional information includes information indicating whether the respective encoding streams are the left view or the right view and information indicating correlation between the respective encoding streams. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20110023061 | RESOURCE SCHEDULING APPARATUS AND METHOD, PROGRAM REQUESTING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A resource scheduling apparatus, a resource scheduling method, a program requesting method, a program requesting system, and a Set Top Box (STB) are provided. The resource scheduling method includes: distributing bandwidth greater than an inherent code rate of a program respectively requested by a user to a Video On Demand (VOD) program of the user within available bandwidth of a frequency point according to a received VOD user request; and reducing the bandwidth distributed to at least one VOD program to which bandwidth has been distributed according to the received VOD user request for currently requesting the program when the available bandwidth of the frequency point is smaller than an inherent code rate of a currently requested program, so that the available bandwidth of the frequency point is greater than or equal to the inherent code rate of the currently requested program. Thus, a transmission speed of the program and a utilization ratio of the bandwidth are increased. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110023062 | IP BROADCASTING RECEIVER AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SERVICE IN IP BROADCASTING RECEIVER - An IP broadcast receiver and a method for providing a service in the IP broadcast receiver are disclosed. Information related to an IP broadcast and/or the IP broadcast receiver is provided to a terminal connected to a communication network via a server unit provided in the IP broadcast receiver, and a service related to the IP broadcast and/or the IP broadcast receiver may be performed according to a request from the terminal. Information provided to the terminal may include a menu allowing a user to select one or more services from among an EPG service, a reservation service, a history service, a contents uploading/downloading service. A menu screen image may be provided with a resolution corresponding to the connected terminal. Thus, the operations related to the IP broadcast receiver, e.g., EPG checking, reservation record, reservation watch, history checking, contents uploading/downloading, and the like, can be remotely simply performed, thus enhancing user convenience. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110047569 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING IMPROVED RECEPTION OF BROADCAST SIGNALS - A method comprises playing a selected channel. The method further comprises determining a quality metric for the selected channel, determining whether an alternate channel with the same program as the selected channel is available, determining a quality metric for the alternate channel if the alternate channel with the same program as the selected channel is available, and playing the alternate channel if the quality metric of the alternate channel is higher than the quality metric of the selected channel. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110067058 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING CONTENT TO A MEDIA DEVICE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a mobile device having a controller to present media content provided by an interactive television (iTV) network, select a function during presentation of the media content to store at least a remaining portion of the media content, wherein the function is selected when the presentation of the media content is to be interrupted, store the media content in a memory location of the mobile device, select the function to retrieve the remaining portion of the media content from the memory location, and present the remaining portion of the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110067059 | MEDIA CONTROL - Systems and methods to control media are disclosed. A particular method includes receiving a speech input at a mobile communications device. The speech input is processed to generate audio data. The audio data is sent, via a mobile data network, to a first server. The first server processes the audio data to generate text based on the audio data. Data related to the text is received from the first server. One or more commands are sent to a second server via the mobile data network. In response to the one or more commands, the second server sends control signals based on the one or more commands to a media controller. The control signals cause the media controller to control multimedia content displayed via a display device. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110067060 | SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM - A system and method in a television for providing user-selection of objects in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110078731 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MULTIPLE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION NAVIGATION - Systems and methods for allowing a user to access media guidance application settings from any given mobile device and centralize the settings using a media equipment device are provided. One or more mobile devices may be detected with a media equipment device. The media equipment device may receive mobile media guidance application settings from the detected mobile devices. The media equipment device may replicate a mobile media guidance application for each of the detected mobile devices based on the received settings. Access to the replicated mobile media guidance applications associated with the detected mobile devices may be provided on the media equipment device. Changes to the settings of the replicated mobile media guidance applications associated with the detected mobile devices may be tracked and transmitted to the corresponding mobile device. The mobile device may modify a mobile media guidance application based on the changes received from the media equipment device. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110078732 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CAUSING A PROMOTED PROGRAM TO BE CAPTURED - A method implemented at a network entity. The method comprises receiving an indication of a selection made by a user while the user is viewing a stream of video content, obtaining programming information regarding a program promoted in the stream of video content when the selection was made and causing the program to be captured for the user at least in part on the basis of the programming information regarding the program. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110078733 | CONTROLLING PROGRAM GUIDE IN BROADCAST RECEIVING DEVICE - A broadcast receiving device and a method for change one or more configurations of windows of a program guide displayed on a display unit of a broadcast receiving device according to a user input, are discussed. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110078734 | METHOD FOR OPERATING AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE, A USER DEVICE FOR AN INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE, A METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR PROVIDING A CONSOLIDATED DATA GUIDE INFORMATION LISTING - A method for displaying an interactive program guide, a user device for an interactive program guide, a method and device for providing a consolidated data guide information listing are disclosed. A receiver is configured to receive individual data guide information from at least two information sources. A controller is configured to combine the received individual data guide information to form a consolidated data guide information listing and to output the consolidated data guide information listing. A displayer is configured to generate a display of at least a portion of the consolidated data guide information listing output to the controller. | 03-31-2011 |
| 20110083148 | BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND METHOD AND PROGRAM FOR BROADCAST RECEPTION - Provided is a broadcast receiving apparatus which makes it possible to select a desired television program quickly by channel-surfing. The broadcast receiving apparatus ( | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110083149 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to receive a selection of media content that has finished being broadcast where the selection is of the previously broadcast media content, transmit a request for the media content, and receive the media content for presentation at the display device, where the media content includes a plurality of segments, where one or more of the segments is provided by each of a plurality of digital video recorders (DVR's) that have recorded the media content, where the DVR's are remote from the set top box, and where the plurality of segments are merged prior to presentation by the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110088062 | PROXY FOR VIDEO ON DEMAND SERVER CONTROL - A video on demand system includes a head-end coupled through a proxy server to plural client terminals. The proxy server performs (or cooperates with another component in performing) various functions, including user interface definition, security, system administration (e.g. channel management, load distribution, and failover), and protocol translation. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110093893 | DATA DISTRIBUTION - A device may include a communication interface configured to receive programming information from a service provider multicast over multiple channels. The device may also include logic configured to decode the programming information received over the multiple channels, assemble a programming guide based on the decoded programming information and output the programming guide to an output device for display. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110093894 | PROGRAM GUIDE APPLICATION INTERFACE SYSTEM - A program guide system is provided that supports a program guide application and multiple non-guide applications. The program guide system has a program guide application interface that allows the non-guide applications to use both device resources and program guide resources. The application interface maintains a list of registered applications and directs control requests from various applications to the current primary application. The application interface also has a user interface input director that directs keystrokes and other user input commands to the appropriate application. If a keystroke for the program guide application is detected while a non-guide application is running, the program guide application is invoked. | 04-21-2011 |
| 20110099577 | FILTERING OF DYNAMIC SERVICES IN CACHED SERVICE ACQUISITION DATA - At a receiving device after a power-on or physical channel change, the physical channel is monitored for activity relating to services for which electronic service guide (ESG) data had been previously cached. The ESG data for a service will include some service identification information, such as an interne protocol (IP) address associated with the service. The monitoring of the physical channel for activity related to a service can be done by listening for the IP address associated with the service. If activity is detected, the service is determined to be active and its cached ESG data valid. Service acquisition data included in the cached ESG data is used to present the service to the user. The invention thus allows the presentation of services to the user using cached ESG data as soon as the services are detected to be active, without the need to wait for the reception of fresh ESG data. The cached ESG data of services for which no activity is detected is not used and may be deleted from the cache after a certain period. | 04-28-2011 |
| 20110107372 | Near-Real Time Internet Protocol Television - A set top box includes a processor configured to provide an electronic programming guide to available television programming. The available television programming includes previously-aired content, currently-airing content, and to-be-aired content. The processor is further configured to receive a selection indicating selected content, and determine if the selected content is previously aired content, currently airing content, or to-be-aired content. The processor is still further configured to request the selected content from a distribution server when the selected content is previously aired content, and provide playback of the selected content. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110119706 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DISTRIBUTED MEDIA CONSUMPTION - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first set-top-box (STB) of a group of STBs, the first STB having a controller to select via a graphical user interface (GUI) a media program and a second STB of the group of STBs for receiving an invitation to participate in a media session, wherein the media session comprises presentation of the media program, transmit the invitation to the second STB of the group of STBs, wherein information associated with the invitation is visually displayed at a third STB of the group of STBs participating in the media session, and present the media program at the first STB during the media session, wherein the media program is presented at the third STB during the media session. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110119707 | METHOD OF PROVIDING CONTENTS INFORMATION FOR A NETWORK TELEVISION - Embodiments provide a method that allows users for easily acquire contents information by receiving and displaying only providable contents lists without connecting to servers of a plurality of contents providers, in a network TV that can receive and play contents while being connected with the contents providers. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110119708 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING MULTIMEDIA STREAM FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL REPRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL VIDEO REPRODUCTION INFORMATION, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING MULTIMEDIA STREAM FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL REPRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL VIDEO REPRODUCTION INFORMATION - A multimedia stream generating method for 3-dimensional (3D) reproduction of additional reproduction information is provided, the method includes generating a video elementary stream (ES), an audio ES, an additional data stream, and an ancillary information stream that respectively comprise video data, audio data related to the video data, data of additional reproduction information which is to be reproduced together with the video data on a display screen, and additional reproduction information depth information used for 3D reproduction of the additional reproduction information. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110119709 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING MULTIMEDIA STREAM FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL REPRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL VIDEO REPRODUCTION INFORMATION, AND METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECEIVING MULTIMEDIA STREAM FOR 3-DIMENSIONAL REPRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL VIDEO REPRODUCTION INFORMATION - A multimedia stream generating method for 3-dimensional (3D) reproduction of additional reproduction information is provided. The method includes generating a video elementary stream (ES), an audio ES, an additional data stream, and an ancillary information stream that respectively comprise video data, audio data related to the video data, data of additional reproduction information which is to be reproduced together with the video data on a display screen, and additional reproduction information depth information used for 3D reproduction of the additional reproduction information, the video data including at least one of a 2D video image and a 3D video image. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110126230 | CONTENT INGESTION FOR A CONTENT SYSTEM - A computer-implemented system and method for enabling content information ingestion and processing in a content browsing and recommendation system are disclosed. The system and method in an example embodiment includes: gathering available content information related to particular items of content from a plurality of content sources via a data network; normalizing the gathered content information by using an ingestion engine; processing the content information, using a data processor, to associate particular items of content information with content catalogs; and storing the processed content information into a database with information identifying associated content catalogs. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110126231 | MOBILE DEVICE, AV DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - Disclosed is a mobile device. The mobile device includes: a display; a user input receiving unit which receives input by a user; a storage unit; a communication unit which communicates with an external AV device via a network; and a controller which receives UI information of the AV device from the AV device through the communication unit to display the UI information on the display, controls the storage unit to store a user setup value of the AV device according to the input of the user, and controls the communication unit to transmit the user setup value to the AV device when the communication unit starts communicating with the AV device. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110126232 | METHOD OF PROCESSING EPG METADATA IN NETWORK DEVICE AND NETWORK DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A method of processing EPG metadata in a network device includes performing a services discovery procedure utilizing multiple service discovery metadata components supplied by a service provider, and requesting specific SGDDs (service guide delivery descriptors) or specific fragments. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110131605 | System and Method to Identify an Item Depicted when Media Content is Displayed - A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a set-top box device, media content from a media content server. The media content includes one or more metadata tags associated with one or more items depicted when the media content is displayed. The computer-implemented method includes sending the media content to a display device. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving a first user selection to visually identify the one or more items. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving a purchase request to purchase at least one of the one or more items depicted. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110138416 | AUGMENTED REMOTE CONTROLLER AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - An image display may be controlled on a remote controller based on augmented reality. An image display apparatus may be identified that is connected to a network or located about the remote controller. A search may be made for content information regarding content playable in the identified image display apparatus. The content information may be received based on the searching. A screen may display a content guide image based on the received content information while simultaneously displaying an image of the identified image display apparatus. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110145860 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - There is provided an information processing apparatus which includes an acquisition unit acquiring an instruction for selecting content information and related information, a search unit searching for plural pieces of the content information or related information which are related to at least a part of the selected content information or the selected related information, an image data generation unit generating first image data in which the content information is arranged using axes of two attributes of the content information, and second image data in which the content information or the related information is arranged using axes of one or two attributes of the content information or the related information in different directions from the two axes of the first image data, and a display control unit controlling a display screen to transparently overlay and display the first image data and the second image data. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110145861 | APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING BROADCAST SERVICES - Provided is the broadcast service controlling apparatus and method. The broadcast service controlling method may perform grouping, into a broadcast group, broadcast services having the same transmission feature, may control scheduling information associated with the broadcast services included in the broadcast group and thus, may dynamically perform scheduling with respect to broadcast services. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110154395 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING IPTV RECEPTION INFORMATION OVER HFC NETWORK - An apparatus of providing Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) reception information includes a Cable Modem (CM) to provide an interactive service that enables an IPTV broadcast content including service information, and a Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) Media Access Control Management Message (MMM) based on the service information to be received from a cable network, or enables an IPTV broadcast content control signal to be transmitted from a subscriber to the cable network, and a Set-Top Box (STB) to decode the IPTV broadcast content received from the CM and to transmit the decoded IPTV broadcast content to a display device. The STB may receive an IPTV broadcast content selected by a user using Layer 2 (L2) reception information bounded to the IPTV broadcast content. Thus, it is possible to receive an IPTV broadcast content selected by a user directly without a delay time. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110162006 | DISTRIBUTED PRESENTATION SOFTWARE FOR MULTIPLE INSTANTIATIONS IN HOME NETWORK - One and only instance of a video service model component (for example, an electronic program guide (EPG) model description) is executed in a home network gateway, with multiple instantiations of a view/controller module associated with the model module being generated, one for each display device seeking to simultaneously display the video service. In this way the functionality of a single video service model is shared in the network without requiring the underlying model module itself to be replicated. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110162007 | TELEVISION SYSTEM PROVIDING USER-INTERACTION RELATED TO AN IN-PROGRESS TELEVISION PROGRAM - A system and method in a television system for providing user-interaction related to an in-progress television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. | 06-30-2011 |
| 20110173657 | INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDE WITH MEDIA GUIDANCE INTERFACE - Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110173658 | Remote Control Device with Integrated Display Screen for Controlling a Digital Video Recorder - A remote control for a digital video recorder includes an integrated display screen configured to display a recording list including programs scheduled to be recorded. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20110197229 | Method and apparatus to broadcast content to handheld wireless devices via digital set-top-box receivers - An exemplary method and apparatus to deliver rich media to wireless hand held devices. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110202958 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING REMOTE ACCESS TO INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS - Systems and methods for providing remote access to interactive media guidance applications are provided. In particular, the systems and methods for providing remote access to interactive media guidance applications provided herein generally relate to enhancing remote access capabilities by providing algorithms and techniques for managing and correcting disparities that may be found between program listings data used by the interactive media guidance application and the remote access server. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110209177 | Smartphone To Control Internet TV System - Disclosed are techniques to implement a web based remote control application and/or stand alone application running on an unmodified, commercially available smartphone, that is used to control an video distribution system (e.g., IPTV or video conferencing system) endpoint, for example the ones disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/172,355 and 61/220,061. The application connects directly to a video server that resides on an IP network (e.g., Internet), and not to (or through) the controlled endpoint. The connection to the server utilizes standard smartphone data network services to access, through the IP network, the server. Remote control commands entered by a user to the smartphone, by the means of keys, touch screen, or other smartphone user input devices, are conveyed to the server, which, in some cases, acts on those commands and, simultaneously and only when applicable, forwards them to the endpoint for local execution. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110219405 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INTEGRATING SOCIAL FUNCTIONS INTO A DEVICE - An application for a television interfacing to a social network includes an interface to the social network relating to a program or activity of the user. For example, if the user is watching a sporting event, using their remote control, the user easily informs other social network subscribers or groups of subscribers of the sporting event, in case they are unaware that the sporting event is being televised. With a simple command initiative, the receiving subscriber changes to the recommended content/program. | 09-08-2011 |
| 20110225611 | 3D TV glasses with TV mode control - A method of operation of three dimensional (3D) stereoscopic television consistent with certain implementations involves turning on or installing a set of 3D glasses on a viewer to cause the set of 3D glasses to enter an active operational mode; and at the 3D glasses, emitting a signal to the television that causes the television to switch from a 2D display mode to a 3D display mode. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 09-15-2011 |
| 20110231876 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SERVICE ACCESS INFORMATION IN MOBILE BROADCASTING SYSTEM - An apparatus and a method for providing broadcasting service information in a mobile broadcasting system are provided. The method for determining broadcasting service information includes determining a mapping table which matches information of a Service Map Table (SMT) and an Electronic Service Guide (ESG); determining at least one component ID in an SMT provided from a serving base station; determining whether there is an ESG matching to the component ID of the SMT using the mapping table; and, when detecting the ESG matching to the component ID of the SMT, determining service information by combining the ESG that matches the SMT with the SMT. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110239248 | Providing On-Demand and Broadcast Television - A television receiver apparatus is described. The television receiver apparatus comprises an input interface arranged to receive commands from a user, a communication interface arranged to send and receive data over a one-to-one communication network, a broadcast receiver arranged to receive data sent over a broadcast network, a display interface arranged to connect to a display device, and a processor. The processor controls the display device to display an electronic programme guide comprising a schedule of programmes currently being broadcast, programmes to be broadcast after the current time, and programmes previously broadcast in a time period prior to the current time. The processor receives a request to view a selected programme displayed in the electronic programme guide, retrieves the selected programme from the communication network if the selected programme was previously broadcast in the time period, and controls the display device to display the selected programme. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110239249 | Surfacing On-Demand Television Content - A television receiver apparatus is described. The television receiver apparatus comprises an input interface arranged to receive commands from a user, a communication interface arranged to send and receive data over a one-to-one communication network, a broadcast receiver arranged to receive data sent over a broadcast network, a display interface arranged to connect to a display device, and a processor. The processor controls the display device to display an electronic programme guide comprising a schedule of programmes being broadcast and to be broadcast. The processor receives a selection of a programme displayed in the electronic programme guide and a command to find additional episodes of the programme, generates a list of additional episodes of the programme comprising at least one episode available on-demand via the communication interface, and controls the display device to display the list of additional episodes. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110239250 | SEARCH ENGINE FOR A VIDEO RECORDER - The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box displays a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the search for shows and receive results in an enhanced manner. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110247035 | CONTENT PLAYLIST - A method may include receiving a request to add a video-on-demand (VOD) program selected by a user from a VOD catalog to a playlist. The play list may list a plurality of programs, wherein at least one of the plurality of programs is associated with the VOD catalog and at least one of the plurality of programs is associated with a program guide of scheduled programs. The method may further include adding an indication of the selected VOD program to the playlist and displaying the playlist including the indication of the selected VOD program to the user. | 10-06-2011 |
| 20110258661 | INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM AND METHOD - An interactive television program guide system and method is provided. Time separators are displayed within lists of program listings to allow users to more easily view the program listings. On-screen arrows have their display characteristics changed according to user actions. Similar program listings are displayed only once when using search program listings. Users are provided with an opportunity to view channel information before setting channels as favorites. Information from local information services is provided in program guide display screens that are configurable by a main facility. Users are provided with an opportunity to centrally lock and unlock programs, and to bypass locks when desired. | 10-20-2011 |
| 20110265120 | USER-INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS INCLUDING THEME-BASED DYNAMIC VIDEO MOSAIC ELEMENTS - The present invention teaches a method of creating and presenting a user interface comprising a Dynamic Mosaic Extended Electronic Programming Guide (DMXEPG) using video, audio, special applications, and service dynamic metadata. The system enables television or digital radio service subscribers to select and display of various programs including video, interactive TV applications, or any combination of audio or visual components grouped and presented in accordance with the dynamic program/show metadata, business rules and objectives of service providers, broadcasters, and/or personal subscriber choices, collectively referred to as mosaic element presentation criteria. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110265121 | SERVICE PROCESSING METHOD AND SYSTEM IN CONTENT DISTRIBUTION NETWORK OF INTERACTIVE NETWORK TV - The present invention provides a service processing method and system in a content distribution network of an interactive network TV. The service processing method includes the following steps: a service processing manager receiving and processing a service acquisition request of a service requesting device, and allocating service processing agent(s) for the service requesting device according to a load balance strategy; and the service processing agent(s) providing service for the service requesting device. The service processing system includes a service processing manager and service processing agents, wherein the service processing agents are adapted to provide service for a service requesting device, and the service processing manager is adapted to receive and process a service acquisition request of a service requesting device, and allocate a service processing agent(s) for the service requesting device according to a load balance strategy. The present invention deconcentrates the pressure of the service processing system, prevents the system from probable breaking down due to heavy load, and thereby can improve the stability of the operation of the system. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110265122 | METHOD FOR RECEIVING AND SENDING MEDIA, USER EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICE GUIDE SERVER - A method for receiving and sending media, a user equipment (UE), and a service guide (SG) server are disclosed in the present invention. The method includes: receiving an SG that includes first access information, access association information, and second access information; receiving media corresponding to the first access information, where the media corresponding to the first access information supports a service or content; and when switching is performed, determining the second access information according to the access association information, and accessing media corresponding to the second access information, where the media corresponding to the second access information also supports the service or content. With the embodiments of the present invention, the smooth transition of the service or content can be ensured when bearer resources are switched, thus the user experience is enhanced. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110271302 | CONTENT SELECTION ACCELERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD - There is provided a system and method for channel selection. An exemplary method comprises receiving a channel scan rate command signal that indicates a first channel scan rate or a second channel scan rate. The exemplary method further comprises scanning through a user interface display of a channel list at the first channel scan rate if the first channel scan rate is indicated by the channel scan rate command signal and scanning through the user interface display of the channel list at the second channel scan rate if the second channel scan rate is indicated by the channel scan rate command signal. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110276994 | REALTIME BROADCAST STREAM AND CONTROL DATA CONVERSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system that delivers live broadcast media to consumer devices, including a system for enabling devices without native capabilities such as internal bulk storage and stream processing, to have command and control of live broadcast streams, has been provided. This is achieved through intercepting and converting the normal service provider channel mapping data to a new channel map which points to a software system that delivers command and control of live broadcast media, and implementation of a software system which can receive a channel change protocol, establish a command and control session with the device, convert the channel map protocol to the original format, tune in, receive, convert and process the live stream so that it can be delivered to the requesting device and in turn be controlled by user interaction with that device or the software system. A corresponding method is also provided. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110276995 | IMPROVED ELECTRONIC TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SCHEDULE SYSTEM AND METHOD - An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information from the memory and displays a portion of the program schedule information in overlaying relationship with a television program appearing on a television channel in at least one mode of operation of the television programming guide. The data processor controls the video display generator with video control commands, issued in response to the user control commands, to display program schedule information for any chosen one of the plurality of television programs in overlaying relationship with at least one television program then appearing on any chosen one of the plurality of channels on the television receiver. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110283317 | APPLICATION GADGETS AND REMOTE CONTROL DEVICES - Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110283318 | APPLICATION GADGETS AND ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDES - Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110283319 | Media Processing Methods and Arrangements - The present technology concerns cell phones and other portable devices, and more particularly concerns use of such devices in connection with media content (electronic and physical) and with other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology allow users to easily transfer displayed content from cell phone screens onto a television screens for easier viewing, or vice versa for content portability. Others enable users to participate interactively in entertainment content, such as by submitting plot directions, audio input, character names, etc., yielding more engaging, immersive, user experiences. Still other aspects of the technology involve a program directory database, compiled automatically from information reported by network nodes that watch and identify content traffic passing into (and/or out of) networked computers. By identifying content resident at a number of different repositories (e.g., web sites, TV networks, P2P systems, etc.), such a directory allows cell phone users to identify the diversity of sources from which desired content can be obtained—some available on a scheduled basis, others available on demand. Depending on the application, the directory information may be transparent to the user—serving to identify sources for desired content, from which application software can pick for content downloading, based, e.g., on context and stored profile data. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110296461 | Announcing The Availability Of An Electronic Programming Guide To Receivers Of Enhanced Television Transmissions - A unique session identifier may be utilized to announce the availability of an electronic programming guide to users of an enhanced television distribution system. In some embodiments, the unique session identifier may be utilized in a variety of systems to provide a uniform way of recognizing the availability of an electronic programming guide in conjunction with enhanced television distribution systems. | 12-01-2011 |
| 20110302606 | AGGREGATED TUNER SCHEDULING - A television recording system in which multiple client devices can form a group, sharing tuners and channel lineups. The clients may be desktop or laptop computers, digital video recorders or other set top boxes. A device within the group may act as a master, maintaining a master recording schedule and assigning tuners to record programs when scheduled or when a client requests use of a tuner for display live programming. Clients may register with the master, revealing the capabilities of their tuners. The master may, each time a tuner is desired, select an appropriate tuner based on multiple criteria, including bandwidth considerations and capabilities of the tuner. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110302607 | HOSPITALITY MEDIA SYSTEM OPERATED BY MOBILE DEVICE - A hospitality media system includes a media system controller and a plurality of controllable devices operable by the media system controller, each of a plurality of rooms having one or more in-room controllable devices. A communication module performs data communications with a mobile device. An authentication module receives identification information from the mobile device, determines a registered room currently associated with the identification information, and includes in an authorized subset of the controllable devices for which the mobile device is authorized to operate at least the in-room controllable devices of the registered room. The media system controller operates the authorized subset of the controllable devices in dependence upon commands received from the mobile device. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110302608 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH PAY PROGRAM PACKAGE PROMOTION - A system is provided that allows a user to select a pay program for purchase from a program guide. The program guide determines whether the selected program is part of a package of pay programs. If the selected program is part of a package, information regarding the package is provided to the user so that the user may decide whether to purchase the package. If the selected program is part of several packages, information for all packages is provided. The system automatically sets reminders for packages containing repetitive programming. The system monitors whether the user has watched any of the programs in such packages. When the user watches a program from the package, the remaining reminders are cancelled. If a user does not watch any programs in a package of any type, purchase of the package is cancelled and the user is provided with the opportunity to reschedule. | 12-08-2011 |
| 20110321089 | Apparatus and Methods for Accessing Content Using Alternative Identifiers - Apparatus and methods are described for allowing users to access channels of a receiving device using custom channel identifiers rather than content provider assigned channel identifiers. A receiving device receives a first set of channel identifiers assigned by a content provider for a plurality of channels. The receiving device further receives a second set of custom channel identifiers identifying the plurality of channels. At least a portion of the first set of channel identifiers maps to the second set of channel identifiers. The user provides user input specifying one of the second identifiers to access and the receiving device correlates the user input to a corresponding first identifier to determine the selected channel the user desires to access. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110321090 | SELECTING TELEVISION INPUTS THROUGH AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - A system includes a television having one or more input ports. The television has software that displays both program information and input port information in an electronic program guide. Upon selecting of a program information entry in the electronic program guide, the software changes a current channel of the television to the channel associated with the program entry information. Upon selecting of one of the input port entries in the electronic program guide, the software changes the input of the television to the input port associated with the one of the input port entries. The software performs scrolling operations on the electronic program guide responsive to directional inputs from a remote control device. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110321091 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING THEREOF - A display apparatus and displaying method are provided. The display apparatus includes a display unit, a communication interface unit which receives content, a determination unit which determines whether there is a three-dimensional (3D) viewing setting regarding the received content, and a controller which controls the display unit to display the received content in a 3D mode if it is determined that there is a 3D viewing setting. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110321092 | PORTABLE TERMINAL, CONTENT REPRODUCTION SYSTEM, REMOTE CONTROLLER AND TELEVISION APPARATUS - A portable terminal includes: a communication portion that communicates with an electronic device to acquire content from the electronic device; and a reproduction portion that reproduces the content acquired through the communication portion. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120005705 | End of Show Handling - A content delivery system that works in a broadcast and linear content environment causing real time display of received linear content. The system limits the display of the linear content by determining a time to automatically change the display of the linear content based upon program guide information and other factors, unless a signal is or has been received from a user indicating further interest in the content. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20120017243 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH PASSIVE CONTENT - A hybrid passive-interactive program guide is generated by combining the features of an interactive program guide with the passive video portion of a passive program guide. The interactive guide may replace passive listings with interactive listings, replace passive features with interactive features, provide supplemental advertisements, or replace passive tagging information with interactive tagging information. Users may be provided with an opportunity to purchase a program or product being advertised, to view listings for segments aired in the video portion of the passive guide, to schedule reminders for listings or video segments that are displayed by the passive guide, or to schedule video segments and related information for recording. | 01-19-2012 |
| 20120023523 | DATA DISTRIBUTION - A device may include a communication interface configured to receive programming information and index data associated with the programming information from a service provider multicast over a plurality of channels. The device may also include logic configured to request address information from the service provider, receive the address information, wherein the address information includes a first multicast address, and join a first multicast group corresponding to the first multicast address, wherein the first multicast group is associated with the index data. The logic may also be configured to receive, via the communication interface, the index data, identify a second multicast address associated with at least some of the programming information, join a second multicast group corresponding to the second multicast address, and receive, via the communication interface, at least some of the programming information. | 01-26-2012 |
| 20120036532 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH REMOTE ACCESS - An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120042341 | CONDENSED PROGRAM GUIDE FOR MEDIA CONTENT ACCESS SYSTEMS AND METHODS - An exemplary method includes a computing device providing a program guide that includes a matrix of cells associated with a plurality of media content instances and providing a condensed program guide that includes a condensed matrix of a subset of the cells and a plurality of interstitial symbols. In certain embodiments, each interstitial symbol in the plurality of interstitial symbols represents a single cell included in the matrix of the cells and excluded from the condensed matrix of the subset of the cells. In certain embodiments, the plurality of interstitial symbols does not occupy matrix grid space in the condensed matrix. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120047532 | Methods and Apparatus for Accessing External Devices From a Television Receiver Utilizing Integrated Content Selection Menus - Described herein are systems, methods and apparatus which allow users to remotely access content from other devices. One embodiment provides a method for presenting available content to a user via a television receiver. A first content selection menu is output for display that includes at least a first content selection item associated with locally accessible content and a second content selection item associated with an external device. Responsive to a request associated with the second content selection item, the method includes outputting for display a second content selection menu. The second content selection menu specifies at least one content item remotely available through the external device. A user provides a selection of the at least one content item and the television receiver receives the selected content item from the external device and outputs the selected content item for presentation by a presentation device. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120066717 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING BROADCASTING SERVICE FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS - An apparatus for providing identical broadcasting contents to wireless communication access networks using different wireless access technologies includes: a broadcasting service request processing device configured to receive a broadcasting service initiation request from a subscriber terminal and feed back an authentication result regarding a requested service; a subscriber authentication processing interface device configured to perform an authentication function regarding a broadcasting service requested by a subscriber through connection with an external authentication server; a contents broadcasting control device configured to identify a broadcasting service area based on the broadcasting service request of the subscriber terminal, when authentication has been normally finished, and broadcasting contents corresponding to the broadcasting service area and control transmission of the broadcasting contents using address information necessary to deliver the broadcasting contents; and a broadcasting service area configuration information storage device configured to store predetermined broadcasting service area information. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120084814 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING REMOTE ACCESS TO INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATIONS - Methods and systems for remotely accessing user equipment implementing an interactive media guidance application are provided. In particular, a method includes the steps of receiving user equipment identification information and receiving a user request from a user device indicating instructions for the user equipment. The user request is cross-referenced with an action request in a user equipment format selected from a plurality of formats to be compatible with the user equipment. The action request is transmitted for receipt by the user equipment for enabling execution of the indicated instructions. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120084815 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING MULTICAST SERVICES - It is provided a method for providing a service guide in a network providing a plurality of multicast services, said network comprising at least one client device connected to an intermediate a first device, wherein a subset of said plurality of multicast services is being multicast to said at least one client device via said intermediate first device, and the service guide provides a list of the plurality of multicast services in a second order; and at the side of a client device, the method comprises the steps of determining a list of the plurality of multicast services in a first order, wherein the order is changed from the second order to the first order based on the multicast services of the subset; and presenting said list of multicast services in said first order. | 04-05-2012 |
| 20120090004 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE DISPLAY APPARATUS - A multifunctional display device includes a processor to control simultaneously display of visual information and monitoring information on a same screen. The monitoring information provides an indication of status of one or more applications executed at a same time the visual information is displayed, and the visual information corresponds to one of content provider, broadcast signal, or website information. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120096492 | TRANSMISSION OF VIDEO SIGNALS - An apparatus, method, and system are described for transmitting a television program signal. A portion of a local frequency spectrum may be determined to be free, or relatively unused. A user selection of a television program or broadcast programming channel may be received from a program lineup in an electronic programming guide. The selected program may be selected from a gateway, translated, and transmitted over the portion of the frequency spectrum determined to be free. The translation may include converting a signal from the gateway into a National Television Systems Committee (NTSC) signal or a mobile TV signal. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120096493 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH DIGITAL STORAGE - An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120096494 | System and Method for Processing Multiple Broadcast Multimedia Streams - A computer-implemented method is disclosed including: receiving a broadcast signal containing a set of multiplexed multimedia channels; storing said multiplexed multimedia channels in a temporary storage buffer on a mass storage device; determining a point in said temporary storage buffer to begin demultiplexing and decoding a first channel responsive to a user request to view a particular program on said first channel in its entirety, said point indicating the start of said program on said first channel; and demultiplexing and decoding said first channel of said set of multiplexed multimedia channels from said point within said temporary storage buffer. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120096495 | BROADCAST RECEPTION DEVICE, BROADCAST RECEPTION METHOD, AND BROADCAST TRANSMISSION DEVICE - A receiver in a broadcast receiving apparatus receives a broadcast signal including a content of a program and download control information corresponding to the program. A TLV demultiplexer separates the content of the program and the download control information from the received broadcast signal. A content storage and an ECG storage respectively store the separated content and download control information. A download processor acquires, when a missing portion exists in the stored content, a portion, which corresponds to the missing portion, of the content as a complementary portion from a distribution server by a communication unit accessing the distribution server in a distribution period represented by distribution schedule information included in the download control information. A coupler complements the missing portion of the content using the acquired complementary portion. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120117595 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION FROM A PROGRAM GUIDE - A method for displaying data from a program guide. Based on program metadata from a program guide, a display is caused to be presented on a display device that identifies a current status of a first media controller and a second media controller. The current status includes data identifying a first program currently being provided by the first media controller and a second program currently being provided by a second media controller. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117596 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRESENTING STORED MEDIA CONTENT AT ITS BEGINNING - Media device systems and methods are operable to automatically present a program at its beginning while a remaining portion of the program is being received at the media device. An exemplary embodiment receives a program in a media content stream; receives a presentation request to present the program, wherein the presentation request is received after an initial portion of the program has been received and wherein the presentation request is received before a conclusion of the program; accesses a stored initial portion of the program from a memory medium; and initiates presentation at a beginning of the program residing in the accessed initial portion of the program. | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120117597 | BROADCAST RECEPTION APPARATUS AND PROGRAM GUIDE CREATION METHOD - Disclosed is a broadcast reception apparatus which minimizes the access load on the network distribution service provider side without complex coordination between a broadcast station and the network distribution service provider, and which provides a user with the distribution status of programs provided via the network. Also disclosed is a program guide creation method of the same. A program information storage unit ( | 05-10-2012 |
| 20120124623 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - Supplementary data associated with a broadcast transmission ( | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120124624 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE ON A WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control interactive media guidance applications running on user equipment. The wireless communications device may have a touch-sensitive screen with controls that are coordinated with the features of the interactive media guidance or other applications. The wireless communications device may function as a remote controller for user equipment. | 05-17-2012 |
| 20120131612 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR POLICY-BASED RE-BROADCAST VIDEO ON DEMAND SERVICE - A content provider broadcasts content to subscribers through a content distribution system. The content distribution system operator can capture broadcast content in accordance with policies established by the content provider and make the content available subsequent to the original broadcast in accordance with applicable business policies. Business policies are created by the content provider by modifying template information models which have associated rules. The content distributor stores the business policies and evaluates rules indicated by the business policies against attributes of a content asset to determine availability of the content asset. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120131613 | CLIENT-SERVER BASED INTERACTIVE TELEVISION GUIDE WITH SERVER RECORDING - An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120144422 | DISPLAY APPARATUS AND CONTENTS SEARCHING METHOD THEREOF - A display apparatus includes a display unit; a plurality of application units which provides contents; and an integrated searching unit which controls the plurality of application units to search contents with respect to an input search word, and displays on the display unit the contents searched by the application units. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120144423 | METHOD FOR SHARING MESSAGES IN IMAGE DISPLAY AND IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE FOR THE SAME - A method for controlling display of information includes displaying content on a first display device, receiving a signal to share information, generating a message including information corresponding to the displayed content, and transmitting the message for display on at least a second display device. The message is transmitted to a provider of a network-related service, and the first and second display devices have access to the network-related service which may be but is not limited to a social network service. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120151525 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A VIDEO RECEIVER - A method and device for displaying an electronic program guide on a handheld device. The guide includes a plurality of tiles, each tile associated with a television program. The device receives a related content request input through its touchscreen and, in response, sends a related content request message to a gateway server over a wireless network connection, the related content request message includes information identifying one of the plurality of programs. The device receives and displays related media content from the gateway server in reply to the related content request message. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120151526 | INTERACTIVE TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE WITH SIMULTANEOUS WATCH AND RECORD CAPABILITIES - An interactive television program guide system is provided in which a user may use the program guide to watch one program while simultaneously recording another program without interrupting the recording or viewing process. This interactive television program guide system also allows a user the to utilize all or some of the program guide features while in the watch and record mode depending on the embodiment that is being implemented. Further, this watch and record system may be implemented using a multiple tuner set-top box or a single tuner set-top box with a RF bypass or digital switch. In addition to a set-top box, the system may be implemented using a satellite receiver, an advanced television with a processor and memory, or a computer. The various implementations provide a very versatile watch and record environment for the user. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120159543 | AUTOMATED QUERY GENERATION FOR TELEVISON CONTENT SEARCHING - A system is configured to receive a portion of a word; retrieve a group of words matching the portion of the word; retrieve information associated with a set of words in the group, where the information, for a particular one of the words, indicates a measure of popularity of the particular word, geographic location information associated with the particular word, time information associated with the particular word, or user preference information associated with the particular word; rank the set of words based on the information; present a list of words from the set of words for display based on the ranking; receive selection of a word from the list of words; perform a search for television content based on the selected word to identify a group of television content; receive selection of television content from the group of television content; and present the selected television content for display. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120159544 | DYNAMIC RESIZING OF AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE (EPG) - The present invention concerns a method for displaying a program guide is proposed. The program guide contains a list of channels and a time scale and the programs which are receivable within a time represented by the time scale are displayed. The programs which are displayed correspond to the channel on which the programs are received. The inventive method further contains the following steps:
| 06-21-2012 |
| 20120159545 | SET TOP BOX DEVICE, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REALIZING INTERNET PROTOCOL TELEVISION (IPTV) CHANNEL RECORDING AND PLAYING - A set top box apparatus, a system and a method for implementing Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel recording and playing are disclosed in the present invention. The set top box apparatus is configured to: store information of channels and playing addresses of the channels downloaded from an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) server; when receiving a channel recording and/or channel switching command of a user, acquiring a corresponding playing address according to a channel selected by the user, and acquiring a media stream of a channel program corresponding to the playing address from a media server for recording or playing; when the user needs to record and play simultaneously in a same procedure, the set top box apparatus switches the recording to be performed in a background, and set the playing to be performed in a foreground. The invention implements a humanized channel recording function. | 06-21-2012 |
| 20120167138 | METHOD FOR RECEIVING AND SENDING MEDIA, USER EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICE GUIDE SERVER - A method for receiving and sending media, a user equipment (UE), and a service guide (SG) server are disclosed in the present invention. The method includes: receiving an SG that includes first access information, access association information, and second access information; receiving media corresponding to the first access information, where the media corresponding to the first access information supports a service or content; and when switching is performed, determining the second access information according to the access association information, and accessing media corresponding to the second access information, where the media corresponding to the second access information also supports the service or content. With the embodiments of the present invention, the smooth transition of the service or content can be ensured when bearer resources are switched, thus the user experience is enhanced. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120167139 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND DISPLAY CHANGEOVER METHOD - An information processing apparatus includes: a first image information production section adapted to produce first image information for causing an image to be displayed on a display apparatus; a second image information production section having start-up time shorter than that of the first image information production section and adapted to produce second image information for causing an image to be displayed on the display apparatus; and a control section adapted to set, when an operation input relating to a function which involves start-up of the first image information production section is accepted, an output source to the display apparatus to the second image information production section until outputting of the first image information is enabled but change over, after the outputting of the first image information is enabled, the output source to the first image information production section. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120167140 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING PERSONALIZED SERVICE - Provided is a mobile device for a personalized service including: a media receiving unit acquiring broadcasting contents during expressing in a broadcast viewing terminal device; and a comparing unit generating a media ID based on the broadcasting contents acquired in the media receiving unit, comparing the generated media ID with a media ID in a media ID list received from a media ID server to identify a channel ID, and transmitting a personalized service request message including the identified channel ID and a user ID to a personalized information providing server to request a personalized service. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120174154 | DISPLAY APPARATUS - A display apparatus is provided, which includes a display panel, and a display driving apparatus mounted on the display panel and driving the display panel, which includes an RF modem having a first tuner for providing a broadcasting signal to the display panel. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120180089 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MEDIA ON MOBILE DEVICES - Techniques and mechanisms are provided for sending targeted content and data to mobile devices. Location information associated with a device is determined. In some instances, the location information is manually entered. In other instances, the location information is determined automatically from characteristics associated with the device. Location information can be obtained from global positioning system (GPS) data, cell-site triangulation, Internet Protocol (IP) address detection, etc. Content and advertising can be provided in a location relevant manner to the mobile device. | 07-12-2012 |
| 20120204210 | Methods and Systems for Enhancing Television Applications Using 3D Pointing - Systems and methods according to the present invention provide a control framework for organizing, selecting and launching media items including graphical user interfaces coupled with an optional 3D control device for collection of the basic control primitives of point, click, scroll, hover and zoom which permit for easy and rapid selection of media items, e.g., movies, songs etc., from large or small collections. The remote control maps natural hand movements and gestures into relevant commands while the graphical display uses images, zooming for increased/decreased levels of detail and continuity of GUI objects to provide easy organization, selection and navigation among the media items by a user. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120210356 | Image Sampling from Multicast Streams - The disclosed methods and system may gain access to a plurality of content streams, and periodically capture still images from each stream. The captured stills may be stored in a predetermined location, and the location may be made available to various clients. By discovering the locations, application clients can issue requests to receive the latest image for a current stream, and use that image to improve a user interface or enhance a user experience in consuming the content. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120210357 | Mechanism for Distributing Content Data - The current invention provides a system for distributing content data to user locations. The content data preferably includes digital video data that is available on demand from a requesting location. A system server stores user accounts and generated customized program schedules for the user account based on user criteria which includes user preferences. Authorized users access their accounts to modify user criteria and to select program transmissions. Preferably, a computer and a television set receive program transmissions from a system network, wherein the computer provides a logical interface between the television set and content data transmitted over the system network. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120222072 | DELIVERY OF FEEDBACK INFORMATION TO SCHEDULING SERVICE TO DETERMINE OPTIMUM BROADCAST TIMES BASED UPON CLIENT PLATFORM TUNER CONTENTION - Delivery of feedback information to a scheduling service to determine optimum broadcast times based upon client platform tuner contention is described. A usage pattern of an electronic media device is recorded. The usage pattern is communicated to a scheduling server. Media content is received during a time period selected by the scheduling server based upon the usage pattern. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20120246680 | PROGRAM-INFORMATION DISPLAYING DEVICE, PROGRAM-INFORMATION DISPLAYING METHOD, PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - Provided is a program-information displaying device characterized by including: a program-information acquiring unit configured to acquire program information pieces; a full-program-display processing unit configured to respectively display the program information pieces in a plurality of program cells in a full-program display region, the program cells being defined by a temporal axis and a channel axis crossing the temporal axis; a recommended-program-information selecting unit configured to select particular program information pieces from the program information pieces acquired by the program-information acquiring unit; a recommended-program storage unit configured to store therein program information pieces of selected recommended programs in a manner associable the program information pieces for displaying the full-program display region; and a recommended-program-display processing unit configured to display the program information pieces of the recommended programs stored in the recommended program storage unit in a recommended-program display region in alignment with the temporal axis of the full-program display region. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120254916 | BROADCAST RECEIVING DEVICE AND PROGRAM SELECTING METHOD - A tuner receives broadcast data on specified channels. A channel search unit controls the tuner to search for available channels, and creates a channel map representing the available channels and a selection order thereof. A channel order setting unit changes setting about enabling/disabling of the selection and/or the selection order of the channels in the channel map. An operation input unit accepts a channel selecting operation of a user. When the user performs an operation for channel forward selection or channel reverse selection through the operation input unit, a channel switching unit changes the selection of the channel according to the channel map and causes the tuner to receive the broadcast data on the selected channel. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120260286 | Creating Client-Based Playlists with Scheduling Functionality - Content scheduling may be provided. First, a media guide may be displayed. Next, a plurality of asset selection input data respectively corresponding to a plurality of assets selected from the displayed media guide may be received. Then the plurality of asset selection input data may be stored in a playlist database. The playlist database may then be executed. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120260287 | PERSONALIZED USER INTERFACE FOR AUDIO VIDEO DISPLAY DEVICE SUCH AS TV - When a viewer is automatically recognized by an audio video display device (AVDD) such as a TV using, e.g., a camera, a dialog message is presented on the AVDD indicating that the viewer has been recognized and allowing the viewer to customize AVDD settings by selecting to implement the new viewer's profile, or by combining the new viewer profile with the currently-active profile to create a shared profile, or by ignoring the new viewer altogether. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120260288 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND PROGRAM - An information processing apparatus includes a communication unit, a storage, an operation reception unit, and a controller. The communication unit is capable of communicating with a different information processing apparatus and a server on a network. The storage is capable of storing data. The operation reception unit is capable of receiving an operation of a user that selects the data. The controller is capable of controlling the communication unit to transmit the selected data to the server and transmit notification information to the different information processing apparatus, the notification information indicating transmission of the data to the server. | 10-11-2012 |
| 20120272268 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING SHOPPING FOR ITEMS SHOWN IN MEDIA CONTENT EVENTS - Techniques for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events are described. Some embodiments provide a shopping facilitator as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. As the media device presents a media content event showing multiple items, the shopping facilitator is configured to receive an indication that a viewer is interested in purchasing one of the multiple items. The shopping facilitator then identifies the item of interest, and at a later time provides a shopping facility that can be can be used by the viewer or some other user to purchase the item. In some embodiments, the media content event is presented without any indication that items shown in the media content event are for sale. Furthermore, the shopping facilitator may perform its functions without interrupting or otherwise disrupting the viewing of the media content event. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120272269 | MANAGEMENT AND DELIVERY OF AUDIOVISUAL CONTENT ITEMS THAT CORRESPOND TO SCHEDULED PROGRAMS - A method is provided to designate visual content that is accessible from a computer readable storage device and that correspond to programs distributed according to a predetermined schedule comprising: comparing attribute information of a respective program metadata record with respective attribute information of multiple respective content metadata records to measure similarity between corresponding attributes; determining respective program-content attribute match scores for each of the compared content metadata records as a function of the measure of similarity between the program attributes of the respective compared program metadata record and corresponding visual content attributes of respective content metadata records and of relative weighting of respective attribute comparisons; and selecting a respective visual content based upon the determined program-content attribute match score. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120272270 | INTERNET TELEVISION PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM - An Internet television program guide system is provided that allows a user at a multimedia system to access information related to television programs over an Internet communications link. The user can view television program guide listings and related video stills and video clips. The user can perform database searches on the program guide listings (e.g., to search for a particular type of television program). If desired, the user can select an option that directs the multimedia system to tune directly to a television channel for a selected program or to a related television program guide or movie guide service on a television channel. The user can order pay-per-view events using the system. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120284749 | METHOD FOR TRANSCEIVING A BROADCAST SIGNAL AND BROADCAST-RECEIVING APPARATUS USING SAME - The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transceiving a broadcast signal. A method for receiving a broadcast signal comprises the following steps: extracting, from the received broadcast signal, a broadcast stream including at least one program, first program table information for indicating the broadcast stream, and second program table information for indicating the correlation among a plurality of programs provided using at least one broadcast service; parsing the broadcast stream using the extracted first program table information; and acquiring, using the extracted second program table information, information on the group to which the plurality of programs belong. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120291069 | Method and Apparatus for Providing Personalized Supplemental Programming - A method and apparatus for providing personalized supplemental programming is provided. In one embodiment, the invention can include searching text for a keyword, the text associated with primary programming to be provided to an element of an entertainment system, accessing a database upon finding the keyword, retrieving content associated with the keyword from the database, combining the retrieved content with the primary programming to generate combined programming, and providing the combined programming to the element of the entertainment system. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120297419 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ON-SCREEN DISPLAY OF CONTENT INFORMATION - Various systems and methods allow aggregation and display of content information associated with entertainment devices using a device-to-device messaging protocol such as that provided by the High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) standard. Content information such as electronic program guide (EPG) data for multiple entertainment devices may be displayed, for example, using the on-screen display (OSD) of a single entertainment device. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20120304226 | PROGRAM GUIDE APPARATUS ACQUIRING PROGRAM GUIDE INFORMATION AND/OR PROVIDING FOR PROGRAM GUIDE NAVIGATION USING SAME - A digital television signal receiver, which includes an audio processor to process the audio data to be output as sound; a video processor to process a video data to be output on a screen; a storage to store the extracted program information; a processor to access the storage to generate a channel list based on the stored program information; wherein the channel list comprises at least one main channel number and the at least one main channel number has at least one corresponding sub-channel number in the received transport stream; a user interface to allow a user to navigate the channel list to search a channel number. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120304227 | Internet Protocol Television System and Implementation Method Thereof - An Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system and an implementation method thereof are disclosed. The method includes: installing a wireless data card in a television Set Top Box (STB) device through a personal computer (PC), establishing a connection with the STB device, and starting the wireless data card to wirelessly access to the IPTV network; accessing to the IPTV network resources through the PC or the STB device, implementing the IPTV service. This solution realizes that the IPTV user terminal device can access to the network wirelessly so that the IPTV terminal device have mobility in space, thus extending the application scenarios of the IPTV system. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20120311631 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PREDICTIVE TUNING IN DIGITAL CONTENT RECEIVERS - Primary presentation stream is received and presented to user. Alternate presentation stream received according to channel prediction stands ready for presentation if user selects channel processed as alternate stream. Prediction is made according to pre-indication of channel selection or time-selected usage history. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120324508 | PROGRAM INFORMATION SEARCH DEVICE - A program information search device provides an improved operability of genre search. The device includes means for creating an electronic program table which displays information on programs, a genre search screen; means for acquiring information on a program where a cursor is located in the electronic program table, and detecting a genre of the program from the information; and a cursor control means for setting an initial position of a genre cursor for designating a genre on the genre search screen to the detected genre. Upon receiving an instruction to display the genre search screen, the electronic program table creating means extracts programs in the genre detected by the program information acquiring means, creates the genre search screen based on the extracted programs and the initial position of the genre cursor, and causes the display means to display the genre search screen. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120331504 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR EXECUTING APPLICATION IN MOBILE TERMINAL PROVIDING BROADCAST RECEIVING SERVICE - A mobile terminal provides a broadcast receive service. More particularly, an apparatus and a method executes an application installed in advance via a channel change of a broadcast service. The apparatus includes a communication unit, a channel register unit, a channel determining unit, a memory unit, and a controller. The communication unit communicates with a remote controller to receive a control signal of the remote controller. A channel register unit registers an application installed in advance in a broadcast channel allocated to the mobile terminal to update channel information. A channel determining unit determines a channel changed by a user's remote controller manipulation. A memory unit stores channel information updated by the channel register unit. A controller processes to execute an application depending on a channel change of the remote controller. The channel determining unit determines the channel information to determine an application registered in the changed channel. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130007804 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING VIDEO DATA OVER AN ELECTRICAL POWER LINE - A non-transitory tangible computer readable medium is disclosed, containing a computer program for distributing video data over an electrical power line, the computer program including but not limited to instructions to receive first video data and second video data concurrently at a first internet protocol television client device over an electrical power line from a second and third controllable devices in response to the detecting the first event data in the first location at the first controllable device; instructions to create at a first client end user device, a client created internet protocol television channel and insert the client created channel into an existing electronic program guide for the first and second video data; and instructions to send the electronic program guide to a second client end user device for selection and display of the first and second video concurrently at a display for the second client end user device. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130014163 | METHOD OF ACQUIRING PROGARM GUIDE INFORMATION, PROGRAM GUIDE METHOD APPROPRIATE FOR THE SAME, AND PROGRAM GUIDE APPARATUS - A method and apparatus of acquiring program guide information for a digital television receiver. There is provided a digital television, including: a tuner to receive a digital television transport stream (TS) which includes audio, video, and program information; an extractor to extract the program information from the received TS; a storage to store the extracted program information; a processor to access the storage to generate a channel list based on the stored program information stored in the storage, where the channel list comprises at least one channel number and the at least one channel number comprises at least one main channel number; and a user interface to allow a user to navigate the channel list to search a channel number, wherein if the at least one main channel number has a corresponding sub-channel number, the sub-channel number can be listed after the at least one main channel number. | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130024892 | DIGITAL BROADCAST RECEIVING DEVICE HAVING AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - The present invention relates to a digital broadcast receiving device ( | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130024893 | CLIENT-SERVER BASED INTERACTIVE TELEVISION GUIDE WITH SERVER RECORDING - An interactive television program guide system is provided. An interactive television program guide provides users with an opportunity to select programs for recording on a remote media server. Programs may also be recorded on a local media server. The program guide provides users with VCR-like control over programs that are played back from the media servers and over real-time cached copies of the programs. The program guide also provides users with an opportunity to designate gift recipients for whom programs may be recorded. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130042269 | INTERACTIVE MASTHEAD - A method and system that provides a television service; receives a customer input to access a graphical user interface that includes a main menu pertaining to the television service; retrieves the graphical user interface; and displays the graphical user interface via the customer device, wherein the graphical user interface includes a main menu body and an interactive masthead having an interactive element that permits a customer to access content via the interactive element. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130047183 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING REPRODUCTION USING TERMINAL - Disclosed are a system and a method for minimizing signal interference for a broadcasting and communication convergence section within a local area, and an apparatus applied to the same. The system has a construction of mounting a plurality of multi RF (Radio Frequency) channels within a short-range wireless transmitting apparatus located in a local area and minimizing signal interference between mutually adjacent RF channels within the short-range wireless transmitting apparatus in a standard for providing a broadcasting and communication convergence service. Accordingly, it is possible to remove the mutual channel effects affecting a communication signal without signal interference for adjacent channels due to a broadcasting signal and it is not necessary to enhance a filtering characteristic for the adjacent channels of a chipset, which corresponds to a broadcasting and communication convergence standard structure in a local area, so that there is an advantage of reducing network investment costs. | 02-21-2013 |
| 20130067516 | TELEVISION CHANNEL MAPPING TECHNIQUES - In one embodiment, a television configuration technique includes determining a location, from a web service, of a television set using an internet protocol address of the television set or a zip code corresponding to a physical location of the television. Electronic programming guide, interactive programming guide or the like data for a plurality of service providers in the determined location are downloaded. The electronic programming guide data, interactive programming guide data, or the like for one or more channels that are unique between the plurality of service providers are checked against transmitting station identifier data or system information protocol data to identify the specific service provider that the television set is connected to. A channel list for the specific service provider is then determined from the electronic programming guide or interactive programming guide corresponding to the specific service provider. | 03-14-2013 |
| 20130074124 | SYSTEM TO SYNCHRONIZE AND ACCESS BROADCAST INFORMATION - The system enables listeners and viewers of a broadcast to access additional information associated with a broadcast. Listeners and viewers utilize a user device to connect to a database containing program descriptions (e.g. audio, text, video or combination thereof) further describing the programming and ancillary information. The database is indexed by the broadcast's program list or schedule thereby allowing a user of the system to search and select a particular program description of interest. Hearing or viewing program descriptions enables users to preview excerpts and review a broadcast before purchasing an item heard or viewed on a broadcast. | 03-21-2013 |
| 20130097637 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH TAGGING - Described are computerized methods and apparatuses, including computer program products, for providing electronic program guide services. The method includes storing an active media object list identifying media objects in an active state, receiving one or more tag requests identifying one or more programs, and updating a tag list to identify the one or more programs identified by the one or more tag requests. Each of the one or more programs are associated with one or more media objects. The method also includes generating a user navigation list comprising source identifiers of a plurality of selected media objects and a plurality of titles associated with each of the plurality of selected media objects. The plurality of selected media objects are each associated with at least one of the one or more programs identified in the tag list and included in the active media object list. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130097638 | SYSTEM TO CARRY MULTIMEDIA DATA OVER WIRELESS ACCESS POINT - This invention can re-direct the source of TV data, and shift the source from the Internet to a new set of source entities. This new entity can be a plurality of TV receivers. All TV data can be taken from a different source by adding, for example, one or multiple DVB receivers to the access point. Whenever the user requests a TV service, the data (e.g. TV program) is taken from that entity and not from the Internet. This reduces the aggregate data volume in the backhaul and the backbone network. There are new entities added to the access point from which a certain kind of data, namely TV, is obtained and forwarded to the user (consumer) with reduced bandwidth needs because of an embedded transcoder and with a local charging system. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130111522 | AGGREGATED CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130111523 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING MULTI-CHANNEL BROADCASTING | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130117785 | Method and Apparatus for Communicating Electronic Service Guide Information in a Satellite Television System - Aspects of a method and apparatus for communicating electronic service guide information in a satellite television system are provided. A satellite communication system may receive a signal via an interface to a satellite dish, and receive data from a network via a second interface (e.g., an interface to a LAN or a WAN, such as the Internet). The satellite communication system may be operable to channelize the received satellite signal into a plurality of channels, wherein a first channel of the plurality of channels carries electronic service guide (ESG) data. The satellite communication system may select which of the plurality of channels to input to a demodulator based, at least in part, on whether ESG data is available via the second interface. A second channel carrying media data may be input to the demodulator while the ESG data is available via the second interface. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130125170 | REALTIME BROADCAST STREAM AND CONTROL DATA CONVERSION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system that delivers live broadcast media to consumer devices, including a system for enabling devices without native capabilities such as internal bulk storage and stream processing, to have command and control of live broadcast streams, has been provided. This is achieved through intercepting and converting the normal service provider channel mapping data to a new channel map which points to a software system that delivers command and control of live broadcast media, and implementation of a software system which can receive a channel change protocol, establish a command and control session with the device, convert the channel map protocol to the original format, tune in, receive, convert and process the live stream so that it can be delivered to the requesting device and in turn be controlled by user interaction with that device or the software system. A corresponding method is also provided. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130152128 | CONTROLLING A VIEWING SESSION FOR A VIDEO PROGRAM - A method includes requesting, by a user device, video program related content. The video program related content includes content related to one or more video programs provided by a service provider. The method also includes receiving the video program related content. A selection of a video program from the one or more video programs is received. The video program is selected at a set top box. The method also includes controlling a viewing session for the video program using the user device. | 06-13-2013 |
| 20130179920 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, CONTENT DISPLAY SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM GUIDE DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD - According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus receives electric program guide information from an external server via a network. The apparatus receives, from a video device, channel information indicating a currently tuned channel in the video device. The apparatus displays an electric program guide on a program guide area on a display screen of the apparatus based on the electric program guide information. In response to reception of the channel information, the apparatus changes the displayed contents of the program guide area based on the received channel information and a current time, such that a guide corresponding to a currently on-air program in the currently tuned channel is displayed on the program guide area. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130179921 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR PROVIDING MOSAIC CHANNEL - A method for providing mosaic channels among multiple client devices is provided. Wherein, the multiple client devices are connected via a data communication network so as to be able to communicate data with each other. At the side of a client device, which is instructed to change to a mosaic channel while the other client device are receiving channel programs from at least one channel program server via a communication for channel programs, the method comprises the steps of receiving channel information of the channel programs from at least one of the other client devices via the communication network for channel programs; and generating a mosaic channel that comprises channel cells for presenting the channel information. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130185752 | Wireless Terminal, System and Information Processing Method - A recording apparatus comprises a broadcasting-wave receiving device which receives broadcasting waves containing identification information for specifying program and video and audio information of program, a program reservation device which prepares, when setting of a program contained in broadcasting waves is received, reservation information containing identification information of program of which setting is received and information concerning setting, a wireless terminal, a communication device of the wireless terminal which transmits and receives reservation information and a recording device which records video and audio information of program identified by identification information contained in reservation information on the basis of information concerning setting. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130185753 | Data Management and Selection/Control System Preferably for a Video Magazine - A data management control and selection system for use with electronic display and preferably touch sensitive devices for video (and often accompanying audio) signal selections available from memory. In the preferred embodiment the system is a screen-spanning and integrated set of visual segments forming a toroid (although other geometric shapes can be used) having arc-shaped segments which extend in length or degrees around the toroid corresponding to the length in minutes and seconds of the video signal selections. The segments of the toroid are also color coded and collected/coordinated to the genre of the video signal selection to which it corresponds. By aligning (rotating or spinning of the toroid by one's finger on the touch sensitive screen or other cursor-like movement and selection mechanism) the selected segment, associated with the video signal selection will be displayed on the display screen. As the display screen then converts from prominent display of the toroid “menu wheel” to the display of the selected video signal selection, the balance of the display screen will display still videos of one or more of the other video signal selections which are available for viewing. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130191867 | DEVICE AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE AND DISPLAY APPARATUS FOR USE WITH THE SAME - a device and method for generating an electronic program guide (EPG), and a display apparatus for use with the same, are provided. The method includes receiving at least one of identification information and broadcasting information from each of a plurality of display apparatuses capable of displaying a broadcasting signal; transmitting to at least one of the plurality of display apparatuses a request for display information of the broadcasting signal that is currently displayed by a corresponding display apparatus; receiving display information from a display apparatus of the plurality of display apparatuses in response to the transmitted request for display information; and generating an EPG including the received display information. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130198779 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECEIVING BROADCAST - An apparatus and a method for receiving a broadcast. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes a tuner unit which performs channel scanning, a tuner parameter generation unit which generates tuner parameter information which includes channel information of channels scanned by the tuner unit and a channel setting value to tune to a channel corresponding to the channel information, a storage unit which stores the tuner parameter information, an input unit which receives input of a channel change request, and a control unit which, if the channel change request is input, controls the tuner unit to tune to a requested channel using the tuner parameter information stored in the storage unit. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130205340 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING OUT OF COVERAGE BROADCASTS - A mobile content distribution system in an airplane, a train, or a bus is capable of determining if a mobile content distribution system is within an area authorized for the mobile content distribution system to receive content from a wireless service provider and displaying channels from the wireless service provider accordingly. If the system is not within the authorized area, the system displays a program guide including channels from locally stored content but no channel from the wireless service provider. If the system is within the authorized area and a user indicates live wireless program guide information is needed, the system acquires the live wireless program guide information and displays the program guide includes channels from the locally stored content and channels from the wireless service provider. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130205341 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WIFI VIDEO STREAMING - A video or multimedia distribution system receives multiple video streams and transcodes them into a single stream of UDP packets with each of the plurality of video data packets for respective ones of the video streams being assigned a port number corresponding to the respective video stream. The UDP packets are routed to a plurality of Access Points (APs) for transmission. A User Equipment (UE) communicates with the APs and selects one of the video streams for viewing on the UE by selecting the port number corresponding to the desired video stream. A first processor in the UE identifies and stores UDP packet data having the selected port number and a second processor retrieves and plays the video stream on a display. The UE can “change channels” to view other video streams by changing the port number to the port number of the desired video stream. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130219430 | INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDE WITH MEDIA GUIDANCE INTERFACE - Systems and methods for providing guidance to users for finding media are described. Such systems and methods may be provided in interactive media guides such as program guides, web browsers, or other suitable interactive media guides. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130239142 | Audio/Video Channel Bonding By Chunk - Different data communication architectures deliver a wide variety of content, including audio and video content, to consumers. The architectures employ channel bonding to deliver more bandwidth than any single communication channel can carry. In some implementations, the communication architectures distribute video programming in the form of MPEG2 TS packets, flagged by marker packets, in a round-robin manner across the communication channels. Channel bonding synchronization information may be present in packets defined above the data-link layer or added to fields within data-link layer frames. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130239143 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH DIGITAL STORAGE - An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130247100 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A PROGRAMMING GUIDE VIA MULTIPLE RECEIVING DEVICES - A system utilizing one or more auxiliary or scanning tuners provides real time information for providing programming guides. The one or more auxiliary tuner scans or tunes across the band of television signals to gather information relevant to metadata, programming guides, and or message alerts. For example, this information is converted to text, graphic, and or audio form for displaying or listening. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20130268966 | VISUAL CUE FOR PROGRAMS IN AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - An electronic program guide includes a plurality of elements arrayed in a grid of rows and columns, with the rows corresponding to program sources and the columns corresponding to time intervals. Each element corresponds to a program played out from a particular program source during a corresponding time interval. The background of each element changes, such as by way of a color gradient or changing shape, to indicate one of a program beginning or ending. In this way, a viewer can ascertain the length of the program even if the element gets clipped upon updating the electronic program guide. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130283315 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS AND CHANNEL SELECTION METHOD - According to one embodiment, a apparatus includes a tuner configured to receive a broadcasting wave that is broadcasted from a broadcasting station, an receiver configured to receive program information corresponding to programs, a display controller configured to display an electronic program guide includes program sections corresponding to programs based on the program information, a selection module configured to display a first window includes a first operation area, when it is detected that a first program section is operated, and the first program which corresponds to the first program section is not broadcasted, and a request module configured to request the tuner to select the first broadcasting station when the first operation area is operated. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130305285 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE SUPPORTING ON-DEMAND TV CONTENT - Method and meta-data search server (MSS | 11-14-2013 |
| 20130312032 | Media exchange network having media processing systems and personal computers with common user interfaces - A system supporting a common user interface for the consumption of media is disclosed. In an embodiment of the present invention, a set top box and a personal computer may have user interfaces that are substantially the same, providing users of such systems substantially the same look and feel in exchanging and consuming media. The media in such an embodiment may comprise audio, still images, video, real time video, and data. In addition, a media peripheral may also have a user interface supporting the exchange and consumption of media, and the user interface may be substantially the same interface as that of a set top box or a personal computer, having substantially the same look and feel. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130312033 | METHOD FOR SCHEDULING A BROADCAST BASED ON VIEWING TIME AND BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS - A method for scheduling a broadcast is provided. The method includes receiving and outputting a broadcast program, when an event which stops an output of the broadcast program occurs while the broadcast program has not been completed, receiving a user command to watch the broadcast program continuously later, when the user command is received, storing information regarding the broadcast program, and outputting portions of the broadcast program which have not been output continuously using the stored broadcast program information. | 11-21-2013 |
| 20130318554 | DISPLAY CONTROL DEVICE, TELEVISION RECEIVER, METHOD OF CONTROLLING DISPLAY, DISPLAY CONTROL PROGRAM AND RECORDING MEDIUM - The television ( | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130332959 | PERSONALIZED AUTO-GENERATED ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE FOR CONTENT DELIVERY PLATFORMS - A personalized auto-generated electronic programming guide for content delivery platforms is presented. A method to create a personalized auto-generated electronic programming guide (EPG) for content delivery platforms is also provided. The method can include obtaining, by a computing device, user preferences for content to be scheduled for a user, the user preferences including a type of content and a preferred time to view the type of content. The method can also include identifying one or more content items of a content hosting service that satisfy the user preferences and scheduling the identified one or more content items according to the user preferences. The method can also include presenting information about the scheduled one or more content items in a personalized EPG and providing the personalized EPG for display to the user. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130340005 | EYE-TRACKING PROGRAM GUIDES - Described herein are techniques for presenting content based on eye-tracking information. According to various embodiments, an electronic program guide may be presented on a display screen at a computing device. The electronic program guide may include a plurality of content items for selection. Eye tracking information may be received via an optical sensor at the computing device. The eye tracking information may describe a state of one or both eyes of an individual located proximate to the computing device. The eye tracking information may be capable of being used to identify a first one of the content items on which the eyes are focused. The electronic program guide may be updated to include personalized content items for selection. The personalized content may be selected based on the eye tracking information. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130340006 | EYE-TRACKING NAVIGATION - Described herein are techniques for navigating a user interface based on eye-tracking information. According to various embodiments, a user interface may be presented on a display screen at a computing device. The user interface may provide a plurality of actions to perform based on user input. Eye tracking information may be received via an optical sensor at the computing device. The eye tracking information may describe a state of one or both eyes of an individual located proximate to the computing device. One of the plurality of actions may be selected for performance based on the received eye tracking information. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130347037 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM LINEUP - Systems and methods for delivering content according to a customized program lineup are provided. A content source transmits a plurality of media assets in a first schedule according to scheduled transmission times. A processing device may receive a user input to receive the media assets in a second schedule different from the first schedule. When a request to access the content source is received, the processing device may automatically determine, based on the second schedule, whether the user has requested a different media asset than the originally-scheduled asset at the time of the request. If the user has requested a different media asset, the processing device may automatically receive and provide the different media asset instead of the originally-scheduled asset. | 12-26-2013 |
| 20140013355 | METHODS AND DEVICES FOR PRESENTING GUIDE LISTINGS AND GUIDANCE DATA IN THREE DIMENSIONS IN AN INTERACTIVE MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION - Methods and devices for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application are provided, in some embodiments, methods for presenting guide listings and guidance data in three dimensions in an interactive media guidance application are provided, the methods comprising; presenting guide listings in a two-dimensional configuration; receiving a user selection of at least one of the guide listings in the two-dimensional configuration; identifying guidance data related to the selection; and presenting the guidance data so that the guidance data appears to he in a third dimension, relative to the two-dimensional configuration. | 01-09-2014 |
| 20140020019 | Digital Satellite Broadcast Program Distribution Over Multicast IP Broadband Networks - Systems and methods for distributing digital satellite broadcast programs over multicast Internet Protocol (IP) networks are provided. A satellite receiver gateway receives a signal from a digital satellite broadcast and generates service information multicast packets that are transmitted over a multicast IP network. A device receives the service information multicast packets and generates a channel list or electronic program guide for a user. When a user selects a service from the channel list or electronic program guide the device sends a service request for the service towards the satellite receiver gateway. Either the satellite receiver gateway or a switch within the multicast IP network can then transmit the service in multicast IP packets to the requesting device. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140020020 | INFORMATION DESCRIPTOR AND EXTENDED INFORMATION DESCRIPTOR DATA STRUCTURES FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION SIGNALS - According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140020021 | Hybrid Media Receiver, Middleware Server and Corresponding Methods, Computer Programs and Computer Program Products - It is presented a hybrid media receiver capable of receiving broadcast media content using a first broadcast media network and a second broadcast media network, wherein the first broadcast media network complies with Internet Protocol Television, IPTV. The hybrid media receiver comprises: a content type receiver arranged to receive a first content type identifier and a second content type identifier, corresponding to the first broadcast media network and the second broadcast media network, respectively; and a channel data obtainer arranged to obtain, using the first content type identifier, a first list of scheduled media channels available to the hybrid media receiver over the first broadcast media network; and to obtain, using the second content type identifier, a second list of scheduled media channels available to the hybrid media receiver over the second broadcast media network. A corresponding middleware server, methods, computer programs and computer program products are also presented. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140020022 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE WITH DIGITAL STORAGE - An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments. | 01-16-2014 |
| 20140040953 | REMOTE CONTROL BASED INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDE - The present invention relates to electronic program guides. Program guide state information is stored in a remote control which generates and delivers a pseudo-interactive guide to end users with the system state information (guide information to channel mapping maintained in the remote control device. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140040954 | INPUT DEVICE AND METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND PROGRAM - An input device includes: an operating section which is held by a user and operated in a three-dimensional free space in order to operate an information processing apparatus by remote control; a calculation section which calculates a hand shake related value for controlling selection of an image to be controlled which is displayed on the information processing apparatus, the hand shake related value being relevant to an amount of hand shake of the operating section; and an output section which outputs the hand shake related value as an operation signal for operating the information processing apparatus by remote control. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140053194 | DATA SERVICE - A data service system in an Intelligent Television (TV) includes an internal content provider module configured to provide content to video hardware or display of the Intelligent TV or to a content provider module or application of the Intelligent TV and a subservice configured to provide the internet content provider module with requested data for a pre-defined data model. The internal content provider module is loaded on the Intelligent TV responsive to a user action or a schedule event on the Intelligent TV, and the internal content provider module organizes the received data from the subservice as the content according to a pre-defined format. The internal content provider module includes an EPG data provider, a media data provider, a media browser, a media scanner, and/or a thumbnail engine. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140059608 | System and Method of Content Acquisition and Delivery - A method includes receiving, at an electronic device, a first input from a user identifying a program and a viewing time and creating a first calendar event corresponding to the viewing time in an electronic calendar associated with the user. The method also includes determining a first device to deliver the program to, where the first device is associated with the user. The determination is based on the viewing time and a second calendar event in the electronic calendar. Further, the method includes delivering the program to the first device. | 02-27-2014 |
| 20140068666 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS PROVIDING A COLLAPSIBLE CHANNEL LISTING - A television receiving device includes a memory configured to store an electronic program guide. The electronic program guide is divided into channel listings including program information corresponding to television programs being broadcast currently and to television programs scheduled for future broadcast. The device further includes a user interface configured to receive a user input and a processor in communication with the memory and the user interface. The processor is configured to output the electronic program guide to be displayed with, alternatively: 1) at least one channel listing including an expansion icon, where upon the user input indicating a selection of the expansion icon, a single channel listing expands into a plurality of channel listings, or 2) at least one channel including a collapsing icon, where upon the user input indicating a selection of the collapsing icon, a plurality of channel listings collapse into a single channel listing. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140068667 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING MEDIA CONTENT AND MEDIA GUIDANCE INFORMATION - A system comprises television equipment and a number of portable electronic devices. The television equipment includes a large display and control circuitry. The control circuitry receives media content and media guidance data for display on the display. The control circuitry also includes communication components for communicating with the portable electronic devices. The portable electronic devices are operable for displaying video and communicating with the television equipment. A method comprises the steps of receiving media guidance information with a first portable electronic device; transmitting at least some of the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device to the control circuitry of the television equipment; and displaying the media guidance information from the first portable electronic device on the display of the television equipment while simultaneously displaying media content or media guidance information received from a source other than the first portable electronic device. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140068668 | Electronic Program Guide for Obtaining Past, Current, and Future Programs - An electronic program guide (EPG) for facilitating obtaining copies of selected programs includes a plurality of program listings, the program listings including listings for previously broadcast programs available for downloading to a user's recording device, programs currently being broadcast available for downloading to the user's recording device, and programs which may be recorded on the user's recording device during a future broadcast of the programs. This EPG merges two models of distribution for broadcast content (e.g., EPGs) and video on demand (VOD) systems (e.g., video catalogs) to address the problem of acquiring a recording of a program that was broadcast in the past. The EPG of the present invention provides a combined, unified user interface whereby a user may easily obtain a copy of any one or more of past, current, or future programs. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140068669 | PROGRAM GUIDE SYSTEM WITH FLIP AND BROWSE ADVERTISEMENTS - An interactive television program guide is provided in which advertisements may be displayed in program listings display regions on program guide screens. The program listings display regions may be browse displays or flip displays. The program guide screens contain video for the current channel to which the user is tuned. The program listings display regions containing the advertisements may be overlaid on top of the current channel. Alternatively, the video for the current channel may be provided in a reduced-size video window. The advertisements may contain video. The advertisements may be used to promote television programs and conventional goods and services. Advertisements may be selectable. When a user selects an advertisement, the program guide provides the user with an opportunity to order products or services, request information, set reminders for upcoming programs, view program descriptions, record programs, or take other such actions. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140089974 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140089975 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140089976 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140089977 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140089978 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 03-27-2014 |
| 20140115629 | System and Method for Displaying and Searching Multimedia Events Scheduling Information - Disclosed are computer implemented method, systems, and non-transitory media for presenting information representing a plurality of time-bounded events in (i) a first grid and (ii) a second grid. The first grid has a first size and represents a first set of time-bounded events in the plurality of time-bounded events. The second grid has a second size smaller than the first size. The second grid represents a second set of time-bounded events in the plurality of time-bounded events. This second set of time-bounded events includes a greater number of time-bounded events than the first set of time-bounded events. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140123188 | Method and Apparatus for Channel Prioritization - A method includes detecting a client device, determining a maximum number of channels based on the client device and selecting different targeted channels from a set of available channels. At least one of the different targeted channels is selected to form a preloaded channel. | 05-01-2014 |
| 20140137153 | ON-DEMAND ACCESS TO SCHEDULED CONTENT - A method is provided for a reception apparatus to access content. The method includes outputting a distribution schedule for a plurality of content and receiving a selection of one of the plurality of content for which distribution started before or starts after a current time. At least one processor of the reception apparatus determines whether on-demand access is requested for the selected content. When on-demand access is determined to be requested for the selected content, a request for the selected content is sent over a first communication medium and the selected content is received via a second communication medium. | 05-15-2014 |
| 20140157312 | CUSTOM ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDES - Custom electronic program guides are disclosed. An example method includes collecting identifying information associated with media using at least one of a microphone or camera of a consumer electronics device, determining a characteristic of the consumer electronics device, the characteristic being at least one of a length of time during which the identifying information was collected, a percentage of the identifying information corresponding to a same program, or a geographic location at which the identifying information was collected, and determining, based on the characteristic, whether the collected identifying information is to be used in generating a custom electronic program guide for a user associated with the consumer electronics device. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140157313 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CACHING AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - A method for caching an electronic program guide on a portable device commences by downloading channel information and program information to the portable from a local cache when the local cache contains relevant information. However, if the local cache lacks such information, the portable device downloads the channel information and program information from a server. The portable devices then builds a channel index and a program index from the downloaded channel information and program information, respectively to establish the electronic program guide on the portable device. | 06-05-2014 |
| 20140165101 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE DATA ENCODING METHOD AND SYSTEM - A method for composing an electronic program guide (EPG) metadata file, comprising receiving program metadata and converting the program metadata into a file using a Fast Infoset coding standard. The method is applied in a Metadata search server (MSS) for providing services relating to an electronic program guide (EPG), the MSS ( | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140165102 | ELECTRONIC PROGRAM LISTINGS DISPLAYING DEVICE - An electronic program listings displaying device includes a program listings displaying portion that displays program listings based on electronic program guide data that includes broadcasting channel names and broadcast times for broadcast programs from individual broadcasting stations, a selection evaluating portion that evaluates a broadcasting station or broadcast program selected in the program listings, and a multichannel displaying portion that displays multichannel broadcast program information relating to the broadcasting station or broadcast program evaluated by the selection evaluating portion. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140165103 | DISTRIBUTED PRESENTATION SOFTWARE FOR MULTIPLE INSTANTIATIONS IN HOME NETWORK - One and only instance of a video service model component (for example, an electronic program guide (EPG) model description) is executed in a home network gateway, with multiple instantiations of a view/controller module associated with the model module being generated, one for each display device seeking to simultaneously display the video service. In this way the functionality of a single video service model is shared in the network without requiring the underlying model module itself to be replicated. | 06-12-2014 |
| 20140173656 | TELEVISION - In one aspect of the invention, a TV includes a TV service module, a user service module, a media service module, a system service module, and a user interface (UI) view service module. The TV service module is adapted for providing a standard interface. The user service module is adapted for managing users of a cloud platform to which the TV belongs. The media service module is adapted for collecting resources. The system service module is adapted for forwarding an instruction corresponding to a broadcast sent by a remote control to a corresponding module. The UI view service module is adapted for analyzing a component invoking instruction sent by another module in the TV, and selecting an invoked component according to data carried in the component invoking instruction. Embodiments of the invention can reduce operations of a user and improves the user experience. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140181866 | TELEVISION RECEIVER CLOUD SERVICE AUGMENTATION - The configuration of television receivers in a content distribution network. The configuration may include selectively enabling or disabling access by a particular television receiver to a particular cloud computing service. The enabling or disabling may be implemented by user-interaction with a guide that lists cloud computing services each configured to provide particular applications and services over a data network. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140181867 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SIGNALS PROVIDED TO MULTIPLE DISPLAY DEVICES - A method, apparatus, and user interface for providing operational status for multiple communication networks is described. The embodiments include receiving a request to change a program being provided on a first device in the plurality of devices, determining if the requested change requires changing the program provided to at least one second device in the plurality of devices, and outputting or displaying a list of programs currently provided to a subset of the plurality of devices if the requested change requires changing the program to the at least one second device, the subset of devices including the first device and the at least one second device. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140181868 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND USER INTERFACES FOR FACILITATING USER ACCESS TO MEDIA CONTENT - An exemplary method includes a media program guide user interface system 1) displaying a forward-looking view of a media program guide, the forward-looking view including a matrix grid of cells arranged relative to a channel axis and a forward-looking time axis, the cells representing media programs scheduled for transmission on channels arranged along the channel axis and at times arranged along the forward-looking time axis in accordance with a media transmission schedule, 2) detecting an association between content of the forward-looking view and a recorded media program available to a media content access system, and 3) presenting, together with the forward-looking view in response to the detecting, a selectable option configured to be selected by a user to trigger a display of a backward-looking view of the media program guide. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140181869 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING ELECTRONIC DEVICE - According to one embodiment, an electronic device of one embodiment is provided with a voice call function for performing a voice call with an external device via a network. The device comprises a reproducer and a controller. The reproducer receives a broadcast signal to reproduce a program contained in the broadcast signal. The controller is configured to turn off the voice call function within a preset period of time. The preset period of time covers the time when the reproducer should start to reproduce a preset program. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140189736 | FAST CHANNEL CHANGE FROM ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE - Arrangements for preparing a television channel for presentation are presented. A set of one or more tuners that are idle may be identified. Being idle may correspond to not being used to receive any television channel data for presentation or recording. An electronic programming guide that indicates programming may be output for presentation. One or more television channels may be selected for preparation. The television channels may be selected based at least in part on one or more electronic programming guide operations and/or prior to receiving user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner, to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the television channels for presentation. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140189737 | ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING AN ELECTRONIC APPARATUS THROUGH MOTION INPUT - An electronic apparatus and a control method thereof for controlling through motion input are provided. The method for controlling the electronic apparatus includes: in response to a predetermined mode trigger command being input, changing a mode of the electronic apparatus to a first motion task mode in which a motion task is performed using two pointers; in response to the mode being changed to the first motion task mode, displaying a UI to perform the first motion task mode on a display screen; and, in response to a user motion command using the two pointers being input, performing a motion task which corresponds to the user motion command, and displaying information on the performed motion task on the display screen. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140189738 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA SERVICES - A system for presenting media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140215515 | TELEVISION RECEIVER, PORTABLE INFORMATION TERMINAL AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE SYSTEM INCLUDING SAME - An information exchange system is provided in which users passing each other can realistically exchange opinions on a television program. Hence, the information exchange system includes a television receiver and a portable information terminal which performs short-range communication with the television receiver and another portable information tenuinal, where the television receiver acquires, from a broadcast wave, program information including an identifier and a program name of a specified program, and transmits the program information to the portable information terminal within a range of the short-range communication, and the portable information terminal acquires the program information from the television receiver, associates a comment with the acquired program information to receive an input of the comment and exchanges the comment with another portable information terminal which comes into the range of the short-range communication. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140215516 | INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, METHOD FOR CONTROLLING INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE, CONTROL PROGRAM, AND RECORDING MEDIUM - An information processing device includes a content identification information selecting section that allows a user to select at least a single piece of content identification information from content identification information, a registered information storing section that associates the selected content identification information with user operation, one to one, and stores the associated content identification information and user operation, and a registered information output section that, when the user operation is received, outputs content identification information stored in the storage section in association with the user operation to an external destination. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140223479 | APPARATUS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING AND RECEIVING VENUE LEVEL TRANSMISSIONS AND SERVICES - A venue-cast system and method for providing and receiving venue level transmissions and services, including discovery of a venue specific transmission by receiving an overhead signal from a non-venue network, extracting information for receiving the venue specific transmission from the overhead signal, and tuning to receive the venue specific transmission based on the extracted information. The venue level transmission may be provided and received in a manner that does not prevent an access terminal from receiving a local area or wide area transmission. | 08-07-2014 |
| 20140237516 | CAPTURE OF STYLIZED TV TABLE DATA VIA OCR - In certain implementations consistent with the present invention, a method of detecting text in a television video display table involves saving a frame of video to a memory device; determining that the frame of video contains a table having cells containing text; storing a working copy of the frame of video to a memory; isolating text in the table by: removing any table boundaries from the image; removing any cell boundaries from the image; determining if the image has three dimensional or shadow attributes and removing any three dimensional or shadow attributes identified; thereby producing text isolated against a contrasting color background; and processing the isolated text using an optical character recognition (OCR) engine to extract the text as data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract. | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140245351 | System For Booking Television Programs - A computer system in which a touch-screen display displays an electronic program guide to a user. A first user can book to watch a television program at a future time by selecting a “book to watch” button | 08-28-2014 |
| 20140259065 | DIFFERENTIATED PSIP TABLE UPDATE INTERVAL TECHNOLOGY - An apparatus, method and data structure for generating at least one table in a broadcast environment, are provided. The apparatus includes a generator to generate an event information table (EIT) and an extended text table (ETT). The ETT has program guide information for an n-hour span and has a transmission interval. The ETT has a transmission interval and program description information according to the EIT. The transmission interval of the EIT is shorter than the transmission interval of the ETT. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140259066 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140259067 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRE-TUNING A SECOND TUNER IN ANTICIPATION OF A CHANNEL SURFING ACTIVITY - Two-tuner media device systems and methods are operable to pre-tune a second tuner in anticipation of a channel surfing activity. An exemplary embodiment receives a first content stream associated with a currently presented channel at a first tuner, determines an anticipated channel based upon the currently presented channel and a historical channel surfing pattern, receives a second content stream associated with the anticipated channel at a second tuner, detects an initiation of a channel surfing activity, and presents at least a video portion of the second content stream associated with the anticipated channel in response to detecting the initiation of the channel surfing activity. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140259068 | System, Method, and Apparatus for Providing Digital Video Recorder Services on a Portable Wireless Device - Methods and apparatus for providing digital video recorder services with a portable wireless device (PWD). The PWD includes at least a transceiver, a processing unit and a memory unit. The transceiver receives a video content signal transmitted from a broadcaster of mobile broadcast digital TV, and an electronic program guide (EPG). The processing unit is in communication with the transceiver and the memory unit and the processing unit: stores the TV programming information on the memory unit; displays, responsive to a first user input, the TV programming information; records on the memory unit, responsive to a second user input, a selected video content signal received by the transceiver; and plays back the selected video content signal, responsive to a third user input, from the memory unit. | 09-11-2014 |
| 20140289769 | Method and Apparatus for Communicating Electronic Service Guide Information in a Satellite Television System - Aspects of a method and apparatus for communicating electronic service guide information in a satellite television system are provided. A satellite communication system may receive a signal via an interface to a satellite dish, and receive data from a network via a second interface (e.g., an interface to a LAN or a WAN, such as the Internet). The satellite communication system may be operable to channelize the received satellite signal into a plurality of channels, wherein a first channel of the plurality of channels carries electronic service guide (ESG) data. The satellite communication system may select which of the plurality of channels to input to a demodulator based, at least in part, on whether ESG data is available via the second interface. A second channel carrying media data may be input to the demodulator while the ESG data is available via the second interface. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140289770 | Method, Device and System for Obtaining Multicast Address - A method for obtaining a multicast address. A first request message is sent to the EPG device to obtain program guide information. The program guide information is returned by the EPG device. A multicast address matching a current user terminal is obtained according to the program guide information. A multicast request message is sent according to the multicast address. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140325562 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONTENT ACQUISITION AND DELIVERY - A method includes creating a first calendar event in an electronic calendar associated with a user. The first calendar event corresponds to a first viewing time and is associated with delivery of media content to a first device associated with the user. The method further includes rescheduling the first calendar event in response to determining that a scheduling conflict exists between the first calendar event and a second calendar event. Rescheduling the first calendar event includes modifying the first calendar event to correspond to a second viewing time and determining, based on the second viewing time, a second device to deliver the media content to. The second device is associated with the user. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140337888 | OPTIMIZED HTML5 ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE APPLICATION - An electronic programming guide (EPG) data manager module is provided. The EPG data module provides an event driven infrastructure to provide EPG data to a hypertext markup language 5 (HTML5) applications. The HTML5 EPG application presents an EPG data window in a user interface on a display device. The EPG data is provided to the EPG application in scriptable data objects generated to be rendered by the HTML5 EPG application based upon the EPG data window to be presented. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140337889 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A MEDIA PROGRAM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an apparatus having a processor adapted to receive a message from a portable communication device communicatively coupled to a set-top box presenting a media program and to retrieve from the message a media descriptor associated with the media program. The processor is further adapted to identify according to the media descriptor one or more images of one or more performers commonly presented in the media program, to monitor one or more frames of a live media feed including the media program, and compare the one or more human figures to the one or more images of performers. The processor can also be adapted to recognize a performer from the comparison, to retrieve information associated with the performer, and to transmit the information to the portable communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-13-2014 |
| 20140344857 | User Interface for Video Delivery System with Program Guide Overlay - A graphical user interface implemented on user devices and method for displaying a program guide is disclosed. Upon invocation of a program guide from an active area tab, a program guide overlay is displayed over a video portion of the graphical user interface. Additionally, when the program guide overlay is displayed, a volume of the video portion is lowered or muted and a video portion of the graphical user interface is grayed out. | 11-20-2014 |
| 20140351856 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20140366060 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ACCESS TO PROGRAM CHANNELS - Methods and apparatus for providing access to program channels, e.g., high definition programs and program channels which corresponding to a standard definition program and/or program channels are described. In accordance with the invention, a high definition auto tune function is supported. When enabled, in one exemplary embodiment, if a user selects a standard program definition channel, a check is automatically made to determine if a corresponding high definition program channel is available. The corresponding high definition program channel is a channel which provides the same program as on the selected standard definition channel but in high definition. When the auto tune function is enabled and a corresponding high definition channel is available, the device, e.g., set to box or tuner implementing the auto tune feature of the present invention, automatically tunes to the high definition channel instead of the standard definition channel. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20140373057 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN MEDIA STREAMS FOR NON-ADJACENT CHANNELS WHILE PROVIDING A SEAMLESS USER EXPERIENCE - An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream that corresponds to a first channel in a predetermined sequence of channels. In response to the first request, the device displays the first video stream. While displaying the first video stream, the device receives a second request to display a second video stream that corresponds to a second channel in the predetermined sequence of channels and is separated from the first channel by one or more intervening channels. In response to receiving the second request, the device displays at least a portion of the first video stream concurrently with at recently received content of one or more of the intervening channels and displays recently received content of one or more of the intervening channels concurrently with least a portion of the second video stream. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140373058 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140373059 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table: At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140373060 | VIRTUAL CHANNEL TABLE FOR A BROADCAST PROTOCOL AND METHOD OF BROADCASTING AND RECEIVING BROADCAST SIGNALS USING THE SAME - A virtual channel table for broadcasting protocol and a method for broadcasting by using the virtual channel table includes identification information identifying and permitting discrimination of active and inactive channels contained in the virtual channel table. At a receiver, the virtual channel table transmitted from the transmitting side is parsed, thereby determining whether the current received channel is an active or inactive channel. | 12-18-2014 |
| 20140380363 | INFORMATION DESCRIPTOR AND EXTENDED INFORMATION DESCRIPTOR DATA STRUCTURES FOR DIGITAL TELEVISION SIGNALS - According to an aspect, there is provided a digital television (DTV) data stream including program and system information protocol (PSIP) data associated with content of the DTV data stream, the PSIP data including a virtual channel table (VCT) and an event information table (EIT), the EIT comprising: a source identification field identifying a source of an associated event in a DTV data stream; an event identification field indicating an identification of the event; a start time field indicating a star time of the event; a title field indicating a title of the event; and a descriptor comprising: a descriptor tag identifying the descriptor as a genre descriptor, a descriptor length indicating a total length of the descriptor; and at least one category code for an associated event in a DTV data stream, each category code specifying genre, program type, or category information of the associated event, wherein the at least one category code specifies at least one of a set of basic categories. | 12-25-2014 |
| 20150026723 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING A VIDEO RECEIVER - A method and device for displaying an electronic program guide on a handheld device. The guide includes a plurality of tiles, each tile associated with a television program. The device receives a related content request input through its touchscreen and, in response, sends a related content request message to a gateway server over a wireless network connection, the related content request message includes information identifying one of the plurality of programs. The device receives and displays related media content from the gateway server in reply to the related content request message. | 01-22-2015 |
| 20150033259 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PERFORMING OPERATIONS IN RESPONSE TO CHANGES IN BRAIN ACTIVITY OF A USER - Methods and systems are disclosed herein for performing operations in response to changes in brain activity of a user. For example, a media guidance application implemented on a user device may monitor the brain activity of the user (e.g., in order to perform one of more operations based on the brain activity of the user). In response to detecting particular brain activity (e.g., indicating that a user has fallen asleep), the media guidance application may instruct the user device to cease monitoring the brain activity of the user. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150052557 | SYSTEM AND A METHOD ADAPTED TO DISPLAY EPG MEDIA CONTENT FROM THE WORLD WIDE WEB - The invention relates to a system, a method of a remote control adapted to display media content from the World Wide Web. This is accomplished by utilizing a smart-phone as a remote control by an application program, and transmitting the media content through a backend system utilizing WI-FI adapters to transmit streaming media to for instance a HDMI TV. Moreover, the invention provides viewing already aired programs through an electronic program guide (EPG). | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150058890 | TELEVISION RECEIVER ENHANCEMENT FEATURES - One or more of a system, method, apparatus, and computer-program product to enable implementation of one or more features that together or separately enhance Quality of Experience or Quality of Service as a particular user interacts with a television receiver. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150058891 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A CUSTOMIZED PROGRAM LINEUP - Systems and methods for delivering content according to a customized program lineup are provided. A content source transmits a plurality of media assets in a first schedule according to scheduled transmission times. A processing device may receive a user input to receive the media assets in a second schedule different from the first schedule. When a request to access the content source is received, the processing device may automatically determine, based on the second schedule, whether the user has requested a different media asset than the originally-scheduled asset at the time of the request. If the user has requested a different media asset, the processing device may automatically receive and provide the different media asset instead of the originally-scheduled asset. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150058892 | METHOD OF PROCESSING EGP METADATA IN NETWORK DEVICE AND THE NETWORK DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - A method of processing EPG metadata in a network according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of performing a services discovery procedure utilizing multiple service discovery metadata components supplied by a service provider and processing an EPG metadata. Moreover, the performing step includes the steps of receiving a master SI table which locates in a master SI table location in provisioning information, the provisioning information including multiple elements, an EPG provider information element in the multiple elements having both a first delivery layer element and an EPG data locator element, the first delivery layer element giving a type of delivery layer that is delivered by at least one of an EPG metadata provider's EPG data sources, receiving a virtual channel map table which locates in virtual channel map locations in the received master SI table, receiving a virtual channel description table which locates in virtual channel description table locations in the received virtual channel map table, and receiving a source table which locates in source table locations in the received virtual channel description table. | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150100983 | Personal Mobile Device as Ad hoc Set-Top Box for Television - In a basic form, a television renders programs received from channel content providers through cable or satellite. A personal mobile device is coupled to the television as an ad hoc set-top box. The personal mobile device takes control of television system and provides a network search capability. Personal media items stored in a storage unit of the device can also be rendered by the television. The personal mobile device renders a user interface through the television. A first screen of a user interface includes a channel selector, a network search engine and a personal media user interface. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150100984 | PLAYBACK DEVICE AND PLAYBACK METHOD FOR MULTIMEDIA FILE - A playback device for a multimedia file is provided. The playback device is applied to a player that switches a channel according to a control signal. The playback device for a multimedia file includes: a processing unit, configured to access one of a plurality of sets of playlist link information from a look-up table according to the control signal, and to obtain a playlist according to the selected playlist link information; a multimedia content identification unit, configured to access the multimedia file according to contents of the playlist; and an image processing unit, configured to process the multimedia file and to transmit the processed multimedia file to a display module for display. | 04-09-2015 |
| 20150106847 | CONTENT PROVIDING APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR RECOMMENDING CONTENTS - A content providing apparatus, system, and method for recommending content. The method includes: receiving user information from a display apparatus; determining whether a terminal apparatus of a user is registered, based on the received user information; when the terminal apparatus is determined to be registered, determining whether recommended content for the user exists, based on pattern information about content usage of the user and content information; and when the recommended content for the user is determined to exist, transmitting a notification message for the recommended content to the terminal apparatus. Therefore, utilization of a notification service for recommended content is further improved. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150128180 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRESENTING STORED MEDIA CONTENT AT ITS BEGINNING - Media device systems and methods are operable to automatically present a program at its beginning while a remaining portion of the program is being received at the media device. An exemplary embodiment receives a program in a media content stream; receives a presentation request to present the program, wherein the presentation request is received after an initial portion of the program has been received and wherein the presentation request is received before a conclusion of the program; accesses a stored initial portion of the program from a memory medium; and initiates presentation at a beginning of the program residing in the accessed initial portion of the program. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150128181 | DIGITAL TELEVISION AND METHOD OF PROVIDING GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE USING THE SAME - A digital television (DTV) and a method of providing a GUI using the DTV are disclosed. The method of providing a GUI in a DTV comprises: first displaying an image on a display unit provided on the DTV; receiving a display command of a first GUI; and second displaying the image and the first GUI such that a different spatial depth is formed between the image and the first GUI according to the received display command. | 05-07-2015 |
| 20150135216 | Parallel Television Based Media Recording - A control device that interacts with a television system. The control device may receive a user input identifying a video selection. At least one module of the control device may display video information corresponding to the video selection. The control device may cause display of the video information on a television system. The control device may respond to a second user input identifying a storage selection by triggering storage of the video information in a storage unit corresponding to the storage selection. The control device may also receive a third user input identifying a replay request for other video information that may be selected from a plurality of stored videos. The control device may direct display of the other video information on the television system and/or on a display of the control device. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150135217 | System And Method In A Television For Providing User-Selection Of Objects In A Television Program - A system and method in a television for providing user-selection of objects in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150143422 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR CREATING AND MANAGING MULTI PARTICIPANT SESSIONS - A method of creating a multi participant session among a plurality of viewers of media content. The method comprises automatically identifying which media content is currently presented on a plurality of client terminals of a plurality of subscribers, receiving, from a first subscriber, a first selection indicative of a template of a multi participant session object and a second selection indicative of a group from the plurality of subscribers, creating a multi participant session object adapted for simultaneous presentation with the media content according to first and second selections and establishing a multi participant session among at least one member of the group and the first subscriber using the multi participant session object. | 05-21-2015 |
| 20150304706 | BROADCAST RECEIVING APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREOF - A broadcast receiving apparatus includes a plurality of tuners which respectively receive a plurality of signals, a user interface which receives a channel zapping command, and a controller which generates a channel list in an arrangement that one or more programs included in adjacent signals among the plurality of signals are processed at different demultiplexers based on reference information for channel grouping and a number of the plurality of tuner, and performs the channel zapping based on the generated channel list in response to reception of a channel zapping command. Accordingly, channel zapping can be quickly performed using a plurality of tuners and channel lists. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150312619 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TELEVISION SIGNAL RECORDING - A method for television signal recording the method comprising the steps of: providing access to at least one catch up TV service; generating a signal comprising a graphical user interface of an electronic program guide; awaiting selection of a program for recording: the method further comprising the step of: checking whether the program, selected for recording, is available for retrieval via one of the at least one catch up TV service; storing a reference information to the program, the reference allowing for retrieval of the selected program from a selected program catch up TV service; making the selected program available as a recording entry on a list of recordings; monitoring expiry of the program in the selected catch up TV service; retrieving and recording the program, on a storage device, sufficiently prior to the expiry of the program in the catch up TV service. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150312641 | DISTRIBUTED CONTENT ANALYSIS NETWORK - A master node in a multimedia content network includes a processor, a content interface coupled to the processor and configured to receive, from a media source, a multimedia stream including a multimedia program, a network interface coupled to the processor and configured to provide an interface to a broadband network, processor executable instructions for performing operations including: identifying a group of subordinate nodes available to analyze a multimedia program, assigning different analysis tasks for the multimedia program to the available subordinate nodes, receiving analysis results from the subordinate nodes; and modifying electronic programming guide information for the multimedia program based on the analysis results. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150382029 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INITIALIZING ALLOCATIONS OF TRANSPORT STREAMS BASED ON HISTORICAL DATA - Systems and methods for allocating media assets to a plurality of transport streams in a mixed service system to allow simultaneous receipt of at least two media assets using a single stream selector are provided. The mix-service content delivery system comprises a content delivery server comprising control circuitry. At a first time, the first instance of the at least two media assets may be allocated to different transport streams. A user request to simultaneously receive the at least two media assets may be received. A viewing history based on the user request may be generated during a predetermined time period. At a second time after the first time, the control circuitry may allocate a second instance of the at least two media assets to a same transport stream of the plurality of transport streams. The allocations may be determined based on the generated viewing history. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160029096 | Network Video Unit - Providing content to content receiving devices, such as digital video recorders, connected to a computer network through a content provider is described. According to one aspect, a server maintains a database correlating contact information to content receiving devices in its network. A user navigates to a web site of the content provider and selects a piece of content, which prompts the content provider to query the server for the contact information, and then transmit a request to download the piece of content to the content receiving device. The request can be a set of content identification information that automatically populates a content guide at the receiving device with an entry corresponding to the requested piece of content. This entry allows the user to confirm, interrupt, resume and cancel a download of the content as desired. | 01-28-2016 |
| 20160037204 | AUTOMATIC CHANNEL SELECTION AND CONTROL - A selection of a television program through a set-top box (STB) may be detected, and a counter value associated with the program may be incremented after the STB presents the program for a certain amount of time. The incremented counter value may be evaluated to determine whether the incremented counter value satisfies a threshold. When the incremented counter value satisfies the threshold, another broadcast associated with the program, such as another episode in a related series, may be identified. The identified broadcast is presented on a particular channel at a particular time, and the STB may automatically tune to the particular channel at the particular time to cause the STB to provide the broadcast without receiving an input from the user. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160094888 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING USER SELECTED SCENES - Systems and methods are described herein for presenting user selected scenes. A media guidance application may generate for display a listing for a media asset, wherein a play length of the media asset includes a non-selectable play length portion and a selectable play length portion. The media guidance application may generate for display a first scene option corresponding to a first scene and a second scene option corresponding to a second scene. The media guidance application may receive a user selection of the first or second scene option and incorporate the selected scene into the selectable play length portion of the media asset. The media guidance application may generate for display the media asset with the selected scene incorporated into the selectable play length portion. | 03-31-2016 |
| 20160127762 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING SHADOWS FOR A MEDIA GUIDANCE APPLICATION BASED ON CONTENT - Systems and methods for generating shadows for a media guidance application are provided. A display of a media asset is generated that includes a media object with a shadow at an object shadow position. Object shadow information is stored corresponding to the shadow of the object and the object shadow position. In response to receiving a user request to access a media guidance application, a media guidance application display corresponding to the user request is selected. A guide shadow is generated based on the stored object shadow information and the media guidance application display. The guide shadow is combined with the media guidance application display for display to the user. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160127797 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERACTIVE PROGRAM GUIDES WITH PERSONAL VIDEO RECORDING FEATURES - Methods and systems that provide enhanced personal video recorder (“PVR”) and interactive television program guide (“IPG”) functionality are provided. An interactive television application (“application”) may be implemented to provide such functionality. The application may be used to display a list of PVR recordings, to schedule recordings to a PVR, to configure recordings, to view a list of scheduled recordings, to configure recording settings, or to select delete priority settings for recordings. The application may integrate pay-per-view and PVR functionality. The application may send user notifications for changes that are to be made to the recording content of a PVR. Live programming may be buffered by the application using a straight buffers that are created for each new program. Parallel buffers for concurrent programs may be implemented using multiple tuners. Straight buffers may be used in managing or controlling the flow of programming. Television content may be automatically paused when a user is engaged in using the application. Multiple IPGs for different users of a PVR may be implemented. Other PVR related features are also provided. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160165295 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR UBIQUITOUS APPLIANCE CONTROL - A slave relay station is adapted to serve and/or host pages comprising a simplified graphic user interface (GUI) encoded in a widely recognized format such as, for example, HTML or WML. The GUI embodies activatable links corresponding to control functions for configured appliances. A wireless phone or other device with network access and the capability to process and present such pages, for example via a Web browser, may then be utilized to effect control of such appliances by simply navigating to the network address of the slave relay station, obtaining an appropriate GUI page, and interacting with the links. | 06-09-2016 |
| 20160173913 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRANSMISSION OF MULTIPLE VIDEO STREAMS TO MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICES | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160182937 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VERIFYING MEDIA GUIDANCE DATA | 06-23-2016 |
| 20160191999 | PROTECTION FROM SPOILERS - Methods and devices protect users from spoilers associated with programs that have been scheduled to be recorded. A content receiver receives a request to record a program and outputs data corresponding to a user interface that enables a user to indicate whether protection from spoilers is desired for the program. When the content receiver receives data indicating a channel, the content receiver determines whether a currently received program being broadcast on the channel would spoil any of the programs for which the user has requested protection from spoilers. If the content receiver determines that the currently received program is a spoiler, it outputs data corresponding to a user interface that prevents the currently received program from been seen or heard. The user interface may provide an option to view the currently received program or to view a recording of a program that would be spoiled by the currently received program. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20160198232 | Method and Apparatus for Setting Language Type | 07-07-2016 |
| 20170238047 | CONTENT CACHING SERVICES IN SATELLITE AND SATELLITE/IP CONTENT DELIVERY SYSTEMS ("Content Caching") | 08-17-2017 |
