| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 725048000 | Combined from plural information providers (e.g., combined terrestrial and satellite sources) | 71 |
| 20080244657 | Method and system of retrieving prior broadcasted programming at a user device from a service provider - A communication system | 10-02-2008 |
| 20080276280 | INFORMATION PROVIDING APPARATUS AND INFORMATION PROVIDING METHOD - The present invention relates to an information providing apparatus and an information providing apparatus. Images which are consecutive in time series are sequentially enlarged and displayed such that the enlarged images are continuous spirally in the time-series order from the inner circumferential side. In this manner, according to the present invention, it is possible to understand easily a before-after relationship between a large number of images which are consecutive in time series by applying the present invention to a set-top box for digital satellite broadcasting, for example. | 11-06-2008 |
| 20090031356 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING AND DISPLAYING BROADBAND CONTENT AVAILABILITY USING INFORMATION RECEIVED THROUGH A SATELLITE - A communication system | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090044228 | METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION RELATED TO AVAILABLE BROADCAST PROGRAMS IN A MOBILE COMMUNICATION NETWORK - Disclosed is a method for providing information related to available broadcast programs, such as Electronic Program Guides or parts thereof, in a mobile communication network comprising a plurality of cells, with respective base stations. The cells with their base stations are part of a broadcast zone managed by a server. The server identifies the available broadcast programs and transmits the information via the base stations to access terminals that are serviced by those base stations. The base stations establish a specific EPG broadcast connection and transmit the information to the access terminals being serviced by them, over the specific EPG broadcast connection. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20090094646 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTENT MAPPING - Methods and systems for content mapping are described. Information regarding available content may be received from a plurality of content sources. A plurality of available content selections may be provided for presentation. The plurality of available content selections may be in accordance with the received information. A selection of content may be received from a user. The selection may be from the plurality of available content selections. The content may be associated with a selected content source from the plurality of content sources. The selected content source may be of a source type. A channel may be mapped to the content in accordance with the source type to create a mapped channel. The mapped channel may be added to an electronic program guide. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090210908 | PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR SHARING ESG METADATA - A portable communication device and method for sharing electronic program information from one mobile device to another device includes an electronic program guide (EPG) application and an EPG sharing application for transparently embedding metadata into communication that may be sent to a recipient via a communications network. The embedded metadata may be used to add the broadcast program to the recipient's EPG. The message or communication may contain a text message, short video message, or other MMS message indicative of the general nature of the program and/or the reasons that the program has been recommended or sent to the recipient. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20100299703 | Live Uplink Transmissions And Broadcasting Management System And Method - A live uplink transmission and broadcasting management system and method for managing a plurality of live uplink transmissions and broadcasting events, the system comprising: (i) a publication portal for publishing transmissions of live events; (ii) a database for storing metadata, system data, broadcast data and user data; (iii) a broadcast manager adapted for receiving and processing in real-time metadata information related to a plurality of live uplink transmission events wherein each live uplink transmission event transmits in a plurality of uplink channels, wherein processed metadata information generate data elements adapted for being used in telecom and datacom real time management applications, said broadcast manager also adapted for updating the publication portal with live event information and (iv) a set of Quality of Service (QoS) management methods to coordinate the usage of Uplink transmissions based on the received metadata and their processing in the broadcast manager | 11-25-2010 |
| 20110023064 | Synchronizing And Windowing External Content In Digital Display Systems - In one embodiment, a system comprises at least a first video source device, at least a first remote control device, a digital display device comprising logic to receive, in a digital display device, a first video signal from a first video source, extract at least a first metadata from the first video signal, use the first metadata to obtain a second video signal from a second video source, present the first video signal on the digital display device, combine at least a portion of the second video signal and at least a portion of the first video signal to generate a combined video signal, and present the combined video signal on a display. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110131610 | NETWORK TELEVISION AND A METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A network TV includes a network interface, a user interface, and a controller. The network interface establishes a connection with at least one content provider server through a network. The user interface receives an input signal selecting an icon for display. The controller controls output of the selected icon for display along with an image corresponding to the selected icon. The selected icon corresponds to the content provider and is displayed with one or more other icons that correspond to additional content providers, and the image is based on information received through the network interface from the content provider. Further, a method is disclosed for displaying a real-time broadcast screen and icons for receiving contents at the same time, and easily switching between the real-time broadcast screen and a content providing screen in response to user input. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110138424 | DYNAMIC SWITCHING BETWEEN DIGITAL TV SERVICES - A method for creating variants of a DTV service, a method which is simpler than the method defined in GBS0600, and the method can handle all use-case scenarios for simulcast linking in a way almost equal to that defined in GBS0600. The method introduces switching between a mother service and a variant service, the mother service being a default service to which a receiver should tune, and the variant service being a service selected at a receiver side and linked to the mother service by a service link defining a switching relation between the mother service and the variant service. The method is defined by including switching information into the data-stream of the mother service, receiving the mother service data-stream, reading the switching information, and switching from the mother service to the variant service accordingly. The switching information can be carried in EPG data and thus utilize existing data structures. EPG data of the mother service, e.g. in the form of EIT data, can be used to carry switching data, expect for variant service events different from the mother service, where the EPG/EIT data are preferably cross-carried by the mother and variant service. Preferably, the receiver selects which one of a plurality of possible variant service to switch to, e.g. based on receiver capabilities and/or user access rights. Thus, EIT carriage efficiency for services with a large degree of sharing is high, and it offers advantages in tuning speed. Further, the method will lead to simpler and consistent receiver implementations. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110202962 | Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and program - A package identifier generating unit generates, for each unique combination of information on specific items included in a package, a package identifier identifying the combination. A first table registering unit extracts information on the specific items from the obtained package, and registers the information on the specific items, a user identifier identifying a user of a program reproducing apparatus being a transfer source of the package, and the generated package identifier in correspondence with each other, in a first table. A second table registering unit extracts a correspondence relation between the user identifier and the package identifier from the first table, and registers the package identifier corresponding to the user identifier, as a program view history for each user, in a second table. A determining unit determines the package identifier being a difference between program view histories similar to each other registered in the second table. | 08-18-2011 |
| 20110231878 | TILE BASED MEDIA CONTENT SELECTION - Mechanisms are provided for allowing a user to dynamically manage rich media content in an efficient and effective manner. Tiles including media content, personalized video selections, content pack upgrades, and promotions for featured content are presented to a user. Each tile may include calls to view, purchase, discuss, rate, review, or read about associated content. Tiles may be presented as still images, logos, text, or live video. Multiple tiles may be manipulated using keyboard, mouse, touchpad, and/or touchscreen movements, motions, and gestures. In particular examples, an overlay provided on top of a tile mechanism provides a user with additional navigation and management options. | 09-22-2011 |
| 20110289534 | USER INTERFACE FOR CONTENT BROWSING AND SELECTION IN A MOVIE PORTAL OF A CONTENT SYSTEM - A computer-implemented system and method for providing a user interface for content browsing and selection in a content system. Embodiments include: gathering available content information related to a plurality of content items from a plurality of content sources via a data network, the plurality of content items including movie content items from at least two different content sources; processing the content information, using a processor, to provide digital representations of the movie content items in a movie portal; receiving a selection of at least one of the movie content items in the movie portal, the selection being in response to a user action performed on the digital representation corresponding to the selected movie content item; and displaying available content information related to the selected movie content item in response to receiving the selection of the movie content item, the displayed available content information including a first user-selectable command option for obtaining an additional level of detailed information related to the selected movie content item, the displayed available content information including a second user-selectable command option for requesting a rendering of the selected movie content item. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110307925 | GENERATING USER-INTERACTIVE DISPLAYS USING PROGRAM CONTENT FROM MULTIPLE PROVIDERS - 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. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20120090008 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESELECTING MULTIMEDIA CONTENT - A method and system for remote control at a client of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) enables a user to add desired multimedia program listings to a user collection. The user collection may be saved at an MCDN server for subsequent retrieval. Multimedia programs corresponding to the listings may be stored in a user collection cache. The user may easily select the listings in a user collection for presentation at an MCDN client. The multimedia programs may be provided from a plurality of content sources, including external content providers and the Internet. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120174161 | CONTENT DISCOVERY AND DELIVERY WITH MULTIPLE SERVERS - A system may include a client and a home media server in communication with the client. The home media server may be configured to receive a request for media content from the client; determine content restrictions associated with the client; discover at least one other home media server; receive content listings of media content from the at least one other home media server; aggregate the received content listings to create a unified content listing including instances of media content stored on multiple home media servers; filter the unified content listing according to the content restrictions; and send the filtered unified content listing to the client. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120266194 | MULTI-SOURCE SWITCHING IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM - The present invention provides a tuning scheme for coordinating schedule information and programs received from multiple sources ( | 10-18-2012 |
| 20120297423 | Method and system for program and stream control of video to target device - An approach to enable users to control and direct video from streaming video sources uses target devices for displaying video selected on control devices. The switching and control path is provided in the cloud, i.e., by the streaming video source. Further described is an approach to mirror the content displayed on the control device to the target device. In this way, viewers other than the operator of the control device can view available video lists and thus take part in the video selection process. | 11-22-2012 |
| 20130014169 | COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a communication system operative to provide a user interface for selecting content from at least a first content domain and a second different content domain, configured to drive a display device to display one or more content item identifiers ( | 01-10-2013 |
| 20130239148 | STB/DVR Video Surveillance - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor that includes a memory and a controller coupled with the memory. The controller can be operable to provide an electronic program guide for display on a video display device, where the electronic program guide includes a surveillance entry associated with a security system in communication with the controller. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-12-2013 |
| 20130268971 | UNIVERSAL AND PORTABLE CHANNEL DESIGNATIONS - Systems and methods are described that provide favorite channel designation portability from a variety of locations, devices and/or programming service providers. | 10-10-2013 |
| 20130305291 | METHOD AND SYSTEM TO SHARE MEDIA CONTENT BETWEEN DEVICES VIA NEAR FIELD COMMMUNICATION (NFC) AND WIRELESS COMMUNICATION - A media storage and access system and methodology including a set-top box which receives and processes a plurality of signal sources and makes programming available locally through connected devices or via a data network such as a LAN, WAN, or the Internet. The system also integrates a multimedia storage system that allows programming content to be digitally stored. The system utilizes an integrated digital storage system and operating software to allow users to view a broadcast program (e.g., television, radio, etc.) with the option of instantly reviewing previous segments within the program. In addition, the system allows the user to store selected media programming while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. The system also allows stored media assets to be accessed locally via a media device connected to the unit or remotely via the Internet. | 11-14-2013 |
| 20140068678 | INTEGRATED VIDEO CONTENT - A method includes receiving a request, associated with a user profile, for an integrated video guide for a video service. The integrated video guide is time based, and the video service includes broadcast video content and video service selected video content. The video service selected video content is provided via unicast or multicast. The method includes identifying basic video channels that are provided to all subscribers of the video service, and identifying user selected channels that are provided based on the user profile. Broadcast channels that are included in the user selected channels are identified. Online channels that are included in the user selected channels are also identified. The method also includes presenting the basic video channels, the broadcast channels, and the online channels in a same manner in the integrated video guide. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140101701 | UNIVERSAL AND PORTABLE CHANNEL DESIGNATIONS - Systems and methods are described that provide favorite channel designation portability from a variety of locations, devices and/or programming service providers. | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140109144 | AGGREGATED CONTROL AND PRESENTATION OF MEDIA CONTENT FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES - Systems and methods are described for aggregating media content from multiple sources for viewing on a local display or for placeshifting to a remote display. The aggregation system responds to instructions received from a remote device via the digital network to provide the video output incorporating the media content received from any of the media sources to the locally-connected display. The media aggregation system also simultaneously provides a placeshifted video stream to the remote device via the digital network that incorporates media content received from any of the plurality of media sources selected in response to the instructions received from the remote device. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20140130097 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TELEVISION - An apparatus for selecting television programs for display comprises a receiver for receiving audio/video data representing the programs and data indicating a schedule for the programs. The schedule includes programs transmitted by one or more broadcast transmission systems, and for one or more of the programs in the schedule an indication that the programs can be received by selectively streaming audio/video data representing the programs. A control processor receives the data indicating the schedule and generates signals representing the schedule for display so a user can select the programs for display or recording. The control processor determines that one of the programs is not available to be selectively streamed, and for the identified programs, identifies one or more alternative sources of the audio/video data relating to the programs and arranges for the generated signals representing the schedule of programs to include an indication of the alternatives for selection. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140130098 | IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME - A multifunctional display device and a method of controlling the same are disclosed herein. The method may include displaying a first card object in a first area of the display, displaying a second card object in a second area of the display, and partially displaying a third card object in a third area of the display to indicate that additional card objects are available for display. The first card object may be configured to display a video image and the second card object may have at least one link for connecting to a server. Based on a request to change the displayed card objects, the third card object may be displayed in the second area of the display and a fourth card object may be partially displayed in the third area of the display. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140208360 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR PROVIDING MEDIA GUIDANCE WITH MEDIA CONTENT FROM ALTERNATE SOURCES - In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms for providing media guidance with media content from alternate sources are provided. In some embodiments, a method for providing media guidance with a plurality of media sources is provided, the method comprising: storing a plurality of media content listings corresponding to a plurality of media content items, wherein each of the plurality of media content items is provided by a content source; determining a subset of the plurality of media content listings for presenting to a user; determining, for each media content listing in the subset of the plurality of media content listings, whether an alternate source for providing a media content item corresponding to a media content listing is available, wherein the alternate source is different from the content source; and causing a subset of the plurality of media content listings to be presented to the user, wherein a selectable alternate source indicator is presented within the corresponding media content listing in response to determining that the media content item is available from the alternate source. | 07-24-2014 |
| 20140282734 | MULTI-OPTION SOURCING OF CONTENT AND INTERACTIVE TELEVISION - A content manager receives a request to display a content guide of available content. In response to receiving the request, the content manager initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. In the displayed content guide, the content manager initiates display of multiple selectable content viewing options. A first selectable channel viewing option of the multiple content viewing options can be configured to correspond to a television channel from which to view content originating from a content sponsor. A second channel viewing option of the multiple content viewing options can be configured to correspond to an auxiliary channel with respect to the television channel from which to access available over-the-top content associated with the content originating from the content sponsor. Accordingly, a user can be easily notified of the availability of content on a television channel and over-the-top content associated with the television channel. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140282735 | SECOND SCREEN METHODS AND ARRANGEMENTS - The present technology concerns cell phones and similar devices, and their use in conjunction with media content (electronic and physical) and other systems (e.g., televisions, digital video recorders, and electronic program directories). Some aspects of the technology particularly concern “second screen” applications that sense a television program being watched by a user, and present menus of complementary content on the phone touchscreen from which the user can select. This complementary content can include other video content, associated web pages, opportunities to buy merchandise related to the program, etc. This complementary content can be identified by a provider of the television program, or can be identified otherwise (e.g., by crowd-sourcing). In some embodiments, the phone instructs a remote DVR to record content of interest for later viewing. The technology also provides features for making TV watching a social experience—involving remote friends. A great number of other arrangements and details are also disclosed. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140289776 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILTERING A TELEVISION CHANNEL LIST BASED ON CHANNEL CHARACTERISTICS - A system and method for automatically managing television channel lists is disclosed. Pixel resolutions characteristics of a plurality of televisions channels are analyzed. One or more high definition television (HDTV) channels having HD pixel resolutions from the plurality of available television channels are selected. The one or more selected HDTV channels are stored in a HD channel list. | 09-25-2014 |
| 20140317662 | PROVIDING CORRELATED PROGRAMMING INFORMATION FOR BROADCAST MEDIA CONTENT AND STREAMING MEDIA CONTENT - Systems and methods are disclosed for providing correlated programming information for broadcast media content and streaming media content. In one implementation, a processing device receives first programming information, the first programming information including scheduling information for media content originating at a first source. The processing device generates, based on media content originating at a second source, second programming information, the second programming information including scheduling information for the media content originating at the second source. The processing device correlates the second programming information with the first programming information. The processing device provides, at an interface, (a) the first programming information and (b) the second programming information as correlated with the first programming information. | 10-23-2014 |
| 20150033265 | CONTENT DISCOVERY AND PLAYBACK IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT - A processing resource detects that a subscriber entity subscribes to at least a first content service provider and a second content service provider. The processing resource receives a first message indicating content available to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval from the first content service provider. The processing resource receives a second message indicating content available to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval from the second content service provider. Based on at least the first message and the second message, the processing resource produces a content guide to include at least first content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from the first service provider and second content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from the second service provider. Via display of the content guide, a respective subscriber is able to view content available from multiple service providers. | 01-29-2015 |
| 20150052562 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING MEDIA SERVICES - A system and method for configuring 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. | 02-19-2015 |
| 20150082355 | Method and Apparatus for Interfacing Broadcast Television and Video Displayed Media with Networked Components - An interface system for interfacing media between a video display screen and any one of a plurality of electronic devices having media files as sources of displayed video for presentation on the video display. The device employs a microprocessor and software to provide an interface for networked electronic components operating over different communications protocols. Also provided is a graphic interface between a smartphone and the video display allowing the smartphone to operate as a remote control to command the system using generated icons for devices on the network achieved using actual photographs. A display screen on the smartphone allows for hand held remote viewing when a user leaves the room where the current video display is located. | 03-19-2015 |
| 20160007086 | Method for Selecting and Displaying Television Programs Transmitted Through an Internet Network, and Related Apparatus and System - A method is described for selecting and displaying, on or through a television signal receiver apparatus ( | 01-07-2016 |
| 20160037224 | CONTENT DISCOVERY AND PLAYBACK IN A NETWORK ENVIRONMENT - A processing resource detects that a subscriber entity subscribes to at least a first content service provider and a second content service provider. The processing resource receives a first message indicating content available to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval from the first content service provider. The processing resource receives a second message indicating content available to the subscriber entity for selective retrieval from the second content service provider. Based on at least the first message and the second message, the processing resource produces a content guide to include at least first content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from the first service provider and second content available to the subscriber entity for retrieval from the second service provider. Via display of the content guide, a respective subscriber is able to view content available from multiple service providers. | 02-04-2016 |
| 20160150266 | SYSTEM AND METHOD BRIDGING CLOUD BASED USER INTERFACES - Systems and apparatus providing UI functionality at a client device via a video decoder/renderer operates to decode a compressed video stream bearing UI imagery and a messaging proxy is adapted to process user interaction data indicative of a local function to invoke an application programming interface (API) associated with the local function in order to select an appropriate channel of the decoded compressed video stream. | 05-26-2016 |
| 725049000 | Combined at local receiver | 33 |
| 20080271081 | Content guide information processing apparatus, content guide information processing method and computer program thereof - Guide information is provided relating to playing/viewing of content retrieved through various modalities such as television broadcasting and a computer network. A unified program list is created that comprehensively handles program content. For a self-recorded program, program metadata retrieved during a recording operation is additionally registered. For a network program, a network program list is periodically retrieved from a service site, modified and recorded. To play the content, a guide screen is created and supplied based on a unified program list. When a self-recorded program is selected, the program is read and played from an HDD. When a network program is selected, the program is played in a streaming manner via the Internet. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20090019493 | CACHE AFFILIATION IN IPTV EPG SERVER CLUSTERING - An EPG service architecture incorporates multiple EPG servers connected in a cluster. An active dispatcher is associated with at least one EPG server and multiple standby dispatchers are associated with the cluster. A plurality of STBs interfaced with the EPG server cluster issue requests for EPG service for which the active dispatcher employs an affiliation table as a portion of the cache for redirecting each request to a specific one of the EPG servers affiliated with the STB issuing the request. The active dispatcher multicasts the affiliation table to the multiple standby dispatchers for synchronization. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090025036 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE IN A SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system for presenting an electronic programming guide in a satellite communication system is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a satellite media receiver having a controller element to transmit to a portal information associated with an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). The portal can process the information to present a Graphical User Interface (GUI) window corresponding to a slideable canvas of the EPG in an Internet browser of a communication device requesting the EPG. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090133072 | DBS feature extension architecture - An enhanced electronic program guide (EPG) capable of displaying DBS program information and NTSC program information seamlessly and in real-time on a display device is accomplished, in one form, by a wide-band data link between a DBS receiver adapted to receive a DBS broadcast data stream and an internet set-top unit, the internet set-top unit adapted to receive NTSC audio/video signals and internet data/information. In another form, the DBS receiver is controlled by the internet set-top box. Supplemental information transmittable on the DBS data stream may also be displayed on the display device. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090133073 | Universal and portable channel designations - Systems and methods are described that provide favorite channel designation portability from a variety of locations, devices and/or programming service providers. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090187948 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR DELIVERING A PROGRAM IN ADVANCE OF A SCHEDULED BROADCAST TIME - A scheduled broadcast time is retrieved for a program that is to be delivered in advance of the scheduled broadcast time, wherein the scheduled broadcast time is associated with a program content identifier for the program. Prior to the scheduled broadcast time, a pre-cast channel is selected on a network by selecting at least one of a currently unused channel or a dedicated pre-cast channel. Prior to the scheduled broadcast time, a signal is sent for placing a viewer program storage device into a pre-cast mode, such that viewing of the pre-cast channel is disabled. Prior to the scheduled broadcast time, the program is delivered to the viewer program storage device over the pre-cast channel, wherein the delivered program is associated with the program content identifier and a time stamp for disabling playback of the delivered program until arrival of the scheduled broadcast time. | 07-23-2009 |
| 20090260038 | MERGING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE INFORMATION - Techniques are disclosed herein for merging EPG data associated with a variety of program sources. In one aspect, EPG data is accessed for different program sources and rules are selected that define how entries in the EPG data are to be merged. The rules may be selected based on whether the EPG data was collected in-band or out-of-band. In addition, the merging rules can be dependent on the program source, which allows the flexibility of applying different rules to different program sources. The EPG data from the different program sources is merged into a single EPG based on the selected rules. | 10-15-2009 |
| 20100293579 | Correlation of Media Metadata Gathered From Diverse Sources - A DVR, server, or other agent correlates media metadata from diverse sources, like an EPG data provider and multiple video-on-demand (VOD) service providers. Metadata sets from different sources are compared in order to attempt to identify identical programs to which the metadata sets pertain. From at least one metadata set, information about the program that the other metadata set lacks is selected. A “canonical” data structure instance for the program is created. The information that is lacking from at least one of the metadata sources is inserted into that instance. For each source from which a program is available, the DVR stores the identity of that source on the DVR's persistent storage device in association with the canonical data structure instance for that program. The DVR receives search criteria from a user and then searches the stored canonical data structure instance for programs that satisfy the criteria. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20110154401 | Systems and Methods to Generate an Electronic Program Guide - Systems and methods to generate an electronic program guide (EPG) are provided. A particular method includes accessing, at a set-top box device, data descriptive of over-the-air (OTA) television content items. The OTA television content items are available to the set-top box device via one or more television broadcast transmissions. The method includes accessing, at the set-top box device, data descriptive of on-demand media content items that are accessible by the set-top box device via a public network. The method includes generating an EPG that concurrently displays information related to the data descriptive of on-demand media content items and the data descriptive of the OTA television content items. The method also includes sending the EPG to a display device associated with the set-top box device. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110307926 | SYSTEM ON CHIP AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE IN A VIDEO - A system on chip (SOC) and method displays a graphical user interface (GUI) in a video. The SOC receives a video from the video input device and a GUI from the GUI circuit, and saves the video into a first frame buffer of the SOC and the GUI into a second frame buffer in the SOC. A combined video is generated by combining the video from the first frame buffer and the GUI from the second frame buffer and sent to the display device to display the combined video. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110314504 | RETRIEVING SERVICE PROVIDER INFORMATION AND CHANNEL MAP VIA INTERNET PROTOCOL CONNECTIONS - A digital television (DTV) receiver retrieves, from a memory, a standardized hostname and a standardized filename for a web-based service for providing a channel map associated with service providers. The DTV receiver adds, to the standardized hostname, a name for a particular service provider and sends, to a data server, a request for channel map information, where the request is based on the standardized hostname, the name for the particular service provider, and the standardized filename. The DTV receiver receivers, from the data server, a channel map file based on the standardized filename and extracts information from the channel map file to present to a user. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120278838 | EPG Content Tree - Disclosure is generally directed to outputting an electronic programming guide (EPG) content tree from a television receiver for display on an output device. A content tree consistent with this disclosure may include a number of interconnected nodes that present programming content that is available for viewing or recording through the operation of the television receiver. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20130031585 | PORTABLE TERMINAL, SYSTEM, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD AND PROGRAM - A video viewing/listening system, includes a broadcast receiving apparatus having a receiver portion for receiving a broadcast signal transmitted via a broadcast wave, and a wireless terminal having a communication I/F for transmitting/receiving information, via a wireless LAN router or directly, between the broadcast receiving apparatus, wherein said wireless terminal obtains program-related information about programs, which is broadcasted at present and will be broadcasted in future, via the broadcast wave, while said broadcast receiving apparatus transmits information of a processing condition or a processing schedule of the broadcast receiving apparatus for the program(s), which is/are broadcasted at present and will be broadcasted in future, via the broadcast wave, to the wireless terminal via the communication I/F, and wherein said wireless terminal produces a program table with using both, the program-related information, which is obtained from a distributor differing from the broadcast receiving apparatus, and also the information of the processing. | 01-31-2013 |
| 20130055312 | MULTIMEDIA PROGRAM RECORDING SCHEDULE MANAGER - A multimedia program recording schedule manager for DVR systems is described. In a first embodiment, for example, a method implemented by one or more server computing devices, the method comprising: receiving input selecting a particular DVR system; receiving input selecting a particular multimedia program for the particular DVR system to record on a repeat basis; adding the particular multimedia program to a server-side instance of a repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system; and synchronizing the server-side instance of the repeat recording schedule with another instance of a repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system resulting in the addition of the particular multimedia program to the other instance of the repeat recording schedule. In one embodiment, the other instance of the repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system is a data component of the particular DVR system. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130055313 | METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM, RECEPTION APPARATUS, AND INFORMATION PROVIDING APPARATUS FOR ACCESSING CONTENT FROM A PLURALITY OF CONTENT SOURCES - A method, computer program, reception apparatus, and information providing apparatus for providing one or more virtual channel tables corresponding to one or more content sources. The reception apparatus includes an input unit and a processor. The input unit receives a channel selection from a user. The processor determines a source of content associated with the channel selection based on at least one virtual channel table stored in a memory. Based on the determined source of content, the processor controls a first communication interface to receive first content or a second communication interface to receive second content. The processor controls the first communication interface to receive the first content when the selected channel is determined to be associated with a first source, and controls the second communication interface to receive the second content when the selected channel is determined to be associated with a second source. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130091524 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE (EPG) OF MULTI- INPUT SOURCES - Provided is a method and apparatus for providing an integrated electronic program guide (EPG). An image display apparatus may receive signals from a plurality of input sources via at least one port, may identify the plurality of input sources, may receive EPG information of each of the plurality of input sources, and may generate an integrated EPG by integrating the received EPG information. Using the integrated EPG, a user of the image display apparatus may select and view all the contents that are provided by the plurality of input sources, without a need to select a predetermined input source. | 04-11-2013 |
| 20130191870 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING BROADCAST SERVICE - A method and apparatus for providing broadcast services are disclosed. One aspect of the invention provides a broadcast receiving apparatus that is connected over a network with a head-end and is configured to output a content on a screen in response to a user's request. The broadcast receiving apparatus includes: a key input receiving part configured to receive a preset key signal as input; a content identification part configured to identify a content outputted on the screen at a time point of inputting the key signal; and an option interface decision part configured to decide an option interface for the identified content. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20140053205 | LIVE TELEVISION APPLICATION SETUP BEHAVIOR - An intelligent television and methods for user interaction between the intelligent television and the user are provided. In general, a user is provided with navigation, notification, and setup options which enable one or more functions associated with the intelligent television. The presentation of options is based on input received by the intelligent television. As a user provides input to the intelligent television via a remote control or other input device, the intelligent television is configured to interpret the input and provide interactive functionality in the form of content presented to the display of the intelligent television. | 02-20-2014 |
| 20140068679 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, DIGITAL TELEVISION RECEIVING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM - According to one embodiment, a content output module outputs viewing content to a display module. A service menu list display module displays a service menu related to the content in list form on the display module when an instruction to acquire a service from a server is received, while the content is being output to the display module. Then, a related service menu switching display module switches to a further related service menu and displays the menu in response to a subsequent specification input according to a display state of the service menu. | 03-06-2014 |
| 20140115634 | IDENTIFYING INSTANCES OF MEDIA PROGRAMMING AVAILABLE FROM DIFFERENT CONTENT SOURCES - Systems and methods are provided for identifying instances of media programming available within a media distribution system. An exemplary method involves searching a listing of media programming available from a first content source using search criteria indicative of a desired media program to identify an instance of the desired media program available from the first content source, obtaining a target program identifier associated with the desired media program from that instance, identifying another instance of the desired media program in a second listing of media programming available from another content source using the target program identifier, and providing a combined search result that indicates availability of the desired media program from the content sources. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140189745 | 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. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140351858 | Interactive User Interface for Television Applications - An iTV user interface includes a navigable menu area through which a user can select from among a variety of services and a content display area in which formatted data associated with a selected menu service are displayed to the user. The formatted data is displayed in a rotating or ticker fashion having both a passive mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence independent of any selection operations by a television viewer, and active mode, in which the formatted data is displayed in a sequence that depends on selection operations by the television viewer. Advertisements and/or promotions may be interspersed among the content items. The navigable menu area and the content display area may be displayed to the viewer at the same time as television programming is displayed on the television. | 11-27-2014 |
| 20150074725 | HYBRID ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE - A hybrid, expandable electronic programming guide that may allow broadcast programming customers to view both broadcast programming options and over-the-top service options in a single electronic programming guide. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150095951 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEDIA CONTENT PRESENTATION - A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, accessing, by a system comprising a processor, a content display configuration corresponding to a plurality of feed selections from a plurality of media content feeds, a plurality of display selections from a plurality of available displays, and a plurality of pairing selections assigning each feed selection of the plurality of feed selections to at least one display selection of the plurality of display selections, and transmitting a plurality of displayable content streams according to the content display configuration. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 04-02-2015 |
| 20150341691 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND MEDIA FOR PROVIDING MEDIA GUIDANCE WITH MEDIA CONTENT FROM ALTERNATE SOURCES - In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, mechanisms for providing media guidance with media content from alternate sources are provided. In some embodiments, a method for providing media guidance with a plurality of media sources is provided, the method comprising: storing a plurality of media content listings corresponding to a plurality of media content items, wherein each of the plurality of media content items is provided by a content source; determining a subset of the plurality of media content listings for presenting to a user; determining, for each media content listing in the subset of the plurality of media content listings, whether an alternate source for providing a media content item corresponding to a media content listing is available, wherein the alternate source is different from the content source; and causing a subset of the plurality of media content listings to be presented to the user, wherein a selectable alternate source indicator is presented within the corresponding media content listing in response to determining that the media content item is available from the alternate source. | 11-26-2015 |
| 20150350710 | INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD TO GENERATE A PROGRAM GUIDE - An information processing apparatus that acquires channel information corresponding to broadcast content from a second information processing apparatus; acquires program guide information from a third information processing apparatus based on the channel information; and generates a program guide based on the channel information and the program guide information. | 12-03-2015 |
| 20150373411 | METHOD FOR CONTROLLING BROADCAST RECEIVING DEVICE - A method for controlling a broadcast receiving device includes receiving a first electronic program guide (EPG) via a broadcasting network via and a second EPG via the Internet, and combining first broadcast-related information generated from the first EPG and second broadcast-related information generated from the second EPG to generate and output third broadcast-related information. | 12-24-2015 |
| 20160021418 | Displaying Heterogeneous Video - Heterogeneous video may be independently encoded in a processor-based system and transmitted for display on a display device. In the display device, the independent video streams may be de-packetized for display on the same display at different frame rates. Thus, each of the video sources may be displayed in a separate portion of the display at its native frame rate. For example, an electronic programming guide may be transmitted for display at one frame rate and displayed in a distinct region on the display screen while video corresponding to an ongoing television program may be displayed in another portion of the display screen at its native frame rate. | 01-21-2016 |
| 20160119678 | MULTI SOURCE AND DESTINATION MEDIA DISCOVERY AND MANAGEMENT PLATFORM - A platform allows viewing and sorting digital media from multiple content sources across multiple devices by title, category, series, or other sorting desired. Available content from providers may be co-mixed to display as if from a single provider. Listings may be restricted to specific providers or sets of providers, such as removing providers with paid content which the user will not access. Alternatively, listings may be prioritized based on business rules programmed into the system. Listings may be limited to those available on the current device, on another set of devices, or on all devices. Control of access to content, including playback and queuing, may be done through the interface regardless of the consumption device. This allows access to all content across all devices in a fashion desirable to the user, merging providers and devices into a seamless interface tailored for the user instead of the content or device manufacturer. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20160134936 | CORRELATION OF MEDIA METADATA GATHERED FROM DIVERSE SOURCES - A DVR, server, or other agent correlates media metadata from diverse sources, like an EPG data provider and multiple video-on-demand (VOD) service providers. Metadata sets from different sources are compared in order to attempt to identify identical programs to which the metadata sets pertain. From at least one metadata set, information about the program that the other metadata set lacks is selected. A “canonical” data structure instance for the program is created. The information that is lacking from at least one of the metadata sources is inserted into that instance. For each source from which a program is available, the DVR stores the identity of that source on the DVR's persistent storage device in association with the canonical data structure instance for that program. The DVR receives search criteria from a user and then searches the stored canonical data structure instance for programs that satisfy the criteria. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160142760 | A DIGITAL DEVICE AND METHOD OF PROCESSING SERVICE DATA THEREOF - In the disclosure, various embodiments of a service system, a digital device and a method of processing a service are disclosed. Here, an embodiment of the digital device includes a receiver receiving a broadcast signal which contains a content and signaling information including channel information by tuning a channel, a user interface receiving a request for executing a web browser and a first user action requesting to select a first video included in a first web page through the executed web browser, a controller controlling to execute the web browser, output a first web page including the first video according to the request, output a picture-in-picture (PIP) window reproducing the first video included in the first web page on a screen according to the first user action, and an output unit outputting the web browser outputting the first web page and the PIP window. | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160156987 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEARCHING MEDIA CONTENT | 06-02-2016 |
| 20160255403 | INTEGRATED USER INTERFACE FOR ACCESS TO LINEAR AND NON-LINEAR MULTIMEDIA CONTENT FROM MULTIPLE SOURCES, AND METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING THE SAME | 09-01-2016 |
