| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 725098000 | Transmission network | 40 |
| 20080201748 | Methods and apparatus for device capabilities discovery and utilization within a content-based network - Methods and apparatus for determining and selecting digital coding and/or decoding technology, delivery bitrates, and resolution parameters for programming and data delivery over, e.g., a content-based network. In one embodiment, the network comprises an HFC cable or satellite network that includes a server process interfacing with a plurality of customer premises equipment (CPE), and/or associated client devices, each having different display resolution, bitrate, and/or decoding capabilities profiles. The server determines the one or more capabilities possessed by the CPE or client device, and evaluates one or more program or content choices for possible delivery to that CPE or device based on its profile. The selection process may also take into consideration network and/or CPE operational considerations, such as conservation of downstream bandwidth, CPE uprating capability, client device power consumption, and the like. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080313685 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECEIVING CONTENT OVER CONCURRENT MULTICHANNELS - The disclosed systems and methods may save bandwidth by using concurrent multichannels, which are transmitting separate sections of a file in parallel from server to client. The systems and methods may also be applicable to transmitting and receiving multimedia content (video and audio) for Video on Demand applications (VOD) while minimizing wait time at the client side. Aspects of the present invention may also allow servers to connect simultaneously with a very large number of clients to download large files and essential data. | 12-18-2008 |
| 20080320533 | Content Download System and Method, Content Providing Apparatus and Method, Content Receiving Apparatus and Method, and Program Therefor - A content download system includes a content providing apparatus providing content and a content receiving apparatus receiving the content from the content providing apparatus via a network. The content receiving apparatus includes an operation input unit, a downloader obtaining download control data and downloading encrypted content and play control data, an obtaining unit obtaining a license including a key for decrypting the encrypted content, checking the license based on the play control data, and re-obtaining the license according to a checking result, and a player decrypting and playing the encrypted content using the license. The content providing apparatus includes a control-data providing unit providing the download control data and the play control data to the content receiving apparatus, a content providing unit providing encrypted content, and a license providing unit providing the license based on the download control data and the license based on the play control data. | 12-25-2008 |
| 20090025050 | Terminal apparatus used in information distribution system, recording medium on which information processing program is recorded, and information processing method - To provide a terminal apparatus, an information processing program, and an information processing method, with which a noise reduction and power saving are possible. A terminal apparatus puts an HDD into a stopped condition when a main switch is in a deactivated condition and, receiving a distribution request, temporarily puts the HDD into a driven condition when contents information which is a subject of the distribution request is stored in the HDD, and distributes the contents information. When the distribution of the contents information is completed, the terminal apparatus puts the HDD into the stopped condition. By this means, holding a time of the driven condition of the HDD to a minimum, a noise reduction and power saving are realized. | 01-22-2009 |
| 20090089846 | System and method providing enhanced features for streaming video-on-demand - The present invention provides a system and method for providing enhanced features for streaming video-on-demand systems. The system comprises a media server and a client player, wherein a user can select a desired video for transmission from the media server to the client player for subsequent display for the user via the client player. The system comprises a mechanism that enables a user to interactively select a desired new starting point for the display of the selected video signal. The mechanism is provided by a first and second series of searchable index frames, wherein the first series is generated by the media server during transmission of the selected video signal and the second series is generated by the client player during receipt of the selected video signal. Upon receipt by the client player of the desired new starting point, the first or second series are accessed in order to identify a required searchable index frame that best represents the desired new starting point. Display of the video by the client player subsequently commences from the required searchable index frame. | 04-02-2009 |
| 20090210916 | TECHNIQUE FOR PROVIDING SECURITY MEASURES FOR COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE CONNECTABLE TO A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK - A user may purchase in a retail outlet a host device for receiving cable services. The cable operator needs to provide a point-of-deployment (POD) module for insertion into the host device to realize out-of-band communications, and provide conditional access to premium subscription channels. Security measures are implemented to detect removal of the host device from its connection to a broadband communications system. If its removal is unauthorized, the service area in which the host device is located may be identified when it is reconnected to the system. In addition, a transmission device in the host device may be activated to transmit detectable signals to help recover the host device. | 08-20-2009 |
| 20090271832 | Video On Demand Transmission/Reception Method and System Using Divided Transport System - Provided are a video on demand (VOD) transmission/reception method and system using a divided transport stream (TS). The VOD transmission method includes setting a division coefficient for dividing a TS; dividing the TS into a unicast segment and multicast segments according to the division coefficient; and transmitting the unicast segment by using a unicast method and transmitting the multicast segments by using a multicast method. | 10-29-2009 |
| 20090293092 | ADAPTIVE TIMESHIFT SERVICE - An adaptive timeshift service is described. In embodiment(s), television content can be distributed from a live content server to television client devices, and the television content that is distributed from the live content server can be recorded at a timeshift server. Recorded television content can then be distributed from the timeshift server when requested by a television client device. An additional timeshift server can be allocated, and both the television content from the live content server and the recorded television content from the timeshift server can be written to a buffer of the additional timeshift server. | 11-26-2009 |
| 20090307733 | DOWNLOADING METHOD AND APPARATUS OF TERMINAL ENTITY - Provided are downloading methods and apparatuses related to a terminal entity presenting an event related to at least one download item related to an Internet protocol television (IPTV) service. | 12-10-2009 |
| 20100017830 | MEDIA ON DEMAND USING AN INTERMEDIARY DEVICE TO OUTPUT MEDIA FROM A REMOTE COMPUTING DEVICE - Particular embodiments generally relate to providing media for display to a user. In one embodiment, the media may be stored on a remote computing device. An intermediary device may be used to display the media on output device. Even though the media may be stored on the remote computing device, the user may believe that the media is stored on the intermediary device when displaying content using the intermediary device. Representations of the media units may be received at the intermediary device. The intermediary device automatically predicts which representations of the media may be most likely to be accessed by the user. When a request to access the media units is received, if the requested media unit is stored on the intermediary device, then it can be automatically displayed using the corresponding representation of the media unit. | 01-21-2010 |
| 20100083323 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECEIVING DIGITAL BROADCASTING BY USING MOBILE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL - Disclosed is a system and a method for receiving digital broadcasts by using a mobile communication terminal. The system includes a digital broadcast receiving device for receiving digital data from a contents provision unit by using a wired/wireless communication network and transmitting the digital data; and a mobile communication terminal for receiving the digital data from the digital broadcast receiving device, decoding the digital data, creating video and audio signals, and outputting the video and audio signals. The mobile communication terminal replaces circuits of the digital broadcast receiving device, which are in charge of predetermined functions. This simplifies the construction of the digital broadcast receiving device and reduces the cost for implementing the device. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100146569 | SET-TOP BOX PEER-ASSISTED VIDEO-ON-DEMAND - A peer-to-peer (P2P) video-on-demand (VoD) system or method use a plurality of LP-enabled VoD set-top box (STB) peers in a pool for providing video content data to a requesting client peer in the pool. One other peer in the pool can be designated as a parent peer for downloading high priority playback content that is substantially immediately needed for playback display. Low priority pre-fetch content can be downloaded to the requesting client peer from another peer in the pool other than the parent peer. Bandwidth at the requesting client peer that is not used by the playback module for downloading the high priority playback video content data can be allocated for downloading the pre-fetch content. Using the requesting client peer, video content data can be served, for the playback display on a video monitor, wherein such served video data content can comprise the playback content and the prefetch content. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100242073 | Apparatus and Methods for Syndication of On-Demand Video - Metadata are provided to video generators using a syndication protocol, so that the video generators may produce interactive video content for television subscribers. Metadata relating to source media content are transformed in a computer process from a storage format into a syndication format. Relevant metadata to transform are chosen to reflect the type of interactivity desired by a television service provider and the demands of the video generation process. The transformed metadata are published according to a syndication protocol, so that another computer process that participates in the protocol may generate the interactive video content using the metadata, the source media content, and subscriber commands. | 09-23-2010 |
| 20100251313 | BI-DIRECTIONAL TRANSFER OF MEDIA CONTENT ASSETS IN A CONTENT DELIVERY NETWORK - Systems, apparatuses, methods, and software for using a network to efficiently distributing media content assets from a virtually unlimited content library and/or other storage to a plurality of client devices, as well as bi-directional local content sharing between head ends, and dynamic distribution and generation of media content assets within the network. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100333154 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING A MASHUP IN A CONTENT PROVIDER ENVIRONMENT - Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for providing a mashup in a content provider environment. In particular embodiments, the systems and methods provide a mashup that is customized based on a subscriber's preferences on what content to include in the mashup and on what format the content is presented. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the mashup is provided to the subscriber through a content provider's environment such as a video on demand (VOD) service. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110016499 | IPTV OFF-PATH ADMISSION CONTROL SIGNALING IN THE PRESENCE OF NETWORK ADDRESS TRANSLATION - Off-path admission control signaling in the presence of a network address translation (NAT) device may be provided. In response to a request for a content asset, a placeholder classifier may be created. The placeholder classifier may be used to allocate resources for providing the content asset to the client from a content server. The content server may communicate with the client, traversing the NAT device to identify a destination address and port for the client to which the content will be provided. The placeholder classifier may then be updated with the destination address and port. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110023073 | Systems and Methods to Order A Content Item Deliverable Via A Television Service - Methods and systems of ordering a content item that is deliverable via a television service are disclosed. In one embodiment, ordering a content item that is deliverable via a television service can include sending an offer message to a mobile device, the offer message including an offer of a content item that is deliverable via a television service. In one embodiment, ordering the content item that is deliverable via the television service can include receiving an acceptance message that indicates an acceptance of the offer. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20110030019 | IP VIDEO DELIVERY USING FLEXIBLE CHANNEL BONDING - An IP video delivery system and method that allocates a first number of video streams for delivery on a number of channels that, provides a number of bonding groups, where each bonding group bonds at least one of the channels, and allocates a second number of video streams for delivery on the bonding groups. In one aspect, the method delivers the first video streams as unbonded on the channels. The bonding groups utilize bandwidth unused by the first video streams. In one aspect, the method utilizes bandwidth unused by the first or second video streams for high speed data. The method provides instantaneous load balancing to spread the first and second video streams across all available bandwidth in the channels, and delivers those video streams using a variable bit rate with no additional statistical multiplexing rate shaping to fit video streams into the channels. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110030020 | METHOD OF ORDERING A VIDEO FILM WITH A MOBILE TERMINAL SUCH AS A MOBILE PHONE AND TRANSFERRING IT TO A TV - The invention is relates to a method where a video film or a multimedia presentation is ordered from an operator or a publisher of a newspaper. The operator sends a film or a multimedia presentation or a newspaper to a mobile phone e.g. via radio broadcasting in a 3G network or via Internet. The video film or multimedia presentation or the newspaper is transferred from the mobile phone by means of Bluetooth connection to a TV accessory that is connected to a TV and which converts the signals so that they are suitable for a TV. This video film or multimedia presentation can thus be watched and heard on TV by means of the mobile phone accessory or a newspaper can be read on the TV screen. | 02-03-2011 |
| 20110041157 | Systems and Methods for Selecting Content For a Subscriber of a Content Service Provider - Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for selecting content for a subscriber of a video service provider. In particular embodiments, the systems and methods provide a personalized playlist that includes one or more titles of content that have been specifically identified for the subscriber. Further, in various embodiments, the systems and methods transmit a selected content from the playlist over a unicast stream to the subscriber. In various embodiments, the playlist is provided to the subscriber through a content provider's environment such as video on demand (VOD) service. | 02-17-2011 |
| 20110131620 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCESSING RECOVERABLE PROGRAM CONTENT - Content delivery systems and methods are operable to provide recoverable program content to a media device. An exemplary embodiment detects an occurrence of a qualifying event, wherein the qualifying event is associated with an unavailable portion of a program of interest; communicates a request to establish a backchannel between the media device and a program content device in response to detecting the occurrence of the qualifying event; communicates a request for a recoverable portion of the program of interest from the media device to the program content device over the backchannel, wherein the requested recoverable portion of the program of interest corresponds to the unavailable portion of the program of interest; and receives at the media device the recoverable portion of the program of interest from the program content device. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110138429 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING SELECTIONS OF MULTI-MEDIA CONTENT TO END USER DISPLAY SYSTEMS - This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing user selected IP Data Network Protocol multi-media content via a CATV communication channel. In one example, a method of providing multi-media content includes receiving control data at a cable television provider server system from an controller device at an end-user location via an IP Data Network, the controller device having a display screen, a user interface, and at least one processor, and being configured to send and receive signals from the IP Data Network, where the control data indicating multi-media content to be provided by the provider system to a display system at the end-user location. The method can include retrieving to the server system the indicated multi-media content, converting the multi-media content from an IP Data Network format to a data format suitable for delivery by the provider system through a cable television communication channel of a CATV network to the display system, and providing from the server system the converted multi-media content through the cable television communication channel of a CATV network to the display system. | 06-09-2011 |
| 20110145870 | Limited Chain Relay With Virtual Peer for Multimedia Distribution - A method includes at a first customer premises equipment (CPE) device coupled to a multimedia distribution network, generating a first request for multimedia content. The method also includes sending the first request to a network node of the multimedia distribution network. The method further includes receiving the multimedia content from a virtual peer located at the network node and storing the multimedia content at the first CPE device. The method also includes receiving a message via the multimedia distribution network, the message indicating a transmission of a second request for the multimedia content by a second customer premises equipment (CPE) device. The method further includes transmitting at least a portion of the stored multimedia content to the second CPE device. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110145871 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROVIDING EFFICIENT VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SERVICE USING UNICAST/MULTICAST IN INTERNET PROTOCOL NETWORK - A system and method for providing an efficient video-on-demand (VoD) service using unicast/multicast in an Internet Protocol (IP) network are provided. A VoD service system includes a multicast efficiency factor (MEF) checking unit to check an MEF in content in response to a request for the content from a client, and a content transmission unit to multicast or unicast the content over a network depending on the checked MEF. Here, the MEF includes an indicator of efficiency for multicast transmission relative to unicast transmission of the content. | 06-16-2011 |
| 20110154416 | UNIFIED VIDEO-ON-DEMAND SERVICE SYSTEM - A unified VoD service system includes an interworking gateway that is positioned between a video server providing video in a PDL scheme (or streaming scheme) and a plurality of user terminals requesting the video in different schemes (e.g., PDL scheme or streaming scheme). The video is provided even to the user terminal requesting the video in a scheme that is different from the video server by using the interworking gateway. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110209186 | Variable Modulation Unicast System - A system is described that consists of a variable modulation unicast system that utilizes multiple modulation schemes in a cable network for unicast applications and is capable of assigning users to different channels of differing modulation schemes in the network based on a feedback signal received in response to a transmitted probe signal. The system may also, in response to the feedback signal from a remote device in the network, assign a channel from a plurality of channels having differing carrier frequencies and modulation schemes to the remote device and may also modify the carrier frequencies of the channels. | 08-25-2011 |
| 20110289537 | TEMPORARY AUTHORIZATION FOR A USER DEVICE TO REMOTELY ACCESS A VIDEO ON-DEMAND SERVICE - A remote access to video on-demand (“VOD”) system provides a user with the ability to retrieve VOD content from a remote service location. The user first registers for this service and receives a mobile application downloaded to a mobile device. The user subsequently requests VOD content in one embodiment by accessing a web site, identifying themselves and the requested VOD content. The system provides a visual token to the user, where the mobile device uses the camera function to transmit a corresponding token value to a remote access VOD server. Upon determining the values correlated, the system provides the requested VOD content in accordance with the user's subscription profile for receiving VOD services. A remote access server in one embodiment provides the mobile application download, receives the request; generated the visual token, receives the response, and causes the selected VOD program to be streamed. | 11-24-2011 |
| 20110307930 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR TRANSFERRING A PARTIALLY VIEWED VOD PROGRAM FROM A FIRST SERVICE LOCATION TO A SECOND SERVICE LOCATION - In one embodiment, a capability is disclosed for a user to pause a VOD program being viewed at a first video service provider (“VSP”), such as a cable service provider. The user then requests to resume viewing of the remaining portion of the VOD program using a separate display device, typically in another location using a different VSP. The streaming of the remaining portion can originate by a connection from the separate display device to the first VSP using a connection through the second VSP. Or, the streaming of the remaining video can occur by the second VSP streaming the remaining portion of the video. In the later case, the bookmark location must be communicated from the first VSP to the second VSP. Other embodiments allow transferring the remaining portion of the video program from the first VSP to the second VSP for streaming. | 12-15-2011 |
| 20110321104 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MASS DISTRIBUTION OF HIGH QUALITY VIDEO - Systems and methods of compressing source video to 3 MBits/sec and under (deep compression), making it is possible to distribute a wide range of movies, sports and other action laden videos simultaneously to a wide number of viewers. In one embodiment, deeply compressed video distribution is delivered on demand to requesting viewers via an addressable network. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20110321105 | System and Method for Alternate Multi-Channel Bi-Directional Data Transmission - A system and method are disclosed for alternate multi-channel bi-directional data transmission in a multi-unit environment. In one embodiment, legacy infrastructure connects entertainment centers in respective rooms to a service server to provide downstream communication from the service server to the entertainment center. To provide bi-directional data transmission, an upstream data transmission channel is provided which includes multiple transmission mediums from the entertainment centers to the service center. The resulting bi-directional channel is asymmetrical with respect to bandwidth and the upstream communication link includes non-continuous bandwidth links. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120102532 | VIDEO PLAYER SYSTEM, TRANSMISSION DEVICE, AND CONTENT PLAYER DEVICE - A video playback system, transmission apparatus, and content playback apparatus are provided that are capable of performing accurate resource prediction when playing back content via a network. A transmission apparatus ( | 04-26-2012 |
| 20120254926 | CONTENT DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, CONTENT DISTRIBUTION DEVICE, CONTENT PLAYBACK TERMINAL, AND CONTENT DISTRIBUTION METHOD - In a content distribution system, a content distribution device performs on-demand distribution of video content to a content playback terminal via a network. Before a user plays back video content from a distribution menu, the content playback terminal preliminarily receives from the content distribution device, the distributed video content to which cache control information is added, and then writes the received video content in a temporal storage device included therein. If video content selected by the user is present in the temporal storage device, that video content is played back. On the other hand, if the selected video content is not present in the temporal storage device, a distribution request for the selected video content is made to the content distribution device. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20140082681 | OPTIMIZED DELIVERY TECHNIQUES - Systems and methods are described that relate to on-demand compression for electronic data, such as media content, through a communication pathway. The communication pathway may be a configured to multicast media content to a plurality of end-users in a service group. In certain embodiments, the service group may comprise a service group node having a quadrature amplitude modulation device. In one exemplary method, it may be determined whether the amount of media content being transmitted meets a first utilization threshold. The determination may be based on, at least in part, by measurements taken at one or more electronic devices located throughout a network or system. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is not met, media content may be transmitted in a first format. If the first bandwidth utilization threshold is met, at least a portion of the media content may be transmitted in a first optimized delivery technique. | 03-20-2014 |
| 20140096170 | Systems And Methods For Communicating With Patients - Methods and systems for communicating with a patient through a television in the patient's hospital room are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: a television signal gateway module for receiving televisions signals and encoding the signals as Ethernet-based Internet protocol signals; an application and media server including a first sub-system for storing and processing the signals and data according to instructions and generating, sending, and receiving application and media signals; and an interactive set-top-box including a second sub-system for storing and processing instructions and processing the Ethernet-based Internet protocol television signals and the application and media signals to produce television display signals, the set-top-box communicating the television display signals for display on the patient's television. In some embodiments, a whiteboard module that acts as a home page for patients as they navigate the interactive system is included in the application and media server. | 04-03-2014 |
| 20140101709 | Optical Fiber Management Bridge - An improved optical fiber management bridge | 04-10-2014 |
| 20140215540 | SCRUBBING NOISE REMOVER AND METHODS FOR USE THEREWITH - A scrubbing noise remover includes a proxy device that is operable to intercept a request from a video player to a streaming video server for at least one scrubbing segment of a selected one of a plurality of video programs, and in response, sending at least one corresponding fixed segment to the video player, and pass a request from the video player to the streaming video server for a plurality of non-scrubbing segments of the selected one of the plurality of video programs. | 07-31-2014 |
| 20140331266 | CACHING OF CONTENT - There is described a system of operating a network entity to distribute a media stream in a communications network. A plurality of different versions of the media stream are available from a content source, each version having a respective quality level different to that of the other versions and each version of the media stream comprises a plurality of consecutive portions. A first request is received from a user device for a portion of a first one of the versions of the media stream stored at a content source and a caching procedure is performed in response to receiving the first request. The caching procedure comprises requesting from the content source at least one portion of at least one of the other versions of the media stream or at least one other portion of the first one of the versions of the media stream; receiving the requested at least one portion or the at least one other portion; and causing the received at least one portion or the at least one other portion to be cached at a cache in the communication network. | 11-06-2014 |
| 725099000 | Using telephone network | 3 |
| 20090077600 | Mobile computing device and method for switching mobile television channels thereof - A method for switching mobile television channels of a mobile computing device includes the following steps: First, an original channel is played on a screen of the mobile computing device. A first channel number of a first selected channel is received at a first time point. Then, a second channel number of a second selected channel is received at a second time point, wherein a time interval between the first and second time points is less than a predetermined interval for action. A period of time from the second time point to an action time point is counted, wherein the period of time is equal to the predetermined time interval for action. Next, data bursts of the second selected channel are received and buffered from the action time point to a next time point. At last, the second selected channel is played on the screen from the next time point. | 03-19-2009 |
| 20100107201 | MEDIA CONTENT MODIFICATION AND ACCESS SYSTEM FOR INTERACTIVE ACCESS OF MEDIA CONTENT ACROSS DISPARATE NETWORK PLATFORMS - A media content playlist generation and access system for a video entertainment network is herein disclosed whereby a plurality of media content emanating from various disparate networks may be conglomerated into a customized list. The list may contain stored media content, which are customarily stored in the head end portion of a CATV network, media content accessible via the Internet, or yet to be aired media content. The system also provides for manipulation of the playlist from various consumer electronic display devices that are interconnected to the Internet, or the PSTN, thereby allowing further customization of the playlist at the user's convenience. Additionally, a multiple user account system is provided wherein multiple user accounts may be configured in order to allow a corresponding multiple individualized playlists, which are each customized to suit each user's tastes. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20130332973 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VOICE MAIL SERVICES - Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands. | 12-12-2013 |
