| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 725144000 | Headend | 31 |
| 20090165074 | Multi-Address Message Addressing - Described herein are systems and methods for dynamic management of a plurality of integrated receiver decoders (IRDs) based implicitly on the uplink's knowledge of an identity pre-assigned to each IRD. Thus, the IRD association or other IRD configurations may be maintained by a uplink controller and need not be disseminated to each IRD a priori. This eliminates the need to expend network bandwidth and extra time to send out IRD configurations to individual IRDs prior to commanding or controlling the IRDs as desired. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20100050225 | SOURCE FRAME ADAPTATION AND MATCHING OPTIMALLY TO SUIT A RECIPIENT VIDEO DEVICE - A digital electronic device supports program transmission to a recipient device via the Internet. A frame adapter decodes incoming IP program packets and re-encodes resulting program signals adaptively to optimally suit the recipient device based upon configuration data of the recipient device. The frame adapter receives feedback from the recipient device, which may include a characterization of a communication path between the digital electronic device and the recipient device. The frame adapter utilizes the configuration information to generate the optimal video frame stream that is transmitted to the recipient device. The compression itself involves producing optimal number of base and predicted video frames. The adaptive encoder and multiplexer receives digitized program signals either from a local source or from an external program source, transcodes (optionally), encodes and multiplexes them adaptively to optimally suit individual recipient devices, based on configurations of the corresponding recipient devices. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100293588 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PROCESSING DATA - A digital broadcasting system and a method of processing data are disclosed. Herein, additional encoding is performed on mobile service data, which are then transmitted, thereby providing robustness in the processed mobile service data, so that the mobile service data can respond more strongly against fast and frequent channel changes. The method of processing data in a transmitting system includes receiving mobile service data, encapsulating the received mobile service data to a transport stream (TS) packet, and outputting the encapsulated mobile service data as a mobile service data packet, and multiplexing a main service data packet including main service data and the encapsulated mobile service data packet, thereby transmitting the multiplexed data packets to at least one transmitter located in a remote site. | 11-18-2010 |
| 725145000 | Data storage or retrieval | 5 |
| 20090083822 | Transmitting Broadcast Signals In A Communication Network - In one embodiment, a facilitating signal broadcasting includes receiving a first copy of a signal at a first selector of a first headend, where the first copy is received through a first receive pipe of a first ring. A second copy of the signal is received at the first selector, where the second copy is received through a second receive pipe of a second ring. The first selector selects either the first copy or the second copy. The selected copy is sent through a first transmit pipe of the first ring. | 03-26-2009 |
| 20090183223 | VIDEO DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM, VIDEO-RECORDING AND DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS, AND RECEIVER - When carrying out reception and video-recording of a plurality of programs, a stream receiving unit ( | 07-16-2009 |
| 20100319048 | PUBLICATION OF TELEVISION CONTENT TO TELEVISION DISTRIBUTION SITES - A device receives updated television content, and generates a file that provides an indication to copy the updated television content to multiple television distribution sites, where each television distribution site includes multiple television distribution devices. The device identifies one of the multiple television distribution devices, associated with each of the multiple television distribution sites, to receive the file, packages the updated television content with the file, for the identified one of the multiple television distribution devices, and provides the updated television content and the file to the identified one of the multiple television distribution devices. | 12-16-2010 |
| 20110023079 | System and method for processing priority transport stream data in real time in a multi-channel broadcast multimedia system - A system for processing data stream content in a multi-channel broadcast multimedia system including a packet processor having an input control having a filter module for detecting at least one priority data stream from an input data stream, and an output control including a format module for displaying the priority data streams in real-time. The system can include an alarm detector for checking a rate of the priority data stream and issuing an alarm in the event of an alarm condition of the priority data stream. | 01-27-2011 |
| 20120240179 | VIDEO SERVER APPARATUS AND SYNCHRONIZATION CONTROL METHOD - According to one embodiment, a video server apparatus includes a memory, a recorder, a decoder, a controller, a synchronizer, a sync signal transmitter and a time manager. The synchronizer generates sync signals in frame unit. The sync signal transmitter distributes the sync signals generated by the synchronizer in frame unit, to the memory, the recorder, the decoder and the controller. Each of the memory, recorder, decoder and controller includes a time manager. The time manager manages the sync signals distributed. | 09-20-2012 |
| 725146000 | Control process | 18 |
| 20090044246 | TARGETING CONTENT BASED ON LOCATION - Assets of broadcast network content are targeted to network users of interest based on location information regarding user equipment devices. Asset providers can specify location targeting criteria via a graphical user interface displaying mapping information. This location targeting criteria can then be compared to location information regarding user equipment devices so that assets are delivered to appropriate devices. The comparison of the location targeting criteria to the device location information can be performed at the user equipment devices or at another location. In the latter case the assets can be addressed to appropriate user equipment devices or appropriate user equipment devices can be directed to select the asset, which is broadcast via the network. In this manner, assets can be targeted to individual network users on a basis independent of network topology. | 02-12-2009 |
| 20100011407 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PLAYLIST SYNCHRONIZATION - Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for synchronizing the playlists of department channels or groups of department channels. In one embodiment of the present invention, the playlists of department channels or groups of department channels are synchronized to endpoints defined in a global playlist schedule. That is, channels not having a termination/end point consistent with the endpoints defined by said global playlist schedule are padded with respective filler content (media) to coordinate the termination points of the channels to be synchronized. The amount of filler content needed for each channel is determined respectively for a channel. | 01-14-2010 |
| 20100083339 | DIGITAL BROADCASTING SYSTEM AND APPARATUS - A “program information constituent element table” is in common use at data transmitting locations, data relaying locations and data converting locations and plural programs are combined through high multiplexing to one MPEG-2 transport stream, thereby suppressing use of resources for network transmission among broadcasting bases. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100122311 | PROCESSING LATTICED AND NON-LATTICED PICTURES OF A VIDEO PROGRAM - In one embodiment, a method that includes receiving plural representations of a video signal, the video signal comprising plural sequenced pictures corresponding to at least a portion of a video program, wherein two or more of the plural representations of the video signal (PROTVS) includes a respective sequence of latticed pictures and one or more of the other PROTVS includes a respective sequence of non-latticed pictures; and providing in plural successive non-overlapping segments distribution interval (SDIs) compressed versions of the PROTVS in a single video stream, wherein each SDI consists of plural non-overlapping, consecutive segments, each of the plural non-overlapping consecutive segments originating from a respective one of the collective PROTVS. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100162345 | DISTRIBUTED CONTENT ANALYSIS NETWORK - A distributed content analysis network uses the processing capabilities of customer-premises equipment as subordinate nodes for analyzing multimedia programs. A master node selects a program and identifies subordinate nodes that are available for analysis, which may include both nodes tuned to the program and idle nodes. The master node divides the program into segments for analysis and instructs each subordinate node to analyze a segment. The subordinate nodes then provide analysis results back to the master node, which may build a metadata profile for the program based on the analysis. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100313236 | TECHNIQUES FOR UNGRADING SOFTWARE IN A VIDEO CONTENT NETWORK - It is determined that a substantial portion of set-top terminals connected to a video content network require a software upgrade. In-band video bandwidth (e.g., video-on-demand or switched digital video) is allocated for the software upgrade. The software upgrade is broadcast to the set-top terminals from a carousel in a first remote node of the video content network, via the allocated in-band video bandwidth, until a predetermined number of the set-top terminals have received the software upgrade. Subsequent to the predetermined number of set-top terminals receiving the software upgrade, the in-band video bandwidth is de-allocated and the software upgrade is made available out-of-band to the remaining portion of the set-top terminals, via individual sessions with an application server in a second remote node of the video content network. An exemplary system, which can implement the method, includes a controller, a dynamic bandwidth allocation device, the carousel, and the application server. | 12-09-2010 |
| 20110239266 | Fiber to the Premise Service Disconnect Via Macro-Bending Loss - It is determined that service is to be disconnected for at least a first subscriber of a video content network employing at least one fiber optic cable. The service to the at least first subscriber is provided from a cross-connect cabinet, over the at least one fiber optic cable, to a premises of the at least first subscriber. Sufficient macro-bending loss is induced in the at least one fiber optic cable so as to cause a signal-to-noise ratio at the premises to degrade such that the service is disconnected. The macro-bending loss is induced in a portion of the at least one fiber optic cable which services only the first subscriber. The macro-bending loss can be induced, for example, by winding about a single mandrel, two mandrels in a figure eight pattern, in a tortuous groove in a tray, and so on. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110321114 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH MEDIA PROGRAMMING - Various systems and methods allow supplemental information such as recipes, parts lists, instructions, notes, outlines or other information associated with a television program to be delivered in the same transport stream that carries the television program to the viewer. The transport stream includes at least two elementary streams, wherein the first elementary stream conveys video content associated with the television program and the second elementary stream conveys supplemental information that summarizes at least a portion of the television program. The device receiving the digital transport stream identifies the first and second elementary streams in the digital transport stream, processes the first elementary stream to present the video content associated with the television program to the viewer, and makes the supplemental information in the second elementary stream available to the viewer. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120272285 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FORMAT SELECTION FOR NETWORK OPTIMIZATION - Method and apparatus for optimizing network bandwidth utilization by delivering to users only the minimum number of programs required by service provider policies. In one embodiment, the method comprises switching some users from lower quality versions of programs to higher quality versions of the same programs, and removing those lower quality versions of programs from a given service group. In another embodiment, some users are switched from higher quality versions of programs to lower quality versions of those same programs, and the higher quality versions of programs removed from a given service group. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120272286 | SPLICING OF CONTENT - A Headend system including a video codec to encode a video sequence yielding an encoded video sequence having video packets, a multiplexer, a signal generator to receive a notification of a splice point, analyze at least some of the encoded video packets based on the notification in order to find a random- access-point-packet, the random-access-point being a point from which to start decoding the encoded video sequence by the rendering device so that the video sequence may be rendered for output from the splice point, create a timing signal estimating a location of the random-access-point-packet in the encoded video sequence, and output the timing signal to the multiplexer or transmission equipment. Related apparatus and methods are also described. | 10-25-2012 |
| 20120304243 | MULTIPLEXING, SYNCHRONIZING, AND ASSEMBLING MULTIPLE AUDIO/VIDEO (A/V) STREAMS IN A MEDIA GATEWAY - A media gateway that services a plurality of client devices may be used to combine a plurality of encoded multimedia transport streams, which may comprise a buffered copy of received encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream and an encoded local multimedia transport stream that pertains to the broadcast transport stream. The media gateway may decode the encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream to extract broadcast multimedia content carried therein based on determination of capabilities of one or more client devices used in playback of the content. The encoded local multimedia transport stream may be generated based on local multimedia content generated and/or captured via one or more client devices. The buffering duration of the received encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream may be adaptively determined, to ensure that the encoded local multimedia transport stream and the encoded broadcast multimedia transport stream are synchronized when they are combined. | 11-29-2012 |
| 20140189774 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR MULTICAST - In one embodiment, the method of multicast includes assigning a pilot sequence to each program from among a plurality of programs such that each program has a unique pilot sequence. The method further includes broadcasting the unique pilot sequences for the plurality of programs. | 07-03-2014 |
| 20140282810 | MEDIA DISTRIBUTION NETWORK WITH MEDIA BURST TRANSMISSION CAPABILITIES - A technique of operating a network node in a media distribution network in which media data are transmitted in media bursts to a buffer of a media client is described. Each media burst is followed by an idle period in which no media data are transmitted. A method aspect of this technique comprises determining a fill level of the media client buffer, and generating a media burst. Media burst generation includes adjusting at least one of a media data volume of the media burst and a duration of an idle period following the media burst dependent on the fill level of the media client buffer. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140282811 | MEDIA DISTRIBUTION NETWORK SYSTEM WITH MEDIA BURST TRANSMISSION VIA AN ACCESS NETWORK - A technique for operating a media distribution network is presented. In the media distribution network media data are transmitted via an access network in media bursts to a media client. Each media burst is followed by an idle period in which no media data are transmitted. A method aspect of this technique comprises receiving, from an access network node, a control message and adjusting, responsive to the control message, at least one of a media data volume of a media burst and a duration of an idle period following the media burst. The control message may be indicative of a load status of the access network, and the adjustment may be performed taking into account that load status. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20150381402 | SERVICE GATEWAY FOR INTERACTIVE TELEVISION - A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol. | 12-31-2015 |
| 20160134909 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING AUXILIARY DATA EMBEDDED IN VIDEO DATA - A system and method for distributing auxiliary data embedded in video data includes a content source that embeds the auxiliary data into the video data. The content source then encodes the video data together with the auxiliary data to create a distribution multiplex including compressed video data. A decoder receives and decompresses the distribution multiplex to reproduce the video data with the auxiliary data embedded. A television or other device then detects and extracts the auxiliary data from the video data. The television or other device processes the auxiliary data to support a variety of possible interactive applications including displaying a synchronized widget on a display of the television. | 05-12-2016 |
| 20160381397 | SYSTEM, APPARATUS AND METHOD TO FACILITATE LIVE VIDEO STREAMING - Systems and methods for generating a master video stream from at least two live video streams are provided in this disclosure. The systems include a combination component that combines the live video streams to generate the master video stream. In one aspect, the live video streams can be copies of the same recording that are multicast from different locations according to User Datagram Protocol. The live video streams suffer different errors, such as stream corruption or stream error, due to the transmission. The combination component eliminates the errors in the live video streams due to transmission and creates a substantially error-free master video stream. | 12-29-2016 |
| 20170238029 | Combined HDR/LDR Video Streaming | 08-17-2017 |
| 725147000 | Communications interface | 5 |
| 20090100496 | MEDIA SERVER SYSTEM - A media server system includes a switch having a volatile memory such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM), for example. The switch may be configured to store one or more formatted media content streams in large blocks within the volatile memory. The switch unit also includes a switch controller including a crossbar switch that is coupled between a plurality of network ports and the volatile memory. The switch controller may be configured to create one or more concurrent media streams from one of the one or more formatted media content streams by concurrently performing read operations to a plurality of portions of the volatile memory, and to concurrently route the one or more concurrent media streams via any of the plurality of network ports, which may provide a digital transport for conveying the one or more concurrent media streams for use by the subscriber | 04-16-2009 |
| 20090199259 | SERVICE GATEWAY FOR INTERACTIVE TELEVISION - A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol. | 08-06-2009 |
| 20090222875 | Distributed tuner allocation and conflict resolution - Systems, methods and computer program products for allocating tuner resources to tuner consumers when a tuner conflict occurs. When the tuner resources of a system or network reside at a central server, the tuners are allocated to requesting consumers according to the priority of the tuner request and the current tuner priorities. A tuner request that has a higher priority than one of the current tuners is granted. The tuner is not taken from the consumer without warning, however. Tuner conflict is also prevented by lowering the respective tuner priorities as appropriate. | 09-03-2009 |
| 20140109167 | SERVICE GATEWAY FOR INTERACTIVE TELEVISION - A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol. | 04-17-2014 |
| 20160156941 | SERVICE GATEWAY FOR INTERACTIVE TELEVISION | 06-02-2016 |
