Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090010273 | Media Stream Splicer - An implementation is described herein, which facilitates a fast channel change by receiving and decoding a unicast acquisition media stream that corresponds to a soon-to-be-requested target multicast media stream. It does this before requesting the target multicast media stream of the new channel. Once the transmission of the unicast stream is caught up with the multicast stream, this implementation splices from the unicast acquisition stream to the target multicast media stream. | 01-08-2009 |
20090024710 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERFACING WITH A USER IN INSTANT MESSAGING - Reducing the amount of input required by a user to enter an electronic message. When an electronic message is received, one or more language expressions associated with the electronic message are displayed to a user. The user may select one or more of the language expressions and have the full text of all the selected language expressions included in a reply electronic message. Icons, which represent a user's capability to engage in an electronic messaging session, may also be displayed. When a user changes their capability to engage in an electronic messaging session, for instance when they go offline, a command may be sent to other users. This command may take the form of a character sequence not normally occurring in written language, which is interpreted by network devices and changes the display of the icon associated with a the user who went offline. | 01-22-2009 |
20090077255 | ACCELERATED CHANNEL CHANGE IN RATE-LIMITED ENVIRONMENTS - Accelerated channel change (ACC) strategies are described for supplying a client module with media information by transitioning between a first delivery of media information provided by first delivery functionality and a second delivery of media information provided by second delivery functionality without exceeding prescribed data rate limitations. The first delivery functionality can represent server-based functionality for delivering a unicast stream of media information at a data rate (or maximum data rate) of some excess amount over the nominal rate of delivery, starting at a selected location within the media information. The second delivery functionality can represent any functionality for delivering the media information at the data rate (or maximum data rate) of the nominal rate of delivery. A join interval separates the first delivery at the excess rate and the second delivery at the nominal rate. In that period, the first delivery functionality can provide media information at a join interval data rate. The join interval data rate, if it is below the nominal data rate, will cause the client module to miss packets of media information. The client module can receive these missing packets by issuing retry requests to the first delivery functionality or to some other entity. The client module can determine the excess amount available by investigating the amount of missing information that occurs at different data rates; or the excess amount can be defined in advance. | 03-19-2009 |
20090132339 | Signature-Based Advertisement Scheduling - Signature-based advertisement scheduling techniques are described. In an implementation, a signature for each of a plurality of advertisements is computed that describes characteristics of the respective advertisements. The signatures are compared to determine similarities of the plurality of advertisements, one to another. The plurality of advertisements is then scheduled for output in conjunction with content based on the comparison. | 05-21-2009 |
20090133057 | Revenue Techniques Involving Segmented Content and Advertisements - Revenue techniques involving segmented content and advertisements are described. In an implementation, content, which has one or more advertisements embedded by a content provider, is segmented into a plurality of segments. An identification is performed to determine which of the plurality of segments are program segments. An identification is also performed to determine which of the plurality of segments are advertising segments, at least one of the advertising segments includes at least one of the advertisements. An option is provided to pay to output the program segments without output of the advertising segments. | 05-21-2009 |
20090133060 | Still-Frame Content Navigation - Still-frame content navigation techniques are described. In an implementation, content is received via a real-time broadcast. A still frame is identified for each of a plurality of segments of the content that is representative of a respective segment. A plurality of the still frames is output in a user interface. Each of the still frames is selectable to navigate to a respective one of the segments that includes the still frame. | 05-21-2009 |
20090154898 | PROGRAM SEGMENTS DISPLAY BAR - A program segments display bar is described. In embodiment(s), a program segments display bar has still images that can include scene images and advertisement images. The scene images can each correspond to a different segment of television media content, such as a movie or television program, and are displayed in the program segments display bar to indicate a sequence of the television media content. The advertisement images can each correspond to a different advertisement and can be displayed in the program segments display bar to indicate where the different advertisements are included with the television media content. The program segments display bar can also include a focus that can be positioned proximate a still image to indicate that the still image is selectable. | 06-18-2009 |
20090154899 | RECORDED PROGRAMS RANKED BASED ON SOCIAL NETWORKS - Recorded programs ranked based on social networks is described. In embodiment(s), a content distributor maintains recorded on-demand assets that can be requested by client devices to render as television media content for viewing. For a Network Digital Video Recording (nDVR) system, the recorded on-demand assets are recorded when initially distributed to the client devices as scheduled television media content. The content distributor can form a social network of members based on association(s) of viewers that correspond to one or more of the client devices, and can determine recommended on-demand assets from different ones of the recorded on-demand assets for the members of the social network. The content distributor can then communicate a recommended on-demand asset to a client device that corresponds to a member of the social network where the recommended on-demand asset is communicated for viewing without receiving a viewer selection of the recommended on-demand asset. | 06-18-2009 |
20090161769 | SEAMLESS DIGITAL CHANNEL CHANGING - Seamless channel changing in a digital-television-based entertainment network can be implemented, for example, by providing an intra frame to a client device upon a change to a new channel even when the broadcast video data is previously compressed. In an exemplary implementation, a method includes: receiving a stream of broadcast video data that is encoded; continuously decoding the stream of broadcast video data into successive decoded images; and transmitting, responsive to a channel change message received from a client device, an intra frame that has been encoded from a decoded image of the successive decoded images. Other exemplary implementations are described herein. | 06-25-2009 |
20090199236 | Advertisement Insertion - Advertisement insertion techniques are described. In an implementation, a network operator decrypts a stream of content received from a content provider at a first server. The decrypted stream of content is communicated to an advertisement splicer, which locates one or more advertisement insertion points in the decrypted stream of content. One or more advertisements are then inserted in the located one or more advertisement insertion points. The decrypted stream of content having the inserted one or more advertisements to a second server, which encrypts the decrypted stream of content having the inserted one or more advertisements. The encrypted stream of content having the inserted one or more advertisements is emitted to be communicated to one or more clients for output. | 08-06-2009 |
20090254586 | Updated Bookmark Associations - Updated bookmark associations is described. In embodiment(s), a bookmark save event can be received from a media device when a bookmark is initiated while a video stream of media content is rendered by the media device, such as when the bookmark save event is initiated by a viewer at the media device. A bookmark definition that correlates the bookmark with the media content from which it was initiated can be determined and maintained. Contextual aspects of the bookmark can then be determined to identify bookmark associated items that are associated with the media content. Additional bookmark definitions that each correlate a bookmark associated item with the bookmark can also be determined. When a request for the bookmark is received, the bookmark definitions can be updated along with the bookmark associated items. | 10-08-2009 |
20090254823 | Bookmark Interpretation Service - A bookmark interpretation service is described. In embodiment(s), a bookmark save event can be received from a media device when a bookmark is initiated while a video stream of media content is rendered by the media device, such as when the bookmark is initiated by a viewer at the media device. The bookmark can then be interpreted to determine one or more bookmark representations based on a context interpretation of the bookmark with respect to the media content. The bookmark can be maintained for selection, and when a request for the bookmark is received, one or more of the bookmark representations that correspond to the bookmark can be provided to the media device from which the request for the bookmark is received. | 10-08-2009 |
20090259519 | Advertisements Targeted to Social Groups that Establish Program Popularity - Advertisements targeted to social groups that establish program popularity is described. In embodiment(s), display durations can be enumerated for each program that is rendered for viewing at media devices associated with each member of a social group. A popularity factor for each of the programs can be established based on enumerated display durations of each of the programs, and popular programs can be determined for the members of the social group based on the popularity factors. Advertisements can then be targeted to the members of the social group based on the popular programs. | 10-15-2009 |
20090319373 | NATIONAL ADVERTISEMENT LINKING - National advertisement linking is described. In embodiment(s), a bookmark can be received from a media device when the bookmark is initiated while an advertisement is rendered by the media device, such as when the bookmark is initiated by a viewer at the media device. The bookmark can be correlated with the advertisement, and a product or service that is advertised in the advertisement can be determined. Providers of the product or service that is advertised in the advertisement can then be determined, such as a local provider of the product or service that is advertised in a national advertisement. | 12-24-2009 |
20090320060 | ADVERTISEMENT SIGNATURE TRACKING - Advertisement signature tracking is described. In embodiment(s), a video feed of television media content can be received for distribution to media devices, and the video feed can include advertisements. An advertisement can be detected in the video feed of the television media content, and a signature of the advertisement can be generated. Occurrences of the advertisement can then be detected and tracked by the signature of the advertisement when the advertisement is subsequently received via the video feed and/or broadcast for viewing. | 12-24-2009 |
20090320063 | LOCAL ADVERTISEMENT INSERTION DETECTION - Local advertisement insertion detection is described. In embodiment(s), a video feed of television media content can be received for distribution to media devices, and the video feed can include national advertisements and spliced-in local advertisements. A splice point in the video feed can be detected that indicates where a local advertisement has been inserted into the video feed. | 12-24-2009 |
20090320065 | CONTENT SELECTION AND OUTPUT - Content selection and output techniques are described. In an implementation, a user interface is output at a client device that provides for selection of television content via a website for output on a television. A communication is formed to be communicated to the website based on interaction with the user interface to cause the television content to be output by the television automatically and without user intervention. | 12-24-2009 |
20110075985 | Unified Recording and Pause Buffer Format - A unified recording format allows both recorded programs and paused buffered broadcasts to be stored in memory as a common virtual stream. As content is received on a channel, it is placed into the virtual stream with newer content at the start of the stream and progressively aging content migrating farther downstream. A front section of the stream effectively operates as a pause buffer, as the currently tuned broadcast program is recorded in this section and is responsive to pause/resume commands. Recorded programs are also stored as part of the same virtual stream. Pointers are used to identify the boundaries of the pause buffer, as well as the beginning and end of each recorded program in the virtual stream. | 03-31-2011 |
20120204115 | CONFIGURATION OF USER INTERFACES - Configuration of user interfaces is described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving a query from a device. The query is for a user interface (UI) from a client. The UI, when executed by the device, is configured to form a request for execution of a control function by the client. A processing of the request determines whether the execution by the client of the control function is permitted. The processing is performed at a head end by using client state data. The hardware and/or software capabilities of the device to execute the UI are detected. The UI is configured based on the hardware and/or software capabilities of the device. | 08-09-2012 |
20130283051 | Persistent License for Stored Content - In an implementation, a method includes forming a request by a client for communication to a licensing server. The request is for storing encrypted content by the client. A persistent license is received at the client in response to the request. The persistent license includes a key that is encrypted. The key, when decrypted, provides access to the encrypted content. The key is configured to be decrypted by the licensing server. The client, however, is not configured to decrypt the key from the persistent license. The persistent license and the encrypted content are stored by the client. | 10-24-2013 |