248results about "Selective content distribution" patented technology

A remote control uses IR (infrared) commands to control various consumer appliances made by various manufactures. The remote control is low-cost, consumer-friendly, programmable, has its own graphical display so it does not interfere with a TV or other viewing screen, and is capable of interacting with the internet or other data source to provide a rich set of functionality.

A system for managing favorite channel lists on a television, personal computer or PC/TV convergence environment is disclosed. The favorite channel lists are dynamically created by a computerized system rather than manually created by a user who specifically identifies a set of channels to be included in the favorite channel list. In one embodiment of the invention, the computerized system generates a list of favorite channels based on a theme selected by the user. In another embodiment of the invention, the computerized system generates a list of favorite channels based on the channels most frequently viewed by the user.

Computing devices capable of internetworking and receiving, storing and viewing programmed (scheduled) television and multimedia content provide a platform for access to a combination of Internet and Television content and services. On this platform, a mix of pre-scripted and live interactive dialog (chat with offered responses) are broadcast by a connected server or servers to provide supplemental entertainment, information regarding programmed content, enhancements to scheduled television advertising, a community experience, and an interface to Internet applications and services. The dialog provides a “Social Interface” allowing fictional and non-fictional characters to interact with viewers. The fictional and non-fictional characters are each emblematic of a specific affinity group categorization, which a user personally identifies with and is drawn to. Selection of an affinity character also provides a filter for selecting internet and broadcast content associated with that character. Second level content is also associated with and mediated by each character. This provides e-commerce opportunities whereby sponsors can direct advertising content based upon factors such as the relative popularity of each character or the demographic group associated with each character.

A method of selecting a television channel or program for delivery of targeted content to an audience member television display based on attitude values associated with audience members who participate in a computer implemented survey is disclosed. The survey response information, as well as television viewing information, and demographic information associated with the audience members may be collected and stored in a central database. An attitude value may be determined from the survey response information and/or the other information for the audience members. The attitude value may indicate the audience member's view about an issue, topic, product, service or the like. The attitude value in conjunction with other television viewing information may be used to select a television channel or program for delivery of the targeted content to the audience members.

An apparatus and method for the remote control and/or interaction-with electronic-devices such as computers; home-entertainment-systems; media-centers; televisions; DVD-players; VCR-players; music systems; appliances; security systems; toys/games; and/or displays. A user may orient a pointer (e.g., laser pointer) to place a visible pointer-spot on/near object(s) on an active-display(s); and/or a fixed-display(s); and/or on real-world object(s) within a display region or pointer-spot detection-region. Detectors and/or camera(s) may be connected/attached to the display region and/or a structure that is connected/attached to display region. When the user initiates a “select”, the detectors/cameras may detect the location of the pointer-spot within the display region. Corresponding to the user's selection(s); control action(s) may be performed on the device(s) being controlled/interacted-with and additional selection-menus may be optionally presented on an active-display. In an alternative embodiment, the invention may operate equivalent to a computer-mouse or other pointing-device. In another alternative embodiment, the invention may be made inter-operable with existing electronic-devices [e.g., televisions] that are controlled with infrared signaling.

The VOD purchasing method enables a user-viewer to purchase goods via a shop OD (on-demand) process on an interactive TV (STB enabled TV). The user selects shop OD goods and the STB-TV creates a transaction ID code with the STB-ID code or the cable head end (HE) or shop OD client application at the HE creates the trans-ID. The trans-ID is displayed on the user's TV. If created at the HE, the trans-ID is sent as metadata or configured VA to the STB-TV. Supplemental communications channels may deliver carry trans-ID to the user (cell phone, VoIP, land-line telephone, Internet or fax). User profile data is gathered via supple-comm channel lists purchasing limits (time, day, monetary, and PIN). The shop OD computer server limits purchases thereby. Financial fraud and abuse parameters are set at the OD server as are parental control parameters.

A method and system for the control, aggregation, and management of television programming and Internet content (both traditional and video sources) and more specifically to the customization of media choices and content based in part on the dynamic editing of content according to user preferences. Affiliate Groups can be used to mark, recommend or provide selective editing of video and other media that can be received by users. Users may join Affiliate Groups and selectively view or have content automatically filtered from the data received in their premises such that the display of the media is less than all of the media received at the premises based on Affiliate Group recommendations. Menus and displays may be created that show preferred media content, additional content generated by the Affiliate Groups. Channel schedules may be pre-filtered or provide customized warnings about objectionable material.

The subject matter herein generally relates to transcoding content, typically audio/video files though not limited to such, from one version to another in preparation for online streaming or other delivery to end users. Such transcoding may involve converting from one format to another (e.g., changing codecs or container formats), or creating multiple versions of an original source file in different bitrates, frame-sizes, or otherwise, to support distribution to a wide array of devices and to utilize performance-enhancing technologies like adaptive bitrate streaming. A transcoding platform is described herein that, in certain embodiments, leverages distributed computing techniques to transcode content in parallel across a platform of machines that are preferably idle or low-utilization resources of a content delivery network. The transcoding system also utilizes, in certain embodiments, improved techniques for segmenting the original source file so as to enable different segments to be sent to different machines for parallel transcodes.

Some embodiments provide an optimized multi-hit caching technique that minimizes the performance impact associated with caching of long-tail content while retaining much of the efficiency and minimal overhead associated with first hit caching in determining when to cache content. The optimized multi-hit caching utilizes a modified bloom filter implementation that performs flushing and state rolling to delete indices representing stale content from a bit array used to track hit counts without affecting identification of other content that may be represented with indices overlapping with those representing the stale content. Specifically, a copy of the bit array is stored prior to flushing the bit array so as to avoid losing track of previously requested and cached content when flushing the bit arrays and the flushing is performed to remove the bit indices representing stale content from the bit array and to minimize the possibility of a false positive.

A method including presenting a video sequence on a display where the video sequence includes video frames, calculating a quality indicator with respect to the video frames and automatically indicating which video frames meet or exceed a predetermined image quality threshold depending on the quality indicator.

A hardware and software platform for collaboratively reviewing prior group to group interactions while planning, producing and archiving new group to group interactions. The platform may be used to collaboratively create group to group interactions. The system may be used to link two or more stadia, movie theatres or homes so as to provide interaction between the groups at each location simultaneously as a game or other event takes place.

A set top box or like device utilizing trusted applications in conjunction with an untrusted software framework. In one implementation, trusted or certified applications are received from a service provider for execution by a software framework of the device. Certification of a trusted application may entail, for example, verifying that the application is executable by the device in a manner consist with the industry standard certification process. The software framework may comprise, for example, an Android framework supported by an underlying Linux operating system environment and isolated in a Linux resource container. A secure access client/server interface may also be provided to support interactions between the software framework and trusted portions of the device. In further embodiments, both trusted applications and a set top box application utilized by the device to perform traditional set top box operations are implemented in at least one version of an Android or like framework.

The invention relates to an android system set-top box for realizing log report and fault diagnosis and a corresponding method, which belong to the field of TV (Television) terminals. The invention provides equipment which can be used for effectively counting the use information and fault information of a set-top box system, and a method thereof, so that set-top box manufacturers and servers can effectively acquire various types of use information and fault information for better serving for users. The set-top box comprises a system information counting module, a log management module and a log report module, wherein the system information counting module further comprises a log counting module and a fault counting module; and a remote log counting server is used for receiving log information and finishing classification counting of fault positioning of the log information. The set-top box and the corresponding method thereof disclosed by the invention are used for providing superior and efficient working state information and working fault information of the set-top box for manufacturers and servers, and assisting the manufacturers and servers for improving the service quality.

A control device that interacts with a television system. The control device may receive a user input identifying a video selection. At least one module of the control device may display video information corresponding to the video selection. The control device may alternately, or in addition, cause display of the video information on a television system. The control device may respond to a second user input identifying a storage selection by triggering storage of the video information in a storage unit corresponding to the storage selection. The control device may also receive a third user input identifying a replay request for other video information that may be selected from a plurality of stored videos. The control device may direct display of the other video information on the television system and/or on a display of the control device.

A method of distributing electronic audio or video content from a distributing computer system to a user device (such as a computer, PDA or mobile telephone) over a telecommunications network, comprising: the distributing computer system detecting at least one characteristic of the user device, the distributing computer system selecting a version of the content according to the characteristic, and the distributing computer system transmitting to the user device the selected version of the content. The invention also provides a method of processing electronic content comprising: encoding the content with programming code indicative of playback preferences, for facilitating preloading of the content, for detecting at least one characteristic of a user device or a communications link thereto, or any combination of these. The programming code may be inserted automatically or manually, and may comprise a link.

The invention discloses a video playing method and device, a terminal device, and a storage medium. The method includes the steps: extracting an audio from a video, and generating an audio file; converting the audio file into a file stream, and converting a file stream into a caption text by voice recognition, wherein the caption text includes a plurality of time stamps corresponding to the playing time of the audio; displaying the caption text on a playing interface of the video according to the time stamps; receiving a query instruction including a keyword, and querying the target time stampcorresponding to the keyword in the caption text, wherein the plurality of time stamps include the target time stamp; playing the audio and the video according to the target time stamp. The method can output and display the caption text at a corresponding position on the video efficiently and quickly, and can accurately locate the playing position on the time axis of the video, thereby greatly improving the user experience.

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of mobile terminals, in particular to a method, device and system for controlling multiple display devices. The method includes the steps of obtaining wireless network signal strength values of the display devices, obtaining a wireless network signal strength value of at least one intelligent terminal, located in the same wireless network, of the display devices, calculating a signal strength value interval according to the wireless network signal strength value of at least one intelligent terminal and a preset signal strength modification value, determining the relation between the wireless network signal strength value of each display device and the signal strength value interval, and controlling the work states of the display devices according to the determination results. By means of the method, the process of controlling the display devices is simplified, and efficiency of controlling the display devices is improved.

An audio-video player, which automatically determines an event corresponding to the current state and displays a preferred message associated with the event, is provided. A DVD player includes: a massage table which stores prescribed messages in advance by associating them with a plurality of events having prescribed priorities; an event determination unit which sequentially determines whether the current state corresponds to an event, starting from an event of higher priority; and a message display control unit which reads out, when the event determination unit found the corresponding event, a prescribed message associated with the corresponding event from a message table and displays it.

The invention discloses a method and a device for switching a video definition, which relate to the field of video playing and aim at solving the problem that the definition switching process influences the video playing fluency. The method comprises steps: during a process of playing a first video source, according to the current network condition, whether to switch the video definition is determined; if the video definition is switched, a second decoding library is built, and through the second decoding library, a second video source with the definition level corresponding to the current network speed is loaded; the second video source is played synchronously according to the playing schedule of the first video source on a newly-built canvas overlapped with the first video source canvas; within a preset time duration when the second video source is started to be played, transparency transition of the first video source canvas is converted to total transparency, and the transparency transition of the newly-built canvas is converted to total opaqueness; the sound of the first video source is switched to that of the second video source; and playing of the first video source is stopped. The method and the device are mainly applied to the process of switching the online video definition.

The invention provides a method and electronic equipment for loading effects in an instant video, and belongs to the field of videos. The method comprises the following steps: receiving effect data input by a user, wherein the effect data is used for indicating the effect which needs to be loaded by the user; determining the loading position input by the user in an instant video image; sending the loaded position and the effect data to other electronic equipment; loading the effect to the loading position, and showing the instant video after the effect is loaded; therefore, the effect input by the user is loaded to the instant video, the diversified requirements of the user on instant video communication are satisfied, and the interaction experience of the user is improved.