Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20090282440 | PURCHASABLE AUDIOVISUAL AND PERSONAL BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION SERVICES - The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session. | 11-12-2009 |
20090282428 | TIME-ADAPTIVE IPG BASED ON USER VIEWING HABITS DURING PREDETERMINED INTERVALS - A method for providing television functionality includes tracking viewing parameters corresponding to services that are provided to a user, determining a user preference for a viewing parameter, receiving user input requesting television functionality, and providing a user with a result that is responsive to the user input and to the user preference. | 11-12-2009 |
20090276808 | CONFIGURATION OF TV SERVICES VIA ALTERNATE COMMUNICATION - The present invention provides a method and system for accessing services in a television system. In one implementation, a DHCT presents a user a menu containing a plurality of selectable link representations corresponding to separate services or applications offered by the cable television system. The user navigates the menu with a remote device and selects a desired service by choosing the selectable link representation corresponding to the desired service or application. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selectable link command into an executable call, and activates the service or application corresponding to the selected link representation from the menu chosen by the user. | 11-05-2009 |
20090204994 | MANAGEMENT OF TV PROGRAMS BY THEIR BUFFERED LENGTHS - Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input. | 08-13-2009 |
20090202216 | RETENTION OF PROGRAM PORTIONS VIEWED IN PRIOR DISPLAYED TV CHANNELS - Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input. | 08-13-2009 |
20090199249 | SECONDARY VIDEO SUPPLEMENTS DURING VOD SERVICES - A method for providing media to a user via an interactive media services client device coupled to a programmable media services server device includes receiving user input requesting on-screen comments to be provided with a media presentation and providing the user with a media presentation along with comments related to the media presentation. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196571 | SIGNALING OF POTENTIAL SPLICE POINTS IN A VIDEO STREAM - In one embodiment the invention provides a method for outputting auxiliary information for use in playing back a video sequence, the method comprising obtaining a measure of usefulness of a particular picture for playing back the video sequence, wherein the measure of usefulness indicates a performance of playing back the video sequence if the particular picture is available in a decoded state at a time of playback versus the particular picture not being available in a decoded state at a time of playback; determining a position in a data stream that includes the video sequence; and storing the auxiliary information at the determined position in the data stream. | 08-06-2009 |
20090196568 | BUFFERING OF PRIOR DISPLAYED TELEVISION CHANNELS UPON ACCESSING A DIFFERENT CHANNEL - Systems and methods are provided for managing a time-shift buffer (TSB) that is used for buffering video presentations. One such method includes receiving user input identifying a storage capacity for the TSB and modifying a storage capacity of the TSB such that it is at least substantially equal to the storage capacity identified by the user input. | 08-06-2009 |
20090193480 | BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION SERVICES OVER CABLE NETWORKS - The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193471 | PROVIDING INFORMATION PERTAINING TO AUDIO-VISUAL AND PERSONAL BI-DIRECTIONAL SERVICES - The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193468 | TRACKING AND PROVIDING AVAILABILITY STATUS OF PERSONAL BI-DIRECTIONAL SERVICES - The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193467 | PROVIDING INFORMATION FOR BROADCAST AND BI-DIRECTIONAL COMMUNICATION SERVICES - The present invention provides methods and systems for accessing services in a television system. In one embodiment, a DHCT presents a subscriber an EPG presentation containing a plurality of selectable bi-directional services that are purchasable for a period of time and rendered to a buying subscriber on an individualized basis as offered by the cable television system. The subscriber navigates an EPG menu presentation with an input device such as a remote control device and selects a purchasable service by choosing the visual representation that corresponds to the desired service. The DHCT receives the user input, translates the selected command into an executable program call that queries service availability and, if the service is available, initiates the selected bi-directional audiovisual service on a personalized session. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193452 | MEDIA CONTENT SHARING OVER A HOME NETWORK - A master device interactively distributes a television signal to a remote device for remote display with low latency between a user input and a television signal change. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193318 | FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION AND INTERLEAVING OF NETWORK FRAMES - A network stream transmitter receives a transport stream having content packets and packets to be filtered out and is adapted to selectively encapsulate content packets into network frames. | 07-30-2009 |
20090190028 | DETERMINING DEVICE THAT PERFORMS PROCESSING OF OUTPUT PICTURES - A system and method for determining the characteristics of a device coupled to a client device are disclosed. A method, according to one embodiment, includes driving a display device with a first video output signal formatted according to a first video interface specification; responsive to driving the display device, soliciting user input based on information included in the first video output signal; determining a characteristic of the display device based on the user input; and driving the display device according to the determined characteristic. | 07-30-2009 |
20090158354 | SELECTION OF PURCHASABLE ENHANCEMENTS OF A TELEVISION SERVICE - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158352 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PURCHASABLE ENHANCEMENTS OF VOD SERVICES - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158351 | AUTHORIZED USER CUSTOMIZATION OF IPG PRESENTATION - A method for providing television functionality includes defining a time period, associating a user preference with the time period, providing a first result in accordance with the user preference if a request for television functionality is received during the defined time period, and providing a second result if the request for the television functionality is received outside the defined time period. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158339 | CONFIGURABLE OPTIONS FOR ACCESSIBLE ON-DEMAND INFORMATION - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158332 | UPGRADING ACCESS OF TELEVISION PROGRAM INFORMATION WITH OPTIONAL FEATURES - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158331 | MANAGEMENT OF GENERIC SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS FOR TELEVISION SERVICES - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158329 | CONFIGURATION OF ENHANCEMENT OPTIONS PROVIDED WITH A TELEVISION SERVICE - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158324 | METHOD FOR IMPLEMENTING TELEVISION SERVICE ENHANCEMENTS - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158310 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING VIEWING STATUS OF TELEVISION ADVERTISEMENT - A method for providing television advertising includes receiving user input for selecting an advertising parameter and providing a user with an advertisement corresponding to the advertising parameter. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158306 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING USAGE OF PURCHASABLE ENHANCEMENTS OF TELEVISION SERVICES - A method for providing a television service enhancement includes receiving a first user input requesting a television service, providing the user with an option to receive an enhancement to the television service for a charge, and receiving a second user input selecting the option to receive the enhancement to the television service. | 06-18-2009 |
20090150959 | ASSOCIATION AND REFERENCING OF TELEVISION SERVICES SIMULCAST IN DIFFERENT FORMATS - The present invention provides a system for providing alternative services in a television system. In one implementation, a subscriber is provided an alternative service upon attempting to access an unauthorized service, thereby providing a framework for efficient control of conditional access and enhanced services. In addition, in one implementation, user device limitations or variations are handled conveniently through the same multi-purpose system for providing alternative services. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150958 | PROVIDING ALTERNATIVE SERVICES BASED ON RECEIVER CONFIGURATION AND TYPE OF DISPLAY DEVICE - The present invention provides a system for providing alternative services in a television system. In one implementation, a subscriber is provided an alternative service upon attempting to access an unauthorized service, thereby providing a framework for efficient control of conditional access and enhanced services. In addition, in one implementation, user device limitations or variations are handled conveniently through the same multi-purpose system for providing alternative services. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150957 | PROVIDING ALTERNATE SERVICES CORRESPONDING TO UNAUTHORIZED REQUESTED TELEVISION SERVICES - The present invention provides a system for providing alternative services in a television system. In one implementation, a subscriber is provided an alternative service upon attempting to access an unauthorized service, thereby providing a framework for efficient control of conditional access and enhanced services. In addition, in one implementation, user device limitations or variations are handled conveniently through the same multi-purpose system for providing alternative services. | 06-11-2009 |
20090150946 | VOD SERVICE FOR A LESSER FEE WITH SUPPLEMENTARY ADVERTISEMENTS - A method for providing media to a user via an interactive media services client device coupled to a programmable media services server device includes receiving user input requesting on-screen comments to be provided with a media presentation and providing the user with a media presentation along with comments related to the media presentation. | 06-11-2009 |
20090077586 | DVD Playback Over Multi-Room By Copying to HDD - DVD playback over Multi-room by copying to the hard drive of a primary device in a networked multi-room system (NMS). The DVD content is saved to a hard drive and can then be retrieved by any of the remote devices in the NMS by accessing the program guide or the recorded programs list. The DVD menu can be altered to include previews, contests, products, etc. | 03-19-2009 |
20090070454 | Allocating access across shared communication medium - A method of providing network access across a shared communications medium between competing users ( | 03-12-2009 |
20090033791 | VIDEO PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Video processing systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, includes a video compression engine configured to provide reconstructed pictures corresponding to a real-time presentation of a video program and a compressed version of the real-time presentation, a display buffer of the video compression engine, the display buffer configured to store the reconstructed pictures, and a persistent storage device, wherein the video compression engine is further configured to store the compressed version of the real-time presentation to the persistent storage device while simultaneously providing the real-time presentation of the video program. | 02-05-2009 |
20090028327 | SECURE CONTENT KEY DISTRIBUTION USING MULTIPLE DISTINCT METHODS - Systems and methods of secure content key distribution using multiple distinct methods are disclosed herein. Example embodiments include receiving multiple distinct control words from multiple conditional access systems and encrypting packets or a group of packets using the multiple distinct control words. | 01-29-2009 |