Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090276815 | SYSTEMS, METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DEMOCRATIC ALLOCATION OF BANDWIDTH - Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for democratic allocation of bandwidth. A user of an entertainment device may select to access content from a large catalog of available content. A content source initially begins providing the content to a user device over a low-bandwidth connection, such as an internet protocol (IP) connection. The content source tabulates the number of users accessing the content over the low-bandwidth connection. If bandwidth becomes available over a high-bandwidth connection, then the content source selects the content for transmission over the high-bandwidth connection based on the number of users accessing the content. The client device may then begin downloading the content over the high-bandwidth connection rather than the low-bandwidth connection, resulting in a faster completion of the download for the user. | 11-05-2009 |
20090300699 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING SUBSTITUTE CONTENT IN AN AUDIO/VIDEO STREAM USING TEXT DATA - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user. | 12-03-2009 |
20090307741 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DIVIDING AN AUDIO/VIDEO STREAM INTO MULTIPLE SEGMENTS USING TEXT DATA - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for identifying multiple segments of content in a recorded audio/video stream. Thus, an audio/video stream may be segmented into various logical chapters, scenes or other sections and the like. The segments of the audio/video stream may then be selectably viewed by a user. A DVR presents the selected segments and automatically skips over the undesignated segment of the audio/video stream. | 12-10-2009 |
20100262992 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR OVERLAYING CONTENT ONTO A COMMON VIDEO STREAM - Described herein are techniques for presenting non-common content in association with common content to end users. A television receiver receives common content as well as one or more portions of non-common content. The television receiver determines whether to present the non-common content based on criteria associated with the non-common content and parameters associated with the television receiver. As appropriate, the non-common content may be overlaid onto the common content, presenting the user with content that may be localized or otherwise personalized for the user. | 10-14-2010 |
20110081855 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING AN OPERATIONAL BEHAVIOR OF A RECEIVING DEVICE - A receiving device receives one or more signals, each signal including transponder identifying information. The receiving device processes the transponder identifying information to determine which signals are receivable by the receiving device. Based upon the receivable signals, the receiving device modifies its operational behavior accordingly. | 04-07-2011 |
20120159537 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING SUBSTITUTE CONTENT IN AN AUDIO/VIDEO STREAM USING TEXT DATA - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user. | 06-21-2012 |
20120206648 | Selection Graphics Overlay of Matrix Code - The document discloses a method for communicating information, such as audiovisual data and other information to a user. The method includes receiving a broadcast signal on a content receiver. The broadcast signal includes a video signal and a graphical signal, and the graphical signal includes a matrix barcode. After the content receiver receives the broadcast signal, the content receiver determines whether the matrix barcode should be displayed. The determination that the matrix barcode should be displayed may be based on the geographic location of the content receiver or user settings/preferences stored on the content receiver. If the matrix barcode should be displayed, the content receiver creates and outputs a modified signal. The modified signal includes the video signal with the matrix barcode overlaid on top of the video signal. If the matrix barcode should not be displayed, the content receiver outputs the broadcast signal. | 08-16-2012 |
20120324505 | ALTERNATIVE AUDIO CONTENT PRESENTATION IN A MEDIA CONTENT RECEIVER - Presented herein is a method of presenting alternative audio content for an audio/visual content segment, such as a television program or a motion picture. In the method, the audio/visual content segment is received into a media content receiver. The audio/visual content segment includes primary visual content and primary audio content. A request to receive alternative audio content for the audio/visual content segment is transmitted. After transmitting the request, the alternative audio content is received into the media content receiver. The primary audio content is replaced with the alternative audio content to generate a revised audio/visual content segment. The revised audio/visual content is transferred for presentation to a user. | 12-20-2012 |
20140022456 | ALTERNATIVE AUDIO CONTENT PRESENTATION IN A MEDIA CONTENT RECEIVER - Presented herein is a method of presenting alternative audio content for an audio/visual content segment, such as a television program or a motion picture. In the method, the audio/visual content segment is received into a media content receiver. The audio/visual content segment includes primary visual content and primary audio content. A request to receive alternative audio content for the audio/visual content segment is transmitted. After transmitting the request, the alternative audio content is received into the media content receiver. The primary audio content is replaced with the alternative audio content to generate a revised audio/visual content segment. The revised audio/visual content is transferred for presentation to a user. | 01-23-2014 |
20140105567 | USER-INITIATED CONTROL OF AN AUDIO/VIDEO STREAM TO SKIP INTERSTITIAL CONTENT BETWEEN PROGRAM SEGMENTS - Various embodiments are described for skipping, filtering, or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the stream, wherein the stream has segments of a show interspersed with commercial breaks. A method for processing the stream determines that a commercial break is currently being output for presentation, and monitors for receipt of a user-initiated command to skip the commercial break. When a user-initiated skip command is received during the commercial break, the method automatically skips to a location in the stream that is at or near an end of the commercial break, and seamlessly continues presentation of the stream from that location. If a skip command is not received during output of the commercial break, then output of the current commercial break continues as usual. This methodology is repeated for all subsequent commercial breaks in the stream. | 04-17-2014 |
20140282722 | GEOGRAPHICALLY INDEPENDENT DETERMINATION OF SEGMENT BOUNDARIES WITHIN A VIDEO STREAM - A method for creating an announcement stream for a geographic region is provided. The method receives, at a designated computer system, characterizing metadata for a first audio/video stream; analyzes a second audio/video stream to obtain characterizing metadata for the second video stream; compares, with the computer system, the characterizing metadata for the first video stream to the characterizing metadata for the second video stream to generate offset data; and calculates timing information corresponding to segment boundaries for the second video stream using the offset data. | 09-18-2014 |
20140289762 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING SUBSITUTE CONTENT IN AN AUDIO/VIDEO STREAM USING TEXT DATA - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user. | 09-25-2014 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090129747 | Methods and Apparatus for Displaying Information Regarding Interstitials of a Video Stream - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for presenting information regarding interstitials of a video stream. A recording of a television show may include segments of the show interspersed with interstitials (e.g., commercials). The location of the interstitials within the recording is identified, and the locations of the interstitials are presented in progress bar during presentation of the video stream. The location of the interstitials may also be utilized to determine durations of the interstitials, and provide a user with information regarding the lengths of the interstitials of a recording, and/or the length of the other content of a recording (e.g., segments of a television show). | 05-21-2009 |
20090133092 | Methods and Apparatus for Filtering Content in a Video Stream Using Text Data - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping and/or filtering content from a video stream using text data associated with the video stream. The text data is parsed using metadata to identify portions of the video stream to skip during presentation, and/or to identify portions of the video stream to present to a user. The portions of the video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the video stream, and the filtered video stream is presented to a user. | 05-21-2009 |
20100158484 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FILTERING AND INSERTING CONTENT INTO A PRESENTATION STREAM USING SIGNATURE DATA - Described herein are methods and apparatus for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within a presentation stream are identified using signature data associated with the presentation stream. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as segments of a show and interstitials (e.g., commercials) of the show. The identified portions of a presentation stream may then be utilized for filtering segments of content during presentation. Additionally, supplemental content is identified and inserted into the presentation stream during presentation. | 06-24-2010 |
20100162291 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FILTERING CONTENT FROM A PRESENTATION STREAM USING SIGNATURE DATA - Described herein are methods and apparatus for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within a presentation stream are identified using signature data associated with the presentation stream. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as segments of a show and interstitials (e.g., commercials) of the show. The identified portions of a presentation stream may then be utilized for filtering segments of content during presentation. | 06-24-2010 |
20100162344 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING SEGMENTS OF CONTENT IN A PRESENTATION STREAM USING SIGNATURE DATA - Described herein are methods and apparatus for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within a presentation stream are identified using signature data associated with the presentation stream. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as logical chapters, scenes or other sections of the content. The identified segments of the presentation stream may then be selectably viewed by a user. | 06-24-2010 |
20100195972 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR IDENTIFYING PORTIONS OF A VIDEO STREAM BASED ON CHARACTERISTICS OF THE VIDEO STREAM - The various embodiments described herein generally provide for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within an audio/video stream are identified by processing associated text data using autonomous location information referencing the text data. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as segments of a show and interstitials of the show. Processing is then performed to determine whether the identified boundaries possess specific characteristics. If the identified boundaries do not possess the identified characteristics, then additional processing is performed to identify other locations, temporally near the identified boundaries, which correspond with boundaries of the portion of the audio/video stream identified by the autonomous location information. | 08-05-2010 |
20100322592 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODIFYING THE PRESENTATION OF CONTENT - Described herein are methods and apparatus for the identification of locations in a presentation stream based on metadata associated with the presentation stream. Locations within a presentation stream are identified using location information and/or signature data associated with the presentation stream. The identified locations within a presentation stream may be utilized to identify boundaries of segments within the presentation stream, such as segments of a show. The boundaries of the segments may then be utilized to change the volume of segments or playback a segment at a non-real time presentation rate. | 12-23-2010 |
20120057847 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FILTERING CONTENT IN A VIDEO STREAM USING CLOSED CAPTIONING DATA - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping and/or filtering content from a video stream using closed captioning data associated with the video stream. The closed captioning data is parsed using metadata to identify portions of the video stream to skip during presentation, and/or to identify portions of the video stream to output to a user. The portions of the video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the video stream, and the filtered video stream is presented to a user. | 03-08-2012 |
20120057848 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING INTERSTITIAL BREAKS IN A PROGRESS BAR OF A VIDEO STREAM - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for presenting information regarding interstitials of a video stream. A recording of a television show may include segments of the show interspersed with interstitials (e.g., commercials). The location of the interstitials within the recording is identified, and the locations of the interstitials are presented in progress bar during presentation of the video stream. The location of the interstitials may also be utilized to determine durations of the interstitials, and provide a user with information regarding the lengths of the interstitials of a recording, and/or the length of the other content of a recording (e.g., segments of a television show). | 03-08-2012 |
20120169928 | Network Media Device with Code Recognition - One embodiment may take the form of a network media device including a processing unit configured to execute instructions stored on one or more storage media, and a first communication component coupled to the processing unit and configured to receive a video signal over an audio/video interface from a broadcast receiver. The video signal may include an image code including identifying information regarding the broadcast receiver. The processing unit may be configured to process the image code to extract the identifying information. A second communication component may be coupled to the processing unit and configured to transmit control signals based on the identifying information of the broadcast receiver. | 07-05-2012 |
20130051764 | ALTERING PRESENTATION OF RECEIVED CONTENT BASED ON USE OF CLOSED CAPTIONING ELEMENTS AS REFERENCE LOCATIONS - A content receiver receives an captioning element and positional information regarding segments of a content instance. The captioning element corresponds to a component of captioning data included in content that can be utilized with the positional information to locate where the segments stop and/or start. The content receiver analyzes the content based on the captioning element and the positional information and alters how the content will be presented. Such alteration may involve skipping and/or deleting segments, starting/stopping presentation of content other than at the beginning and/or end of the content, altering recording timers, and/or replacing segments with alternative segments. In some implementations, the content may be recorded as part of recording multiple content instances received via at least one broadcast from a content provider wherein the multiple content instances are all included in a same frequency band of the broadcast and are all encoded utilizing a same control word. | 02-28-2013 |
20130051773 | Automatically Recording Supplemental Content - A content provider transmits instructions to a content receiver to record multiple instances of content. The instances of content are included in the same frequency band of a broadcast transmitted by the content provider via a first communication link and scrambled utilizing the same control word. The content provider determines to supplement the multiple instances of content and transmits an instruction to record a supplemental instance of content from a second content provider via a second communication link. The content receiver receives the instructions and accordingly receives, descrambles, and stores the multiple instances of content and the supplemental instance of content. In some implementations, the first communication link may be a satellite communication link and the second communication link may be a different type of communication link such as a terrestrial broadcast communication link and/or an Internet protocol communication link. | 02-28-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130223814 | ALTERING PRESENTATION OF RECEIVED CONTENT BASED ON USE OF CLOSED CAPTIONING ELEMENTS AS REFERENCE LOCATIONS - A content receiver receives an captioning element and positional information regarding segments of a content instance. The captioning element corresponds to a component of captioning data included in content that can be utilized with the positional information to locate where the segments stop and/or start. The content receiver analyzes the content based on the captioning element and the positional information and alters how the content will be presented. Such alteration may involve skipping and/or deleting segments, starting/stopping presentation of content other than at the beginning and/or end of the content, altering recording timers, and/or replacing segments with alternative segments. In some implementations, the content may be recorded as part of recording multiple content instances received via at least one broadcast from a content provider wherein the multiple content instances are all included in a same frequency band of the broadcast and are all encoded utilizing a same control word. | 08-29-2013 |
20130243399 | Television Receiver Storage Management - Various arrangements for managing television programming storage at a television receiver are presented. User input specifying a number of days for retention of each managed array of a plurality of managed arrays of television channels to be recorded by the television receiver may be received. A television service provider may select a plurality of television channels for recording as the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. Also, the television service provider may define times for recording of the plurality of television channels of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels. A first amount of storage space for storage of the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be calculated based on the number of days for retention. The first amount of storage space of a storage medium to the plurality of managed arrays of television channels may be allocated. | 09-19-2013 |
20130243401 | AUTOMATICALLY RECORDING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT - A content provider transmits instructions to a content receiver to record multiple instances of content. The instances of content are included in the same frequency band of a broadcast transmitted by the content provider via a first communication link and scrambled utilizing the same control word. The content provider determines to supplement the multiple instances of content and transmits an instruction to record a supplemental instance of content from a second content provider via a second communication link. The content receiver receives the instructions and accordingly receives, descrambles, and stores the multiple instances of content and the supplemental instance of content. In some implementations, the first communication link may be a satellite communication link and the second communication link may be a different type of communication link such as a terrestrial broadcast communication link and/or an Internet protocol communication link. | 09-19-2013 |
20140189736 | FAST CHANNEL CHANGE FROM ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE - Arrangements for preparing a television channel for presentation are presented. A set of one or more tuners that are idle may be identified. Being idle may correspond to not being used to receive any television channel data for presentation or recording. An electronic programming guide that indicates programming may be output for presentation. One or more television channels may be selected for preparation. The television channels may be selected based at least in part on one or more electronic programming guide operations and/or prior to receiving user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner, to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the television channels for presentation. | 07-03-2014 |
20140189739 | USING IDLE RESOURCES TO REDUCE CHANNEL CHANGE TIMES - Arrangements for preparing a television channel for presentation are presented. A tuner of a television receiver may tune to a first television channel and the first television channel may be output for presentation. One or more idle tuners of the television receiver may be identified. One or more television channels other than the first television channel may be selected for preparation. The one or more television channels may be selected prior to receiving user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the one or more television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner of the one or more idle tuners, to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. | 07-03-2014 |