Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090113493 | HANDLING OF INFORMATION GENERATED WITHIN A RECEIVER OF A BROADCAST COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A broadcast communication system is presented which includes a broadcast communication transmitter, a broadcast communication receiver, and an information processor. The broadcast communication receiver is configured to receive programming from the broadcast communication transmitter. The receiver is also configured to generate information relating to the operation of the broadcast communicate receiver. In addition, the receiver is configured to connect to the information processor and transfer the information thereto during a time period in accordance with user input accepted by the receiver. The information processor is configured to receive and process the information. | 04-30-2009 |
20090119534 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EMPLOYING A CONTROLLED MODIFICATION CURRENT TIME VALUE - A method for employing a controlled-modification current time value is presented. In the method, the current time value is maintained. Also, requests for modification of the current time value are received. The requests are processed so that the requested modification associated with one of the requests is immediately incorporated into the current time value, and so that the requested modification associated with another one of the requests is not immediately incorporated into the current time value. | 05-07-2009 |
20090136028 | SECURE CONTENT DISTRIBUTION APPARATUS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS - Various embodiments facilitate program content access management. One embodiment is a system with a secure content provider communicatively coupled to a first system and a second system, operable to stream encrypted content over the first system, and operable to communicate access control information over the second system; and a receiving device coupled to the first system and the second system, operable to receive the encrypted program content from the first system, operable to receive the access control information over the second system such that the encrypted program content is decrypted based on the access control information to generate program content, and operable to communicate the program content to a presentation device. | 05-28-2009 |
20090158313 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILTERING BROADCAST COMMUNICATION BASED ON VIEWING CONTEXT - A video control system for displaying video products within a current viewing context is designed to receive, via a broadcast communication, a video product and product information for the video product. The product information includes an intended viewing context for the video product. The video control system processes the product information and filters the video product based on a comparison of the intended viewing context and the current viewing context. | 06-18-2009 |
20100100581 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DELIVERING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT ASSOCIATED WITH AUDIO/VISUAL CONTENT TO A USER - A method for delivering supplemental content associated with audio/visual content to a user of the audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content and the supplemental content are received. The audio/visual content is then transferred as a stream to a first device for presentation to the user. The supplemental content is transferred to a second device for presentation to the user. The transferred supplemental content is organized into segments, wherein each of the segments is to be presented by the second device to the user in synchronization with the presentation of a corresponding portion of the audio/visual content. | 04-22-2010 |
20120042247 | USER-SELECTED MEDIA CONTENT BLOCKING - Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream. | 02-16-2012 |
20120163774 | USER-SELECTED INTERSTITIAL MEDIA CONTENT RECORDING - Presented herein is a method of recording user-selected interstitial media content, such as a television commercial. In the method, a media content stream is presented to a user. The media content stream includes an interstitial segment within a media content segment, such as a television program. In a media content segment listing, such as an electronic program guide, the media content segment is listed, but the interstitial segment is not. While the media content stream is presented, the stream is buffered. During or after the interstitial segment is being presented to the user, a command is received from the user to record the interstitial segment. In response to the command, beginning and ending points of the buffered interstitial segment are identified. The buffered interstitial segment is stored as a persistent recording based on the starting and ending points, and the persistent recording is distinguished from the media content segment. | 06-28-2012 |
20130138781 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DELIVERING SUPPLEMENTAL CONTENT ASSOCIATED WITH AUDIO/VISUAL CONTENT TO A USER - A method for delivering supplemental content associated with audio/visual content to a user of the audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content and the supplemental content are received. The audio/visual content is then transferred as a stream to a first device for presentation to the user. The supplemental content is transferred to a second device for presentation to the user. The transferred supplemental content is organized into segments, wherein each of the segments is to be presented by the second device to the user in synchronization with the presentation of a corresponding portion of the audio/visual content. | 05-30-2013 |
20130283173 | USER-SELECTED MEDIA CONTENT BLOCKING - Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream. | 10-24-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090083782 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PARENTAL CONTROL SETTINGS IN MULTIPLE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES - Parental control settings may be managed between multiple entertainment devices, such as digital televisions (DTVs). A system includes a first entertainment device and a second entertainment device. The first entertainment device is configured to selectively block content based on a first set of parental control settings, and the second entertainment device configured to selectively block content based on a second set of parental control settings. The first entertainment device is configured to transmit the first set of parental control settings to the second entertainment device, and the second entertainment device is configured to receive the first set of parental control settings and to modify the second set of parental control settings such that they are substantially equivalent to the first set of parental control settings. | 03-26-2009 |
20090089826 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING PARENTAL CONTROL INFORMATION IN MULTIPLE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICES - Parental control settings may be managed between multiple entertainment devices, such as digital televisions (DTVs). A system includes a first entertainment device and a second entertainment device. The first entertainment device is configured to selectively block content based on a first set of parental control settings, and the second entertainment device configured to selectively block content based on a second set of parental control settings. The first entertainment device is configured to receive a parental control modification command from the second entertainment device; invoke a security mechanism in response to the parental control modification command such that the parental control modification command is authenticated or unauthenticated; and modify the first set of parental control settings consistent with the parental control modification command if the parental control modification command is authenticated. | 04-02-2009 |
20090089855 | Systems and Methods for Communications Between Client Devices of a Broadcast System - Systems and methods may provide for communication between a plurality of client devices of a broadcast system. The communication may be, for example, a recommendation of a program that is communicated from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers via their client devices. The communication also may be a comment regarding a program, for example, recently viewed at the client device of the one subscriber. In general, the communication may be a message from one subscriber to another subscriber or subscribers. Further, the communication may be configured to perform a function on one or more other client devices. Such a function may include, but is not limited to, setting a timer to record a program, ordering or purchasing a program or service, cancelling an ordered/purchased program or service, setting or altering user preferences, controlling access to channels, etc. | 04-02-2009 |
20090167940 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING TEXT DATA DURING TRICK PLAY MODE OF VIDEO CONTENT - Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for presenting text data (e.g., closed captioning data) during trick play mode presentation of a video stream. An analyzed file of the text data is provided on a digital video recorder (DVR), and during trick play mode, text data corresponding to video frames of a video stream is retrieved from the analyzed file and outputted for presentation by the presentation device. | 07-02-2009 |
20100188572 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CLOSED CAPTIONING IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGERY - Systems and methods are presented for processing three-dimensional (3D or 3-D) or pseudo-3D programming. The programming includes closed caption (CC) information that includes caption data and a location identifier that specifies a location for the caption data within the 3D programming. The programming information is processed to render the caption data at the specified location and to present the programming on the display. By encoding location identification information into the three-dimensional programming, a high level of configurability can be provided and the 3D experience can be preserved while captions are displayed. | 07-29-2010 |
20120296745 | USING A MEDIA CONTENT RECEIVER TO PROVIDE PROMOTIONAL INFORMATION TO A MOBILE DEVICE - A method of communicating promotional information to a mobile device begins by determining that a user of a media content receiver is likely to be interested in an advertised item. In response to the determination, the method obtains promotional information related to the advertised item, generates a message that includes the promotional information, and communicates the message from the media content receiver in a manner intended for wireless receipt by the mobile device. In certain situations, the message includes or identifies an electronic coupon for the advertised item, and the message is directly transmitted in a wireless format from the media content receiver to the mobile device. | 11-22-2012 |
20130002833 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CLOSED CAPTIONING IN THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGERY - Systems and methods are presented for processing three-dimensional (3D or 3-D) or pseudo-3D programming. The programming includes closed caption (CC) information that includes caption data and a location identifier that specifies a location for the caption data within the 3D programming. The programming information is processed to render the caption data at the specified location and to present the programming on the display. By encoding location identification information into the three-dimensional programming, a high level of configurability can be provided and the 3D experience can be preserved while captions are displayed. | 01-03-2013 |