389 results about "Media channel" patented technology

Signals associated with a media channel can convey programming to a television system. The programming can comprise segments of entertainment content and segments of commercial or advertising content. The signals can comprise distinctive waveform features between the segments of entertainment content and advertising content. For example, an abrupt change in the amplitude or phase of the waveform can provide an indication of a transition between a segment of entertainment content and a segment of advertising content. A signal processing system can monitor or analyze the signals to detect the distinctive waveform features. In response to detecting a feature and determining that the media channel has transitioned between conveying entertainment content and conveying commercial content, a media control system can present alternative or replacement content on the television system. The alternative content can comprise interactive advertising, for example.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method. The method includes assigning a unique telephone number to an advertiser; providing an advertisement on a media channel on behalf of the advertiser, the advertisement including one of the unique telephone number and a reference to the unique telephone number; monitoring telephone calls to the unique telephone number; and billing the advertiser for telephone calls to the unique telephone number in accordance with a predefined model.

A system for adaptive call management, comprising a network-connected call manager server and a call switching means coupled to the call manager server and adapted to deliver calls to a selected target via a plurality of media channels, wherein upon receipt of a call quality indicium from a call quality monitoring means associated a media channel, the call manager server selects a specific media channel, is disclosed.

Aspects of the may be found in a method for providing a customized media channel and may comprise creating a channel guide for a new media channel and populating the channel guide for the new media channel with information identifying mixed media content. In this regard, the mixed media content may comprise at least one personal media content and at least one broadcast media content. The mixed media content as identified in the channel guide may be communicated over the mixed media channel. The populated channel guide may be displayed, with the information identifying the mixed media content, for example in a text format or a graphical user interface (GUI). The channel guide may be a representation of information for a mixed media channel. In any case, the method may also comprise receiving broadcast media content from at least one third (3rd) party broadcaster or other media provider.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus to track demand partners in a pay-per call performance based advertising system. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include assigning at least one telephonic reference to an advertiser, the reference is to be included in an advertisement on a media channel of a demand partner. The advertiser is assessed a charge based at least in part on telephonic connections to the advertiser via the telephonic reference. The demand partner tracked with a predefined tracking model based at least in part on activity related to the telephonic reference.

The invention includes a communication network that comprises a conforming emergency system coupled to an emergency services network by a media channel. The emergency services network includes a resource coupled to a plurality of emergency services. When in operation, the conforming emergency system transmits an emergency event message to the resource over the media channel. The emergency event message includes a retrieval key. Responsive to receiving the emergency event message and the retrieval key, the resource initiates an emergency event session corresponding with the retrieval key. During the emergency event session, the resource transmits multiple responses to the conforming emergency system. Also during the emergency event session, the resource receives information corresponding with the retrieval key from at least one of the emergency services, and transmits the multiple responses containing the information.

In one embodiment, the invention provides a method. The method includes assigning a unique telephone number to an advertiser; providing an advertisement on a media channel on behalf of the advertiser, the advertisement including one of the unique telephone number and a reference to the unique telephone number; monitoring telephone calls to the unique telephone number; and billing the advertiser for telephone calls to the unique telephone number in accordance with a predefined model.

A computerized method and apparatus for providing a virtual media channel based on media search is featured. The method and apparatus features the steps of, or structure for, obtaining a set of rules that define instructions for obtaining media content that comprise the content for a media channel, the set including at least one rule with instructions to include media content resulting from a search; searching for candidate media content according to a search query defined by the at least one rule; and merging one or more of the candidate media content resulting from the search into the content for the media channel. The candidate media content can include segments of the media content resulting from the search. The set of rules can additionally include a rule with instructions to add media content from a predetermined location.

A profile includes an indication of one or more topics of interest. A mixing server is configured to create a custom media channel based on the profile. A playback application is configured to provide the custom media channel upon a request from a user, wherein the custom media channel includes more than one item of multimedia content.

The invention includes a communication network for rotating media channels between resources of an emergency services network and a conforming emergency system (CES). A conforming emergency system and one of the resources of the emergency services network dynamically establish a first media channel between one another over a transport network. With the first media channel established, the conforming emergency system and the resource exchange messages over the first media channel to facilitate the CES in handling emergency events. Responsive to a triggering event, the CES and one of the resources (the same or another resource) dynamically establish a second media channel between one another over the transport network. With the second media channel established, the conforming emergency system and the resource exchange messages over the second media channel to facilitate the CES in handling emergency events. The first media channel may be torn down.

A contact routing system is disclosed comprising: a plurality of media connectors which receive incoming customer contacts from an equal plurality of media channels; and contact routing logic which routes the incoming contacts to particular customer service representatives (“CSRs”) based on the particular media channel over which the contacts were received and the skill sets of the CSRs.Also described is a method for routing customer contacts comprising the steps of: receiving incoming customer contacts from a plurality of media channels; and routing the incoming customer contacts particular customer service representatives (“CSRs”) based on the media channel over which the contacts are received and the skill sets of the particular CSRs.

Methods and systems for creation, distribution, and providing advertising in video content over a network or communications medium such as via the Internet.

The invention includes a communication network that comprises a conforming emergency system coupled to an emergency services network by a media channel. The emergency services network includes a resource coupled to a plurality of emergency services. When in operation, the conforming emergency system transmits an emergency event message to the resource over the media channel. The emergency event message includes a retrieval key. Responsive to receiving the emergency event message and the retrieval key, the resource initiates an emergency event session corresponding with the retrieval key. During the emergency event session, the resource transmits multiple responses to the conforming emergency system. Also during the emergency event session, the resource receives information corresponding with the retrieval key from at least one of the emergency services, and transmits the multiple responses containing the information.

The invention reduces the user-perceived time of switching multimedia channels in a unicast communications system. This shortening of the switch procedure is obtained by reducing the buffering of the multimedia data in the data buffer of a user terminal. A reduced media buffering results in that multimedia data of the new channel will be rendered in the user terminal in a much shorter period of time. A multimedia provider communicating the multimedia data to the terminal determines a reduced transmission rate that will be temporarily employed for obtaining the buffering reduction. This reduced rate is lower than the normally employed transmission rate and lower than the rendering rate of the media player of the terminal. Consequently, the terminal buffer will be emptying in a faster rate than it is replenished and a buffer level reduction is obtained.

One embodiment of the present invention provides a method and apparatus to track demand partners in a pay-per call performance based advertising system. In one embodiment, the method and apparatus include assigning at least one telephonic reference to an advertiser, the reference is to be included in an advertisement on a media channel of a demand partner. The advertiser is assessed a charge based at least in part on telephonic connections to the advertiser via the telephonic reference. The demand partner tracked with a predefined tracking model based at least in part on activity related to the telephonic reference.

A content-provider entity provides content to media channels established in respect of a network communication session. The content-provider entity has a transport subsystem for establishing media channel connections to a session transport mechanism in accordance with channel type and connection details received by the entity. The content-provider entity also has a media subsystem providing a respective media handler of appropriate type for each media channel connection established by the transport subsystem. Each media handler is responsible for delivering media content of its associated type from a media source to the corresponding channel connection. A delivery controller of the media subsystem controls the selection and delivery of media content through the media handlers in dependence on context data supplied to the content-provider entity.

An object-oriented system for managing multiple media types in a communication center environment has a multimedia queuing system, a processor for processing events in the queue, an interaction server for selecting media type or event types, a resource manager for reporting availability of a resource access point, and a data store for storing client information about media types available to the client and historical information about success of past use of those media types. In a preferred application, the system processes and routes incoming events of known media type to access points defined as systems or agents based in part on media channel availability of the access point, and wherein the system selects a media channel or channels for certain events in queue that are not pre-dedicated as specific media type events but are generated outbound or internal proactive contact events. For proactive contact events, the system automatically selects a media channel for each event based on a combination of set preferences and predictions based on historical channel information relating to success channel connections to that client.

A gateway comprises a router module coupled between a local area network interface and a wide area network interface. The router module receives an outbound IP frame from the local area network interface and provides a corresponding translated outbound IP frame to the wide area network interface. The router module comprises a transport layer translation module for performing network address and port translation on an IP header of the outbound IP frame. The router module further comprises an application layer translation module for detecting the presence of media session signaling information within payload of the outbound IP frame and performing network address translation and port translation of source network address information identified in the media session signaling information. Both the network address and port translation of the IP header and the network address and port translation of the source network address information are recorded in a translation table such that inbound frames may be reverse translated.

A system and method for establishing a shared secret media key between each of a caller endpoint and a callee endpoint for securing a real time media channel comprises: i) establishing a caller authenticated signaling session with the caller endpoint using a caller shared secret authentication key and a symmetric encryption algorithm; and ii) establishing a callee authenticated signaling session with the callee endpoint using a callee shared secret authentication key and the symmetric encryption algorithm. A caller public value is received from the caller endpoint through the caller authenticated signaling session and sent to the callee endpoint through the callee authenticated signaling session. The caller public value is a public value of a pair of values generated by the caller endpoint and useful for calculating a shared secret media key. A callee public value is received from the callee endpoint through the callee authenticated signaling session and sent to the caller endpoint through the caller authenticated signaling session. The callee public value is a public value of a pair of values generated by the callee endpoint and useful for calculating a shared secret media key. Both the caller endpoint and the callee endpoint calculate the shared secret media key using Diffie-Hellman techniques.

There is provided, in a first form, a system and method for the holistic presentation of multiple media queue depths, which allows the customer to decide what media channel they want to use to make a call based on resource availability across multiple media. Further, this embodiment allows the call center to “cost” media channel services based on their business rules, salaries, calculated return on relationship, cost of different services, etc.

The present invention relates to establishing a media channel and a signaling channel between a client and a server. The media channel uses a chosen codec and protocol for communication. Through the media channel and signaling channel, an application on the client can utilize speech services on the server.

Idle video-on-demand (VOD) and / or other streaming media channel capacity is used to deliver promotional content to selected set-top boxes (STBs) in a cable television network. Commercial segment cues are used to instruct a set-top box to switch away from a broadcast program to the streaming media channel during a commercial segment, and then switch back again to the original broadcast program at the end of the segment.More particularly, a promotion server determines an asset to be distributed such as a targeted promotion item (e.g., a commercial), and a list of STBs that are to receive it. The promotion server causes the video promotion content to be stored in VOD / streaming media servers located at the head ends. A scheduler process then delivers schedule messages to head end message servers which identify each promotion asset, and an STB which is to receive it. The head end message server notifies its associated VOD / streaming media server which then cues the asset by loading the asset, starting the asset, but pausing it. Prior to the occurrence of a commercial slot in a broadcast program, an asset trigger is inserted into the broadcast stream at the head end. This asset trigger contains general information concerning the asset to be sent, and an idle VOD / streaming media channel number. The STB receives the asset trigger and readies itself to tune to the VOD / streaming media channel when cued for at the beginning of a commercial segment, but does not yet tune to the VOD / streaming media channel. Upon detection of a commercial cue tone in the broadcast channel, the head end message server sends a tune away trigger to the STB, and also instructs the VOD / streaming media server to start playing the cued promotion. When the STB receives a tune away trigger, it switches from the broadcast channel being played to the selected idle VOD / streaming media channel, and the promotion is viewed.

A system and method for creating a virtual media channel including video, audio, multimedia, or other data, at or near the point of reception by end users remotely controls an operation of an end user receiving device. The present invention remotely controls an input source selection at the end user receiving device in a coordinated manner. These input sources may include terrestrial digital broadcast stations, direct broadcast satellites, other broadband data networks, data stored at the end user receiving device, internet content, multimedia files, and other programs or programming. By synchronizing the delivery of programs and programming from various sources and by remotely controlling the input source selection of the end user receiving device, the present invention provides for highly efficient integration of local and national broadcast signals, programs or programming available on other broadband networks, and programs and programming stored at the end user's receiving device. In particular, the present invention provides for the dynamic integration of programming originating from multiple sources, including integration of locally-originated programming with the programming of national program networks delivered by direct broadcast satellite providers or other satellite systems on a market-by-market basis. The present invention further provides for the direct addressing of individual end user receiving devices, allowing the creation of virtual channels of programming or other data that is unique to each end user or to certain classes of end users.

Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing media channel services are disclosed. A method includes provisioning an Internet-Protocol (IP)-enabled media channel in response to a request to create a media channel account, which includes creating an account record for the media channel account, assigning a media device identifier to the account record, assigning a network address to the IP-based media channel, and storing the network address in the account record. The method also includes populating a storage system with editable and non-editable content. The editable content is received and controlled by a user of the media channel account via a media device, and the non-editable content is controlled by a network media services application. The method further includes creating and presenting a media channel page that includes the editable and non-editable content in response to a request by the user to initiate a session for the channel.

Remotely controlling Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) client functionality via WebRTC data channels, and related methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed. In this regard, in one embodiment, a method for remotely controlling WebRTC client functionality comprises establishing, by a first WebRTC client executing on a first computing device and a second WebRTC client executing on a second computing device, a WebRTC media channel between the first WebRTC client and the second WebRTC client. The method further comprises establishing, between the first WebRTC client and the second WebRTC client, a WebRTC data channel affiliated with the WebRTC media channel. The method also comprises receiving, by the second WebRTC client, a client control signal originating from the first WebRTC client via the WebRTC data channel. The method additionally comprises, responsive to receiving the client control signal via the WebRTC data channel, modifying a functionality associated with the second WebRTC client.

A conferencing system and method includes, during the conference session, invoking an interactive voice response (IVR) routine that provides names of one or more conference participants to a user of an audio-only endpoint device responsive to a request from the user to create a sidebar session. An invitation to join the sidebar session is then communicated to each of one or more participants selected by the user, the invitation being communicated via a private media channel separate from a media stream associated with the conference session. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Verification of privacy of Web Real-Time Communications (WebRTC) media channels via corresponding WebRTC data channels, and related methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed. In this regard, in one embodiment, a method for verifying privacy of a WebRTC media channel comprises establishing the WebRTC media channel between first and second WebRTC clients using a keying material. The method further comprises establishing a corresponding WebRTC data channel between the first and second WebRTC clients using the keying material, and negotiating, in the WebRTC data channel, a cryptographic key exchange. The method also comprises generating a first and a second Short Authentication String (SAS) based on the cryptographic key exchange in the WebRTC data channel. The method further comprises displaying the first SAS and the second SAS, such that a mismatch between the first SAS and the second SAS indicates an existence of a man-in-the-middle (MitM) attacker.

In a content delivery network, a client-side graphical user interface displays a plurality of media widgets associated with a plurality of user-selectable media channels and a plurality of device widgets associated with a plurality of user-selectable client devices. A user control is configurable for interacting with the media widgets and the device widgets, and enables a user to move a presentation of a selected media channel from a first client device to at least a second client device. A media channel processor configures the selected media channel for presentation on the client devices.

Network-based content distribution is improved by controlling the flow of multimedia data and streaming characteristics to ensure real-time, consistent delivery. An adaptive media distribution system includes at least one original source of a media channel, a plurality of content playback devices, and one or more stream controllers disposed between the original sources and the playback devices. Each media channel provides audio and / or video content on one or more switchable streams, each stream being encoded with different characteristics such as bitrate. The stream controllers receive streams and determine how the streams should be allocated to the playback devices so as to provide consistent delivery of the content in accordance with playback demand and the stream attributes or information.

An IP telephony gateway and a media server are configured for changing media streams during an existing call according to the voice over IP (H.323) protocol, where a first H.245 media channel configured for transmitting a first media stream at a corresponding first compression such as G.723 or G.729A is closed and a second H.245 media channel configured for transmitting a second media stream at a corresponding second compression such as G.711 is opened during the same H.225 call.