524 results about "Program segment" patented technology

A system and method of optimizing transmission of a program to multiple users over a distribution system, with particular application to video-on-demand for a CATV network. The system includes, at a head end of the CATV network a scheduling and routing computer for dividing the video program stored in long term fast storage or short term fast storage into a plurality of program segments, and a subscriber distribution node for transmitting the program segments in a redundant sequence in accordance with a scheduling algorithm. At a receiver of the CATV network there is provided a buffer memory for storing the transmitted video program segments for subsequent playback whereby, in use, the scheduling algorithm can ensure that a user's receiver will receive all of the program segments in a manner that will enable continuous playback in real time of the program. Under the control of controller the receiver distinguishes received program segments by a segment identifier so that redundant segments captured in capture memory are then stored in buffer memory from which the segments can be retrieved and decompressed in data compressor for immediate or subsequent viewing. In one embodiment, the method of this invention includes dividing at least some segments into fragments, and transmitting one fragment of each segment during a playback interval of a duration, for example, equal to a playback time of a segment.

A system provides evaluation of individual segments of a video program in accordance with a viewer's viewing preferences. The system included a server that receives production data for a program including descriptive information and timing information, and that generates individual metadata for each program segment. The system further includes a client device that receives the individual metadata and processes the metadata in accordance with a viewer profile to determine the desirability of each program segment for the viewer. The client device may record desirable segments or alert the viewer about desirable segments. The server may provide the metadata to the client through a programming event transmission system or through the internet. The metadata and viewer profile may utilize a classification hierarchy. A related device generates metadata for video program segments. The device receives production data for a program that includes descriptive information and timing information, determines time data and descriptive data for individual segments of the program, and generates individual metadata corresponding to each program segment. Each metadata comprises an identifier of the program, and time data and descriptive data for the program segment. The individual metadata for each segment of the program enables separate evaluation of each program segment with respect to a given viewer's viewing preferences. The metadata may utilize a classification hierarchy. Another related device provides metadata for segments of a video program to consumers. The device obtains production data for a program from production equipment in a production studio where the program is produced. The production data is provided to a metadata generator, which returns individual metadata corresponding to individual segments of the program. The individual metadata are provided for transmission through a programming event transmission system in advance of the corresponding program segments. The individual metadata enable separate evaluation of each program segment with respect to a given viewer's viewing preferences. The metadata may be encoded for transmission and may utilize a classification hierarchy. Related processes in the aforementioned devices are also disclosed.

An audiovisual system receives audiovisual data and includes a system controller and a storage device to store at least a portion of the audiovisual data for later playback. The audiovisual system further includes a marking module to create metadata in response to a control input for marking the program segments. The metadata includes the information regarding the program segments of the stored portion of the audiovisual data. The audiovisual system further includes a display generator to generate a mosaic representation of the program segments. The audiovisual system further includes a program selector to select a program segment in response to a user input. The selected program segment is selected based on the information of the metadata, whereby the audiovisual system selectively plays back selected program segments of the stored portion of the audiovisual data starting from selected program locations, thereby enabling a user to jump to and play back selected program segments.

Tags are inserted into a broadcast stream. The tags contain command and control information that a receiver acts upon. For example, tags may indicate start and end points of a program segment. The receiver may skip the segment automatically or in response to the viewer pressing a button. Or, the receiver may automatically replace commercial segments with new segments. As another example, menus, icons, and Web pages may be displayed based on tags. If a menu requires that the viewer exit from playback of program material, the receiver returns the viewer back to the same exit point when the interaction is complete. Menus and icons may be used to generate leads, generate sales, and schedule the recording of programs. As another example, an icon is displayed to indicate that an advertised program is available for recording. The viewer presses a single button to cause the receiver to schedule the recording.

Methods and systems that allow a user to notify other users in a community group about the availability of program segments in which the other users may have an interest are provided. In some embodiments, a user selection of a program segment of interest may be received using user equipment. A network may be searched for the location of the program segment, using the user equipment. A reference associated with the location of the program segment on the network may be created. The reference may be shared with a community of interested users, using the user equipment. The community of interested users may be notified about the program segment using the reference.

Systems and methods are provided for selectively suppressing advertisements and providing supplementary media content in place of the advertisements. A program (including program segments and supplementary media content) and advertisements are transmitted to a user device on two different channels. A database may be queried to determine whether the advertisement suppression feature is enabled for a particular user. For example, the user of the user device may subscribe to an advertisement suppression service and an enabled status may be stored in the database. If the status is enabled, the program segments and supplementary media content are provided to the user device without advertisements. If the status is disabled, the program segments and advertisements are provided to the user device without the supplementary media content.

The present invention may be regarded as a video recording system and method of enabling the recording of an external video data stream for a video program segment selected using an electronic program guide. The video recording system comprises a user interface that receives user input, a video input interface that receives the external video data stream for the selected video program segment, an isochronous interface connectable to an external rotating storage drive, and a video data management system. The video data management system uses the electronic program guide to select the video program segment in response to the user input. The video data management system recognizes connection of the external rotating storage drive to the video recording system and subsequently identifies the external rotating storage drive as available for video data storage. The video data management system uses the external video data stream for the video program segment to provide streaming video data, and routes at least a portion of the streaming video data to the external rotating storage drive via the isochronous interface in order to record the external video data stream for the video program segment.

An audio program and message distribution system in which a host system organizes and transmits program segments to client subscriber locations. The host organizes the program segments by subject matter and creates scheduled programming in accordance with preferences associated with each subscriber. Program segments are associated with descriptive subject matter segments, and the subject matter segments may be used to generate both text and audio cataloging presentations to enable the user to more easily identify and select desirable programming. A playback unit at the subscriber location reproduces the program segments received from the host and includes mechanisms for interactively navigating among the program segments. A usage log is compiled to record the subscriber's use of the provided program materials, to return data to the host for billing, to adaptively modify the subscriber's preferences based on actual usage, and to send subscriber-generated comments and requests to the host for processing. Voice input and control mechanisms included in the player allow the user to perform hands-free navigation of the program materials and to dictate comments and messages which are returned to the host for retransmission to other subscribers. The program segments sent to each subscriber may include advertising materials which the user can selectively play to obtain credits against the subscriber fee. Parallel audio and text transcript files for at least selected programming enable subject matter searching and synchronization of the audio and text files. Speech synthesis may be used to convert transcript files into audio format. Image files may also be transmitted from the server for synchronized playback with the audio programming.

A method of providing programming content from a video server to a client coupled to the video server by a video content network includes the steps of sending, to the client, a playlist describing an interrelationship between at least one program segment and at least one related segment; sending, from the video server to the client over the video content network, video content comprising the at least one program segment and the at least one related segment; and modifying the playlist via communication to the client. The steps of sending the playlist, sending the content, and modifying the playlist are all accomplished within a single video-on-demand session per user.

A client terminal to provide a video program on demand to a client is connected to a video distribution system and a display device. The video distribution system (VDS) broadcasts a video program to the client terminal including an initial program segment (IPS) and a remaining program segment (RPS). The IPS is broadcast during a first broadcast time interval (FBTI) and the RPS is repetetively broadcast during a second broadcast time interval (SBTI). A terminal controller of the client terminal is responsive to a video control program. During the FBTI, the terminal controller records the IPS in a local memory. During the SBTI, the terminal controller selects the video program in response to a user input and displays the recorded IPS. Further, the terminal controller receives the RPS from the VDS and records it in the local memory. After displaying the recorded IPS, the terminal controller displays the recorded RPS.

A method and system for simulating the execution of a software program on a simulated hardware system. An instrumented software program is divided into program segments delineated by tags and is then analyzed for data describing the program segments. The data is tabulated and indexed in a function data table according to the program segments. Hardware parameters that at least define a portion of the simulated hardware system are tabulated in a hardware configuration file. The software program is executed on a host system, and when a tag is executed, data indexed in the function data table under the program segment corresponding to the executed tag and hardware parameters tabulated in the hardware configuration file are used to calculate an estimated execution time for the program segment corresponding to the executed tag. The estimated execution time for the program segment is added to a running total for the overall execution time of the software program. The system includes a memory for storing software parameters describing program segments of the software program, and for storing hardware parameters that at least partially define the simulated hardware system. The system further includes a processor for calculating an estimated execution time for the software program using the software and hardware parameters.

A method and system is provided for processing a program stream for interactive viewing, wherein the program stream includes programming content relating to a program having a plurality of program segments. The program stream is received and divided into at least one block comprising an expanse of the program stream. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a block is measured based upon the normal play time of the programming content, or some other predefined measurement. A determination is then made as to whether the block comprises at least one complete program segment. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a program segment is a logical portion of TV show or movie, such as a specific story of a news show, a scene in a movie, etc. Upon identifying one or more programming segments, these segment(s) may be made available for interactive viewing prior to receiving the end of the program. In another embodiment of the invention, a determination is made as to whether the block comprises an ending portion—but incomplete portion—of a program segment. In such instance, segment portions from multiple blocks may be accessed and appended to form a complete segment which may then be made available for interactive viewing. In yet another embodiment of the invention, content derived from blocks associated with a program segment may be combined with additional content relating to the program segment, even though the additional content is not within the plurality of blocks.

A method and apparatus are provided for distributing programming. A first set of program segments is transmitted according to a schedule of programming. A second set of program segments is stored on a server, with at least one of the first set of program segments having a counterpart in the second set of program segments. A database is maintained that records user authorizations to program segments on the server. A request from a user for program control of a particular program segment is detected and a determination is made whether to grant program control to the user.

An automated playlist chaser (APC) improves the recovery time and robustness of playlists to component failures and / or human errors in a content sourcing and editing environment. Following detection and correction of an error in a content sourcing subsystem controlled by a playlist, the APC retrieves a last known good playlist from a playlist archive and automatically builds a new playlist for resynchronization of the subsystem. Building the new playlist involves iteratively solving for the first new program segment entry in the new playlist and the new “on-air time,”“start-of message,” and “duration” attributes for the entry as a function of a reference time (e.g., the present time of day), the original on-air time for the entry, the subsystem recovery time, the APC processing time, and the queuing delay of the audio-video source for the program segment.

The present invention provides a method and system for providing a bandwidth allocation scheduler for media delivery. The present invention includes determining an available bandwidth for file transmission for a time interval, and allocating at least a portion of the available bandwidth to at least one file transmission task, wherein a different amount of the available bandwidth may be allocated to each of the at least one file transmission tasks. The bandwidth allocation scheduler in accordance with the present invention comprises a set of program segments that provides fast, deterministic real-time scheduling for the allocation of bandwidth for file transmissions. It allows the bandwidth allocated to a delivery to vary according to the amount of bandwidth available. A different amount of bandwidth may be allocated to each individual file transmission task. Higher priority transmissions may be allocated bandwidth before allocation to lower priority file transmissions. The maximum bit rate of the slowest addressed receiver may be considered in allocating the bandwidth. Moreover, the customer can choose between different allocation strategies. Thus, the bandwidth allocation scheduler in accordance with the present invention reduces waste in bandwidth in media delivery, which in turn reduces costs for a customer.

Methods and apparatus that facilitate watching of programming content on a secondary channel during a program segment, e.g., commercial break or program portion which is not of interest to a user, on a primary channel are described. In various embodiments when a user switches to a secondary channel during a program segment, the switch is detected and the program on the primary channel continues to be received and buffered while the content from the secondary channel is output to the display. The program segment on the primary channel may be a commercial break including one or more commercials or a portion of a program identified as a segment in information communicated with the program or via out of band signaling. The end of the segment on the primary channel is detected and the user is notified or automatically switched back to the primary channel at the end of the segment.

An improved system and method for enabling the insertion, overlay, removal or replacement of sequential or concurrent targeted program segments and / or visual icons in a video bitstream without modifying the fidelity of the underlying visual media. The present invention provides for a wide variety of supplemental enhancement information fields which permit the use of data updates that are synchronous with delivered video content. The present invention offers a generic approach to program insertion and iconic overlay that covers a wide range of use-cases and applications, without necessarily transmitting the visual content to be inserted as part of the underlying visual media stream.

A method includes steps of indexing a media collection, searching an indexed library and browsing a set of candidate program segments. The step of indexing a media collection creates the indexed library based on a content of the media collection. The step of searching the indexed library identifies the set of candidate program segments based on a search criteria. The step of browsing the set of candidate program segments selects a segment for viewing.

An audio program and message distribution system in which a host system organizes and transmits program segments to client subscriber locations. The host organizes the program segments by subject matter and creates scheduled programming in accordance with preferences associated with each subscriber. Program segments are associated with descriptive subject matter segments, and the subject matter segments may be used to generate both text and audio cataloging presentations to enable the user to more easily identify and select desirable programming. A playback unit at the subscriber location reproduces the program segments received from the host and includes mechanisms for interactively navigating among the program segments. A usage log is compiled to record the subscriber's use of the provided program materials, to return data to the host for billing, to adaptively modify the subscriber's preferences based on actual usage, and to send subscriber-generated comments and requests to the host for processing. Voice input and control mechanisms included in the player allow the user to perform hands-free navigation of the program materials and to dictate comments and messages which are returned to the host for retransmission to other subscribers. The program segments sent to each subscriber may include advertising materials which the user can selectively play to obtain credits against the subscriber fee. Parallel audio and text transcript files for at least selected programming enable subject matter searching and synchronization of the audio and text files. Speech synthesis may be used to convert transcript files into audio format. Image files may also be transmitted from the server for synchronized playback with the audio programming.

Messages containing non-dictionary and dictionary data objects are quickly exchanged between sending and receiving devices. Data stores of the devices contain a common dictionary cross-referencing each of multiple data objects with a different dictionary index code. Data objects in the dictionary are likely to be frequently exchanged. Prior to transmission of data objects, the sending device searches its dictionary for each data object. Each data object may include text, graphics, program segments, or another type of data object. If the data object appears in the dictionary, the sending device obtains its dictionary index code. Next, the sending device transmits a message representing the data objects to the receiving device. The message includes multiple subparts each corresponding to a different data object. If a data object is not present in the dictionary, its subpart comprises the content of the data object without any dictionary encoding. If a data object is represented in the dictionary, its subpart comprises the data object's index code from the dictionary. Flags included in the message distinguish between dictionary and non-dictionary subparts. The receiving device interprets received messages, reviewing flags in the message to determine which subparts comprise dictionary index codes. Each index code is cross-referenced in the receiving device's dictionary to obtain the unencoded data object, which is provided as an output. Each non-dictionary data object is provided as an output directly.

Disclosed is a method for monitoring usage of a programmable video recording device that records television program segments selected by on-screen graphics. In the method, an on-screen graphic associated with selecting a television program segment is intercepted. The selected television program segment is recognized using the intercepted on-screen graphic, and record usage information associated with the selected television program segment is generated. The record usage information may be included in a database for analysis. Other similar television usage may be monitored such as recorded program playback, game play, pay-per-view, and video-on-demand viewing.

The utility model discloses a creating and using method of a video streaming media bookmark. A bookmark table is created for each video streaming media file by a media player; the number of the bookmark items is not limited in the bookmark table; each bookmark item is linked to a certain segment of the video streaming media file; the bookmark here can be an independent electronic file related to a certain video program, or the bookmark can integrate a data table of the video program file; the types of the bookmark here can be divided into the system bookmark and the user bookmark; when the audience watch the video programs, the video bookmark provided by the utility model enables the audience to comment on the appreciated video program, deeply comprehend the content of the video program and mark the valuable or wonderful program segment in time; in addition, the video program if interrupted during playback can be resumed later by a book box at any time in order to keep the continuity of the play of the program without searching the last interruption area of the play manually by the audience.

An apparatus, a method and a program segment mesh model data into analytic surfaces based on robust curvature estimation and region growing by extracting, from mesh model data, analytic surface regions (planar, cylindrical, conical, spherical and toric surface regions) and by automatically recognizing fillet surface regions, linear-extrusion surface regions and surface regions of revolution from the extracted regions and edges. The apparatus, method and program input mesh model data, find sharp vertices in the mesh model data, calculate principal curvatures at each non-sharp vertex, create, from the calculated principal curvatures, seed regions each being considered to belong to an analytic surface region and including a set of linked vertices, extract analytic surface regions by growing the seed regions, recognize fillet surface regions, linear-extrusion surface regions and surface regions of revolution in the extracted analytic surface regions, and output information concerning the extracted analytic surface regions and information concerning the recognized regions.

A system and method of optimizing transmission of a program to multiple users over a distribution system, with particular application to video-on-demand for a CATV network. The system includes, at a head end of the CATV network a scheduling and routing computer for dividing the video program stored in long term fast storage or short term fast storage into a plurality of program segments, and a subscriber distribution node for transmitting the program segments in a redundant sequence in accordance with a scheduling algorithm. At a receiver of the CATV network there is provided a buffer memory for storing the transmitted video program segments for subsequent playback whereby, in use, the scheduling algorithm can ensure that a user's receiver will receive all of the program segments in a manner that will enable continuous playback in real time of the program. Under the control of controller the receiver distinguishes received program segments by a segment identifier so that redundant segments captured in capture memory are then stored in buffer memory from which the segments can be retrieved and decompressed in data compressor for immediate or subsequent viewing. In one embodiment, the method of this invention includes dividing at least some segments into fragments, and transmitting one fragment of each segment during a playback interval of a duration, for example, equal to a playback time of a segment.

A system and method for collecting, analyzing, and using sensory reactions and involuntary or spontaneous movements by members of a television viewing (or listening) audience. While known programming is displayed on a television receiver, a plurality of sensors monitor the viewer or viewers for recognizable evidence of an emotional response that can be associated with a discrete program segment. Where positive (or negative) responses can be associated with a certain type of program content, the system monitors subsequent programs for the opportunity to notify the viewer or simply present (or avoid presenting) the program automatically.

A method and apparatus for providing a virtual video on demand services is disclosed. The method and apparatus disclose the storing of a segment of the video program in advance for VOD viewing at a later time. When the subscriber selects VOD service, a pre-stored video segment is retrieved for presentation to the subscriber. Remaining video program segments simultaneously broadcast on a plurality of channels are recorded in parallel while the pre-stored video program segment is retrieved and presented to the user.

The embodiment of the invention provides a streaming media transmission control method, a media transmission control method and associated equipment. The method of the embodiment comprises the steps that a streaming media client acquires a media indexing file from a streaming media server, the media indexing file is used for segmenting each program in the streaming media server, media quality information and the media code rate information are used for description, and the media quality information is used for representing the media quality of the program segment under the corresponding code rate; the streaming media client selects a code rate assembly of multiple program segments after the current streaming media broadcasting time according to the network situation, the media code rate information and the media quality information; and the streaming media client downloads the program segment corresponding to the code rate according to the code rate assembly of multiple program segments. The embodiment of the invention also provides a streaming media client, a streaming media server, a media transmission control method, a client and a server. The embodiment of the invention can effectively reasonably allocates the bandwidth, so that the comprehensive quality of the streaming media can be improved.

The invention discloses a forward-looking self-adaptive speed control method of high-speed numerical control equipment. The numerical control system of the method conducts a plurality of layers of pre-reading decoding processing, uses pre-reading program segment information for pre-calculation to the terminal speed of a segment to be processed, adjusts a speed acceleration and deceleration time constant according to the calculation result, selects a speed acceleration and deceleration curve type, and then conducts a fast speed acceleration and deceleration calculation to an S curve so as to lead the numerical control equipment to process the micro-segments with high speed and smooth operation. The forward-looking self-adaptive speed control method comprises the following steps of: the pre-calculation of the terminal speed of the segment to be processed, the self-adaptive selecting strategy of the speed acceleration and deceleration time constant, and the speed acceleration and deceleration curve type; and the fast speed acceleration and deceleration calculation of the S curve. The invention provides a self-adaptive speed acceleration and deceleration control method for the high-speed numerical control equipment, leads the numerical control equipment to have the capacity of processing the micro-segments with high speed and smooth operation, and satisfies the speed control requirements of high-speed high-precision numerical control equipment.