Abstract:
The present invention provides a method of transmitting broadcast signals. The method includes, formatting input streams into Data Pipe (DP) data, Low-Density Parity-Check (LDPC) encoding the DP data according to a code rate, bit interleaving the LDPC encoded DP data, mapping the hit interleaved DP data onto constellations, building at least one signal frame including the mapped DP data, and modulating data in the built signal frame by an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) method and transmitting the broadcast signals having the modulated data, wherein the input streams include Audio/Video (A/V) data and service guide data, and wherein the Audio/Video (A/V) data and service guide data are included in first ISO base media file format (ISOBMFF) files.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus to export tuning data collected in a receiving device are disclosed. An example method of collecting audience measurement data comprises collecting tuning data within a receiving device, and modulating an LED associated with the receiving device to export the collected tuning data from the receiving device.
Abstract:
A method is described for selecting and displaying, on or through a television signal receiver apparatus (1) capable of connecting to Internet (10) and of pointing to URL's (21), television programs (19) transmitted through an Internet network (10), said method comprises the step of associating at least one URL (21), or Uniform Resource Locator, corresponding to streaming audio/video of a specific television program (19), with the same television program (19) of an EPG (17), or Electronic Program Guide, received by said apparatus (1) via television broadcast, and wherein said association requires that said URL (21) be stored into a memory-type processing circuit (8) of the apparatus (1) to create a link between said specific television program (19) received through said Internet network (10) and the same specific television program (19) of said EPG (17) received by said television receiver apparatus (1) via television broadcast.
Abstract:
A method and computing devices are provided for determining whether an advertisement aired in accordance with predefined airing specifications. A plurality of advertisement identification markers may be inserted into an advertisement by a first computing device. The plurality of advertisement identification markers may be inserted between the start and end of the advertisement. A second computing device may receive a broadcast stream including the advertisement having the plurality of advertisement identification markers. Airing parameters of the advertisement may be determined by the second computing device based on the advertisement identification markers. The airing parameters of the advertisement may be compared with predefined airing specifications corresponding to the advertisement. Auditing data may be generated that describes whether or not the advertisement aired in accordance with the predefined airing specifications.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing and promoting television programming, advertisements, and other content to selected viewers. A display is provided on a remote control device, prompts are provided on the display, and viewer responses to those prompts are monitored, stored in memory, and thereafter processed to reward viewers for responding properly to the prompts. Various methods for promoting such programs are also described.
Abstract:
Apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture for determining an operating mode of a recording/playing device are disclosed. An example apparatus includes an extractor to extract signatures associated with a first signal associated with a tuner that is to tune to a program signal, a second signal associated with a recording/playing device that is to at least one of record and play a program, and a third signal associated with a receiver coupled to the recording/playing device. The example apparatus also includes a recording detector to detect a recording signal generated by the recording/playing device during recording of the program to form a recorded program. Also included is a correlator to correlate the first, second, and third signals and a processor to identify the operating mode of the recording/playing device based on detection of the recording signal and correlation of two or more of the first, second, and third signals.
Abstract:
A television delivery system is disclosed having an operations center that packages programs, generates program control information, and sends the programs and control information to a subscriber. The system also includes a set top terminal associated with the subscriber that receives the television signal and extracts from the signal individual programs for display on a user's television associated with the terminal. The terminal receives a selection of a program or interactive feature from an interactive electronic program guide displayed on the television. An interactive electronic program guide is disclosed for use with a television delivery system. The guide includes a plurality of interconnected menus having display information. The guide also includes a cursor controlled by the user input device for sequencing through the menus and selecting a menu item. The menus include an introductory menu displayed when the guide is started, a main menu that allows access to program submenus and interactive submenus, and during program menus. The during program menus include both overlay menus that are displayed during a program and hidden menus that are not displayed. The interactive features of the guide include a logo displayed during a program indicating that interactive features are available for the program. Upon user selection, a menu of the interactive features is displayed during the program as an overlay window. Interactive features include, for example, additional information related to the program, quizzes, facts, etc. Upon selection of an interactive feature, the feature is displayed in a menu during the program.
Abstract:
A system identifies which of first and second signal sources is supplying a program signal to a monitored receiver. The first and second signal sources and the monitored receiver are located in a household. The system extracts a reference program signature representative of an output of the monitored receiver and first and second source program signatures representative of an output of the first and second signal sources. The system identifies which of the first and second signal sources is a source of the program signal in response to the reference program signature and the first and second source program signatures.
Abstract:
A digital multimedia broadcast (DMB) receiver and a user interface including a processor that processes the received DMB signal and extracts information regarding ensembles and services from the DMB signal so that the user interface can display received services using the extracted information regarding the ensembles and services. The user interface can be a grid-type interface which includes an ensemble axis and a service axis to display multiple services linked to an ensemble along with the total duration of each service and the duration that each service has been viewed so that a user can easily determine the current status of each service.
Abstract:
A broadcast receiver includes a controller that detects a reception log of a receiving unit and that records the reception log in a reception log memory. The reception log includes at least the reception channel, reception start time, and reception end time. Periodically an audience member connects the broadcast receiver to a general-purpose computer. The general-purpose computer transmits the reception log data recorded in the reception log memory with a receiver ID written in a ROM through a telephone line over a communication network, such as the Internet. A person who computes viewing/listening information obtains the reception log data and receiver ID from the communication network and computes viewing/listening information, such as a program rating. Instead of providing the broadcast receiver with the reception log memory and a computer interface, a removable storage unit with a computer interface can also be used.