A server system transmits from an application executing on a virtual client device, through a remote physical client device, a request for a manifest. The server system receives, a manifest received by, and forwarded from, the remote physical client device. The server system determines whether the server system is authorized to modify the received manifest. In response to determining that the server system is authorized to modify the received manifest, the server system requests additional content to modify the received manifest. The server system modifies listed content in the received manifest to generate an updated manifest. The server system sends the updated manifest to the application at the server system. The application processes the updated manifest. The server system sends, to the remote physical client device, an instruction to request the additional content.
H04N 21/2747 - Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/266 - Channel or content management, e.g. generation and management of keys and entitlement messages in a conditional access system or merging a VOD unicast channel into a multicast channel
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
The server, initializes, for a third-party application executing on the server, an entirety of available GPU memory of a client device, including pre-allocating a plurality of blocks of GPU memory. During execution of the third-party application, the server receives a first request from the third-party application to store first data in the GPU memory of the client device, and, in response to the first request, frees a portion of a respective pre-allocated block of the plurality of pre-allocated blocks of GPU memory and stores the first data in the portion of the respective pre-allocated block. The server pre-allocates a new block of GPU memory of the client device, the new block comprising a complementary portion of the respective pre-allocated block such that, after pre-allocating the new block of GPU memory, the entirety of available GPU memory of the client device remains allocated.
G06F 3/06 - Digital input from, or digital output to, record carriers
G06F 21/78 - Protecting specific internal or peripheral components, in which the protection of a component leads to protection of the entire computer to assure secure storage of data
G06F 9/50 - Allocation of resources, e.g. of the central processing unit [CPU]
3.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF IMAGE REMOTING USING A SHARED IMAGE CACHE
A server system executing a third-party application accesses an image asset and provides a modified version of the image asset to the third-party application to be processed by the third-party application. The server system receives, from the third-party application, an indication that the modified version of the image asset has been down-scaled by the third- party application during processing. In response to receiving the indication that the modified version of the image asset has been down-scaled by the third-party application, the server system determines that the image asset is to be down-scaled at the server system. The server system down-scales the image asset and transmits the down-scaled version of the image asset to be stored in a shared image cache. The server system transmits the down-scaled version of the image asset to the first client device for display.
H04N 21/231 - Content storage operation, e.g. caching movies for short term storage, replicating data over plural servers or prioritizing data for deletion
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
4.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF MODIFYING MANIFESTS FOR APPLICATIONS
A server system transmits from an application executing on a virtual client device, through a remote physical client device, a request for a manifest. The server system receives, a manifest received by, and forwarded from, the remote physical client device. The server system determines whether the server system is authorized to modify the received manifest. In response to determining that the server system is authorized to modify the received manifest, the server system requests additional content to modify the received manifest. The server system modifies listed content in the received manifest to generate an updated manifest. The server system sends the updated manifest to the application at the server system. The application processes the updated manifest. The server system sends, to the remote physical client device, an instruction to request the additional content.
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
G06F 9/451 - Execution arrangements for user interfaces
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
The server system hosts one or more virtual client devices executing one or more virtual applications, each virtual client device corresponding to a remote physical client device. The server system receives, from a first remote physical client device, a signal of a characteristic of media detected by a physical component of the first remote physical client device. The server system, in response to receiving the signal of the characteristic of the media, determines, based on the characteristic of the media, an instruction for adjusting the media detected by the physical component of the first remote physical client device and transmits, to the client device, the instruction for adjusting the media at the first remote physical client device.
The server system receives, from a respective remote physical client device, a digest of a segment of video content received by the respective remote physical client device, the segment of video content including a plurality of frames of video content. In response to receiving the digest, the server system sends a playback command to the respective remote physical device to playback one or more of the plurality of frames of video content in the segment. The plurality of frames of video content in the segment have a frame rate. The server system determines a graphical processing unit (GPU) overlay instruction for overlaying content of a frame buffer with a respective portion of the segment of video content and sends, asynchronously from the frame rate of the plurality of frames of video content, the GPU overlay instruction to the respective remote physical client device.
A server computing device hosts one or more virtual machines. A first virtual machine corresponding to a first client device receives a first media stream that includes first content corresponding to a plurality of frames of video data and generates a first digest segment that corresponds to the first media stream. The first digest segment includes a representation of the pl urality of frames but does not include the video data. The first virtual machine stores the first digest segment in a cache at the server system. A second virtual machine corresponding to a second client device receives a playback position of the first media stream playing at the second client device and uses the playback position from the second client device and the first digest segment stored in the cache to perform processing to recreate a representation of the playback of the first media stream on the second client device.
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/222 - Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server or cable television Head-end
H04N 21/232 - Content retrieval operation within server, e.g. reading video streams from disk arrays
A server system generates a model of a first memory architecture of a client device, the model of the first memory architecture including a GPU memory portion and a CPU memory portion. The server system receives a representation of a first image asset, and stores a first texture image corresponding to the first image asset in the GPU memory portion of the model at the server system. The first texture image is stored in the GPU memory portion of the client device. The server system determines, using the model, that the GPU memory portion at the client device needs to be reallocated. The server system identifies, using the model, one or more texture images that are stored in the GPU memory portion at the client device to evict and transmits an instruction, to the client device, to evict the one or more texture images from the GPU memory portion.
A client device receives a first image frame from a server, stores the first image frame and generates a first modified image that corresponds to the first image frame. The client transmits, to a remote device, the generated first modified image. The remote device uses the first modified image to determine the instruction for displaying the second image frame. The client receives, from the remote device, an instruction for displaying a second image frame. In response to receiving the instruction, the client device displays, on a display communicatively coupled to the client device, the second image frame.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
H04N 21/222 - Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server or cable television Head-end
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
10.
Intelligent multiplexing using class-based, multi-dimensioned decision logic for managed networks
A server system determines, for a group of user sessions assigned to a single modulator, that an aggregate bandwidth for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget for the modulator. The user sessions comprise data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. In response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth exceeds a specified budget, the server system allocates a portion of the aggregate bandwidth, including allocating a first portion of the data for a first user session in the group of user sessions and allocating a second portion of the data for a second user session in the group of user sessions, where both the first portion and the second portion are allocated in accordance with the class priorities. The server system transmits the allocated portions of the data for the group of user sessions through the modulator during the first frame time.
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video streamRemultiplexing of multiplex streamsInsertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rateAssembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/2368 - Multiplexing of audio and video streams
H04N 21/2381 - Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an IP [Internet Protocol] network
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clientsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
H04L 12/851 - Traffic type related actions, e.g. QoS or priority
11.
Class-based intelligent multiplexing over unmanaged networks
An electronic device sends a content stream, via an unmanaged network, toward a client device and monitors the capacity of the unmanaged network. The device determines whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity. The upcoming portion of the content stream includes video content and user-interface data. In response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth of the upcoming portion of the content stream does not fit the capacity, when the user-interface data is not the result of a user interaction: the device prioritizes a frame rate of the video content over latency for the user-interface data, and in accordance with a determination that the aggregate bandwidth of the upcoming portion of the content stream does not fit the capacity, sends ahead one or more frames of the video content in the upcoming portion, and delays the user-interface data in the upcoming portion.
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clientsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/233 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/6373 - Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components for rate control
H04N 21/6379 - Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components directed to server directed to encoder
12.
Multiple-mode system and method for providing user selectable video content
The method of providing audiovisual content to a client device configured to be coupled to a display. The method detects a selection of a graphical element corresponding to a video content item. In response to detecting the selection of the graphical element, a transmission mode is determined. The transmission mode is a function of: (i) one or more decoding capabilities of the client device; (ii) a video encoding format of the video content item; (ii) whether the video content item should be displayed in a full screen or a partial screen format; and (iv) whether the client device is capable of overlaying image data into a video stream. Next, audiovisual data that includes the video content item is prepared for transmission according to the determined transmission mode. Finally, the prepared audiovisual data is transmitted from the server toward the client device, according to the determined transmission mode, for display on the display.
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video streamRemultiplexing of multiplex streamsInsertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rateAssembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
13.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF ORCHESTRATED NETWORKED APPLICATION SERVICES
A server computing device receives, from a client device, a digest segment generated by the client device. The digest segment corresponds to a first media stream segment received by the client device, and the digest segment includes a representation of the first media stream segment. The server computing devices determines, using the digest segment, a playback command that corresponds to the first media stream segment and transmits, to the client device, the playback command.
H04N 21/2387 - Stream processing in response to a playback request from an end-user, e.g. for trick-play
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/232 - Content retrieval operation within server, e.g. reading video streams from disk arrays
14.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIRTUAL SET-TOP SUPPORT OF AN HTML CLIENT
A server remote from client device executes an HTML-based virtual client application. Using the HTML-based virtual client application, the server renders an image corresponding to a video frame. The rendered image includes HTML commands. The server generates an HTML wrapper for the rendered image. Generating the HTML wrapper includes converting the HTML commands to HTML primitives that are selected from a subset of available HTML commands. The server sends the HTML wrapper to the client device to be processed by an HTML-based application on the client device to enable the image to be displayed.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
G06F 11/36 - Prevention of errors by analysis, debugging or testing of software
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
15.
Class-based intelligent multiplexing over unmanaged networks
A method of adapting content-stream bandwidth includes generating a content stream for transmission over an unmanaged network with varying capacity and sending the content stream toward a client device. The method includes monitoring the capacity of the unmanaged network and determining whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity. The upcoming portion of the content stream includes video content and user-interface data. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth of the upcoming portion of the content stream does not fit the capacity, prioritizing low latency for the user-interface data over maintaining a frame rate of the video content when the user-interface data is the result of a user interaction and reducing a size of the upcoming portion of the content stream in accordance with the prioritizing. The reducing comprises decreasing the frame rate of the video content.
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clientsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/233 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/6373 - Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components for rate control
H04N 21/6379 - Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components directed to server directed to encoder
16.
Intelligent multiplexing using class-based, multi-dimensioned decision logic for managed networks
A server system assigns a group of user sessions to a single modulator. The user sessions comprise data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. The plurality of classes includes, in order of priority from highest priority to lowest priority, audio data, video data, and user-interface graphical elements. The server system determines that an aggregate bandwidth for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget for the modulator. In response to determining that the aggregate bandwidth for the first frame time exceeds the specified budget, the server system transmits an allocated portion of the data for the group of user sessions through the modulator onto a channel corresponding to the modulator during the first frame time in accordance with the class priorities.
H04N 21/2365 - Multiplexing of several video streams
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video streamRemultiplexing of multiplex streamsInsertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rateAssembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/2368 - Multiplexing of audio and video streams
H04N 21/2381 - Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an IP [Internet Protocol] network
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clientsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
H04L 12/851 - Traffic type related actions, e.g. QoS or priority
17.
MANAGING DEEP AND SHALLOW BUFFERS IN A THIN-CLIENT DEVICE OF A DIGITAL MEDIA DISTRIBUTION NETWORK
A client device receives, from a server, first content directed to a first buffer in the client device and second content directed to a second buffer in the client device. The second buffer is deeper than the first buffer. The client device buffers the first content in the first buffer and buffers the second content in the second buffer. At least a portion of the second content is buffered in the second buffer simultaneously with buffering the first content in the first buffer. The client device selects between the first content in the first buffer and the second content in the second buffer, and provides the selected content for display.
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs
18.
SECURE BRIDGING OF THIRD-PARTY DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT TO LOCAL SECURITY
Encrypted content from a content provider is received at a central location of a multichannel video programming distributor (MVPD). The content provider is distinct from the MVPD. The content is decrypted and processed in a virtual set-top application associated with a set- top of a customer of the MVPD. The set-top of the customer is located in a customer premises remote from the central location. The processed content is provided over a secure data link to a conditional-access encoder at the central location. The conditional-access encoder encrypts the processed content, which is then transmitted to the set-top of the customer.
H04N 21/2347 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving video stream encryption
H04N 21/4408 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs involving video stream encryption, e.g. re-encrypting a decrypted video stream for redistribution in a home network
H04N 7/167 - Systems rendering the television signal unintelligible and subsequently intelligible
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
H04L 9/18 - Encryption by serially and continuously modifying data stream elements, e.g. stream cipher systems
19.
Overlay rendering of user interface onto source video
A method of generating a blended output including an interactive user interface and one or more supplemental images. At a client device, a video stream containing an interactive user interface is received from a server using a first data communications channel configured to communicate video content and a command is transmitted to the server that relates to a user input received through the interactive user interface. In response to the transmitting, an updated user interface is received using the first data communications channel, and one or more supplemental images are received using a second data communications channel. Each supplemental image is associated with a corresponding transparency coefficient. The updated user interface and the one or more supplemental images are blended according to the transparency coefficient for each supplemental image to generate a blended output and the blended output is transmitted toward the display device for display thereon.
H04N 21/8545 - Content authoring for generating interactive applications
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
H04N 21/434 - Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams or extraction of additional data from a video streamRemultiplexing of multiplex streamsExtraction or processing of SIDisassembling of packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/4402 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
A method is performed at a client device distinct from an application server. In the method, a first key is stored in a secure store of the client device. A wrapped second key is received from the application server. The first key is retrieved from the secure store and used to unwrap the second key. Encrypted media content is received from the application server, decrypted using the unwrapped second key, and decoded for playback.
A method of displaying video embedded in a user interface is performed at an electronic device such as a server system or client device. The method includes obtaining user-interface frames having a first placeholder for a first video window and obtaining source video frames having a first video stream in the first video window. The source video frames and the user- interface frames are interleaved to form an output video stream, which is provided for decoding and display.
A method of displaying video embedded in a user interface is performed at an electronic device such as a server system or client device. The method includes obtaining user-interface frames having a first placeholder for a first video window and obtaining source video frames having a first video stream in the first video window. The source video frames and the user-interface frames are interleaved to form an output video stream, which is provided for decoding and display.
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video streamRemultiplexing of multiplex streamsInsertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rateAssembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/2389 - Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfacesContent or additional data rendering
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
23.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A FULL-MOTION VIDEO MOSAIC INTERFACE FOR CONTENT DISCOVERY WITH USER-CONFIGURABLE FILTERS
A method for generating an interactive graphical user interface is performed at a server system remote from a client device. The server system receives, from the client device, user input selecting a first filter, and filters available video programming using one or more search conditions corresponding to the first filter, to identify a first plurality of videos that satisfy the one or more search conditions. The one or more search conditions include a criterion relating to a popularity metric for a social network. The server system generates a user interface that includes a first mosaic of selectable video tiles corresponding to the first plurality of videos. Respective videos of the first plurality of videos are played in respective video tiles of the first mosaic. The server system encodes the user interface as a video stream and transmits the video stream containing the user interface toward the client device for display.
H04N 21/20 - Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD serversOperations thereof
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
24.
INTELLIGENT MULTIPLEXING USING CLASS-BASED, MULTI-DIMENSIONED DECISION LOGIC FOR MANAGED NETWORKS
Switched digital television programming for video-on-demand and other interactive television services are combined utilizing a class-based, multi-dimensional decision logic to simultaneously optimize video quality and audio uniformity while minimizing latency during user interactions with the system over managed networks such as cable and satellite television networks. A group of user sessions are assigned to a single modulator. The user sessions include data in a plurality of classes, each class having a respective priority. In response to a determination that an aggregate bandwidth of the group of user sessions for a first frame time exceeds a specified budget, bandwidth is allocated for the group of user sessions during the first frame time in accordance with the class priorities. The group of user sessions is multiplexed onto a channel corresponding to the modulator in accordance with the allocated bandwidth and transmitted over a managed network.
Switched digital television programming for video-on-demand and other interactive television services are combined utilizing class-based, multi-dimensional decision logic to simultaneously optimize video quality and audio uniformity while minimizing latency during user interactions with the system over an unmanaged network. For example, a method of adapting content-stream bandwidth includes generating a content stream for transmission over an unmanaged network with varying capacity; sending the content stream, via the unmanaged network, toward a client device; monitoring the capacity of the unmanaged network; determining whether an aggregate bandwidth of an upcoming portion of the content stream fits the capacity, wherein the upcoming portion of the content stream corresponds to a respective frame time and includes video content and user-interface data; and, in response to a determination that the aggregate bandwidth does not fit the capacity, reducing a size of the upcoming portion of the content stream.
H04N 21/233 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/6373 - Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components for rate control
H04N 21/6379 - Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components directed to server directed to encoder
H04N 21/647 - Control signaling between network components and server or clientsNetwork processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load or bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
26.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXPLOITING SCENE GRAPH INFORMATION IN CONSTRUCTION OF AN ENCODED VIDEO SEQUENCE
A system method and computer program product for creating a composited video frame sequence for an application. A current scene state for the application is compared to a previous scene state wherein each scene state includes a plurality of objects. A video construction engine determines if properties of one or more objects have changed based upon a comparison of the scene states. If properties of one or more objects have changed based upon the comparison, the delta between the object's states is determined and this information is used by a fragment encoding module if the fragment has not been encoded before. The information is used to define, for example, the motion vectors for use by the fragment encoding module in construction of the fragments to be used by the stitching module to build the composited video frame sequence.
H04N 19/167 - Position within a video image, e.g. region of interest [ROI]
H04N 19/174 - Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding the unit being an image region, e.g. an object the region being a slice, e.g. a line of blocks or a group of blocks
H04N 19/103 - Selection of coding mode or of prediction mode
H04N 19/537 - Motion estimation other than block-based
A method of combining an interactive user interface for generating a blended output that includes the interactive user interface and one or more supplemental images. At a client device remote from a server, a video stream that contains an interactive user interface is received from the server using a first data communications channel configured to communicate video content, and a command that relates to an interactive user interface is transmitted to the server. In response to the transmitting, an updated user interface is received from the server using the first data communications channel, and one or more supplemental images for supplementing the interactive user interface are received using a second data communications channel different from the first data communications channel. The updated user interface and the one or more supplemental images are blended to generate a blended output, which is transmitted toward the display device for display thereon.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
H04N 21/434 - Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams or extraction of additional data from a video streamRemultiplexing of multiplex streamsExtraction or processing of SIDisassembling of packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/4402 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
H04N 21/84 - Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
28.
A MULTIPLE-MODE SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING USER SELECTABLE VIDEO CONTENT
The method of providing audiovisual content to a client device configured to be coupled to a display. The method detects a selection of a graphical element corresponding to a video content item. In response to detecting the selection of the graphical element, a transmission mode is determined. The transmission mode is a function of: (i) one or more decoding capabilities of the client device; (ii) a video encoding format of the video content item; (ii)whether the video content item should be displayed in a full screen or a partial screen format; and (iv)whether the client device is capable of overlaying image data into a video stream. Next, audiovisual data that includes the video content item is prepared for transmission according to the determined transmission mode. Finally, the prepared audiovisual data is transmitted from the server toward the client device, according to the determined transmission mode, for display on the display.
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video streamRemultiplexing of multiplex streamsInsertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rateAssembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
29.
GRAPHICAL APPLICATION INTEGRATION WITH MPEG OBJECTS
System and methods are provided to cache encoded graphical objects that may be subsequently combined with other encoded video data to form a data stream decodable by a client device according to a format specification. Paint instructions relating to a graphical object are sent from a layout engine to a rendering library. A shim intercepts these instructions and determines whether the graphical object already has been rendered and encoded. If so, a cached copy of the object is transmitted to the client device. If not, the shim transparently passes the instructions to the rendering library, and the object is rendered, encoded, and cached. Hash values are used for efficiency. Methods are disclosed to detect and cache animations, and to cut and splice cached objects into encoded video data.
Embodiments of the invention relate to user interfaces and systems and methods for generating a real-time "lean-back" user interface for use with a television or other display device and for reuse of encoded elements for forming a video frame of the user interface. An interactive session is established between a client device associated with a user's television and the platform for creating the user interface over a communication network, such as a cable television network. The user interface is automatically generated by the platform and is animated even without interactions by the user with an input device. The user interface includes a plurality of interactive animated assets. The animated assets are capable of changing over time (e.g. different images, full-motion video) and are also capable of being animated so as to change screen position, rotate, move etc, over time. A hash is maintained of cached encoded assets and cached elements that may be reused within a user session and between user sessions.
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/60 - Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clientsControl signalling between clients, server and network componentsTransmission of management data between server and clientCommunication details between server and client
31.
REDUCTION OF LATENCY IN VIDEO DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS USING ADAPTIVE BIT RATES
Systems and methods are provided for reducing and controlling playback latency in an unmanaged, buffered data network, A delay cost function is determined, the function representing the effect of playback latency on end user experience. An encoder transmits audiovisual data through the network to a client device. Network latency is measured, and the delay cost function is evaluated to establish an encoding bitrate for the encoder. The encoding of the audiovisual data is altered in response to dynamic network conditions, thereby controlling end-to-end playback latency of the system, which is represented by the playout length of data buffered between the encoder and the client device.
H04N 21/238 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidthProcessing of multiplex streams
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
38 - Telecommunications services
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Interactive software for use in video streaming to any device having a video decoder and an upstream signal; software for developing and publishing applications for interactive video streaming to any device having a video decoder and an upstream signal; software for use on any device having a video decoder and an upstream signal in interacting with an application for interactive video streaming to the device. (1) Providing non-downloadable streaming to any device having a video decoder and an upstream signal television and other audiovisual and multimedia content via an interactive software platform; design and development of computer software; providing temporary use of non-downloadable interactive software for use in video streaming to any device having a video decoder and an upstream signal; providing technical support consulting services for an interactive software platform; consulting services in the field of the design, development and implementation of an interactive software platform.
33.
STREAMING DIGITAL VIDEO BETWEEN VIDEO DEVICES USING A CABLE TELEVISION SYSTEM
Systems and methods are presented that permit an individual to share digital video between video devices using a cable television system. A first video device streams digital video to a cable headend, which transcodes it and stitches it with other video content, such as a menuing system. The headend then transmits the digital video to a second video device, such as a set top box, for display. The data stream may be controlled using a standard set top box remote control, and the system may be used without purchasing additional hardware or software, or configuring a wireless local area network.
H04N 21/60 - Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clientsControl signalling between clients, server and network componentsTransmission of management data between server and clientCommunication details between server and client
H04H 20/65 - Arrangements characterised by transmission systems for broadcast
A client device receives a broadcast content signal containing an interactive identifier over a managed network. The interactive identifier may be a trigger that is included in a header or embedded within the digital video data. In response to identification of the trigger, the client device sends a user request for interactive content over an unmanaged network. For example, the managed network may be a one-way satellite television network, IP-television network or cable television network and the unmanaged network may be the Internet. The client device switches between receiving data from the managed network to receiving data from the unmanaged network. Video encoding parameters of the interactive content are varied based on detected variations in the audio transmission bandwidth.
Metadata are provided to video generators using a syndication protocol, so that the video generators may produce interactive video content for television subscribers. Metadata relating to source media content are transformed in a computer process from a storage format into a syndication format. Relevant metadata to transform are chosen to reflect the type of interactivity desired by a television service provider and the demands of the video generation process. The transformed metadata are published according to a syndication protocol, so that another computer process that participates in the protocol may generate the interactive video content using the metadata, the source media content, and subscriber commands.
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systemsAnalogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 7/12 - Systems in which the television signal is transmitted via one channel or a plurality of parallel channels, the bandwidth of each channel being less than the bandwidth of the television signal
H04N 7/24 - Systems for the transmission of television signals using pulse code modulation
36.
SYSTEM, METHOD, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR TRANSLATING AN ELEMENT OF A STATIC ENCODED IMAGE IN THE ENCODED DOMAIN
A computer-implemented method for creating in the encoded domain one or more video frames from a compressed still video image wherein image content in the created video frames is translated in location by panning or scrolling or a combination thereof on a non- block basis (i.e. pixel-level). A new block formed from portions of two other blocks is created by processing the original two blocks with identity matrices based upon the shift amount. By performing the creation process in the encoded domain processing power requirements are reduced and image quality is increased.
A client device receives a broadcast content signal containing an interactive identifier over a managed network at a client device. The interactive identifier may be a trigger that is included in a header or embedded within the digital video data. The trigger may have a temporal component, wherein the trigger can expire after a certain period of time. In response to identification of the trigger, the client device sends a user request for interactive content over an unmanaged network. For example, the managed network may be a one-way satellite television network, IP -television network or cable television network and the unmanaged network may be the Internet. The client device switches between receiving data from the managed network to receiving data from the unmanaged network.
A method, system, and computer program product for providing a decoy identifier, such as an MPEG PID, for a non-encrypted component. By obscuring the true identifier, an MPEG receiver that can decode 'clear channels' can not locate, and therefore, can not decode and present the true component for the program to a display device. By using the disclosed methodology, computer program product and system a cable television system or other provider of individualized content can broadcast a requested component without needing to encrypt the component.
H04N 7/08 - Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band
Access to interactive content at a client device through the use of triggers is disclosed. The client device is coupled to a television communication network and receives an encoded broadcast video stream containing at least one trigger. The client device decodes the encoded broadcast video stream and parses the broadcast video stream for triggers. As the broadcast video stream is parsed, the stream is output to a display device. When a trigger is identified, the client device automatically tunes to an interactive content channel. The client device sends a signal indicative of the trigger through the television communication network to the processing office. The processing office can then use the information contained within the trigger signal to provide content to the client device. The content may be interactive content, static content, or the broadcast program stitched with interactive or static content. The user of the client device can then interact with any interactive content.
Systems and methods for recording a broadcast video program are disclosed. The system is coupled to a television of a user. The broadcast video program is displayed on the user's television and includes associated user selectable material. The system has an input for receiving the broadcast video program and the associated selectable material. A user interface device operates with the system allowing a user to select the selectable material. In response to selection of the selectable material, a processing module requests interactive content related to the selectable material from a processing office. In response to the selection of the selectable material, the system causes a video recorder to automatically begin recording of the broadcast video program. The interactive content is then displayed on the user's television. When the user has finished interacting with the interactive content, the recorded video program is retrieved and displayed on the user's television at the point in the video program when the selectable material was requested.
A system and method for calculating data representative of at least one intermediary transition image between a first image and a second image in the encoded domain is disclosed. Cinematic transitions can be created between encoded still images and frames from video sequences. For each corresponding location within the first and second image, a transform coded value is calculated for the at least one intermediary image using the transform encoded data of the first and second images without transform decoding the transform encoded data. The transform coded values can be fully encoded using a compression protocol and transmitted to a device for decoding and display of the cinematic transition.
