7507 results about "Media content" patented technology

An intelligent electronic appliance preferably includes a user interface, data input and / or output port, and an intelligent processor. A preferred embodiment comprises a set top box for interacting with broadband media streams, with an adaptive user interface, content-based media processing and / or media metadata processing, and telecommunications integration. An adaptive user interface models the user, by observation, feedback, and / or explicit input, and presents a user interface and / or executes functions based on the user model. A content-based media processing system analyzes media content, for example audio and video, to understand the content, for example to generate content-descriptive metadata. A media metadata processing system operates on locally or remotely generated metadata to process the media in accordance with the metadata, which may be, for example, an electronic program guide, MPEG 7 data, and / or automatically generated format. A set top box preferably includes digital trick play effects, and incorporated digital rights management features.

A method and apparatus for uploading, analyzing, searching and displaying multimedia files based on the context and content of the multimedia files.

A system and method for displaying digital media files with compulsory advertisement files is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes a user interface, a media file decryptor, an ad manager, an intersplicer, and a media player. The user interface receives input from a user indicating the selection of media files to be presented. The media file decryptor receives and decrypts the selected media files. The ad manager receives and manages ad files from an ad file source. The intersplicer combines the media files with the ad files by providing control signals to the media player, causing the media player to present the ad files with the selected media files. Various embodiments of the invention facilitate the wide distribution of media content in a way that allows the free use of media properties, on demand, with direct consumer exchange capabilities, while at the same time enabling compensation to copyright holders.

A personalized entertainment and information platform (Sphere) which provides personalized content delivery across different platforms and modes of delivery. A personal media device (e.g., PC, television, and so forth) interacts with a control server configured for accessing media content and metadata over the Internet. In response to input from the user and the history of user media selection and viewing, a prioritized recommendation list is generated and queued for downloading. The associated content is then downloaded automatically to the personal media device, without the need of user interaction. At this time the user can access the downloaded content immediately without a lengthy delay in waiting for content downloading. It will be appreciated that content such as shows and movies in HD format are of significant size (e.g., up to 50 GB) which would require significant download time, and tie up network and system resources.

Rich multimedia content is provided to a wireless device, particularly in response to a request for directory assistance generated by a client application. The multimedia content is provided as a multimedia message including bundled multimedia elements such as images, sound, text, and video files. The multimedia elements are compiled into a single multimedia presentation or deck that includes multiple screens that are automatically advanced for the convenience of the wireless device user. The user can interact with elements of the multimedia presentation, for example by placing orders, providing payment information, controlling playback, and forwarding or saving the deck to the wireless device. Multiple decks may be retrieved by a single request, and the decks are presented in an order determined by a bidding system or according to user preferences. Elements can be presented visually and / or audibly, and the user can interact using voice commands, manual entries, or stored entries.

A system and business methodology for providing interactive and customizable digital full-motion, animated and static multimedia content, to be used for communicating unique personalized entertainment, information, and messages and advertising to be delivered via the internet, electronic mail, or any other methods of delivering interpersonal communications and messages. The communications and messages are initiated and received by senders and recipients visiting a host site of the system through the internet. Content within the customized communication includes content personally relevant to a user which is integrally associated with sponsorship or advertising information. Creation of a customized communication begins by selection of a content item by a user, which content may be personalized by graphical editing techniques. Personalized or non-personalized content may be executed in parallel or in series with other content items in a multilinear playback sequence compiled according to a predetermined script to produce a finished customized multimedia communication. The host site also provides other features and products desirable to users, such as screensavers, reminder services, etc.

A method and apparatus for providing streaming content over telephones is described. The creation of a voice portal is supported by the invention. Embodiments of the invention use allows users to place a telephone call to access the voice portal. The user can access many different types of content. This content can include text based content which is read to the user by a text to speech system (e.g., news reports, stock prices, text content of Internet sites), audio content which can be played to the user (e.g., voicemail messages, music), and streaming audio content (e.g., Internet broadcast radio shows, streaming news reports, and streaming live broadcasts). This content can be accessed from many different places. For example, the content can be retrieved from a news feed, a local streaming content server, an audio repository, and / or an Internet based streaming content server. The streaming content allows the user to access live web broadcasts even though the user may not have access to a computer. The system allows audio signals from multiple sources to be combined to enhance the user experience. Additionally, the user can control many aspects of the delivery of the streaming content. Personalization features of the voice portal allow for an improved user experience during streaming content delivery.

A content modification platform facilitates personalized presentation and interaction associated with content such as web content, document content, transactional content, multimedia content, and the like. The platform provides sharing of personalization features to facilitate developing a community view of content, such as the internet Menu features are configured to modify source content through simple commands such as add, delete, replace targeted toward content and links to content. The content modification platform is beneficially and effectively used in a variety of on-line content types, environments, transactions, business activity, e-commerce, stock trading, education, human resources and many others. By facilitating a user defining what relationships between and among content is important to them, a customized view of the internet can be presented to the user.

Systems and methods for protection of streamed media content are disclosed. In one aspect, the system includes control means for governing content streams or objects, decryption means for decrypting content streams or objects, and feedback means for tracking use of content streams or objects. The control means may operate in accordance with rules received in the streamed content or through a side-band channel. The rules may specify allowed uses of the content, including whether the content can be copied or transferred, and whether content may be “checked out” of one device and used in another. The rules may also include budgets, and a requirement that audit information be collected and / or transmitted to server. In another aspect, a media player is disclosed that uses plugins to assist in rendering content. A “trust plugin” is used to enable a media player designed to render unprotected content to render protected content.

A device for obtaining media content from a source and storing the media content for subsequent playback. A response mechanism enables a listener to generate response information associated with particular media content that is being rendered by the device. This response information can be delivered to a third party system for triggering the performance of specific actions related to the media content. A content system interfaces to the device and to the Internet. The content system obtains media content from one or more sources via the Internet and delivers the content to the device.

Methods and apparatus for embedding digital watermarks into a digital host content are provided. A digital host content is received, e.g., at a receiver or other device incorporating a receiver. One or more watermark embedding technologies is selected. Multiple embedding opportunities are identified within the host content. A subset of the identified embedding opportunities is selected. A multiplicity of digital watermarks are then embedded into the host content in accordance with the selected subset of embedding opportunities utilizing the one or more selected watermark embedding technologies. The selecting of the subset of embedding opportunities may be adapted to provide a desired tradeoff between levels of robustness, security, and transparency of the watermark. A plurality of watermarking embedding technologies may be selected and used in the embedding step.

A system and method for synchronizing digital media playback at multiple digital media playback devices interconnected on a network is provided. A digital media playback device comprising a processor, a synchronization component, a timekeeper component and a digital media source performs synchronization processes to arrange for other players to begin playback at a predetermined position and time in the digital media signal. Synchronization is accomplished by processes which approximate the arrival time of a packet containing audio and / or video digital content across the network and instruct the playback devices as to when playback is to begin, and at what point in the streaming media content signal to begin playback. One method uses a time-stamp packet on the network to synchronize all players. Other methods utilize reiterative processes to narrow approximations of packet arrival time at each playback device.

Apparatus, computer-readable storage media, and methods are disclosed for allowing wireless communication device users to retrieve and view photographs, videos, and other media content using mobile computing platforms for display using a slideshow application. According to one disclosed embodiment, a method of performing a client-side slideshow application on a wireless communication device comprises, based on detecting that that wireless communication device is connected to a charging device, automatically invoking a slideshow application operable to display a series of images using the wireless communication device. The method further comprises transmitting a request for images via the Internet and receiving a series of images selected based at least in part on the request, adding at least one image from the series of images to an image playlist, and displaying at least a portion of the image playlist sequentially using the slideshow application on the wireless communication device.

Improved approaches for configuration, management and operation of a media delivery system are disclosed. The media delivery system centrally manages and stores media content and also controls the delivery of media content to subscribers. According to one embodiment, a method for providing a program guide to subscribers of the media delivery system is disclosed. The media delivery system delivers programs to the subscribers in accordance with the program guide. The program guide can be customized for subscribers. The customization can be implemented in a variety of ways. One example of customization is to provide the program guide with a time bar.