A computer-implemented method of using video viewing activity data as input to an aggregation engine built on the Hadoop MapReduce framework which calculates second-by-second video viewing activity aggregated to the analyst's choice of (a) geographic area, (b) video server, (c) video content (channel call sign, video program, etc.), or (d) viewer demographic, or any combination of these fields, for each second of the day represented in the video viewing activity data. Also calculates overall viewing for use as a denominator in calculations. The source data may be extracted from a database defined according to the Cable Television Laboratories, Inc. Media Measurement Data Model defined in “Audience Data Measurement Specification” as “OpenCable™. Specifications, Audience Measurement, Audience Measurement Data Specification” document OC-SP-AMD-101-130502 or any similar format. These metrics provide detailed data needed to calculate information on customer viewing behavior that can drive business decisions for service providers, advertisers, and content producers.

The present invention proposes a method of transmitting a broadcast signal. The method of transmitting a broadcast signal according to the present invention provides a system capable of supporting next-generation broadcast services in an environment supporting next-generation hybrid broadcast using terrestrial broadcast networks and the Internet. In addition, an efficient signaling method for covering terrestrial broadcast networks and the Internet in an environment supporting next-generation hybrid broadcast is proposed.

The present invention proposes a method of transmitting a broadcast signal. The method of transmitting a broadcast signal according to the present invention provides a system capable of supporting next-generation broadcast services in an environment supporting next-generation hybrid broadcast using terrestrial broadcast networks and the Internet. In addition, an efficient signaling method for covering terrestrial broadcast networks and the Internet in an environment supporting next-generation hybrid broadcast is proposed.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method is described for controlling a receiver station using stored data specific to a user. By receiving a computer program transmitted from a transmitter station, the computer program is stored at the receiver station. Upon execution of the computer program, the data specific to a user is processed to generate information content at an output device..Iaddend.

.[.A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming..]. .Iadd.A method is described for controlling a receiver station using stored data specific to a user. By receiving a computer program transmitted from a transmitter station, the computer program is stored at the receiver station. Upon execution of the computer program, the data specific to a user is processed to generate information content at an output device..Iaddend.

An enhanced radio system is disclosed that provides for the capture and playback of one or more radio stations. A user may tune to a station, scan through stations, rewind through missed content (even while the system is off), and fast-forward through undesired content, while downloading and uploading audio content, and sending content to another user. A user may rate content, and be notified when that content is played on any station, with undesirable content skipped and desirable content saved, or station recommendations made. Support for multiple sets of configuration information to allow use by multiple listeners and in multiple locations may be provided. Optionally provided are security features to prevent the unauthorized downloading, uploading, and saving of copies of content, other radio related and content related information, a karaoke mode, integration with a telephone with the radio, or reporting usage information to a collection facility.

Methods and systems for automatically transitioning content based on facial recognition, wherein the method may include receiving a signal from a camera, identifying a face of a viewer within an area, retrieving a user identifier associated with the face of the viewer, selecting a program, and displaying the program.

Methods and systems for automatically transitioning content based on facial recognition, wherein the method may include receiving a signal from a camera, identifying a face of a viewer within an area, retrieving a user identifier associated with the face of the viewer, selecting a program, and displaying the program.

A method for communicating with a companion device (CD) in a primary device (PD) includes receiving a broadcast signal from a broadcast station; generating a multicast advertisement message based on a simple service discovery protocol (SSDP) when the PD joins a network and sending the multicast advertisement message to a pre-defined address. Further, the multicast advertisement message includes duration information for which the multicast advertisement message is valid, further the duration information is signaled in a cache-control header. The multicast advertisement message further includes identifier information which uniquely identifies the PD, further the identifier information is signaled in a USN header, and the multicast advertisement message further includes device type information, further the device type information is signaled in a NT header.

A method for communicating with a companion device (CD) in a primary device (PD) includes receiving a broadcast signal from a broadcast station; generating a multicast advertisement message based on a simple service discovery protocol (SSDP) when the PD joins a network and sending the multicast advertisement message to a pre-defined address. Further, the multicast advertisement message includes duration information for which the multicast advertisement message is valid, further the duration information is signaled in a cache-control header. The multicast advertisement message further includes identifier information which uniquely identifies the PD, further the identifier information is signaled in a USN header, and the multicast advertisement message further includes device type information, further the device type information is signaled in a NT header.