In one embodiment, a command is received from a video provider at a media rendering device, the command being a command to embed a subscriber ID in at least one video frame in a video stream. A random key, k is also received from the video provider at the media rendering device. An injective transformation is invoked for k and the subscriber ID, the injective transformation generating a sequence of pairs of: near-transparent patterns and corresponding time periods. Logical blocks of the at least one video frame in the video stream are overlaid with one of the near-transparent patterns for its one of the corresponding time periods. Related apparatus, systems, and methods are also described.

A method and system for planning and running video-on-demand (VOD) advertising includes a planner for planning advertising campaigns and an ad selector for running selected advertisements from selected ones of the campaigns. The campaigns are associated with household demographic classifications, video content category categories, household geographic locations, and/or video viewing times. In response to a viewer requesting a video, the selector selects the campaigns corresponding to the demographic classification associated with the viewer, the content category of the requested video, the geographic location associated with the viewer, and/or the viewing time at which the requested video is viewed. The demographic classification is determined by using an identifier of the viewer's set-top-box. The selector may select the campaigns corresponding to the content categories of the requested video. The content categories are determined by using an identifier associated with the requested video.

A digital content operating apparatus, including: a communication unit which communicates with an external device which has a display for displaying the digital content; a user operation interface which receives a user operation to control the digital content which is displayed on the external device; a display which displays either a linear content operation panel or an interactive content operation panel; and a controller which controls the user operation interface corresponding to information on the digital content which is displayed on the external device; wherein either the linear content operation panel or the interactive content operation panel is displayed alternatively as the user operation interface on the display.

A streaming media device includes a printed circuit board hosting components configured to access internet data. An audio/visual connector is linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted for connection to an audio/visual device, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted to operate with a first audio/visual interface having sufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board and a second audio/visual interface having insufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board. A power connector is linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the power connector selectively receives power based on the audio/visual connector utilizing one of the first audio/visual interface and the second audio/visual interface.

A streaming media device includes a printed circuit board hosting components configured to access internet data. An audio/visual connector is linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted for connection to an audio/visual device, wherein the audio/visual connector is adapted to operate with a first audio/visual interface having sufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board and a second audio/visual interface having insufficient power to fully operate the printed circuit board. A power connector is linked to the printed circuit board, wherein the power connector selectively receives power based on the audio/visual connector utilizing one of the first audio/visual interface and the second audio/visual interface.

Example embodiments provide systems and methods for replacing recorded media content. In an example method, at least one media content source is searched for a media content item recorded to storage of a first media content device. Based on the media content item being found at a first media content source of the at least one media content source, a recording of the media content item to storage of a second media content device is scheduled based on the media content item being recordable from the first media content source at the second media content device. Based on the media content item not being recordable from the first media content source at the second media device, the availability of the media content item is indicated to the second media content device.

A remote control device sends a patterned infrared signal to the display device. A display device receives the patterned infrared signal by using a plurality of infrared receivers. The display device obtains a projection pattern of the patterned infrared signal on a display screen. The display device determines a pointing position of the remote control device on the display screen based on the projection pattern. The display device displays a prompt mark in the pointing position of the display screen, where the prompt mark is used to prompt a user with the pointing position of the remote control device on the display screen.

A remote control device sends a patterned infrared signal to the display device. A display device receives the patterned infrared signal by using a plurality of infrared receivers. The display device obtains a projection pattern of the patterned infrared signal on a display screen. The display device determines a pointing position of the remote control device on the display screen based on the projection pattern. The display device displays a prompt mark in the pointing position of the display screen, where the prompt mark is used to prompt a user with the pointing position of the remote control device on the display screen.

Methods and apparatus to collect distributed user information for media impressions and search terms are disclosed. An example method includes accessing, from a media device, a first identifier and a search term at a first server, the first identifier corresponding to at least one of the media device or a user of the media device, the search term associated with a search request, generating a second identifier based on the first identifier, sending the second identifier and the search term from the first server to a data collection server to facilitate the data collection server to logging the search request, and receiving user information associated with the search request from a database proprietor based on the second identifier.

An example apparatus to monitor media that is presented via a mobile device includes: an application monitor to determine when media presentation software is being executed by the mobile device; and a metering information collector to collect at least one of a signature or a code of the media presented by the media presentation software based on the media presentation software being executed by the mobile device.