A computer system provides a method for delivering a video stream to a viewer and delivering, in synchrony with the video stream, social media content created during the current and previous viewings of the video stream by first-time viewers of the video stream.

A computer system provides a method for delivering a video stream to a viewer and delivering, in synchrony with the video stream, social media content created during the current and previous viewings of the video stream by first-time viewers of the video stream.

An edge server is served by a rendering machine supplying groups of pictures (GOPs) and comprises a buffer for a predetermined lead time over actual time. If a rendering machine fails then the partially available GOP from that rendering machine is discarded and another rendering machine, having the capacity to handle the GOPs stream, is activated. It provides GOPS from the failed GOP onwards and rendering continues therefrom by the replacing rendering machine. Rendering initially at a faster than real-time speed it is possible to catch-up on time so that the edge server continues to receive and transmit the GOPs without interruption. A plurality of rendering machines continuously operate to feed the edge server(s) and the number of channels used is such that allows for sufficient redundancy as well as for the faster than real-time rendering that is necessary in the case of a need for failover.

A television message system is provided that allows users at user television devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send massages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.

A television message system is provided that allows users at user television devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send massages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.

The disclosure provides a method (300) for inserting an advertisement into a video stream of an AoD service. The method is performed by an AoD processing device and includes steps of: acquiring (S310), from the AoD server, advertisement configuration information; determining (S320) an advertisement to be inserted based on the advertisement configuration information; receiving (S330), from the AoD server, a notification that a triggering condition for inserting an advertisement is satisfied, the triggering condition being associated with an interaction between the AoD server and a client device to which the AoD service is provided; transmitting (S340) to the AoD server an instruction to cause the AoD server to render a combined picture of the application and the advertisement based on the advertisement configuration information; and receiving (S350), from the AoD server, the combined picture and converting it into a frame in the video stream for transmission to the client device.

The disclosure provides a method (300) for inserting an advertisement into a video stream of an AoD service. The method is performed by an AoD processing device and includes steps of: acquiring (S310), from the AoD server, advertisement configuration information; determining (S320) an advertisement to be inserted based on the advertisement configuration information; receiving (S330), from the AoD server, a notification that a triggering condition for inserting an advertisement is satisfied, the triggering condition being associated with an interaction between the AoD server and a client device to which the AoD service is provided; transmitting (S340) to the AoD server an instruction to cause the AoD server to render a combined picture of the application and the advertisement based on the advertisement configuration information; and receiving (S350), from the AoD server, the combined picture and converting it into a frame in the video stream for transmission to the client device.

A method for distributing video content to at least one mobile device (411-413) at a customer premises (140) system comprising a plurality of stationary devices (421-423) capable of receiving the video content from at least one content provider (160). The method comprises the steps of: receiving, at the stationary devices (421-423), requests to tune a tuner (512, 513) of the stationary device (421-423) to a requested channel received from the content provider (160); outputting the content, of the channel tuned to by at least one stationary device (421-423), to a mobile content gateway (414) at the customer premises (140) system; handling, at the mobile content gateway (414), a list of video channels (611) comprising data associating each channel of the list with a stationary device (421-423); sending, from the mobile content gateway (414), to the at least one stationary device (421-423) requests to tune to channels assigned according to the list of video channels (611); preparing at least one single-program stream from the content received from the at least one stationary device (421-423); outputting, from the mobile content gateway (414), the at least one single-program stream as at least one adaptive stream; and providing the at least one adaptive stream to the at least one mobile device (411-413) over a wireless data transmission interface.

A method for distributing video content to at least one mobile device (411-413) at a customer premises (140) system comprising a plurality of stationary devices (421-423) capable of receiving the video content from at least one content provider (160). The method comprises the steps of: receiving, at the stationary devices (421-423), requests to tune a tuner (512, 513) of the stationary device (421-423) to a requested channel received from the content provider (160); outputting the content, of the channel tuned to by at least one stationary device (421-423), to a mobile content gateway (414) at the customer premises (140) system; handling, at the mobile content gateway (414), a list of video channels (611) comprising data associating each channel of the list with a stationary device (421-423); sending, from the mobile content gateway (414), to the at least one stationary device (421-423) requests to tune to channels assigned according to the list of video channels (611); preparing at least one single-program stream from the content received from the at least one stationary device (421-423); outputting, from the mobile content gateway (414), the at least one single-program stream as at least one adaptive stream; and providing the at least one adaptive stream to the at least one mobile device (411-413) over a wireless data transmission interface.

A method for transmitting a broadcast signal according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises generating service layer signaling information for discovery and acquisition of a broadcast service and a content component of the broadcast service; generating service list information including for service list building and discovery of the service layer signaling information; and physical layer processing of the service list information, service layer signaling information, and content component.