Various embodiments for delivering application content signaling information to a receiver device may include a server generating a metadata fragment for application content items of an application to be acquired by a receiver device, adding to the metadata fragment a first set of attributes including a list of other linear services that use the application content items described by the metadata fragment, and transmitting the metadata fragment to the receiver device. The first set of attributes further may include an application launch page or launch file indicator for the application and/or an indication of required capabilities for rendering the application and its associated one or more application content items. The first set of attributes further may include a start time and an end time for at least one distribution window for the application, the distribution window may be associated with information about auxiliary application content delivered during the distribution window.

A method and an apparatus are used to target interactive virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects available for targeting are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects. The virtual objects may be targeted based on individual subscriber information or on information related to groups of subscribers. When a frame of a program includes a virtual object location, a default or an alternate virtual object is displayed. The virtual object location may change over space or time. The virtual object may be interactive, and may be used to link a subscriber to a remote location, such as an Internet web site. An operations center or a cable headend may generate a group assignment plan that assigns the subscribers' television terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A retrieval plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to select the desired virtual object for display. The television terminals record which virtual objects were displayed, and report this information to the cable headends and the operations center. The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits. Interactive virtual objects are received by the television terminal with directions on actions to be taken upon selection of the interactive virtual object. Actions may result in the initiation of processes locally at the television terminal, or communication with a remote site for the initiation of processes to be performed remotely. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software, and corresponding features in the televisions to accomplish these functions.

A method and an apparatus are used to target interactive virtual objects to subscribers in a television delivery system. Programs are selected and virtual object locations are defined in the selected programs. The virtual objects available for targeting are categorized and the categories are correlated to subscriber information to determine the optimum targeting of the virtual objects. The virtual objects may be targeted based on individual subscriber information or on information related to groups of subscribers. When a frame of a program includes a virtual object location, a default or an alternate virtual object is displayed. The virtual object location may change over space or time. The virtual object may be interactive, and may be used to link a subscriber to a remote location, such as an Internet web site. An operations center or a cable headend may generate a group assignment plan that assigns the subscribers' television terminals to groups, based on factors such as area of dominant influence and household income. A retrieval plan is then generated that instructs the television terminals to select the desired virtual object for display. The television terminals record which virtual objects were displayed, and report this information to the cable headends and the operations center. The reported information is used to generate billing for commercial advertisers, and to analyze viewer watching habits. Interactive virtual objects are received by the television terminal with directions on actions to be taken upon selection of the interactive virtual object. Actions may result in the initiation of processes locally at the television terminal, or communication with a remote site for the initiation of processes to be performed remotely. The invention uses upstream data reception hardware, databases and processing hardware and software, and corresponding features in the televisions to accomplish these functions.

The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing video live broadcast, which can improve user experience in a video live broadcast service. In the present invention, a video stream synchronization request is sent to a network side device; a video stream playback position synchronization parameter sent by the network side device is received, where the video stream playback position synchronization parameter includes a playback position parameter at a video stream sending moment and a system frame number SFN at the video stream sending moment; an SFN at a video stream receiving moment is acquired; and the playback position parameter at the video stream sending moment is adjusted according to the SFN at the video stream sending moment and the SFN at the video stream receiving moment, so as to coincide with a current playback position parameter of the network side device.

The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing video live broadcast, which can improve user experience in a video live broadcast service. In the present invention, a video stream synchronization request is sent to a network side device; a video stream playback position synchronization parameter sent by the network side device is received, where the video stream playback position synchronization parameter includes a playback position parameter at a video stream sending moment and a system frame number SFN at the video stream sending moment; an SFN at a video stream receiving moment is acquired; and the playback position parameter at the video stream sending moment is adjusted according to the SFN at the video stream sending moment and the SFN at the video stream receiving moment, so as to coincide with a current playback position parameter of the network side device.

[Object] To provides a controller capable of switching a video so that the video is not distorted on the receiving side when the video is transmitted using IP multicast [Solution] There is provided a controller including a bandwidth reservation unit configured to, when an instruction given to a receiving device that receives a first video stream transmitted via IP multicast to receive a second video stream after receiving the first video stream is acquired, acquire information on a status of a network topology and a transmitted video stream and to reserve a network bandwidth for transmitting the second video stream in addition to the first video stream, and a reception instruction unit configured to send out an instruction to receive the second video stream to the receiving device by using the network bandwidth reserved by the bandwidth reservation unit.

[Object] To provides a controller capable of switching a video so that the video is not distorted on the receiving side when the video is transmitted using IP multicast [Solution] There is provided a controller including a bandwidth reservation unit configured to, when an instruction given to a receiving device that receives a first video stream transmitted via IP multicast to receive a second video stream after receiving the first video stream is acquired, acquire information on a status of a network topology and a transmitted video stream and to reserve a network bandwidth for transmitting the second video stream in addition to the first video stream, and a reception instruction unit configured to send out an instruction to receive the second video stream to the receiving device by using the network bandwidth reserved by the bandwidth reservation unit.

A multi-window user interface (UI) is presented in various configurations and operational uses to leverage the relatively large display canvas afforded by large screen display devices such as 4K or 8K displays. Along with the various “Multiview” aspects, content delivery techniques, content selection techniques, and level of service techniques also are presented.

A multi-window user interface (UI) is presented in various configurations and operational uses to leverage the relatively large display canvas afforded by large screen display devices such as 4K or 8K displays. Along with the various “Multiview” aspects, content delivery techniques, content selection techniques, and level of service techniques also are presented.

The present invention relates to a multicast-based content transmitting system and method, and a device and method for estimating high-speed movement. Included are: a content providing device for generating N×M multicast stream channels having different transmission start times and transmission rates, providing N×M multicast stream channel lists, and transmitting content through one channel of N×M multicast stream channels; and a user terminal for selecting one channel of the N×M multicast stream channel lists provided from the content providing device and receiving content through the selected multicast stream channel.