Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments include obtaining video content, the video content comprises a plurality of frames, monitoring, by an image sensor, a facial feature of a user to determine a visual focus of the user in relation to the video content, and detecting from a group of frames of the plurality of frames at least a reduction in movements of objects in the group of frames. Further embodiments include determining, according to the monitoring and the detecting, a measure of attention of the user within a region of the group of frames, determining that the measure of attention of the user within the region of the group of frames satisfies a threshold, and embedding in at least a portion of subsequent frames of the plurality of frames a visual advertisement in the region via a communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

An application gateway including application service programming positioned at a user premises can provide voice controlled and managed services to a user and one or more endpoint devices associated with the application gateway. The application gateway can be controlled remotely by the application service provider through a service management center and configured to execute an application service provided from the application service provider. The application gateway can execute the application service at the user premises upon voice command by a user and independent of application services executing on the application service provider's network. An application service logic manager can communicate with an application service enforcement manager to verify that the request conforms with the policy and usage rules associated with the application service in order to authorize execution of the application service on the application gateway, either directly or through endpoint devices.

A media distribution system provides controlled distribution of media owned by various parties hosted on a local media access device. A media image communication system provides a secure method of communications between the media host and the client receiving and viewing the media. The media image communication system converts a typical text message into an image file format to prevent unauthorized access to the message, and to prevent any changes and/or manipulation of the message content.

A media distribution system provides controlled distribution of media owned by various parties hosted on a local media access device. A media image communication system provides a secure method of communications between the media host and the client receiving and viewing the media. The media image communication system converts a typical text message into an image file format to prevent unauthorized access to the message, and to prevent any changes and/or manipulation of the message content.

Disclosed is an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a first communicator, a second communicator; and a processor configured to determine whether or not an external electronic apparatus outputting input speech is connectable to a network connectable through the first communicator, based on the input speech, and to transmit a signal for controlling the external electronic apparatus to the external electronic apparatus through the first communicator or the second communicator depending on whether or not the external electronic apparatus is connectable to the network.

Disclosed is an electronic apparatus. The electronic apparatus includes a first communicator, a second communicator; and a processor configured to determine whether or not an external electronic apparatus outputting input speech is connectable to a network connectable through the first communicator, based on the input speech, and to transmit a signal for controlling the external electronic apparatus to the external electronic apparatus through the first communicator or the second communicator depending on whether or not the external electronic apparatus is connectable to the network.

Methods and apparatuses are provided for receiving content. The method includes receiving a first service, by a receiver of a reception apparatus, the first service providing first content and first metadata associated with the first content. The first content is encoded in one of a plurality of formats decodable by the reception apparatus. Further, the method includes generating, by circuitry of the reception apparatus, first codec mode in formation based on the first metadata received with the first content. The first codec mode information indicates the one of the plurality of formats or a codec for decoding the one of the plurality of formats. The generated first codec mode information in association with the first service is stored, by the circuitry, in a table. The table includes codec mode information for a plurality of different services, which includes the first service.

The playback of video content upon a display is enhanced through the unobtrusive presentation of extrinsic data upon the same display. A video content feature is rendered on a display. A quantity of extrinsic data relevant to a current time in the video content feature is determined based at least in part on viewing history of a user. A graphical element presenting at least a portion of the extrinsic data is rendered on the display while the video content feature is also being rendered on the display.

The playback of video content upon a display is enhanced through the unobtrusive presentation of extrinsic data upon the same display. A video content feature is rendered on a display. A quantity of extrinsic data relevant to a current time in the video content feature is determined based at least in part on viewing history of a user. A graphical element presenting at least a portion of the extrinsic data is rendered on the display while the video content feature is also being rendered on the display.

Described are method and system embodiments for monitoring segmentation messages of a digital video stream. In some embodiments, a method is performed at an electronic device with a display and operated by a user. The method includes monitoring the digital video stream for segmentation messages and detecting a segmentation message in the digital video stream. Then, a validity of the detected segmentation message is determined based on a previously-detected segmentation message. The user is notified of the determined validity of the segmentation message using the display.