Abstract: A system may include a presentation device and a hub coupled thereto. The hub has a hardware processor which executes first computer instructions facilitating a conditions engine and second computer instructions facilitating a preferences engine. The preferences engine may identify a presentation preference and generate a preference instruction based on the presentation preference. The conditions engine, upon receiving the preference instruction, may identify a presentation condition and output a condition instruction to the presentation device. The system may include the presentation device, upon receiving the condition instruction, being configured in accordance with the presentation condition. The presentation preference may be an abstract preference, a technical preference, or a default preference. The presentation preference may be identified by the preferences engine based on a presentation setting, such as a location.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are provided for optimizing streaming bitrate during multiclient streaming sessions based, at least in part, on display profiles associated with client media receivers to which different video streams are concurrently provided. The method may be carried-out by a streaming media server in communication with first and second client media receivers over a network. In various embodiments, the method may include establishing at the streaming media server first and second bandwidth allotment thresholds based, at least in part, on display profiles assigned to display devices associated with the client media receivers. During an ensuing multiclient streaming session, the streaming media server further encodes segments of video streams at variable bitrates regulated in accordance with the established bandwidth allotment thresholds.

Abstract: Various arrangements for performing secure domain name system (DNS) routing are presented. A secure signature may be generated using an internet protocol (IP) address of an authorized device. An encoded character string may be generated that comprises the IP address. The domain name server may receive a request for an IP address mapped to the hostname. The hostname may be validated using the secure signature. The IP address of the authorized device may be decoded from the encoded character string at least partially in response to the hostname being validated by the domain name server. The IP address decoded from the encoded character string may be transmitted at least partially based on the hostname being validated and the request for the IP address.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for generating reminder notifications pertaining to time-sensitive media content. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process of establishing whether time-sensitive media content is desirably viewed by an end user of the media receiver. If establishing that time-sensitive media content is desirably viewed by the end user, it is further determined whether a reminder notification should be generated for the time-sensitive media content at a specified time relative to a change in availability of the time-sensitive media content from a media content provider. If further determining that a reminder notification should be generated for the time-sensitive media content, the reminder notification is generated at the specified time; e.g., the media receiver may generate the reminder notification itself or transmit instructions to a user-carried electronic device to generate the notification reminder.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided for interactive reassignment of character faces in an audio video program. An audio video input receives an audio video program. A user interface receives a request to substitute an original character face within the audio video program with an alternative character face. The system uses a buffer to delay the audio video program and generate a delayed audio video program. A processor detects the original character face in the audio video program and replaces the original character face in the delayed audio video program with the alternative character face to generate a modified and delayed audio video program. The modified delayed audio video program is sent to a display and loudspeaker.

Abstract: Devices, systems, method, and program products are provided, which support temporally-seamless change functionalities during multichannel streaming sessions established between a streaming media server and a client media receiver. In embodiments, the method includes outputting, to a display device, a first streaming channel contained in a streaming channel bundle and assigned a high priority level. When receiving a channel change request to view a second streaming channel, the client media receiver monitors for additional channel change requests over a predetermined wait period. If an additional channel change request is received within the wait period, the client media receiver repeats the step of monitoring.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that facilitate sharing or a hand-off of program content or a user session (e.g., running within a computer application) of a user device such that a user can easily select and then switch devices on which program content is being viewed or on which a user session is being run without having to sift through a myriad of other devices such as remote discoverable devices on the same network that are not in close proximity to the user device. A user device determines which of a plurality of discovered devices from which a short range wireless signal including a defined key was received and provides a list of discovered devices with which a session may be shared over the computer network with the user device based on this determination.

Abstract: Various arrangements for debugging a hung thread of a software application are presented. A thread monitor module may be executed that monitors for any hung threads within a plurality of executing threads. A monitoring initialization message may be received that initiates thread monitoring of a thread. In response to the monitoring initialization message, tracking of the thread may be commenced by determining whether an update message for the thread has been received within an amount of time allotted for the update message to be sent. If the update message is not received, the thread may be identified as hung. Debugging information generated in response to identifying the hung thread may be used for creating an improved version of the software application that prevents the hang.

Abstract: A media content storage and delivery system, and related operating methods are presented here. A disclosed method of delivering user-provided content that is linked to on-demand media content involves: causing playback of on-demand media content at a first presentation device; receiving uploaded media content, wherein uploading of the uploaded media content is initiated during playback of the on-demand media content at the first presentation device; and linking the uploaded media content with the on-demand media content. After performing the linking, the method causes playback of the on-demand media content at a second presentation device, and causes playback of the uploaded media content after playback of the on-demand media content at the second presentation device, or after pausing playback of the on-demand media content at the second presentation device.

Abstract: A system may include a presentation device and a hub coupled thereto. The hub has a hardware processor which executes first computer instructions facilitating a conditions engine and second computer instructions facilitating a preferences engine. The preferences engine may identify a presentation preference and generate a preference instruction based on the presentation preference. The conditions engine, upon receiving the preference instruction, may identify a presentation condition and output a condition instruction to the presentation device. The system may include the presentation device, upon receiving the condition instruction, being configured in accordance with the presentation condition. The presentation preference may be an abstract preference, a technical preference, or a default preference. The presentation preference may be identified by the preferences engine based on a presentation setting, such as a location.