Abstract: Techniques for targeting media content items for weakly connected devices are described. In some embodiments, a model building method in preparation for approximated personalization is performed at a server. The server uses data from fully connected devices to build a full model, which classifies profiles into clusters and tags targeted content with content rankings. The server also builds device models that approximate the full model. The server then sends the device models to user devices for targeted content selection. In some embodiments, a content selection method for approximated personalization is performed at a user device. The user device receives parameters of a device model trained by a server. The user device then executes the device model using local user data to assign a profile to a cluster and selects targeted content for the profile based on the cluster assignment and the rankings of the targeted content.

Abstract: A method prompts a user to provide first credentials, receives the first credentials, and using an initial verification process including at least one of validity, a uniqueness, a suspicious contextual detection, or statistical recurrence verification, to verify the first credentials based on stored data. Based on a negative result of the initial verification process, the method prompts the user to provide second credentials, receives the second credentials, and validates the second credentials based on the stored data. The method registers the user for a service based on a positive result of the initial verification process or a positive result of the second strong validation process, refusing to register the user for the service based on a negative result of the initial verification process and the negative result of the second strong validation process, and blacklisting the verified second credentials upon registering the user.

Abstract: A multimedia content selection system includes at least one processor executing instructions for performing operations. The operations include receiving a playback request from a playback unit, including a content identifier, providing, to the playback unit, a manifest with at least a set of content segment identifiers based on the content identifier, each content segment identifier identifying a content segment associated with a content stream, receiving a content stream request comprising one of the content segment identifiers, and selecting a segment for playback from the content segment associated with the received content segment identifier, determined using a set of content selection rules.

Abstract: A method includes transmitting, to a client device, a portion of a first ABR segment, characterized by a first representation, according to a first predefined protocol, and transmitting a first buffer management instruction that is associated with the portion of the first ABR segment. The method includes obtaining a performance status characteristic from the client device. The performance status characteristic characterizes the client device receiving the portion of the first ABR segment. The method includes, in response to determining that the performance status characteristic satisfies a representation change condition, transmitting, to the client device, a portion of a second ABR segment, characterized by a second representation, according to a second predefined protocol that is different from the first predefined protocol, and transmitting a second buffer management instruction that is associated with the portion of the second ABR segment.

Abstract: Techniques for machine learning based coded size estimation in rate control of video encoding are described. An encoder in accordance with various embodiments uses one or more machine learning approaches to facilitate the rate control of video encoding. When training one or more neural network models, the relationship between the coded size and unit characteristics (e.g., picture pixels and/or picture features) is learned from past encoding. The encoder then uses the trained model(s) to estimate the coded size through model inference with improved accuracy. In some embodiments, the trained model(s) are integrated into the encoder for direct model inference. The direct model inference reduces the overhead of referencing application programming interfaces (APIs) provided by a separate machine learning platform, thus making the rate control methods and systems described herein useful in real time video encoding.

Abstract: Techniques for media content tamper protection and detection are described. In some embodiments, the protection method is performed at an encoder. The encoder obtains a first sequence of signatures within a group of pictures and a second sequence of signatures for audio frames corresponding to the group of pictures. The encoder then combines the first sequence of signatures and the second sequence of signatures to generate a combined signature, and the combined signature is then embedded in a transport stream for transmission to a client device. In some embodiments, the detection method is performed at a client device, where the client device, in response to detecting a first message in the transport stream, starts calculation of signatures for a group of pictures and corresponding audio frames. The client device then uses the calculated signatures to validate an expected signature for the group of pictures and the corresponding audio frames.

Abstract: A method for providing data to a device includes receiving a location of the device, determining a network cell associated with the location, determining network traffic at the network cell and at other network cells, receiving a request for a data stream from the device, and optimizing a net user satisfaction by selecting a bitrate for the data stream based on a plurality of bitrates associated with streaming to other devices located within the network cell and the network traffic at the other network cells, wherein the net user satisfaction is an average of user satisfactions.

Abstract: A multimedia content selection system includes at least one processor executing instructions for performing operations. The operations include receiving a playback request from a playback unit, including a content identifier, providing, to the playback unit, a manifest with at least a set of content segment identifiers based on the content identifier, each content segment identifier identifying a content segment associated with a content stream, receiving a content stream request comprising one of the content segment identifiers, and selecting a segment for playback from the content segment associated with the received content segment identifier, determined using a set of content selection rules.

Abstract: A method is performed at a network device including a plurality of network interfaces. The method includes obtaining a first source adaptive bitrate (ABR) asset and a second source ABR asset. The method includes encoding the first source ABR asset in order to generate a first plurality of video representations, and encoding the second source ABR asset in order to generate a second plurality of video representations. The method includes providing, to a first client device, a first one of the first plurality of video representations. The method includes, in response to detecting satisfaction of a source change condition with respect to the first client device, providing, to the first client device, a first one of the second plurality of video representations, and ceasing to provide the first one of the first plurality of video representations to the first client device.

Abstract: A method for offloading a data segment includes receiving a probe request from a user device to offload the data segment, where the probe request includes a segment identification. The method further includes sending a probe response to the user device, where the probe response includes an approval or decline of an action to be executed by the user device, the action being one of an upload or a request to retry offloading the data segment at a later time. The method further includes sending a challenge to the user device.

Abstract: A method is performed at a network device including a plurality of network interfaces. The method includes receiving, from a client device, a playback request associated with a plurality of preauthored video frames. The method includes, in response to receiving the playback request, delivering, to the client device, customizable content that is based on the playback request. The method includes detecting that a first portion of the plurality of preauthored video frames and a portion of the customizable content together satisfy a switching condition. The method includes, in response to detecting that the first portion of the plurality of preauthored video frames and the portion of the customizable content together satisfy the switching condition, switching delivery of the customizable content to the client device with delivery of the first portion of a plurality of preauthored video frames to the client device.

Abstract: An embodiment of a system for securing media content includes a digital media device comprising a memory associated with a secure element. The memory contains a private key and storage for at least one group key. The private key is used to decrypt transmissions from a remote access control system that are encrypted by a corresponding public key. The digital media device further comprises logic configured to respond to a first message received from the remote access control system encrypted by the public key and including a first group key, the logic responding to the first message by decrypting the first group key and storing the first group key in the memory of the secure element. The digital media device further comprises logic configured to decrypt a content key with the first group key. The content key is used to encrypt media content stored on a medium accessible by the digital media device.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request to initiate recording of a media object. The media object includes a first plurality of sequential media segments. The first plurality of sequential media segments is associated with a corresponding plurality of metadata files, each of which providing a description of a respective one of the first plurality of sequential media segments. The method includes generating, in response to receiving the request to initiate recording of the media object, a first common metadata file that is associated with the media object as a function of the corresponding plurality of metadata files. The first common metadata file includes sequencing information associated with the first plurality of sequential media segments. The method includes storing the first plurality of sequential media segments based on the sequencing information included in the first common metadata file.

Abstract: A method for managing content in a network having one or more user devices and one or more edge computing systems includes determining a likelihood that a user device will connect to an edge computing system during a time window, based on the determined likelihood, storing on the edge computing system information reflecting an activity pattern associated with the user device, receiving a request for content from the user device, generating metadata based on the stored information and the request, and transmitting the metadata to the user device.

Abstract: A method for identifying from among network-connected devices a particular device likely associated with a theft of distributed content includes obtaining content, the content having been distributed from a particular one of the network-connected devices, identifying in the obtained content anti-collusion codes, and determining the particular one of the network-connected devices is likely associated with the theft of distributed content when an aggregated probability calculated using the identified anti-collusion codes is equal to or exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method performed by a system that includes at least one processor, the method comprising: obtaining subscriber data of a plurality of subscribers, wherein said subscriber data comprises at least one of: consumption data relating to subscribed content consumption by said plurality of subscribers, or network data relating to data transmittal via one or more computer networks by the plurality of subscribers; detecting anomalous data by comparing subscriber data of different subscribers in the plurality of subscribers; identifying one or more suspected subscribers out of the plurality of subscribers as being suspected of unauthorized subscribed content distribution, the one of more suspected subscribers being associated with the anomalous data; and providing a respective identity for the one or more suspected subscribers.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for video content security and for detecting and preventing unauthorized playback. According to an exemplary method, a device performing a video playback can acquire a set of video frames from a decoder during the video playback, and generate, based on the set of video frames, a first video identifier. The first video identifier can be sent to a server. In response to the server determining that the first video identifier matches a second video identifier stored in the server, the device can receive a list of authorized playback sources associated with the second video identifier. The device can determine whether a source of the video playback is included in the list of authorized playback sources, and control the video playback based on the determination.

Abstract: A processor of a broadcasting selects an encoding method for a first broadcast based on a first broadcast characteristic, wherein the encoding method is a default encoding method when the first broadcast characteristic is not recognized by the system, and transmits the first broadcast, encoded using the encoding method, to a playback device. The processor further uses a feedback control loop to dynamically adjust parameters of the encoding method to optimize a metric related to quality and a bitrate of the encoded first broadcast. The processor transmits a second broadcast encoded using the encoding method having the adjusted parameters to the playback device.

Abstract: A method for managing content in a network having one or more user devices and one or more edge computing systems includes determining a likelihood that a user device will connect to an edge computing system during a time window, based on the determined likelihood, storing on the edge computing system information reflecting an activity pattern associated with the user device, receiving a request for content from the user device, generating metadata based on the stored information and the request, and transmitting the metadata to the user device.

Abstract: A multimedia content selection system includes at least one processor executing instructions for performing operations. The operations include receiving a playback request from a playback unit, including a content identifier, providing, to the playback unit, a manifest with at least a set of content segment identifiers based on the content identifier, each content segment identifier identifying a content segment associated with a content stream, receiving a content stream request comprising one of the content segment identifiers, and selecting a segment for playback from the content segment associated with the received content segment identifier, determined using a set of content selection rules.