Abstract: A device receives information associated with over-the-top (OTT) content associated with a user of the device. The device retrieves, from an OTT content delivery system, an address a playback position, and a manifest file associated with the OTT content, where the manifest file identifies chunks of content associated with the OTT content. The device retrieves, from the OTT content delivery system, one or more chunks, of the chunks of content associated with the OTT content, based on the address, the playback position, and the manifest file, where the one or more chunks are fewer than all of the chunks. The device stores the one or more chunks in the memory, receives an instruction to play the OTT content after the one or more chunks are stored, and plays the one or more chunks, based on the instruction, while simultaneously obtaining remaining chunks of the OTT content.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented media service system 1) dividing a unitary media program into a plurality of contiguous segments, 2) forming, from the plurality of contiguous segments, a plurality of discrete installments of the unitary media program, and 3) providing an end user of a media service with installment-by-installment access to the plurality of discrete installments of the unitary media program. In certain examples, the method may further include the system providing an option for selection by the end user to access the unitary media program by way of a normal-access mode or an installment-access mode. The normal-access mode may be configured to facilitate a start-to-finish consumption of the unitary media program in a single playback session, and the installment-access mode may be configured to facilitate installment-by-installment consumption of the discrete installments of the unitary media program in multiple, discrete playback sessions.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media content discovery system 1) receiving a message addressed to a personalized destination within a media content consumption service, the message having originated outside of the media content consumption service, 2) posting information associated with the message to the personalized destination within the media content consumption service for access by a user from within the media content consumption service, 3) receiving a request provided by the user from within the media content consumption service to access the information posted to the personalized destination, and 4) providing, within the media content consumption service in response to the request, a personalized user interface that presents the posted information. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media program distribution service system 1) receiving data representative of a plurality of scene tags specifying one or more media program scenes tagged by a plurality of end users of a media program distribution service, 2) aggregating the plurality of scene tags, 3) determining, based on a favorite scenes determination heuristic and the aggregate scene tags, a set of one or more favorite scenes that are most popular among the plurality of end users of the media program distribution service, and 4) providing, based on the determined set of one or more favorite scenes, a favorite scene based feature of the media program distribution service. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented trip playlist management system receiving data representative of a travel itinerary for a trip and generating, based on the data representative of the travel itinerary, a recommended trip playlist for the trip, the recommended trip playlist comprising a set of one or more media programs selected and arranged relative to a timeline for the trip. In certain examples, the computer-implemented trip playlist management system provides a trip playlist graphical user interface for display, the trip playlist graphical user interface comprising a visual representation of the recommended trip playlist. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media service provider system 1) detecting a request for information about a media program, 2) providing, for display on a display screen in response to the request, an information view for the media program that includes the information about the media program, 3) providing, for display in the information view, a first user-selectable icon associated with one or more options for accessing the media program by way of a first media distribution channel, and 4) providing, for display in the information view, a second user-selectable icon positioned adjacent to the first user-selectable icon and associated with one or more options for accessing the media program by way of a second media distribution channel that is different from the first media distribution channel. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes 1) detecting a first activity performed by a first user with respect to a media service while the first user is logged in to the media service with a particular user account and a second activity performed by a second user with respect to the media service while the second user is logged in to the media service with the particular user account, 2) determining that the first activity is performed within a first device context and that the second activity is performed within a second device context, 3) including, based on the determination, the first activity in a local activity set associated with the first device context, 4) excluding, based on the determination, the second activity from the local activity set, and 5) using the local activity set to provide a personalized interaction experience with the media service within the first device context.

Abstract: A user device provides, to a content delivery system, a content request for selected media and receives, in response to the content request, a unicast link for receiving the selected media via a unicast stream and a multicast link for receiving the selected media via a multicast stream. The user device presents a first portion of the selected media via the unicast stream and buffers, in a local memory, a second portion of the selected media from the multicast stream. The second portion is later in linear sequence of the selected media than the first portion. The user device discontinues presenting the first portion of the selected media when the first portion would overlap the second portion and present the second portion of the selected media from the memory.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a theme-based media program discovery system 1) concurrently maintaining data representative of a first active media program curation heuristic that specifies a first set of curation parameters associated with a media program theme and a second active media program curation heuristic that specifies a second set of curation parameters associated with the media program theme, 2) curating, based on the first active media program curation heuristic, a first set of one or more media programs related to the media program theme, and 3) curating, based on the second active media program curation heuristic, a second set of one or more media programs related to the media program theme. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented vending kiosk user interface system 1) receiving a camera image captured by a mobile device, the camera image including a visual representation of a vending kiosk located within a vicinity of the mobile device, 2) detecting the visual representation of the vending kiosk within the camera image, 3) generating, based on the detecting of the visual representation of the vending kiosk within the camera image, an augmented reality image that includes a combination of camera image content included in the camera image and virtual content associated with a vending service, and 4) directing the mobile device to display the augmented reality image. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a computer-implemented media service system presenting a first user interface view within which a presentation of a media program is provided for experiencing by a user, determining that the media program is included in a first set of curated media programs associated with a first theme, identifying a second theme that is different than the first theme, detecting a theme shift event that occurs in association with the presentation of the media program, and switching, in response to the theme shift event, from presenting the first user interface view to presenting a second user interface view for experiencing by the user, the second user interface view related to a second set of curated media programs associated with the second theme and unassociated with the first theme. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A server device may receive, from a user device, a request to store a unique copy of particular content, associated with a particular user; store, in a storage device associated with the server device, the unique copy of the particular content; determine a set of attributes of the particular content; determine a set of criteria based on which the unique copy of the particular content should be provided to the user device, the determining being based on one or more attributes, of the set of attributes of the particular content; determine that the set of criteria have been met; output, based on determining that the set of criteria have been met, the unique copy of the particular content to the user device; and delete the unique copy of the particular content from the storage device after outputting the particular content to the user device.

Abstract: A server device may determine content prediction parameters associated with multiple items of content; generate respective content prediction aggregate scores for each of the multiple items of content based on the content prediction parameters. A particular content prediction aggregate score, associated with a particular content, may be generated based on content prediction parameters associated with the particular content. The server device may generate a content prediction instruction; and may provide the content prediction instruction to cause the user device to receive and store a portion of the particular item of content.

Abstract: A method, performed by a computer device, may include receiving a request for a video asset from a user device, wherein the request includes information identifying a device type associated with the user device and a processor load associated with the user device. The method may further include determining a bandwidth capacity associated with a connection to the user device; selecting a codec and a quality level for the requested video asset based on the device type, the processor load, and the determined bandwidth capacity; identifying a Uniform Resource Identifier associated with the selected codec and quality level for the requested video asset; and providing the identified Uniform Resource Identifier to the user device.

Abstract: A system and method relate to identifying comments associated with digital content and submitted by one or more users. The comments are parsed to determine terms included in the comments. The respective classifications associated with the comments are determined based on the terms, and at least one classification of the digital content may be identified based on the respective classifications associated with the comments. In one implementation, the classification of the digital content is determined based on identifying comments associated with a portion of the digital content, and identifying a particular classification associated with at least a threshold number of the comments associated with the portion.

Abstract: A network device obtains a first number of stars associated with a fan rating of a first asset by a first user, and obtains a total first number of fan reviews of the first asset. The network device obtains a first release year associated with the first asset, and determines a first sorting value based on a function of the first number of stars, the total first number of reviews, and the first release year. The network device sorts the first asset among other assets using the determined first sorting value.

Abstract: A method and system relate to receiving first comments, associated with first digital content, that are submitted by a first user, and determining an opinion of the first user with respect to the first digital content based on the one or more first comments. Determining the opinion of the first user with respect to the first digital content includes parsing the one or more first comments to determine a term included in the one or more first comments, and determining the opinion based on the term. The first user is clustered with second users who share the first users opinion regarding the first digital content. Second digital content, liked by at least one of the second users and have accessed by the first user, are identified, and a recommendation identifying the second digital content is presented for display to the first user.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a request for a last position in a video program associated with a user of a client device and sending the last position in the video program to the client device. The method includes receiving a periodic update of current position in video program of user from client device, determining whether a secondary video content insertion uniform resource indicator (URI) associated with secondary video content is received. The method also includes sending a response to the client device that includes the secondary video content insertion URI in response to a determination that the secondary video content insertion URI has been received, wherein the client device is configurable to switch from the video program to the secondary video content based on receipt of the secondary video content insertion URI and to switch back to the video program at an end of the secondary video content.

Abstract: A user device provides, to a content delivery system, a content request for selected media and receives, in response to the content request, a unicast link for receiving the selected media via a unicast stream and a multicast link for receiving the selected media via a multicast stream. The user device presents a first portion of the selected media via the unicast stream and buffers, in a local memory, a second portion of the selected media from the multicast stream. The second portion is later in linear sequence of the selected media than the first portion. The user device discontinues presenting the first portion of the selected media when the first portion would overlap the second portion and present the second portion of the selected media from the memory.

Abstract: A device is configured to receive a text message sent by a user device to a centralized address. The text message includes text describing a command to be executed by a client device. The device obtains identification information identifying the user device based on the text message. Additionally, the device determines the client device associated with the user device based on the user identification information. The device generates the command described in the text message and provides the command to the client device for execution of the command.