Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method including presenting a playlist of media content generated by a predictive model of preferences of a user of a system based on first prior media consumption associated with a subscription television service and second prior media consumption associated with an internet-based service, receiving a first selection of first media content from the playlist, presenting a menu of viewing devices for viewing the first media content, receiving a second selection of a first companion device for the first media content from the menu of viewing devices, transmitting the first selection and the second selection to a content provider, receiving the first media content from the content provider, and presenting the first media content. The content provider can transmit, to the first companion device, supplementary content, including internet-based content associated with the first media content, for presentation at a display.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques for distributed storage of files that represent video content across different storage tiers to reduce the amount of computing resources used to store the files, while maintaining a low latency when responding to user requests to stream the video content. Video streaming services support the streaming of video content at different resolutions to support various user devices and/or user preferences. To provide streaming of a particular video content item at different resolutions, the video streaming services may store multiple files that represent the video content item for the different resolutions and stream at different bitrates to user devices. The techniques described herein include storing files configured to stream a video content item at different bitrates (and for different display resolutions) in a tiered storage structure to reduce the amount of computing resources taken to store the files.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for providing content playback options to content playback systems based on the capabilities of the systems. These techniques determine whether the content options should be provided based on the capabilities of a source device in a combined playback system. The version of the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) protocol used to initialize the connection between the source and sink devices is determined. Based on the version of the HDCP protocol used, an override message may be sent to the content service, in response to which the media player on the source device is directed to an content service endpoint corresponding to particular set of playback options.

Abstract: A transmission method includes generating one or more frames for content transfer using IP (Internet Protocol) packets, and transmitting the one or more generated frames by broadcast. Each of the one or more frames contains a plurality of second transfer units, each of the plurality of second transfer units contains one or more first transfer units, and each of the one or more first transfer units contains at least one of the IP packets. An object IP packet of the IP packets which is stored in a first transfer unit positioned at a head in the one or more frames contains reference clock information that indicates time for reproduction of the content in data structure different from data structure of an MMT (MPEG Media Transport) packet, and header compression processing on the object IP packet is omitted.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a resource retrieval method in an intelligent identification system and an intelligent identification system. Herein, the intelligent identification system is associated with multiple resource servers provided by multiple resource service providers. The method comprises: receiving retrieval information input by a user, and identifying a resource type represented by the retrieval information (S1); determining, in the multiple resource servers, multiple target resource servers corresponding to the resource type, and transmitting the retrieval information to the multiple target resource servers (S3); and receiving retrieved resources fed back by the multiple target resource servers in regard to the retrieval information, and displaying the retrieved resources to the user (S5). The technical solutions provided in the present disclosure may simplify a user's resource acquisition manner.

Abstract: Linear content holds great value to consumers, and by delivering it to consumers on demand, service providers can improve the user experience for their consumers. A consumer requests linear on demand content by selecting channels and time ranges or content items, or bundles thereof, which the service provider broadcasts as linear content. The requested content is broadcast, and repackaged as an unbroken block of content for the consumer during the requested time range or the duration of the content item. By repackaging the linear on demand content, the service provider may provide greater options to consumers without significantly increasing the amount of bandwidth used in its network to deliver that content. Channel guides and viewing features are tailored for the requested content to further improve the user experience.

Abstract: An embodiment for recording a channel that is communicating a program of interest identifies a selected program for recording as a program of interest based upon a characteristic of the selected program, the characteristic of the selected program corresponding to at least one characteristic associated with the program of interest; records an advance period corresponding to a period before a beginning of the program of interest, and records a following period corresponding to a period after a conclusion of the program of interest.

Abstract: A bullet comment processing method and apparatus, a server, and a storage medium are provided. When a bullet comment needs to be released, at least one candidate track matching a to-be-released bullet comment format is identified; then, a display duration of an existing bullet comment content in each candidate track is determined as a first duration corresponding to the each candidate track, and a display duration of a to-be-released bullet comment content when being placed in the each candidate track is determined as a second duration corresponding to the each candidate track; the second duration and the first duration of the each candidate track are compared, and a target track is identified to display the to-be-released bullet comment, where the second duration of the target track is greater than the first duration; and the to-be-released bullet comment content is displayed at the target track.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a broadcast signal, includes generating at least one first link layer packet including data packets that include broadcast data in a link layer that is a layer between a physical layer and a network layer, generating at least one second link layer packet including link layer signaling information in the link layer and transmitting the broadcast signal including the at least one first link layer packet and the at least one second link layer packet in the physical layer, wherein a header of the at least one first link layer packet includes packet type information for indicating a packet type of the data packets before being included in the at least first link layer packet, wherein the data packets are Transport Stream (TS) packets or Internet Protocol (IP) packets, and wherein the TS packets are header compressed TS packets or header uncompressed TS packets.

Abstract: A processing device and method are disclosed to generate automatic content recognition (ACR) fingerprints. A device can include a processing device to execute a capture daemon. The capture daemon may include a capturer to receive media content from a content feed and to generate content frames of the media content. The capture daemon can also include ACR fingerprinter to generate ACR fingerprint information for the content frames. The ACR fingerprinter may communicate the ACR fingerprint information to an ACR server via a first communication channel. The processing device may determine when the ACR fingerprinter fails; cease communicating the ACR fingerprint information to the ACR server; and restart the ACR fingerprinter.

Abstract: A media client ascertains a plurality of matching points between (i) query fingerprints representing a media stream being received by the client and (ii) reference fingerprints, each identified matching point defining a respective match between a query fingerprint that is timestamped with client time defined according to a clock of the client and a reference fingerprint that is timestamped with true time defined according to a timeline within a known media stream. Further, the client performs linear regression based on the timestamps of the ascertained plurality of matching points, to establish a mapping between true time and client time. The client then uses the established mapping as a basis to determine a client-time point at which the client should perform an action with respect to media stream being received by the client. And the client performs the action at the determined client-time point.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, receiving, at a broadcast image processor, from a single broadcast event, a plurality of camera feeds, wherein the camera feeds each comprise an image of the single broadcast event from a different angle, providing, by the broadcast image processor, a summary of the plurality of camera feeds to a media processor, receiving, by the broadcast image processor, a request to select a requested angle from among the plurality of camera feeds from the media processor, and creating, by the broadcast image processor, a custom view from the plurality of camera feeds according to the request for the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and storage media provide for identifying, by an ad insertion device, at least one prospect for inserting a selected ad via a set of hidden channels during a target programming timeslot based on ad schedules for a plurality of networks; determining based on hidden channel usage data for a programming timeslot corresponding to the target programming timeslot, that a likelihood of availability of at least one hidden channel of the set of hidden channels during the target programming timeslot exceeds a first threshold level; and sending an instruction to an interface device to insert the selected ad via the at least one hidden channel during the target programming timeslot.

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated processes augment television broadcasts with digital content that automatically replaces static portions of the captured imagery. In a video broadcast of a live event, for example, signs or other advertisements that are physically present in the event venue can be automatically replaced in television broadcasts of the event by virtual imagery of other signs or objects, as desired.

Abstract: A video aggregator can multiplex multimedia content, the multiplexed multimedia content being directed to a plurality of customer premises equipment, and aggregate the multiplexed multimedia content into a reduced number of broadcast channels to release at least one of bandwidth and radio frequency spectrum, not included in the reduced number of broadcast channels, for other applications. A system controller can electronically control delivery of the aggregated and multiplexed multimedia content to the plurality of customer premises equipment within the reduced number of broadcast channels, receive a request for unavailable other content, and electronically control delivery of the unavailable other content.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a broadcast signal transmission device comprises: one or more source modules for outputting a timed media data stream and a timed metadata stream for the timed media data stream, wherein the timed metadata stream includes a position metadata stream having position information of the one or more source modules, or an orientation metadata stream having orientation information of the one or more source modules; and a transmission interface for transmitting a data signal, wherein the timed media data stream and the timed metadata stream are respectively formatted into a file format based on an ISO BMFF in sample units, and the transmission interface can transmit, through a transmission network, a data signal including an ISO BMFF file, which includes the timed media data stream and the timed metadata stream.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes identifying an upcoming content modification opportunity on a channel. The method also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices tuned to the channel. The method also includes using, at least in part, an amount of content-presentation devices in the identified group as a basis to determine an amount of system resources to request. The method also includes requesting the determined amount of system resources for use in performing actions that facilitate at least a portion of the content-presentation devices in the identified group performing respective content-modification operations.

Abstract: It becomes possible to satisfactorily perform subtitle display in the reception side. A container of a predetermined format is transmitted, the container including a video stream including video data and a subtitle stream including text information of a subtitle, the text information including subtitle display position information for specifying a subtitle display position as a relative position with respect to a subtitle display range. Auxiliary information is inserted, into a container of the subtitle stream, to be used when the subtitles is displayed by using subtitle position information. For example, the auxiliary information is information regarding resizing processing, information for determining a subtitle display range, and the like.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system to provide the ability for a user to make audio and/or audio-video phone calls simultaneously while watching (co-viewing) provider video content in remote locations. A control system is provided to set up call, direct provider video content, and provide for the phone calls and video content to be delivered and then synchronized. The phone calls may be routed by the control system to PSTN destinations or Internet based destinations and calls made or received may be bridged to other Internet based sources. The provider video content may be provided directly from its source or routed through NAT traversal or through the control system.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for pushing information are provided. The method stores mapping relationships between device identifiers of different network devices and server identifiers of push servers that push service information to the network devices in a gateway platform, and further stores respective preference features corresponding to user identifiers in the gateway platform. When a user checks in a hotel room, the gateway platform determines a corresponding push server according to a device identifier of a network device in the hotel room where the user checks in, and sends the user's preference feature to the determined push server. Therefore, after the user stays in the hotel room, information displayed by an Internet television is information preferred by the user, and the user does not have to spend effort to search for the information that is preferred by the user, thereby improving the convenience of using the Internet television.