Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a first user with recommendations of media assets for inclusion in a playlist for a second user based on the second user's viewing activity. These systems and methods receive, from the second user, an expression of disinterest in a media asset included in the playlist for the second user, update a user profile associated with the second user based on the expression of disinterest, and determine a recommendation for another media asset based on the updated user profile associated with the second user. The systems and methods provide the recommendation to the first user. By recommending media assets that the second user is least likely to object to, these systems and methods reduce the frequency of disruptive requests for media assets from the second user.

Abstract: In some implementations, a device includes one or more processors and a non-transitory memory. In some implementations, a method includes determining that a video frame to be presented at a client device includes a portion that corresponds to a particular playback position within a video content item. In some implementations, the method includes obtaining audio data that corresponds to the particular playback position within the video content item. In some implementations, the method includes transmitting the audio data to the client device separate from the video frame.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture (e.g., physical storage media) to assign respondents to geographic locations for audience measurement are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein are to determine a set of constraints based on aggregate values of demographic features associated with respective ones of the geographic locations. Disclosed example apparatus are also to construct a model to return probabilities that respective ones the respondents are associated with the respective ones of the geographic locations, the model to have a set of parameters, respective ones of the parameters to be associated with respective ones of the constraints. Disclosed example apparatus are further to evaluate the model based on values of the set of parameters and values of the demographic features for a first one of the respondents to determine a set of probabilities that the first respondent is to be assigned to respective ones of the geographic locations.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed to optimize reference signature matching using watermark matching. An example disclosed herein includes selecting first unhashed reference signatures to evaluate for a second time segment of monitoring data based on watermark coverage of a first time segment of the monitoring data, the monitoring data obtained from a meter monitoring media presented by a media device and comparing the first unhashed reference signatures with first unhashed monitored signatures from the second time segment of the monitoring data.

Abstract: A method, a set-top box, and non-transitory computer readable medium are disclosed for detecting incompatible cables for devices. The method includes: setting, on an electronic device, a high speed data-transfer mode; sending, from the electronic device, data to a device at the high speed data-transfer mode over a cable under test; determining, on the electronic device, a number of authentication attempts by the device; and determining, by the electronic device, that the number of authentication attempts by the device is less a predetermined number that the cable under test is compatible with the high speed data-transfer mode.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a processing system that performs operations including collecting encrypted network traffic flow data from user interaction with an application, deriving a first set of traffic feature vectors from the encrypted network traffic flow data collected, training a machine learning algorithm on the first set of traffic feature vectors to classify each traffic feature vector in the first set of traffic feature vectors as associated with a type of the application or not associated with the type of the application, and classifying whether an encrypted network traffic flow as the type of the application by applying the machine learning algorithm to a traffic feature vector of the encrypted network traffic flow. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A geolocationing system and method for providing awareness in a multi-space environment, such as a hospitality environment or educational environment, are presented. In one embodiment of the geolocationing system, a vertical and horizontal array of gateway devices is provided. Each gateway device includes a gateway device identification providing an accurately-known fixed location within the multi-space environment. Each gateway device includes a wireless transceiver that receives a beacon signal from a proximate wireless-enabled personal locator device. The gateway devices, in turn, send gateway signals to a server, which determines estimated location of the wireless-enabled personal location device with trilateration and received signal strength modeling.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining available media content items and identifying a first number of wireless broadcast channels of a wireless network having a limited channel capacity and adapted to broadcast media content items within a coverage area. A demand for a group of media content items is identified, and media content items are selected according to the demand, wherein broadcasting of the selected media content items within the coverage area does not exceed the limited channel capacity. The selected media content items are assigned to a group of broadcast channels of the first number of wireless broadcast channels to obtain a broadcast channel assignment for the coverage area. The wireless network is configured to broadcast the selected media content items within the coverage area via wireless broadcast channels according to the broadcast channel assignment. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, system for tile-based video streaming using a proxy executing at a mobile edge cloud, which adaptively offloads decoding and merging of video tiles from mobile devices to the mobile edge cloud. A processing system including the proxy communicates with a video server and a client device. The proxy receives a request for video content from a client device; the request includes historical field of view (FoV) information. The proxy predicts a client FoV, requests video tiles from the server, downloads the tiles from the server, generates a video chunk by decoding and merging the downloaded tiles, and delivers the video chunk to the client device. The client device performs local decoding and rendering of the generated video chunk. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing optimal representations of content. A user interface may present content based on one or more images representing the content. User interactions associated with the content may be tracked based on which of the one or more images was used to represent the content. Statistical information may be tracked to determine which groups of users respond to particular images used to represent content. The statistical information may be used to select which images are used to represent the content for additional users.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to identify media for ahead of time watermark encoding. An example apparatus includes a processor to determine a first identifier associated with first media based on a query including the first identifier, a first scheduled broadcast time of the first media, and a first duration of the first media; and a comparator to: in response to determining a database includes a second identifier associated with second media, determine whether a second duration of the second media at a second scheduled broadcast time overlaps the first duration of the first media at the first scheduled broadcast time; and in response to determining that the second duration of the second media at the second scheduled broadcast time does not overlap the first duration of the first media at the first scheduled broadcast time, store the first identifier in the database.

Abstract: A set-top box or other receiving device may detect such channels that the EPG cursor visits frequently, visits for relatively long periods of time or that are frequently displayed on the screen in the electronic program guide (EPG), or otherwise frequently visited or viewed. The system determines that such channels are those that the user is likely to return to when browsing the EPG in the future and then adapts the EPG to present such channels on top of the EPG together with each other separately from the other full list of channels presented in the. This may be performed each time the EPG is opened. A customized EPG having the particular group of channels presented according a specific identified user's previous channel browsing activity may also be generated.

Abstract: A device including a communication component, a DIAL protocol component, a video processing component and a PIC verification component. The communication component can wirelessly receive a personal identification code, can communicate with a display and can receive first video content from a content provider. The DIAL protocol component can perform protocols in accordance with a multiscreen discovery and launch of first screen content specification. The video processing component can provide first video data including PIC image data corresponding to a code so as to display the first video data and a PIC image on the display. The PIC verification component can generate a verification signal when the personal identification code corresponds to the PIC image data. The video processing component can further provide the first video content to the display based on the verification signal.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies disclosed herein are directed to audio and video synchronization. According to one aspect disclosed herein, an audio-video (“AV”) synchronization system can simultaneously capture samples of a pre-encode media stream and a post-encode media stream. The pre-encode media stream can include AV content prior to being encoded. The post-encode media stream can include the AV content after being encoded. The AV synchronization system can align a pre-encode video component of the pre-encode media stream with a post-encode video component and can determine a video offset therebetween. The AV synchronization system can align a pre-encode audio component of the pre-encode media stream with a post-encode audio component of the post-encode media stream and can determine an audio offset therebetween. The AV synchronization system can then compare the video offset and the audio offset to determine if the post-encode media stream is synchronized with the pre-encode media stream.

Abstract: A device receives a base video that includes an area in frames of the base video reserved for being overlaid with metadata. The device determines a first set of videos to be played next for a particular user. A selection of the first set of videos is based on a second set of videos associated with the particular user. The device receives metadata for the first set of videos and populates an executable presentation template for the base video with a set of extracted metadata. The device plays the base video and synchronizes execution of the populated presentation template with the playing of the base video to overlay the reserved area of the frames with the set of metadata to create a custom interstitial transition video that informs the particular user about the videos to be played next.

Abstract: A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor and memory. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network.

Abstract: An apparatus of embodiments, as described herein, includes one or more processors to track data associated with movement of a computing device accessible to a user, and evaluate the data and compare a latency with latency thresholds, where the data indicates the latency and the latency thresholds associated with a frame. The one or more processors are further to maintain a current video encoding rate, if the latency is lower than a first latency threshold and greater than a second latency threshold. The current video encoding rate is decreased if the latency is equal to or greater than the first latency threshold, where the current video encoding rate is increased if the latency is lower than the second latency threshold. The one or more processors are further to present the frame at the computing device including one or more of a wearable device and a mobile device.

Abstract: A system for creating a virtual journey experience comprises an environment having at least a first side and a second side and an interior space therebetween, a first number of video displays located at the first side of the interior space facing into the interior space and spaced apart from one another, a second number of video displays located at the second side of the interior space and facing into the interior space and spaced apart from one another, and a video content presentation system, the video content presentation system configured to cause the first number of video displays to present video content captured by one or more cameras from a first side of a moving object and cause the second number of video displays to present video content captured by one or more cameras from a second side of the object.

Abstract: The following describes techniques to maintain continuity of a live media stream. A media stream includes a first distribution layer with a first set of key frames and a set of delta frames succeeding key frames in the first set of key frames. The media stream also includes a second distribution layer including a second set of key frames, where the second set of key frames contains fewer key frames than the first set of key frames. Using the first and second distribution layers, a client device may subscribe to the media stream with a minimized start-up time and optimized quality of experience among varying complexity of the media content and dynamic network conditions.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing media content streaming/downloading and playback, and, more particularly, to methods, systems, and apparatuses for implementing video quality optimization based on display capabilities. In various embodiments, a computing system might receive user input from a user indicating a user request for media content. The computing system might autonomously determine characteristics or attributes of a playback device (i.e., a display device and/or audio playback device, etc.). The computing system might send, to a media content source over a network, a request for the media content, the request comprising information regarding presentation characteristics that are based at least in part on the determined characteristics of the playback device.