Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for determining time and content restrictions based user identification. An embodiment operates by automatically identifying a user who is using a media device using at least one of a network-oriented method of user discovery and an user-action oriented method of user discovery. Preferences, including at least one of a time limit or content restriction, associated with the identified user are accessed. The accessed restriction is enforced against the identified user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for network-based user identification. An embodiment operates by transmitting a discovery signal over a network, and receiving a response to the discovery signal from a mobile device coupled to the network. Based on the response it is determined whether the mobile device is within a threshold vicinity of the streaming media device. Which if it is, user settings corresponding to a user of the mobile device, which may also be a user of another device associated with the settings are determined. The other device is then configured based on the user settings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for interaction-based user identification. An embodiment operates by receiving an interaction between a user and a mobile device. The mobile device can communicate with a streaming media device. Based on the interaction, an identity of the user is determined. User settings corresponding to the identity for the streaming media device are determined. The streaming media device is configured based on the user settings.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described to identify server nodes operating on a data network that are available to a client node. A registry server receives registration messages from each of the of server nodes and maintains a listing server nodes and their associated server addresses. When a request is received from a client, the registry server identifies server nodes having the same network address as the client, thereby indicating that the client and server nodes are likely to reside behind a common router or on a common local area network. A list of identified server nodes can then be forwarded to the client so that the client can establish connections as desired. These techniques may be used, for example, to establish video placeshifting connections between a placeshifting server device and a phone, tablet or other media client.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for aggregating media content from multiple sources for viewing on a local display or for placeshifting to a remote display. The aggregation system responds to instructions received from a remote device via the digital network to provide the video output incorporating the media content received from any of the media sources to the locally-connected display. The media aggregation system also simultaneously provides a placeshifted video stream to the remote device via the digital network that incorporates media content received from any of the plurality of media sources selected in response to the instructions received from the remote device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for aggregating media content from multiple sources for viewing on a local display or for placeshifting to a remote display. The aggregation system responds to instructions received from a remote device via the digital network to provide the video output incorporating the media content received from any of the media sources to the locally-connected display. The media aggregation system also simultaneously provides a placeshifted video stream to the remote device via the digital network that incorporates media content received from any of the plurality of media sources selected in response to the instructions received from the remote device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for controlling display of media content. An embodiment operates by receiving a selection of media content for playback, presenting interstitial media content on a first device prior to playing the media content, transmitting an option to skip the interstitial media content to a second device, receiving a request to skip the interstitial media content from the second device, stopping presentation of the interstitial media content on the first device, and presenting the selected media content on the first device.

Abstract: Processes, systems and devices are described to enhance the television or other media viewing experience based upon excitement data that is associated with the program. Excitement data can be used to identify the most exciting portions of media programs, therefore allowing for improved identification of programs or portions of programs for viewing, streaming, recording or other purposes.

Abstract: Processes, systems and devices are described to enhance the television or other media viewing experience based upon excitement data that is associated with the program. Excitement data can be used to identify the most exciting portions of media programs, therefore allowing for improved identification of programs or portions of programs for viewing, streaming, recording or other purposes.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described to encode, deliver and playback a placeshifted media stream via the Internet or another network. The media stream is appropriately encoded at a quality level (e.g., at a bit rate, frame rate, resolution, etc.) that allows content to be delivered faster than it is played back. This sort of “faster than real time” encoding allows the placeshifted media stream to be buffered at the remote device for more effective performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for aggregating media content from multiple sources for viewing on a local display or for placeshifting to a remote display. The aggregation system responds to instructions received from a remote device via the digital network to provide the video output incorporating the media content received from any of the media sources to the locally-connected display. The media aggregation system also simultaneously provides a placeshifted video stream to the remote device via the digital network that incorporates media content received from any of the plurality of media sources selected in response to the instructions received from the remote device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for controlling display of media content. An embodiment operates by receiving a selection of media content for playback, presenting interstitial media content on a first device prior to playing the media content, transmitting an option to skip the interstitial media content to a second device, receiving a request to skip the interstitial media content from the second device, stopping presentation of the interstitial media content on the first device, and presenting the selected media content on the first device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments for user identification based on the motion of a device. An embodiment operates by detecting a motion of a remote control. The detected motion is compared with one or more stored motions. A user ID corresponding to the motion based on the comparison is determined. Access to a system is provided based on the determined user ID.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices are described to encode, deliver and playback a placeshifted media stream via the Internet or another network. The media stream is appropriately encoded at a quality level (e.g., at a bit rate, frame rate, resolution, etc.) that allows content to be delivered faster than it is played back. This sort of “faster than real time” encoding allows the placeshifted media stream to be buffered at the remote device for more effective performance.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for aggregating media content from multiple sources for viewing on a local display or for placeshifting to a remote display. The aggregation system responds to instructions received from a remote device via the digital network to provide the video output incorporating the media content received from any of the media sources to the locally-connected display. The media aggregation system also simultaneously provides a placeshifted video stream to the remote device via the digital network that incorporates media content received from any of the plurality of media sources selected in response to the instructions received from the remote device.

Abstract: Processes, systems and devices are described to enhance the television or other media viewing experience based upon excitement data that is associated with the program. Excitement data can be used to identify the most exciting portions of media programs, therefore allowing for improved identification of programs or portions of programs for viewing, streaming, recording or other purposes.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for establishing a connection between a client and a server that are each communicating via a network. The methods and techniques may be used, for example, to establish a media streaming connection between a media player and a placeshifting device when a firewall or other impediment to direct network connections exists. A relay server receives connection requests from the client and from the server via the network. In response to receiving the requests, a first connection is established between the relay server and the client and a second connection between the relay server and the server. Data received by the relay server on each of the first and second connections is relayed to the other of the first and second connections to thereby establish the connection between the client and the server via the relay server.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for managing content stored on a distributed network. Content is initially placed onto the network and populated across one or more nodes. The content is distributed in association with decay parameters that define a lifetime for the population of the content on the network. Various communication nodes of the distributed network are configured to process the content decay parameters to determine whether to delete the content during subsequent time periods.

Abstract: A set-top box (STB), digital video recorder (DVR), video player or other host device receives and interacts with a transcode module to provide enhanced transcoding capabilities that may be useful in placeshifting or other applications. The transcode module includes a host interface that couples to and communicates with the host device. The transcode module also includes a processor that receives an encrypted media stream from the host device via the bus interface, decrypts the encrypted media stream, transcodes the encrypted media stream to a different format, re-encrypts the transcoded stream, and provides the re-encrypted media stream to the host device via the host interface. The transcoded media content may be placeshifted to a remote player, stored at the host, or used for any other purpose.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for managing content stored on a distributed network. Content is initially placed onto the network and populated across one or more nodes. The content is distributed in association with decay parameters that define a lifetime for the population of the content on the network. Various communication nodes of the distributed network are configured to process the content decay parameters to determine whether to delete the content during subsequent time periods.