Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for enabling verbal interaction with an NLUI application without relying on express wake terms. The NLUI application receives an audio input comprising a plurality of terms. In response to determining that none of the terms is an express wake term pre-programmed into the NLUI application, the NLUI application determines a topic for the plurality of terms. The NLUI application then determines whether the topic is within a plurality of topics for which a response should be generated. If the determined topic of the audio input is within the plurality of topics, the NLUI application generates a response to the audio input.

Abstract: For each device in a collaborative environment, qualities of system characteristics are determined. Based on the respective qualities of each device, a subset of devices is identified, including at least one device having a highest first quality and at least one device having a highest second quality, each corresponding to a different system characteristic. One or more devices from the subset of devices are then selected, based on the first quality and the second quality of each device of the subset of devices, to perform a function associated with the respective system characteristic.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for indicating whether a scene in a media asset corresponds to a scene for which a scene change was previously requested. A media player client monitors scene sequences in a media asset to anticipate whether the user will initiate a scene change request based on historical scene change data. In response to detecting a scene sequence for which the user is expected to request a scene change, the media player client determines whether a scene change is necessary and outputs an indication of whether a scene change is recommended.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient management of an audio/video conference are disclosed. The methods comprise recording voice data of a first user connected to a conference while the user is in a first state, determining the first user is talking while in the first state, and initiating playback of the recorded voice data of the first user to a plurality of other users, wherein a playback rate of the recorded voice data is variable.

Abstract: A method of modifying playing of media content in a group watch session comprises receiving a command to modify play; determining respective preferences of respective users in the session; and, if it is determined that execution of the command is consistent with the preferences, causing modifying of the playing of at least a portion of the media content based on the received command, e.g., by skipping the portion, jumping to another play position, or rewinding or fast-forwarding through the portion. In this manner, the command is executed, or not executed, based on the preferences of multiple users. The method may include estimating a satisfaction score for the command for the respective users, and comparing the estimated satisfaction scores with a reference score. The portion(s) of the media content for which play is modified may be determined based on the estimated satisfaction scores.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying personalized preview images during trick-play operations of a media asset based on user profile data and an importance of frames of the media asset. A request from a user to move a slider of a progress bar associated with a media asset is received while the media asset is being generated for display. A scene from the media asset that contains a play position indicated by the slider is identified and a frame that best matches user profile data of the user and importance data for the scene is identified. The identified frame is generated for display as an overlay over the displayed media asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for requesting media content playback. Media content item metadata relating to product endorsement in the media content item is accessed. An endorsement profile for the media content item is generated based on the media content item metadata. The endorsement profile comprises data relating to which segments of the media content item have product-related content. A manifest file comprising instructions re-questing playback of the media content item is generated based on the endorsement profile for the media content item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for indicating an amount of available storage space. To this end, the systems and methods monitor storage space associated with a media storage device to determine whether an amount of storage space available is less than a threshold. In response to determining the amount of storage space available is less than the threshold, the systems and methods enter a deletion mode. Systems and methods monitor user interactions between a user and a user device after entering the deletion mode. Systems and methods further generate for display a notification at an appropriate time, based on the monitored user interactions, to indicate the amount of storage space available to the user.

Abstract: Presentation of content on a display device is adaptively modified based on the apparent size of a content area in which the content is presented. A distance between the first user and the display device is determined, as well as an actual size of the content area in which the content is being presented. Based on the distance and the actual size of the content area, an apparent size of the content area is calculated, and presentation of the content is modified based on the apparent size of the content area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for generating a watch schedule and compressed series for a user for a series that is expected to become unavailable. Availability data indicating when a content series will become unavailable is received and compared to user progression habits. If the content series will become unavailable before the user will complete it, a watch schedule may be offered to the user. If the user subsequently falls behind on this watch schedule, a compressed version of the content series may be offered to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for determining personalized timing for generating for display advertisements to users. Rather than an expert determining time segments of a media asset most suitable for presenting advertisements to users, the most suitable time segments in a media asset for presenting advertisements to users may be customized based on a user's profile information and/or the user's level of engagement in a media asset. The media guidance application may parse a media asset into multiple time segments and determine one or more time segments associated with metadata that matches content characteristics preferred by the user. One or more advertisements may be presented to the user in these time segments determined by the media guidance application instead of the time segments determined by the expert.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for handing off media content. A media player client receives a request to transfer a media stream, which is playing on a first media device, to a second media device. In response to determining that the second media device comprises a larger screen than the first media device, the media player content determines, based on the genre and resolution of the media stream data, whether the media stream data can be transferred, from the first media device to the second media device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to detect a location to place an advertisement in a media asset, the method comprising, identifying a plurality of points in a video frame of a media asset, detecting a color associated with each point of the plurality of points, calculating a change in color between each point of the plurality of points, comparing the change in color between each point of the plurality of points with a threshold, identifying, based on the comparing, an area within the frame that constitutes a surface; and selecting an advertisement to be placed on the surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for minimizing obstruction of a media asset by an overlay by predicting a path of movement of an object of interest of the media asset and avoiding placement of the overlay in the path of movement. To this end, a media guidance application may detect an object of interest in a first frame of a media asset, and may determine a determining a first location of the object in the first frame and a second location of the object of interest in a second frame. The media guidance application may calculate, based on the first location and the second location, a projected location of the object of interest in a third frame of the media asset, and may generate for display an overlay in a location that does not overlap with any of the first location, the second location, and the projected location.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed to provide one or more content summaries for one or more media assets, wherein it is determined that consumption associated with a profile of a media asset will begin at a first time and at a second time that is a period of time prior to the first time, it is caused to be provided one or more content summaries for the one or more media assets, wherein the one or more content summaries are selected based at least on a duration of the content summary, such that a duration of the content summary is not greater than the period of time.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a size of a buffer based on a probability that a rewind request will be received during a currently playing segment of media. When the system determines that receiving a rewind request is likely, the system will increase the size of a buffer such that the rewind request can be accommodated using data from the buffer. When the system determines that receiving a rewind request is unlikely, the system will decrease the size of the buffer to free resources for other system components.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining periods of excessive noise for smart speaker voice commands. An electronic timeline of volume levels of currently playing content is made available to a smart speaker. From this timeline, periods of high content volume are determined, and the smart speaker alerts users during periods of high volume, requesting that they wait until the high-volume period has passed before issuing voice commands. In this manner, the smart speaker helps prevent voice commands that may not be detected, or may be detected inaccurately, due to the noise of the content currently being played.

Abstract: Methods and systems that provide an interactive media guidance application having a locked mode for viewing media assets. In the locked mode, the interactive media guidance application may provide media assets suited to a certain audience. The interactive media guidance application may determine suitable media assets for the locked mode based on media assets viewed by other users having characteristics similar to the user of the interactive media guidance application. In the locked mode, the interactive media guidance application may allow access to only certain media assets and/or limit the time period for which the media assets are presented.

Abstract: A computer implemented method that includes receiving first user usage data and second user usage data indicative of user usage during consumption of a first content and of a second content, respectively. The method includes determining a first user usage pattern for the first content and a second user usage pattern for the second content based on the first user usage data and on the second user usage data, respectively. The method determines potential content overlap between the first content and the second content based on a comparison of the first usage pattern and the second usage pattern and performs an optimization operation based on the potential content overlap.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for streaming during unavailability of a content server. Upon determining that there are conditions indicating buffering issues during delivery of a media asset, a server determines a first group of devices suitable for receiving the media asset from the server and sharing the media asset on a peer-to-peer network. Then, the server determines a second group of devices suitable for receiving the media asset on a peer-to-peer network from a first group device. The server then determines groupings within which to share and receive the media asset. Next, the server transmits instructions to the devices in the first group to maintain in buffer and share certain portions of the media asset with the second group devices within their grouping. Finally, the server updates information detailing the media asset portions the devices are maintaining in buffer and sharing.