Abstract: This disclosure relates to displaying notifications for content items on a mobile device to a user. A processor receives meta-data associated with the content item and receives context data indicative of a current context of the mobile device. The processor then determines a first value based on the meta-data, the context data and historical data indicative of historical interactions with historical notifications that are based on the meta-data, the first value being indicative of a current likelihood of the user interacting with a notification that is based on the meta-data. Finally, the processor sends first output data based on the first value to an output module to allow selectively outputting the notification based on the current likelihood. By selectively outputting the notification based on the current likelihood the notification can be withheld until the user is likely to interact with the notification.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing an enriched content services over a network. In one embodiment, the exemplary apparatus and methods leverage extant high-bandwidth capabilities of a managed network for delivering content downstream, as well as standards-compliant ultra-low latency and high data rate services (e.g., 5G NR services) for uploading content. In one embodiment, the exemplary apparatus and methods are implemented to synchronize content delivered of extant HFC architectures and DOCSIS protocols with user-generated or other content uploaded to a network entity (e.g., server apparatus) via an IP connection established utilized 5G NR services. Additional features include, among other, enhancements which enable user participation individually, or with other subscribers, in live or recorded content-based activities (such as e.g., auctioning, broadcasting, interactive commentary/gaming, exercising, etc.).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for determining information. A first user device for presenting content to a user is identified. A second co-located device is identified. A determination is made, based on one or more criteria, to use audible or inaudible sound emitted from the first device to ascertain whether audio controls on the first device and a speaker associated with the first device are enabled. A token that is to be played on the first device is identified. A notification is provided to the second co-located device to listen for the token emitted by the first device. The token for playing on the first device is provided. Information related to a recording is received from the second co-located device. A determination is made whether the first device's audio controls and speakers are enabled.

Abstract: A method of digital advertising, comprising: receiving a plurality of video material sources; optionally converting video material from a format of said sources into one or more placement operating formats; placing a digital advertising component into video material; and outputting the video material with the digital advertising component integrated within it for distribution. Preferred embodiments of the invention involve generating a market for placement zones suitable for receiving digital advertising components, wherein a market is generated by for example a bidding process against one or more available placement zones or offering one or more available placement zones with an indication its value/price. Also disclosed are computer apparatus and systems for performing the above-mentioned methods and related methods, and a system and method for management and manipulation of digital assets.

Abstract: A system for determining customer interest in goods includes one or more memory devices storing instructions and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions. The processors are configured to receive customer location data from a smart device associated with a customer indicating the customer is within a retail venue of a retailer and to monitor, based on the customer location data, a current location of the customer within the retail venue. The processors are further configured to receive goods location data indicating locations of goods for sale within the retail venue and determine that the customer is interested in a particular good for sale within the retail venue based on the current customer location remaining in proximity to the location of the particular good for a predetermined period of time. The processors also conduct a search of pricing of the particular good at one or more other retailers and send a price comparison to the customer.

Abstract: In implementations of suggestions to enrich digital artwork, a suggestion system identifies a first object in the digital artwork and suggests a second object for addition to the digital artwork based on the second object having a co-occurrence relationship with the first object. The co-occurrence relationship is based on the first object and the second object appearing together in an image of an image set. A user may select the second object to add to the artwork or the user may be inspired by the second object to enrich the digital artwork.

Abstract: A multimedia stream may be abandoned (e.g., terminated) under various contexts. Metadata surrounding the abandonment, such as information regarding multimedia segments shown at or near the time of abandonment, may be stored. A system may detect satisfaction of a condition based at least in part on abandonment metadata associated with an abandoned stream, obtain a set of abandonment metadata sharing a characteristic in common, and determine a cause. Depending on the determined cause, various mitigations may be executed—for example, if abandonment of streams is detected in a specific location at a particular point or period in time, one or more network diagnostics tests may be executed to determine whether there are network connectivity issues for viewers from the specific location.

Abstract: A method for processing multimedia data is disclose, including: determining whether at least one frame associated with the multimedia data has been decoded; in response to the determination that the at least one frame associated with the multimedia data has been decoded, drawing a transparent area on a display interface; and instructing a multimedia data playing window and the at least one frame associated with the multimedia data to be drawn, wherein the transparent area and the multimedia data playing window overlap at different drawing layers.

Abstract: A multimedia stream may be abandoned (e.g., terminated) under various contexts. Metadata surrounding the abandonment, such as information regarding multimedia segments shown at or near the time of abandonment, may be stored. A system may detect satisfaction of a condition based at least in part on abandonment metadata associated with an abandoned stream, obtain a set of abandonment metadata sharing a characteristic in common, and determine a cause. Depending on the determined cause, various mitigations may be executed—for example, if abandonment of streams is detected in a specific location at a particular point or period in time, one or more network diagnostics tests may be executed to determine whether there are network connectivity issues for viewers from the specific location.

Abstract: In a substitutional media system, one of a set of media items is selected at a programme receiver for output within a predefined programming slot, based on profile data available at the receiver. Sets of the media items are scheduled to slots according to one or more constraints pertaining to that slot and/or to media items scheduled to other slots. The receiver may select a media item for output in a slot by resolving constraints with media items scheduled to other slots, or selected for output in other slots.

Abstract: Inventory data representing for each of a plurality of broadcast stations a corresponding inventory of audio advertising spots available from that broadcast station to be filled by an advertising exchange system is stored. One or more sets of advertising campaign data, each representing a set of advertising objectives of an advertising campaign, is received via a demand side interface. The inventory data is received via a supply side interface. The inventory data is used to determine for each advertising campaign a corresponding set of advertising spots to be associated with that advertising campaign.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for providing advertising-supported television, including linear television, on-demand or DVR television using the programmability and Internet-connectivity of modern “smart” televisions and/or “smart” cable set top boxes, “smart” DVRs, and “smart” streaming devices to enable viewers to selectively opt-out of advertisements for individual, enabled programs, while compensating broadcasters for the resulting loss of advertising revenue. For a subscription fee, viewers on the TV channel in use (without requiring an input change or subscription to an “over-the-top” service) can seamlessly view their favorite shows entirely ad-free on TV channels. Upon delivering the ad-free experience, software is used to calculate and remit household-level micropayments of lost program ad revenue for participating networks.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for feature-driven machine-to-machine communications are described. At a feature encoder, features are extracted from sensed raw information, to generate features that compress the raw information by a compression ratio. The feature encoder implements a probabilistic encoder to generate the features, each feature providing information about a respective probability distribution that each represents one or more aspects of the subject. The probabilistic encoder is designed to provide a compression ratio that satisfies a predetermined physical channel capacity limit for a transmission channel. The features are transmitted over the transmission channel.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method uses a notification of a programming event to determine an entity of a media program and an availability pair. The availability pair identifies an entitlement and a location combination for viewing the media program. the method queries a database using the entity and the availability pair in a query to determine a first set of user profiles associated with the entity and a second set of user profiles associated with the availability pair. The first list of user profiles and the second list of user profiles are analyzed to select at least the portion of the first set of user profiles and the second set of user profiles. Then, the method performs an action for the at least the portion of the first set of user profiles and the second set of user profiles based on an occurrence of the programming event.

Abstract: There is disclosed a technique of associating device activity to a broadcast programme, comprising: receiving a model for a broadcast programme identifying portions of content and portions of breaks in the content; monitoring, via a client software module running on users' mobile devices, said device's active or inactive states; receiving an activity stream of a user device; comparing the activity stream to the model of the broadcast programme to identify a correlation between them; inferring a user of the user device as watching the broadcast programme based on a level of the correlation.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that predicts an interest of a viewer in a media program that will be available for consumption over a content delivery network, determines a first advertisement that may be shown to the viewer during a broadcast of the media program, and transmits the first advertisement to a local device of the viewer in advance of the broadcast of the media program. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for serving related content via a content sharing service are provided. An example method involves serving media content and shared content from a content sharing service; providing a set of content items related to the media content, the set of content items to be presented with the shared content and the media content; detecting interactions with the shared content, the interactions comprising an indication that the shared content is consumed beyond a time threshold; and updating the set of content items presented with the shared content based on an analysis of the interactions with the shared content, wherein the updating adds a content item associated with the shared content while the shared content is being presented.

Abstract: Secondary media content is displayed based on metadata of primary media content, the secondary content specifying a data transfer action. Input can be received from a paired wireless input device. Upon receiving the input, the data transfer action can be executed, wherein the data transfer action includes retrieving transferable data specified according to the secondary media content; and transmitting the retrieved transferable data to an unpaired device via a network.

Abstract: Systems and methods presented herein provide for Content On Demand (COD) asset insertion. A COD asset insertion decision system (CODAID) is communicatively coupled to a content distributer to process information about COD content selections by Customer Premises Equipment (CPEs). An auction system is communicatively coupled to the CODAID and to a plurality of asset providers to process information about assets of the providers, to provide an auction for asset opportunities in the COD content selections, to receive bids for the asset opportunities, and to rank the auctioned assets according to bid. The CODAID further ranks the auctioned assets based in part on the COD content selection information and the asset information, identifies one or more of the further ranked assets for insertion into the COD content selection, and directs the content distributer to insert the identified one or more further ranked assets into the COD content selection.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising receiving one or more media content items; creating one or more leveraged content items from the media content item(s) by extracting one or more leverage points from the media content item(s); obtaining user information, such as user preferences and user context; selecting a selected content item from the leveraged content item(s) based on the user information; creating a custom content item by further extracting a subset of the leverage points from the selected content item based on the user information; and presenting the custom content item to the user's equipment. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system including a digital component request server that receives digital component requests for a supplemental digital component that will be presented in an additional multicast stream that is different to a multicast stream that is delivering content; a digital component distribution server that i) selects supplemental digital components to distribute over the additional multicast streams, the supplemental digital components being selected for one of the additional multicast streams being different to the supplemental digital component selected for each of the other additional multicast streams, and that ii) assigns one group of a plurality of groups of the multiple client devices to a respective one of the additional multicast streams; and an instruction generation server that generates instructions for the multiple client devices to tune to the respective additional multicast streams assigned to the group of multiple client devices that includes the different client device that submitted the request.

Abstract: Disclosed are a smart television playing method and a smart television playing device, applied to a smart television of the WebKit-based WebOS, the smart television playing method including: when the smart television is turned on, starting a WebKit kernel process based on a Linux kernel and a driver layer; starting a state management daemon to detect a control command received by the smart television; and sending the control command to a daemon corresponding to the control command via the WebKit kernel process, allowing the daemon to perform control operation corresponding to the control command.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to include receiving first viewership information for a media segment displayed on a first electronic device, the first viewership information including a first viewership event associated with the media segment, where media content includes at least the media segment. The method can include receiving second viewership information for an overlay content segment displayed on a second electronic device, the second viewership information comprising a second viewership event associated with the overlay content segment. The method can include determining that a first viewership level for the overlay content segment is greater than a second viewership level for the media segment in view of the first viewership event or the second viewership event. The method can include sending a display instruction to a content management device instructing the content management device to send the overlay content segment to the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for resolving a meaning of an ambiguous calendar entry and recommending broadcast media based on the meaning. To this end, a media guidance application may detect a calendar entry specific to a user, and determine that the calendar entry is ambiguous with respect to an associated period of time. In response to determining that the calendar entry is ambiguous with respect to the associated period of time, the media guidance application may determine characteristics of the calendar entry and the user, and compute an estimated range of time corresponding to the calendar entry based on the characteristic of the calendar entry and the characteristic of the user. The media guidance application may then generate for display a recommendation of broadcast media based on the estimated range of time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing content recommendations or advertisements based at least in part on the identity of users that are within an experiential range of a primary device for rendering the content recommendation or advertisement are disclosed. A home service gateway may be configured to identify users within the experiential range of the primary device and generate a content recommendation request and/or an advertisement request identifying the users within the experiential range. A content delivery system may receive the recommendation request and/or ad request and provide content recommendations and/or advertisements to the home service gateway based at least in part on the identity of the users that are within the experiential range of the primary device.

Abstract: In a method for delivering targeted television advertisements based on online behavior, IP addresses indicating online access devices and IP addresses indicating television set-top boxes are electronically associated for a multitude of users. Using user profile information derived from online activity from one of the online access IP addresses, a television advertisement is selected, such as by using behavioral targeting or demographic information, and automatically directed to the set-top box indicated by the set-top IP address associated with that online access IP address. Preferably neither the user profile information nor the electronic association of online access and set-top box IP addresses includes personally identifiable information.

Abstract: Augmentation of captured 3D scenes with contextual information is disclosed. A 3D capture device is used to capture a plurality of 3D images at a first resolution. A component on a mobile computing device is used to capture at least one piece of contextual information that includes a capture location data and a pose data. The mobile computing device receives, the plurality of 3D images from the 3D capture device, and renders the plurality of 3D images into a 3D model. In addition, the at least one piece of contextual information is embedded into a correct location in the 3D model. A user interactive version of the 3D model including the embedded at least one piece of contextual information is then displayed.

Abstract: Determining that a client device is in a supplemental content restriction mode, creating a shell of a supplemental content item, delivering the shell of the supplemental content item to the client device, and reporting a presentation event of a supplemental content item being served to the client device.

Abstract: A session continuity platform may detect a user action during a first user session associated with a first user device, wherein the first user session is associated with a first platform. The session continuity platform may determine identification information of a user associated with the user session. The session continuity platform may determine a continuity record identifier associated with the identification information. The session continuity platform may obtain, based on the continuity record identifier, activity data from a plurality of continuity records of a distributed ledger. The session continuity platform may determine, based on the activity data, activity information associated with the user action and the second user session. The session continuity platform may cause the first user device to present the activity information via a display of the user device.

Abstract: A system for rendering media having content displayed comprises a receiving unit to receive media, a scanner to detect an object in the media for placing a placeholder, a checker to provide the placeholder to a user for feedback and receive the feedback. The system also includes a template generator to generate a template indicating the placeholder in the media. The system also includes a rendering unit in communication with the template generator to render, upon receiving a request for watching the media, the media having content to display to the user, based on at least one of a storage space and a processing capacity.

Abstract: In a substitutional media system, one of a set of media items is selected at a programme receiver for output within a predefined programming slot, based on profile data available at the receiver. Sets of the media items are scheduled to slots according to one or more constraints pertaining to that slot and/or to media items scheduled to other slots. The receiver may select a media item for output in a slot by resolving constraints with media items scheduled to other slots, or selected for output in other slots.

Abstract: Unstructured data items are stored at an object storage service. A filtering criterion to be used to generate a result set for an access request is determined. A test that can be used to determine, without completing parsing of a record identified in an unstructured data item, whether the record satisfies the filtering criterion is identified. Parsing of a particular record is abandoned in response to determining, using the test, that the record satisfies the filtering criterion. A response to the access request is determined using a subset of records that satisfy the filtering criterion.

Abstract: Techniques for efficiently initiating multicast data communications. Upon determining to initiate multicast network communications, embodiments determine that a first multicast group of a plurality of multicast groups is currently active. An Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) Join network message for a second multicast group that is currently inactive is transmitted. Upon determining that the first multicast group is currently inactive, an IGMP Join network message is transmitted for the first multicast group of the plurality of multicast groups.

Abstract: A system and method for proof of play are provided. The system includes a video playing device that includes a display, a sensor, a transceiver and a processing unit. The display displays a video on a display surface, where the video displayed on the display surface has at least one frame. The sensor senses a displaying situation of the at least one frame on a specific location of the display surface as the display displays the video. The processing unit collects the displaying situation and controls the transceiver to send the displaying situation to a target device to determine whether the display has indeed displayed the video.

Abstract: A television playout system that handles playout of a channel, receives a video feed of the channel comprising programming data and a plurality of interstitial content items, and a playout schedule of the channel. Metadata comprising a pre-roll value is inserted at a first insertion point related to a first interstitial content item of the plurality of interstitial content items, based on the playout schedule. An offset is detected in the metadata, based on the first insertion point of the metadata in the video feed, the pre-roll value, and a time-code (TC) jump associated with a second interstitial content item in the video feed. One or more control parameters associated with the insertion of the metadata are calibrated, based on the detected offset to align a splice point related to the first interstitial content item with the TC jump associated with the second interstitial content item.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for providing a complex content including an advertisement content and a portable storage medium therefor. The method of providing a complex content including an advertisement content comprises: transmitting a decoding request signal to a server providing a decoding information for playing a multimedia content stored in the portable storage medium according to connecting the portable storage medium, receiving the decoding information for playing from the server, manipulating the multimedia content and the advertisement content corresponding to the multimedia content, and playing a complex content generated by manipulating the multimedia content and the advertisement content.

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: Aspects of the present disclosure aim to improve upon methods and systems for the incorporation of additional material into source video data. In particular, the method of the present disclosure may use a pre-existing corpus of source video data to produce, test and refine a prediction model for enabling the prediction of the characteristics of placement opportunities. The model may be created using video analysis techniques which obtain metadata regarding placement opportunities and also through the identification of categorical characteristics relating to the source video which may be provided as metadata with the source video, or obtaining through image processing techniques described below. Using the model, the method and system may then be used to create a prediction of insertion zone characteristics for projects for which source video is not yet available, but for which information corresponding to the identified categorical characteristics is known.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for providing an alert on delivering a digital content such as when an interesting digital content is imminent, for example, the beginning of a play during a football game, to direct the focus of one or more viewers towards the digital content. The present invention is further configured to embed a commercial message in conjunction with the alert on directing the focus of the viewers. The system is adapted to activate the alert either manually or automatically. Further, the system is optionally implemented with an artificial intelligence (AI) system, which is trained using deep learning to recognize the appropriate time to automatically trigger the alert/commercial message sequence. The AI system could be trained by monitoring the manual control of alert activation.

Abstract: A method of downloading a file to a device includes receiving a request to download one of one or more files stored in a cloud server, confirming whether the requested file is stored in registered devices which are connected through a network, determining priorities of the cloud server and the registered devices which store the requested file, and downloading the requested file from the cloud server and the registered devices which store the requested file, based on the priorities.

Abstract: Disclosed are some implementations of systems, apparatus, methods and computer program products for publisher and share action integration in a user interface (UI) for automated messaging. In some implementations, information is displayed in a first component and in a second component in a UI on a display. The first component is a publisher configured for composing and sharing messages on different communication channels using different share actions. The second component includes links to data items. When one of the data items is selected, a set of share actions for sharing the selected item using the publisher can be identified and displayed. When one of the displayed share actions is selected, it can be determined that the selected share action is applicable to one of the communication channels. A reference to the selected item can be provided in a message being composed in the publisher for sharing on the one communication channel.

Abstract: Advertisements are delivered with videos, the advertisements being cued to begin based on an analysis of metadata associated with the videos such as moments identified from user-submitted comments relative to the video. Credit earned by users based on their viewing and engagement activities may be gifted to other users or applied towards baseline fees assessed in connection with videos delivered to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to help disambiguate channel identification in a scenario where fingerprint data of media content matches multiple reference fingerprints corresponding respectively with multiple different channels. Upon detecting such a multi-match, a server or other entity will perform disambiguation based on a determination that a segment of the fingerprint data matches a reference fingerprint corresponding with just a single channel, such as a reference fingerprint representing commercial or news programming content specific to just the single channel. The server or other entity will thereby determine the channel on which the media content being rendered by the media presentation device is arriving, so as to facilitate taking channel-specific action.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems to help disambiguate channel identification in a scenario where fingerprint data of media content matches multiple reference fingerprints corresponding respectively with multiple different channels. Upon detecting such a multi-match, a server or other entity will perform disambiguation based on a determination that a segment of the fingerprint data matches a reference fingerprint corresponding with just a single channel, such as a reference fingerprint representing commercial or news programming content specific to just the single channel. The server or other entity will thereby determine the channel on which the media content being rendered by the media presentation device is arriving, so as to facilitate taking channel-specific action.

Abstract: An online system presents content in videos to users. Content providers may value having their content injected into videos from certain sources more than others. This preference is quantified as a brand value score. The brand value score is determined as a function of user engagement with a source of the video and, to account for brand value, the system performs a two-stage auction. First, the system determines whether to inject any content into a video by determining a distribution of brand value of videos per demand for videos in a previous period and filling a projected demand for the content in a current period to determine a brand value threshold. Then, any videos having a brand value above the threshold are eligible for the second stage of the selection process where the system performs an auction where projected benefit of presenting the content is compared to projected loss.

Abstract: Systems and methods described provide ways to order channels surfed such that channels of likely greater interest to the user are presented to the user first, and channels of lesser interest are presented after. For examples, channels showing popular programs may be placed higher in a channel surfing lineup. The systems and methods may also take account of channels that are showing commercials during a time of channel surfing, and may skip over the same while surfing and/or may come back to the channel, or re-place or otherwise include the channel in the surfing lineup, at such time as the commercial has ended and regular programming has continued.

Abstract: A proximity of a first computing device with a second computing device can be detected. In response to the detecting of the proximity, it can be determined that a computer-readable qualification for a type of proactive engagement is met using the detected proximity and possibly a non-proximity state of the first device. The type of proactive engagement can be matched in the computer system with an operation that is programmed to be performed using a computerized natural language digital assistant. In response to the determining that the qualification for the type of proactive engagement is met, the technique can include performing a user engagement action via the second device. The user engagement action can be of a type indicated by the type of proactive engagement. The user engagement action can facilitate a computerized communication session between a computer-readable user profile and the computerized natural language digital assistant.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of communications technologies, and discloses an information processing method and a service platform, so as to resolve a problem that information in which a current user is interested cannot be pushed to user equipment, and further user experience is lowered. The method provided by the present invention may specifically include: receiving, by a service platform, feature information of a current user sent by an application, where the current user is a user that is currently using the application; processing the feature information by using a demography model, to obtain personal information of the current user; and sending the personal information to the application, so that the application outputs corresponding content for the current user according to the personal information. The method and the service platform may be applied to information processing.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, computer program products, and systems for providing a personalized entertainment network are provided. An example method comprises (a) establishing a communication session with an application executing on a user device; (b) receiving network identifying information identifying a personalized network; (c) determining an ordered set of media item identifiers; and (d) providing one or more digital media items in accordance with the ordered set of media item identifiers. Each media item identifier is configured to identify a digital media item. Determining the ordered set of digital media items comprises assigning a class to each position of the ordered set and assigning a media item identifier to each position of the ordered set. A particular digital media item identified by a particular media item identifier assigned to a particular position of the ordered set corresponds to the class assigned to that particular position.

Abstract: Messaging communications systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example system includes a beacon architecture including a server; and a plurality of beacons arranged around an environment, the server being configured to sense a real-time center of gravity of a communication device from any of the plurality of beacons receiving communications from the communication device, the real-time center of gravity being a location of the communication device within the environment, transmit a notification to the communication device, the notification including a link to content based on the real-time center of gravity, and transmit the content to the communication device based on a selection of the link.