Abstract: A device may receive a manifest that identifies a plurality of content fragments associated with a content asset. The device may receive or access instructions for inserting secondary content into a location of the content asset that does not align with the boundaries between the content fragments. Based on the received instructions, the playback device may generate updated manifest information that identifies a first modified content fragment and a second modified content fragment. The location for inserting the secondary content in the updated manifest information may align with a new boundary of the first modified content fragment or the second modified content fragment. The device may share the updated manifest information, and may receive a modified manifest file, or content asset, comprising the modified content fragments.

Abstract: Advertisement user feedback data may be collected and provided to an advertisement decision engine. Advertisements may be presented to users via various electronic media such as digital television, Internet, software, etc., and advertisement feedback user interfaces may be provided to users in connection with such advertisements. An advertisement feedback user interface may be provided via the same electronic medium and device as the corresponding advertisements, or via a different electronic medium and/or device. User feedback data regarding electronic advertisements, as well as additional related data, may be received and provided to one or more advertisement decision engines. An advertisement decision engine may use the advertisement user feedback data to determine a future advertisement to be presented to one or more users at an advertisement insertion opportunity identified in one or more various electronic media.

Abstract: A system and method for updating a settop box (STB) architecture that can be used to immediately update a device without requiring the device to be reset/restarted. The device may be any type of device that simultaneously supports multiple applications. The architecture may be used to update one of the applications with new functionality in a seamless manner that allows the applications including the one application to continue to operate without interruption.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for coordinating transcoders. Content may be received from different sources to be transcoded. Each transcoder of a plurality of transcoders may send data associated with content to each other to coordinate the plurality of transcoders. The data may indicate timing information for the encoded content and features of the content such as, for example, color, frame similarity, or frame type. The transcoders, while outputting encoded content, may coordinate either directly or via a broker. The transcoders may coordinate in order to synchronize their output so that frames, that may be received by each transcoder at different times, are aligned based on the timing information. The coordination and synchronization may improve error resilience. In the case of a transcoder/encoder or a site failure, there may be a seamless transition to a different transcoder/encoder and no reduction in performance because of the time alignment.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing domain name services (DNS) is described. In one aspect a query from a user device for access to a particular resource record may be received and forwarded to an authoritative DNS device. A reply to the query may be received from the authoritative DNS device. Information of the reply also may be distributed to other DNS devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improved content encoding are described herein. An encoder may allocate a time budget for encoding each frame of a content item. When the encoder takes longer than the allocated time budget to encode at least a portion of a given frame(s) of the content item at a first resolution, the encoder may take a number of actions in order to allow the encoder to “catch up,” such as encoding frames at a second resolution. Once the encoder catches up and the allocated time budget is not being exceeded, the encoder may resume encoding frames of the content item at the first resolution.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for inserting custom content. An example method can comprise receiving, at a first computing device, an insertion instruction over a first non-packet-switching protocol information stream. The method can also comprise querying, by the first computing device, a second computing device in response to receiving the insertion instruction. The method can further comprise receiving, at the first computing device, content over a packet-switching protocol information stream in response to querying the second computing device. The content can be customized for an end-user associated with the first computing device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing content and content recommendations are described. Content recommendations for users in a service area may be based on content requests from users within the same service area. Content recommendations over a period of time may dynamically change based on many factors, including: the number of requests for particular content within one or more time frames, the storage location of requested content relative to requesting users, and whether a request occurs within a time period of rapid shift in use and types of content requested. A content recommendation including one or more content recommendations may be provided to users.

Abstract: A system is presented that comprises a third-party ad provider that serves advertisements to different websites being viewed at a plurality of display devices. The advertisements may be from different advertisers, and may include advertisements from a content service provider. The advertisements from the service provider may include a promotion for a video program presented by the service provider and may provide a selectable option for a viewer of the website to have that viewer's DVR service automatically programmed to record the promoted video program. The selectable option may be selected with a single action by the viewer, and all communications, associations between the display device and the DVR service, and programming of the DVR service may occur automatically without intervention by the viewer.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for firewall configuration. A request can be transmitted to a DNS server. A response to the DNS request can include an Internet Protocol (IP) address. A firewall rule can be generated permitting access to the IP address. The firewall rule can be configured to be valid until expiration of a time-to-live value in the response to the DNS request. Thus, firewall rules can be automatically created as needed by executed processes, eliminating the need for manual firewall rule creation. As the firewall rule is invalid after the expiration of the time-to-live value, risks associated with maintaining out-of-date firewall rules are eliminated, as is the requirement to manually remove or modify out-of-date firewall rules.

Abstract: Methods and systems for content management are described. If programming content is distributed to viewers, markers are transmitted with the programming content. If a user device receives the marker, the user device may send an output indication to a rights management device. The rights management device may determine whether or not the user device outputting the content violates or adheres to a content policy and may take an action based on that determination.

Abstract: Wireless communication techniques using a power saving mode are described. A wireless device may be configured with a plurality of power saving configurations. A base station may transmit an indication of a power saving configuration in the plurality of power saving configurations. The wireless device may monitor a power saving channel based on the indicated power saving configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing group encryption are described. In certain methods, a content asset may be encrypted with an asset key. An account key may be determined. Using the account key, an encrypted content asset package may be generated. The asset key may make up at least a portion of the encrypted content asset package. The encrypted content asset package is decryptable with the account key. The encrypted content asset package and an identifier associated with the account key may be transmitted, for example to a playback device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses are disclosed for providing a user seamless access to cloud services made available by multiple different cloud providers. In some embodiments, a computing device may receive a request from a user to access a variety of cloud services. The computing device may retrieve cloud services from each of the cloud providers and cause display of a user interface that includes each of the cloud services from the different cloud providers so that the user interface is a uniform point of contact with the cloud providers. Further, in some embodiments, various interfaces, cloud service connections, and cloud service connection termination points may be defined.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for receiving and processing video content to aid in a user's rest cycles, such as sleep and wake cycles. Video content may be received and processed to determine information related to a plurality of pixels to be displayed on a screen. Each of the plurality of pixels may have a corresponding color value. A time of day when the video content is to be displayed is determined, and compared to a current time of day. Based on the comparison or other data, a color value of one or more of the pixels can be adjusted or changed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for light-based communication are described. VLC may be used to communicate video content, an electronic program guide (EPG), location information, an advertisement, and/or any other data, content, and/or content item to a user device. VLC may be used to communicate data/information associated with a wireless network, provision a service, navigate an area, track content and/or content item consumption, and more. Light (e.g., VLC, etc.) may be used to communicate any information/data.

Abstract: A wireless device may use power ramping for transmissions of message preambles and/or transport blocks. A first ramped transmission power may be used to transmit a preamble of a message, and a second ramped transmission power may be used to transmit a transport block of the message. Channel access procedures may be used to determine clear channel or busy channel for transmissions.

Abstract: According to some aspects, methods and systems may include receiving, by a computing device, metadata identifying an event occurring in a video program, and determining an expected motion of objects in the identified event. The methods and systems may further include analyzing motion energy in the video program to identify video frames in which the event occurs, and storing information identifying the video frames in which the event occurs.

Abstract: A media server is hosted in a service provider's network so that media content can be stored from or rendered to a private network such as a Digital Living Network Alliance network. Media content may be stored by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. Support of set top boxes interacting with voice-on-demand (VOD) controllers and computers interacting with IP-based video content servers are integrated through the media server. Consequently, VOD assets can be played on IP-based devices and IP-based content can be played on set top boxes. A gateway function converts IP-based content to a VOD asset, and renders the VOD asset to a set top box while mapping digital rights management information for the VOD asset. Conversely, the gateway function may convert a VOD asset to IP-based content that can be played on an IP-based device.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to measuring and managing data traffic in one or more networks. In some embodiments, a monitor may measure the traffic at one or more locations within the network(s) or devices associated therewith to determine whether the traffic exceeds a threshold. When the traffic exceeds the threshold, one or more actions may be taken, such as issuing or transmitting a command or directive. The command or directive may advise a device or an application to throttle or reduce an input or stimulus responsible for generating the traffic. In some embodiments, a throttling may be effectuated to reduce the data traffic.