Abstract: Delivering and presenting content including an interactive advertisement to a user, including: transmitting the content including the interactive advertisement to an entertainment device through an application, wherein the application is registered under a user account with an app store; playing the interactive advertisement including call-to-action icons to request the user to initiate a transaction for purchasing an item of second content; determining whether the user is requesting an immediate or later purchase; charging for the purchased item of second content to the user account and initiating a background download of the purchased item of second content, when it is determined that the user is requesting the immediate purchase; adding the item of content to the user account, when it is determined that the user is requesting the later purchase; and resuming the transmission of the content.

Abstract: Building and controlling access to a detailed profile of a consumer, including: generating the detailed profile of the consumer using a blockchain-based media ledger; enabling the consumer to subscribe to an advertisement network to control the access to the detailed profile of the consumer; recording consumptions and transactions of the consumer in the advertisement network as a media consumption history of the consumer; and ingesting the media consumption history into the blockchain-based media ledger. Keywords include blockchain, advertising, cryptographic token, and customer data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided which implement techniques for providing supplemental and social information along with primary information. In one implementation, a user interface is provided with various sections. One section plays back a main item of content, while a second section displays supplemental information. A third section provides interactive tools for a user to communicate or share information with other users. For example, while playing a movie in the first portion, the social networking section may provide a chat interface in the third portion along with social network service controls to post or share user input, or to view posts from friends about the item of content.

Abstract: Systems and methods described provide and add significant functionality to virtual and augmented reality display systems. For example, when a user is “immersed” in a virtual reality environment, certain home environmental parameters may be changed, or may change state, and efforts at energy conservation can be automatically or semi-automatically initiated, at least temporarily, while the user is in the virtual reality environment. This allows the user to reduce energy consumption in their home while they are immersed in the virtual reality world by automatically turning down output to lights and other devices that the user does not need while in the headset. Users are further provided with the benefit of notifications during their virtual reality experience, bridging the gap of separation from the outside world with regard to security by allowing users to remain “in” a virtual reality environment while they are still alerted of important activity in their surroundings.

Abstract: Generating an alternate reality game (ARG) using an augmented reality (AR) application, including: granting crypto-currency tokens to a player when the ARG is started by the player; enabling the player to find clues, discover objects, and interact with characters by presenting, to the player, a surrounding environment layered into a view of the AR application; determining whether the player has reached a decision point of a branching narrative; and enabling the player to send the crypto-currency tokens from the AR application to an intended destination when the decision point is reached.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to present principles provide a virtual environment, particularly but not exclusively for virtual and augmented reality, with the ability to offer compelling interactive advertisements that users can choose (or not) to interact with, without being forced to watch the same. In so doing, the systems and methods provide for addressable units, termed “vessels”, which are interactive and which provide the viewer with the ability to control their experience via an active selection, e.g., of advertisements. Such interactivity is provided along with the ability to enjoy a “main” item of content, in some implementations. In addition, the interactivity may be provided as part of an entertainment “hub” in which VR experiences may be launched and/or in which main content may be displayed. Thus, the system provides a new, addressable unit, such as for advertisements, for virtual content-viewing environments, hubs for the same, or other virtual environments.

Abstract: Systems and methods described provide and add significant functionality to virtual and augmented reality display systems. For example, when a user is “immersed” in a virtual reality environment, certain home environmental parameters may be changed, or may change state, and efforts at energy conservation can be automatically or semi-automatically initiated, at least temporarily, while the user is in the virtual reality environment. This allows the user to reduce energy consumption in their home while they are immersed in the virtual reality world by automatically turning down output to lights and other devices that the user does not need while in the headset. Users are further provided with the benefit of notifications during their virtual reality experience, bridging the gap of separation from the outside world with regard to security by allowing users to remain “in” a virtual reality environment while they are still alerted of important activity in their surroundings.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a solution to a common nuisance of loud background noise encountered when watching television, allowing the issue to be solved with little or no user interaction. Systems and methods automatically modulate device volume based on background noise level. The systems and methods record a background level of noise, and if that background level of noise increases, the systems and methods automatically increase the content volume which had been set by the user. Exceptions are made for brief sounds or for viewer conversations.

Abstract: While watching a movie, a user speaks lines of dialogue. The system records the speech, compares with the dialogue in the movie, and reports a score to the user. The system can share scores through an online service to create a community experience. In particular, the systems and methods disclosed implement a technique for matching user input to media content. A computer system receives audio input from a user (speech) and compares the received speech to dialogue in a movie or television program. For example, the computer system may convert the received speech to text and may compare the converted text against dialogue text using closed captioning or subtitle data. Alternatively, waveform data may be compared. The computer system generates a score for the speech based on how closely the speech matches the dialogue, and reports the score to the user through a user interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to make content items, already available on one resource, also available through another, such as through a new location or resource. The content items may be, e.g., videos uploaded by a user or other content. The systems and methods employ a streamlined interface for convenience to the user. In one example, a user of a computer system views a video segment through a first website and re-posts the video segment to a second website by entering a single command or clicking a single button. The websites coordinate the re-posting using credentials previously or contemporaneously entered by the user. Moreover, a content item may be automatically prepared for re-posting on the target website using previously-entered user selections. Playback software from a source website may be posted to a target website to allow access of the content item at the source website.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that allow the obtaining, categorization, discovery, and navigation of content, in particular video content. The system may be operable for a user, for a set of people authorized by the user, or for anyone with an Internet connection. The system employs a desktop software application, an Internet file sharing service, or a combination of both. The system includes an integrated content detector, such as a video camera, with an upload component and a geographic location detector. In use, for example, a user may view a map indicating the locations where video clips were recorded by the user's camera. Any video can then be watched, for example, in a window overlaid on the map, by selecting the same. In one example, a trip may be reconstructed on a map and videos of different locations can be viewed by interacting with the map and map overlays.

Abstract: A method for use in providing content includes hosting a network site on a computer network, displaying on the network site links to one or more videos, and displaying on the network site at least an on-demand preview of a first video in response to a corresponding one of the links being selected. A storage medium stores a computer program for use on a client computer. Several other methods, systems and programs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for use in providing content includes hosting a network site on a computer network, displaying on the network site links to one or more videos, and displaying on the network site at least an on-demand preview of a first video in response to a corresponding one of the links being selected. A storage medium stores a computer program for use on a client computer. Several other methods, systems and programs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a solution to a common nuisance of loud background noise encountered when watching television, allowing the issue to be solved with little or no user interaction. Systems and methods automatically modulate device volume based on background noise level. The systems and methods record a background level of noise, and if that background level of noise increases, the systems and methods automatically increase the content volume which had been set by the user. Exceptions are made for brief sounds or for viewer conversations.

Abstract: Controlling a user interface in a computer system, including: displaying a window in a user interface displayed on a display device, wherein the window includes a player section and a non-player section, and the non-player section is displayed according to a display parameter at a standard level, wherein the standard level is a first level as set in a device setting for the display parameter; receiving a play command for content; changing the display parameter for the non-player section of the window to a playback level, wherein the playback level is a second level for the display parameter that is different than the first level; displaying the non-player section of the window according to the playback level of the display parameter; and displaying the content in the player section of the window. Key words include display parameter and playback level.

Abstract: A method for use in providing content includes hosting a network site on a computer network, displaying on the network site links to one or more videos, and displaying on the network site at least an on-demand preview of a first video in response to a corresponding one of the links being selected. A storage medium stores a computer program for use on a client computer. Several other methods, systems and programs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to make content items, already available on one resource, also available through another, such as through a new location or resource. The content items may be, e.g., videos uploaded by a user or other content. The systems and methods employ a streamlined interface for convenience to the user. In one example, a user of a computer system views a video segment through a first website and re-posts the video segment to a second website by entering a single command or clicking a single button. The websites coordinate the re-posting using credentials previously or contemporaneously entered by the user. Moreover, a content item may be automatically prepared for re-posting on the target website using previously-entered user selections. Playback software from a source website may be posted to a target website to allow access of the content item at the source website.

Abstract: A method for use in providing content includes hosting a network site on a computer network, displaying on the network site links to one or more videos, and displaying on the network site at least an on-demand preview of a first video in response to a corresponding one of the links being selected. A storage medium stores a computer program for use on a client computer. Several other methods, systems and programs are also disclosed.

Abstract: Assigning and managing rights to media content, including: receiving the media content along with a list of media rights definition from a content provider which describes what media availability rights apply to which media content; applying the defined media availability rights to the media content; and distributing the media content to a content consumer in accordance with the applied media availability rights. Keywords include media content and media availability rights.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to make content items, already available on one resource, also available through another, such as through a new location or resource. The content items may be, e.g., videos uploaded by a user or other content. The systems and methods employ a streamlined interface for convenience to the user. In one example, a user of a computer system views a video segment through a first website and re-posts the video segment to a second website by entering a single command or clicking a single button. The websites coordinate the re-posting using credentials previously or contemporaneously entered by the user. Moreover, a content item may be automatically prepared for re-posting on the target website using previously-entered user selections. Playback software from a source website may be posted to a target website to allow access of the content item at the source website.