Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming in which playback devices select streams based upon stream delay and channel rate in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment is configured to select a first video stream from a set of alternative streams, where at least a plurality of the alternative streams are encoded to have an upper bound seek delay that is equal to or less than the upper bound seek delay of streams in the set of alternative streams that are encoded at a higher maximum bitrate, request chunks of the first video stream and store the requested chunks in the buffer, playback the buffered chunks, measure the channel data rate, and select a second video stream from the set of alternative streams, where the second video stream has a maximum bitrate that is less than the measured channel data rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding alternative streams for use in adaptive bitrate streaming based upon the delay of each stream in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes memory, and a processor configured by a source encoding application to: receive multimedia content, where the multimedia content includes source video data having a primary resolution and a primary sample aspect ratio; and encode the source video data as a set of alternative video streams, where: the alternative video streams have different maximum bitrates; and the alternative video streams are encoded to have an upper bound seek delay that is equal to or less than the upper bound seek delay of streams in the set of alternative video streams that are encoded at a higher maximum bitrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that dynamically load a software platform for a playback device. One embodiment includes a playback device, including a processor, and memory containing a platform installer, where the platform installer configures the processor to dynamically load a software platform from a remote server into device memory that provides a runtime environment for applications using a software platform configuration.

Abstract: Federated systems for issuing playback certifications granting access to technically protected content are described. One embodiment of the system includes a registration server connected to a network, a content server connected to the network and to a trusted system, a first device including a non-volatile memory that is connected to the network and a second device including a non-volatile memory that is connected to the network. In addition, the registration server is configured to provide the first device with a first set of activation information in a first format, the first device is configured to store the first set of activation information in non-volatile memory, the registration server is configured to provide the second device with a second set of activation information in a second format, and the second device is configured to store the second set of activation information in non-volatile memory.

Abstract: Deblocking filters are disclosed, where the nature of the filter is determined based upon the level of detail of a reconstructed video frame in the region in which the block boundary is located. One embodiment of the method of the invention includes identifying a boundary between two blocks of the reconstructed video frame, determining the level of detail of the reconstructed video frame in a region in which the block boundary is located, wherein the region includes pixels from multiple rows and multiple columns of the reconstructed video frame and includes at least one pixel that is not immediately adjacent the block boundary and selecting a filter to apply to predetermined pixels on either side of the block boundary based upon the determined level of detail.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing Internet Content Guides (ICG) on playback devices that can be used to access content via the Internet from a plurality of sources using a remote database containing navigation hierarchy definitions for specific device models and/or device instances are described, where content metadata included in the remote database is collected by a remote server from the plurality of sources. One embodiment of the invention includes a metacenter configured to retrieve content metadata from feeds on a plurality of remote servers describing content accessible via the remote servers and to use the content metadata retrieved from the feeds to update a content metadata database, and a plurality of playback devices configured to communicate with the metacenter and access content via the Internet.

Abstract: Common clients for consumer electronics devices that include natively implemented virtual machines are described. One embodiment of the invention includes audio and video decoders, a natively implemented host process, a natively implemented virtual machine, a common client including natively implemented processes configured to coordinate playback of audio and video using the playback device's audio and video decoders, a VM framework configured to execute within the virtual machine and to enable scripts executing within the virtual machine to initiate playback of audio and video using the natively implemented processes, and a user interface implemented as a script configured to be executed within the virtual machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multimedia content from one process or component to another process or component over an unsecured connection are provided. One embodiment includes obtaining the cryptographic information, extracting the at least partially encrypted video data from the container file to create an elementary bitstream, enciphering the cryptographic information, inserting the cryptographic information in the elementary bitstream, providing the elementary bitstream to a video decoder, extracting the cryptographic information from the elementary bitstream at the video decoder, deciphering the cryptographic information, decrypting the elementary bitstream with the cryptographic information and decoding the elementary bitstream for rendering on a display device using the video decoder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining whether a decoder can playback compressed video identified as being encoded with an operating profile and/or level unsupported by the decoder are shown. Systems and methods are described for playing back video encoded as an elementary bitstream, where the elementary bitstream has a specified encoding profile and satisfies at least one playback condition. A number of embodiments include a decoder that is incapable of playing back video encoded in accordance with the specified encoding profile. In addition, the decoder is configured to locate the specified encoding profile within the elementary bitstream. The decoder is also configured to determine whether the elementary bitstream satisfies the at least one playback condition in response to the location of the specified encoding profile within the elementary bitstream.

Abstract: A receiver driven approach for playback of remote content is described. One embodiment includes obtaining information concerning the content of the media file from the remote server, identifying a starting location within the media sequence, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence from the starting location, requesting the byte ranges required to play the media sequence from the starting location, buffering received bytes of information pending commencement of playback, playing back the buffered bytes of information, receiving a user instruction, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence in accordance with the user instruction, flushing previous byte range requests, and requesting the byte ranges required to play the media in accordance with the user instruction.

Abstract: A receiver driven approach for playback of remote content is described. One embodiment includes obtaining information concerning the content of the media file from the remote server, identifying a starting location within the media sequence, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence from the starting location, requesting the byte ranges required to play the media sequence from the starting location, buffering received bytes of information pending commencement of playback, playing back the buffered bytes of information, receiving a user instruction, identifying byte ranges of the media file corresponding to media required to play the media sequence in accordance with the user instruction, flushing previous byte range requests, and requesting the byte ranges required to play the media in accordance with the user instruction.