Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding a plurality of alternative streams of video content using multiple encoders in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. An encoding system includes multiple encoders. Each of the encoders receives a source stream of video content that is divided into portions. Each of the encoders generates portions of the plurality of alternative streams from the portions of the source stream. The portions of the alternative streams generated by a particular encoder are stored in a container for the particular encoder. Each encoder also generates index information for the portion of the alternative stream generated by the encoder that is stored in a manifest for the encoder.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable media for delivery of content are provided. In some embodiments, systems for controlling delivery of content are provided, the systems comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive a request to stream the content, the request being received from a user equipment device; determine a first location of the user equipment device; determine a count of user equipment devices that are located at the first location and are currently streaming the content; determine whether the count meets a threshold; and responsive to determining that the count meets the threshold, add a first content delivery network to a pool of one or more content delivery networks that are used to stream the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for multimedia swarm processes in accordance with embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a method for creating a multimedia project at a swarm interface device. The method includes steps for providing a first set of multimedia content to a swarm includes several swarm members, where the several swarm members includes several swarm sources. The method further includes steps for receiving a second set of multimedia content from the several swarm sources and editing multimedia content to create a multimedia project includes at least one piece of multimedia content from the first set of multimedia content and at least one piece of multimedia content from the second set of multimedia content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for quick start-up of playback in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. Media content may be encoded in a plurality of alternative streams and a quick start-up stream. The quick start-up stream may include media content that is encoded at a lower quality that the alternative streams and may be encrypted with a different, less secure encryption process than that of the alternative streams. During a start-up of playback, the playback device streams the media content from a quick start-up stream until a metric, such as a decryption key for the alternative streams is met. The device then streams the media content from the alternative streams in response to the metric being met.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing the playback of OTT or other time sensitive content on multiple playback devices is disclosed. The systems and methods include receiving time information based on a network time source in the playback devices. The playback clock in each playback device is set based upon the time information. Stream initiation information derived using the time information from the network time source is received by each of the playback device from the media provider. The playback devices use the stream initiation information to adjust the presentation time stamps of the frames of the media content in the stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for sharing content between devices are disclosed. To request a shared piece of media content, a playback device generates and sends a request to content server. The playback device includes information in the request that indicates the playback capabilities of the device. The content server receives the request and determines the playback capabilities of the playback device from the information in the request. The content server then determines the assets that may be used by the playback device to obtain the media content and generates a top level index file for the playback device that includes information about the determined assets. The top level index file is then sent to the playback device that may then use the top level index file to obtain the media content using the indicated assets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for partial frame encryption in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method receives a video bitstream that includes several frames, each frame including several independently encoded compression units within the frame, encrypts a portion of each of several compression units in several frames, and generates an output bitstream that includes the several independently encoded compression units including the encrypted portions of the compression units.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for transcoding video data based on metadata are provided. In some embodiments, methods for transcoding video data using metadata are provided, the methods comprising: receiving a first plurality of encoded images from a storage device; decoding the first plurality of encoded images based on a first coding scheme to generate a plurality of decoded images; receiving a plurality of encoding parameters from the storage device; and encoding the plurality of decoded images into a second plurality of encoded images based on a second coding scheme and the plurality of encoding parameters.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for controlling delivery of content are provided. In some embodiments, a system for controlling delivery of content is provided. The system includes processing circuitry configured to: transmit, to a server, a plurality of requests for blocks of the content; while at least some of the plurality of requests are still outstanding: detect a change of a service characteristic of a connection between the system and the server; determine a preferred number of outstanding requests; and cancel at least some of the requests from the plurality that are still outstanding based on the preferred number and a count of the requests from the plurality that are still outstanding.

Abstract: Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with flags associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the flags, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing variable trick-play mode playback of media content in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. A playback device stores images of the media content associated with presentation times and marker information for the media content that indicates the presentation time of moments of interest. When a trick-play mode is invoked, the playback device determines a presentation time of a next marker in the playback. The playback device determines whether the current presentation time of the playback is within a specified range of the presentation time of the next marker and adjusts the speed of the trick-play playback based on the determination. The next frame to present is determined based on the adjusted speed of the trick-play playback and displayed.

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: 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: Systems and methods for application identification in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a user device includes a processor and memory configured to store an application, a session manager, an application identifier, and at least one shared library, and the processor is configured by the session manager to communicate the application identifier and the application identifier data to an authentication server and permit the execution of the application in response to authentication of the application by the authentication server.

Abstract: Playback and distribution systems and methods for multimedia files are provided. The multimedia files are encoded with flags associated with the content data of the multimedia files. Through the use of the flags, playback of the content is enhanced without significantly increasing the file size of the multimedia file.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for transcoding video data based on metadata are provided. In some embodiments, methods for transcoding video data using metadata are provided, the methods comprising: receiving a first plurality of encoded images from a storage device; decoding the first plurality of encoded images based on a first coding scheme to generate a plurality of decoded images; receiving a plurality of encoding parameters from the storage device; and encoding the plurality of decoded images into a second plurality of encoded images based on a second coding scheme and the plurality of encoding parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing adaptive bitrate streaming using alternative streams of protected content in accordance with embodiments of the invention are described. One embodiment of the invention includes a processor, and memory containing a client application. In addition, the client application configures the processor to: request a top level index file identifying a plurality of alternative streams of protected content, where each of the alternative streams of protected content are encrypted using common cryptographic information; obtain the common cryptographic information; request portions of content from at least the plurality of alternative streams of protected content; access the protected content using the common cryptographic information; and playback the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for encoding a plurality of alternative streams of video content using multiple encoders in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. An encoding system includes multiple encoders. Each of the encoders receives a source stream of video content that is divided into portions. Each of the encoders generates portions of the plurality of alternative streams from the portions of the source stream. The portions of the alternative streams generated by a particular encoder are stored in a container for the particular encoder. Each encoder also generates index information for the portion of the alternative stream generated by the encoder that is stored in a manifest for the encoder.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for live encoding systems that can replicate a current encoded frame instead of re-encoding said current frame, and then adjust the replicated frame to different bitrates, resolutions, and/or contexts as necessary for the several different adaptive bitrate streams. In addition, various embodiments of the invention can extend a duration of a current frame being repackaged and/or re-encoded. Utilizing these and other techniques, live encoding systems in accordance with embodiments of the invention can more efficiently handle gaps in received data, slower feeding of data, and/or heavy loads on server hardware.

Abstract: A method includes encoding video at a first bitrate to produce first encoded sections, and at a second bitrate that is less than the first bitrate to produce second encoded sections. The method further includes measuring levels of objective quality, indicative of perceptual quality, of the first and second encoded sections. The method includes determining, based on the measured objective quality levels, replaceable sections among the first encoded sections, and replacement sections among the second encoded sections, each of the replacement sections to replace a corresponding one of the replaceable sections. The method includes streaming the first encoded sections except for the replaceable sections, and the replacement sections instead of their corresponding replaceable sections.