Abstract: In various embodiments, a technique for reducing banding artifacts in decoded video data includes receiving a first set of reference samples, determining that the first set of reference samples meets a first criterion, selecting a first filter corresponding to the first criterion, applying the first filter to the first set of reference samples to generate a first set of filtered samples, performing at least one intra-prediction decoding operation on the first set of filtered samples to generate a first set of predicted samples, and generating a first portion of reconstructed video data based on the first set of predicted samples.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented methods and systems include training a machine-learning model to accurately generate representations of similar scenes from long-form videos that have semantically different speech audio. For example, the methods and systems described herein generate machine-learning model training data including video clips and corresponding audio spectrograms. To augment this data, the methods and systems described herein further include dubbed audio spectrograms with the training data such that each video clips corresponds with a primary language audio spectrogram and a secondary language audio spectrogram. By applying a machine-learning model to this training data, the systems and methods described herein teach the machine-learning model to de-emphasize speech audio when generating audio visual representations corresponding to scenes from long-form video. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a data optimization application mitigates scoring inaccuracies in subjective quality experiments. In operation, the data optimization application generates a model that includes a first set of individual scores and a first set of parameters. The first set of parameters includes a first subjective score set and a first set of subjective factor sets. The data optimization application performs one or more optimization operations on the first set of parameters to generate a second set of parameters. The second set of parameters includes a second subjective score set and a second set of subjective factor sets, wherein the second subjective score set compensates for at least a first subjective factor set included in the second set of subjective factor sets.

Abstract: One embodiment sets forth a technique for automatically identifying clusters within a network to be tested for resilience. The technique includes the steps of determining that a first condition precedent for testing a first cluster within the network for resilience has been satisfied; determining that the first cluster should be tested for resilience based on a first property associated with the first cluster; in response to determining that the first condition precedent has been satisfied and determining that the first cluster should be tested for resilience, generating a cluster resilience test package for the first cluster; automatically causing the first cluster to be tested under a cluster resilience test in accordance with the cluster resilience test package. Another embodiment sets forth techniques for automatically carrying out the cluster resilience test in accordance with the cluster resilience test package.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving, from a first endpoint device, a first event during a first time period, modifying an event log to include a record associated with the first event, causing a rollup queue to include a request to count a first count value associated with the first event, and generating, in a second time period subsequent to the first time period, a counter value associated with at least the first event based on the rollup queue and the event log.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an intent-based query processing application processes search queries. The intent-based query processing application computes lexical similarity scores between a search query and a set of entities. The intent-based query processing application computes entity relevance scores based on the lexical similarity scores and user engagement scores associated with both the search query and the set of entities. The intent-based query processing application computes a first category relevance score associated with both the search query and a first category based on the entity relevance scores. The intent-based query processing application determines an intent associated with the search query based on the first category relevance score. The intent-based query processing application generates a response to the search query based on the intent.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented methods and systems optimize a rendering pipeline for rendering tasks associated with streamed video games. For example, the disclosed methods and systems amortize the fixed costs of these rendering tasks across multiple video game frames by combining a batch of frames into a single combined image. The disclosed systems and methods then perform rendering tasks such as frame generation and upscaling in connection with the single combined image. The disclosed system and methods further separate the combined image into its component frames prior to encoding and streaming those frames to one or more streaming clients. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments a training application trains convolutional neural networks (CNNs) to reduce reconstruction errors. The training application executes a first CNN on a source image having a first resolution to generate a downscaled image having a second resolution. The training application executes a second CNN on the downscaled image to generate a reconstructed image having the first resolution. The training application computes a reconstruction error based on the reconstructed image and the source image. The training application updates a first learnable parameter value included in the first CNN based on the reconstruction error to generate at least a partially trained downscaling CNN. The training application updates a second learnable parameter included in the second CNN based on the reconstruction error to generate at least a partially trained upscaling CNN.

Abstract: In various embodiments a computer-implemented method for transmitting frames of media content to a client device. The method includes generating a frame for a portion of media content, generating a header for the frame based on the portion of the media content, and generating one or more metadata blocks for the frame corresponding to a media encoding format, where the one or more metadata blocks include metadata incompatible with the header. The method further includes incorporating the header into a header portion of the frame, incorporating the portion of media content and the one or more metadata blocks into a payload portion of the frame, and transmitting the frame to a client device for playback.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a segment delivery application streams segments of downloadables to client devices. At a first point-in-time, the segment delivery application receives a request from a server for a segment of a downloadable. The segment delivery application determines that the segment is not available and that the segment is a next expected segment of the downloadable. At a second-point in time, the segment delivery application determines that the segment has become available. Upon determining that the segment has become available, the segment delivery application transmits to the server a response that includes the segment and corresponds to the request.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes accessing media frame generation input events produced as part of a multimedia application on a media server, selecting at least one media frame that is to be rendered according to the media frame generation input events, determining graphics processing capabilities of a client device on which the selected media frame is to be rendered, and generating a render command for the selected media frame based on the determined graphics processing capabilities of the client device. The render command includes contextual graphics information and graphics processing unit (GPU) pipeline information for use in rendering the selected media frame on the client device. The method also includes transmitting the generated render command to the client device to initiate rendering of the selected media frame using the contextual graphics information and the GPU pipeline information. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include accessing a media item that includes multiple media item segments that are to be played back in a specific manner. The method may also include generating playgraphs for the media item, where the playgraphs define different playback paths between media item segments. The method may next include selecting a specific playgraph from the generated playgraphs, and then providing the selected playgraph to a playback device. Playback of the media item according to the selected playgraph may thereby provide a customized presentation of the media item. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented methods and systems include pausing a digital content stream being provided to a display device in response to determining that the display device is powered off. For example, rather than utilizing signals related to the power status of the display device, the disclosed methods and systems utilize signals related to display protocols and interfaces utilized by the display device to determine its power status. In response to determining that a display device is powered off, the disclosed methods and systems can pause the digital content stream being provided to the display device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method enhances AI-driven video production by developing a metadata framework detailing filmmaking techniques, altering variables to demonstrate their impact, and training AI with comprehensive metadata for professional standards. A system includes processors and memory to create a metadata framework, systematically alter filmmaking variables, and train AI with detailed metadata for generating professional video content. A non-transitory computer-readable medium contains instructions for creating a metadata framework, altering filmmaking variables, and training AI with detailed metadata, including spatial Lidar data, for professional video production.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes listening for an evacuation event indicating that network traffic for a designated geographical region is to be transferred to various other geographical regions. The method also includes identifying open web socket connections assigned to the designated geographical region and determining that the open web socket connections are to be disconnected and transferred to a specific geographical region among the other geographical regions. The method further includes scheduling, in a disconnection schedule, the open web socket connections for disconnection within a specified time interval and, after a specified amount of time designated by the disconnection schedule, closing the open web socket connections in the designated geographical region and reopening the web socket connection in the specified geographical region. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments a computer-implemented method for launching a task associated with a content production pipeline in a non-native computing environment is disclosed. The method includes publishing user code associated with a task included in a content creation pipeline. The method further includes packaging the user code separately for each of a plurality of computing environments, where each code package enables the user code to execute within a respective computing environment. Further, the method includes storing artifact locations associated with the user code for each of the plurality of computing environments in a task registry. Responsive to the task being selected for execution, the method includes determining, based on a set of rules, a computing environment from the plurality of computing environments in which to execute the task. Additionally, the method includes launching the computing environment in accordance with the rules and executing the task in the computing environment.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for responding to requests for media content includes receiving a first request from a first client for at least one segment of a media content item, retrieving, from a datastore, a reference to each segment included in the at least one segment, retrieving, from a cache, the at least one segment of the media content item based on the reference to each segment included in the at least one segment, and transmitting the at least one segment of the media content item to the first client.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system for managing access control policies for diverse database tables. The method involves consolidating access control by associating each table with a common set of access control policies, enforcing these policies to control access, and providing automated management without administrator input. The automated management includes auditing the policies, detecting discrepancies, and remedying them by modifying the policies. The system comprises at least one physical processor and memory containing instructions that, when executed, perform the method described.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a caption encoding application performs captioning while streaming live events. The caption encoding application determines a segment index in response to a triggering event associated with a live event. The caption encoding application computes a caption time interval based on the first triggering event and a caption delay. The caption encoding application retrieves from a database a portion of caption data based on the caption time interval and a language. The caption encoding application generates a caption segment based on the portion of the caption data. The caption encoding application causes the caption segment to be inserted into a caption stream at the segment index, where the caption stream is to be transmitted as part of the live event.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented methods and systems cause a second screen device to display custom-built layouts once the second screen device has been converted to a video game controller. For example, the disclosed methods and system convert the second screen device to a video game controller for a video game being supported by a digital content system and displayed on a separate first screen device. In response to detecting a trigger event, the disclosed methods and systems replace a standard layout on the second screen device with a custom-built layout. Where the standard layout is limited to standard video game controls at standard positions, the custom-built layout includes any type combination of customized video game controls, colors, graphics, animations, and so forth. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.