Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include accessing a pre-rendered multimedia item. The pre-rendered multimedia item may have branching logic associated with it, where the branching logic includes branching points that direct non-sequential playback of the pre-rendered multimedia item. The method may also include initializing playback of the pre-rendered multimedia item and accessing, at the branching points, various trigger conditions that direct playback order of different segments of the pre-rendered multimedia item. The method may then include updating, based on the trigger conditions, at least some portion of custom state data. The method may further include playing back the segments of the pre-rendered multimedia item according to the updated state data. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for managing playback of digital content on two or more different playback devices. A playback device designated as a controller is associated with a playback device designated as a playback target. Association is implemented via a local network discovery protocol. The controller issues commands to the target, which then streams digital content directly from a content server. The controller is able to separately stream related digital content for independent, but synchronized playback. Server mediated operations, such as device activation and application installation, are advantageously enabled by explicit association between the controller and the target.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method causing a linear on-screen keyboard that includes an array of input keys and a focus indicator to be displayed, wherein navigation of the focus indicator to an input key in the array enables a selection of a character corresponding to the input key; and upon determining that the focus indicator has navigated to a first input key in the array, causing one or more utility keys to be displayed proximate to the first input key.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a perceptual quality application determines an absolute quality score for encoded video content viewed on a target viewing device. In operation, the perceptual quality application determines a baseline absolute quality score for the encoded video content viewed on a baseline viewing device. Subsequently, the perceptual quality application determines that a target value for a type of the target viewing device does not match a base value for the type of the baseline viewing device. The perceptual quality application computes an absolute quality score for the encoded video content viewed on the target viewing device based on the baseline absolute quality score and the target value. Because the absolute quality score is independent of the viewing device, the absolute quality score accurately reflects the perceived quality of a wide range of encoded video content when decoded and viewed on a viewing device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an encoding optimization application positions key frames within encoded video sequences based on shot changes. The encoding optimization application determines key frame location(s) based on shot change(s) included in a source video sequence associated with a media title. Each key frame location is associated with a different frame included in the source video sequence. For each of the key frame location(s), the encoding optimization application configures an encoding application to encode a frame of video content located at the key frame location as a key frame when performing encoding operations. Subsequently, the encoding optimization application causes the encoding application to perform encoding operation(s) on the source video sequence to generate a first encoded video sequence. During playback, the media title is switchable between a decoded version of the first encoded video sequence and a decoded version of a second encoded video sequence at the key frame location(s).

Abstract: In various embodiments, a write state application generates a snapshot that includes one or more data values associated with a source dataset. In operation, the write state application performs one or more compression operations on the source dataset to generate a first compressed record. The write state application then serializes the first compressed record and a second compressed record to generate a first compressed record list. Finally, the write state application generates the snapshot based on the first compressed record list. When the data values are accessed from the first snapshot, the size of the snapshot is maintained. Advantageously, because the size of the snapshot is smaller than the size of the source dataset, some consumers that are unable to store the entire source dataset in random access memory (RAM) are able to store the entire snapshot in RAM.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an encoding ladder application generates encoding ladders for encoding media titles. In operation, the encoding ladder application generates a first convex hull representing encoding tradeoffs between quality and bitrate when encoding a media title at a first resolution; The encoding ladder application generates a second convex hull representing encoding tradeoffs between quality and bitrate when encoding the media title at a second resolution. Based on the first convex hull and the second convex hull, the encoding ladder application generates an overall convex hull. Subsequently, the encoding ladder application generates an encoding ladder for the media title based on at least the overall convex hull and a ladder requirement. Advantageously, the tradeoffs between quality and bitrate represented by the encoding ladder are customized for the media title. Consequently, encoding inefficiencies attributable to conventional fixed-bitrate ladders can be reduced.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method may include receiving, from a client device, a request for multimedia content, where the request includes both a manifest request that includes client identification data and a license request that includes a license challenge. The method may further include validating the received request for multimedia content using the client identification data in the manifest request and generating a manifest response that includes an identification of a specified multimedia content stream that is to be provided to the client device. The method may also include acquiring at least one license in response to the license request, where the license includes a response to the license challenge having various content keys, and then providing the specified multimedia content stream, including the generated manifest response and the acquired license, to the client device. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a flexible queue application allocates messages stored in priority queues to clients. In operation, the flexible queue application receives, from a client, a request to allocate a message from a priority queue. At least a first message and a second message are stored in the priority queue, and the priority of the first message is higher than the priority of the second message. The flexible queue application determines that the first message is pending but does not satisfy an allocation constraint. The flexible queue allocation then determines that the second message is pending and satisfies the allocation constraint. The flexible queue application allocates the second message to the client. Advantageously, because the flexible queue application can adapt the priority-based ordering of priority queues based on allocation constraints, the flexible queue application can efficiently enforce resource-related constraints when allocating messages from priority queues.

Abstract: In various embodiments, domain name system (DNS) servers are implemented on a content distribution network (CDN) infrastructure in order to facilitate centralized control of traffic steering. Each server appliance in the CDN infrastructure acts as both an authoritative DNS nameserver and a dynamic request proxy, and each such server appliance is assigned to one of multiple cloud computing system regions. The assignment of server appliances to cloud regions is based on latency measurements collected via client application probes and an optimization that minimizes an overall latency experienced by the client applications subject to constraints that the maximum traffic to each cloud region is less than a capacity constraint for that region, the maximum deviation of traffic to each cloud regions at any point in time is less than a given percentage, and the maximum deviation of traffic between direct and indirect paths is less than a given percentage.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a function build application compiles source code to generate an executable version of a function that has a first function signature. The function build application then replaces a first data type of a first parameter included in the first function signature with a second data type to generate a second function signature for a client stub function. Subsequently, the function build application generates a remote procedure call (RPC) client that includes the client stub function. Notably, the RPC client causes the function to execute when the client stub function is invoked. Advantageously, unlike conventional techniques that require manual generation of strongly typed functions, the function build application automatically customizes the RPC client for the function.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a prediction application computes a quality score for re-constructed visual content that is derived from visual content. The prediction application generates a frame difference matrix based on two frames included in the re-constructed video content. The prediction application then generates a first entropy matrix based on the frame difference matrix and a first scale. Subsequently, the prediction application computes a first value for a first temporal feature based on the first entropy matrix and a second entropy matrix associated with both the visual content and the first scale. The prediction application computes a quality score for the re-constructed video content based on the first value, a second value for a second temporal feature associated with a second scale, and a machine learning model that is trained using subjective quality scores. The quality score indicates a level of visual quality associated with streamed video content.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes determining that incoming media item requests are to be skewed from a random distribution among server nodes, using a random distribution algorithm, to a directed distribution among the server nodes. The method then includes identifying, in a loading assignment, which media items are to be loaded onto specific server nodes to produce the directed distribution of media item requests. The method next includes preloading the identified media items onto the server nodes according to the loading assignment and receiving media item requests for the preloaded media items. The method then includes routing the received media item requests to the server nodes using the random distribution algorithm, where the random distribution algorithm is skewed to the directed distribution based on the preloading of the media items according to the identified loading assignment. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes determining that incoming media item requests are to be skewed from a random distribution among server nodes, using a random distribution algorithm, to a directed distribution among the server nodes. The method then includes identifying, in a loading assignment, which media items are to be loaded onto specific server nodes to produce the directed distribution of media item requests. The method next includes preloading the identified media items onto the server nodes according to the loading assignment and receiving media item requests for the preloaded media items. The method then includes routing the received media item requests to the server nodes using the random distribution algorithm, where the random distribution algorithm is skewed to the directed distribution based on the preloading of the media items according to the identified loading assignment. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a subsequence-based encoding application generates subsequences based on a source sequence associated with a media title. The subsequence-based encoding application then encodes both a first subsequence and a second subsequence across each of multiple configured encoders and at least one rate control value to generate, respectively, a first set of encoded subsequences and a second set of encoded subsequences. Notably, each configured encoder is associated with a combination of an encoder and a configuration, and at least two configured encoders are different from one another. Subsequently, the subsequence-based encoding application generates encoded media sequences based on the first set of encoded subsequences and the second set of encoded subsequences. Finally, the application selects a first encoded media sequence from the encoded media sequences based on a first target value for a media metric to subsequently stream to a first endpoint device during playback of the media title.

Abstract: The disclosed computer-implemented method includes determining, for multiple different media items, a current time scale at which the media items are encoded for distribution, where at least two of the media items are encoded at different frame rates. The method then includes identifying, for the media items, a unified time scale that provides a constant frame interval for each of the media items. The method also includes changing at least one of the media items from the current time scale to the identified unified time scale to provide a constant frame interval for the changed media item(s). Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a computer-implemented method of receiving a header associated with an object, where the header includes a limit value that specifies a quantity of times the object is to be served from a cache device before revalidation, and a current count value that specifies a number of times that the object has been served since a most-recent revalidation or load, receiving a request for the object from a requesting device, and upon determining that the current count value is below the limit value, serving the object to the requesting device from the cache device, or upon determining that the current count value matches the limit value, transmitting a request for revalidating the object.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present application set forth a computer-implemented method that includes receiving, by a first service operating within a computing system, a modified identity data object from a second service operating within the computing system, where the modified identity data object includes at least one identifier associated with a client of the computing system determining, by the first service, that the second service performed a first action on an identity data object to generate the modified identity data object, and validating the modified identity data object based on whether the second service is authorized to perform the first action.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a prediction application computes a quality score for re-constructed visual content that is derived from visual content. The prediction application generates a frame difference matrix based on two frames included in the re-constructed video content. The prediction application then generates a first entropy matrix based on the frame difference matrix and a first scale. Subsequently, the prediction application computes a first value for a first temporal feature based on the first entropy matrix and a second entropy matrix associated with both the visual content and the first scale. The prediction application computes a quality score for the re-constructed video content based on the first value, a second value for a second temporal feature associated with a second scale, and a machine learning model that is trained using subjective quality scores. The quality score indicates a level of visual quality associated with streamed video content.

Abstract: A playback application is configured to analyze audio frames associated with transitions between segments within a media title to identify one or more portions of extraneous audio. The playback application is configured to analyze the one or more portions of extraneous audio and then determine which of the one or more corresponding audio frames should be dropped. In doing so, the playback application can analyze a topology associated with the media title to determine whether any specific portions of extraneous audio are to be played outside of a logical ordering of audio samples set forth in the topology. These specific portions of extraneous audio are preferentially removed.