Abstract: Example embodiments provide a media content news feed identifying one or more media content streams that may be received and displayed. In an example embodiment, media content alert information is received at a media content device that describes at least one of a plurality of media content streams receivable at the media content device via a network. The received media content alert information is processed to generate a content news feed including one or more content news items. The content news feed is presented using the display device. A selection of one of the content news items of the feed is received, with the selected content news item identifying a corresponding media content stream of the plurality of streams. Based on the selected content news item, the corresponding media content stream is processed.

Abstract: Example implementations are directed to methods and systems for individualized multimedia navigation and control including receiving metadata for a piece of digital content, where the metadata comprises a primary image and text that is used to describes the digital content; analyzing the primary image to detect one or more objects; selecting one or more secondary images corresponding to each detected object; and generating a data structure for the digital content comprising the one or more secondary images, where the digital content is described by a preferred secondary image.

Abstract: A pay television satellite broadcast includes validation data that can be used to validate authenticity of live global positioning system (GPS) data. The validation data may be included within entitlement messages and encrypted for security and selective reception by authorized receivers. A navigation system may compute checksums of received live GPS data and compare with the validation data for a match. A decision about whether or not to use the live GPS data may be taken based on whether or not the computed checksums match the validation data received via the pay television satellite broadcast signals.

Abstract: A computer system and method for synchronizing actions associated with media between a media/network device and peripherals. In an example implementation, a system includes a one or more processors configured to receive, by a communication module from a media/network device based on peripheral addressing information, a peripheral payload including a first set of actions and timing information related to media. The one or more processors perform the first set of actions based on the peripheral payload, generate response data for the first set of actions, and transmit the response data to the media/network device via a wireless network.

Abstract: Example implementations are directed to methods and systems for individualized multimedia navigation and control including receiving metadata for a piece of digital content, where the metadata comprises a primary image and text that is used to describes the digital content; analyzing the primary image to detect one or more objects; selecting one or more secondary images corresponding to each detected object; and generating a data structure for the digital content comprising the one or more secondary images, where the digital content is described by a preferred secondary image.

Abstract: A system for facilitating access to items of content presents recommendations to a user. Items of content may include movies and television shows. Recommendations may include access plans specifying a plurality of digital media services, where each specified digital media service provides availability to items of content included in a user defined set. Further, recommendations may be based on one or more use defined constraints. User defined constraints may include a user budget for accessing items of content during a specific time period.

Abstract: A smart playlist system is described. In one example embodiment, a collector module obtains content utilization data from a plurality of client devices associated with respective plurality of viewers. A hot list generator module generates a list of popular content items based on the obtained content utilization data. A customization module generates a customized playlist for a target viewer from the plurality of viewers, based on the list of popular content items and a profile of the target viewer. The communications module communicates the customized playlist to a client device of the target viewer.

Abstract: Example implementations are directed to methods and systems for individualized multimedia navigation and control including receiving metadata for a piece of digital content, where the metadata comprises a primary image and text that is used to describes the digital content; analyzing the primary image to detect one or more objects; selecting one or more secondary images corresponding to each detected object; and generating a data structure for the digital content comprising the one or more secondary images, where the digital content is described by a preferred secondary image.

Abstract: A computer system and method for synchronizing actions associated with media between a media/network device and peripherals. In an example implementation, a system includes a one or more processors configured to receive, by a communication module from a media/network device based on peripheral addressing information, a peripheral payload including a first set of actions and timing information related to media. The one or more processors perform the first set of actions based on the peripheral payload, generate response data for the first set of actions, and transmit the response data to the media/network device via a wireless network.

Abstract: A pay television satellite broadcast includes validation data that can be used to validate authenticity of live global positioning system (GPS) data. The validation data may be included within entitlement messages and encrypted for security and selective reception by authorized receivers. A navigation system may compute checksums of received live GPS data and compare with the validation data for a match. A decision about whether or not to use the live GPS data may be taken based on whether or not the computed checksums match the validation data received via the pay television satellite broadcast signals.

Abstract: Example implementations are directed to methods and systems for individualized multimedia navigation and control including receiving metadata for a piece of digital content, where the metadata comprises a primary image and text that is used to describes the digital content; analyzing the primary image to detect one or more objects; selecting one or more secondary images corresponding to each detected object; and generating a data structure for the digital content comprising the one or more secondary images, where the digital content is described by a preferred secondary image.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide systems and methods for overlay contrast control in augmented reality displays. In an example method, contrast enhancement data including data describing at least a portion of a background image for presentation under an informational overlay on a display device is accessed. The informational overlay includes at least one of a graphical element or a textual element to partially obscure a scene. Data identifying at least a portion of the information overlay under which the background image is to be presented is generated. The background image is presented on a display device atop the portion of the scene corresponding to the portion of the informational overlay, and the information overlay is presented on the display device atop the background image and the scene.

Abstract: A smart playlist system is described. In one example embodiment, a collector module obtains content utilization data from a plurality of client devices associated with respective plurality of viewers. A hot list generator module generates a list of popular content items based on the obtained content utilization data. A customization module generates a customized playlist for a target viewer from the plurality of viewers, based on the list of popular content items and a profile of the target viewer. The communications module communicates the customized playlist to a client device of the target viewer.

Abstract: A smart playlist system is described. In one example embodiment, a collector module obtains content utilization data from a plurality of client devices associated with respective plurality of viewers. A hot list generator module generates a list of popular content items based on the obtained content utilization data. A customization module generates a customized playlist for a target viewer from the plurality of viewers, based on the list of popular content items and a profile of the target viewer. The communications module communicates the customized playlist to a client device of the target viewer.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining an association of a client device with the secondary device. The method further includes identifying a triggering event related to an operation of the secondary device. The method also includes responsive to identifying the triggering event, sending, by the secondary device via a network, a message to the client device with a request for information related to the operation of the secondary device. The client device may have a client device interface configured to present the message and to receive input pertaining to the message. The method includes receiving, via a network, input pertaining to the information from the client device. The method further includes configuring the secondary device to perform the operation at the secondary device using the input received from the client device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for optimizing a content change process are provided. In example embodiments, a digital receiver causes playback of a first piece of content. The digital receiver receives a selection of a new piece of content for playback during the playback of the first piece of content. In response to the receiving of the selection, the digital receiver maintains a bitrate used for playback of the first piece of content to initiate playback of the new piece of content.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing a trend server outside a content provider network to communicate with the content provider network to build a trend record based on responses received from the content provider network for monitoring certain activity trend or tendency in the content provider network and provide an alert when the content provider network behaves abnormally.

Abstract: A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and displaying groupings of content recommendations using personas are provided. The system determines content for each of the plurality of personas. The determined content for each of the plurality of personas comprises content that shares a common genre or theme for each persona. The system populates each of the plurality of personas using the determined content for each of the plurality of personas. The system then causes display of at least some of the plurality of personas on a viewing device of a user. The at least some of the plurality of personas is selected for the user based on device data corresponding to the user, whereby the device data indicates user preferences and interactions with previous content.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a program guide that presents a plurality of icon groupings. Each icon grouping corresponds to one of a plurality of sub-categories within a category of media content. An icon in an icon grouping representing a media content item within a sub-category of the plurality of sub-categories. The device is further configured to receive a first input indicative of a selection of the icon grouping and based on the received first input, update the programming guide to present the icon grouping for selection. The updating of the program guide includes changing a manner in which the icons of the icon grouping are organized within the icon grouping. The device is further configured to perform an operation associated with the icon from the icon grouping based on a second input indicative of a selection of the icon.