Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for providing rolling updates of distributed systems with a shared cache. An embodiment operates by receiving a data item key corresponding to a request from a user profile operating on a media player and receiving a version identifier corresponding to a first version of an application operating on the media player. It is determined that a shared cache includes a first value and second value for the data item key. A key component is generated corresponding to the user profile. Both the generated key component and the data item key are provided to the shared cache, and the first value of the data item as stored in the shared cache is received. The first value of the first version of the data item is updated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for online automatic hyperparameter tuning of a machine learning model that provides a user experience to media devices such that the machine learning model maximizes (or minimizes) an objective function. An example embodiment operates by generating an initial set of hyperparameter configurations for a machine learning model based on sampling data received from media devices over a network. The embodiment then determines, using an hyperparameter tuning method, a hyperparameter configuration based on the initial set of hyperparameter configurations that causes a training of the machine learning model using a learning algorithm to maximize an objective function. The embodiment then trains the machine learning model according to the determined hyperparameter configuration using the learning algorithm.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method is disclosed. The method includes identifying, by a content-presentation device, an upcoming content modification opportunity on an identified channel, where the identified upcoming content modification opportunity relates to a modifiable content-segment. The method also includes receiving, by the content-presentation device, the modifiable content-segment. The method further includes performing, by the content-presentation device, a set of operations to prepare the content-presentation device to perform a content-modification operation in connection with the identified upcoming content modification opportunity on the identified channel. The method additionally includes receiving, by the content-presentation device, an instruction to operate in a test mode. The method also includes responsive to receiving the instruction, outputting, by the content-presentation device, for presentation the modifiable content-segment without a modification that relates to supplemental content.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method can be used with a system comprising a set of domain specific language (DSL)-compatible modules. The method can include: (i) designing a template for an interactive media object, wherein the template includes one or more fixed portions and one or more variable portions; (ii) curating the designed template by at least using received input to modify the one or more variable portions of the designed template; (iii) modifying the curated template by replacing a content placeholder of the curated template with a corresponding content item, thereby automatically converting the curated template into an interactive media object definition file; and (iv) using the interactive media object definition file to render and present, via a media selection menu of a presentation device, an interactive media object defined by the interactive media object definition file.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) determining, by a content-presentation device, a media-device loudness of content that is provided to the content-presentation device by a media device, with the content portion being provided to the content-presentation device prior to an upcoming content-modification opportunity; (ii) determining, by the content-presentation device, that the media-device loudness is less than a threshold; (iii) based on determining that the media-device loudness is less than the threshold, obtaining, by the content-presentation device, a reference loudness of the content portion; and (iv) using, by the content-presentation device, the reference loudness as a basis for determining whether or not to carry out a content-modification operation in connection with the upcoming content-modification opportunity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for upgrading one or more display device hardware components. In one embodiment, as new television hardware components become available, the technology described herein allows replacement of original hardware components by external hardware components implemented as an add-in card, stick or equivalent circuitry and operational instructions. In some embodiments, the technology described herein may implement an application programming interface (API) that exposes hardware of a new external device communicatively coupled to the display device (e.g., television) to take control of one or more components of an existing internal system. Various interface technologies, such as HDMI and USB, may be used to connect the external hardware to the internal systems.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for providing voice control using multiple digital assistants. In some embodiments, a voice platform operates to receive a voice input from a user. The voice platform selects a digital assistant from a plurality of digital assistants based on a trigger word. The voice platform then generates an intent from the voice input using the selected digital assistant. The voice platform then transmits the intent to a media device for processing.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for use of steganographically-encoded data as a basis to control content modification. A server could determine through a fingerprint comparison that a portion of media content on a channel being rendered by a content presentation device matches at least one modifiable-content segment, such as at least one replaceable ad. The server could then use watermark data encoded in the media content of the channel as a basis to determine an actual identity of a modifiable-content segment present on the channel, so as to then control content modification.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for a computing device upgrading system over a wireless network. An embodiment operates by determining that a computing device is connected to an upgrader device over a wireless network connection. It is determined that an upgrader mode of the computing device is activated based on the determination that the wireless network connection to the upgrader device is active. A command at is received at the computing device. It is determined that a speed of the wireless network connection exceeds a threshold. The command is transmitted to the upgrader device based on both the determination that the upgrader mode of the computing device is active and the determination that the speed of the wireless network connection exceeds the threshold. At the computing device, a response from the upgrader device executing the command is received, and content is output.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for processing of messages at a media device for analysis purposes. An embodiment operates by transmitting a message request from a media device to a messaging server. In response, the media device receives a message response containing a message and messenger identifier. The media device generates a hash value of an identifier associated with the media device and the messenger identifier. The media device then determines whether the hash value maps into a control group. Finally, the media device processes the message based on whether the hash value maps into the control group.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) receiving, from one or more cameras in a viewing environment of a content-presentation device, video of a user performing a fitness exercise in the viewing environment; (ii) using the received video and a skeletal detection model to estimate skeletal movement of the user; (iii) generating a synthetic video representing the user moving according to the estimated skeletal movement; (iv) based on a comparison of the estimated skeletal movement with predefined reference skeletal movement representing desired skeletal movement for the fitness exercise, and while the user is performing the fitness exercise, continually calculating a metric representing a difference between the estimated skeletal movement and the reference skeletal movement; and (v) causing the content-presentation device to concurrently display the generated synthetic video, a reference video representing the reference skeletal movement, and an indication of the metric.

Abstract: Provided herein are system, apparatus, device, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for transmitting messages to a display device based on detected audio output from the display device. In a given embodiment, a digital media player can transmit a message to the display device to control the audio output of the speaker using a transmission protocol, and transmit a set of instructions to the remote control device to confirm the display device processed the message by determining whether an attribute associated with the audio output from the speaker is within a predetermined threshold. In response to receiving a message that an attribute associated with the audio output is within a predetermined threshold, the digital media player can determine that the display device is enabled to receive communication via the transmission protocol.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes monitoring, by a hub station, a first channel activity level associated with a first channel of a plurality of channels within a particular frequency range. The hub station communicates with a low-energy device using the first channel. The method includes determining that the first channel activity level satisfies a threshold activity level and switching to a second channel of the plurality of channels to communicate with the low-energy device. The method includes notifying the low-energy device that the hub station switched to the second channel by sending an acknowledgement message to the low-energy device on the second channel in response to receiving a message from the low-energy device on the second channel. The message is sent to the hub station on the second channel after at least one unsuccessful attempt to send the message to the hub station on the first channel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for stochastic candidate selection for content recommendation. An example embodiment operates by a computer-implemented method for stochastic candidate selection for content recommendation. The method includes receiving, by at least one computer processor, a first plurality of content candidates and selecting a second plurality of content candidates from the first plurality of content candidates. The method further include ranking the second plurality of content candidates based on one or more parameters and selecting a third plurality of content candidates from the ranked second plurality of content candidates. The method can further include displaying the third plurality of content candidates using a display device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for tailoring and censoring content based on audience detected. An example embodiment operates by detecting an audience within a vicinity of a media device based on identifying information received by the media device, determining a category of the audience with a user identification system based on the identifying information, identifying a content tailoring rule for the audience based on the category of the audience, retrieving a content to be played by the media device, and modifying the content based on the content tailoring rule and a category label of the content.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for utilizing a content recommendation system powering a streaming media publisher channel to enhance an ad creative being shown to the user via awareness or performance campaigns. This method allows the platform to present the most relevant hyper-personalized in-channel content to the publisher platform users in endemic banners that run on the platform which then correspondingly helps drive user reach. An example embodiment operates by implementing personalized content banners that may act as a hook for channel users opening their streaming device, both active and lapsed, to enter back into the channel.

Abstract: In one aspect, disclosed is an example method for use in connection with a media-presentation device having an associated presentation area, the method including: (i) obtaining presentation area data associated with the presentation area; (ii) determining that the obtained presentation area data satisfies each and every condition of a condition set; (iii) responsive to at least determining that the obtained presentation area data satisfies each and every condition of the condition set, identifying an upcoming media segment insertion point within a media program; and (iv) facilitating the media-presentation device outputting for presentation a media segment starting at the identified media segment insertion point within the media program.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments, for a content display and clustering system. An example embodiment operates by receiving a request to display the plurality of content items. At each of multiple levels different pairs of content items are identified and a similarity score is computed for each pair. A subset of pairs for which their similarity score exceeds a similarity threshold for the respective level are identified and clustered. This process is repeated for one or more iterations at the same level, and then the process is repeated for each of the multiple levels. A final clustered subset is identified, and output for display, responsive to the request to display the plurality of content items.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) obtaining a set of user attributes for a user of a content-presentation device; (ii) based on the set of user attributes, obtaining structured data and determining a textual description of the structured data; (iii) transforming, using a text-to-speech engine, the textual description of the structured data into synthesized speech; and (iv) generating, using the synthesized speech and for display by the content-presentation device, a synthetic video of a targeted advertisement comprising the synthesized speech.

Abstract: Described herein are various embodiments for network-based audio playback. An embodiment operates by determining that a media device is configured to stream audio content to one or more wireless speakers over a first wireless network. A second wireless network over which the media device is configured to stream the audio content to the one or more wireless speakers is established by the media device. A signal to the one or more wireless speakers to switch from the first wireless network to the second wireless network is provided by the media device. The audio is provided to the wireless speakers for playback over the second wireless network.