Abstract: A system or method selects among multiple tuners to tune a particular channel. A request is received to tune a first channel. In response to this request, a first tuner is assigned to tune the first channel. A request is received to tune a second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is not being recorded, the first tuner is assigned to tune the second channel. If the program tuned by the first tuner is being recorded, the second tuner is assigned to tune the second channel.

Abstract: A method and system for tunable distribution of content are disclosed. Preferably, the content comprises digital rights and/or watermark information. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a request from a client. One or more content files related to the request and a user profile of a user are determined. One or more seeders are assigned to start the delivery of the one or more content files. The client is allowed to obtain a plurality of pieces of the one or more content files from the one or more seeders. At least one piece of the plurality of pieces of the one or more content files contains digital rights and/or watermark information.

Abstract: An audio fingerprint is generated by transforming an audio sample of a recording to a time-frequency domain and storing each time-frequency pair in a matrix array, detecting a plurality of local maxima for a predetermined number of time slices, selecting a predetermined number of largest-magnitude maxima from the plurality of local maxima detected by said detecting, and generating one or more hash values corresponding to the predetermined number of largest-magnitude maxima.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing editing tools that allow a user to manipulate media provided by a media content source. Media editing tools may include content analysis tools capable of extracting information from the media content itself, and may include segment identification and editing tools. Editing tools may be created by a user, and stored or shared with other users. Users may be able to specify and customize a set of storage space requirements that impose constraints on the type, quantity and content of stored assets. Automatic storage management tools provide tools with which stored and to-be-stored assets may be transformed in order to maintain satisfaction of storage preferences and requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multimedia highlight segments featuring real-life action related to fantasy sports competition. Links to highlight segments are provided in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information. A Highlight Center is provided with links to compilations of highlight segments featuring the best action culled from a pool of highlight segments. The user may be alerted of newly available highlight segments affecting fantasy scoring while the user watches a fantasy sports related television broadcast.

Abstract: A system for identification of video content in a video signal is provided by providing a difference signal between an input signal and the delayed input signal. An alternative embodiment includes providing frequency coefficients from one or more video frames along a curve, or from a region of the video frame. In another embodiment a filter bank provides a real time or near real time frequency analysis of a video signal to provide identification. Other attributes of the video signal or transport stream may be combined with closed caption data or closed caption text for identification purposes. Example attributes include DVS/SAP information, time code information, histograms, and or rendered video or pictures.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for managing licenses of media files on playback devices in a media system. In some embodiments, each media file is purchased based on a number of licenses, each license granting permission to store the media file on a single playback device. Each media file may have an associated number of one or more licenses that specifies the maximum number of playback devices on which the media file may be stored at the same time (concurrently). The media system may comprise a home central licensing (HCL) device, a primary storage device, and playback devices coupled via a network. The primary storage device may be used to initially store newly purchased media files. The HCL device may allow or prohibit distribution of the media files on the primary storage device to playback devices by using a license manager data structure storing licensing information for each media file.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for constructing album data using discrete track data from multiple sources. In one example, the system identifies one or more set of tracks having a similar album title, wherein the one or more set of tracks are obtained from one or more client devices. The system then searches across the one or more set of tracks for tracks having a matching fingerprint and a matching album title. The system groups tracks that match according to an original album title in metadata to obtain grouped tracks. The system mines across the grouped tracks to generate a juxtaposition of track data from the one or more client devices. The system then generates album data for one or more albums based on the juxtaposition of track data.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for providing editing tools that allow a user to manipulate media provided by a media content source. Media editing tools may include content analysis tools capable of extracting information from the media content itself, and may include segment identification and editing tools. Editing tools may be created by a user, and stored or shared with other users. Users may be able to specify and customize a set of storage space requirements that impose constraints on the type, quantity and content of stored assets. Automatic storage management tools provide tools with which stored and to-be-stored assets may be transformed in order to maintain satisfaction of storage preferences and requirements.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for searching content (e.g., text, metadata and/or a fingerprint, etc.). In one example, the system receives content and a query for matching the content. The content includes computer readable data. The system generates a feature vector for the content. Generating the feature vector comprises generating a signal from the content, generating a spectrogram from the signal, and generating the feature vector from the spectrogram. The system searches for at least one feature vector that matches the feature vector for the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing multimedia highlight segments featuring real-life action related to fantasy sports competition. Links to highlight segments are provided in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information. A Highlight Center is provided with links to compilations of highlight segments featuring the best action culled from a pool of highlight segments. The user may be alerted of newly available highlight segments affecting fantasy scoring while the user watches a fantasy sports related television broadcast.

Abstract: A method and system for tunable distribution of content are disclosed. Preferably, the content comprises digital rights and/or watermark information. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a request from a client. One or more content files related to the request and a user profile of a user are determined. One or more seeders are assigned to start the delivery of the one or more content files. The client is allowed to obtain a plurality of pieces of the one or more content files from the one or more seeders. At least one piece of the plurality of pieces of the one or more content files contains digital rights and/or watermark information.

Abstract: The “color stripe” process is well known in the video field for preventing copying of video by analog video tape recorders, and operates by altering the phase of a portion of the video signal color burst. Here, a weakened version of the color stripe process is installed in a video signal by a digital media player which plays or stores conventional digital media, such as an optical disc (e.g., DVD or CD) player, a hard disc drive, a digital tape drive, or solid state memory. Thereby in an analog video signal output by such a digital media player the color burst phase alterations are reduced or attenuated so there is no copy prevention effect on a conventional downstream (receiving) analog video tape recorder.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for managing licenses of media files on playback devices in a media system. In some embodiments, each media file is purchased based on a number of licenses, each license granting permission to store the media file on a single playback device. Each media file may have an associated number of one or more licenses that specifies the maximum number of playback devices on which the media file may be stored at the same time (concurrently). The media system may comprise a home central licensing (HCL) device, a primary storage device, and playback devices coupled via a network. The primary storage device may be used to initially store newly purchased media files. The HCL device may allow or prohibit distribution of the media files on the primary storage device to playback devices by using a license manager data structure storing licensing information for each media file.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for presenting advertisements to users of a fantasy sports contest application. Advertisements are displayed in conjunction with fantasy sports contest information and may be interactive in nature. The advertisements may be selected according to a user profile. The user profile may include information on the user's demonstrated interests, which may be determined using the user's preferences in the fantasy contest, prior television viewing habits, and other suitable information.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for managing metadata for occurrences of a recording. In one example, the system receives a recording. The recording includes computer readable media data. The system generates an internal identifier of the recording. The internal identifier is a signature that uniquely identifies the recording. The system then adds the internal identifier to metadata that are associated with at least one occurrence of the recording. The metadata are data that describe the recording.

Abstract: Program code in a Web page hosted by a server and/or in server side code executed by the server is specially configured so that a modified media file whose source is embedded in the Web page and which is streamed by the server is properly playable only in browsers of media devices accessing the Web page. Thus, if a copy of the modified media file is downloaded to the media device or otherwise procured, the user of the media device is unable to properly play the downloaded copy by using a conventional media player. Further, if the downloaded copy is shared on a file sharing network, users of the file sharing network that download copies from the media device are also unable to properly play their downloaded copies by using conventional media players.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive streaming with augmented video stream transitions in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a network client includes memory containing a video decoder application, an image processing application, and a client application and a processor, wherein the video decoder application configures the processor to decode video data for display, wherein the image processor application configures the processor to render an image for display, wherein the client application configures the processor to receive a first stream of video data, play the first stream of video data, detect a change in streaming conditions, request a second stream of video data, render an image for display, receive the second stream of video data, and play the second stream of video data, and coordinates the display of the image between the first stream of video and the second video stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive streaming with augmented video stream transitions using a media server in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention, a media server includes multimedia content including a set of alternative streams of video data and a processor, wherein the processor is configured to receive a request to stream multimedia content, stream a first stream of video data, where the first stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, receive a request for a second stream of video data, where the second stream of video data is one of the set of alternative streams of video data contained in the multimedia content, transmit an image in response to the request for the second stream of video data, and stream the second stream of video data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for generating or providing any of various types of modifications purposely made to generally known signals, waveforms, conditions, functions, etc. The modifications are sensed, read, detected or interpreted to provide a content control command indicative of the difference between the original signal, waveform, condition, functions, etc., and the modified signal, waveform, condition, function, etc. The content control command may be used to provide content control for a content control system, which in turn may provide control of a selected compliant device.