Abstract: An input feature vector is computed from an input text record, the input feature vector comprising one or more features, each feature including a subsequence of characters and a frequency of occurrence of the associated subsequence. A input fingerprint is generated out of the input feature vector by choosing one or more features with non-zero frequencies and alphabetizing the features chosen. One or more input indices are generated by alphabetizing features in the input fingerprint and concatenating features occurring in subsequent locations of the input fingerprint. The input text record is matched against a target text record if (1) one or more of the input indices match a target index corresponding to the target text record and (2) the corresponding input fingerprint matches a target fingerprint corresponding to the target text record. The target text record is outputted as a search result if it matches the input text record.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.

Abstract: A method and a system are provided for matching a fingerprint, for example, an audio fingerprint. In one example, the system receives, from a user device, a chapter and a query about the chapter. The chapter includes computer readable data generated from a waveform of an audio signal. The query is a request to receive data related to the chapter. The system generates, at a computer, a fingerprint of the chapter. The fingerprint includes at least a digital measure of certain properties of the waveform of the audio signal. The system generates, at a computer, a hash value of the fingerprint by applying a hash function to at least a portion of the fingerprint of the chapter. The hash value serves as an identifier for the fingerprint. The system looks up, in a database system, a matching hash value for the hash value of the fingerprint.

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: Metadata of the type for instance associated with television or video Electronic Programming Guides (EPG) or Interactive Programming Guides (IPG), is transported via a digital delivery network such as the Internet to a video receiving device such as a personal video recorder (PVR). The receiving device extracts the metadata for a purpose such as determining from the metadata programming of control signals. The PVR thereby reads or interprets control signals derived from the metadata provided via the digital delivery network so as to control subsequent video recording.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mixed-media content guidance are provided. One or more interactive tools are provided for searching and/or filtering media content (e.g., music content, movie content, etc.). In some embodiments, these interactive tools may include a two-dimensional selection region, where the two-dimensional selection region is divided into a plurality of sub-regions and defines an intersection between a first criterion and a second criterion. In response to receiving a user selection of a sub-region from the two-dimensional selection region, a subset of a plurality of media identifiers may be determined. At least a portion of the subset of media identifiers may be selected for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A system for discovering content and metadata includes a processor communicatively coupled to a communication network and a database. The processor determines whether an end portion of a portion of content has been received based on the portion of content and/or metadata. The processor generates a content fingerprint based on the portion of content if the end portion has been received. The content fingerprint and/or the metadata are stored in the database.

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 used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. 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. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.

Abstract: Data searching performed by a server system. A query is received to search data stored in an organizing system in which data has been organized from a highest confidence quality tier to a lowest confidence quality tier. Data of the highest confidence quality tier of the organizing system is searched to satisfy the query, wherein searching the data of the highest confidence quality tier is performed before searching data of a lower confidence quality tier of the organizing system.

Abstract: A system includes a processor that receives, via a communication channel, a portion of content associated with time-localized metadata. The time-localized metadata and a tag mode identifier are retrieved from a database. A tag mode associated with the portion of content is determined based on the time-localized metadata and/or the tag mode identifier. The processor implements a feature based on the time-localized metadata and the tag mode.

Abstract: A system includes a processor that retrieves, from a first database, a portion of content associated with time-localized metadata. The time-localized metadata and a tag mode identifier are retrieved from a second database. A tag mode associated with the portion of content is determined based on the time-localized metadata and/or the tag mode identifier. The portion of content and/or the time-localized metadata are transmitted to a user device based on the tag mode. In some embodiments, a reconstruction mode associated with the portion of content is determined based on the time-localized metadata and/or a reconstruction mode identifier. The portion of content, the time-localized metadata, attribute information, and/or mapping information are transmitted to the user device based on the reconstruction mode.

Abstract: Fantasy sports contests based on segments of a single sports event. A segment or subevent may be a portion of a single sports event. The users choose a roster of selections to form an fantasy sports contest team roster. Fantasy points are awarded to the user for the real-life performance of the selections on the fantasy sports contest team roster according to rules of the fantasy sports contest. In one embodiment, the user is presented with bonus questions asking for predictions on the outcome of real-life action during a subevent of the a televised competition. Fantasy points may be awarded to users making correct predictions. The bonus questions may supplement fantasy scoring from the users' team rosters, or may be presented as a stand alone interactive sports contest.

Abstract: Providing a recommendation of a media item. Media item identifiers and corresponding nonzero media item attribute strengths for a target media item attribute are retrieved from a database. Each of the retrieved media item attribute strengths are randomized, resulting in randomized media item attribute strengths. One of the media item identifiers is selected according to predetermined selection criteria. A recommendation of a media item corresponding to the selected media item identifier is transmitted to a user device over a network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and apparatus for providing networked assistance and feedback control for consumer electronic devices are disclosed. The system and method in an example embodiment include: gathering user behavior and feedback information collected on a user platform via a data network; processing the user behavior and feedback information, by using a processor, to infer a problem encountered by a user on the user platform in operating a consumer electronic (CE) device of the user platform; activating a user interface on the user platform to offer the user assistance in resolving the problem; and recording the problem as a design hint related to a potential design change corresponding to the CE device.

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: A method and a system are provided for recommending a media item (e.g., movie and/or television program). In one example, the system receives a seed media item (e.g., seed movie and/or seed television program). A seed media item is an audio-visual recording that is identified as being of interest to a user. The system recognizes one or more recognized audio tracks (e.g., audio tracks and/or songs) from the seed media item. A recognized audio track is an audio recording that is contained in the seed media item. The system retrieves audio track metadata associated with at least one of the recognized audio tracks from the seed media item. Audio track metadata are data that describes an audio recording. The system recommends one or more recommended media items based on the audio track metadata. A recommended media item is an audio-visual recording (e.g., movie and/or television program).

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 used to inform the user of prizes being awarded for performance in the fantasy sports contest, including prizes being awarded for performing in an instant scoring opportunity based on real-time action in a related sports broadcast. The advertisements may be intelligently scheduled around certain events in a related sports broadcast to take advantage of user purchasing habits. 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. The advertisements may be targeted to the user's specific geographic location.

Abstract: A processor retrieves, from a database, an identifier of a first media item rated by a target user, user identifiers of users having provided media item ratings for the first media item, and the media item ratings provided by the users, correspondingly. Each of the media item ratings is randomized, resulting in randomized media item ratings. A user identifier corresponding to a maximum of the randomized media item ratings is selected from the user identifiers. Additional media item ratings associated with the selected user identifier are retrieved from the database. Each of the additional media item ratings are randomized, resulting in additional randomized media item ratings. An identifier of a recommended media item corresponding to a maximum of the randomized media item ratings and the additional randomized media item ratings is selected. Metadata associated with the recommended media item is transmitted to a user device over a network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating graphic animation technologies with fantasy sports contest applications are provided. This invention enables a fantasy sports contest application to depict plays in various sporting events using graphic animation. The fantasy sports contest application may combine graphical representation of real-life elements such as, for example, player facial features, with default elements such as, for example, a generic player body, to create realistic graphic video. The fantasy sports contest application may provide links to animated videos for depicting plays on contest screens in which information associated with the plays may be displayed. The fantasy sports contest application may play the animated video for a user in response to the user selecting such a link. In some embodiment of the present invention, the fantasy sports contest application may also customize animated video based on user-supplied setup information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptive bitrate streaming of media stored in Matroska container files utilizing Hypertext Transfer Potocol (HTTP) in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. In one embodiment, a processor configured, via a client application, to request portions of files from a remote server.