Abstract: A digital content storage and delivery system (DCSDS) includes a network interface to communicate data between the DCSDS and a destination device via a network data communication link having limited bandwidth. An input interface receives digital content for handling by the DCSDS. A storage architecture stores recorded video content on behalf of subscriber end users for on-demand playback via the network data communication link, and it caches live streaming video content for distribution via the network data communication link. The DCDS may monitor bandwidth usage of the network data communication link, determine current bandwidth demand for playback of recorded video content stored at the storage architecture, and reserve at least some of the limited bandwidth of the network data communication link to satisfy the determined current bandwidth demand. The available bandwidth is allocated to support distribution of live streaming video from the DCSDS.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for delivering messages from one or more service hosts to clients via a network. A first request identifying the client is received at the message server, and a connection is established and maintained between the message server and the client in response to the first request. When a subsequent request that identifies the client is received from the service host, a message is transmitted from the message server to the client over the previously-established connection. The methods and techniques may be used, for example, to provide messages from various services to placeshifting devices or other clients communicating via the network.

Abstract: Various arrangements for configuring wireless network access for a first wireless device using a previously-configured second wireless device are presented. The first wireless device may output a temporary wireless network hotspot and advertise an identifier. A second wireless device may search for and identify the first wireless device based on the advertised identifier. The second wireless device may connect with the temporary wireless network hotspot and provide wireless network credentials for a wireless network for which the second wireless device has previously been granted access. The first wireless device may then establish a network connection with the wireless network based on the wireless network credentials transmitted by the second wireless device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses that utilize machine learning techniques to dynamically adjust the placement of secondary content that is displayed across numerous user devices over time are described. The user devices may comprise electronic computing devices, such as a mobile phones and digital televisions. The secondary content may be displayed within open slots of webpages or display screens in response to being selected for display during a real-time bidding process for the open slots. In some cases, in response to a bid request for an open slot within a webpage or display screen, a computer-implemented bid generation system for determining the selection and placement of secondary content may identify the secondary content to be displayed within the open slot, determine a bid amount for the identified secondary content, and transmit a bid response that includes the bid amount and the identified secondary content.

Abstract: A place shifting device and a method for operating the same are provided. The place shifting device, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a communication system configured to receive a plurality of sources of media, a multiplexed channel transcoder configured to multiplex video from at least two of the plurality of sources of media into a single channel, and a processor communicatively coupled to the communication system and the multiplexed channel transcoder, the processor configured to determine the at least two of the plurality of sources of media, transcode, via the multiplexed channel transcoder, the determined video from the at least two of the plurality of sources of media into the signal channel, and transmit, via the communication system, the single channel to a remote electronic device.

Abstract: A place shifting device and a method for operating the same are provided. The place shifting device, for example, may include, but is not limited to, a communication system configured to receive a plurality of sources of media, a multiplexed channel transcoder configured to multiplex video from at least two of the plurality of sources of media into a single channel, and a processor communicatively coupled to the communication system and the multiplexed channel transcoder, the processor configured to determine the at least two of the plurality of sources of media, transcode, via the multiplexed channel transcoder, the determined video from the at least two of the plurality of sources of media into the signal channel, and transmit, via the communication system, the single channel to a remote electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for searching media files using a set-top box (STB), a television receiver, digital video recorder (DVR), placeshifting device or other media device, or any type of network host that communicates with a media device of any sort. Search criteria is received from a user, and the search criteria is identified in listings of media programming available from one or more sources. In some implementations, a combined search result can be provided that identifies instances of the search criteria found in program guide listings, files stored on a digital video recorder (DVR), available on-demand content, or any other sources as desired. Some implementations may prioritize search results using information about files stored on a DVR, user preferences, or any other information as desired.

Abstract: A digital content storage and delivery system (DCSDS) includes a network interface to communicate data between the DCSDS and a destination device via a network data communication link having limited bandwidth. An input interface receives digital content for handling by the DCSDS. A storage architecture stores recorded video content on behalf of subscriber end users for on-demand playback via the network data communication link, and it caches live streaming video content for distribution via the network data communication link. The DCDS may monitor bandwidth usage of the network data communication link, determine current bandwidth demand for playback of recorded video content stored at the storage architecture, and reserve at least some of the limited bandwidth of the network data communication link to satisfy the determined current bandwidth demand. The available bandwidth is allocated to support distribution of live streaming video from the DCSDS.

Abstract: Techniques are described for keyless entry to a structure (e.g., hotel room) utilizing a set-back box. Registrants (e.g., hotel guest) may scan a barcode from their mobile device to check-in to the structure. Upon scanning the barcode or by other means, a mobile device identifier (e.g., a Bluetooth low-energy address (BLE)) is registered and associated with the checked-in structure. Receiving the registered mobile device identifier, the backend server pushes such to the set-back box associated with (e.g., resides in) the checked-in structure. The set-back box is enabled (e.g., BLE enabled) to actively scan addresses of nearby mobile devices. When the registered mobile device identifier is detected within a predetermined signal strength range (e.g., by using received signal strength indicator (RSSI) levels), the set-back box transmits a command to a smart lock (e.g., via BLE or Wifi or other radio) or to a lock controlling backend processor, to open the lock.

Abstract: A system, tracking an object within an environ, includes a hub with a processor instantiating a vision recognizer, a data store storing location data including a first location model, and a first camera which captures and provides, within a first field of view (FOV), a first image to the hub. The first image includes a first depiction of a first captured location, and the vision recognizer determines an object is present at the first location when the first depiction of the first captured location corresponds to the first location model. The first image depicts an element present within the first FOV, the data store further stores an image library record including a first object model, and the vision recognizer determines whether the object is present at the first location when the element depicted in the first image corresponds to the object as modeled by the first object model.

Abstract: A system, related operating methods, and computer readable storage media are disclosed here. The disclosed subject matter relates to methods of providing augmented reality features in connection with presentation of video content. A disclosed method involves: causing presentation of a video program at a user device associated with a viewing user; obtaining metadata associated with the video program; processing a live video feed that includes the viewing user; generating augmented reality overlay content for the live video feed, wherein visual appearance of at least some of the augmented reality overlay content is influenced by the obtained metadata; and causing presentation of an enhanced version of the live video feed at the user device associated with the viewing user, the enhanced version of the live video feed comprising the augmented reality overlay content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing variable-length media clips based upon a received media stream. An exemplary system for providing media clips to users includes a database comprising a list of rules associated with a plurality of programs, as well as a first server and a second server. The first server receives information about a particular program being viewed by a media player and obtains rules from the database for the identified program that are transmitted to the media player. The second server receives a media clip of the particular program being viewed from the media player, wherein the media clip is created at the media player in accordance with the rules corresponding to the program, and subsequently makes the media clip available to the users.

Abstract: An electronic device and related operating methodology are disclosed here. The device includes a touchscreen display, at least one memory storage device, and at least one processor. The at least one storage device has instructions stored therein and configurable to be executed by the at least one processor to: control display of a media player on the touchscreen display; control display of an interactive lock element on the touchscreen display; detect occurrence of an activate lock trigger event; and, in response to detecting the occurrence of the activate lock trigger event, lock or disable at least some touchscreen functionality of the media player during playback of media content.

Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are provided to facilitate the streaming of video content in a video streaming system. Specifically, the various embodiments provide an improved user interface for a video streaming system. In general, this user interface displays indications of program content of past time slots along with current and future time slots in a way that give the user an intuitive understanding of the percentage of remaining time in the current program. Thus, a user can immediately ascertain the percentage of the current program that has already been streamed relative to the percentage of the current program remaining. This information allows a user to more quickly decide if they would like to start viewing a program that has already been streaming for some period of time.

Abstract: A multi-device digital rights management server is provided. The server may include, but is not limited to, a processor communicatively coupled to a communications system and a memory, the processor configured to receive, from the communications system, a request to transfer digital content from a first user device to a second user device, update, upon receipt of the request, digital rights management data stored in the memory to enable both the first user device and the second user device to consume the digital content, receive, from the communications system, notice that one of the first user device and the second user device is consuming the digital content, update, upon receipt of the notice, the digital rights management data to disable the other of the first user device and the second user device from consuming the digital content.

Abstract: Automated processes, computing systems, computing devices and other aspects of a data processing system provide improved reliability in delivering digital media content over the Internet or a similar wide area network without sacrificing data security. Content is initially placed into a secure format (e.g., secure hypertext transport protocol (HTTPS) via transport control protocol (TCP) or the like). Prior to transmission on the network, the secure data packets are encapsulated within connectionless frames, such as user datagram protocol (UDP) frames. The client device that receives the encapsulated packets extracts the underlying secure content from the connectionless frames for further processing. The encapsulation into connectionless data frames permits client and server devices to establish effective streaming sessions while preserving the security of the underlying data.

Abstract: A multi-device digital rights management server is provided. The server may include, but is not limited to, a processor communicatively coupled to a communications system and a memory, the processor configured to receive, from the communications system, a request to transfer digital content from a first user device to a second user device, update, upon receipt of the request, digital rights management data stored in the memory to enable both the first user device and the second user device to consume the digital content, receive, from the communications system, notice that one of the first user device and the second user device is consuming the digital content, update, upon receipt of the notice, the digital rights management data to disable the other of the first user device and the second user device from consuming the digital content.

Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for multi-device access, control and presentation of streaming content are described. A system may include a first content access device that includes a first storage component, a first communications component operable to receive first content, and a first hardware processor operable to access a second content access device, control the second content access device, provide a first content to the second content access device, and swap a presentation of the second content on the second presentation device with a presentation of the first content on the second presentation device. A first presentation device may present the first content. A second presentation device may present the second content. Second storage, communications, and hardware processor components are operable to execute the second set of computer instructions that are substantially similar to the first set of computer instructions may be used.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided to detect a deeply discharged rechargeable battery. A process includes initiating a processor operative to perform a function within a battery-operated device, determining a first output voltage of a battery, charging the battery with a battery charger for a duration of time between three and seven seconds in response to the first output voltage being less than a cutoff voltage, rebooting the battery-operated device, determining a second output voltage of the battery, providing a user prompt indicative of battery fault in response to the second output voltage being less than the cutoff voltage, and shutting down the battery-operated device.

Abstract: Various arrangements for integrating over-the-air (OTA) television programming with streaming media are presented. An OTA integration module may request, from an OTA tuner, a stream of an OTA television channel, wherein the OTA television channel is broadcast over a geographic region on the VHF band or UHF band. The OTA integration module may receive, from the OTA tuner, the stream of the OTA television channel. The OTA integration module may provide, to a media presentation application, the stream of the OTA television channel. The media presentation application executed by the streaming media player device may output the steam of the OTA television channel for presentation.