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: 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: 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: 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.

Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for providing geo-located and content-to-comment synchronized user circles are described. For at least one embodiment, a system for facilitating a geo-location based user circle may include a hub configured to facilitate a sharing of comments between a first user and a second user via a user circle. The first user and the second user may be selected for participation in the user circle based upon a circleID associated each of a first user device and a second user device. A first user device, communicatively coupled to the hub, may be configured to facilitate a capture of the comments provided by the first user. A second user device, communicatively coupled to the hub, may be configured to facilitate a presentation of the comments to the second user. And, a second device geoID may be used to indicate a location of the second user device.

Abstract: Video production systems and methods are provided for generating annotated class discussion videos, which contain real-time student commentary post-production annotations responsive to such student commentary, or a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the video production system includes a display device, a dedicated video input source, and a video processing device. The video processing device contains, in turn, a wireless receiver configured to receive wireless input signals from the dedicated video input source and a plurality of devices executing a student commentary capture application during a presentation, a controller operably coupled to the wireless receiver, and a memory storing computer-readable instructions. When executed by the controller, the computer-readable instructions cause the video processing device to generate an output video containing student commentary synchronized with the presentation as captured, at least in part, utilizing the dedicated video input source.

Abstract: A three-dimensional graphical user interface system comprises a media component configured to produce a signal comprising media content (e.g., a movie or television show being viewed by a user) and a three-dimensional graphical user interface (e.g., an interactive program guide). A display device communicatively coupled to the media component is configured to simultaneously display the three-dimensional graphical user interface and a media content image corresponding to the media content.

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: 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 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 may then establish a network connection with the wireless network based on the wireless network credentials transmitted by the second wireless device.

Abstract: A three-dimensional graphical user interface system comprises a media component configured to produce a signal comprising media content (e.g., a movie or television show being viewed by a user) and a three-dimensional graphical user interface (e.g., an interactive program guide). A display device communicatively coupled to the media component is configured to simultaneously display the three-dimensional graphical user interface and a media content image corresponding to the 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.