Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for presenting media content capable of being dynamically adapted. One method involves analyzing content of a media program to identify a replaceable object at a spatial location within the content at a temporal location within the content, analyzing the spatial location of the content corresponding to the replaceable object within the content to identify one or more attributes of the replaceable object, identifying a substitute object based at least in part on the one or more attributes associated with the replaceable object, augmenting the temporal location of the content to include the substitute object at the spatial location within the content in lieu of the replaceable object, and providing the augmented version of the content to a media player for presentation.

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: A system and method to disconnect a battery from a load circuit when the battery temperature is outside a selected high threshold or a low threshold. A plurality of temperature sensors are provided for sensing a high battery temperature and a low battery temperature. If the either the high temperature sensor or the low temperature sensor outputs an error signal, the battery is disconnected from the load circuits. The disconnection from the load circuits is carried out by disabling at least four different circuits, any one of which alone will disconnect the battery from the load circuits. These four circuits include a battery switch circuit, a power control circuit, a charge control logic circuit and a voltage regulator circuit. The plurality of temperature sensors provides a backup system in the event any one of the temperature sensors is defective.

Abstract: A video production device is deployed to produce a video production stream of an event occurring within an environment that includes a plurality of different video capture devices capturing respective video input streams of the event. The video production device is programmed and operated to: receive video input streams from the video capture devices; determine, for each video capture device, an average root mean square (RMS) audio energy value over a period of time, to obtain device-specific average RMS values for the video capture devices; compare each device-specific average RMS value against a respective device-specific energy threshold value; identify which input stream is associated with an active speaker, based on the comparing step; select one of the identified streams as a current video output stream; and provide the selected stream as the current video output stream.

Abstract: Various arrangements for generating thumbnail images for video content as the video content is being received are presented. A television receiver may first receive video content. A thumbnail generation process may be woken from a sleep state based on a predefined time period elapsing. The received video content may be monitored for a next-received I-frame. A thumbnail image may be created from the I-frame and may be mapped to a timestamp. The thumbnail generation process may then be caused to enter the sleep state for the predefined time period.

Abstract: A system includes a computer that is programmed to receive one or more media streams, each from a respective one of a one or more media capture devices, and to receive, from a client device, for each of the one or more media streams, state data including at least one of an active and a potential state of the media stream. The computer is further programmed to disconnect from the client device, and then, upon reconnecting to the client device, to provide at least one of the media streams and the state data to the client device.

Abstract: Systems and processes are provided to detect an balanced audio signal and generation of an unbalanced audio signal including a first audio input for receiving a first audio signal, a second audio input for receiving a second audio signal, a processor for determining a first root mean square value for the first audio signal, a second root mean square value for the second audio signal and a combined root mean square value for a sum of the first audio signal and the second audio signal, the processor being further operative to generate an unbalanced audio signal in response to the first root mean square value exceeding a first threshold value, the second root mean square value exceeding the first threshold value and the combined root mean square value being less than a second threshold value, and an audio decoder operative to decode the unbalanced audio signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing streaming performance through controlled and selectively-applied reductions in the color depth of streamed video content. In various embodiments, the method includes receiving, at a streaming media server, a request transmitted over a communications network to stream video content to a client media receiver. In response to this request, a streaming video session is initiated between the client media receiver and the streaming media server. During the streaming video session, the streaming media server obtains the video content as video input data having an original color depth; generates an encoded video stream from the video input data, while selectively reducing a color depth of the encoded video stream; and transmits the encoded video stream over the communications network to the client media receiver. The streaming media server repeats the steps of generating and transmitting until termination of the streaming video session.

Abstract: A method for determining the health of a network includes determining, for a set of clients within the network, a total air percentage for each of the plurality of clients, and determining a total air percentage for a first access point within the network. The method further includes determining a transmit opportunity corresponding to a percentage of time a channel medium is free; determining a total air percentage used by a set of second access points; determining an air margin for the network, and determining an overall health classification for the network based on the air margin.

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: A video production device is deployed to produce a video production stream of an event occurring within an environment that includes a plurality of different video capture devices capturing respective video input streams of the event. The video production device is programmed and operated to: receive a plurality of video input streams from the plurality of different video capture devices; automatically sequence through the streams to select one of them as a current video output stream, in accordance with a predetermined switching sequence associated with the video capture devices; and provide the selected stream as the current video output stream for a designated time interval associated with the video capture device that captured the selected video input stream.

Abstract: A video production device is deployed to produce a video production stream of an event occurring within an environment that includes a plurality of different video capture devices capturing respective video input streams of the event. The video production device is programmed and operated to: receive video input streams from the video capture devices; determine, for each video capture device, an average root mean square (RMS) audio energy value over a period of time, to obtain device-specific average RMS values for the video capture devices; compare each device-specific average RMS value against a respective device-specific energy threshold value; identify which input stream is associated with an active speaker, based on the comparing step; select one of the identified streams as a current video output stream; and provide the selected stream as the current video output stream.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed enabling smart search functionalities utilizing key scene changes appearing in video content. In various embodiments, the method includes the step or process of, while engaged in playback of the video content, receiving a user command at a playback device to shift a current playback position of the video content to a default search playback position (PPDS). In response to receipt of the user command, the playback device searches a time window encompassing the default search playback position (PPDS) for a key scene change in the video content. If locating a key scene change within the time window, the playback device shifts playback of the video content to a playback position corresponding to the key scene change (PPST). Otherwise, the playback device shifts playback of the video content to the default search playback position (PPDS).

Abstract: Various systems, device and automated processes allow video streaming hosts or other server devices to publish their internal/local addresses (e.g., addresses used on a subnet or other local area network) to a backend address server operating on a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Client devices attempting to subsequently contact server devices operating in the same local network can contact the address to obtain the internal address of the target server, thereby allowing direct LAN connections between clients and servers.

Abstract: User-generated advertisements are distributed to client devices in a video content distribution network. For example, a client device may receive a user-generated advertisement, which is associated with one or more categories. The user-generated advertisement is associated with a channel based on a category of the advertisement. One or more channels of user-generated advertising, corresponding to the one or more categories, may be provided to a client device. Optionally, user-generated advertisements may be associated with a geographical identifier and distributed to client devices in a geographical region corresponding with the geographical identifier.

Abstract: Embodiments are related to processing of one or more input audio feeds for generation of a target audio stream that includes at least one object of interest to a listener. In some embodiments, the target audio stream may exclusively or primarily include the sound of the object of interest to the listener, without including other persons. This allows a listener to focus on an object of his or her interest and not necessarily have to listen to the performances of other objects in the input audio feed. Some embodiments contemplate multiple audio feeds and/or with multiple objects of interest.

Abstract: Devices, systems, method, and program products are provided, which support temporally-seamless change functionalities during multichannel streaming sessions established between a streaming media server and a client media receiver. In embodiments, the method includes outputting, to a display device, a first streaming channel contained in a streaming channel bundle and assigned a high priority level. When receiving a channel change request to view a second streaming channel, the client media receiver monitors for additional channel change requests over a predetermined wait period. If an additional channel change request is received within the wait period, the client media receiver repeats the step of monitoring.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enhancing streaming performance through controlled and selectively-applied reductions in the color depth of streamed video content. In various embodiments, the method includes receiving, at a streaming media server, a request transmitted over a communications network to stream video content to a client media receiver. In response to this request, a streaming video session is initiated between the client media receiver and the streaming media server. During the streaming video session, the streaming media server obtains the video content as video input data having an original color depth; generates an encoded video stream from the video input data, while selectively reducing a color depth of the encoded video stream; and transmits the encoded video stream over the communications network to the client media receiver. The streaming media server repeats the steps of generating and transmitting until termination of the streaming video session.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for predictive time-shift buffering for live television and persistent recording thereof. For example, upcoming program data can be obtained, and a candidate program can be identified from the upcoming program data as likely to be viewed live via the television receiver. An automated time-shift buffer (ATSB) trigger time and an ATSB flush time can be determined in accordance with a program start time associated with the candidate program. At the ATSB trigger time, it can be determined whether the candidate program is being viewed. If not, a time-shift buffer can be directed to begin buffering the candidate program in accordance with the program start time. At the ATSB flush time, it can be determined whether the candidate program is still not being viewed live. In that case, the time-shift buffer can be directed automatically to flush as-yet-buffered data of the candidate program.

Abstract: Various systems, device and automated processes allow video streaming hosts or other server devices to publish their internal/local addresses (e.g., addresses used on a subnet or other local area network) to a backend address server operating on a wide area network (WAN) such as the Internet. Client devices attempting to subsequently contact server devices operating in the same local network can contact the address to obtain the internal address of the target server, thereby allowing direct LAN connections between clients and servers.