Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting and ranking individuals includes capturing live image data of a scene using an imaging device and identifying overlap between reference image data of the selected individuals and the live image data, wherein the overlap includes image data of the selected individuals in the scene. The method also includes capturing sets of image data of the selected individuals while the imaging device is in motion and recording the movement to provide a tracking record having instructions for positioning the imaging device where the imaging device captured the sets of image data of the selected individuals in the scene. The method further includes determining a score for each of the selected individuals in the scene based on a value related to an ability to view each friend and/or a social relationship value in order to enable a user to select who to aim the imaging device at.

Abstract: Systems and method of video quality adaptation include acquiring video data to be streamed. An available bandwidth on a communications network is determined. A determined playback speed is determined based upon a bitrate of the video data to be streamed and the available bandwidth on the communications network. The video data is decoded to produce decoded video data which is encoded at the determined playback speed to produce encoded video data. The encoded video data is streamed across the communications network.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for detecting and ranking individuals includes capturing live image data of a scene using an imaging device and identifying overlap between reference image data of the selected individuals and the live image data, wherein the overlap includes image data of the selected individuals in the scene. The method also includes capturing sets of image data of the selected individuals while the imaging device is in motion and recording the movement to provide a tracking record having instructions for positioning the imaging device where the imaging device captured the sets of image data of the selected individuals in the scene. The method further includes determining a score for each of the selected individuals in the scene based on a value related to an ability to view each friend and/or a social relationship value in order to enable a user to select who to aim the imaging device at.

Abstract: A system for utilizing metadata created either at a central location for shared use by connected users, or at each individual user's location, to enhance user's enjoyment of available broadcast programming content. A variety of mechanisms are employed for automatically and manually identifying and designating programming segments, associating descriptive metadata which the identified segments, distributing the metadata for use at client locations, and using the supplied metadata to selectively record and playback desired programming.

Abstract: User interfaces associated with devices and applications for distributing digital media content are described. A user interface may be provided that includes a favorites selection button allowing a user to identify selected media tracks and/or associated artists to be played more frequently. A ban selection button may be also provided allowing a user to selectively ban media tracks and/or associated artists. Additional controls may be provided including controls and interfaces for creating user customized stations to customize content delivery based on user specified preferences stored in a user profile.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing information associated with media contents are provided. The method comprises broadcasting a communication address associated with a playing device configured to play the media contents, the broadcasted communication address enables a user terminal device to communicate with the playing device; receiving, from the user terminal device, a request to acquire information associated with the media contents; determining an identifier associated with the information; and transmitting the identifier to the user terminal device. The identifier enables the user terminal device to acquire the information.

Abstract: A system for providing one or more interactive applications to one or more users via a wireless communications network, the system including: one or more servers cooperating with the network to substantially deliver one or more interactive applications to one or more wireless access devices each corresponding to at least one of the users; wherein, after the one or more wireless access devices receive the substantially delivered one or more applications, upon request of one of the users the one or more corresponding wireless access devices receives communication from the server to facilitate the one of the users accessing the one or more interactive applications using the corresponding wireless access device.

Abstract: Linear content that is recorded often includes secondary content that is no longer relevant to the consumer, and lacks secondary content that is relevant to the consumer, such as, emergency alerts, which are time dependent in their relevancy. Inserting secondary content during playback of the recorded content is challenging, as it may interrupt playback and degrade the consumer's viewing experience.

Abstract: A method includes evaluating a bandwidth capacity of an uplink between a first customer premises equipment device and a network node of a multimedia distribution network. The method includes transmitting a portion of multimedia content from the first customer premises equipment device to a second customer premises equipment device. The method includes, responsive to determining that the bandwidth capacity of the uplink is greater than a threshold, determining a number of subsequent requestors that the first customer premises equipment device is capable of servicing, selecting a first set of helper virtual peers from a pool of available helper virtual peers based on the number of subsequent requestors, and transmitting the multimedia content from the first customer premises equipment device to the first set of helper virtual peers.

Abstract: A method of generating a personalized video for a user of a social networking service. For a plurality of images associated with the user, respective first metrics are determined for respective images of the plurality of images based on one or more predefined image-content criteria, a first set of images is selected from the plurality of images based at least in part on the respective first metrics, and the personalized video is populated with the first set of images. The method further includes providing the personalized video to the user for viewing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling playback of a media asset based on whether events are delayed. This may be accomplished by a media guidance application responding to a suspend playback command by determining whether a user is imminently scheduled to attend an event. If the user is imminently scheduled to attend an event, the media guidance application may query an event database to determine a most current start time of the event and compare the most current start time to a start time from the user's profile associated with the event to determine if the event has been delayed. In response to determining the event is delayed, the media guidance application may continue playback of the media asset notwithstanding the suspend command.

Abstract: A system and method for testing multiple set-top boxes. One of the multiple set-top boxes is engaged in a testing platform of the test fixture. The testing platform includes an adapter for interfacing the set-top box with the test fixture. The multiple set-top boxes are automatically tested in parallel. Test results for each of the multiple set-top boxes are measured. The test results for each of the multiple set-top boxes are displayed to a user.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The methods include, for instance: generating a set of one or more candidate advertisement to be displayed on a device of a user. Each candidate advertisement may be respectively associated with a relevant zone in physical venues.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards a television system that utilizes a host device and television receiver to receive content via over-the-air television channels where the television receiver cannot directly receive over-the-air transmissions. The television receiver selects an over-the-air channel and provides the selection to the host device. The host device selects a television-white-space channel and provides the selection to the television receiver. The host device then receives content via the selected over-the-air channel, transcodes the content into wireless local area network data packets, and provides the transcoded content to the television receiver using the selected television-white-space channel. The television receiver receives the content via the selected television-white-space channel over the wireless local area network and provides it to a display device for display to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application that recommends media content to a user based on the media content likely to be available to a user at a given location or on a given device. The media guidance application may also automatically determine the given location or given device based on a current trajectory of the user, and recommend a media asset from the media content available at that location or on that device. Moreover, in order to recommend content having the greatest interest to a user at a particular time, the media guidance application bases the recommendations it is providing on content recently consumed by the user on a first device.

Abstract: Unknown potential commercials are detected in a video data stream that contains segments of program type content, and blocks of commercial content. Each block includes a plurality of successive individual commercials. A library of known commercials is maintained in a first database. A video data stream is received in a video processing engine which includes a search engine that is in communication with the first database. The search engine identifies all known commercials in the video data stream and their respective start and end times. The video processing engine identifies all time segments that are sandwiched between the known commercials. The video processing engine filters out as a potential commercial any identified time segments that are significantly longer than the time length of a commercial. The video processing engine designates content of each of the time segments that were not filtered out as being one or more unknown potential commercials.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically recording content based on user web activity data are provided. One such method includes receiving, by a receiving device, user web activity information associated with a user of the receiving device. The receiving device further receives content information associated with program content that will be available for viewing via the receiving device at a future time. The received user web activity information and the content information are compared to determine program content relevant to the user. A timer is automatically set, in advance of a time when the relevant program content will be available for viewing, to record the program content relevant to the user when the program content becomes available for viewing.

Abstract: A system or a method is provided to detect crowd sentiments and/or reactions to music, movies, films, performances, speeches, and other presentations. In particular, various types of crowd sensors may be set up in a venue where presentations take place to detect and measure the audience's various reactions to the presentations. The crowd sensors may detect the crowd's reactions to a particular presentation, such as a song, and also may detect the crowd's reactions to various portions of the presentation, such as various parts of the song. The crowd's reactions and sentiment in response to the presentation may be used to analyze crowd sentiment for the presentation or for various parts of the presentation. Further, the system may analyze the crowd's sentiment to establish emerging trends in the type of presentation, such as emerging trends in Hip Hop music, merging trends in romantic films, or the like.

Abstract: Systems and method of video quality adaptation include acquiring video data to be streamed. An available bandwidth on a communications network is determined. A determined playback speed is determined based upon a bitrate of the video data to be streamed and the available bandwidth on the communications network. The video data is decoded to produce decoded video data which is encoded at the determined playback speed to produce encoded video data. The encoded video data is streamed across the communications network.

Abstract: A system and method for assigning channels includes a program guide module having program guide data associated with program channels and a content processing system receiving program feeds for the program channels and receiving data feeds. The content processing system compares event data from the data feed and identifies a first program channel by comparing the program guide data and the event data and associating the program channel with event data.