Abstract: An avail comparator and method validates scheduled avail tones. The method includes receiving an automation playlist indicating at least one scheduled avail tone configured to be included in a broadcast. The method includes receiving a feed corresponding to the broadcast. The method includes receiving a signaling for each of the at least one scheduled avail tone based upon the automation playlist. The method includes determining whether the at least one scheduled avail tone was triggered in the broadcast based upon the corresponding signaling.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically identifying non-canonical user sessions utilize demographics associated with a device identifier in comparison to demographics associated with requested content (e.g. video, website, etc.). If the demographics match above a threshold, then the session may be assumed to be canonical or associated with the original user. If the demographics of the content do not match the demographics of the user, then the session may be considered non-canonical. Upon identifying a non-canonical session, content selection based on demographics may be suspended until a timer expires or the session ends.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method of adaptive video streaming includes receiving, by a server, a request for a video segment from an end user device and determining, by the server, a plurality of variables, the plurality of variables including at least one of a download time of a previously requested video segment by the end user device, a fullness of a buffer at the end user device and a size of the buffer. The method further includes determining, by the server, a rate of the requested video segment based on one or more of the determined plurality of variables and sending, by the server, the requested video segment at the determined rate to the end user device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing media recommendations for a group. A media guidance application may identify a group comprising at least a first user and a second user and select a media asset of which the first and second users have previously accessed less than a duration of the media asset. For example, each of the first and the second users may have watched only a respective portion of the media asset. The media guidance application may determine a first amount of the media asset duration that the first user has accessed the media asset and a second amount of the media asset duration that the second user has accessed the media asset. Based on the first and second amounts of the media asset duration, the media guidance application may provide a recommendation for the media asset to the group.

Abstract: A content server monitors media preferences of a user associated with a partial user profile specifying partial demographic information about the user. The content server deconstructs the monitored media preferences to identify preferences of the user for musicological features of the media items. The content server infers profile information missing from the partial user profile responsive to the preferences of the user for musicological features of the media items, the inferring using baseline information associating profile information of a plurality of baseline users with preferences for musicological features of media items. The content server selects an advertisement using the inferred profile information, and provides the selected advertisement to a client device used by the user.

Abstract: A device obtains an on-demand catalog associated with an on-demand media service, a broadcast schedule associated with a broadcast media service, and a status associated with a media client. Based on information contained in the status and information contained in the broadcast schedule, the device identifies a media content being played by the media client using the broadcast media service. Based information contained in the on-demand catalog, the device further identifies an on-demand option for playing the media content using the on-demand media service. The device provides, to the media client, a suggestion, identifying the on-demand option, which permits a user, of the media client, to play the media content using the on-demand media service.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium for testing set-top boxes. A method includes: receiving an application for testing in a set-top box environment; identifying a set-top box for testing the application; executing the application on the set-top box, including commanding the set-top box to display a plurality of interfaces and initiating commands to transition the set-top box from a first presentation state to a second presentation state; capturing video output associated with the first presentation state; capturing video output associated with the set-top box after the transition to the second presentation state; monitoring and recording network traffic output by the set-top box; and providing an output associated with the monitoring and the captured video output to enable correlation between commands executed as part of the application execution, on screen output and network traffic of the set-top box.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and providing signals to a device, and configuring the device are disclosed. An example method can comprise identifying a device tuned to a first frequency, determining a signal configured to provide interference at the first frequency, and providing the signal to the device such that the device is caused to no longer be tuned to the first frequency.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a recommendation information obtaining section obtaining information on a recommended content to be recommended to a user for viewing, the information being information transmitted from an external device or information stored in a predetermined storage area in advance; and a character display section displaying a predetermined character on a screen, and displaying information indicating that the character has interest in the recommended content on the screen.

Abstract: A device may be configured to store interactive program guide (IPG) data for generating an IPG. The IPG data may include information related to a media content service for providing media content and including information related to a home automation service for managing a home device. The device may receive input information from a media client device that causes display of the IPG. The input information may indicate an input related to the home device. The device may generate a part of the IPG related to the home automation service based on the input information and a part of the IPG data. The device may obtain home device information from a management server based on the input information. The device may provide the home device information and the part of the IPG to the media client device for display.

Abstract: A distribution management apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires terminal management information that indicates locations of multiple communication terminals, a determination unit that determines cutout position information of video data based on the terminal management information acquired by the acquisition unit and operation data received from any one of the communication terminals, a cutout unit that cuts out multiple pieces of video data from the video data based on the cutout position information determined by the determination unit, and a distribution unit that distributes the video data cut out by the cutout unit to each of the communication terminals based on the terminal management information. The determination unit modifies the cutout position information of the video data based on the operation data.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to distinguish between data signals and video signals based upon interleaver depths associated with the signals. A CPE device can identify an interleaver depth associated with a signal and can make the determination that the signal is a video signal when the interleaver depth is outside of a predetermined range, the predetermined range being based on interleaver depths that are expected for a data signal.