Abstract: Video streams, either in form of on-demand streaming or live streaming, usually have to be transcoded based on the characteristics of clients' devices. Transcoding is a computationally expensive and time-consuming operation; therefore, streaming service providers currently store numerous transcoded versions of the same video to serve different types of client devices. Due to the expense of maintaining and upgrading storage and computing infrastructures, many streaming service providers recently are becoming reliant on cloud services. However, the challenge in utilizing cloud services for video transcoding is how to deploy cloud resources in a cost-efficient manner without any major impact on the quality of video streams. To address this challenge, in this paper, the Cloud-based Video Streaming Service (CVSS) architecture is disclosed to transcode video streams in an on-demand manner.

Abstract: Devices and methods are provided for using shadow impressions to control storage and delivery of streaming video content. The device may receive a request, the request associated with determining a group of streaming video advertisements for streaming video at a device. The device may determine, based on the request, a first advertisement, wherein the first advertisement is associated with a first number of impressions, wherein the first number of impressions includes a first number of shadow impressions. The device may determine not to include the first advertisement in the group of streaming video advertisements based on the first number of impressions exceeding a first playback threshold. The device may send the group of streaming video advertisements.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes identifying an upcoming content-modification opportunity on a channel, where the upcoming content-modification opportunity relates to a modifiable content-segment transmitted by a content-distribution system on the channel, and where the modifiable content-segment includes an overlay content portion and a non-overlay content portion. The method also includes responsive to identifying the upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel, identifying a content-presentation device tuned to the channel. The method also includes determining location data associated with the overlay content portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creation, distribution, assembly and verification of media, including one embodiment, media is transmitted to a receiver where the receiver assembles the media into programming. In another embodiment, media is transmitted to the receiver from a plurality of sources. In a further embodiment, a source of media performs a tagging operation to associate sets of tags with elements of the stream of media. In various embodiments, different combinations of look-and-feel, content and other tags are associated with the media stream. In an additional embodiment, tagging of the media stream is performed at the receiver. A user at the receiver may also provide data about the user to the receiver. In yet another embodiment, the receiver uses the tags to assemble the media into a program. In still further embodiments of the invention, various Royalty Only Aggregate Revenues or “ROAR” models and apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: A device and methods are disclosed for delivering video content to an end user comprising: a. a source of video content comprising a sequence of scenes; b. a transmitter for transmitting said video content; c. a receiver for receiving the video content and displaying the video content to the end user; d. a feedback unit for sensing a user's journey; e. a processor preprogrammed to modify the video content to be transmitted according to sensed user's journey; wherein the processor is configured to analyze sensed user's activity and predict user's journey in future such that a portion of video content which has highest predicted watchability by the user is transmitted and displayed.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method includes a content-presentation device determining first and second intervals during which presentation of received content is modifiable, and transmitting first and second requests for first and second supplemental content. A link to content in a playlist may be received, the playlist including first supplemental content followed immediately by second supplemental content. The link may be used to retrieve the first supplemental content, which may be presented in a first modification operation during the first interval. Before completing the first modification operation, the content-presentation device may use the link to start retrieving the second supplemental content for a second modification operation scheduled immediately following the first modification operation, and may determine that while less than a threshold portion of the first modification operation remains incomplete, retrieval of the second supplemental content is also incomplete.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively replacing commercials that are in a video data stream with alternative commercials. Automatic content recognition (ACR) is performed on the video data stream to detect the identity of each of the commercials played in a commercial block during a commercial break. Commercials in the video data stream which are detected as being displayed on a video display device are stored in a first database, and commercials in the video data stream which are detected as not being displayed on the video display device are stored in a second database. A rules engine defines how commercials in the video data stream should be replaced with other commercials. Commercials in the video data stream that were previously detected as being displayed on the video display device are selectively replaced with commercials that were previously detected as not being displayed on the video display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that relate to imposing a restriction on requests for content by clients to a backend content source. One exemplary method includes generating, by a computing device associated with a backend content source, a restriction value for content of the backend content source, based on a number of supported requests for the content by the backend content source, and transmitting the restriction value to a content delivery network (CDN) interposed between one or more clients associated with the requests and the backend content source. The method then includes routing, by the CDN, a percentage of requests for the content of the backend content source to a waiting room based on the restriction value, thereby permitting the CDN to account for the number of supported requests in offloading requests for the content to the waiting room.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to systems [100, 200, 300] and methods for providing targeted content in an eMBMS stream to a user device [130], wherein the systems [100, 200, 300] and the methods [400, 500] may be implemented through one a server [110] and a user device [130]. The method, in an embodiment, may comprise: receiving a request from the user device for availing the eMBMS stream; receiving a profile information from the user device; generating at least one context tag based on the profile information; screening the at least one portion of the eMBMS stream to identify at least one object; identifying and transmitting at least one content based on at least one of the profile information and the at least one context tag; and enabling the at the user device to exhibit the at least one content.

Abstract: The present application discloses a key providing method, a video playing method, a server and a client, in which the video playing method includes: sending a download request to the server and receiving an index file of a target video data delivered by the server; constructing an access request based on a specified string in the index file, and sending the access request to the server to acquire from the server a preset key which the access request is directed to; sending to the server a file acquisition request including a file address to acquire from the server encrypted fragmented data which the file address of the fragmented data is directed to; decrypting the acquired encrypted fragmented data by using the preset key, and playing the decrypted fragmented data. The technical solutions provided in the present application can effectively protect copyrights of video data.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses and computer program products leveraging an internet of things network integrated into a surrounding environment to detect a presence of users within engagement zones surrounding content displayed in a physical location. One or more IoT devices equipped with sensors, audio systems, video systems and/or user input capabilities record interactions with the displayed content, and capture behavioral cues indicating an expressed interest in the content by users. Digital versions of the displayed content are delivered to one or more devices associated with the user. Additional content associated with the displayed content or similar content having one or more of the same distinguishing characteristics may be aggregated with the digital versions of the displayed content and delivered to the user. Aggregated content delivery can be delayed until users are in a safe, suitable location to review the aggregated content being delivered.

Abstract: Detection of whether a video is a fake video derived from an original video and altered is undertaken using a block chain that either forbids adding to the block chain copies of original videos that have been altered or indicating in the block chain that an altered video has been altered. Image fingerprinting techniques are described for determining whether video sought to be added to block chain has been altered.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that includes a processing system including a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, where the operations include receiving a request from a viewer of a content stream to invoke a trick mode to seek another viewing location in the content stream, displaying a trick mode screen, requesting an advertisement to display during the trick mode, retrieving content for the advertisement, and displaying the advertisement after completion of the trick mode. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Various embodiments are described herein for systems and methods that can be used to operate a media transmission network. In at least one embodiment, the media transmission network comprises a plurality of media processing devices configured to receive and process media streams based on control data. The media transmission network also comprises a controller coupled to the plurality of media processing devices and configured to generate a control signal for some or all of the media processing devices in the network. The controller is configured to determine the timing at which to transmit the control signal to a respective media processing device in order for the instructions in the control signal to be executed at the same time as the media data is received. The controller determines the transmission timing of each control signal by determining the latencies and delays of the network and the devices, such as, for example, network latency, processing delay, and/or control delay.

Abstract: A server includes a storage unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The storage unit stores content identification information and interrupted spot information in association with user identification information in a case where the viewing of a content during live distribution is interrupted in a first terminal logged in using the user identification information. The determination unit determines whether or not the content identification information and/or the interrupted spot information that are associated with the user identification information are stored in the storage unit in a case where the server is accessed from a second terminal logged in using the user identification information after the viewing is interrupted. In a case where such information is stored in the storage unit, the notification unit notifies the second terminal that the viewing of the content can be restarted from a viewing interrupted spot by time shift reproduction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling network bandwidth utilization by media streaming services are provided. According to one embodiment, a data stream associated with streaming media content being requested from an external service provider by a client device associated with a private network is intercepted by a network manager associated with the private network. Streaming options made available for streaming the streaming media content are limited by the network manager by: (i) identifying a policy applicable to the data stream; (ii) identifying a manifest specifying multiple versions in which the streaming media content is available to be streamed, within the data stream; (iii) determining the multiple versions by parsing the manifest; (iv) determining a prohibited version that exceeds a bandwidth limitation specified by the policy; (v) updating the manifest by removing information regarding the prohibited version from the manifest; and (vi) providing the updated manifest to the client device.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a live event video stream service configured to distribute event video streams at diverse price levels, based on configuring video cameras to capture live event video streams from different locations, offering the video streams for purchase at prices based on the camera locations, and automatically maximizing profit by adjusting the quantity and price of the offered camera video streams. In an illustrative example, the cameras may be 360-degree video cameras. The camera locations may be, for example, preferred event viewing positions. In some examples, the cameras may be configured in live event viewing positions ranging from more preferred to less preferred, permitting a range of video stream prices determined based on each camera's position. Some embodiments may determine video stream price based on an auction. Various examples may advantageously maximize event profit based on adjusting the quantity and price of the offered video streams.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to determine media exposure of a panelist are disclosed. An example apparatus include a data extractor to determine an anonymized identifier from media monitoring data corresponding to a personal people meter of a panelist; a filter to filter anonymized census data from a plurality of media devices based on the anonymized identifier; a data supplementer to backfill the media monitoring data using the filtered anonymized census data; and a media creditor to credit exposure to media for the panelist based on the backfilled media monitoring data.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a dispatch system having a controller element to receive from a communication device a first wireless message including a location coordinate and a request for taxicab service, and determine available taxicab services according to the location coordinate and the request. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating and delivering selected primary content and contextually-related, targeted secondary content to users of a network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network comprises a packet-switched data (e.g., IP) network such as the Internet, and the primary content comprises video or media clips that are user-selectable via a network site or web page. The primary content carries with it descriptive metadata that is accessed by a distribution server and forwarded to a secondary content source. The secondary content source (or its proxy) utilizes the metadata to identify and return contextually-related secondary content such as advertising links. This secondary content is then presented to the user in conjunction with the primary content, such as in a common display window and in a seamless fashion, thereby avoiding distractions to the user associated with generating ancillary windows or other display mechanisms, and providing the user with highly relevant secondary content choices.