Abstract: Methods and apparatus to count people are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include means for discarding existing characteristic datasets from a list; means for populating the list with first characteristic datasets obtained from a first plurality of images representative of an environment during a first period of time of a media presentation; means for limiting a number of the first characteristic datasets stored in the list for a first location represented in the first plurality of images; and means for comparing the first characteristic datasets to each other to determine a first number of unique faces in the environment during the first period of time, wherein the means for discarding is to delete the first characteristic datasets from the list, and the means for populating is to re-populate the list with second characteristic datasets obtained from a second plurality of images representative of the environment.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system comprising a first device and a second device, each being associated with a user, in which a user interface of the first device is configured in dependence on content associated with the second device.

Abstract: Presenting information on similar objects relative to a target object is disclosed, including: obtaining a plurality of video frames; determining a target object in the plurality of video frames using a tracking recognition technique; determining time slice information corresponding to the target object; using the time slice information corresponding to the target object to determine one or more similar objects relative to the target object; receiving an indication to present information on the one or more similar objects relative to the target object; and outputting the information on the one or more similar objects relative to the target object.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate voice control of a receiving device, such as a set-top box. In one embodiment, a voice enabled media presentation system (“VEMPS”) includes a receiving device and a remote-control device having an audio input device. The VEMPS is configured to obtain audio data via the audio input device, the audio data received from a user and representing a spoken command to control the receiving device. The VEMPS is further configured to determine the spoken command by performing speech recognition on the obtained audio data, and to control the receiving device based on the determined command. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method is disclosed to include receiving first viewership information for a media segment displayed on a first electronic device, the first viewership information including a first viewership event associated with the media segment, where media content includes at least the media segment. The method can include receiving second viewership information for an overlay content segment displayed on a second electronic device, the second viewership information comprising a second viewership event associated with the overlay content segment. The method can include determining that a first viewership level for the overlay content segment is greater than a second viewership level for the media segment in view of the first viewership event or the second viewership event. The method can include sending a display instruction to a content management device instructing the content management device to send the overlay content segment to the first electronic device and the second electronic device.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present method comprise activating a data recording component on the computing device to receive information relating to the environment of the computer user and executing a quality check module in the computing device operative to analyse the environment of the computer user. The quality check module performs the steps of: assessing a received signal from the data recording component against a predetermined quality metric to ascertain if an informational content of the received signal meets a predetermined minimum quality to permit computer user behavioural data to be collected therefrom, determining and executing a responsive action where the received signal does not satisfy the quality metric, and initiating a computer user behavioural data collection process to computer user collect behavioural data during the interaction between the computer user and the computing device where the received signal satisfies the quality metric.

Abstract: A video generation device receives sound information from a distribution apparatus. The video generation device receives first timing information from the distribution apparatus. The video generation device causes a video-taking device to take a video. The video generation device reproduces one or more sounds indicated by the received sound information when the video being taken by the video-taking device. The video generation device identifies one or more timings of reproducing the one or more sounds indicated by the received sound information based on the received first timing information when the one or more sounds indicated by the received sound information being reproduced. The video generation device causes video information indicating the taken video and including second timing information indicating the one or more identified timings to be generated.

Abstract: A calibration system for media content comprises a memory, a media device, a plurality of different types of sensors, and a control circuitry. The memory is configured to store a media item and expected-emotions-tagging metadata for the media item. The control circuitry is configured to compute a reaction delay for a first emotional response of the audience captured by the plurality of different types of sensors for a first scene of the media item with respect to a position of the first marker. The first scene of the media item spans a first time slot that corresponds to the first scene in the media item. The control circuitry is configured to calibrate the position of the first marker to associate a first set of frames of the first scene with the first emotional response, based on at least the computed reaction delay.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for disambiguating user input based on a physical location of items in a vicinity of a user. The system determines that a query received from a user contains an ambiguity. In response, the system identifies several items in the physical vicinity of the user. Then, the system analyzes the identified plurality of items to determine whether the plurality of items forms a first ensemble of items or a second ensemble of items. If the plurality of items forms a first ensemble of items, the system performs a search using the search query and a first keyword related to the first ensemble of items. If the plurality of items forms a second ensemble of items, the system performs a search using the search query and a second keyword related to the second ensemble of items. The system then outputs results of the performed search.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improving the bandwidth efficiency of delivering electronic program guide (EPG) data to consumer premises equipment (CPE). In one exemplary embodiment, electronic guide data is rendered by devices away from the CPE, shifting the executing data- and bandwidth-heavy operations away from the CPE. In particular, one or more gateways at the user's home bears the processing, memory, bandwidth load to reduce the inefficiency of delivering redundant information to CPE(s) interfacing with the gateway(s). Using guide data it receives from the cloud, the gateway produces and delivers to the CPE one or more “simple views” of the guide data, including a video stream, still image, or simple HTML or other renderable formats. As the end user interacts with the CPE, the user receives a series of the simple views, allowing the rich experience that is typically given by EPG rendered directly by the CPE.

Abstract: A method including establishing a multi-player gaming session of a gaming application that generates an interactive gaming world, the live event being a real-world venue where players playing the gaming application are present. A 3D live view of the venue is generated based on captured video streams, and generated for a physical POV anchored to a physical location in the venue. The 3D live view is streamed to an HMD of a remote user located outside the venue, and presents an augmented reality view of the live event. A request is received from the remote user to jump into the gaming session as a spectator of the interactive gaming world from a virtual POV defined by a virtual location in the gaming world. The spectator view is delivered to the HMD of the remote user for display, the spectator view presenting a virtual reality view of the interactive gaming world.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for downloading media assets efficiently and quickly before loss of network connectivity. The method may allow a user to download portions of a media asset in different versions to download a maximum portion of the media asset before loss of network connectivity. Certain versions of media assets may be downloaded more quickly than other versions of media assets. The method may also allow a user to view partially downloaded media assets without network connectivity. The method may also replace portions of media assets downloaded in a first version with portions of the media assets in a second version once network connectivity is restored.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. The system includes display devices configured to identify and tailor content to multiple individual users. Each user may have individual settings which provide for a customized viewing environment and experience. The system is configured to identify users of the system in order to tailor the content as appropriate. In addition, identification of users allows for the identification of the subscription content that corresponds to the user. Based upon identification of a user and corresponding subscription, the user's subscription content may be streamed to any location. In this manner, the users subscribed content may follow the user from home to a friend's house, or elsewhere.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for reducing network traffic when retrieving media guidance data. For example, a media guidance application receives a first user selection to display a group of media asset identifiers (e.g., video-on-demand listings) and retrieves detailed information from a remote server relating to the media asset identifiers to display to a user. The media guidance application then may receive a user selection to display a second group of media asset identifiers (e.g., purchased media assets). If any of the media asset identifiers are common to both groups, then the media guidance application already obtained the detailed information and the detailed information does not need to be retransmitted in order to be displayed. Thus, the media guidance application only retrieves detailed information for media asset identifiers unique to the second group of media asset identifiers (e.g., they are only on the purchased media asset list).

Abstract: A method for localizing sound when enabling participation in a live event, including establishing a multi-player gaming session of a gaming application that generates an interactive gaming world, the live event being a real-world venue where players playing the gaming application are present. A live view of the venue is generated based on captured video streams, and generated for a physical POV anchored to a physical location in the venue. Audio is generated for the live event, and modified to reflect acoustics of the real-world venue for the physical location. The modified audio is synchronized to the live view. The live view and synchronized audio are streamed to an HMD of a remote user located outside the venue, and presents an augmented reality view of the live event.

Abstract: Protecting against an impersonation scam in a live video stream. In some embodiments, a method may include periodically extracting and storing signature features from verified video streams of verified streamers, identifying an unverified live video stream of an unverified streamer being viewed by one or more users, extracting and storing signature features from the unverified live video stream, computing overall distance scores between the signature features of the unverified live video stream and the signature features of the verified video streams, determining whether the unverified streamer is impersonating one or more of the verified streamers by determining whether one or more of the overall distance scores are less than a distance threshold, determining whether one or more text signature features of the unverified live video stream include an impersonation scam, and performing a remedial action to protect the one or more users from the impersonation scam.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method in which a processing system receives a signal transmitted from a first media presentation device presenting media content; the signal includes a request to discontinue providing the media content to the first media presentation device and begin providing the media content to a second media presentation device. The method also includes transmitting a link to a destination associated with the second device, and transmitting a portion of the media content to the second device; this portion corresponds to a predetermined time period commencing with transmission of the signal. In response to selection of the link, the media content portion is presented at the second device, and the media content is provided to the second device corresponding to a time period commencing with expiration of the predetermined time period. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A video monitoring system can include multiple collectors to receive video beacon data from multiple video monitoring interface modules. At least one beacon stream is connected to receive data from multiple collectors. A processing module receives the beacon stream and provides a real-time event stream used for real-time data analysis and a video view stream used for long-term data analysis.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing the storage of content are described. A video stream may include a content identifier and content information relating to a boundary that may be used to facilitate recording of at least a portion of the video stream.

Abstract: A broadcast reception device receives a digital broadcast service capable of executing an application cooperating with a broadcast program, and is provided with: a broadcast reception unit which receives broadcast waves of the digital broadcast service; a separation unit which separates video information relating to the broadcast program and application-related information from the received broadcast waves; a broadcast video decoding unit which decodes the video information relating to the broadcast program; an application acquisition unit which acquires an application on the basis of location information included in the application-related information; an application execution unit which executes the acquired application and acquires additional data from a server device; a video conversion unit which converts broadcast program video decoded by the broadcast decoding unit into high-quality video having a higher quality than the video using the acquired additional data; and a display unit which is able to disp