Abstract: A set-top box with self-monitoring and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, a housing secures a television input, a television output, a processor, memory, and storage therein, which are communicatively interconnected by a busing architecture. The memory is accessible to the processor, and the memory includes processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to detect when the television is not being utilized. Responsive thereto, the instructions cause the processor to scan channels received from the television input and generate a composite TV screen image data that may be resolved to a single TV screen image made from an assemblage of TV screen image captures corresponding to the scanned channels.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes techniques for effectively utilizing a standby mode of a set top box (STB). The techniques according to the present disclosure comprise detecting a standby mode of the STB and in response to detecting the standby mode of the STB, selectively toggling an audio decoder of the STB to an ON state or selectively maintaining an ON state of the audio decoder. Accordingly, the techniques according to the present disclosure enable audio only playback from the STB in the standby mode.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for value generation for distributed video content verification are disclosed. The electronic device receives a first media file corresponding to a video. The electronic device retrieves color values of each row in a frame of a plurality of frames from the video. The electronic device determines a first value for each row in the frame. The electronic device combines the first value for a predefined set of frames to determine a second value. The electronic device retrieves audio values for the plurality of frames to determine a third value, in case the video includes an audio component. The electronic device determines first information based on the second value and the third value. The electronic device transmits the first information to a plurality of databases for storage. The first information determines whether a second media file is unaltered or not.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for altering or otherwise obscuring a progress bar to prevent spoilers in a media asset. A media asset is generated for display and an input is detected from a user during playback of the media asset. A determination is made whether the input comprises a command to display a progress bar. In the affirmative, a determination regarding a current point of playback of the media asset and the type of segment is made. An entry is retrieved from a database that maps the type of segment to a range of time. A determination is made whether the remaining time of the media asset is within the range of time. In the affirmative, a determination whether displaying the progress bar would spoil the media asset is made. In response to determining that displaying the progress bar would spoil the media asset, the progress bar is refrained from generating display.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes systems and methods for dynamic synchronization of media streams from remote users. A latency matrix between all participants is generated and participants within acceptable synchronization windows are grouped together. Earlier media streams are buffered and started in synchronization with later streams locally at each client device. To provide an improved experience for earlier or lower-latency clients, additional media streams may be generated (e.g. synthesized, played back from recordings, or dynamically generated based on locally input media). Accordingly, each user is provided with a collaborative experience in substantial synchronization.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a request from a client device. The request includes location information for an update to a media presentation description for a media presentation. The method uses the location information to determine that the client device has not received a first segment based on the location information. The media presentation description is currently sending updates for a second segment. The location information is used to identify that the update to the media presentation description should include the first segment and the second segment. The method sends an instance of the media presentation description that includes update information for the first segment and the second segment to update a stored version of the media presentation description for the client device.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an electronic device, a method, a medium, and a program for simultaneous interpretation. An electronic device includes: a memory storing instruction; and a processor configured to execute the instruction to cause the electronic device to: present a prompt on a user interface indicating whether simultaneous interpretation is required when the language of a video or program is not the official language of the geographic location; present target language options to the user in response to selection of simultaneous interpretation, wherein the target language options include the official language; receive the original audio of the video or program; extract the audio segments of the original audio in real time and translate them into a target language in response to the selection of the target language; and output the audio segments in the target language.

Abstract: A method for automatically replacing a first type of content associated with a real-time broadcast with a second type of content is provided. The method may include automatically parsing media content associated with the real-time broadcast and assigning timecode to the parsed media content. The method may further include determining whether the parsed media content includes the first type of content. The method may further include, in response to determining the parsed media content includes the first type of content, automatically determining a context associated with the first type of content. The method may further include automatically identifying the second type of content that matches the determined context. The method may also include, automatically replacing the first type of content in the parsed media content with the second type of content. The method may further include automatically presenting the real-time broadcast with the second type of content.

Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced behavioral controls and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, which also interconnectedly includes a television input, a television output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may pair with an electronic door locking apparatus coupled to a door that is room-collocated with the set-top box in a hospitality establishment. The set-top box may then receive a status signal from the electronic door locking apparatus relative to the open/closed status of the door and locked/unlocked status of the door.

Abstract: This disclosure describes techniques that enable a categorization controller to detect activation of a portable recording device that is configured to capture a real-time multimedia stream of the current event. The categorization controller may further identify a set of categories that are likely associated with the real-time multimedia stream, determine an ordered ranking of the set of categories, and generate a ranked category dataset for delivery to the portable recording device. In doing so, the portable recording device may present the ordered ranking of the set of categories at a user interface.

Abstract: A customized highlight sequence depicting multiple events, and based on a user's personal characteristics, interests, and/or preferences, is generated and presented. The events can be sporting events, entertainment events, and/or the like. For example, in the context of sporting events, a determination is made as to what types of sports, teams, leagues, players, plays, and/or the like are of interest to the user. In at least one embodiment, the amount of time available to the user can be obtained, so that the length of the highlight sequence can be tailored to the available time. A customized highlight sequence is then generated and presented, containing those specific portions of the sporting events that are likely to be of interest, arranged in a manner that is likely to be entertaining to the user and comports with the time restrictions.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to limiting viewing of media content. More particularly, the present invention relates to classifying segments of content for limited viewing based on user preferences and classifications. According to a first aspect, there is provided a method for parental control of media content for a media guidance application, the method comprising, determining user preferences comprising settings for restricting viewing of segments of media content, determining media content for user consumption on a user device, determining a classification of each of a plurality of segments of the media content using a content analyzer and classifier, and comparing the determined classifications against the user preferences.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using text data in content presentation and content search are disclosed. Text data and a plurality of video frames can be extracted from a content program and stored in a database. Extracted text data can be divided into a plurality of text segments. The plurality of text segments and the plurality of video frames can be presented in the form of an electronic book or guide. In addition, the content program can be divided into a plurality of content segments and stored in the database. The plurality of content segments and the plurality of text segments can be associated by time indices. A user can identify one or more content segments in the database by a query, and notifications can be sent according to the query.

Abstract: A consumption probability metric may be generated for a media asset. An aggregated forecast predicting user consumption of a media asset is received. A plurality of probabilities, each corresponding to a user of a plurality of users, is received, each indicating how likely a respective user is to consume the media asset. A weight for the plurality of users is calculated representing a ratio of the total number of users to a number of users in the plurality of users. A disaggregated forecast predicting user consumption of a media asset is determined based on the weight for the plurality of users and the plurality of probabilities. A modification factor is computed based on the aggregated forecast and the disaggregated forecast. A metric is generated that includes a plurality of user identifiers associated with the plurality of users and a plurality of modified probabilities each modified by the modification factor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing a media stream transmitted from an encoding system to a remotely-located media player that requests segments of the media stream. In accordance with one embodiment, a method of encoding a media stream provided from an encoding system to a remotely-located client includes establishing a data connection with the client and acquiring, from the client, client information including a client identifier, a public internet protocol (IP) address, and a geographical location associated with the client. The method further includes determining, based on the client information, whether historical bit rate data is available in a historical bit rate data store provided by the encoding system. If such historical bit rate data is available, an initial bit rate parameter is set for the media stream and the media stream is encoded at the encoding system according to the initial bit rate parameter and transmitted to the client.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to generate synthetic respondent level data. An example apparatus includes at least one memory; processor circuitry to execute instructions to: identify locations corresponding to monitored panelists; when a location of the identified locations corresponds to two or more affiliates, sum tuning minutes of the two or more affiliates; generate an affiliate probability based on the sum; convert first data of households in the location to a candidate receivability session based on the affiliate probability; generate a seed panel, the seed panel to include at least one of the monitored panelists selected based on a population associated with return path data; and donate second data associated with a donor pool of first panelists to second panelists included in the seed panel when the second panelists are included in the seed panel, the second panelists corresponds to faulty media monitoring equipment.

Abstract: An example system includes an in-vehicle content-delivery system (CDS) on a vehicle storing a library of content, and a content server including a content portal. The content portal may receive a request for a customized content manifest from the CDS, identify the vehicle, identify a customized content manifest, and provide the customized content manifest to the CDS. The customized content manifest may include a list of content customized for an itinerary and/or the vehicle, and wherein the customized content manifest differs from another content manifest customized for a different itinerary and/or a different vehicle. The CDS may remove first content from the library of content when the first content is not included in the list of content, and load second content to the library of content when the second content is included in the list of content and not already present in the library of content.

Abstract: Networks, systems and displays for providing derived data and predictive information for use in multivariable component systems and activities; and in particular for use in motor racing such as in NASCAR®, Indy Car, Grand-Am (sports car racing), and/or Formula 1® racing. More particularly, there are systems equipment and networks for the monitoring and collecting of raw data regarding races, both real time and historic. This raw data is then analyzed to provide derived data, predictive data, virtual data, and combinations and variations of this data, which depending upon the nature of this data may be packaged, distributed, displayed and used in various setting and applications.

Abstract: Various approaches relate to user defined content filtering in media playing devices of undesirable content represented in stored and real-time content from content providers. For example, video, image, and/or audio data can be analyzed to identify and classify content included in the data using various classification models and object and text recognition approaches. Thereafter, the identification and classification can be used to control presentation and/or access to the content and/or portions of the content. For example, based on the classification, portions of the content can be modified (e.g., replaced, removed, degraded, etc.) using one or more techniques (e.g., media replacement, media removal, media degradation, etc.) and then presented.

Abstract: A media content playback device for a vehicle and a method therefor are provided. The media content playback device includes: a media information identifying device that requests a user terminal to transmit media information and identifies the media information, when there is a request to play media content, when communicatively connected with the user terminal; a cover art obtaining device that obtains a cover art image based on the media information; and a controller that displays the cover art image on a playback screen of the media content, when playing the media content.