Abstract: A system for providing television (TV) service including high definition television (HDTV) service, and for providing verification that a subscriber has connected an HDTV to the system includes a TV service provider headend and a set top box (STB). The HDTV may have an HDTV digital video interface (DVI) interconnect. The STB may be electrically coupled to the headend and have an STB DVI interconnect. When the HDTV DVI interconnect is initially electrically coupled to the STB DVI interconnect, the HDTV generally presents a data signal to the STB and the STB generally presents the data signal to the headend.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting custom navigation options are described herein. In some embodiments, the media guidance application displays a first portion of a media asset, and receives a user selection of an entity depicted within the portion. The media guidance application identifies a playlist of media asset portions associated with the entity, and generates for display a transport bar associated with the entity comprising an indicator identifying the entity and only one or more regions associated with the playlist of media asset portions. The media guidance application then receives a second user selection, and generates for display a second portion of the media asset associated with the entity in response. In some embodiments, the media guidance application identifies the playlist by searching a custom presentation database for entries associated with the entity, and retrieves the playlist from the identified entry.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for forming one or more tile streams comprising: providing media data of at least one composite video stream to the input of at least one encoder, the media data of said composite video stream representing video frames comprising an image region having one or more subregions, each of said one or more subregions comprising visual content of one of said one or more video streams; providing encoder information to said encoder for configuring said encoder to generate encoded media data representing tiled video frames, a tile in said tiled video frames matching at least one of said one or more subregions; encoding media data of said composite video stream, wherein media data associated with a subregion of a video frame are encoded into independently encoded media data that have no spatial decoding dependency on media data of other subregions in said video frame, said independently encoded media data forming a tile of a tiled video frame, preferably said tile being arranged in said

Abstract: A message distribution technique permits individual subscribers to receive text messages from a broadcaster. The broadcaster uploads a text message to a central processing service where it may be redirected to a chat room associated with the broadcaster. In addition, a push notification is sent to ail subscribers of a particular broadcaster to indicate the delivery of a text message from the broadcaster. The push notification may also contain a link that, when activated by the subscriber, initiates an associated software application program that navigates the subscriber directly to the chat room to view the text message. The text message may be generated and uploaded by the broadcaster without having to activate the software application. The push notification may also be received by subscribers without having to activate the software program. In one embodiment, the broadcaster can limit distribution of the video based on a geographic restriction.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems, and articles of manufacture are disclosed to estimate population reach for different unions based on marginal ratings. An example apparatus includes a reach determiner to estimate a population reach of a union of time intervals for which media ratings data is available; a pseudo universe determiner to determine a pseudo universe estimate of a recorded audience corresponding to the union; determine a pseudo universe estimate of a population audience corresponding to the union based on the pseudo universe estimate of the recorded audience; and determine an error of the population reach estimate of the union based on the pseudo universe of the population audience corresponding to the union; and the reach determiner to when the error does not satisfy a threshold, adjust the population reach estimate; and when the error does satisfy the threshold, determine the population reach of the union based on the population reach estimate.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method comprising receiving a data stream comprising media content that includes program content and advertising content, and monitoring for presence of markers in the data stream at test points on a data path from a receiving device to a server distributing the data stream over a network. Data collected at the test points is correlated to determine whether the advertising content was presented. If the advertising content was not presented, an alarm message is generated; and a location is determined, based on the result of the correlating, of a fault on the data path causing the advertising content to not be presented. The test data are collected from the test points simultaneously with propagation of the data stream along the data path. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for detecting a presentation of media content on a display device are provided. In accordance with some implementations, methods for detecting a presentation of media content on a display device are provided, the methods comprising: detecting, using a light sensor, light levels in the light sensor's surroundings; generating a signal representing the light levels; detecting, using a hardware processor, at least one variation in light levels indicative of a presentation of a video scene based on the signal; detecting at least one variation in light levels indicative of a scene change subsequent to the video scene based on the signal; and determining that media content is being presented on a display device in response to detecting the variation in light levels indicative of the presentation of the video scene and the variation in light levels indicative of the scene change.

Abstract: Methods, computer program products, and systems are presented. The method computer program products, and systems can include, for instance: obtaining a first media stream, the first media stream being played on a first playback device and having first timestamps indicating when respective different time ordered sections of data defining the first media stream have been played by the first playback device; obtaining a second media stream, the second media stream being played on a second playback device and having second timestamps indicating when respective different time ordered sections of data defining the second media stream have been played by the second playback device, wherein the first media stream and second media stream are common media streams being simultaneously played by the first playback device and the second playback device, respectively, at desynchronized times.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for selecting content to be presented are provided. In some embodiments, the methods comprise: receiving a request for a first video content item from a user device; receiving an indication that the user device is in a background playback mode; determining that the first video content item is not suitable for presentation in the background playback mode based on one or more properties of audio data; based on the determining that the first video content item is not suitable for presentation in the background playback mode, selecting a second video content item that is suitable for presentation in the background playback mode based on the one or more properties of the audio data of the second video content item; and in response to selecting the second video content item, causing the second video content item to be presented by the user device.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, providing media content to a presentation device, wherein the media content comprises first audio content in a first language; receiving, from an end user device, a language request, wherein the language request identifies a second language; obtaining, responsive to the second language, second audio content, wherein the second audio content is a translation of the first audio content into the second language; providing, to the end user device, the second audio content; obtaining, responsive to the second language identified in the language request, supplemental audio content, wherein the supplemental audio content is in the second language, wherein the supplemental audio content is not a translation of the first audio content into the second language, and wherein the supplemental audio content relates to the second language; and providing, to the end user device, the supplemental audio content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A digital content provider that provides content channels to users via a computer network selects an artist message. The content provider retrieves a predictive model trained to calculate an artist affinity score indicating a likelihood that a given user will provide positive feedback to a given artist message. The predictive model is trained, using machine learning, based on feedback from users for previous plays of artist messages. The content provider retrieves artist features describing the artist who recorded the artist message, and user features describing a candidate user. The content provider calculates an artist affinity score for the candidate user and selected artist message using the predictive model. The content provider determines to play a content item by the artist to the candidate user, determines to play the selected artist message associated with the content item based on the artist affinity score, and transmits the artist message and content item.

Abstract: A recording device and a method are described herein that provide a network-based personal video recording service utilizing adaptive bit rate technology for a plurality of users. In operation, the recording device records at a minimum a single bit rate (one set of segmented files) of the broadcast content within each user's network personal video recorder storage unit. Plus, the recording device stores the other bit rates (remaining sets of segmented files) in a central storage location or some other storage location.

Abstract: The non-linear content scheduling and encoding (recording) system provides a highly automated file-based video-on-demand (VOD) publishing workflow. The system includes content-provider scheduling and broadcast programming for encoding, editing, and distribution of video assets (e.g., episodes). The invention effectively scales VOD production and allows broadcasters to use the same schedule and sources as their traditional playout operation to quickly and efficiently produce VOD deliverables with all the correct metadata. The systems of the invention process content at significantly faster rates than traditional, real-time VOD generation. The systems provide program management and incorporate traffic system ad components within fully integrated VOD publishing. The systems enable automatic retrieval of sources for VOD generation from generic storage, video servers, non-linear editing systems, archiving systems, content delivery systems, data or video tapes, as well as from live video sources.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for collection and of a biologic sample. The method comprises collecting by a user of a testing device a biologic sample for use with the testing device, assigning correlative values as test results, and receiving the test results at a server disposed on a network. Some aspects also include presenting audiovisual messages to the user while the user is waiting for test results to be completed. These audiovisual messages are presented to the user by a mobile application. The audiovisual messages may take several forms, including advertisements and television channels.

Abstract: A device receives, from a client device, a first request associated with target audience criteria and a time constraint. Based on the target audience criteria, the device sends, to an information device, a network state request. In response to the network state request, the device receives, from the information device, a network state response including user data associated with user devices. Based on the network state response, the device determines a predicted network state, including predicted user data associated with the user devices, associated with the time constraint. Based on the predicted network state and the target audience criteria, the device determines a predicted quantity of user devices associated with both the target audience criteria and the time constraint. The device sends, to the client device, a first response based on the determination of the predicted quantity of user devices.

Abstract: Non-disruptive sweep measurements using low power coherent signals overcome the limitations of prior art frequency response systems for cable networks. Modulated or unmodulated, e.g. continuous wave (CW), test signals are transmitted into the network at a first or input point (input point is in the head end for forward sweep; input point is in the field for reverse sweep). The test signals are transmitted continuously at multiple frequencies, so as a composite they form a wideband, OFDM-like (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) waveform. A receiver at a second or output point generates power reading measurements, from which the frequency response of the network is produced.

Abstract: A system is described for distributing over the air (OTA) channels within buildings and homes. The system can implement one or more active multi-mode antennas for improved performance and reliability. The system can be configured as a mesh network where multiple nodes are distributed to improve the probability of channel capture across the VHF and UHF frequencies used for over the air TV distribution. A node consists of a beam steering antenna that operates at the VHF and UHF frequencies for TV signal reception, a receiver and demodulation circuit, a transcoder to convert the received information for re-distribution, and a transceiver capable of operation at a secondary frequency band for use in re-distributing the information to communication devices in proximity of the node.

Abstract: For each network or type of content in an Android TV application, a main icon may be presented on a display, and when the screen cursor is positioned over a main icon, 3-5 sub-icons are presented under the main icon. Moving the screen cursor to another main icon causes the first sub-icons to disappear and new sub-icons relating to the new main icon to appear under the new main icon. Each sub-icon represents content associated with the main icon either using trending information, automatic content recommendation (ACR), time of day, etc. The user may select a sub-icon to show the related content. Thus, for each Android TV application, the most important, trending, live, or personal content is made available through the sub-icons such that a limited number of live content subsets is presented to choose from for that network at that moment.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing audio from a program source with closed captioning data includes a caption encoder having a video-audio delay line. The caption encoder with the delay line is adapted to delay the programming source by a settable amount of time so that the program audio can be synchronized with closed caption data received from a remote live captioner.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for a live and/or on-demand captioning service. A system may include a caption management server, and a source captioning device. The source captioning device may generate a request to initiate captioning service, transmit the request to the caption management server, transmit the audio content to a captioning service provider as determined by the caption management server, and receive, via the caption management server, caption data from the captioning service provider. The caption management server may determine a type of captioning service requested, and determine the captioning service provider for the source captioning device to transmit the audio content based, at least in part, on the type of captioning service requested.