Abstract: A smart playlist system is described. In one example embodiment, a collector module obtains content utilization data from a plurality of client devices associated with respective plurality of viewers. A hot list generator module generates a list of popular content items based on the obtained content utilization data. A customization module generates a customized playlist for a target viewer from the plurality of viewers, based on the list of popular content items and a profile of the target viewer. The communications module communicates the customized playlist to a client device of the target viewer.

Abstract: A method of touch gesture control of video playback is discloses. The method includes providing a video item for playback The method also receives an indication of a touch gesture made by a user of mobile user device. The method further determines whether the touch gesture is a swipe gesture within a portion of a user interface (UI) including a media player to play the video item. The method also moves the playback of the video item from a first point in time to a second point in time by a predetermined amount of time in response to determining the touch gesture is the swipe gesture within the portion of the UI comprising the media player.

Abstract: Reception-side processing performed in a case where transmission of standard dynamic range video data and transmission of high dynamic range video data coexist in a time sequence is simplified. SDR transmission video data is converted into SDR transmission video data through dynamic range conversion. The SDR transmission video data is the one obtained by performing, on SDR video data, photoelectric conversion in accordance with an SDR photoelectric conversion characteristic. In this case, the conversion is performed on the basis of conversion information for converting a value of conversion data in accordance with the SDR photoelectric conversion characteristic into a value of conversion data in accordance with an HDR photoelectric conversion characteristic. A video stream is obtained by performing encoding processing on HDR transmission video data. A container having a predetermined format and including this video stream is transmitted.

Abstract: A system to delivery media over a network for rendering by client devices forms a definition of a group of people who have opted-in to experience a defined shared media experience, and augments the shared media as a result of a dynamic measurement of one or more characteristics of the group.

Abstract: A method includes presenting a list of one or more videos via a user interface, receiving a selection of a target video to watch from the list, playing the target video in the user interface, and updating the user interface to present one or more suggested videos concurrently with playback of the target video. The one or more suggested videos are predicted to be watched by a user for at least a threshold duration.

Abstract: A video distribution system synchronizes video output streams on multiple encoders without communication therebetween. Each of the encoders is configured to decode a source video content stream into a sequence of uncompressed frames, where each frame in the sequence is marked with an associated presentation time stamp (PTS) clock value. The encoders calculate a number of clock cycles between instantaneous decoder refresh (IDR)-frames. For each frame in the sequence, the encoders calculate a remainder after a division of an associated PTS clock value of a given frame by the number of clock cycles between IDR-frames. The encoders mark each frame in the sequence as an IDR-frame where the corresponding remainder is strictly less than the number of PTS clock cycles per frame and mark a remainder of the frames in the sequence as an internal frame within a group of pictures (GOP) to produce a marked set of video frames.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying, assembling, and transmitting content are described in the illustrative context of electronic program guides and program channels. A first system causes an interactive interstitial to be presented on a remote first device of a user in conjunction with a scheduled program. The first system determines if a second device of the user is available to receive an interstitial interaction request. At least partly in response to determining that the second device is available to receive an interstitial interaction request, the interstitial interaction request is presented via a client hosted on the second device. At least partly in response to determining that the user has provided an interaction via the second device, the interaction is stored in memory. Optionally, an interstitial is composed based at least in part on the user interaction. The composed interstitial is optionally displayed via the first device of the user in conjunction with a scheduled program.

Abstract: A dynamically created video preview can be provided to a viewer by stitching relevant video clips from a target video based on a viewer profile of the viewer. In various embodiments, a computer receives a request from a viewer to preview a video. The computer can then select one or more clips from the video based on the viewer profile of the viewer. Thereafter, the computer can generate a customized video preview from the one or more selected clips for the viewer based on the viewer profile. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided herein for recommending a pause position during a binge-watching session. A series containing multiple sequential episodes is provided to a user device. Then it is determined whether the user is engaged in binge-watching the series. If the user is binge-watching the series, a binge compulsion score is determined for each episode of the plurality of sequential episodes, where the binge compulsion score is based on how many additional sequential episodes an average user has watched after watching that episode. Then, in response to determining that the binge compulsion score of the next episode corresponds to a threshold, a prompt is generated for display, where the prompt includes a recommendation to the user to pause the series before the next episode begins.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herein for a media guidance application that customizes media assets. In particular, the media guidance application may customize the media asset by condensing the media asset. The media guidance application may determine whether or not the condensed media asset omitted any desired parts of the media asset (e.g., one or more plot points of a movie; one or more parts of a movie featuring a specific actor or actress; one or more parts of a television show featuring comedy content), and alert the user about whether or not a desired part is omitted from the condensed media asset.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for processing video is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes storing a plurality of transcripts in a memory along with information identifying an associated video content unit, receiving a search request comprising one or more keywords originating from a user, searching at least some of the plurality of transcripts for the one or more keywords, determining search results that comprises a plurality of video content units that satisfy a similarity threshold with the search request, wherein the plurality of video content units that satisfy a similarity threshold with the search request comprise video content units having a transcript that includes at least some of the one or more keywords, and transmitting information identifying at least some of the video content units of the search results to a remote device for presentation to the user.

Abstract: An encoder and a re-packager circuit. The encoder may be configured to generate one or more bitstreams each having (i) a video portion, (ii) a subtitle placeholder channel, and (iii) a plurality of caption channels. The re-packager circuit may be configured to generate one or more re-packaged bitstreams in response to (i) one of the bitstreams and (ii) a selected one of the plurality of caption channels. The re-packaged bitstream moves the selected caption channel into the subtitle placeholder channel.

Abstract: Features of various implementations are used to enable identifying and presenting, in real time, Internet-accessible and/or Internet-based functionality, content and/or services associated with a particular television program concurrently playing on a television or display, as a part of an interactive television suite of technologies. In some implementations, the process of identifying Internet-accessible and/or Internet-based functionality, content and/or services associated with a particular television program is enabled to reduce communication between a primary set-top box and a supplemental set-top box and/or television integrated device, thereby reducing the need for one or more provider specific APIs.

Abstract: A method of receiving a broadcast signal including a Non-Real-Time (NRT) service and a broadcast receiver are disclosed herein. A method of receiving a broadcast signal including an NRT service, method comprises receiving a broadcast signal including first signaling information and second signaling information, identifying the NRT service based on the first signaling information, identifying an Internet Protocol (IP) address of an NRT service signaling data based on the first signaling information and the second signaling information, receiving the NRT service signaling data by accessing the IP address, and downloading a desired NRT service based on the NRT service signaling data.

Abstract: A system for collecting data from different sources is described. In one example embodiment, the system obtains content-related data from a plurality of source computer systems, automatically identifies, based on the content-related data, content items having respective popularity values greater than a predetermined threshold value as popular content items, and automatically generates a list of popular content items based on the popular content items.

Abstract: Features of various implementations are used to control operation of a second electronic device from a first electronic device using indirect control methods and optical character recognition. In some implementations, communication between a primary set-top box and a supplemental set-top box is configured in order to avoid the need for one or more provider-specific APIs. For example, one aspect of the disclosure is a method of identifying commands that can be used to control one or more features of a primary set-top box (e.g., DVR or VOD features) by a supplemental set-top box issuing commands to the primary set-top box via a wireless (e.g., IR) transmitter, and then using optical character recognition to identify the outcomes of those commands as displayed on a primary TV display or secondary display.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for sharing video between devices during a voice call. A sending party and a receiving party can view a video during the voice call, enabling a live discussion of the video. During a connected voice call, a first mobile device signals to an application server the desire to share a video with a second mobile device. The application server appropriately instructs a media server to obtain the video and transcode the video for delivery to the second mobile device, the first mobile device, and/or an external display device. The video may be streamed to the media server from the first mobile device or the media server may otherwise locate the video from within the network. The media server streams the video to the second mobile device, the first mobile device, and/or the external display device.

Abstract: A server receives, from a first display device of a first user, first content data, first sensor data, and a request for assistance identifying a context of the first display device. The server identifies a second display device of a second user based on the context of the first display device. The server receives second content data and second sensor data from the second display device. The first content data is synchronized with the second content data based on the first and second sensor data. Playback parameters are formed based on the context of the first display device. An enhanced playback session is generated using the synchronized first and second content data in response to determining that the first sensor data meet the playback parameters. The enhanced playback session is communicated to the first display device.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for communicating multimedia content over a service provider network. A network server may receive an audio-video stream from a content provider server, relaying the audio-video stream to a receiver device via the service provider network, receive an operating mode notification identifying a user behavior from the receiver device, and ceasing the relaying of the audio-video stream to the receiver device based on the user behavior. The network server may also alter the audio-video stream based on the received operating mode notification and send the altered audio-video stream to the receiver device via the service provider network.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices enable enhanced delivery of metadata, as well as auxiliary programs and services associated with a primary content. In one method, a primary content with pre-existing watermarks is received at a content distributor device. The pre-existing watermark include specific fields that allow retrieval of a first metadata. The values and boundary locations of the symbols of the pre-existing watermark messages are determined, and symbols of a new watermark message are embedded in the primary content to render the pre-existing watermarks undetectable. The new watermark message includes symbol values that different from those in the pre-existing watermark messages and enable retrieval of a second metadata. Upon transmission of the primary content to a client device, detection of the new watermark message, and initiation of a request by the client device, access to the first or the metadata, as well as associated programs or services, are enabled.