Abstract: A content reproducing apparatus is provided. The content reproducing apparatus includes: a communicator configured to periodically transmit and receive a connection signal with a terminal; a content outputter configured to output content; a memory configured to store one or more instructions; and a processor configured to execute the one or more instructions stored in the memory to control the content outputter to adjust the output of the content, based on a distance to the terminal being greater than a certain distance, the distance being obtained based on the connection signal.

Abstract: The progressive delivery of targeted secondary content may include determining that primary content requested from a particular distribution point of a distributed platform includes a first tag to integrate targeted secondary content as part of an initial presentation of the primary content, and a second tag to integrate targeted secondary content outside the initial presentation. The progressive delivery may further include modifying the primary content by replacing the first tag so that the primary content and targeted secondary content for the initial presentation (e.g., third-party content associated with the first tag) are provided from the particular distribution point without accessing a third-party content provider, while targeted secondary content outside the initial presentation (e.g., third-party content associated with the second tag) may be selected and provided by one or more third-party content providers as originally specified in the primary content.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide an agent control system that includes a virtual version of a remote control. In one aspect, the disclosure describes an input history store that stores user input operations corresponding to received user inputs to a remote control located at a subscriber location and an agent controller associated with a service provider that generates a dashboard user interface (UI) that operates in part to display a virtual version of the remote control, one or more of the input operations corresponding to the received user inputs to the remote control at the subscriber location, and/or a recommended action to execute on the virtual version of the remote control. Other aspects are described in detail herein.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus comprises a recorder of the received digital contents and commercial messages. Commercial message retrieved from the recorder is interposed into a digital content or between a pair of digital contents in accordance with the type of commercial message. Interposition of commercial message is controlled by internal information, such as history of actually displaying the same commercial message, or history of skipping the same commercial message. The receiving apparatus controls the repetition time of displaying the same commercial message, or decision whether or not actually displaying a specific commercial message, or the order of displaying commercial messages. Skip of commercial message is prevented unless display has been repeated over a minimum requirement, or user agrees with a compensation for the skip. Repetition of the same commercial message ceases with skip repeated over a limit. Notice of interposing commercial message or of compensation for skip is made in advance.

Abstract: Items of video content offered for viewing on a video-on-demand (VOD) platform of a digital TV service provider are each assigned a respective title and hierarchical address corresponding to hierarchically-arranged categories and subcategories within which the title for the video content is to be categorized. The title is listed in a location of an electronic program guide (EPG) using the same categories and subcategories as its hierarchical address. Any TV subscriber can access the EPG and navigate through its categories and subcategories to find a title for viewing on the TV. The EPG dynamically adjust its display listings of each level of categories, subcategories, and titles in order to minimize the number of remote control keypresses needed for a viewer to navigate to a title of interest.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and processes are described for seamless use of timers across multiple user devices on a LAN. A system may include a first user device, communicatively coupled to the LAN, having at least one first tuner and a first hardware processor configured for facilitating a first timer manager. A second user device communicatively coupled to the LAN may include at least one second tuner and a second hardware processor configured for facilitating a second timer manager. Each of the first timer manager and the second timer manager may be configured to populate a universal timer schedule that identifies at least one of a future availability and a future use for each of the at least one first tuner and the at least one second tuner. The universal timer schedule is populated based upon a request type, such as an auto-tune, PPV, original content, rerun, and a Joey request type.

Abstract: Systems and methods for mapped views of digital content are provided. A map structure for a collection of digital content streams from a content provider may be stored in memory. Such map structure may include a predetermined plurality of slots arranged in one or more tiers. A browsing request may be received from a spectator device over a communication network, and such browsing request may be identified as pertaining to the collection of digital content streams. A mapped view of the requested collection may be generated that illustrates the predetermined plurality of slots arranged in the tiers in accordance with the stored map structure. Further, information regarding browsing activity by the spectator device within the generated mapped view may be received and evaluated to identify when the spectator device selects one of the illustrated slots.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods, computer program products, and systems. Embodiments of the present invention can be used to develop real-time groupings of computing devices based on dynamic attributes. Embodiments of the present invention can then identify trends between the developed real-time groupings of computing devices. Embodiments of the present invention can further generate one or more recommendations to remedy a problem associated with a computing device within the developed, real-time grouping.

Abstract: Techniques are described for handling stale variant cases that arise in adaptive streaming of content by media players. For example, embodiments include a delegate subsystem integrated with a media player client. The delegate subsystem can act as a proxy for requesting variant manifest update requests on behalf of the media player client and for receiving corresponding responses. The delegate subsystem can track the received update responses to determine whether the responses indicate a stale variant condition. If so, the delegate subsystem can issue a failover trigger to the media player client, such as by returning an error code, a variant gap tag, or the like. The failover trigger can cause the media player client 110 automatically to respond by executing a failover routine.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a device that has a processing system including a processor and a memory that stores executable instructions that, when executed by the processing system, facilitate performance of operations, the operations including receiving a request from a viewer of a content stream displayed by a TV client, wherein the request is received via a digital assistant, determining an advertisement campaign being displayed in the content stream, retrieving information on a product associated with the advertising campaign, and sending the information to the TV client, wherein the TV client displays the information concerning the product. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, embodiments for obtaining video content from a video content server, determining a quality parameter for each of the plurality of adjusted video content, and adjusting the video content to generate the plurality of adjusted video content. Each of the plurality of adjusted video content comprises a different point cloud density according to the quality parameter. Further embodiments can include receiving a request for the video content from a video content application on a communication device, and determining a distance from a viewpoint to a point-cloud object on the video content application of the communication device. Additional embodiments can include selecting an adjusted video content based on the distance from the viewpoint to the point-cloud object and the quality parameter of the adjusted video content, and providing the adjusted video content to the communication device for presentation. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An illustrative interactive content delivery system includes an interactive content player device (player device) and an interactive content provider system (provider system). As the provider system transmits a live video stream to the player device, the player device detects a first event marker in the live video stream, accesses an executable data object including data representative of an interactive content instance, and executes, based on the executable data object, the interactive content instance in accordance with interactive input provided by a user of the player device. During the executing of the interactive content instance, the player device detects a second event marker in the live video stream and subsequently discontinues the executing of the interactive content instance. Corresponding methods and systems are disclosed for both the provider system and the player device of the interactive content delivery system.

Abstract: Techniques are described that enable digital images to be delivered using a video codec that operates according to a video encoding standard. These techniques include encoding digital images as frames of video content files, and decoding the frames of the video content files to display the images.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for the synchronizing on-air commercial programming with interactive applications, providing interactive content synchronized with on-air television programming. There is provided a system comprising a client device with a display device and an input device and running a synchronization application. The client device receives digital data transmitted from a server, and transmits user feedback information generated from user interactions with the digital data back to the server. The digital data are interactive advertisements, such as online social games, that increase users' awareness of the advertised products or messages. The digital data are delivered to the user's client device in synchronization with the broadcasting of on-air television commercials.

Abstract: A receiving device includes a receiving unit configured to receive a segment file constituting a stream of content, a reproducing unit configured to acquire and reproduce the received segment file, and a proxy server unit configured to generate supply availability information including a probability at which the segment file can be supplied to the reproducing unit, in which the proxy server unit generates the supply availability information in response to a request for the segment file from the reproducing unit and supplies the segment file received by the receiving unit to the reproducing unit, and the reproducing unit requests the proxy server unit to transmit a segment file to be reproduced next on the basis of the generated supply availability information. The device can be applied to stream delivery systems.

Abstract: Targeted Content solutions can be provided using a variety of techniques. Targeted Content can be provided in place of generic advertisements on a first device or on personal computing devices. Targeted Content can be presented during, or in place of, generic advertisements in Content (e.g., television content, streaming content, etc.). Targeted Content can include customized video content to improve a user's viewing experience and thereby provide increased revenue opportunities for advertisers and content providers. The video content and/or customized content that is provided to a user can be paused or substituted to permit customized content to be delivered to the user. The video content and/or customized content can be of sporting events, and can facilitate and improve participation in a Fantasy Sports league.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a media data processing method. The method includes obtaining, after determining that a user client performs a service operation with a first service client, first video data from the user client and second video data from the first service client; and synthesizing the first video data with the second video data to generate service operation video data. The method also includes transmitting the service operation video data to the user client and the first service client; obtaining a processing result of the service operation from the first service client; storing the service operation video data and generating storage information; receiving an access request that is transmitted by a second service client and that carries the storage information; and obtaining the service operation video data according to the storage information and returning the service operation video data to the second service client.

Abstract: Signals of an immersive multimedia item are jointly considered for optimizing the quality of experience for the immersive multimedia item. During encoding, portions of available bitrate are allocated to the signals (e.g., a video signal and an audio signal) according to the overall contribution of those signals to the immersive experience for the immersive multimedia item. For example, in the spatial dimension, multimedia signals are processed to determine spatial regions of the immersive multimedia item to render using greater bitrate allocations, such as based on locations of audio content of interest, video content of interest, or both. In another example, in the temporal dimension, multimedia signals are processed in time intervals to adjust allocations of bitrate between the signals based on the relative importance of such signals during those time intervals. Other techniques for bitrate optimizations for immersive multimedia streaming are also described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for causing to be provided contextual information for a content item. The system identifies that a subject in a content item is currently being referenced and determines when the subject was last referenced in the content item. For example, the system identifies a king being discussed by characters in a television series and determines the king was referenced three months ago. The system determines, based on the last time the subject was referenced, whether to provide contextual information about the subject. Using the determined three-month lapse in time since the king was last referenced, the system determines that contextual information about the king should be provided. Accordingly, the system causes to be displayed the contextual information after determining contextual information should be provided.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus for reproducing second content in synchronization with reproduction of first content by a second information processing apparatus different from the information processing apparatus, the first content comprising audio content. The information processing apparatus comprising circuitry configured to: extract a first feature from the audio content; obtain a second feature of the audio content, the second feature being together with the second content; compare the first feature with the second feature; and generate, based on results of the comparing, synchronization information used for reproducing the second content in synchronization with the first content.