Abstract: Systems and methods for paying a transaction amount at a point of sale (e.g. a physical point of sale or a virtual point of sale) are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to monitor transaction information to identify eligible transactions at the point of sale. Alternative funding options may be presented at substantially the same time as a transaction is being processed at a point of sale. Based on the user's selection, a credit may be applied to the transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for paying a transaction amount at a point of sale (e.g. a physical point of sale or a virtual point of sale) are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to monitor transaction information to identify eligible transactions at the point of sale. Alternative funding options may be presented at substantially the same time as a transaction is being processed at a point of sale. Based on the user's selection, a credit may be applied to the transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for paying a transaction amount at a point of sale (e.g. a physical point of sale or a virtual point of sale) are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to monitor transaction information to identify eligible transactions at the point of sale. Alternative funding options may be presented at substantially the same time as a transaction is being processed at a point of sale. Based on the user's selection, a credit may be applied to the transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source.

Abstract: Systems and methods for paying a transaction amount at a point of sale (e.g. a physical point of sale or a virtual point of sale) are disclosed. The systems and methods are configured to monitor transaction information to identify eligible transactions at the point of sale. Where the transaction information conforms to predetermined rules, an indicator of an alternative funding source is provided to a user through a web browser, portable electronic device, or other suitable medium. Moreover, the alternative funding options are presented at substantially the same time as a transaction is being processed at a point of sale. Based on the user's selection, a credit may be applied to the transaction account corresponding with at least a portion of the transaction amount from the alternative funding source.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for streaming a media track to multiple clients using a single copy of the track's metadata, rather than making separate copies of the metadata for each stream. A media track's metadata includes information that is used to identify and locate media corresponding to different time positions in the track or media program. Sharing one copy of the metadata among multiple client streams promotes more efficient use of a media streaming server's resources. When a media track is first requested, a track object is generated to store and allow access to the metadata. For each client stream, a separate track handle object is created to manage access to the metadata for the stream's specific context. The streamed media track may be part of a live media event or may be part of a pre-recorded media program.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for handling events received at a media streaming server. Server sockets configured to receive events are divided into collections and registered with a polling object. Each collection shares a processor thread for detecting events. Each socket is associated with an event consumer object that is notified when an event is received at the socket. The event consumer objects invoke task objects to handle the events. Task objects are queued in a task queue and execute using a pool of processor threads. Event consumer objects are derived from an abstract base consumer class that defines a common interface. Subclasses of the base consumer class are configured for different types of events that may be received (e.g., connection requests, media streaming commands, media data, media stream quality reports). Specific event consumer objects are instantiated from the subclasses to provide implementations of the common interface.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for resynchronizing a media stream. A media streaming server receives live or pre-recorded media for streaming to clients. When media is not received or available for streaming at the appropriate media time index, the media stream is deemed to be out of synchronization. The server selects a future time index at which to resynchronize the stream and may discard intervening media. Media corresponding to the new time index is requested or retrieved and, if available at the new time index, media streaming resumes in synchronization. If media corresponding to the new time index is not available, the server may select another future time index and try again to resynchronize. Resynchronization may be attempted a configurable number of times and, if unsuccessful, the server may terminate the stream.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for streaming a media track to multiple clients using a single copy of the track's metadata, rather than making separate copies of the metadata for each stream. A media track's metadata includes information that is used to identify and locate media corresponding to different time positions in the track or media program. Sharing one copy of the metadata among multiple client streams promotes more efficient use of a media streaming server's resources. When a media track is first requested, a track object is generated to store and allow access to the metadata. For each client stream, a separate track handle object is created to manage access to the metadata for the stream's specific context. The streamed media track may be part of a live media event or may be part of a pre-recorded media program.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for resynchronizing a media stream. A media streaming server receives live or pre-recorded media for streaming to clients. When media is not received or available for streaming at the appropriate media time index, the media stream is deemed to be out of synchronization. The server selects a future time index at which to resynchronize the stream and may discard intervening media. Media corresponding to the new time index is requested or retrieved and, if available at the new time index, media streaming resumes in synchronization. If media corresponding to the new time index is not available, the server may select another future time index and try again to resynchronize. Resynchronization may be attempted a configurable number of times and, if unsuccessful, the server may terminate the stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for handling events received at a media streaming server. Server sockets configured to receive events are registered with a polling object and may be divided into collections. Each collection shares a processor thread for detecting events. Each socket is associated with an event consumer object that is notified when an event is received at the socket. The event consumer objects invoke task objects to handle the events. Task objects are queued in a task queue and execute using a pool of processor threads. Event consumer objects are derived from an abstract base consumer class that defines a common interface. Subclasses of the base consumer class are configured for different types of events that may be received (e.g., connection requests, media streaming commands, media data, media stream quality reports). Specific event consumer objects are instantiated from the subclasses to provide implementations of the common interface.