Abstract: Systems and methods for providing adaptive and responsive media are disclosed. In various implementations, a video for playback is received at a user device having a plurality of associated properties. Based on at least one of the properties, a first state of the video is configured, and the video is presented according to the first state. During playback of the video, a change in one of the device properties is detected, and the video is seamlessly transitioned to a second state based on the change.

Abstract: Method and accompanying system for an unfolding video pre-roll. A primary video having a fixed play length is presented and, in temporal proximity to at least a portion of the primary video, an unfolding video having a variable play length is presented to the viewer. If an interaction is received from the viewer during the playback of the unfolding video, the play length of the unfolding video is extended by adding a seamlessly connected video segment to the unfolding video, which is continuously presented to the viewer without interruption.

Abstract: A system for synchronizing audio and video of selectably presentable multimedia content includes a memory for storing a plurality of selectably presentable multimedia content segments. Each content segment defines a portion of one or more content paths and includes a decision period during which a user may select a subsequent content segment as the content segment is playing. An assembly engine seamlessly assembles a subset of the content segments into one of the content paths, ultimately forming a multimedia presentation. A configuration manager determines an audio file and a video file to be played based on a content segment that is selected to be played immediately following the currently playing content segment. An audio engine processes the audio file for playback, and a video engine synchronizes playback of the video file with the playback of the audio file.

Abstract: A video library interface provides a listing of interactive videos and information associated with the videos and is dynamically updated as a user views the videos and makes decisions that affect the playback of the episodes. More specifically, an interactive video that includes different traversable video paths is provided to and interacted with by a user. Based on user interactions received during presentation of the video, different video paths within the interactive video are traversed. In addition, a video library display including a visual depiction of information associated with a plurality of videos is provided. The video library display is dynamically modified based on one or more interactions made by the user with respect to the interactive video.

Abstract: In viewing a media presentation having multiple streams or tracks running in parallel and synchronized to a common playback timeline, a user experiencing one of the streams will miss interesting events and other content occurring in other streams. Accordingly, upon receiving an instruction to switch from a first stream to a second stream, a summary of the second stream is dynamically generated based on content that the user missed while watching the first stream. The summary is presented to the user prior to transitioning to presentation of the second stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamically weighting media segments and paths in a structured media presentation are disclosed. The structured media presentation can be, for example, a video tree representing a branching video presentation and defining multiple branches, each defining a path of one or more video content segments. Different portions of the video tree are associated with weights, and during playback of the branching video presentation, a video content segment is automatically selected for presentation based on one or more of the associated weights.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic bookmarking in branched video are described. An application provides a video tree having a plurality of video segments, with each video segment including a predefined portion of one or more paths in the video tree, and each path being associated with a different video presentation. One of the paths in the video tree is traversed based on one or more decisions made by a user during playback of the video presentation associated with the path being traversed. A selection of a particular location in the path being traversed is received by the application, which stores a bookmark of the location for subsequent retrieval. The bookmark identifies a sequence of video segments in the video tree having been traversed to reach the location. The structure of the video tree is modified, and the bookmark is automatically updated, if necessary. At a later time, the application receives a selection of the stored bookmark and seeks to the bookmarked location.

Abstract: In viewing a media presentation having multiple streams or tracks running in parallel and synchronized to a common playback timeline, a user experiencing one of the streams will miss interesting events and other content occurring in other streams. Accordingly, upon receiving an instruction to switch from a first stream to a second stream, a summary of the second stream is dynamically generated based on content that the user missed while watching the first stream. The summary is presented to the user prior to transitioning to presentation of the second stream.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for creating non-interactive, linear video from video segments in a video tree. Selectably presentable video segments are stored in a memory, with each segment representing a predefined portion of one or more paths in a traversable video tree. A linear, non-interactive video is automatically created from the selectably presentable video segments by traversing at least a portion of a first path in the video tree and, upon completion, is provided to a viewer for playback.

Abstract: A system for multiple device interaction with selectably presentable multimedia content includes an output engine, an input engine, a manager, and a memory that stores selectably presentable multimedia content segments. Each content segment represents a predefined portion of one or more content paths. The output engine, executing on a first device, receives a subset of the content segments, assembles them into a seamless multimedia presentation that is one of the content paths, and plays the assembled multimedia presentation. The input engine, executing on a second device, receives user interactions associated with the multimedia presentation, and the manager coordinates the multimedia presentation among multiple devices based on the user interactions. A method implementing the above steps is also included.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic bookmarking in branched video are described. An application provides a video tree having a plurality of video segments, with each video segment including a predefined portion of one or more paths in the video tree, and each path being associated with a different video presentation. One of the paths in the video tree is traversed based on one or more decisions made by a user during playback of the video presentation associated with the path being traversed. A selection of a particular location in the path being traversed is received by the application, which stores a bookmark of the location for subsequent retrieval. The bookmark identifies a sequence of video segments in the video tree having been traversed to reach the location. The structure of the video tree is modified, and the bookmark is automatically updated, if necessary. At a later time, the application receives a selection of the stored bookmark and seeks to the bookmarked location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for editing and controlling video playback using a dynamic timeline. The dynamic timeline allows a user to edit a video content structure that includes a plurality of video content paths, each video content path including a plurality of video content segments. The video content segments in a first video content path are visually represented on the dynamic timeline. A selection in the dynamic timeline is received that changes a first video content segment from the first video content path to a second video content segment in an alternative video content path in the video content structure. Subsequently, the dynamic timeline is updated to display visual representations of at least some of the video content segments in the alternative video content path.

Abstract: In a method and accompanying system for providing symbiotic media content, one or more advertising units comprising advertising video content are received at a user device. During the playback of primary video content to a user of the device, a plurality of user interface controls are displayed, with each control being associated with a respective advertising unit. On receiving an interaction with one of the controls, the primary video content is combined with the advertisement associated with the selected control, forming a symbiotic video. The symbiotic video is presented to the user and, on completion thereof, playback of the primary video content is continued.

Abstract: Media streams or files, such as audio and video streams, within a media presentation are synchronized by dynamically adjusting the playback rate of one or more of the streams relative to a reference (clock) stream. In one implementation, a video presentation including a plurality of media streams is received, with each media stream having a respective playback rate. One of the media streams is selected as a clock stream. The media streams are simultaneously played according to their respective playback rates, and a second media stream is synchronized with the clock stream.

Abstract: In a method and supporting system for intelligent buffering of large scale videos, a video presentation includes a plurality of sub-videos, each associated with a field of view. During presentation of the large scale video, sub-videos within a user's field of view are loaded and presented to the user, and sub-videos in proximate fields of view are loaded for potential presentation. On identifying a change in the user's field of view to one of the proximate fields of view, sub-videos are loaded for presentation within the new field of view. In a method and supporting system for seamless transitions in large scale videos, a video having a plurality of sub-videos is provided for presentation to a user, and distraction levels based on video content and user interactions are tracked. A transition point for the video is identified based on one or both transaction levels, and a sub-video is changed to a different sub-video at the transition point.

Abstract: In a method and supporting system for intelligent buffering of large scale videos, a video presentation includes a plurality of sub-videos, each associated with a field of view. During presentation of the large scale video, sub-videos within a user's field of view are loaded and presented to the user, and sub-videos in proximate fields of view are loaded for potential presentation. On identifying a change in the user's field of view to one of the proximate fields of view, sub-videos are loaded for presentation within the new field of view. In a method and supporting system for seamless transitions in large scale videos, a video having a plurality of sub-videos is provided for presentation to a user, and distraction levels based on video content and user interactions are tracked. A transition point for the video is identified based on one or both transaction levels, and a sub-video is changed to a different sub-video at the transition point.

Abstract: A system is provided for embedding and presenting objects in multimedia content in real-time. A computer processor provides a multimedia layer that facilitates display of multimedia content. A second computer processor provides an object layer contemporaneously with the multimedia layer, where the object layer is configured to displays one or more objects and to receive one or more commands to insert one or more additional objects. A database embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium stores the one or more additional objects and timing information and location information associated with the multimedia content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for nonlinear media playback using a linear media player are described. In one implementation, a video tree representing a branching video presentation is provided, and a dynamic playlist is provided to a linear video player. A controller component interacts with the linear video player through a standard interface of the linear video player. During playback of a video content segment in the dynamic playlist by the linear video player, an indication of a user interaction with the playing video content segment is received by the controller component and from the linear video player via the standard interface, and the dynamic playlist is modified based on video content segments in a branch of the video tree. In another implementation, an uncompressed media file is selected and combined with a preceding and/or following media file. The combined files are compressed and a portion of the compressed file corresponding to the original media file is extracted.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods and systems for creating non-interactive, linear video from video segments in a video tree. Selectably presentable video segments are stored in a memory, with each segment representing a predefined portion of one or more paths in a traversable video tree. A linear, non-interactive video is automatically created from the selectably presentable video segments by traversing at least a portion of a first path in the video tree and, upon completion, is provided to a viewer for playback.

Abstract: Method and accompanying system for providing an in-video library. A video player presents a video stream to a user. During presentation of the video stream, the video player displays at least a portion of a library of selectable prerecorded video segments, and a selection of one or more of the prerecorded video segments from the library is received from the user. The video player further displays a video segment watch-list that includes the selected prerecorded video segments. The video player then presents the segments in the video segment watch-list as part of the video stream.