Abstract: A method for generating ad hoc video stream channels is implemented on at least one computing device and includes: receiving a multiplicity of incoming user video feeds, where schedules for the incoming user video feeds are unknown; classifying the multiplicity of incoming user video feeds according to at least a genre; selecting at least one incoming video feed from among the multiplicity of incoming user video feeds for inclusion in at least one video stream channel, where the selecting is according to selection criteria, and the selection criteria are based at least on the classifying; generating at least one outgoing video stream for the at least one video stream channel according to the selecting; and delivering the at least one outgoing video stream to presentation devices.

Abstract: Client and cloud synchronization may be provided. First, a request may be received. Then the request may be labeled with a package metadata tag yielding a labeled request. The package metadata tag may identify a package assigned to a client device corresponding to the request. Next, the labeled request may be routed to a version of a first cloud service component based on the package metadata tag. The labeled request may then be routed from the version of the first cloud service component to a version of a second cloud service component based on the package metadata tag.

Abstract: Client and cloud synchronization may be provided. First, a request may be received. Then the request may be labeled with a package metadata tag yielding a labeled request. The package metadata tag may identify a package assigned to a client device corresponding to the request. Next, the labeled request may be routed to a version of a first cloud service component based on the package metadata tag. The labeled request may then be routed from the version of the first cloud service component to a version of a second cloud service component based on the package metadata tag.

Abstract: A method for generating ad hoc video stream channels is implemented on at least one computing device and includes: receiving a multiplicity of incoming user video feeds, where schedules for the incoming user video feeds are unknown; classifying the multiplicity of incoming user video feeds according to at least a genre; selecting at least one incoming video feed from among the multiplicity of incoming user video feeds for inclusion in at least one video stream channel, where the selecting is according to selection criteria, and the selection criteria are based at least on the classifying; generating at least one outgoing video stream for the at least one video stream channel according to the selecting; and delivering the at least one outgoing video stream to presentation devices.

Abstract: Cloud image rendering may be provided. First, a first request for a multi-layered image may be received. Then, the requested multi-layered image may be rendered on a cloud computing system. The rendered multi-layered image may then be sent to a first requestor corresponding to the first request. Next, the rendered multi-layered image may be cached on a cache located on the cloud computing system. A second request for the multi-layered image may then be received. In response, the rendered multi-layered image may be sent to a second requestor corresponding to the second request from the cache located on the cloud computing system.

Abstract: A method of providing information about video content to a client is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a request from a client requesting information about video content, the request including an internet protocol address of the client; establishing (a) a geographic location of the client from the internet protocol address; and (b) a time of the request; identifying one or more content providers available in the geographic location; in dependence on the one or more content providers and the time, retrieving information about the video content from a database; and providing the information to the client. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for preparing data and video sequences to enable a viewer to scroll content in a plurality of directions including a first and second direction, the content including at least one element in motion, the system including a video sequence preparation module to prepare the video sequences including a first and second video sequence, each video sequence including still images, each still image including at least part of the content, at least some of the still images including the at least one element, the video sequences being prepared such that playing the first and second video sequence effects scrolling the content in the first and second direction, respectively, and a switchover determination module to prepare the data including corresponding switchover points in the video sequences for switching between the video sequences and therefore for switching the direction of scrolling by the viewer. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of presenting content to a viewer is described. The method includes: receiving a schedule of content at a client operable by the viewer, the schedule of content including a directed graph, the directed graph including a plurality of nodes, wherein each node in the plurality of nodes is connected to one or more other nodes in the plurality of nodes by one or more paths, wherein each path represents content presentable to the viewer; traversing the directed graph by following a route between nodes and along paths of the directed graph, wherein at each node the client determines a path to follow according to state information accessible by the client; and presenting content to the viewer as each path is followed.

Abstract: A method of controlling revelation of one or more metadata items is disclosed. Each of the one or more metadata items is associated with one or more parts of an audio-visual data stream (101). The method comprises: for a given one or more parts (103,105) of the audio-visual data stream (101), revealing one or more metadata items (113,115,117) associated with the given one or more parts (103,105) of the audio-visual data stream (101) only after the given one or more parts (103,105) of the audio-visual data stream (101) have been accessed.

Abstract: A system for preparing data and video sequences to enable a viewer to scroll content in a plurality of directions including a first and second direction, the content including at least one element in motion, the system including a video sequence preparation module to prepare the video sequences including a first and second video sequence, each video sequence including still images, each still image including at least part of the content, at least some of the still images including the at least one element, the video sequences being prepared such that playing the first and second video sequence effects scrolling the content in the first and second direction, respectively, and a switchover determination module to prepare the data including corresponding switchover points in the video sequences for switching between the video sequences and therefore for switching the direction of scrolling by the viewer. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A system for preparing data and video sequences to enable a viewer to scroll content in a plurality of directions including a first and second direction, the content including at least one element in motion, the system including a video sequence preparation module to prepare the video sequences including a first and second video sequence, each video sequence including still images, each still image including at least part of the content, at least some of the still images including the at least one element, the video sequences being prepared such that playing the first and second video sequence effects scrolling the content in the first and second direction, respectively, and a switchover determination module to prepare the data including corresponding switchover points in the video sequences for switching between the video sequences and therefore for switching the direction of scrolling by the viewer. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method for accessing a desired point in time-synchronized data within a stream, the stream being associated with time information, the method including providing a desired presentation time associated with a desired point within a time-synchronized data stream, determining a stream access point, decoding the stream beginning at the stream access point, and assigning a time associated with the stream access point as a utilization time. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system for embedding a message in compressed content comprising at least one key frame and at least one non-key frame, the method comprising embedding a message in the at least one key frame. Related methods and apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A method for accessing a desired point in time-synchronized data within a stream, the stream being associated with time information, the method including providing a desired presentation time associated with a desired point within a time-synchronized data stream, determining a stream access point, decoding the stream beginning at the stream access point, and assigning a time associated with the stream access point as a utilization time. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing information about video content to a client is disclosed. The method includes: receiving a request from a client requesting information about video content, the request including an internet protocol address of the client; establishing (a) a geographic location of the client from the internet protocol address; and (b) a time of the request; identifying one or more content providers available in the geographic location; in dependence on the one or more content providers and the time, retrieving information about the video content from a database; and providing the information to the client. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of presenting content to a viewer is described. The method includes: receiving a schedule of content at a client operable by the viewer, the schedule of content including a directed graph, the directed graph including a plurality of nodes, wherein each node in the plurality of nodes is connected to one or more other nodes in the plurality of nodes by one or more paths, wherein each path represents content presentable to the viewer; traversing the directed graph by following a route between nodes and along paths of the directed graph, wherein at each node the client determines a path to follow according to state information accessible by the client; and presenting content to the viewer as each path is followed.

Abstract: A system for preparing data and video sequences to enable a viewer to scroll content in a plurality of directions including a first and second direction, the content including at least one element in motion, the system including a video sequence preparation module to prepare the video sequences including a first and second video sequence, each video sequence including still images, each still image including at least part of the content, at least some of the still images including the at least one element, the video sequences being prepared such that playing the first and second video sequence effects scrolling the content in the first and second direction, respectively, and a switchover determination module to prepare the data including corresponding switchover points in the video sequences for switching between the video sequences and therefore for switching the direction of scrolling by the viewer. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

Abstract: A method of controlling revelation of one or more metadata items is disclosed. Each of the one or more metadata items is associated with one or more parts of an audio-visual data stream (101). The method comprises: for a given one or more parts (103, 105) of the audio-visual data stream (101), revealing one or more metadata items (113, 115, 117) associated with the given one or more parts (103, 105) of the audio-visual data stream (101) only after the given one or more parts (103, 105) of the audio-visual data stream (101) have been accessed.

Abstract: A video substitution method for use with a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) which is operative to store video is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for accessing a desired point in time-synchronized data within a stream, the stream being associated with time information, the method including providing a desired presentation time associated with a desired point within a time-synchronized data stream, determining a stream access point, decoding the stream beginning at the stream access point, and assigning a time associated with the stream access point as a utilization time. Related apparatus and methods are also disclosed.