Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for augmenting a user's multimedia consumption experience. The methods comprise while the user is consuming the multimedia presentation using a first device, that device provides (to one or more remote processors) information that may be used to identify a relevant location. The one or more processors use this information to identify the location and acquire a virtual environment. This virtual environment may be a virtual representation the location. The virtual environment is presented to the user on a second (companion) device. Using the second device, the user may explore the virtual environment and interact with virtual objects therein.

Abstract: While a user views a primary content item (for example, a movie on a television screen), secondary content items are selected and presented to the user, either on the same screen or on a screen of the user's companion device. To choose selections that are relevant to the user's current interests, the selection process considers information beyond the realm of primary and secondary content. Over time, the selection process learns to make more relevant selections by monitoring selection choices made by other systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing information to a first client device (e.g., a tablet computer) for presentation on that device. The information may be related to multimedia content (e.g., a television program) that may be presented using a second client device (e.g., a television). Firstly, an activity level for a portion of the multimedia content is determined. Using the activity level, an amount of the information is assigned to that portion of the multimedia content. The amount of the information assigned is dependent on that determined activity level. The assigned information is then provided for use by (e.g., for display on) the first client device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for providing information to a first client device (e.g., a tablet computer) for presentation on that device. The information may be related to multimedia content (e.g., a television program) that may be presented using a second client device (e.g., a television). Firstly, an activity level for a portion of the multimedia content is determined. Using the activity level, an amount of the information is assigned to that portion of the multimedia content. The amount of the information assigned is dependent on that determined activity level. The assigned information is then provided for use by (e.g., for display on) the first client device.

Abstract: While a user views a primary content item (for example, a movie on a television screen), secondary content items are selected and presented to the user, either on the same screen or on a screen of the user's companion device. To choose selections that are relevant to the user's current interests, the selection process considers information beyond the realm of primary and secondary content. Over time, the selection process learns to make more relevant selections by monitoring selection choices made by other systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for determining an influence score for a user of one or more social-networking services. The methods comprise acquiring a set of one or more criteria, the criteria having been specified by a first party, acquiring a dataset comprising information that relates to the user's interactions with one or more of the social networks provided by one or more of the social-networking services, selecting from the dataset data that are in accordance with the one or more criteria, and determining some function of the selected data, thereby providing the influence score for the second party.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for augmenting a user's multimedia consumption experience. The methods comprise whilst the user is consuming the multimedia presentation using a first device, that device provides (to one or more remote processors) information that may be used to identify a relevant location. The one or more processors use this information to identify the location and acquire a virtual environment. This virtual environment may be a virtual representation the location. The virtual environment is presented to the user on a second (companion) device. Using the second device, the user may explore the virtual environment and interact with virtual objects therein.

Abstract: A multimedia device and a method embodied in the multimedia device for providing access to media content from a plurality of media content are provided. The multimedia device includes a user interface (UI) with one or more UI controls, a processor, and an output device. The UI controls receive a first set of parameter values from the user, in order to select media content. The processor creates a first list of media content based on a first probabilistic distribution over the plurality of media content. The output device provides access to the media content of the first list of media content to the user. Further, the UI may receive a second set of parameter values, and a second list of media content is then created, based on a second probabilistic distribution. The output device provides access to the media content of the second list of media content to the user.

Abstract: A play tree may be generated for selecting and playing media content. A list of media files may be generated and displayed to the user. The user's selection from the list may be received and played to the user. The user's selection may be stored in a media content database and a tree of media files may be generated based on the user's previous selections. The tree may be displayed to the user. If the user makes a selection, the user's selection from the tree is received and played to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and electronic device for processing video data are disclosed. A video capture mechanism 202 may capture the video data. A key frame extractor 204 may extract a key frame from the video data automatically based on a set of criteria. A video encoder 206 may encode the video data with a key frame identifier.

Abstract: There is provided a system for providing status information associated with viewing behavior of media broadcasting. The system comprises a client device that includes a receiver to receive presence data from a remote device and a processor to generate an ambient command based on the presence data. The presence data is associated with broadcast programs of the remote device, and the ambient command represents viewing information of the broadcast program at the remote device. The system also comprises an ambient component that provides an ambient representation of the viewing information based on the ambient command. The ambient component may be an integral part of the client device or a separate component that communicates with the client device via wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable medium that generates a play tree for selecting and playing media content is disclosed. The method may include generating a list of media files and displaying the list to the user; receiving the user's selection from the list and playing the selection to the user, storing the user's selection in a media content database, and generating a tree of media files based on the user's previous selections and displaying the tree to the user; wherein if the user makes a selection, receiving the user's selection from the tree and playing the selection to the user.

Abstract: A multimedia device and a method embodied in the multimedia device for providing access to media content from a plurality of media content are provided. The multimedia device includes a user interface (UI) with one or more UI controls, a processor, and an output device. The UI controls receive a first set of parameter values from the user, in order to select media content. The processor creates a first list of media content based on a first probabilistic distribution over the plurality of media content. The output device provides access to the media content of the first list of media content to the user. Further, the UI may receive a second set of parameter values, and a second list of media content is then created, based on a second probabilistic distribution. The output device provides access to the media content of the second list of media content to the user.