Abstract: A method of synchronizing playback of a media asset between a first playback device and one or more other playback devices includes synchronizing an initial playback timeline of a media asset with a reference clock, and then playing the media asset with the initial playback timeline on each of the two or more playback devices. In response to a playback-alteration command, an updated playback timeline of the media asset is synchronized with the reference clock, and the media asset is then played with the updated playback timeline on each of the two or more playback devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided that relate to clock synchronization. In one embodiment, a method for synchronizing a relative clock to a global clock comprises receiving a network packet from a master computing device, the network packet including a network packet time stamp indicating a system time of the global clock when the network packet was transmitted; determining a receipt time offset between a receipt time of the network packet and the network packet time stamp, the receipt time indicating a time at which the network packet is received as measured by the relative clock; and adjusting a system time of the relative clock toward the system time of the global clock by updating a system time offset to the receipt time offset if the receipt time offset is smaller than the system time offset.

Abstract: Interactive secret sharing includes receiving video data from a source and interpreting the video data to track an observed path of a device. In addition, position information is received from the device, and the position information is interpreted to track a self-reported path of the device. If the observed path is within a threshold tolerance of the self-reported path, access is provided to a restricted resource.

Abstract: Adapting trick commands to prior trick command usage is disclosed. In one example, during playback of a video content item, a user input of a sequence of trick commands is received that has a net effect on a playback location in the video content item, and in response to the sequence of trick commands, response to a later trick command is adapted based upon the net effect of the sequence of trick commands.

Abstract: User-specific attribute customization is provided by an entertainment system including a user identification module to identify one or more users within an operative range of the entertainment system, and a dominant attribute module to automatically express exclusive user-specific attributes of a dominant user when the dominant user is one of two or more identified users within the operative range of the entertainment system. The entertainment system further includes a cooperative attribute module to automatically express merged user-specific attributes of a first user and a second user when the first user and the second user are two of two or more identified users within the operative range of the entertainment system.

Abstract: Embodiments are disclosed that relate to adapting trick commands to prior trick command usage. For example, one disclosed embodiment provides a method of operating a media presentation device, the method including, during playback of a video content item, receiving a user input of a sequence of trick commands that has a net effect on a playback location in the video content item, and in response to the sequence of trick commands, adapting a response to a later trick command based upon the net effect of the sequence of trick commands.

Abstract: Interactive secret sharing includes receiving video data from a source and interpreting the video data to track an observed path of a device. In addition, position information is received from the device, and the position information is interpreted to track a self-reported path of the device. If the observed path is within a threshold tolerance of the self-reported path, access is provided to a restricted resource.

Abstract: User-specific attribute customization is provided by an entertainment system including a user identification module to identify one or more users within an operative range of the entertainment system, and a dominant attribute module to automatically express exclusive user-specific attributes of a dominant user when the dominant user is one of two or more identified users within the operative range of the entertainment system. The entertainment system further includes a cooperative attribute module to automatically express merged user-specific attributes of a first user and a second user when the first user and the second user are two of two or more identified users within the operative range of the entertainment system.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided that relate to clock synchronization. In one embodiment, a method for synchronizing a relative clock to a global clock comprises receiving a network packet from a master computing device, the network packet including a network packet time stamp indicating a system time of the global clock when the network packet was transmitted; determining a receipt time offset between a receipt time of the network packet and the network packet time stamp, the receipt time indicating a time at which the network packet is received as measured by the relative clock; and adjusting a system time of the relative clock toward the system time of the global clock by updating a system time offset to the receipt time offset if the receipt time offset is smaller than the system time offset.

Abstract: A method of synchronizing playback of a media asset between a first playback device and one or more other playback devices includes synchronizing an initial playback timeline of a media asset with a reference clock, and then playing the media asset with the initial playback timeline on each of the two or more playback devices. In response to a playback-alteration command, an updated playback timeline of the media asset is synchronized with the reference clock, and the media asset is then played with the updated playback timeline on each of the two or more playback devices.

Abstract: An interactive ticker is described. In embodiment(s), an interactive ticker can be displayed to include selectable ticker data that can be selected by a viewer. The interactive ticker can be displayed over and/or with television media content that is also being displayed for viewing. In addition, a control input can be received to configure the interactive ticker for display.