Abstract: Systems and methods for generating alerts and enhanced viewing experience features using on-screen data are disclosed. Textual data corresponding to on-screen text is determined from the visual content of video data. The textual data is associated with corresponding regions and frames of the video data in which the corresponding on-screen text was detected. Users can select regions in the frames of the visual content to monitor for a particular triggering item (e.g., a triggering word, name, or phrase). During play back of the video data, the textual data associated with the selected regions in the frames can be monitored for the triggering item. When the triggering item is detected in the textual data, an alert can be generated. Alternatively, the textual data for the selected region can be extracted to compile supplemental information that can be rendered over the playback of the video data or over other video data.

Abstract: A first screen schedule for the linear delivery of video content is received and analyzed. The first screen schedule may include slots in which first screen advertisements could be displayed. Particular embodiments can then determine the feasibility of providing second screen advertisements based on the first screen schedule. Then, second screen advertisements that advertisers wish to display in conjunction with first screen advertisements are determined When the linear delivery of the video content commences, particular embodiments monitor a messaging stream associated with the delivery of the video content. When an ad placement marker is encountered, an ad server may select a first screen advertisement. When the first screen advertisement is placed, the messaging stream identifies a first screen advertisement that is delivered. If the first screen advertisement has a corresponding second screen advertisement, particular embodiments output the second screen advertisement on a second screen environment.

Abstract: A method for creating derivative advertisements is provided. The method includes identifying a visual element based on an analysis of a primary advertisement asset such that the visual element is representative of a branding message provided within the primary advertisement. The method also includes identifying a call-to-action (CTA) data element based on the analysis and creating a derivative advertisement asset having the visual element and CTA data element. A system and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing software for executing the method are also provided.

Abstract: Generating a sequential semantic representation and a resulting content item sequence or presentation is disclosed. A set of nodes and paths among the nodes are determined. Each node includes a corresponding a set of criteria. The paths define a relationship among the plurality of nodes. Transitional operators that define additional criteria for the nodes, are associated with the paths. Content items that include characteristics that are determined to match the corresponding set of criteria for at least one of the nodes are retrieved.

Abstract: A video processing device is provided that includes a buffer, a luminance component, a maximum threshold component, a minimum threshold component and a flagging component. The buffer can store frame image data for a plurality of video frames. The luminance component can generate a first luminance value corresponding to a first frame image data and can generate a second luminance value corresponding to a second frame image data. The maximum threshold component can generate a maximum indicator signal when the difference between the second luminance value and the first luminance value is greater than a maximum threshold. The minimum threshold component can generate a minimum indicator signal when the difference between the second luminance value and the first luminance value is less than a minimum threshold. The flagging component can generate a flagged signal based on the maximum indicator signal and the minimum indicator signal.

Abstract: A video processing device is provided that includes a buffer, a luminance component, a maximum threshold component, a minimum threshold component and a flagging component. The buffer can store frame image data for a plurality of video frames. The luminance component can generate a first luminance value corresponding to a first frame image data and can generate a second luminance value corresponding to a second frame image data. The maximum threshold component can generate a maximum indicator signal when the difference between the second luminance value and the first luminance value is greater than a maximum threshold. The minimum threshold component can generate a minimum indicator signal when the difference between the second luminance value and the first luminance value is less than a minimum threshold. The flagging component can generate a flagged signal based on the maximum indicator signal and the minimum indicator signal.

Abstract: A video processing device includes a histogram generating component, an analyzing component, a comparator and an encoding component. The histogram generating component can generate a histogram for image data of an image frame. The analyzing component can analyze the histogram, can identify an isolated spike in the histogram and can output at least one strobe parameter. The comparator can compare the at least one strobe parameter with at least one predetermined threshold, can output a first instruction signal when the at least one comparison operation is indicative of a strobe and can output a second instruction signal when the at least one comparison operation is not indicative of a strobe. The encoding component can encode the image data in a first manner based on the first instruction signal and can encode the image data in a second manner based on the second instruction signal.

Abstract: A video processing system detects an overlay image, such as a logo, in a picture of a video stream, the overlay for example being a broadcaster's logo. The detection is based on evaluation of blending characteristics of a picture frame. The method of detection of an overlay defines first and second areas within the image, the first and second areas being non-overlapping. Next an alpha-blended value is calculated for the mean color value of the second area with an overlay color value. Then, if the mean color value of the first area is closer to the alpha-blended value than it is to the mean color value of the second area, the overlay can be indicated as detected and defined within the picture. Detection of the overlay can be used to identify an owner of the video, or detect when a scene change such as a commercial occurs.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer system for controlling the delivery of data and audio/video content. The method delivers primary content to the subscriber device for viewing by a subscriber. The method also delivers secondary content to the companion device for viewing by the subscriber in parallel with the subscriber viewing the primary content, where the secondary content relates to the primary content. The method extracts attention estimation features from the primary content, and monitors the companion device to determine an interaction measurement for the subscriber viewing the secondary content on the companion device. The method calculates an attention measurement for the subscriber viewing the primary content based on the attention estimation features, and the interaction measurement, and controls the delivery of the secondary content to the companion device based on the attention measurement.

Abstract: Devices and methods for scoring viewer's interactions with content broadcast on a presentation device by processing at least one audio signal received by a microphone proximate the viewer and the presentation device, to generate at least one audio signature, which is compared to at least two different reference audio signatures.

Abstract: Devices and methods that match audio signatures to programming content stored in a remote database.

Abstract: Generating a sequential semantic representation and a resulting content item sequence or presentation is disclosed. A set of nodes and paths among the nodes are determined. Each node includes a corresponding a set of criteria. The paths define a relationship among the plurality of nodes. Transitional operators that define additional criteria for the nodes, are associated with the paths. Content items that include characteristics that are determined to match the corresponding set of criteria for at least one of the nodes are retrieved.

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: A system (100) and method (200) for efficient video adaptation of an input video (102) is provided. The method can include segmenting (210) the input video into a plurality of video shots (142) using a video trace (111) to exploit a temporal structure of the input video, selecting (220) a subset of frames (144) for the video shots that minimizes a distortion of adapted video (152) using the video trace, and selecting transcoding parameters (122) for the subset of frames to produce an optimal video quality of the adapted video under constraints of frame rate, bit rate, and viewing time constraint. The video trace is a compact representation for temporal and spatial distortions for frames in the input video. A spatio-temporal rate-distortion model (320) provides selection of the transcoding parameters during adaptation.

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 displaying multimedia feeds. The method comprises receiving a plurality of multimedia feeds and, for each of the plurality of multimedia feeds, acquiring a value of a metric and displaying, on a common display, the plurality of multimedia feeds. The metric is variable and its value for a particular multimedia feed and for a particular time is dependent upon either events occurring within that particular multimedia feed at or before that particular time or upon a rating (by one or more entities), at that particular time, of that particular multimedia feed. The multimedia feeds are displayed on the common display such that a first feed is displayed in a manner different from the manner of display of a second feed, the first feed having a first metric value, the second feed having a second metric value, and the first and second metric values being different.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of associating, at a secondary device, secondary media content with primary media content being output at a primary device. The method includes receiving, at the secondary device, first information based upon the primary content being output at the primary device, wherein the first information includes at least one of an audio and a visual signal, determining at the secondary device second information corresponding to the first information, receiving at the secondary device one or more portions of secondary media content that have been made available by a third device, determining at the secondary device whether one or more of the portions of the secondary media content match one or more portions of the second information, and taking at least one further action upon determining that there is a match.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes launching an application on a first device. The application allows the first device to trigger a service based on a program being played on a second device. The first device captures a visual code being displayed in association with the program being played on the second device. The visual code includes encoded information for program ID information associated with the program being played on the second device and timing information associated with the program being played on the second device. The method determines the program ID information and the timing information from the encoded information included in the visual code and then triggers the service for the application using the timing information and the program ID information.

Abstract: A fast video encoder (100) and method (500) for selecting (809) Inter macro-block mode or intra macro-block mode is provided. The method can include estimating (502) a rate-distortion cost (801) of a plurality of predictors (203) for coding a video (201), selecting (504) a predictive coding mode for the video based on a minimization of the rate-distortion cost, and coding (505) the image using a predictive mode associated with the minimum rate-distortion cost. The rate-distortion cost can be estimated across Intra macro-block modes and Inter macro-block modes for reducing a computational complexity. Rate-Distortion costs can be terminated early (524) based on statistical information (522) across a plurality of predictors for increasing an encoding speed. A fast estimation of the rate-distortion cost associated with the Intra macro-block mode for making inter/intra macro-block mode decision in a video coding system by exploiting the coding statistics across prediction modes is presented.