Abstract: Software interfaces are configured to enable functionality that is commonly implemented in special-purpose hardware for mixing AV content into a set of 2.5-D graphics planes to be exposed to high level processes executing in a computing environment in a fully portable manner. Illustratively, the interfaces include a planar mixer (named “IPlanarMixer”) that abstracts the mixing hardware, and a graphics plane interface (named “IPlane”) that abstracts individual instances of planes that are retrieved from, and handed off to the planar mixer as the 2.5-D graphics planes are built up and rendered in a computing environment to support interactive graphic experiences for a user.

Abstract: Provided are arrangements for downloading resources and managing downloaded resources. A file is requested from a HTTP server, the file associated with an original URI. The file is downloaded and assigned a handle. The file is then stored in a storage location such as a file cache or in a persistent storage location. Upon command of an advanced content playlist or sequence, the file is called by calling the handle of the file. The storing of the file may include storing the file in a location where the file is subject to an automatic removal operation. The file may be an image file or any other type of file, especially multimedia files. The automatic removal operation may occur upon a quitting or restarting of the application. If another request is made for another file, the prior downloaded file may be replaced.

Abstract: Arrangements and methods are provided that allow integration of connected online services within a high-definition interactive framework, and in particular within an advanced content interactivity layer. In this way, the online services may enjoy enhanced features on an advanced content media device. For example, content running on an advanced content media device may be configured to detect an online service's feature and may thus present the user with additional features that interact with the online service. An advanced content media device may detect another user's advanced content media device through a network, and in particular a media service on the network, allowing chat and synchronized playback of content. Advanced content media devices may vary, but may include, e.g., a multimedia player, a media center, a game console, a personal computer, and so on.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to various architectures that can, inter alia, facilitate creation of a synch file as well as facilitate interpretation of the synch file. Both creation and interpretation can be accomplished in conjunction with an original media asset. The synch file can include transformation commands that can operate on a presentation of the asset rather than upon the asset itself. Accordingly, what is actually perceived by a content consumer during a presentation of the asset need not be exactly what the asset creator fixed in a tangible medium. Rather, the content consumer can observe a derivative media presentation based upon interpretation of the synch file.

Abstract: Arrangements are provided for dynamically attaching advertisements to requested and downloaded content items. The advertisements or other content are combined with the requested and downloaded content item so that future playback of the content item also includes playback of the advertisement. The attachment may be performed at the time that the content item is requested, or the advertisement may be retrieved over a network at the time the requested content item is played back. The content may also be local to the client, e.g., downloaded content or content from an HD-DVD, and the same may instigate the playing of a downloaded advertisement at the time of downloading, loading, or playback. In any case, the advertisement may be played back before, during or after the playback of the requested content item. The combining of the advertisement with the requested content item may occur at the server-side or at the client side.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can establish a tailored and/or personalized content channel based various aspects of a social network. The content channel can be interfaced with one or more devices, and can be configured to serve content based upon a content schedule. The content schedule can be programmed based upon selections or recommendations of a member of a user's social network. The architecture can further maintain presence information associated with a member of the social network, such as indicia of the member's current behavior or activity.

Abstract: Media content is arranged into a number of sets of video, audio, or data samples, referred to as clips, which are rendered by a media content manager. A playlist, which is handled by a presentation manager, specifies the time-ordered sequence of clips playable to a user. Certain actions are taken during media content play to minimize glitches perceived by the user, including determining a time offset value that is used to decide how far in advance of a scheduled play time to begin pre-rendering an upcoming clip. The time offset value is determined using one or more static characteristics associated with a media source for the upcoming clip, such as the location of the media source, codec parameters, or encryption complexity, and one or more dynamic characteristics of the presentation system, such as retrieval states, (including play speeds) of media clips, processing loads, or clock frequencies.

Abstract: Refining a user query is disclosed. In one method, a query is received from a user, and then mapped to one or more search concepts. A list of search concepts associated associated with the query is then displayed. Alternatively or additionally, the search concepts associated with the query are used to provide a set of improved search results. In another method, a number of queries from a number of users are analyzed to identify two or more search concepts, and a popularity value is assigned to them based on the queries. Thus, the relative popularity of the respective search concepts can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, a preferred search query for the search concepts can be determined. The popularity and preferred queries can be used to allow automatic or user-initiated refinement.

Abstract: Memory management techniques involve establishing a memory pool having an amount of sharable memory, and dynamically allocating the sharable memory to concurrently manage multiple sets of sequenced units of digital data. In an exemplary scenario, the sets of sequenced units of digital data are sets of time-ordered media samples forming clips of media content, and the techniques are applied when media samples from two or more clips are simultaneously presentable to a user as independently-controlled streams. Variable amounts of sharable memory are dynamically allocated for preparing upcoming media samples for presentation to the user. In one possible implementation, a ratio of average data rates of individual streams is calculated, and amounts of sharable memory are allocated to rendering each stream based on the ratio. Then, the sharable memory allocated to rendering individual streams is reserved as needed to prepare particular upcoming media samples for presentation to the user.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can obtain biometric data from a user as the user interacts with a device. Based upon the obtained biometric data, the architecture can determine an identity of the user and automatically apply settings associated with that particular user to the device. The settings can relate to a physical configuration of the device (or aspects, features, and/or peripherals of the device), as well as to a data set employed by the device (or components of the device). As such, a user of the device can benefit from enhanced efficiency, utility, and/or convenience.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can monitor transactions between a content consumer and a user-interface that provides the content. The architecture can also monitor environment variables that relate to a content consumption environment. From one or both of these potential sources, the architecture can identify implicit behavior on the part of the content consumer that relates to the consumption of the content. The implicit behavior can be employed to determine or infer effects of the consumed content, which can supplement, enhance, or replace conventional explicit consumer feedback.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can establish a tailored and/or personalized content channel. The content channel can be interfaced with one or more devices, and can be configured to serve particular content or types of content as well as to filter particular content or types of content. The content can be selected or filtered based upon a wide variety of factors that can be expressly specified, or in some cases intelligently inferred. In addition, the architecture can provide detailed analysis of content and summarize various content consumption habits or histories.

Abstract: The claimed subject matter relates to an architecture that can facilitate an enhanced entertainment experience based upon interactivity between entertainment medium or content and a content consumer's environment. In one aspect, based upon features or condition of a content consumer's environment, entertainment content can be interactively selected or modified. In another aspect, based upon features included in the entertainment content, components or conditions extant in the environment can be interactively updated or modified.

Abstract: Techniques and tools for supporting multiple operating systems in consumer electronic devices. For example, techniques and tools are described that allow quickly switching between operating systems in video disc players that support different media types while reducing wait time and mitigating possible negative impacts to user experience.

Abstract: Timing for execution of certain user inputs and application instructions occurring during play of an interactive multimedia presentation is discussed. A current state is defined by a state of the presentation system at the time a current media sample is being played to a user. A predicted state is defined by a state of the presentation system one or more future play times. Examples of current and predicted states include media retrieval states and media presentation states. An instruction or user input that is based on the current state is identified, and the predicted state is used to determine an effect of the instruction or input. The effect may then be executed at a predetermined time, such as after the next playable media sample is played to the user.

Abstract: Refining a user query is disclosed. In one method, a query is received from a user, and then mapped to one or more search concepts. A list of search concepts associated with the query is then displayed. Alternatively or additionally, the search concepts associated with the query are used to provide a set of improved search results. In another method, a number of queries from a number of users are analyzed to identify two or more search concepts, and a popularity value is assigned to them based on the queries. Thus, the relative popularity of the respective search concepts can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, a preferred search query for the search concepts can be determined. The popularity and preferred queries can be used to allow automatic or user-initiated refinement.

Abstract: Refining a user query is disclosed. In one method, a query is received from a user, and then mapped to one or more search concepts. A list of search concepts associated with the query is then displayed. Alternatively or additionally, the search concepts associated with the query are used to provide a set of improved search results. In another method, a number of queries from a number of users are analyzed to identify two or more search concepts, and a popularity value is assigned to them based on the queries. Thus, the relative popularity of the respective search concepts can be determined. Alternatively or additionally, a preferred search query for the search concepts can be determined. The popularity and preferred queries can be used to allow automatic or user-initiated refinement.