Abstract: Systems and methods for storing streaming data are provided. A system is disclosed that includes a computer program which, when executed on a computing device, is configured to store a data stream in memory of the computing device in a virtual file format. The virtual file format may include a timeline of events. The events in the timeline may include a plurality of spanning events. Each spanning event may contain respective state information representing a state of the data stream across an interval in the timeline, and may be linked to at least one other spanning event.

Abstract: A system and methods provide handling of variable rate playback in a multimedia computer architecture. The systems and methods provide data structures and interfaces that enable a computer architecture and components therein with the ability to playback data at speeds faster and slower than real-time, to playback data in reverse, and to change the rate of playback at any point during playback. One embodiment is a method for providing low-latency, glitch-free changes in a multimedia architecture. Other embodiments are directed to defining multimedia component responsibilities for making rate changes, allowing rate changes to work with standard playback types, coder-decoders, and renderers. The methods include determining a minimum of the maximum reported playback rates and determining minimum and maximum playback rates in a set of modes including: reverse skip mode, reverse key frame mode, reverse full mode, forward full mode, forward key frame mode, and forward skip mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods for storing streaming data are provided. A system is disclosed that includes a computer program which, when executed on a computing device, is configured to store a data stream in memory of the computing device in a virtual file format. The virtual file format may include a timeline of events. The events in the timeline may include a plurality of spanning events. Each spanning event may contain respective state information representing a state of the data stream across an interval in the timeline, and may be linked to at least one other spanning event.

Abstract: A programmable video recorder (PVR) includes a writer application programming interface (API) and a reader API that operate essentially independently to enable the PVR to be networked to multiple reader applications. The writer API creates a backing store and a shared memory mapped file. The backing store stores streamed data in temporary files. The shared memory mapped file stores state information of the backing store files. The reader API receives requests from reader applications to access the stored streamed data. In response to the requests, the reader API permits the reader applications to access the shared memory mapped file to determine where the stored streamed data is located. Upon locating the stored data, the reader API permits the requesting reader applications to access the stored streamed data.

Abstract: A computing system that has access to a streamed multimedia sample that is stored on a storage medium applies a zero-based presentation timestamp numbering scheme to the data packets of the multimedia sample, on-the-fly, and after each seek operation. After seeking to a desired starting point, the computing system reads ahead a maximum number of data packets within each media stream of the multimedia sample. A smallest timestamp (normalizing presentation timestamp) is identified and then subtracted from the timestamps of the data packets that are transmitted to the appropriate rendering devices, thereby creating appropriate presentation timestamps for the data packets for synchronizing the playback of the multimedia sample.

Abstract: Innovative techniques for identifying and distinguishing content, such as commercials, can be used with means for marking key frames within the commercials to facilitate replacement of commercials and other programming segments in such a way as to provide improved focus and relevance for targeted advertising based on known and/or dynamic conditions. The identification of commercial features can also be used to provide improved trick play functionality while the commercial or other programming is rendered.

Abstract: A transport stream is encrypted in such a manner that the stream may be processed without requiring encrypted portions of the stream to be decrypted. Thus, an analysis is performed on the stream to determine at least one portion of the stream that is to pass unencrypted, thus enabling the stream to be processed in a manner that bypasses encrypted portions of the stream.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for arbitrarily indexing multimedia content. In accordance with example embodiments, a multimedia content stream that comprises one or more samples is received. At least one of the samples is passed to one or more multimedia filters for analysis based on criteria that define an index type for the multimedia filter. Once it is determined that the sample meets the criteria for an arbitrary filter and index type, an index entry that identifies both the sample and the index type of the arbitrary filter is created. The index entry is adapted in accordance with a common, extensible indexing scheme to coexist with other index entries of other or the same index type for the sample. The created index entry is stored for subsequent access.

Abstract: A system receives a broadcast program and temporarily stores the program data. A request is received to permanently record the broadcast program. This request is received after a portion of the broadcast program has been received and temporarily stored. The broadcast program is then permanently recorded, including the temporarily stored program data. A metafile identifies portions of the broadcast program and is accessible by a reader to continuously retrieve the stored portions of the broadcast program.

Abstract: A system receives a broadcast program and temporarily stores the program data. A request is received to permanently record the broadcast program. This request is received after a portion of the broadcast program has been received and temporarily stored. The broadcast program is then permanently recorded, including the temporarily stored program data. A metafile identifies portions of the broadcast program and is accessible by a reader to continuously retrieve the stored portions of the broadcast program.

Abstract: A system receives a broadcast program and temporarily stores the program data. A request is received to permanently record the broadcast program. This request is received after a portion of the broadcast program has been received and temporarily stored. The broadcast program is then permanently recorded, including the temporarily stored program data. A metafile identifies portions of the broadcast program and is accessible by a reader to continuously retrieve the stored portions of the broadcast program.

Abstract: A system and methods provide handling of variable rate playback in a multimedia computer architecture. The systems and methods provide data structures and interfaces that enable a computer architecture and components therein with the ability to playback data at speeds faster and slower than real-time, to playback data in reverse, and to change the rate of playback at any point during playback. One embodiment is a method for providing low-latency, glitch-free changes in a multimedia architecture. Other embodiments are directed to defining multimedia component responsibilities for making rate changes, allowing rate changes to work with standard playback types, coder-decoders, and renderers. The methods include determining a minimum of the maximum reported playback rates and determining minimum and maximum playback rates in a set of modes including: reverse skip mode, reverse key frame mode, reverse full mode, forward full mode, forward key frame mode, and forward skip mode.