Abstract: A data processing system, comprising a network interface configured to couple to a data network; one or more processors coupled to the network interface; memory coupled to the one or more processors; a video interface coupled to the one or more processors and configured to output video data to a video display device; logic encoded in one or more computer-readable media wherein execution by the one or more processors causes receiving and storing in the memory a plurality of still images from an audiovisual program, wherein each of the still images is associated with a sequentially later time point within the audiovisual program; receiving first user input specifying invocation of a trick play mode of playing the audiovisual program; generating video output to the video interface wherein the video output comprises a first image position comprising one or more of the still images, a linearly second image position comprising one of the still images, and a linearly third image position comprising one or more of th

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for deferring license retrieval when streaming digital media content. The perceived delay between the time a user selects the protected digital media content to when playback of the protected digital media content begins is reduced because retrieval and playback of an unprotected version of a portion of the digital media content starts before the license and protected version of the digital media content is received. The unprotected version includes fast start streams of audio and video data that may encoded at a lower bit rate than the protected version in order to quickly transfer the fast start streams from the content server to the playback device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for streaming digital media content with transition effects. Audio data may be modulated and received by the streaming device for an audio fade-in effect. Similarly, video data may be modulated to perform various visual effects. Such a technique allows for fading-in of audio and/or video, fading-out of audio and/or video, and effects that blend audio from different content and video from different content during a transition from one digital media content to a different digital media content or within the same digital media content. The modulated audio and video data to generate the audio or video effect during a transition may be precomputed or computed in real-time and transmitted to the streaming device. The streaming device switches between original unmodulated content streams and effect content streams when transitions are detected.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for starting playback of an audio portion of digital media content before a video portion of the digital media content is received. An advantage of the disclosed technique is that the perceived delay from the time when a user selects the digital media content to when playback of the digital media content begins is reduced. The audio may be faded-in and one or more still frames of video data may be displayed while the video stream is retrieved. Additionally, a license for DRM (Digital Rights Management) encryption of the title content may be retrieved before starting playback of the video stream, so that the digital media content that is retrieved is also protected.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for recommending digital content to a user of a digital content application based on continually learned patterns of behavior. Based on metrics collected from a current session of the digital content application, properties associated with one or more users interacting with the application are inferred. The inferred properties are matched against previously defined patterns of behavior to identify digital content that could be presented to the one or more users for optional selection.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for controlling the operations of a consumer electronic (CE) device. A system includes a display device, CE device, and a remote controller with a touchpad. The CE device is configured to output a context-specific user interface for display by the display device. The particular user interface varies based on the operational context of the CE device. The remote controller sends signals that are detected by the CE device and control operations performed by the CE device. More specifically, the remote controller is used as a handheld pointing device to select operations through interactions with the context-specific user interface. A user may apply gestures to the touchpad that are interpreted based on the context-specific user interface to control the CE device.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adapting playback bit rate in a content delivery system based on scene complexity of the video content as well as network conditions and other performance factors. A scene complexity map of the video content indicates the complexity levels of different scenes within the video content. Using the scene complexity map, a content player may download scenes of lower scene complexity levels from video streams encoded to lower bit rates to manage the bandwidth consumed to download the video content and allow for the downloading of scenes of higher complexity levels from video streams encoded to higher bit rates.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for adapting playback bit rate in a content delivery system based on scene complexity of the video content as well as network conditions and other performance factors. A scene complexity map of the video content indicates the complexity levels of different scenes within the video content. Using the scene complexity map, a content player may download scenes of lower scene complexity levels from video streams encoded to lower bit rates to manage the bandwidth consumed to download the video content and allow for the downloading of scenes of higher complexity levels from video streams encoded to higher bit rates.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for recommending digital items to a user. Each digital item in a set of digital items is scored based on user preferences and other metrics. The digital items are ordered based on scores. The digital items are then evaluated in order of respective rank to determine a subset of digital items that re recommended to the user. The evaluation process is based on different evaluation criteria as well as the presentation style of the recommended digital items.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention set forth techniques for a content player to stream a media file using multiple network connections. To stream the media file, the content player downloads metadata associated with a requested media file, establishes a network connection with multiple content servers (or multiple network connections with a single content server or both) and begins requesting portions of the media file. In response, the requested portions are transmitted to the content player. The content player may employ a predictive multi-connection scheduling approach to determine which network connection to use in downloading a given chunk.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for transmitting and processing download requests specifying download instructions and additional optional intent hints. A client computer signals intent information to an edge server resident within a content delivery network via download requests. The intent information indicates contextual information regarding the download of a digital content file, such as the reason for the download or the amount of the digital content file that might be downloaded in subsequent requests. A suitably equipped edge server adapts the processing of the download request based on the intent information specified by the client computer. In response to the download request, the edge server also transmits a response to the client computer indicating performance characteristics associated with the edge server. The response also indicates alternative servers that can be accessed by the client computer for downloading the digital content file.

Abstract: An account in an item rental service is shared with others using computer-implemented profiles, subject to computer-enforced constraints. In one embodiment, a method provides for establishing a user account, wherein the user account is associated with an account owner, wherein the user account comprises a first ordered queue indicating two or more items that the account owner desires to rent; receiving a request to add a second ordered queue to the user account, profile member identifying information, and a constraint value; creating and storing a profile record based on the profile member identifying information and the constraint value, wherein the profile record is further associated with a second queue; receiving a request to add a specified rental item to the second queue, wherein the specified rental item does not conform to the constraint value; and adding the specified rental item to the second queue only in response to receiving confirmation by the account owner.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for selecting a content distribution network (CDN) comprising at least one content server, from a plurality of CDNs, and a playing digital content file from the CDN on a content player. Selecting the CDN is based on a rank order of CDNs, an assigned weight value for each CDN, and a bandwidth measured between the content player and each CDN. Advantageously, a given content player may select a CDN based on prevailing network and CDN loading conditions, thereby increasing overall robustness and reliability when downloading digital content file from a CDN.

Abstract: An account in an item rental service is shared with others using computer-implemented profiles, subject to computer-enforced constraints. In one embodiment, a method provides for establishing a user account, wherein the user account is associated with an account owner, wherein the user account comprises a first ordered queue indicating two or more items that the account owner desires to rent; receiving a request to add a second ordered queue to the user account, profile member identifying information, and a constraint value; creating and storing a profile record based on the profile member identifying information and the constraint value, wherein the profile record is further associated with a second queue; receiving a request to add a specified rental item to the second queue, wherein the specified rental item does not conform to the constraint value; and adding the specified rental item to the second queue only in response to receiving confirmation by the account owner.

Abstract: An account in an item rental service is shared with others using computer-implemented profiles, subject to computer-enforced constraints. In one embodiment, a method provides for establishing a user account, wherein the user account is associated with an account owner, wherein the user account comprises a first ordered queue indicating two or more items that the account owner desires to rent; receiving a request to add a second ordered queue to the user account, profile member identifying information, and a constraint value; creating and storing a profile record based on the profile member identifying information and the constraint value, wherein the profile record is further associated with a second queue; receiving a request to add a specified rental item to the second queue, wherein the specified rental item does not conform to the constraint value; and adding the specified rental item to the second queue only in response to receiving confirmation by the account owner.

Abstract: A data processing system, comprising a network interface configured to couple to a data network; one or more processors coupled to the network interface; memory coupled to the one or more processors; a video interface coupled to the one or more processors and configured to output video data to a video display device; logic encoded in one or more computer-readable media wherein execution by the one or more processors causes receiving and storing in the memory a plurality of still images from an audiovisual program, wherein each of the still images is associated with a sequentially later time point within the audiovisual program; receiving first user input specifying invocation of a trick play mode of playing the audiovisual program; generating video output to the video interface wherein the video output comprises a first image position comprising one or more of the still images, a linearly second image position comprising one of the still images, and a linearly third image position comprising one or more of th

Abstract: An improved lead for surface-mounted electronic components is described. The improved lead includes an opening through the portion of the lead to be placed in contact with the printed circuit board for soldering. The opening, having a diameter approximately equal to the thickness of the lead, enables the detection of correctly-soldered joints using automated inspection equipment. When the lead is correctly soldered, solder is drawn by capillary action into the opening where it forms a meniscus. By automatically detecting the curvature of the meniscus, the quality of the solder joint may be determined.

Abstract: A method for directly measuring the area of a topological surface with an arbitrary boundary shape lying in a fixed elevation different from a fixed surrounding surface elevation relies upon binocular stereo vision. Three stereo correlation measurements are made, one over a window entirely within the surface of interest, a second over a window outside the surface of interest and within the surrounding area, and a third over a window fully containing the surface of interest as well as some of the surrounding area. The correlation measured in the third case is the linear sum of the correlation value over each of the first two cases weighted by the proportion of the window that the two surfaces occupy.