Abstract: Techniques for scheduling deals based on predicted user locations are described herein. In particular implementations, a service provider may aggregate location information for multiple users. In one example, the location information comprises check-in information shared by a user through a location-based service. The service provider may utilize the aggregated location information to predict future user traffic for a geographical region associated with a deal or a merchant of the deal. In some instance, the deal comprises an offer of an item for acquisition at a discounted value for a period of time, such as a period of hours, days, or weeks. The predicted user traffic may be used by the service provider, merchant, or others to identify the time period and discounted value at which to offer the deal for acquisition.

Abstract: Meta data associated with multiple pieces of content (e.g., songs, movies, other audio/video clips, etc.) stored on multiple pieces of media (e.g., CDs, DVDs, etc.) is maintained in a meta data store. The meta data store also includes meta data associated with other pieces of content stored elsewhere, such as songs stored in files on a local hard drive that have been ripped from a CD or DVD. These other pieces of content are associated with the content on the pieces of media, such as being ripped versions of the same song tracks. This association is maintained in the meta data store, so that whenever a change is made to meta data for one piece of content (e.g., for a track on a CD), then the meta data for the associated piece(s) is also changed (e.g., the ripped version stored in a file on the hard drive).

Abstract: Multimedia content is streamed over a network system from a server computer to a client computer. The client allows a user to enter a variable playback speed and varies the speed at which the multimedia content is rendered at the client. Time-scale modification technology is used to maintain the original pitch of any audio content, thereby maintaining its intelligibility.

Abstract: In a networked client/server system, live presentations can be streamed from an encoder or other server to a client computer. Additionally, information describing the presentation is registered with a search server. This information is made available for user searches only for as long as the information properly describes the live presentation. When the information no longer describes a current live presentation, the information is no longer available for searching.

Abstract: Media content is streamed from a server computer to a client computer. A media file format is used to store data for multiple timeline-altered streams that provides support for switching between the different timeline-altered streams during their presentation. In one aspect, a user can switch between different timeline-altered streams. Upon receiving a user request to switch to a particular timeline-altered stream (the target stream), the client computer accesses a time code stream data object corresponding to the current data unit being presented. The time code stream data object identifies a primary stream presentation time corresponding to the data unit. The client then uses the primary stream presentation time to index into a table of mappings to byte offsets. The table provides a mapping of the primary stream presentation time to a corresponding byte offset of the target stream.

Abstract: In a networked client/server system, live presentations can be streamed from an encoder or other server to a client computer. Additionally, information describing the presentation is registered with a search server. This information is made available for user searches only for as long as the information properly describes the live presentation. When the information no longer describes a current live presentation, the information is no longer available for searching.

Abstract: In a networked client/server system, media content is streamed from a server computer to a client computer. A media file format is used to store data for multiple timeline-altered streams that provides support for switching between the different timeline-altered streams during their presentation. According to one embodiment, a time code stream includes multiple data objects mapping corresponding timeline-altered stream data units to primary stream presentation times, and an index table mapping primary stream presentation times to timeline-altered stream byte offsets.

Abstract: A skimmed or preview version of multimedia content is provided to a client computer by a server computer using playlists. The skimmed version of multimedia content can be presented to a user of a client computer in less time than presenting the entire multimedia content would require. The server computer maintains skimming information that identifies particular segments of the multimedia content corresponding to the skimmed version. The server computer uses the skimming information to generate a playlist, which in turn is used by the server computer to access the appropriate segments of the multimedia content and provide the segments to the client computer.

Abstract: In a network environment, multimedia content is streamed from a server computer to a client computer via the network. A user of the client computer can alter the speed at which the multimedia content is played; either speeding up or slowing down the playback. The client seamlessly switches between the different playback speeds, reducing breaks and/or delays between the time the user selects the new playback speed and the time the multimedia content begins being played back at the new speed.

Abstract: Meta data associated with multiple pieces of content (e.g., songs, movies, other audio/video clips, etc.) stored on multiple pieces of media (e.g., CDs, DVDs, etc.) is maintained in a meta data store. The meta data store also includes meta data associated with other pieces of content stored elsewhere, such as songs stored in files on a local hard drive that have been ripped from a CD or DVD. These other pieces of content are associated with the content on the pieces of media, such as being ripped versions of the same song tracks. This association is maintained in the meta data store, so that whenever a change is made to meta data for one piece of content (e.g., for a track on a CD), then the meta data for the associated piece(s) is also changed (e.g., the ripped version stored in a file on the hard drive).

Abstract: In a networked client/server system, media data is streamed from a server to a client. A user of the client can search the media data to identify portions that satisfy certain search criteria, and/or store the media data locally at the client for subsequent playback.

Abstract: In a client/server network system, multimedia content is streamed from one or more servers to the client. The multimedia content includes multiple media streams that can be streamed to the client from the same server or from different servers. The user is able to modify the playback speed of the multimedia content, allowing the playback to be either speeded up or slowed down.

Abstract: A skimmed or preview version of multimedia content is provided to a client computer by a server computer using playlists. The skimmed version of multimedia content can be presented to a user of a client computer in less time than presenting the entire multimedia content would require. The server computer maintains skimming information that identifies particular segments of the multimedia content corresponding to the skimmed version. The server computer uses the skimming information to generate a playlist, which in turn is used by the server computer to access the appropriate segments of the multimedia content and provide the segments to the client computer.

Abstract: A skimmed or preview version of multimedia content is provided to a client computer by a server computer using playlists. The skimmed version of multimedia content can be presented to a user of a client computer in less time than presenting the entire multimedia content would require. The server computer maintains skimming information that identifies particular segments of the multimedia content corresponding to the skimmed version. The server computer uses the skimming information to generated a playlist, which in turn is used by the server computer to access the appropriate segments of the multimedia content and provided the segments to the client computer.

Abstract: Media streams are provided from a server computer to client computers in a network system. The media streams are monitored and the streams becoming globally unsynchronized is detected. When the streams become unsynchronized, action is taken to resynchronize the streams, such as by altering the presentation timeline of at least one of the media streams.

Abstract: In a networked client/server system, live presentations can be streamed from an encoder or other server to a client computer. Additionally, information describing the presentation is registered with a search server. This information is made available for user searches only for as long as the information properly describes the live presentation. When the information no longer describes a current live presentation, the information is no longer available for searching.

Abstract: A skimmed or preview version of multimedia content is provided to a client computer by a server computer using playlists. The skimmed version of multimedia content can be presented to a user of a client computer in less time than presenting the entire multimedia content would require. The server computer maintains skimming information that identifies particular segments of the multimedia content corresponding to the skimmed version. The server computer uses the skimming information to generate a playlist, which in turn is used by the server computer to access the appropriate segments of the multimedia content and provide the segments to the client computer.

Abstract: In a networked client/server system, live presentations can be streamed from an encoder or other server to a client computer. Additionally, information describing the presentation is registered with a search server. This information is made available for user searches only for as long as the information properly describes the live presentation. When the information no longer describes a current live presentation, the information is no longer available for searching.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling users to register for notifications pertaining to electronic presentations of interest are described. The inventive methods and systems enable users to monitor many different electronic presentations without physically connecting to them for continuous play. Users can opt to monitor for the occurrence of an electronic presentation itself, or for events that might occur within various electronic presentations. The events can be monitored live through the use of meta information that is generated as the electronic broadcast is about to be, or is being broadcast. The meta information can be generated manually or automatically.

Abstract: Multimedia content is streamed over a network system from a server computer to a client computer. The client allows a user to enter a variable playback speed and varies the speed at which the multimedia content is rendered at the client. Time-scale modification technology is used to maintain the original pitch of any audio content, thereby maintaining its intelligibility.