Abstract: A media device and methods that identify playback states reachable from a current content playback state and identify a reachable state that is likely to occur, are disclosed. A memory associated with the media device may receive frames that enable a smooth transition between the playback state and the reachable state. The media device may receive frames that correspond to points in the content that are separated by an amount of time that is proportional to the playback rate of the likely state. The frames may be frames corresponding to an image that may be played back at the playback rate of the likely state.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for tailoring related episode content within an episode, thereby improving a user's experience. In response to receiving a request for an episode, several factors may be considered when determining how much of the related episode content to provide. These factors may include information such as whether the user has already viewed a previous episode, the elapsed time since viewing the previous episode and a user preference. Related episode content may be modified to remove portions previously viewed by a user, depending on factors such as the elapsed time and a user preference.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for adaptive settings for a device. An example method can comprise utilizing a first configuration setting for a feature in a device, detecting a change in a device factor, and utilizing a second configuration setting for the feature in the device in response to the detected change. Another example method can comprise detecting a change in a device factor, activating a device feature, determining whether a change threshold has been exceeded, and updating a configuration setting for a device feature if the change threshold has been exceeded.

Abstract: A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent to with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing data are disclosed. An optimal set of subcarriers can be determined for a data transmission when a plurality of devices have requested the data transmission. The optimal set of subcarriers can be determined based on similarities or differences between parameters assigned to subcarriers in capability profiles. Capacity loss and other information can be determined based on the similarities or the differences among corresponding parameters of the capability profiles. The data transmission can be transmitted to the plurality of devices via the optimal set of subcarriers.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for variable speed playback. In one aspect the disclosure provides for receiving content having a first playback speed, determining a second playback speed for at least a portion of the content based on a playback factor, associating the second playback speed with the portion of the content, and providing at least the portion of the content at the second playback speed to a display device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing content. An example method can comprise receiving, at a content provider, a request for a content transmission from a first device and determining a parameter related to the first content transmission and comparing the parameter to a threshold. An example method can comprise determining, by the content provider, a second content transmission based on the comparison to the threshold and providing the second content transmission to the first in response to the request.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for providing content. An example method can comprise receiving a first multicast content transmission at a first bit rate and recording at least a portion of a content item from the first multicast content transmission. An example method can comprise receiving a first request for the content item and requesting at least one differential content transmission configured to be combined with the recording of the portion of the content item to form a copy of the content item at a second bit rate.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for providing dynamic block control of multi-bitrate video are described. In some embodiments, a computing device may determine transcoder conditions of a transcoder independent of a client device. The computing device may dynamically adjust a block size of one or more blocks of a stream based on the transcoder conditions. In some embodiments, a computing device may receive a stream. The client device may package the stream into a first packaged stream having a first block size and a second packaged stream having a second block size less than the first block size. In some embodiments, a client device may determine an actual minimum number of blocks to buffer prior to initiating content playback based on a received predicted network and/or transcoder quality of service forecast. The client device may adjust its preset minimum number of blocks to the actual minimum number of blocks.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for data distribution over a network. A device can capture content. The device can be configured to publish the content so that other devices in a network can access the content. The publishing device can indicate to other devices on the network that the content is available for use. In response, the publishing device can receive requests for the content from the other devices. When sending a request, a requesting device can include viewing parameters that indicate capabilities of the requesting device. The publishing device can create one or more data layers that comprise the content based on the viewing parameters of requesting devices. The publishing device can also determine a transmission path to the various requesting devices and transmit the one or more data layers along the transmission path.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of delivering a video frame. One implementation may involve spatially partitioning a video frame into a plurality of blocks, encoding at least one of the plurality of blocks of the video frame, and transmitting the at least one of the plurality of blocks of the video frame.

Abstract: A media device and methods that identify playback states reachable from a current content playback state and identify a reachable state that is likely to occur, are disclosed. A memory associated with the media device may receive frames that enable a smooth transition between the playback state and the reachable state. The media device may receive frames that correspond to points in the content that are separated by an amount of time that is proportional to the playback rate of the likely state. The frames may be frames corresponding to an image that may be played back at the playback rate of the likely state.

Abstract: Computer readable media, methods and apparatuses may be configured for establishing a communication session between a computing device (e.g., a display device) and a remote control device using a signaling frequency. The computing device and the remote control device may be paired based on a pairing request and a pairing response message. The pairing request may comprise address data of the remote control device and address data of the computing device.

Abstract: A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example, viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for device pairing are described. A first device may transmit one or more codes to a second device via a first protocol. The second device may prioritize the one or more codes. After receiving the one or more codes, the devices may initiate automated pairing. After concluding the automated pairing, the devices may communicate via a second protocol.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for reducing degradation of a voice recognition input. An always listening device may always be listening for voice commands via a microphone and may experience interference from unwanted audio such as from the output audio of television speakers. The always listening device may receive data associated with the output audio over a first communications channel. The always listening device may also receive, on a second communications channel, timing information associated with data. The always listening device may adjust admission of the audio received by the microphone to enable it to arrive at approximately the same time as the data received via the first communications channel. The unwanted output audio included in the audio received via the microphone may then be determined and may be removed so that a voice command in the audio received by the microphone may be processed.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for controlling vibrations output by one or more computing devices. A computing device may determine an event, and may also determine, using a camera, an image of the surroundings of the computing device. Based on an analysis of the image, the computing device may then output a tactile vibration, an audible sound, and/or a visual notification associated with the event.

Abstract: Systems and methods to enable grouping and routing of data packets are disclosed. Packets that together make up a data or content item may include grouping information that identifies or classifies the packets into a group. Grouping information may further contain information regarding maximum packet drop thresholds and instructions for a network device to follow if such a threshold is approached or exceeded. Network devices may receive and process the grouping information associated with packet groups and act in accordance with any given instructions. Network devices may intelligently decide to drop packets of one group to meet delivery thresholds for another group, including dropping all packets if necessary, or drop packets from several groups to meet delivery thresholds for all received groups. Network devices may notify other network devices about dropped packets and packet groups.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for routing messages in a network. Gateways may be selectively chosen to forward messages from a user device to a network server. Gateways may forward messages based on forwarding priorities for the user device. The forwarding priorities may, for example, indicate a repeat count threshold for a quantity of times the gateway may receive a message from a particular user device before the gateway forwards the message.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices are described for establishing communication with an access point. A wireless device may determine to switch to another access point radio based on a variety of factors. The wireless device may use a dynamic threshold to determine whether to switch to another access point radio. The dynamic threshold may be based on a current state of the wireless device. The wireless device may determine other access point radios to switch to directly or indirectly. An access point radio may broadcast information associated with the access point as well as information associated with other access point radios.