Abstract: A system (100) includes an update server (110) in communication with one or more client devices (106,107,108) across a network (102). A smart scheduler engine (118) schedules deployment of an update (117) to at least a first group of client devices. A monitoring auto configuration server interface (111) deploys the update to the first group of client devices. An analytics engine (114) identifies one or more anomalies occurring in the first group of client devices resulting from the upgrade. When this occurs, the scheduling engine cancels future updates to at least a second group of client devices where the later group includes devices having one or more device characteristics that correlate with other devices of the first group of client devices experiencing the one or more anomalies.

Abstract: A method of generating references to related videos is provided. Closed caption text of a primary video is analyzed to identify at least one keyword contained within the closed captioned text and a separate pre-determined listing of keywords. A keyword identified within the closed caption text and a context thereof is compared to keyword-context pairings provided within the listing. Information of a reference video related to the primary video is obtained by taking actions required by a rule in the listing associated with a matched keyword-context pairing when the keyword identified from the primary video and the context thereof is determined to match one of the keyword-context pairings in the listing. An annotation of the reference video relative to the primary video is created. A video processing electronic device and at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon for performing the method are provided.

Abstract: A system (100) includes an update server (110) in communication with one or more client devices (106,107,108) across a network (102). A smart scheduler engine (118) schedules deployment of an update (117) to at least a first group of client devices. A monitoring auto configuration server interface (111) deploys the update to the first group of client devices. An analytics engine (114) identifies one or more anomalies occurring in the first group of client devices resulting from the upgrade. When this occurs, the scheduling engine cancels future updates to at least a second group of client devices where the later group includes devices having one or more device characteristics that correlate with other devices of the first group of client devices experiencing the one or more anomalies.

Abstract: A server structure (101) includes one or more multicast servers (106). An analytics engine (207) determines one or more channel maps (217) identifying a group of channels that will be delivered by the multicast servers across a network (104). The analytics engine determines the one or more channel maps as a function of both historical data corresponding to one or more client groups (204,205,206) operating in one or more zones (201,202,203), and optionally from near real time data such as electronic program guide metadata provided by an electronic program guide metadata manager (213). A flap detector (210) can determine one or more flapping thresholds (405,406,407) identifying channels in the group of channels delivered by the multicast servers, as well as whether channels having flapping frequencies greater than the flapping threshold should remain in the group of channels delivered by the multicast servers.

Abstract: A server structure (101) includes one or more multicast servers (106). An analytics engine (207) determines one or more channel maps (217) identifying a group of channels that will be delivered by the multicast servers across a network (104). The analytics engine determines the one or more channel maps as a function of both historical data corresponding to one or more client groups (204,205,206) operating in one or more zones (201,202,203), and optionally from near real time data such as electronic program guide metadata provided by an electronic program guide metadata manager (213). A flap detector (210) can determine one or more flapping thresholds (405,406,407) identifying channels in the group of channels delivered by the multicast servers, as well as whether channels having flapping frequencies greater than the flapping threshold should remain in the group of channels delivered by the multicast servers.

Abstract: Continuity of an entire user session (including the primary content stream, secondary content streams, and user context) is preserved so that the user can resume the session at a later time, at a different place, and, possibly, using different equipment. When a user pauses a session, the context of that session is automatically preserved. Upon resumption, the session begins where the user left off, resuming the primary media stream at the point where the user stopped, knowing what secondary content items the user has already seen, and re-establishing any user-set parameters for the session (e.g., playback volume, allocation of streams to particular screen real estate, whether closed captioning is turned on, and the like). For time-shifted content consumption, the system intelligently selects, filters, and processes contextual information (such as characteristics of the primary media) in order to present companion streams that are relevant and engaging to the user.

Abstract: A method of generating references to related videos is provided. Closed caption text of a primary video is analyzed to identify at least one keyword contained within the closed captioned text and a separate pre-determined listing of keywords. A keyword identified within the closed caption text and a context thereof is compared to keyword-context pairings provided within the listing. Information of a reference video related to the primary video is obtained by taking actions required by a rule in the listing associated with a matched keyword-context pairing when the keyword identified from the primary video and the context thereof is determined to match one of the keyword-context pairings in the listing. An annotation of the reference video relative to the primary video is created. A video processing electronic device and at least one non-transitory computer readable storage medium having computer program instructions stored thereon for performing the method are provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that aid users, especially users temporarily staying in locations remote from home, in finding and accessing media content. A program listing tailored for the user's current location, and showing only services actually available at that location, is created and presented to the user. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the listing to access available media content items. If the user has expressed specific location-based preferences, then those preferences can be taken into account when creating the listing. If a service subscribed to by the user is not available at this remote location, then an alternate provider will be searched for, and, if found, the user's favorite shows can be added to the created program listing.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (“EPG”) coordinates the display of availability metadata representing the availability of listed multimedia programs from one or more alternative content sources. The EPG presents multimedia programs available from a primary content source. A system identifies alternative content sources for one or more multimedia programs listed in the EPG, estimates availability parameters from these alternative content sources, and supplements the EPG with availability metadata that represent the determined availability parameters of the versions of the multimedia programs from one or more alternative content sources. The system estimates missing availability parameters based on application of one or more availability rule sets, which can reflect, for example, a contractual agreement or arrangement, a data analysis performed on historical availability data for the multimedia program or the content provider, and the like.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (“EPG”) coordinates the display of availability metadata representing the availability of listed multimedia programs from one or more alternative content sources. The EPG presents multimedia programs available from a primary content source. A system identifies alternative content sources for one or more multimedia programs listed in the EPG, estimates availability parameters from these alternative content sources, and supplements the EPG with availability metadata that represent the determined availability parameters of the versions of the multimedia programs from one or more alternative content sources. The system estimates missing availability parameters based on application of one or more availability rule sets, which can reflect, for example, a contractual agreement or arrangement, a data analysis performed on historical availability data for the multimedia program or the content provider, and the like.

Abstract: A system provides for display of an electronic programming guide (“EPG”) that facilitates user feedback to identify or propose corrections to potentially inaccurate program metadata through users' interactions with a user-feedback interface. The user-feedback interface may include a “flag-for-correction” feedback option whereby the user flags program metadata as potentially inaccurate. In response to receiving at least a specified threshold number of “flag-for-correction” indicators for particular program metadata, the system may alert an administrator to initiate the administrator's review of the flagged program metadata. The user-feedback interface can include an interface that permits the users to propose a corrected version of the identified program metadata. The system may then initiate administrative review of the program metadata in response to the proposed correction indicators or enable automatic correction of the program metadata in response to the user feedback.

Abstract: Continuity of an entire user session (including the primary content stream, secondary content streams, and user context) is preserved so that the user can resume the session at a later time, at a different place, and, possibly, using different equipment. When a user pauses a session, the context of that session is automatically preserved. Upon resumption, the session begins where the user left off, resuming the primary media stream at the point where the user stopped, knowing what secondary content items the user has already seen, and re-establishing any user-set parameters for the session (e.g., playback volume, allocation of streams to particular screen real estate, whether closed captioning is turned on, and the like). For time-shifted content consumption, the system intelligently selects, filters, and processes contextual information (such as characteristics of the primary media) in order to present companion streams that are relevant and engaging to the user.

Abstract: Continuity of an entire user session (including the primary content stream, secondary content streams, and user context) is preserved so that the user can resume the session at a later time, at a different place, and, possibly, using different equipment. When a user pauses a session, the context of that session is automatically preserved. Upon resumption, the session begins where the user left off, resuming the primary media stream at the point where the user stopped, knowing what secondary content items the user has already seen, and re-establishing any user-set parameters for the session (e.g., playback volume, allocation of streams to particular screen real estate, whether closed captioning is turned on, and the like). For time-shifted content consumption, the system intelligently selects, filters, and processes contextual information (such as characteristics of the primary media) in order to present companion streams that are relevant and engaging to the user.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that aid users, especially users temporarily staying in locations remote from home, in finding and accessing media content. A program listing tailored for the user's current location, and showing only services actually available at that location, is created and presented to the user. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the listing to access available media content items. If the user has expressed specific location-based preferences, then those preferences can be taken into account when creating the listing. If a service subscribed to by the user is not available at this remote location, then an alternate provider will be searched for, and, if found, the user's favorite shows can be added to the created program listing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that aid users, especially users temporarily staying in locations remote from home, in finding and accessing media content. A program listing tailored for the user's current location, and showing only services actually available at that location, is created and presented to the user. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the listing to access available media content items. If the user has expressed specific location-based preferences, then those preferences can be taken into account when creating the listing. If a service subscribed to by the user is not available at this remote location, then an alternate provider will be searched for, and, if found, the user's favorite shows can be added to the created program listing.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods that aid users, especially users temporarily staying in locations remote from home, in finding and accessing media content. A program listing tailored for the user's current location, and showing only services actually available at that location, is created and presented to the user. In some embodiments, the user interacts with the listing to access available media content items. If the user has expressed specific location-based preferences, then those preferences can be taken into account when creating the listing. If a service subscribed to by the user is not available at this remote location, then an alternate provider will be searched for, and, if found, the user's favorite shows can be added to the created program listing.