Abstract: Decoupling a time shift buffer from content streams to allow faster trick mode response is provided. A TSB/DVR manager may be provided to manage user selection of trick play options while viewing linear or non-linear content streams from a network source. Indication of selection of a trick play option may be received and analyzed by the TSB/DVR manager. The content stream may be managed, such that one or more trick play content streams may be sent to an endpoint device. This provides a network trick play experience similar to the trick play experience when content resides locally. Further, the user's behavior and viewing patterns may be continually monitored and recorded to allow the system to send one or more trick play content streams prior to the user selecting the trick play option. An option to acquire and record missed portions of the content stream may also be provided.

Abstract: Video content sharing is provided. A user may select friends from various social networking site accounts and aggregate those friends into a friends list with the user's video service provider. The user may select a video to share, select friends with whom he/she would like to share the video, and a link to the video may be created. The video link, a token, and, if applicable, a link to download a video player may be sent to each selected friend in an invitation via email, text, programming guide, or social media services. The token may be used for tracking the sender and the receiver of the video, contain authorization information allowing each friend to watch protected content, and may be used to authenticate the receiving user. Each friend may be enabled to stream the shared video and watch the content based on rules associated with the token.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (52, 60, 72) for combining and/or displaying text with three-dimensional (3D) content. The system (10) and method (52, 60, 72) inserts text at the same level as the highest depth value in the 3D content. As a result, the system (10) and method (52, 60, 72) of the present disclosure produces text combined with 3D content wherein the text does not obstruct the 3D effects in the 3D content and does not create visual fatigue when viewed by a viewer.

Abstract: Data associated with content available for viewing is populated into a program guide display interface. The program guide display interface can display one or more QAM in the clear channels as well as IP-based channels. Mined data can be processed to create program guide information for populating a program guide view for display and use by an end-user.

Abstract: Insertion and assignment of a link or URL per device/user is provided. A CE device may be used by the user as an interface to access video content from a plurality of service providers, content provider/owners, etc. An indication to access video content from an unmanaged CE device may be received and the device and its manufacturer/manager may be identified. An analysis may be performed based on the requested content item, user's display device, CE device, CE device manufacturer/manager, business rules/agreements etc. A URL or link may be assigned based on the analysis. The URL or link may then be sent for display on the user's viewing device along with the stream of requested video content. The CE device manufacturer/manager may not have the ability to update or erase the URL/link that is sent by the service provider.

Abstract: Multiple device recording may be provided. First, a recording device may be added to a network. Next, in response to adding the recording device to the network, recording device attribute data and recording device metadata may be received from the recording device. The received recording device metadata may then be translated. Then, using the translated metadata, asset data corresponding to assets on the recording device may be displayed. The asset data may be displayed in such a way to indicate which assets on the recording device are supported and which assets on the recording device are not supported.

Abstract: A system and method for combining and/or displaying text with three-dimensional content. The system and method inserts text at the same level as the highest depth value in the 3D content. One example of 3D content is a two-dimensional image and an associated depth map. In this case, the depth value of the inserted text is adjusted to match the largest depth value of the given depth map. Another example of 3D content is a plurality of two-dimensional images and associated depth maps. In this case, the depth value of the inserted text is continuously adjusted to match the largest depth value of a given depth map. A further example of 3D content is stereoscopic content having a right eye image and a left eye image. In this case the text in one of the left eye image and right eye image is shifted to match the largest depth value in the stereoscopic image. Yet another example of 3D content is stereoscopic content having a plurality of right eye images and left eye images.

Abstract: Embodiments are configured in part to pair or associate a portable or personal computing device with a set-top box (STB) to enable use of the paired device with an associated STB. Processing of a displayed visual code can be used to establish a pairing relationship and allow a paired STB to process navigation, control, and/or other commands from a paired device.

Abstract: A uniform resource locator (URL) monitoring system and method employs rules for dynamically managing URLs associated with streamed video content. The system monitors the content stream for URLs and, when a URL is detected, applies the rules to determine how to handle the URL. The system may disable selected trick modes to prevent additional content from being skipped. Alternatively, the system may display the URL while a trick mode is active and, if the URL is followed, suspend the trick mode and show the additional content. URLs encountered during trick modes may be captured and the URL or additional content presented when normal playback resumes. Additionally, the system may determine whether to fit saved URLs around other URLs later in the content stream, display saved URLs simultaneously with the later URLs, or replace the later URLs with the saved URLs based on the handling rules.

Abstract: Assigning a single master identifier to all related content assets. Memory is provided for storing content assets and metadata associated with each of the content assets, wherein the metadata includes a plurality of metadata field entries. A processor is coupled to the memory. The processor is configured for analyzing the metadata associated with each of the content assets to produce correlations between metadata field entries associated therewith, identifying related content assets by determining content assets having a predetermined correlation between metadata field entries and assigning a single, unique asset identifier to the related content assets.

Abstract: Video client social media account creation and linking of the video client social media account creation to a video services subscription account is provided. A user may create a video client social media account in one of various social media services, wherein the video client social media account is linked to the user's video service subscriber account. The user and the user's social media contacts may follow and/or be followed by the video client social media account. Information associated with video content may be electronically communicated with the video client social media account. A search for available or upcoming video content matching the received information may be performed, and one or more functionalities may be automatically performed when the content is available.

Abstract: Recording of third party content on recording systems of a primary service provider is provided. Third party service providers may provide information about offered video content to a primary content service provider. The primary service provider may allow its customers/subscribers to access the third party content through the systems of the primary service provider. Upon navigation to a desired third party content item, a customer/subscriber may request a recording of the third party content. The third party content may be passed to the primary service provider for recording on one or more storage systems associated with the primary service provider, and the recorded content may subsequently be played back by the customer/subscriber in the same manner as play back of content recorded from the primary service provider.

Abstract: A system, method and device for sharing of playlists of authorized content with other users. A user interface is displayed on a media viewing device for creating a playlist of content. The playlist is generated by a user via the user interface and a name is associated with the playlist of content. The playlist is stored using the name. Parameters for sharing the playlist with contacts of the user are configured. At a viewing device of a contact, notification of a playlist created by a user is received. Privileges of the contact associated with content identified in the playlist are determined. Action is taken, by the contact, regarding content identified in the playlist created by the user based on the determined privileges of the contact.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring the quality of the content is provided. The method and system may identify, in real time, whether the quality of the content has fallen below a predetermined threshold. Once the quality of the content has fallen below a predetermined threshold, the system may identify other delivery mechanisms (e.g., connectivity options and/or other sources) to deliver the content at a lower constant bitrate. Subsequently, the system may check for higher quality content and provide the user with options to switch to the other source. Accordingly, the method and system identifies the available video quality options for a specific content item, which may be provided by a plurality of different content sources, and provides the user with the ability to switch to another content source with minimal user input.

Abstract: Links are provided in association with video content that reference and allow navigation to additional content related to the video content. Links may be embedded in the video content metadata or sent separately and synchronized with the video content via time stamps. Selection of the links allows a user to view the additional content or to view the video content item along with the additional content to provide a richer and deeper personalized viewing experience. The video content may be analyzed to determine whether additional content may be available. If additional content is identified, the video content item may include the additional content or the video content may receive links to the additional content. Additional content that is relevant to the user based on the user's viewing history, viewing patterns, viewing behavior, demographic profile, etc. may be identified for association with a given video content item.

Abstract: A URL personalization system allowing a television service provider to dynamically associate multiple URLs with the video content item being viewed by the customer is provided. The associated URLs point to additional content that may be of interest to different customer demographics. A generic URL linking to the associated URLs may be inserted into the video content item. The system may personalize the generic URL by replacing or modifying the generic URL with a personalized URL based on information specific to the customer viewing the content before streaming the content or when additional content is requested. The customer is redirected to the personalized URL to obtain the additional content. This allows the television service provider to send a single video content item to all customers or large groups of customers while providing individual customers with an enhanced interactive television viewing experience.

Abstract: Content check-in may be provided. Users may be able to check-in a video content item that he/she may be currently viewing or that he/she may view later such that the checked-in content item may be shared with one or more contacts. The user may provide information for one or more contacts to allow for an analysis of available viewing options for the checked-in content item that may be offered to selected contacts based on the viewing location and service provider(s) associated with the selected contacts.

Abstract: An affinity mapping service system allowing a video service provider to perform one or more automatic actions related to a video content item (e.g., automatically recording the video content item, recommending similar video content, automatically tuning to a channel airing the video content item, providing a notification when the video content item is airing, etc.) based on an affinity selection made by a user for a content object related to the video content item is provided. The user is enabled to selectively pair a social networking service identifier (e.g., username, handle, etc.) with a video service account. An affinity selection made by the user via a social networking service in association with a video content item is communicated to the video service provider and mapped to an automatic action for the video service provider to take based on action preferences selected by the user.

Abstract: Video streaming is delivered through a communication network to one or more client computing devices/systems. A number of video display or bandwidth control profiles are used in part to control an amount of bandwidth used by each client to stream video at various quality levels or audio-only. Video display profiles can be configured according to a particular device/system being used to stream video.

Abstract: Playlist bookmarking may be provided. First, a content program from a playlist may be displayed on a first user device. The content program may then be paused and a time stamp may be placed in the playlist at a point where the content program was paused. Next, the time stamped playlist may be transmitted to a server. At a second user device, the time stamped playlist may be received from the server and the content program may be displayed from the playlist from the point in the content program corresponding to the time stamp.