Abstract: Systems and methods for the design, deployment and utilization of targeted communications based upon audiences are disclosed. More specifically, embodiments may allow the targeting of communications to users based on a user's audience affiliation and may allow the dynamic targeting of communications based on an audience with which a user is affiliated, including audiences determined from user interactions with a web site.

Abstract: An information provision method includes accumulating, in a first database, a first identifier identifying each of one or more service providers, and first device information indicating an electrical device to be designated by each of the one or more service providers in association with each other; accumulating, in a second database, a second identifier identifying each of one or more users, and second device information indicating an electrical device to be used by the one or more users in association with each other; extracting a service provider associated with the first device information when the second device information is updated by addition of a new electrical device to be used by one of the one or more users, and when the new electrical device is included in the electrical devices indicated by the first device information.

Abstract: Provided are a display apparatus and a person recognition and presentation method. The display apparatus includes a display and a controller that is in communication with the display. The controller is configured to: associated information of a display interface of the display and generate a scenario image for recognition in response to a user command; obtain facial feature information for recognition in the scenario image; obtain similar facial feature information when a matching confidence level of pre-stored facial feature information in a database with the facial feature information for recognition does not exceed a preset confidence level; obtain average-person recognition data; generate a sharing control uniquely matching with the facial feature information for recognition; and control the display to present the average-person recognition data and the sharing control on a current display interface.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods are described for providing content recommendations. The system receives a plurality of sets of range values, each of which corresponds to a respective one of a plurality of parameters for recommending the content. The system selects different values within each of the plurality of sets of range values over time and provides a plurality of content recommendations to users based on the selected different values. The system then analyze users' behavior in response to the provided plurality of content recommendations. The system further updates at least one set of range values based on the analyzed users' behavior.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to navigating, viewing, and sharing activity and workout data and interacting with workout and/or activity applications. In some examples, scrolling of activity data is based on the content being displayed. In some examples, friends' activity data may be viewed. In some examples, a notification and workout data for a friend's completed workout is received and displayed. In some example, the activity data received from friends is viewed and managed. In some examples, workout data for a multi-segment workout is displayed in a three-dimensional stack on a map. In some examples, a workout application operates in a limited mode until a touch input is received with a characteristic intensity that is greater than a threshold intensity.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for determining whether a media asset intended to be recorded is actually transmitted at the time and on the source of a scheduled higher-priority recording. Should the intended media asset not be transmitted in a desirable way, or not transmitted at all, the system will instead make a recording of a lower-priority recording that would not have been made because of a conflict. The systems and methods described herein, before making a higher-priority recording, obtain a sample of the media asset included in a received transmission at a scheduled time and compare it to content associated with the media asset scheduled for recording to determine whether to record the received transmission.

Abstract: This invention provides a means to identify unknown media programming using the audio component of said programming. The invention extracts audio information from the media received by consumer electronic devices such as smart TVs and TV set-top boxes then conveys said information to a remote server means which will in turn identify said audio information of unknown identity by way of testing against a database of known audio segment information. The system identifies unknown media programming in real-time such that time-sensitive services may be offered such as interactive television applications providing contextually related information or television advertisement substitution. Other uses include tracking media consumption among many other services.

Abstract: An image encoding method including: a constraint information generating step of generating tile constraint information indicating whether or not there is a constraint in filtering on boundaries between adjacent tiles among a plurality of tiles obtained by dividing a picture, and storing the tile constraint information into a sequence parameter set; and a filter information generating step of generating, for each of the boundaries, one of a plurality of filter information items respectively indicating whether or not filtering is executed on the boundaries, and storing the plurality of filter information items into a plurality of picture parameter sets, wherein, in the filter information generating step, the plurality of filter information items which indicate identical content are generated when the tile constraint information indicates that there is the constraint in the filtering.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering content is provided. In one example, responsive to a request by a client device identifying a video program, the system is configured to determine different first and second network paths for delivery of the video program from a content source; deliver the video program via the first network path to the client device; and responsive to a change in status of the video program being delivered via the first network path, deliver the video program via the second network path to the client device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a scalable, extensible, fault-tolerant system for stateful joining of two or more streams that are not fully synchronized, event ordering is not guaranteed, and certain events arrive a bit late. The system can ensure to combine the events or link the data in near real-time with low latency to mitigate impacts on downstream applications, such as ML models for determining suspicious behavior. Apart from combining events, the system can ensure to propagate the needed entities to other product streams or help in entity resolution. If any of the needed data is yet to arrive, a user can configure a few parameters to achieve desired eventual and attribute consistency. The architecture is designed to be agnostic of stream processing framework and can work well with both streaming and batch paths.

Abstract: Techniques for generating human-readable explanations (also referred to herein as “reasons”) for navigational recommendations are disclosed. Composing a human-readable explanation includes individually selecting words or phrases that are then analyzed, combined, rearranged, modified, or removed to generate the human-readable explanation for a navigational recommendation. A decoder trains a machine learning model to generate the human-readable reasons for the navigational recommendations based on (1) historical recommendation vectors, and (2) historical human-readable reasons associated with the recommendation vectors. The system generates a dictionary of human-readable reasons for recommendations, with each entry of the dictionary including: (1) a recommendation identifier (ID) associated with a recommended navigational target, (2) a reason identifier (ID) associated with a particular reason for the recommendation, and (3) a human-readable reason associated with the reason ID.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application that detects, and responds to, a user's review of video content on a media device. The media guidance application detects a rewind operation during playback of a video comprising a media asset. In response, the media guidance application determines if the playback position reached during the rewind operation occurs during a first break in the media asset and, if so, identifies objects depicted in the video at the playback position, and presents auxiliary video relating to an object at a second break in the media asset.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for detecting message impressions from a document. The document includes one or more data collection areas adapted to receive input, and one or more message areas. Each message area includes a message. Memory representations of messages are stored in a memory. The document is received at a document processing engine which is adapted to access the memory to obtain the representations of messages. Message impressions are detected from the document by analyzing the document in the document processing engine. Message impressions are detected if it is determined that there is relevant input in the one or more data collection areas, and the document includes a representation of one or more of the messages.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) determining, by a playback device, a loudness level of first media content that the playback device is receiving from a first source; (ii) comparing, by the playback device, the determined loudness level of the first media content with a reference loudness level indicated by a loudness level profile for the first media content; (iii) determining, by the playback device, a target volume level for the playback device based on a difference between the determined loudness level of the first media content and the reference loudness level; and (iv) while the playback device presents second media content from a second source in place of the first media content, adjusting, by the playback device, a volume of the playback device toward the target volume level.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a display, at least one processor, and at least one memory configured to store instructions that cause the at least one processor to obtain first information from a first still image frame that is included in a first moving image, obtain second information from the first moving image, identify at least one image function based on at least one of the first information or the second information, and control the display to display at least one function execution object for executing the at least one image function. Various other embodiments can be provided.

Abstract: According to example embodiments, an Image View Aggregator identifies a frontal view of an item within an image. The Image View Aggregator identifies at least one reflection view of the item within the image. Each reflection view of the item having been captured off a corresponding reflective physical surface. The Image View Aggregator extracts the frontal view of the item and each reflection view of the item from the image. The Image View Aggregator generates a representation of the item based at least on the extracted frontal view of the item and each extracted reflection view of the item.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for adaptively buffering content of a media asset from a media source when a different media asset from a different media source is being played at user equipment. The media guidance application may predict when and which channel or other media source the user is likely to switch to and then buffer content from the predicted channel or other media source accordingly. The pre-tuning buffering may enhance the user experience by reduce tuning latency when the user switches channels.

Abstract: A media player configured with a first removable memory reader, such as a DVD drive, and a second removable memory reader, such as a flash memory reader, adapted to communicate with a removable memory containing filter data. The media player is configured to allow filtered playback of a multimedia presentation, such as a movie. Filtered playbabk causes certain portions of the multimedia presentation to be skipped, muted, blurred, cropped, or otherwise modified to eliminate or reduce potentially objectionable scenes, language, or other content. The second memory reader provides a convenient medium for the loading of filter information, whether data files, executable program code, or the like, to local memory of the media player to employ during filtered playback. Alternatively, the filters may be accessed from the removable storage media during playback rather than loading to local memory.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for determining whether a media asset intended to be recorded is actually transmitted at the time and on the source of a scheduled higher-priority recording. Should the intended media asset not be transmitted in a desirable way, or not transmitted at all, the system will instead make a recording of a lower-priority recording that would not have been made because of a conflict. The systems and methods described herein, before making a higher-priority recording, obtain a sample of the media asset included in a received transmission at a scheduled time and compare it to content associated with the media asset scheduled for recording to determine whether to record the received transmission.

Abstract: A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior. In accordance with an embodiment, a user interface displays a plurality of media options from which particular options can be selected. A click determination logic is configured so that a first event associated with a particular option, such as a click event, is passed singly to a media application without trapping for the possibility of a double-click. The media application interprets the first event as a likely selection by a user of the particular option, and uses information associated with the likely selection to begin buffering a corresponding media content. If a second event associated with the particular option is received within a subsequent time interval, then the second event is treated, like a double-click, as confirmation of the user's selection, and the corresponding media content is streamed from its media content buffer.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods and systems directed at implementing a video thumbnail that facilitates user viewing of video content alongside additional content such as an electronic program guide. The video thumbnail would display the video content that was currently playing when the user requests access to the electronic program guide. The video thumbnail would be situated in a pre-defined portion of the display such that the information within the electronic program guide is not obscured. Furthermore, additional information (e.g. metadata) associated with the video thumbnail can be provided that provides information to the user about what is currently being displayed in the video thumbnail. Lastly, the user is able to perform actions with the electronic program guide without losing the video thumbnail so that the user is able to view the video content while the electronic program guide is displayed.

Abstract: A removable vehicle battery system includes an energy storage module, a charging/discharging control unit, converter configured to convert the energy into a usable format for an external device, and a power outlet configured to supply energy to the external device. The system communicates with the external device regarding the energy formats the external device requires as well as the quantity of energy in the energy storage module, and the formats in which the energy storage module can supply this energy to the external device. The control unit controls energy delivery from the energy storage module to the external device.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for using a blank area in a screen are provided. The electronic device includes a touch screen configured to display content and receive an event for moving the content and a processor configured to move the content to a location or in a direction based on the event, configure a blank area based on the movement of content, and display setting information in the blank area. Further, various embodiments can be implemented.

Abstract: Beacon-based Precision Navigation and Timing (PNT) may use a constellation of space vehicles (e.g., small, low cost satellites) coupled to a network of ground stations and a network of beacons. Such a system be provided at a cost that is approximately 100 times lower than GPS both to build and to operate. The resulting system may also provide fast acquisition, improved SNR, improved anti-jam and anti-spoofing capabilities, and six-inch scale location determination, making it applicable to both existing PNT applications and enabling new applications.

Abstract: A system comprises television equipment and a number of portable electronic devices. The television equipment includes a large display and control circuitry. The control circuitry receives media content and media guidance data for display on the display. The control circuitry also includes communication components for communicating with the portable electronic devices.

Abstract: In an automatic, computer-implemented method, a selected television advertisement is presented automatically in association with a television program or channel, which in turn is selected based at least in part on information from an online user profile that contains information indicating a user's preference for that television program or channel. The television advertisement is selected based at least in part on additional information from the online user profile that is unrelated to the selected television program or channel. The selected television advertisement is presented on or during the selected television program or channel via a set-top box, which has a set-top box identifier associated with the online user profile.

Abstract: A method includes receiving user data packets from customer premises equipment (CPE) in communication with a network terminal over a communication link and enabling a network terminal-side loopback mode to establish a closed traffic test loop across the communication link between the network terminal and the CPE. The received user data packets indicate that a CPE-side loopback mode is enabled. The method also includes injecting a number of data bits into the closed traffic test loop until a saturation threshold of the communication link is satisfied, and when the number of data bits injected into the closed traffic test loop satisfies the saturation threshold, determining a packet error-rate of the number of data bits circulating in the closed traffic test loop. After determining the packet error-rate, the method also includes removing the closed traffic test loop across the communication link between the network terminal and the CPE.

Abstract: A method for execution by a computing device of a dispersed storage network (DSN). The method begins with obtaining a plurality of write requests. The method continues where for a write request of the plurality of write requests, the computing device generates a vault identification and a generation number. The method continues where the computing device obtains a rounded timestamp and a capacity factor and generates a temporary object number based on the rounded timestamp and the capacity factor. The method continues where the computing device generates a temporary source name based on the vault identification, the generation number, and the temporary object number. The method continues where the computing device identifies a set of storage units of a plurality of sets of storage units of the DSN based on the temporary source name.

Abstract: In an item of media content, one or more essential segments and one or more non-essential segments are identified. One or more essential segments is selected for inclusion in playback of the item of media content. At least one of the one or more non-essential segments is identified for inclusion in the playback according to at least one data about a vehicle environment and vehicle navigation. The item of media content is provided for playback.

Abstract: System, method, and computer program product embodiments are disclosed for integrated diagnosis and debugging of content distribution systems. A system includes a networking module that receives, from a central server, instructions for running network diagnostics on a cable headend. A diagnostics environment module is configured to perform diagnostic operations based on the received instructions. The networking module transmits results of the diagnostic operations to the central server.

Abstract: A video encoder unit receives a video signal to encode along with auxiliary services such as audio streams and/or data streams. While the auxiliary streams are allotted a fixed bandwidth, the video encoder determines a required video bandwidth, which must be allocated in response to the request by a central allocator. Where economies are made in the auxiliary services for example by transmitting stereo audio instead of surround sound for example, the bandwidth requested from the central allocator is inflated by an amount corresponding to a proportion of the economized bandwidth. The extra bandwidth allocated on this basis may then be used for improving the quality of video encoding, and/or reserved for the transmission of asynchronous data.

Abstract: Various arrangements for recording multiple television channels are presented. A plurality of sets of television channels may be identified. An interface may be output for presentation, the interface presenting indications of each of the plurality of sets of television channels and a plurality of input elements associated with the plurality of sets of television channels. User input may be received via one or more of the plurality of input elements indicative of one or more sets of television channels of the plurality of sets of television channels to be recorded. Dates and times at which the one or more sets of television channels are to be recorded may be determined. The one or more sets of television channels may be recorded at the determined dates and the determined times.

Abstract: A composite variable duration soundtrack for a user to play while reading a text source, the soundtrack duration being defined by a soundtrack timeline. The soundtrack comprises multiple sound layers configured to play concurrently through the soundtrack timeline, each sound layer having an arrangement of one or more audio features that are configured to play at preset start times in the soundtrack timeline. At least one sound layer is adapted for modifying the preset start and stop times of its audio features to match the reading speed of a user based on a reading speed input.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to file systems. A replication engine may establish a secure communication channel between a source file system and a target file system. The replication engine may: instantiate a replication job associated with rules; determine changes in the source file system; determine characteristics of the replication job that may be based on the changes; compare the to the characteristics and a black-out schedule; execute the replication job to communicate the changes in the source file system to the target file system based on a result of the comparison. Upon completion of the replication job, the replication engine may automatically instantiating a next replication job to copy subsequent changes in the source file system to the target file system.

Abstract: Roughly described, a system includes a database containing publications, and a server coupled to the database. Each publication in the publication database contains images on various pages. The server is programmed to serve toward a user a page from a selected publication. The user can select a clip region to share, and the clip region can be any desired portion of the page, including a part of an image. The server then writes to the publication database the location of the clip region, and a version of the image cropped to the clip region. The server will also share the clip on a sharing service upon selection by the user. The user can also comment on the clip, and the server writes the comment into the publication database in association with the clip. The clip is discoverable by other users, both on the server website and on the sharing service.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and methods are described for assembling at least one transport stream from satellite transponder signals. In one example, the method includes capturing at least one satellite feed, the at least one satellite feed including a plurality of transponder signals; demodulating each of the plurality of transponder signals, each demodulated transponder signal corresponding to a transport stream including a plurality of input streams; parsing one or more selected streams from the plurality of input streams; assembling at least one new transport stream from the one or more selected streams; modulating the at least one new transport stream to generate at least one new transponder signal; adding the at least one new transponder signal to a channel stack; and transmitting the channel stack to a receiving device.

Abstract: A process that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, selecting a media content item and constructing a tout message based on the media content item. Information associated with the media content item is included within the tout message, which includes a selectable link. The selectable link includes instructions for directing equipment of a subscriber to access the media content item without the subscriber providing additional input. A group of communication devices associated with the subscriber is identified, and the tout message is transmitted to a communication device of the group. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sharing viewing information is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving an designation of a second user from the first user; and transmitting the first user viewing information to the designated second user. The shared viewing information may comprise the identity of a currently viewed media program, a list of scheduled media program viewings, or the media program itself.

Abstract: A broadcast reception device is provided. The broadcast reception device includes a communication interface unit receiving, from a CAM, a first data unit including a request for diagnostic information for representing a status of the broadcast reception device; and a control unit generating a second data unit including a reply to the first data unit to transmit the second data unit to the CAM through the communication interface unit, wherein the second data unit includes information representing that the broadcast reception device does not implement displaying of a diagnostic information related screen.

Abstract: A method for using metadata in digital media or streams to offer goods and/or services for sale including defining and promoting a specification for embedding goods and/or services offerings in programming digital media or digital streams and providing an application programming interface (API) to facilitate building a custom checkout user interface on a digital media playing device. The method also includes receiving, at a server or service via the custom checkout user interface, at least one of consumer orders for offered goods and/or services and requests to place offered goods and/or services on a consumers' list.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a selection of a television program to record may be received by a television receiver. The television program may be broadcast on a first television channel and as part of a first transponder stream. A plurality of television channels that are transmitted as part of the first transponder stream may be determined. A user interface may be presented that permits a user to select from the plurality of television channels transmitted on the first transponder stream. A selection of a second television channel from the plurality of television channels may be received. In response to the selection of the first television program to record and the selection of the second television channel from the plurality of television channels, record the first television channel and the second television channel via a single tuner.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is presented for network video management and recording of video signals and video analytics generated by a network of IP-enabled cameras. A set of IP cameras are connected in a LAN to a network video recorder further connected by LAN or WAN to a set of client stations. The client station operates a hybrid program including a web-browser and a native application operating on a computer. The network video recorder operates a media recorder to store video streams from the IP cameras into a media database and further operates a relational database for storing camera configuration data, device drivers, event information and alarms. The network video recorder includes a zero configuration networking discovery service for automatically detecting and downloading default configurations to the cameras. Client stations can stream video directly from IP cameras, receive recorded video streams and query the relational database for cameras and events.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments that provide immersive multimedia views for items. Code for generating an immersive view for an item is obtained from a server, and the immersive view is rendered in the client. The immersive view features an image of the item surrounded by a user interface layer that provides information about the item. The user interface layer is hidden when a cursor moves onto a portion of the immersive view that corresponds to the image of the item. The image of the item may be replaced with a video of the item.

Abstract: A host includes a controller configured to collect video data recording device diagnostic information from a video data recording device. The controller is further configured to control displaying of the video data recording device diagnostic information.

Abstract: In a program information broadcasting system, it is aimed to minimize time for retrieval of program by viewers in operating an electronic program guide or time for waiting when applying for subscription. As a program information broadcasting system, program elements constituting a broadcasting program are divided into a plurality of items and are turned to data at a center, and a master data 21 of a program information to recognize the program is prepared. From the data constituting the master data, minimal necessary items for preparation of a program table are extracted, and a program basic information 22 is prepared. Said master data and said program basic information are transmitted simultaneously with the broadcasting, and said program basic information is received, reproduced and displayed before receiving of the master data at a receiving terminal unit 31 is completed.