Abstract: A novel intermediary set-top box called a “cast-sling box” (CSB) uniquely incorporates multimedia and/or IoT data casting, slinging, transcoding, referring (i.e. referral mode), rendering, and recording capabilities for seamless interoperability of various electronic devices in a multiple device environment. The novel intermediary set-top box (i.e. “CSB”) is also configured to perform a holistic-level device analysis on a plurality of IoT devices in a home or office environment. Furthermore, a holistic computerized user interface that can simultaneously and synergistically control and manage a multiple number of IoT devices is devised with the CSB as an intermediary set-top box.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for retrieving one of multiple media-components associated with a single traffic log entry. In one example, a method for retrieving a video-component (VC) in a television-broadcasting environment is disclosed. The method includes (i) associating an identifier with an evergreen VC, a time-sensitive VC, and an expiration time of the time-sensitive VC; (ii) determining whether the expiration time has lapsed; (iii) if the expiration time has lapsed, determining that the identifier corresponds to the evergreen VC; (iv) if the expiration time has not lapsed, determining that the identifier corresponds to the time-sensitive VC; (v) selecting a log entry; (vi) determining that the selected entry includes the identifier; and (vii) responsive to determining that the selected entry includes the identifier, retrieving from a data storage, the one of the evergreen VC and the time-sensitive VC that the identifier corresponds to.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for adding user characterization information to a user profile by analyzing user's speech. User properties such as age, gender, accent, and English proficiency may be inferred by extracting and deriving features from user speech, without the user having to configure such information manually. A feature extraction module that receives audio signals as input extracts acoustic, phonetic, textual, linguistic, and semantic features. The module may be a system component independent of any particular vertical application or may be embedded in an application that accepts voice input and performs natural language understanding. A profile generation module receives the features extracted by the feature extraction module and uses classifiers to determine user property values based on the extracted and derived features and store these values in a user profile. The resulting profile variables may be globally available to other applications.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a method for controlling a display apparatus are provided. The display apparatus includes a detector configured to detect a user motion; a display; a power supplier; a communicator configured to receive control information from a remote control device; and a controller configured to control the detector, the display, the power supplier, and the communicator, to control the display to display a preset screen on a part of the display in response to a user motion detected by the detector and first control information received from the remote control device, and to control the display to display content in response to second control information received from the remote control device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting content with time-based metadata. Methods may comprise transmitting the time-based metadata to a playback device. The time-based metadata may comprise a plurality of time stamps that are triggerable at different points of a timeline of content and one or more of the time stamps may be associated with corresponding metadata content. The playback device may trigger a sequence of time stamps of the time-based metadata and the triggered sequence of time stamps may be synchronized with the occurrence of one or more events in the timeline of the content.

Abstract: A processing load at a receiving side is reduced in a case where a plurality of classes of audio data is transmitted. A predetermined number of audio streams including coded data of a plurality of groups is generated and a container of a predetermined format having this predetermined number of audio streams is transmitted. Command information for creating a command specifying a group to be decoded from among the plurality of groups is inserted into the container and/or the audio stream. For example, a command insertion area for the receiving side to insert a command for specifying a group to be decoded is provided in at least one audio stream among the predetermined number of audio streams.

Abstract: In an automatic, computer-implemented method, a selected television advertisement is presented automatically in association with a television program or channel. A relationship is identified between an online user profile and the television program or channel, and the television advertisement is selected based at least in part on information from the online user profile. The selected television advertisement is presented, in association with the television program or channel that is identified as being related to the online user profile, via a set-top box having a corresponding set-top box identifier that is associated with the online user profile.

Abstract: A satellite broadcast system is used to transmit streams of variable bit-rate content using fixed bit-rate channels that correspond to respective satellite transponder carriers. High bandwidth content is transmitted over multiple transponder carriers in parallel with a combined bandwidth sufficient for the peak bit-rate of the high bandwidth content, whereas multiple streams of low bandwidth content can be transmitted over a single transponder carrier simultaneously by multiplexing the low bandwidth content. High bandwidth content may be multiplexed with low bandwidth content rather than assigning all high bandwidth content to be transmitted exclusively over dedicated high bandwidth transponders.

Abstract: A node interworks with and is connected to at least one base station (BS). The BS-interworking node includes a monitoring module, an event detecting module, and a media processing module. The monitoring module monitors MPEG media transport (MMT) streaming data being delivered from a live streaming server to a terminal. The event detecting module detects whether predetermined event information is contained in the monitored streaming data. The media processing module replaces a media processing unit (MPU) of the streaming data with a predetermined event unit if the predetermined event information is detected from the streaming data, and delivers the streaming data having the replaced event unit to the terminal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for managing a multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS). In one configuration, content of an MBMS may be received while operating in a coverage area of a base station. A transition to operate outside the coverage area of the base station may be sensed. A peer discovery signal to request a relay of the content of the MBMS may be transmitted. The peer discovery signal may include an identifier of the MBMS. In another configuration, a first peer discovery signal including an out-of-coverage status indicator for the mobile device or MBMS query and an identifier of an MBMS may be received from the mobile device. A determination may be made regarding whether to relay content of the MBMS. Upon determining to relay the content of the MBMS, a second peer discovery signal indicating a capability to relay the content of the MBMS may be transmitted.

Abstract: An adaptive bit rate system uses adaptive streaming to deliver content to client devices capable of adaptive bit rate streaming. Enhancing or generating compound manifest files for delivery to clients in an adaptive streaming environment permits a direct acquisition of media segments to services not currently being viewed. For example, the compound playlist can be designed to offer direct access to neighboring channels or other services in the same genre. These novel enhancements to the manifest files may reduce channel change times as well as the efficient delivery of manifest files.

Abstract: A method for sending content to a target audience uses a server in communication with a device and a database to create and customize a content selection, such as an advertisement, and to select a target audience meeting a characteristic criteria selection and a geographic criteria selection. The server generates and sends a personalized content output, including the content selection, to the target audience using digital or print delivery methods. The method may also include consumers interacting with content providers through a website or application. The consumers may customize the content that is received and the delivery method. The method may also include an incentive program for consumers.

Abstract: In scenes that have low lighting, it may be difficult for a personal electronic device to capture video images that meet a scene lighting criteria. In some low-lighting situations, the receiving party may be unable to sufficiently see the face of the party that they are videoconferencing with. Described herein are techniques for utilizing a device's display to illuminate the scene surrounding the device. Improved lighting may come from global display adjustments, local display adjustments that do not alter the display's contents (other than to change their brightness levels), and/or local display adjustments that alter the display's contents. In some embodiments, background elements on a device's display may be identified for brightening in a first attempt to meet the scene lighting criteria without negatively impacting foreground scene content. If such approaches are unsuccessful, the device may next replace one or more regions of displayed content with regions of brightened pixels.

Abstract: A camera captures an image of a user wearing a head mounted device (HMD) that occludes a portion of the user's face. A three-dimensional (3-D) pose that indicates an orientation and a location of the user's face in a camera coordinate system is determined. A representation of the occluded portion of the user's face is determined based on a 3-D model of the user's face. The representation replaces a portion of the HMD in the image based on the 3-D pose of the user's face in the camera coordinate system. In some cases, the 3-D model of the user's face is selected from 3-D models of the user's face stored in a database that is indexed by eye gaze direction. Mixed reality images can be generated by combining virtual reality images, unoccluded portions of the user's face, and representations of an occluded portion of the user's face.

Abstract: To improve cognitive comprehension of plots in videos and thus assist not only people with cognitive issues but also inattentive people that have trouble following along with the plot, information is sent about each scene in a video. Image recognition or speech recognition may be implemented on a video to recognize where in the video the viewer currently is at, and ancillary information pertaining to that spot in the video presented immediately or at a convenient scene break.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting content with time-based metadata. Methods may comprise transmitting the time-based metadata to a playback device. The time-based metadata may comprise a plurality of time stamps that are triggerable at different points of a timeline of content and one or more of the time stamps may be associated with corresponding metadata content. The playback device may trigger a sequence of time stamps of the time-based metadata and the triggered sequence of time stamps may be synchronized with the occurrence of one or more events in the timeline of the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for push-based dynamic bandwidth allocation deliver addressable, advertising content in a digital network. Bandwidth is allocated on a push basis in response to receiving a trigger from a content distribution stream. The trigger contains data indicating an addressable break. A portion of bandwidth is then allocated to an addressable content stream based on the data of the trigger. The addressable content stream is then streamed to a receiver during the addressable break and the receiver is tuned from the broadcast stream to the addressable content stream for the duration of the addressable break. The additional bandwidth is de-allocated at the end of the addressable break.

Abstract: Systems and methods for real-time incorporation of user-produced content into a broadcast media stream are provided. A media title may be streamed to a producer computing device over a communication network. The producer computing device is associated with a channel for distributing the user-produced content in conjunction with the media title. Produced content may be captured from the producer computing device as the streamed media title is played on the producer computing device. Such captured produced content may be designated for the channel. The media title and the produced content may then be broadcast in real-time over the communication network to one or more subscriber devices subscribed to the channel. The media title and the produced content may be synchronized within the broadcast to reflect when the produced content was captured in relation to the media title as the media title was played on the producer computing device.

Abstract: A portable information processing device (1) is provided with a communication portion (12) capable of communication according to a prescribed network standard allowing sharing of media data between corresponding apparatuses connected to a network, a built-in display portion (10) capable of replaying/displaying the media data, a control unit (18a) capable of controlling a display on the built-in display portion and acquiring the media data, and a first external display (15) noncorresponding to the prescribed network standard.

Abstract: It is presented a method for combining main streaming content comprising a plurality of main segment files and secondary streaming content comprising at least one secondary segment file. The method is performed in a multimedia streaming service node and comprises the steps of: determining a time slot within the main streaming content where secondary streaming content should be provided; setting a time reference of each one of the at least one secondary segment file to correspond to a time reference of the at least one discardable main segment file; setting a sequence number of each one of the at least one secondary segment file to correspond to a sequence number of the at least one discardable main segment file; providing the main segment files which are distinct from the at least one discardable main segment file; and providing the at least one secondary segment file.

Abstract: An approach for providing segment-based viewing of recorded sessions is described. A video platform may determine one or more segments of a communication session based on content of the communication session. The video platform may also associate one or more segments with a recording of the communication session. The video platform may cause, at least in part, a presentation of the recording and one or more indicators for navigating playback of the recording based on the one or more segments, wherein the one or more indicators correspond to the one or more segments.

Abstract: A computer system identifies a subset of a plurality of channels as candidates for repeat visits by a plurality of users of a content sharing platform. The identifying of the subset of the plurality of channels as candidates for repeat visits includes determining, for a channel of the plurality of channels, a repeat visit score indicating whether the channel is a candidate for repeat visits by the plurality of users, wherein the repeat visit score for the channel is based on activity of the plurality of users with respect to one or more media items of the channel, and selecting, from the plurality of channels, the subset of channels that are candidates for repeat visits, the selecting being based on repeat visit scores of the plurality of channels. The computer system then causes promotion content for one or more of the subset of channels to be provided to one or more users of the plurality of users to facilitate repeat visits of the one or more channels by the one or more users.

Abstract: The implementation provides for controlled dynamic content replacement within media content. The media content is encoded in its original form with markers marking segments for time or condition triggered replacement. Each marker is provided a type. A request link is generated for requesting the media content. The link encodes control data for the different marker types. In response to a media content request, the server scans encoded chunks of the media content for markers. From the request link, the server obtains the control data for an identified marker type and determines whether to replace the content based on triggering of the control data. This allows advertising content to remain as part of the media content until reaching a certain number of impressions or a certain time. Thereafter, the content is dynamically replaced with temporally relevant content or other content from an ongoing campaign during real-time media content playback.

Abstract: An interactive video distribution system and video player are described. A client server arrangement may be used for providing a video player and video content to a client device. The video player may display navigation images enabling navigation to specific portions of the video content by activating a corresponding navigation image. The video player may also enable the sharing of a segment of the video with other video players, enabling the video players to play the streamed segment of the video without having to play the entire video, thereby reducing network bandwidth usage. The video player may be embeddable. The server may associate searchable tags with respective video segments.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and correlating an advertised object with a plurality of interconnected computing devices embedded in a living environment of the user. For example, a media guidance application implemented at a set-top box with a television may receive a signal from a printer indicating that cartridge ink is low. When the user is watching a television show and an advertisement relating to printer cartridges is being played, the media guidance application may identify that the advertised printer cartridges may be something that the user needs, and may then send a notification to a user of the advertisement. In this way, the media guidance application correlates advertisements from a media asset with a user's actual needs, which may improve the advertisement conversion rate for advertisers.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media for output-aligned avail blanking for video streams are disclosed. Frame-rate conversion is performed on a video input. The video input is associated with a starting point in time for a break such as an avail break, and the video input has an input frame rate. The frame-rate conversion generates one or more video outputs whose frame rates may differ from the input frame rate. Blanking is performed on the video outputs after the frame-rate conversion. The blanking comprises modifying or inserting a sequence of frames, and a beginning of the sequence of frames is aligned with an indication of a start of the break. For multiple video outputs, a starting frame for the break is selected from the output having the lowest frame rate so that the start of the break is synchronized across the video outputs.

Abstract: A technology for presenting content enables a receipt of a request over a network for a content from a computer, a determination of a characteristic of the computer and a location of the computer based at least in part on the request, a match of the characteristic and the location against a rule, a selection of a player based at least in part on the match, and a facilitation of a stream of the content via the player over the network to the computer based at least in part on the selection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that generates aggregated media assets on related content from different sources.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method for distributing media content, the system including a media content server, a media content receiver configured to output a signal to an associated display device. The media content server is configured to provide a media content signal to the media content receiver.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that generates aggregated media assets based on keywords from different sources.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program utilize a distance associative hashing algorithmic means to provide a highly efficient means to rapidly address a large database. The indexing means can be readily subdivided into a plurality of independently-addressable segments where each such segment can address a portion of related data of the database where the subdivided indexes of said portions reside entirely in the main memory of each of a multiplicity of server means. The resulting cluster of server means, each hosting an addressable sector of a larger database of searchable audio or video information, provides a significant improvement in the latency and scalability of an Automatic Content Recognition system, among other uses.

Abstract: A user (e.g., a viewer of audio/video content) may select a primary or main content stream (MCS). Metadata regarding the MCS may be generated to indicate a start and a stop within the MCS of content that is not of interest to the user, such as commercials. When the MCS (e.g., a sporting event) provides undesired content, backfill content (BFC) may be provided in place of the undesired content. BFC may include content provided by a fantasy sports platform, a social media website, an email provider, a secondary content stream (e.g., highlights from a different sporting event), and/or any other content. The MCS may be presented to the user with a slight time-delay, so that the metadata identifying commercials may be determined, and to allow the primary stream to be blended seamlessly with BFC. In another example, BFC may include a second game, provided to the user's device and segmented into highlights.

Abstract: A system, a method, and a computer program product for generating or preparing documents are disclosed. At least one processor in a computing system receives at least one parameter relating to a document. The processor generates at least one narrative based on the received parameter. It also generates at least one document mapping based on the generated narrative. The processor combines the generated mapping and the generated narrative to generate the document.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) receiving, by a computing system, a portion of a first media program being distributed on a channel, wherein the distribution of the first media program on the channel is scheduled to end at an end-time, and wherein a distribution of a second media program on the channel is scheduled to start at a start-time that corresponds with the scheduled end-time; (ii) predicting, by the computing system, that the distribution of the first media program on the channel will end later than the scheduled end-time; and (iii) responsive at least to the predicting, (a) retrieving, by the computing system, from a source other than the channel, a portion of the second media program, and (b) after the scheduled start-time, outputting, by the computing system, the retrieved portion of the second media program.

Abstract: A DVR sends, over the Internet, to a server, information that indicates a set of programs. The information also may indicate a ranking of the programs in the set relative to each other. In response to receiving the information from the DVR, the server determines a “to do” list of programs that the DVR should record as those programs are broadcasted in the future. The “to do” list indicates recording times and channels for each program. The server sends the “to do” list back to the DVR over the Internet. The DVR receives the “to do” list over the Internet and stores the “to do” list. As the programs on the “to do” list are broadcasted, the DVR automatically records those programs at the list-specified times and on the list-specified channels. The DVR stores those programs on the DVR's hard disk drive for later viewing by the DVR user.

Abstract: An intelligent audio/video source switcher and controller that automatically switches the input source based on a change in an incoming audio/video signal (for example, upon detection of a commercial break), devices that connect to the source switcher and controller, and methods for using the same, are presented. The switcher allows playback of media stored in memory of the switcher or streamed to the switcher via a network connection, thereby allowing commercial breaks in a television broadcast to be replaced with alternate content, such as alternate advertising or entertainment. In one or more embodiments, the apparatus of the present invention includes a control server configured to send commands to the switcher via a network to instruct the switcher to switch audio/video inputs, play back alternate media, or download media and/or software updates.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for Internet Protocol television streaming are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a remote access point configured to receive television programming via a data feed from a television service provider. The remote access point is specifically assigned to an application operating on a client device. The apparatus also includes a connection controller configured to determine television programming received in the remote access point is to be transmitted to the specific application operating on the client device and transmit the encrypted television programming to the application via a secure communication channel. The apparatus also includes a management controller configured to provision a virtual local area network between the remote access point and the connection controller and provision the secure communication channel from the connection controller to the application operating on the client device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media for generating a speech recognition model for a media content retrieval system. The method causes a computing device to retrieve information describing media available in a media content retrieval system, construct a graph that models how the media are interconnected based on the retrieved information, rank the information describing the media based on the graph, and generate a speech recognition model based on the ranked information. The information can be a list of actors, directors, composers, titles, and/or locations. The graph that models how the media are interconnected can further model pieces of common information between two or more media. The method can further cause the computing device to weight the graph based on the retrieved information, wherein the weighted graph is further normalized weighted graph to help with speech query searching of media content using speech recognition.

Abstract: A video services receiver for presenting video content, and related methods of operating the video services receiver, are presented here. An exemplary operating method identifies, at the video services receiver, an upcoming program event having content preferred by a user of the video services receiver. The method continues by generating, at the video services receiver, a graphical program notification comprising information related to the upcoming program event. The graphical program notification is provided for presentation on a display associated with the video services receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards analyzing content, such as Timed Text data that separately accompanies program content, to detect a future program. When a future program is detected in the content, a tag or other data structure is generated with identifying information for the future program. The tag is stored and later used to schedule a recording for the future program. An electronic program guide may be analyzed based on the identifying information in the tag to determine if the future program has been added to the electronic program guide.

Abstract: A method replacing a main content by at least one secondary content, which implements steps including: determining an instant of video breaking and an instant of audio or subtitle breaking, based on at least one breaking packet; replacing in the original stream at least one video packet and audio packet or subtitle packet respectively of the main content by at least one video packet and audio packet or subtitle packet respectively of the secondary content starting from the video and the audio or subtitle breaking instant, respectively, and at least one audio packet or subtitle packet of the main content, delivering a modified stream; updating, in the modified stream of a reference clock, continuity counters of video packets and audio packets or subtitle packets respectively and at least one video reconstruction temporal information, and audio or subtitle reconstruction respectively in the replacement video packets, and audio or subtitle packets respectively.

Abstract: User-specific interesting content is determined from already buffered video content, which can be replayed to the user while the user waits for additional video content to buffer.

Abstract: An interactive video distribution system and video player are described. A client server arrangement may be used for providing a video player and video content to a client device. The video player may display navigation images enabling navigation to specific portions of the video content by activating a corresponding navigation image. The video player may also enable the sharing of a segment of the video with other video players, enabling the video players to play the streamed segment of the video without having to play the entire video, thereby reducing network bandwidth usage. The video player may be embeddable. The server may associate searchable tags with respective video segments.

Abstract: A content optimization system includes a content generation module, a content evaluation module, and a rule management module. The content generation module is adapted to generate a content configuration, wherein the content configuration comprises a plurality of content elements and one or more relationships among the plurality of content elements, wherein the one or more relationships are in accordance with a set of rules on content generation. The content evaluation module is adapted to evaluate content performance of a piece of content assembled from the content configuration. The rule management module is adapted to amend the set of rules based on the evaluated content performance.

Abstract: A system and method of incorporating additional video objects into source video data to produce output video data. A method includes identifying segments of the source video data, selecting identified segments for the inclusion of additional video objects, creating an intermediate working version of the source video data including video material corresponding to the selected segments, creating metadata which identifies at least one frame within the source video data which corresponds to the selected segments, transmitting the intermediate working version to a remote system for the creation of additional video data including additional video objects to be included in the output video data, receiving video file data associated with the additional video data, obtaining the additional video data based on the video file data, retrieving metadata and incorporating the additional video data with the source video data on the basis of the retrieved metadata to produce the output video data.

Abstract: A method includes receiving an image of a user, the image indicating a user response to an advertisement. The advertisement includes a background component and a first foreground component. The method also includes selecting a second foreground component based on the user response. The method further includes generating an updated advertisement by combining the background component and the second foreground component.

Abstract: An apparatus and a system of improvement of advertisement targeting through embedded scripts in supply-side and demand-side platforms are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a client device includes applying an automatic content recognition algorithm to determine a content identifier of an audio-visual data. The client device then associates the content identifier with an advertisement data based on a semantic correlation between a meta-data of the advertisement provided by a content provider and/or the content identifier. The advertisement targeting may be improved when a script is embedded in the client device, a supply-side platform, and/or a data provider integrated with the supply side platform, to execute arbitrary cross-site scripts in the sandboxed application of the client device. The content identifier may be obfuscated in a manner that it is relevant to a particular demand-side platform to eliminate a need to query the provider of the content identifier on a per ad-spot basis.

Abstract: A settlement system includes a server device and a terminal device. The terminal device is configured to compare a payment amount with a set amount stored in a recording medium; if the payment amount is equal to or less than the set amount, perform an off-line process; and if the payment amount is larger than the set amount, perform an on-line process. In the off-line process, the terminal device rewrites the set amount stored in the recording medium by subtracting the payment amount from the set amount; and sends the payment amount to the server device for further processing. In the on-line process, the terminal device sends the payment amount to the server device; determines whether an update value is received from the server device; and when the update value is received, rewrites the set amount stored in the recording medium to be the update value.

Abstract: An information processing device equipped with a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit exchanges a signal for generation or updating of a multi-hop communication path using wireless communication with another information processing device. In addition, the control unit performs control such that, when there is path information regarding a communication path to another information processing device in a case in which the signal for generation or updating of a multi-hop communication path is transmitted to the other information processing device, the signal is transmitted to the other information processing device in unicast, and the signal is transmitted in broadcast.

Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding multimedia content with enforcement of commercial advertisements are discussed in the disclosure. Some of the methods may require all or part of a commercial advertisement segment to be viewed and/or decoded in order to decode an entertainment segment. In some implementations, the disclosure provides for inserting commercial advertisements in a video stream. The various implementations discussed herein may require a viewer to watch all or part of a commercial segment in order to view an entertainment segment of multimedia content.