Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for transferring an interactive feature from a first device to a second device. Two users may be consuming a media asset. Upon receipt of a command to active an interactive feature, a determination is made whether a user who did not activate the interactive feature is interested in the media asset. Upon that determination, a timer is activated that tracks an amount of time for which the interactive feature is active and a determination is made whether a threshold time period has been met. Once the threshold time period is met, a device associated with the user that activated the interactive feature is identified and the users are prompted to transfer the interactive feature to the device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a multimedia processing method comprising: converting multimedia items into versions of multiple compression levels for storage within a media catalog; and estimating the likelihood of a user consuming each multimedia item based on a consumption history of items within said media catalog and said user; computing the multimedia items to be downloaded and a per-item compression level in dependence on resource constraints at a client device of said user and said estimated consumption likelihoods; downloading a compressed version of the multimedia items; and storing a record of consumed downloaded items.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to identify media sources are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed herein include an exclusivity determiner, a unique asset identifier, and a signature matcher. The exclusivity determiner is to determine whether media is exclusive to a provider. The unique asset identifier is to associate a first signature of the media with the provider if the media is exclusive to the provider. The signature matcher is to identify the provider based on a second signature, the second signature matching the first signature, the second signature extracted from media presented at a media presentation location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for crediting a media presentation device are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed include means for computing a signature from audio obtained from a media device, means for determining an on/off state of the media device based on a gain level, means for crediting the media device with presenting media when (1) the signature matches at least one of a set of reference signatures and the on/off state determined for the media device is an on state, and (2) when the signature matches at least one of the set of reference signatures and the on/off state determined for the media device is an off state, the means for crediting to not credit the media device with presenting the media when (3) the signature does not match at least one of the set of reference signatures and the on/off state determined for the media device is the off state.

Abstract: A subset of items that can be identified, promoted, or recommended to the user is determined based in part on rankings or other feedback that the user has given to other items in the set. The techniques discussed herein employ localized regularization to generate estimated values for the unknown values. Regularization refers to adding information into the system in order to generate the unknown values. This additional information of the system is an estimate, and is generated based on the known properties of the system. The techniques discussed herein employ localized regularization, which refers to estimating additional information based on the particular user for which the unknown values are being generated. In contrast to employing global regularization that treats all users in the system the same, the localized regularization discussed herein treats each user independently of the other users.

Abstract: Display device ON/OFF detection methods and apparatus are disclosed. Example display activity detectors disclosed herein are to extract regions from respective ones of captured video frames, the regions corresponding to a depiction of a display of a monitored media device Disclosed example display activity detectors are also to compute a distance metric that is to represent an amount a first one of the regions of a first one of the captured video frames differs from a corresponding second one of the regions of a second one of the captured video frames. Disclosed example display activity detectors are further to compare the distance metric to a threshold to determine whether the monitored media device is ON or OFF.

Abstract: Example methods disclosed herein include accessing a query requesting a metric associated with a number of unique members of an audience of media over an aggregate monitoring interval corresponding to a plurality of component monitoring intervals. Disclosed example methods also include determining respective aggregate interval probability distributions modeling likelihoods of respective monitored individuals being exposed to the media during the aggregate monitoring interval, a first one of the aggregate interval probability distributions for a first one of the monitored individuals being determined by combining parameters of respective component interval probability distributions modeling likelihoods of the first one of the monitored individuals being exposed to the media during respective ones of the component monitoring intervals.

Abstract: A first connection state may be entered on a computing device. While the computing device is in the first connection state, actions taken on a playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and not applied to a playback queue associated with a zone. An input may be received via the computing device, indicating a selection of the zone. In response to receiving the input, a second connection state may be entered. Entering the second connection state may comprise establishing a connected state between the computing device and the one or more playback devices. While the connected state is established, one or more actions taken on the playlist on the computing device may be applied to the playlist and transmitted, in a message to the zone over a network. The one or more actions may be one or more corresponding actions applied to the playback queue.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic bookmarking in branched video are described. An application provides a video tree having a plurality of video segments, with each video segment including a predefined portion of one or more paths in the video tree, and each path being associated with a different video presentation. One of the paths in the video tree is traversed based on one or more decisions made by a user during playback of the video presentation associated with the path being traversed. A selection of a particular location in the path being traversed is received by the application, which stores a bookmark of the location for subsequent retrieval. The bookmark identifies a sequence of video segments in the video tree having been traversed to reach the location. The structure of the video tree is modified, and the bookmark is automatically updated, if necessary. At a later time, the application receives a selection of the stored bookmark and seeks to the bookmarked location.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems, methods and devices for providing product and service recommendations to users via conversational AI dialog. A natural language user input may be inspected. One or more product-related keywords from the inspected natural language user input may be extracted. A user profile for a user may be analyzed and a determination regarding one or more categories from the user profile that are related to the extracted product-related keywords may be made. One or more match values connecting the natural language user input to one or more candidate product recommendations may be calculated. The one or more candidate product recommendations may be ranked and a product recommendation based on the ranking may be provided.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for integrating a broadcast media stream with media streams from one or more amateur sources. In one implementation, a method includes receiving, at a stream integrator, one or more user media streams captured by one or more user capture devices, receiving a broadcast stream from a broadcast provider, selecting at least one of the one or more user media streams based on one or more parameters, and integrating one or more of the selected user media streams into the broadcast stream.

Abstract: In the information processing terminal of the present technology, in a case where a mode is set to display screens of a plurality of applications being executed respectively on different display areas at the same time, and a video of the contents being reproduced by a first application is displayed on a first display area and, at the same time, a screen of a second application is displayed on a second display area, the reproduction of the contents is stopped when the contents being reproduced are recorded contents and the reproduction of the contents is continued when the contents being reproduced are live-viewing contents, when a sound output by the second application is started, and the display of the video of the contents whose reproduction has been continued is continued on the first display area and the audio of the contents whose reproduction has been continued is muted.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a memory for storing at least one application, a wireless and/or wired communication interface, and a processor. The processor is configured to detect a display event for the at least one application, in response to the detection of display event, determine whether the electronic device is in a state of being connected to an external output device through the communication interface, when it is determined that the electronic device is in the state of being connected to the external output device, determine whether execution of the at least one application is possible, based on a state of connection with the external output device, and control to display, on the external output device, information indicating whether execution of the at least one application is possible.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for presenting highlights from broadcasts in spectating environments. A highlight service determines highlight events in the broadcasts, and extracts highlight segments from the broadcasts according to the determined events. Highlight reels may be created from the highlight segments according to highlight selection criteria (genre, game title, broadcaster, time period, etc.) and/or spectator preferences. The highlight service may provide a highlight user interface (UI) via which spectators may selectively view the highlights and highlight reels. The highlight service may generate highlight reels targeted to particular spectators or groups of spectators according to spectators' specified or otherwise determined preferences, demographics, viewing history, and so on.

Abstract: Collecting and distributing information related to recent content publication activity of an instant messaging (IM) user provides other users in a network with timely, relevant information about people known to the user or within the same social network. A user participating in a social network can quickly and efficiently perceive new information related to other users (referred to as co-users) in a social network by reviewing the co-users' recent content publication activity. A user may be made able to do so without requiring the co-user to send a communication directly to the user regarding the new facts or new content, and also without requiring the user to actively browse or request information about the co-user.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for predictive time-shift buffering for live television and persistent recording thereof. For example, upcoming program data can be obtained, and a candidate program can be identified from the upcoming program data as likely to be viewed live via the television receiver. An automated time-shift buffer (ATSB) trigger time and an ATSB flush time can be determined in accordance with a program start time associated with the candidate program. At the ATSB trigger time, it can be determined whether the candidate program is being viewed. If not, a time-shift buffer can be directed to begin buffering the candidate program in accordance with the program start time. At the ATSB flush time, it can be determined whether the candidate program is still not being viewed live. In that case, the time-shift buffer can be directed automatically to flush as-yet-buffered data of the candidate program.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer readable media, and apparatuses for providing synchronous supplemental experiences are presented. According to one or more aspects, a video signal may be transmitted to a display device, and a sync signal may be transmitted to at least one other device. The sync signal may include an identifier of a program currently being displayed and a time value indicating a current point in time of the program. In at least one arrangement, the sync signal may cause the at least one other device to access content synchronization data; determine, based on the content synchronization data, that at least one supplemental experience corresponds to the identifier of the program and the time value; and present the at least one supplemental experience to a user.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable medium for providing recommendations based on a user interest. The method includes: generating at least one signature for at least one multimedia content element; querying, based on the generated at least one signature, a user profile to identify the user interest related to the at least one multimedia content element; generating at least one contextual insight based on the user interest, wherein each contextual insight indicates a user preference; searching for at least one content item that matches the at least one contextual insight; and causing a display of the at least one matching content item as a recommendation.

Abstract: A subtitle encoding device for transmitting a bitmap subtitle for insertion in an image using a progressive type scan including a controller configured to: indicate, in an interlace subtitle system, that a top field block length is zero; and provide the bitmap subtitle in a bottom field of the interlace subtitle system.

Abstract: A user receiving device includes at least one transceiver module that receives a video and an ad. The ad is played out as part of the video is for a product or service. An output module displays the video and the ad on a display. The display is associated with the user receiving device. A transaction module initiates a purchase transaction based on an initiation signal and, after initiating the purchase transaction, displays an additional offer based on a purchasable object corresponding to the ad or a stored customer history. The transaction module generates an offer response to the additional offer and receives a confirmation response based on the offer response.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems, methods, and non-transitory computer readable media for generating and providing an animated tutorial based on determining modifications made to a digital image. For example, the disclosed systems can determine modifications made to a digital image based on comparing an initial state of a digital image with a modified state of the digital image and/or based on analyzing an action history within a digital image editing application. The disclosed systems can generate an animated tutorial based on the determined modifications and can further generate a deep link that references the animated tutorial. In addition, the disclosed systems can provide the animated tutorial to a social networking system together with the deep link to cause devices to execute a digital image editing application and present the animated tutorial upon selection of the deep link.

Abstract: An apparatus may include a memory to store a recorded video. The apparatus may further include an interface to receive at least one set of sensor information based on sensor data that is recorded concurrently with the recorded video and a video clip creation module to identify a sensor event from the at least one set of sensor information and to generate a video clip based upon the sensor event, the video clip comprising video content from the recorded video that is synchronized to the sensor event.

Abstract: A semiconductor package apparatus may include technology to aggregate region of interest information for omni-directional video content from two or more sources, select video information from the omni-directional video content based on the aggregated region of interest information, and generate one or more two-dimensional videos based on the selected video information. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A system and method for inducing user activity via enhanced web content. The method includes receiving data respective of interactions of a user with web content displayed on a user device during at least one electronic transaction, wherein the web content is associated with at least a product; determining, based on the received data, a user impression; generating a user profile including at least the determined user impression; determining at least one content modification parameter respective of the generated user profile; determining at least one criterion respective of the at least one content modification parameter; and causing a display of enhanced content based on the at least one content modification parameter, when the at least one criterion is met.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for predictive pre-buffering of content for a user. Embodiments include a prediction system that can receive trending information from social media sources and other streaming video sources. The prediction system can also receive user viewing history to identify the programs the user has viewed, the genres of the programs the user has viewed, and amount of programming the user consumes. Based on the user's viewing history, the prediction system can identify preferred genres for the user and other preferred content information. Based on the trending programs and the user's preferred genres, the prediction system can predict which of the trending programs that the user may watch. Based on the prediction, the system can pre-buffer some portion of the programs that the system predicted the user may watch in a cache of the device on which the user watches programming.

Abstract: A method of generating media programming includes providing a first media source having a plurality of media elements, tags associated with each of the media elements, and one or more first media source templates for assembling of the media elements into media programming. The method further includes providing a second media source, the second media source having at least a second template and receiving a request for media programming at the second media source. The method further includes in response to the request, generating media programming including selected ones of the media elements assembled in accordance with at least the second template.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a selection from a media device corresponding to a first media content, generating a play list at a server where the play list includes second media content that is associated with the first media content by at least one of genre, artist and being published in temporal proximity, and providing play list content comprising at least a portion of the first and second media content to the media device, where at least one of the generation of the play list and the providing of the play list content is based on metadata pointers associated with the first and second media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for modeling and distributing image data of interest to users is disclosed. Users on user devices such as mobile phones send request messages for image data captured by surveillance cameras of the system. The request messages include information for selecting the image data, such as camera number and time of recording of the image data, in examples. In response, an application server of the system collects the image data from the surveillance cameras, and supplies image data to the users based on a model that the application server creates and updates for each of the users. The model ranks image data of potential interest for each of the users, where the model is based on the information for selecting the image data provided by the users. Preferably, a machine learning application of the application server creates the model for each of the users.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may perform, for example, operations including receiving a plurality of profiles from a plurality of communication devices, where each of the plurality of profiles comprise a content preference established by users of the plurality of communication devices, receiving content from a plurality of content sources, selecting portions of the content according to the plurality of profiles supplied by the plurality of communication devices, detecting that the portions of the content are not compatible with a multimedia messaging service protocol utilized by the multimedia messaging service server, transcoding the portions of the content to generate transcoded portions of the content that comply with the multimedia messaging service protocol, and broadcasting the transcoded portions of the content to the plurality of communication devices. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are provided for processing media data. For example, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable media are described that can include receiving a multicast stream of media content, and dividing the multicast stream of media content into data fragments. In some cases, the multicast stream of media content can be transcoded from a first media format to a second media format. The data fragments can be transmitted, over one or more Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) channels using a web socket protocol, to a browser of the computing device for playback.

Abstract: Multiple dimensions of commerce and streaming data are able to be used to provide advanced user profiling and realtime commerce choices. By performing site and experience analytics, video analytics, commerce analytics and user analytics, better commerce choices are able to be presented to the user.

Abstract: Provided herein are identification of a distributed denial of service attack and automatic implementation of preventive measures to halt the distributed denial of service attack. At substantially the same time as the attack, valid users/customers (e.g., devices) are provided quality of service and continued access to a website experiencing the distributed denial of service attack. Further, service to temporary or unknown users (e.g., devices) with public access to the website is suspended during the duration of the distributed denial of service attack.

Abstract: Techniques for projecting person-level viewership from household-level tuning events are described. Initially, panelist viewing data are accessed and a plurality of state values based on the panelist viewing data are determined. Then, tuning data representing tuning events associated with particular households are accessed. For at least one tuning event represented by the tuning data, household member data is accessed, a portion of the panelist viewing data whose panelist information matches at least a portion of the member data is determined, a total number of watched minutes of the program by an individual member and a number of continuous series of watched states of the program by the individual member is determined, and an output representative of a probability that the particular portion of the program was watched by one or more of the individual members is generated.

Abstract: There are disclosed a method of and a system for selecting a network resource as a source of a content item, the content item to be analyzed by a recommendation system as part of a plurality of content items to generate a set of recommended content items as a recommendation for a given user of the recommendation system. The method comprises, for a network resource, receiving, by the server, a plurality of features associated with a network resource to be processed; generating given network resource profile for the network resource, the given network resource profile being based on the plurality of features; executing a machine learning algorithm in order to determine a source suitability parameter for the network resource, selecting at least one content item from the network resource if the source suitability parameter is determined to be above a pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for generating personalized menus and a media content interface are provided. In one example, different device specific media asset lists are generated at different user devices for the same user based on the media consumption history at each device. In another example, media asset listings are displayed for multicast and on-demand media assets determined to be of interest to the user. An on-demand media asset is listed at a time when no other multicast media assets are listed. In another example, media asset listings for successive episodes of a media series are displayed in sequential order in response to an input to view successive episodes of a media series. In another example, a text search for media content is performed in which the search priority of media provider results is decreased relative to the search priority of media asset results as additional characters are added to a search string.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods automatically select content that is transferred from an encoder to a portable media streaming device for later playback. Security is maintained during the synchronization or transfer process to prevent unauthorized use or copying of the protected content.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate method for displaying targeted multimedia items to a ridesharing group. The method includes transmitting a plurality of multimedia items to a computing device installed in a vehicle. The method further includes receiving at least one feedback provided by a plurality of users on each of the transmitted plurality of multimedia items. The method includes determining an effectiveness score for each of the transmitted plurality of multimedia items based on the corresponding at least one feedback provided by the plurality of users. The method includes selecting a plurality of targeted multimedia items from the plurality of multimedia items in real-time based on the determined effectiveness score and a pre-specified constraint. The method includes transmitting the selected plurality of targeted multimedia items in a prioritized order to the computing device. The transmitted plurality of targeted multimedia items is displayed to the plurality of users traveling in the vehicle.

Abstract: A system for assisting a content consumer to select content services, the system including a processor that is configured to execute a matching algorithm. The matching algorithm comprises interviewing the content consumer for questions in a plurality of categories, determining a point system for answers obtained by the interviewing step, wherein the answers indicate entertainment interests of the content consumer; calculating a service score for each content service based on the point system, wherein the service score indicates an agreement between a content service and the entertainment interests of the content consumer; and selecting a pre-determined number of content services based on the service score.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method selects a first asset in a first ordering of assets and simulates a playout of the first asset based on bandwidth values at a set of times. The playout takes a time period to playout based on the set of bandwidth values. A new ordering of the assets is received based on the simulated playout of the first asset and the time period. The method continues to select a new asset in the new ordering of the assets, simulate the playout of the new asset, and receive a new ordering of the assets until a schedule of asset delivery is generated. Then, the schedule of asset delivery is output where the schedule of asset delivery is used by a receiver to determine when to power up to receive a scheduled delivery of an asset and power down when no asset is scheduled for delivery.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for crediting a media presentation device are disclosed. Example apparatus disclosed include a signal generator to compute a signature from audio obtained from a media device during a time period, and an on/off detector to determine an on/off state of the media device based on a gain level applied by an automatic gain controller during collection of the audio. Disclosed apparatus also include a location creditor to credit the media device with presenting media during the time period when the signature matches at least one of a set of reference signatures and the on/off state is determined as the on state or as the off state, the location creditor not to credit the media device with presenting the media when the signature does not match at least one of the set of reference signatures and the on/off state is determined as the off state.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media can provide an interface that includes a grid of content items, the grid also including at least a first slot through which a first content channel is accessible and a second slot through which a second content channel is accessible. A determination is made that the second content channel is ranked higher than the first content channel based at least in part on one or more measurements. The interface is updated so that the second content channel is presented in the first slot and the first content channel is presented in the second slot.

Abstract: In some implementations, a system is capable of intelligently generating customized multimedia content streams that are distributed to different groups of users. The system generates the customized content streams such that the initial and terminating portions of the streams are shared between each of the content streams. The system adjusts the intermediate portions of the streams to, for example, the viewing preferences of each user group using alternate forms of content. In this regard, the customized content streams that have both customized portions and shared portions to provide a standardized yet adaptive viewing experience for all users.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus include computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium, including a method for providing content. A user of an initiating device is identified. Profile information for the identified user is located. The initiating device includes a display for presenting content to the user. An indication is received from an application running on the initiating device of an intent by the user to receive a first content item on a separate but co-located presentation device having enhanced presentation characteristics for presenting content. Additional content items are selected for delivery along with the first content item. The selection includes identifying a second different content item based on the profile information for the identified user and the enhanced presentation characteristics.

Abstract: A processing server is disclosed. The server comprises a processor, a memory, and an application stored in the memory. The application when executed by the processor formats data into a data container, wherein the data is comprised of audio and video content of a movie. The application then writes metadata in to the data container, wherein the metadata identifies what processing has been done on the data and identifies algorithms that are applied to the data, and identifies a source location from which the data container is obtained, and identifies a plurality of different data containers with different versions of the audio or video content that have different processing or algorithms applied to them and the source locations from which the different data containers are obtained. The application then stores the data container in a data store, whereby the data container is sourced to playback devices.

Abstract: A cognitive assisting method, system, and computer program product, includes determining an intent of a first user from an identifiable attribute of content associated with an activity of the first user, building a first cognitive profile of the first user based on the intent of the first user and the identifiable attribute of the content, and detecting a similarity between the intent of the first user in the first cognitive profile and a characteristic of a second cognitive profile of a second user stored in a database including a plurality of cognitive profiles.

Abstract: Provided are methods, systems, and computer-program products for responding to a natural language communication, sending a response to request additional information from a user, and exposing an invocable method for accessing a virtual database. Some examples relate to a bot server that can respond to natural-language messages (e.g., questions or comments) through a messaging application using natural-language messages. Other examples relate to storage of event data associated with a web page or a mobile application. Event data can describe one or more actions performed in relation to the web page and/or the mobile application. Other examples relate to behavioral analytics of the event data.

Abstract: A method of multimedia content discovery and navigation based on criteria for recommendation includes displaying a multimedia content based on a criteria for recommending the multimedia content, displaying the criteria for recommending the multimedia content along with the multimedia content, processing a first input that includes a selection of the multimedia content, and playing the multimedia content on the selection of the multimedia content. The multimedia content display module may display a second set of multimedia content associated with the second criteria on the selection of the second criteria. The first criteria may include at least one of (i) reasons based on popularity, (ii) reasons based on user favorites, and (iii) reasons based on friends' activities.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that facilitate selecting videos to share in a messaging session. A system is provided that includes an accessible data mining component configured to generate a first set of data associated with a messaging session between a user and one or more other user, the first set of data excluding data that is inaccessible to the user and comprising data that is accessible to the user, and an identification component configured to identify a set of media items based on the first set of data. An inaccessible data mining component is further configured to generate a second set of data comprising data that is inaccessible to the user but accessible to at least one of the one or more other users, and a recommendation component configured to recommend a subset of the set of media items to the user based on the second set of data.

Abstract: A communication method and system for providing a secure communication pathway between a user and a third-party is described. The system uses a telecommunications provider which has a controller for distributing and controlling electronic communications between a database, a translation server, a third-party provider of content and public identification information (PII), and at least one television of a user. The at least one television has a set-top box (STB) and a remote control. The STB has a unique electronic identifier (STB-ID). The STB communicates with the controller and the at least one television utilizing the STB-ID to ensure secure communications between the user, the telecommunications provider and the third-party.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to methods, systems, and storage mediums for managing content storage and selection activities. The method includes aggregating content from content providers and presenting the content to a content device. The method also includes monitoring consumption of storage space with respect to storage capacity in the content device, relocating content contained in the storage space of the content device when a predetermined condition is met, and providing access to relocated content. The relocation is operable for freeing up the storage space of the content device.