Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for encoding video streams associated with the same digital content such that switch points staggered across two video streams occur at every offset temporal distance. The offset temporal distance is less than the distance between two consecutive key frames in a given video stream. This enables a content player to switch to a video stream having a playback quality up or down one level from a current video stream at the offset temporal distance from the most recently played key frame. In effect, the content player does not wait the entire key frame temporal distance before switching.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing an interruption of content presentation on a computing device are provided. In one example, an interruption of presentation of a segment of content on a computing device is detected. An estimated recovery time is determined for the interruption. Based at least in part on the estimated recovery time, a determination is made as to whether to skip the segment or wait to resume presentation of the video segment after the interruption subsides. Based on a result of the determining whether to skip or wait, an instruction to wait or an instruction to skip the segment is generated for presentation via the computing device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for fault tolerant network storage and delivery of recorded content. Two or more network digital video recorders may each receive a plurality of requests to record, archive, and/or play back content items, such as television programs. Each network digital video recorder may receive capacity reports of statistics such as storage and/or bandwidth from one or more other network digital video recorders. At least one of the network digital video recorders may determine whether, based on a network capacity, to record, archive, and/or playback content items. The methods, systems, and apparatuses may accommodate equipment failures that lead to partitions between network digital video recorders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving regional content via remote access point servers are disclosed. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a network system for content retrieval from remote network regions. The network system may comprise a first device. The first device may be configured to receive a request for content. The content may be on one or more content servers located in a remote network region. The first device may be further configured to at least one of forwarding the request, via tunneling, to a destination access point server located in proximity to the one or more content servers and receiving the content from the destination access point server, obtaining the content from a cache of the first device.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to a method and a system for providing a content via efficient database architecture for individualized time management. According to the method and system, it is possible to perform a quick data processing simultaneously with an efficient database management through the database architecture even in a situation where the number of users and contents are greatly increased by mapping etc. between tables based on a base content associated with a quasi-free sub-contents when activation of quasi-free sub-contents is requested.

Abstract: Techniques and mechanisms described herein facilitate the storage of digital media recordings. According to various embodiments, a system is provided comprising a processor, a storage device, Random Access Memory (RAM), an archive writer, and a recording writer. The archive writer is configured to retrieve a plurality of small multimedia segments (SMSs) in RAM and write the plurality of SMSs into an archive container file in RAM. The single archive container file may correspond to a singular multimedia file when complete. New SMSs retrieved from RAM are appended into the archive container file if the new SMSs also correspond to the singular multimedia file. The recording writer is configured to flush the archive container file to be stored as a digital media recording on the storage device once enough SMSs have been appended by the archive writer to the archive container file to complete the singular multimedia file.

Abstract: Example techniques relate to prioritizing media content requests. An example implementation involves a computing system receives an explicit request to play back a playlist on one or more playback devices of a media playback system. The computing system causes the playback devices to play back a given audio track of the playlist. While the playback devices are playing back first tracks of the playlist, the computing system receives one or more implicit requests for second audio tracks in the playlist. While the playback devices are playing back the second audio tracks of the playlist, the computing system receives an explicit request to play back audio content on a mobile device. The computing system determines that the request to play back the audio content on the mobile device is a higher priority than the requests for second audio tracks and switches playback from the playback devices to the mobile device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating a customized media asset to incentivize a first user to subscribe to a subscription service. A first user provides their subscription access information to a media provider. In response to receiving the subscription access information, the media provider determines whether the subscription access information is from an account subscribed for a trial period. If the account is subscribed for the trial period, the media provider presents a plurality of media assets for selection to the first user, receives a selection of a media asset available from the subscription service, generates a customized media asset based on a media asset consumption profile of the first user, wherein the customized media asset includes a segment from an additional media asset different from the selected media asset, and presents to the first user the customized media asset instead of the selected media asset.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention sets forth a mechanism for encoding video streams associated with the same digital content such that switch points staggered across two video streams occur at every offset temporal distance. The offset temporal distance is less than the distance between two consecutive key frames in a given video stream. This enables a content player to switch to a video stream having a playback quality up or down one level from a current video stream at the offset temporal distance from the most recently played key frame. In effect, the content player does not wait the entire key frame temporal distance before switching.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, method, and computer-readable recording medium for automatic routing of an audio output using a smart media device (SMD), which includes receiving a request for audio content or audio and visual content, obtaining the audio content or the audio and visual content requested, and determining a power state of an audio/video (AV) output device. If the power state is determined to be ON, the audio content or the audio and visual content is automatically routed to the AV output device, and if the power state is determined to be OFF, the audio content is automatically routed to the SMD for output. If the power state is determined to be OFF and the request is for audio and visual content, the power state of the AV output device is controlled ON, and the audio and visual content is routed to the AV output device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing an interruption of content presentation on a computing device are provided. In one example, an interruption of presentation of a segment of content on a computing device is detected. An estimated recovery time is determined for the interruption. Based at least in part on the estimated recovery time, a determination is made as to whether to skip the segment or wait to resume presentation of the video segment after the interruption subsides. Based on a result of the determining whether to skip or wait, an instruction to wait or an instruction to skip the segment is generated for presentation via the computing device.

Abstract: Disclosed systems and methods allow a user to input digital content along with identification of one or more social media websites on which the user desires to publish the digital content. The systems and methods then query the identified social media webservers and retrieve a first set of publishing rules. When the digital content satisfies the first set of rules, the systems and methods query a database to retrieve a second set of rules comprising user restrictions specific to the identified social media websites. When the digital content does not satisfy at least one rule within the second set of rules, the systems and methods render a prompt on the user device to receive modified digital content. Subsequently, the systems and methods instruct the one or more social media websites to publish the modified digital content.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and processes for reducing interruptions due to a presentation timestamp restart (PTSrs) are provided. A process includes receiving content data packets identifiable by a timestamp. The timestamps vary between a PTSmin and a PTSmax. When PTSmax is reached, a next data packet is restarted at substantially equal to PTSmin. The process includes first determining whether one of the timestamps have restarted and, if so, generating a loop over index file associating a first timestamp with a first index value (A), a second timestamp with a second index value (B), a third timestamp with a third index value (C), and a fourth timestamp with a fourth index value (D). PTSrs may be detected when the second timestamp is greater than the fourth timestamp or when the first timestamp is greater than the third timestamp. When a restart occurs, adjustments to content playback sequence are made using the index values.

Abstract: A method for displaying media content on devices respectively linked to media players from a group of media players. The method includes the acts of: transmitting to the media players configuration data including data; transmitting data corresponding to the media content to at least one of the media players; transmitting to the media players data corresponding to a multicast address and to an entry port; selecting by the server a master media player among the at least one media player which received the data corresponding to the media content; sending by the master media player a multicast media stream using the multicast address and the entry port, the multicast media stream being obtained by the master media player from the data corresponding to the media content.

Abstract: In order for a terminal to play a video, a first video file is obtained. The first video file is sliced to generate a plurality of first slice files. A play index is generated to include entries respectively corresponding to the first slice files. An entry corresponding to a second video file is inserted into the index between an entry corresponding to one first slice file and an entry corresponding to another first slice file in the play index. The first slice files are played in sequence according to the play index, and the second vide file is played after the one of the first slice files and before the other of the first slice files according to the play index.

Abstract: Devices, computer-readable media, and methods for providing a timeout for an adaptive bitrate streaming video chunk download are disclosed. For example, a processing system including at least one processor may determine a first bitrate for a first segment of a video program based upon an occupancy level of a video buffer of a device, request a first video chunk of the first segment encoded at the first bitrate, determine that the first video chunk is not received within a threshold of a duration of time after the requesting of the first video chunk, and request, responsive to the determining that the first video chunk is not received within the threshold of the duration of time, a second video chunk of the first segment encoded at a second bitrate that is lower than the first bitrate.

Abstract: A content distribution device sends control data or content data to a first content receiving device over a wireless communication channel in a first frequency band. The device also sends the content data to a second content receiving device via a wired communication channel or via a wireless communication channel in a second frequency band that is different from the first frequency band. The device detects a performance reduction of the wired communication channel or the wireless communication channel in the second frequency band. In response to the detection, the device starts to send the content data to the second content receiving device via the wireless communication channel in the first frequency band while sending of the control data or the content data to the first content receiving device.

Abstract: A method is implemented at a server system for controlling play of media content on a media output system by voice. The server system receives a voice message via an electronic device, and determines that the voice message includes a media play request having a user voice command to play media content and a user voice designation of a media output system. In accordance with the voice designation, the server system identifies in a device registry the media output system that is associated with the electronic device in the virtual user domain. The server system then sends to the identified media output system another media play request including information of a media play application and information of the media content requested to be played, thereby enabling the media output system to execute the media play application that controls the media output system to play the requested media content.

Abstract: System for present content. The system includes means for receiving a set of timepoints relating to a content data and means for generating display signals based on the content data. The system also includes means for sending display signals to a display device that represent the content data and means for notifying a server over the Internet, that a timepoint among the set of timepoints has been reached in the content data. The system also includes means for receiving, from the server, via the Internet, an identification of one or more particular additional content and in response to receiving the identification of the one or more particular additional content from the server, means for interrupting presentation of the content data; and presenting the one or more particular additional content. The system further includes means for resuming, presentation of the content data after presenting the one or more particular additional content.

Abstract: This specification relates to methods and systems for content management. One of the methods includes: receiving data identifying a user; verifying that the user is an authorized user; receiving initial content from the authorized user; encrypting the initial content using an encryption key to produce encrypted content; forwarding the encrypted content for storage; creating content storage metadata; encrypting the content storage metadata to provide encrypted content storage metadata; and forwarding the encrypted content storage metadata to a blockchain such as a public ledger.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for translating a non-playback command into a playback modification to encourage a recipient of the command to execute on the command. A media guidance application may determine a command from a first user to a second user. The media guidance application may compare the command to a set of playback operation commands for a media asset that is currently being played back. The media guidance application may determine that the command is not contained within the set of playback operation commands. In response to determining that the command is not contained within the set of commands, the media guidance application may determine whether the second user executes a desired outcome of the command. And in response to determining that the second user does not execute the desired outcome of the command, the media guidance application may determine whether to modify playback of the media asset.

Abstract: A quota management system for Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) in which the storage space available on connected storage devices is shared between multiple content providers or multiple software programs.

Abstract: Techniques described and suggested herein include systems and methods for generating and/or substituting application-local audiovisual data, such as audio, for analogous application-disabled remote audiovisual data when remote resources upon which the executing application depends become unavailable. For example, an executing application may, nominally, be partially or fully dependent on remote resources. If audiovisual data, such as audio resources used by the application, are ordinarily accessed by the application from a remote resource, but that remote resource (or some or all of the audiovisual data associated therewith) is/are unavailable to the application, the techniques described herein may be used to generate and/or select application-local substitute audiovisual data, so as to provide a user of the application a more consistent user experience, as well as to reduce reliance by the application on the stability and/or availability of the remote resource.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate a selection of a device for receiving a download associated with one or more other devices. When a download is targeted to a plurality of devices, an individual device may be selected from the plurality of devices, and the selected device may retrieve the download. After retrieving the download, the selected device may share the download with the rest of the plurality of devices. The individual device may be selected based upon status information associated with each of the plurality of devices, and the selected device may be a device that is free or relatively less busy than the other devices.

Abstract: In various embodiments, an audio streaming service may provide a plurality of channels. On a particular channel, different types of content can be streamed to audio devices connected to that channel, including channel content, group content, and individual content. Channel content refers to same content that is streamed to all of the audio devices that are connected to the channel. Group channel refers to content that is selected for subgroups of the devices, and individual content refers to content that is selected for an individual device. Channel content may be transmitted to all the devices, then a period of group or individual content is provided, and then the devices are synced back into receiving the same channel content during a syncing window. Listeners can also interact with the content, such as skipping songs or adding songs to their personal collection.

Abstract: According to examples, an apparatus may include a processor and a memory on which is stored machine readable instructions executable by the processor to: access network traffic data pertaining to data flows among nodes in a network; partition the network traffic data into a plurality of windows; for each of the plurality of windows, aggregate data flows between pairs of nodes; compute a data distribution of each of the aggregated data flows; select a summary structure for each of the aggregated data flows based on the computed data distributions of the aggregated data flows; generate a summary of each of the aggregated data flows using the selected summary structures for the aggregated data flows; and store the generated summaries.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for providing media guidance are provided. In some implementations, a method for providing media guidance is provided, the method comprising: receiving device data from a mobile device associated with a display device; identifying a media content item being presented on the display device; determining a first indication that the mobile device has been interacted with during the presentation of the media content item; storing a first timestamp corresponding to the first indication; determining a second indication that the interaction with the mobile device has ceased; storing a second timestamp corresponding to the second indication; receiving an indication that the media content item is to be played back; determining, using a hardware processor, a first playback position in the media content item based on the first timestamp; and causing the media content item to be presented from the determined first playback position in response to receiving the indication.

Abstract: A control method for media playing, including: receiving user operation instructions by a media playing equipment; and transforming the user operation instructions into processing instructions corresponding to a media source equipment and forwarding the processing instructions to the media source equipment, if the menu currently displayed by the media playing equipment is not the control menu of the media playing equipment and the information input channel of the media playing equipment is the channel for the media source equipment inputting information to the media playing equipment. The method reduce the complexity of the user operation. A media source equipment, a media playing equipment and a system are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for recommending content and a sound source. The present invention, especially in a multimedia device such as a TV which can be used by a plurality of users, can generate channel groups in accordance with channel properties, can recommend appropriate content for each channel group by analyzing users' viewing history type for each channel group, and can acquire user's intent on the basis of user's use history of a sound source, lyrics and music information of the sound source, and the like, thereby providing, on the basis of the user's intent, sound source recommendation information and various reasons for sound source recommendation with respect to the sound source recommendation information.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus configured to transmit image data to a reception apparatus through a network, in which a setting value for generating captured data and a setting value for generating image data by an encoding unit are updated according to reception of a command that sets the setting value for generating the captured data by the image capturing unit. When the setting value for generating the captured data is updated according to the received command, notification is performed through the network regardless of a restart process is performed.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus configured to transmit image data to a reception apparatus through a network, in which a setting value for generating captured data and a setting value for generating image data by an encoding unit are updated according to reception of a command that sets the setting value for generating the captured data by the image capturing unit. When the setting value for generating the captured data is updated according to the received command, notification is performed through the network regardless of a restart process is performed.

Abstract: Centralized storage and playback of user-recorded television programming eliminates the need for expensive DVR devices to be deployed in the field. Further, the methods used to initiate storage and provide playback of stored media respect copyright principles.

Abstract: A method and system for user experience event processing and analysis are provided. In one embodiment, a method is provided comprising: receiving a recorded video of a display of the host device and a reference video; comparing the recorded video with the reference video to identify differences, wherein the recorded video and the reference video are synchronized based on content rather than time; receiving data indicating activity of a storage device of the host device; correlating the differences with the data indicating activity of the storage device; and generating an analysis of the correlation. Other embodiments are possible, and each of the embodiments can be used alone or together in combination.

Abstract: A transmission apparatus configured to transmit image data to a reception apparatus through a network, in which a setting value for generating captured data and a setting value for generating image data by an encoding unit are updated according to reception of a command that sets the setting value for generating the captured data by the image capturing unit. When the setting value for generating the captured data is updated according to the received command, notification is performed through the network regardless of a restart process is performed.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving device is provided with: a broadcast receiving unit which receives a digital broadcast signal including broadcast program video and application-related information; a storage unit which stores the received broadcast program video and application-related information; a video decoding unit which decodes the video; an application acquisition unit which acquires an application on the basis of location information included in the application-related information; an application execution unit which executes the acquired application; an output unit which is able to output the video; and a control unit for reproducing and decoding the broadcast program video from the storage unit, reproducing the application-related information from the storage unit, acquiring the application on the basis of the location information included in the reproduced application-related information, and executing the acquired application.

Abstract: Techniques described herein may be used to provide a media program (e.g., a television program, a sporting event, a movie, advertisement, etc.) to a user by obtaining portions of the media program from multiple, distinct media content sources. A client device, such as a set-top-box (STB), may receive present an ongoing media program to a user. The user may request for the client device to start the media program from the beginning, rewind the media program, or otherwise access a previous portion of the media program. Depending on the request, the client device may obtain different portions of the media program requested by the user from multiple, distinct media content sources. Examples of such sources may include a buffer of the client device, a digital-video-recording (DVR) component of the client device, a DVR server, a catch up server, and a video-on-demand (VoD) server.

Abstract: A split streaming system and method are provided in which a stream of data (that can be video, audio or textual data) is split and sent over a plurality of stream reflectors to a stream recipient. Each stream reflector performs time gradient replacement to manage the split streaming.

Abstract: A source device includes an event processing unit processing an event which occurs in a remote sink device that communicates through a WLAN, a control unit setting an event management area of the sink device, and a determination unit determining whether the event transferred from the sink device has occurred in the event management area and outputting the event to the event processing unit when the event has occurred in the event management area.

Abstract: Embodiments herein describe a content distribution system that removes time-dependent promotional content before providing a recording of a media presentation (e.g., show or program) to a video-on-demand (VOD) provider. To receive Nielsen credit for a subscriber watching a recording of the media presentation using VOD, the recording must be almost the same as the live version of the media presentation which includes the original program content and the commercial advertisements shown during commercial breaks. However, some shows also include promotional content that a telecommunication or cable provider adds to the media presentation to promote other shows or events being broadcasted later. By the time the user views the recording, however, the promotional content may already be outdated. The embodiments herein describe techniques for removing time-dependent promotional content from a media presentation before the recording of the media presentation is sent to VOD providers.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to granting of network access to a new network device. Specifically, various techniques and systems are provided for connecting a new network device to a network and limiting access of the network device while authenticating the new network device. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for receiving information associated with one or more capabilities of the network devices on the network, analyzing the information associated with the one or more capabilities of the network devices on the network, wherein analyzing includes determining one or more capabilities common to the network devices, and generating a grouping of network devices, wherein the grouping includes network devices that share a common capability.

Abstract: Provided is a method of distributedly storing an individual content in a hierarchical storage system including a solid state storage having a plurality of solid state disks, a hard disk storage having a plurality of hard disks, and a tape storage. The method may include determining a target content to store and an inquiry frequency and a required minimum transmission rate of the target content upon receipt of a request message from a client device, classifying the target content as at least one of a low demanded content, a normal demanded content, a high demanded content, a low transmission rate content, a normal transmission rate content, and a high transmission rate content based on the inquiry frequency and the required minimum transmission rate of the target content, and distributedly storing the target content through at least one of the solid state storage, the hard disk storage, and the tape storage based on the classification result and a distribution and buffering policy.

Abstract: A dual-wireless mode speaker is disclosed, which includes a controller and a wireless receiver module connected to the controller. The wireless receiver module includes a Bluetooth receiver module and a WiFi receiver module. The speaker further includes an audio processing module with an input terminal coupled to the controller and an audio output module coupled to an output terminal of the audio processing module. The speaker is configured to operate in one of a Bluetooth-only mode, a WiFi-only mode and a dual-wireless mode. Additionally, the Bluetooth receiver module is activated and the WiFi receiver module is deactivated in the Bluetooth-only mode; the Bluetooth receiver module is deactivated and the WiFi receiver module is activated in the WiFi-only mode; and both the Bluetooth receiver module and the WiFi receiver module are activated in the dual-wireless mode.

Abstract: A controller in a video headend or other transmission element of a signal distribution system is operative to detect a condition in which unicast transmissions of a given content stream to a plurality of terminals meet a specified threshold. The controller starts a multicast transmission of the given content stream in response to the detected condition, and transitions at least one of the terminals to the multicast transmission. In one embodiment, the controller identifies at least one of the terminals as a terminal that will receive the multicast transmission of the given content stream in place of its unicast transmission prior to one or more of the other terminals receiving the multicast transmission.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing content items to users. A first content item is divided into an opening portion and a remainder portion. The opening portion begins at a chronological beginning of the first content item and ends a predetermined number of digital units from the chronological beginning of the first content item. The opening portion may be encoded according to an encoding format. The opening portion may be stored at a first remote data storage location. In response to a request for the content item from a user device, the first remote data storage location is instructed to stream the opening portion to the user device. The remainder portion may be encoded according to the encoding format and streamed to the user device.

Abstract: A broadcast radio architecture includes an internet-enabled radio and a remote audio services system. The internet-enabled radio receives broadcast audio content and plays through a speaker, the audio content that is received. The internet-enabled radio receives a user command to replay, from the beginning, a song that is currently being played. In response to the user command, the internet-enabled radio transmits over a network to the audio services system, a snippet of the song that is currently being played. Using the snippet of the song, the audio services system identifies a song from which the snippet was likely recorded and transmits a data stream that includes the song, in its entirety, back to the internet-enabled radio. To provide additional value, the audio services system may also identify and transmit to the internet-enabled radio, additional content that is deemed likely of interest to users interested in the identified song.

Abstract: A device may include one or more processors. The one or more processors may be configured to receive user input via a user interface and provide an appearance of selecting a channel, via a content presentation device connected to the device, without actually selecting the channel when the user input requests a particular program channel. The one or more processors may also be configured to display interactive program guide data at the content presentation device when the user input requests an interactive program guide and when the device is disconnected from a network from which the device received the interactive program guide data.

Abstract: A platform allows viewing and sorting digital media from multiple content sources across multiple devices by title, category, series, or other sorting desired. Available content from providers may be co-mixed to display as if from a single provider. Listings may be restricted to specific providers or sets of providers, such as removing providers with paid content which the user will not access. Alternatively, listings may be prioritized based on business rules programmed into the system. Listings may be limited to those available on the current device, on another set of devices, or on all devices. Control of access to content, including playback and queuing, may be done through the interface regardless of the consumption device. This allows access to all content across all devices in a fashion desirable to the user, merging providers and devices into a seamless interface tailored for the user instead of the content or device manufacturer.

Abstract: A system for securely providing adaptive bit rate streaming media content on-demand may include a security sever of a program distributor that selects, based on a received authorized request, which of a differently encrypted stored versions of a “special segment” of the requested program to deliver to the receiving device during the transmission of the requested program. The selection may be based on a pseudo-random selection process per request for the program based on an identifier of the request associated with the remote control device. The selection of which of the differently encrypted stored versions of the “special segment” of the ordered program to deliver may be=based on the current session. The secure remote then sends to the receiving device the correct decryption key for the receiving device to decrypt the particular encrypted version selected of the “special segment” to be sent to the receiving device.

Abstract: Media content, based on a predetermined set of constraints, from a content provider is delivered to a local cache of a user device before viewing the media. A client asset manager process resides in the user device, an asset list at the content provider site, and the media assets are located at a remote site.

Abstract: A method of block deinterleaving data received at a digital radio broadcast receiver is described. The method includes providing a block of memory having n×k addresses, wherein the block comprises a single table, receiving a digital radio broadcast signal at the receiver, and demodulating the digital radio broadcast signal into a plurality of interleaved data units. For at least one series of n×k data units a pointer step size is determined, and for each data unit in the series, an address in the block is calculated based on the pointer step size, and an output data unit is read from the block at the address, such that said output data units represent block deinterleaved data units. An input data unit from the plurality of interleaved data units is then written to the block at the address. Associated systems and computer readable storage media are presented.