Abstract: A cloud service system manages a filter repository including filters for encoding and decoding media content (e.g. text, image, audio, video, etc.). The cloud service system may receive a request from a client device to provide a filter for installation on a node such as an endpoint device (e.g. pipeline node). The request includes information such as a type of bitstream to be processed by the requested filter. The request may further include other information such as hardware configuration and functionality attribute. The cloud service system may access the filter repository that stores the plurality of filters including encoder filters and decoder filters and may select a filter that is configured to process the type of bitstream identified in the request and provide the selected filter to the client device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses are described for monitoring events in a plurality of different services. A system may monitor manifest files for one or more content items. Manifest files may contain manifest file tags indicating events and insertion opportunities. Events and/or insertion opportunities may be detected, and a switch from one content item to another content item, based on customized user priority preferences, may be caused.

Abstract: Disclosed are a scheduling method and a related apparatus. A computing apparatus in a server can be chosen to implement a computation request, thereby improving the running efficiency of the server.

Abstract: A system control device that transmits a manifest file describing information necessary for acquiring video data to a viewing client in a system that performs distribution of the video data via a network includes: generation means for generating the manifest file on the basis of at least one of identification information indicating a viewer attribute, a time zone, and a state of the system according to a prescribed control policy; and transmission means for transmitting the manifest file generated by the generation means to the viewing client.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method and apparatus for establishing a synchronized interactive multimedia communication among a plurality of users. The method includes generating, at a first device, first information associated with a multimedia content selected by a first user. The first information is generated based on parameters. The method includes transmitting the first information to a second user. The first and second user is associated with a social computer network. Further, the method includes, at second devices, receiving the first information from the social network. The method includes processing the first information to establish a synchronized multimedia interactive communication between the second and the first user. The presentation of the multimedia content in the synchronized interactive multimedia communication is synchronized among the first device and the second device(s).

Abstract: A technique for enhancing rendering and scheduling of displayable content comprising plural objects is disclosed. In a first method aspect, the method is performed in a user equipment (UE) and comprises prioritizing, based on collected information on object priority, objects responsible for a start rendering time over other objects, and transmitting information concerning the prioritized objects towards an object scheduler in an access network. In a second method aspect, the method is performed in an object scheduler and comprises receiving the information concerning prioritized objects from the UE, wherein objects responsible for a start rendering time have been prioritized over other objects, and scheduling objects to be transmitted to the UE based on the information concerning the prioritized objects.

Abstract: A system for providing efficient delivery of media content to the masses is disclosed. In particular, the system may include receiving requests for content from a plurality of user devices. The system may then include synchronizing fulfillment timeframes for delivering the content based on a preset time interval. In response to the requests, the system may deliver the content, such as via a satellite network, to a storage device, such as, but not limited to, a digital video recorder, a video-ready-access device equipped with a satellite receiver and antenna, a digital subscriber line access multiplexer equipped with a satellite received and antenna, or any combination thereof, based on the preset time interval. The system may then include causing the storage device to deliver the requested content to the plurality of user devices via a wireless network communicatively linked to the plurality of user devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for synchronizing video streams from multiple sources are described. The sources may comprise electronic devices, such as mobile phones and wireless cameras, that capture digital video recordings from different locations and transfer the digital video recordings to a server. The server may acquire a plurality of video recordings from the electronic devices, determine timing transitions that identify when each video recording of the plurality of video recordings was started and stopped, determine a common time duration for the plurality of video recordings based on the timing transitions, insert video content into one or more of the plurality of video recordings in order to equalize the video recording durations to the common time duration, and transmit a plurality of video-on-demand (VOD) files corresponding with the plurality of video recordings subsequent to equalization of the video recording durations.

Abstract: Described herein is a system and method for startup and/or recovery for stream processing. During a startup phase: start anchor request(s), each identifying a particular time, are accumulated until request(s) are pending from downstream nodes. A minimum time of the accumulated start anchor request(s) is determined. If the processing system is an input node, an anchor associated with the determined minimum time is generated. Otherwise, a start anchor request is provided to an upstream node identifying the determined minimum time. Once the anchor associated with the determined minimum time is received (or generated), the anchor is provided in response to a polled start anchor request for the determined minimum time from a downstream node. Asynchronous requests for batches of data bounded by two specific anchors are performed in accordance with information stored in an ordered collection of anchors during a recovery phase.

Abstract: There is provided methods for managing streaming over communication networks. Server and client devices share a push policy so that the client device may anticipate data pushes by the server. Anticipation makes it possible to cancel early the sending of some pushed data, therefore reducing bandwidth consumption. The shared push policy may be implicit to both server and client. In embodiments, it is explicitly specified by the server to the client, for example embedded in the Media Presentation Description file or included in a specific HTTP header. The client may also request an update of the shared push policy to meet its own requirements.

Abstract: A device, system and method are provided that may allot and manage bandwidth, such as bandwidth associated with broadcast and narrowcast distribution models, in a content distribution network. The device, system and method may include qualification of content or channels for distribution as broadcast content or narrowcast content. In some embodiments, the qualification may be with regard to selection orthogonality.

Abstract: The invention presents a method of providing feedback for receipt of a multicast video stream. The feedback mechanism allows the number of clients receiving over multicast to be determined, which can then be used to manage multicast delivery, including switching decisions between multicast and unicast. Video content is delivered over a multicast stream from a content server to a plurality of client devices. The client devices are each configured to respond at regular intervals whilst receiving the multicast video stream by transmitting an HTTP HEAD request message to the content server. The HTTP HEAD request refers to metadata relating to a manifest file associated with the video stream. The number of client devices receiving the multicast video stream is determined based on the number of HEAD requests received at the content server.

Abstract: A system for enabling a digital video recorder to serve as a content delivery server is disclosed. In particular, the system may include deploying a content delivery server at a cell site, which may be provided a content package from a satellite or fiber network. Additionally, the system may include deploying, at a customer premises, a digital video recorder that may serve as a content delivery server and may be equipped for wireless communication. The content package may be transmitted from the content delivery server of the cell site to the digital video recorder. Upon receiving a request for content from a user device, the digital video recorder may transmit the requested content to the user device if the digital video recorder is in range of the user device. Otherwise, the content delivery server at the cell site may transmit the requested content to the user device.

Abstract: A technique for enhancing rendering and scheduling of displayable content comprising plural objects is disclosed. In a first method aspect, the method is performed in a user equipment (UE) and comprises prioritizing, based on collected information on object priority, objects responsible for a start rendering time over other objects, and transmitting information concerning the prioritized objects towards an object scheduler in an access network. In a second method aspect, the method is performed in an object scheduler and comprises receiving the information concerning prioritized objects from the UE, wherein objects responsible for a start rendering time have been prioritized over other objects, and scheduling objects to be transmitted to the UE based on the information concerning the prioritized objects.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a receiving device including, a receiver that receives AV content, a detector, an acquirer, a tentative reservation registering part, and a definitive reservation registering part.

Abstract: Systems for computing cluster management. One embodiment commences upon receiving a set of observed workload parameters corresponding to one or more observable workloads that run in a computing cluster. While the workloads are running, workload stimulus and cluster response observations are taken and used to generate a workload resource usage predictive model based on mappings or correlations between the observable workloads parameters and observed resource usage measurements. A set of planned workloads are applied to the workload resource usage predictive model to predict a set of corresponding predicted resource usage demands. The predicted resource usage demands are then mapped to a set of recommended hardware to form resource deployment recommendations that satisfy at least some of the corresponding resource usage demands while also observing a set of hardware model compatibility constraints.

Abstract: This present disclosure described methods for a marketplace of interactive live streaming multimedia overlays. At least one method includes a user playing video games on a computer, using software to stream all or part of their computer session to one or more streaming services, said software retrieving images from a web-service, some or all of said images having been acquired through an online marketplace, said images being used to create a video overlay, and said overlay being combined with the video of the user's computer session prior being encoded for transmission to one or more streaming services.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for customizing an adaptive bitrate streaming session using a manifest and control tags. The method includes establishing a network connection session between a client device and a manifest delivery controller, receiving a manifest request at the manifest delivery controller from the client device, wherein the manifest request identifies a video, determining whether one or more playback control rules and/or output control rules have been set at the manifest delivery controller that apply to the video and/or the client device, and sending a manifest and control tags from the manifest delivery controller to the client device, wherein the manifest identifies locations of a plurality of adaptive bitrate chunks of the video, and wherein the control tags are associated with playback control rules and/or output control rules that the manifest delivery controller determined applied to the video and/or the client device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enforcing access-control policies may include (i) identifying streaming content that is being transmitted from a media server to a media playback system, (ii) determining that a supervised user is within exposure range of the media playback system and could be exposed to the streaming content, (iii) receiving a sample of the content from a sampling system that is remote from the media playback system, (iv) identifying an access-control policy that defines a content-access restriction for the supervised user, (v) determining, based on an analysis of the sample of the content, that the access-control policy applies to the content, and (vi) in response to determining that the access-control policy applies to the content, enforcing the access-control policy by applying the content-access restriction to the streaming content. Various other methods, systems, and computer-readable media are also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for the remote recording of a video program received in the form of a binary stream by at least one receiver, referred to as a recording receiver, having to record the video program on a remote server using a communication network. The method is implemented by each recording receiver and comprises, for each recording receiver, steps of obtaining (3051) a compression factor of the video program, of dividing (3054) the binary stream into a set of successive portions according to the compression factor obtained, of determining (305) a subset of portions to be transmitted to the remote server from all the successive portions according to an offset value and the compression factor, the offset value being a remainder of an integer division of a random number determined to find the recording receiver by the compression factor, and of transmission of the portions of the subset of portions determined to the remote server.

Abstract: Chunks (12, 14) of encoded video data of a streamed video bitstream (1) are stored and encoded video data is decoded to form decoded video data to be output for display. A selected portion (12) of the stored chunks (12, 14) or selected sub-chunks (25, 27) of the stored chunks (20, 22) for a previous, already played out part (3) of the streamed video bitstream (1) is or are discarded while keeping selected stored chunks (14) or selected sub-chunks (21, 23) stored as navigation tune-in points. The usage of selected stored chunks (14) or sub-chunks (21, 23) that are not discarded from the already played out part (3) of the streamed video bitstream (1) enables a low delay solution during video navigation when a user wants to jump to a previously played out position (5) within the streamed video bitstream (1).

Abstract: A packet-based video network including: two or more video data sources, each configured to launch video data packets onto the network as multicast data packets each associated with a multicast group identifier corresponding to that video data source; and a video data destination configured to receive and process video data from a video data source by joining a multicast group corresponding to that video data source, and execute a switching operation to switch from receiving video data from a first video data source to receiving video data from a second video data source by leaving a multicast group of the first video data source and joining a multicast group of the second video data source. The video data destination is configured to process video data corresponding to a video frame which, at end of a frame period, represents a most recently received video frame from the first video data source.

Abstract: A content delivery system comprising: a receiving module for receiving a media asset in a received format; a transcoder configured to transcode the asset to provide a predetermined number of transcoded versions of the asset in at least one consumption format; a data store for storing the predetermined number of transcoded versions; a transmitting module coupled to said data store and configured to retrieve one of the predetermined number of transcoded versions from the data store and transmit the retrieved transcoded version to a media consuming device in response to detecting selection of the media asset by a content consumer associated with the device; a media asset duplication module configured, in response to detecting transmission of each transcoded version of the predetermined number of transcoded versions to respective one or more media consuming devices, to create a duplicate of the transcoded version and store the duplicate in the data store.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate delivery of multiple media renditions of multimedia content to a subscriber. The methods, systems, and apparatuses described herein enable the identification and retrieval of one or more preferred or requested media renditions of multimedia content. A subscriber device can maintain a list of media attributes preferred by the subscriber device and/or one or more users with access to the subscriber device, wherein the list includes preferred media attributes in order from the most requested/received attribute to the least requested/received attribute. When the subscriber device receives a request for multimedia content, the subscriber device can identify one or more media attributes preferred by the subscriber, and media renditions of the multimedia content having an identified preferred media attribute can be downloaded to the subscriber device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for synchronizing interactive advertisements with linear advertisements, including: a traffic module configured to generate advertisement schedule information about slots for linear advertisements on channels; an automation module configured to detect cue messages in real-time media, each cue message indicating a respective start time and a respective index of a respective slot for respective linear advertisements, and to forward information about the cue messages; and an interactivity production module configured to receive the advertisement schedule information, the information about the cue messages, and information about interactive sequences, each interactive sequence to be synchronized with a respective spot for an associated linear advertisement, to generate an interactivity event for each respective interactive sequence, to calculate a start time for each respective interactivity event using information about a respective associated cue message, and to forward an activa

Abstract: A method for facilitating the generation of recommendations of audiovisual content for a first user. The method comprises receiving data from a plurality of second users, the received data indicating audiovisual content of interest to the second users. The method further comprises processing the received data to automatically identify a plurality of relationships between interests of one or more of the second users in respective items of audiovisual content in the audiovisual content represented by the received data and generate a recommendation engine. The recommendation engine is adapted to take as input indications of audiovisual content of interest to the first user and to generate recommendations of further audiovisual content of interest to the first user based upon a subset of the plurality of relationships.

Abstract: Some content players use manifest files to obtain and play video content. The manifest files include metadata information for obtaining video chunks that together constitute a full video, and can be used by content players to obtain the chunks, stitch them together, and render the video as a stream. Described herein are techniques for dynamically generating manifest files. A request for a manifest file is received, such as from a video player. Manifest file contents are retrieved, such as from an original manifest file. A manifest file to be used by a video player to fetch video chunks is then dynamically generated and returned.

Abstract: A user receiving device and method includes a content delivery network manager interaction module communicating a request for a content delivery network address for a content to a content delivery network manager and receiving the content delivery network address for a content delivery network and a content delivery network token from the content delivery network manager. The user receiving device also includes a manifest interaction module communicating a manifest request to the content delivery network address of the content delivery network and receiving a manifest from the content delivery network comprising a plurality of chunk addresses. The user receiving device also includes a content delivery network interaction module generating requests for chunks of the content from the content delivery network using the content delivery network token and a respective chunk address and receiving the chunks from the content delivery network.

Abstract: A network device may receive, via a network, a request for electronic program guide content, from a user device connected to the network, and monitor, a network condition (e.g., network congestion, user device location, etc.) corresponding to the network. The network device may determine, based on the network condition, whether to provide the electronic program guide content using a first radio frequency bandwidth corresponding to the network or a second radio frequency bandwidth corresponding to the network. The user device may communicate, via the network, the electronic program guide content using the first radio frequency bandwidth or the second radio frequency bandwidth. The first radio frequency bandwidth may correspond to unicast, multicast, or broadcast services, and the second radio frequency bandwidth may correspond to a different one of unicast, multicast, or broadcast services.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method and system of inserting content into streaming media programs without requiring re-encoding and/or re-segmenting of the program, thus allowing the insertion point within the media program to be selected as desired. The system and method operate on the relevant chunks of the streaming program to repackage those chunks, even in real time, to provide a chunk boundary at the desired insertion point in the streamed program to permit seamless playback of the main program and inserted content.

Abstract: A method disclosed herein comprises receiving first content into a wireless access system from a backhaul link between the wireless access system and a service system, transmitting the first content from the wireless access system to a first device served by the wireless access system, receiving a second packet communication from a second device served by the wireless access system wherein the second packet communication includes a second content request, processing the second packet communication to determine a second content identifier included in the second content request, processing the second content identifier to determine if the second content is the same as the first content, buffering the first content and transmitting the buffered first content to the second device, and transferring the second packet communication to a communication network to obtain the second content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for recovery and/or utilization of bandwidth within a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a switched architecture (e.g., broadcast switched) content-delivery network such as a cable television network. Reclamation, overflow, and/or triage logical processes are selectively applied in order to more efficiently manage bandwidth utilization within the network while maintaining user experience, and optionally achieve one or more business and/or operational goals.

Abstract: An electronic device with one or more processors, memory and a display receives a first request to display a first video stream that corresponds to a first channel in a predetermined sequence of channels. In response to the first request, the device displays the first video stream. While displaying the first video stream, the device receives a second request to display a second video stream that corresponds to a second channel in the predetermined sequence of channels and is separated from the first channel by one or more intervening channels. In response to receiving the second request, the device displays at least a portion of the first video stream concurrently with recently received content of one or more of the intervening channels and displays recently received content of one or more of the intervening channels concurrently with at least a portion of the second video stream.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes a distribution center, a processor, a switch, and first and second multiplexers. The distribution center receives and applies program content on program channels. The processor identifies subsets of the program channels in response to a respective score associated with the program channels. The switch couples the distribution center to the multiplexers. The switch applies program channels to respective inputs of the first and second multiplexers in response to the processor. A method for optimizing a multiplexed transport channel includes the steps of identifying a set of program channels designated for distribution via the multiplexed transport channel, arranging the set of program channels in subsets, the program channels within a subset grouped in accordance with a viewing score, multiplexing the program channels of the subsets to a respective transport channel and applying the respective transport channels to a distribution medium for delivery to the destination.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program for self management of a live web event is provided. In exemplary embodiments, an individual associated with a channel may schedule a web event. Upon scheduling, a user, such as one or more presenters, may be provided a management interface through which content may be prepared for the live web event during a self preparation process. In exemplary embodiments, the user may upload content (e.g., images such as slides) and generate content (e.g., polling questions and answers) autonomously.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving a broadcast signal. The method for receiving a broadcast signal comprises: generating a broadcast stream including at least one program; generating first program table information that represents the broadcast stream; receiving non-real time (NRT) service schedule information; generating second program table information that represents the NRT service, in accordance with the received NRT service schedule information; configuring a stream including the broadcast stream, the 1st program table information and the second program table information; and transmitting the stream.

Abstract: A system, method and computer readable media are disclosed for presenting a simultaneous multimedia experience to a plurality of computing devices, each at different locations. The method involves coordinating a simultaneous presentation of multimedia content to a plurality of computing devices, receiving a control signal from a computer of one of the plurality of computing devices to control the presentation of multimedia content, and broadcasting the control assigned to each of the plurality of computing devices such that a control event substantially simultaneously occurs in the presentation of a multimedia content at each of the plurality of computing devices.

Abstract: A television provider receives content from a plurality of users. The user generated content is aggregated and scheduled for broadcast across a channel of the television provider. The user generated content is then broadcast at the scheduled time for reception by communication devices associated with the television provider.

Abstract: The invention involves local media rendering of a multi-party call, performed by a Client User Equipment (1). The media is encoded by each party in the call, and sent as a media stream to a Media server (2), and the media server receives a request for media streams from each Client User Equipment, each media stream in the request associated with a client priority. The Media server selects the media streams to send to each Client User Equipment, based on the request, and further such that the number of streams does not exceed a determined maximum number, which is based e.g. on the available bandwidth.

Abstract: A method and system for transmitting channels to at least one digital video recorder is described. A server receives at least one recording schedule from a plurality of digital video recorders (step 304). A subset of channels is selected from the channels associated with the at least one program identification of the received at least one recording schedule (step 306). Information is transmitted from the server to at least one of the plurality of digital video recorders, the information indicating channels associated with the at least one program identification of the at least one recording schedule that were not selected (step 308). The selected subset of channels is also transmitted from the server to at least one of the plurality of digital video recorders (step 310).

Abstract: The present invention relates to transmission of signals to a plurality of subscriber receivers, where each signal represents a type of information which belongs to a particular contents category. A central management server receives administrative instructions pertaining to the transmission of the signals. In response to the administrative instructions, the central management server organizes and synchronizes signals originating from one or more signal sources before these signals are transmitted to the subscriber receivers. At least one client computer each has an interface towards the central management server. Thus, the client computer(s) may produce administrative instructions for organizing a sub-set of the signals to be transmitted via the central management server.

Abstract: A system and method may be provided that allows users to store, retrieve, and manipulate on-demand media content and data stored on a remote server network in an on-demand media delivery system. More particularly, the system may allow a user to access his or her on-demand media account from user equipment in different locations as long as the current user equipment can communicate with a remote server that stores user-specific information. The system upon user selection may freeze the delivery of on-demand media at a particular point and allow the user to resume the media at a later time from some other network location in system. Users may upload personal images or files to an on-demand delivery server for later retrieval and display. Users may be permitted to assign access rights to the uploaded files.

Abstract: A server can receive information identifying media content to be offered to users at a discount or at a particular time of release. The offer can also include information identifying a minimum number of acceptances by users needed for the offer to be valid. During a predetermined period, if the number of acceptances has reached or exceeded the minimum number needed, the server may transmit a media stream containing the media content to the users. Furthermore, the offer may include multiple tiers of discounts and/or times of release.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multimedia content through a cable, satellite television or other content server system is disclosed. A server facility which provides multimedia content divides formatted multimedia content into data chunks (e.g., collections of data corresponding to one minute lengths) prior to transmission to a user/subscriber receptor unit, and sends the divided data chunks according to a schedule which permits instantaneous starting and viewing of the multimedia content, such as movies, upon user/subscriber request. The user/subscriber receptor unit includes a cable box, video game device, or the like having a digital video recording capability and at least a memory capacity or disk space sufficient to store a complete unit of media content, such as full-length feature film.

Abstract: A method including receiving an input media stream and splitting a video portion of a received portion of the input media stream into input video chunks, while receiving a remaining portion of the input media stream. For each input video chunk of the video portion of the input media stream, the method includes assigning the input video chunk to one or more slave transcoders, splitting the input video chunk into video subchunks, and separately feeding each input video subchunk to each of the one or more slave transcoders. The method includes separately receiving output video subchunks from the one or more slave transcoders. Each output video subchunk respectively corresponds to one of the input video subchunks. The method also includes assembling the output video subchunks into an output video chunk corresponding to the input video chunk and assembling the output video chunks into an output media stream.

Abstract: A method of delivering video content is disclosed and includes sending data from a set-top box device to a video head-end of a video distribution network. The data indicates that the set-top box device has received a channel change command and identifies a requested channel. The method includes receiving video content associated with a program provided via the requested channel at the set-top box device, beginning at a set-top box receipt time, and retrieving a portion of backfill content from a digital video recorder (DVR) in response to a reverse command received at the set-top box device. The backfill content includes video content associated with the program extending from a start time of the program to the set-top box receipt time. The backfill content is sent from a buffer server at the video head-end to the DVR in response to the data sent by the set-top box device.

Abstract: A method of providing video-on-demand content includes receiving a request from a set-top box, and determining the video-on-demand content is not stored locally. The request includes a content identifier for the video-on-demand content. The method further includes identifying a peer likely to have the video-on-demand content, receiving at least a first portion of the video-on-demand content from the peer, and providing the video-on-demand content to the set-top box.

Abstract: A method of processing data in an IPTV receiver and such an IPTV receiver are disclosed. The method includes receiving location information necessary to acquire a content corresponding to a content reference identifier (CRID) by using the CRID, requesting an Internet protocol multimedia subsystem Gateway (IG) to transmit a session description protocol (SDP) file of the content, wherein the content is identified by the CRID and an instance metadata identifier (IMI), receiving the requested SDP file from the IG, and controlling a session setup for processing the content by using the received location information and the received SDP file.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The wireless communication apparatus includes: a first communication unit which receives a video signal from an image device; a video processor which processes the video signal; a second communication unit establishes a wireless connection with another device; and a controller receives wireless connection information from the image device through the first communication unit, and controls the second communication unit to establish the wireless connection with the other device based on the received wireless connection information.

Abstract: A wireless communication apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The wireless communication apparatus includes: a first communication unit which receives a video signal from an image device; a video processor which processes the video signal; a second communication unit establishes a wireless connection with another device; and a controller receives wireless connection information from the image device through the first communication unit, and controls the second communication unit to establish the wireless connection with the other device based on the received wireless connection information.