A content controller system to render frames on demand comprises a rendering server system that includes a plurality of graphics processing units (GPUs). The GPUs in the rendering server system render a set of media content item segments using a media content identification and a main user identification. Rendering the set of media content item segments includes retrieving metadata from a metadata database associated with the media content identification, rendering the set of media content item segments using the metadata, generating a main user avatar based on the main user identification, and incorporating the main user avatar into the set of media content item segments. The rendering server system then uploads the set of media content item segments to a segment database; and updates segment states in a segment state database to indicate that the set of media content item segments are available. Other embodiments are disclosed herein.

A computer-implemented method of object linking from captured media records media (audio or video) from a scene of a program (e.g., TV show, movie or other similar audio visual content), identifies the program and the program scene from a watermark embedded in the captured media or by fingerprinting the captured media and matching the fingerprint to determined fingerprints in a database that relates determined fingerprints to programs and program scenes, determines participants in scene from a participant database that relates participants to programs and program scenes, generates links to objects and online commerce sites offering the linked objects. Records for the objects are contained in a virtual repository, a database that relates users (e.g., participants) to object records.

A computer-implemented method of object linking from captured media records media (audio or video) from a scene of a program (e.g., TV show, movie or other similar audio visual content), identifies the program and the program scene from a watermark embedded in the captured media or by fingerprinting the captured media and matching the fingerprint to determined fingerprints in a database that relates determined fingerprints to programs and program scenes, determines participants in scene from a participant database that relates participants to programs and program scenes, generates links to objects and online commerce sites offering the linked objects. Records for the objects are contained in a virtual repository, a database that relates users (e.g., participants) to object records.

The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box displays a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the search for shows and receive results in an enhanced manner.

The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box displays a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the search for shows and receive results in an enhanced manner.

Techniques for analyzing media content are described. One technique generally comprises performing a regression analysis for characters in a plurality of media content based on user demographics, content outcome measure, and character models. The technique determines an attribute of significance. In some embodiments, the technique selects media content for display that depicts a character having at least a threshold value of the attribute of significance. In some embodiments, the technique displays media analytics for the attribute of significance determined based on a value of the attribute of significance exceeding a threshold significance value.

Techniques for analyzing media content are described. One technique generally comprises performing a regression analysis for characters in a plurality of media content based on user demographics, content outcome measure, and character models. The technique determines an attribute of significance. In some embodiments, the technique selects media content for display that depicts a character having at least a threshold value of the attribute of significance. In some embodiments, the technique displays media analytics for the attribute of significance determined based on a value of the attribute of significance exceeding a threshold significance value.

This disclosure concerns the provision of media, and more particularly streaming of media. In particular, one aspect herein relates to a method performed by a server system of streaming an audio content item to an electronic device. In response to receiving a request message from the electronic device, a selected audio content item is retrieved from a first storage. Descriptive metadata including an origin-ID associated with the retrieved audio content item is determined. A second storage is browsed utilizing said metadata including the origin-ID to locate non-static media content item(s) associated with the origin-ID. In response to finding a non-static media content item associated with the origin ID, the selected audio content item is sent along with the located non-static media content item to the electronic device for simultaneous presentation of the audio content item and the located non-static media content item.

This disclosure concerns the provision of media, and more particularly streaming of media. In particular, one aspect herein relates to a method performed by a server system of streaming an audio content item to an electronic device. In response to receiving a request message from the electronic device, a selected audio content item is retrieved from a first storage. Descriptive metadata including an origin-ID associated with the retrieved audio content item is determined. A second storage is browsed utilizing said metadata including the origin-ID to locate non-static media content item(s) associated with the origin-ID. In response to finding a non-static media content item associated with the origin ID, the selected audio content item is sent along with the located non-static media content item to the electronic device for simultaneous presentation of the audio content item and the located non-static media content item.

The present disclosure is generally directed to increasing the scalability of onboarding network resources, such as a digital component, to a voice-based network. The system enables the navigating of and interaction with digital components using voice or speech input and output interfaces on a computing device. The system can receive and processes an input audio signal to identify a digital component. The system enables voice-based interaction with the previously unregistered digital component via the input and output interfaces.