A media presentation and distribution system includes a verification server that handles dynamic verification of playback of media assets on a client device. The client device receives an asset stream of media assets that comprises one or more tags embedded in the media assets. The client device detects an asset identifier associated with each of the media assets during playback of each media asset on the client device, based on identification of a tag of the one or more tags. The verification server verifies the playback of the media assets on the client device based on received support information from the client device. The playback of the media assets are verified to satisfy defined asset delivery criteria and to identify and debug a deviation or one or more errors with the playback of the media assets.

Certain exemplary embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems and/or methods for distributing advertisements from a central advertisement network to one or more peripheral devices at a location via a local advertisement server. In certain exemplary embodiments, the local advertisement server within a location receives advertisements from the central advertisement network and rebroadcasts them to peripheral devices within that location. Advertising information may be tracked and reported, e.g., for accounting, revenue-sharing, and/or other purposes in certain exemplary embodiments. Thus, in certain exemplary embodiments, the distribution of advertisements is provided to peripherals via a non-web- and non-PC-dependent network. Moreover, in certain exemplary embodiments, reporting and advertising related communications are substantially bi-directional regardless of device type. Certain exemplary embodiments provide revenue sharing among some or all of the central advertising network provider, the proprietors of locations, operators tasked with maintaining the local ad server and/or the peripheral devices, etc.

A system and method for determining a part having an anomaly in equipment and initiating electronic transaction for placing order to replace the part using three-dimensional (3D) model of equipment. The system inspects equipment to identify type of equipment and requests a data storage device storing 3D models of equipment to provide matching 3D models corresponding to equipment identified. The system utilizes various technologies to determine relative location of anomaly indicative of failing/failed part in equipment. The system overlays 3D image map from the 3D model to identify specific part/assembly/subassembly within the 3D model corresponding to the relative location of the anomaly. The system identifies additional parts associated with the failing/failed part as a kit in the 3D image map, and adds the kit to virtual shopping cart for initiating electronic transaction in reference to the kit depicted in the 3D model of equipment for replacement of the failing/failed part.

The present invention provides targeted asset system implementations in contexts where there is limited or no ability to use a real-time return channel for communications from user equipment devices (e.g., STB) to the network. In one arrangement, a household classifier is generated and delivered to user equipment devices. The household classifiers are generated based on third party data and/or network usage information associated with the household. The system and method allow for generating highly accurate household classifications that may be forwarded to individual households where the user equipment device may implant the classifiers to select appropriate assets for delivery to the household.

The present invention provides targeted asset system implementations in contexts where there is limited or no ability to use a real-time return channel for communications from user equipment devices (e.g., STB) to the network. In one arrangement, a household classifier is generated and delivered to user equipment devices. The household classifiers are generated based on third party data and/or network usage information associated with the household. The system and method allow for generating highly accurate household classifications that may be forwarded to individual households where the user equipment device may implant the classifiers to select appropriate assets for delivery to the household.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A system is described for maintaining synchrony of operations among a plurality of devices that have independent clocking arrangements. The system includes a task distribution device that distributes tasks to a synchrony group comprising a plurality of devices that are to perform the tasks distributed by the task distribution device in synchrony. The task distribution device distributes each task to the members of the synchrony group over a network. Each task is associated with a time stamp that indicates a time, relative to a clock maintained by the task distribution device, at which the members of the synchrony group are to execute the task. Each member of the synchrony group periodically obtains from the task distribution device an indication of the current time indicated by its clock, determines a time differential between the task distribution device's clock and its respective clock and determines therefrom a time at which, according to its respective clock, the time stamp indicates that it is to execute the task.

A method for generating an STL stream includes, in a local adapter serving a transmitter site in a broadcast network includes: receiving a first STL stream, generated by a broadcast gateway and having at least one frame including: a preamble packet, a timing packet, and at least one BB packet carrying at least one PLP; selecting at least one PLP carried by the BB packets, the BB packet(s) carrying the selected PLPs being called selected BB packet(s); generating an output STL stream including at least one frame having at least: a preamble packet, obtained from the preamble packet of the first STL stream, a timing packet, obtained from the timing packet of the first STL stream, and BB packets corresponding to the selected BB packets of the first STL stream. The frames of the first STL stream and the output STL stream have the same duration.

Disclosed herein is a music service that enables consumers listen to a broadcast radio station without commercials. The service operates by shifting the source channel of a radio from the broadcast radio to a streaming audio service for the duration of the commercial. In some embodiments, the service utilizes any of: a radio including native firmware/software, a mobile device such as a smart phone executing an application, cooperative integration of a radio and a mobile device, or master/slave relationship between a mobile device and a radio. The mobile device listens to the radio broadcast and determines when to shift between the radio broadcast and the streaming audio via any of audio fingerprint analysis, radio station behavioral analysis, radio station metadata, and/or radio station voice recognition analysis.