Systems, devices, and process described facilitate use of a first user device communicatively coupled to a local area network (LAN) The first user device may include a first hardware processor configured to execute first, non-transient, computer instructions for facilitating a first seamless DVR engine configured to identify a first content. A second user device is also coupled to the LAN. The second user device may include a second hardware processor configured to execute second, non-transient, computer instructions for facilitating a second seamless DVR configured to identify a second content. Each of the seamless DVR engines may be configured to generate a common universal directory identifying the first content and the second content as being available for use by each of the first user device and the second user device. User devices may independently populate the common universal directory. The universal directory may identify a distinct status for the content.

Systems, devices, and process described facilitate use of a first user device communicatively coupled to a local area network (LAN) The first user device may include a first hardware processor configured to execute first, non-transient, computer instructions for facilitating a first seamless DVR engine configured to identify a first content. A second user device is also coupled to the LAN. The second user device may include a second hardware processor configured to execute second, non-transient, computer instructions for facilitating a second seamless DVR configured to identify a second content. Each of the seamless DVR engines may be configured to generate a common universal directory identifying the first content and the second content as being available for use by each of the first user device and the second user device. User devices may independently populate the common universal directory. The universal directory may identify a distinct status for the content.

A method of providing customized interaction of a media player based on metadata obtained from an origin server. In one step, the origin server obtains metadata related to an active substream content. The media player is provided a playlist for playing a primary video stream. The playlist includes a request for the metadata, the request being associated with the insertion of the active substream content in the playback of the primary video stream. The origin server receives the request for the metadata from the media player. The origin server inserts the active substream content and metadata segments into the primary video stream. A secondary video stream is obtained after insertion of the active substream content. The origin server provides the metadata to the media player using a metadata storage and a metadata service. The media player customizes the interaction using the metadata during playback of the secondary video stream.

A method of providing customized interaction of a media player based on metadata obtained from an origin server. In one step, the origin server obtains metadata related to an active substream content. The media player is provided a playlist for playing a primary video stream. The playlist includes a request for the metadata, the request being associated with the insertion of the active substream content in the playback of the primary video stream. The origin server receives the request for the metadata from the media player. The origin server inserts the active substream content and metadata segments into the primary video stream. A secondary video stream is obtained after insertion of the active substream content. The origin server provides the metadata to the media player using a metadata storage and a metadata service. The media player customizes the interaction using the metadata during playback of the secondary video stream.

Mechanisms for interpreting queries are provided. In some implementations, a method for interpreting queries is provided, comprising: receiving a search query in a search domain; determining search terms based on the search query; determining, for each of the search terms, whether a search term corresponds to an entity name, wherein the entity name is derived from metadata associated with the search domain; in response to determining that entity names correspond to a portion of the search terms, determining an entity type and an entity score associated with each of the corresponding entity names; determining a remaining portion of the entity names by removing at least one of the matching entity names based on the entity score and contextual information in the search query; and performing a search in the search domain with the remaining portion of entity names, wherein each entity name in the remaining portion of entity names is searched corresponding to the associated entity type.

Mechanisms for interpreting queries are provided. In some implementations, a method for interpreting queries is provided, comprising: receiving a search query in a search domain; determining search terms based on the search query; determining, for each of the search terms, whether a search term corresponds to an entity name, wherein the entity name is derived from metadata associated with the search domain; in response to determining that entity names correspond to a portion of the search terms, determining an entity type and an entity score associated with each of the corresponding entity names; determining a remaining portion of the entity names by removing at least one of the matching entity names based on the entity score and contextual information in the search query; and performing a search in the search domain with the remaining portion of entity names, wherein each entity name in the remaining portion of entity names is searched corresponding to the associated entity type.

In one aspect, a method includes identifying a geographic area of a content-presentation device. The method also includes using at least the identified geographic area as a basis to select, from among a plurality of reference fingerprint data sets, a reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area. The method also includes transmitting to the content-presentation device, the selected reference fingerprint data set that corresponds with the identified geographic area to facilitate the content-presentation device detecting a match between query fingerprint data representing content received by the content-presentation device and at least a portion of reference fingerprint data in the transmitted reference fingerprint data set.

Systems and methods are described for sharing a user interface between users. The system transmits live video simultaneously to a plurality of users. Then, the system determines a subset of the plurality of users, such that the subset includes two users that have a predetermined relationship. Then, during playback of the video, the system detects an object in a frame of the video corresponding to preferences of the first user. In response, the system determines whether the second user is researching information related to the object during playback of the video. If the second user is researching such information, the system streams a mirror image of a user interface with which the second user is performing the researching to the first user.

A media system, receives a received sequence of media content, for presentation at the media system and generates a comparison fingerprint of the received sequence of media content. The comparison fingerprint is for comparison with a plurality of reference fingerprints so as to identify the received sequence of media content. The media system sends a request for identification of additional content to a server system. The request is based at least in part on the comparison fingerprint. The media system receives a response to the request, including information enabling additional content to be selected for display at the media system based at least in part on the identification of the received sequence of media content, and presents a displayed sequence of media content that includes at least a portion of the received sequence of media content and at least a portion of the additional content.

A media system, receives a received sequence of media content, for presentation at the media system and generates a comparison fingerprint of the received sequence of media content. The comparison fingerprint is for comparison with a plurality of reference fingerprints so as to identify the received sequence of media content. The media system sends a request for identification of additional content to a server system. The request is based at least in part on the comparison fingerprint. The media system receives a response to the request, including information enabling additional content to be selected for display at the media system based at least in part on the identification of the received sequence of media content, and presents a displayed sequence of media content that includes at least a portion of the received sequence of media content and at least a portion of the additional content.