Systems and methods for performing an action based on viewing positions of other users are provided. Viewing progress in a media asset of each of a plurality of users is retrieved. The viewing progress of each of the plurality of users is compared to identify a maximum viewing progress that is common to each of the plurality of users. A request from a user to access the media asset is received. A current viewing progress in the media asset of the user is monitored to determine when the current viewing progress of the user matches the identified maximum viewing progress that is common to each of the plurality of users. In response to determining that the current viewing progress of the user matches the identified maximum viewing progress, a message with an option to perform an action relative to the media asset is generated for display to the user.

In accordance with one or more aspects, a request to run an application is received. The application has an associated tune manifest that identifies one or more resources that the application may use. The tune manifest is compared to a device resource record, and a check is made, based at least in part on the comparing, whether the one or more resources identified in the tune manifest can be satisfied by the device. If the one or more resources identified in the tune manifest can be satisfied by the device, then the application is run; otherwise, a notification of a conflict between the application and the device is presented. Additionally, when the application exits, a device tune state that identifies a content source to which the device was tuned prior to running the application can be retrieved and the device restored to this device tune state.

Techniques are described that allow DVR users to create program shortcuts to different types of media content from content providers. A program shortcut comprises a reference to another media content. A user may generate a shortcut so that the user may easily find and return to media content without performing a new search. In addition, techniques may be used to automatically generate program shortcuts for a user based at least in part to user-indicated preferences or actions. Shortcuts may be generated to media content that is related to a preferred genre or media type specified by a user. Shortcuts may also be generated to content that is determined to be similar to content that is often viewed or recorded by the user.

A multimedia program recording schedule manager for DVR systems is described. In a first embodiment, for example, a method implemented by one or more server computing devices, the method comprising: receiving input selecting a particular DVR system; receiving input selecting a particular multimedia program for the particular DVR system to record on a repeat basis; adding the particular multimedia program to a server-side instance of a repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system; and synchronizing the server-side instance of the repeat recording schedule with another instance of a repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system resulting in the addition of the particular multimedia program to the other instance of the repeat recording schedule. In one embodiment, the other instance of the repeat recording schedule for the particular DVR system is a data component of the particular DVR system.

An information processing apparatus includes a content reproduction unit, a content part specification unit, a clustering unit, a class detection unit, a common class extraction unit, and a content retrieval unit. The content reproduction unit is configured to reproduce a reproduction content. The content part specification unit is configured to specify a plurality of content parts included in the reproduction content. The clustering unit is configured to classify the plurality of content parts into a plurality of clusters. The class detection unit is configured to detect a class from the plurality of content parts included in each of the plurality of clusters. The common class extraction unit is configured to extract a common class common to the plurality of clusters from the classes detected by the class detection unit. The content retrieval unit is configured to retrieve a content corresponding to the common class.

Access authentication in an artificial intelligence system includes perceiving electronically with a first user's artificial intelligence voice response system (AIVRS) a physical presence of a second user. A voice request is generated by the first user's AIVRS and conveyed to a second user requesting access to a knowledge corpus stored by an AIVRS of the second user. Based on a voice response of the second user, the first user's AIVRS instantiates an electronic communications session with the second user's AIVRS. The session is initiated via an electronic communications connection with a portable device of the second user. Selected portions of the knowledge corpus are retrieved by the first user's AIVRS from the second user's AIVRS, the portions selected based on the voice response. An action by one or more IoT devices is initiated in response to a voice prompt interpreted by the first user's AIVRS based on the selected portions.

Apparatus and methods for the storage and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a managed content distribution network, and the apparatus comprises a “cloud” digital video recorder (cDVR) server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery in a way that obviates superfluous storage, and gains significant network efficiencies. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in the video recording (e.g., cDVR) system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate cDVR content assembly and access are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into cDVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

Apparatus and methods for the storage and delivery of content over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a managed content distribution network, and the apparatus comprises a “cloud” digital video recorder (cDVR) server which stores, processes and assembles content prior to its delivery in a way that obviates superfluous storage, and gains significant network efficiencies. This approach also facilitates various pre-streaming processing in the video recording (e.g., cDVR) system. One or more content libraries adapted to facilitate cDVR content assembly and access are also disclosed. Secondary content (e.g., promotions, advertisements, etc.) can also be selectively inserted into cDVR content. Various access, business or operational rules and methods implementing the foregoing are also described.

There are many boxes (e.g., set-top boxes) in a system offering media services to users. Each of the boxes maintains a library with a significant number of titles. Techniques for updating the library in each of these boxes using a transmission infrastructure are described. According to one aspect of the techniques, a service provider is provided with a high bandwidth broadcasting or multicasting capability, a release fragmented into a header and several segments is transmitted to all boxes that are respectively configured to receive a proper release package to update the library. Alternatively, separate release packages may be transmitted via different channels to the boxes, wherein each of the boxes is tuned to a proper channel to receive a proper release package.

Improved technical functionality is provided to dynamically select and seamlessly play advertisements immediately before playing of a recorded program upon selection of the recorded program for playing, or upon other detected events and conditions associated with the set-top-box (STB) or user. In some embodiments, this is performed by using metadata which may be delivered to and stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) prior to recording the program, providing a technical solution to enable opportunities for additional advertisement impressions. Playing of the advertisement may also or instead occur upon the recorded program finishing playing. Thus, the technical solution provides the additional opportunity for the content creator and/or the satellite television or cable service provider to sell advertising spots in addition to those already sold for breaks within the recorded program.