Systems and methods are provided for providing content to a user device. Content is provided to a user via an e-book transmission channel via a network for display on a first application, wherein pre-defined metadata associated with the content identifies a content event trigger at a point in the content, wherein the content event trigger is associated with a user accessing a pre-specified point of the e-book. When the content event trigger is reached, a trigger signal is received via the network and transmitting supplemental content that was not previously accessible on the device over the network from a server to the device for access on a second mobile device application that is different from the first mobile device application.

Various arrangements for facilitating smart television content receivers are provided. A primary television receiver (PTR) having a first operating system may be configured to receive digital content from a remote content provider and distribute the content to one or more devices in response to a request for the content. A secondary television receiver (STR) configured to be in communication with a PTR and having a second operating system may be configured to receive the digital content from the PTR and provide the content to a display for presentation. The STR may include a first software stack including first processes and a first inter-process communication (IPC) mechanism, and a second software stack including second processes and a second IPC mechanism. The first processes may use the first IPC to communicate with the second processes. The second processes may use the second IPC to communicate with others of the second processes.

A system and method for improving media delivery and display. By utilizing a memory buffer in a DVR or similar device, and broadcasting linear content at a rate other than 1×, services like video on demand or regular broadcasters can be more versatile. For example, viewers can start over without launching a separate VOD session. If part of the linear content requested is not in the buffer, a switched multicast stream can be sent with the proper section of content. Other receivers on the network may also receive the stream and buffer the content if the content is related to what a viewer is viewing.

Various arrangements for facilitating smart television content receivers in a local network are provided. A primary television receiver executing a first operating system can receive audio data including human voice from a voice enabled remote control. The primary television receiver can transmit the audio data to a secondary television receiver executing a second operating system and that includes a voice command component. The secondary television receiver can convert the audio data into voice command data and transmit the voice command data to the primary television receiver. The primary television receiver can transmit the voice command data to a voice processing server via the Internet and receive, in response, a command generated based on the voice command data. The primary television receiver can transmit the command to the secondary television receiver. The voice command component can then control an operation of the secondary television receiver based on the command.

Methods, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media to facilitate streaming in a local network with a client-server architecture are disclosed. A primary media device may be configured to: operate as a server in a local network, receive first audio/video (A/V) content via an Internet connection, and receive second A/V content via a satellite network connection. Each secondary media device of a set of one or more secondary media devices may be configured to: operate as a client with respect to the primary media device in the local network, receive the first A/V content from the primary media device, receive the second A/V content from the primary media device, and provide the first A/V content and the second A/V content to at least one television of a set of one or more televisions.

Systems, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media to facilitate streaming in a local network with a client-server architecture are disclosed. A configuration tool may configure a primary media device to perform operations with respect to a local network. The configuration tool may be adapted to communicatively couple with the primary media device via at least one interface of the one or more interfaces to configure the primary media device to perform the operations with respect to the local network. The primary media device may be configured with the configuration tool to operate as a server in the local network, receive first audio/video (A/V) content via an Internet connection and/or a satellite network connection, and receive second A/V content via the Internet connection and/or the satellite network connection.

Various arrangements for facilitating smart television content receivers are provided. A primary television receiver (PTR) having a first operating system may be configured to receive digital content from a remote content provider and distribute the content to one or more devices in response to a request for the content. A secondary television receiver (STR) configured to be in communication with a PTR and having a second operating system may be configured to receive the digital content from the PTR and provide the content to a display for presentation. The STR may include a first software stack including first processes and a first inter-process communication (IPC) mechanism, and a second software stack including second processes and a second IPC mechanism. The first processes may use the first IPC to communicate with the second processes. The second processes may use the second IPC to communicate with others of the second processes.

Disclosed herein is a receiver that generates a video signal. A first video is assigned to a first display layer of a plurality of display layers. A first trigger signal causes a first application to assign a first user interface to a second display layer, which is positioned over the first display layer. A second trigger signal causes a second application to assign a second user interface to a third display layer, which is positioned over the second display layer. The second trigger signal causes a reduction in a size of the first video, and a first portion of the third display layer and a second portion of the second display layer to be made transparent. The reduced size of the first video is positioned beneath the first portion. A combination of the first display layer, the second display layer, and the third display layer generates the video signal.

A server receives, from a first display device of a first user, first content data, first sensor data, and a request for assistance identifying a context of the first display device. The server identifies a second display device of a second user based on the context of the first display device. The server receives second content data and second sensor data from the second display device. The first content data is synchronized with the second content data based on the first and second sensor data. Playback parameters are formed based on the context of the first display device. An enhanced playback session is generated using the synchronized first and second content data in response to determining that the first sensor data meet the playback parameters. The enhanced playback session is communicated to the first display device.

Methods for generating an AV bitstream (e.g., an MPEG-2 transport stream or bitstream segment having adaptive streaming format) such that the AV bitstream includes at least one video I-frame synchronized with at least one audio I-frame, e.g., including by re-authoring at least one video or audio frame (as a re-authored I-frame or a re-authored P-frame). Typically, a segment of content of the AV bitstream which includes the re-authored frame starts with an I-frame and includes at least one subsequent P-frame. Other aspects are methods for adapting such an AV bitstream, audio/video processing units configured to perform any embodiment of the inventive method, and audio/video processing units which include a buffer memory which stores at least one segment of an AV bitstream generated in accordance with any embodiment of the inventive method.