A system, apparatuses and methods are provided to download and process data and other content streamed over a wide area network using one or more dynamically fetched, material specific, data handlers (e.g., download assistants). A download assistant fetches a data stream from a remote location and processes the streamed data iteratively using buffers and multi-threaded processes through the decoder (e.g., codec), allowing source material-specific processing of the data as it is streamed from one or more download sources as well as content-indifferent and platform-indifferent decoding. To minimize versioning issues, payload construction for secure delivery is simplified to packing and encrypting a directory tree containing any number of files or other digital media into an archive and, when needed, dividing a payload into multiple files or archives with a descriptor that lists the archives.

A method for enforcing entitlements includes configuring a wide variety of entitlements at a server; determining applicable combination of entitlements for a given client request; sending entitlements to the requesting client securely; handling entitlement information securely on a plurality of client devices at run time; storing entitlement information securely on a plurality of client devices for offline use; and enforcing entitlements on a plurality of client devices. The method employs manipulation of manifest files by a proxy that may be included in the client device or located in the network.

A method for enforcing entitlements includes configuring a wide variety of entitlements at a server; determining applicable combination of entitlements for a given client request; sending entitlements to the requesting client securely; handling entitlement information securely on a plurality of client devices at run time; storing entitlement information securely on a plurality of client devices for offline use; and enforcing entitlements on a plurality of client devices. The method employs manipulation of manifest files by a proxy that may be included in the client device or located in the network.

A television system includes a storage unit, a system memory, a signal receiving unit, a display unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of program instructions, an informative image file and a kernel. The signal receiving unit receives a boot signal. The processing unit, coupled to the storage unit and the system memory, executes the program instructions to complete a step of performing one of a normal boot process and a fast boot process according to the boot signal. The step of performing the normal boot process includes loading the kernel to the system memory. The step of performing the fast boot process includes displaying the informative image file through the display unit without loading the kernel to the system memory.

A television system includes a storage unit, a system memory, a signal receiving unit, a display unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores a plurality of program instructions, an informative image file and a kernel. The signal receiving unit receives a boot signal. The processing unit, coupled to the storage unit and the system memory, executes the program instructions to complete a step of performing one of a normal boot process and a fast boot process according to the boot signal. The step of performing the normal boot process includes loading the kernel to the system memory. The step of performing the fast boot process includes displaying the informative image file through the display unit without loading the kernel to the system memory.

When a media client is receiving a media stream, the media client determines an upcoming time point at which the media client is to perform a content revision involving insertion (e.g., substitution or overlaying) of new content. The media client further determines an advanced time point when the media client should initiate a process of acquiring the new content, setting the advanced time point sufficiently in advance of the upcoming content-revision time point to enable the media client to obtain at least enough of the new content to be able to start the content revision on time. In an example implementation, the media client could determine the advanced time point by predicting how long the content-acquisition process will take, based on consideration of past instances of content acquisition, possibly correlated with operational factors such as content source, processor load, memory load, network speed, and time of day.

In a system for distributing data, distribution device is configured to distribute timestamp, offset and source location information for a digital data stream to an execution device, and the execution device is configured to seek digital data corresponding to the received information. The execution device is further configured to execute the digital data relative to a clock rate maintained by the distribution device. Related methods include receiving timestamp, offset and source location information for the digital data stream and seeking digital data corresponding to the received offset and source location information.

In a system for distributing data, distribution device is configured to distribute timestamp, offset and source location information for a digital data stream to an execution device, and the execution device is configured to seek digital data corresponding to the received information. The execution device is further configured to execute the digital data relative to a clock rate maintained by the distribution device. Related methods include receiving timestamp, offset and source location information for the digital data stream and seeking digital data corresponding to the received offset and source location information.

A method and system are provided for simulating recommendations for unavailable users in a social media recommendation network. In general, the social media recommendation network is formed such that each user in the social media recommendation network sends and receives recommendations from their friends. When one of the users in the social media recommendation network is unavailable, a recommendation simulator operates to simulate recommendations from the unavailable user. When the user once again becomes available, the recommendation simulator ceases simulation of recommendations from the user.

A method and system are provided for simulating recommendations for unavailable users in a social media recommendation network. In general, the social media recommendation network is formed such that each user in the social media recommendation network sends and receives recommendations from their friends. When one of the users in the social media recommendation network is unavailable, a recommendation simulator operates to simulate recommendations from the unavailable user. When the user once again becomes available, the recommendation simulator ceases simulation of recommendations from the user.