A method is provided for synchronizing playback of audio an/or video by a plurality of separate devices in a computer network, e.g. in a wi-fi network. Each separate device is programmed to select a synchronization mechanism in accordance with a predetermined prioritized list of at least two different synchronization mechanisms, and to use the selected synchronization mechanism for synchronizing audio and/or video playback. E.g. use of a clock based on the audio codec clock can be set to a higher priority than use of the system clock, which provides a poorer precision. A session leader serves to provide the synchronization to other separate devices in a session, however a group of two or more separate devices within the session may agree on selecting a synchronization mechanism providing a higher precision than the one provided by the session leader. E.g. to allow high precision timing between separate left and right loudspeakers in a stereo setup. A group leader can be elected to provide synchronization to a group of devices using a higher synchronization precision than the synchronization mechanism provided by the overall session leader. E.g. a dedicated synchronization channel separate from the audio/video streaming channel may be selected.

Systems and methods adapted for providing heterogeneous media services in communication systems, such as using transport layer security deferral and/or medium redirect, are disclosed. In operation according to embodiments, heterogeneous media services may be facilitated by obtaining, by a hybrid broadcast receiver of a receiver device, a computer parsable object comprising information regarding content segment availability and access, wherein the hybrid broadcast receiver is adapted to obtain content via both broadcast and broadband connections for a streaming client of the receiver device. The hybrid broadcast receiver of embodiments may further operate to evaluate the computer parsable object for one or more content segment entries indicating transport layer security is to be invoked with respect to a connection used for obtaining one or more content segments and to overwrite the one or more content segment entries preventing the transport layer security from being invoked by the streaming client.

Systems and methods for maintaining knowledge of a network address (e.g., a MAC address) for a playback device while changing power states are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for maintaining knowledge of the network identity of a playback device while changing power states includes determining that a playback device is entering a sleep state, sending state information from the playback device to a central data repository over a network responsive to the determination that the playback device is entering sleep state, where state information includes a MAC address, receiving the state information about the playback device at a waking device from the central data repository, waking the playback device periodically at predetermined time intervals while in sleep state to listen for messages addressed to the MAC address, and receiving a wake-up message at the playback device from the waking device and responding by changing from sleep to active state.

An information processing method, device, and storage medium are provided. The method includes: a screen-transmission sending end, in response to a first operation acting on characters, displaying the characters in an input box in response to a first operation acting on the characters; determining a target screen-transmission code according to input characters; displaying the target screen-transmission code in the input box; parsing the target screen-transmission code and obtaining an IP address of a screen-transmission receiving end; establishing a connection with the screen-transmission receiving end according to the IP address; sending the target screen-transmission code to the screen-transmission receiving end to obtain a check result of the target screen-transmission code; and if the check result is that a check is passed, sending screen transmission data to the screen-transmission receiving end.

A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

A display assistant device comprises a display, a camera, a speaker, microphones, a processor and memory. The memory stores programs comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, enable a plurality of modes of the display assistant device. The modes include a monitoring mode and an assistant mode. In the monitoring mode, the device is configured to perform a remote monitoring function in which first video captured by the camera is streamed to a remote server system for monitoring uses. The monitoring uses include transmission of the first video to remote client devices authorized to access the first video. In the assistant mode, the device is configured to perform a second plurality of functions that excludes the monitoring function and includes a video communication function in which second video captured by the camera is transmitted to second devices participating in a video communication with a first user of the device.

A content projection method and device related to the field of screen projection technologies are provided. The method includes: The third electronic device plays second content; an NFC chip of the third electronic device touches or approaches an NFC chip of the first electronic device; the third electronic device receives connection status information sent by the first electronic device; and the third electronic device projects the second content to the second electronic device based on the connection status information.

Disclosed herein are computing devices, including playback devices, that are configured to operate in several media distribution modes and play back audio data in several playback modes based at least in part on the source of audio/video data for playback.

Systems and methods for displaying primary content without any overlaid secondary content, and instead transmitting the secondary content to the viewer as a message through another communication channel. For example, a news banner is removed from display on a viewer’s television, and the text of the news banner is encapsulated in a message sent to the viewer’s primary social media account. In this manner, the viewer may watch the primary content uninterrupted by the secondary content, and is thus presented with fewer distractions and a potentially more enjoyable viewing experience.

A server version of an interactive application executed by a processing device of a first mobile device communicatively connected to a main video rendering device collects first data generated by a first client version of the interactive application executed by the processing device. The server version of the interactive application generates first displayable content relating to the first client version of the interactive application based on the first data, wherein the first displayable content is rendered on a display of the first mobile device. The server version of the interactive application generates second displayable content based in part on the first data and additional data relating to the server version of the interactive application, wherein the first displayable content is different from the second displayable content. The server version of the interactive application, transmits the second displayable content to the main video rendering device to be rendered on a main video display.