This disclosure is directed to systems and methods for managing a group session for consuming media content across a plurality of devices. In some configurations and by non-limiting example, the group session operates to synchronize playback and control of media content at the plurality of devices. In one aspect a method of simultaneously playing media content on a plurality of media playback devices for a group session is disclosed.

A display device includes a display; a memory storing at least one instruction; a communicator configured to communicate with a mobile device via a BLE communication network; and a controller including a processor configured to execute the at least one instruction stored in the memory. The processor is further configured to execute the at least one instruction to manage BLE identification information when the BLE identification information for identifying the mobile device connected via the BLE communication network is received from the mobile device during a normal mode in which an ambient service is being executed, and the communicator is further configured to, based on the BLE identification information received from the mobile device after a sleep mode is started, determine whether to wake up the controller based on whether information corresponding to the BLE identification information is stored in the communicator.

A thermostat and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, multiple wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a processor, memory, and a camera. To improve convenience, the thermostat may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Virtual remote control functionality for various amenities may then be provided. To improve safety, the thermostat may be incorporated into a geolocation and safety network and, under certain conditions, the thermostat may provide a video feed.

Implementations set forth herein relate to providing notifications regarding events that may interrupt content being rendered at an interface. The notifications can be preemptive and/or can indicate a predicted time and/or source for the events. The event can be, for example, a person attempting to contact a user who is viewing content at a display interface. The person can be associated with a food delivery that has been ordered by the user via a delivery application. An application, such an automated assistant application, can predict when the person is expected to arrive with the food delivery, and generate a notification ahead of the person arriving. In some implementations, the notification can be rendered at a scrubber user interface (UI) at a location corresponding to the time that the food delivery is expected to arrive, thereby putting the user on notice of when the streaming content may be interrupted.

A web server provides media content for playback on client devices that is associated with a set of enhanced features. When enabled, each enhanced feature provides functionality associated with and supplemental to the media content. The web server performs a handshake with each of a plurality of client devices to authenticate a communication channel. The web server enables one or more of the enhanced features while delivering media content for playback on a first device if information exchanged in the handshake with the first device satisfies a first criterion. The web server delivers the media content for playback on a second device, without enabling any of the enhanced features, if information exchanged in the handshake with the second device does not satisfy the first criterion.

An image display device, a lip-sync correction method thereof, and an image display system thereof are proposed. The lip-sync correction method of the image display device includes: receiving an audio delay measurement command from a user; transmitting an audio detection command to a remote control device and outputting a pre-stored test signal to an external speaker; calculating an audio delay value by comparing an audio signal received from the remote control device with the test signal; and correcting a decoding time stamp of an image signal on the basis of the audio delay value. Accordingly, it is possible to match lip-synching of video and audio in response to various external audio outputs or external audio devices.

Techniques are disclosed for managing media playback among an ad hoc group of playback devices. Such techniques may involve building a session among the playback devices in which playback devices communicate information regarding their playback capabilities. Based on the playback capabilities of the devices, playback mode may be derived for the session. Playback operations may be synchronized among the devices that are members of the session, in which devices receive identification of asset(s) to be rendered pursuant to the playback operation and timing information of playback of the asset. The devices may stream the playback assets directly from media sources when they are capable of doing so. In this manner, communication resources are conserved.

In one example, real-time text (RTT) communications are integrated with video services. For instance, one method for integrating RTT communications with video services includes receiving a real time text call intended for a recipient in a home network, forwarding the real time text call to a first device in the home network, receiving a signal to redirect the real time text call to a second device in the home network that is different from the first device, and forwarding the real time text call to the second device, in response to the signal.

Systems, and methods for selecting advertisements based on party size and/or engagement are provided. An Internet-connected media display device may be detected as displaying media. An up-to-date party size in a monitored space may be determined based on frequency response data by a wireless access point located close to the space. An up-to-date engagement level may also be determined with respect to each individual in the space based on frequency response data by the wireless access point. An advertisement database may be filtered for a qualifying advertisement based on the identified party size and engagement levels.

Technologies are disclosed for providing stream media content and/or metadata indicating stream media content. A media control device may receive a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) request from a media content device. The DLNA HTTP request may have a header created by the media content device. The media control device may interpret the DLNA HTTP request header. A first metadata may be identified in the DLNA HTTP request header that may indicate a request for stream media content information. The media control device may send a DLNA HTTP response to the media content device. The DLNA HTTP response may have a header that may include a second metadata indicating the stream media content information. The second metadata may include information enabling construction of a HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) master playlist, a program map table, and/or a program association table associated with the stream media content.