An electronic voting method, system and apparatus is disclosed. A vote message is received at a network node, the vote message comprising a sender identifier, event identifier and a timestamp. The sender identifier, event identifier and timestamp are read, and it is determined from the timestamp that an event window was open and whether the window was a first or subsequent window. In the event that the window is the first window, the vote and sender identifier are stored at a database. In the event that the window is a second or subsequent window, the sender identifier is compared to sender identifiers stored at a previous window and if a match is found the vote is marked as validated and the vote stored at the database.

A television chat system is provided that allows television viewers to engage in real-time communications in chat groups with other television viewers while watching television. Users of the television chat system may engage in real-time communications with other users who are currently watching the same television program or channel. The system allows real-time communications in a chat group to be transmitted between users at user television equipment devices via a television distribution facility. The television chat system of the present invention permits users to join chat groups related to television programs, channels, or categories of programs that the user may be interested in. Real-time communications may be textual messages, audio communications, or video communications.

A system for assisting a content consumer to select content services, the system including a processor that is configured to execute a matching algorithm. The matching algorithm comprises interviewing the content consumer for questions in a plurality of categories, determining a point system for answers obtained by the interviewing step, wherein the answers indicate entertainment interests of the content consumer; calculating a service score for each content service based on the point system, wherein the service score indicates an agreement between a content service and the entertainment interests of the content consumer; and selecting a pre-determined number of content services based on the service score.

Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for applying media effects to a video stream. For example, media effects may be applied and/or altered based on input from viewers or participants in the video stream. Changes to the media effects may accumulate based on the inputs. In another example, viewership numbers or engagement with a user applying a media effect may alter the media effect. In a broadcast context, actions of the broadcast audience (e.g., as measured by polling) may affect the broadcast and hence the broadcaster. Object recognition and/or people recognition may be applied to cumulatively alter the media effects in an augmented reality context.

Exemplary embodiments relate to techniques for applying media effects to a video stream. For example, media effects may be applied and/or altered based on input from viewers or participants in the video stream. Changes to the media effects may accumulate based on the inputs. In another example, viewership numbers or engagement with a user applying a media effect may alter the media effect. In a broadcast context, actions of the broadcast audience (e.g., as measured by polling) may affect the broadcast and hence the broadcaster. Object recognition and/or people recognition may be applied to cumulatively alter the media effects in an augmented reality context.

Methods and systems for providing an interactive second screen experience. In particular, the methods and systems provide data related to the timing of interest, expected questions and/or areas of interest and expected answers/information in response to that interest.

A first set of questions to elicit a response from a first user may be obtained. In response to a selection of at least one question from the first set of questions, a first video segment may be obtained. A first capture date when the first video segment was captured may be obtained. The first capture date may be verified that it is within a threshold time period. If the first capture date is verified, the first video segment may be associated with a first profile associated with the first user. At least a portion of the first profile including the first video segment may be displayed via the online platform. A first selection may be received from a second client computing platform associated with a second user viewing the first profile. The first selection may indicate a binary interest for the first user based upon the first profile.

A computer that includes a processor and memory, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor, wherein the processor is programmed to: predict a first score for a first user who has not viewed a media unit based on at least an affinity score between the first user and a second user and rating data provided by the second user that is associated with the media unit; after the first user has viewed the media unit, determine a second score for the first user based on rating data provided by the first user that is associated with the media unit; and upon determining that a difference between the first score and the second score is greater than a threshold, initiate a digital dialogue between the first and second users.

A method of facilitating audience interaction comprising determining a user-current state, based on at least one of user-entered input to be provided by a user on a device that is to be worn by the user and movement data to be received from the device. The determination of the user-current state includes determining a choice and a reaction of the user, and generating the user-current state, based on the determination.

Passive audiences are enabled to become active participants in plot choices made by characters in audio/visual broadcast events are provided. A method can comprise downloading, to a user device, an initial section of broadcast audiovisual content and an index representing subsequent subsections of the broadcast audiovisual content, and facilitating display of a prompt as a function of the index. Further, based on a reply, received from the user device in response to the prompt, the method can comprise downloading a subsequent subsection of the subsequent subsections for display by the user device.