Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for generating search queries in response to obtaining audio samples on a client device. In one aspect, a method includes the actions of i) receiving audio data from a client device, ii) identifying specific content from captured media based on the received audio data, wherein the identified specific content is associated with the received audio data and the captured media includes at least one of audio media or audio-video media, iii) obtaining additional metadata associated with the identified content, iv) generating a search query based at least in part on the obtained additional metadata, and v) returning one or more search results to the client device, the one or more search results responsive to the search query and associated with the received audio data.

In one embodiment, a command is received from a video provider at a media rendering device, the command being a command to embed a subscriber ID in at least one video frame in a video stream. A random key, k is also received from the video provider at the media rendering device. An injective transformation is invoked for k and the subscriber ID, the injective transformation generating a sequence of pairs of: near-transparent patterns and corresponding time periods. Logical blocks of the at least one video frame in the video stream are overlaid with one of the near-transparent patterns for its one of the corresponding time periods. Related apparatus, systems, and methods are also described.

Example systems and methods for automated generation of banner images are disclosed. A program identifier associated with a particular media program may be received by a system, and used for accessing a set of iconic digital images and corresponding metadata associated with the particular media program. The system may select a particular iconic digital image for placing a banner of text associated with the particular media program, by applying an analytical model of banner-placement criteria to the iconic digital images. The system may apply another analytical model for banner generation to the particular iconic image to determine (i) dimensions and placement of a bounding box for containing the text, (ii) segmentation of the text for display within the bounding box, and (iii) selection of font, text size, and font color for display of the text. The system may store the particular iconic digital image and banner metadata specifying the banner.

The present application describes a method (400) for providing personalized audio to a user. The method (400) comprises receiving (401) a manifest file (140) for a media element from which audio is to be rendered, wherein the manifest file (140) comprises a description (141) for a plurality of different presentations (152) of audio content of the media element. In addition, the method (400) comprises selecting (402) a presentation (152) from the plurality of presentations (152) based on the manifest file (140). The method (400) further comprises receiving (403) a list of audio track objects comprised within the media element, and selecting (404) an audio track object from the list of audio track objects, in dependence of the selected presentation (152).

The present application describes a method (400) for providing personalized audio to a user. The method (400) comprises receiving (401) a manifest file (140) for a media element from which audio is to be rendered, wherein the manifest file (140) comprises a description (141) for a plurality of different presentations (152) of audio content of the media element. In addition, the method (400) comprises selecting (402) a presentation (152) from the plurality of presentations (152) based on the manifest file (140). The method (400) further comprises receiving (403) a list of audio track objects comprised within the media element, and selecting (404) an audio track object from the list of audio track objects, in dependence of the selected presentation (152).

A method of identifying media content presented on a display device includes determining a selected input source providing a video signal to the display device, and then selecting a first set of content identification rules when it is determined that the selected input source is a first input source, and selecting a second set of content identification rules when it is determined that the selected input source is a second input source. The method further comprises applying the selected first set or second set of content identification rules to the video signal in order to generate content identification data for the media content presented on the display device. Application of the content identification rules includes waiting for a trigger event and applying an algorithm to one or more frames of the video signal following the trigger event.

Systems and methods for automatically generating top level index files for use in adaptive bitrate streaming in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of the invention includes receiving a request from a playback device at a playback server, where the request identifies a piece of content, retrieving a list of assets associated with the identified piece of content using the playback server, filtering the list of assets using at least one predetermined criterion using the playback server, generating a top level index file describing each asset in the filtered list of assets using the playback server, and sending the top level index file to the playback device using the playback server.

Systems and methods for automatically generating top level index files for use in adaptive bitrate streaming in accordance with embodiments of the invention are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of the invention includes receiving a request from a playback device at a playback server, where the request identifies a piece of content, retrieving a list of assets associated with the identified piece of content using the playback server, filtering the list of assets using at least one predetermined criterion using the playback server, generating a top level index file describing each asset in the filtered list of assets using the playback server, and sending the top level index file to the playback device using the playback server.

Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application that can cause a specific portion of a media asset to be stored based on a user command. For example, if the user requests the closing scene from a given movie, the media guidance application may detect the command, determine that it comprises an instruction to store a portion of a media asset, identify a source of the portion of the media asset, and cause the portion of the media asset to be stored. The media guidance application may also cause the entirety of the media asset to be stored and initiate playback at the start of the requested portion. This may allow users to store and watch portions of particular interest without requiring that the users seek through the entire media asset on their own.

Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application that can cause a specific portion of a media asset to be stored based on a user command. For example, if the user requests the closing scene from a given movie, the media guidance application may detect the command, determine that it comprises an instruction to store a portion of a media asset, identify a source of the portion of the media asset, and cause the portion of the media asset to be stored. The media guidance application may also cause the entirety of the media asset to be stored and initiate playback at the start of the requested portion. This may allow users to store and watch portions of particular interest without requiring that the users seek through the entire media asset on their own.