A media sharing and communication system, including a recording mechanism that records a desired portion of media upon activation by a first individual user, a first user transmitter/receiver that transmits the portion of media and a message generated by the first individual user regarding the portion of media to a second individual user and is capable of transmitting a message to a second individual user, a confirmation mechanism that confirms that the second individual user is authorized to view the portion of media and a notification mechanism that notifies the first individual user if the second individual user is not authorized to receive the portion of media, and a second user transmitter/receiver that receives the portion of media and voice message upon authorization of the second individual user, wherein the systems are capable of receiving and executing voice commands. A method of sharing portions of media.

Systems and methods provide for receiving a request for an alternate data stream of a plurality of individual data streams than an active data stream currently being displayed on a computing device, during display on the computing device of a stitched data steam comprising the plurality of individual data streams associated with a common audio timeline. The systems and methods further providing for determining a subset of the plurality of individual data streams of the stitched data stream associated with a time period of the active data stream in the common audio timeline, selecting the alternate data stream from the subset of the plurality of individual data streams, and providing the alternate data stream to the computing device, wherein the display of the active data stream on the computing device transitions to the alternate data stream on the computing device in the common audio timeline.

A media switch enables a terminal to access content by receiving a content request from a terminal for a first piece of content to be distributed over a cable system, identifying.sup., a personal channel within resources available in the cable system to distribute the first piece of content to the terminal, transmitting access information to the terminal to enable the terminal to access the first piece of content through the personal channel, and interfacing with a cable headend to provide the first piece of content on the personal channel.

A method for receiving a real-time video feed of a region of interest includes generating, at a processor of a first device, a request for a real-time video stream of the region of interest. The request indicates a location of the region of interest. The method also includes transmitting the request to one or more other devices via a network to query whether another device is situated to capture a portion of the region of interest. The method also includes receiving the real-time video stream of the region of interest from a second device of the one or more other devices. The second device includes a camera having a field of view that includes at least a portion of the region of interest.

Technology for a first multimedia telephony services over internet protocol (IP) multimedia subsystems (IMS) (MTSI) client operable to support region of interest (ROI) signaling with a second MTSI client is disclosed. The first MTSI client can identify a requested region of interest (ROI). The first MTSI client can encode the requested ROI for transmission to the second MTSI client via a real-time transport control protocol (RTCP) feedback message. The first MTSI client can decode encoded video received from the second MTSI client that corresponds to the requested ROI.

Systems and methods for sharing content between devices are disclosed. To request a shared piece of media content, a playback device generates and sends a request to content server. The playback device includes information in the request that indicates the playback capabilities of the device. The content server receives the request and determines the playback capabilities of the playback device from the information in the request. The content server then determines the assets that may be used by the playback device to obtain the media content and generates a top level index file for the playback device that includes information about the determined assets. The top level index file is then sent to the playback device that may then use the top level index file to obtain the media content using the indicated assets.

Techniques have been developed to facilitate the livestreaming of group audiovisual performances. Audiovisual performances including vocal music are captured and coordinated with performances of other users in ways that can create compelling user and listener experiences. For example, in some cases or embodiments, duets with a host performer may be supported in a sing-with-the-artist style audiovisual livestream in which aspiring vocalists request or queue particular songs for a live radio show entertainment format. The developed techniques provide a communications latency-tolerant mechanism for synchronizing vocal performances captured at geographically-separated devices (e.g., at globally-distributed, but network-connected mobile phones or tablets or at audiovisual capture devices geographically separated from a live studio).

Certain exemplary embodiments relate to entertainment systems that interact with users so as to provide for social networking and/or other services. In certain exemplary embodiments, an entertainment system is configured to provide jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services that are accessible from within and from the outside of the location, coordinating social networking services among and between patrons within and outside of the location and also providing for advertisement opportunities. In certain exemplary embodiments, the entertainment system within a location may serve as and/or be connected to a jukebox. The entertainment system within the location may be connected to one or more client devices, one or more displays, one or more bar-top or hand-held gaming devices, etc., in certain exemplary embodiments. The jukebox-related and entertainment system mediated services may provide mechanisms for enhancing patrons' experiences, creating a sense of ownership and/or belongingness to a connected community of entertainment system users.

A scheduling method includes: a server receiving a first request of a first peer (P2P) node; the first request containing service content; using position information on different network hierarchies of the first P2P node and the service content to determine at least one candidate P2P node for the first P2P node; the at least one candidate P2P node can provide a service for the first P2P node; the position information being position information generated on the basis of a network topology structure; using the at least one candidate P2P node to generate a candidate P2P node information list; P2P node information in the information list representing a transmission distance between the at least one candidate P2P node and the first P2P node; and returning the information list to the first P2P node. Further disclosed at the same time are a server, a first P2P node and a computer-readable storage medium.

Systems and methods are described herein for streaming during unavailability of a content server. Upon determining that there are conditions indicating buffering issues during delivery of a media asset, a server determines a first group of devices suitable for receiving the media asset from the server and sharing the media asset on a peer-to-peer network. Then, the server determines a second group of devices suitable for receiving the media asset on a peer-to-peer network from a first group device. The server then determines groupings within which to share and receive the media asset. Next, the server transmits instructions to the devices in the first group to maintain in buffer and share certain portions of the media asset with the second group devices within their grouping. Finally, the server updates information detailing the media asset portions the devices are maintaining in buffer and sharing.