Abstract:
One or more user accounts can be linked together to form a group of linked user accounts to access content items assigned to the other user accounts in the group of linked user accounts. Prior to completing a purchase for a content item, a requesting user can be alerted that a member of the group of linked user accounts has access to the content item. Content items assigned to a member of a group of linked user accounts can be downloaded by one or more other members of the group of linked user accounts along with a Digital Rights Management (DRM) key that enables use of the content item. The DRM key can represent the group relationship between the downloading user account and the content owner's user account to which the content item is assigned.
Abstract:
A second user can authorize a first user to take or complete an online action by submitting one or more biometric images. For example, the second user can authorize a purchase by the first user on an online store. The second user can submit the one or more biometric images on the electronic device being used by the first user, or the second user can submit the biometric image or images remotely using another electronic device.
Abstract:
A media channel can include a mix of media items and invitational content packages. At some point during the playback of the media channel, an invitational content package can be presented. In response to detecting the occurrence of an interactive segment triggering event during the presentation of the invitational content package, an invitational content interactive segment and a next media item can be simultaneously presented. This can be accomplished by splitting the media channel into multiple streams, such as an audio stream and a visual stream, and presenting an element of the interactive segment within a first stream and an element of the media item within a second stream. To decrease the likelihood that a user may equate the invitational content with the media item, a bumper content item, such as audio that says, "now back to the music," can be presented just prior to playback of the media item.
Abstract:
To generate a media station, a client device can receive a candidate media item playlist and media playback rules corresponding to the media station. When a new media item is needed for the media station, the client device can apply the media playback rules to a next media item in the list of candidate media items. The playback rules can be used to determine whether the next media item is currently eligible for playback. Additionally, the client device can receive a candidate invitational content item playlist and invitational content playback rules corresponding to the media station. In response to detecting an invitational content triggering action, the client device can apply the invitational content item rules to the candidate invitational content item playlist to select at least one invitational content item to present in the media stream.
Abstract:
The present technology resolves playlist version conflicts resulting from modifications made to a playlist version, stored on a client device and in a cloud locker, when the client device and the cloud locker are in a disconnected state. The present technology is a heuristic for determining how to resolve such version conflicts. Upon reconnection of the client and cloud locker, the server, associated with cloud locker attempts to reconcile any version discrepancies resulting from user-initiated changes. In one embodiment, when the server determines that one of the playlists on the client or server is a superset of the other, the superset is selected and saved to both the client and cloud locker, while the subset version is deleted.
Abstract:
Improved techniques and systems for delivery and acquisition of digital assets are disclosed. The techniques and systems are especially suitable and useful for delivering digital assets (e.g., media assets) that are available for acquisition and electronic delivery from online stores to electronic devices. In accordance with one aspect, when a digital asset is acquired form an online store via an electronic device associated with a user, the digital asset can be arranged for delivery to a number of other of electronic devices also associated with the user. It will be appreciated that the digital asset can be delivered and acquired without requiring explicit user input or instruction in accordance with another aspect. Other aspects of the techniques and systems include customization of configuration and user interfaces that are provided to facilitate acquisition of digital assets in a more efficient manner.
Abstract:
The subject technology provides for synchronized playback of different media content streams. The disclosed techniques may include determining, while certain audio content is being outputted, whether a triggering event has occurred at a media device. Responsive to a determination that the triggering event has occurred, audio information including identification information and a current output status of the audio content may be obtained, and a visual content stream for visual content corresponding to the audio content may be obtained. At the media device, the visual content stream may be processed based on the audio information to determine a starting time point indicating a time point within the visual content from which to start outputting the visual content. The visual content may be outputted such that the output of the visual content begins at the starting time point and is synchronized in time with the audio content.
Abstract:
The present technology resolves playlist version conflicts resulting from modifications made to a playlist version, stored on a client device and in a cloud locker, when the client device and the cloud locker are in a disconnected state. The present technology is a heuristic for determining how to resolve such version conflicts. Upon reconnection of the client and cloud locker, the server, associated with cloud locker attempts to reconcile any version discrepancies resulting from user-initiated changes. In one embodiment, when the server determines that one of the playlists on the client or server is a superset of the other, the superset is selected and saved to both the client and cloud locker, while the subset version is deleted.
Abstract:
An online store can transmit an online account token to an electronic device or to a biometric sensing device after a user successfully enters his or her account password. The electronic device or the biometric sensing device can countersign the online account token when the one or more biometric images match reference biometric images and the account password matches user identifier data stored in the electronic device or in the biometric sensing device. The countersigned online account token can then be transmitted to the online store. The user can then make one or more purchases after the online store receives the countersigned online account token.