Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for optimizing network connections of media devices using IPv6 and DNS tests to detect network issues related to IPv6 addressing and improper DNS server assignments. Upon detection of such network issues, network connections may preemptively adjust IPv6 and DNS configuration parameters to optimize connections for the media devices.
Disclosed herein are various embodiments, for a fast boot system. An example embodiment operates by determining that one or more programs have been loaded into memory on a boot-up of a device. A snapshot of the memory including the loaded one or more programs is captured. Operations of the device are monitored after the snapshot has been captured. It is determined that a first program of the one or more programs was updated during the monitoring. A restart of the device is detected, wherein the snapshot is loaded into the memory in lieu of loading the one or more programs, and wherein the first program is updated during the restart of the device.
H04N 21/443 - OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
3.
MULTIPLE BILLING COMPUTER SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION AND PAYMENT PROCESSING
An interchange computer system includes a billing computer relationship that has a plurality of reference billing computer identifiers and a plurality of reference sensory representations, wherein each reference sensory representation is associated with a respective reference billing computer identifier. A billing identifier receiver receives, from a payment portal computer system, a billing identifier representing a user. A billing identifier transmission module transmits the billing identifier to a plurality of remote billing computer systems at the respective reference billing computer identifiers. A response receiving module receives a positive response from one or more of the billing computer systems. A sensory representation selection module determines select sensory representations for presentation and confirmation by a user at a user computer system connected to the payment portal computer system
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for determining an optimal spot to insert supplemental content into a media stream to maximize the consumption of the supplemental content by users. An example embodiment operates by performing automated content recognition (ACR) on the media stream, thereby determining scene changes in the media stream. The embodiment identifies a plurality of potential supplemental content spots in the media stream based on the determined scene changes. The embodiment then performs a multivariate test involving test supplemental content over a portion of the potential supplemental content spots to a plurality of media devices, thereby determining the optimal supplemental content spot among the plurality of potential supplemental content spots in the media stream.
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
G06V 20/40 - Scenes; Scene-specific elements in video content
5.
CONTROL A DIMMING LEVEL OF AN ILLUMINATION LOAD BY A DIMMER DEVICE
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a dimmer device including a driver, and a controller communicatively coupled to the driver and to a monitor device. The monitor device can include a camera and is configured to take a plurality of images of the illumination load. The controller provides a control signal that indicates to the driver to adjust power supplied to an illumination load. The control signal is provided in response to a determination that a performance of the illumination load fails to satisfy a predetermined performance indicator. The performance of the illumination load is determined based on information related to the plurality of images of the illumination load taken by the camera of the monitor device. The controller can adjust a dimming level of the illumination load by providing the control signal to the driver.
H05B 47/11 - Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the brightness or colour temperature of ambient light
H05B 47/125 - Controlling the light source in response to determined parameters by determining the presence or movement of objects or living beings by using cameras
6.
PROVING PHYSICAL POSSESSION OF INTERNET-OF-THINGS (IOT) DEVICES
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for determining physical possession of one or more IoT devices. According to some embodiments, a method for determining physical possession of a plurality of Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices includes determining physical possession of a first IoT device of the plurality of IoT devices. The method further includes determining whether the first IoT device with the determined physical possession satisfies a condition. In response to determining that the first IoT device with the determined physical possession does not satisfy the condition, determining physical possession of a second IoT device of the plurality of IoT devices. In response to determining that the first IoT device with the determined physical possession satisfies the condition, determining the physical possession of the plurality of IoT devices based on the determined physical possession of the first IoT device.
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
G16Y 10/75 - Information technology; Communication
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for detecting downstream devices connected to an electrical load controlling device. An example embodiment operates by detecting an association signal from a downstream smart device responsive to a downstream smart device detection signal. The example embodiment further operates by determining whether the downstream smart device is coupled to an electrical terminal of an electrical switching device and configured to receive electricity in response to an actuation of the electrical switching device. If so, the example embodiment further operates by generating a control signal configured to instruct the electrical switching device to prevent a deactuation of the electrical switching device and transmitting the control signal to the electrical switching device.
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
H05B 39/06 - Switching arrangements, e.g. from series operation to parallel operation
H05B 39/09 - Circuit arrangements or apparatus for operating incandescent light sources in which the lamp is fed by pulses
H04L 67/12 - Protocols specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
8.
POWER CONTROL FOR SPEAKER DEVICES IN A WIRELESS MEDIA SYSTEM
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a wireless media system including a wireless speaker device and a host device forming a peer-to-peer wireless network. The host device provides audio content to the speaker device, and the speaker device can decode and process the audio content received from the host device. The speaker device can be in various states that consume different level of powers, such as a standby state, a wake state, a connected state. The speaker device can determine the host device is in an inactive state or an active state. When the speaker device determines the host device is in an inactive state, the speaker device can enter the standby state, enable the communication circuit and the audio processing circuit of the speaker device to be in a low power state to save power.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a voice control device including a microphone, a mute control, and a push-to-talk (PTT) control. An example embodiment operates by: entering a mute state from an always-listening state when the device receives a mute control signal; entering a PTT state from the mute state when the device is in the mute state and receives a first PTT control signal; activating the microphone when the device is in the PTT state; and entering the mute state from the PTT state when the device is in the PTT state and receives a second PTT control signal.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for a remote control system that improves one or more of directionality, target specificity, signal specificity, and bandwidth. An example embodiment is a remote control system that includes a radiation source configured to generate an infrared radiation projection based on one or more remote control codes to control a device. The remote control system further includes an optical controller configured to adjust one or more parameters associated with the infrared radiation projection before the infrared radiation projection is emitted to the device.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
G02B 6/00 - Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
11.
CONTENT MODIFICATION SYSTEM WITH VIEWER BEHAVIOR-BASED CONTENT DELIVERY SELECTION FEATURE
A method includes determining, by a computing system, a probability of whether at least- a threshold portion of a particular advertisement will be presented on a particular content presentation device, and a cost associated with presentation of the particular advertisement on the particular content presentation device. The computing system calculates an expected revenue associated with presentation of the particular advertisement based on the probability and the cost. When the expected revenue exceeds a threshold revenue, the computing system, communicates the particular advertisement to the particular content presentation device.
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
In one aspect, a method includes identifying a group of content-presentation devices that are associated with the same household. The method also includes determining that a first content-presentation device of the identified group has received a first advertisement segment The method also includes identifying a second content-presentation device of the identified group, different from the first content-presentation device, that is tuned to a content- m odifi cation -e nahled channel that supports performance of content-modification operations. The method also includes causing a replacement advertisement segment associated with the first advertisement segment to he transmitted to the second content-presentation device for output by the second content-presentation device in place of a modifiable advertisement segment in connection with an upcoming content-replacement opportunity on the content- modification-enabled charmei to which the second content-presentation device is tuned.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clock; Client middleware
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
G06Q 30/02 - Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
13.
CONTENT-MODIFICATION SYSTEM WITH FEATURE FOR CONTROLLING VIEWER EXPOSURE TO SPOILERS IN ADVERTISEMENTS
In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request for supplemental content for use by a content-presentation device in performing a content-modification operation relative to a modifiable content-segment that the content-presentation device is scheduled to receive. The method also includes determining that the modifiable content-segment comprises a promotional advertisement for a content series. The method also includes identifying content that the promotional advertisement spoils from the content series. The method also includes based on historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation device, determining that the content-presentation device has presented less than a predefined threshold amount of the identified content. The method also includes in response to determining that the content-presentation device has presented less than the predefined threshold amount of the identified content, performing an action that facilitates the content-presentation device replacing the modifiable content-segment with supplemental content.
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
14.
CONTENT -MODIFICATION SYSTEM WITH ADVERTISEMENT RECONCILIATION FEATURE
In one aspect, a method includes while a first content-presentation device is performing a content-replacement operation in which the first content-presentation device outputs a replacement advertisement segment, in place of an advertisement segment, determining, by a computing system, that the advertisement segment is not an expected modifiable advertisement segment. The method also includes in response to determining that the advertisement segment is not the expected modifiable advertisement segment, determining, by the computing system, that the advertisement segment is ineligible for replacement. The method also includes in response to determining that tire advertisement segment is ineligible for replacement, causing, by the computing system, at least one content-presentation device to perform, at a subsequent content-replacement opportunity, a corrective content-replacement operation in which the at least one content-presentation device outputs the advertisement segment in place of a subsequent modifiable advertisement segment that the at least one content-presentation device is scheduled to receive.
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/8547 - Content authoring involving timestamps for synchronizing content
G06Q 30/02 - Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
15.
CONTENT-MODIFICATION SYSTEM WITH ADVERTISEMENT REVENUE OPTIMIZATION AND VIEWER RETENTION FEATURES
In one aspect, a method includes determining that a content-presentation device has tuned to a channel while a content-distribution system is transmitting, on the channel, a first content segment. The method also includes using historical content consumption data associated with the content-presentation device to determine that an end-user associated with the content-presentation device intends to watch a second content segment that the content-distribution system is scheduled to transmit after the first content segment, determining that the end-user associated with the content-presentation device is not interested in watching a remainder of the first content segment, and, in response to determining that the end-user intends to watch the second content segment and is not interested in watching the remainder of the first content segment, performing an action that facilitates the content-presentation device presenting supplemental content during at least a portion of the remainder of the first content segment.
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
G06Q 30/02 - Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and computer program product embodiments for modifying the functionality of an alternating current (AC) controlling device. An example computer-implemented method includes determining whether an electrical terminal of an AC controlling device is connected to a grounded conductor. In response to determining that the electrical terminal is connected to the grounded conductor, the example computer-implemented method includes generating a first control signal configured to permit the AC controlling device to perform a function. In response to determining that the electrical terminal is not connected to the grounded conductor, the example computer-implemented method includes generating a second control signal configured to prevent the AC controlling device from performing the function.
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the network; Circuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
G01R 31/66 - Testing of connections, e.g. of plugs or non-disconnectable joints
H05B 47/19 - Controlling the light source by remote control via wireless transmission
17.
CONTENT-MODIFICATION SYSTEM WITH FEATURE FOR MANAGING MULTIPLE CONTENT-MODIFICATION REQUESTS
In one aspect, a method includes receiving a first request for first supplemental content for use by a content-presentation device in performing a first content-modification operation, receiving a second request for second supplemental content for use by a tuner device in performing a second content-modification operation. The method also includes determining that the content-presentation device is connected to the tuner device, and based at least in part on the first and second requests, determining that the first and second requests are associated with the same modifiable content-segment, and, in response to the determinations, using one or more parameters as a basis to select for performance an action from a set of actions including a first action that facilitates performance of the first content-modification operation and a second action that facilitates performance of the second content-modification operation.
In one aspect, a method includes determining that a content-presentation device is scheduled to receive a content segment on a channel to winch the content-presentation device is tuned. The method also includes receiving linear content campaign data associated with the content segment, where the linear content campaign data specifies a frequency cap that defines a minimum number of times the content-presentation device is to present the content segment before the content-presentation device is permitted to perform a content-modification operation relative to the content segment. The method also includes determining that the content-presentation device has met or exceeded the frequency cap, and responsively (i) storing in memory an indication that the content segment is a modifiable content-segment relative to which the content-presentation device is permitted to perform a content-modification operation, and (ii) performing an action to facilitate the content-presentation device performing a content-modification operation relative to the content segment.
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
19.
CONTENT-MODIFICATION SYSTEM WITH MULTIPLE VIDEO BUFFERS FEATURE
In one aspect, a method includes transmitting a request for supplemental content tor use by a content-presentation device that is scheduled to perform a content-modification operation at a start-time and, in response to the request: receiving, into a first buffer of the content- presentation device, first supplemental content having a first video quality that is higher than or equal to a predefined threshold, and receiving, into a second, different buffer of the content- presentation device, second supplemental content having a second video quality lower than the predefined threshold. The method also includes within a predefined time period before the start-time, determining whether an entirety of the first supplemental content has been received into the first buffer. The method also includes based on the determination, selecting supplemental content from a set of supplemental content that includes the first and second supplemental content, and performing the content-modification operation using the selected supplemental content.
H04N 21/434 - Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams or extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
Provided herein are system, apparatus, device, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for transmitting messages to a display device based on detected audio output from the display device. In a given embodiment, a digital media player can transmit a message to the display device to control the audio output of the speaker using a transmission protocol, and transmit a set of instructions to the remote control device to confirm the display device processed the message by determining whether an attribute associated with the audio output from the speaker is within a predetermined threshold. In response to receiving a message that an attribute associated with the audio output is within a predetermined threshold, the digital media player can determine that the display device is enabled to receive communication via the transmission protocol.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and computer program product embodiments for remotely controlling a media device. An embodiment includes an apparatus including a radio frequency (RF) communications chip, a memory, and at least one processor coupled to the RF communications chip and the memory. The at least one processor is configured to receive an electronic signal indicative of a user command and generate, based on the electronic signal, an action frame packet configured to instruct a media device to perform a function associated with the user command. Subsequently, the at least one processor is configured to transmit, using the RF communications chip, the action frame packet to the media device.
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04Q 9/00 - Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom
22.
CONTENT-MODIFICATION SYSTEM WITH LOCAL AVAIL DETECTION AND CORRECTION FEATURES
An example method includes determining, over a particular time-period and at a periodic interval, a viewer count of content-presentation devices receiving content on a channel from a non-local content-distribution system and, based on the viewer count, identifying, within the particular time-period: (i) a first time-period having a threshold consistent viewer count for a first threshold duration, (ii) a second time-period where there is a drop in the viewer count by a threshold amount and the drop lasts for a second threshold duration, and (iii) a third time-period where the viewer count returns to an amount within a threshold range of the threshold consistent viewer count tor a third threshold duration. The method also includes based on the identified time-periods, detecting a portion of the content that serves as a placeholder for local content to be inserted by a local content-distribution system, and performing an action associated with tire detected portion.
A method and system for aligning the duration of a supplemental content with the duration of modifiable content in content modification operations. An example method includes determining a duration of a modifiable content segment being received by a content- presentation device. The example method then includes identifying a supplemental content segment to replace the modifiable content segment. In one aspect, the example method includes selecting, from a predefined set of multiple different-duration versions of the identified supplemental content segment, a particular instance of the identified supplemental content segment having a duration closest to the duration of the modifiable content segment. In another aspect the method includes altering the duration of the supplemental content segment to match the duration of the modifiable content segment. The method further includes causing the identified instance or the altered version of the supplemental content segment to be transmitted to the content-presentation device to facilitate dynamic replacement.
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
24.
STREAMING A VIDEO CHAT FROM A MOBILE DEVICE TO A DISPLAY DEVICE USING A ROTATING BASE
Provided herein are system, apparatus, device, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for streaming a video chat from a mobile device on a display device. In a given embodiment, a first mobile device and second video device can communicate audio and video data to one another, via a video chat. The incoming audio and video data for the first mobile device can be streamed to and output by an external display device. The streaming request is generated in response to the first mobile device coupling with a rotating base, controlled by the first mobile device.
H04N 21/4788 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
F16M 11/06 - Means for attachment of apparatus; Means allowing adjustment of the apparatus relatively to the stand allowing pivoting
25.
REPLACEMENT ADVERTISING SELECTION USING VIEWER SWITCHING BEHAVIOR AND PAY POINTS
In one aspect, an example method includes (i) obtaining historical content consumption data for a content-presentation device; (ii) determining, using the historical content consumption data, a first probability of the content-presentation device viewing at least a first amount of a first advertisement segment and a second probability of the content- presentation device viewing at least a second amount of a second advertisement segment; (iii) determining a first estimated value of serving the first advertisement segment based on the first probability and a first cost of the first advertisement segment; (iv) determining a second estimated value of serving the second advertisement segment based on the second probability and a second cost associated with the second advertisement segment; (v) selecting the first advertisement segment based on the first estimated value being greater than the second estimated value; and (vi) causing the first advertisement segment to be transmitted to the content-presentation device.
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for the detection of human presence in front of a plurality of sensors such as those of speakers and a device with a processor, such as a television. Data gathered from the plurality of sensors may be analyzed by the processor to determine if one or more humans are present proximate to the device. Based on the determined presence or absence of one or more humans, further actions including, inter alia, customizing a home theatre experience for the one or more humans, making content recommendations, or activating parental controls can be taken by the device.
H04N 5/64 - Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04R 5/02 - Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
27.
PROVIDING ENERGY EFFICIENT FEATURES USING HUMAN PRESENCE DETECTION
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for the detection of human presence in an energy efficient manner using a plurality of sensors such as those of a battery-powered device such as a television remote, and a device with a processor, such as a television. Data gathered from an initial television WiFi radio scan, or an initial low-powered detection scan from the television remote, may be analyzed by the processor to determine a potential presence of one or more humans are present proximate to the device. If there is such a potential presence, the device remote can enter a full-powered detection mode to accurately determine the presence or absence of one or more humans, and take further actions.
H04N 5/64 - Constructional details of receivers, e.g. cabinets or dust covers
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04R 5/02 - Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
28.
CONTENT-MODIFICATION SYSTEM WITH FEATURE FOR DETECTING AND RESPONDING TO CONTENT MODIFICATIONS BY TUNER DEVICES
In one aspect, a method includes identifying a group of multiple content-presentation devices that are tuned to the same channel and that are each scheduled to perform, at a modification start-time, a respective content-modification operation that comprises modifying a modifiable content-segment in connection with an upcoming content-modification opportunity on the channel. The method also includes determining that, after the modification start-time, at least a subgroup of the group of content-presentation devices have detected a mismatch between reference fingerprint data representing the modifiable content-segment and query fingerprint data representing content received by at least the subgroup of content-presentation devices. The method also includes determining that at least the subgroup of content-presentation devices are connected to tuner devices associated with the same content distributor and, in response to determining that at least the subgroup of content-presentation devices are connected to tuner devices associated with the same content distributor, performing an action.
In one aspect, a method is performed by a content-presentation device that is scheduled to perform, at a modification start-time, a content-modification operation that comprises modifying a modifiable content-segment that the content-presentation device is scheduled to receive. The method includes receiving reference fingerprint data representing the modifiable content-segment. The method also includes making a comparison of the reference fingerprint data with query fingerprint data representing content received by the content-presentation device from a tuner device connected to the content-presentation device. The method also includes based on the comparison, detecting, within a predefined time period after the modification start-time and during performance of the content-modification operation, a mismatch between the reference fingerprint data and the query fingerprint data. The method also includes in response to detecting the mismatch within the predefined time period after the modification start-time and during performance of the content-modification operation, performing an action.
Some embodiments include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for high precision device synchronization of electronic devices in a shared medium. Some embodiments include a first electronic device that utilizes a combination of synchronization techniques to synchronize with a second electronic device. The first electronic device receives a first signal from the second electronic device that includes network-based synchronization data and marker data, and performs network-based synchronization with the second electronic device at a first synchronization accuracy. The first electronic device receives a second signal, and uses the marker data and phase lock synchronization to detect a frequency change of the second signal received, as well as to determine a corresponding time marker. The first electronic device updates a clock of the first electronic device based at least on the corresponding time marker, the network-based synchronization data, and the marker data.
H04L 7/033 - Speed or phase control by the received code signals, the signals containing no special synchronisation information using the transitions of the received signal to control the phase of the synchronising-signal- generating means, e.g. using a phase-locked loop
Embodiments included herein generally relate to measuring a latency of a playback device. For example, a method includes: determining a first latency of a playback device; determining a second latency of the playback device; comparing the second latency to the first latency to determine whether an event occurred at the playback device; and in response to detecting a latency change between the second latency and the first latency indicating the occurrence of the event, adjusting a timing of a data stream provided to the playback device based on the latency change.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clock; Client middleware
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
H04N 21/845 - Structuring of content, e.g. decomposing content into time segments
System, method, and various embodiments for providing a speaker normalization system are described herein. An embodiment operates by identifying a plurality of audio output devices connected to an audio source. For each audio output device, a set of technical capabilities and a relative position of the audio output device is identified. An audio configuration is calculated based on both the set of technical capabilities and the relative position of each audio output device, and which audio output devices are identified. The calculated audio configuration is provided to each identified audio output device. Audio is provided to each of the identified audio output devices.
Disclosed herein are computer-implemented method, system, and computer-readable storage-medium embodiments for implementing sound generation with adaptive directivity. An embodiment includes at least one computer processor that may retrieve and process an audio sample of a content instance, via an algorithm configured to generate a classification of the audio sample. Directivity may be determined, corresponding to a first audio signal to be output via an audio output device. The first audio signal may correspond to the audio sample of the content instance, and the audio output device may include at least one loudspeaker, for example. A second audio signal may be generated from the classification and the directivity. In some embodiments, another classification of the audio sample may be generated based at least in part on a second algorithm that may process information including a video image corresponding to the audio sample and/or additional audio characteristic(s) detected in the audio sample.
System, method, and various embodiments for providing an automatic audio source selection system are described herein. An embodiment operates by receiving, at a speaker device, first audio from a media player, wherein a television is outputting video from the media player. The speaker device detects a change of a state of the media player. The audio source from which audio is being received from the media player is automatically updated to receive second audio from a television. Responsive to the automatic updating, the second audio from the television is automatically output by the speaker device, wherein the television is outputting video corresponding to the second audio.
Embodiments described herein generally relate to analyzing a signal generated by a device under test (DUT). In particular, the signal generated by the DUT may be compared to a reference signal to determine pass/fail results for the DUT. For example, a method may include: storing, on a computing device, a reference signal from a reference device; receiving a test signal from a device under test (DUT); synchronizing the reference signal and the test signal based on a time-synchronization buffer of each signal; after the synchronization, comparing the test signal and the reference signal to determine a pass or fail result for the DUT; and generating a notification indicating the pass or fail result for the DUT.
Embodiments described herein generally relate to measuring and evaluating a test signal generated by a device under test (DUT). In particular, the test signal generated by the DUT may be compared to a reference signal and scored based on the comparison. For example, a method may include: capturing a test signal from a device under test; splicing the test signal into a plurality of test audio files based on a plurality of frequency bins; at each frequency bin, comparing each of the plurality of test audio files to a corresponding reference audio file from among a plurality of reference audio files, the plurality of reference audio files being associated with a reference signal; and calculating a performance score of the device under test based on the comparisons.
G01R 23/02 - Arrangements for measuring frequency, e.g. pulse repetition rate; Arrangements for measuring period of current or voltage
G01R 13/02 - Arrangements for displaying electric variables or waveforms for displaying measured electric variables in digital form
G01R 31/01 - Subjecting similar articles in turn to test, e.g. "go/no-go" tests in mass production; Testing objects at points as they pass through a testing station
37.
DO NOT DISTURB FUNCTIONALITY FOR VOICE RESPONSIVE DEVICES
Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for enabling Do Not Disturb functionality in voice responsive devices. An example embodiment operates by: enabling an user to configure Do Not Disturb settings for a voice responsive device; while (a) the Do Not Disturb functionality is activated for the voice responsive device, and (b) within a Do Not Disturb time period specified by the Do Not Disturb settings: disabling one or more microphones; receiving an unambiguous trigger; responsive to receiving the unambiguous trigger, enabling the microphone(s); receiving a voice command; and processing the voice command. An example of an unambiguous trigger may be the user pressing a talk button (either a physical or digital button) on a remote control associated with the voice responsive device.
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for designing a channel's interface. An embodiment operates by a client device - (i) receiving an input for designing the channel's interface; (ii) determining an input event based on the input; (iii) creating a command based on the input event; and (iv) routing the command to a host device so that the host device determines a feature of the channel therefrom. Another embodiment operates by a host device - (i) receiving a command for a design for the channel's interface from a client device, the command may comprise a unique identifier and based on user input provided on the client device; (ii) identifying the command based on the command's unique identifier; (iii) determining a response based on the command; (iv) determining a feature of the channel based on the response; and (v) incorporating the feature into the interface of the channel.
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for providing over-the-air (OTA) content to electronic devices. Some embodiments operate by automatically providing program listings of OTA content to the electronic devices, wherein the program listings are displayed in user interfaces of the electronic devices; receiving a user selection of particular OTA content from one of the electronic devices; receiving electronic signals containing OTA content from an antenna; processing, using a tuner, the received electronic signals to extract the particular OTA content therefrom; and transmitting the extracted OTA content to the electronic device for playback. In some embodiments, the extracted OTA content is stored in storage of said the electronic device for future on-demand playback to the user.
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for providing advertising-based video on demand (AVOD) content to electronic devices. Some embodiments operate by receiving non-AVOD content requested by a user; selecting advertisement types and categories based on at least the user and a type of the non-AVOD content; receiving advertisements corresponding to the selected advertisement types and categories; generating AVOD content comprising the non-AVOD content and the advertisements; and transmitting the AVOD content to the electronic device, wherein the electronic device monitors the user as the advertisements are played to generate monitoring information. The monitoring information indicates whether the user watched the advertisements.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/4722 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content for requesting additional data associated with the content
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
G06Q 30/02 - Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
Disclosed herein are a device, method, and system for dynamically activating a lightweight mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) within a remote control creating an ad-hoc payment system within a media system. When the lightweight mPOS is activated, remote control may operate as an ad-hoc lightweight mPOS that is capable of receiving contactless payment information for purchase of content provided by a media device. The lightweight mPOS may be controlled by the media device in response to a request to purchase the content.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing content outside the confides of a television so as to enhance user experience of the content. An example media device embodiment operates according to a method that includes receiving a data stream containing content and at least one non-TV experience trigger; causing the content to be played on the TV; and providing the non-TV experience trigger to at least one appropriate accessory device in a manner synchronous with playing the content on the TV, to thereby extend playback of the content beyond the TV.
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clock; Client middleware
43.
POST-PRODUCTION DE-MURA OF A TELEVISION USING A MOBILE DEVICE
On-demand, post-production de-mura of a television is described herein. An example system includes a television that comprises a screen and a local de-mura application. The system also includes a mobile device that comprises a mobile de-mura module. In operation, the mobile de-mura module identifies and quantifies mura in the screen of the television for a given IRE index. These operations are repeatedly performed in a measurement loop that iterates over a range of IRE indexes. Raw uniformity data is generated from such iterations. The local de-mura application uses the uniformity data to de-mura the screen and improve gray uniformity performance of the television. Further, the mobile de-mura module and the local de-mura application are configured to fine tune and further de-mura the screen by iterating a verification loop over a range of IRE indexes, wherein operation of the verification loop is substantially similar to operation of the measurement loop.
H04N 5/21 - Circuitry for suppressing or minimising disturbance, e.g. moire or halo
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
G09G 3/36 - Control arrangements or circuits, of interest only in connection with visual indicators other than cathode-ray tubes for presentation of an assembly of a number of characters, e.g. a page, by composing the assembly by combination of individual elements arranged in a matrix by control of light from an independent source using liquid crystals
44.
SMART REMOTE CONTROL FOR AUDIO RESPONSIVE MEDIA DEVICE
Disclosed herein is a battery operated, audio responsive remote control for controlling a media device. The remote control includes a speaker, microphone and talk button. The remote control is configured to: detect the talk button being pressed; responsive to the detection and within a time period that commences from the detection, analyze audio data received via the microphone to recognize one or more audio commands; and process the recognized audio commands. The remote control is also configured to: determine a volume level of the received audio data; and audibly confirm the recognized audio commands at the determined volume level. According to some embodiments, the remote control also includes a motion sensor, and is configured to: detect motion of the remote control using the motion sensor; determine that the detected motion corresponds to a volume changing motion; and adjust volume of the remote control and/or a media device according to the volume changing motion.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audiovisual content with a dumb speaker. In some embodiments, a display device transmits a spread spectrum signal to a dumb speaker over a data channel using a spread spectrum code. The display device then receives the spread spectrum signal from the dumb speaker over an audio data channel. The display device despreads the spread spectrum signal based on the spreading code. The display device determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal. The display device calculates an audiovisual output path delay for the dumb speaker based on the time of receipt and a time of transmission. The display device then synchronizes the playback of the audiovisual content at the dumb speaker and a smart speaker based on the audiovisual output path delay.
G10L 25/18 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups characterised by the type of extracted parameters the extracted parameters being spectral information of each sub-band
G10L 19/032 - Quantisation or dequantisation of spectral components
H04R 5/02 - Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
46.
AUDIO CANCELLATION AND CONTENT RECOGNITION OF AUDIO RECEIVED OVER HDMI/ARC
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for cancellation and content recognition of audio received over a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)/Audio Return Channel (ARC) port of a display device. The media device receives audio over the HDMI/ARC port from the display device, processes the audio by identifying, decoding, re-encoding, and fingerprinting the audio with identification information, and subsequently streams the audio within the media streaming environment, including to external speakers, such as voice-enabled speakers. Based on the identification information and recognized content of the processed audio, the media device offers additional content for streaming to a user. The media device continuously monitors for spoken voice received over a voice-enabled speaker while the media device simultaneously receives, processes, and streams audio from the display device. By cancelling the part of the streaming audio received simultaneously with the spoken voice received, the media device enables the voice-enabled speaker to distinguish a voice command.
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/4402 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
H04N 21/439 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
Apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed for dynamically switching between communication networks during audio streaming over a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI)/Audio Return Channel (ARC) interface of a display device. A media device is configured to implement the dynamic switching. The media device, coupled to the HDMI/ARC interface, receives an audio stream over the HDMI/ARC interface and transmits the audio stream to speakers on a first network. The media device determines that the first network is overloaded and identifies a clean channel of a second network for transmitting the audio stream without an overload condition. The media device switches itself and connected speakers to the second network for a clean audio stream. The media device switches itself and connected speakers to the first network when there is no longer a need to be on the second network or when there is benefit to be on the first network.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audiovisual content among multiple speakers. In some embodiments, a first smart speaker receives a spread spectrum signal from a second smart speaker over an audio data channel. The first smart speaker despreads the spread spectrum signal based on a spreading code. The first smart speaker determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal based on the despreading. The first smart speaker receives a time of transmission of the spread spectrum signal. The first smart speaker then calculates a playback delay based on the time of receipt and the time of transmission. Then the first smart speaker controls the playback of the audiovisual content based on the playback delay.
G10L 19/02 - Speech or audio signal analysis-synthesis techniques for redundancy reduction, e.g. in vocoders; Coding or decoding of speech or audio signals, using source filter models or psychoacoustic analysis using spectral analysis, e.g. transform vocoders or subband vocoders
G10L 21/055 - Time compression or expansion for synchronising with other signals, e.g. video signals
49.
IDENTIFYING AUDIO CHARACTERISTICS OF A ROOM USING A SPREAD CODE
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for identifying audio characteristics of a room using a spread code. In some embodiments, an audio responsive receives a spread spectrum signal from a smart speaker over an audio data channel. The audio responsive remote control determines a time of receipt of the spread spectrum signal based on despreading. The audio responsive remote control calculates an airtime delay associated with the smart speaker based on the time of receipt and a time of transmission. The audio responsive remote control then adjusts playback of audiovisual content at the smart speaker and a second smart speaker for a location based on the airtime delay. The audio responsive remote control can also determine whether the smart speaker is present in the room with it based on the airtime delay.
G10L 19/02 - Speech or audio signal analysis-synthesis techniques for redundancy reduction, e.g. in vocoders; Coding or decoding of speech or audio signals, using source filter models or psychoacoustic analysis using spectral analysis, e.g. transform vocoders or subband vocoders
G10L 25/18 - Speech or voice analysis techniques not restricted to a single one of groups characterised by the type of extracted parameters the extracted parameters being spectral information of each sub-band
G10L 21/055 - Time compression or expansion for synchronising with other signals, e.g. video signals
50.
ADAPTIVE SWITCHING IN A WHOLE HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM
Provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audio and video associated with a content, such as a movie or TV show. Also provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for coordinating devices in a whole home entertainment system that includes a wireless network, to improve collective utilization of the wireless network and thereby enhance user experience.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clock; Client middleware
H04N 21/439 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/4402 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for household redistribution, storage or real-time display
51.
DYNAMICALLY ADJUSTING VIDEO TO IMPROVE SYNCHRONIZATION WITH AUDIO
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for synchronizing playback of audio and video, wherein the audio is transmitted to wireless speakers over a wireless medium. Some embodiments operate by receiving content for playback from a source, wherein the content comprises the audio and the video; determining that synchronization of playback of the audio and video will not be acceptable, by analyzing the wireless medium to determine a probable transmission time it will take for the audio to be transmitted to the wireless speakers over the wireless medium; determining that a video buffer is not large enough to buffer the video long enough to compensate for the probable transmission time, based on at least a size of the video buffer and a resolution of the video; and requesting a lower resolution encoding of the video, wherein the requested video is of a resolution that can be buffered in the video buffer sufficiently long to compensate for the probable transmission time of the audio to the wireless speakers. Also, a lower quality encoding of the audio can be requested. Such lower quality audio will take less time to transmit to the wireless speakers so less buffering of the video will be needed to compensate for transmission delays of the audio.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clock; Client middleware
H04N 21/439 - Processing of audio elementary streams
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
Disclosed herein are a device, method, and computer-readable device for tuning a tunable narrowband infrared (IR) receiver to be compatible with a number of different remote controls having different frequencies. The tunable narrowband IR receiver may be configured to receive IR signals across a number of frequency bands and processing the IR signals in order to learn remote controls having different frequencies.
Disclosed herein is an electronic device that includes a plurality of user accessible control buttons, a memory module, and at least one processor coupled to the memory module. The electronic device is to be paired with another electronic device. The processor is configured to: generate a pairing message comprising information that specifies a configuration and capabilities of the electronic device, wherein the information lists the user accessible buttons; monitor user actions resulting from performing a sequence that is displayed on a display device, wherein the sequence was generated by the another electronic device in response to receiving the pairing message and based on the information in the pairing message, such that the sequence contains actions that can be performed using the electronic device; and broadcast indicia specifying the monitored user actions, wherein the another electronic device receives the indicia and determines that the monitored user actions match the sequence and, in response, pairs with the electronic device.
A cellular device is used to make a first HTTP request to a host. The host returns a token to the cellular device. The cellular device sends a second HTTP request to a cellular data network in response to receiving the token. The cellular data network header-enriches the second HTTP request with the MSISDN of the cellular device and forwards the second request to the host.
Disclosed herein is a device and method for intelligently reducing power consumption in an audio amplifier in the device, and in particular Class-D amplifiers, through the use of metadata associated with settings of the playback device and/or content to be played on the playback device. The device includes components for analyzing the settings and content metadata and regulates the voltage provided to the audio amplifier based on this analysis.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for stitching second content into a stream of first content, where the audio and/or video format of the first content may differ from the second content. An example media device embodiment operates by decoding first content using a first decoder compatible with the first content. The decoded first content is displayed on a display device. The media device then receives second content for stitching into the display of the first content. The media device determines whether an audio format and a video format of the second content match an audio format and a video format of the first content. If the audio format and the video format match, then the media device causes a program time stamp (PTS) of the second content to be consecutive with a PTS of the first content during the stitching, such that a reference clock is also consecutive. This provides continuity during the stitching. The media device causes the first decoder to decode the second content, and then displays the decoded second content on the display device using the PTS of the second content and the reference clock. Also provided herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for stitching second content into a stream of first content, such that the stitching occurs at scene change boundaries of the first content, using single or multiple decoders.
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clock; Client middleware
H04N 21/438 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving MPEG packets from an IP network
H04N 21/434 - Disassembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. demultiplexing audio and video streams or extraction of additional data from a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Extraction or processing of SI; Disassembling of packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/236 - Assembling of a multiplex stream, e.g. transport stream, by combining a video stream with other content or additional data, e.g. inserting a URL [Uniform Resource Locator ] into a video stream, multiplexing software data into a video stream; Remultiplexing of multiplex streams; Insertion of stuffing bits into the multiplex stream, e.g. to obtain a constant bit-rate; Assembling of a packetised elementary stream
H04N 21/8547 - Content authoring involving timestamps for synchronizing content
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for a media device upgrading system. An embodiment operates by receiving a command at a media device that includes an upgrader device connected via or plugged into an input port of the media device. It is determined that the command is associated with modifying a software component of the media device, wherein both the media device and the upgrader device include operating systems configured to process the command and modify the software component. The command is provided to the upgrader device based on a determination that the media device is in an upgrader mode of operation. A visual indication corresponding to the modification is provided.
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/262 - Content or additional data distribution scheduling, e.g. sending additional data at off-peak times, updating software modules, calculating the carousel transmission frequency, delaying a video stream transmission or generating play-lists
Methods, systems, and computer program products for dynamically reproducing audio content at an optimal level using a plurality of heterogeneous speaker devices are disclosed herein. The method comprises operations including: comparing the first performance information associated with a first speaker device to second performance information associated with a second speaker device, determining which of the speaker devices is a preferred output device based at least in part on the comparison, and reproducing filtered audio signals via the preferred output devices in response to a request to playback audio content.
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for enabling access to a firmware-locked function of a secure device. A secure device may be production hardware that has locked certain functions not available for public use. In an embodiment, the secure device may receive a request to access a firmware-locked function. The request may include an authorization token that includes an identifier specific to the particular secure device. Based on the receipt of the authorization token, the secure device may retrieve authorization data from the firmware memory of the secure device to determine whether the provided authorization token matches the firmware authorization data. In an embodiment, the secure device may also utilize channel information for authentication purposes. Using the authorization token and/or channel information, the secure device may determine whether to grant access to the firmware-locked function.
G06F 21/57 - Certifying or maintaining trusted computer platforms, e.g. secure boots or power-downs, version controls, system software checks, secure updates or assessing vulnerabilities
G06F 21/45 - Structures or tools for the administration of authentication
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for selecting a digital assistant from among multiple digital assistants. An embodiment operates by receiving a voice input containing a trigger word at a first voice adapter associated with a digital assistant that generates a first confidence score for the trigger word. The embodiment further receives the voice input at a second voice adapter that generates a second confidence score for the trigger word. The embodiment determines the first confidence score is higher than the second confidence score. The embodiment selects the digital assistant based on the determining.
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer-readable device embodiments for mass insertion into single-threaded databases. An embodiment includes a processor and a memory, a storage layer to interface with a plurality of software applications and to receive data output from the plurality of software applications, and a listener that runs according to an update policy, to detect the presence of information newly stored within the storage layer. The processor and memory may be configured to maintain at least a part of a running database cluster including a plurality of nodes, with at least two nodes configured to run without multi-threading, and to execute an intermediate module to send at least part of the information to the database cluster, and to perform simultaneous access to multiple database nodes running without multi-threading.
Automatically and programmatically generating markers for streaming media in a crowdsourced manner is described herein. The method operates in a media device that is communicatively coupled to a display device. The display device includes a graphical user interface (GUI) having a playback bar. The playback bar includes a current playback time (CTI) and a plurality of markers. The method operates by detecting user interactions as an user navigates through a movie or TV show (or other content) being presented on the display device. Point values are assigned to the user interactions. The detected user interactions and assigned point values represent training data. The training data is provided to a crowdsource server. The crowdsource server is configured to determine correlations and patterns in the training data to automatically and programmatically define crowdsourced markers for the movie/TV show.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/443 - OS processes, e.g. booting an STB, implementing a Java virtual machine in an STB or power management in an STB
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
Enhancements to the video playback bar, involving snapping to time markers, are described herein. The playback bar is part of a graphical user interface (GUI) for a TV or other display device, and includes a current playback time (CTI) and a plurality of scene change markers. The playback bar is sticky. The stickiness of the playback bar is based on (1) a speed of the CTI in the playback bar, while a movie or TV show (or other content) is being played in the display device, and (2) a distance of the CTI to a closest scene change marker in the playback bar, at a time a pause or stop command is received. The method operates by receiving a first command to play, fast forward, rewind, seek, or scrub through the content being played on the display device. The first command is executed, and then a second command to pause or stop is received. The second command is executed. A scene change marker in the playback bar closest to the CTI after execution of the second command is identified. Then, it is determined whether the distance from the CTI to the closest scene change marker is within a time threshold. If the distance is within the time threshold, then the CTI is snapped to the closest scene change marker. In some embodiments, the time thresholds associated with speeds of the CTI may be adjusted in a crowdsourced manner.
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfaces; Content or additional data rendering
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for tracking proximities of devices and/or objects. In one embodiment, the system operates by determining whether a plurality of devices of a tethered segment are inside or outside a predefined area. The system also operates by determining that a first device of the plurality of devices is outside of the predefined area based at least partially on the determination of whether the plurality of devices are inside or outside the predefined area. The system further operates by transmitting at least one alert notification to at least one device based at least partially on the determination that the first device is outside the predefined area, wherein the alert notification identifies the first device outside the predefined area.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for distributing the performance of speech recognition among a remote control device and a voice platform in the cloud. In some embodiments, the remote control device operates to receive a voice input from a user. The remote control device detects a trigger word in the voice input. The remote control device then processes the voice input. The remote control device then transmits the voice input to a voice platform based on the detecting in order to determine an intent associated with the voice input.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for providing voice control using multiple digital assistants. In some embodiments, a voice platform operates to receive a voice input from a user. The voice platform selects a digital assistant from a plurality of digital assistants based on a trigger word. The voice platform then generates an intent from the voice input using the selected digital assistant. The voice platform then transmits the intent to a media device for processing.
Disclosed herein are embodiments for an audio responsive electronic device. The audio responsive electronic device operates by receiving an indication that a user pressed the play/stop button. The audio responsive electronic device retrieves an intent from an intent queue that is associated with content previously paused. The audio responsive electronic device also retrieves state information associated with the paused content, and then causes content to be played based on the paused content and the state information. The audio responsive electronic device can receive an indication that a user selected tell me something functionality. In response, the audio responsive electronic device determines an identity of the user, a location of the identified user, and accesses information relating to the identified user. Based on this information, the audio responsive electronic device customizes a topic from a topic database and audibly provides the customized topic to the identified user.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for processing of messages at a media device for analysis purposes. An embodiment operates by transmitting a message request from a media device to a messaging server. In response, the media device receives a message response containing a message and messenger identifier. The media device generates a hash value of an identifier associated with the media device and the messenger identifier. The media device then determines whether the hash value maps into a control group. Finally, the media device processes the message based on whether the hash value maps into the control group.
H04L 29/06 - Communication control; Communication processing characterised by a protocol
H04L 29/08 - Transmission control procedure, e.g. data link level control procedure
H04L 9/06 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols the encryption apparatus using shift registers or memories for blockwise coding, e.g. D.E.S. systems
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for controlling functions of an audio responsive electronic device based on a presence detector (e.g., a motion sensor) to improve power usage and functional performance. In some embodiments, an audio responsive electronic device operates to intelligently turn on and turn off components in response to the detected presence of a user. In some embodiments, an audio responsive electronic device operates to suppress noise from the display device (or other sources of noise), and enhance audio commands from a user (or other sources of audio commands). In some embodiments, a media device is configured to adjust a transmission pattern to an audio responsive electronic device based on user position.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for automatically determining the functionality and capabilities of electronic components. Some embodiments operate by transmitting a command to the display device in question (sometimes called the device under test DUT herein) and monitoring the device. Then, it is determined whether an action by the display device was one of a set of proper responses to the command. If the action was proper, then it is determined that the display device supports the command set associated with the command. The command set may be the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) set, although this disclosure is not limited to that example.
Disclosed herein are embodiments for controlling visual indicators of an audio responsive electronic device. In some embodiments, an audio responsive electronic device operates by receiving audio input, and then analyzing the audio input to identify an intended target of the audio input. The intended target may be one of a plurality of electronic devices or services which are native or non-native to the audio responsive electronic device. The audio responsive electronic device transmits the audio input to the identified intended target. A reply message is received from the intended target. Then, the audio responsive electronic device controls its visual indicators using information in the reply message, to thereby provide visual feedback to a user. Also disclosed herein are embodiments for capturing and providing audio to an application according to an application programming interface of a media device. The raw audio captured by the media device is not in a form useable by the requesting application. In practice, the requesting application must interpret, transform, translate, and/or otherwise manipulate the raw audio to convert it to a useable form. These embodiments provide operation that is consistent, predictable and precise, irrespective of whether the requesting devices or services are native or non-native to the device/service performing the operation.
Described herein are several examples of an apparatus that features receptacles configured to accept interchangeable buttons. Each of the interchangeable buttons has a receptacle interface on a first side, which allows them to electrically connect to and communicate with the aforementioned apparatus, and a unique user-perceivable label on a second side. Electronic elements embedded in each interchangeable button, or alternatively located on its first side, correspond to a unique user-perceivable label. Based on these electronic elements, the apparatus recognizes each button individually, and identifies their user-perceivable label. As a result, the interchangeable buttons may be re-positioned on the apparatus and maintain their intended functionality according to their user-perceivable label. In addition, new interchangeable buttons with different user-perceivable labels and new functionality, according to their labels, can be introduced to the apparatus.
H01H 13/83 - Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by legends, e.g. Braille, liquid crystal displays, light emitting or optical elements
H05K 5/00 - Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
G06K 19/077 - Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
G06K 19/07 - Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards with integrated circuit chips
73.
TIME AND CONTENT RESTRICTIONS BASED ON USER-IDENTIFICATION
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for determining time and content restrictions based user identification. An embodiment operates by automatically identifying a user who is using a media device using at least one of a network-oriented method of user discovery and an user-action oriented method of user discovery. Preferences, including at least one of a time limit or content restriction, associated with the identified user are accessed. The accessed restriction is enforced against the identified user.
H04H 60/45 - Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for identifying users
H04H 60/46 - Arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time, e.g. for identifying broadcast stations or for identifying users for recognising users' preferences
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
74.
DISPLAY DIAGNOSTICS FOR ENHANCING PERFORMANCE OF DISPLAY DEVICES
This disclosure is generally directed to a system and method for diagnosing display capabilities, such as resolution, frame rate, and content protection, of display devices and improving the performance of the display devices by optimizing the display settings based on the results of the diagnosing. Display diagnostics receives information from display devices in response to tests performed on the display devices. The display diagnostics analyzes the information and provides recommended display settings related to the display device for optimizing the display of video content on the display device.
The present disclosure described devices, components, connectors, and cables that connect an audio-visual device to an external antenna. Some embodiments describe a device connector for connecting the audio-visual device to an external cable. The device connector may include a supply port that is configured to receive power, data signals, and/or some combination of power and data from a source external to the audio-visual device. The device connector may also include an antenna port that is configured to connect the audio-visual device to an external antenna that is, for example, part of the same. Additionally, the device connector may include a detection mechanism that detects the presence of an antenna connection in the antenna port. When an antenna connection is detected, the audio-visual device may be configured to use one or more external antennas connected via the antenna connection to send and receive, e.g., WiFi signals.
Described herein is an example apparatus for skipping a portion of content during streaming of the content to a display device, where the portion is of little or no interest to the user. The apparatus includes a memory having a database stored therein. The database stores metadata relating to the content. The metadata includes an index, where the index stores pointers to portions of the content. The apparatus includes a processor that is communicatively coupled to the memory. In operation, the processor streams the content for display on the display device. When the processor determines an end of a teaser portion has been reached in the stream of the content to the display device, it enables a skip command. Responsive to enabling the skip command, the processor receives command input from the user to skip a title sequence/opening credits portion of the content. Then, the processor determines an end to the title sequence/opening credits portion of the content using the metadata, and advances streaming of the content to the determined end of the title sequence/opening credits portion of the content.
H04N 5/932 - Regeneration of analogue synchronisation signals
H04N 21/44 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing a video clip retrieved from local storage with an incoming video stream or rendering scenes according to MPEG-4 scene graphs
Described herein is an example apparatus for displaying information associated with content while streaming the content to a display device. The apparatus includes a processor and memory storing a database containing metadata relating to the content. The metadata includes a trick mode index, trick mode images and information associated with segments of the content. In operation, in some embodiments, the processor streams the content for display on the display device and implements a trick mode operation upon receiving an appropriate user request while presenting a point encompassed in a segment of the content. During implementation of the trick mode operation, the processor receives command input requesting information associated with segments of the content. Responsive to such command input, the processor retrieves information associated with a segment of the content being featured on the display device when the command input was received, and displays the retrieved information on the display device.
A predictive application cache is described. The predictive application cache intelligently selects which applications to cache to maximize caching effectiveness. In an embodiment, the selecting is based on user input and a graphical user interface. The predictive application cache then determines, based on the user input and the graphical user interface, which applications are likely to be selected by user input next. In an embodiment, the selecting is also based on historical usage information. In an embodiment, the selecting is based on crowd sourced information.
G06F 15/16 - Combinations of two or more digital computers each having at least an arithmetic unit, a program unit and a register, e.g. for a simultaneous processing of several programs
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
79.
AUTOMATIC DISPLAY OF CLOSED CAPTIONING INFORMATION
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for the automatic display of closed captioning information. An embodiment operates by accessing user behavior information for a program. It is determined, based on the user behavior information, that multiple closed captioning requests overlap during a portion of the program. A start time indicating when to begin and an end time indicating when to end display of closed captioning information for the overlapping portion is calculated. The program including the start time and the end time corresponding to the overlapping portion is provided for playback, wherein during a playback of the program, the closed captioning information is automatically displayed between the start time and the end time.
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
Streaming content based on skip histories is discussed herein. An embodiment operates by receiving a plurality of skip commands associated with a content from receivers while the receivers are displaying the content to users; generating a crowd source skip history for the content using at least the received skip commands; receiving a request for the content from a receiver; and transmitting a stream of the content to the receiver using the crowd source skip history for the content, such that a portion of the content identified by the crowd source skip history is excluded from the stream.
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
81.
RECOMMENDING CONTENT BASED ON USER BEHAVIOR TRACKING AND ANALYSIS
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for grouping users into user clusters based on common behavior patterns, and then recommending content to the users based on their respective membership in the clusters. Some embodiments operate by receiving tracking data for a user, where the tracking data includes content viewing behavior information of the user, and/or user interface (UI) navigation behavior information of the user. A distance between the tracking data and a cluster profile associated with a user cluster is determined. If the distance satisfies a threshold associated with the user cluster, then the user is added to the user cluster. Thereafter, the users view experience is customized based the users membership in the user cluster. For example, content recommendations may be generated for the user based on content previously provided to other users in the user cluster, where such content may or may not have previously been provided to the user.
H04N 21/466 - Learning process for intelligent management, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/45 - Management operations performed by the client for facilitating the reception of or the interaction with the content or administrating data related to the end-user or to the client device itself, e.g. learning user preferences for recommending movies
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
Interaction recognition of a television content interaction device is discussed herein. An embodiment operates by receiving, by at least one processor, interaction data from a receiver, wherein the receiver is configured to receive interaction data; determining, by at least one processor, an interaction from the interaction data; storing, by at least one processor, the determined interaction; selecting, by at least one processor, a content modification based upon the determined interaction; and modifying, by at least one processor, content streamed to the receiver according to the selected content modification.
H04N 21/442 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed or the storage space available from the internal hard disk
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for controlling a media device and a display device using audio commands. In so doing, some embodiments operate to suppress noise from the display device, and enhance audio commands from users. Some embodiments operate by determining a position of the display device and de-enhancing audio from the display device based on the display device position. The position of the user is determined, and audio from the user based on the user position is enhanced. Then, a command in the enhanced user audio is identified, and the media device and/or the display device are caused to operate according to the command.
G10L 15/30 - Distributed recognition, e.g. in client-server systems, for mobile phones or network applications
H04R 1/40 - Arrangements for obtaining desired frequency or directional characteristics for obtaining desired directional characteristic only by combining a number of identical transducers
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for distributed voice processing. An embodiment operates by receiving audio data from microphones associated with a plurality of devices distributed across an area of interest. A trigger word is detected in the audio data received from at least one of the devices. Responsive to detecting the trigger word, a voice command processing system associated with a multimedia device is activated. Based on the audio data received from at least two or more of the devices, a voice command associated with the multimedia device is determined. The multimedia device is controlled in accordance with the voice command.
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for flexible output of streaming media. An embodiment operates by receiving, at a media server, media over a network. Output media, corresponding to the received media, is streamed to a display device. The output media includes a video component and an audio component. A command is received. Responsive to the command, the streaming of the video component to the display device is discontinued. A streaming of the video component is begun to a mobile device at a point in the video component corresponding where the video was discontinued.
H04N 21/41 - Structure of client; Structure of client peripherals
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/6587 - Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands or viewpoint selection
H04N 21/63 - Control signaling between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
H04N 21/6377 - Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components directed to server
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
The invention provides a method for providing a synchronization in a computer network for synchronized playback of audio an/or video by a plurality of separate devices. Each separate device generates a virtual clock in response to a timing of the audio codec of a received audio stream. Especially, segmented time is used as reference time. Either the virtual clock is generated directly in response to the tick counter of the audio codec, or by a periodic measurement of the timing of the audio codec extrapolated by a monotonic clock. A sample rate converter may be used to slightly adjust the frequency of the virtual clock.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clock; Client middleware
H03L 7/00 - Automatic control of frequency or phase; Synchronisation
H04N 21/4363 - Adapting the video stream to a specific local network, e.g. a IEEE 1394 or Bluetooth® network
The invention provides a method for synchronizing playback of audio and/or video from a source in a network of a plurality of separate devices in a computer network session. Especially, separate audio devices arranged for playing respective channels of a multi-channel audio stream. A master device serves to provide synchronization information regarding the audio and/or video playback to one or more slave devices. The slave device transmits a request for synchronization information to the master device. Thus, the slave device initiates synchronization rather than the master device. The master device transmits in response synchronization information to the slave device, and by receipt of this information, the slave device can synchronize playback of audio and/or video accordingly. Preferably, the synchronization information is based on audio codec clock based on Time Synchronization Function (TSF) time, e.g. by determining an offset between master and slave audio codec clocks. Since the slave device requests synchronization, the slave device can decide when to request synchronization according to one or more criteria, and the master device is relieved from the task of keeping track on when to transmit synchronization information to a plurality of slave devices.
Described are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, or computer program product embodiments for controlling streaming of media content. An embodiment operates by halting a presentation of future content from a buffer upon determining that the buffer is exhausted of content to present. The embodiment includes receiving one or more packets over a network connection, the one or more packets including media information corresponding to a first portion of streaming media content, in which the first portion corresponds to a second portion of the streaming media content. The one or more packets in a buffer are stored as buffered content. Responsive to determining that the network connection is not experiencing a burst condition, the buffer is trimmed. Then, presentation of buffered content is resumed and the first portion is caused to be presented in sync with the second portion.
H04N 21/242 - Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References]
H04N 7/12 - Systems in which the television signal is transmitted via one channel or a plurality of parallel channels, the bandwidth of each channel being less than the bandwidth of the television signal
H04N 9/475 - Colour synchronisation for mutually locking different synchronisation sources
H04N 9/802 - Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changing; Inverse transformation for playback involving processing of the sound signal
H04N 11/02 - Colour television systems with bandwidth reduction
89.
CONTROLLING DISPLAY DEVICE SETTINGS FROM A MOBILE DEVICE TOUCH INTERFACE
System, method, and computer product embodiments for controlling a display devices display settings from a computing devices touch-based user interface are described. In an embodiment, the computing device establishes a wireless connectivity with the display device. The computing device sends a command generated to query information related to the display setting. Then, the computing device receives the queried information from the display device. The computing device configures a graphical user interface (GUI) with the queried information to display configurations of the display settings on the touchscreen. The configurations include the display settings currently configured in the display device. The computing device further enables, within GUI, a displayed configuration from the display configurations to be calibrated by one or more touch gestures on the touchscreen.
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 3/0488 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
Streaming content using a data streaming device having limited power is described. A data streaming device receives streaming content from a network and provides the streaming content for display on a content display device. Data streaming device includes power supplies that receive power from the content display device. The power supplies use the power to operate components of data streaming device that process the streaming content. A measuring module measures the power provided to the data streaming device. When the power is insufficient, a controller generates an indication that there is insufficient power to operate the components of the data streaming device. The controller may also modify functionality of the components to operate using available power or disable a component of the data streaming device.
G06F 1/26 - Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
H02H 3/24 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to undervoltage or no-voltage
H03L 7/00 - Automatic control of frequency or phase; Synchronisation
91.
EFFICIENT COMMUNICATION INTERFACE FOR CASTING INTERACTIVELY CONTROLLED VISUAL CONTENT
System, method, and computer product embodiments for efficiently casting interactively- controlled visual content displayed on a first display screen to a second display screen. In an embodiment, the computing device sends the visual content displayed on the first display screen to a multimedia device for displaying on the second display screen. Upon receipt of an instruction that visually manipulates how the visual content is displayed on the first display screen, the computing device generates a command representative of the received instruction. The command may specify a positional relationship between the center of the first display screen and the visual content displayed on the first display screen. Then, the computing devices sends the command to the multimedia device that causes the second display screen to display the visual content according to the positional relationship.
G06F 3/033 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user; Accessories therefor
G06F 3/0484 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for providing rolling updates of distributed systems with a shared cache. An embodiment operates by receiving a platform update request to update data item information associated with a first version of a data item cached in a shared cache memory. The embodiment may further operate by transmitting a cache update request to update the data item information of the first version of the data item cached in the shared cache memory, and isolating the first version of the data item cached in the shared cache memory based on a collection of version specific identifiers and a version agnostic identifier associated with the data item.
System, method, and computer product embodiments for proving an orientation adjustment for casting visual content on a display device are described. A computing device selects an orientation adjustment to be used in transcoding a video having a frame and assigned an orientation. The computing device requests a transcoder within the computing device to transcode the frame based on the orientation adjustment to generate a transcoded frame. The transcoded frame is converted into a format comparable to a reference frame representing the frame that is corrected transcoded to the assigned orientation. Then, the computing device compares the converted frame with the reference frame to determine that the frame is transcoded correctly to the assigned orientation. If the frame is transcoded correctly, the computing device uses the selected orientation adjustment when transcoding visual content for casting or streaming on a display device in an orientation matching that of the visual content.
H04N 19/40 - Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using video transcoding, i.e. partial or full decoding of a coded input stream followed by re-encoding of the decoded output stream
H04N 19/172 - Methods or arrangements for coding, decoding, compressing or decompressing digital video signals using adaptive coding characterised by the coding unit, i.e. the structural portion or semantic portion of the video signal being the object or the subject of the adaptive coding the unit being an image region, e.g. an object the region being a picture, frame or field
H04N 19/16 - Assigned coding mode, i.e. the coding mode being predefined or preselected to be further used for selection of another element or parameter for a given display mode, e.g. for interlaced or progressive display mode
H04N 19/112 - Selection of coding mode or of prediction mode according to a given display mode, e.g. for interlaced or progressive display mode
H04N 21/258 - Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics or processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for controlling display of media content. An embodiment operates by receiving a selection of media content for playback, presenting interstitial media content on a first device prior to playing the media content, transmitting an option to skip the interstitial media content to a second device, receiving a request to skip the interstitial media content from the second device, stopping presentation of the interstitial media content on the first device, and presenting the selected media content on the first device.
Disclosed herein are embodiments for user identification based on the motion of a device. An embodiment operates by detecting a motion of a remote control. The detected motion is compared with one or more stored motions. A user ID corresponding to the motion based on the comparison is determined. Access to a system is provided based on the determined user ID.
H04L 9/00 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols
H04L 9/32 - Arrangements for secret or secure communications; Network security protocols including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system
System and method for generating trick mode data from streaming media content, are described. A media device receives streaming media content. During the streaming, the media device identifies a plurality of key frames from the media content, and also generates trick mode data from the plurality of key frames. The trick mode data generated during the streaming of the media content is used to perform a trick mode operation on the media content.
Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method, and/or computer program product embodiments for a crowd sourced indexing and/or searching of content. An embodiment operates by receiving one or more requests for content from one or more media devices, each request comprising content identifier information that identifies the content, determining whether crowd sourced content index information has been generated for the content, transmitting a response to the one or more media devices of the one or more media devices, in response to the one or more requests, the response comprising content location information and a content indexing request, and receiving content index information for the content identified by the content identifier information from the one or more media devices.
System, method, and computer product embodiments for processing audio commands are described. A multimedia device receives a digitized audio sequence from a control device. The digitized audio sequence is associated with a display command for controlling a display device. Then, the digitized audio sequence is converted into an audio signature that corresponds to the digitized audio sequence. The multimedia device sends the audio signature to a platform server configured to use the audio signature to process the display command. After, the multimedia device receives content information from the platform server resulting from processing the display command. Then, the multimedia device causes the display device to provide media content related to the content information.
Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for synchronizing a state change at a universal remote control. An embodiment operates by sending a state change of the universal remote control to a remote-controlled device. The universal remote control then receives a confirmation message from the remote-controlled device. The universal remote control then updates a state configuration for the remote-controlled device in the universal remote control based on the sent state change. Because the universal remote control exchanges state change information with the remote-controlled device, the universal remote control does not become out of synchronization with the remote-controlled device which minimizes synchronization time and reduces user experience frustration.
Disclosed herein are system, method, and tangible computer readable medium for creating a desired audio effect for a user. The method includes operations including: causing a plurality of speakers to play test signals, each test signal being specific to one of the speakers; receiving from a remote device recorded frequency responses of the speakers resulting from the playing of the test signals; creating one or more filters to match an audio profile selected by a user; applying the filters to the recorded frequency responses to obtain filtered transformations of the speakers; and transmitting the filtered transformations to the speakers; wherein the filtered transformations are applied at the speakers to thereby achieve the user audio profile.
patents
