A method for operating one or more drones including providing at least one user with one or more drone options for viewing corresponding drone video and receiving a drone selection from the at least one user. Video from the selected drone can be streamed to a display device associated with the at least one user. The method can include indicating to the at least one user that the selected drone is available for user control and providing the at least one user with one or more control options including one or more predefined flight path options available for the selected drone. The method can include receiving a control option selection from the one or more control options and upon receiving a flight path option selection, directing the drone to follow the selected flight path.
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media may facilitate adaptive control of operations of a mobile device. A communication received by a mobile device may be detected. A location of a mobile device associated with an identified individual may be determined. A protocol record stored in a memory device may be accessed, and rules specified by the protocol record may be identified, where an operational adjustment rule may be mapped to one or more locations and may include criteria for identifying operational adjustments. The criteria may be used to identify the operational adjustments at least partially as a function of the location of the mobile device. The operational adjustments may be caused in accordance with the operational adjustment rule. The operational adjustment may include controlling whether to render content objects on the mobile device in response to the mobile device receiving the communication and/or to perform preemptive operations.
A facility for providing vehicle to vehicle event notification for connected and/or unconnected vehicles is disclosed. The facility enables a vehicle to detect an occurrence of a vehicle status trigger event and identify information describing an event type. The facility determines a priority of the vehicle status event based at least in part on the type of the vehicle status event. When the vehicle status event is to be reported to at least one other vehicle, the facility enables the vehicle to generate a vehicle status event message that includes the priority of the vehicle status event and at least a portion of the information describing the type of the vehicle status event. The vehicle status event message is then transmitted/broadcasted to at least one other vehicle.
G08G 1/0967 - Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
G08G 1/09 - Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
H04W 4/46 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
Wireless device charging systems, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media are provided. A mobile receptacle may form a cavity adapted to receive a wireless device. A device charger may be disposed along surfaces of the mobile receptacle. The device charger may include coils, a power storage to energize the coils when the device charger operates in a charging mode, and interface ports configured to electrically connect to a power charging source. The device charger may be configured to detect when the wireless device is disposed in a charging position within the cavity, to operate in a charging mode to use the power storage to charge the wireless device consequent to the detecting that the wireless device is disposed in the charging position, to detect when the wireless device is removed from the cavity, and to transition to a non-charging mode consequent to the detecting that the wireless device is removed.
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
5.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CHANNEL BASED DRONE OPERATION
A method for operating one or more drones including providing at least one user with one or more drone options for viewing corresponding drone video and receiving a drone selection from the at least one user. Video from the selected drone can be streamed to a display device associated with the at least one user. The method can include indicating to the at least one user that the selected drone is available for user control and providing the at least one user with one or more control options including one or more predefined flight path options available for the selected drone. The method can include receiving a control option selection from the one or more control options and upon receiving a flight path option selection, directing the drone to follow the selected flight path.
A facility for providing vehicle to vehicle event notification for connected and/or unconnected vehicles is disclosed. The facility enables a vehicle to detect an occurrence of a vehicle status trigger event and identify information describing an event type. The facility determines a priority of the vehicle status event based at least in part on the type of the vehicle status event. When the vehicle status event is to be reported to at least one other vehicle, the facility enables the vehicle to generate a vehicle status event message that includes the priority of the vehicle status event and at least a portion of the information describing the type of the vehicle status event. The vehicle status event message is then transmitted/broadcasted to at least one other vehicle.
G08G 1/0967 - Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
H04W 4/46 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
G08G 1/09 - Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
7.
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ADAPTIVE DATA SECURITY AND OPERATIONAL SECURITY CONTROLS OF MOBILE DEVICES
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media may facilitate adaptive control of operations of a mobile device. A communication received by a mobile device may be detected. A location of a mobile device associated with an identified individual may be determined. A protocol record stored in a memory device may be accessed, and rules specified by the protocol record may be identified, where an operational adjustment rule may be mapped to one or more locations and may include criteria for identifying operational adjustments. The criteria may be used to identify the operational adjustments at least partially as a function of the location of the mobile device. The operational adjustments may be caused in accordance with the operational adjustment rule. The operational adjustment may include controlling whether to render content objects on the mobile device in response to the mobile device receiving the communication and/or to perform preemptive operations.
Wireless device charging systems, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media are provided. A mobile receptacle may form a cavity adapted to receive a wireless device. A device charger may be disposed along surfaces of the mobile receptacle. The device charger may include coils, a power storage to energize the coils when the device charger operates in a charging mode, and interface ports configured to electrically connect to a power charging source. The device charger may be configured to detect when the wireless device is disposed in a charging position within the cavity, to operate in a charging mode to use the power storage to charge the wireless device consequent to the detecting that the wireless device is disposed in the charging position, to detect when the wireless device is removed from the cavity, and to transition to a non-charging mode consequent to the detecting that the wireless device is removed.
H02J 7/00 - Circuit arrangements for charging or depolarising batteries or for supplying loads from batteries
H02J 50/00 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power
H02J 50/90 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
9.
Vehicle to vehicle event notification system and method
A facility for providing vehicle to vehicle event notification for connected and/or unconnected vehicles is disclosed. The facility enables a vehicle to detect an occurrence of a vehicle status trigger event and identify information describing an event type. The facility determines a priority of the vehicle status event based at least in part on the type of the vehicle status event. When the vehicle status event is to be reported to at least one other vehicle, the facility enables the vehicle to generate a vehicle status event message that includes the priority of the vehicle status event and at least a portion of the information describing the type of the vehicle status event. The vehicle status event message is then transmitted/broadcasted to at least one other vehicle.
G08G 1/0967 - Systems involving transmission of highway information, e.g. weather, speed limits
H04W 4/46 - Services specially adapted for particular environments, situations or purposes for vehicles, e.g. vehicle-to-pedestrians [V2P] for vehicle-to-vehicle communication [V2V]
G08G 1/09 - Arrangements for giving variable traffic instructions
10.
Devices, systems and methods for managing technician logistics
Devices, systems and processes are described, for managing technician logistics. A process may include executing computer instruction for determining an estimated time of completion (ETC) for an assigned technician for a current task at a current service site. The ETC is determined based upon an average statistical time for task completion (ASTTC) for the current task. An ETC is based upon a stress differential (S) and a task complexity coefficient (TCC). The stress differential (S) is a difference between an expected stress level (SE) for the current task and a present stress level (SP) for the assigned technician. The SP is based upon data provided by a technician monitor, such as a biometric monitor. The stress differential (S) is weighted by a technician specific weighting factor (Tn), which is based on a technician rating. The TCC is based upon a task categorization (TC) specified by a regulatory body.
Various arrangements for handling a potential security situation using a home automation system are presented. A biometric measurement of a user may be received. An alert from a home automation device in wireless communication with the home automation host system may be received. If the biometric measurement is associated with the alert, a security response action may be performed.
G08B 5/22 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmissionVisible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 15/00 - Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
G08B 21/04 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
G01B 3/00 - Measuring instruments characterised by the use of mechanical techniques
G08B 1/08 - Systems for signalling characterised solely by the form of transmission of the signal using electric transmission
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electric transmissionAudible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmissionVisible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
Various arrangements for detecting items in home are presented. Imaging devices may capture images of a user's home. The images may be analyzed and compared against a user approved list of item definitions. Using the definitions, items, brands, trademarks, and the like may be identified in the images. The items identified in the images may be used to determine preferences of a user and provide targeted marketing content using the television receiver. In some cases, analysis of items in a home may be used to determine the effectiveness of marketing content by determining causality or correlations between marketing content viewed by a user and items in the home.
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
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 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
G06Q 30/02 - MarketingPrice estimation or determinationFundraising
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
13.
Home security response using biometric and environmental observations
Various arrangements for handling a potential security situation using a home automation system are presented. A biometric measurement of a user may be received. The biometric measurement of the user may exceed a defined threshold value for the biometric measurement. A security alert from a home automation device in wireless communication with the home automation host system may be received. If the biometric measurement is associated with the security alert, a security response action may be performed.
A facility for providing vehicle to vehicle event notification for connected and/or unconnected vehicles is disclosed. The facility enables a vehicle to detect an occurrence of a vehicle status trigger event and identify information describing an event type. The facility determines a priority of the vehicle status event based at least in part on the type of the vehicle status event. When the vehicle status event is to be reported to at least one other vehicle, the facility enables the vehicle to generate a vehicle status event message that includes the priority of the vehicle status event and at least a portion of the information describing the type of the vehicle status event. The vehicle status event message is then transmitted/broadcasted to at least one other vehicle.
Various embodiments for compensating for user view angle of a display device are presented. The viewing angle of a user may be determined using sensors. Based on the viewing angle, the attenuation of the output of the display device may be determined. Compensation mode for the display output may be determined. The compensation mode may adjust the output of the display to compensate for the display attenuation allowing an improved image quality at large viewing angles.
H04N 5/272 - Means for inserting a foreground image in a background image, i.e. inlay, outlay
H04N 5/58 - Control of contrast or brightness in dependence upon ambient light
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfacesContent or additional data rendering
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 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
G09G 3/20 - 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
G09G 5/00 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
H04N 9/64 - Circuits for processing colour signals
Various devices, systems, products and methods for synchronizing video displayed on multiple display devices are presented. The systems, methods, devices and products described herein optionally utilize one or more techniques for synchronizing two or more displays of video of an event filmed from two or more cameras. Synchronization signals are optionally used to allow the video displays to be matched precisely to account for differences in display time, transmission time, delivery time and processing time.
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
H04N 21/8547 - Content authoring involving timestamps for synchronizing content
H04N 21/218 - Source of audio or video content, e.g. local disk arrays
Various devices, systems, products and methods for customizing a remote control are presented. Sensors are optionally used to aid in the identification of users and user specific remote control configurations and layouts are optionally automatically loaded upon determination that a different user is handling the remote control. The devices, systems, products and methods are useful for minimizing inadvertent changes to system setting and modes due to unanticipated or accidental presses of buttons on a remote control.
A sign language message may be derived from user movements detected proximate to an electronic device by comparing the movements to a database that includes data regarding one or more sign languages. A control function may then be identified which the electronic device may be caused to perform. Output related to the user's detected movements may be provided to the user. In some implementations, output specifying identified control functions may be transmitted to a presentation device. Further, in some implementations, if a sign language message and/or a control function cannot be unambiguously derived and/or identified, output promoting the user to provide additional information may be transmitted to a presentation device. Detected movements may be compared to data regarding multiple different sign languages and/or a subset of available multiple different sign languages.
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
19.
Context advertising based on viewer's stress/relaxation level
Techniques, systems, methods and devices, such as television receivers, are described that are useful for displaying contextual and/or personalized video advertisements to viewers that take into consideration the viewers' personal attributes, such as biological characteristics or mental characteristics, including stress levels. Optionally, this is achieved by use of one or more sensors, including thermal sensors, electrical sensors, optical sensors, acoustic sensors, biosensors, etc., to determine a stress level of the viewer and then matching the viewer's stress level to an appropriately tagged advertisement.
G06Q 30/02 - MarketingPrice estimation or determinationFundraising
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
Implementations discussed herein are directed to providing interactive advertisements to a viewer of a broadcast or other program service transmission. Interactive advertisements include product offering advertisements that give details regarding sales of specific products or retailers that offering specific products for sale. A user may create a shopping list or other indicator that specifies which product offering advertisements are displayed. Product offering advertisements may be displayed concurrently with content from a program service transmission. Extended product offering advertisement that provide further details regarding a product for sale may be displayed in response to user selections of particular product offering advertisements. Product offering advertisements and/or extended product offering advertisements may be displayed on a front panel screen of a receiver or on a television or other output device used to display program service content.
H04N 21/41 - Structure of clientStructure of client peripherals
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/4722 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-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
21.
Home security response using biometric and environmental observations
Various arrangements for handling a potential security situation using a home automation system are presented. During a defined active monitoring time period, a biometric measurement of a user may be received. The biometric measurement of the user may exceed a defined threshold value for the biometric measurement. A security alert from a home automation device in wireless communication with the home automation host system may be received. If the time period between the biometric measurement is within a threshold time period of the security alert being received a security response action may be performed.
G08B 29/18 - Prevention or correction of operating errors
G08B 5/22 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmissionVisible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 15/00 - Identifying, scaring or incapacitating burglars, thieves or intruders, e.g. by explosives
G08B 21/04 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons responsive to non-activity, e.g. of elderly persons
G08B 1/08 - Systems for signalling characterised solely by the form of transmission of the signal using electric transmission
G08B 3/10 - Audible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electric transmissionAudible signalling systemsAudible personal calling systems using electromagnetic transmission
G08B 5/36 - Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electric transmissionVisible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied using electromagnetic transmission using visible light sources
G08B 21/02 - Alarms for ensuring the safety of persons
G08B 25/14 - Central alarm receiver or annunciator arrangements
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
Controlling the display of notifications to a television viewer based on a contextual parameter that is associated with programming instantly being viewed. An example of such a parameter may include the degree of tension or conflict in a particular movie that is being watched by the television viewer. In this example, a television reciever may monitor during output of the particular movie underlying metadata that quantifies the degree of tension or conflict in the particular movie at particular instants in time.
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming streamUpdating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/462 - Content or additional data management e.g. creating a master electronic program guide from data received from the Internet and a Head-end or controlling the complexity of a video stream by scaling the resolution or bit-rate based on the client capabilities
H04N 21/84 - Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
23.
Multi-mode input control unit with infrared and laser capability
A multi-mode remote control unit that has both infrared command and laser pointer capability. In some examples, the multi-mode remote control unit together with one or both of a television receiver and a television may implement simulated touch gestures that typically require a touch sensitive screen. The multi-mode remote control unit in such an implementation advantageously may not include logic to implement simulated multi-touch gestures. Rather, one or both of the television receiver and the television may include logic to implement simulated touch gestures.
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
G06F 3/038 - Control and interface arrangements therefor, e.g. drivers or device-embedded control circuitry
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
G06F 3/0354 - Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the userAccessories therefor with detection of 2D relative movements between the device, or an operating part thereof, and a plane or surface, e.g. 2D mice, trackballs, pens or pucks
G02B 27/20 - Optical systems or apparatus not provided for by any of the groups , for optical projection, e.g. combination of mirror and condenser and objective for imaging minute objects, e.g. light-pointer
Device-specific feature recommendations to enhance end-user quality-of-experience. In one example implementation, end-user interactions with a television receiver may be monitored. If it is discovered that one or more convenience or programming features have not been previously accessed, the television receiver itself may instantiate a process to notify an end-user that a number of features or services are in fact available or accessible, and also possibly provide a simplified method or means for access to such features or services.
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 21/45 - 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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/482 - End-user interface for program selection
H04N 21/4405 - 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 encoded video stream scene graphs involving video stream decryption
H04N 21/858 - Linking data to content, e.g. by linking an URL to a video object or by creating a hotspot
Controlling or limiting visibility into particular metadata associated with the transfer of media content from a source device or system to a receiving device or system.
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfacesContent or additional data rendering
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 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/414 - Specialised client platforms, e.g. receiver in car or embedded in a mobile appliance
H04N 21/4367 - Establishing a secure communication between the client and a peripheral device or smart card
H04N 21/41 - Structure of clientStructure of client peripherals
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/63 - Control signaling between client, server and network componentsNetwork 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'sCommunication protocolsAddressing
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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/84 - Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. 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
H04N 5/765 - Interface circuits between an apparatus for recording and another apparatus
H04N 9/82 - Transformation of the television signal for recording, e.g. modulation, frequency changingInverse transformation for playback the individual colour picture signal components being recorded simultaneously only
26.
Hearing and speech impaired electronic device control
A sign language message may be derived from user movements detected proximate to an electronic device by comparing the movements to a database that includes data regarding one or more sign languages. A control function may then be identified which the electronic device may be caused to perform. Output related to the user's detected movements may be provided to the user. In some implementations, output specifying identified control functions may be transmitted to a presentation device. Further, in some implementations, if a sign language message and/or a control function cannot be unambiguously derived and/or identified, output promoting the user to provide additional information may be transmitted to a presentation device. Detected movements may be compared to data regarding multiple different sign languages and/or a subset of available multiple different sign languages.
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
Various devices, systems, products and methods for customizing a remote control are presented. Sensors are optionally used to aid in the identification of users and user specific remote control configurations and layouts are optionally automatically loaded upon determination that a different user is handling the remote control. The devices, systems, products and methods are useful for minimizing inadvertent changes to system setting and modes due to unanticipated or accidental presses of buttons on a remote control.
Various arrangements for detecting items in home are presented. Imaging devices may capture images of a user's home. The images may be analyzed and compared against a user approved list of item definitions. Using the definitions, items, brands, trademarks, and the like may be identified in the images. The items identified in the images may be used to determine preferences of a user and provide targeted marketing content using the television receiver. In some cases, analysis of items in a home may be used to determine the effectiveness of marketing content by determining causality or correlations between marketing content viewed by a user and items in the home.
H04N 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or learning user preferences for recommending movies
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 21/2668 - Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. by inserting targeted commercials into a video stream based on end-user profiles
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 21/45 - 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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
Various embodiments for compensating for user view angle of a display device are presented. The viewing angle of a user may be determined using sensors. Based on the viewing angle, the attenuation of the output of the display device may be determined. Compensation mode for the display output may be determined. The compensation mode may adjust the output of the display to compensate for the display attenuation allowing an improved image quality at large viewing angles.
H04N 5/58 - Control of contrast or brightness in dependence upon ambient light
G09G 3/20 - 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
G09G 5/00 - Control arrangements or circuits for visual indicators common to cathode-ray tube indicators and other visual indicators
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfacesContent or additional data rendering
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 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
H04N 9/64 - Circuits for processing colour signals
30.
Apparatus, systems and methods for adjusting output audio volume based on user location
Systems and methods are operable to adjust an output audio volume level of presented audio content that is output as sound from one or more speakers in a media presentation environment. An exemplary embodiment detects movement of a user who is listening to the audio content; increases the output audio volume level when the detected user movement is away from a predefined location in the media presentation environment; and decreases the output audio volume level when the detected user movement is closer to the predefined location in the media presentation environment.
Upon a user first installing, first launching, or otherwise first using a software application, a visual test may be provided that determines a desirable font size (i.e., size of text) to use throughout some or all user interfaces of that application or applicable device for that user. Based on prompts to the user regarding readability of the sample text of different font sizes and the responses received from the user, the system for font size selection may then select a default font size specifically for that user. The user's computing device may be in communication with a remote device or other server that that stores the selected fonts in a corresponding user profile, and then applies a corresponding font size selection to other connected devices of the user depending of the type of device and other user selectable options.
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
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
32.
Synchronizing user interfaces of content receivers and entertainment system components
A content receiver may establish a communication connection with an entertainment system component. Utilizing the communication connection, the content receiver may control the entertainment system component in order to synchronize user interfaces the content receiver is operable to provide with user interfaces the entertainment system component is operable to provide. Hence, the user interfaces provided by the various entertainment system components may more closely resemble user interfaces of the content receiver, reducing user confusion. The content receiver may synchronize such user interfaces by altering software of the entertainment system component. In altering the software, the content receiver may replace or modify the software to change one or more aspects of one or more entertainment system user interfaces to that of one or more aspects of a content receiver user interface. The aspects may include visual properties, audio properties, and so on.
G06F 15/00 - Digital computers in generalData processing equipment in general
G06F 13/00 - Interconnection of, or transfer of information or other signals between, memories, input/output devices or central processing units
G09G 5/12 - Synchronisation between the display unit and other units, e.g. other display units, video-disc players
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
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
A master or administrative device may be used to control and manage a particular media content lock on other devices within a particular network. When a new device is registered, the new device may be set-up to be configured so as to comply with the particular media content lock.
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
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 21/442 - 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
H04L 12/28 - Data switching networks characterised by path configuration, e.g. LAN [Local Area Networks] or WAN [Wide Area Networks]
Authorized access to broadcast programming may be gained upon correct or at least sufficient answering of a particular question. The question may prompt a user to correctly solve a problem. The question may prompt a user to confirm completion of a particular task.
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
H04N 21/454 - Content filtering, e.g. blocking advertisements
H04N 21/4227 - Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfacesContent or additional data rendering
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/6547 - Transmission by server directed to the client comprising parameters, e.g. for client setup
H04N 21/254 - Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server or rights management server
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
Presented is a method of facilitating use of an audio communication device, such as a telephone, in the presence of an electronic device capable of generating sound, such as a television or audio receiver. In the method, a message is received from the audio communication device, wherein the message indicates the audio communication device has received a request for an audio communication, such as a telephone call, from a second audio communication device. In response to receiving the message, an audio volume of the electronic device is reduced.
H04N 21/4788 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application communicating with other users, e.g. chatting
A method of operating a video services receiver is provided. The video services receiver can record program content and present recorded program content to a user. The method provides first program content to a presentation device, and obtains a request for program content recorded from the particular programming service (channel) that is providing the first program content. In response to the request, the method searches for recorded program content associated with the particular programming service, and then controls a display of search results obtained from the searching. The display is rendered as an interactive channel-specific listing of recorded content.
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
H04N 21/432 - Content retrieval operation from a local storage medium, e.g. hard-disk
H04N 21/433 - Content storage operation, e.g. storage operation in response to a pause request or caching operations
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/84 - Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors
H04N 21/431 - Generation of visual interfacesContent or additional data rendering
Systems and methods are operable to perform pre-operations at a media device in anticipation of an occurrence of a user action. An exemplary embodiment receives an in-use signal from an electronic device that is remotely proximate to the media device, wherein the received in-use signal corresponds to a user interaction with the electronic device; and performs the pre-operation at the media device. The pre-operation is performed prior to receiving an initial user action configured to operate at least one of the media device and a media presentation device coupled to the media device.
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 21/25 - Management operations performed by the server for facilitating the content distribution or administrating data related to end-users or client devices, e.g. end-user or client device authentication or 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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
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]
H04N 21/41 - Structure of clientStructure of client peripherals
H04N 21/436 - Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or inside the home
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
38.
Video services receiver that provides a notification of upcoming program events having content that is preferred by the user, and related operating methods
A video services receiver for presenting video content, and related methods of operating the video services receiver, are presented here. An exemplary operating method identifies, at the video services receiver, an upcoming program event having content preferred by a user of the video services receiver. The method continues by generating, at the video services receiver, a graphical program notification comprising information related to the upcoming program event. The graphical program notification is provided for presentation on a display associated with the video services receiver.
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 21/45 - 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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
Systems and methods are operable to adjust an output audio volume level of presented audio content that is output as sound from one or more speakers in a media presentation environment. An exemplary embodiment detects movement of a user who is listening to the audio content; increases the output audio volume level when the detected user movement is away from a predefined location in the media presentation environment; and decreases the output audio volume level when the detected user movement is closer to the predefined location in the media presentation environment.
Systems and methods are operable to perform pre-operations at a media device in anticipation of an occurrence of a user action. An exemplary embodiment receives an in-use signal from an electronic device that is remotely proximate to the media device, wherein the received in-use signal corresponds to a user interaction with the electronic device; and performs the pre-operation at the media device. The pre-operation is performed prior to receiving an initial user action configured to operate at least one of the media device and a media presentation device coupled to the media device.
Systems and methods utilize a content receiver to provide supplemental content, such as news content, personal content and advertising content, to a user. Received data is formatted as supplemental content by the content receiver based on user preference information stored therein, and the formatted supplemental content is transmitted to a content display device. The supplemental content is provided to the user in addition or as an alternative to video content, and may replace or supplement closed captioning content. The supplemental content may be translated into another language and/or converted into audio signals utilizing the content receiver. Systems and methods also utilize a content receiver to translate data such as text data into another language. Text data may, in addition or alternatively, be converted into audio signals utilizing the content receiver.
H04N 7/173 - Analogue secrecy systemsAnalogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
H04N 21/439 - Processing of audio elementary streams
G10L 13/00 - Speech synthesisText to speech systems
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating encoded video stream scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/235 - Processing of additional data, e.g. scrambling of additional data or processing content descriptors
H04N 21/485 - End-user interface for client configuration
Disclosure is directed to providing projected output from a receiver that includes ambiance or environmental images and sounds for display to and/or listening by a user. Other aspects are directed to processing or altering program service video to produce a compensated video that is output by a projector component of a receiver. The modified image compensates for characteristics associated with the ambient light conditions and/or characteristics of the projection surface upon which the projector outputs an image.
A sign language message may be derived from user movements detected proximate to an electronic device by comparing the movements to a database that includes data regarding one or more sign languages. A control function may then be identified which the electronic device may be caused to perform. Output related to the user's detected movements may be provided to the user. In some implementations, output specifying identified control functions may be transmitted to a presentation device. Further, in some implementations, if a sign language message and/or a control function cannot be unambiguously derived and/or identified, output promoting the user to provide additional information may be transmitted to a presentation device. Detected movements may be compared to data regarding multiple different sign languages and/or a subset of available multiple different sign languages.
G09B 21/00 - Teaching, or communicating with, the blind, deaf or mute
G06F 3/01 - Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer
G06F 3/00 - Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computerOutput arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
H04N 21/422 - Input-only peripherals, e.g. global positioning system [GPS]
44.
Synchronizing user interfaces of content receivers and entertainment system components
A content receiver may establish a communication connection with an entertainment system component. Utilizing the communication connection, the content receiver may control the entertainment system component in order to synchronize user interfaces the content receiver is operable to provide with user interfaces the entertainment system component is operable to provide. Hence, the user interfaces provided by the various entertainment system components may more closely resemble user interfaces of the content receiver, reducing user confusion. The content receiver may synchronize such user interfaces by altering software of the entertainment system component. In altering the software, the content receiver may replace or modify the software to change one or more aspects of one or more entertainment system user interfaces to that of one or more aspects of a content receiver user interface. The aspects may include visual properties, audio properties, and so on.
Insertion of subliminal frames in content is performed at a content receiver. The content receiver may receive content, analyze a setting, and modify the received content based on the analyzed setting. The content receiver may modify the received content by periodically inserting subliminal frames in the received content as specified by the setting. In some implementations, the content may include video content and the subliminal frames may be one or more images. The inserted subliminal frames may be subliminally perceptible but consciously imperceptible by a human viewer of the content when the content is played. As such, viewing of the content that includes the inserted subliminal frames may result in subliminal learning by a human viewer. In various implementations, one or more conditions included in the analyzed setting may specify that certain subliminal frames are to be inserted when the content has certain characteristics, such as a rating or description.
H04N 7/16 - Analogue secrecy systemsAnalogue subscription systems
H04N 21/2389 - Multiplex stream processing, e.g. multiplex stream encrypting
H04N 21/435 - Processing of additional data, e.g. decrypting of additional data or reconstructing software from modules extracted from the transport stream
H04N 21/44 - 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 encoded video stream scene graphs
H04N 21/4545 - Input to filtering algorithms, e.g. filtering a region of the image
H04N 21/458 - Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming streamUpdating operations, e.g. for OS modules
H04N 21/472 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification or for manipulating displayed content
H04N 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
Implementations discussed herein are directed to providing interactive advertisements to a viewer of a broadcast or other program service transmission. Interactive advertisements include product offering advertisements that give details regarding sales of specific products or retailers that offering specific products for sale. A user may create a shopping list or other indicator that specifies which product offering advertisements are displayed. Product offering advertisements may be displayed concurrently with content from a program service transmission. Extended product offering advertisement that provide further details regarding a product for sale may be displayed in response to user selections of particular product offering advertisements. Product offering advertisements and/or extended product offering advertisements may be displayed on a front panel screen of a receiver or on a television or other output device used to display program service content.
H04N 7/08 - Systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal, e.g. additional information signals, the signals occupying wholly or partially the same frequency band
H04N 21/43 - Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video streamElementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronizing decoder's clockClient middleware
H04N 5/445 - Receiver circuitry for displaying additional information
H04N 21/478 - Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification or shopping application
H04N 21/41 - Structure of clientStructure of client peripherals
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 or resolving scheduling conflicts
H04N 21/4722 - End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or servicesEnd-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 21/475 - End-user interface for inputting end-user data, e.g. PIN [Personal Identification Number] or preference data
Presented is a method of facilitating use of an audio communication device, such as a telephone, in the presence of an electronic device capable of generating sound, such as a television or audio receiver. In the method, a message is received from the audio communication device, wherein the message indicates the audio communication device has received a request for an audio communication, such as a telephone call, from a second audio communication device. In response to receiving the message, an audio volume of the electronic device is reduced.
A system for providing audio/video content to a user is disclosed. The system includes a set-top box device configured to provide audio/video content to a presentation device, and at least one sensor communicatively coupled to the set-top box device, the at least one sensor configured to provide sensor data to the set-top box device. The system also includes a sensor data processing module configured to process the sensor data to determine a probable activity type for the user, and a controller coupled to the sensor data processing module. The controller is configured to select particular audio/video content for playback at the presentation device, where the particular audio/video content is influenced by the probable activity type. Related operating methods are also provided.
A user interface includes menu items arranged in a flower-like configuration. A number of menu items are peripherally arranged around a central item and mapped to selectable elements of an input device. Then, a display image including the menu is transmitted to a display. Subsequently, in response to a received selection, a corresponding action may be performed such as execution of a task, modification of the display image, and so on. In certain implementations, the menu items may be selected utilizing a cursor. The menu items may include a smaller portion located closer to the central item and a larger portion located further away. In still other implementations, the menu may also include a number of menu items that are not peripherally arranged around the central item. In response to a received selection, the menu items which are peripherally arranged around the central item may be altered.
patents
