Abstract: A nonvolatile memory is coupled to a processor in a set top box. On the timing sequence set within the system, set top box data is transferred from the processor to the nonvolatile memory. Set top box system data includes user data and set top box specific data. The current data is maintained in the nonvolatile memory. The system data can be transferred to second memory by a wireless connection even when the set top box is not coupled to a power supply. The system data can then be provided from the second memory to any selected device, computer or location, such as another set top box, a diagnostic tool, a repair facility or other selected location.

Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for providing local alerts to users via non-local channels are described. A process may include receiving, by a content distributor system, an alert message. The alert message includes a first alert condition and a second alert condition. The first alert condition and the second alert condition are identified in the alert message, and an alert notice is generated, based on the identified alert conditions, and transmitted to a user device coupled to the content distributor system. The first alert condition specifies an alert type. The second alert condition specifies a time period. The alert message may include a third alert condition specifying an action for a user of the user device to take or refrain from taking during the time period and the alert notice may identify the action. The alert message may include a target condition and the alert notice identifies actions to be performed.

Abstract: System, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media to facilitate state-based content composite generation with respect to digitally distributed content are disclosed. Electronic communications received via interfaces may be detected. Signals of events that are specified for digital distribution from events may be detected. Data changes that are generated based on an event may be detected. A specification of criteria that apply to the data changes may be identified. A content composite may be created. An adaptable content object may be identified. The adaptable content object may be configured with a content object so that the content composite. The content composite may be output for presentation so that the endpoint media device performs an operation relating to the content composite. A signal corresponding to the operation that is indicative of activation of an interface option may be processed.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed at mapping and controlling network-enabled IoT devices housed in an environment via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an electronic device. The disclosed features include generating a digital map representing the 3D or the 2D position of the IoT devices in the environment. In some embodiments, the digital map can be overlaid on a layout of a physical floorplan of the environment also showing physical objects in the environment. Different IoT devices in the environment can be controlled via a GUI common to the different IoT devices. Additionally, the GUI can be used to select a group of IoT devices and perform group-wise control of the IoT devices in the group.

Abstract: A computer network security manager device connects to a first wireless router and then connects to a plurality of devices (e.g., a plurality of IoT devices). The computer network security manager device then performs device agnostic activation of the plurality of devices to enable the plurality of devices to perform respective functions of each device. The security manager device prevents the plurality of devices from connecting directly to the first wireless router and only allows other devices on the Internet to communicate with the plurality of devices according to specific firewall rules. In response to receiving an indication that the first wireless router to which the network security manager device is connected is out of service or no longer exists, the network security manager device prevents other devices on the Internet from being able to communicate with the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A facility for generating analytical information based on individual reports of multiple scheduled presentations of interstitial media assets is provided. Data files are received, each including multiple status reports regarding multiple scheduled presentations of multiple media assets by a plurality of distinct media receiver devices in multiple disparate locations. The data files are decrypted, such that the decrypted one or more data files include, for each of the multiple status reports, at least a media asset identifier and a presentation status indicator, and parsed to generate one or more database entries containing information regarding the scheduled media presentations and the plurality of distinct media receiver devices. One or more user interfaces are provided to allow execution of queries based on the generated one or more databases.

Abstract: Processes, systems, and devices generate a training set comprising a first presentation having a first visual aid and a first audio description. The first visual aid and the first audio description are based on initial data retrieved from a first data source using a first indexing technique. The machine-learning system is trained using the first presentation and the initial data retrieved from the first data source using the first indexing technique. The machine-learning system generates a second presentation having a second visual aid and a second audio description. The second visual aid and the second audio description are based on refreshed data retrieved from the first data source using the first indexing technique. The machine-learning system presents the second presentation via an avatar in a virtual meeting room. The avatar is generated by the machine-learning system to present the second visual aid and the second audio description.

Abstract: A technique is described for implementing drones as a service. As an example, a drone may receive instructions from one or more network elements, coordinate operations with the one or more network elements, and perform at least one task associated with the instructions. The drone may deliver a container to a first location and perform object recognition to validate an object of a subscriber being delivered to a second location. The drone may measure the weight and dimensions of the object to confirm the object is within operating guidelines. After verifying the object is within operating guidelines, the drone may transport the container containing the object to the second location.

Abstract: A software and/or hardware facility that can be used by content owners to assert ownership of content so that copyright friendly websites and services can take action against copyright piracy effectively, efficiently and is scalable is disclosed. The facility makes available to all content owners watermarking/fingerprinting technology so an identifier (e.g., a unique code) can be embedded in the content (e.g., video/audio portion of each video content asset). The facility utilizes blockchain technology to add information related to each unique identifier in a database and allows an authorized user (e.g., the owner) to update the information through a blockchain transaction.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media for adapting content composites to device operations of an endpoint media device are disclosed. Blockchain data associated with a blockchain address may be processed by one or more processing devices. The blockchain data and/or the blockchain address may be mapped by the one or more processing devices to a first endpoint media device. Based at least in part on the blockchain data, a first content composite may be identified by one or more processing devices for delivery from a content provider system via one or more networks to the first endpoint media device. Transmission of the first content composite may be caused where, consequent to delivery of the first content composite to the first endpoint media device, the first endpoint media device or a second endpoint media device performs at least one operation relating to the first content composite.

Abstract: A television service provider system includes interactive elements embedded within advertisements or other content related to a particular product or service that a user may select to receive an initially non-redeemable coupon for the product. The system then electronically communicates to the seller or advertiser system the indications of such electronic interactivity between the viewers of content and content related to the product being sold or advertised. The advertiser or seller may then electronically activate and thus convert the non-redeemable coupon into a redeemable coupon. A system for processing retail transactions redeems the coupons for the product for a particular user using an identifier of the user associated with the account of the user with the television service provider.

Abstract: A facility for transferring configuration information to a target media device is described. The facility receives in the target media device a copy of media device settings stored in a source media device distinct from the target media device in a first form in which they are used in the source media device. This copy of media device settings is received by the target media device via a route other than its visual user interface. The facility causes the received copy of media device settings to be transformed into a second form in which they can be used in the target media device. The facility then stores the media receiver settings in the second form in the target media device for use by the target media device.

Abstract: “Binge watching” of multiple episodes of a program is improved by the player device automatically skipping repeated portions of the program. Opening and closing credit scenes, for example, can be automatically skipped to thereby allow the viewer to progress through the entire season of programming at an even faster rate than was previously thought possible. Programming to be skipped may be identified by detecting audio or other digital fingerprints in the content itself, for example. Content to be skipped may be identified to the playback device according to presentation time stamp (PTS) or other time markers.

Abstract: Devices, systems and process for facilitating a user choice watch party (DFWP) are disclosed. A system includes server that includes computer instructions which instruct the server to initiate a user choice watch party (UCWP), receive a request to designate a first user device, from a set of user devices, as a primary user choice user device (PUCUD), query the set of user devices for devices to participate in the UCWP as secondary user choice user devices (SUCUD), generating a user choice interface (UCI), retrieving two or more user choice primary content (UCPC) options, instructing the PUCUD and the SUCUDs to output to respective users the UCPC options, receiving at least two user choices, determining, based on the user choices and from the two more UCPC options, a selection result indicating a chosen UCPC option to present during the UCWP, and presenting the chosen UCPC during the UCWP.

Abstract: Devices, systems and process for facilitating a user choice watch party (DFWP) are disclosed. A system includes server that includes computer instructions which instruct the server to initiate a user choice watch party (UCWP), receive a request to designate a first user device, from a set of user devices, as a primary user choice user device (PUCUD), query the set of user devices for devices to participate in the UCWP as secondary user choice user devices (SUCUD), generating a user choice interface (UCI), retrieving two or more user choice primary content (UCPC) options, instructing the PUCUD and the SUCUDs to output to respective users the UCPC options, receiving at least two user choices, determining, based on the user choices and from the two more UCPC options, a selection result indicating a chosen UCPC option to present during the UCWP, and presenting the chosen UCPC during the UCWP.

Abstract: A process for detecting motion within an environment includes receiving, at a monitor, first coupling data for a coupling of a first node with a second node. The first node is coupled to the second node which is further coupled to the monitor and thereby form a mesh network. The operations may include: at the monitor, receiving first node identifying data, selecting a first median for a first signal property for a first wireless coupling, monitoring the first signal property, determining, upon detecting a change in the first signal property, whether the first signal property exceeds the first median, determining, when the first signal property exceeds the first median, if the change in the first signal property exceeds a first threshold, initiating a first action when the first threshold is exceeded, and determining whether to resume monitoring of the first signal property when the first threshold is not exceeded.

Abstract: A computerized system for targeted ad insertion receives a program content stream and detects images in the content stream. The system recognizes at least one visual object within the images and matches the recognized visual object to an advertisement that correlates with the recognized visual object. The system may then select an advertisement that advertises, correlates to, is directed to or is otherwise relevant to products or services falling under the theme, topic, category of interest and/or relevant viewer demographic and inserts an identifier of the matched advertisement at an insertion point into the program content stream. This enables playback of the matched advertisement during playback of the program content stream at a time that correlates to the insertion point into the program content stream of the identifier of the matched advertisement.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are directed an application program configured to run on a user's mobile device can allow voice-activated call pick-up to the user, without the user having to use his or her hands for picking up the call. For example, the application program can initially be trained to a user's voice command. When an incoming call is received at the mobile device, the user can pick up the call by issuing a voice command. In some embodiments, the application program can determine whether to allow voice-activated pick-up of calls based on data collected from multiple sensors associated with the vehicle, the mobile device, or a remote source.

Abstract: A gateway device is disclosed that includes a user key; a transceiver to communicate data over a network and with a set top box; and a processor configured for: receiving a protected secure key from a content provider; receiving an encrypted control word key from the content provider. The encrypted control word key is encrypted with a secure key and, once the encrypted control word key is decrypted, the decrypted control word key decrypts an encrypted digital content that is sent to a set top box; retrieving the user key from the memory of the gateway device; using the user key to decrypt the protected secure key to obtain a decrypted secure key; using the decrypted secure key to decrypt the encrypted control word key to obtain the decrypted control word key; and transmitting the decrypted control word key to the set top box for decrypting the encrypted digital content.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring, by a gateway device comprising a processor, connected devices that are connected to the gateway device, wherein each connected device comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with the gateway device; determining, by the gateway device, whether a first connected device of the connected devices increases an audio level in a target location greater than a predefined threshold; and in response to the gateway device determining that the first connected device audio level at the target location is greater than the predefined threshold, the gateway device reduces audio of the first connected device.