Abstract: In some embodiments, the disclosed subject matter involves automatically calibrating and adapting the configuration of a virtual reality (VR) session to accommodate user tolerances and experience preferences. In a test mode, a user is presented with content related to VR metrics. The user rates the content based on VR performance tolerance, which may be affected by user limitations, environmental characteristics, or personal preference. An initial set of calibration settings is generated based on the ratings, which may be used to configure the VR session for the user. Sensor data is collected during runtime to enable dynamic and automatic re-calibration of the settings. The VR rendering uses the calibration (e.g., re-calibration) settings to render VR content for the user.

Abstract: A multi-modal wireless communication device contains multiple radios for communication with wireless networks utilizing different communication protocols. When a communication link with a first base station using a first communication protocol is broken, and a communication link established with a second base station, the mobile device stores the communication data related to the prior communication link and stores it in association with the current communication link. At some future time, the mobile device may establish a communication link with the second base station. The mobile device can check the stored data to see if there is a an alternative network connection in the proximity of the current connection. If so, the mobile device may activate the radio for communication with first base station and actively attempt to establish a communication link based on the proximity data recalled from storage in the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic channel management of a television based on media center set-top box tuner availability. The method includes determining a last channel a television was tuned to prior to being turned off. Then it is determined whether the last channel is a radio frequency remodulated (RF-remodulated) channel. If the last channel is a RF-remodulated channel, then sending a signal to indicate that the television is on line with the RF-remodulated channel. If a tuner is not available for the television, then receiving an indication of a cable channel that was last RF-remodulated to the RF-remodulated channel for the television. Finally, changing the television to the cable channel.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic channel management of a television based on media center set-top box tuner availability. The method includes determining a last channel a television was tuned to prior to being turned off. Then it is determined whether the last channel is a radio frequency remodulated (RF-remodulated) channel. If the last channel is a RF-remodulated channel, then sending a signal to indicate that the television is on line with the RF-remodulated channel. If a tuner is not available for the television, then receiving an indication of a cable channel that was last RF-remodulated to the RF-remodulated channel for the television. Finally, changing the television to the cable channel.

Abstract: A method and system for dynamic channel management of a television based on media center set-top box tuner availability. The method includes determining a last channel a television was tuned to prior to being turned off. Then it is determined whether the last channel is a radio frequency remodulated (RF-remodulated) channel. If the last channel is a RF-remodulated channel, then sending a signal to indicate that the television is on line with the RF-remodulated channel. If a tuner is not available for the television, then receiving an indication of a cable channel that was last RF-remodulated to the RF-remodulated channel for the television. Finally, changing the television to the cable channel.

Abstract: A multi-modal wireless communication device contains multiple radios for communication with wireless networks utilizing different communication protocols. When a communication link with a first base station using a first communication protocol is broken, and a communication link established with a second base station, the mobile device stores the communication data related to the prior communication link and stores it in association with the current communication link. At some future time, the mobile device may establish a communication link with the second base station. The mobile device can check the stored data to see if there is a an alternative network connection in the proximity of the current connection. If so, the mobile device may activate the radio for communication with first base station and actively attempt to establish a communication link based on the proximity data recalled from storage in the mobile device.

Abstract: Data buffer management logic transfers a segment of a data stream over a communication fabric and stores it in a buffer. Then, while data is consumed from the buffer, the rate of consumption and communication fabric status are monitored, and a target minimum level of data in the buffer may be adjusted. If the amount of data in the buffer falls below the target, another segment is retrieved. Systems and software to implement related data buffer management operations are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling secure content decryption within a set-top box are described. The method includes performance of security authentication of a content driver by a content decryption component. Security authentication is performed in order to verify an identity of the content driver as a secure content driver. Next, the content decryption component receives an encrypted content stream from the secure content driver. Once received, the content decryption component performs integrity authentication of a run-time image of the secure content driver. Finally, while integrity authentication of the secure content driver is verified, the content decryption component streams decrypted content to the secure content driver to enable playback of the decrypted content to a user.

Abstract: A constant-to-variable cache router is situated between a constant bit-rate network and a variable bit-rate network. A monitor within the variable bit-rate network measures the available bit-rate within the variable bit-rate network and communicates the available bit-rate to the constant-to-variable cache router. When data is received from the constant bit-rate network at the constant-to-variable cache router, the constant-to-variable cache router determines if the available bit-rate is large enough to support the delivery of the data from the constant bit-rate network at the constant bit-rate. If not, then the constant-to-variable cache router caches the data and delivers it at a rate dependent on the available bit-rate of the variable bit-rate network.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and system for determining and displaying the service level of a digital television broadcast signal. A digital television receiver receives a digital television broadcast signal. The digital television broadcast signal includes a data test stream composed of a plurality of data packets. A service level determiner is used to determine a service level of the digital television broadcast signal based upon a loss of data packets from the data test stream (i.e. the error rate). The service level determiner additionally causes a representation of the service level to be displayed as a service level diagnostic indicator on a display device, such as a television. The service level diagnostic indicator can be updated at predetermined intervals to allow a user to place their antenna in a best service level position to receive the best service level as indicated by the service level diagnostic indicator.

Abstract: Gaming utilizing actual telemetry data. In one embodiment, a system including a source of actual telemetry data regarding an event, such as a sporting event, and a gaming application utilizing the actual telemetry data. In one embodiment, by utilizing actual telemetry data, the ability to play a game as if the game player were involved in a current sporting event, in real-time, is provided.

Abstract: In an aspect, a method and system is provided to receive and analyze tracked and reported broadcasted data errors, based on a path of the broadcasted data, regional factors including terrain, dynamic factors including weather and season, and retransmission factors. In an aspect, error correction is utilized, based on an analysis of the reported data errors. In an aspect, a method and system is provided to receive broadcast data, and track and report data errors based on a path of the received data, regional factors including terrain, dynamic factors including weather and season, and retransmission factors. In an aspect, data is received having error correction based on an analysis of the reported data errors.

Abstract: A constant-to-variable cache router is situated between a constant bit-rate network and a variable bit-rate network. A monitor within the variable bit-rate network measures the available bit-rate within the variable bit-rate network and communicates the available bit-rate to the constant-to-variable cache router. When data is received from the constant bit-rate network at the constant-to-variable cache router, the constant-to-variable cache router determines if the available bit-rate is large enough to support the delivery of the data from the constant bit-rate network at the constant bit-rate. If not, then the constant-to-variable cache router caches the data and delivers it at a rate dependent on the available bit-rate of the variable bit-rate network.

Abstract: System and method for selecting relevant products to be transparently delivered to a consumer. The method may include obtaining consumer preferences and deriving a plurality of predictive vectors based on the consumer preferences. After receiving a delivery schedule including schedule data and corresponding product description data regarding a plurality of products, a predicted group of products the consumer may prefer may be selected transparent to the consumer by comparing the product description data and the predictive vectors. Transparent to the consumer, the predicted group of products may be acquired for the consumer. In one embodiment, the method may be implemented on a system that includes a set-top box and may be stored as instructions on a machine readable medium within the set-top box.

Abstract: In an aspect, a method and a system are provided to improve data transmission. In an aspect, the transmitted data is broadcasted. Data is compiled on reported factors that cause data transmission errors and predictions are compiled on unreported factors that cause data transmission errors. In an aspect, the data transmission error factors include regional factors including terrain, environmental factors including weather, atmospheric conditions, sunspot activity and season, radio frequency propagation including Keplerian elements, and retransmission factors. In an aspect, data error correction is employed based on the reported factors and on the predicted factors.

Abstract: For each of the customers of a broadcast service, server software can predict the content that the customer's client software is expected to acquire from the servers on behalf of the customer. This is based on (1) billing information for the customer received from the customer's client software and that describes previously broadcast content acquired by the client software on behalf of the customer, and (2) a description of available content that will be available for broadcast by the service and that can be acquired by the customer's client software. One application includes deriving a broadcast schedule for the service based on such predicted content for the customers.

Abstract: In an aspect, a method and system is provided to receive and analyze tracked and reported broadcasted data errors, based on a path of the broadcasted data, regional factors including terrain, dynamic factors including weather and season, and retransmission factors. In an aspect, error correction is utilized, based on an analysis of the reported data errors. In an aspect, a method and system is provided to receive broadcast data, and track and report data errors based on a path of the received data, regional factors including terrain, dynamic factors including weather and season, and retransmission factors. In an aspect, data is received having error correction based on an analysis of the reported data errors.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling secure content decryption within a set-top box are described. The method includes performance of security authentication of a content driver by a content decryption component. Security authentication is performed in order to verify an identity of the content driver as a secure content driver. Next, the content decryption component receives an encrypted content stream from the secure content driver. Once received, the content decryption component performs integrity authentication of a run-time image of the secure content driver. Finally, while integrity authentication of the secure content driver is verified, the content decryption component streams decrypted content to the secure content driver to enable playback of the decrypted content to a user.

Abstract: Gaming utilizing actual telemetry data. In one embodiment, a system including a source of actual telemetry data regarding an event, such as a sporting event, and a gaming application utilizing the actual telemetry data. In one embodiment, by utilizing actual telemetry data, the ability to play a game as if the game player were involved in a current sporting event, in real-time, is provided.