Abstract: Screen time-outs on a portable electronic device can be customized based on user activity. In one aspect, a sensing component receives data from one or more sensors located on the portable electronic device, for example, skin conductivity sensors and determines whether the user is using the portable device, either actively or passively and also determines the identity of the user. A configuring component is employed to change one or more features or functions of the portable electronic device based on the information determined by the sensing component. In particular, the configuring component changes one of more features of the portable electronic device based on the preferences predefined by the identified user and device usage (active and passive usage).

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure include, for example, selecting a first communication device of the plurality of communication devices to analyze activities of the first communication device, presenting at a device activity information associated with the activities of the first communication device, facilitating an exchange of messages between the device and the first communication device, receiving a request from the device to transfer control of the first communication device to the device responsive to the device receiving an unsatisfactory response from the first communication device, and receiving control information from the device to adjust an operational aspect of the first communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system for determining a tag based on an interaction of a mobile device with a media processor. The tag is associated with a number of options of video content received at the media processor. A request is determined from the media processor for the number of options of video content associated with the tag. A transfer of the plurality of options of video content is initiated from a video source to the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for model-based video fixing are disclosed. A video can be retrieved and analyzed to determine if any portion of the video can be represented by a model. If a portion that can be modeled is identified, a model that approximates the portion can be specified, the portion can be removed from the video, and instructions for modeling the video can be formatted. The video and the instructions can be transmitted to a receiving device, which can synthesize the model and the received video to generate a model-based video. Systems for providing the model-based video fixing are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to allocate between a video and audio quality in a multimedia presentation and to utilize a resultant bandwidth as a result of allocation to enhance an audio or video quality in the multimedia presentation in response to a user selection among levels of video quality and audio quality. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to an electronic device having a human stimulus receptor which, when activated, suspends activation of a screensaver. The screensaver is activated to conserve the power and life of the electronic device. When latently viewing the electronic device, however, the human stimulus receptor is activated. A countdown starts counting down a pre-determined amount of time once the human stimulus receptor is inactive. At the expiration of the countdown, the screensaver is activated. The human stimulus receptor responds to skin conductivity, natural muscular twitch, pulse, skin temperature, and/or eye movement. Only when the electronic device no longer detects any of these human stimuli will the countdown begin. A user may set the predetermined amount of time.

Abstract: In one aspect, a disclosed method of processing a network packet received by an edge device from a client in a data processing network includes determining a priority category of the network packet when the priority category is indicative of a priority associated with the packet. The method further includes determining a value of a traffic state parameter. The traffic state parameter indicates a level of traffic activity in a backbone network to which the edge device is connected. A traffic policy is then determined that is applicable to the level of traffic activity and the priority category of the network packet. The network packet is then blocked from traversing or permitted to traverse the network packet edge device based on the determined traffic policy. Determining the priority category may include determining a transport protocol port number of the network packet.

Abstract: A method of tagging video content includes receiving video content at a set-top box device via a private video distribution access network. The method also includes receiving a tag associated with the video content at the set-top box device and sending the tag to a tag management system via the private video distribution access network. Further, the method includes sending a request for content associated with the tag to the tag management system and receiving the video content at the set-top box device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of delivering video content is disclosed and includes sending data from a set-top box device to a video head-end of a video distribution network. The data indicates that the set-top box device has received a channel change command and identifies a requested channel. The method includes receiving video content associated with a program provided via the requested channel at the set-top box device, beginning at a set-top box receipt time, and retrieving a portion of backfill content from a digital video recorder (DVR) in response to a reverse command received at the set-top box device. The backfill content includes video content associated with the program extending from a start time of the program to the set-top box receipt time. The backfill content is sent from a buffer server at the video head-end to the DVR in response to the data sent by the set-top box device.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence system having a controller to transmit to a calendar system presence information of a subscriber of the presence system for recording said presence information in a calendar event. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless handset is provided with enhanced features and capabilities. The wireless handset may be embodied as a full-featured handset that is capable of operating either within a wireless network (such as a cellular or PCS network) or in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode that is independent of the wireless network. Alternatively, the wireless handset may be embodied as a special purpose handset, that is capable of simply operating in a direct handset-to-handset communication mode. The wireless handset may additionally include features for supporting and enhancing direct communication between handsets. Such features may include a find feature that permits a user to determine which objects, including other wireless handset users, are located within a predetermined operating range of the wireless handset. A memorize feature may also be provided to permit handsets and other objects exchange information by wireless transmission.

Abstract: A system and methodology that can customize screen time-outs on a portable electronic device based on user activity is provided. The system employs a sensing component that receives data from one or more sensors located on the portable electronic device, for example, skin conductivity sensors. The sensing component determines whether the user is using the portable device, either actively or passively and also determines the identity of the user. A configuring component is employed to change one or more features or functions of the portable electronic device based on the information determined by the sensing component. In particular, the configuring component changes one of more features of the portable electronic device based on the preferences predefined by the identified user and device usage (active and passive usage).

Abstract: A disclosed transaction processing method includes transmitting a request to a credit aggregator in response to a message from a point of sale device to a wireless communication device of a user. Responsive to receiving credit account information from the credit aggregator, a user interface indicative of at least some of the credit account information including account identification information for a plurality of user credit accounts is displayed. Responsive to detecting a user selecting one of the plurality of credit accounts, credit account information is transmitted to the point of sale device. The request may include information identifying the user. The message from the point of sale device may indicate a price associated with the transaction. The credit account information may include available credit information, current balance information, closing date information, payment date information, annual percentage rate information, and so forth.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system to view a selection of thumbnails are described herein. A plurality of content channels, which are most recently tuned into by a user, are stored. Further, a display presents a selection array for a plurality of thumbnails that represent the plurality of content channels.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members.

Abstract: A method for providing a virtual, universal remote control feature includes displaying a virtual remote interface for an electronic device. A user interaction with an element of the virtual remote interface is detected. The virtual remote interface element is mapped to a device-function code. The device-function code is provided to a code transmitter. The device-function code corresponds to a control command associated with the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods to control access to multimedia are disclosed. A method includes receiving a request for multimedia content at a computing device, retrieving a destination address of a mobile communication device related to an authorized user of the computing device and determining whether the mobile communication device is located within a predetermined distance from the computing device. When the mobile communication device is located within the communicative distance from the computing device, the multimedia content is received at the computing device. When the mobile communication device is not located within the communicative distance from the computing device, an authorization-request message is transmitted via a network to the destination address of the mobile communication device, wherein the authorization-request message includes a request for authorization to receive the multimedia content at the computing device.