Abstract: A system for adjusting content display orientation on a screen is disclosed. The system may include a processor that may detect both eyes and a body part of a user that is proximal to one or more of the user's eyes. The system may then determine an eye gaze plane based on the positions of the first and second eyes of the user. The eye gaze plane may be determined by identifying a first line of sight extending from the first eye and a second line of sight extending from the second eye. Additionally, the eye gaze plane may bisect a center of the first eye and a center of the second eye of the user. Once the eye gaze plane is determined, the system may adjust the orientation of content displayed on a display device based on the eye gaze plane and on the position of the body part.

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: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.

Abstract: A system for providing layered security is disclosed. In particular, the system may include determining a state of a first device of a device ecosystem and a state of a second device of the device ecosystem. Based on the states of the first and second devices, the system may include calculating a confidence score for the device ecosystem. If the confidence score satisfies a threshold score for enabling access to a selected system, the system may include transmitting an access code to the device ecosystem. Based on the access code, the system may enable the device ecosystem to access the selected system. If, however, the confidence score does not satisfy the threshold score, the system may include requiring the device ecosystem to provide additional authentication information in order to access the selected system.

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 for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a new remote controlled device is disclosed. A digital image of the new device is generated and sent to a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) server, along with MCDN account information. The digital image may be used to identify the new device. Programming codes may be retrieved and sent to client premises equipment (CPE) at an MCDN client identified by the MCDN account information. The CPE may be instructed to reprogram the URC to control the new device using the programming codes. The digital image may be sent to the server using wireless telephony service provided by the MCDN service provider.

Abstract: A system and process that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, transitioning a processor from a high-power consumption state to a low-power consumption state, wherefrom return to the high-power consumption state includes a boot process. Future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state is predicted, while the processor is in the low-power consumption state. The processor is transitioned from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state in response to predicting future demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state. Such transition of the processor from the low-power consumption state to the high-power consumption state sufficiently precedes actual demand for operation of the processor in the high-power consumption state so as to avoid perceptible user delay. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing awareness of an interactive surface is disclosed. The system may include a processor that is communicatively linked to an interactive surface. The processor may determine a position and a velocity of an object that is within range of the interactive surface based on one or more of media content, vibrations, air movement, sounds and, global positioning data associated with the object. Additionally, the processor may determine if the object has a trajectory that would cause the object to collide with the interactive surface based on the information associated with the object. If the processor determines that the object has a trajectory that would cause the object to collide with the interactive surface, the processor can generate a notification.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol television system includes a set-top box that receives requests to display video streams being transmitted to a household. In response to the request, the set-top box provides a list of the video streams to a display device. The list includes options to terminate transmission of one or more of the streams. This allows a user to determine which video streams should be transmitted when bandwidth limitations are reached.

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: A multimedia processing resource (MPR) includes interactive voice response capabilities. A user may control MPR commands and functions over a telephone interface. For example, through a telephone connection a user may receive a listing of electronic programming guide data, may schedule a multimedia program for recording, or may receive a report related to a multimedia program that is viewed at the present time.

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: Devices, methods, and computer program products for facilitating enhanced social interactions using a mobile device are disclosed. A method for facilitating an enhanced social interaction using a mobile device includes receiving an audio input at the mobile device, determining a salient portion of the audio input, receiving relevant information associated with the salient portion, and presenting the relevant information via the mobile device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller that increasing a first quality of first media content to achieve an adjusted quality, by adjusting a number of first encoded video portions, first encoded audio portions or both allocated to a presentation of first video and first audio of the first media content. A digital stream having a total bandwidth includes the first media content and second media content. A second quality of the second media content is decreased, by decreasing a number of encoded video portions, encoded audio portions or both allocated to a presentation of second video and second audio of the second media content, while maintaining consistency in the total bandwidth of the digital stream. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing awareness of an interactive surface is disclosed. The system may include a processor that is communicatively linked to an interactive surface. The processor may determine a position and a velocity of an object that is within range of the interactive surface based on one or more of media content, vibrations, air movement, sounds and, global positioning data associated with the object. Additionally, the processor may determine if the object has a trajectory that would cause the object to collide with the interactive surface based on the information associated with the object. If the processor determines that the object has a trajectory that would cause the object to collide with the interactive surface, the processor can generate a notification.

Abstract: Techniques for call integration are provided. Call logs associated with multiple voice accounts are acquired and integrated as an integrated call log. The integrated call log is presented at a display. A user can take a variety of actions on the integrated call log as a whole or on individual entries within the integrated call log.

Abstract: Organization of a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) via mobile units is enabled. Features of mobile units such as messaging and location based services are incorporated into the game to enhance the user experience. The MMOG provides social networking opportunities to players by associating players based on similarities such as shared interests and activities. These shared interests and activities can be determined based on associations of the players in other situations, such as disparate online games or websites. In addition, advertising content can be provided to players based on similar factors. For example, the MMOG can comprise a game similar to the offline game of tag, wherein players can “tag” each other through in-game interactions via the mobile units. These interactions can be triggered based on players being a fixed predetermined distance from each other.

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: 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 method for sharing content is provided. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing and a wide area network (WAN) connector extending from the housing. The system may also include a graphical user interface (GUI) engine located within the housing. In practice, the GUI engine may be operable to initiate an outputting of a first list navigable with a remote control and a second list navigable with the remote control. The remote control may be a Set Top Box (STB) remote control and the first list may be configured to facilitate remote control-based navigation. The first list may contain an identifier for at least one piece of selectable content, which may be, for example, photographs, videos, songs, etc. The second list may include an alias for at least one available share partner. In practice, a user of the system may want to give a share partner revocable access to some portion of selectable content.