Abstract: A streaming service updates a manifest to include a location of an encoded version of a program that is available for streaming and a restriction marker indicating that the program is restricted. A request for the manifest is received from a client device. Subsequent to providing the manifest to the client device, a request for authorization to stream the program is received from the client device, the request for authorization including client device metadata. Based on the client device metadata and blackout metadata associated with the program, it is determined that the client device is not authorized to stream the program. The streaming service sends, to the client device, slate information that identifies a slate image to be presented by the client device in lieu of the program.

Abstract: Read calibration by sector of memory can include reading a page of memory, having more than one sector, with a read level, such as a default read level. In response to an error, such as an uncorrectable error correction code read result, the respective read level can be calibrated for each sector to yield a respective calibrated read level per sector. The page of memory can be read with the respective calibrated read level per sector. The calibrated read levels can be stored.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for secondary content management, including preventing viewing fraud, are disclosed. In one embodiment, apparatus of the present disclosure includes an Advertisement Decisioning Service (ADS) and Manifest Manipulator (MM) configured cooperate to receive client requests for secondary content, select one or more secondary content elements (e.g., advertisements), and generate and transmit one or more identifiers that uniquely identify the client's request for a session. The selected advertisements in one implementation include embedded beacons or tags used to ensure accurate accounting with regards to the amount or quality of consumption of the advertisement by a user.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes apparatuses and methods for providing indications associated with power management events. An example apparatus may include a plurality of memory units coupled to a shared power management signal. In this example apparatus, each of the plurality of memory units may be configured to provide to the other of the plurality of memory units, via the shared power management signal, an indication of whether the one of the plurality of memory units is entering a power management event. Further, each of the plurality of memory units may be configured to, if the one of the plurality of memory units is entering the power management event, an indication of a particular operation type associated with the power management event.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the fabrication and use of phase-change material (PCM) membranes in microvalves for microfluidic systems. The microvalve may be fabricated by using a tissue-sectioning instrument to slice a thin membrane of PCM off of a block of PCM. The membrane may then be sandwiched between a plurality of microfluidic flow sections to act as a microvalve. At room temperature, the membrane may exist in a solid state to act as a zero-leakage seal and microvalve. Applying heat to the membrane may bring the membrane to a melting point, causing it to reach a liquid state. The microvalve in the liquid state may experience a surface tension effect by a material of the microfluidic flow sections, causing it to displace from a flow path and allow a fluid to pass from one microfluidic flow section to another.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a device having an input-output pad configured to receive and supply an input-output pad voltage. The device may include gate tracking circuitry that receives a first voltage, receives a second voltage different than the first voltage, receives node voltages and provides a first tracking voltage and a second tracking voltage based on the first voltage, the second voltage and the node voltages. The device may include output circuitry that receives the first tracking voltage and the second tracking voltage from the gate tracking circuitry and provides the input-output pad voltage to the input-output pad based on the first tracking voltage and the second tracking voltage.

Abstract: A detection device for monitoring an area includes a housing and at least one sensor configured to measure an amount of at least one combustion gas. A controller is operably coupled to the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to determine if a combustion event is present within the area in response to the amount of the at least one combustion gas measured by the at least one sensor and initiate an alarm in response to determining that the combustion event is present within the area.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing access to content across a plurality of devices and environments. In one embodiment, a downloadable rights profile is utilized in order for a user device to determine whether to provide content to a subscriber. The user device is first registered to content delivery the network; the device then requests a rights profile indicating the rights of the subscriber associated with the device to access content. The rights profile is transmitted to the device. The rights profile may be configured to be valid only for a pre-determined time, thus enabling a subscriber's rights to be updated (including revoked). Security mechanisms may also be utilized to ensure access to content is limited only to authorized subscribers. In another embodiment, a user-based authentication procedure is utilized, thereby making the rights determination and content provision process completely agnostic to the underlying hardware.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments providing query validation with automated query modification. In particular, the embodiments provide a computing system that receives a query and determines the query is sensitive. The computing system iteratively modifies the query until the query is not sensitive by modifying the query to increase a scope of the query, updating estimated query results based on the query as modified, and determining whether the query as modified is sensitive based on the estimated query results as updated. Upon determining that the query as modified is not sensitive, the computing system proceeds with the query as modified. Accordingly, the computing system improves query efficiency by automatically modifying a sensitive query.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reduced-voltage operation of a memory device are described. A memory device may operate in different operational modes based on a value of a supply voltage fir the memory device. For example, when the value of the supply voltage exceeds both a first threshold voltage and a second threshold voltage, the memory device may be operated in a normal operation mode. When the value of the supply voltage is between the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage, the memory device may be operated in a low voltage operation mode, which may be a reduced performance mode relative to the normal operation mode. When the value of the supply voltage is below the second threshold voltage, the memory device may be deactivated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to characterization of digital content, such as in a content delivery and/or service provider network. In one embodiment, a method is provided for identifying characteristics of digital content by a first-pass analysis of the content data, and subsequent adjustment of results of the first-pass data analysis based on a heuristic analysis. In one variant, the first-pass analysis is based on an extant (COTS) or off-the-shelf analytics framework which generates a result; artificial intelligence and/or machine learning techniques are utilized for analyzing the result based on a multi-source or multivariate analytical framework to enable convergence of a final result having suitable level of accuracy, yet with optimized temporal and processing overhead characteristics. In one implementation, the methods and apparatus are adapted for use in a content distribution network advertisement ingestion processing system.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments providing coordinated privacy for targeted communications and reporting. In particular, the embodiments provide a source user querying an information system to generally identify target users for a communication campaign. A privacy controller alters a first dataset of a query response by a first alteration quantity for transmission to the source user. The source user then generally identifies target users within the first dataset for development of a communication campaign of targeted communications directed to the target users. Subsequently, a reporting system generates a report with a second dataset detailing viewership by target users. The privacy controller alters a second dataset of a report by a second alteration quantity for transmission to the source user. The second alteration quantity is based on the first alteration quantity.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are provided for communicating multimedia content over a service provider network. A network server may receive an audio-video stream from a content provider server, relaying the audio-video stream to a receiver device via the service provider network, receive an operating mode notification identifying a user behavior from the receiver device, and ceasing the relaying of the audio-video stream to the receiver device based on the user behavior. The network server may also alter the audio-video stream based on the received operating mode notification and send the altered audio-video stream to the receiver device via the service provider network.

Abstract: Systems and methods of memory operation that provide a hardware-based reset of an unresponsive memory device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary system may comprise a semiconductor memory device having a memory array, a controller that may include a firmware component for controlling memory operations, and a reset circuit including power-up circuitry and timeout circuitry. The reset circuit may be configured to detect when the memory device is in a non-responsive state and reset the memory device without using any internal controller components potentially impacted/affected by the non-responsive state.

Abstract: Methods and systems for using packager systems for streaming. The packager system including packagers configured to process packets, each packager having a packet listener, a sequence list generator, and a segment generator; and at least one cluster controller including a manifest generator. The at least one cluster controller configured to configure a packager from the packagers as an active packager by enabling a packet listener, a sequence list generator, and a segment generator, configure a remaining packager from the packagers as a backup packager by disabling a segment generator, receive segments, sequence list, and metadata based on processed packets from the active packager, generate, via the manifest generator, a manifest based on the segments, the sequence list, and the metadata, and send the segments and the manifest to a streaming system component.

Abstract: A device that fits on a person's finger to reduce the effect, appearance, and/or sensitivity of a scar. The device includes a therapeutic material such as a therapeutic cream that can be released upon the application of heat such as frictional heat generated during use of the device. The device can also be used as an applicator to distribute and work therapeutic material into the scar after the therapeutic material has been placed directly onto the scar tissue. A method of manufacturing the device includes mixing the therapeutic material, a moldable material, and an optional curing agent to form a compound material, molding the compound material, heating the compound material or the molded structure, and curing the molded structure. Alternatively, the curing agent can be absorbed into the cured structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus related to characterization of digital content, such as in a content delivery and/or service provider network. In one embodiment, a method is provided for identifying characteristics of digital content by a first-pass analysis of the content data, and subsequent adjustment of results of the first-pass data analysis based on a heuristic analysis. In one variant, the first-pass analysis is based on an extant (COTS) or off-the-shelf analytics framework which generates a result; artificial intelligence and/or machine learning techniques are utilized for analyzing the result based on a multi-source or multivariate analytical framework to enable convergence of a final result having suitable level of accuracy, yet with optimized temporal and processing overhead characteristics. In one implementation, the methods and apparatus are adapted for use in a content distribution network advertisement ingestion processing system.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for reduced-voltage operation of a memory device are described. A memory device may operate in different operational modes based on a value of a supply voltage fir the memory device. For example, when the value of the supply voltage exceeds both a first threshold voltage and a second threshold voltage, the memory device may be operated in a normal operation mode. When the value of the supply voltage is between the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage, the memory device may be operated in a low voltage operation mode, which may be a reduced performance mode relative to the normal operation mode. When the value of the supply voltage is below the second threshold voltage, the memory device may be deactivated.

Abstract: Systems and methods of memory operation that provide a hardware-based reset of an unresponsive memory device are disclosed. In one embodiment, an exemplary system may comprise a semiconductor memory device having a memory array, a controller that may include a firmware component for controlling memory operations, and a reset circuit including power-up circuitry and timeout circuitry. The reset circuit may be configured to detect when the memory device is in a non-responsive state and reset the memory device without using any internal controller components potentially impacted/affected by the non-responsive state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for delivery of packetized content (e.g., video, audio, data, etc.) over a content delivery network. In one embodiment, the content is packetized using an Internet Protocol (IP), and delivered by a service provider over both managed and unmanaged networks to subscribers of the provider, so as to provide delivery at any time, at any location, and via any designated user device. The delivered content may originate from the service provider, third-party content sources (e.g., networks or studios), the subscriber(s) themselves, or other sources including the Internet. Use of a common control and service functions within the network afford the ability to integrate or blend services together, thereby affording the service provider and subscriber new service and economic opportunities. Content delivery sessions may also be migrated from one device to another. A network-based user interface infrastructure, and gateway-based client-side architecture, are also disclosed.