Abstract: A method for collective acquisition of data of road users including the selection of the mobile devices whose data are intended to be acquired and transmitted to the at least one data acquisition computer depending on at least the connection status of the mobile devices in the mobile radio network.

Abstract: A system for monitoring advertisements has a camera that is positioned to capture an image of an advertisement. The camera is coupled to a control module that controls operation of the camera and wirelessly transmits data defining the camera's images to a server. At any time, a user may contact the server to view images of the advertisement captured by the camera in order to verify the condition of the advertisement. The control module is configured to control the camera in order to automatically capture images at certain times, such at the start and end of an ad term, as well as from time-to-time during the ad term. Also, a user may initiate an image capture event from a remote location to view the current state of the advertisement in real time without actually traveling to the location of the advertisement.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for providing media presentations to users of a media presentation system. A media presentation generally includes a one or more media streams provided by one or more capturing users of the media presentation system. In one or more embodiments, a user of the media presentation system may share a media presentation with a viewing user. The media presentation system can provide a number of features to produce a media stream within a media presentation.

Abstract: Systems and method of automatically detecting user responses from users to media content and correlating the user responses to the media content include a determination of an emotional response by a user—for example a smile—to a presentation of media content. The determined emotional response is correlated to the media content. Subsequent presentation of the same media content includes presentation of an indicator—for example a smiley —that indicates the determined emotional response.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes monitoring a plurality of actions and inactions with video controls of a particular viewer during a first session, wherein the plurality of actions and inactions form a session profile that represents the particular viewer's short-term viewing habits; correlating one or more session profiles that have similar category values to create a signature profile having signature categories that represents the long-term viewing habits of a particular viewer; and matching a new session profile with an existing signature profile to determine a particular viewer for targeted advertising purposes.

Abstract: Computationally implemented methods and systems include detecting one or more user reactions of a user in response to a display to the user of an augmented view of an actual scene from a real environment, the augmented view that was displayed including one or more augmentations, and correlating the detected one or more user reactions with at least one or more aspects associated with the one or more augmentations that were included in the augmented view that was presented. In addition to the foregoing, other aspects are described in the claims, drawings, and text.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure disclose a method, a terminal, and a system for communication pairing of a digital television terminal and a mobile terminal. The method for communication pairing with a digital television terminal includes: acquiring communication connection information of the digital television terminal, wherein the communication connection information includes communication hardware information of the digital television terminal; performing encoding according to the communication connection information to generate a two-dimensional code image; displaying the two-dimensional code image; establishing a link connection to a mobile terminal that acquires the two-dimensional code image by using a camera; and performing communication pairing with the mobile terminal by means of the established link connection. By using the present disclosure, communication connection and pairing between a mobile terminal and a digital television terminal can be completed easily and conveniently.

Abstract: Providing predictive feedback during content creation in real-time. A server computer receives from a user-computing device an electronic document during creation of the electronic document in real-time. An intended audience specification is also received by the server computer for the received electronic document. The server computer calculates a similarity score for a plurality of viewer profiles. The server computer determines which viewer profiles have similarity score equal to or exceeding the similarity score threshold and then stores the determined viewer profiles. An individual interest level and an individual emotional response is calculated for the determined viewer profiles for a portion of the received electronic document. The server computer then transmits to the user-computing device the individual interest level and the individual emotional response of the determined viewer profiles.

Abstract: Described are platforms, systems, applications, and methods for algorithmically updating a user configured watchlist or wishlist based on activity of social network connections including: adding an item to a watchlist, consuming or acquiring an item, rating an item, recommending an item, and discussing an item, as well as aggregated activity of a community or population of users within the social network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to address deficiencies in conventional biometric devices by dynamically enabling and disabling a biometric device based on the content the user is viewing. The media guidance application may utilize a device enablement rule, which has content criteria. If the content criteria is satisfied, the media guidance application may enable or disable a biometric device in accordance with the device enablement rule.

Abstract: This application is directed to changing a TV operating mode based on a potential relationship among viewers of a connected TV. In some implementations, a method includes: determining viewer identities and identifying the potential relationship among the viewers or a subset of the viewers; in accordance with a determination that the potential relationship allows the viewers to share private information, placing or maintaining the connected TV in or into a first operating mode that is unrelated to media content being displayed and allows personal information to be displayed on the connected TV; and in accordance with a determination that the potential relationship does not allow the viewers to share private information, placing or maintaining the connected TV in or into a second operating mode that is unrelated to the media content and does not allow personal information to be displayed on the connected TV.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a conflict between viewing selections of two users before viewing a media asset. In some aspects, the method comprises receiving an audio input through an audio channel, detecting a first utterance from a first user and a second utterance from a second user in the input of the audio channel, parsing the first utterance and the second utterance, analyzing the first utterance and the second utterance to determine context about the first media asset and the second media asset, and presenting a conflict to the users to display on the media asset.

Abstract: A method and system for searching alternative data sources include monitoring a first communications source broadcasting unstructured data, and a second communications source broadcasting structured data. The method further includes generating text from the unstructured data and from the structured data collected, and parsing the generated text. The method also includes defining a search phrase, and analyzing the generated or parsed text for semantically relevant text in relation to the search phrase. The method also includes selecting the semantically relevant text.

Abstract: A method and system for searching alternative data sources include monitoring a first communications source broadcasting unstructured data, and a second communications source broadcasting structured data. The method further includes generating text from the unstructured data and from the structured data collected, and parsing the generated text. The method also includes defining a search phrase, and analyzing the generated or parsed text for semantically relevant text in relation to the search phrase. The method also includes selecting the semantically relevant text.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system is disclosed including automatically displaying each of a plurality of predetermined audio and visual food representations during a predetermined objective food preference determination period at equal time intervals, on a computer display of a computing device. A camera of the computing device automatically captures at least one user-response for each of the equal time intervals corresponding to each of the plurality of predetermined audio and visual food representations. A processing device of the computing device interprets each of the user-responses to determine a user-food preference for each of the plurality of predetermined audio and visual food representations. A personalized diet plan is generated for the user based on the user-food preferences.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for enabling content personalization for a user based on a cognitive state of the user includes providing an interface configured to enable a third party to request cognitive state data of the user as the user interacts with a content-providing source; establishing bioelectrical contact between a biosignal detector and the user; automatically collecting a dataset from the user; generating a cognitive state metric; receiving a request from the third party for cognitive state data; transmitting the cognitive state data to the third party device; and automatically collecting a dataset from the user as the user engaged tailored content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for detecting users within a range of a media device. A detection region may be defined that is within the range of the media device and smaller than the range. The detection region may be stored. It may be determined whether a user is within the detection region. The media device may be activated and settings associated with the user may be applied when a user is within the detection region. In some embodiments, settings associated with a user may be compared to provided media content when the user is within the detection region. The content may change when the settings conflict with the media content. Reminders may be provided to or directed to a plurality of users within the range of the media device.

Abstract: An online system analyzes broadcast content viewed by individuals in a household. Each individual in the household is associated with a client device on which a software application module is executed. When the software application module detects one or more broadcasting signals of a content item broadcasted to the household, the software application module records the ambient audio, including audio from the broadcasting device. The software application module sends an identifier of the individual associated with the client device, an ambient audio fingerprint derived from the recorded ambient audio, and time information for the recorded ambient audio to the online system. The online system, based on the ambient audio data, identifies the corresponding individual and content item and logs an impression for the content item upon determination that there was an impression of the identified content item by the identified individual.

Abstract: A method is provided for encoding a video program that includes receiving a video program to be encoded and evaluating the program with a profile is selected from among a plurality of profiles stored in a database. Each of the plurality of profiles include program attributes associated with one or more video programs and information pertaining to one or more static graphical elements that overlay content in the one or more video programs. The selected profile is applicable to the video program to be encoded. At least a portion of the video program is caused to be encoded based at least in part on the information in the selected profile. The encoded portion of the video program is evaluated to assess an accuracy of the selected profile and, based at least in part on the evaluation, a confidence level is assigned to the selected profile.

Abstract: A method and system for establishing a group of users and providing item recommendations tailored for the group are described. Users can join a recommendation huddle for the purpose of viewing collective item recommendations tailored for the users participating in the recommendation huddle. The item recommendations can be based on the recommendation profiles of participating users, the nature of the item recommendations to be provided (e.g., movies, restaurants, activities, songs, or the like), and other context information. Recommendations, including information about the recommended items, are provided to users participating in the recommendation huddle. In some embodiments, participating users can vote or otherwise provide feedback on the provided recommendations. One or more final selections can be made based on the recommendations and feedback.

Abstract: A method for generating a rating of entertainment content is provided. The method includes receiving data from a monitoring device associated with a spectator, the monitoring device communicatively coupled to the computing system, wherein the data obtained by the monitoring device includes a physical expression of the spectator viewing the entertainment content, analyzing the physical expression of the spectator to obtain (i) an eyesight direction of the spectator, and (ii) a facial expression of the spectator, during a scene of the entertainment content, determining an emotional reaction of the spectator to the scene of the entertainment content based on the analyzing of the physical expression of the spectator, calculating an emotional ranking of the scene of the entertainment content based on the emotional reaction of the spectator to the scene, and providing the overall ranking of the entertainment content in view of an aggregate of emotional reactions of the spectator.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for selecting an advertisement for play on a specified device for one or more users. Each of the users has a defined relationship with the specified device, and has an information description stored on a mobile communications device. In one embodiment, the method comprises transmitting the respective information description of each of one or more users from the user's communications device to a provider server. The server analyzes one or more information descriptions to identify an advertisement for playing on the specified device. The specified device, in one embodiment, is a television. In an embodiment, advertisements are displayed based on common purchase profiles and common purchase plans among different people. The purchase plans may be sent to the television when the users are in a defined area or come within a given distance of the television.

Abstract: In accordance with some implementations, a method for measuring viewership of media content is disclosed. The method is performed on a client system. The client system captures visual data of one or more users of the client system with the camera. The client system then analyzes the captured visual data to determine a facial image for each respective user of the one or more users. Based on the facial image, the client system then determines if a respective user is a participant in a media viewership study. In accordance with a determination that the user is a participant in the media viewership measurement study, the client system determines the media content being presented. The client system creates viewership data based on the user and the media content being displayed in the proximity of the user and transmits viewership data to a server system.

Abstract: During a live stream of a main content to a user, a biometric response of the user is measured during a first streamed portion of the main content. The biometric response is analyzed to detect an event in the first streamed portion of the main content. The biometric response of the user during the event indicates that the event is a user-specific climactic event. Based on the analysis, a user-specific set of feature values is computed that are representative of the user-specific climactic event in the first streamed portion of the main content. A user-specific non-climactic period is forecasted in a future portion of the live stream during which a likelihood of an occurrence of any user-specific climactic event is below a threshold likelihood. A secondary content is inserted during the user-specific non-climactic period.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to a technique for configuring context aware sessions. A first session is provided using a first communication channel. Contextual information of the first session is used to provide a second session using a second communication channel, wherein the second session is associated with the first session.

Abstract: Provided is a broadcasting receiving apparatus and a control method thereof capable of receiving recommendation information, the control method of a broadcasting receiving apparatus receiving recommendation information about a broadcasting program; comparing a time of confirming the recommendation information and a broadcasting time of a recommended program included in the recommendation information; and supplying a function of the broadcasting receiving apparatus for using the recommendation information to correspond to a comparison result. Accordingly, a broadcasting receiving apparatus and a control method thereof capable of supplying a broadcasting service having an improved user convenience is provided.

Abstract: An audio beacon system, apparatus and method for collecting information on a panelist's exposure to media. An audio beacon is configured as on-device encoding technology that is operative in a processing device (e.g., cell phone, PDA, PC) to enable the device to encode an environmental sound and transmit it for a predetermined period of time. The acoustically transmitted data is received and processed by a portable audience measurement device, such as Arbitron's Personal People Meter™ (“PPM”), or other specially equipped portable device to enable audience measurement systems to achieve higher levels of detail on panel member activity and greater association of measurement devices to their respective users.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining an error value based on the user's expected level of enjoyment with respect to a specific media asset based on the user's level of enjoyment of other media assets, as determined using a model. User preference information is received from two data spaces that are managed by different content providers. User preference information from the two data spaces is normalized and an indication of similarity between two media assets is determined. The user's level of enjoyment with respect to a media asset is compared to an expected user's level of enjoyment with respect to the media asset received from a model and an error value is determined based on the comparison.

Abstract: Access to an electronic media device may be controlled based on media settings of users experiencing content using the electronic media device. Users or attributes of the users experiencing content using the electronic media device may be automatically identified and access to the electronic media device may be automatically controlled based on media settings associated with the identified users and/or attributes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a server, channel change request data from a media device. The channel change request data specifies a requested channel that is associated with a plurality of multimedia streams. Each multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams has a corresponding content format. The method includes determining, at the server, an available bandwidth of a service to a premises associated with the media device. The method includes selecting, at the server, a particular content format based on the available bandwidth and a multimedia stream of the plurality of multimedia streams that has the particular content format. The method also includes sending an identification of the multimedia stream from the server to the media device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting a conflict between viewing selections of two users before viewing a media asset. In some aspects, the method comprises receiving an audio input through an audio channel, detecting a first utterance from a first user and a second utterance from a second user in the input of the audio channel, parsing the first utterance and the second utterance, analyzing the first utterance and the second utterance to determine context about the first media asset and the second media asset, and presenting a conflict to the users to display on the media asset.

Abstract: An approach is provided for injecting program markers in live media steams is presented. A first marker is injected into a live media stream to designate a start of a live program. A second marker is injected a into the live media stream to designate an end of the live program. The live stream with the injected markers is transcoded the for transmission to a set-top box.

Abstract: A distributed cyber-physical system includes physical elements (15-1, 15-2, . . . , 15-n) disposed in a physical space (11). Controllers (13-1, 13-2, . . . , 13-n) are disposed in a cyber space (10). Each of the physical elements (15-1, 15-2, . . . , 15-n) corresponds to a corresponding controller (13-1, 13-2, . . . , 13-n). A cyber infrastructure (12) is disposed in the cyber space (10). The cyber infrastructure (12) manages a connection between the controllers (13-1, 13-2, . . . , 13-n) and the physical elements (15-1, 15-2, . . . , 15-n). Control loops (14) are established via the cyber infrastructure (12). Each of the control loops (14) includes a physical element and a corresponding controller.

Abstract: Sampling for content selection may be provided.

Abstract: A wireless communication device configured to gather device orientation information and an orientation information gathering method in a wireless communication device are provided.

Abstract: A generating apparatus generates a set of gain vectors with respect to a transition model having observable visible states and unobservable hidden states and expressing a transition from a present visible state to a subsequent visible state according to an action, the set of gain vectors being generated for each visible state and used for calculation of a cumulative expected gain at and after a reference point in time, the apparatus including a setting section for setting, with respect to each hidden state, a probability distribution over the hidden states for selection used to select vectors to be included in the set of gain vectors from the gain vectors including a component for a cumulative gain, and a selection section for including, in the set of gain vectors, with priority, the gain vector giving the maximum of the cumulative expected gain with respect to the probability distribution for selection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adding labels to a graph are disclosed. One system includes a plurality of computing devices including processors and memory storing an input graph generated based on a source data set, where an edge represents a similarity measure between two nodes in the input graph, the input graph being distributed across the plurality of computing devices, and some of the nodes are seed nodes associated with one or more training labels from a set of labels, each training label having an associated original weight. The memory may also store instructions that, when executed by the processors, cause the plurality of distributed computing devices to propagate the training labels through the input graph using a sparsity approximation for label propagation, resulting in learned weights for respective node and label pairs, and automatically update the source data set using node and label pairs selected based on the learned weights.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a method of providing an on-line assessment of digital content, such as video clips (10), across a network, such as the Internet. In general terms the steps involved in this embodiment of the methodology include: 1. presenting a stimulant video clip (10); 2. providing means for rating the video clip in real time, in this example a rating bar (12) and slider (14) driven by a computer peripheral device (not shown); 3. collecting rating data relevant to the viewed video clip such as (10).

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide smart media selection to a set of one or more individuals at a location associated with a display device of a receiver system is provided. In example embodiments, an indication of a presence change at the location is received. User specific information associated with the set of the one or more individuals identified as being at the location is accessed. A recommendation playlist based on the user specific information is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting actionable program performance information correlated with content are disclosed. A method includes obtaining primary content information related to first content distributed to a plurality of viewers during a particular time duration; obtaining secondary content information related to the first content, wherein the secondary content information includes information identified based on the first content; obtaining activity information of the plurality of viewers of the first content during the particular time duration; determining a plurality of activity component information corresponding to a plurality of activity categories; storing the plurality of activity component information to be associated with the first content; and displaying data of at least one of the plurality of activity component information at a first time point along with the first content.

Abstract: A TV audience survey system for determining the TV viewing activities of a plurality of individuals in a household includes a master device and multiple tags, each tag assigned to an individual. After an individual logs into the system and starts watching the TV, the master device communicates with the corresponding tag repeatedly to accumulate data representing the individual's TV viewing activities. Such data can be used to determine when the individual stops watching the TV for an extended period of time without logging out of the system and when the household member remains watching the TV after logging or being logged out of the system. The master device then reports the accumulated data to a remote server, which uses the data to determine whether the individual complies with the logging protocol defined by the TV audience survey system and update the TV viewership data associated with this household.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for rating applications. Execution of an application on a computing device is monitored to determine usage information for a user. Embodiments capture a plurality of images and for each of the plurality of images, extract, from the respective image, a set of user facial features and determine an user emotional state corresponding to the respective set of user facial features by applying a model correlating a set of predefined emotional states with corresponding predefined facial features. A trend of user emotional states across a plurality of executions of the application on the computing device is determined. Embodiments calculate a rating for the application based on the usage information, the user emotional states, and the trend of the user emotional states. The rating is sent to a server over a network connection for use in an aggregate rating of the application.

Abstract: In an automatic, computer-implemented method, a selected television advertisement is presented automatically in association with a television program or channel. A relationship is identified between an online user profile and the television program or channel, and the television advertisement is selected based at least in part on information from the online user profile. The selected television advertisement is presented, in association with the television program or channel that is identified as being related to the online user profile, via a set-top box having a corresponding set-top box identifier that is associated with the online user profile.

Abstract: Arrangements for preparing a television channel for presentation are presented. A tuner of a television receiver may tune to a first television channel and the first television channel may be output for presentation. One or more idle tuners of the television receiver may be identified. One or more television channels other than the first television channel may be selected for preparation. The one or more television channels may be selected prior to receiving user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the one or more television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner of the one or more idle tuners, to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation.

Abstract: A method implemented in a computer system for controlling the delivery of data and audio/video content. The method delivers primary content to the subscriber device for viewing by a subscriber. The method also delivers secondary content to the companion device for viewing by the subscriber in parallel with the subscriber viewing the primary content, where the secondary content relates to the primary content. The method extracts attention estimation features from the primary content, and monitors the companion device to determine an interaction measurement for the subscriber viewing the secondary content on the companion device. The method calculates an attention measurement for the subscriber viewing the primary content based on the attention estimation features, and the interaction measurement, and controls the delivery of the secondary content to the companion device based on the attention measurement.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclose involve a method, a device, and a system comprising a processor and a machine-readable storage medium storing at a set of instructions for identification and authentication of user profiles associated with a digital television system and displaying information related thereto. In example embodiments, the method includes identifying a user profile registered with a content presentation device based on received identification data that includes biometric data. The method further includes receiving, from a server, identifiers of a set of recently watched channels associated with the user profile and causing presentation of a recent channels interface that includes selectable elements corresponding to the set of recently watched channels.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for identifying users of portable user devices according to one or more accelerometer profiles created for a respective user. During a media session, the portable computing device collects media exposure data, while at the same time, collects data from the accelerometer and compares it to the user profile. The comparison authenticates the user and determines the physical activity the user is engaged in. Additional data may be collected from the portable computing device to determine one or more operational conditions of the device itself, including the detection of multiple devices being physically carried by one user. Gross motion strings may also be generated by devices and compared to see if strings match, thus suggesting multiple devices are being carried by one user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to measure exposure to streaming media are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a metadata extractor to extract a series of metadata tags associated with media playing on a presentation device. The example apparatus includes a media event detector to detect a media event associated with the media playing on the presentation device. The example apparatus also includes a metadata selector to identify a subset of the series of metadata tags for reporting to a central facility. The subset includes a first metadata tag extracted approximate in time to the media event. The example apparatus further includes a transmitter to transmit the subset of the series of the metadata tags to a central facility.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for providing media guidance are provided. In some implementations, a method for providing media guidance is provided, the method comprising: receiving device data from a mobile device associated with a display device; identifying a media content item being presented on the display device; determining a first indication that the mobile device has been interacted with during the presentation of the media content item; storing a first timestamp corresponding to the first indication; determining a second indication that the interaction with the mobile device has ceased; storing a second timestamp corresponding to the second indication; receiving an indication that the media content item is to be played back; determining, using a hardware processor, a first playback position in the media content item based on the first timestamp; and causing the media content item to be presented from the determined first playback position in response to receiving the indication.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for determining contexts and determining associated emotion profiles using information received from multiple emotion sensor enabled electronic devices, are disclosed. Contexts can be defined by a description of spatial and/or temporal components. Such contexts can be arbitrarily defined using semantically meaningful and absolute descriptions of times and locations. Emotion sensor data is associated with or includes context data that describes the circumstances under which the data was determined. The emotion sensor data can include emotion sensor readings that are implicit indications of an emotion for the context. The sensor data can also include user reported data with explicit descriptors of an emotion for the context. The emotion sensor data can be filtered by context data according a selected context. The filtered sensor data can then be analyzed to determine an emotion profile for the context that can be output to one or more users or entities.