Abstract: A set-top box with enhanced content and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a wireless transceiver is located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes a television input, television output, a processor, and memory. The set-top box may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device having a display. Content, such music, for example, may be imported from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device and provided to the television. While the music is playing, the set-top box may generate and provide to the television a control signal that includes instructions to adjust the brightness of the television by dimming the television.

Abstract: Continuing electronic media entertainment on a personal electronic device (PED) after completion of a travel segment. Streaming characteristics for streaming of an electronic media item to a PED on board an aircraft via a first connection may be monitored and, if streaming of the remaining portion of the electronic media item will exceed the remaining travel time, trigger some or all of an excess portion of the electronic media item to be sent to the PED. The PED may store the excess potion in an access-controlled media file. After completion of the travel segment (e.g., at the destination location), the PED may resume playback of the electronic media item by obtaining a playback control code via a second, different connection. The second connection may be a different type of connection, or may be an indirect connection, in some cases.

Abstract: Media is selected for video playback through a first device and audio playback through one or more separate devices connected through a wireless network. Different techniques for synchronizing the audio and video can be selected based on one or more factors to improve media playback.

Abstract: A mobile terminal 1A is configured to communicate with a remote control server 4A that transmits a remote control signal to operate an operation object apparatus via a particular local area network NW2 or a wide area communication network NW1. A permission/rejection information storage part 102 stores whether execution of remote control operation based on the operation instruction information is permitted or rejected when each operation instruction information has gone through any communication network. When receiving the input of operation instruction information, a communication network discrimination part 106 discriminates with which communication network communication has established. An operation permission/rejection decision part 107 decides permission/rejection of execution of the operation instruction information according to the results.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a transportation vehicle are provided. One method includes interfacing a PED with an IFE system that includes at least one of a function and a service associated with an object; capturing an image of an object by the PED, identifying the function or service associated with the object using the captured image and an application of the PED; presenting an option by the application to initiate the function or service; and upon selection of the option by a user, communicating a request in accordance therewith to the IFE system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digital broadcast receiver capable of executing functions having higher added values. The broadcast receiver receives a broadcast wave of a digital broadcast service, controls an operation including activation and end of an application that is in cooperation with a broadcast program based on application-related information, and selects control relating to reactivation of the application based on a user's operation. If activation of the application is requested after the end of the application, the broadcast receiver controls the reactivation or non-reactivation of the application in accordance with the selection of control by the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. Methods, systems, and devices provide for determining or identifying a client device that is monopolizing a channel associated with a first basic service set (BSS). Once identified, a second BSS is dynamically created and configured with parameters that are throttled with respect to the first BSS. The client device is steered to the second BSS and is prevented from reassociating with the first BSS until a change in device status.

Abstract: A method for executing a connectionless wireless media content session includes receiving a MAC address by an electronic device. The MAC address may be received out-of-band. The address is monitored for received media content over a wireless channel from a transmitter. The broadcast wireless channel and media content codec information may also be received out of band. The received media content is received over a Wi-Fi MAC layer using RTP without an IP connection with the transmitter. The received media content may be rendered on the electronic device.

Abstract: Various arrangements that permit temporary subscription porting are presented. A temporary subscription port request may be submitted by a subscriber. The temporary subscription port request may include an identifier of a visitor television receiver and authentication information for the subscriber. In response to the temporary subscription port request, a first command to a home television receiver may be transmitted that disables viewing a first set of television channels linked with the subscriber's subscription account. In response to the temporary subscription port request, a second command to the visitor television receiver may be transmitted that enables viewing the first set of television channels linked with the subscriber's subscription account.

Abstract: A watch type control device comprises: a band configured to surround at least a portion of a user's wrist; an IR module disposed on a side of the band facing the user's hand when the watch type control device is worn on the user's wrist, the user's hand and wrist being on the same side of the user's body; and a beam projector disposed on the band and configured to outwardly project a screen, wherein the IR module is configured to recognize a user's hand gesture and to initiate the execution of a program causing the beam projector to output on the screen a display corresponding to the program.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system is provided for managing quality of experience for communication sessions. In an implementation, a method may include determining a participant focus metric for each of a plurality of participants of a communication session. The method may also include identifying one of the plurality of participants of the communication session as having sufficient capacity to support the communication session based upon, at least in part, the participant focus metric for each of the plurality of participants of the communication session. The method may also include selecting the one of the plurality of participants having a sufficient capacity to support the communication session as a selected focus for the communication session. The method may further include adaptively implementing a centralized communication session architecture utilizing the selected focus.

Abstract: A system and method for distributing content through a set-top box. A number of wireless devices are registered for a communications session with the set-top box. Media content is communicated to one or more displays. Interactive content associated with the media content is retrieved for each of the number of wireless devices in response to receiving requests from each of the number of wireless devices. The interactive content is distributed to each of the number of wireless devices in response to retrieving the interactive content for each of the number of wireless devices.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method, computer program product, and computing system is provided for managing quality of experience for communication sessions. In an implementation, a method may include determining a participant focus metric for each of a plurality of participants of a communication session. The method may also include identifying one of the plurality of participants of the communication session as having sufficient capacity to support the communication session based upon, at least in part, the participant focus metric for each of the plurality of participants of the communication session. The method may also include selecting the one of the plurality of participants having a sufficient capacity to support the communication session as a selected focus for the communication session. The method may further include adaptively implementing a centralized communication session architecture utilizing the selected focus.

Abstract: A disclosed example method to setup a Groupcast with Retries service for use with wireless communications involves receiving an association response at a wireless station from an access point. The association response is responsive to a General Link capability of the wireless station sent in an association request from the wireless station to the access point. The example method also involves confirming a General Link and the Groupcast with Retries service between the wireless station and the access point based on the association response indicating that the access point has successfully associated the wireless station with the access point.

Abstract: The described embodiments include a computing device that executes a broker application. The broker application performs a mediated data exchange to exchange data between a first sandboxed application and a second application. For example, the broker application can import data from the second application into the first sandboxed application. As another example, the broker application can export data from the first sandboxed application into the second application.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a network interface configured to communicate with an access point via a Local Area Network (LAN) cable, a wireless network interface configured to wirelessly communicate with the access point, and a controller configured to detect a connection to the access point via the LAN cable, control the network interface to receive access information for establishing a wireless connection with the access point from the access point, and control the wireless network interface to wirelessly connect to the access point using the received access information.

Abstract: A process receives content from a recording device. The content is provided through a transmission from a distribution system to the recording device and recorded by the recording device on a storage medium associated with the recording device. Further, the process receives, from the recording device, transmission data corresponding to the recorded content. The transmission data indicates one or more transmission identifiers that identify the transmission. In addition, the process sends the transmission data to a server. Finally, the process receives, from the server, program data that is descriptive of the content.

Abstract: In one example, a sensor node comprises a core node to enable lighting control for a luminaire. The core node has a base forming a plug portion of a socket. The plug portion has at least one optional pin and represents a NEMA socket including a receptacle that is attached to the base of the core node such that the core node is enclosed by the NEMA socket. The socket provides light level control for a light-emitting diode (LED) driver for the luminaire. The sensor node further comprises one or more peripheral devices having sensors for detecting conditions and producing sensor information based on the detected conditions. The sensor node also includes a pod bus which enables power signals to be transmitted to each of the peripheral devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting wireless power is provided. The apparatus comprising a television system and a transmitter coupled to the television system. The transmitter is configured to emit a plurality of wireless power waves and define a pocket of energy thereby so that a receiver is able to interface with the pocket of energy and charge a device thereby, wherein the device is coupled to the receiver.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for adaptively transmitting streaming data to a client. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving, in a server, a request for a data asset from the client, transcoding at least an segment of the data asset according to initial transcoding parameters, transmitting a first fragment of the transcoded segment of the data asset from the server to the client over a communication channel, generating an estimate of a bandwidth of the communications channel at least in part from information acknowledging reception of at least the first fragment of the transcoded segment of the data asset by the client, generating adaptive transcoding parameters at least in part from an estimate of a bandwidth of the communications channel, the estimate generated at the server, transcoding a further segment of the data asset according to the adaptive transcoding parameters, and transmitting the further segment of the data asset.

Abstract: Disclosed are a digital TV and a method for controlling same. The method for controlling a digital TV according to one embodiment of the present invention includes: displaying a user interface (UI) capable of selecting the standby mode for a power-off operation; and disconnecting the power source for a display panel so as to enter the standby mode when the standby mode is set through the UI in the power-off operation, and a power-off command is received. The standby mode includes a lower standby mode based on the operation of the digital TV and a network function, and the digital TV in the standby mode stops AV channel communication and performs SI channel communication.

Abstract: A mobile terminal 1A is configured to communicate with a remote control server 4A that transmits a remote control signal to operate an operation object apparatus via a particular local area network NW2 or a wide area communication network NW1. A permission/rejection information storage part 102 stores whether execution of remote control operation based on the operation instruction information is permitted or rejected when each operation instruction information has gone through any communication network. When receiving the input of operation instruction information, a communication network discrimination part 106 discriminates with which communication network communication has established. An operation permission/rejection decision part 107 decides permission/rejection of execution of the operation instruction information according to the results.

Abstract: According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method of controlling streaming media data using a streaming control device includes accessing, via the streaming control device, a plurality of media data stored in a media server, displaying, via a touchscreen of the streaming control device, a first object including the plurality of media data, receiving a first command selecting a particular media data among the plurality of media data from the first object, searching for media playback devices to reproduce the particular media data based on a position of the streaming control device, displaying, via the touchscreen, a third object for representing the searched media playback devices, receiving a second command selecting a particular media playback device among the searched media playback devices from the third object, and controlling the particular media playback device to reproduce the particular media data.

Abstract: A receiver includes an analog-to-digital converter module configured to receive a test bit stream via a transmission channel and to provide a channel loss value of the transmission channel based on the test bit stream, a continuous time linear equalization module configured to receive a data bit stream via the transmission channel and to provide an equalized data bit stream based on an equalization setting, and a control module configured to set the equalization setting such that the CTLE module provides an equalization level to compensate for the channel loss value.

Abstract: To effectively and efficiently provide control information, a broadcast pointer channel (BPCH) may be used to identify the type and perhaps relative location of control information that is being provided in a given frame structure, such as a sub-frame, frame, or superframe. A sub-frame (or like framing entity, such a frame or superframe) may have a BPCH and a corresponding system control information segment in which control information may reside. The system control information segment may have any number of control information blocks, wherein each control information block that is present may correspond to a particular type of control information. The BPCH is used to identify the type of control information that is present in a corresponding system control information segment, and if needed or desired, the relative locations of the various control information.

Abstract: A distribution control system includes a generating unit configured to generate video frame data and sound frame data from content data; a first converting unit configured to convert the video frame data into first transmission data to be transmitted through a communication network by encoding the video frame data; a second converting unit configured to convert the sound frame data into second transmission data to be transmitted through the communication network by encoding the sound frame data; and a transmitting unit configured to transmit the first transmission data to a first communication terminal connected to the communication network and transmits the second transmission data to a second communication terminal connected to the communication network.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes transmitting a plurality of frame information including to a second electronic device having function that can be controlled, determining whether the plurality of frame information have a variance exceeding a predetermined range, and based on the determining, transmitting control information for displaying the plurality of frame information through the second electronic device, by using at least one piece of frame information among transmitted the plurality of frame information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for using a portable controlling device for a home network, the method including: deactivating the portable controlling device including a first near communications module and a micro-processor in which firmware for a gateway is programmed, by disconnecting electric power supplied from a central unit that is connected to a communications network; activating the portable controlling device by electric power supplied from a first mobile terminal by connecting the portable controlling device to the first mobile terminal; and pairing the portable controlling device with a device for the home network by wireless near communications when the first mobile terminal and the device for the home network are located within a predetermined distance range for performing a pairing process by the wireless near communications.

Abstract: An example method includes displaying a first control and a second control, wherein a touch associated with the controls results in moving an indicator through information in a first direction and in a second direction, in response to the detecting a first touch associated with the first control, moving the indicator in the first direction, and in response to detecting a second touch associated with the second control, moving the indicator in the first direction.

Abstract: A method and a system of lighting nodes having a core node and sensor pods is described. A core node, representing a master device, is positioned within a luminaire housing to enable lighting control for the luminaire. At least one peripheral device representing an integrated sensor pod, an external sensor pod, or a video node. Each of the peripheral devices representing a slave device and includes one or more sensors for detecting conditions. A pod bus, representing a master-slave bus, enables power signals to be transmitted to each of the peripheral devices. The pod bus also enables the core node to query each of the peripheral devices and each of the peripheral devices to respond to a query from the core node.

Abstract: An analog/digital audio converting apparatus enables listening to both digital and analog audio signals received from a digital receiving apparatus and analog audio signals input from an external source using the same receiver by providing a formatter capable of converting the analog audio signal into a digital audio signal with the digital broadcasting receiving apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a wireless device and a method at a wireless device for transmitting a packet, said method comprising the steps of setting a lifetime value to a packet to transmit and, while the packet lifetime has not expired and the packet transmission fails: retransmitting the packet up to a retry limit, and suspending transmitting said packet during a pause time before transmitting the packet up to a retry limit.

Abstract: A wireless display system and method decompresses a compressed video stream, such as obtained from suitable video sources such as a cable modem, DVD player or other suitable source, to produce a decompressed video stream locally. The decompressed video stream, such as frames, is stored in a local frame buffer, such as an on-chip frame buffer, system memory, or any other suitable memory. The system and method then recompresses the stored frames and wirelessly transmits the recompressed frames using a short range wireless transmitter, such as a radio frequency-based short range transmitter, an infrared short range wireless transmitter, or any other suitable short range transmitter that may provide, for example, local area networking.

Abstract: A source device comprising a processor and a Wi-Fi module for communicating with a sink device to stream audio/video data. The processor is configured to one of either A) identify manufacturer and model of the sink device, retrieve input lag data for the sink device from a database indexed by manufacturer and model of the sink device, and optimize encoding of the audio/video data by adjusting transmission parameters based on the input lag data; or B) generate a signal, detect the signal reproduced at the sink device, measure the input lag between generation of the signal and reproduction thereof at the sink device, and optimize encoding of the audio/video data by adjusting transmission parameters based on the input lag data.

Abstract: A candidate companion screen device is located by a primary display device as being in the same room as the primary device using IRDA, and in response ancillary content related to content being shown on the primary display device is provided to the companion screen device. The ancillary content may be provided from the Internet based on information in the content being presented on the primary display device by, e.g., providing a link to a website to the companion device.

Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for service mobility via a femtocell infrastructure are provided. In this regard, a mobile cellular enabled communication device may detect a femtocell operable to deliver content for one or more services to the mobile cellular enabled communication device, where the one or more services may be provided via a set-top-box communicatively coupled to the femtocell. The mobile cellular enabled communication device may communicate a user profile to the femtocell, wherein information in the profile may be utilized by the set-top-box to authenticate and/or authorize access to the services by the mobile cellular enabled communication device and thus the mobile cellular enabled communication device may receive the content from the set-top-box based on the authentication and/or authorization. The content may comprise voice, video, data, text and/or still images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for streaming content is disclosed. A streamer (155) detects a cue for a break in a segment of the program content, wherein the cue includes an identification of an advertising provider associated with the break. The streamer sends, to an advertisement server (115), a request for content associated with the advertising provider, and receives, from the advertisement server, an advertisement associated with the advertising provider. Further, the streamer transcodes the advertisement based on configuration information of an additional device (165) to generate formatted content viewable on the additional device. Moreover, the streamer streams the formatted content to the additional device via the local connection.

Abstract: A video receiver is operable to receive three-dimensional (3D) video bitstreams from a video transmitter. The received 3D video bitstreams comprises a plurality of video frames and corresponding coding information. The coding information, for example, block motion vectors, block coding modes, quantization levels, and/or quantized residual data, is extracted for performing frame-rate up-conversion on the received plurality of video frames. The coding information is generated at the video transmitter via entropy decoding on a compressed 3D video from a video feed from, for example, an IP TV network. When an uncompressed 3D video is received, the video receiver is operable to perform frame-rate up-conversion on the received uncompressed 3D video using extracted block motion vectors and associated confidence-consistence measure. When a compressed 3D video is received, the video receiver is configured to perform video decompression on the received compressed 3D video prior to the frame-rate up-conversion.

Abstract: Applications on a computing device provide notifications associated with the application to a notification system. A notification includes an identification of content to be presented for the notification and an indication of when the content is to be presented. The notification system presents the notification content at the appropriate time regardless of whether the application is executing and without resuming execution of the application if the application is not running. Various power efficiency techniques are also used to determine which notifications are presented and when a user interface is updated to reflect those notifications in order to avoid updating the user interface to reflect notifications that would not be observable (e.g., due to a power mode of the computing device).

Abstract: A system for synchronized media playback to multiple mobile receiver devices, comprising a network-connected media source device that prepares media content for viewing by separating it into a plurality of media streams, a plurality of network-connected media receiver devices that each receive a plurality of media streams and synchronize their playback relative to one another, and a method for providing synchronized media playback to multiple receiver devices.

Abstract: A communications system and method involving a set top box (STB) and a channel stacking switch (CSS). The STB comprises a communications interface configured to issue a request for a user band, the request identifying the STB and further configured to receive a message identifying an assigned user band; and a tuning element configured to tune to the assigned user band in response to receipt of the message. The CSS comprises a communications interface configured to receive the request for a user band identifying the STB; a memory; and a processing entity configured to access the memory to identify a particular user band that is available for the STB and to assign the particular user band to the STB; wherein the communications interface is further configured to issue to the STB a message identifying the particular user band assigned to the STB.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus relating to power management of periodic transmissions from networking applications are described. In one embodiment, a periodic transmission manager logic coupled between one or more network applications and one or more network interfaces may control the flow of periodic transmissions from the one or more network applications to the one or more network interfaces. Other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for content, media and data delivery and access between devices of a premises and one or more portable media devices. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a media bridge between a portable media device (PMD) and a user's home network and/or home devices (e.g., set-top boxes, DVRs, etc.)). The apparatus is adapted to convert content stored on a PMD to a format capable of being rendered on a home device which may then store or playback the content. Control of the presentation is also provided by the bridging apparatus. The apparatus may also be adapted to transfer content from the home device to the PMD for storage or playback. In another embodiment, the apparatus may function within a home network having a trusted domain to provide content between a plurality devices on the network (and in the domain) and the PMD.

Abstract: A set-top-box (STB) provides capability for monitoring and control of power usage and the ability to establish communications. A smart residential service system (SRSS) is provided that uses power line communication (PLC) technology to provide secure in-home LAN communication and also to monitor and provide remote control of connected appliances in the home. An embodiment combines the STB with a master unit (MST) that is used with PLC to meet the requirements of the central device in the SRSS.

Abstract: In a method of communicating content over a wireless communication link between a base station set-top (BSS) and one or more hosts, where each of the one or more hosts have an interface protocol substantially complying with at least a subset of a copy protection standard, an encrypted signal is at least one of received and stored in the BSS, and the encrypted signal is turned into an encrypted data packet stream. The BSS wirelessly transmits the data packet stream to one or more wireless interface apparatuses (WIAs) which are interfaced with at least one host through the interface protocol. In addition, the WIA forwards the encrypted data packet stream to the one or more hosts through implementation of the interface protocol.

Abstract: In a subscriber's facility of an announcement broadcasting system utilizing an optical fiber cable TV network, an announcement broadcasting optical receiver receiving an optical transmission signal of audio information and outputting an audio information electric signal for an announcement broadcasting terminal is provided.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for using external display devices with a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may be repurposed to display a virtual input device for interacting with a resource with output data being displayed on an external display device.

Abstract: A method is utilized for determining an installation direction of an electronic device. The electronic device is installed on an object and includes a device connector for utilizing a pluggable method to combine with an object connector of the object. A first interface and a second interface are configured in the device connector. When the electronic device is installed on the object by a first direction, the first interface is connected to an object interface of the object connector. When the electronic device is installed on the object by a second direction, a second interface is connected to the object interface of the object connector. The method includes detecting an outside connecting condition of the first interface and the second interface to generate a first result and a second result, and determining the installation direction of the electronic device according to the first result and the second result.

Abstract: A system and method for providing position information using a three-dimensional based grid is provided. The position information may be relayed to an electronic device by providing location information to a database and receiving location-centric information at the electronic device. The system may include a network for continuously updating the database in real-time.

Abstract: A mobile terminal 1A is configured to communicate with a remote control server 4A that transmits a remote control signal to operate an operation object apparatus via a particular local area network NW2 or a wide area communication network NW1. A permission/rejection information storage part 102 stores whether execution of remote control operation based on the operation instruction information is permitted or rejected when each operation instruction information has gone through any communication network. When receiving the input of operation instruction information, a communication network discrimination part 106 discriminates with which communication network communication has established. An operation permission/rejection decision part 107 decides permission/rejection of execution of the operation instruction information according to the results.