Abstract: Embodiments described herein enable remote control of a mobile device. A representation of a screen displayed on a mobile device is obtained by an emulating device. The emulating device transmits the representation of the screen to a first computing device. The emulating device receives, from the first computing device, a control command comprising instructions to perform an action with respect to the mobile device. The emulating device converts the control command to an input command based on an input device emulated by the emulating device. The emulating device transmits the input command to the mobile device. In a further aspect, control of the mobile device by external devices is restricted to input devices capable of interfacing with an accessibility interface of the mobile device to provide input user interface commands. In this further aspect, the emulating device interfaced with the accessibility interface.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein enable a user to share content with another user. In embodiments, a portion of the multimedia content presented by an output device (e.g., a streaming media player, a set-top box, etc.) may be selected for sharing (e.g., with one or more user(s)). Information associated with the multimedia content may be further determined (e.g., metadata, a service or source device providing the content, a time, an identification, etc.). Upon receiving a selection to share the multimedia content, a user-interactive identifier (e.g., a hyperlink) and at least one of the information and the portion of the multimedia content may be transmitted to enable the user(s) to access the content. In this manner, access to multimedia content may be easily and quickly shared with another user with relatively low user effort.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for providing infrared (IR) coverage in a media system, IR codeset selection, and/or calibration of IR blasters. In one aspect, a triggering event is detected and an action to be performed by a device is determined. It is determined that the device is controllable using IR signals. An IR command signal including instructions to perform the action is transmitted to the device. In another aspect, a codeset is selected. A determination of whether a signature signal associated with a device indicates a state corresponding to a command including an IR code of an IR codeset transmitted to the device is made. If so, the IR codeset is associated with the device. Otherwise, another command including an IR code of another IR codeset is transmitted. In another aspect, an IR blaster is calibrated based on whether a signature signal indicates a state corresponding to a transmitted command.

Abstract: A switching device is enabled to automatically perform one or more actions based on one or more notifications received thereby. A notification may be received by a device communicatively coupled to the switching device, or alternatively, may be internally-generated. Upon receiving the notification, the switching device utilizes a notification-to-action mapping to determine which action(s) are to be performed based on the notification received. The action(s) include automatically switching the switching device to a device coupled to a port thereof and/or automatically launching an application executing on that device in order to view the notification and/or content associated with the notification. In other example, the action(s) may include sending the notification to another device, such as a user's mobile phone and/or causing an application executing on the mobile phone to be launched in order to view the notification and/or content associated with the notification.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for determining a power state of a device. Identification data may be received, e.g., in a media device hub, from one or more devices coupled to the device hub. In some example implementations, the devices coupled to the device hub may comprise an intermediate device coupled to the hub via a first multimedia cable and a sink media device coupled to the intermediate device via a second multimedia cable. Attributes may be identified in the received identification data, such as attributes relating to one or more of the coupled devices. The attributes may be associated with one or more of the devices that are coupled to the device hub. Based on an association of attributes, a power state of one or more of the devices coupled to the hub may be determined.

Abstract: A system is described that includes an electronic program guide (EPG) data receiver and a media content catalog enhancer. The EPG receiver is configured to receive EPG data from an EPG data provider. The media content catalog enhancer is configured to determine that an item of media content identified by the EPG data comprises new media content and, in response to determining that the item of media content identified by the EPG data comprises new media content, to cause a web crawler to crawl a source website associated with the new media content to obtain information about the new media content and to store the obtained information about the new media content in a database, the database comprising a catalog of media content that is searchable by an end user to identify and access content for playback via an end user device.

Abstract: Methods for a soft universal remote (SUR) controller are performed by systems and apparatuses. Audio/visual (A/V) devices may be controlled by hardware remote controllers that are not configured to control other devices of an audio/visual system. A SUR controller implemented by an A/V device provides consumable control signals to such other devices based on control signals from the A/V device remote controller. A SUR controller determines another device for which a received control function is directed, and transmits a generated consumable control signal for the control function of the received control signal to the other device. User interfaces are provided by SUR controllers for the configuration of SUR controllers and remote controllers, and for control of other A/V devices via the user interfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments and techniques described herein advantageously permit multiple users in disparate physical locations, using different devices and media content providers, to each initiate playback of selected media content, and to continuously temporally synchronize each playback with every other playback through analysis of the information corresponding to each playback (e.g., audio recording of the playback, information corresponding to the video playback and/or closed captioning information).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for testing communication with a device. A multimedia receiver may be communicatively coupled to a media device, such as a source media device. The multimedia receiver may transmit a test command to control the source media device using a communication protocol. A video frame output by the source media device may be obtained. Based at least on the video frame, it may be determined whether the source media device received the test command. In response to a determination that the source media device received the test command, an indication may be stored that the source media device may be controlled using the communication protocol.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for automatically navigating a graphical user interface (GUI) of a media device. In embodiments, objects (e.g. selectable items) in device GUI menu screens may be located, identified, and selected by another device (e.g., a switch) using several types of image processing, image recognition, and automated screen navigation techniques. For instance, a device may receive an operation request, for example from a user, receive a video signal from the connected media device, extract a video frame, process the video frame using one or more algorithms, and automatically navigate the GUI of the device by transmitting one more navigation commands for application to the GUI. In this manner, multi-step, time-consuming manual GUI navigation to achieve a desired result may be reduced to an automated technique, allowing users to save time and frustration in navigating a GUI using a remote control to find a particular resource.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for sharing content viewed by a user. Multimedia content may be presented by an output device to an audience. A selection of a portion of the multimedia content is selected for sharing by an audience member. Additionally, synchronized combinations of captured real-time media content with played-back digital content are generated by systems and devices. A media content stream from a source device that is to be played back by a sink device is buffered. Messages pertaining to the capture of a first media clip are received from a media capture device, and based on the messages, a portion of the buffered content stream is identified and extracted to generate a second media clip. Combined media content is generated by combining the first and the second media clips, and the combined media content is stored for later playback and sharing.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for automatically determining a state signature for consumer electronic device(s) coupled to a switching device and/or other devices communicatively coupled to the consumer electronic device(s). The state signature is indicative of functional state(s) in which the consumer electronic device(s) are in. Such states include a power state, a proximity state, a communication state, and/or an operational state of the consumer electronic device(s). Based on the state signature(s), the switching device may infer which of the consumer electronic device(s) the user would like to use (or is using) and cause action(s) to be performed. Such actions include automatically switching to the AV port(s) to which such consumer electronic device(s) are connected, transmitting command(s) to such consumer electronic device(s), transmitting a notification message to such consumer electronic device(s), etc.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for determining a power state of a device. Identification data may be received, e.g., in a media device hub, from one or more devices coupled to the device hub. In some example implementations, the devices coupled to the device hub may comprise an intermediate device coupled to the hub via a first multimedia cable and a sink media device coupled to the intermediate device via a second multimedia cable. Attributes may be identified in the received identification data, such as attributes relating to one or more of the coupled devices. The attributes may be associated with one or more of the devices that are coupled to the device hub. Based on an association of attributes, a power state of one or more of the devices coupled to the hub may be determined.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for automatically navigating a graphical user interface (GUI) of a media device. In embodiments, objects (e.g. selectable items) in device GUI menu screens may be located, identified, and selected by another device (e.g., a switch) using several types of image processing, image recognition, and automated screen navigation techniques. For instance, a device may receive an operation request, for example from a user, receive a video signal from the connected media device, extract a video frame, process the video frame using one or more algorithms, and automatically navigate the GUI of the device by transmitting one more navigation commands for application to the GUI. In this manner, multi-step, time-consuming manual GUI navigation to achieve a desired result may be reduced to an automated technique, allowing users to save time and frustration in navigating a GUI using a remote control to find a particular resource.

Abstract: A switching device is enabled to automatically perform one or more actions based on one or more notifications received thereby. A notification may be received by a device communicatively coupled to the switching device, or alternatively, may be internally-generated. Upon receiving the notification, the switching device utilizes a notification-to-action mapping to determine which action(s) are to be performed based on the notification received. The action(s) include automatically switching the switching device to a device coupled to a port thereof and/or automatically launching an application executing on that device in order to view the notification and/or content associated with the notification. In other example, the action(s) may include sending the notification to another device, such as a user's mobile phone and/or causing an application executing on the mobile phone to be launched in order to view the notification and/or content associated with the notification.

Abstract: Methods for a soft universal remote (SUR) controller are performed by systems and apparatuses. Audio/visual (A/V) devices may be controlled by hardware remote controllers that are not configured to control other devices of an audio/visual system. A SUR controller implemented by an A/V device provides consumable control signals to such other devices based on control signals from the A/V device remote controller. A SUR controller determines another device for which a received control function is directed, and transmits a generated consumable control signal for the control function of the received control signal is provided to the other device. User interfaces are provided by SUR controllers for the configuration of SUR controllers and remote controllers, and for control of other A/V devices via the user interfaces.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for testing communication with a device. A multimedia receiver may be communicatively coupled to a media device, such as a source media device. The multimedia receiver may transmit a test command to control the source media device using a communication protocol. A video frame output by the source media device may be obtained. Based at least on the video frame, it may be determined whether the source media device received the test command. In response to a determination that the source media device received the test command, an indication may be stored that the source media device may be controlled using the communication protocol.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for automatically navigating a graphical user interface (GUI) of a media device. In embodiments, objects (e.g. selectable items) in device GUI menu screens may be located, identified, and selected by another device (e.g., a switch) using several types of image processing, image recognition, and automated screen navigation techniques. For instance, a device may receive an operation request, for example from a user, receive a video signal from the connected media device, extract a video frame, process the video frame using one or more algorithms, and automatically navigate the GUI of the device by transmitting one more navigation commands for application to the GUI. In this manner, multi-step, time-consuming manual GUI navigation to achieve a desired result may be reduced to an automated technique, allowing users to save time and frustration in navigating a GUI using a remote control to find a particular resource.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products are provided for obtaining enhanced metadata for media content searches. In one embodiment, computer program logic embodies a metadata receiver and a media content metadata matcher and combiner. The metadata receiver receives program metadata for a plurality of programs from a plurality of metadata sources. The media content metadata matcher and combiner is configured to perform a matching process whereby metadata associated with each of the plurality of programs is compared to metadata of each of the other plurality of programs to determine if the compared programs are the same program and if so, to combine the metadata from each program into a single program including enhanced metadata and store such in a database. A subsequent search for a program corresponding to the stored program returns at least some of the metadata associated with the program, and that enables accessing the program.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for an adaptive multi-protocol control of a device. A plurality of communication protocols suitable for communication with a particular device may be determined. A request may be received to control the device, such as a via a remote control, voice control, etc. A first communication protocol from among the plurality of communication protocols may be selected to transmit a first control signal. The first control signal may be transmitted to the device using the first communication protocol. In some implementations, a second communication protocol may be selected for transmitting a second control signal to the device, such as where the request may be associated with a plurality of control commands or where the device did not react to the first control signal. As a result, a device may be controlled using one or more communication protocols in an adaptive fashion.