Abstract: An opening station for facilitating box opening may include a scanning station, an edge opening station, and a conveyor assembly. The scanning station is configured to measure a length “L”, height “H”, and/or width “W” of a substantially square box having a top, a bottom, two sides, and two edge portions. The edge opening station is configured to perform perforation operations on at least one of the two edge portions. A complete box opening system may include the scanning station, edge opening station, conveyor, and at least one of a top opening station and a side opening station.

Abstract: Improved technical functionality is provided to dynamically select and seamlessly play advertisements immediately before playing of a recorded program upon selection of the recorded program for playing, or upon other detected events and conditions associated with the set-top-box (STB) or user. In some embodiments, this is performed by using metadata which may be delivered to and stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) prior to recording the program, providing a technical solution to enable opportunities for additional advertisement impressions. Playing of the advertisement may also or instead occur upon the recorded program finishing playing. Thus, the technical solution provides the additional opportunity for the content creator and/or the satellite television or cable service provider to sell advertising spots in addition to those already sold for breaks within the recorded program.

Abstract: A method of controlling, from a user device, a manner in which program content is received from a content server. The method includes: transmitting, from the user device, at least one transmission-quality-of-service (TXQ) parameter to the content server, wherein the at least one TXQ parameter updates a default TXQ parameter at the content server; and in response to transmitting the at least one TXQ parameter, receiving new program content in accordance with the at least one TXQ parameter.

Abstract: Various arrangements for porting wireless network credentials, such as between television receivers, are presented herein. A remote control may be paired with a first television receiver, such as a host television receiver. Wireless network credentials may be provided to and stored by the paired remote control. The remote control can then be paired with a second television receiver, such as a client television receiver. The second television receiver can then receive the stored wireless network credentials from the remote control. The second television receiver can then connect with a wireless network using the received wireless network credentials, such as to communicate with the host television receiver or access the Internet.

Abstract: Embodiments are related to processing of a source video stream for generation of a target video stream that includes an object of interest to a viewer. In some embodiments, the target video stream may exclusively or primarily include the performance of the object of interest to the viewer, without including other persons in that video. This allows a viewer to focus on an object of his or her interest and not necessarily have to view the performances of other objects in the source video stream.

Abstract: Various arrangements for facilitating smart television content receivers in a local network are provided. In an example, a secondary television receiver receives audio data, converts the audio data into voice command data, and transmits the voice command data to a primary television receiver. In response, the primary television receiver transmits the voice command data to a voice processing server via the Internet, receives a command generated based on the voice command data, and transmits the command to the secondary television receiver. Based on the command, an operation of the secondary television receiver is controlled.

Abstract: A nonvolatile memory is coupled to a processor in a set top box. On the timing sequence set within the system, set top box data is transferred from the processor to the nonvolatile memory. Set top box system data includes user data and set top box specific data. The current data is maintained in the nonvolatile memory. The system data can be transferred to second memory by a wireless connection even when the set top box is not coupled to a power supply. The system data can then be provided from the second memory to any selected device, computer or location, such as another set top box, a diagnostic tool, a repair facility or other selected location.

Abstract: A drone deployable power line fault detection sensor. The sensor can include a clamp mechanism having a clamp ring with first and second ring portions movably connected to each other and a resilient member positioned to urge the first and second ring portions toward a closed configuration. A latch can be positioned to retain the first and second ring portions in an open configuration whereby the sensor can be positioned on a power transmission line with a drone. A trigger can be coupled to the latch and operative, under the weight of the sensor, to disengage the latch thereby releasing the first and second ring portions to close around the transmission line under the force of the resilient member. One or more sensors are carried by the clamp mechanism and positioned to detect a line fault on the power transmission line, which is reported to a power station control system to de-energize the power transmission line.

Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for providing local alerts to users via non-local channels are described. A process may include receiving, by a content distributor system, an alert message. The alert message includes a first alert condition and a second alert condition. The first alert condition and the second alert condition are identified in the alert message, and an alert notice is generated, based on the identified alert conditions, and transmitted to a user device coupled to the content distributor system. The first alert condition specifies an alert type. The second alert condition specifies a time period. The alert message may include a third alert condition specifying an action for a user of the user device to take or refrain from taking during the time period and the alert notice may identify the action. The alert message may include a target condition and the alert notice identifies actions to be performed.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein are directed at mapping and controlling network-enabled IoT devices housed in an environment via a graphical user interface (GUI) of an electronic device. The disclosed features include generating a digital map representing the 3D or the 2D position of the IoT devices in the environment. In some embodiments, the digital map can be overlaid on a layout of a physical floorplan of the environment also showing physical objects in the environment. Different IoT devices in the environment can be controlled via a GUI common to the different IoT devices. Additionally, the GUI can be used to select a group of IoT devices and perform group-wise control of the IoT devices in the group.

Abstract: System, methods, and non-transitory, machine-readable media to facilitate state-based content composite generation with respect to digitally distributed content are disclosed. Electronic communications received via interfaces may be detected. Signals of events that are specified for digital distribution from events may be detected. Data changes that are generated based on an event may be detected. A specification of criteria that apply to the data changes may be identified. A content composite may be created. An adaptable content object may be identified. The adaptable content object may be configured with a content object so that the content composite. The content composite may be output for presentation so that the endpoint media device performs an operation relating to the content composite. A signal corresponding to the operation that is indicative of activation of an interface option may be processed.

Abstract: A computer network security manager device connects to a first wireless router and then connects to a plurality of devices (e.g., a plurality of IoT devices). The computer network security manager device then performs device agnostic activation of the plurality of devices to enable the plurality of devices to perform respective functions of each device. The security manager device prevents the plurality of devices from connecting directly to the first wireless router and only allows other devices on the Internet to communicate with the plurality of devices according to specific firewall rules. In response to receiving an indication that the first wireless router to which the network security manager device is connected is out of service or no longer exists, the network security manager device prevents other devices on the Internet from being able to communicate with the plurality of devices.

Abstract: A facility for generating analytical information based on individual reports of multiple scheduled presentations of interstitial media assets is provided. Data files are received, each including multiple status reports regarding multiple scheduled presentations of multiple media assets by a plurality of distinct media receiver devices in multiple disparate locations. The data files are decrypted, such that the decrypted one or more data files include, for each of the multiple status reports, at least a media asset identifier and a presentation status indicator, and parsed to generate one or more database entries containing information regarding the scheduled media presentations and the plurality of distinct media receiver devices. One or more user interfaces are provided to allow execution of queries based on the generated one or more databases.

Abstract: A technique is described for implementing drones as a service. As an example, a drone may receive instructions from one or more network elements, coordinate operations with the one or more network elements, and perform at least one task associated with the instructions. The drone may deliver a container to a first location and perform object recognition to validate an object of a subscriber being delivered to a second location. The drone may measure the weight and dimensions of the object to confirm the object is within operating guidelines. After verifying the object is within operating guidelines, the drone may transport the container containing the object to the second location.

Abstract: Processes, systems, and devices generate a training set comprising a first presentation having a first visual aid and a first audio description. The first visual aid and the first audio description are based on initial data retrieved from a first data source using a first indexing technique. The machine-learning system is trained using the first presentation and the initial data retrieved from the first data source using the first indexing technique. The machine-learning system generates a second presentation having a second visual aid and a second audio description. The second visual aid and the second audio description are based on refreshed data retrieved from the first data source using the first indexing technique. The machine-learning system presents the second presentation via an avatar in a virtual meeting room. The avatar is generated by the machine-learning system to present the second visual aid and the second audio description.

Abstract: A software and/or hardware facility that can be used by content owners to assert ownership of content so that copyright friendly websites and services can take action against copyright piracy effectively, efficiently and is scalable is disclosed. The facility makes available to all content owners watermarking/fingerprinting technology so an identifier (e.g., a unique code) can be embedded in the content (e.g., video/audio portion of each video content asset). The facility utilizes blockchain technology to add information related to each unique identifier in a database and allows an authorized user (e.g., the owner) to update the information through a blockchain transaction.

Abstract: A television service provider system includes interactive elements embedded within advertisements or other content related to a particular product or service that a user may select to receive an initially non-redeemable coupon for the product. The system then electronically communicates to the seller or advertiser system the indications of such electronic interactivity between the viewers of content and content related to the product being sold or advertised. The advertiser or seller may then electronically activate and thus convert the non-redeemable coupon into a redeemable coupon. A system for processing retail transactions redeems the coupons for the product for a particular user using an identifier of the user associated with the account of the user with the television service provider.

Abstract: A facility for transferring configuration information to a target media device is described. The facility receives in the target media device a copy of media device settings stored in a source media device distinct from the target media device in a first form in which they are used in the source media device. This copy of media device settings is received by the target media device via a route other than its visual user interface. The facility causes the received copy of media device settings to be transformed into a second form in which they can be used in the target media device. The facility then stores the media receiver settings in the second form in the target media device for use by the target media device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and machine-readable media for adapting content composites to device operations of an endpoint media device are disclosed. Blockchain data associated with a blockchain address may be processed by one or more processing devices. The blockchain data and/or the blockchain address may be mapped by the one or more processing devices to a first endpoint media device. Based at least in part on the blockchain data, a first content composite may be identified by one or more processing devices for delivery from a content provider system via one or more networks to the first endpoint media device. Transmission of the first content composite may be caused where, consequent to delivery of the first content composite to the first endpoint media device, the first endpoint media device or a second endpoint media device performs at least one operation relating to the first content composite.

Abstract: “Binge watching” of multiple episodes of a program is improved by the player device automatically skipping repeated portions of the program. Opening and closing credit scenes, for example, can be automatically skipped to thereby allow the viewer to progress through the entire season of programming at an even faster rate than was previously thought possible. Programming to be skipped may be identified by detecting audio or other digital fingerprints in the content itself, for example. Content to be skipped may be identified to the playback device according to presentation time stamp (PTS) or other time markers.