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: Systems and methods for notification forwarding may include forwarding all or selected notifications generated by one or more applications running on a wireless mobile device to a television receiving device that is connected to the television. This forwarding may occur over the short-range wireless network or on a home wireless local area network on which the television receiving device is also present. The receiving device may cause the forwarded notifications to be displayed on the television while the television is also displaying other programming received from various other sources. The particular location on the presentation device to display the forwarded notification and the size, color and appearance of the notification may be selected by the user via a graphical user interface of the wireless mobile device and/or the television receiving device.

Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for facilitating watch parties are described. For at least one embodiment, a system may include a sync server; a first user device communicatively coupled to the sync server; a second user device communicatively coupled to the sync server; and a content source providing a content. The sync server may transmit the content as each of a first content to the first user device and as a second content to the second user device. The sync server may be configured to adjust a first bit rate for the first content and, upon adjusting the first bit rate, the first content and second content may be respectively provided to each of the first user device and the second user device such that the devices can substantially simultaneously and separately present the first content to the first user and the second content to the second user.

Abstract: A process for rendering objects includes detecting a first surface of an object oriented in a first position. A first image is captured with a camera and at least partially captures a first marker on the first surface. A prompt requests manipulation of the object into a second position to expose a second surface to the camera in response to detecting a missing image of a marker. A second image of the second surface is captured with the camera and at least partially captures a second marker on the second surface. The object is rendered as a virtual representation in a virtual environment in response to detecting the first marker in the first image and the second marker in the second image. The size of the virtual representation is estimated based on the detected size of at least one of the first marker and the second marker.

Abstract: An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is dispatched to automatically fly to a location of an antenna indicated by GPS coordinates, automatically recognize the antenna at that location using automated image analysis and object detection, and then start capturing still or video imagery of the antenna in response to the recognition of the antenna. The UAV may be automatically activated to start looking for debris, obstructions or other objects affecting line-of-sight signal reception by the antenna in response to arriving at the location of the antenna and/or detection of the antenna. The UAV may automatically transmit (e.g., in real time) the still or video aerial imagery of the antenna to a backend system for analysis to determine whether there exists a specific issue (e.g., snow or other debris on the antenna) affecting wireless communication involving the antenna.

Abstract: A client device is configured to receive bookmarking data from a data processing and aggregating server, the bookmarking data referencing a specific point in a media content item playable from the client device. The client the bookmarking data and outputs a first signal which instructs a display device to display at least one bookmark that includes at least a user-selectable portion and a descriptive portion. Upon receiving an input signal at the client device from a user input device, the input signal indicating a user selection of a bookmark displayed by the display device, the client device outputs a second signal to the display device which instructs the display device to display a media content item from a specific point specified by the bookmarking data.

Abstract: Embodiments detect updates to digital video broadcast (DVB) service information (SI), and forcing off-schedule updates to local meta-programming data (MPD) of a customer premises appliance in response to the update, where appropriate. For example, embodiments detect an SI update for at least one DVB content service being provided via a DVB network and determine whether a stream update descriptor in the SI is asserted. Detected assertion triggers an automatic off-schedule MPD update, including assigning a tuner to obtain updated provider MPD via an MPD service, and rebuilding local MPD based on the updated provider MPD. The local MPD is usable by the customer premises appliance to populate a meta-programming user interface (e.g., an electronic program guide) by which to display descriptive information about at least some of the plurality of DVB content services.

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 anchor points or other references in the programming itself.

Abstract: A network router provides Internet connectivity to an intermediate router (e.g., implemented on a computer, smartphone or other device), which in turn provides Internet connectivity to a plurality of devices (e.g., IoT devices). During migration to a new router, the intermediate router may receive an indication that the first wireless router is out of service or no longer exists. Despite that the first wireless router is out of service or no longer exists, the intermediate router keeps each network connection from a plurality of devices to the intermediate router in a manner that is unaffected by the first wireless router being down or no longer existing (other than the plurality of devices experiencing a temporary Internet service interruption). The intermediate router then connects to a second wireless router to replace the first wireless router that is out of service or no longer exists.

Abstract: Various arrangements for communicating with a device utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are presented. A backend system may detect a triggering event associated with a device based upon data received via a first connection. In response to detecting the first triggering event, the UAV may receive a first data set and a location associated with the device from the backend system. The UAV may deploy to the received location. A second connection between the UAV and the device can be established at the received location. The UAV may transmit the first data set to the device via the second connection at the received location.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for supplementing the processing capabilities of multimedia devices in a networked environment. A method can include providing a processing offloader module to physically connect to a first multimedia device in the networked environment. The offloader can be internal and/or external to the device. The method can include identifying the offloader, identifying a second multimedia device, and determining that a bandwidth of the second device falls below a threshold bandwidth. Instructions can be forwarded from the second device to the offloader when the bandwidth of the second device exceeds the threshold bandwidth. The offloader is configured to process the instructions and render multimedia information based on the instructions.

Abstract: A smart charger and associated methods and systems are disclosed. The smart charger identifies an anticipatory event that triggers battery charging, selects a battery charging profile that matches the anticipatory event, charges the battery of a mobile device based on the battery charging profile, and updates criteria for identifying anticipatory events and/or the battery charging profile that matches the anticipatory event.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient processing and presentation of advertisement based on content re-encoding are provided. An example method includes receiving, by a receiving device, the program content stream and determining, by the receiving device, encoding information of the program content stream. The example method also includes determining timing for presenting a target advertisement, responsive to determining the timing for presenting the target advertisement, initiating re-encoding of content of the target advertisement to generate re-encoded advertisement content based on the encoding information, and enabling playback of the re-encoded advertisement content in accordance with the timing for presenting the target advertisement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for modifying audio events in video content that correspond to one or more defined audio event types. A request is received to modify audio events in video corresponding to an audio event type. Video content to be presented on a display device is obtained that includes visual and audio content. An occurrence of a defined audio event corresponding to a defined audio event type is identified in the audio content. The defined audio event is modified according to a modification operation to generate modified audio content. The modified audio content is associated with a segment of the visual content that corresponds to the occurrence of the defined audio event. The modified audio content is provided in association with the segment of visual content for display on the display device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for providing multiple networks from a gateway. A multiple network gateway system can include a gateway (e.g., a router) with the ability to support multiple, configurable, and customizable networks. The gateway can connect to a source (e.g., internet service provider (ISP), cable networks, OTA networks, satellite networks, etc.) and determine the bandwidth. Using the determined bandwidth, the gateway can allocate the bandwidth among the multiple networks according to a priority order of the networks. In some implementations, the gateway can receive customizable features from the user. Examples of the customizable features can include security options, parental controls, operational hours, MAC address specific operations, number of user limits, and internet usage tracking. The gateway can determine the priority of each network based on the customizable features.

Abstract: An electronic monitoring and protection system which obtains permission from each of a plurality of users to access security data from one or more monitoring devices. The electronic monitoring and protection system using the security data to determine a threat level posed to a person to be protected, and initiating an action if the threat level exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An Interactive Media Event (IME) system includes a sync server, a first user device, and a second user device, each device is coupled to the server. The server executes computer instructions instantiating a content segment engine which outputs a Party matter to the second user device and instantiates an IME engine which receives, from the second user device, a later reaction to the Party matter. The IME engine synchronizes the later reaction with the Party matter. The Party matter may include a media event and a prior reaction to the media event received from the first user device. The media event includes a primary content segment and synchronization information associated therewith. The prior reaction and/or the later reaction may be synchronized to the primary content segment and/or to each other using the synchronization information. A reaction may include chat data captured during the Party.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and processes for enhancing visible data are described. A process includes computer operations for initiating a visible data capture on a user device; capturing, as first visible data (1VD), an image of an object within a field of view of a camera; determining whether the 1VD includes recognizable data; when recognizable data exists in the 1VD, generating second visible data (2VD) from the 1VD; determining whether actionable data exists in the 2VD; manipulating the actionable data in the 2VD into third visible data (3VD); coupling the user device with a client device; and sending the 3VD to the client device for presentation on a client device display. The 3VD may include an enhancement to the actionable data in the 2VD. The enhancement may change a character from a first font size to a second font size and/or adjust a visible characteristic of the 2VD.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure describe systems and methods for detecting and remediating compression artifacts in multimedia items. In example aspects, a machine learning model is trained on a dataset related to compression artifacts and non-compression artifacts. Input data may then be collected by a data collection module and provided to a pattern recognition module. The pattern recognition module may extract visual and audio features of the multimedia item and provide the extracted features to the trained machine learning model. The trained machine learning model may compare the extracted features to the model, and a confidence value may be generated. The confidence value may be compared to a confidence value threshold. If the confidence value is equal to or exceeds the confidence threshold, then the input data may be classified as containing at least one compression artifact. Remedial action may subsequently be applied (e.g., boosting the system with technical resources).

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.