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.

Abstract: Devices, systems and process for facilitating a user choice watch party (DFWP) are disclosed. A system includes server that includes computer instructions which instruct the server to initiate a user choice watch party (UCWP), receive a request to designate a first user device, from a set of user devices, as a primary user choice user device (PUCUD), query the set of user devices for devices to participate in the UCWP as secondary user choice user devices (SUCUD), generating a user choice interface (UCI), retrieving two or more user choice primary content (UCPC) options, instructing the PUCUD and the SUCUDs to output to respective users the UCPC options, receiving at least two user choices, determining, based on the user choices and from the two more UCPC options, a selection result indicating a chosen UCPC option to present during the UCWP, and presenting the chosen UCPC during the UCWP.

Abstract: A process for detecting motion within an environment includes receiving, at a monitor, first coupling data for a coupling of a first node with a second node. The first node is coupled to the second node which is further coupled to the monitor and thereby form a mesh network. The operations may include: at the monitor, receiving first node identifying data, selecting a first median for a first signal property for a first wireless coupling, monitoring the first signal property, determining, upon detecting a change in the first signal property, whether the first signal property exceeds the first median, determining, when the first signal property exceeds the first median, if the change in the first signal property exceeds a first threshold, initiating a first action when the first threshold is exceeded, and determining whether to resume monitoring of the first signal property when the first threshold is not exceeded.

Abstract: Devices, systems and process for facilitating a user choice watch party (DFWP) are disclosed. A system includes server that includes computer instructions which instruct the server to initiate a user choice watch party (UCWP), receive a request to designate a first user device, from a set of user devices, as a primary user choice user device (PUCUD), query the set of user devices for devices to participate in the UCWP as secondary user choice user devices (SUCUD), generating a user choice interface (UCI), retrieving two or more user choice primary content (UCPC) options, instructing the PUCUD and the SUCUDs to output to respective users the UCPC options, receiving at least two user choices, determining, based on the user choices and from the two more UCPC options, a selection result indicating a chosen UCPC option to present during the UCWP, and presenting the chosen UCPC during the UCWP.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments are directed an application program configured to run on a user's mobile device can allow voice-activated call pick-up to the user, without the user having to use his or her hands for picking up the call. For example, the application program can initially be trained to a user's voice command. When an incoming call is received at the mobile device, the user can pick up the call by issuing a voice command. In some embodiments, the application program can determine whether to allow voice-activated pick-up of calls based on data collected from multiple sensors associated with the vehicle, the mobile device, or a remote source.

Abstract: A computerized system for targeted ad insertion receives a program content stream and detects images in the content stream. The system recognizes at least one visual object within the images and matches the recognized visual object to an advertisement that correlates with the recognized visual object. The system may then select an advertisement that advertises, correlates to, is directed to or is otherwise relevant to products or services falling under the theme, topic, category of interest and/or relevant viewer demographic and inserts an identifier of the matched advertisement at an insertion point into the program content stream. This enables playback of the matched advertisement during playback of the program content stream at a time that correlates to the insertion point into the program content stream of the identifier of the matched advertisement.

Abstract: A method includes monitoring, by a gateway device comprising a processor, connected devices that are connected to the gateway device, wherein each connected device comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with the gateway device; determining, by the gateway device, whether a first connected device of the connected devices increases an audio level in a target location greater than a predefined threshold; and in response to the gateway device determining that the first connected device audio level at the target location is greater than the predefined threshold, the gateway device reduces audio of the first connected device.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus, systems (e.g., a gateway device) and/or methods are described for providing an anti-distraction mode to control a plurality of connected devices in an establishment. In the gateway device, a list of connected devices that are connected to the gateway device is determined by the gateway device in response to anti-distraction mode being activated in the gateway device. Each connected device comprises a transceiver configured to communicate with the gateway device. A policy is stored at the gateway device for all of the connected devices when a triggering condition occurs, and activation of anti-distraction mode is received in the gateway device. In response to the anti-distraction mode being activated in the gateway device and in response to the gateway device detecting that the triggering condition occurs, the gateway device reduces features or outputs of at least one of the connected devices.

Abstract: A gateway device is disclosed that includes a user key; a transceiver to communicate data over a network and with a set top box; and a processor configured for: receiving a protected secure key from a content provider; receiving an encrypted control word key from the content provider. The encrypted control word key is encrypted with a secure key and, once the encrypted control word key is decrypted, the decrypted control word key decrypts an encrypted digital content that is sent to a set top box; retrieving the user key from the memory of the gateway device; using the user key to decrypt the protected secure key to obtain a decrypted secure key; using the decrypted secure key to decrypt the encrypted control word key to obtain the decrypted control word key; and transmitting the decrypted control word key to the set top box for decrypting the encrypted digital content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a conversation management system that manages conversations about a content using blockchain technology. The content management system can use the blockchain technology to validate the conversations, and provide a content provider of the content a secured access to the validated conversations. The validation of the conversations can ensure that the conversations are not fake, e.g., provided by real people and not generated using bots. A conversation about the content is added as a block to the blockchain upon validation, and once added may not be modified, and therefore, the content provider may be assured that the conversation is secure and genuine. The content provider can use the knowledge obtained from the validated conversations in making future content.

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: “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: Disclosed is a system including a content receiver and an antenna coupled to the content receiver. A camera is mounted on the antenna. The content receiver includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the content receiver to: output a control signal to the camera mounted on the antenna, receive image data from the camera mounted on the antenna, determine that the image data received from the camera mounted on the antenna indicates a potential or actual obstruction of the antenna or movement of the antenna, and output a message indicating that the potential or actual obstruction of the antenna or movement of the antenna device has been detected, in response to determining that the image data received from the camera mounted on the antenna indicates the potential or actual obstruction of the antenna or movement of the antenna.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for facilitating the following operations are disclosed. A first content composite that is configured with a containerization object may be transmitted. The containerization object may be configured with one or both of containerization specifications and a container flag to facilitate performance of operations by an endpoint media device with respect to the first content composite. The first content composite may include a set of one or more audio and/or video packets corresponding to audio and/or video content. One or more communications corresponding to one or more indications of one or more detected operations associated with the endpoint media device may be received consequent to the endpoint media device performing the operations. Based at least in part on the one or more communications, a set of observation data mapped to the endpoint media device and the first content composite may be aggregated.

Abstract: A process may include detecting an incident within a building, determining a first radius of a user device from a node by wirelessly coupling the user device and the node, determining the first radius based on a signal property of the coupling; determining a second radius of the user device from a second node by wireless coupling the user device and the second node and based on a signal property of the second coupling; determining a third radius of the user device from a third node by wireless coupling the user device and the third node, and based on a third signal property of the coupling; and first calculating, based on the first radius, the second radius, and the third radius, a current location of the first user device within the building. The first node may be a node for a Wi-Fi mesh system.

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: Various embodiments of apparatus, systems and/or methods are described for independently controlling an audio stream relative to a video stream in audio trick mode. In one example, an audio stream and a video stream is received, where the audio stream comprises frames that correspond to corresponding frames of the video stream. The audio and video streams are played from a first time to a second time at a first speed. An input to time shift the audio stream independent of the video stream is received, and after receiving such, the audio stream is time shifted to the first time. Then, the audio stream may be re-played from the first time to the second time at a second speed different from the first speed.