Abstract: A system for locking a remote-control device blocks a remote-control device from sending signals related to user input until a code to unlock the remote-control device is received. The system for locking a remote-control device receives an indication that the remote-control device should be locked and locks the remote-control device. The system for locking a remote-control device receives user input and determines whether the user input included a predetermined code. Based on a determination that the user input included the predetermined code, the system for locking a remote-control device unlocks the remote-control device.

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: A facility for establishing a wireless connection between first and second devices is described. On the first device, the facility causes a one-time pairing code to be displayed, then wirelessly receives from the second device a wireless connection solicitation having contents. On the first device, in response to the receiving, the facility determines whether the contents reflect the one-time pairing code. In response to determining that the contents reflect the one-time pairing code, on the first device, the facility establishes the wireless connection between the first and second devices.

Abstract: A system includes an integrator node (IN), external to a building. A gateway, within the building, is coupled to the integrator node by a first link. A gateway outdoor unit access point (GOUAP) is coupled to the IN by a second link. The GOUAP is coupled to a user device by a third link. The gateway is coupled to a Cloud. The GOUAP provides access to the Cloud, by the user device, when the user device is outside the building. The first link and/or the second link utilizes MOCA. The third link utilizes Wi-Fi. An Internal Network Extender (INE) is coupled to the gateway by a fifth link and located within the building. While the user device is external to the building, the user device utilizes the third link, the second link, and the first link to communicatively couple with the gateway.

Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are described herein to improve the reliable delivery of content in a satellite system by facilitating the prediction of likely future signal interference. Specifically, the various embodiments provide a technique whereby a likelihood of future plant growth interfering with received signal strength at a satellite dish is determined. In one embodiment, the technique analyses one or more images of a plant in the vicinity of the satellite dish and from that image generates prediction of future growth of the plant over a future time period. From this prediction of future plant growth, a likelihood of future signal interference being caused by the plant can be determined.

Abstract: Systems and method are provided for controlling a smart home device. In one embodiment, a method, performed by a server, for controlling the smart home device including detecting a smart home device in response to an internet protocol address of a data packet transmitted on a network, determining a function of the smart home device, receiving an event alert from an external data source, associating the function of the smart home device with the event alert, and transmitting a control signal to initiate the function of the smart home device in response to the association of the function with the event alert.

Abstract: Media content event review systems and methods are operable to present member content reviews of a media content event by presenting a plurality of member avatars in a virtual world, wherein the member avatars present audio commentary about a media content event identified in a user request, and wherein the community members who generated the audio commentary about the media content event have an interpersonal relationship with the requesting user.

Abstract: Systems, devices and processes are provided to facilitate the delivery of video content in a video streaming system by facilitating the diagnosis and repair of internet gateway devices used in such video streaming systems. Specifically, the various embodiments provide a mechanism by which an end user of video streaming system can initiate the diagnosis and/or repair of the internet gateway device while maintaining the security of the internet gateway device and the video streaming system. More specifically, a help button is provided on the internet gateway device that facilitates the establishment of a secure network session between the internet gateway device and a help center associated with the video streaming system. This secure network session facilitates the diagnosing of operational errors associated with the internet gateway device and thus can facilitate the effective repair and operation of the video streaming system while maintaining device security.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes content receivers that provide a plurality of blockchain databases that store transaction records associated with subscriber requests for content, and a computer system that processes those transaction records and enables authorized content receivers to output requested content.

Abstract: A system for automatically selecting television channels based on wager information can include a set-top box, wager databases having user wager information, broadcast databases having broadcast schedule information, and a controller. The wager information can include an event identifier and a corresponding wager amount. The broadcast schedule can include a channel, a start time, and an end time for each event. The controller can include processors and memory devices having instructions that cause the processors to obtain wager information for the user from the wager databases, match each event identifier and corresponding wager amount to the broadcast schedule, determine a set of live events by comparing a current time with the start time and end time for each event, prioritize the live events based on wager amount, and send an instruction to the set-top box to display the channel corresponding to each live event in order of priority.

Abstract: Internet gateway provisioning and evaluation of embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) privileges is provided. The Internet gateway receives, from a device, a request to provision an embedded subscriber identity module (eSIM) of the device. The Internet gateway, in response to receiving the request to provision the eSIM of the device, causes the eSIM of the device to be provisioned with a profile. Provisioning the eSIM gives the device an ability to authenticate with a base station for communicating, via the base station, over a cellular communication protocol. The Internet gateway, after causing the eSIM to be provisioned, determines whether at least one criterion is met. The at least one criterion is for retaining or denying the ability of the device to authenticate with the base station. The Internet gateway, sends data, to a server, indicating that the at least one criterion is met.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are described for facilitating a cell phone content watch party. A system includes a server, a host user device and a client user device—both coupled to the server, a content capture device (CCD) coupled to the host user device, and a content provider coupled to the host user device and the client user device. The content provider provides primary content segments. The CCD provides cell phone content which the host user device provides the cell phone content to the server. The server synchronizes a providing of the cell phone content with a presentation of the primary content segments by the client user device such that the presentations of the cell phone content and the primary content segments occur substantially simultaneously on the host user device and the client user device.

Abstract: Devices, systems and process for facilitating a Deepfake content watch party (DFWP) are disclosed. A system includes server, Deepfake presenter user device (DFPUD), Deepfake user device (DFUD), and content provider. The DFPUD instructs a content capture device (CCD) to capture a Deepfake Reaction (DFR) by a DFPUD user; receives the DFR from the CCD; and communicates the DFR to the server. The content provider provides Deepfake Content (DFC) segments, which include a Deepfake Target (DFT), and Deepfake Augmented Content (DFAC), which identifies a Deepfake model for the DFT. The server, based on the DFR, generates a Deepfake Subject (DFS), identifying a DFPUD user characteristic, generates Deepfake secondary content (DFSC), and communicates DFSC to the DFUD. The DFUD integrates the DFSC with the DFC to facilitate presentation of DFRs in a DFWP.

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 replayed from the first time to the second time at a second speed different from the first speed.

Abstract: Systems, devices and processes for facilitating a Karaoke content watch party (KWP) may include a sync server and a Karaoke presenter user device (KPUD) communicatively coupled thereto. The KPUD executes computer instructions for operations that instruct a content capture device (CCD) to capture and receive a Karaoke Reaction (KR) by a KPUD user and communicate the KR to the sync server. A Karaoke user device (KUD) may be communicatively coupled to the sync server. A content provider provides Karaoke Content (KC) to the KPUD and the KUD. The KC includes a KC segment. The sync server receives the KR from the KPUD, generates Karaoke secondary content (KSC) which includes the KR, communicates the KSC to the KUD, and may also generate Karaoke synchronization information (KSI) and communicate the KSI to the KUD. The KSI facilitates synchronized presentation, by the KUD, of the KR with the KC segment.

Abstract: Various arrangements for metadata tagging of video content are presented. A request to add a metadata tag to be linked with a video content instance may be received. A metadata integration database to link the spoken metadata tag with the video content instance may be updated.

Abstract: A system for controlling turning on and off of closed captioning receives information regarding a program content stream and automatically determines whether to turn on or off closed captioning based on thresholds being crossed regarding an estimated current loudness level of ambient noise and an estimated current loudness level of the audio of the program content stream. The estimated current loudness level of audio of the program content stream is, or is based on, one or more indications of current volume level in an audio signal representing the audio of the program content stream and current audio settings of a device outputting the audio of the program content stream. The system may estimate the loudness level of the ambient noise by use of a loudness meter that causes the ambient noise to be sampled with a microphone and a decibel level of the sampled ambient noise to be determined.

Abstract: Object selection reward data, including rewards for viewer selection of objects of interest in presented media content of a video stream may be electronically communicated to the user automatically when the user electronically selects the object of interest as it is shown in the screen. Provided is improved functionality to activate an image in the video stream into an object that then can be selectable or become a part of an application running on a receiving device such as a set-top box or other media device. The received video may or may not be taken over by the application running on the set-top box. The video scaling can be preserved, and a part of the application. Alternatively, the whole of the visible video screen may not be a part of the application.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatuses, systems (e.g., a gateway device) and/or methods are described for correcting failover or latency issues of a network connection. In this disclosure, a gateway device determines whether a first connection between the gateway device and a first wide area network has a network outage. Network latency is determined for the first connection between the gateway device and the first wide area network, and such network latency is compared with a predefined threshold. In response to the network latency being above the predefined threshold or in response to determining that there is the network outage, a second wide area network is used via a computing device to create a second connection between the end devices and the second wide area network, and data is sent between the end devices using the second connection.

Abstract: A power cord handling device and a method to adjust a power cord extending from a device are provided. A frame assembly may include a base supporting a device receiving area to receive a device. A wheel assembly may be adapted to facilitate coiling of a power cord extending from the device when the device is disposed in the device receiving area. The wheel assembly may include a protrusion member. The protrusion member may include one or more slots. A controller may be configured to control a wheel assembly motor. Guide arms may be adapted to receive one or more second portions of the power cord extending from the device and to guide the power cord during a power cord handling operation. The controller may be configured to cause the wheel assembly to perform a power cord handling operation.