Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for use in interpreting, converting, generating, embedding, presenting, storing and otherwise using mini-banner content. For at least one embodiment, a mini-banner content system may include a secondary content system element which executes non-transient computer executable instructions to configure: a content interpreter to interpret secondary content, identify aspect information, and output the aspect information; a content converter, which when receiving aspect information at least one of retrieves a first element corresponding to the aspect information and/or generates a second element corresponding to the aspect information, and generates a mini-banner content element based upon results of the retrieving operation and/or the generating operation.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for networked aggregation of distributed localized particulate air pollutant (LPAP) sensors. For example, a large number of sensors is distributed over a geographic region. Each sensor can detect local levels of one or more LPAPs, and can communicate the detected levels over one or more communications networks. A system can receive data samples for the LPAP levels from the sensors and can compute LPAP scores that are mapped to respective sub-regions of the geographic region. The computation can be a function of aggregating respective LPAP levels for at least those LPAP sensors in a particular sub-region of the geographic region, and also as a function of comparing the aggregation against an identified set of trigger thresholds for the LPAP of interest. In some cases, the computed and mapped LPAP scores can be output for display, for example, as a heat map, or the like.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards the interpretation of driver behavior and communication with autonomous vehicles and incentivizing drivers based on the driver's behavior. A computing device that sits on the dashboard of a vehicle includes at least one camera and circuitry. The computing device captures first images of the driver in the vehicle and second images of an area outside the vehicle. The computing device identifies another vehicle based on an analysis of the second images. The computing device determines a driving behavior of the driver based on an analysis of the first images. The computing device determines if the driving behavior satisfies a positive incentive threshold or a negative incentive threshold. The computing device selects and provides a positive or negative incentive to the driver in response to the driving behavior satisfying the positive incentive threshold or the negative incentive threshold, respectively.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for generation, distribution, and management of route connectivity optimization (RCO) mapping. For example, as mobile devices traverse travel routes serviced by one or more mobile networks, they can experience periods of different levels of connectivity with the mobile network(s). Embodiments can collect route segment connectivity data as experienced by consumer devices during traversal through mobile networks (e.g., indicating, for each route segment, which carriers are providing service to a mobile device, the level of service being provided, etc.). A RCO can be computed and stored for the set of route segments as a function of the route segment connectivity data. The RCO can be requested by consumers, and a corresponding link can be generated. Selecting the link can provide the consumers with remote access to the RCO, with which the consumers can generate connectivity-optimized route guidance maps.

Abstract: Techniques are described by which set-top boxes receive closed-captioning data streams as input to a Sign Language Interpretation (SLI) library. Depending on the demographics, different SLIs are provided. Additionally, input audio stems, e.g., for video programs without closed captioning, are sent to a speech-to-text processor before the SLI library. The text stream is then converted into sign language view mode in a PIP window for single view mode or to a multiview window for dual view mode. The current accessibility setup menu holds the ‘SLI’ option on/off button. SLI library contains videos for vocabulary which are sequenced in the SLI mode view window based on input text from closed captioning stream. If there is a word without a matching video in the SLI library, then the word itself is displayed in the SLI window. Such words are reported to a server for possible future package release with the additions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to provide voice search in an elastic cloud environment communicating with a set-top box (STB) by receiving by a voice cloud search server pulse-code modulation (PCM) audio packets transmitted from the STB; sending the PCM audio packets to a natural language processing (NLP) service for converting to text; sending the text sets to an elastic voice cloud search server for querying an electronic program guide (EPG) service, channel and program data associated with the text set wherein the EPG service to at least return identified channel and program data; in response to an identified return of channel and television program data, sending sets of text to a third-party search service for performing an independent search for related data and returning search results of video and image content which is then stripped of dynamic scripts to return to the STB.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining data indicating an amount of energy stored by a battery of a sensor device; receiving data related to at least one condition in an area in which the sensor device is located; determining a reporting interval based on the data indicating the amount of energy stored by the battery of the sensor device and the data related to at least one condition in the area in which the sensor device is located; transmitting data indicating the reporting interval to the sensor device; and receiving a plurality of measurement reports transmitted from the sensor device according to the reporting interval. The energy consumed by the sensor device can be dynamically modified by dynamically modifying the reporting interval.

Abstract: A computerized system for guaranteed advertisement impressions recognizes an identifier of a media content segment (e.g., an advertisement) to be played before playing of a recorded program as a result of selection of or initiation of playing a recorded program. In some embodiments, the system recognizes an identifier of a media content segment at or during initiation of playing the of the media content segment, or during playback of a media content stream including a recorded program. In in response to the recognition of the identifier, the system ignores (or disables the remote control sending), for a predetermined time period, all commands to skip or fast forward through all or part of the media content segment.

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: Embodiments are directed towards the interpretation of driver intent and communication of that intent with autonomous vehicles at a traffic intersection. A computing device that sits on the dashboard of a vehicle includes at least one camera, an output device, and circuitry. The computing device captures first images of the driver in the vehicle and second images of the traffic intersection. The computing device identifies another vehicle at or approaching the intersection based on an analysis of the second images. The computing device determines an attention direction and hand movement of the driver based on an analysis of the first images to determine a driving intent of the driver. The computing device provides information to the other vehicle indicating the driving intent of the driver. The computing device may also obtain the driving intent of the other vehicle and provide information to the driver indicating the other vehicle's intent.

Abstract: A method includes receiving bookmarking data at a client device from a data processing and aggregating server, the bookmarking data referencing a specific point in a media content item playable from the client device; providing a first output signal based on the bookmarking data from the client device to a display device, the output signal causing the display device to display at least one bookmark that includes at least a user-selectable portion and a descriptive portion; 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; and providing a second output signal from the client device to the display device responsive to the input signal, the second output signal causing the display device to display a media content item from a specific point specified by the bookmarking data.

Abstract: Various techniques are described herein for using smell sensor-based Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices to detect and identify individual users based a unique scent or smell print. Interconnected networks of such devices may be used in collaboration, along with other devices such as IoT devices and home monitoring system devices, to track user movements and activities. Such smell sensor device also may be used to detect weapons, explosives, narcotics, and other prohibited items that may be concealed and/or not detectable using security cameras. The data received from the smell sensors and smell-based IoT devices may be used, alone or in combination with other security sensors and systems, to perform safety and security screening within homes, airports or other secure areas, or within any public indoor or outdoor location.

Abstract: Systems and processes associated with an augmented film crew.

Abstract: A device includes test transmitter having a hot test prong configured for electrical coupling the test transmitter with a hot line of an electrical circuit and signal generator, coupled to the hot test prong, configured to generate a ping signal on the hot line. The hot test prong is configured for insertion into a hot receptable of the electrical outlet. The ping signal is received over the hot line from a test transmitter coupled to the electrical circuit. The device includes a neutral receive prong configured for electrical coupling with a neutral line and a ground receive prong configured for electrical coupling with a ground line. The device may detect presence of the ping signal at the neutral receive prong when a reversed polarity wiring configuration exists and at the ground receive prong when a bootleg ground configuration exists.

Abstract: Systems, and methods are described for navigating non-dynamic pages at a client device served up from voice search requests by selecting a feature on the image page by a user request for navigating the feature viewed on the image page wherein the feature selected has an appearance of a dynamic feature when served up on the display wherein the user request selects a location on the image page; identifying the feature by the voice cloud server by location data of a selected location on the page; executing a feature request on a corresponding page which contains dynamic script at the voice cloud server to receive a linked page from a third-party search service; and removing dynamic scripts, at the voice cloud search server, of the linked page for serving up as an image page of the linked page at the client device.

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.

Abstract: A device for testing remote controls includes a main board, a data acquisition module (DAM), and one or more testing components. The main board communicates a testing instruction to the testing components which, then provide stimuli to a remote under test (RUT). The DAM receives, from the testing components, result data indicative of reaction(s) by the RUT to the stimuli. At least one of the stimuli is provided to the RUT and the result data is received by the DAM from the testing components. A first testing component provides a first stimuli to the RUT substantially simultaneously with a second testing component providing a second stimuli to the RUT. The first stimuli may include an acceleration of the RUT and the second stimuli may emulate a user action. The emulated user action emulates a button press, a button release, an audible input, and a touch screen action.

Abstract: A method of providing a synchronized secondary audio track via a mobile device. The method includes: receiving, at a mobile device, a request from a user to receive a secondary audio track that corresponds with a primary audio track of an audio-visual (AV) program which is presented to the user; receiving the secondary audio track at the mobile device; receiving at the mobile device a playback-control cue; and in response to receiving the playback-control cue, outputting audio data of the secondary audio track so that the audio data is synchronized with the primary audio track.

Abstract: A system includes an activator, a sensor, and a hub, coupled thereto. The hub may include: a hub processor configured to execute non-transient computer instructions for instantiating a patterns engine, an exceptions engine, and a response engine. The patterns engine may include first computer instructions which configure the hub to define a pattern for a monitored person and generate a pattern message that may include the pattern. The exceptions engine may include second computer instructions which configure the hub to monitor the monitored person for a deviation from the pattern defined in the pattern message, and when the deviation may be identified, generate a deviation message. The response engine may include third computer instructions which configure the hub to generate, based on the deviation message, a response message. The response message may instruct the hub to activate as least one of the activator and the sensor.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for platooning of computational resources in automated vehicle networks. An on-board computational processor of an automated vehicle typically performs a large number of computational tasks, and some of those computational tasks can be computationally intensive. Some such tasks, referred to as platoonable tasks herein, are well-suited for parallel processing by multiple processors. Embodiments can detect one or more on-board computational processors in one or more automated vehicles that are likely, during the time window in which the platoonable task will be executed, to have available computational resources and to be traveling along respective paths that are close enough to each other to allow for ad hoc network communications to be established between the processors. In response to detecting such cases, embodiments can schedule and instruct shared execution of the platoonable tasks by the multiple processors via the ad hoc network.