Abstract: Secondary media content is displayed based on metadata of primary media content, the secondary content specifying a data transfer action. Input can be received from a paired wireless input device. Upon receiving the input, the data transfer action can be executed, wherein the data transfer action includes retrieving transferable data specified according to the secondary media content; and transmitting the retrieved transferable data to an unpaired device via a network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying user density from network data are included herein. Embodiments include a communication tower that allocates communication bandwidth to devices in an area within range of the communication tower. The communication tower can calculate the user density in the area based on the allocation of bandwidth. Further, the types of data and messages exchanged with the devices can indicate the type of device, which can be used to group the devices based on type that are likely associated with a single user. For example, a single user may have a mobile phone, a tablet, and a smartwatch. Additionally, speed of devices can indicate which users are pedestrians. This information can be included in user density information and provided to devices or users to improve public safety, device response to high traffic areas, and so forth.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated crisis incident response in facilities having networks of Internet of Things (IoT devices). For example, embodiments can operate in context of automatically responding to an active shooter incident in a school. Detection of a gunshot event can trigger embodiments automatically to obtain (e.g., retrieve and/or compute) and execute an automated response plan. Execution of the plan can involve automated control of multiple IoT devices installed in and around the facility, and can be responsive to feedback from the IoT devices. Some embodiments facilitate interaction with crisis responders via a responder network, providing such responders with various levels of information access and/or control of components (e.g., execution of the automated response plan can also be responsive to commands issued by responders.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present disclosure describe devices, systems, and processes for testing capacitors. For an embodiment, a system includes a digital signal processor configured to execute non-transient computer executable instructions for testing a device over at least three operating modes. The operating modes may include a start-up mode, during which the digital signal processor is configured to control initial charging of the device to a desired initial condition, a charge mode, during which the digital signal processor is configured to control replenishment of electrical energy in the device, and a test mode, during which the digital signal processor is configured to control testing of the device in accordance with at least one testing protocol. The device may include an energy capture circuit configured to capture recovered energy arising during a first test cycle and to provide the recovered energy to the device for use during a second test cycle.

Abstract: Devices, systems and processes for providing an adaptive audio environment are disclosed. For an embodiment, a system may include a wearable device and a hub. The hub may include an interface module configured to communicatively couple the wearable device and the hub and a processor, configured to execute non-transient computer executable instructions for a machine learning engine configured to apply a first machine learning process to at least one data packet received from the wearable device and output an action-reaction data set and for a sounds engine configured to apply a sound adapting process to the action-reaction data set and provide audio output data to the wearable device via the interface module. The audio output data may be utilized by the wearable device to provide an adaptive audio environment.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed herein for controlling a head-mountable heads-up display system comprising a heads-up display unit and a hand cover. The hand cover includes a plurality of input elements located on appendages thereof that are configured to cause the hand cover to transmit input signals to the heads-up display unit. The heads-up display unit is configured to display virtual image content within a field of view of a user. As a result of receiving a user input, the heads-up display unit may display virtual image content based on a user input. The heads-up display unit updates the virtual image content as a result of receiving an input signal corresponding to an interaction between a pair of input elements of the hand cover. The heads-up display system may be useable in connection with a system of an outdoor recreational area to obtain information regarding the outdoor recreational area.

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: “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: Electronic communications between a client device and a server device are improved by providing a middleware component that incorporates electronic data read and/or written to a database in a hybrid data structure. The hybrid structure is further designed to allow for “NULL” or other pre-defined data values when one or more data fields are unavailable or erroneous. The client device, in turn, can be configured to check for the pre-defined data values in certain fields and to gracefully process such values. The hybrid structure with pre-defined error values therefore provides for very efficient data transmittal and processing, while retaining the ability to handle errors or other unusual situations relating to the data.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for cleaning and sorting transaction cards. A transaction card may be dispensed from an intake magazine that houses a plurality of smartcards. The transaction card may be moved along a cleaning assembly. After cleaning the transaction card, the transaction card may be sorted and output into an output magazine. A card sensor may be used to determine when a next transaction card should be dispensed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for grounds monitoring may include recreational grounds monitoring robots that move about a recreational ground measuring soil moisture at various selectable locations, performing security monitoring and/or identifying and tracking objects on the recreational ground, such as players, golf carts and golf balls. The recreational grounds monitoring robots may also monitor the recreational ground while at charging or docking stations along the boundaries or edges of the recreational ground. Data collected from such monitoring may be used to reduce water usage and enhance games played on the recreational ground by providing the player with the ability to easily locate, and thus track, the location and movement of the ball, while also to facilitating providing game statistics, leaderboard information, other game variations, interactive games and augmented games.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated transition classification for binge watching of content. For example, a number of frame images is extracted from a candidate segment time window of content. The frame images can automatically be classified by a trained machine learning model into segment and non-segment classifications, and the classification results can be represented by a two-dimensional (2D) image. The 2D image can be run through a multi-level convolutional conversion to output a set of output images, and a serialized representation of the output images can be run through a trained computational neural network to generate a transition array, from which a candidate transition time can be derived (indicating a precise time at which the content transitions to the classified segment).

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: Methods and systems are provided for configuring or customizing settings or parameters of different media devices for compatible operations in an automated manner. An exemplary method of configuring a device for presenting media content in conjunction with a second device involves a client device detecting the device on a wireless network, identifying performance characteristics associated with the second device coupled to the device, and automatically configuring the device for operation with the second device via the wireless network and in a manner that is influenced by the performance characteristics associated with the second device. In this regard, one or more configurable parameters or settings maintained at the device and that influence its operation may be modified via the wireless network to correspond to performance characteristics of the second device, thereby facilitating compatible interoperation with the second device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented and executed method of managing recorded video events is disclosed. The method collects viewer measurement data from presentation devices, the viewer measurement data indicating user viewing behavior associated with playback of recorded video events. The method continues by analyzing the collected viewer measurement data to estimate boundaries between segments of the recorded video events, which results in groups of estimated boundaries corresponding to the recorded video events. Cue files are generated for the recorded video events, the cue files indicating the estimated boundaries corresponding to the recorded video events. The cue files are maintained at a central system for access by the presentation devices.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for optimizing buffering of streamed content based on upcoming coverage. For example, during a trip, the bit rate for transmission and receipt of streamed content can be dynamically adjusted based on the upcoming coverage such that when the upcoming network coverage is limited, the bit rate of the streamed content can be increased to ensure the buffer is sufficiently large to allow the user to experience (or appear to experience) uninterrupted streaming during the limited network connectivity. The bit rate can be calculated based on calculating a buffer size that can provide content at the play rate for the duration that the device is in a minimal or no network coverage area.

Abstract: Systems for coupling a satellite antenna to a structure is provided. The system may include a first element, a second element, a third element, and a tightening mechanism. The first element may include at least one protrusion. The second element may also include at least one protrusion. The third element may be rotatably coupled with the first element. The third element may also be rotatably coupled with the second element. The third element may further be configured to couple with the satellite antenna. The tightening mechanism may be operable to rotate at least one of the first element or the second element with respect to the third element such that at least one protrusion of the first element and at least one protrusion of the second element engage with the structure located between the first element and the second element.

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: Various arrangements are presented of a paper roll sensing device that can be installed within a paper roll dispenser. The paper roll sensing device may include a housing, a wireless transceiver, and a time-of-flight sensor. The time of flight sensor may measure a distance from the time-of-flight sensor to a target region. The paper roll sensing device may include one or more processors, located within the housing that communicates with the wireless transceiver and the time-of-flight sensor. The paper roll sending device may include a fastener that permits the housing to be attached to a location within a paper roll dispenser such that the time-of-flight sensor is pointed at a paper roll, wherein the target region is a portion of the paper roll.

Abstract: Various arrangements for triggering transitions within a slide-based presentation are presented. An audio-based trigger system may receive a plurality of trigger words. A database may be created that maps trigger words to slide transitions. A voice-based request may be received to initiate audio control of the slide-based presentation being output by the presentation system. An audio stream may be monitored for trigger words. Based on accessing a database, a slide transition to be performed may be identified based on a recognized trigger word. A slide transition request may be transmitted to a presentation system that indicates a slide to which a transition should occur. The presentation system may then transition to the slide based on the received slide transition request.