Abstract: Apparatus are described for mounting an object to a structure having a railing. The apparatus includes a base attachable to the object and configured for placement on the structure proximate the railing. The apparatus further includes an adjustable compression mechanism positioned between the base and the railing configured to secure the base to the structure with a selected force. The mechanism includes a first plate on the base, a second plate movable relative to the first plate for producing a selected height of the mechanism and a threaded member attached to the first plate and the second plate. The threaded member is configured to move the second plate relative to the first plate to achieve the selected height and apply the selected force.

Abstract: An antenna mount including first, second, and third plates is disclosed. A first plate is attached to a second plate to form a plate assembly. When attached, a planar surface of the first plate contacts a surface of the second plate. The second plate may include a stiffening structure. The first plate includes a flange that is oriented parallel to and extending in the same direction as one or more members of the second plate. The flange and the members are positioned to abut opposing surfaces of a mounting base. The third plate includes a planar section and a mounting surface connected to the planar section. The third plate is attached to the plate assembly such that the mounting base is clamped between the third plate and the plate structure. The mounting surface is configured to receive a mounting device of an antenna assembly.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting viewer-related programming to a particular viewer. In at least one embodiment, a wireless reader is configured to receive at least one identifier when the particular viewer is in proximity to the reader. A controller is configured to receive the identifier from the wireless reader and to associate the identifier with the particular viewer, and, upon successfully associating the wireless identifier with the particular viewer, to present the viewer-related programming associated with the particular viewer via the display or other presentation device located in proximity to the wireless reader. Viewer-related programming may including placeshifted content, viewing preferences, settings or other information as desired.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for providing simulated three-dimensional images on a two-dimensional display screen without the use of special filters or overlays on the display or special eyewear. Images having different focal points are displayed as pictures and switched between rapidly, such that the human eye automatically adjusts to focus on each picture in succession. As the pictures are presented sequentially, the viewer may perceive that the display shows images at different depth planes. The number of depth planes may vary between embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting an object to pole is presented. The apparatus includes an elongate planar section defining a longitudinal direction. The apparatus further includes two extension sections, wherein each extension section extends from an elongate edge of the planar section in a direction perpendicular to the elongate planar section. Each of the extension sections defines a cutout area centered along a longitudinal edge of the extension section, wherein the cutout area is configured to contact a pole. The planar section also defines a plurality holes to be used for affixing the apparatus to the pole and to attach the object to the apparatus.

Abstract: An antenna mount is disclosed. The antenna mount includes a mast and a foot that are substantially free of electrically conductive elements. The mast has a first end having a circular cross-section configured to be received by a mounting bracket of a satellite dish having a circular interior cross-section. The foot is configured to be secured to a stationary mounting surface and to be pivotally attached to a second end of the mast.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a securing ring are described along with assemblies utilizing the securing ring. A securing ring includes a curvilinear body defining an opening and having a gap that defines confronting ring ends that are separable to receive at least one curvilinear device within the opening. The curvilinear body includes an outer surface and opposing first and second side walls that define a slot therebetween. The slot is configured for receiving the curvilinear device, and the outer surface, the first wall and the second wall provide a clamping force on the curvilinear device in the slot when the confronting ring ends are drawn together, with the clamping force securing the curvilinear device within the slot. The securing apparatus further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the confronting ring ends and configured to releasably engage the confronting ring ends to secure the confronting ring ends together.

Abstract: Various embodiments described herein provide techniques for a DVR to utilize the same data stream to record multiple events with adjacent time slots simultaneously. A DVR is configured to recognize when two recording timers for programs on the same channel overlap. Content for each program may be stored in separate event files on the DVR or the content in one event file may be linked with the content in another event file. Thus, overlapping content may be accessed through either of the event files.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting a television program to a viewer using a mobile television receiver. The television program is received at the mobile television receiver via a first signal transmitted by a signal source having a limited range. It is determined whether the mobile receiver will exit the limited range of the signal source and, before the mobile receiver exits the limited range of the signal source, an action is facilitated to allow the viewer to continue to view the television program. Actions that may be facilitated include tuning to an alternate source of the television program, obtaining a placeshifted media stream of the television program, recording the television program on a remote video recorder, or simply notifying the viewer that he or she is about to exit the limited range of the signal source.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting viewer-related programming to a particular viewer. In at least one embodiment, a wireless reader is configured to receive at least one identifier when the particular viewer is in proximity to the reader. A controller is configured to receive the identifier from the wireless reader and to associate the identifier with the particular viewer, and, upon successfully associating the wireless identifier with the particular viewer, to present the viewer-related programming associated with the particular viewer via the display or other presentation device located in proximity to the wireless reader. Viewer-related programming may including placeshifted content, viewing preferences, settings or other information as desired.

Abstract: Mounting systems and apparatus are provided for attaching a mast to a structure at a desired orientation. The mounting apparatus includes a base support and a ball mount. The base support can be rigidly attached to a portion of the structure. The ball mount receives a ball associated with the mast to thereby allow the mast to be positioned and maintained at the desired orientation. The mounting apparatus may be used, for example, for attaching a digital broadcast satellite (DBS) antenna to a fascia or other portion of a home or other structure.

Abstract: Customer-specific information such as billing information, a listing of available services or the like can be provided to multiple receivers via a satellite or other high-bandwidth connection. The customers to receive customer-specific information are selected, and a broadcast message is created that includes the customer-specific information, as well as an identifier for each receiver associated with the selected customers. The broadcast message is transmitted on the high-bandwidth connection to thereby allow each of the receivers associated with the selected customers to extract the customer-specific information based upon the identifier and to display the customer-specific information to the customer.

Abstract: A portable electronic system comprises a portable electronic device having a screen and a visual extender. The visual extender has a thin film element and is coupled to the portable electronic device, positioning the thin film element to provide visual extension of the screen of the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A method for updating a network address of an audio/video node of a communication network to a communication device is provided. In the method, a communication identifier associated with the communication device is received at the audio/video node. Also received at the audio/video node, by way of the communication network, is a network address of the audio/video node. In response to receiving the network address, a message is transferred from the audio/video node to the communication device using the communication identifier, wherein the message comprises the network address. A request for audio/video data is transferred from the communication device over the communication network to the audio/video node using the network address. In response to receiving the request, the audio/video data is transferred from the audio/video node over the communication network to the communication device.

Abstract: An antenna amount including first, second, and third plates is disclosed. Each of the first and second plates includes a planar section and a flange connected to the planar section. At least one attachment device attaches the first plate to the second plate to form a plate structure. When attached, the planar sections of the first and second plates contact each other. Also, the flanges are parallel to each other, extend in the same direction, and are positioned to abut opposing surfaces of a mounting base. The third plate includes a planar section and a mounting surface connected to the planar section. The mounting surface is configured to receive a mounting device for the antenna. The attachment device clamps the mounting base between the third plate and the plate structure.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow for wirelessly providing television content from a satellite antenna to a television. An antenna is configured to receive a satellite broadcast signal that includes the television content, and a demodulator coupled to the antenna demodulates the received satellite broadcast signal. A wireless transmitter coupled to the demodulator transmits at least a portion of the demodulated satellite broadcast signal across a wireless connection to thereby allow viewing of the television content on the television.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a securing ring are described along with assemblies utilizing the securing ring. A securing ring includes a curvilinear body defining an opening and having a gap that defines confronting ring ends that are separable to receive at least one curvilinear device within the opening. The curvilinear body includes an outer surface and opposing first and second side walls that define a slot therebetween. The slot is configured for receiving the curvilinear device, and the outer surface, the first wall and the second wall provide a clamping force on the curvilinear device in the slot when the confronting ring ends are drawn together, with the clamping force securing the curvilinear device within the slot. The securing apparatus further includes a locking mechanism coupled to the confronting ring ends and configured to releasably engage the confronting ring ends to secure the confronting ring ends together.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow for the remote control of a personal video recorder (PVR), digital video recorder (PVR), set-top box (STB) or other consumer device that is capable of receiving programming via a high-bandwidth connection. A request is received from the customer for an action to be taken by the consumer device, wherein the request is received via a communications channel distinct from the high-bandwidth connection. The consumer device associated with the customer is identified in response to the request, and instruction is transmitted to the consumer device associated with the customer via the high-bandwidth connection to thereby direct the consumer device to carry out the action requested by the customer.

Abstract: A method for replacing audio data within a recorded audio/video stream is presented. In the method, a first audio/video stream including audio data, video data, and supplemental data is stored. Location information is received which references the supplemental data to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location information is received in a data file separately from the first audio/video stream. Also received is an audio data segment. At least a portion of the audio data of the first audio/video stream is replaced at the identified location with the audio data segment to produce a second audio/video stream. At least a portion of the second audio/video stream is then transferred for presentation.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for remotely controlling an entertainment device using a mobile communication device. A user utilizes a mobile communication device to input information that requests manipulation of playback of content outputted for presentation by an entertainment device. The mobile communication device transmits the user input to the entertainment device and furthers transmits identifying data regarding the user. Responsive to receiving the user input and the identifying data, the mobile communication device authenticates the user and outputs the content for presentation to a user based on the user input.