Abstract: Various arrangements for facilitating digital content in multi-network television receiver communication systems are provided. A general network access point can provide access to a general network. A private network access point can provide access to a private network. Credentials for accessing the private network are distributed by a primary television receiver configured to determine that a secondary television receiver is connected to the general network via the general network access point. In response, the primary television receiver transmits, via the general network, credentials configured to enable the secondary television receiver to access the private network via the private network access point to the secondary television receiver. The primary television receiver is further configured to transmit, via the private network, digital media content to the secondary television receiver.

Abstract: Improved technical functionality is provided to dynamically select and seamlessly play advertisements immediately before playing of a recorded program upon selection of the recorded program for playing, or upon other detected events and conditions associated with the set-top-box (STB) or user. In some embodiments, this is performed by using metadata which may be delivered to and stored on a digital video recorder (DVR) prior to recording the program, providing a technical solution to enable opportunities for additional advertisement impressions. Playing of the advertisement may also or instead occur upon the recorded program finishing playing. Thus, the technical solution provides the additional opportunity for the content creator and/or the satellite television or cable service provider to sell advertising spots in addition to those already sold for breaks within the recorded program.

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: A technique is directed to methods and systems for providing drone-based assistance to a user. Drones may be utilized to aid users in performing tasks, such as assisting a user during an activity. The assistance can include providing a cooling flow of air, spraying a cooling mist of liquid, playing music, providing guidance, providing instructions, communicating with a device(s) to seek medical aid, retrieving sporting equipment, collecting performance metrics, collecting health metrics, or any assistance action. A user can connect to the drone via a device or using a set of built-in algorithms that employ biometric recognition to identify the user. Once activated and linked to the user, the drone can take flight. The drone can fly above, in front, or behind the user at a predetermined or adjustable height and provide airflow or mist from the drone blades to cool the user.

Abstract: A frequency interference prediction system, used to electronically detect signals transmitted from one or more devices at a specified frequency. For each of the detected signals, the frequency interference prediction system detects the packet error rate, signal strength, and frequency channel and records the time the signal was detected. The frequency interference prediction system determines whether there is interference on the frequency channel at the time the signal was detected based on the packet error rate, signal strength, and frequency channel. The frequency interference prediction system then predicts whether there will be interference on the signal at a future time based on the determination that there was interference on the frequency channel and the times the signals were detected.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present technology may include systems and processes associated with automatically generating supercuts associated with programming content.

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: A download manager system ensures that data required by multiple device on a network is downloaded as few times as possible. The download manager system identifies one or more devices connected to a network, and obtains device information for each of the devices. The download manger system detects that a first device is downloading data. The download manager system determines that a second device may require the downloaded data. The download manger system may cause the data to be stored based on a determination that the second device may require the downloaded data. The download manager system may cause the downloaded data to be transmitted to the second device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for efficient processing and presentation of advertisement based on content re-encoding are provided. An example method includes receiving, by a receiving device, the program content stream and determining, by the receiving device, encoding information of the program content stream. The example method also includes determining timing for presenting a target advertisement, responsive to determining the timing for presenting the target advertisement, initiating re-encoding of content of the target advertisement to generate re-encoded advertisement content based on the encoding information, and enabling playback of the re-encoded advertisement content in accordance with the timing for presenting the target advertisement.

Abstract: A content selector switch selects, based on a received request for content from a particular remote control device, a multicast network on which to provide the requested particular content. Each multicast network channel of the plurality of multicast network channels is mapped to a respective video channel and each remote control device in the facility (e.g., hotel) is mapped to a respective video channel that the TV controlled by the remote control device stays tuned to. The content selector switch performs the selection by identifying which remote control device in the facility sent the request and selecting the multicast network channel that is mapped to the RF video channel the identified remote control device is mapped to. The content selector switch then provides the specific content on the selected multicast network channel to a multicast-to-channel output device that provides the content on the RF video channel for the TV tuned to that RF video channel to display.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for supplementing the processing capabilities of multimedia devices in a networked environment. A method can include providing a processing offloader module to physically connect to a first multimedia device in the networked environment. The offloader can be internal and/or external to the device. The method can include identifying the offloader, identifying a second multimedia device, and determining that a bandwidth of the second device falls below a threshold bandwidth. Instructions can be forwarded from the second device to the offloader when the bandwidth of the second device exceeds the threshold bandwidth. The offloader is configured to process the instructions and render multimedia information based on the instructions.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to methods and systems for providing multiple networks from a gateway. A multiple network gateway system can include a gateway (e.g., a router) with the ability to support multiple, configurable, and customizable networks. The gateway can connect to a source (e.g., internet service provider (ISP), cable networks, OTA networks, satellite networks, etc.) and determine the bandwidth. Using the determined bandwidth, the gateway can allocate the bandwidth among the multiple networks according to a priority order of the networks. In some implementations, the gateway can receive customizable features from the user. Examples of the customizable features can include security options, parental controls, operational hours, MAC address specific operations, number of user limits, and internet usage tracking. The gateway can determine the priority of each network based on the customizable features.

Abstract: A method for providing a unique remote experience of a live event includes receiving in near real time at a headend processing system from a control center at an event location raw media data captured at a live event occurring at the event location. Copies of the raw media data from the headend processing system are disseminated in near real time to a plurality of server nodes of a geographically distributed content delivery network connected together via communication network. The raw media data is processed to produce one or more customized presentations of the live event in the form of streaming audio/video (A/V) files of one or more subsets of the raw media data pursuant to one or more data structures corresponding, respectively, to one or more subscriber accounts. The streaming A/V files are transmitted over a communication network to one or more respective subscriber presentation 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: 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 facility for generating analytical information based on individual reports of multiple scheduled presentations of interstitial media assets is provided. Data files are received that each include multiple status reports regarding multiple scheduled presentations of multiple media assets by a plurality of distinct media receiver devices in multiple distinct geographical areas. Analytical information is generated regarding the multiple scheduled media presentations by the distinct media receiver devices, the analytical information including aggregated success rates for one or more subsets of the scheduled media presentations. At least some of the analytical information is presented as a dashboard display comprising a plurality of distinct panels of related information on a communicatively coupled display device.

Abstract: Various arrangements for autonomous servicing of a network device are presented. A backend server system may receive status data from various devices. The backend server system may determine, based at least in part on the received status data, a triggering event associated with a first device. In response to the determined triggering event, location information associated with the first device may be sent to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV may send security information directly to the first device. The first device may be required to validate the security device, then the UAV may modify a physical component of the first device.

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: Devices, systems and processes are disclosed for automated content availability management. A process may include executing, by a first processor in a programming server, computer instructions which instantiate a program engine that instructs the programming server to perform first operations including receiving a program status change message from a content source, wherein the program status change message identifies a program, of a plurality of programs provided by the content source to one or more user devices, subject to a change in program availability, extracting from the program status change message an immediacy status for the change in program availability, determining whether the immediacy status is imminent or not imminent, generating a program instruction when the immediacy status is imminent, wherein the program instruction identifies the program subject to the change in program availability, and communicating the program instruction to an access designation server.

Abstract: A context-driven voice-control system and method for enabling users to control customer service activities related to live broadcast programming, recorded programming, streaming programming, and on-demand programming using vocal selection by the user. The context-driven voice-control system and method may also enable users to control one or more of account management activities using vocal selection by the user, authentication to authorize changes to their account using vocal selection by the user, and troubleshooting of equipment and system capabilities using vocal selection by the user. The context-driven voice-control system and method dynamically generates and presents a list of available control and support pathways to a user based on the user attributes and the voice control requests.