Abstract: Method, systems, and computer-readable media are provided to facilitate content discovery based on augmented context. A first set of images of a graphical display may be acquired and analyzed to identify visual characteristics of an object represented. Attributes of the object may be identified. Specifications may be transmitted to the television receiver and/or a remote data source in order to pull matching information. A user-selectable interface element may be generated for presentation as an option to take an action relating to the object represented. A visual output of the interface element may be output as an overlay on the first set and/or a second set of images displayed by the computing device. A user selection responsive to the outputting of the visual output of the at interface element may be processed. A communication may be transmitted to the television receiver to cause the action responsive to the user selection.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method is provided for storing data in a storage device associated with a first electronic device. The first electronic device can receive a request for data from a remote electronic device. The request for data can include pairing information, which can be used to confirm the remote electronic device as an approved paired device. The request for data can also include authentication information, which can be used to authenticate the request for data. The first electronic device can retrieve the data from the storage device and transmit the data in encrypted form to the remote electronic device.

Abstract: According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.

Abstract: A portable communications device includes a first screen and a second screen. A third screen may be provided. The device includes a housing into in and from which each of the second and/or third screens may be retracted and extended. When retracted, outer edges of the second and/or third screens encase opposing sides of the first screen. A cavity in the housing is provided into which the second and third screens may be retracted. Track mechanisms and bearing mechanisms may support and facilitate extension and retraction of the second and third screens. Spring mechanisms facilitate alignment of the first, second and third screens. Holding and/or cooperative release mechanisms may be used to respectively hold and release the second and third screens within the housing.

Abstract: A method of three-dimensional geofencing includes defining a virtual boundary in a three-dimensional geographical space, the virtual boundary including lateral position parameters and an altitude parameter. A boundary-related event and an action to be triggered based on the position of a trackable object is defined with respect to the virtual boundary. The position of the trackable object is estimated based on lateral position values and an altitude value associated with the trackable object. The action is performed if it is determined that the position of the trackable object triggers the boundary-related event.

Abstract: Messaging services for providing updates for multimedia content delivered over the Internet for a live event. In one embodiment, a messaging server provides real-time updates for multimedia content of a live event delivered over the Internet to multiple media players that request the multimedia content over the Internet. In one embodiment, the real-time updates indicate when the multimedia content is available for delivery over the Internet. In another embodiment, the real-time updates can be used to dynamically insert advertisement markers for advertisement breaks in the multimedia content.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided to assist users to locate content of interest based on viewer ratings. First information enabling unique identification of a first user may be processed. Indications of ratings of television programming may be processed, the indications being received from a first media device associated with the first user. Ratings information associated with the first user may be retained in repositories, the ratings information being based on the indications. The first user may be matched to a category that represents a classification of a set of viewers and/or of a set of content based on a set of attributes. Descriptive content indicative of the first user and/or content rated by the first user may be selected and may be transmitted via the network to a second media device associated with a second user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for switching a user interface input response mode. A direction of motion of a pointing device with reference to a spatial coordinate system may be determined. The direction of motion may be associated with a particular touch input for simulation by the computer system based on motion of the pointing device, the particular touch input selected from multiple touch inputs. The user interface input response mode may be switched from a first mode to a second mode associated with the particular touch input.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating user access to virtual reality (VR) containers. A VR container registry may identify any type of container and optionally list requirements for accessing the container, constraints relating to when access is permitted, characteristics describing container features, lists of other containers accessible from within the container, container output formats, accepted input formats, etc. The registry may be organized in a hierarchical structure, make use of or be comparable to a domain name system, and include one or more top-level items each having one or more second-level items organized beneath. A service provider may host a VR container to facilitate user access to other VR containers, allow users to transfer between unconnected remote VR containers while staying within a VR session or without having to exit all VR sessions, and provide transformation services to ensure container and VR system compatibility.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for hardware enforcement of hardware functionality in a television receiver. An activation message containing an activation code for a specific hardware component within the television receiver can be transmitted from a television service provider system to a television receiver having an associated smart card. The smart card can decrypt the activation message, security check the activation message, confirm the activation message is intended for the television receiver, encrypt the activation message with a local key, and transmit the activation message to a security processor on the television receiver. The security processor can decrypt the activation message, security check the activation message to ensure it is from the smart card and has not been tampered with, and enable the hardware component within the television receiver based on the activation code within the activation message.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods and computer program products for suggesting television programs to a user by, for example, analyzing closed caption or subtitle content of unwatched or unrecorded video content to determine if the video content is of interest to the user. The user may indicate one or more keywords for use in the analysis and the analysis may scan the text of the closed caption or subtitle content to identify matches to the keywords. Beside user input keywords, the keywords may also be determined through analysis of video content watched or recorded by the user to determine frequently encountered words. These frequently encountered words may automatically be used in matching the text of the closed caption or subtitle content. The users may also or alternatively select particular words of the frequently encountered words to use for matching.

Abstract: An apparatus for multi-bitrate content streaming includes a receiving module configured to capture media content, a streamlet module configured to segment the media content and generate a plurality of streamlets, and an encoding module configured to generate a set of streamlets. The system includes the apparatus, wherein the set of streamlets comprises a plurality of streamlets having identical time indices and durations, and each streamlet of the set of streamlets having a unique bitrate, and wherein the encoding module comprises a master module configured to assign an encoding job to one of a plurality of host computing modules in response to an encoding job completion bid. A method includes receiving media content, segmenting the media content and generating a plurality of streamlets, and generating a set of streamlets.

Abstract: An apparatus for multi-bitrate content streaming includes a receiving module configured to capture media content, a streamlet module configured to segment the media content and generate a plurality of streamlets, and an encoding module configured to generate a set of streamlets. The system includes the apparatus, wherein the set of streamlets comprises a plurality of streamlets having identical time indices and durations, and each streamlet of the set of streamlets having a unique bitrate, and wherein the encoding module comprises a master module configured to assign an encoding job to one of a plurality of host computing modules in response to an encoding job completion bid. A method includes receiving media content, segmenting the media content and generating a plurality of streamlets, and generating a set of streamlets.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for automatically selecting television channels for display on one or more televisions based on the viewing preferences of the viewers. The viewers can enter their viewing preferences in a database through a user interface that a controller can access. The controller can receive, for a premises (e.g., a sports bar), a list of viewers. Based on the viewing preferences of the list of viewers, the controller can determine a single or a ranked list of television channels for display on the televisions. If there are multiple televisions, the controller can assign each of the televisions a television channel from the ranked list based on the ranking. The controller can send an instruction to the STB controlling the television(s) to set the assigned television channel to the assigned television.

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated processes augment television broadcasts with digital content that automatically replaces static portions of the captured imagery. In a video broadcast of a live event, for example, signs or other advertisements that are physically present in the event venue can be automatically replaced in television broadcasts of the event by virtual imagery of other signs or objects, as desired.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling computing device or system resource sharing between two or more satellite television customers are disclosed. This may be achieved by partitioning resources of a television receiver system such that a first party and at least a second party have access to the various features or functionality in a manner similar to that as if each respective party has a standalone instance of the same. A server system may facilitate the resource sharing between satellite television customers by receiving a request from a first party and identifying a second party within suitable distance from the first party. The server system may send configuration instructions to the television receiver of the hosting party that include instructions as to how the resources of the computing system are to be allocated.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide various techniques for backing up and restoring data and programs at television receiver devices. In some embodiments, various types of data stored locally by television receiver devices may be backed up by uploading the data to a television provider server, cloud-based storage system, and/or other remote storage locations. In the event of a device failure, or other rebuilt or reinstallation process at the television receiver, a receiver set-up process may be implemented to retrieve the receiver backup data from the backup server, and to initiate various set-up processes in which the replacement receiver may use the backup data to implement the various configuration preferences and settings on the new device, re-create the DVR timers, establish new network connections, configure the home device/appliance settings, and the like, automatically based on the receiver backup data.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices to authorize access to a simultaneous media streams are described. After a first media stream is initiated with a first client device, an authorization service receives a request to establish the simultaneous second media stream with a second client device. The service determines whether the second client device is at a geographic location where simultaneous streaming is allowed, and grants or denies access to the second simultaneous stream accordingly.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for streaming media content over a network are provided. One exemplary method of streaming media content over a network involves transmitting one or more portions of the media content to a client device via a delivery route between a content delivery source and the network, determining a performance metric associated with the transmitting of the one or more portions via the delivery route, and dynamically adjusting the delivery route between the content delivery source and the network based at least in part on the performance metric.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices to stream media content are described. A user interface is presented to a user via a media device. When the media device has determined that an interaction with the user interface has occurred (e.g., the user has begun scrolling through a list, or has performed a keyword search), the media device requests, from a media content source, a subset of first media content based on the interaction with the user interface and prior to selection of the first media content via the user interface. The subset of first media content is then displayed in response to the selection of the first media content.