Abstract: An approach for through-hole component soldering for a PCB, and a resulting PCB assembly, that eliminates protruding solder joints, is provided. The approach comprises back-drilling, from a bottom surface of a PCB, one or more through-holes, wherein each back-drilled through-hole is back-drilled to a depth partially through the PCB and at a diameter that is larger than the diameter of the through hole. Solder paste is applied to the PCB. The components are placed on the PCB, inserting each pin into a corresponding through-hole. The PCB is passed through a solder process, whereby, within each through-hole having a component pin inserted therein, the solder paste is wicked into the through-hole, and forms a solder joint with the respective pin. Each solder joint of a back-drilled through-hole is situated within the through-hole in a manner whereby the solder joint does not protrude beyond the bottom surface of the PCB.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to arbitrate network bandwidth that is shared between multiple video players executing concurrently on one or more client platforms that each have at least one video data stream supplied over a data network. An amount of bandwidth available from the data network is determined. An arbitration module calculates whether the selected video players can sustain a video playback quality above a pre-defined threshold using the determined amount of bandwidth available, and a modify playback message is sent to at least one video player when the video playback quality is not sustainable. Various implementations could prioritize bandwidth based upon the content presented so that high-bandwidth scenes (e.g., action sequences) receive more bandwidth than more static scenes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a logically organized electronic program guide separated into categories. Each category has a theme. Inside each theme-based category there is a listing of television programming. In this way, the subscriber can locate a desired theme and then determine a desired program from the list in the category.

Abstract: Various systems, methods and devices adaptively manage the multicast delivery of multiple media programs. Each of the media programs is encoded into multiple media streams, each stream having a different bitrate, frame rate, resolution or other encoding parameter. A computer receives feedback about the delivery of the multiple streams and automatically adapts the number of streams available for at least one of the multiple media programs in response to the received feedback. This allows resources to be applied to those multicast streams having the greatest user demand.

Abstract: Described are devices and methods for providing an extendable screen in a portable communications device. The device may include a first display, at least one second display, and a graphics processor, coupled to each of the first and second display. The graphics processor may be configured to perform computer executable instructions for configuring the communications device to facilitate the presenting of a first graphical image on a first display configured into a portable orientation display configuration, into an expanded orientation display configuration, where the first graphical image is presented on both the first display and the at least one second display, for into a second expanded orientation display configuration where the first graphical image is presented on one of the first display and the at least one second display, while a user interface control is presented on the other of the first display and the at least one second display.

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: A method for presenting internet content associated with a set of video content is provided. During playback of the set of video content on an electronic device, the method detects, by the electronic device, that the electronic device has been repositioned to reveal blank space on a display of the electronic device, wherein the display presents the blank space and the set of video content after repositioning of the electronic device; and presents related internet content on the blank space, by the electronic device, during playback of the set of video content.

Abstract: Methods, devices and systems are provided for provisioning an output device for use with a media device to produce synchronized audio and video portions of media content. An exemplary method involves a media device identifying a device type associated with the output device, obtaining synchronization settings for the device type from a server via a network, and presenting audiovisual content in accordance with the synchronization settings obtained from the server.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide various techniques for dynamically calibrating digital video recordings of television broadcasts based on analyzes of changes to time data and channel data associated with live television broadcasts. In various embodiments, television receivers may transmit sets of recording schedule data to television broadcast monitor devices, which may receive time data corresponding to live broadcast television programs from various data sources, such as satellite or cable television service providers, social media servers, user devices, and other data sources. Television broadcast monitor devices and/or television receivers may receive and analyze the live television broadcast time data and channel data, and may determine updated recording schedule data which may be used to dynamically reprogram the digital video recorders associated with one or more television receivers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining network characteristics are provided. The network characteristics may be used to facilitate changes to how content is delivered over a network, such as to avoid network congestion, to provide improved throughput, or to provide a good (or better) user experience, such as when streaming media. For example, the network characteristics may be determined, in part, by tracking domain name resolution requests by using specially formulated domain names that require resolution at an authoritative name server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating additional material in video content are described. Exemplary methods may include identifying the individual frames within a portion of video content that will be visible during adjusted playback. The methods may include incorporating at least one item of information within at least one of the individual frames identified to produce modified video content. The methods may also include transmitting the modified video content for display.

Abstract: A control device transmits a first type of signal and a second type of signal as part of transmitting an instruction. An electronic device receives the first signal and determines the control device is paired with another device. The electronic device displays a notification indicating such as well as a prompt requesting confirmation to pair the control device. Upon receiving an affirmative response, the electronic device notifies the other device, which transmits unpairing information to the control device. The control device then unpairs from the other device. The other device also transmits pairing information to the control device via the electronic device and the control device utilizes the information to pair with the electronic device. In some implementations, the other device may receive a request to locate the control device. In response, the other device displays that the control device has been paired with the electronic device.

Abstract: An antenna system includes technological improvements for achieving improved surface accuracy of an antenna reflector during manufacturing and assembly, as well as maintaining the surface accuracy in response to wear and tear on the reflector. The antenna system includes a reflector, a plurality of mounting tabs, and a backing structure. The reflector has a front reflecting curved surface, an outer rim, and a back surface. The plurality of mounting tabs are positioned and secured around the outer rim of the reflector. Each of the plurality of mounting tabs is independently flexible with respect to the outer rim. The backing structure has a central mount, a plurality of attachment arms, and a feed arm attachment. The plurality of attachment arms are secured to the outer rim of the reflector via the plurality of mounting tabs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for superimposing a program guide browser onto a video stream. The method includes receiving a request from the client while media content is displayed at the host; in response to the request, transmitting a user interface (UI) to the client; and displaying the UI at the client without interrupting the displayed media content; wherein the UI comprises a horizontally scrollable ribbon. Additional or alternate features may be provided as desired.

Abstract: A computing device includes program instructions to identify first communications by a first user about respective first media content items, each of the first communications made within a predetermined time preceding the first user's consumption of the respective first media content item. The computing device further includes instructions to identify a plurality of second users, each a party to one of the first communications. For the identified second users, the computing device determines a correlation between the respective second user and the consumption of the first media content items by the first user. Based at least in part on the correlation, the computing device includes further instructions to initiate a second communication between one of the second users and one of the first user and a third user concerning a second media content item.

Abstract: A computer including a processor programmed to receive audio data from sensors. Based on the audio data, the computer identifies a media content item. The computer is further programmed to detect the end of the media content item based on the audio data. Upon detecting the end of the media content item, the computer is programmed to store data from a user related to the media content item.

Abstract: In an item of media content, one or more essential segments and one or more non-essential segments are identified. One or more essential segments is selected for inclusion in playback of the item of media content. At least one of the one or more non-essential segments is identified for inclusion in the playback according to at least one data about a vehicle environment and vehicle navigation. The item of media content is provided for playback.

Abstract: Measuring and tracking user interaction with a television receiver, such as a set top box or cable box. The television receiver may create and display a matrix code that includes temporal information, user identification information, geographic information, and/or a user selection. The matrix code may be captured by a matrix reading device and transmitted to a monitoring entity. Optionally, the matrix reading device may decode the matrix code and transmit associated data to the monitoring entity. The monitoring entity may use the code or data to track and distinguish between user interactions at different points in time.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and devices are described to proactively adapt media streaming by a number of media player clients over a network. Each media player requests segments of an adaptive media stream for playback. In implementations, some or all of the media players in the system are able to measure packet loss or other indicia of issues with the data transmission. This indicia can be used to adapt subsequent requests for additional segments of the media stream. Moreover, some implementations could provide the measured packet loss or other indicia to the server as feedback. The server, in turn, can use the feedback from the players (along with any other additional information) to formulate business rules subsequently delivered to some or all of the players in the system. The media players can therefore adapt their segment request based upon locally measured data and/or based upon business rules that reflect system-wide conditions.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices provide efficient bandwidth allocation on a satellite, mobile telephone or other data connection by allowing nodes to share bandwidth for commonly-requested data. A transmission center, uplink or other gateway suitably recognizes when content requests from multiple different nodes are simultaneously requesting delivery of the same content. When the same content is recognized, the gateway device allocates shared bandwidth on the data transmission link for the requested content that is accessible to both the first and second nodes.