Abstract: A virtual set-top box (vSTB) for executing a middleware component, designed originally for use with the physical STB, including emulating hardware capabilities of the physical STB to process IPTV content received over a connection for presenting the IPTV content on a display of the electronic device.

Abstract: Video content is processed for delivery using an automated process that allows for convenient packaging of encrypted or digital rights management (DRM) protected content in a manner such that the packaged content can be efficiently stored in a content delivery network (CDN) or other content source for subsequent re-use by other media clients without re-packaging, and without excessive storage of unused content data.

Abstract: Systems and methods of a media device are operable to perform a channel change operation. An exemplary embodiment receives a first data table from a data table server, wherein the first data table comprises first control information used to perform a channel change operation such that the media device reconfigures itself to change to a new channel from a currently presenting channel or to a new media content event from a currently presenting media content event. The exemplary embodiment later receives a second data table after initiation of the channel change operation, wherein the second data table is broadcast to the media device in one of a plurality of received broadcasting media content streams that has the new media content event, and wherein the second data table comprises second control information that corresponds to at least some of the first control information used to perform the channel change operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to control operation of a portable media device based on machine readable information of a graphical artifact shown on a display concurrently with presentation of a video portion of a media content event. A portable media device, using a portable media device provisioned with an image capture device, captures at least one image that includes the display that is presenting the graphical artifact and the video portion of the media content event, identifies the graphical artifact in the captured at least one image, determines the machine readable data based on the identified graphical artifact, and operates the portable media device to perform at least one operation based on the determined machine readable data.

Abstract: A device for transferring heat from a device component to an environment includes a heat plate connected to a spring. A first fastener attaches the spring to the heat plate at a first location. A second fastener, such as a rivet, attaches the spring to the heat plate at each of a second and a third location. The second fastener includes a tab on and extending above the heat plate and corresponding tab slot on the spring. The spring is riveted to the heat plate at the first location and a second spring member accepts the tab at each of the second location and the third location. Ribs on a top surface of spring facilitate thermal coupling of the spring to the component when the device is assembled. One or more spring curvatures facilitate vertical deflection and horizontal extension of the spring during device assembly.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices may generate speech files that reflect emotion of text-based content. An example process includes selecting a first text from a first source of text content and selecting a second text from a second source of text content. The first text and the second text are aggregated into an aggregated text, and the aggregated text includes a first emotion associated with content of the first text. The aggregated text also includes a second emotion associated with content of the second text. The aggregated text is converted into a speech stored in an audio file. The speech replicates human expression of the first emotion and of the second emotion.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for maintaining a programming lineup of adaptive-bitrate content streaming is provided. The apparatus includes a timeline module configured to maintain a programming lineup of media content available over a network. The media content may comprise a plurality of streamlets. The apparatus also includes at least one data module configured to maintain multi-bitrate streamlet information. The system includes the apparatus and a client module configured to acquire content based upon the programming lineup provided by the timeline module. The method includes maintaining a programming lineup of media content available over a network, and maintaining multi-bitrate streamlet information.

Abstract: Three dimension (3D) model generation systems and methods are operable to generate 3D model data corresponding to images of a physical object of interest that are viewed in a presenting media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives a user request that is associated with an interest by the user to obtain a 3D model of a physical object of interest that is being shown in a scene of a currently presenting media content event. A plurality of video image frames are selected from the scene. Then, 3D model data of the physical object of interest is generated based on at least the selected video image frames of the scene.

Abstract: A mobile device running a mobile application accesses a remote content receiver to request the remote content receiver to retrieve a particular recording timer, and upon receiving the recording timer from the remote content receiver, establishes a radio communication link with a second mobile device and transfers the recording timer to the second mobile device over the established radio communication link. The radio communication link is preferably the Near Field Communication (NFC) link.

Abstract: Media device systems and methods are operable to identify media content events. An exemplary embodiment receives a user defined keyword tag, associates an identifier of a media content event with the user defined keyword tag, stores the user defined keyword tag and the associated identifier in a database, receives a user specification of the user defined keyword tag, conducts a search of the user defined keyword tags in the database for instances where the user defined keyword tag of the second user specification matches with the stored user defined keyword tag of the first user specification, and generates a return message that indicates the associated identifier of the media content event for each instance where the user defined keyword tag matches with the stored user defined keyword tag.

Abstract: A remote control system and related method for controlling a video device are presented. The remote control system contains a plurality of buttons arranged in a grid pattern that correspond to user selectable options displayed on a display screen arranged in the same grid pattern. The user selects options on the screen by pressing the corresponding button on the remote control.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods are provided for delivering media content from different types of content sources to different destination devices across an outdoor/indoor interface using an outdoor hub device. An exemplary hub device includes a first input interface to receive a broadcast signal, a second input interface to receive a telecommunications signal from a telecommunications network, and an output interface. The device further includes a content stream management module coupled to the first input interface and the second input interface to multiplex broadcast and telecommunications content into a multiplexed content stream, an encapsulation module coupled to the content stream management module to encapsulate the multiplexed content stream into a packetized multiplexed content stream, and a communications interface coupled to the encapsulation module and the output interface to transmit the packetized multiplexed content stream to an indoor gateway device via the output interface.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are described for wireless communication. In one example a first wireless signal is received in a first radio frequency spectrum using a first antenna exterior to a building. The first wireless signal is associated with a first wireless protocol. The first wireless signal is converted into a first intermediate signal associated with a coaxial protocol. The first intermediate signal is transmitted to an interior of the building using a coaxial cable. The first intermediate signal is converted into a second signal associated with a second wireless protocol. The second signal is then transmitted in a second radio frequency spectrum using a second antenna interior to the building. The second signal is transmitted using the second wireless protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for maintaining a programming lineup of adaptive-bitrate content streaming is provided. The apparatus includes a timeline module configured to maintain a programming lineup of media content available over a network. The media content may comprise a plurality of streamlets. The apparatus also includes at least one data module configured to maintain multi-bitrate streamlet information. The system includes the apparatus and a client module configured to acquire content based upon the programming lineup provided by the timeline module. The method includes maintaining a programming lineup of media content available over a network, and maintaining multi-bitrate streamlet information.

Abstract: An embodiment for recording a channel that is communicating a program of interest identifies a selected program for recording as a program of interest based upon a characteristic of the selected program, the characteristic of the selected program corresponding to at least one characteristic associated with the program of interest; records an advance period corresponding to a period before a beginning of the program of interest, and records a following period corresponding to a period after a conclusion of the program of interest.

Abstract: Disclosed is an over-the-air (OTA) antenna meter application (“meter app”) that wirelessly connects to an OTA antenna meter (“meter”) installed with an OTA antenna and presents information that facilitates a user in installing the OTA antenna at the premises of a customer. For example, the meter app can help the user in pointing and peaking the OTA antenna for one or more broadcast channels, e.g., those selected by the customer. The meter app can store installation information of the OTA antenna for various installations, which can be used in generating a recommendation of, or predicting, installation information for installing the OTA antenna at a specified address. The predicted installation information can include broadcast channels that would be available for reception at the specified address and their signal strength, a specific location of installation on the premises, or whether a pre-amplifier and/or filter is required.

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: A mobile device includes a first display portion, a second display portion and a graphics processor. The first display portion is viewable while the second display portion is obscured when the mobile device is in a retracted configuration. Both display portions are viewable when the mobile device is in an expanded configuration. The graphics processor may be coupled to each display portion and configured to generate a first image for display on: the first display portion when the mobile device is in the retracted configuration; at least one of the display portions while the mobile device is in the expanded configuration; and at least one of the display portions while the mobile device transitions between the retracted configuration and the expanded configuration. The second display portion may be a flexible display material, such as an OLED display and with the first display portion may be a single sheet OLED display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present an enhanced electronic program guide (EPG). The enhanced EPG comprises a reduced size video, a mini guide, a single channel guide bar, and an optional preview guide bar.

Abstract: Systems and methods control presentation of audio-only content that is broadcast to a media device. An exemplary embodiment receives media content that is currently received in a channel of a broadcasted media content stream; determines whether the currently received channel is a type of channel that provides audio/visual content or a type of channel that provides audio-only content; controls presentation of the received media content using at least one audio/visual content control function in response to determining that the currently received channel is the type of channel that provides audio/visual content; controls presentation of the received media content using at least one audio-only content control function in response to determining that the currently received channel is the type of channel that provides audio-only content, wherein the at least one audio/visual content control function is different from the at least one audio-only content control function.