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.

Abstract: An exemplary geographic playlist system includes a plurality of mobile devices with global positioning systems that provide geographic location information of the mobile device to a geographic location playlist device. The geographic location playlist device has a database of geographic playlist information that includes at least a unique identifier for each one of a plurality of media content events and at least one associated geographic location for each of the plurality of media content events. The geographic location playlist device determines a current geographic location of the mobile device, compares the geographic location of the mobile device with the geographic locations residing in the database, and generates user geographic playlist information that includes the identifier of media content events that has an associated geographic location that matches with the determined geographic location of the mobile device. A geographic playlist is then presented to the user of the mobile device.

Abstract: A computing device is programmed to receive, first and second user indicia of interest for media content. The computing device is further programmed to receive first user data related to a media content item. Based at least in part on the first and second user indicia of interest and the first user data, the computing device is further programmed to generate output that the first user recommend the media content item to the second user.

Abstract: Methods and devices produce an audio representation of aggregated content by selecting preferred content from a number of sources. The sources are emotion-tagged. The emotion-tagged preferred content sources are converted into audio files. A set of audio files corresponding to the converted preferred content is generated. The preferred content is individually converted into the audio files. The generated set comprises non-aggregated content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing media mosaics are described. One embodiment provides a media mosaic management method in a media device. The method generates a mosaic filter based on a program selected from a first media mosaic. The mosaic filter is used to identify related programs for presentation in a second, customized media mosaic.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, apparatus, and/or methods are described for integrating a broadcast media stream with media streams from one or more amateur sources. In one implementation, a method includes receiving, at a stream integrator, one or more user media streams captured by one or more user capture devices, receiving a broadcast stream from a broadcast provider, selecting at least one of the one or more user media streams based on one or more parameters, and integrating one or more of the selected user media streams into the broadcast stream.

Abstract: Haptic feedback remote control systems and methods are provided. A method for providing haptic feedback to a user of a haptic feedback remote control device includes receiving, by a receiving device, an electronic command issued from the haptic feedback remote control device. The receiving device transmits a haptic feedback command to the haptic feedback remote control device. Based on the received haptic feedback command, the haptic feedback remote control activates a haptic feedback device, within the haptic feedback remote control, to provide a haptic feedback effect to a user of the haptic feedback remote control device.

Abstract: An automated test platform is disclosed for use in developing and troubleshooting customized software for multimedia content receivers. The automated test platform allows developers to script test cases that permit interaction with multiple content receivers at the same time. The test platform can be applied generally to any client-server system. The automated test platform is used to create scripts, run the scripts on multiple content receivers, and view test results. A graphical user interface (GUI) is provided that allows technicians without any programming experience to build and run complex interactive test sequences in a modular fashion. Such an automated test platform can be used to test cable and satellite television set top boxes, as well as DVD players, streaming media receivers, and game consoles.

Abstract: An apparatus for multi-bit rate 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 bit rate, 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 system and method are provided of minimizing network bandwidth used from an external network by client peers in a local network. The method can include the operation of organizing a plurality of clients each having media streamlets and a client parent in a structure within the local network. Mapping information propagates through the structure. The mapping information represents local streamlet locations as stored by the plurality of clients. Another operation is retrieving a local streamlet from a client identified in the mapping information as having the local streamlet for the requesting client.

Abstract: Motion pictures or other digital media content can be encoded with visible, yet obscured, digital codes that can be optically detected by a camera or other automated image processing device. If a code is recognized in captured media content, further capture, playback and/or distribution can be halted, as desired. Because the code is visible (albeit hidden) in the digital imagery itself, capture by another camera or other optical device will not typically negate the usefulness of the code. That is, the code is visibly present within the imagery itself, so subsequent capture of the video imagery will also capture the code, thereby allowing for detection and/or prevention.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present a sporting event on a display based on a determined level of viewer engagement and a determined team preference of the viewer. An exemplary embodiment presents a neutral viewpoint video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a neutral team preference, alternatively presents a first team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the first team, or alternatively presents a second team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the second team.

Abstract: A system and method of adjusting playback of content in response to a viewer's emotional reaction is disclosed. The method includes detecting viewer emotion, via a camera, in reaction to subject matter of the content being presented on a display screen. The content includes subject matter and metadata associated with the subject matter. Additionally, the method analyzes the viewer emotion in reaction to the subject matter of the content presented on the display screen and identifies the analyzed viewer emotion in reaction to the subject matter of the content. The method also associates an identified viewer emotion with at least one playback attribute linked with the presentation of the content using the metadata associated with the subject matter of the content presented on the display screen. Further, the method adjusts the at least one playback attribute linked with presentation of the content that corresponds with the identified viewer emotion.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, processes, and computer-readable mediums for facilitating the use of drones are described. For one embodiment, such a system includes a user element having a user application computer program configured to instruct a user interface device to facilitate use of user data and use of mission parameter(s) for a proposed drone mission. An owner element includes an owner application computer program configured to facilitate use of owner data and use of at least one drone parameter. A fleet system element is communicatively coupled to the user element and to the owner element and includes a computer system processor configured to facilitate use of a fleet record and use of at least one fleet parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to notify a user of content availability. An exemplary embodiment receives a content availability notification request that specifies at least one content of interest, searches current electronic program guide (EPG) information to identify the content of interest, determines that the information identifying the specified content of interest is unavailable based upon the search of the current EPG information, generates a content availability reminder that is associated with the specified content of interest, monitors a content database to determine an availability of the specified content of interest identified in the content availability reminder, determines that the specified content of interest is available when the monitored content database indicates availability of the specified content of interest, and generates a content availability reminder notification that indicates at least a title of the specified content of interest.

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: 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.

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: A system and method are provided of minimizing network bandwidth used from an external network by client peers in a local network. The method can include the operation of organizing a plurality of clients each having media streamlets and a client parent in a structure within the local network. Mapping information propagates through the structure. The mapping information represents local streamlet locations as stored by the plurality of clients. Another operation is retrieving a local streamlet from a client identified in the mapping information as having the local streamlet for the requesting client.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides clarifying supplemental information to a user who has become confused about a currently presenting media content event.