Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to record a media content event at a media device. An exemplary embodiment grabs a series of subsequently received image frames from the media content event that is being recorded after a monitored real time reaches a closing credits monitor time, wherein the closing credits monitor time is a recording end time less a predefined duration. The embodiment then analyzes each of the image frames to identify an occurrence of text presented in the analyzed image frame, determines that the identified text corresponds to closing credits of the media content event if the at least one attribute of the identified text matches a corresponding predefined closing credits attribute, and initiates an end of the recording of the media content event in response to determining that the identified text corresponds to the closing credits of the media content event.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating social networking via a media device are described. Some embodiments provide a social networking facilitator (“SNF”) as part of a media device, such as a set-top box that is configured to receive media content events from a broadcast system, such as a satellite broadcast system. As the media device presents a media content event, a user can share, via the SNF, information about the presented media content event with members of his social network. In particular, the SNF prepares a message that includes information about or from the presented media content event, such as a title, a channel, a summary, rating, video clip, or the like. This message can then be edited by the user, such as by adding a comment or rating, before being transmitted by the SNF a social networking system, to be forwarded as a notification to members of the user's social network.

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: Systems and methods are operable to increase brightness output from a display. An exemplary embodiment detects a predefined user action of a remote control, and then increases brightness of a currently presented image that is being presented on the display in response to detecting the predefined user action so that an ambient lighting level in the vicinity of the display is increased.

Abstract: One or more elevators can be more efficiently controlled by considering the then-current spatial capacity of the elevator. Camera images or other sensor data indicative of the occupied space in the elevator are received and processed by a control device to determine whether or not the elevator should stop at a requested floor. If the elevator is determined to lack space for additional passengers, then the elevator can bypass the requested stop and proceed without delay. If space remains, however, the elevator can stop to accommodate additional passengers. Measured spatial capacity can also be used to coordinate the actions of multiple elevators operating within a building.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing supplemental content during a broadcast. The supplemental content is provided by the operation of an interactive application resident on a receiver. The interactive application is initiated through a trigger that is received during an otherwise standard broadcast. The trigger includes an interactive prompt that is to be displayed during a particular portion of the broadcast. The prompt including a means for enabling receipt of a user input. The user input may be a request for further information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting actual data on a display device based on eye-tracking data. An eye-tracking engine receives sensed data from an eye-tracking device, determines a movement status of an eye based on the sensed data, and determines a display configuration based on the determined movement status. The display configuration is output on the display device and includes masking data when the determined movement status indicates the eye is in motion.

Abstract: A hybrid, expandable electronic programming guide that may allow broadcast programming customers to view both broadcast programming options and over-the-top service options in a single electronic programming guide.

Abstract: An electronic system is presented which includes a remote control device and a first electronic device. In one embodiment, the remote control device is configured to accept a user input signifying a command for a second electronic device, as well as generate the command for the second electronic device, and an indication of the command. In another embodiment, the remote control device is configured to accept a user input that causes a mode change of the remote control device, wherein the mode identifies one of a plurality of electronic devices that receive commands from the remote control device. The remote control device is also configured to transmit the command to the second electronic device, if applicable, and transmit the indication of the command or mode change to the first electronic device. The first electronic device is configured to receive and process the indication to alter operation of the first electronic device.

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: 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: Control, based upon one or more pre-determined and user-configurable criterion, the loudness or intensity of audio as output by a television or handheld mobile device.

Abstract: Various arrangements for mitigating voltage droop in a direct current circuit configured to power multiple capacitive loads are presented. A voltage source configured to output a direct current voltage to power the multiple capacitive loads may be present. First and second outputs electrically coupled with the voltage source such that the outputs, when electrically coupled with capacitive loads, provide a voltage to the capacitive load may be provided. A transformer module (which may include a transformer and an impedance) electrically coupled with the first output and the second output may also be provided. When the first capacitive load is electrically coupled with the first output, the transformer may be configured to mitigate droop of the first voltage to the first output upon the second capacitive load being connected to the second output and receiving inrush current.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to manage timers that control recording of media content. An exemplary embodiment compares a retrieved stale timer criteria with a retrieved timer attribute; determines whether the timer is stale based on the comparison of the retrieved timer attribute and the stale timer criteria, wherein the timer is determined to be stale when the media content event identified by the timer will not be recorded because the media content event identified by the timer is not scheduled to be broadcast at a future date; and then automatically deletes the timer in response to determining that the timer is stale.

Abstract: A satellite receiver in a vehicle continues to receive satellite communications even when line-of-sight to the satellite becomes obscured by obtaining a stream of the satellite broadcast via an ad hoc network. When the satellite receiver determines that the satellite broadcast signal is being lost (or is about to be lost), the satellite receiver transmits a request message on an alternate wireless channel seeking an alternate source for the satellite media program. Another satellite receiver that is able to receive the broadcast replies to the request message, and an ad hoc communication session is established with the alternate source via an alternate wireless channel. The receiver is therefore able to receive the media program from the alternate source via the ad hoc session instead of the satellite broadcast signal.

Abstract: Particular portions or events of recorded television programming identified as having especially significant or interesting detail may be played-back at normal speed without user input; whereas other portions or events of the recorded television programming may be played-back at greater than normal speed.

Abstract: A first television receiver provides media content wirelessly to a second television receiver. The first television receiver transmits video data to the second television receiver on a first wireless network. The television receiver transmits other kinds of data to the second television receiver on a second wireless network.

Abstract: An electronic device and a method for generating a highlight program are provided. The electronic device, for example, includes, but is not limited to a communication device, and a processor communicatively coupled to the communication device, wherein the processor is configured to receive extraction settings, receive game data from the communication device, set an extraction point in the game data based upon the extraction settings, and create a highlight program including media from the game data based upon the extraction point.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards extracting an informational banner from a first source and combining it with video content from a second source. The informational banner may be a news ticker, a scoreboard, an informational window of a program, etc. The informational banner is selected or identified from the first source using one or more different automated or user-selectable methods. The extracted informational banner is combined with video content from the second source at a display location that is automatically determined or selected by a user. The combined content is then provided to a display device for presentation to the user.