Abstract: A distributed system architecture is described for control of a Set Top Box (STB). The architecture employs server software implemented as JSON middleware, and provided on the STB 32 as a local server, as well as on a Tooling Device 34 and a Control Application 36. The distributed system facilitates communication with the STB over a data network such as the internet. A remote client device running a browser 30 can interact with the STB 32 to access STB functionality 32.

Abstract: Various arrangements for recording multiple television channels are presented. A plurality of sets of television channels may be identified. An interface may be output for presentation, the interface presenting indications of each of the plurality of sets of television channels and a plurality of input elements associated with the plurality of sets of television channels. User input may be received via one or more of the plurality of input elements indicative of one or more sets of television channels of the plurality of sets of television channels to be recorded. Dates and times at which the one or more sets of television channels are to be recorded may be determined. The one or more sets of television channels may be recorded at the determined dates and the determined times.

Abstract: A receiving device performs an action that results in a corrective measure being taken to address a picture quality issue detected in real time in the frames currently being displayed on a television or other device. The receiving device or a remote system compares indications of video frames currently being displayed to stored video frames for that program to detect macroblocking or a frozen video frame. The macroblocking or a frozen video frame may also or instead be detected by image analysis of the frames currently being displayed. If macroblocking or a frozen video frame is detected in the frames currently being displayed, the set-top box may switch to an alternative video source, change to a standard definition channel broadcasting the same video program or perform other corrective actions.

Abstract: Various arrangements for restricting mobile device usage are presented. A mobile device may collect movement and location sensor data. The mobile device may determine it is being operated within a moving vehicle based on the sensor data. The mobile device may use interaction data indicative of a user's interactions with the mobile device while the mobile device is being operated within the operating vehicle. An in-vehicle mobile device usage profile may be created based on the sensor data and the collected user interaction data. The in-vehicle mobile device usage profile may be analyzed to determine that a user of the mobile device is currently an operator of the moving vehicle. In response to determining that the user of the mobile device is currently the operator of the moving vehicle, access to one or more functions of the mobile device may be restricted.

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: Various arrangements for acquiring network configuration data are presented. In response to a television receiver being booted, the television receiver may determine if it can communicate with a service provider's server. If so, the television receiver may request network configuration data from the television programming broadcast network configuration server via a network interface. The television receiver may receive the network configuration data from the television programming broadcast network configuration server via the network interface. Based on the network configuration data, the television receiver may process television programming data received via the tuner.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing targeted advertising to media display devices that may be located away from a user premises based on user preferences. A computing system may detect presence of multiple user devices within a proximity of the computing system, and a user profile associated with each particular user device may then be accessed. A net demographic profile associated with the multiple user devices may be determined, and then advertising content may be selected for presentation by a display device based upon the net demographic profile.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a television wall mount is provided that may be installed at a position in a television wall nook such that when the television monitor is bolted, screwed or hung on the television monitor mounting bracket, the television is located in front of and outside the television wall nook. In this manner, a television monitor that is too wide to fit in the television wall nook may be installed over the television wall nook by mounting the television on the television wall mount installed in the television wall nook.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for creating a customized preview video. A television receiver may compile viewing statistics based on a plurality of pieces of content output for presentation. The viewing statistics can include an amount of time spent outputting for presentation each piece of content of the plurality of pieces of content. The television receiver, based on the viewing statistics for the plurality of pieces of content output for presentation, may determine one or more preferred content types and one or more preferred content genres. Using stored electronic programming guide data, a plurality of scheduled content instances may be determined based on the one or more preferred content types and one or more preferred content genres. A plurality of preview clips corresponding to the plurality of scheduled content instances may be accessed. The plurality of preview clips may be assembled to create the customized preview video.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing and displaying an enhanced program guide may include a method including identifying each channel viewed by a user over a period of time at an electronic device. The method may include storing data associated with each channel viewed, and may include producing a list of each channel viewed with the electronic device. The produced list may be ordered from most watched channel to least watched channel. The method may also include receiving a command at the electronic device to display an electronic program guide, and may still include incorporating at least a portion of the list into the electronic program guide at the electronic device for display.

Abstract: A microcontroller-based electronic device and its operating methods are operable to learn a critical voltage value for a microprocessor control unit residing in the microcontroller-based electronic device. The microprocessor control unit receives power from a battery. An exemplary embodiment detects an operating voltage provided to the microprocessor control unit by a supplemental power reservoir after removal of the battery, stores information corresponding to a value of the operating voltage in a nonvolatile memory, repeats the detecting and the saving information as the operating voltage decays in response to a discharge of the supplemental power reservoir, and determines the actual minimum operating voltage for the microprocessor control unit based on a last one of the stored information corresponding to the value of the operating voltage. A learned critical voltage value is based upon the defined actual minimum operating voltage.

Abstract: A system includes a server configured to monitor wireless interference between at least two media content delivery devices. The server coordinates communication with the media content delivery devices to reduce wireless interference, and the communication is coordinated according to requirements of media content requests received from the media content delivery devices. A method includes monitoring wireless interference between at least two media content delivery devices and coordinating communication with the media content delivery devices to reduce wireless interference.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method, system, or computer-readable storage device including instructions for reducing the blue light component of displayed video can include one or more of the following features: receiving, at a set-top box, a video signal having a white color balance, the white color balance including a red component value. The set-top box can determine that the current time is after a threshold night value and before a threshold morning value and, based on that, adjust the white color balance of the video signal to increase the red component value. The set-top box can then transmit the video signal with the adjusted white color balance to a display device.

Abstract: Methods and systems, such as television receivers, are disclosed for receiving data from remote controls for manipulation of graphical user interfaces. Aspects include providing a seamless transition between absolute and relative navigational schemes to allow for users to more efficiently make use of touch and position sensitive remote controls. Further, aspects include dynamically scaling the touch and position sensitive remote controls outputs to match various grid sizes that may be included in the graphical user interface.

Abstract: A system includes a set-top box and a remote device. The remote device receives data representing an event from the set-top box. The remote device determines whether the event has occurred based on the data representing the event and generates a transition command to transition the set-top box from a first operating mode to a second operating mode. Further, the remote device transmits the transition command to the set-top box if the event has occurred.

Abstract: Various embodiments of two-way communication devices and tracker devices are presented. Such a device may include a processing unit, comprising: a housing, one or more processors; a microphone, a speaker; and a first electrical connector for receiving power, wherein the one or more processors, the microphone, and the speaker are housed by the housing. Such a device may include a wristband that includes one or more integrated power sources that are permanently housed within the wristband. The one or more integrated power sources may have a second electrical connector to supply power to the processing unit when the processing unit is removably coupled with the wristband. The device may include a plurality of magnets to removably couple the processing unit with the wristband.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method, system, or computer-readable storage device including instructions for reducing the blue light component of displayed video can include one or more of the following features: receiving, at a set-top box, a video signal having a white color balance, the white color balance including a red component value. The set-top box can determine that the current time is after a threshold night value and before a threshold morning value and, based on that, adjust the white color balance of the video signal to increase the red component value. The set-top box can then transmit the video signal with the adjusted white color balance to a display device.

Abstract: Described are systems and methods for providing improved indoor reception of OTA (Over-the-Air) broadcast signals. The systems described include antenna systems with one or more network interfaces for providing a transport stream received by an antenna to a network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing photosensitivity protection for content displayable with a screen display are provided. Content, which may include video content, may be received at a media device. A portion of the video content that corresponds to flashing images may be identified with the media device. A precaution against the flashing images may be identified based at least in part on the identifying of the portion of the video content that corresponds to flashing images. One or more of at least a portion of the video content and/or information about the video content may be displayed based at least in part on the precaution.

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.