Abstract: Media content systems and methods are operable to detect sound using one or more microphones during presentation of a media content event. The audio content output is changed by a remedial action that is performed if the audio content detected by the microphones does not correspond to the intended audio content of the presented media content event.

Abstract: A feed switcher for a satellite telecommunication system includes a microcontroller, a first relay, and a second relay. The first relay receives as inputs a first satellite feed and a second satellite feed. The second relay receives as inputs a third satellite feed and an output of the first relay. The output of the first relay includes the first satellite feed or the second satellite feed. The microcontroller has a first port and a second port, and the output of the second relay is based on whether at least one of the first port and the second port is open. Therefore, the output of the second relay may be either the output of the first relay or the third satellite feed.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to support placeshifting of adaptive media streams. A home device acts as an intermediary that passes requests for segments of an adaptive stream from a remote device to a content source. The content source responds with the requested segments, which are forwarded to the remote device. A connection service may be provided to facilitate placeshifting sessions between home and remote devices.

Abstract: Various arrangements for using an active 3D signal to create passive 3D images are presented. An active 3D frame may be received. The active 3D frame may comprise a first perspective image and a second perspective image. The first perspective image may be representative of a different perspective than the second perspective image. The first perspective image may be tinted with a first color. The second perspective image may be tinted with a second color different from the first color. The first perspective image tinted with the first color may be displayed. The second perspective image tinted with the second color may be displayed.

Abstract: Various arrangements for monitoring and mitigating infrared (IR) interference from a display device are presented. IR emissions from a display device are measured the IR signaling characteristics may be adjusted to mitigate interference from the emissions. Calibration methods may be used determine display emission characteristics by displaying test patterns and video clips. Characteristics of the display patterns and video clips may be correlated to high IR emissions.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods and computer program products for generating accessible interface elements to facilitate presentation of alternative versions of a user interface or portions thereof to a user, such as a user having a disability. The disclosed systems, methods, and products allow users having a disability to more easily interact with and/or understand the user interfaces of consumer electronic devices. The disclosed systems, methods, and computer program products may facilitate obtaining images of the user interface and analyzing the images to convert, modify, or otherwise generate an accessible interface, or a portion thereof, for presentation to the user. For example, alternative interface presentations may be generated to allow a blind, deaf, low-vision, or color blind user to more easily understand and interact with the user interface.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for reducing channel change times. A first tuner of a television receiver may tune to a decryption key transponder stream. The decryption key transponder stream may include a plurality of decryption keys for a plurality of television channels that are transmitted to the television receiver via a plurality of transponder streams. A second tuner of the television receiver may be tuned to a media transponder stream to receive a television channel. Data obtained from the decryption key transponder stream may be used for decoding the television channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing and receiving addressable content may include an electronic device for receiving the content. The electronic device may receive a first data stream including targeting data criteria for a plurality of assets at the electronic device. The electronic device may determine a subset of the plurality of assets for storage on the electronic device. The electronic device may also receive a second data stream including the plurality of assets. The electronic device may identify each asset of the subset of the plurality of assets within the second data stream, and may store each asset of the subset of the plurality of assets at the electronic device.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a dual use remote-control device. In one embodiment, a dual use remote-control device may include a first set of input controls such as buttons positioned on a top side of the housing, a second set of input controls positioned on a bottom side of the housing including a QWERTY keyboard and an optical sensor to remotely control movement of a cursor on a display by the optical sensor detecting movement of a user's finger across the optical sensor or movement of the optical sensor across an object such as a table, arm of a chair or user's lap. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A smart multimedia content receiver automatically resizes video images based on the content being displayed on the TV screen. Such a self-formatting content receiver includes on-board image processing capability that provides continuous video analysis to detect changes in program formatting and convert each frame as it is received in real time, as opposed to processing and re-releasing an entire program or movie, or relying on the viewer to re-format programs manually. In response to detecting a change, aspect ratio adjustments are made as needed. Because the self-formatting content receiver has access to the video data before it is displayed, such automatic on-the-fly adjustments ensure that the viewer's experience during program changes is seamless and without distortion. Subscribers can influence decisions made by the content receiver by pre-setting viewer preferences for aspect ratio adjustment.

Abstract: An outdoor messaging display for a home automation system can include an arrival detection device for detecting a visitor's arrival. The system can also include a display device attached near a door that is capable of displaying text to the visitor. The system can also include a home automation controller that can receive a notification from the arrival detection device indicating that a visitor has arrived or has been detected. The home automation controller can send an alert to a device of the resident indicating that the visitor has arrived or been detected. The home automation controller can receive a message from the resident and output the message to the output display for the visitor to read.

Abstract: Various arrangements for outputting a customized video mosaic are presented. Based on received user input, it may be determined that a customized video mosaic is to be output for presentation. A plurality of television channels to be presented as part of the customized video mosaic may be determined. One or more tuners may be tuned based on the determined plurality of television channels to be presented. The plurality of television channels may be output for presentation to a presentation device. Each of these television channels may be presented by the presentation device as live video simultaneously as part of the customized video mosaic.

Abstract: Fast channel change systems and methods are operable to change channels to a newly selected media content event in response to a user request. An exemplary embodiment communicates a previously stored low resolution version segment of the newly selected media content event to a presentation system while the media device is performing a tuning operation to change channels to receive a currently broadcasting high resolution version of the newly selected media content event. Once the tuning process has been completed at the media device, a handshake process is performed wherein the media device transitions presentation from the low resolution version to the high resolution version of the newly selected media content event.

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: Systems and methods for aiding user content navigation are described. An exemplary system may include an electronic device configured to receive audiovisual content and/or user inputs. The electronic device may additionally include one or more outputs coupled with a display device. The electronic device may further include one or more processors as well as memory, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause them to perform one or more navigation functions to receive a channel change command to adjust from a first channel to a second channel. The one or more processors may further be caused to determine that the second channel is presenting advertising content instead of program content, and determine that a third channel is presenting program content. The one or more processors may further be caused to adjust the output to the third channel.

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 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 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: A method of process management for facilitating switching of operating modes within an electronic device is presented. In the method, the electronic device initiates a first process associated in a configuration file with a first operating mode of the device. The configuration file includes an indication as to whether the first process is authorized to request a switch to a second operating mode of the device. A request to switch to the second operating mode is received from the first process. The device determines by way of the indication whether the first process is authorized to issue the request. If the first process is authorized to issue the request, the device initiates a second process associated in the configuration file with the second operating mode in response to the request.