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: 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, methods, apparatus, and machine-readable media are provided to facilitate lighting device health management. Conditions of at least a portion of an electric light assembly may be monitored with a monitor adapted to be disposed in the electric light assembly. The electric light assembly may include an electric light source and a receptacle adapted to receive the electric light source. Based on the monitoring, data recordings corresponding to operations of the electric light assembly over a period of time may be stored. Reporting data may be created based on the stored data recordings. A communication may be wirelessly transmitted with the monitor toward a system controller that is remote from the electric light assembly. The communication may include the reporting data. The monitor may correspond to the electric light source or a receptacle adapted to receive the electric light source.

Abstract: A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.

Abstract: Media device systems and methods synchronize video content with audio content presented by a plurality of wireless audio headsets. In an exemplary embodiment, a first time delay corresponds to a first duration of time between communication of the audio content from the media device and presentation of the audio content by a first wireless audio headset. A second time delay corresponds to a second duration of time between communication of the audio content from the media device and presentation of the audio content by a second wireless audio headset, wherein the first time delay is greater than the second time delay. Video content communicated to a display is delayed by the first time delay. Audio content communicated to the second wireless audio headset is delayed by a time delay difference between the first time delay and the second time delay.

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: Systems and methods are operable to record a user-specified media content event at a media device. An exemplary embodiment grabs a series of subsequently received image frames from a preceding broadcasting media content event after a monitored real time reaches a closing credits monitor time, wherein the closing credits monitor time is a recording start 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 preceding broadcasting media content event if the at least one attribute of the identified text matches a corresponding predefined closing credits attribute, and initiates a start of the recording of the user-specified media content event in response to determining that the identified text corresponds to the closing credits of the preceding broadcasting media content event.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to control presentation of an erotica-related media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives information from a user sensor that is configured to sense a physical characteristic of a user viewing the erotica-related media content event, and automatically changes presentation of the erotica-related media content event based on the received information corresponding to the sensed physical characteristic of the viewing user.

Abstract: Media content recommendation systems and methods are operable to recommend one or more media content events to a user based on identified changes in the user's emotional state during a life event that is experienced by the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable for monitoring the transmission of media content events. An exemplary embodiment receives a media content stream at a media device from a media content transmission device at a first transmission rate, wherein the media content stream comprises at least one media content event selected for presentation on a media presentation device; stores at least a portion of the media content stream in a media device buffer; calculates a buffer metric; transmitting the buffer metric to the media content transmission device; and receives the media content stream from the media content transmission device at a second transmission rate based on the transmitted buffer metric.

Abstract: In a method for identifying a user in a network of broadcast communication receivers, a physical characteristic of a user is analyzed in association with the user accessing a first of the receivers. First biometric information based on the characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the first receiver is generated. Data associated with use of the first receiver by the user is also generated and associated with the first biometric information. The physical characteristic of the user is then analyzed in association with the user accessing a second receiver. Second biometric information based on the physical characteristic as analyzed in association with the user accessing the second receiver is generated. The first and second biometric information are then compared. If the first and second biometric information indicate the physical characteristic of the same user, the data is employed in conjunction with the user accessing the second receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide media content events to media devices. An exemplary system receives a request for a media content event from a first media device; communicates the media content event to an edge server that is communicatively coupled to the first media device based on an identifier of the requesting media device; identifies a second media device based on preferred media content event characteristics associated with the second media device, wherein at least one media content event characteristic of the requested media content event corresponds to at least one of the preferred media content event characteristics of the second media device, and wherein the second media device is able to communicatively couple to the edge server; and in response to identifying the second media device, communicates an identifier of the second media device to the edge server, wherein the requested media content event is communicated to the second media 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: A television set top box (STB) or similar receiver device uses information obtained from a wireless interface to automatically detect when the device has been moved to a different location. The device may initially obtain a list of wi-fi zones or in-range wireless devices that can be quantified or stored for later comparison. If the device later finds that the original zones/devices are no longer present or that substantial numbers of new zones/devices are present, then the device can recognize that it has been moved to a new location. The device may respond to the detected location change by disabling premium content, by reporting back to a security service, by simply recording the change in location, or by taking other actions as appropriate.

Abstract: Systems, devices and automated processes detect piracy of broadcast television signals through selective delay of decrypted code words that are used to render satellite or other received television signals. Smart cards or similar access control hardware are programmed to selectively delay delivery of cryptographic code words based upon the identity of the receiver device. The delayed delivery of the code words produces intentional glitches in the content rendered by the receiver, thereby allowing viewers of the rendered content to ascertain the identity of the device.

Abstract: Described are systems, methods, and computer program products for facilitating user access to virtual reality (VR) containers. A VR container registry may identify any type of container and optionally list requirements for accessing the container, constraints relating to when access is permitted, characteristics describing container features, lists of other containers accessible from within the container, container output formats, accepted input formats, etc. The registry may be organized in a hierarchical structure, make use of or be comparable to a domain name system, and include one or more top-level items each having one or more second-level items organized beneath. A service provider may host a VR container to facilitate user access to other VR containers, allow users to transfer between unconnected remote VR containers while staying within a VR session or without having to exit all VR sessions, and provide transformation services to ensure container and VR system compatibility.

Abstract: Before receiving an instruction from a media player to encode a media program, a placeshifting device or other video encoder pre-encodes at least a portion of the media program to a low-bandwidth format that can be readily transmitted to the media player upon request. When the media player does instruct the placeshifting device to encode the media program, the placeshifting device initially provides the pre-encoded portion of the media program to thereby allow the media player to begin immediate playback of the pre-encoded portion. After providing the preencoded portion of the media program, the placeshifting device live encodes the remaining portions of the media program according to then-current network conditions to thereby provide the placeshifted video stream to the media player.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to retrieve at least a portion of a missed media content event. An exemplary embodiment detects an occurrence of a failed recording of at least a portion of a media content event of interest; transmits a notification of the detected occurrence of the failed recording of the at least the portion of the media content event of interest from a media device to a replacement content device; and receives, at the media device, at least a portion of missed media content corresponding to at least the portion of the media content event of interest that failed to record.

Abstract: Song shuffling system plays a series of songs selected from a shuffled plurality of predefined audio content sources. An exemplary embodiment concurrently receives, during a shuffle operation, a stream of audio content from each of the predefined audio content sources, wherein each of the streams of audio content comprises a plurality of serially received songs. Each song is stored by the media device as the song is received. A first predefined audio content source is selected from the predefined audio content sources. Then, a first song is selected having a beginning portion that is stored in the memory medium and that was provided by the selected first predefined audio content source. A second predefined audio content source is selected from the predefined audio content sources that is to provide a second song that is to be presented to the user upon conclusion of the presentation of the first song.