Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to support multiple audio tracks in an adaptive media stream. Segments of the adaptive stream are encoded so that the player is able to locate and request a specific one of the available audio tracks using byte range requests or the like. Audio content can be removed from video segments, or at least moved to the end of the segments so that a byte range request obtains just the video content when the default audio is not desired. The audio content can be obtained from a separate audio segment. Indeed, multiple audio tracks can be packaged into a common audio segment so that byte range requests can obtain just the particular audio track desired.

Abstract: Image data systems and methods combine a plurality of images into a single multiple-palette image data file, or generate a selected image from the multiple-palette image data file. An exemplary embodiment receives first pixel information for a first pixel of a first image, the first pixel having a first color; receives second pixel information for a like-located second pixel of a second image, the second pixel having a second color; and specifies a color palette location value that identifies a first color palette array element in a first color palette of the first image and identifies a second like-located color palette array element in a second color palette of the second image. First color information stored in the first color palette array element defines the first pixel color. Second color information stored in the second image data color palette array element defines the second pixel color.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive-rate shifting of streaming content includes an agent controller module configured to simultaneously request at least portions of a plurality of streamlets. The agent controller module is further configured to continuously monitor streamlet requests and subsequent responses, and accordingly request higher or lower quality streamlets. A staging module is configured to stage the streamlets and arrange the streamlets for playback on a content player. A system includes a data communications network, a content server coupled to the data communications network and having a content module configured to process content and generate a plurality of high and low quality streams, and the apparatus.

Abstract: A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control.

Abstract: A reverse tapered mounting tab for a signal connector is disclosed. The signal connector includes the reverse tapered mounting tab coupled to a connector body having a connector port inside. The reverse tapered mounting tab is configured to be secured in a through hole of a circuit board. Solder may be positioned in the through hole after positioning the mounting tab. The solder may prevent the mechanical tab from being forced through the through hole even after minor cracking and deformations in the solder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a logically organized electronic program guide separated into categories. Each category has a theme. Inside each theme-based category there is a listing of television programming. In this way, the subscriber can locate a desired theme and then determine a desired program from the list in the category.

Abstract: An RJ-45 insertion and extraction tool is disclosed that allows a user to plug and unplug an RJ-45 connector from an RJ-45 socket in a quick and easy way that does not disturb other cables plugged into adjacent sockets.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively recording and bookmarking a portion of broadcast media content include receiving a video stream containing the broadcast media content, determining a video segment of the video stream to be output to a display device, and performing OCR on characters present within the video segment. The systems and methods may further include detecting a trigger event in the OCR of the video segment and creating a digital bookmark corresponding to the detected trigger event. The systems and methods may include generating a recording of a portion of the broadcast media content, whereby the recording begins prior to the trigger event and concludes after the trigger event, and storing the digital bookmark associated with the generated recording.

Abstract: A method of displaying an electronic programming guide, comprising: outputting a video signal from a receiver to a display device, the video signal including program service content for display on the display device; receiving a signal at the receiver, the signal including a command to display an electronic programming guide; in response to receiving the signal, determining if there is at least one viewer of the display device that does not want to view the electronic programming guide; and in response to determining that there is at least one viewer that does not want to view the electronic programming guide, projecting the electronic programming guide from the receiver to a projection surface.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a high data transfer smart card reader. In a preferred embodiment, the high data transfer smart card reader includes smart card contacts, a heat sink, a heat conductor, and a heat sink plate. The smart card contacts are configured to contact a pad in a contact area of a smart card to create an electrical connection. The heat sink is configured to physically contact a smart card to dissipate heat. The heat conductor and the heat sink plate are connected to the heat sink to maximize heat dissipation by increasing the surface area of the heat sink. The smart card contacts, the heat sink, the heat conductor, and the heat sink plate are secured to a circuit board by an encasing member.

Abstract: A mobile device embodiment communicates program distribution account information to a program distributor. The mobile device embodiment receives from the program distributor, authorization to use programming that is conditioned on the communicated program distribution account information. The mobile device embodiment communicates the authorization to a receiving device.

Abstract: TDMA communications between a host device and a number of clients on a communications channel are dynamically adapted to allocate or de-allocate time slots in response to changes in the number of active clients. The system initially operates in a startup mode in which the host device transmits a startup message on the communications channel and assigns a timeslot in a TDMA cycle in response to connection requests received from each of the requesting clients. After exiting the startup mode, the system operates in a normal mode in which the host device initiates the TDMA cycle by transmitting a polling message on the communications channel that indicates a number of timeslots occurring within that particular TDMA cycle. The host changes the number of timeslots indicated in the polling message to responsively adapt duration of the TDMA cycle as the number of clients communicating via the communications channel changes.

Abstract: Systems and methods securely provide media content from a media server to a media client via a network. The media content is segmented to create multiple media segments that are each identified in a playlist, and at least one of the media segments is encrypted using a cryptographic key. The cryptographic key is also identified in the playlist, and the playlist is provided from the media server to the media client via the network. The various media segments and cryptographic keys may then be requested from and provided by the media server using hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) or similar constructs to allow the media client to receive and decrypt the various segments of the media content.

Abstract: Summaries of video programs can be automatically created by identifying and compiling repeated portions of the program content. In many programs (such as broadcasts of sporting events), the most interesting portions of the event are often repeated more than once during the course of the program. By automatically identifying the replayed portions of the video presentation, then, a highlight summary of a television broadcast can be automatically created. Repeated imagery can be automatically identified by comparing metric values representing the contents of video frames. This technique can be implemented within a set top box or other television receiver that is operated by a viewer, thereby providing a high level of flexibility and convenience.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling computing device or system resource sharing between two or more satellite television customers are disclosed. This may be achieved by partitioning resources of a television receiver system such that a first party and at least a second party have access to the various features or functionality in a manner similar to that as if each respective party has a standalone instance of the same. A server system may facilitate the resource sharing between satellite television customers by receiving a request from a first party and identifying a second party within suitable distance from the first party. The server system may send configuration instructions to the television receiver of the hosting party that include instructions as to how the resources of the computing system are to be allocated.

Abstract: Enabling an end-user to configure or customize a home occupancy simulation mode, which is implemented by a home automation system, via one or more user interfaces, some of which might normally be used to access satellite television-related programming and services.

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 method of dynamically determining and utilizing an application programming interface within an electronic device is presented. In the method, a definition of an object is received from the application programming interface, wherein the definition describes at least a portion of the application programming interface. The object is then generated based on the definition, wherein the object includes data for controlling the electronic device. The object is transferred to the application programming interface.

Abstract: A television receiver may detect during a primary recording of particular programming degradation of a received signal quality associated with the particular programming to at or below a predetermined threshold value. The television receiver may instantiate a secondary recording of the particular programming during the primary recording when the particular programming is accessible over at least one terrestrial network. The television receiver may query a computing system to acquire content associated with at least one gap in content within the primary recording present due to received signal quality. The television receiver may output during playback of the primary recording a notification to enable access to the secondary recording when content associated with the at least one gap in content within the primary recording is unavailable over the at least one terrestrial network.

Abstract: A remote control is powered by multiple batteries connected in series. The remote control includes a voltage comparison circuit configured to compare a midpoint voltage from a node connecting two of the batteries to a reference voltage. The remote control is able to determine if there is a non-uniform drain rate in the batteries based on the comparison.