Abstract: A system for exchanging a number of local area messages includes a processor, system memory, a network interface card, and a non-transitory storage medium that are communicatively coupled. The non-transitory storage medium includes a first receiving subcomponent, a first sending subcomponent, a second receiving subcomponent, a second sending subcomponent, and a controlling subcomponent. The first receiving subcomponent receiving a first message from a first video device. The first sending subcomponent sends the first message to a second video device. The second receiving subcomponent receives a second message from the second video device. The second sending subcomponent sends the second message to the first video device. The controlling subcomponent controls the communication of the first message and the second message to monitor the identity of the user of the first video device and the second video device.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing network enabled devices including a processor, a number of network interfaces, communicatively connected to the processor and a non-transitory storage medium. The modules include a broadcast content obtain module, an other media obtain module, a content aggregate module, an aggregated content send module, a command receive module, and an instruction send module. The broadcast content obtain module obtains broadcast television content. The other media obtain module obtains other media content over the network communication. The content aggregate module aggregates the broadcast television content and the other media content into aggregated content. The aggregated content send module sends the aggregated content over the network interface for presentation at a graphical user interface. The command receive module receives a command through the network interface.

Abstract: A computer system including a processor, a system memory, a non-transitory storage medium having modules such as a broadcast obtain module, an other media obtain module, a content aggregate module, an aggregated content send module, a context determine module, a formulate overlay module, and an overlay send module. The system may have a Wi-Fi router. The context determine module may determine a function or access services. The context determine module may access a calendar item for a user. The formulate overlay module may overlay data based on a calendar item. The formulate overlay module may overlay data relevant to aggregated content. A social media access module accessing a number of relevant services and a notice module providing notice to a user may be included. The notice module may identify the notice by using a date, a time, and a location of the computer system.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing customized viewing includes, a processor, system memory. The system memory includes a number of modules. The modules include a first receive module, a second receive module, a first link formulating module, a second link formulating module, a selection receive module, a content aggregate module, and an aggregate send module. The first receive module receiving a first media content from an antenna for over-the-air signals or other live broadcast signals. The second receive module receiving second media content using a network interface card. The first link formulating module formulating a first link for the first media content. The second link formulating module formulating formulate a second link for the second media content. The aggregate module aggregating the first link and the second link in a hybrid channel guide. The send module sending the hybrid channel guide to a device for presentation at a graphical user interface at the device.

Abstract: A telemetry device is provided including a dynamic off-hook detector which is capable of determining when a contending telephone device comes off-hook even when the telemetry device is engaged in pulse dialing. The technique is directly applicable to "current robbing" type dynamic off-hook detectors which sense the current robbed away from the telemetry device when a contending telephone device comes off-hook. The device includes a static off-hook detector or line status indicator for determining when a contending telephone device goes off-hook during the static state of the telemetry device. The dynamic off-hook detector of the telemetry device determines when a contending telephone device goes off-hook while the telemetry device is in the active state, namely while the telemetry device is seizing the phone line for the purpose of communicating collected information to a central station.

Abstract: The telemetry device of the present invention overcomes the wide variation in operating parameters found in the telephone system by automatically tuning itself to the operating conditions sensed on the telephone line. More particularly, the invention dynamically adjusts the subscriber loop current to compensate for the variety of line conditions encountered. The telemetry device collects data at a remote location and transmits that data over a phone line back to a central station. The device includes a power supply which is coupled to the phone line to derive a power supply voltage therefrom to power the device. When the device enters an active state, it seizes the phone line before transmitting the collected data back to the central station. Upon entering the active state, a pre-loading circuit in the device progressively loads the device down until the power supply voltage within the device decreases to a first predetermined voltage level.

Abstract: An inbound telemetry device and method of operation thereof are provided in which the inbound telemetry device becomes activated should one or the other of two different events occur. The inbound telemetry device is located at a predetermined site and is coupled by a telephone line to a central host. When a real time clock within the device reaches a predetermined point in time, the device seizes the phone line and dials a predetermined telephone number and transmits collected data over the phone line to the central host or other station having a need for the information. The inbound telemetry device includes a ring counter which counts the number of rings in a particular call whether the call is from the central host or another telephone user.

Abstract: A outbound telemetry device type of meter interface unit (MIU) is provided which enables the automated collection of utility consumption information from a telephone subscriber's site via a conventional subscriber phone line between a central office and the subscriber's site. The unit includes a processor which is capable of collecting consumption information at the subscriber's site. The processor draws electrical power from the phone line in an electrically isolated fashion. When the unit detects the presence of an alerting signal intended for that particular unit, the unit seizes the phone line. The processor then transmits telemetry data with respect to the information back over the phone line. The unit continues the seizure of the phone line for so long as the telemetry data transmission from the processor continues. The unit includes a data detection circuit which detects when the telemetry data transmission ceases.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit is provided, one embodiment of which is employed in an inbound telemetry device such as an inbound MIU, another embodiment of which is employed in an outbound telemetry device such as an outbound MIU, for example. The inbound signal processing circuit monitors and senses conditions on a phone line coupled thereto to determine when the line is available or not available for use by the inbound telemetry device. More specifically, the processing circuit includes a sensing circuit which senses when other communications devices coupled to the phone line are off-hook and hence the line is not available. The processing circuit advantageously employs the same sensing circuit to determine when ringing signals are present on the line such that the line is not available.