Abstract: A system and method for using a controllable appliance to report an inoperable state of a controlling device. The appliance is caused to repeatedly determine, at a first predetermined timed interval, if a wireless notification signal, repeatedly transmitted by the controlling device at a second predetermined timed interval, has been received from the controlling device. When the wireless notification signal has not been received from the controlling device within the first predetermined timed interval, the appliance is caused to issue a status notification that the controlling device is in an inoperable state.

Abstract: Mechanisms are provided for replacing default advertisement streams in a media stream with replacement advertisement streams. User profile information is obtained for a particular user and/or device. A default advertisement stream is identified and replaced with advertisement streams selected using the user profile information. Timestamp information and sequence number information is maintained to allow uninterrupted delivery of the modified media stream while customizing media streams for particular users.

Abstract: Systems and procedures which allow for the placement of advertisements in an optimized manner are presented. Systems may be provided which may be configured to optimize a media plan (either automatically or manually, or a combinations of both) using demographic vectors, and may display the optimization results in a quantifiable manner using terms and numbers.

Abstract: A synchronization server creates an augmented radio listener experience by providing additional information, especially visual information, over a concurrent, parallel data connection to a user device during the radio broadcast. The additional information is synchronized to the radio broadcast item then playing, based on an event message received by the synchronization server from the radio station equipment. The synchronization server can implement real-time interactions between connected radio listeners and a disk jockey dashboard of the radio station. The synchronization server optionally can personalize advertisement content for transmission to user devices based on user profile information and audience criteria provided by the advertiser.

Abstract: Techniques are described for optimizing streaming video encoding profiles.

Abstract: A method for data communication with a domestic appliance by a mobile computer device. The domestic appliance and the mobile computer device are interconnected or interconnectable via a wireless data connection. The wireless data connection is adapted for transferring signals between the domestic appliance and the mobile computer device. Further, the present invention relates to application software for the mobile computer device. Moreover, the present invention relates to a domestic appliance. Additionally, the present invention relates to a mobile computer device including a display or touch screen.

Abstract: A video playing method, apparatus and electronic device. The method comprises: obtaining to-be-played video frames; inputting the obtained to-be-played video frames into a preset decoder, and decoding the to-be-played video frames by the preset decoder to obtain decoded to-be-played video frames; storing the decoded to-be-played video frames as texture data in a texture storage area of a graphic processing unit; determining, from the decoded to-be-played video frames stored in the texture storage area, a decoded to-be-played video frame that satisfies a rendering condition as a to-be-rendered video frame; rendering and the determined to-be-rendered video frames by the graphic processing unit and playing the rendered video frame. With the embodiments of the present application, rendering speed of a graphic processing unit (GPU) can be increased to a certain extent. Therefore, video playing performance of the electronic device can be improved.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing communication systems are disclosed. A request for a communication session can be analyzed to determine a device or pool of devices to process the communication session. Data associated with the communication session, including session description data, can be analyzed using rules that associate types of data with corresponding processing devices. The rules can be based on levels of complexity associated with the data, and different pools of processing devices can be associated with different levels of complexity. Thus, communication sessions assigned a level of complexity can be matched with pools of devices associated with the same level of complexity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining outcomes for promotional messages presented to viewers using digital on-screen graphics are described. A service provider may present digital on-screen graphics on content presentation devices, which may be detected by an outcome management system. The digital on-screen graphic may be displayed in association with a primary content offering, such as a television program. The outcome management system may monitor content presentation devices, including those exposed to the digital on-screen graphic, to determine the effectiveness of the digital on-screen graphic. For instance, the outcome management system may determine whether content presentation devices exposed to the digital on-screen graphic subsequently accessed a content offering promoted therein.

Abstract: A system having a macroscopic imager, a microscopic imager, and a stage for moving a substrate supporting ex-vivo tissue with respect to each of the imagers to enable the macroscopic imager to capture macroscopic images, and the microscopic imager to capture optically formed sectional microscopic images on or within the tissue, when presented to the tissue, via the optically transparent material of the substrate. A computer system controls movement of the stage, and receives the macroscopic and microscopic images. A display is provided for displaying the macroscopic and microscopic images when received by the computer system. The tissue is verified as being in an orientation at least substantially flush against the upper surface of the substrate by being in focus in displayed macroscopic images prior to imaging by the microscopic imager, and if needed, any portion of the tissue unfocused is manually positioned until desired tissue orientation is achieved.

Abstract: Network content delivery apparatus and methods based on content compiled from various sources and particularly selected for a given user. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable television network, and the content sources include DVR, broadcast, nPVR, and VOD. The user-targeted content is assembled into a playlist, and displayed as a continuous stream on a virtual channel particular to that user. User interfaces accessible through the virtual channel present various functional options, including the selection or exploration of content having similarity or prescribed relationships to other content, and the ability to order purchasable content. An improved electronic program guide is also disclosed which allows a user to start over, record, view, receive information on, “catch up”, and rate content. Apparatus for remote access and configuration of the playlist and virtual channel functions, as well as a business rules “engine” implementing operational or business goals, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A community-based recommendation engine is provided. In one example embodiment, a system to provide community-based recommendation engine comprises a recommendation detector and a decision module. The recommendation detector is configured to receive, at a viewer's system, a recommendation for a content item from a contact of a viewer. The decision module may be configured to determine an action to be performed at the viewer's system, based on the recommendation and on one or more rules, accept the recommendation as an instruction to perform the action, and initiate the action at the viewer's system.

Abstract: Provided is a method for controlling delivery of a video stream of a live-stream room, and corresponding server and mobile terminal. The method includes steps of: receiving a connection request initiated by an anchor user of the live-stream room from a first terminal and including pre-protocol information outputted by a second terminal; sending, in response to the connection request, a first live video stream uploaded by the first terminal down to the second terminal; and receiving a third live video stream uploaded by the second terminal and formed by combining at least one of a second live video stream and the first live video stream, and delivering the third live video stream to a member user in the live-stream room.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to determine headphone adjustment for portable people meter listening to encoded audio streams are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for targeting of advertising content for a consumer product, by obtaining consumer demographic data, the consumer demographic data including a plurality of demographic attributes for each person; identifying a plurality of media slots; and obtaining program information for a respective identified program aired in each media slot among the plurality of media slots, the program information including viewing data of a plurality of viewing persons viewing the program and each viewing person being among the plurality of persons.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method receives a message that identifies an asset being viewed on a video service at a timestamp. The message is associated with a profile identifier and a plurality of messages are received for the profile identifier while using the video service. The method determines a channel identifier for a channel in which the asset is offered during the timestamp and determines whether a channel change occurred based on the channel identifier and a prior channel identifier determined from a prior message in the plurality of messages. When the channel change has occurred, the method stores the channel identifier and timestamp for the profile identifier in a data structure, wherein a list of channels is generated by querying the data structure to determine a set of channel identifiers and timestamps for the profile identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a media guidance application (e.g., implemented on a user device) that explains sports terminology to a user accessing content that corresponds to a sporting event. The media guidance application may detect terms used in the content, determine the terms are unique to the sport, and display definitions and explanations alongside the terms.

Abstract: A system for a video sharing service for inmates in correctional facilities is disclosed. The system includes an inmate device of an inmate, a database storing inmate profiles, and a video sharing server configured to receive a registration request from the inmate device for registration of an inmate for the video sharing service, the registration request including user credentials of the inmate, retrieve an inmate profile of the inmate from the database, authenticate the inmate based on the user credentials and the inmate profile, create an account for the inmate for the video sharing service in response to authentication of the inmate, receive an upload request to upload a video from the inmate device, analyze the video for restricted content, and assign a rating to the video based on the analysis.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and media for providing content upon request are provided. A search request for content is received from a user. A first filter is applied to the search request to modify the search request before a search algorithm searches for the content to return in response to the search request. Items of content are determined based on the search request to which the first filter is applied. A second filter is applied to the items of content to determine search results. The search results are provided to the user.

Abstract: A facility for generating and displaying information regarding the packaging of individual media asset files associated with multiple scheduled presentations of interstitial media assets is provided. Scheduling information is received regarding future scheduled media presentations for each of a plurality of media assets via one or more content channels. Based at least in part on the received scheduling information, one or more package files are generated such that each package file includes a plurality of media asset files, each corresponding to at least one of the future scheduled media presentations, for distribution to a plurality of distinct media receivers. Database information is generated regarding the generating of the one or more package files, such that the database information includes a completion time associated with the generating of each package file.