Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to determine synthetic total audience ratings are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to access census data including census viewing statements associated with media content presented by census devices, access panel data including panelist viewing statements associated with media content presented by panel devices, the panel data including weights to represent numbers of individuals to be represented by corresponding panelists, assign the census devices to the panel devices based on the weights, divide the weights for respective ones of the panelists into respective sets of split weights, and assign the census viewing statements to at least subsets of the sets of split weights to determine audience ratings for a population, the assignment of the census viewing statements to the at least subsets of the sets of split weights based on the assignment of the census devices to the panel devices.

Abstract: System and methods are described to determining a recommendation for a user based on changes in objects detected on a network-connected surface. The system receives, from the network-connected surface, a plurality of object identifiers for a plurality of physically inanimate objects of different types detected on the network-connected surface, wherein the object identifiers indicate a positioning of each object; determines, based on the object identifiers, a first arrangement of the plurality of physically inanimate objects; detects one or more changes in the plurality of object identifiers, wherein the one or more changes correspond to one or more changes in positioning from the first arrangement; in response to detecting the one or more changes, determines a second arrangement of the plurality of physically inanimate objects; and generates a content recommendation based on the second arrangement.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a depth-sensing device and a related electronic device and method for operating the depth-sensing device. The depth-sensing device includes: an image sensor, which includes a pixel array, configured to sense a reflected light signal reflected from a target to the pixel array, wherein reflected light signal forms a plurality of light speckles on the pixel array, and the pixel array includes a plurality of first-type pixels and a plurality of second-type pixels, wherein the first-type pixel are distributed in a first set of pixel rows of the pixel array, the second-type pixels are distributed in a second set of pixel rows of the pixel array, and the pixel rows extend toward a first predetermined direction.

Abstract: A surface inspection apparatus includes an imaging device configured to image a surface of an object to be inspected, and a processor configured to: calculate a numerical value representing a quality of the surface by processing an image captured by the imaging device, and receive a change in a range used to calculate the numerical value indicated by an index in the image.

Abstract: A system and method of providing an advertisement through a streaming video is proposed. In the system of providing the advertisement through the streaming video, when advertisers registers advertisements on a streaming server, a streamer may select any one of the registered advertisements, and when the streamer activates an advertisement function, a real-time broadcast video of the streamer may be converted into an advertisement video of the advertisement selected by the streamer. A streamer selects any one of the advertisements registered by the advertisers, and provides advertising content to viewers by including an advertising content provision object, such as an advertising product information link, in a streaming video transmitted by the streamer. In an embodiment, the advertiser may perform advertiser and advertisement registration in an advertisement server, and may limit conditions, such as streamer's broadcast content to be advertised, the number of followers, and the number of viewers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a computer-based process that determines when a viewer is likely to skip over supplemental content and adjusts supplemental content presentation to compensate. Systems of embodiments of the disclosure may utilize various inputs to determine the likelihood of skipping supplemental content, including cursor position at or near specified icons or other UI elements, as well as user actions such as gaze direction, various motions or actions, controller manipulations, and the like. Once a likelihood of skipping supplemental content is determined, various actions may be taken in response, including without limitation selection of supplemental content that conveys its intended message prior to skipping, supplemental content that can be played at increased speed, and designation of supplemental content slots as skippable or non-skippable.

Abstract: An object locating system (100) in which there is an observation device (104) observing at least three datums (106, 112, 114), each of which datums (106, 112, 114) having a positioning system that reports it position to the observation device (104). The positioning systems of the datums (106, 12, 114) being calibrated so as to accurately report their relative positions. The observation device (104) has a camera whose field of view (116) contains an object (18) to be located as well as at least two of the datums (106, 112,114) and a range finder that measures the distance (110) between the observation device (104) and at least one object (18) within the field of view (116) of the camera.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture to determine synthetic total audience ratings are disclosed. Disclosed example apparatus are to access census data including census viewing statements associated with media content presented by census devices, access panel data including panelist viewing statements associated with media content presented by panel devices, the panel data including weights to represent numbers of individuals to be represented by corresponding panelists, determine scores representing similarities between ones of a first group of census devices determined to having matching panel devices in the panel data and ones of a second group of census devices determined to be unmatched in the panel data, and assign the census devices to the panel devices based on the scores and the weights.

Abstract: Apparatus, method, and graphical user interface for an alternative advert (AA) system are disclosed. At an electronic device interfacing with an input device and a display, which may be integral or separate, the display is caused to display a first graphical user interface. The first graphical user interface includes a plurality of selectable alternative advert (AA) query items, a first graphical user interface element for accepting an offer to watch advert-free content, and a second graphical user interface element for rejecting the offer to watch advert-free content. In response to detecting, utilizing the input device, a selection of the first graphical user interface element by a viewer, it is determined whether the viewer has signed in. In response to determining that the viewer has not signed in, the display is caused to display a second graphical user interface. The second graphical user interface includes graphical user interface elements for the viewer to sign-in or sign-up.

Abstract: “Binge watching” of multiple episodes of a program is improved by the player device automatically skipping repeated portions of the program. Opening and closing credit scenes, for example, can be automatically skipped to thereby allow the viewer to progress through the entire season of programming at an even faster rate than was previously thought possible. Programming to be skipped may be identified by detecting audio or other digital fingerprints in the content itself, for example. Content to be skipped may be identified to the playback device according to presentation time stamp (PTS) or other time markers.

Abstract: A content providing system is provided that includes a client terminal and a server, and provides content based on a use state of the client terminal. The client terminal includes a client control unit and a display unit. The server includes a client terminal management unit, a content recording unit, a content management unit, a content distribution control unit, and a distribution condition management unit. The client control unit secures a content frame based on a distribution condition notified from the distribution condition management unit, and transmits a distribution request of the content to the content distribution control unit. The content distribution control unit extracts and distributes the content from the content recording unit, and the client control unit displays the content distributed by the content distribution control unit on the display unit within the content frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to address shortcomings in the conventional network storage systems via novel techniques to store offsets of a recorded program in a network digital video recorder (DVR). Storing offsets of a recorded program may be beneficial to users that would like to record media content that is broadcast either prior to a start time of a program, or media content that is broadcast after an end time of a program. This feature may be useful when start times and end times of a program are variable (e.g., in the case of sporting events, or other real-time events). This feature may also be useful for recording content of interest that is scheduled for broadcast prior to a start time of or after an end time of the program.

Abstract: Provided is an inspection support system capable of improving work efficiency or work accuracy in inspection of structures. A self-traveling apparatus autonomously travels in response to a first travel command based on a first inspection image to a target position, and shoots photographing targets captured in the first inspection image to acquire a second inspection image; and an information processing apparatus extracts, from among the photographing targets captured in the second inspection image, a matched target that matches the photographing target captured in the first inspection image, and correlates the identification information that identifies, in an identifiable manner, the photographing targets that are captured in the first inspection image and are matched to the matched target, with the matched target.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods are described for providing recording of a blacked out media content item. A system receives a request from a first user device associated with a profile to record a media content item scheduled to broadcast on a second user device (different from the first user device) associated with the profile, at a second location. The system determines that the media content item is subject to a blackout during a blackout period within a blackout region. The system determines that the first user device and the second user device are associated with the same profile and that the first user device is at a first location outside the blackout region. The system then accesses the media content item for recording on the second user device during the blackout period. The system further transmits the recorded media content item to the first user device after expiry of the blackout period.

Abstract: A method of utilizing Wi-Fi based passive motion detection to deliver targeted advertising through a smart TV is provided. The system uses an agent in connection with the wireless access point that the Smart TV uses to access the internet to make motion determinations. The CSI data of the access point is analyzed to identify if a user is present, if the user is stationary, the previous location of the user, and the activity the user is currently engaged in. An advertisement may be selected based on a last visited location and activity. Such advertisements may further be delivered to more engaged viewers when the advertiser pays a higher rate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for organizing and controlling the display of content, then measuring the effectiveness of that content in modifying behavior, within a particular temporal and spatial dimension, so as to minimize or eliminate confounding effects.

Abstract: A vehicular backing up assistance system includes a rearview camera at a rear portion of a vehicle, the vehicle being a vehicle family member of a particular family of pickup trucks. The system receives first input data that corresponds to the vehicle configuration of the vehicle. When the vehicle is backing up, the system receives second input data corresponding to steering angle of the vehicle. The system displays a predicted trajectory of the vehicle at the in-cabin display as an overlay overlaying the images captured by the rearview camera being displayed at the in-cabin display. The overlay comprises a pair of guidelines that are spaced apart and that are appropriate to (i) the wheelbase of the vehicle configuration of a plurality of vehicle configurations of the particular family of pickup trucks the rearview camera is mounted at and (ii) a current steering angle of the vehicle.

Abstract: One variation of a method for serving interactive ad content includes, in response to a pause event that pauses playback of a digital video, viewed on a display of a streaming device accessed by a user: overlaying the digital video with a home screen including an image player and a set of icons linked to a set of video advertisements; in response to a first user input proximal an icon, in the set of icons, corresponding to a video advertisement, in the set of video advertisements, reconfiguring the image player and initiating playback of the video advertisement within the image player; during playback of the video advertisement, in response to a second user input proximal the icon, expanding the image player and activating an audio stream of the video advertisement; and, in response to a user input that resumes playback of the digital video, pausing playback of the video advertisement.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling quality of content are provided. Programmatic ad buying may facilitate and expedite ad buying via an automated process. However, quality control via a conventional ad buying process is done with manual intervention. A confidence tool may request, from a programmatic content library of a content provider, to analyze a content tag associated with programmatic content. The confidence tool may determine whether the content tag meets confidence criteria (e.g., specifications of a content presentation service). The confidence tool may notify the content provider of whether the content tag meets the confidence criteria. Based on this notification, the content provider may approve the content to be run or reject the content to prevent problematic content from running on the content presentation service.

Abstract: A loudness normalization method includes receiving data for playback of content from a server in response to a user's request to play back the content; normalizing the loudness of the content by adjusting the volume output level of a player using volume level metadata of the content included in the received data; and providing the content by playing audio of the content based on the adjusted volume output level of the player.