Abstract: A portal system provides a validation of a connection request prior to establishing a connection to a device associated with user. The connection request is received by the portal system and validated against a device model and/or a device instance list based one or more supported entitlements and an instance of the device in the device instance list. Information about the device can be found in the device model list and used by the device instance list to create a policy associated with the device. One or more provisioning requirements of the device model list provide a relationship that can be used by the device model list for the policy associated with the device.

Abstract: A network device provides for configuring and adapting an observation interval and a reporting interval for a sensing device so as to conserve resources of the sensing device. The network device can store information associated with an observation interval and a reporting interval and modify the associated timing interval based on user input, an indication of life of a power source of the sensing device, data associated with a client user, for example, data received from a sensing device associated with a client user, or both. The network device can adapt the observation interval, the reporting interval, or both for any one or more sensing devices so as to conserve resources of the sensing device, for example, to conserve life of a power source of the sensing device.

Abstract: A portal system provides a validation of a connection request prior to establishing a connection to a device associated with user. The connection request is received by the portal system and validated against a device model and/or a device instance list based one or more supported entitlements and an instance of the device in the device instance list. Information about the device can be found in the device model list and used by the device instance list to create a policy associated with the device. One or more provisioning requirements of the device model list provide a relationship that can be used by the device model list for the policy associated with the device.

Abstract: A monitoring system can provide a sound profile to a network device. The monitoring system can identify a type of location associated with the network device that is located in a network. The monitoring system can determine a sound profile based on the type of location. The monitoring system can provide the sound profile to the network device. The sound profile relates to one or more sounds associated with the location so that the network device need not store and/or process all sounds but rather only those sounds that would typically be received or made at the location. The sound profile can be based or updated based on user sensor data received from the network device. In this way, the network device, the monitoring system, any other network resource, or any combination thereof uses context-aware sound identification to monitor a client user.

Abstract: A method is provided that determines whether to allow an application (app) for use or restrict the app on a set top box (STB). The method includes the steps of measuring at the STB, one or more resources used by the app; comparing at the STB, one or more thresholds set by an operator; and determining if the one or more resources used by the app exceed one or more thresholds set by the operator. Another method is provided that monitors applications (apps) that are installed a set top box (STB) for illegal or harmful activity by a policy manager. This method includes downloading and copying an app from an external source; installing or uninstalling the app into an application folder; providing a notification informing the policy manager of the installing or uninstalling of the app; and evaluating the app be installed or uninstalled.

Abstract: A method is provided that determines whether to allow an application (app) for use or restrict the app on a set top box (STB). The method includes the steps of measuring at the STB, one or more resources used by the app; comparing at the STB, one or more thresholds set by an operator; and determining if the one or more resources used by the app exceed one or more thresholds set by the operator. Another method is provided that monitors applications (apps) that are installed a set top box (STB) for illegal or harmful activity by a policy manager. This method includes downloading and copying an app from an external source; installing or uninstalling the app into an application folder; providing a notification informing the policy manager of the installing or uninstalling of the app; and evaluating the app be installed or uninstalled.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for synchronously rendering audio content by a plurality of network connected speakers. In various embodiments, a media control device may receive media content comprising an audio component, the device may derive and transmit instructions for buffering and rendering the audio component to a plurality of speakers, wherein the instructions include instructions for synchronizing a rendering clock comprised within each of the more than one speakers. The device may transmit the audio component to the more than one speaker of the plurality of speakers; while monitoring status information transmitted by the plurality of speakers; and maintain or restore synchronous rendering of the audio component by the plurality of speakers in response to the status information received from the speakers.

Abstract: Technologies are disclosed for launching an application or service on a smart media device, such as a smart TV, set top box, or smart phone. An input mechanism, that is responsive to manual gestures of a user, generates signals that control a display associated with the smart media device. A first user gesture causes the processor to generate a menu that includes an image of a plurality of images that correspond to a first plurality of preselected applications and/or services. A second user gesture causes the processor to launch the application or service on the menu that is identified as desired for selection by the user. Preferably, the input mechanism is either a remote control unit, a keyboard, a handheld smart media device, or a smart phone.

Abstract: A method is provided that determines whether to allow an application (app) for use or restrict the app on a set top box (STB). The method includes the steps of measuring at the STB, one or more resources used by the app; comparing at the STB, one or more thresholds set by an operator; and determining if the one or more resources used by the app exceed one or more thresholds set by the operator. Another method is provided that monitors applications (apps) that are installed a set top box (STB) for illegal or harmful activity by a policy manager. This method includes downloading and copying an app from an external source; installing or uninstalling the app into an application folder; providing a notification informing the policy manager of the installing or uninstalling of the app; and evaluating the app be installed or uninstalled.