Abstract: A wireless access point managing apparatus that includes a radio, and wireless communication control circuitry that communicates information via the radio between the wireless access point managing apparatus and one or more electronic devices so as to provide a wireless access point to a network for the electronic devices. Processing circuitry performs access point management including: communicating with a separate apparatus that provides another wireless access point to the network; performing a determination as to whether shutdown of the wireless access point of the separate apparatus is appropriate; and sending a shutdown instruction to the separate apparatus if shutdown is determined to be appropriate, the shutdown instruction being an instruction to cause the separate apparatus to shut down a wireless access point radio in the separate apparatus.

Abstract: A method is provided for indicating to a user that a sink device is incorrectly connected to a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) In port. In accordance with the method, a proxy voltage is applied from an HDMI In port over an HDMI cable. The proxy voltage is sufficient to cause a hot plug event to occur. A hot plug event condition is detected at the HDMI In port from a device that is connected to the HDMI In port via the HDMI cable. Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) is read from the device at the HDMI In port over the HDMI cable. In response to receipt of the EDID, a determination is made that the device is a sink device and an error message is generated in response to the determination.

Abstract: A wireless access point managing apparatus for achieving power savings by turning off access points that are not providing the high signal quality. The wireless access point determines whether a first signal quality level is at or above a threshold level, and if so, sends a power-up signal to a second access point, and determines whether the first signal quality level is higher or lower than a second quality level, i.e., the level from the second access point, transfers a streaming session to the second access point if the first signal quality level is lower than second signal quality level. If the first signal quality level is higher than the second signal quality level, the apparatus sends a power-down signal to the second access point.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media may be operable to facilitate a retrieval and display of network credentials. A predetermined input may be received at a client, wherein the predetermined input initiates a retrieval of network credentials such as network identifiers and corresponding passwords or passphrases. The client may aggregate retrieved network credentials associated with one or more networks that may be available to a user, and may output the aggregated credentials to a display.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate an identification of a viewer based upon the proximity of an associated wireless device to an access point. An association between a wireless device, user, display device, and a position of the wireless device relative to an access point may be created and stored at the access point. The access point may monitor the position of the wireless device, wherein the position is based on the strength of a signal received from the wireless device at one or more receivers. When the access point determines that a position of the wireless device is associated with a display device, the access point may identify the user of the wireless device as a potential viewer of the display device. Targeted advertisements and set-top box functionality may be configured based on the identification of a viewer of the display device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the identification of multimedia content playback errors at a client device. Methods, systems, and computer readable media described herein are operable to monitor for packet loss and underflow conditions at a client device, alert instances of packet loss and/or underflow conditions, and initiate troubleshooting of problems in the delivery of content from an access point to the client device. Alerts and troubleshooting actions may be determined based upon packet loss instances and/or underflow conditions identified over a duration of content playback at a client device.

Abstract: The device alert system includes a home gateway coupled to multiple customer premises equipment (CPE) devices. The home gateway monitors communications among the gateway and the CPE devices to detect errors and/or issues arising from use of the gateway or CPE devices. It also has access to textual information describing each of the CPE devices. The home gateway automatically generates a search query by converting the detected error and/or issue into a text string and combining it with the text information describing the CPE device for which the error and/or issue was detected. The home gateway then causes a search to be performed based on the search query and causes the results of the search to be parsed and compared to the query. The home gateway then presents the results of the search to the user to assist the user in resolving the error and/or issue.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus used with a separate electronic device, and including: a first radio that wirelessly communicates with the electronic device at a first transmission power in a first power range according to a first wireless protocol; and a second radio that wirelessly communicates the electronic device at a second transmission power in a second power range, that is lower than the first power range, according to a second wireless protocol. The electronic apparatus includes a control circuit that determines whether the first radio is in a power-down state or a power-up state, determines whether a predetermined condition exists, powers-down the first radio when the predetermined condition exists, determines whether a predetermined message is received by the second radio, and powers-up the first radio when it is determined that the predetermined message is received while the first radio is in the power-down state.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media may be operable to facilitate the initiation of a wireless setup between a station and an access point upon the station receiving a predetermined input from a user. The status of a wireless connection between the station and an access point may be displayed to a user through one or more display interfaces or light indicators associated with the station. The methods, systems, and computer readable media described herein allow a user to initiate and monitor a wireless setup between a station and an access point without having to connect a display device to the station.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate dynamic packet prioritization for delivery of content to multiple devices. Methods, systems, and computer readable media described herein are operable to prioritize packet delivery to a plurality of client devices based upon feedback received from the client devices, wherein the feedback includes buffer status information associated with the client devices. The rate of transmitting packets to a client device having a stressed buffer may be increased, while the rate of transmitting packets to one or more other client devices may be decreased. Buffer status information may be received periodically or conditionally at a central device in the form of feedback messages output from one or more client devices.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the transfer and/or sharing of content between multiple devices. An interface may be used by a subscriber to cause content being viewed on a first device to be displayed at one or more other devices. Using an interface at a control device or source device, a user can select a content source, one or more target devices, and various options for outputting content from the content source at the target device(s). Selected content may be shared with or transferred to a target device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media may facilitate pairing of a wireless client with an access point (AP). In embodiments, a wireless device such as a bi-directional remote control unit (e.g., Bluetooth, or RF4CE (radio frequency for consumer electronics)) or other device configured to receive and transmit wireless communications may be used to download network parameters such as a target service set identifier (SSID), WPS PIN/passphrase code, and/or other information from the AP and then use the same wireless device to download the network parameters from the wireless device to a client device. Once this operation is complete, the AP may stream one or more services to the client device. This process may be repeated for each client device within a subscriber premise, thereby allowing the user to retrieve the network parameters once, and use the wireless device to quickly program any/all client devices within the subscriber premise.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the monitoring and control of one or more network devices via a user interface. One or more network devices capable of communicating with a client device, such as a set-top box (STB) may output a message to the STB upon the occurrence of a predetermined alarm event. The STB may generate a notification including information associated with the alarm event and may output the notification to one or more display devices. The notification may further include one or more options for responding to the alarm event, and the STB may take action according to an option selected by a user.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the configuration of a device with service set information based upon an identification of a device-type associated with the device. A device-type identifier may be retrieved from a communication that is received from a device requesting a service from an access point. The device-type identifier may be compared to one or more correlations between device-types and service sets that are maintained within a database, and the device may be configured with information for a service set that is correlated with the retrieved device-type identifier, or the device may be configured with information for a default service set. Certain service sets offered by an access point may remain inactive when not in use, and if a device is configured with information for an inactive service set, the access point may automatically enable the service set.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the transfer and/or sharing of content between multiple devices. An interface may be used by a subscriber to cause content being viewed on a first device to be displayed at one or more other devices. Using an interface at a control device or source device, a user can select a content source, one or more target devices, and various options for outputting content from the content source at the target device(s). Selected content may be shared with or transferred to a target device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media can be operable to facilitate the use of a station as a proxy for scanning one or more wireless channels. Upon a determination that a currently utilized wireless channel has become impaired, an access point may identify one or more idle wireless stations and may request that the one or more idle wireless stations perform a scan of one or more other wireless channels. The identified wireless station(s) may perform a scan of one or more other wireless channels and may provide an indication of the current level of congestion on each respective wireless channel to the access point. Based on the indication of the current congestion levels of each wireless channel, the access point may determine whether a more advantageous channel is available. If a more advantageous channel is available, the access point may tune to the more advantageous channel.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media may be operable to facilitate the initiation of a wireless setup between a station and an access point upon the station receiving a predetermined input from a user. The status of a wireless connection between the station and an access point may be displayed to a user through one or more display interfaces or light indicators associated with the station. The methods, systems, and computer readable media described herein allow a user to initiate and monitor a wireless setup between a station and an access point without having to connect a display device to the station.

Abstract: A method for monitoring motion of an entity within a predetermined boundary established using a location detection technology. Sensor data is acquired from a motion sensor that senses non-positional movement of the entity and is attachable to the entity. A learned movement pattern associated with the entity is accessed. Computing techniques are used to analyze the acquired sensor data in relationship to the learned movement pattern. A current movement pattern is identified based on the analysis. It is determined whether the current movement pattern is a reportable movement pattern, and if so, a predetermined action is performed.

Abstract: A method (40, 50) and apparatus (30) for processing a video signal inserts a unique digital signature into the video signal. Thus, rampant duplication or distribution can be traced back to a particular set-top box or receiver. According to one aspect of the present invention, the unique digital signal is inserted into the vertical blanking interval. An apparatus (30) for processing a video signal includes a processor (31) receiving the video signal and outputting a modified video signal having a vertical blanking interval, which includes a digital signature uniquely identifying the processor (31). A memory (33) stores the digital signature and a teletext generator (32) coupled to the memory (33) and the processor (31) and generates a teletext signal that includes the digital signature for insertion into the vertical blanking interval by the processor (31) prior to the processor (31) outputting the video signal.

Abstract: A method for configuring a parameter of a configuration device includes receiving a data signal including a sequence of tag-length-value data packets in the configuration device and configuring the parameter according to the sequence of tag-length-value data packets, where the sequence of tag-length-value data packets is configured to define a data object associated with the parameter.