Abstract: Delivering and presenting content including an interactive advertisement to a user, including: transmitting the content including the interactive advertisement to an entertainment device through an application, wherein the application is registered under a user account with an app store; playing the interactive advertisement including call-to-action icons to request the user to initiate a transaction for purchasing an item of second content; determining whether the user is requesting an immediate or later purchase; charging for the purchased item of second content to the user account and initiating a background download of the purchased item of second content, when it is determined that the user is requesting the immediate purchase; adding the item of content to the user account, when it is determined that the user is requesting the later purchase; and resuming the transmission of the content.

Abstract: Delivering and presenting content including an interactive advertisement to a user, including: transmitting the content including the interactive advertisement to an entertainment device through an application, wherein the application is registered under a user account with an app store; playing the interactive advertisement including call-to-action icons to request the user to initiate a transaction for purchasing an item of second content; determining whether the user is requesting an immediate or later purchase; charging for the purchased item of second content to the user account and initiating a background download of the purchased item of second content, when it is determined that the user is requesting the immediate purchase; adding the item of content to the user account, when it is determined that the user is requesting the later purchase; and resuming the transmission of the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods described provide and add significant functionality to virtual and augmented reality display systems. For example, when a user is “immersed” in a virtual reality environment, certain home environmental parameters may be changed, or may change state, and efforts at energy conservation can be automatically or semi-automatically initiated, at least temporarily, while the user is in the virtual reality environment. This allows the user to reduce energy consumption in their home while they are immersed in the virtual reality world by automatically turning down output to lights and other devices that the user does not need while in the headset. Users are further provided with the benefit of notifications during their virtual reality experience, bridging the gap of separation from the outside world with regard to security by allowing users to remain “in” a virtual reality environment while they are still alerted of important activity in their surroundings.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to present principles provide a virtual environment, particularly but not exclusively for virtual and augmented reality, with the ability to offer compelling interactive advertisements that users can choose (or not) to interact with, without being forced to watch the same. In so doing, the systems and methods provide for addressable units, termed “vessels”, which are interactive and which provide the viewer with the ability to control their experience via an active selection, e.g., of advertisements. Such interactivity is provided along with the ability to enjoy a “main” item of content, in some implementations. In addition, the interactivity may be provided as part of an entertainment “hub” in which VR experiences may be launched and/or in which main content may be displayed. Thus, the system provides a new, addressable unit, such as for advertisements, for virtual content-viewing environments, hubs for the same, or other virtual environments.

Abstract: Systems and methods described provide and add significant functionality to virtual and augmented reality display systems. For example, when a user is “immersed” in a virtual reality environment, certain home environmental parameters may be changed, or may change state, and efforts at energy conservation can be automatically or semi-automatically initiated, at least temporarily, while the user is in the virtual reality environment. This allows the user to reduce energy consumption in their home while they are immersed in the virtual reality world by automatically turning down output to lights and other devices that the user does not need while in the headset. Users are further provided with the benefit of notifications during their virtual reality experience, bridging the gap of separation from the outside world with regard to security by allowing users to remain “in” a virtual reality environment while they are still alerted of important activity in their surroundings.

Abstract: Systems and methods described provide and add significant functionality to virtual and augmented reality display systems. For example, when a user is “immersed” in a virtual reality environment, certain home environmental parameters may be changed, or may change state, and efforts at energy conservation can be automatically or semi-automatically initiated, at least temporarily, while the user is in the virtual reality environment. This allows the user to reduce energy consumption in their home while they are immersed in the virtual reality world by automatically turning down output to lights and other devices that the user does not need while in the headset. Users are further provided with the benefit of notifications during their virtual reality experience, bridging the gap of separation from the outside world with regard to security by allowing users to remain “in” a virtual reality environment while they are still alerted of important activity in their surroundings.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a solution to a common nuisance of loud background noise encountered when watching television, allowing the issue to be solved with little or no user interaction. Systems and methods automatically modulate device volume based on background noise level. The systems and methods record a background level of noise, and if that background level of noise increases, the systems and methods automatically increase the content volume which had been set by the user. Exceptions are made for brief sounds or for viewer conversations.

Abstract: Automatically generating tags for contents, including: processing the contents to identify items and elements in the contents; processing the contents to identify social media patterns of a user and social media trends; extracting environmental variables of the contents from metadata associated with the contents; receiving the identified items and elements, the identified social media patterns and social media trends, and the extracted environmental variables; and generating tags for the contents by processing the identified items and elements, the identified social media patterns and social media trends, and the extracted environmental variables. Keywords include hashtag, social media, and image detection.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a solution to a common nuisance of loud background noise encountered when watching television, allowing the issue to be solved with little or no user interaction. Systems and methods automatically modulate device volume based on background noise level. The systems and methods record a background level of noise, and if that background level of noise increases, the systems and methods automatically increase the content volume which had been set by the user. Exceptions are made for brief sounds or for viewer conversations.

Abstract: Viewing a program and seamlessly transitioning between devices in multiple locations while enabling movement between the multiple locations, including: determining a parameter to be monitored to provide seamless transitions between a first device and a second device; monitoring the parameter against a preset threshold; receiving the program from a content provider; and routing the program to one of: the first device when the parameter is below the preset threshold; or the second device when the parameter is above the preset threshold.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a solution to a common nuisance of loud background noise encountered when watching television, allowing the issue to be solved with little or no user interaction. Systems and methods automatically modulate device volume based on background noise level. The systems and methods record a background level of noise, and if that background level of noise increases, the systems and methods automatically increase the content volume which had been set by the user. Exceptions are made for brief sounds or for viewer conversations.

Abstract: Systems and methods described provide and add significant functionality to virtual and augmented reality display systems. For example, when a user is “immersed” in a virtual reality environment, certain home environmental parameters may be changed, or may change state, and efforts at energy conservation can be automatically or semi-automatically initiated, at least temporarily, while the user is in the virtual reality environment. This allows the user to reduce energy consumption in their home while they are immersed in the virtual reality world by automatically turning down output to lights and other devices that the user does not need while in the headset. Users are further provided with the benefit of notifications during their virtual reality experience, bridging the gap of separation from the outside world with regard to security by allowing users to remain “in” a virtual reality environment while they are still alerted of important activity in their surroundings.

Abstract: Delivering and presenting content including an interactive advertisement to a user, including: transmitting the content including the interactive advertisement to an entertainment device through an application, wherein the application is registered under a user account with an app store; playing the interactive advertisement including call-to-action icons to request the user to initiate a transaction for purchasing an item of second content; determining whether the user is requesting an immediate or later purchase; charging for the purchased item of second content to the user account and initiating a background download of the purchased item of second content, when it is determined that the user is requesting the immediate purchase; adding the item of content to the user account, when it is determined that the user is requesting the later purchase; and resuming the transmission of the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to present principles provide a virtual environment, particularly but not exclusively for virtual and augmented reality, with the ability to offer compelling interactive advertisements that users can choose (or not) to interact with, without being forced to watch the same. In so doing, the systems and methods provide for addressable units, termed “vessels”, which are interactive and which provide the viewer with the ability to control their experience via an active selection, e.g., of advertisements. Such interactivity is provided along with the ability to enjoy a “main” item of content, in some implementations. In addition, the interactivity may be provided as part of an entertainment “hub” in which VR experiences may be launched and/or in which main content may be displayed. Thus, the system provides a new, addressable unit, such as for advertisements, for virtual content-viewing environments, hubs for the same, or other virtual environments.