Abstract: Various arrangements for communicating with a device utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are presented. A backend system may detect a triggering event associated with a device based upon data received via a first connection. In response to detecting the first triggering event, the UAV may receive a first data set and a location associated with the device from the backend system. The UAV may deploy to the received location. A second connection between the UAV and the device can be established at the received location. The UAV may transmit the first data set to the device via the second connection at the received location.

Abstract: A method of transmitting data on an antenna includes: receiving an indication of orientation of a housing from an orientation sensor, the housing having an antenna coupled thereto; determining an orientation of the housing based on the indication of orientation the housing; actuating an electric motor to change an orientation of the antenna based on the orientation of the housing; electrically connecting the antenna to a transmitter; and transmitting data from the transmitter on the antenna.

Abstract: Various arrangements for managing network channels are presented. A backend system can receive data from one or more data sources. Based at least in part on the data received from the one or more data sources, a triggering event and a location related to the triggering event can be determined. Location data associated with the location related to the triggering event can be transmitted to a UAV and the UAV deployed. While the UAV is deployed at the location, the UAV can relay data between wireless devices, such as cellular phones, and a network access point, such as a cellular base station.

Abstract: Various arrangements for managing network channels are presented. A backend system may receive data from one or more data sources. The backend system may determine, based at least in part on the data received from the one or more data sources, a triggering event and a location related to the triggering event. The backend system may transmit, to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), first location data associated with the location related to the triggering event. The backend system can receive, from the UAV, network congestion information associated with a connection between one or more devices and the UAV. Based at least in part on the network congestion information, the backend system may send second location data to the UAV.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards collecting information regarding the implementation of dynamic frequency selection and automatic channel selection by one or more wireless communication devices. And to use the collected information to determine if other communication devices are coupled to communicate with each other via a wireless connection or a wired connection, or to modify the automatic channel selection mechanism used by one or more wireless communication devices.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining data indicating an amount of energy stored by a battery of a sensor device; receiving data related to at least one condition in an area in which the sensor device is located; determining a reporting interval based on the data indicating the amount of energy stored by the battery of the sensor device and the data related to at least one condition in the area in which the sensor device is located; transmitting data indicating the reporting interval to the sensor device; and receiving a plurality of measurement reports transmitted from the sensor device according to the reporting interval. The energy consumed by the sensor device can be dynamically modified by dynamically modifying the reporting interval.

Abstract: Various arrangements for communicating with a device utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are presented. A backend system may detect a triggering event associated with a device based upon data received via a first connection. In response to detecting the first triggering event, the UAV may receive a first data set and a location associated with the device from the backend system. The UAV may deploy to the received location. A second connection between the UAV and the device can be established at the received location. The UAV may transmit the first data set to the device via the second connection at the received location.

Abstract: A remote control having an ultraviolet light emitting device for disinfecting the outer surfaces of the remote control is disclosed. In particular, the remote control may include an ultraviolet transmissive housing and internal ultraviolet emitting light emitting diodes. The ultraviolet transmissive housing allows the light from the internally mounted ultraviolet emitters to pass through the remote control's housing and kill bacteria, viruses, and other micro-organisms on the outer surface of the remote control by employing methods to automate safe and effective operations of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: A user's set top box detects the ringing of a telephone, mobile device or other type of audible notification of an incoming call or message and, in response, sends a command causing a current audio level of the television programming or other media currently being played to decrease such that the audible notification can be heard by the user. A device silencing manager on the set top box may detect the audible notification occurring by the sound waves of the audible notification from the mobile device picked up by a microphone of the receiving device. Additionally or alternatively, a device silencing manager on the set top box may wirelessly receive, either directly or indirectly from the mobile device, an electronic notification of the audible notification.

Abstract: Various arrangements for updating a device utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are presented. A backend system may detect a triggering event associated with a device based upon data received via a first connection. In response to detecting the first triggering event, the UAV may receive a first data set and a location associated with the device from the backend system. The UAV may deploy to the received location. A second connection between the UAV and the device can be established at the received location. The UAV may transmit the first data set to the device via the second connection at the received location.

Abstract: A remote control having an ultraviolet light emitting device for disinfecting the outer surfaces of the remote control is disclosed. In particular, the remote control may include an ultraviolet transmissive housing and internal ultraviolet emitting light emitting diodes. The ultraviolet transmissive housing allows the light from the internally mounted ultraviolet emitters to pass through the remote control's housing and kill bacteria, viruses, and other micro-organisms on the outer surface of the remote control by employing methods to automate safe and effective operations of ultraviolet light.

Abstract: Various arrangements for autonomous servicing of a network device are presented. A backend server system may receive status data from various devices. The backend server system may determine, based at least in part on the received status data, a triggering event associated with a first device. In response to the determined triggering event, location information associated with the first device may be sent to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The UAV may send security information directly to the first device. The first device may be required to validate the security device, then the UAV may modify a physical component of the first device.

Abstract: Various arrangements for updating a device utilizing an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) are presented. A backend system may detect a triggering event associated with a device based upon data received via a first connection. In response to detecting the first triggering event, the UAV may receive a first data set and a location associated with the device from the backend system. The UAV may deploy to the received location. A second connection between the UAV and the device can be established at the received location. The UAV may transmit the first data set to the device via the second connection at the received location.

Abstract: Various arrangements for managing network channels are presented. A backend system may receive data from one or more data sources. The backend system may determine, based at least in part on the data received from the one or more data sources, a triggering event and a location related to the triggering event. The backend system may transmit, to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), first location data associated with the location related to the triggering event. The backend system can receive, from the UAV, network congestion information associated with a connection between one or more devices and the UAV. Based at least in part on the network congestion information, the backend system may send second location data to the UAV.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining a value corresponding to a current amount of power output from a solar panel; determining a value corresponding to an expected amount of power output from the solar panel; comparing the value corresponding to the current amount of power output from the solar panel and the value corresponding to the expected amount of power output from the solar panel of the device; and cleaning the solar panel responsive to determining, based on the comparing, that the value corresponding to the current amount of power output from the solar panel is less than the value corresponding to the expected amount of power output from the solar panel by at least a first threshold value

Abstract: A method of transmitting data on an antenna includes: receiving an indication of orientation of a housing from an orientation sensor, the housing having an antenna coupled thereto; determining an orientation of the housing based on the indication of orientation the housing; actuating an electric motor to change an orientation of the antenna based on the orientation of the housing; electrically connecting the antenna to a transmitter; and transmitting data from the transmitter on the antenna.

Abstract: A method includes obtaining data indicating an amount of energy stored by a battery of a sensor device; receiving data related to at least one condition in an area in which the sensor device is located; determining a reporting interval based on the data indicating the amount of energy stored by the battery of the sensor device and the data related to at least one condition in the area in which the sensor device is located; transmitting data indicating the reporting interval to the sensor device; and receiving a plurality of measurement reports transmitted from the sensor device according to the reporting interval. The energy consumed by the sensor device can be dynamically modified by dynamically modifying the reporting interval.

Abstract: A set-top box includes a housing including an interior having a base and a top and a first sidewall extending from a perimeter of the base to the top; an antenna coupled to the housing; one or more electric motors coupled the antenna; one or more orientation sensors coupled to the housing; a controller coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the antenna, the one or more electric motors, and the one or more orientation sensors, the controller configured to receive information from the one or more orientation sensors, determine an orientation of the housing based on the information from the one or more orientation sensors, and actuate the one or more electric motors to change an orientation of the antenna based on the orientation of the housing; and a transmitter within the housing selectively connectable to the antenna.

Abstract: A set-top box includes a housing including an interior having a base and a top and a first sidewall extending from a perimeter of the base to the top; an antenna coupled to the housing; one or more electric motors coupled the antenna; one or more orientation sensors coupled to the housing; a controller coupled to the housing and electrically coupled to the antenna, the one or more electric motors, and the one or more orientation sensors, the controller configured to receive information from the one or more orientation sensors, determine an orientation of the housing based on the information from the one or more orientation sensors, and actuate the one or more electric motors to change an orientation of the antenna based on the orientation of the housing; and a transmitter within the housing selectively connectable to the antenna.

Abstract: A user's set top box detects the ringing of a telephone, mobile device or other type of audible notification of an incoming call or message and, in response, sends a command causing a current audio level of the television programming or other media currently being played to decrease such that the audible notification can be heard by the user. A device silencing manager on the set top box may detect the audible notification occurring by the sound waves of the audible notification from the mobile device picked up by a microphone of the receiving device. Additionally or alternatively, a device silencing manager on the set top box may wirelessly receive, either directly or indirectly from the mobile device, an electronic notification of the audible notification.