Abstract: Methods and systems for determining and utilizing spatial correlative information relating to two or more devices to determine device positioning are described. Using audio signals emitted from stereo speakers, for example, associated with a first device and a microphone associated with the second device, the distance and angle between the two devices and as their relative positions can be determined. No other sensors or specialized accessories are needed on either device to calculate the distance and angles. The devices need only be loaded with the appropriate software which, when executed, is able to carry out steps of the present invention. The usefulness of one or both of the devices may be enhanced by knowing the distance and angle data between the devices. For example, one device may be a TV having stereo speakers and the other device may be a handheld device, such as a smartphone, having a microphone.

Abstract: Embodiments of keyframe analysis and distribution from broadcast television are disclosed. For example, embodiments include methods and systems of sharing video frame data over a data network to provide features that may include improved program guides, parental or other monitoring of televisions or other video receivers, and sharing of user identified frames or scenes of video programs.

Abstract: Multiple user, multiple login access to electronic devices in a communication system is provided. In response to user login requests, login access is controlled by providing multiple users login access to plural electronic devices capable of communicating via the communication system. Each electronic device allows multiple users to be logged on or logged off the electronic device concurrently. User profiles and activity are shared between the plural electronic devices.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes downloading a full-app configured to display full-app content and obtain original context based on the full-app content. A first micro-app configured to run with the full-app content is downloaded. The middle partner intercepts the full-app content. The full-app content and the original context are augmented with additional context information.

Abstract: A method includes retrieving content playing or to be played by a full-app and/or a micro-app. Additional context information is determined for the content. The content is augmented with the additional context information. The augmented context information is sent to a first micro-app for use in retrieving additional content to play or display along with the content.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically changing the display parameters of a display device. The system includes a server that obtains information about display content, environmental factors and user preferences affecting the display device. This information is used to generate initial display parameters which can be downloaded to the display device. The display device can use the initial display parameters to select final display parameters based upon sensed real-time information about the display device, the user preferences and environmental factors affecting the display device.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically changing the display parameters of a display device. The system includes a server that obtains information about display content, environmental factors and user preferences affecting the display device. This information is used to generate initial display parameters which can be downloaded to the display device. The display device can use the initial display parameters to select final display parameters based upon sensed real-time information about the display device, the user preferences and environmental factors affecting the display device.

Abstract: Embodiments include systems and methods for user login to a multimedia system. In one embodiment, a method of logging in one or more user profiles on a multimedia system includes associating one or more actuation sequences of one or more buttons on a remote control device each with a user profile, each user profile having one or more characteristics for outputting multimedia content, the characteristics affecting multimedia content provided by a multimedia system to personalize the user's multimedia experience, communicating a first signal corresponding to one of the one or more actuation sequences from the remote control device to a multimedia system to identify a first user profile for login, logging in the first user profile as an active user profile on the multimedia system based on the first signal, and controlling multimedia content provided to an output system of the multimedia system based on the active user profile.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for enhancing full-app content playing on a first device, the method comprising: receiving a first selection of a first item from a first micro-app; receiving a second selection of a second item from a second micro-app, wherein the second micro-app is different than the first micro-app and the second selection is in a different format than the first selection; retrieving item context information regarding the first item; retrieving item context information regarding the second item; issuing a query to a micro-app partner based upon both the item context information regarding the first item and the item context information regarding the second item; receiving results from the micro-app partner; and causing at least a portion of the results to be displayed or played.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments included systems and methods which allow two persons in different locations to enjoy a synchronized and shared viewing experience of original content that has been edited differently for broadcast in each location. Closed captioning text data to identify synchronization points in the broadcasts and used to provide synchronization services between the two broadcasts.

Abstract: A community of consumers of media content is created by providing users of an interactive television system with the capability to augment content and provide the augmented content to a repository. The augmented content may include rankings, votes, micro-games, user created tags, metadata, or other information associated with content. The augmented content is then made available to the community. Financial incentives may be provided to users to contribute augmented content, to rank augmented content, or to judge augmented content.

Abstract: An offsite user having a device can collaborate with an onsite user having an onsite device. The offsite device may be a handheld device, such as a smartphone and the onsite device is generally stationary. The onsite device receives a context from the offsite device wherein the offsite user is asking the onsite user for help with information or making a decision. The offsite device may not have the full range of services that the onsite device has and collaborates with the onsite device/user in making a decision. The onsite device receives the context, and obtains recommendations from appropriate Web services. The onsite user may view these recommendations and sends a reply message back to the offsite user telling her what she may do.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided comprising: displaying full-app content using a full-app on a first device, wherein the full-app is associated with a full-app partner and was downloaded from an app store; running a micro-app simultaneously with the full-app content playing on the first device, wherein the micro-app is associated with a micro-app partner; performing a revenue generating event on the first device; retrieving current context information; dynamically assigning a percentage of shared revenue associated with the revenue generating event to each of the app store, the full-app partner, and the micro-app partner, based upon the current context information; and causing revenue associated with the revenue generating event to be shared among the app store, the full-app partner, and the micro-app partner based on the dynamically assigned percentages.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided for enhancing full-app content playing on a first device, the method comprising: receiving a first selection of a first item from a first micro-app; receiving a second selection of a second item from a second micro-app, wherein the second micro-app is different than the first micro-app and the second selection is in a different format than the first selection; retrieving item context information regarding the first item; retrieving item context information regarding the second item; issuing a query to a micro-app partner based upon both the item context information regarding the first item and the item context information regarding the second item; receiving results from the micro-app partner; and causing at least a portion of the results to be displayed or played.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a television system that supports web-based applications. Individual users may select privacy levels for different types of confidential information, such as Internet usage, TV usage, device interactivity, or other types of information. The privacy levels may be enforced by the local media device. The user thus has control over the level of detail of different types of information that may be obtained by third parties for trend analysis and behavior analysis.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method is provided comprising: retrieving, by a middle partner, content playing or to be played by a full-app and/or micro-app; determining additional context information for the content; augmenting the content with the additional context information; and sending the augmented context information to a first micro-app for use in retrieving additional content to play or display along with the content.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining and utilizing spatial correlative information relating to two or more devices to determine device positioning are described. Using audio signals emitted from stereo speakers, for example, associated with a first device and a microphone associated with the second device, the distance and angle between the two devices and as their relative positions can be determined. No other sensors or specialized accessories are needed on either device to calculate the distance and angles. The devices need only be loaded with the appropriate software which, when executed, is able to carry out steps of the present invention. The usefulness of one or both of the devices may be enhanced by knowing the distance and angle data between the devices. For example, one device may be a TV having stereo speakers and the other device may be a handheld device, such as a smartphone, having a microphone.

Abstract: Systems and method which allow for user interaction with and control of televisions and other media device are disclosed. A television set is provided with a face and/or palm detection device configured to identify faces and/or palms and map them into coordinates. The mapped coordinates may be translated into data inputs which may be used to interact with applications related to the television. In some embodiments, multiple faces and/or palms may be detected and inputs may be received from each of them. The inputs received by mapping the coordinates may include inputs for interactive television programs in which viewers are asked to vote or rank some aspect of the program.

Abstract: Usage of televisions or other media devices is controlled, including controlling access to content on such devices. Access to multimedia content is controlled. Multimedia content to be accessed is identified, a viewer of the content is identified, data for the identified viewer that specifies a usage quota associated with the viewer and a usage rate associated with the viewer for the content is accessed, and the content to the viewer based on the usage quota and usage rate data is provided.

Abstract: Multiple user, multiple login access to electronic devices in a communication system is provided. In response to user login requests, login access is controlled by providing multiple users login access to plural electronic devices capable of communicating via the communication system. Each electronic device allows multiple users to be logged on or logged off the electronic device concurrently. User profiles and activity are shared between the plural electronic devices.