Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are described wherein an auxiliary sensor attachable to a touchscreen computing device provides an additional form of user input. When used in conjunction with an accessibility process in the touchscreen computing device, wherein the accessibility process generates audible descriptions of user interface features shown on a display of the device, actuation of the auxiliary sensor by a user affects the manner in which concurrent touchscreen input is processed and audible descriptions are presented.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are described wherein an auxiliary sensor is removably attached to a touchscreen computing device and is communicably coupled to the device to provide additional user input to the computing device. In accordance with some embodiments, the additional user input may be used to affect how the computing device interprets and processes gestural user input from the touchscreen, or to simulate such input. In accordance with an illustrative embodiment, the auxiliary sensor establishes an optical path near the surface of the touchscreen and sensing user contact by observing blockage of the optical path by a user's pointing member.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance and a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image and a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to each be substantially equal to one pixel value unit greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a compensating image by setting a pixel value of a third group of pixels included in the compensating image and corresponding to the first and second groups of pixels to be substantially equal to two pixel value units less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first image, the second image, and the compensating image.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance and a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image and a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to each be greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a compensating image by setting a pixel value of a third group of pixels included in the compensating image and corresponding to the first and second groups of pixels to be less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first image, the second image, and the compensating image. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for monitoring perceived quality of a packet-switched voice service in a network. The method includes the step of receiving a packetized voice communication via the packet-switched voice service. At least one objective measurement is obtained from the received packetized voice communication. User perceived quality of voice data is derived from the at least one objective measurement. The user perceived quality of voice data is provided to a user. The steps of receiving, obtaining, deriving, and providing are performed in real-time.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a universal remote control device programming the universal remote control device for remotely controlling a target device configured to process media content associated with the target device for presentation to a user of the target device, adding a new button associated with a configuration for remotely controlling the target device to a device selector palette, the new button being selectable by the user to activate the configuration for remotely controlling the target device, and displaying at least one of text and graphics related to the media content associated with the target device. Corresponding systems, methods, and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a universal remote control device detecting user input requesting that the universal remote control device be operated in a learning mode, initiating, in response to the user input, operation of the universal remote control device in the learning mode, receiving, during the operation of the universal remote control device in the learning mode, a device code via an inter-device communication, and automatically configuring, in response to the receiving of the device code via the inter-device communication, the universal remote control device for remotely controlling a target device associated with the device code. Corresponding systems, methods, and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image to be greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to be less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first and second images. The respective pixel values are set to result in the adjunct content being perceptible to a first viewer viewing only one of the first and second images and substantially imperceptible to a second viewer viewing both the first and second images. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system sequentially presenting a first main content image of a media content instance, a first adjunct content image comprising adjunct content having a pixel value greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, a second adjunct content image comprising the adjunct content having a pixel value less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and a second main content image of the media content instance. The pixel values of the adjunct content of the first and second adjunct content images are configured to result in the adjunct content being substantially imperceptible to a viewer not wearing active shutter three-dimensional viewing glasses during the sequential presentation of the first main content image, the first adjunct content image, the second adjunct content image, and the second main content image. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: Exemplary methods and systems for distributing and accessing content associated with an e-Book are disclosed herein. An exemplary method includes a content management subsystem receiving data representative of additional content associated with a particular passage of an e-Book from a first e-reader device and transmitting the data representative of the additional content to a second e-Book reader device for presentation in conjunction with the particular passage of the e-Book. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a universal remote control device detecting user input requesting that the universal remote control device be operated in a learning mode, initiating, in response to the user input, operation of the universal remote control device in the learning mode, receiving, during the operation of the universal remote control device in the learning mode, a device code via an inter-device communication, and automatically configuring, in response to the receiving of the device code via the inter-device communication, the universal remote control device for remotely controlling a target device associated with the device code. Corresponding systems, methods, and apparatuses are also disclosed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for supporting multi-media conferencing. Textual information (e.g., text associated with a presentation) is received for display during a conference session to multiple participants. For a particular participant, configuration information corresponding to the participant specifies language assistance for the textual information. Language assistance involves augmenting the textual information according to the configuration information for comprehension of the textual information by the particular participant. In one embodiment, the augmented textual information includes language translation of the textual information. Additionally, the augmented textual information can encompass definitions of terms, including acronyms. The augmented textual information is forwarded for display to the participant during the conference session.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system sequentially presenting a first main content image of a media content instance, a first adjunct content image comprising adjunct content having a pixel value greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, a second adjunct content image comprising the adjunct content having a pixel value less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and a second main content image of the media content instance. The pixel values of the adjunct content of the first and second adjunct content images are configured to result in the adjunct content being substantially imperceptible to a viewer not wearing active shutter three-dimensional viewing glasses during the sequential presentation of the first main content image, the first adjunct content image, the second adjunct content image, and the second main content image. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image to be greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to be less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first and second images. The respective pixel values are set to result in the adjunct content being perceptible to a first viewer viewing only one of the first and second images and substantially imperceptible to a second viewer viewing both the first and second images. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance and a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image and a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to each be greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a compensating image by setting a pixel value of a third group of pixels included in the compensating image and corresponding to the first and second groups of pixels to be less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first image, the second image, and the compensating image. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: An approach is provided for supporting multi-media conferencing. Textual information (e.g., text associated with a presentation) is received for display during a conference session to multiple participants. For a particular participant, configuration information corresponding to the participant specifies language assistance for the textual information. Language assistance involves augmenting the textual information according to the configuration information for comprehension of the textual information by the particular participant. In one embodiment, the augmented textual information includes language translation of the textual information. Additionally, the augmented textual information can encompass definitions of terms, including acronyms. The augmented textual information is forwarded for display to the participant during the conference session.

Abstract: An emergency contact platform provides emergency contact services where usual communications have been disrupted. The emergency contact platform may include a server to receive registration information including a phone number associated with a phone when communication using the phone is impracticable. The server may also be configured to receive an information request identifying the phone number. The emergency contact platform may also include a database to store the received registration information. The server may be also configured to perform a lookup in the database based on the phone number and provide a result of the lookup based on the received information request.

Abstract: A rewind or fast forward operation may be performed in which a series of reduced-in-size images frame previous frames in a video program may be presented to the viewer. In one implementation, a device may obtain sampled images corresponding to select frames of the video program and output a series of the sampled images in an order in which a sampling time corresponding to each of the sampled images in the video program monotonically increases or decreases in the output series. Differences in the sample times between successive images in the series of sampled images may not be uniform. The device may receive a selection of one of the images in the output series of sampled images and change a current output location of the video program to a location corresponding to the sampling time of the selected image.

Abstract: To verify the integrity of optical paths through and among optical switches, optical signals are provided with co-propagating supplemental signals. The supplemental signals preferably have at least one characteristic which allows distinguishing one supplemental signal from another. Associated with a port of a switch, means are provided for detecting a supplemental signal and determining if the supplemental signal indicates that a desired optical signal is passing through the port as expected and desired. Means for imparting or changing the distinguishing characteristic of a supplemental signal may also be employed to facilitate verifying the passage of optical signals.