Abstract: A method and system for using a media access control (MAC) address of a mobile device for communication in a content distribution environment includes detecting the MAC address of a mobile device when in or within a predetermined range of the content distribution environment. Once the MAC address has been detected, registered user information of the mobile device is obtained via one or more databases and personalized media content is then delivered to one or more display devices in close proximity to the mobile device within the content distribution environment. In alternative embodiments, a user's presence within the content distribution environment is automatic and transparent to the mobile device user.

Abstract: Asynchronous message delivery to a media player is defined wherein the message provides instructions to change the SMIL (or XML) based play list dynamically at runtime without creation or provision of any entirely new play list. This play list modification does not result in a visible, distracting transition as would normally occur during an instruction to reload the SMIL play list. Changes to the media presentation occur without the visually disruptive page reload.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method, apparatus and system for controlling a peripheral device in communication with a content playout device. In various embodiments of the present invention, high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) applications are provided for communication between a control device and a content playout device for controlling the operational functionality of a peripheral device via the content playout device using HDMI communication means and, in one embodiment, vendor specific commands. That is, associated control signals are provided for controlling and communicating with peripheral devices connected to a playout device, such as a display, for, in various embodiments, affecting the presentation of specific or requested content.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for isolating microphone audio include recording audio using at least two microphones using a target microphone of the array of microphones, determining an attenuation factor for audio originating from respective locations of other microphones using a target microphone of the array of microphones, determining a delay factor for audio originating from respective locations of other microphones of the array of microphones, and implementing the determined attenuation factor and delay factor for removing audio originating from respective locations of the other microphones from an audio signal captured by the target microphone to isolate the audio signal captured by the target microphone. The method, apparatus and system further include processing the isolated audio signal of the target microphone to determine audio attributes of the isolated audio signal of the target microphone and determining using the audio attributes, respective sources of audio in the isolated audio signal.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for microphone array calibration include recording audio using at least two microphones, which comprise an array of microphones, using a target microphone of the array of microphones, determining an attenuation factor for audio originating from respective locations of other microphones of the array of microphones, using a target microphone of the array of microphones, determining a delay factor for audio originating from respective locations of other microphones of the array of microphones and implementing the determined attenuation factor and delay factor for removing audio originating from respective locations of the other microphones of the array of microphones from an audio signal captured by the target microphone. The method, apparatus and system then further include removing audio originating from respective locations of the other microphones of the array of microphones from an audio signal captured by the target microphone using beam-forming techniques.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for implementing touch screen text entry on a screen in a first orientation. A web page is used for presenting a touch screen display, which allows text selection via a virtual keyboard. Selected alphanumeric characters are displayed on the screen in an orientation matching the first orientation of the screen.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for enabling the recall of content for subsequent review include receiving an indication of interest in content displayed in proximity to a mobile communications device, identifying the mobile communications device using information in the received interest indication, and using determined communication information related to the identification of the mobile communications device to communicate, for storage in the mobile communications device, at least one of the content of interest, content data of the content of interest and location information of the content of interest.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for enabling the recall of content for subsequent review include communicating to a content provider an indication of interest in content displayed in proximity to a mobile communications device, wherein communication information of the mobile communications device is determined using information in the communicated indication of interest, in response to the communicated indication of interest, receiving at least one of the content of interest, content data of the content of interest and location information of the content of interest and storing the at least one of the content of interest, content data of the content of interest and location information of the content of interest in the mobile communications device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for interacting with media screens using near field communications includes determining an identity of a near-field communication enabled mobile communications device in proximity to a display device, the display device including near-field communication capabilities and selecting content to communicate to the display device based on the determined identity of the near-field communication enabled mobile communications device. In one case, selecting content to communicate to the display device includes displaying an alternate segment of content then what was scheduled to be presented on the display device.

Abstract: A process for verifying the playback of media content on a display includes receiving a digital representation of at least a portion of media content playing on the display, comparing the received digital representation to media content that was scheduled to play on the display from which the digital representation was captured and verifying the playback of the received digital representation if the received digital representation matches the compared media content. The process can further include soliciting a viewer of the display to capture a digital representation of at least a portion of the media content being presented on the display and to communicate the captured digital representation to an advertised location.

Abstract: A method and system for using a media access control (MAC) address of a mobile device for communication in a content distribution environment includes detecting the MAC address of a mobile device when in or within a predetermined range of the content distribution environment. Once the MAC address has been detected, registered user information of the mobile device is obtained via one or more databases and personalized media content is then delivered to one or more display devices in close proximity to the mobile device within the content distribution environment. In alternative embodiments, a user's presence within the content distribution environment is automatic and transparent to the mobile device user.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a system for dynamic content distribution and grouping includes a server for providing a plurality of content channels, at least one tuning/decoding means for receiving/decoding at least one of the plurality of content channels, and at least one respective display means for displaying the at least one received/decoded content channel. In such embodiments of the present invention, the server is configured to dynamically configure the at least one tuning/decoding means to receive/decode at least one of the plurality of content channels. More specifically, in embodiments of the present invention, the server dynamically configures the at least one tuning/decoding means by communicating a channel change command to the at least one tuning/decoding means over a dedicated radio-frequency channel or, in an alternate embodiment, using an internet protocol.

Abstract: A method and means for selectively interrupting HDMI CEC broadcast messages include the electrical connection of the connectors of a male HDMI connector with respective connections of a female HDMI connector to form a pass through connector with the exception of a CEC line, which is disconnected. The method and means are such that the CEC line can be controllably connected and disconnected via, for example, a controllable circuit board. The circuit board can be programmed to block selected CEC commands by controllably connecting and disconnecting a respective CEC line in response to a CEC command.

Abstract: A method and means for display control and monitoring include an extended display identification (EDID) means and communicating with the display using radio frequency communication and extended display identification commands via the extended display identification means to monitor the display's status and to control the display's functionality controllable via the extended display identification commands. The means can include an EDID circuit for interfacing with a display and communicating with at least the display using EDID packets, an RF interface for providing RF communications, an antenna for receiving and transmitting RF packets and a processor for translating the received RF packets to EDID packets and vice-versa.

Abstract: A method and system for using a mobile device identifier, such as an Electronic Serial Number (ESN) or a Mobile Equipment Identifier (MEID), of a mobile device for communication in a content distribution environment includes detecting the ESN of a mobile device when in or within a predetermined range of the content distribution environment. Once the mobile device identifier has been detected, demographic and user identification information of the mobile device is obtained via one or more databases and selected media content is then delivered to one or more selected display devices, such as a display device nearest to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system of the present invention include a controller for identifying an available backchannel and for communicating data to an output device over an available backchannel, such as a secondary bi-directional radio backchannel, the data intended to control or configure the output device or an associated peripheral device in communication with the output device.

Abstract: A content display/digital signage system is provisioned using mobile communications technology by a method and system including a mobile communications device for collecting provisioning information from the content display system using a local communications channel and communicating the collected provisioning information to a server providing at least content to the content display system and a server for communicating data intended for the content display system to the mobile communications device. In one embodiment of the method and system of the present invention, the mobile communications device communicates the data intended for the content display system to the content display system using the local communications channel when the mobile device is once again in the proximity of the content display system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for reducing a time it takes for a receiver/playout device to start playing content includes providing the receiver on which content is to be played, information identifying the content. In one embodiment, such information can be included as part of a tuning command. For example, in one embodiment, the content to be played can include audio/video content and the information identifying the content can include audio and video codec parameters. The audio and video codec parameters enable the immediate initialization of a decoder of the receiver/playout device, which reduces a tuning time in the receiver. Providing such information eliminates the need for a decoder to parse a plurality of content packets to identify an audio and video type in the content.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for implementing touch screen text entry on a screen in a first orientation. A web page is used for presenting a touch screen display, which allows text selection via a virtual keyboard. Selected alphanumeric characters are displayed on the screen in an orientation matching the first orientation of the screen.

Abstract: A method and system for synchronizing configurations of a video display system are disclosed. Configuration information at a facility server and that stored at a central server are synchronized using a procedure that depends on a relationship of the central server and the facility server, or an operating state of the facility.