Abstract: A method and system supporting handoff of a multimedia call session using background network scanning is disclosed. A mobile multimedia handset may engage in the exchange of a multimedia information stream via a first wireless network, and may sniff a portion of radio frequency spectrum for a second wireless network. Information about available services and network quality of service for the second network may be received by querying the second wireless network or from advertising by the second wireless network. Hand-off between the two networks may be based upon the results of the comparison and one or more user-defined criteria, and the handoff may be synchronized according to predefined events in the stream of multimedia information.

Abstract: Techniques are described herein for supporting independent viewer tailoring of same media source content via a common 2D-3D display. A first independently controllable version of video content is caused to be delivered to a first region of a screen. A second independently controllable version of the video content is caused to be delivered to a second region of the screen. The first region and the second region overlap at least in part. For example, the first and second independently controllable versions may be simultaneously displayed such that the first independently controllable version is displayed for a first viewer but not for a second viewer and such that the second independently controllable version may be displayed for the second viewer but not for the first viewer.

Abstract: A device and method for accessing, monitoring, and controlling home appliances in a media exchange network by establishing a communication link between a communication initiation device and at least one home appliance and communicating at least one command from the communication initiation device to the at least one home appliance via the communication link. The at least one home appliance then generates at least one response to the at least one command. The commands may include turning the home appliance(s) on and off, parameter adjustment commands, access commands, monitoring commands, mode change commands, and programming commands. Appliance responses may include powering on, powering off, changing a mode of operation, sending a status to the communication initiation device, adjusting an operational parameter, and changing a programmed operational step.

Abstract: A control device that interacts with a television system. The control device may receive a user input identifying a video selection. At least one module of the control device may display video information corresponding to the video selection. The control device may cause display of the video information on a television system. The control device may respond to a second user input identifying a storage selection by triggering storage of the video information in a storage unit corresponding to the storage selection. The control device may also receive a third user input identifying a replay request for other video information that may be selected from a plurality of stored videos. The control device may direct display of the other video information on the television system and/or on a display of the control device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a mobile handheld multi-media gateway and phone. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise a first communication interface module that is adapted to communicatively couple the mobile telephone to a mobile telephone communication network. A second communication interface module may be adapted to communicatively couple the mobile telephone to a computer communication network. At least one module may utilize the second communication interface module to communicate with the computer communication network to establish an independent network presence for the mobile telephone on the computer communication network. The mobile telephone may, for example, be established as an autonomous addressable device on the computer communication network.

Abstract: A method and device support the use of background network scanning to enable association with a first and at least a second wireless network, for the exchange of exchange of multimedia information. Representative embodiments of the present invention may sniff radio frequency spectrum and determine at least one characteristic of detected wireless networks having capacity for exchange of the multimedia information. More than one wireless network may be identified for use in exchanging the multimedia information, which may be communicated concurrently over the identified wireless networks. User defined criteria may be employed in adjusting communication of the multimedia information to meet a quality of service level desired by a user. A lack of wireless network capacity may result in adjustments to, for example, protocols used to represent multimedia information, frame rate, and spatial or color resolution, in order to maintain or enable communication.

Abstract: A request from a user device is received for a service by a network management server via a communication network. The network management server determines multiple routes for delivering content associated with the requested service based on a provisioning profile for the user device. Content associated with the requested service is then delivered via the determined multiple routes. The provisioning profile is updated and includes preferred service types, desired QoS for one or more services, client account information, and/or client credit verification information. The network management server manages the delivery of the content associated with the requested service via the determined multiple routes. The content includes packets that are the same, which are communicated or delivered simultaneously via the determined multiple routes. The network management server allocates one or more of the determined multiple routes for delivering the content based on priorities associated with the routes.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for driving an adaptable light manipulator and a pixel array in a coordinated fashion so as to achieve a selected one of a plurality of possible viewing configurations of an adaptable two-dimensional/three-dimensional image display. Methods, systems, and apparatuses are also described for driving an adaptable light manipulator, a pixel array and a non-uniform light generator in a coordinated fashion so as to achieve a selected one of plurality of possible viewing configurations of an adaptable two-dimensional/three-dimensional image display.

Abstract: Media sources that deliver at least portions of media content to viewer systems are described. The media content represents a plurality of camera perspectives of a single media product. A first request and a second request are both received. The first request is from a first viewer system and the second request is from a second viewer system. The first request is responded to by delivering a primary media stream to the first viewer system. The primary media stream contains a representation of at least a first of the plurality of camera perspectives. The second request is responded to by delivering both the primary media stream and a secondary media stream to the second viewer system. The secondary media stream contains a representation of at least a second of the plurality of camera perspectives. The second viewer system combines the primary and secondary media streams to display a three-dimensional view.

Abstract: Transcoding multiple media elements for independent wireless delivery. Respective media or multimedia elements are selectively and respectively encoded and/or transcoded. Such respective and selective processing of different media elements provides for their unbundled and independent communication to one or more other devices. In one instance, different respective overlays of a display (e.g., a computer, TV, PDA display, etc.) are respectively and selectively transcoded and/or encoded to generate different respective streams that may each be handled differently as a function of any number of parameters (e.g., media element type, content, communication channel characteristic, source proximity, priority, etc.). Different types of media elements include photo/image, video, graphics, text, audio, picture-in-picture, two-dimensional (2D), three-dimensional (3D), and/or other types of media elements as may be included within a given configuration of a display.

Abstract: A search engine server supports delivery of search results using an international search string option by identifying websites that provide support in English as well as the language of the international search string. The international search string is a search string in any of the languages that are listed/supported by the search engine server. The search engine server delivers web links of websites that provide support in both English as well the language of the international search string by identifying conjugate English terms, strings or phrases for the international search string, that provide exact or approximate equivalent meaning for searching. In addition, the search engine server also provides web links of websites that provide international language support by utilizing a thesaurus in English that provides synonyms for the conjugate English terms. The search engine server also translates websites where there is no support in the language of the search string.

Abstract: Systems and methods of theft prevention of communication devices are provided. In one embodiment, the method may include, for example, one or more of the following: registering a communication device being used at a home, where the device is connected to a communication network; entering validation information relating to the communication device; and analyzing the validation information to determine whether the communication device is authorized for use in the communication network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing access to a video display for multiple devices. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise receiving, at a video display system, a first video data signal through a first data communication interface and a second video data signal through a second data communication interface. A processor module may process the first and second video data signals to generate video information of first and second display windows in a composite display. For example, the processor module may transform and translate video information to fit display windows. The processor module may, for example, generate an output video signal comprising information of the first window and information of the second window. Such a signal may, for example, be utilized to drive an output display showing the first and second windows. Various aspects may also provide method steps and apparatus for controlling aspects of the displayed windows.

Abstract: Transcoders are provided for transcoding three-dimensional content to two-dimensional content, and for transcoding three-dimensional content of a first type to three-dimensional content of another type. Transcoding of content may be performed due to user preference, display device capability, bandwidth constraints, user payment/subscription constraints, device loading, and/or for other reason. Transcoders may be implemented in a content communication network in a media source, a display device, and/or in any device/node in between.

Abstract: A method and system supporting handoff of a multimedia call session using background network scanning is disclosed. A mobile multimedia handset may engage in the exchange of a multimedia information stream via a first wireless network, and may sniff a portion of radio frequency spectrum for a second wireless network. Information about available services and network quality of service for the second network may be received by querying the second wireless network or from advertising by the second wireless network. Hand-off between the two networks may be based upon the results of the comparison and one or more user-defined criteria, and the handoff may be synchronized according to predefined events in the stream of multimedia information.

Abstract: A replacement pathway in an STB is utilized to determine loss of packets and delivery error during reception of media broadcasts, and to retrieve replacement data from one or more replacement media servers. The retrieval of the replacement data is performed during playback of the received media broadcasts. The communication of media broadcast incorporates delays to accommodate the retrieval of replacement data. Alternatively, received broadcast media streams are buffered to enable retrieval of replacement data and to provide seamless presentation of media content in the media broadcasts. The replacement media server performs access authentication operations during replacement data retrieval. The replacement media server is accessed via markup language, for example, HTML and/or XML, based interfaces and/or dedicated APIs.

Abstract: A search engine (SE) is capable of adapting based on the user's interaction with search results/WebPages. Information, based on user interaction, is subsequently used to modify the priority of search results to create a more relevant search list that provides the user more relevant search information in a shorter period of time. The search engine adaptation takes place by calculating evaluation inputs based on user interaction with search results to compute a metric herein called as the desirability number for one or more search results. The desirability number (DN) is tagged as a search result or page attribute and is stored in the search engine server database in association with each search result or page. Based on the DN and other possible indicators, the resultant search list is modified to better prioritize search results that appear to be more meaningful to the user before continuing to present results to the user.

Abstract: A control device that interacts with a television system. The control device may receive a user input identifying a video selection. At least one module of the control device may display video information corresponding to the video selection. The control device may alternately, or in addition, cause display of the video information on a television system. The control device may respond to a second user input identifying a storage selection by triggering storage of the video information in a storage unit corresponding to the storage selection. The control device may also receive a third user input identifying a replay request for other video information that may be selected from a plurality of stored videos. The control device may direct display of the other video information on the television system and/or on a display of the control device.

Abstract: A system supporting the remote management of options related to media consumption in a media exchange network. A system may comprise a set top box communicatively coupled to a television display and storage. The set top box may be used for the consumption of media via a communication network. In such a system, server software may enable the remote modification, via a communication network, of options related to the consumption of media by a user of the set top box. The media consumed may be one or more of digital audio, a digital still image, digital video, and digital data. Other aspects may be seen in a personal computer monitor and personal computer circuitry, communicatively coupled to a storage and a communication network. A system may also enable the modification of TV viewing options via a telephone voice response system.

Abstract: A display system is provided that enables three-dimensional images to be displayed. The display system includes an elastic light manipulator positioned proximate an image generator. The image generator includes a pixel array. The elastic light manipulator includes an elastic material and is mounted in a manner that allows for automated stretching thereof. For instance, the elastic light manipulator may be an elastic lenticular lens, an elastic parallax barrier, etc. Because the elastic light manipulator can be stretched, optical properties of the elastic light manipulator can be dynamically modified, thereby changing the manner in which light emanating from the pixel array is delivered to the eyes of viewer(s). This allows for adaptive accommodation of, for example, a changing viewer sweet spot. The elastic light manipulator may be automatically rolled up or otherwise automatically removed from in front of the image generator in order to facilitate switching between 2D and 3D views.