Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present a sporting event on a display based on a determined level of viewer engagement and a determined team preference of the viewer. An exemplary embodiment presents a neutral viewpoint video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a neutral team preference, alternatively presents a first team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the first team, or alternatively presents a second team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the second team.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present a sporting event on a display based on a determined level of viewer engagement and a determined team preference of the viewer. An exemplary embodiment presents a neutral viewpoint video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a neutral team preference, alternatively presents a first team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the first team, or alternatively presents a second team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the second team.

Abstract: Methods, and system, and entertainment device are provided for identifying a user. A method includes detecting acceleration of a user manipulated component, comparing the detected acceleration with user acceleration that is associated with a user of the electronic device, identifying the user of the electronic device based on the comparison of the detected acceleration and the user acceleration, and operating the electronic device based on the identified user of the electronic device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to increase brightness output from a display. An exemplary embodiment detects a predefined user action of a remote control, and then increases brightness of a currently presented image that is being presented on the display in response to detecting the predefined user action so that an ambient lighting level in the vicinity of the display is increased.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a far field voice detection device and a further device is used to determine a first angular direction from the far field voice detection device to the further device. The determined first angular direction is then used to emphasize, during a noise processing of a plurality of sounds received via use of a plurality of microphones of the far field voice detection device, a first one of the plurality of sounds relative to a remainder of the plurality of sounds.

Abstract: A method for synchronizing time within a local, networked system including a first device and a least one second device. The first device uses a short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio communications protocol to advertise a time that is being maintained by a first clock of the first device. The second device uses the received time to discipline a second clock of the second device such that the second clock of the second device is generally synchronized to the first clock of the first device.

Abstract: A radio frequency connection between a controlling device and a one of a plurality of controllable appliances in an environment is used to determine when the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances. When it is determined that the controlling device is pointing more towards the one of the plurality of controllable appliances relative to remaining ones of the plurality of controllable appliances, the controlling device automatically makes active a command codeset usable to transmit commands to command functional operations of the one of the plurality of controllable appliances.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present a sporting event on a display based on a determined level of viewer engagement and a determined team preference of the viewer. An exemplary embodiment presents a neutral viewpoint video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a neutral team preference, alternatively presents a first team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the first team, or alternatively presents a second team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the second team.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to increase brightness output from a display. An exemplary embodiment detects a predefined user action of a remote control, and then increases brightness of a currently presented image that is being presented on the display in response to detecting the predefined user action so that an ambient lighting level in the vicinity of the display is increased.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to present a sporting event on a display based on a determined level of viewer engagement and a determined team preference of the viewer. An exemplary embodiment presents a neutral viewpoint video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a neutral team preference, alternatively presents a first team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the first team, or alternatively presents a second team alternative video content segment on the display during the first period of game play when the viewer has a preference for the second team.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to increase brightness output from a display. An exemplary embodiment detects a predefined user action of a remote control, and then increases brightness of a currently presented image that is being presented on the display in response to detecting the predefined user action so that an ambient lighting level in the vicinity of the display is increased.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying shadow regions on a multi-element capacitive input device such as a smart phone, and in particular using analysis of shadow regions, where the user may not be in direct contact with the device, to identify more accurately the area on the device the user is selecting, the hand, left or right, used to do the selecting and to identify the user using the device.