Abstract: A system and method is described for monitoring a program signal for certain content, and performing a set of tasks when target content is recognized. Target content may be identified by using acoustic or video fingerprinting hardware or software to identify characteristic components of the program signal, and performing a lookup in a database of known content. When a match is made to known content, a task maybe performed such as muting the audio, blocking the video, or fast-forwarding past the content. A secondary action unit may be employed to receive control signals and rebroadcast the same to a media device. When the broadcast of the target media is determined to have completed, a corollary set of tasks are performed. In embodiments, the system may be implemented as one or more standalone hardware components, or in software.

Abstract: A system and method is described for monitoring a program signal for certain content, and performing a set of tasks when target content is recognized. Target content may be identified by using acoustic or video fingerprinting hardware or software to identify characteristic components of the program signal, and performing a lookup in a database of known content. When a match is made to known content, a task maybe performed such as muting the audio, blocking the video, or fast-forwarding past the content. A secondary action unit may be employed to receive control signals and rebroadcast the same to a media device. When the broadcast of the target media is determined to have completed, a corollary set of tasks are performed. In embodiments, the system may be implemented as one or more standalone hardware components, or in software.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes both a primary communications path, wherein a gateway can communicate with each member of a plurality of ambient condition detectors, and a secondary back-up path available in the event of a failure on part of the primary path. Required power for the network can be minimized by path selection.

Abstract: A system and method is described for monitoring a program signal for certain content, and performing a set of tasks when target content is recognized. Target content may be identified by using acoustic or video fingerprinting hardware or software to identify characteristic components of the program signal, and performing a lookup in a database of known content. When a match is made to known content, a task maybe performed such as muting the audio, blocking the video, or fast-forwarding past the content. A secondary action unit may be employed to receive control signals and rebroadcast the same to a media device. When the broadcast of the target media is determined to have completed, a corollary set of tasks are performed. In embodiments, the system may be implemented as one or more standalone hardware components, or in software.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes both a primary communications path wherein a gateway can communicate with each member of a plurality of ambient condition detectors, and a secondary back-up path available in the event of a failure on part of the primary path. Required power for the network can be minimized by path selection.