Abstract: A method for providing video and audio perspectives of audio/video content is presented. In an example embodiment, a media content item is received that includes audio/video content having at least one video perspective and a plurality of audio perspectives for the at least one video perspective. The at least one video perspective is provided with a first one of the plurality of audio perspectives for presentation on a display device. During the providing of the at least one video perspective with the first one of the plurality of audio perspectives, a first command is received from a media application configured to allow a user to select among the plurality of audio perspectives. Responsive to the first command, the video perspective is provided along with a selected second one of the plurality of audio perspectives in substitution of the first one of the plurality of audio perspectives for presentation on the display device.

Abstract: A method to create interactivity between a main device and a secondary device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for controlling the playback and recording of television programming containing interactive applications. In particular, the disclosed methods and systems detail how “trick modes” can be handled when playing applications, that are distributed with the television programming.

Abstract: A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Abstract: Methods of presenting video and audio perspectives of audio/video content are presented. In an example embodiment, audio/video content having a plurality of video perspectives and a plurality of audio perspectives of an event is received. Responsive to a first command from a media application configured to allow a user to select among the plurality of video perspectives, a selected first video perspective of the event is provided for presentation. Responsive to a second command from the media application that is also configured to allow a user to select among the plurality of audio perspectives, a selected first audio perspective of the event is associated with the selected first video perspective of the event, and the selected first audio perspective is provided for presentation in association with the selected first video perspective of the event.

Abstract: A method for providing video and audio perspectives of audio/video content is presented. In an example embodiment, a media content item is received that includes audio/video content having at least one video perspective and a plurality of audio perspectives for the at least one video perspective. The at least one video perspective is provided with a first one of the plurality of audio perspectives for presentation on a display device. During the providing of the at least one video perspective with the first one of the plurality of audio perspectives, a first command is received from a media application configured to allow a user to select among the plurality of audio perspectives. Responsive to the first command, the video perspective is provided along with a selected second one of the plurality of audio perspectives in substitution of the first one of the plurality of audio perspectives for presentation on the display device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for controlling the playback and recording of television programming containing interactive applications. In one example, a media content item is played for presentation to the user. An interactive application associated with the media content item is available for interaction by a user during the playing of the media content item. During the playing of the media content item, a first indication that the user is interacting with the interactive application is received. In response to the first indication, the playing of the media content item is suspended. During the suspending of the playing of the media content item, a second indication that the user has stopped interacting with the interactive application is received. In response to the second indication, the playing of the media content item is resumed.

Abstract: A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Abstract: A server version of an interactive application executed by a processing device of a first mobile device communicatively connected to a main video rendering device collects first data generated by a first client version of the interactive application executed by the processing device. The server version of the interactive application generates first displayable content relating to the first client version of the interactive application based on the first data, wherein the first displayable content is rendered on a display of the first mobile device. The server version of the interactive application generates second displayable content based in part on the first data and additional data relating to the server version of the interactive application, wherein the first displayable content is different from the second displayable content. The server version of the interactive application, transmits the second displayable content to the main video rendering device to be rendered on a main video display.

Abstract: Approaches for fabricating spot-welded and adhesive bonded interconnects for solar cells, and the resulting solar cells, are described. In an example, a solar cell includes a substrate having a back surface and an opposing light-receiving surface. A plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions is disposed in or above the back surface of the substrate. A conductive contact structure is disposed on the plurality of alternating N-type and P-type semiconductor regions. An interconnect structure is electrically connected to the conductive contact structure. The interconnect structure includes a plurality of protrusions in contact with the conductive contact structure. Each of the plurality of protrusions is spot-welded to the conductive contact structure and is surrounded by an adhesive material.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a multi-perspective video display are presented. In an example embodiment, a media content item including visual content and at least a portion of audio content associated with the visual content is received. The associated audio content includes audio content in a first spoken language and audio content in a second spoken language. The visual content is provided with the audio content in the first spoken language for presentation on a display device. Responsive to a first command from a media application, the visual content is provided along with the audio content in the second spoken language for presentation. Responsive to a second command, after the first command, from the media application to play at least a portion of the visual content, the portion of the visual content is provided along with a corresponding portion of the audio content in the second spoken language for presentation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing media content including multiple audio perspectives are presented. In one example, a media content item that includes a plurality of audio perspectives is accessed. The visual content and a first one of the plurality of audio perspectives are provided for presentation to the user. In response to one or more user commands, the visual content may be provided for presentation with a second one of the plurality of audio perspectives.

Abstract: A method for playing back a program which includes one or more interactive applications. A program which is stored, either in the form of a data stream or as a set of files is played back from a storage device. When playback is started, applications which are detected are launched. Applications are detected in the playback of pushed content when they become available in the playback stream. Applications are detected in the playback of pulled content by comparing the validity ranges of the applications to a current playback index. When special playback modes are used, signals which affect the lifecycle of an application are detected and corresponding signals are generated to maintain the proper state of the application. During these special playback modes, these various notification signals may be conveyed to applications which are configured to operate during these modes.

Abstract: A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Abstract: A method to create interactivity between a main device and a secondary device.

Abstract: A mechanism for booking events comprising an. event broker, one or more event managers and one or more action handlers. In one embodiment, the event broker is configured to register a plurality of event bookings, each of which identifies an event and a corresponding action. For each event booking, the event broker notifies an event manager which is configured to detect the type of event identified in the event booking. When the event manager detects the identified event, it notifies the event broker. The broker then notifies an action, handler which is configured to initiate the type of action identified, in the event booking. The action handler then initiates the action. If the event booking is non-recurring and the action is complete, the event booking is unregistered by the event broker. The event broker is configured to work in conjunction with a plurality of event managers which can detect different types of events and a plurality of action handlers which can initiate different types of actions.

Abstract: A media server machine may be configured to provide media content within a datastream. This datastream may be provided to a media device that is configured to present the media content on a display. Also, this datastream may contemporaneously contain an “app-sync indicator” for the media content. The app-sync indicator is a data structure that signals the media device to launch an application on a companion device. By providing the app-sync indicator contemporaneously with the media content in the datastream, the launching of the application on the companion device may be synchronized with the media content. The app-sync indicator may specify the application to be launched. Also, the app-sync indicator may specify supplemental content to be presented by the launched application on the companion device.

Abstract: As presented by a server machine or a device, a graphical user interface may include first and second panels presented on a display. The first panel may show a set of menu items that include a menu item that is highlighted by a shape that surrounds the menu item. The second panel may be presented adjacent to the first panel and may show a set of one or more sub-menu items that correspond to the highlighted menu item. In response to a selection of the highlighted menu item, the presenting of the graphical user interface may include presenting an animated transition that shows the first panel folding out of view underneath the second panel, the third panel unfolding into view from beneath the second panel, and the shape transitioning from surrounding the menu item in the first panel to surrounding a sub-menu item in the second panel.

Abstract: A mechanism for booking events comprising an event broker, one or more event managers and one or more action handlers. In one embodiment, the event broker is configured to register a plurality of event bookings, each of which identifies an event and a corresponding action. For each event booking, the event broker notifies an event manager which is configured to detect the type of event identified in the event booking. When the event manager detects the identified event, it notifies the event broker. The broker then notifies an action handler which is configured to initiate the type of action identified in the event booking. The action handler then initiates the action. If the event booking is non-recurring and the action is complete, the event booking is unregistered by the event broker.

Abstract: A method for playing back a program which includes one or more interactive applications. A program which is stored, either in the form of a data stream or as a set of files is played back from a storage device. When playback is started, applications which are detected are launched. Applications are detected in the playback of pushed content when they become available in the playback stream. Applications are detected in the playback of pulled content by comparing the validity ranges of the applications to a current playback index. When special playback modes are used, signals which affect the lifecycle of an application are detected and corresponding signals are generated to maintain the proper state of the application. During these special playback modes, these various notification signals may be conveyed to applications which are configured to operate during these modes.