Abstract: A remote control system and related method for controlling a video device are presented. The remote control system contains a plurality of buttons arranged in a grid pattern that correspond to user selectable options displayed on a display screen arranged in the same grid pattern. The user selects options on the screen by pressing the corresponding button on the remote control.

Abstract: According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.

Abstract: A method of filtering a plurality of data items according to user input is presented. Each of the data items, such as media content files, is identified via a multiple-character identifier. In the method, a collection of individual characters is presented to a user for selection. A character sequence is received from the user, wherein the character sequence includes at least one character selection selected from the collection of individual characters. For each character selection in the sequence, more than one character from the collection is associated with the character selection. The data items are then filtered based on the associated characters corresponding to each character selection.

Abstract: Various arrangements of communication devices are presented. A combined battery and processing unit may be present that includes a housing, a battery, one or more processors; a microphone, and a speaker. The battery and the one or more processors may be permanently installed within the housing. The communication device could include a wristband, having a wristband housing defining a slot that opens on a first side and a second side of the wristband, to removably install the combined battery and processing unit within the slot of the wristband while the wristband is being worn by a user.

Abstract: According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.

Abstract: According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for improved clickable touchpads are described. An input device includes a touchpad component configured to produce positional information associated with an input object sensed within a sensing region of the touchpad component and to sense a click event produced by the input object within the sensing region. The input device further includes a compensation module communicatively coupled to the touchpad component, the compensation module configured to produce an output that compensates for a change in the positional information due to at least one of movement and deformation of the input object during the click event.

Abstract: According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.

Abstract: According to principles of the embodiments as disclosed herein, a device for monitoring the use of a handheld device is provided which allows for increased accuracy and ease of monitoring the use of handheld devices during usability testing. The device includes a handheld device mount configured to be releasably coupleable to a handheld device. The handheld device mount includes a cavity and a base and opposing first and second sides and first and second sidewalls extending from the base at the sides of the base. The mast has a first and second end. The first end of the mast is coupled to and extends from a third side of the cavity. A camera mount is located at the second end of the mast and configured to receive a camera.

Abstract: Various arrangements involving an absolute direction of a remote control device are presented herein. In response to user input received by a remote control device, the orientation of the remote control device may be determined. A compass heading direction in which the remote control device is pointed may be determined. An absolute direction may be determined based on the determined orientation and the determined compass heading. A target control device may be selected from a plurality of target control devices based on the absolute heading of the remote control device. A message indicative of the user input may then be transmitted to the selected target control device.

Abstract: A method of filtering a plurality of data items according to user input is presented. Each of the data items, such as media content tiles, is identified via a multiple-character identifier. In the method, a collection of individual characters is presented to a user for selection. A character sequence is received from the user, wherein the character sequence includes at least one character selection selected from the collection of individual characters. For each character selection in the sequence, more than one character from the collection is associated with the character selection. The data items are then filtered based on the associated characters corresponding to each character selection.

Abstract: Various arrangements that permit temporary subscription porting are presented. A temporary subscription port request may be submitted by a subscriber. The temporary subscription port request may include an identifier of a visitor television receiver and authentication information for the subscriber. In response to the temporary subscription port request, a first command to a home television receiver may be transmitted that disables viewing a first set of television channels linked with the subscriber's subscription account. In response to the temporary subscription port request, a second command to the visitor television receiver may be transmitted that enables viewing the first set of television channels linked with the subscriber's subscription account.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for filtering a plurality of data items according to user input are presented. Each of the data items, such as media content files, is identified via a multiple-character identifier. A collection of individual characters is presented to a user for selection. A character sequence is received from the user, wherein the character sequence includes at least one character selection selected from the collection of individual characters. For each character selection in the sequence, more than one character from the collection is associated with the character selection. The data items are then filtered based on the associated characters corresponding to each character selection.

Abstract: Various arrangements of communication devices are presented. A combined battery and processing unit may be present that includes a housing, a battery, one or more processors; a microphone, and a speaker. The battery and the one or more processors may be permanently installed within the housing. The communication device could include a wristband, having a wristband housing defining a slot that opens on a first side and a second side of the wristband, to removably install the combined battery and processing unit within the slot of the wristband while the wristband is being worn by a user.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a dual use remote-control device. In one embodiment, a dual use remote-control device may include a first set of input controls such as buttons positioned on a top side of the housing, a second set of input controls positioned on a bottom side of the housing including a QWERTY keyboard and an optical sensor to remotely control movement of a cursor on a display by the optical sensor detecting movement of a user's finger across the optical sensor or movement of the optical sensor across an object such as a table, arm of a chair or user's lap. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Various arrangements for outputting a customized video mosaic are presented. Based on received user input, it may be determined that a customized video mosaic is to be output for presentation. A plurality of television channels to be presented as part of the customized video mosaic may be determined. One or more tuners may be tuned based on the determined plurality of television channels to be presented. The plurality of television channels may be output for presentation to a presentation device. Each of these television channels may be presented by the presentation device as live video simultaneously as part of the customized video mosaic.

Abstract: One embodiment may take the form of an apparatus for providing personalized multimedia content to a user of a television system based on the user's preferences. In one implementation, a television receiver of a television system may monitor the habits and usage of the users of the system. The information gathered concerning the usage of the system may be stored in a database and accessed by the television receiver to provide multimedia options to a user that may be of interest to the user. These options may be presented to the user through any number of on-screen guides accessible by the user on the television system. In other implementations, the multimedia options based on the user's preferences may be automatically presented to the user as part of a favorite channels list at least partially constructed by the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments of two-way communication devices and tracker devices are presented. Such a device may include a processing unit, comprising: a housing, one or more processors; a microphone, a speaker; and a first electrical connector for receiving power, wherein the one or more processors, the microphone, and the speaker are housed by the housing. Such a device may include a wristband that includes one or more integrated power sources that are permanently housed within the wristband. The one or more integrated power sources may have a second electrical connector to supply power to the processing unit when the processing unit is removably coupled with the wristband. The device may include a plurality of magnets to removably couple the processing unit with the wristband.