Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to display and interact with a social networking structure on a video device connected to a network enabled host device is provided. A user interface (UI) 700 is also provided for displaying content (e.g. messages or tweets) that is output in an overlay for display on a display while program video is playing. The method provides for accessing a social networking site in response to a user input, the user input initiated while outputting a program for display, generating at least one keyword for searching the social networking site based on at least one characteristic associated with the program, retrieving content from the social networking site based the at least one keyword and outputting the retrieved content in an overlay for display simultaneous with the program.

Abstract: A method of playing back, by an electronic device, a recorded program without a first commercial, the recorded program recorded from a first program having the first commercial inserted therein is disclosed. The method comprises steps of obtaining location information of the first commercial in the first program responsive to a command to play back the recorded program; inserting a second commercial at a first location according to the location information of the first commercial; and playing back the recorded program with the inserted second commercial.

Abstract: A method of displaying an alert from a broadcast source in an electronic device while the electronic device is not playing back a currently received broadcast signal is disclosed. The method comprises steps of playing back a signal recorded in a first device connected to the electronic device responsive to a user command; detecting an alert from a broadcast source while playing back the recorded signal; and presenting the alert responsive to detecting the alert.

Abstract: An envoy device for performing transactions with a further device in proximity to the envoy device, the envoy device comprising: a first communication device configured to communicate with the further device that is located within a predetermined distance of the envoy device using a local short range communication link; at least one further communication device configured to communicate with the further device using at least one longer range communication link. The envoy device is configured to respond to detecting the further device within the predetermined distance of the envoy device to: establish communication with the further device using the local short range communication link; receive information from the further device regarding any further communication links that the further device has access to; transmit to the further device information regarding the at least one longer range communication link; and to commence a transaction with the further device using the local short range communication link.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for establishing a transaction between first and second parties including a first signing step in which a transaction message including a request and a transaction identifier is cryptographically signed by the first party to form a first cryptographically signed message. The first signed message is transmitted from the first party to the second party. The second party then cryptographically signs the first message to form a second cryptographically signed message. The second message is also transmitted from one or more of a plurality of parties having the second message to a trusted third party. The trusted third party is able to verify that the second message was cryptographically signed by the second party and can also verify that the first message in the second message was cryptographically signed by the first party.

Abstract: A wrist worn device includes a device body and a strap. A display screen is provided on the device body. The display screen is rotated relative to a normal to the display screen in a clockwise direction for a watch shaped to be worn on the left arm and in an anti-clockwise direction for a watch shaped to be worn on a right arm. A touch sensor is provided on a right edge of a watch for wearing on a left arm and a button sensor is provided on a lower left edge of a watch for wearing on a user's left arm. The touch sensor and the button sensor may be provided in a mirrored orientation on a watch for wearing on a user's right arm.

Abstract: A wrist worn device includes a metal device housing and a capacitive touch sensor. The capacitive touch sensor includes a conductive plate which is supported by and separated from the metal body of the device housing via an isolation body formed of PTFE (low static relative permittivity). An outer plate is formed over the conductive plate and is formed of glass (high static relative permittivity). The action of the isolation body is to reduce the effect of the metal device housing on the capacitance detected by the conductive plate. The effect of the outer plate is to try to increase the effect of the capacitance associated with the object being brought into proximity with the conductive plate.

Abstract: An envoy device configured to perform a transaction with a further device. The envoy device comprises: a data store; a processor; communication circuitry for communicating with the further device; and a display. The envoy device is configured to respond to detection of the further device being within a predetermined physical proximity to trigger initiation of a transaction between the devices; and to respond to the transaction completing to display an object related to the transaction that it is determined the user may wish to select to initiate a subsequent action.

Abstract: A trusted device, such as a wristwatch 2, is provided with authentication circuitry 26, used to perform an authentication operation to switch the trusted device into an authenticated state. Retention monitoring circuitry 32 monitors the physical possession of the trusted device by the user following the authentication operation and switches the trusted device out of an authenticated state if the trusted device does not remain in the physical possession of the user. While the trusted device remains in the physical possession of the user, communication triggering circuitry 38 is used to detect a request to establish communication with a target device that is one of a plurality of different target devices and communication circuitry 40 is used to communicate with that target device using an authenticated identity of the user.

Abstract: Audio from online, real-time activity is routed through a filter to remove inappropriate language associated with parameters received by a user interface. The filter automatically removes audio based on the parameters and/or derived parameters. The parameters can be directly input by a user and/or a list can be provided to the user from which they select their desired parameters.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to interact with a social networking structure for an internet website on a video device connected to a network enabled host device is provided. The present disclosure provides for accessing an internet site in response to a user input, the user input initiated while outputting a program to a display (402), retrieving content from the internet site based on at least one characteristic associated with the program (410), and outputting the retrieved content in an overlay or user interface (700) on the display simultaneous with the program (412). The user interface (700) provides the ability to access multiple profiles for determining whose content or message to display, and also includes a rotating carousel message display system, with a current message (702) surrounded above and below by a previous message (706) and a next message (714) in the display queue in a different size or font.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing wireless local area network communications are described including receiving a request, from a wireless device, to join a multicast group in order to receive multicast data, determining if the request is a request from a subsequent wireless device for the same multicast data, converting the multicast data to unicast data, if the request is not from a subsequent wireless device or the request is not for the same multicast data and transmitting the converted data to the wireless device that requested the multicast data.

Abstract: A gateway device communicates with a client device on a local area network. The gateway device receives a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) request from the client device; wherein the DHCP request includes information indicating whether, or not, the client device supports quality of service (QoS) treatment; and if the client device supports QoS treatment, the gateway device sends packets destined for the client device with QoS priority tagging information; and if the client device does not support QoS treatment, the gateway device sends packets destined for the client device without QoS priority tagging information.

Abstract: A viewer viewing audio-visual content on an audio-visual display (12) advantageously can receive information as to potential sources of alternative audio (241-24n) via a set-top box (14). The set-top-box collects metadata identifying the audio-visual content viewed by the viewer and provides that metadata to a database (26) that searches for and identifies to the set-top-box the source(s) of alternative audio-if any. The set-top box will alert the viewer who can then select one of the identified sources of alternative audio in place of the audio embedded in the currently viewed audio-visual content.

Abstract: A method and system of conducting interactive online auctions are disclosed. The method includes presenting via a network-connected auction system for viewing by users information on items for sale; presenting a first auction interface for a first item; receiving from a first group of users a plurality of pre-cap purchases, wherein each pre-cap purchase entitles user to place at least one bid for the first item; presenting an interactive chat room that enables users in the first group to communicate with each other, wherein access to the interactive chat room is limited to the first auction interface; when the received pre-cap purchases reach a threshold level, implementing a bidding interface having a bid submission interface and a timer; starting the timer; receiving from the first group of users a plurality of bids, wherein the bids correspond to the pre-cap purchases; and awarding first item to user who places the final bid before the timer ends.

Abstract: The present application provides the user with an option to permanently erase an episode in a series recording, or a non-series recording of media content from their PVR/DVR storage. After watching recorded content on a PVR/DVR, the user is provided with an option to “permanently delete” the particular media content. In the example of a series recording, the user is provided with the ability to prevent their PVR/DVR from recording an already watched episode in a series recording and thereby saving valuable storage space on the PVR/DVR.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for capturing a video frame and scraping the captured frame for data contained therein is provided. The scraping of the frame extracts data from the frame. A user, while watching television, requests a screen capture function. The video frame is stored in a (e.g., advertisement for local store, or frame buffer and further processing is performed to scrape the screen of data contained therein. In one example, text information such as phone numbers, web addresses, etc. can be identified using OCR technology. Once extracted, the information can be provided to the user in many different formats for further use or further processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems for employing a set top box as a gateway application client are disclosed. The set top box can permit a user to interact with a gateway directly and efficiently to run applications or modify configuration settings of the gateway. Further, the set top box can be configured to include an executable file or application to perform at least a portion of processing of one or more applications provided at the gateway. In addition, the set top box can perform a display/input function and act as a conduit for information transmitted between a user and a gateway.

Abstract: A system for packaging a plurality of tablets is disclosed that includes a container. The container comprises a generally elongated channel having a first end and a second end positioned below the first end. The first end has an aperture for receiving a plurality of tablets in series into the channel. The system also includes a container holding and vibration apparatus operable to hold the container and concurrently apply linear vibration in a direction to the container. A tablet delivery system is provided that is operable to deliver the tablets in series to the container in a direction that is substantially in alignment with the direction of linear vibration of the container. The linear vibration of the container provided is operable to align the tablets in a stacked formation within the channel of said container.

Abstract: A viewer viewing audio-visual content on an audio-visual display (12) advantageously can receive information as to potential sources of alternative audio (241-24n) via a set-top box (14). The set-top-box collects metadata identifying the audio-visual content viewed by the viewer and provides that metadata to a database (26) that searches for and identifies ties to the set-top-box the source(s) of alternative audio-if any.