Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are provided for using an optically-readable code such as a quick-response (QR) code. The optically-readable code may represent a uniform resource identifier (URI) including parameters that represent a query, such as a query for content and/or other data. The query results may be used to command a content consumption device to record or otherwise obtain an item of content. The optically-readable code may additionally or alternatively be determined based upon a status of the device, such as what content, or portion thereof, is currently being displayed, and/or what error condition is being experienced.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and system are provided for managing a dynamic wireless network. An aspect of this invention is to identify the occurrence of an overlap of coverage areas provided by separate wireless access points, at least one of which is mobile.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for pulse error correction are disclosed. The apparatus may include a spinning vehicle having a plurality of antennas for generating pulse signals indicative of the rotational orientation of the spinning vehicle. The apparatus may utilize anti-jamming to detect and nullify a jamming signal. The apparatus may apply pulse error correction to correct inaccuracies in the pulse signals indicative of the rotational orientation of the spinning vehicle. More specifically, positional information of a source of the jamming signal relative to the spinning vehicle and positional information of a satellite relative to the spinning vehicle may be determined and utilized to calculate a rotational orientation correction.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may process a user interface to identify textual or graphical items in the interface, and may prepare a plurality of audio files containing spoken representations of the items. As the user navigates through the interface, different ones of the audio files may be selected and played, to announce text associated with items selected by the user. A computing device may periodically determine whether a cache offering the interface to users stores audio files for all of the interface's textual items, and if the cache is missing any audio files for any of the textual items, the computing device may take steps to have a corresponding audio file created.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a flowing fluid includes a tubing assembly, a heater block made of thermally conductive material, and a heater cartridge in thermal communication with the heater block. The heater cartridge is configured to provide heat to the heater block for transfer to fluid flowing through the tubing assembly. The apparatus also includes circuitry in electrical communication with the heater cartridge to control a temperature of the heater block by controlling operation of the heater cartridge. The heater block is die-cast about the tubing assembly.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods in which a media player is connected via an interface device over a network to a source of content. Some conventional media players such as DVD players and televisions are equipped with hardware to render content disposed on and playable from a removable memory device, in particular a SD card. A memory card may be equipped with networking functionality, in particular, WI-FI networking, to enable connectivity over a local area wireless network. The memory card further may be provided with a processor. By providing an interface device that includes a processor, networking functionality, and storage, with suitable software on the storage, the media player may be connected over a network to locally networked or remote content sources. In some embodiments, the interface device also includes its own locally stored content.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments allow media players and other electronic devices that operate under a first protocol to control the media capture devices that operate with a second protocol which may not be configurable to communicate with the first protocol. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a network device may store and/or render content within a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network and/or assist in content delivery for a DLNA device on a network. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a media capture device uses the Internet Protocol.

Abstract: A media server is hosted in a service provider's network so that media content can be stored from or rendered to a private network such as a Digital Living Network Alliance network. Media content may be stored by accessing the media server or by downloading the media content to the media server. Support of set top boxes interacting with voice-on-demand (VOD) controllers and computers interacting with IP-based video content servers are integrated through the media server. Consequently, VOD assets can be played on IP-based devices and IP-based content can be played on set top boxes. A gateway function converts IP-based content to a VOD asset, and renders the VOD asset to a set top box while mapping digital rights management information for the VOD asset. Conversely, the gateway function may convert a VOD asset to IP-based content that can be played on an IP-based device.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system may process a user interface to identify textual or graphical items in the interface, and may prepare a plurality of audio files containing spoken representations of the items. As the user navigates through the interface, different ones of the audio files may be selected and played, to announce text associated with items selected by the user. A computing device may periodically determine whether a cache offering the interface to users stores audio files for all of the interface's textual items, and if the cache is missing any audio files for any of the textual items, the computing device may take steps to have a corresponding audio file created.

Abstract: Systems, methods, software, and data structures that provide dynamic ambient lighting synchronized to a video program being watched in a premises are described herein. A video program may be associated with a predefined lighting scheme that specifies or identifies a time-sequenced set of lighting effects (e.g., flashing police lights, sunrise, explosion, etc.) that are to be performed by the dynamic ambient lighting system time-synchronously with the video program. Components of the dynamic ambient lighting system may extract the lighting scheme from video data, parse the lighting scheme into individual lighting effects, and then control a single-color or multicolor light source associated with each of a plurality of light channels (e.g., front right, rear right, front left, rear left, center, and burst channel, among others) based on time-sequenced lighting primitives defined by each lighting effect. Light sources may be wirelessly controlled, e.g., using an IEEE 802.15.4 or ZigBee-compliant wireless system.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating a flowing fluid includes a tubing assembly, a heater block made of thermally conductive material, and a heater cartridge in thermal communication with the heater block. The heater cartridge is configured to provide heat to the heater block for transfer to fluid flowing through the tubing assembly. The apparatus also includes circuitry in electrical communication with the heater cartridge to control a temperature of the heater block by controlling operation of the heater cartridge. The heater block is die-cast about the tubing assembly.

Abstract: A self-install model for installing digital telephony services at a user premises uses a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication (“DECT”) system having a base station and a cordless telephone. The self-install model enables the activation of telephony services at the user premises automatically through an Internet Protocol network of a service provider such that the user is able to make and receive calls at the user premises over a communication network upon activation of the telephony services. The self-install model involves pre-tests to ensure signal strength of the connection between the user premises and the communication network; acceptance by the user to the service provider's terms and conditions for providing the telephony services to the user premises by way of messages from the service provider being displayed on the cordless handset; activation of the telephony services by the service provider; and post-install service verification tests.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments allow media players and other electronic devices that operate under a first protocol to control the media capture devices that operate with a second protocol which may not be configurable to communicate with the first protocol. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a network device may store and/or render content within a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network and/or assist in content delivery for a DLNA device on a network. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a media capture device uses the Internet Protocol.

Abstract: Systems, methods, software, and data structures that provide dynamic ambient lighting synchronized to a video program being watched in a premises are described herein. A video program may be associated with a predefined lighting scheme that specifies or identifies a time-sequenced set of lighting effects (e.g., flashing police lights, sunrise, explosion, etc.) that are to be performed by the dynamic ambient lighting system time-synchronously with the video program. Components of the dynamic ambient lighting system may extract the lighting scheme from video data, parse the lighting scheme into individual lighting effects, and then control a single-color or multicolor light source associated with each of a plurality of light channels (e.g., front right, rear right, front left, rear left, center, and burst channel, among others) based on time-sequenced lighting primitives defined by each lighting effect. Light sources may be wirelessly controlled, e.g., using an IEEE 802.15.4 or ZigBee-compliant wireless system.

Abstract: A profile-based system is employed to manage user identities and preferences, devices, content and/or other aspects of service delivery. The user profiles may be maintained in one or more servers or other elements located in an external network access via a customer premises equipment (CPE) gateway of a local network. The profiles can be used to map users to identities, devices, services, and other features that affect the manner in which a particular user communicates with (or through) the external network.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments allow media players and other electronic devices that operate under a first protocol to control the media capture devices that operate with a second protocol which may not be configurable to communicate with the first protocol. In one embodiment of the disclosure, a network device may store and/or render content within a Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) network and/or assist in content delivery for a DLNA device on a network. In another embodiment of the disclosure, a media capture device uses the Internet Protocol.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for displaying additional or targeted content to a user are disclosed. An image or data capture device associated with a display device may capture an image of a space associated with the user or capture data related to what is being viewed by the viewer's eyes. Objects in the captured image or objects being viewed may be recognized, including any identifiable image, item, detail, or article and the like. A recognized object may then be compared to a target list to determine a match. If matched, and if there is additional content associated with the target object, the additional content may be presented to the user.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and software are provided for using an optically-readable code such as a quick-response (QR) code. The optically-readable code may represent a uniform resource identifier (URI) including parameters that represent a query, such as a query for content and/or other data. The query results may be used to command a content consumption device to record or otherwise obtain an item of content. The optically-readable code may additionally or alternatively be determined based upon a status of the device, such as what content, or portion thereof, is currently being displayed, and/or what error condition is being experienced.

Abstract: A system may receive application data in a client-incompatible format and convert at least a portion of the application data into an alternate client-compatible format. In one example, the incompatible format may comprise Enhanced Binary Interchange Format (EBIF) while a client-compatible format may include a web format such as JavaScript, XML or HTML. Interactions (e.g., commands and user input) associated with the application may be received and converted. The interactions may then be processed using the application.

Abstract: A method, computer-readable medium, and system are provided for managing a dynamic wireless network. An aspect of this invention is to identify the occurrence of an overlap of coverage areas provided by separate wireless access points, at least one of which is mobile.