Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media interface device, a media selection command included in a first communication from an application executing on a processor in a display device. The method further includes transmitting a signal to a particular module of a plurality of modules of the media interface device, where the particular module is selected based on the media selection command, and where each of the plurality of modules is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The method further includes sending a second communication to the application. The second communication includes a particular media content item received via the particular module.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a plurality of packetizers, a buffer, and an interface. The plurality of packetizers includes a first packetizer and a second packetizer. Each of the plurality of packetizers is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The buffer is coupled to the plurality of packetizers and is configured to concurrently receive first content from the first packetizers and second content from the second packetizers. The interface is configured to provide the first content from the buffer to a display device and to provide the second content from the buffer to the display device responsive to a media selection request received from the display device.

Abstract: A satellite digital broadcast systems transmits signals from a geosynchronous satellite to a plurality of geographically dispersed receivers. Each receiver measures a receive signal level and transmits a value representing the level to a data center. The data center analyses data received from a plurality of receivers in order to determine a size, shape, and velocity of propagation of an obstruction. The data center then predicts which receivers will experience signal disruptions based on the obstruction and the velocity of propagation of the obstruction. The data center transmits instructions to receivers that will be affected by the obstruction.

Abstract: A receiver control is configured to receive signal receive level data from a plurality of signal receivers. The receiver control determines if a signal receive level is lower than expected. In response to determining that the signal receive level is lower than expected, it is determined if an alternate signal is available via an alternate signal path. In response to determining that an alternate signal is available, an instruction is transmitted to one of the plurality of signal receivers with an indication that the alternate signal is to be received via the alternate signal path. The receiver control transmits the alternate signal via the alternate signal path to the one of the plurality of signal receivers experiencing lower than expected signal receive levels in one embodiment. The receiver can resume utilizing an original signal via an original signal path when the signal receive level of the original signal returns to expected levels.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, accessing a terrestrial content service that delivers media content to premises of a subscriber for presentation to media processing equipment of the subscriber. An interruption in the terrestrial content service is determined that interrupts the delivery of the media content item to the media processing equipment. An alternative media content item is identified based on the media content item, wherein the alternative media content item is available by way of a direct broadcast satellite service not subscribed to by the subscriber. The direct broadcast satellite service is provisioned to the media processing equipment responsive to the determining of the interruption in the terrestrial content service. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first tuning state of a media processor of a subscriber. The first tuning state includes a satellite service channel of a number of channels, wherein the satellite service channel provides a first media content item that is processed by the media processor for presentation. A terrestrial service channel is identified that provides a second media content item. The terrestrial service channel is accessed, but not at a time of access processed by the media processing device for presentation. An unavailability is determined of the satellite service channel to the media processor, and subsequent processing of the second media content item by the media processor is facilitated by replacing the first media content item, responsive to the determining of the unavailability of the satellite service channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and products passively generate electrical energy from waste heat. Electronic components in cabinets generate waste heat that is used to illuminate an interior of a cabinet. A thermovoltaic semiconductor detects a temperature differential between a pair of terminals installed in the cabinet. The thermovoltaic semiconductor generates a low voltage output in response to the temperature differential. A power supply receives the low voltage output and produces a higher voltage for low-wattage light sources installed in the cabinet.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for delivering advertising data, the method including but not limited to, based on determining that a preferred end user device type is a cell phone, sending an advertisement having the preferred advertising type to a cell phone associated with the end user; based on determining that the preferred end user device type is a mobile computer, sending an advertisement having the preferred advertising type to a mobile computer associated with the end user; and based on determining that the preferred end user device type is a television display associated with a set top box, sending an advertisement having the preferred advertising type to a television display associated with a set top box associated with the end user. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data for performing the method.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a media interface device, a media selection command included in a first communication from an application executing on a processor in a display device. The method further includes transmitting a signal to a particular module of a plurality of modules of the media interface device, where the particular module is selected based on the media selection command, and where each of the plurality of modules is configured to receive media content from a corresponding media source. The method further includes sending a second communication to the application. The second communication includes a particular media content item received via the particular module.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and products passively generate electrical energy from waste heat. Electronic components in cabinets generate waste heat that is used to illuminate an interior of a cabinet. A thermovoltaic semiconductor detects a temperature differential between a pair of terminals installed in the cabinet. The thermovoltaic semiconductor generates a low voltage output in response to the temperature differential. A power supply receives the low voltage output and produces a higher voltage for low-wattage light sources installed in the cabinet.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and products passively generate electrical energy from waste heat. Electronic components in cabinets generate waste heat that is used to illuminate an interior of a cabinet. A thermovoltaic semiconductor detects a temperature differential between a pair of terminals installed in the cabinet. The thermovoltaic semiconductor generates a low voltage output in response to the temperature differential. A power supply receives the low voltage output and produces a higher voltage for low-wattage light sources installed in the cabinet.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for pooling available network bandwidth from multiple devices are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises registering, at a router, availability of a first device, the first device to provide access to first wide area network bandwidth provided by a first wide area network, after registering the availability of the first device, including the first wide area network bandwidth in a network bandwidth pool accessible via the router when a pooling configuration parameter associated with the first device is determined to be valid, the network bandwidth pool including second wide area network bandwidth accessible via a second device registered with the router, the second device being different from the first device, and allocating at least a portion of the network bandwidth pool to route Internet protocol traffic associated with a third device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for delivering advertising data, the method including but not limited to, based on determining that a preferred end user device type is a cell phone, sending an advertisement having the preferred advertising type to a cell phone associated with the end user; based on determining that the preferred end user device type is a mobile computer, sending an advertisement having the preferred advertising type to a mobile computer associated with the end user; and based on determining that the preferred end user device type is a television display associated with a set top box, sending an advertisement having the preferred advertising type to a television display associated with a set top box associated with the end user. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data for performing the method.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to monitor for a triggering event that is associated with viewing of media content, retrieve a screen saver from a remote server when the triggering event is detected, and apply the screen saver to a display device connected with the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture for pooling available network bandwidth from multiple devices are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises registering, at a router, availability of a first device, the first device to provide access to first wide area network bandwidth provided by a first wide area network, after registering the availability of the first device, including the first wide area network bandwidth in a network bandwidth pool accessible via the router when a pooling configuration parameter associated with the first device is determined to be valid, the network bandwidth pool including second wide area network bandwidth accessible via a second device registered with the router, the second device being different from the first device, and allocating at least a portion of the network bandwidth pool to route Internet protocol traffic associated with a third device.

Abstract: A method for delivering advertising data, comprising receiving end user data at a server, the data indicating available advertising spots in content data stored at an end user device; and updating from the server advertising data in the available advertising spots for presentation of the advertising data during replay of the content data at the end user device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data for performing the method.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and products passively generate electrical energy from waste heat. Electronic components in cabinets generate waste heat that is used to illuminate an interior of a cabinet. A thermovoltaic semiconductor detects a temperature differential between a pair of terminals installed in the cabinet. The thermovoltaic semiconductor generates a low voltage output in response to the temperature differential. A power supply receives the low voltage output and produces a higher voltage for low-wattage light sources installed in the cabinet.

Abstract: A system and method for managing access to high definition (HD) content includes a master customer premises equipment (CPE) device enabled for prioritizing conflicting requests for HD content based on predefined priority settings associated with a plurality of client CPE devices. Access to HD content by the client CPE devices may be associated with a token and conflicting requests may be resolved in favor of the client CPE device that holds the token. Disclosed systems permit administrators to control the use of limited resources within a location by limiting access to the limited resources by secondary users.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a digital signal representative of media content where the digital signal includes a main profile version of the media content and one or more lower profile versions of the media content and where the one or more lower profile versions have higher error correction than the main profile version, monitor the main profile version for an undesired condition that jeopardizes video continuity for a viewer of the media content, and transmit one of the one or more lower profile versions over an internet protocol television system to the viewer when the undesired condition is detected, where the transmission of the lower profile version to the viewer maintains video continuity for the viewer. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a digital signal representative of media content where the digital signal includes a main profile version of the media content and one or more lower profile versions of the media content and where the one or more lower profile versions have higher error correction than the main profile version, monitor the main profile version for an undesired condition that jeopardizes video continuity for a viewer of the media content, and transmit one of the one or more lower profile versions over an internet protocol television system to the viewer when the undesired condition is detected, where the transmission of the lower profile version to the viewer maintains video continuity for the viewer. Other embodiments are disclosed.