Abstract: A television receiver device consistent with certain implementations has a display associated with the television receiver device. A filter converts a stream of audio/video content that is to be displayed on the display associated with the television receiver device into a stream of digital audio data. A buffer stores a sample of the digital audio data. A modem transmits the sample of audio data from the buffer to a content identification server and that receives metadata identifying the audio data from the content identification server. A display processor renders at least a portion of the metadata to the display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for simultaneously displaying one or more social media content items together with the display of programming content, such as a television show. Specifically, the present invention provides a system and method by which contemporary and/or time-shifted social media commentary, pertaining to broadcast programming content, may be displayed concurrently with the displayed programming content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a method and apparatus in which one or more user specific windows may be launched within a single computing session executed and displayed on the display of an interactive table. More specifically, the present invention is directed toward detecting the position of one or more users around an interactive table and generating one or more user-specific windows proximate to one or more user/s on the display of the interactive table within a single session.

Abstract: A wireless communication device is configured to communicate with at least one other electronic user communication device that is connected to communicate on an electronic communication network. The user's device automatically creates a communication list comprising the at least one other electronic user communication device on the network, and the user communication device sends the communication list to a remote server device. So configured, the user communication device can automatically create a communication list of devices with which the user can use instant messaging or chat-like communications, without having to separately discover, search, or otherwise locate such devices and add them as friends or buddies or approved communication devices to a communication list. Accordingly, the electronic user communication device will provide to a user a communication list without additional registration or other set-up procedures.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for secured execution of commands is described. Initially, a second electronic device authenticates a first electronic device and registers the first electronic device as a trusted device. Thereafter, up receipt of a message with one or more embedded commands, such commands are executed without any pre-established communication protocol if the message is from the registered first electronic device.

Abstract: An electronic device designed for electronic messaging is configured to provide multiple options for including content into an electrical communication. For example, the device can provide content including one or combinations of letters, numbers, audio, video, graphics such as pictures, icons, or emoticons. The user of such an electronic communication device can select certain input options on a user interface to select from among various types of content to include in an electronic communication. The content from which the user may choose can be updated and changed on a periodic basis through communication between the user's electronic communication device and a central computing device. The central computing device can be controlled by a manufacturer of the computing device, a communication service provider, the user, or other third party to periodically change the messaging content options for a user.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, the invention relates to an electronic device that features a display unit, a storage unit and a processor. The storage unit is adapted to store a plurality of widgets. Coupled to the storage unit, the processor is adapted to control downloading of the plurality of widgets upon gaining access as a member to a viewing room, and thereafter, to control operations of the plurality of widgets in providing interactive communications with other members of the viewing room as content is being played back on the display unit.

Abstract: The user of an Internet-enabled CE device such as a TV can select an object in a video presented on the display of the CE device by either touch sensitive screen or input device. The processor of the CE device can then determine the boundaries of the object, identify it using face/image recognition software, search for information/websites related to the object, and present those information/websites to the viewer on the display screen.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method, system, or program that automatically associates background music with an image slideshow. The embodiment can receive a selected image collection, extract metadata from the image collection, and associate audio files with the image collection based on the metadata. The embodiment will then prompt concurrent playing of the audio file while the image collection is displayed. The metadata identifies a theme for the image collection which can form the basis for associating the audio file with the image collection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for establishing a multi-user session having a plurality of users according to a general profile, the general profile comprising at least a desktop appearance specific to the multi-user session, receiving a session request from a first user of the plurality of users, retrieving a user profile for the first user, detecting a window position for the session request and generating a first user session for the first user at the window position based on the user profile, the user profile comprising at least a desktop appearance specific to the first user wherein the first user session runs simultaneously with the multi-user session and simultaneously displaying the multi-user session and the first user session, the first user session being displayed at a location corresponding to the detected window position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for establishing a multi-user session having a plurality of users according to a general profile, the general profile comprising at least a desktop appearance specific to the multi-user session, receiving a session request from a first user of the plurality of users, retrieving a user profile for the first user, detecting a window position for the session request and generating a first user session for the first user at the window position based on the user profile, the user profile comprising at least a desktop appearance specific to the first user wherein the first user session runs simultaneously with the multi-user session and simultaneously displaying the multi-user session and the first user session, the first user session being displayed at a location corresponding to the detected window position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for identifying and authenticating a user using one or more types of pattern information. Specifically, the present invention provides a convenient user identification and authentication method using pattern information from one or more sources including (1) an audio-input device, (2) an optical-input device and/or (3) an orientation sensing device.

Abstract: A method and device is provided for platform independent device communication by detecting a request at a processor-based device to perform a function, determining an external device corresponding to the request, retrieving a tag for the external device for performing a function corresponding to the request and generating a message implemented in XMPP, having embedded therein the tag, wherein the tag is essential at the external device for performing the function corresponding to the request. Receiving the message at a device, determining whether the message comprises a device message, retrieving a tag included in the message, wherein the tag corresponds to an executable command to perform a function and executing the tag to perform the function.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain implementation involves presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) to a user on a display, where the GUI presents a visual representation of a room that is adapted to be adjusted in size and shape by user manipulation of a controller; the GUI has a drop and drag menu adapted to selection of an object from a plurality of objects for placement at any selected position within the room; at least one of the objects comprising a loudspeaker; and where the GUI provides for input of data characterizing the loudspeaker. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain implementations involves at a listening position, capturing a plurality of photographic images with a camera of a corresponding plurality of loudspeakers forming part of an audio system; determining from the plurality of captured images, a geometric configuration representing a positioning of the plurality of loudspeakers connected to the audio system; and outputting the geometric configuration of the plurality of loudspeakers to the audio system. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain implementations involves in an audio system having an array of a plurality of loudspeakers and a stored speaker map identifying the geometric relationship between the plurality of loudspeakers and a listening position, identifying a location on the speaker map of a Source Origin of a sound; selecting a method of localizing the Source Origin from a plurality of methods of localizing the Source Origin utilizing the array of loudspeakers; and reproducing the sound emanating from the Source Origin using the selected method. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method consistent with certain implementations involves switching one or more loudspeakers to behave as one or more microphones while remaining loudspeakers behave as speakers. An audible signal is generated and the outputs of the microphones are processed to identify geometric location of loudspeakers. A filter transfer function is generated for the loudspeakers to psycho-acoustically relocate one or more of the loudspeakers from the identified geometric locations when the one or more loudspeakers are used as loudspeakers. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a user operating a first client device at an intermediary server communicatively coupled to one or more client devices including the first client device and further communicatively coupled to one or more other intermediary servers each communicatively coupled with one or more other client devices, establishing communication with at least one social networking server maintaining information corresponding to the user comprising one or more of user preferences, a plurality of user connections, and user connection preferences corresponding to each of the plurality of user connections, querying the at least one social networking server for the information, receiving the information and generating a local viewing social network for the user comprising generating a user profile according to the information, detecting one or more local connections and establishing direct communication between the user and at least one of the one or more local connections.

Abstract: Method and systems are provided for initiating communication with a social networking server maintaining user information corresponding to a user, the user information for the user comprising media preferences for the user, one or more connections associated with the user, and media preferences for each of the one or more connections, retrieving at least a portion of the user information for the user from the social networking server and generating a viewing recommendation for the user at least in part based on at least one of the media preferences of the user, and the media preferences of the one or more connections, the viewing recommendation comprising one or more multi-media content.

Abstract: A smart search menu is displayed on a video display unit, wherein the menu includes an accumulated search criteria list and a results list. A user's selection is input from the menu as a selected element, and, if the user has selected an element of the search criteria, then the information is output to the video display unit. By accumulating the search criteria as a list of search criteria, the user is less likely to be “lost” within the search menus, and may therefore more quickly find desired content within a content database.