Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described to provide a personalized soundtrack by a set top box, media player or other media receiver device. The device obtains viewer preference data that describes the viewer's musical preference. The media program received by the receiver device is associated with metadata describing at least some of the songs in the program soundtrack. The media receiver device compares the viewer preference data and the metadata about the songs already in the soundtrack to select replacement songs that are rendered to the viewer during playback of the media program instead the songs in the audio soundtrack of the media program.

Abstract: A segment is defined in an item of media content. A first file is received that includes content to be added to the segment. A second file is received that includes depth information related to the first file. The depth information is used to extract, from the first file, the content to be added to the segment. The extracted content is added to the media segment.

Abstract: A method of provisioning a Web hosting resource includes providing a cloud service. A request for a Web hosting resource is received by the cloud service, wherein the request is provided by a client. The cloud service identifies a Web host based on the received request for a Web hosting resource. The cloud service sends a request to the Web host to provision a first Web hosting resource for use by the client.

Abstract: Systems and methods of emulating a conversation about a thematic content event are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment receives a member dialogue video from a community member who is a member of a plurality of community members, wherein the member dialogue video includes video and audio portions, and wherein the member dialogue video expresses at least one of a personal opinion and a personal viewpoint about the thematic content event; generates dialogue text from the audio portion of each received member dialogue video, wherein the dialogue text comprises words and phrases spoken by the community member in the member dialogue video; receives a modified thematic content event; compares the words and phrases of the dialogue text with the plurality of keywords; and associates at least one portion of the member dialogue video having the words and phrases of the dialogue text that match with the matching keyword of the anchor point.

Abstract: Systems and methods of graphically presented virtual DVDs are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment receives a request from an electronic device of one of an owner or a guest. In response, data corresponding to the owner's personal virtual DVD collection is communicated to the electronic device, wherein the communicated data is used to present a first image corresponding to a graphical representation of a virtual bookshelf case to the owner and to present a plurality of second images each corresponding to a graphical representation of one of a plurality of virtual DVDs in the owner's personal virtual DVD collection.

Abstract: Systems and methods that graphically present a virtual environment are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment receives a request from an electronic device an owner or a guest to present the owner's virtual environment that includes a virtual bookshelf case with a personal virtual digital video disc (DVD) collection of the owner that includes a plurality of virtual DVDs located on a virtual bookshelf case; communicate data corresponding to the owner's virtual environment that includes first data used to render an image of the virtual bookshelf case of the owner, second data used to render images of the plurality of individual virtual DVDs that are included in the owner's personal virtual DVD collection, and third data corresponding to a virtual object; and present a graphical representation of the virtual bookshelf case, the plurality of virtual DVDs on at least one shelf of the virtual bookshelf case, and the virtual object.

Abstract: Systems and methods of emulating a conversation about a thematic content event are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment receives a member dialog video from a community member who is a member of a plurality of community members, wherein the member dialog video includes video and audio portions, and wherein the member dialog video expresses at least one of a personal opinion and a personal viewpoint about the thematic content event; generates dialog text from the audio portion of each received member dialog video, wherein the dialog text comprises words and phrases spoken by the community member in the member dialog video; receives a modified thematic content event; compares the words and phrases of the dialog text with the plurality of keywords; and associates at least one portion of the member dialog video having the words and phrases of the dialog text that match with the matching keyword of the anchor point.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate the creation and presentation of a virtual entertainment world. In one embodiment, the virtual entertainment world is created to help a user find and watch content. The virtual entertainment world includes various environments, including a virtual program guide, a virtual viewing environment, and a concession environment. The virtual program guide provides a starting point for users to easily and efficiently find content. The virtual viewing environment provides an immersive environment for users to watch content. The concession environment provides a convenient location where users may make purchases.

Abstract: A method of provisioning a Web hosting resource includes providing a cloud service. A request for a Web hosting resource is received by the cloud service, wherein the request is provided by a client. The cloud service identifies a Web host based on the received request for a Web hosting resource. The cloud service sends a request to the Web host to provision a first Web hosting resource for use by the client.

Abstract: A method of provisioning a Web hosting resource includes providing a cloud service. A request for a Web hosting resource is received by the cloud service, wherein the request is provided by a client. The cloud service identifies a Web host based on the received request for a Web hosting resource. The cloud service sends a request to the Web host to provision a first Web hosting resource for use by the client.

Abstract: A segment is defined in an item of media content. A first file is received that includes content to be added to the segment. A second file is received that includes depth information related to the first file. The depth information is used to extract, from the first file, the content to be added to the segment. The extracted content is added to the media segment.

Abstract: A development tool is described herein. The development tool automatically identifies one or more resources associated with a first version of a Web site that is being developed by a user of the tool. The development tool also automatically interacts with at least one entity within a Web hosting environment to cause a companion resource to be provisioned in the Web hosting environment for each local resource so identified. The development tool may also automatically interact with at least one entity within the Web hosting environment to properly configure a published version of the Web site to utilize at least one companion resource.

Abstract: A media device is configured to identify an indicia of user interest in at least one media content attribute. At least one segment of an item of media content that is associated with the indicia of interest is identified. An item of derivative content that includes the at least one segment is generated.

Abstract: A method of provisioning a Web hosting resource includes providing a cloud service. A request for a Web hosting resource is received by the cloud service, wherein the request is provided by a client. The cloud service identifies a Web host based on the received request for a Web hosting resource. The cloud service sends a request to the Web host to provision a first Web hosting resource for use by the client.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for extending a gadget. During operation, the system initially executes a gadget extension which extends a host gadget. In doing so, the system obtains from the gadget extension a specifier for the host gadget and a specifier for an interface. Next, the system establishes a communication interface between the gadget extension and the host gadget through the interface. Finally, the system uses functionality of the host gadget within the gadget extension via communication through the communication interface.

Abstract: Design for testability (DFT) algorithms, which use both gradient descent and linear programming (LP) algorithms to insert test points (TPs) and/or scanned flip-flops (SFFs) into large circuits to make them testable are described. Scanning of either all flip-flops or a subset of flip-flops is supported. The algorithms measure testability using probabilities computed from logic simulation, Shannon's entropy measure (from information theory), and spectral analysis of the circuit in the frequency domain. The DFT hardware inserter methods uses toggling rates of the flip-flops (analyzed using digital signal processing (DSP) methods) and Shannon entropy measures of flip-flops to select flip-flops for scan. The optimal insertion of the DFT hardware reduces the amount of DFT hardware, since the gradient descent and linear program optimizations trade off inserting a TP versus inserting an SFF.

Abstract: Design for testability (DFT) algorithms, which use both gradient descent and linear programming (LP) algorithms to insert test points (TPs) and/or scanned flip-flops (SFFs) into large circuits to make them testable are described. Scanning of either all flip-flops or a subset of flip-flops is supported. The algorithms measure testability using probabilities computed from logic simulation, Shannon's entropy measure (from information theory), and spectral analysis of the circuit in the frequency domain. The DFT hardware inserter methods uses toggling rates of the flip-flops (analyzed using digital signal processing (DSP) methods) and Shannon entropy measures of flip-flops to select flip-flops for scan. The optimal insertion of the DFT hardware reduces the amount of DFT hardware, since the gradient descent and linear program optimizations trade off inserting a TP versus inserting an SFF.

Abstract: A starch-reducing rice cooker includes a pot containing a lower compartment and an upper boiling chamber having a top opening. A partition separates the lower compartment from the upper boiling chamber. A perforated basket is located within the upper boiling chamber for containing rice to be cooked, and is adapted to contain more than sufficient water to immerse the rice for cooking. A cover is provided. In one embodiment, the cover is also provided with a top opening having a sprayer, spraying cool rinsing water onto the rice within the basket, after cooking of the rice is complete. A discharge valve within the partition communicates between the upper boiling water chamber and the lower compartment. A detector is programmed to detect when boiling of water in the upper boiling temperature starts and to maintain boiling for a time required to properly cook the rice based upon the boiling temperature of the water.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a named entity are described. In one described system, a computer program, such as a query system, identifies an event associated with an article, identifies a named entity within the event, and creates an implicit search query comprising the named entity.

Abstract: A computer implemented method is described. The method includes receiving an event associated with a user selection of an item displayed by a sidebar application running on a first client. The sidebar application being an application that is configurable to aggregate multiple types of items from sources external to the sidebar application. The method also includes receiving an identifier associated with an external client, the external client being different from the first client, and initiating, using the sidebar application, transmission of the item to the external client.