Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated physical package delivery with end-to-end package security. For example, a sender can secure contents of a physical package using an electronic lock locked using a lock code. The lock code is encrypted by applying an encryption key to generate an encrypted lock code. The encryption key is generated in accordance with a decryption key associated with the recipient, such that application of the decryption key by the recipient to the encrypted lock code can generate an unlock code to unlock the electronic lock. An intermediary automated package delivery system can provide one or more end-to-end security features, including facilitating key exchange features between the sender and recipient, applying additional sensor tag features, and directing autonomous delivery features.

Abstract: A query session system and method is operable to determine a current location of a consumer conversation acquisition system when the consumer conversation acquisition system is a mobile electronic device or determine a current operation of the consumer conversation acquisition system when the consumer conversation acquisition system is stationary. Stored state information corresponding to the determined location or operation is accessed that identifies one of a receptive state of the consumer, an unreceptive state of the consumer, or optionally an indeterminate state of the consumer. The query session is presented to the consumer when the consumer is the receptive state. A query session presents a series of audible questions to the consumer that pertain to a subject media content event that the consumer has previously consumed. Responses of the consumer to each one of the presented audible questions of the query session are acquired and are saved.

Abstract: A query session system and method is operable to determine a current location of a consumer conversation acquisition system when the consumer conversation acquisition system is a mobile electronic device or determine a current operation of the consumer conversation acquisition system when the consumer conversation acquisition system is stationary. Stored state information corresponding to the determined location or operation is accessed that identifies one of a receptive state of the consumer, an unreceptive state of the consumer, or optionally an indeterminate state of the consumer. The query session is presented to the consumer when the consumer is the receptive state. A query session presents a series of audible questions to the consumer that pertain to a subject media content event that the consumer has previously consumed. Responses of the consumer to each one of the presented audible questions of the query session are acquired and are saved.

Abstract: Various techniques are described herein for autonomously registering and/or activating Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices, provisioning wireless network access of those devices, and connecting the IoT device to an NB-IoT network with agreed-to terms for network usage. In various embodiments, IoT devices may be configured to negotiate for NB-IoT network access by (i) sharing their data with the NB-IoT network provider, (ii) security storing and using cryptocurrency to obtain NB-IoT network access, and/or (iii) automatically providing the NB-IoT network provider with access to data from other associated IoT devices and/or with payment from a separate payment provider. Individual IoT devices may be preconfigured with negotiation terms for NB-IoT network access, pre-associated with other devices/users, and/or pre-loaded with cryptocurrency in a secure storage.

Abstract: Conversation support systems and methods are operable to assist a user to more fully participate in an ongoing conversation. An exemplary embodiment receives a conversation map comprising a serially arranged plurality of conversation segments of audio information each associated with one of a plurality of conversation participants, and that includes dialogue of the ongoing conversation being spoken by the associated conversation participant; determining subject matter of a current portion of the ongoing conversation based on the dialogue; selects conversation support information that pertains to the current conversation subject; and generating a conversation queue that includes information that corresponds to the selected conversation support information, wherein the conversation queue is communicated from the conversational support system to at least one conversation queue output device that presents the conversation support information to the user.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for location-tracked media delivery. For example, a particular consumer premises has multiple media consumption devices, each located in a different room of the premises. One or more media streams being consumed via one or more of the media consumption devices can be tracked. As one or more consumers move through the premises, their respective physical locations in the premises can also be tracked with respect to media consumption regions of the media consumption devices. By detecting movement of the consumers with respect to the consumed streams and the media consumption devices, embodiments can automatically provide various features. For example, streams can automatically be transferred or cloned among the media consumption devices, and/or streams and devices can be adapted automatically to facilitate some continued media consumption in some dead space regions.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated transition classification for binge watching of content. For example, a number of frame images is extracted from a candidate segment time window of content. The frame images can automatically be classified by a trained machine learning model into segment and non-segment classifications, and the classification results can be represented by a two-dimensional (2D) image. The 2D image can be run through a multi-level convolutional conversion to output a set of output images, and a serialized representation of the output images can be run through a trained computational neural network to generate a transition array, from which a candidate transition time can be derived (indicating a precise time at which the content transitions to the classified segment).

Abstract: Conversation support systems and methods are operable to assist a user to more fully participate in an ongoing conversation. An exemplary embodiment receives a conversation map comprising a serially arranged plurality of conversation segments of audio information each associated with one of a plurality of conversation participants, and that includes dialogue of the ongoing conversation being spoken by the associated conversation participant; determining subject matter of a current portion of the ongoing conversation based on the dialogue; selects conversation support information that pertains to the current conversation subject; and generating a conversation queue that includes information that corresponds to the selected conversation support information, wherein the conversation queue is communicated from the conversational support system to at least one conversation queue output device that presents the conversation support information to the user.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, processes, and computer-readable mediums for facilitating the use of drones are described. For one embodiment, such a system includes a user element having a user application computer program configured to instruct a user interface device to facilitate use of user data and use of mission parameter(s) for a proposed drone mission. An owner element includes an owner application computer program configured to facilitate use of owner data and use of at least one drone parameter. A fleet system element is communicatively coupled to the user element and to the owner element and includes a computer system processor configured to facilitate use of a fleet record and use of at least one fleet parameter.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated physical package delivery with end-to-end package security. For example, a sender can secure contents of a physical package using an electronic lock locked using a lock code. The lock code is encrypted by applying an encryption key to generate an encrypted lock code. The encryption key is generated in accordance with a decryption key associated with the recipient, such that application of the decryption key by the recipient to the encrypted lock code can generate an unlock code to unlock the electronic lock. An intermediary automated package delivery system can provide one or more end-to-end security features, including facilitating key exchange features between the sender and recipient, applying additional sensor tag features, and directing autonomous delivery features.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for location-tracked media delivery. For example, a particular consumer premises has multiple media consumption devices, each located in a different room of the premises. One or more media streams being consumed via one or more of the media consumption devices can be tracked. As one or more consumers move through the premises, their respective physical locations in the premises can also be tracked with respect to media consumption regions of the media consumption devices. By detecting movement of the consumers with respect to the consumed streams and the media consumption devices, embodiments can automatically provide various features. For example, streams can automatically be transferred or cloned among the media consumption devices, and/or streams and devices can be adapted automatically to facilitate some continued media consumption in some dead space regions.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) object manufacturing systems and methods are operable to manufacture printed 3D objects corresponding to user-selected physical objects of interest shown in a media content event that have been viewed by a user, wherein at least one 3D printer that is accessible by the user of the media device is operable to manufacture the printed 3D object corresponding to the viewed physical object of interest.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated physical package delivery with end-to-end package security. For example, a sender can secure contents of a physical package using an electronic lock locked using a lock code. The lock code is encrypted by applying an encryption key to generate an encrypted lock code. The encryption key is generated in accordance with a decryption key associated with the recipient, such that application of the decryption key by the recipient to the encrypted lock code can generate an unlock code to unlock the electronic lock. An intermediary automated package delivery system can provide one or more end-to-end security features, including facilitating key exchange features between the sender and recipient, applying additional sensor tag features, and directing autonomous delivery features.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated physical package delivery with end-to-end package security. For example, a sender can secure contents of a physical package using an electronic lock locked using a lock code. The lock code is encrypted by applying an encryption key to generate an encrypted lock code. The encryption key is generated in accordance with a decryption key associated with the recipient, such that application of the decryption key by the recipient to the encrypted lock code can generate an unlock code to unlock the electronic lock. An intermediary automated package delivery system can provide one or more end-to-end security features, including facilitating key exchange features between the sender and recipient, applying additional sensor tag features, and directing autonomous delivery features.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, processes, and computer-readable mediums for facilitating the use of drones are described. For one embodiment, such a system includes a user element having a user application computer program configured to instruct a user interface device to facilitate use of user data and use of mission parameter(s) for a proposed drone mission. An owner element includes an owner application computer program configured to facilitate use of owner data and use of at least one drone parameter. A fleet system element is communicatively coupled to the user element and to the owner element and includes a computer system processor configured to facilitate use of a fleet record and use of at least one fleet parameter.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to control operation of a portable media device based on machine readable information of a graphical artifact shown on a display concurrently with presentation of a video portion of a media content event. A portable media device, using a portable media device provisioned with an image capture device, captures at least one image that includes the display that is presenting the graphical artifact and the video portion of the media content event, identifies the graphical artifact in the captured at least one image, determines the machine readable data based on the identified graphical artifact, and operates the portable media device to perform at least one operation based on the determined machine readable data.

Abstract: An interaction facilitator system is operable acquire community member dialogue videos generated by community members, wherein each community member dialogue video includes dialogue spoken by the community member that describes their viewpoints and opinions regarding an associated subject media content event. A community member dialogue video is acquired from a community member while the community member plays a uniquely generated geo-activity game wherein the community member completes an activity at each of a plurality of game play locations that lie along a game play route. At the end of play of the geo-activity game, the community member receives an incentive.

Abstract: Three-dimensional (3D) object manufacturing systems and methods are operable to manufacture printed 3D objects corresponding to user-selected physical objects of interest shown in a media content event that have been viewed by a user, wherein at least one 3D printer that is accessible by the user of the media device is operable to manufacture the printed 3D object corresponding to the viewed physical object of interest.

Abstract: Novel techniques are described for automated physical package delivery with end-to-end package security. For example, a sender can secure contents of a physical package using an electronic lock locked using a lock code. The lock code is encrypted by applying an encryption key to generate an encrypted lock code. The encryption key is generated in accordance with a decryption key associated with the recipient, such that application of the decryption key by the recipient to the encrypted lock code can generate an unlock code to unlock the electronic lock. An intermediary automated package delivery system can provide one or more end-to-end security features, including facilitating key exchange features between the sender and recipient, applying additional sensor tag features, and directing autonomous delivery features.

Abstract: Three dimension (3D) model generation systems and methods are operable to generate 3D model data corresponding to images of a physical object of interest that are viewed in a presenting media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives a user request that is associated with an interest by the user to obtain a 3D model of a physical object of interest that is being shown in a scene of a currently presenting media content event. A plurality of video image frames are selected from the scene. Then, 3D model data of the physical object of interest is generated based on at least the selected video image frames of the scene.