Abstract: A controlled device such as a TV is vended with a legacy remote commander (RC) and legacy user interfaces (UI), but is programmed with authentication information to accept downloaded UI updates from an authenticated after market RC with more capabilities than the legacy RC.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for displaying image data with memory reduction. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first image by the device, displaying the first image on a display of the device and scaling image data of the first image. The device may scale image data to generate scaled image data having reduced pixel data with respect to the first image. The method may also include receiving a second image by the device, generating composite image data based on the scaled image data of the first image and image data of the second image, and displaying the composite image data on the display of the device. The second image may then be displayed an the display of the device.

Abstract: A method for displaying content to a user including receiving a first content and a second content, applying a first depth to the first content, applying a second depth to the second content and compositing the first content and the second content to generate a 3-Dimensional (3-D) composite content, wherein the composite content is configured to be displayed on a 3-D display, wherein the composite content is configured to be played back such that the first content and the second content are displayed simultaneously, and wherein the composite content is further configured to be played back such that one of the first content and the second content is displayed appearing in focus and the second one of the first content and the second content is displayed appearing out of focus based on a selection of one of the first content and the second content.

Abstract: A power circuit device has a housing. A connection electrically couples AC power to an interior portion of the housing. A female electrical socket is coupled to the housing and is electrically coupled to and receives AC power from the connection. An AC to DC converter is electrically coupled to the connection to receive AC power therefrom and produce a DC output therefrom. A current sensor senses current drawn by one of the AC to DC converter and the female electrical socket. A switch, responsive to the current sensor, selectively removes power from the other one of the female electrical socket and the AC to DC converter when a drop in current is sensed by the current sensor. AC versions without DC conversion are also contemplated. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: The detail and clarity of high-definition video content may be enhanced by a display device or client-side device before being displayed. In certain embodiments, the high-definition video image frames may be upsampled by scaling the image's resolution. The now-upsampled HD video image frames may then be low pass filtered so as to concentrate the image's energy distribution into a tighter range of frequencies. The filtered HD video image frames may then be sub-sampled back down, such as to the original HD image's frame resolution, or other HD-level resolution, without compromising image detail. In this fashion, the clarity and detail level in video content, even though already considered of a high-definition quality, may be further improved.

Abstract: A power brick device has a power brick housing. A male electrical plug electrically couples AC power to an interior portion of the power brick housing. A female electrical socket is coupled to the power brick housing and is electrically coupled to and receives AC power from the male electrical plug. An AC to DC converter is electrically coupled to the male electrical plug to receive AC power therefrom and produce a DC output therefrom. A current sensor senses current drawn by one of the AC to DC converter and the female electrical socket. A switch, responsive to the current sensor, selectively removes power from the other one of the female electrical socket and the AC to DC converter when a drop in current is sensed by the current sensor. AC versions without DC conversion are also contemplated. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a method and apparatus for an object oriented on-screen display menu system with a visual cue. The method includes the identification of an on-screen visual cue that is generated by an access device such as, for example, a digital television system. The on-screen visual cue display may also be generated by an access device, such as a set-top box, in response to a remote control command. Once detected, the on-screen visual display may be used to identify an object of focus within the on-screen display in response to a menu selection event. In one embodiment, the remote control command is issued to the access device prior to a menu selection event. By using a visual cue to identify an object of focus, a context-dependent sub-menu is provided that corresponds to the identified object of focus to simplify user menu access. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A video encoder having multiple channels each capable of producing an independently controlled encoded output. In one embodiment, the video encoder has circuitry common to all of the channels and separate circuitry for each channel. The common circuitry can include a motion compensator, a transformer, and a local decoder. One or more of the separate circuitry can include a quantizer, a scanner, an encoder, and a buffer. Each channel includes quantization feedback, and one channel output is fed back to the local decoder for use in generating reference pictures. The channels are separately controllable for the characteristics of at least one of quantization, scanning, and encoding.

Abstract: A video encoder having multiple channels each capable of producing an independently controlled encoded output. In one embodiment, the video encoder has circuitry common to all of the channels and separate circuitry for each channel. The common circuitry can include a motion compensator, a transformer, and a local decoder. One or more of the separate circuitry can include a quantizer, a scanner, an encoder, and a buffer. Each channel includes quantization feedback, and one channel output is fed back to the local decoder for use in generating reference pictures. The channels are separately controllable for the characteristics of at least one of quantization, scanning, and encoding.

Abstract: A networked personal video recorder with shared resource and distributed content is provided. In one example, a method is provided for managing personal video recorders in a network. The method includes receiving a user defined recording task, recognizing each personal video recorder in the network as a collaborative peer, tracking statistical information on each personal video recorder, and delegating an appropriate personal video recorder to record the user defined recording task.

Abstract: A media server is accessed by a user device over a network. Advertising content is automatically received from the server and stored by the user device, where the advertising content is associated with streaming media content. Following a request for the streaming media content, at least a portion of the received advertising content is presented on the user device while the requested streaming media content begins to be downloaded or queued. As soon as presentation of the advertising content concludes, the requested streaming media content is presented on the user device without network-related delay.

Abstract: A pigment dispersant contains (a) 5 to 30 wt % of aromatic and/or heterocyclic vinyl monomer units, (b) 10 to 30 wt % of monomer units having acid groups, (c) 40 to 80 wt % of (meth)acrylate ester monomer units, and (d) 5 to 30 wt % of monomer units having poly(C2-6-alkylene glycol) chains or mono(C1-22-alkyl)ether chains of said glycol, said poly(C2-6-alkylene glycol) chains or mono (C1-22-alkyl)ether chains having a number average molecular weight of from 150 to 1,500. A sum of the monomer units (a) to (d) amounts to 100 wt %. The pigment dispersant has an acid value of from 30 to 300 mgKOH/g, a number average molecular weight of from 5,000 to 30,000, and a content of organic compounds, boiling points of which are not higher than 250° C., of not higher than 0.2 wt %. Also disclosed are its production process, its aqueous solution and its dispersion.

Abstract: A handheld wireless device for controlling an electronic device. Ambient noise is automatically detected using a microphone and user preference parameters (e.g., volume) are adjusted, compensating for the detected noise. Plurality of signals are sent and received, operable to determine the location of the remote control, thereby operable to automatically tune various user preference parameters (e.g., surround sound). The remote control may be used as a telephone. When receiving a call, the caller information may be displayed using a popup window (e.g., on a television set). A call may be answered and the program may be paused/recorded/muted. The electronic device is automatically configured by identifying the user. A reader may read information on a payment card in a contactless manner. In one embodiment a radio frequency signal is used to reduce interference with LCD wavelength. The remote control may respond to a user command in order to be located.

Abstract: A method of providing improved quality of Internet Protocol (IP) video content over the Internet involves, for an item of content, calculating a score representative of a likelihood that a particular viewer will order the item of content; if the score is greater than a threshold score T, then downloading a portion of the item of content from a content provider, and storing the portion of the item of content in a storage location local to the viewer; if the viewer elects to view the item of video content, then: retrieving the stored portion of the item of video content, streaming an augmentation to the stored portion of the item of video content from the content provider, and combining the stored portion with the augmentation of the stored portion to produce an improved resolution version of the item of video content. This process can be carried out in an IPTV adapter. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for collaborating over a short-range communication path between a video output device, such as a television, and a telephonic device which is also configured for simultaneous communication over a long-range communication path. Call progress of the telephonic device is annunciated by the video output device whose functions can be controlled through the telephonic device. Embodiments of the invention describe utilizing the telephonic device in a hands-free mode as well as tracking the relative position of the user based on the position of the telephone. The short-range communications can comprise a Bluetooth™ communications protocol, or similar short-range communications mechanism, which preferably provides a mechanism for identifying the telephonic device as well as its range and/or position.

Abstract: A power brick device has a power brick housing. A male electrical plug electrically couples AC power to an interior portion of the power brick housing. A female electrical socket is coupled to the power brick housing and is electrically coupled to and receives AC power from the male electrical plug. An AC to DC converter is electrically coupled to the male electrical plug to receive AC power therefrom and produce a DC output therefrom. A current sensor senses current drawn by one of the AC to DC converter and the female electrical socket. A switch, responsive to the current sensor, selectively removes power from the other one of the female electrical socket and the AC to DC converter when a drop in current is sensed by the current sensor. AC versions without DC conversion are also contemplated. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of providing a user access to data files distributed in a plurality of different types of user devices is described. According to the method, a copy of data files stored locally at each user device is received at a server via a respective network communication link. Index information is generated based on the received data files. The index information facilitates performing a search operation using user-provided search information to select any of the data files. If a selected data file from the search operation is not stored locally at a desired user device, a copy of the selected data file is sent from the server via the respective network communication link to provide the user access to the selected data file at the desired user device.

Abstract: An adaptive clocking mechanism is provided for a digital display system. The digital display system includes a clock recovery system, for recovering a system time clock from a video bit-stream generated at an encoder, and a decoding system for decoding and decompressing the video bit-stream at a frame rate. The adaptive clocking mechanism operates to determine, from video format information transmitted from the encoder, the occurrence of a frame rate at which a transmitted signal is encoded that differs from a frame rate expected by the decoder. Upon such a determination, the adaptive clocking mechanism further operates to select a modifier from a group of modifiers based on format information derived from the video bit stream, including the encoded frame rate. The selected modifier is then applied to a synchronization function of the decoder in a manner to bring the decoder operation into synchronization with the non-expected encoder frame rate.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide apparatuses, systems and methods for that allow the booting of an embedded system from an off-board memory. In some embodiments, a system is provided that includes a circuit board comprising a processor, a memory, an operating system stored in the memory and utilized to at least in part control processor operation, and an external memory access comprising a first port onboard the circuit board, a local off-board memory, wherein the local off-board memory is coupled to the first port, and a root file system stored in the local off-board memory used while booting the operating system.

Abstract: A networked personal video recorder with shared resource and distributed content is provided. In one example, a method is provided for managing personal video recorders in a network. The method includes receiving a user defined recording task, recognizing each personal video recorder in the network as a collaborative peer, tracking statistical information on each personal video recorder, and delegating an appropriate personal video recorder to record the user defined recording task.