Abstract: Images of space including objects in front of a TV that are generated by a camera on the TV are superimposed as reflections on user interface elements such as but not limited to menu icons presented on the TV screen.

Abstract: Polygon rendering systems for rendering a polygon in an image to be displayed include a rasterizer unit, a first memory buffer, and one or more additional memory buffers. The rasterizer unit is configured to generate one or more low resolution fragments representing a portion of the polygon at a low resolution and one or more high resolution fragments representing a portion of the polygon at one or more higher resolutions. The first memory buffer is configured to store the low resolution fragments as pixels. The first memory buffer is further configured to store data based on the one or more high resolution fragments. The one or more additional memory buffers are configured to store the high resolution fragments as high-resolution sub-pixels.

Abstract: A beacon method for use in a wireless communication network involves populating a beacon frame's channel identification data with accurate data associated with use of a particular channel for wireless communication; populating the beacon frame's network identification data with data including at least one false data element wherein it can be determined if an intruder has attempted to connect to the network by detecting the false data element in the intruder's attempt to connect to the network, where the beacon network identification data are intended to identify the network using the particular channel; storing the beacon frame in a computer readable storage medium; and transmitting the beacon frame over a channel to be reserved. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Information received on a side channel from a TV content source is placed in a graphics plane of a TV and overlaid onto a video plane of the TV, which contains content from a main channel. The graphics plane content in each side channel may be keyed to content ratings setting so that the TV selects the side channel appropriate for a user-input rating setting of the TV and overlays the content of the side channel onto the video plane, to thereby conform the composite image that is displayed on the TV to the viewer-input ratings setting.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for overlaying parts of a displayed presentation of a video by using graphic content rendered by a receiving device such as a set top box or television to complete a displayed presentation of the video. The apparatus receiving frame synchronizing information from a content provider and then conveying the frame synchronizing information as a graphic overlay to the video. The frame synchronizing information comprises frame starting identifier data, frame ending identifier and positional information for describing frame locations and frame timing for overlaying the graphic content and positional information to indicate where to place the graphic content to be overlaid. The frame synchronizing information provides the information necessary to place graphic content, such as a graphic image or graphic animation, at specified positions that are synchronized to the displayed presentation. The same method also enables audio information to be synchronized.

Abstract: An Internet-enabled TV can display thumbnails of audio-video content available from an Internet server for selecting content to be displayed on the TV by a user manipulating a remote control. Internet information loading rules and thumbnail navigation rules are disclosed.

Abstract: A navigable graphic user interface (GUI) is presented on a TV screen and can be navigated by a user manipulating a remote control to select audio-video content for display on the TV. A network status icon is provided on the navigable GUI to indicate whether the Internet can be accessed from the TV to obtain audio-video content.

Abstract: When a new device such as a set-back box (SBB) connects to a TV, the menu of the TV is dynamically updated with an icon and an application identification associated with the new device, so that a viewer can select the new device from the menu.

Abstract: A remote control device includes one or more mode buttons which, when manipulated, cause plural controlled devices to assume preset configurations.

Abstract: A beacon method for use in a wireless communication network involves populating a beacon frame's channel identification data with accurate data associated with use of a particular channel for wireless communication; populating the beacon frame's network identification data with data including at least one false data element, where the beacon network identification data are intended to identify the network using the particular channel; storing the beacon frame in a computer readable storage medium; and transmitting the beacon frame over a channel to be reserved. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for inputting user-selected settings to a second consumer electronic device. The method begins by establishing a first communication path between a first consumer electronic device and the second consumer electronic device. The first communication path is configured to transfer content to be rendered by at least one of the devices. The first device is queried over the first communication path to identify user-selected settings established in the first device that are applicable to the second device. In response to the query, the applicable user-selected settings are transferred over the first communication path from the first device to the second device. The transferred applicable user-selected settings are stored in respective fields of a settings database associated with the second device.

Abstract: In a TV system with a modular configuration that permits licensed primary modules such as disk players and personal video recorders to be removably slid into engagement with receptacles in the TV housing, an adapter primary module is provided that is formed with secondary receptacles for receiving secondary modules. The secondary modules have USB ports, Ethernet ports, and memory card slots in a configuration that can be designed by entities other than the TV manufacturer, with the secondary modules having to conform to proprietary licensed interfaces in the adaptor module to ensure a degree of control by the TV manufacturer.

Abstract: A method of expansion of a television receiver's functionality consistent with certain embodiments involves connecting an accessory device to the television receiver, wherein the accessory device adds functionality to the television receiver; sending a menu legend and an associated function command to the television receiver from the accessory device for display on the television's display; populating a television menu selection with the legend; upon selection of the menu selection populated with the legend, the television receiver sending the function command to the accessory; and at the accessory device, upon receipt of the function command; running an application at the accessory. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device using RFID and then transmitted to a TV using RFID so that the TV can display components to be controlled and/or remote control device buttons and/or functions of remote control device buttons for particular components to be controlled, to train the user.

Abstract: A wireless home entertainment system consistent with certain embodiments has at least one server, wherein the server includes a cradle having a first authentication switch forming a part thereof, wherein the first authentication switch is not a general purpose data entry element. At least one component is in wireless communication with the server, the component having a cradle mating portion that mates in the cradle. A second authentication switch resides at the cradle mating portion, wherein a person can cause the server to regard the component as being authenticated by mating the cradle mating portion with the cradle in a manner that causes actuation of said first and second switches. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method for creating sensory experiences operates by scanning the acoustical signal across the human neural cortex to create the desired sensory perceptions. The acoustic signal is scanned in a predetermined pattern. The pattern is then modified to fill in spaces in the predetermined pattern so that over a short time period, the desired signal is scanned across the intended region of the neural cortex. In one exemplary embodiment, the pattern begins with an array of points on the cortex. Thus, an acoustic signal in an array of points is directed towards the cortex. The acoustic pattern is then shaped to expand in radius about each point. Thus, the acoustic signal scans the visual cortex in an array of expanding circles. Varying the signal at each point along the radius as it expands produces neural firing differences in the neural tissue. When the circles expand to where they begin to touch, the pattern changes to fill in the areas between the original array of points.

Abstract: A wireless force feedback device includes a housing, a central processing unit (CPU) disposed in the housing, a wireless communication receiver disposed in the housing and communicatively coupled to the CPU, wherein the wireless communication receiver is configured to receive haptic commands from a host computing device, and an actuator communicatively coupled to the central processing unit, wherein the actuator is configured to produce a haptic sensation, the haptic sensation being controlled by the CPU in response to haptic commands.

Abstract: A video apparatus consistent with certain embodiments has a receiver that receives a data stream containing video data and video overlay data, wherein the video data includes a censored region having boundaries. A video plane receives the video data in order to render a video frame for display, the video data including the censored region. A video overlay plane receives the video overlay data in order to render a frame of overlay video data for display. The overlay data has boundaries that overlay the censored region. An alpha plane defines overlay boundaries for the overlay data to determine how much of the overlay video data overlays the censored region when rendering the video frame. The alpha plane defines boundaries that are smaller than the boundaries of the overlay data and larger than the boundaries of the censored region. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A wireless component is authenticated to an in-home wireless entertainment system server by simultaneously or near-simultaneously holding down buttons on the component and server and transmitting a component ID (or encryption results generated from the key) to the server. The server then indicates “authenticated”, and the component can subsequently access the system using its ID.