Abstract: A programming communication synchronizer embodiment communicates a portion of a program to a receiving device during a first time period, communicates a corresponding portion of the program to a mobile device during a second time period, and coordinates the first time period with the second time period so that the portion of the program is deliverable to a presentation device coupleable to the receiving device at approximately the same time the corresponding portion of the program is deliverable to the mobile device.

Abstract: Traffic at an intersection, or other portion of a road, is detected, and the stop/go traffic signal apparatus at the intersection, or other portion is controlled based on vehicle types in the detected traffic. A vehicle type may be determined based on information collected by that vehicle's onboard telematics unit, or with a user's device in communication therewith. An input may be received from a user device, onboard the vehicle, to request changing the current stop/go configuration of the traffic signal. The request may be processed based on the determined vehicle type to determine whether or nor to change the traffic signal in response to the request. The request may be accompanied by an offer of money, and if the request is not granted, the user device may forward another request associated with a different offer.

Abstract: Methods reduce the likelihood of an MPERS device falsely reporting a high acceleration event as a fall impact. The device stores acceleration data acquired before the high acceleration and afterward. If a number of samples of magnitude values from accelerometer sensors in the device acquired during as interval before the high acceleration that approach 0G exceeds a predetermined number, the high acceleration is deemed from a non-fall. Acceleration sensors can also indicate an orientation change before/after the high acceleration, and a barometric pressure sensor can do the same, to further characterize an event as a non-fall. A method compares current event data to composite data sets that have been determined from a plurality of empirically derived data sets of fall and non-fall events. High correlations can indicate falls, or non-falls, respectively. Further statistical analysis of data acquired after an event reduces the likelihood of falsely indicating a fall.

Abstract: A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination.

Abstract: A mobile device embodiment communicates program distribution account information to a program distributor. The mobile device embodiment receives from the program distributor, authorization to use programming that is conditioned on the communicated program distribution account information. The mobile device embodiment communicates the authorization to a receiving device.

Abstract: Traffic at an intersection, or other portion of a road, is detected, and the stop/go traffic signal apparatus at the intersection, or other portion is controlled based on vehicle types in the detected traffic. A vehicle type may be determined based on information collected by that vehicle's onboard telematics unit, or with a user's device in communication therewith. An input may be received from a user device, onboard the vehicle, to request changing the current stop/go configuration of the traffic signal. The request may be processed based on the determined vehicle type to determine whether or nor to change the traffic signal in response to the request. The request may be accompanied by an offer of money, and if the request is not granted, the user device may forward another request associated with a different offer.

Abstract: Traffic at an intersection, or other portion of a road, is detected, and the stop/go traffic signal apparatus at the intersection, or other portion is controlled based on vehicle types in the detected traffic. A vehicle type may be determined based on information collected by that vehicle's onboard telematics unit, or with a user's device in communication therewith. An input may be received from a user device, onboard the vehicle, to request changing the current stop/go configuration of the traffic signal. The request may be processed based on the determined vehicle type to determine whether or not to change the traffic signal in response to the request. The request may be accompanied by an offer of money, and if the request is not granted, the user device may forward another request associated with a different offer.

Abstract: A system and method for sub-renting a vehicle to a secondary/sub-renter after the vehicle has been rented to a primary renter. The vehicle may comprise a telematics control unit to enhance the sub-renting process. A rental duration of secondary renter(s) may be compared to an idle timeframe specified by the primary renter. Other rental parameters may be compared to enhance sub-renting of the vehicle, such as an idle location and a vehicle class of the vehicle, for example. In this manner, rented vehicles can be utilized more, particularly during periods when the primary renter has no need to use the rented vehicle. Secondary renters are enabled to use/rent the vehicle during these idle periods and the primary renter can avoid paying for more than he or she needs.

Abstract: Traffic at an intersection, or other portion of a road, is detected, and the stop/go traffic signal apparatus at the intersection, or other portion is controlled based on vehicle types in the detected traffic. A vehicle type may be determined based on information collected by that vehicle's onboard telematics unit, or with a user's device in communication therewith. An input may be received from a user device, onboard the vehicle, to request changing the current stop/go configuration of the traffic signal. The request may be processed based on the determined vehicle type to determine whether or not to change the traffic signal in response to the request. The request may be accompanied by an offer of money, and if the request is not granted, the user device may forward another request associated with a different offer.

Abstract: A mobile device embodiment communicates program distribution account information to a program distributor. The mobile device embodiment receives from the program distributor, authorization to use programming that is conditioned on the communicated program distribution account information. The mobile device embodiment communicates the authorization to a receiving device.

Abstract: Methods reduce the likelihood of an MPERS device falsely reporting a high acceleration event as a fall impact. The device stores acceleration data acquired before the high acceleration and afterward. If a number of samples of magnitude values from accelerometer sensors in the device acquired during as interval before the high acceleration that approach 0G exceeds a predetermined number, the high acceleration is deemed from a non-fall. Acceleration sensors can also indicate an orientation change before/after the high acceleration, and a barometric pressure sensor can do the same, to further characterize an event as a non-fall. A method compares current event data to composite data sets that have been determined from a plurality of empirically derived data sets of fall and non-fall events. High correlations can indicate falls, or non-falls, respectively. Further statistical analysis of data acquired after an event reduces the likelihood of falsely indicating a fall.

Abstract: A mobile device embodiment communicates program distribution account information to a program distributor. The mobile device embodiment receives from the program distributor, authorization to use programming that is conditioned on the communicated program distribution account information. The mobile device embodiment communicates the authorization to a receiving device.

Abstract: A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device that can easily configure an entertainment system automatically or semi-automatically. The reconfiguration of the entertainment system can be achieved by cycling through the possible configurations of the entertainment system (i.e. different combinations of operational states of the components that make up the entertainment system) by changing various operational states of certain components until an operable configuration is found. The invention may be implemented in any component of the entertainment system including a set-top-box, satellite receiver or a remote control.

Abstract: A programming communication synchronizer embodiment communicates a portion of a program to a receiving device during a first time period, communicates a corresponding portion of the program to a mobile device during a second time period, and coordinates the first time period with the second time period so that the portion of the program is deliverable to a presentation device coupleable to the receiving device at approximately the same time the corresponding portion of the program is deliverable to the mobile device.

Abstract: A mobile device embodiment communicates program distribution account information to a program distributor. The mobile device embodiment receives from the program distributor, authorization to use programming that is conditioned on the communicated program distribution account information. The mobile device embodiment communicates the authorization to a receiving device.

Abstract: A mobile device embodiment communicates program distribution account information to a program distributor. The mobile device embodiment receives from the program distributor, authorization to use programming that is conditioned on the communicated program distribution account information. The mobile device embodiment communicates the authorization to a receiving device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device that can easily configure an entertainment system automatically or semi-automatically. The reconfiguration of the entertainment system can be achieved by cycling through the possible configurations of the entertainment system (i.e. different combinations of operational states of the components that make up the entertainment system) by changing various operational states of certain components until an operable configuration is found. The invention may be implemented in any component of the entertainment system including a set-top-box, satellite receiver or a remote control.

Abstract: A mobile device embodiment communicates program distribution account information to a program distributor. The mobile device embodiment receives from the program distributor, authorization to use programming that is conditioned on the communicated program distribution account information. The mobile device embodiment communicates the authorization to a receiving device.

Abstract: A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination.