Abstract: A system includes at least one server that is configured to provide a multi-client network service to a plurality of existing users. When the server receives requests to join the multi-client network service from new users, the server may issue timestamps to each new user and obtain load metric based on the requests or timestamps. The server can repeatedly compare the load metric to a threshold load value. When it is determined that the load metric does not meet or is below the threshold load value, the server enables joining the multi-client network service by the plurality of new users. Otherwise, when it is determined that the load metric meets or is above the threshold load value, the server causes delivery of a wait message to the new users and keeps them in a wait mode for a predetermined period or until the load metric changes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for monitoring activity of a device. The method includes associating one or more monitoring devices with an electronic device. Rules that have been established to define acceptable content that can be accessed by the electronic device are accessed. Requested content, which is requested by the electronic device, is identified. The requested content is compared to the established rules. An alert condition is generated when the requested content violates the established rules. An alert signal is provided to the one or more monitoring devices based on the alert condition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of generating a content channel that includes accessing a list of content assets, utilizing one or more content assets as settings for the content channel, and selecting additional content assets. The selection is based on the settings. The content channel is generated based on the additional content assets.

Abstract: In one aspect, an LED display includes a matrix of LED pixels for producing a demanded image, and within the matrix, one or more sensor elements to detect visible light for document scanning, and/or IR light, and/or laser light. IR emitters also can be part of the matrix for time-of-flight based distance measurements using the matrix. The matrix background can be black or it can be e-ink to present, e.g., interactive user controls.

Abstract: In one aspect, a prism is used to separate white light into individual color components, which are used to illuminate an object in sequence. This can be effected by rotating the prism. Reflections from the object are captured by a high resolution black and white camera. A frequency detector is used to also receive the individual colors that illuminate the object so that the high-resolution pixels from the black and white camera can be correlated, for each captured value, to the specific color reflected from the object that created the pixel. In this way, the color spectrum of the object can be measured with high precision. Other examples that use stationary prisms also are disclosed. Examples are disclosed in which the prism(s) receive white light from the object and spread it in color components onto the imager.

Abstract: In one aspect, each pixel of a holographic display screen emits light in a narrow angle, and micro-mirrors control the angle in which the light is emitted. The light that is emitted is modulated so that the image for the left eye is emitted when the pixel is pointed by means of its micro mirror at a viewer's left eye and light for the image for the right eye is emitted when the pixel is pointed at the viewer's right eye.

Abstract: In one aspect, a prism is used to separate white light into individual color components, which are used to illuminate an object in sequence. This can be effected by rotating the prism. Reflections from the object are captured by a high resolution black and white camera. A frequency detector is used to also receive the individual colors that illuminate the object so that the high-resolution pixels from the black and white camera can be correlated, for each captured value, to the specific color reflected from the object that created the pixel. In this way, the color spectrum of the object can be measured with high precision. Other examples that use stationary prisms also are disclosed. Examples are disclosed in which the prism(s) receive white light from the object and spread it in color components onto the imager.

Abstract: Customizing menus for a consumer electronics device, including: preparing menu definitions for the menus to be customized on the consumer electronics device; generating menu configuration information using the prepared menu definitions; and transmitting the generated menu configuration information to the consumer electronics device. Keywords include customization of menus and consumer electronics device.

Abstract: Various aspects of a system and a method for collaboratively displaying media content on multiple display devices comprises a plurality of display devices. A first display device of the plurality of display devices determines a portion of the media content to be displayed by the plurality of display devices, respectively. The portion of the media content is determined based on at least one parameter associated with the plurality of display devices. The first display device assigns at least a portion of a second display device of the plurality of display devices to display additional content. The portion of the second display device is determined based on the at least one parameter associated with the plurality of display devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods to implement a technique for using voice input to control a network-enabled device. In one implementation, this feature allows the user to conveniently register and manage an IPTV device using voice input rather than employing a bulky remote control or a separate registration website.

Abstract: Systems and methods for creating and employing software to handle the playback of media, especially video, in browsers that, in addition to or instead of playing the media in the browser, may use second display protocols to instruct a separate display device to play the media. The software can of any type that can transmit the content or specify a network location of the content item for subsequent playback to a content playback device. In one implementation, the software may be in the form of a web browser or other application that is configured to use for the playback of selected media types. The browser maintains a list of favorite and/or recently viewed services and content items and is configured to filter the list to include only those content items, or services with such content items, available for play back on the separate content playback device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for extracting media content from social networking services and presenting the extracted content to an IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) user in a personalized and easy-to-consume manner. One or more feeds from social networking services that contain data pertaining to the user's social graph are monitored by a service in the IPTV domain for media content that meets preset criteria and preferences of the user. A social networking dashboard application is hosted in the IPTV environment and includes a user interface arranged with tools to enable the user to set preferences and specify tags that control various aspects of the media content extraction. The service can also monitor the social networking feeds in a real-time manner that enables creation of a knowledge base that is usable to present media content “trends” to the IPTV user.

Abstract: A user can share Internet assets or content URLs via a second display device with other Internet content service users. Thus, the other users will be able to view the same content on their own internet protocol televisions (IPTV), as first display devices, without the need to search for the content in the content providing service. When the shared content is URLs, the recipient can even preview the content from the URL on the second display device before sending it to the recipient's internet protocol television (IPTV).

Abstract: Various aspects of a system and a method for accessing information associated with a sample of background audio in a computing device are disclosed herein. The computing device records, at predetermined time intervals, a sample of background audio in a vicinity of the computing device. The computing device transmits the recorded sample of background audio to a server computing device. The recorded sample of background audio and a metadata associated with the recorded sample of background audio is stored at the server computing device. The computing device accesses information associated with the recorded sample of background audio from the server computing device. The information is determined by the server computing device based on the recorded sample of background audio.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying content using one or more Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) devices by accessing a user's account using a secondary device and selecting content provided by a service provider. The service provider sends an identifier that specifies the selected content to a first IPTV device that will display content. The selected content is added to a user's content list in the user's account; and played on the first IPTV device. During the time of playback on the first IPTV device, the user is able to browse content using the secondary device or another IPTV device. Thus, the user is able to browse and search for additional content without disturbing the display of the selected content.

Abstract: A user can share Internet assets or content URLs via a second display device with other Internet content service users. Thus, the other users will be able to view the same content on their own internet protocol televisions (IPTV), as first display devices, without the need to search for the content in the content providing service. When the shared content is URLs, the recipient can even preview the content from the URL on the second display device before sending it to the recipient's internet protocol television (IPTV).

Abstract: Remotely testing a client device, the method including: implementing an interface of a messaging and presence protocol; starting a connection of the messaging and presence protocol between the client device and a server; initiating a test to execute steps of the test over the messaging and presence protocol connection; indicating information regarding results of the test to send over the messaging and presence protocol connection. Key words include remote testing and XMPP.

Abstract: Browsing and displaying content over multiple devices, including: displaying a graphical user interface program on a second device; associating the second device with a main device; receiving transactions performed by a user on the second device with the graphical user interface; sending at least one command to the main device after the transactions performed by the user on the second device with the graphical user interface are received by the second device; and executing the at least one command on the main device. Keywords include visual BIVL interface and IPTV client without GUI.

Abstract: Provided are ways in which a camera can be operated by a control device. Such provides a convenient solution whenever, e.g., two friends, each with a cell phone, wish to take a well-composed impromptu group picture. The “camera” may be any type of camera, which can be coupled to the control or monitoring device. Typical cameras include those associated with mobile devices, such as cell phone cameras, but also dedicated cameras with transceiver functionality. The control device is often a mobile device such as a cell phone, but can also be a dedicated monitoring device. In one implementation, the control device can control the direction of view, the field of view, and shutter operation, and provide to the user an image of the current view seen. In this implementation, the user may control most significant aspects of camera composition, as well as initiating the capture of the image.

Abstract: Systems and methods described allow users to select and obtain significant information about objects in the real world, and further to employ gestures as a “real world” interface to manipulate information and to manipulate the selection of objects. In this way, users may be enabled to make better decisions when, e.g., traveling and shopping, and may further be enabled to obtain significant information about objects with which they are surrounded. The systems and methods may include a camera which monitors a user's hand movements or gestures to control a UI, particularly where a user is interacting with real-world objects. Gestures can move the focus of a UI from one real world object to another. The systems and methods may also include a projector to illuminate selected objects, or to display information about objects.