Abstract: A media control device manages one or more digital certificates that may be related to communication of electronic content. An expiration date may be identified of at least one digital certificate. A validity time period may be identified of the at least one digital certificate. The validity time period may be based, at least in part, on a comparison between the expiration date and a target date. An expiration status of the at least one digital certificate may be determined. The expiration status may be negative when the validity time period is greater than a predetermined time period. The expiration status may be positive when the validity time period is less than, or equal to, the predetermined time period. An electronic notification indicating the expiration status for the at least one digital certificate may be sent when the expiration status is positive.

Abstract: A user environment can be enhanced by the interconnection of multiple network devices. A principal network device can connect to one or more auxiliary network devices. Based on one or more profile parameters, the principal network device can alter, change or modify an aspect or operation of one or more client devices in the user environment. The principal and auxiliary network devices can monitor, detect or sense environment parameters associated with a user or a location within the user environment so as to control one or more aspects or operation of the one or more client devices. The user environment can be controlled for any number of users and any number of client devices. Automatically or dynamically controlling the user environment based on profile parameters can enhance the experience of the user no matter where the user is within the user environment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for bug fix recovery in an electronic device connected to a network. If a bug affecting a deployed electronic device is discovered, bug fix instructions for fixing, mitigating, or recovering from the bug, including rules and executable actions, can be stored in a cloud based server in communication with a deployed electronic device. Each set of instructions is associated with one or more identifiers of devices, firmware versions, and/or software versions that are affected by the bug. The server can be configured to query deployed electronic devices, and/or the deployed electronic devices can be configured to query the server to determine if a bug fix that is relevant to the electronic device has been stored on the server. Instructions can then be transmitted to the electronic device for execution or for display or announcement to a user (if user action is required).

Abstract: The installation and calibration of a sound system can be difficult or time-consuming for a user as a user typically cannot easily discern the optimal positioning or setting for sound system speaker. A sound system configuration device can receive one or more sound samples associated with one or more sound system speakers, such as from one or more microphones positioned at or about the sound system. These sound samples can be used to determine a calibration for the sound system. A calibration instruction based on the determined calibration can be provided, for example, via a notification to the user. The calibration instruction can include, for example, a suggested location for a sound system speaker, a suggested calibration setting for a component of the sound system, or both. The calibration instruction can also automatically update or modify a calibration setting for a component of the sound system.

Abstract: A client device for identifying unsupported capabilities. A client device detects unsupported capabilities and notifies a service provider or device manufacturer of the unsupported capabilities. The service provider notifies the client device of support for the unsupported capabilities including possible upgrades that may be provided to the client device.

Abstract: A reliable transmission of an EAS message to a user or subscriber of a distribution source, for example, an Internet service and/or cable provider, is provided by utilizing a smart media device (SMD) ecosystem. An SMD is coupled to a distribution source, such as an Internet service provider, cable provider and/or any other service provider. The SMD can transmit the EAS message to a user of the SMD using only the SMD as opposed to relying on externally connected devices as is typically required with traditional systems. The SMD alerts a user as to an event or condition associated with an EAS message and also receives input from a user of the SMD, for example, a confirmation of the EAS message or a request for assistance. The two-way communication provided by the SMD ecosystem enhances the user experience and increases the ability to verifiably alert users to an emergency.

Abstract: A second screen device can discover one or more first screen devices connected to a network using a DIAL discovery request. In response to the DIAL request, a preferred first screen device sends a formatted response that includes one or more capabilities associated with an application or software that is executed by or hosted by the first screen device. For example, the formatting can use a header extension for a response to a DIAL discovery request. In another example, the formatting can use a header tag for a response to a DIAL device description request. Formatting the response to the DIAL request to include information about the capabilities of the first screen device ensures that the first screen device that is preferred for the playback of selected content is positioned at the top of the list or menu presented to a user at the second screen device.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are drawn to a server device for use with a stream of encoded A/V data and an n×m array of client devices. The server device includes a memory and a processor. The memory causes the server device to decode the A/V data to gain access to decoded video data and decoded audio data, as well as determining the configuration of the n×m array of client devices. The memory causes the server device to separate the decoded video data into n times m distinct video data payloads and encode n times m converted streams of encoded A/V data. The memory additionally causes the server device to transmit the n times m encoded subdivided streams to the n×m array of client devices, respectively, based on the determined configuration of the n×m array of client devices.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining if certain operational states of a plurality of networked media appliances are causally connected with those appliances becoming unstable and/or having a software crash. Once these certain operation states are identified, a command prohibiting each of the networked media appliances from entering the identified state is generated and transmitted to the media appliances. The generated commands effectively insulate the media appliances entering the prohibited state, thereby eliminating a possible cause of a software crash without requiring the appliances to undergo a software update or the installation of a software patch.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for managing media content having group watermarking data is disclosed. The method comprises transmitting a request to receive the media content from a content playback device, receiving a response to the transmitted request, fetching, by the content playback device according to the response, the requested media content and a watermark schema, the watermark schema fetched from cloud-based storage, identifying, by the content playback device, the group watermarking data in the media content according to the fetched watermarking schema, determining, by the content playback device if the media content is authorized for provision according to the group watermarking data and the fetched watermarking schema, and providing the media content for playback according to the determined authorization.

Abstract: A system and method for determining if a user should be prohibited from accessing over-the-top (“OTT”) content in accordance with predetermined content restrictions within a media gateway appliance (“MGA”). If the OTT source provides a restriction rating for the content, the rating is compared to content restrictions stored in the MGA to determine if access should be restricted. Access to restricted content will only be granted if the user provides the proper key code. This key code is the same one utilized for accessing restricted non-OTT content. If the OTT content has no associated rating, the content is analyzed to determine an equivalent rating. This equivalent rating is compared to content restrictions stored in the MGA to determine if access should be granted, or if entry of the key code will be required. User biometrics may also be utilized to further verify authorized users.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a processor a memory having software stored thereon. The processor may be configured to execute the software to at least cause the electronic device to: determine if at least one user is in proximity to the electronic device; automatically determine user preference information associated with the at least one user over time from multimedia content selected when the at least one user is in proximity to the electronic device; derive a viewing pattern map of preferred multimedia content based on the user preference information; and perform a background launch operation of the preferred multimedia content of the at least one user based on the viewing pattern map. Actions may be predicted according to user proximity and preferred multimedia content.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying client devices in a subscriber account that the account is undersubscribed and no further client devices can stream media content until other client devices are no longer actively streaming media content is disclosed herein. The method comprises receiving a request to receive and play the media content from a requesting client device, the requesting client device being one of a plurality of client devices enabled to receive media content according to a subscriber account and determining if the subscriber account is undersubscribed; if the subscriber account is not undersubscribed. If the subscriber account is not undersubscribed, initiating transmission of the media content, and if the subscriber account is undersubscribed, information is transmitted to the requesting client device, the information including data indicating the subscriber account is undersubscribed without initiating the transmission of the media content.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for capturing observations of customer-premise equipment or customer-provided equipment (CPE) devices. The method includes reporting a problem detect by a user during use of a customer-premise equipment or customer-provided equipment (CPE) device with one or more specific buttons on a remote controller; and entering the problem into a log with a timestamp.

Abstract: A system and method for managing resources of a processor is disclosed. In an illustrative embodiment, the method includes accepting a command to execute an application at least in part by the processor, executing the application using the processor, monitoring execution parameters characterizing the execution of the application by the processor, and storing the monitored execution parameters in a memory accessible to processor. In one example, the execution parameters including an identifier of the application and a time at which the application begins execution.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable recording media implementing detection of wireless home digital interface (WHDI) devices and the configuration of parental control for each. Authenticating through a set-top box (STB) at least one end device (ED), being a WHDI device, on a wireless network. The STB includes a database that provides access codes/set of pins for each ED that is added to the wireless network. When an identification of an ED is already in the database of the STB, and parental control is part of a content access request, a MAC address of the ED is authenticated and an access code/set of pins is obtained. The content access request is processed when the access code/set of pins obtained matches the access code/set of pins that is configured in the database of the STB.

Abstract: A device including a communication component, a DIAL protocol component, a video processing component and a PIC verification component. The communication component can wirelessly receive a personal identification code, can communicate with a display and can receive first video content from a content provider. The DIAL protocol component can perform protocols in accordance with a multiscreen discovery and launch of first screen content specification. The video processing component can provide first video data including PIC image data corresponding to a code so as to display the first video data and a PIC image on the display. The PIC verification component can generate a verification signal when the personal identification code corresponds to the PIC image data. The video processing component can further provide the first video content to the display based on the verification signal.

Abstract: A device including a communication component, a DIAL protocol component, a video processing component and a PIC verification component. The communication component can wirelessly receive a personal identification code, can communicate with a display and can receive first video content from a content provider. The DIAL protocol component can perform protocols in accordance with a multiscreen discovery and launch of first screen content specification. The video processing component can provide first video data including PIC image data corresponding to a code so as to display the first video data and a PIC image on the display. The PIC verification component can generate a verification signal when the personal identification code corresponds to the PIC image data. The video processing component can further provide the first video content to the display based on the verification signal.

Abstract: A device including a communication component, a DIAL protocol component, a video processing component and a PIC verification component. The communication component can wirelessly receive a personal identification code, can communicate with a display and can receive first video content from a content provider. The DIAL protocol component can perform protocols in accordance with a multiscreen discovery and launch of first screen content specification. The video processing component can provide first video data including PIC image data corresponding to a code so as to display the first video data and a PIC image on the display. The PIC verification component can generate a verification signal when the personal identification code corresponds to the PIC image data. The video processing component can further provide the first video content to the display based on the verification signal.

Abstract: A system is provided that is designed to smooth and reduce the transition time of a live stream while switching to different bitrate transcode profiles. This accomplishment is achieved by avoiding pre buffer time using parallel transcode sessions and enabling a fast response to network congestion, as desired bitrate chunks/segments are readily available. The client, for example the HLS client, is not aware of switching the bitrate and is not taxed with any demands, as only the HLS server needs to manage synchronization of any pre-transcoded content and continue with further transcoding of the content.