Abstract: Developments in interactive programming guides that utilize a confluence of users/viewers from data that may be block chain and/or data collection from IoT and other devices, proximity sensing of viewership, and both machine and guided learning over a large dataset to produce rules for AI selection of content, format, and features presented to currently active or a nearby set of television users/viewers. Blockchain may be implemented separately for accounting, verification, billing, and/or fees/royalty payments owed to content owners/copyright holders. Playback may be initiated by a remote device and played on a same or yet another or a plurality of remote devices.

Abstract: Developments in interactive programming guides that utilize a confluence of users/viewers from data that may be blockchain and/or data collection from IoT and other devices, proximity sensing of viewership, and both machine and guided learning over a large dataset to produce rules for AI selection of content, format, and features presented to currently active or a nearby set of television users/viewers. Blockchain may be implemented separately for accounting, verification, billing, and/or fees/royalty payments owed to content owners/copyright holders. Playback may be initiated by a remote device and played on a same or yet another or a plurality of remote devices.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: A database is packed up for broadcast over an iTV system by packaging, compressing, and streaming the database via one or more carousels. The packing up process creates one or more data modules, each including record sets, and one or more modules containing computer-readable instructions for resolving queries using the record sets. These modules, along with a table of contents module that includes descriptions of how the data modules are composed and interfaces to the modules containing the computer-readable instructions, are downloaded at a set top box in order to resolve queries from television users and/or other applications. Thereafter, the computer-readable instructions are executed to resolve the queries. When available, the results produced by executing the query may be displayed on a television. Information regarding the queries may be used to modify the packing up and/or broadcast processes.

Abstract: A pet is identified by capturing or receiving an image containing the pet, isolating the pet in the image, and identifying the pet. Isolating the pet may include image enhancement, such as outlining the pet (e.g., a fur outline) or removing a background of the image. The identification may include comparison of various pet characteristics to a database of characteristics associated with known pets. The characteristics may be type of animal characteristics, breed characteristics, and specific pet characteristics and/or the pet's name. Pets and their characteristics may be may be added to the database using similar criteria forming a profile for each pet that may be used for other purposes. More than one pet may be linked to an owner such as through a mobile device ID and more than one owner or individual may be linked to a pet.

Abstract: A user interface by which network operators, programmers, broadcasters and advertisers can deploy and make accessible libraries of available content and allow viewers of iTV services to customize the presentation and content of the information being presented thereto includes one or more screens each having one or more navigable and selectable elements through which the viewers are permitted to customize presentation and content of iTV application environments other than those associated with the user interface.

Abstract: A user interface by which network operators, programmers, broadcasters and advertisers can deploy and make accessible libraries of available content and allow viewers of iTV services to customize the presentation and content of the information being presented thereto includes one or more screens each having one or more navigable and selectable elements through which the viewers are permitted to customize presentation and content of iTV application environments other than those associated with the user interface.

Abstract: Developments in interactive programming guides that utilize a confluence of users/viewers from data that may be blockchain and/or data collection from IoT and other devices, proximity sensing of viewership, and both machine and guided learning over a large dataset to produce rules for AI selection of content, format, and features presented to currently active or a nearby set of television users/viewers. Blockchain may be implemented separately for accounting, verification, billing, and/or fees/royalty payments owed to content owners/copyright holders. Playback may be initiated by a remote device and played on a same or yet another or a plurality of remote devices.

Abstract: Information about a pet is collected and assembled into a pet profile. A one-click registration system allows a pet owner to register with various websites and applications based on the pet profile. The registration may include transfer of at least some of the pet profile which may include images/videos of the pet and marketing data. Targeted marketing, and risk, insurance, and credit assessments are based at least partially on the pet profile and such assessments and marketing may be determined via intelligent decisions, AI, machine learning, deep learning and other techniques individually or combined. The assessments may be accessed by third parties via an API or provided in report form.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component including an operator-deployed application management system configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: An online game commerce system, in one embodiment, provides an architecture for enabling the interactive trade, collection, advertisement, purchase, and sales of video game components through the representation and use of an online marketplace such as an auction, store, trading hub or similar expression within a video game. For example, an online race car game purchased at a retail store comes with five different starter cars, but game players are offered the opportunity through an online store or auction accessible through the game to purchase additional cars for $5 each or a new engine for existing cars for $1.00 each. After the initial release of the game, game publishers may offer new cars and race tracks downloadable online for a price of $5.00 each or a promotional offer of $20 for any combination of five.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component including an operator-deployed application management system configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: An online game commerce system, in one embodiment, provides an architecture for enabling the interactive trade, collection, advertisement, purchase, and sales of video game components through the representation and use of an online marketplace such as an auction, store, trading hub or similar expression within a video game. For example, an online race car game purchased at a retail store comes with five different starter cars, but game players are offered the opportunity through an online store or auction accessible through the game to purchase additional cars for $5 each or a new engine for existing cars for $1.00 each. After the initial release of the game, game publishers may offer new cars and race tracks downloadable online for a price of $5.00 each or a promotional offer of $20 for any combination of five.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component including an operator-deployed application management system configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component including an operator-deployed application management system configured to optimize and deliver the aplications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: iTV content is created and deployed using a server component adapted to allow content developers to create applications according to an authoring specification that describes a framework for same; a transport component configured to optimize and deliver the applications to one or more clients; and a client component adapted to render the applications through a television so as to permit user interaction therewith. The authoring specification provides for the presentation of content through one or more templates defined therein, allowing application definition and behavior to remain common across multiple client device types, middleware platforms, and/or iTV operating environments.

Abstract: In embodiments of the present invention, a method for managing tasks comprises assigning a task to an individual, associating the task with a points value, receiving an indication that a task is completed, grading the completed task, and awarding points for a completed task to an individual. In other embodiments of the present invention, a method of rewarding individuals for completing assigned tasks may comprise providing a collecting, matching, and trading game facility, wherein the facility provides collectables and collectable packs for collecting, matching, and trading as a reward for having reached a level of task completion; and allowing the individual access to the collecting, matching, and trading game facility, wherein access is based on at least one of permission, a task completed, a number of tasks completed, and a value associated with task completion.