Abstract: One system herein is operable to determine effectiveness of asset insertion in VOD content. The VOD content is selected by a user through a CPE. The system is operable to analyze upstream internet traffic through a cable television network, to identify household identifications from the upstream internet traffic, and to detect an internet website selected by the user from the upstream internet traffic based on the user's household identification. The system is also operable to couple to a VOD asset insertion system of a headend in the cable television network to detect an asset inserted into the VOD content selected by the CPE, to associate the internet website with the inserted asset, to determine a period of time between insertion of the asset and the selection of the internet website by the user, and to determine an effectiveness of the asset based on the determined period of time.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time DVR usage and reporting enable using instant message protocol in a DVR environment to obtain real-time DVR usage data and to report data reflecting such usage in real-time. An example of DVR usage data comprises data reflecting that a viewer is viewing a video program which is R-rated. Another example of DVR usage data comprises a viewer entering a password, such as a kids zone password, to exit kids zone operational mode.

Abstract: A method includes identifying, by a communication device, an audience including one or more viewers, generating a preference profile for the audience, correlating the generated preference profile to one or more social profiles, determining, based on the generated preference profile, the one or more social profiles, and a database of social influencers, a contextual influence, the contextual influence identifies and quantifies a possible reaction of the audience to a video content, computing a plurality of potential video advertisements from a plurality of video templates, the computing is based on the determination of the contextual influence, and ranking the computed plurality of potential video advertisements according to the contextual influence.

Abstract: A venue display system displays personalized messages from a client and includes a playlist containing a sequence of composition playlists (CPLs) that can have the personalized messages. Also included are: a box, a server that communicates with the box and includes a processor to perform a validation of a received personalized message for compliance with a standard, and if complaint, then it is validated and a notification sent to the client. If the client fails to make the personalized message compliant, in a selected time period, the venue display system releases a screening slot of the personalized message in the playlist. A content server is part of a screen management system (SMS). Also included are a venue display management system, a digital projector and a storage device.

Abstract: A method and concomitant computer software and system for buffering data and transmitting the buffered data after an event occurs comprising storing data into a continuous loop buffer and transmitting data from the loop buffer to an end location after an event trigger.

Abstract: A method of mirroring primary media content from a portable computing device to a network of audiovisual (AV) units and handing over the mirroring among the network of AV units is provided with a predetermined value index and an operational visual range for the network of AV units. The signal strength between the portable computing device and an arbitrary unit of the network of AV units and the geospatial location of the portable computing device is measured when calculating a value index. The value index and the predetermined value index are used in generating a client identification (ID) for the portable computing device. The client ID is used to minor the primary media content on the arbitrary unit. Moreover, the client ID is also used to handover mirroring among the network of AV units.

Abstract: Methods and systems for multi-path video and network channels may comprise a communication device comprising a wideband path (WB) and a narrowband path (NB). A video channel and a network channel may be received in the WB when the device is operating in a first stage. A video channel and a network channel may be received in the WB and the network channel may also be received in the NB when the device is operating in a second stage. The network channel may be received in the NB when the device is operating in a third stage. The reception of the network channel from both the WB and NB may enable a continuous reception of the network channel in a transition between the first and third stages. The WB may be operable to receive a plurality of channels and the NB may be operable to receive a single channel.

Abstract: The technology relates to dynamically managing storage space of one or more video recording devices. The video recording devices sends one or more notifications to recording session management server. The one or more notifications are associated with recording status of an event and the storage space status of each of the one or more video recording devices. Each device is associated with one or more predefined policies configured by a user of the video recording devices. Based on predefined policies and notifications, the recording session management server identifies change in status of free space and used space in each of the one or more video recording devices. The recording session management server schedules video recording devices to perform actions based on change in status of free space and used space and one or more event parameters for dynamically managing the storage space of the one or more video recording devices.

Abstract: A video processing system is provided. A video signal processor receives a video signal, processes the video signal to obtain video images and program information and stores the program information in a program information buffer. A microprocessor issues an on screen display (OSD) paint command and accesses the program information buffer to obtain the program information. An OSD control module receives the OSD paint command and acquires the program information from the microprocessor, and converts the program information and initial attributes to form an OSD image in response to the OSD paint command.

Abstract: Techniques for managing power consumption and computational load on a processor during video processing and decoding are provided. One representative embodiment discloses a method of processing a data stream that includes video data. According to the method, one or more protocols used to create the data stream are identified. The various parsing and decoding operations required by the protocol are then identified and managed based on the available electrical power or available processing power. Another representative embodiment discloses a method of processing a data stream that includes video data. According to the method, one or more protocols used to create the data stream are identified. The various parsing and decoding operations required by the protocol are then identified and managed based on a visual quality of the video or a quality of experience.

Abstract: A content moving device which enables providing content stored on a first user device, such as a DVR, in a first format and resolution to be provided to a second user device, such as a portable media player (PMP) in a second format and resolution. The content moving device identifies content on the first user device as candidate content which may be desired by the PMP and receives the candidate content from the DVR. The content moving device transcodes the candidate content at times independent of a request from the PMP for the content. The content moving device may provide a list of available transcoded content to the PMP for selection, and provide selected content to the PMP. The content moving device may also provide information relating to any protection schemes of the content provided to the PMP, such as DRM rights and decryption keys.

Abstract: A BCN network with BCN modems that enable network wired devices to communicate over a typical home coaxial network that may include passive splitters and different types of coaxial cable.

Abstract: A set-top-box (STB) provides capability for monitoring and control of power usage and the ability to establish communications. A smart residential service system (SRSS) is provided that uses power line communication (PLC) technology to provide secure in-home LAN communication and also to monitor and provide remote control of connected appliances in the home. An embodiment combines the STB with a master unit (MST) that is used with PLC to meet the requirements of the central device in the SRSS.

Abstract: A media playback device may be operable to determine whether replacement media content corresponding to at least a portion of a received broadcast media stream is available during reception of the broadcast media stream from one or more broadcast sources. At least some of the replacement media content may then be retrieved when personal video recording (PVR) operations are requested during play of the received broadcast media stream, to enable seamless performance of the requested PVR operations using at least a portion of the retrieved replacement media content. Exemplary PVR operations may comprise pausing, fast forwarding, and/or rewinding. The replacement media content may be retrieved from a plurality of local and/or remote replacement servers. Availability of replacement media content, from remote replacement servers, may be determined based on programming data in said broadcast media stream, routing information provided by a broadcast source, and/or by inquiry via one or more cataloguing servers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for ensuring protection of transferred content. In one embodiment, content is transferred while enabling a network operator (e.g., MSO) to control and change rights and restrictions at any time, and irrespective of subsequent transfers. This is accomplished in one implementation by providing a premises device configured to receive content in a first encryption format and encodes using a first codec, with an ability to transcrypt and/or transcode the content into an encryption format and encoding format compatible with a device which requests the content therefrom (e.g., from PowerKey/MPEG-2 content to DRM/MPEG-4 content). The premises device uses the same content key to encrypt the content as is used by the requesting device to decrypt the content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to maintain audience privacy while determining viewing of video-on-demand (VOD) programs are disclosed.

Abstract: The provisioning of media content to computing devices that might not normally have access thereto. Example types of media or media content may include advertising media, broadcast media, social media, news media, and others.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a playback device designated as a controller is associated with a playback device designated as a playback target. Association is implemented via a local network discovery protocol. The controller issues commands to the target, which then streams digital content directly from a content server. The controller is able to separately stream related digital content for independent, but synchronized playback. Server mediated operations, such as device activation and application installation, are advantageously enabled by explicit association between the controller and the target.

Abstract: A system for interacting with a video includes a processor, a video decoder communicatively connected to the processor, a storage communicatively connected to the demultiplexer, the storage contains at least one video file having more than one video frame, at least one of the video frame including at least one respective metadata segment of the video frame, and an input device communicatively connected to the processor. The processor, responsive to the input device, processes the at least one of the video frame including the at least one respective metadata segment, controlling selection of another of the more than one video frame for the video decoder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for bookmarking prospective media content on computer network. In some implementations, a method includes: at a server system, obtaining, from a electronic device, information corresponding to a media content item; identifying the media content item, from among a plurality of media content items, in accordance with the information; creating a provisional bookmark corresponding to a first URL where the media content item is not yet available but is likely to be available within a predefined time period; and transmitting the provisional bookmark to the electronic device. The method optionally includes: after creating the provisional bookmark, in accordance with a determination that the media content item has become available at the first URL, before the predefined time period: converting the provisional bookmark into a non-provisional bookmark.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus that can communicate with plural content viewing apparatuses includes a group registering unit that registers users of the content viewing apparatuses in groups, a sharing-level setting unit that sets sharing level information representing an information sharing level among users belonging to an identical group, a viewing-information receiving unit that receives viewing information of the users, a user-viewing-content managing unit that manages a user viewing content database, a discriminating unit that discriminates, when a viewing information request of another user is received, the other users belonging to a group identical with a group to which the user of the content viewing apparatus at the request source belongs, an information extracting unit that extracts viewing information of the discriminated other users from the user viewing content database, and a viewing-information transmitting unit that transmits the viewing information to the content viewing apparatus at t

Abstract: A system uses generated scene transition frames to allow fast seeking within a media stream. A set of scene transition frames associated with the media stream are generated, then transmitted along with the media stream from a remotely located media source over a network. A subset of the scene transition frames are displayed, allowing a desired scene transition frame to be selected from a subset of the scene transition frames based on user input. The media source can then be displayed (e.g., played) starting from a frame corresponding to the desired scene transition frame.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application that facilitates showing a user's media asset consumption and interaction history by collecting and storing the user's interactions with media assets for later presentation to the user. Specifically, the media guidance application may monitor content that the user is consuming, purchasing, or otherwise interacting with and may store the monitored information. At a later time, the media guidance application may detect that the user wishes to navigate to a past time interval. As a result, the media guidance application may generate for display media asset identifiers corresponding to media assets transmitted to a plurality of users during that time interval and indicate to the user which media asset identifiers correspond to media assets that the user interacted with and also indicate the different types of previously monitored user interactions corresponding to respective media assets.

Abstract: A method for notifying a viewer of content relevant to the viewer's interests is provided. A computer identifies an identity of a viewer of a display device, wherein the display device is displaying a first video feed. A computer retrieves a profile of the viewer, wherein the profile includes a plurality of preferences of the viewer. A computer, in response to a determination that a content of a second video feed that is available for viewing on the display device matches at least one of the plurality of preferences of the viewer, generates a notification of the second video feed. A computer, in response to receiving an acceptance of the notification, sends a command to the display device to display the second video feed.

Abstract: A system for adaptively streaming video content over an IP network, comprising devices and non-transitory computer-readable storage media having executable computer modules, comprising a sender device interacting with the network, the device configured to send a video stream to the network and to receive a recovery packet stream from the network; at least one receiving device configured to receive the at least one video stream from the network and to transmit a respective recovery packet stream back to the sender device through the network; a bandwidth probe configured to be periodically sent with the video stream to the at least one receiving device to determine respective instantaneous network bandwidths; at least one profile configured to be chosen by the sender device to generate the video stream, based upon respective instantaneous network bandwidths, wherein the video stream is adaptively changed, based upon instantaneous network bandwidths and the respective recovery packet stream.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller that increasing a first quality of first media content to achieve an adjusted quality, by adjusting a number of first encoded video portions, first encoded audio portions or both allocated to a presentation of first video and first audio of the first media content. A digital stream having a total bandwidth includes the first media content and second media content. A second quality of the second media content is decreased, by decreasing a number of encoded video portions, encoded audio portions or both allocated to a presentation of second video and second audio of the second media content, while maintaining consistency in the total bandwidth of the digital stream. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, the steps of transmitting media content to a group of set top boxes for presentation with an overlay superimposed onto the media content, receiving a first comment from a first set top box of the group of set top boxes where the first comment is presentable with the overlay and the media content by the group of set top boxes, determining a first advertisement based on the first comment, and transmitting the first advertisement to the first set top box for presentation with the overlay and the media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an information association technology supporting a cross-media product, in particular to an audio information signal supporting an interactive interconnected system. The signal is formed by audio data and associated data synthesis. The interactive interconnected system comprises an electronic reading device and an electronic transmitter-receiver. The associated data is a preset Uniform Resource Identifier. The electronic transmitter-receiver is provided with an associated data reception circuit, an associated data transmission circuit and a central processing unit (with memory). The associated data reception circuit is equipped with a short-distance signal transmission-reception circuit.

Abstract: An electronic video product supporting an interactive interconnected system supports transmit-receive of a video information signal of the interactive interconnected system which comprises an electronic reading device and an electronic transmitter-receiver. The video information signal is synthesized by associated data and media information data. The associated data is a preset URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). The electronic transmitter-receiver is provided with an associated data reception circuit, an associated data transmission circuit and a central processing unit (with memory).

Abstract: Multiple switch planes, each having meshed bufferless switch units, connect source nodes to sink nodes to form a communications network. Each directed pair of source and sink nodes has a first-order path traversing a single switch unit in a corresponding switch plane and multiple second-order paths each traversing two switch units in one of the remaining switch planes. To reduce processing effort and minimize requisite switching hardware, connectivity patterns of source nodes and sink nodes to the switch planes are selected so that each pair of source node and sink node connects only once to a common switch unit. Widely-varying flow rates may be allocated from each source node to the sink nodes. To handle frequent changes of flow-rate allocations, in order to follow variations of traffic distribution, a high-throughput scheduling system employing coordinated multiple scheduler units is provided in each switch plane.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a micro-electro-mechanical system device is provided. The micro-electro-mechanical system device may include a carrier, a particle filter structure coupled to the carrier, the particle filter structure comprising a grid, wherein the grid comprises a plurality of grid elements, each grid element comprising at least one through hole, and a micro-electro-mechanical system structure disposed on a side of the particle filter structure opposite the carrier. A height of the plurality of grid elements is greater than a width of the corresponding grid elements.

Abstract: A display device may include a display panel, a bottom chassis configured to accommodate the display panel, and a plurality of speaker units electrically connected to the display panel and configured to output sounds. The bottom chassis may include a plurality of protrusions protruding downward and in which an enclosure is defined, and also may include a groove that is defined between the protrusions, an opening that is defined by the protrusions, or an elastic member configured to couple the protrusions. The respective speaker units may be disposed in respective protrusions.

Abstract: Dual mode headphones, and methods for constructing the same are provided. Headphones can be connected to an electronic device to provide an audio output. The headphones can include a transducer or other component for providing sound waves at appropriate levels near a user's ear. To provide audio as a speaker, however, circuitry in the headphones can include a powered amplifier that may be selectively used. The headphones can be moved between a first, in-ear position and a second, speaker position. A sensor in the headphones can detect the current position of the headphones, and can change the mode of the circuit to correspond to the detected current position. For example, the sensor can change between an in-ear mode in which the amplifier is bypassed and a speaker mode in which the amplifier is powered and used. In some cases, the headphones can include a sensor for preventing the speaker mode when the headphones are positioned near a user's ears.

Abstract: An earpiece for real-time audio processing of ambient sound includes an ear bud that provides passive noise attenuation to the earpiece such that exterior ambient sound is substantially reduced within an ear of a wearer, an exterior microphone that receives ambient sound and converts the received ambient sound into analog electrical signals, and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog electrical signals into digital signals representative of the ambient sounds. The earpiece further includes a digital signal processor that performs a transformation operation on the digital signals according to instructions received from a mobile device, the transformation operation transforms the digital signals into modified digital signals, a digital-to-analog converter that converts the modified digital signals into modified analog electrical signals, and a speaker that outputs the modified analog electrical signals as audio waves.

Abstract: An active noise reduction earphone includes a speaker, a plurality of microphones and a feedback system. Each microphone is displaced from the speaker and the other microphones, and each microphone generates a microphone signal responsive to received acoustic noise. The feedback system receives a combination of the microphone signals and generates an inverse noise signal that is applied to the speaker. The speaker generates an inverse acoustic noise signal that substantially cancels the acoustic noise signal at a predetermined location relative to the speaker and the microphones. The feedback system can include a microphone signal combiner in communication with the microphones. The microphone signal combiner generates a signal that may be a sum or weighted sum of the microphone signals and can be used to generate the inverse noise signal. The earphone has an increased noise reduction bandwidth and improved cancellation capability relative to conventional earphones.

Abstract: Embodiments include a microphone assembly comprising an array microphone and a housing configured to support the array microphone and sized and shaped to be mountable in a drop ceiling in place of at least one of a plurality of ceiling tiles included in the drop ceiling. A front face of the housing includes a sound-permeable screen having a size and shape that is substantially similar to the at least one of the plurality of ceiling tiles. Embodiments also include an array microphone system comprising a plurality of microphones arranged, on a substrate, in a number of concentric, nested rings of varying sizes around a central point of the substrate. Each ring comprises a subset of the plurality of microphones positioned at predetermined intervals along a circumference of the ring.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic processing device capable of providing a high-quality sound even in a standby through mode. A controller is characterized by supplying power from an auxiliary power supply to a sound signal processing unit in the standby through mode. In the standby through mode, the controller extracts a sound signal included in an input HDMI signal, outputs a high-frequency sound component from an input/output unit to, for example, a television, and outputs a low-frequency sound component from a sound output terminal to a speaker (for example, a subwoofer) with an amplification function. As a result, the user can listen to content with powerful bass on the television, without operating an amplifying circuit, which consumes most of the power consumed by the acoustic processing device, using a main power supply, that is, while suppressing the power consumption of the acoustic processing device.

Abstract: A contactless, electromagnetic (EM) replacement for cabled Standards-based interfaces (such as USB, I2S) which handles data transfer requirements associated with the Standard, and capable of measuring and replicating relevant physical conditions on data lines so as to function compatibly and transparently with the Standard. A contactless link between devices having transceivers. A non-conducting housing enclosing the devices. A dielectric coupler facilitating communication between communications chips. Conductive paths or an inductive link providing power between devices. An audio adapter communicates over a contactless link with a source device, and via a physical link with a destination device such as a conventional headset. Power may be provided to the adapter from the source device, and by the adapter to the destination device.

Abstract: A sound reproduction device includes a modulator having an output terminal for outputting a modulated carrier wave signal obtained by modulating a carrier wave signal in a ultrasonic band with an audible sound signal, a super-directivity loudspeaker connected to the output terminal, a capacitor connected between a ultrasonic wave source and a ground, first and second current detectors for detecting currents flowing through the super-directivity loudspeaker and the capacitor, a high-pass filter for outputting a filtered signal obtained by eliminating a low-frequency band component of the current detected by the first current detector, and a differential amplifier unit for outputting a signal corresponding to a difference between the filtered signal and the current detected by the second current detector. The ultrasonic wave source is configured to output the carrier wave signal such that the signal output from the differential amplifier unit is constant.

Abstract: Embodiment disclosed herein enable detection and improvement of the quality of the audio signal using a mobile device by determining the loss in the audio signal and enhancing audio by streaming the remainder portion of audio. Embodiments disclosed herein enable an improvement in the sound quality rendered by rendering devices by emitting an test audio signal from the source device, measuring the test audio signal using microphones, detecting variation in the frequency response, loudness and timing characteristics using impulse responses and correcting for them. Embodiments disclosed herein also compensate for the noise in the acoustic space by determining the reverberation and ambient noise levels and their frequency characteristics and changing the digital filters and volumes of the source signal to compensate for the varying noise levels.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer for sound and ultrasound reproduction includes a substantially flat coil coupled to a diaphragm that is near to and facing the North or South side of a magnet. A very thin membrane made from a non-magnetic but electrically conductive material is independently mounted from the diaphragm and faces it. An AC signal in the coil results in diaphragm movement and “modulates” the permanent magnetic field. The modulating field generates a current in the membrane, which, upon further interactions, causes the membrane to move. The two independently moving surfaces each generate sound and result in an unusually flat SPL/frequency response, with unusually low narrow-band intensity variation and very low distortion. The transducer is also unique among electromagnetic transducers in that the force acting on the membrane is uniformly distributed over much of it, as in an electrostatic sound transducer.

Abstract: A hearing aid system is enabled for binaural microphone adjustment by way of the wearer's own voice. The hearing aid system has a first and a second hearing aid having a first and a second acousto-electric converter. The converters have a signal link with a signal processing unit which determines and compensates for signal deviations caused by the first and second acousto-electric converters on the basis of signals from the wearer's own voice. The wearer's own voice is recognized by a special facility.

Abstract: A method of operating an electronic device is provided. The method includes transmitting, by the electronic device, a control signal for controlling a microphone sensitivity of a hearing aid, to the hearing aid, and transmitting a reception signal from a counterpart electronic device to the hearing aid.

Abstract: A hearing aid has an acoustoelectric transducer, a pickup device for picking up an electrical or electromagnetic signal and converting it into an electrical signal. The hearing aid further has a signal processing device, an electromechanical transducer for outputting an acoustic signal, and a signal estimation device. The signal estimation device determines a correlation between signals of the acoustoelectric transducer and of the pickup device. The signal processing device adjusts a mixing ratio of the signals in the output signal depending on the correlation.

Abstract: The application relates to a binaural hearing assistance system comprising left and right hearing assistance devices adapted for being located at or in a left and right ear, respectively, of a user, each of the left and right hearing assistance devices comprising a) an input unit for providing one or more electric input signals based on one or more input sounds of a sound field surrounding the binaural hearing assistance system; b) a source separation unit for separating and localizing one or more sound sources Ss in said sound field relative to the input transducer unit based on said one or more electric input signals, and providing respective separated sound source signals Xs, and localization parameters LPs of said one or more sound sources (s=1, 2, . . .

Abstract: In one arrangement, a person's position in a movie auditorium is discerned by detection of audio signals from two or more speakers, and the person is then assigned a role or task in a game based on this discerned location. In another arrangement, a person's current position in a home listening environment is similarly discerned; this position information is used to control the balance of complementary audio channels of a home audio system, so that the audio “sweet spot” is located at the person's current position. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: To provide a speaker apparatus that can detect miswiring to a speaker unit or trouble of a speaker unit itself. The speaker apparatus is configured to include: two or more speaker units 11 that are arranged in a speaker housing 10; a sensor microphone 12 that is arranged in the speaker housing 10 and outputs a sound collection signal 6; a target unit selection part 20 that selects any one of the speaker units 11 as a target unit; a sound signal supply part 21 that supplies an external sound signal 4 to the target unit; and an error detection part 25 that provides an error output on the basis of the external sound signal 4 and the sound collection signal 6.

Abstract: The excursion of a loudspeaker cone is estimated using a reference signal in one example, a primary signal, produced by a cone of a loudspeaker, is received and a reference signal produced simultaneously with the primary signal by the loudspeaker cone is received. The reference signal causes an excursion of the loudspeaker cone that is amplitude modulated by the excursion caused by the primary signal. An amplitude modulation of the reference signal is determined and an excursion of the loudspeaker cone is determined using the determined amplitude modulation.

Abstract: An interface for expanding a signal starting from a first sensing signal and a second sensing signal, wherein a receiving intensity measuring element generates an intensity signal; and a selector is controlled to select each time the first sensing signal, the second sensing signal, or a combined signal deriving from a weighted combination of these signals. The selector uses a plurality of thresholds variable as a function of the intensity signal.

Abstract: A higher-order acoustical pressure measurement device (e.g., microphone) is disclosed. The device includes a first acoustic pressure measurement from a generally concentrated spatial location and a second acoustic pressure measurement having a spatiality greater than the concentrated spatial location of the first acoustic pressure measurement and at least one destructive interference signal. The destructive interference signal is characterized at least in part by the spatiality of the second acoustic pressure measurement. A higher-order microphone includes sensor elements configured to provide a destructive interference signal such that interference at one sensor element is configured to lower the destructive interference signal for the primary direction of directivity from a source signal.