ELDON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20160037227 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MEDIA CONTENT SEARCHING - Media device systems and methods are operable to identify media content events. An exemplary embodiment receives a user defined keyword tag, associates an identifier of a media content event with the user defined keyword tag, stores the user defined keyword tag and the associated identifier in a database, receives a user specification of the user defined keyword tag, conducts a search of the user defined keyword tags in the database for instances where the user defined keyword tag of the second user specification matches with the stored user defined keyword tag of the first user specification, and generates a return message that indicates the associated identifier of the media content event for each instance where the user defined keyword tag matches with the stored user defined keyword tag. | 02-04-2016 |
20150128180 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRESENTING STORED MEDIA CONTENT AT ITS BEGINNING - Media device systems and methods are operable to automatically present a program at its beginning while a remaining portion of the program is being received at the media device. An exemplary embodiment receives a program in a media content stream; receives a presentation request to present the program, wherein the presentation request is received after an initial portion of the program has been received and wherein the presentation request is received before a conclusion of the program; accesses a stored initial portion of the program from a memory medium; and initiates presentation at a beginning of the program residing in the accessed initial portion of the program. | 05-07-2015 |
20150036842 | LOUDNESS LEVEL CONTROL FOR AUDIO RECEPTION AND DECODING EQUIPMENT - The application discusses a computer implemented method and apparatus for performing audio equalisation in an audio receiver device, such as an integrated receiver/decoder or set top box, or integrated TV, connected to one or more audio playback devices, such as a television unit, computer screen and speakers, amplifier or home theatre equipment. The method and apparatus use an equalisation process which compares audio signals received in different audio formats (e.g. MPEG-1 Layer II, AC-3 2.0, AC-3 5.1 and HE-AAC) with one another, allowing a correction gain factor to be determined for equalising the perceived loudness of the signals when played-back at a connected playback device. The correction gain factor is then applied in the audio receiver device before output. | 02-05-2015 |
20150036838 | LOUDNESS LEVEL CONTROL FOR AUDIO RECEPTION AND DECODING EQUIPMENT - The application discusses a computer implemented method and apparatus for performing audio equalisation in an audio receiver device, such as an integrated receiver/decoder or set top box, or integrated TV, connected to one or more audio playback devices, such as a television unit, computer screen and speakers, amplifier or home theatre equipment. The method and apparatus use an equalisation process which compares audio signals received in different audio formats (e.g. MPEG-1 Layer II, AC-3 2.0, AC-3 5.1 and HE-AAC) with one another, allowing a correction gain factor to be determined for equalising the perceived loudness of the signals when played-back at a connected playback device. The correction gain factor is then applied in the audio receiver device before output. | 02-05-2015 |
20140361880 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POWER LINE CARRIER DATA COMMUNICATION TO DC POWERED ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information. | 12-11-2014 |
20140343952 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LIP READING CONTROL OF A MEDIA DEVICE - Systems and methods of generating device commands based upon spoken user commands are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment captures a series of images of a user of a media device, generates image information corresponding to the series of captured images, determines lip movement of the user from the generated image information, determines at least one spoken user command based upon the determined lip movement of the user, and determines a device command based upon the determined spoken user command. Then, the device command is communicated to, for example, a media presentation device, wherein an operation of the media presentation device is controlled in accordance with the determined spoken user command. | 11-20-2014 |
20140282790 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AVOIDING MISSING TELEVISION PROGRAMMING WHEN CHANGING BETWEEN TELEVISION CHANNELS - A buffering and playback manager of a receiving device facilitates a user avoiding missing television programming on a television (TV) channel when the user is changes to another TV channel. When a user returns to a previously visited TV channel, the TV channel buffering and playback manager | 09-18-2014 |
20140282714 | BROADCAST CONTENT RESUME REMINDER - A service configured to or for reminding a television viewer what or which particular programming they were watching prior to surfing other programming when a commercial break occurs during the particular programming. An option may be made available to the television viewer prior to the end of the commercial break that allows the television viewer to return to watching the particular programming, so that the television viewer does not unintentionally miss any content associated with the particular programming. | 09-18-2014 |
20140270712 | ADVANCE NOTIFICATION OF CATCH-UP EVENTS THROUGH BROADCAST METADATA - Systems, methods, devices, and computer products to manage recording resources for programming events of interest are disclosed. A first indication of a first selection of a first programming event to record may be processed, and a recording may be scheduled in a recording schedule. A second indication of a second selection of a second programming event to record may be processed, and available resources to record may be ascertained. A resource conflict may be identified based on event scheduling information for the first and/or second programming event. First and/or second programming metadata may be processed. Availability of alternative viewing options for the first and/or second programming event may be ascertained. The ascertaining may be based on the first and/or second programming metadata. Based on the availability of alternative viewing options, it may be determined whether to maintain or modify the recording schedule, and the recording schedule may be managed accordingly. | 09-18-2014 |
20140267927 | PEAK TIME POWER SAVING - Systems, methods, and devices enabling peak time power savings are disclosed. An indication of a peak usage period may be processed, the indication received by a television receiver from a service provider. A power savings mode may be selected from operating modes based at least in part on the indication. Configuration information related to the power savings mode may be processed. The television receiver may be configured according to the configuration information related to the power savings mode at a first time corresponding to the peak usage period. The television receiver may operate in conformity with the power savings mode after the first time. The television receiver may be configured according to a second operating mode at a second time after the first time. The television receiver may operate in conformity with the second operating mode after the second time corresponding to the peak usage period. | 09-18-2014 |
20140266548 | SHEET FORMED INDUCTIVE WINDING - Systems and methods for creating an inductive element are disclosed. Multiple partial windings may be created relative to a core, where each of the partial windings is initially discontinuous. Multiple printed conductors may be created on a substrate, where the multiple printed conductors are arranged to electrically connect the multiple partial windings. The multiple partial windings may be electrically connected to the multiple printed conductors to create a complete winding around the core. | 09-18-2014 |
20140259079 | TRICK PLAY TECHNIQUES FOR A PICTURE-IN-PICTURE WINDOW RENDERED BY A VIDEO SERVICES RECEIVER - A video services receiver and a related method for presenting video content in a picture-in-picture (PIP) window rendered on a display element are presented here. The method involves presenting recorded secondary video content in the PIP window while presenting primary video content in a main area of the display element, resulting in PIP video content. The method continues by receiving a trick play command for the PIP video content, and manipulating presentation of the PIP video content in the PIP window in accordance with the received trick play command. The manipulated PIP video content is presented in the PIP window while concurrently presenting the primary video content in the main area of the display element. | 09-11-2014 |
20140248037 | RECORDING SYSTEM - The invention relates to an apparatus and method for recording transmitted data items, and particularly television and radio programmes. The data items are received at one or more inputs along with ID data identifying the transmitted data items and the programme series to which the data item belongs. An input interface receives input indicating whether one or more received transmitted data items have been viewed or recorded by a user and a processor generates values for ranking the series to which each of the received data items belong based upon the received input. Subsequently received transmitted data items are stored in a storage device based on the generated values, the stored data items belonging to a series for which a value has been generated. | 09-04-2014 |
20140240601 | APPARATUS, METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR A DUAL-PROGRAM DISPLAY - A system for enabling two different users to independently view and listen to two completely different programs on the same display at the same time is provided. A user wears eyeglasses with filters to filter out light from the program which the user does not want to view, while allowing the light from the program the user does want to view to be seen by the user. Successive frames of a first program are displayed using light polarized in one direction in an alternating manner with frames of a second program using light polarized in another direction. A first user wears glasses with lenses configured to filter out the light from the second program while a second user wears glasses to filter out the light from the first program. Thus, while wearing the glasses, the first user can see the first program while watching the display, but not the second program. Simultaneously, while wearing the other glasses, the second user will see the second program, but not the first program. | 08-28-2014 |
20140184905 | VOLUME LEVEL-BASED CLOSED-CAPTIONING CONTROL - Methods and apparatus are provided for a control of closed captioning based on an audio volume level. A content receiver detects that a volume of an audio of a video presentation has been adjusted by a user, and determines the adjusted audio volume level that results from the adjustment. The content receiver compares the resulting adjusted audio volume level to a threshold level. When the content determines that the adjusted audio volume level is under the threshold level, it enables closed captioning of the video presentation, thus presenting the user with both audio and closed captioning. When the content receiver determines that the adjusted audio volume level is above the threshold level, it disables closed captioning for the video presentation. The content receiver may use a microphone to determine the adjusted audio volume level. | 07-03-2014 |
20140173468 | REPRESENTATION OF ONLINE DISCUSSION IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRIMARY VISUAL CONTENT - A method of representing online discussions in conjunction with primary visual content is presented. In the method, the primary visual content is transmitted to a visual display for presentation to a user. A statement of an online discussion is received. In response to receiving the statement, a representation of the statement and an icon representing a source of the statement are transmitted in conjunction with the primary visual content for presentation on the visual display. The icon and the statement are coupled graphically on the visual display, and are placed near a periphery of the visual display. After a period of time while the icon and statement are presented on the display, presuming a second statement is not received from the source, the icon and the statement are removed from the display while the primary visual content is maintained on the display. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165106 | PREDICTIVE ANALYTICS FOR MEDIA CONTENT USING SCHEDULED TIMERS AND MEDIA USAGE - Predicting user-interest in particular media content. Data associated with scheduled program recording timers may be accumulated across accessible subscribing customers of a particular television provider. A ranking parameter may be assigned to particular programs associated with particular ones of the scheduled program recording timers. A list may be presented itemizing particular programs based on assigned ranking values. | 06-12-2014 |
20140165105 | TEMPORAL BASED EMBEDDED META DATA FOR VOICE QUERIES - Information may be presented on a display device about program content substantially concurrently, substantially contemporaneously, or otherwise in conjunction with the presented program, or with portions of the presented program. This presentation of information about program content may occur dynamically in response to a voice query or other query from a user while the presented program is playing or paused on the same or different presentation device on which the information about the program content is being presented. | 06-12-2014 |
20140150026 | NAVIGATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDES AND VIDEO - A system for remote user navigation of content displayed with a display device, including a screen display, is provided. A user input device may be configured to detect a user movement, including a direction and a speed. The user input device may be configured to communicate information based at least in part on the direction and the speed. The system may include a media device configured to receive communications from the user input device. The media device may be configured to process the information from the user input device and to output content to the display device in accordance with a navigation operation. The navigation operation may include moving displayed content based at least in part on the direction and the speed. | 05-29-2014 |
20140150012 | PHOTOSENSITIVITY PROTECTION FOR VIDEO DISPLAY - Systems and methods for providing photosensitivity protection for content displayable with a screen display are provided. Content, which may include video content, may be received at a media device. A portion of the video content that corresponds to flashing images may be identified with the media device. A precaution against the flashing images may be identified based at least in part on the identifying of the portion of the video content that corresponds to flashing images. One or more of at least a portion of the video content and/or information about the video content may be displayed based at least in part on the precaution. | 05-29-2014 |
20140139326 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POWER LINE CARRIER DATA COMMUNICATION TO DC POWERED ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information. | 05-22-2014 |
20140111937 | MEDIA CONTENT DEVICE CHASSIS WITH INTERNAL EXTENSION MEMBERS - A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a chassis that incorporates a heat bridge, a heat shield or both. The heat bridge may take the form of a structural wall coupled to, but preferably integrated with, the chassis to facilitate conductive heat transfer into a chassis panel. The heat bridge may be configured to receive heat radiated from a chip having a die to be cooled. The heat shield may take the form of a wall-type structure protruding from a chassis panel. For example, the heat shield may extend from a top panel of the chassis in a fin-like or flange-like manner to provide a thermal barrier between adjacent electrical components arranged on a circuit board. While the heat shield protects the adjacent component from potential thermal damage or degradation, it may also operate to transfer heat into the chassis. | 04-24-2014 |
20140068675 | ENHANCED PROGRAM PREVIEW CONTENT - Methods and apparatus for providing an enhanced EPG or EPG banner are described. A method of displaying first and second audiovisual content, the first audiovisual content comprising a current program and the second audiovisual content comprising audiovisual content relating to a future program according to a program broadcast schedule, the method comprising receiving the first audiovisual content at a media playback device, receiving the second audiovisual content at the media playback device from a remote content system over a packet-based data network, in response to user input, outputting the first and second audiovisual content to an output device having a screen, and controlling the screen of the output device to display the first and second audiovisual content concurrently. A method of controlling a screen, the display being operable in different modes according to whether a PiP window is shown, and whether currently broadcast or future content is shown. | 03-06-2014 |
20140066042 | PLAYBACK PAUSE BEFORE SIGNAL LOSS OF A MOBILE DEVICE - One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system and/or method for monitoring a position of a mobile device and pausing play or recording a multimedia presentation when the mobile device enters or approaches a zone where a wireless signal may be degraded or lost. In one embodiment, the mobile device may utilize a global position system (GPS) signal to determine the location of the mobile device. Further, the mobile device may be configured to display one or more multimedia presentations and may, in response to the mobile device being located near or within a dark zone, pause play of the multimedia presentation until the mobile device returns to a zone of sufficient wireless signal coverage. In this manner, the mobile device may prevent the user from losing or missing portions of the multimedia presentation due to lost or degraded wireless signal of the mobile device. | 03-06-2014 |
20130318559 | APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ELECTRICAL DEVICE USAGE INFORMATION ON A TELEVISION RECEIVER - Provided herein are techniques for displaying power usage information on a television receiver. A television receiver receives power usage information regarding electrical devices and outputs the power usage information and status information regarding the electrical device for presentation by a presentation device. | 11-28-2013 |
20130298180 | COTENT RECOGNITION AND CENSORSHIP - A method for controlling the output of media content, particularly audio content, to a user in relation to an apparatus, such as a set-top-box, having an input, for receiving media content, and an output, for providing the media content to an output device such as a television or other display device. Media content is received at the input and then analysed using a media content recognition unit. The media content recognition unit undertakes the step of identifying portions of the received media content that contain undesired content, such as offensive language. The output of media content to a user is then controlled, based on any identified undesired content, to prevent the output of content when the identified undesired portions are to be output. A corresponding apparatus and computer program are also provided. | 11-07-2013 |
20130257151 | TRANSIENT ELECTRICAL LOAD DECOUPLING FOR A DIRECT CURRENT POWER SUPPLY - Various arrangements for mitigating voltage droop in a direct current circuit configured to power multiple capacitive loads are presented. A voltage source configured to output a direct current voltage to power the multiple capacitive loads may be present. First and second outputs electrically coupled with the voltage source such that the outputs, when electrically coupled with capacitive loads, provide a voltage to the capacitive load may be provided. A transformer module (which may include a transformer and an impedance) electrically coupled with the first output and the second output may also be provided. When the first capacitive load is electrically coupled with the first output, the transformer may be configured to mitigate droop of the first voltage to the first output upon the second capacitive load being connected to the second output and receiving inrush current. | 10-03-2013 |
20130198403 | REMOTE VIEWING OF MEDIA CONTENT USING LAYERED VIDEO ENCODING - Systems, devices and processes are described to transfer a media program from a media server to a playback device over a network. The media program is encoded in a multi-layer format having a plurality of layers comprising a base layer and at least one additional layer. The base layer supports playback of the entire media program at a lower resolution and each of the additional layers provides additional data that, when combined with the base layer, supports playback of the media program at a higher resolution. The base layer is initially transferred to allow playback of the media program at the lower resolution on the playback device. If sufficient resources remain after transfer of the base layer, then at least one of the additional layers may be subsequently transferred to allow playback of the media program at the higher resolution. | 08-01-2013 |
20130184932 | VIDEO VEHICLE ENTERTAINMENT DEVICE WITH DRIVER SAFETY MODE - This document relates to a vehicle entertainment device | 07-18-2013 |
20130182182 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING TEXT IDENTIFIED IN A VIDEO IMAGE - Systems and methods are operable to present text identified in a presented video image of a media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives a complete video frame that is associated with a presented video image of a video content event, wherein the presented video image includes a region of text; finds the text in the complete video frame; uses an optical character recognition (OCR) algorithm to translate the found text; and presents the translated text. The translated text may be presented on a display concurrently with the video image that is presented on the display. Alternatively, or additionally, the translated text may be presented as audible speech emitted from at least one speaker. | 07-18-2013 |
20130155095 | Mapping Visual Display Screen to Portable Touch Screen - A content player transmits a screen image to a display. The screen image includes an active region, which may be a portion that may be manipulated. The player determines active region information for the active region and transmits such to a portable device. The portable device receives the active region information as well as information regarding any inactive regions, which may be portions that may not be manipulated. The portable device utilizes the information to present a simulated version of the screen image on a touch screen. The portable device may then receive manipulation information via the touch screen and transmit such to the player. In response, the player may generate and present an updated version of the screen image, determine updated information, and transmit such to the portable device. The portable device may utilize the updated information to present a simulated updated version of the screen image. | 06-20-2013 |
20130139200 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A THUMBNAIL-SIZED SCENE INDEX OF MEDIA CONTENT - Scene-based program accessing systems and methods are operable to present a program at a scene corresponding to a selected thumbnail-sized image. An exemplary embodiment selects a plurality of image frames from a program based upon a scene separation duration; generates a thumbnail-sized image from each of the selected image frames, and presents the plurality of thumbnail-sized images on a scene index. The scene index is configured to present the plurality of thumbnail-sized images in a time ordered sequence corresponding to a subject matter presentation sequence of the program, and each of the selected image frames are temporally separated from each other by the scene separation duration. | 05-30-2013 |
20130117442 | NETWORK CONTENT MONITORING - A set-top-box is provided for receiving broadcast media content and processing said content for presentation on a display. A processor 304 of the STB is configured to receive, from between a router circuit and a modem circuit, data packets sent over a local network. The data packets are sent to or from a local internet connected user device via the router as part of the local network. The processor is further configured to analyse the received data packets to determine whether they contain undesired content and, if so, to control the display to present an indicator containing at least one property of the detected undesired content. Because the STB is coupled to a display that tends to be the main display in a household, the indicator is more likely to be seen and acted on by a responsible party, thus parents will be more easily able to monitor the activity of their children when they use user devices to access the internet over a home network. | 05-09-2013 |
20130108246 | VIDEO SERVICES RECEIVER THAT MANAGES INCOMPLETE PROGRAM RECORDINGS, AND RELATED OPERATING METHODS | 05-02-2013 |
20130086613 | SEARCH AND DISPLAY TECHNIQUES FOR AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE - Various arrangements for organizing search results within an electronic programming guide of a television programming device are presented. A search string may be received by a television programming device from an end-user. A set of television programming information stored by a storage device local to the television programming device may be searched using the search string. Each search result, as presented to an end-user, may be accented by a color defined to convey a relationship between the search string and the search result. | 04-04-2013 |
20130067326 | Associating Macro User Input Events with Content - A content player presents content and determines to record an associated macro. The content player detects inputs and includes the inputs along with corresponding times in the macro. When the content player subsequently provides access to the content, the content player executes the macro, executing the inputs at the corresponding times. In some cases, a number of the inputs may be associated with a single operation and the operation may be recorded instead of the individual inputs. In some cases, the content player may record an input unless a prior indication is received specifying not to include the next input. In other cases, the content player may only record an input if a prior indication is received specifying to include the next input. In one or more implementations, the content player may provide access to one or more recorded macros so that the macros may be edited. | 03-14-2013 |
20130064526 | Handling Requests When Available Channel Selectors Are in Use - A receiver receives a request for content associated with a channel, determines that all channel selectors are in use, selects a set of options, and transmits the set to a presentation device. The receiver may then fulfill the request utilizing a selected option. All available channel selectors may be in use because they are tuned to frequency bands of a broadcast signal to record content and data associated the channel is included in a different frequency band. The set of options may include options to stop the current recording in favor of the requested content and options to present content included in a same frequency band to which a tuner is already tuned. In one or more implementations, the receiver may determine that content currently being recorded will be rebroadcast at a later time and may include notifications indicating such and/or options to record the content at the later time. | 03-14-2013 |
20130047185 | ALTERATION OF ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE DATA BASED ON RATINGS LOCK - A television receiver receives a programming signal including programming content and EPG data. The television receiver receives a request for an EPG display. The television receiver modifies the EPG data for one or more records in the EPG data which include content ratings that exceed a ratings lock setting of the television receiver. The television receiver may modify the EPG data for one or more records in a variety of different manners depending on a variety of different factors associated with the records. The television receiver then generates the EPG display from the modified EPG data and transmits the generated EPG display to a display device. The modification of the EPG data may prevent display of objectionable content in the EPG display and/or may indicate that the records correspond to blocked programs. | 02-21-2013 |
20130007970 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING DEBRIS FROM A SURFACE - Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface. | 01-10-2013 |
20120301104 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEDIA CONTENT PLAYBACK AND STORAGE - A method and system for media content playback and storage utilizes a set-top box including a processor and a storage device. The set-top box is in a system receiving media content which includes a display for displaying the received media content. On receipt, the received media content is associated with stored media content having a common title. A logical order for the received media content relative to the stored media content is determined, in accordance with a determined identifier. If it is determined that the received media content has been accessed for playback the received media content is automatically deleted after it has been played back. | 11-29-2012 |
20120297422 | ENHANCED PROGRAM PREVIEW CONTENT - Methods and apparatus for providing an enhanced EPG or EPG banner are described. A method of displaying first and second audiovisual content, the first audiovisual content comprising a current program and the second audiovisual content comprising audiovisual content relating to a future program according to a program broadcast schedule, the method comprising receiving the first audiovisual content at a media playback device, receiving the second audiovisual content at the media playback device from a remote content system over a packet-based data network, in response to user input, outputting the first and second audiovisual content to an output device having a screen, and controlling the screen of the output device to display the first and second audiovisual content concurrently. A method of controlling a screen, the display being operable in different modes according to whether a PiP window is shown, and whether currently broadcast or future content is shown. | 11-22-2012 |
20120297420 | EXPANDED PROGRAMMING GUIDE - Systems, methods and computer program products utilize a content receiver to generate a dynamically modifiable expanded programming guide with a grid containing a plurality of regions. Each region is associated with a plurality of channels over a timeframe. The content receiver transmits the expanded programming guide to a content display. The grid may be utilized to navigate through regions and therefore across a large amount of programming information associated with a wide range of channels and timeframes. The content receiver may transmit a magnified view of the expanded programming guide and may display content-related information associated with a subset of regions for the associated channels and timeframes. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293712 | AUTOMATIC SUBTITLE RESIZING - A method, apparatus and computer program for displaying video and accompanying text data on a display are provided. The method includes receiving media content that includes video and determining whether text data associated with the video is to be presented on the display alongside the video. If associated text data is not to be presented, then the video content is output as normal, with the video content occupying a first area of the display (such as the entire display). If associated text data is to be presented, then the video output is automatically resized such that the video occupies a smaller area of the display, and the associated text data is automatically displayed alongside the video. By allowing for dynamic resizing it is possible to display subtitles or closed captions alongside portions of video content without obscuring the video. | 11-22-2012 |
20120293327 | PROGRESS BAR - A method for displaying the progress of an activity performed on a user device is provided. The method includes outputting a progress indicator indicative of the progress made in completing an activity and updating the progress indicator as the activity proceeds. Simultaneously, a first progress rate indicator is also output to the display, the progress rate indicator having a property indicative of the rate at which the activity is being progressed. The property of the progress rate indicator is based on a value determined by receiving a rate value indicative of the activity progress rate and comparing the rate value with a value indicative of the maximum progress rate of the user device for the particular activity. A corresponding apparatus and computer program for carrying out the method are also provided. | 11-22-2012 |
20120287340 | METHOD AND APPRATUS FOR MULTIPLE AUDIO OUTPUTS - A method for transmitting audio signals. The method of transmitting audio signals may include separately transmitting a video signal and an audio signal. Further, the method of transmitting audio signals may include transmitting a first video signal and a first audio signal to one component, transmitting a second video signal to the same component and separately transmitting a second audio signal to a second component. | 11-15-2012 |
20120274218 | Smart Illumination for Electronic Devices - A handheld device includes control elements, an illumination element operable to illuminate the control elements, a light sensor that detects an illumination level, and a sensor that detects whether or not the device is being held. When the illumination level is below an ambient light threshold and the device is being held, the illumination element and activates. However, when either the illumination level is not below the ambient light threshold or the handheld electronic device is not being held, the illumination element deactivates and/or does not activate. In some implementations, the sensor includes a capacitance touch switch and/or a resistance touch switch that detects contact with skin, a gyroscope and/or an accelerometer that detects movement of the handheld device, a pressure sensors that detects exertion of pressure on the handheld device, and/or an additional light sensor that detects when a portion of the handheld electronic device is covered. | 11-01-2012 |
20120250260 | MEDIA CONTENT DEVICE WITH CUSTOMIZED PANEL - A media device, which may take the form of a set top box (STB), includes a housing or chassis that incorporates an interface panel having selectively configured regions that cooperate with components mounted on a printed circuit board. The selectively configured regions of the interface panel may advantageously provide desired clearance or contact between the interface panel and one or more of the components. In addition, the selectively configured regions of the interface panel may be arranged to provide structural support to a top panel of the chassis while providing specific heat transfer pathways between the components and the chassis. In this manner, the interface panel may be controllably designed with a desired thermal mass and/or a desired thermal conductivity in specific regions of the interface panel by varying properties of the interface panel which may include, but are not limited to, the panel thickness and material. | 10-04-2012 |
20120250256 | MEDIA DEVICE HAVING A PIEZOELECTRIC FAN - A media device includes at least one piezoelectric fan selectively located to draw or urge air past one or more electrical components, such as an integrated circuit chip. Preferably, the piezoelectric fan is located within a channel milled or otherwise formed in the chip, however the fan may be located proximate the channel yet in fluid communication therewith. The piezoelectric fan operates to convectively cool the electrical component and may also prevent heat that has been generated by the electrical component from moving toward another electrical component within the media device. Thus, the configuration and location of the piezoelectric fan may advantageously cool one component while preventing heat energy from building up around one or more other components mounted nearby. | 10-04-2012 |
20120249309 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR POWER LINE CARRIER DATA COMMUNICATION TO DC POWERED ELECTRONIC DEVICE - Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information. | 10-04-2012 |
20120246732 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROL OF INAPPROPRIATE MEDIA CONTENT EVENTS - Systems and methods are operable to prevent presentation of inappropriate media content. An exemplary embodiment receives a media content event; identifies at least one characteristic of the media content event; compares the identified characteristic with a plurality of predefined content characteristics, wherein each of the predefined content characteristics are associated with at least one type of inappropriate media content event; and defines the media content event as an inappropriate media content event in response to the identified characteristic corresponding to at least one of the plurality of predefined content characteristics. | 09-27-2012 |
20120246717 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SECURELY STORING MEDIA CONTENT EVENTS ON A FLASH MEMORY DEVICE - Systems and methods are operable to securely store media content events on a flash memory device. An exemplary embodiment receives user-provided authorization information, compares the received user-provided authorization information with authorization information associated with the flash memory device, and permits access to a flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information. | 09-27-2012 |
20120243166 | MEDIA CONTENT DEVICE CHASSIS WITH INTERNAL EXTENSION MEMBERS - A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a chassis that incorporates a heat bridge, a heat shield or both. The heat bridge may take the form of a structural wall coupled to, but preferably integrated with, the chassis to facilitate conductive heat transfer into a chassis panel. The heat bridge may be configured to receive heat radiated from a chip having a die to be cooled. The heat shield may take the form of a wall-type structure protruding from a chassis panel. For example, the heat shield may extend from a top panel of the chassis in a fin-like or flange-like manner to provide a thermal barrier between adjacent electrical components arranged on a circuit board. While the heat shield protects the adjacent component from potential thermal damage or degradation, it may also operate to transfer heat into the chassis. | 09-27-2012 |
20120239963 | TIMING UNINTERRUPTIBLE PROCESSES - A method for controlling the execution of a process in a user device, such as a set-top-box is provided. An instruction is received at an input of the user device from the user and this instruction causes an uninterruptible process to begin or commence in the user device after a time delay, measured preferably from receipt of the initial instruction. The input, or inputs, of the device is/are monitored to determine whether a subsequent instruction is received from the user within a time period. Based on this determination, the time delay applied to future processes is adjusted. By adjusting the time delay in response to input from the user, the time delay can be automatically matched to a user's preferences. By adjusting the time delay in response to input from the user, the time delay can be automatically matched to a user's preferences. A corresponding apparatus and computer program are also provided. | 09-20-2012 |
20120229073 | Charging Batteries for Electronic Devices by Talking - A device includes a battery that is operable to power the device. A power generating mechanism includes a diaphragm that generates power when the diaphragm vibrates. The diaphragm vibrates in response to force being exerted upon the diaphragm. Control circuitry of the electronic device utilizes the generated power to charge the battery. In some implementations, the power generating mechanism includes a force focusing guide that directs and/or focuses the force onto the diaphragm. In various implementations, the power generating mechanism may includes a wire coil that moves with respect to a magnet when the diaphragm vibrates, causing power to generate within the wire coil. In various other implementations, the power generating mechanism includes a piezoelectric element that is positioned adjacent to the diaphragm and is compressed and/or decompressed by vibration of the diaphragm, causing power to generate within the piezoelectric element. | 09-13-2012 |
20120219297 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING INFRARED SIGNALS AT A MEDIA DEVICE CONFIGURED TO BE POSITIONED IN DIFFERENT ORIENTATIONS - Systems and methods are operable to detect infrared (IR) signals at a media device. Exemplary embodiments include a media device configured to receive media content; at least one IR detector residing in the media device, and configured to receive a portion of IR signals emitted from a remote control; and a cover lens disposed in a portion of an enclosure of the media device. The cover lens has a first cover lens portion configured to receive the IR signals emitted from the remote control and is configured to transmit a first portion of the received IR signal to the IR detector when the media device is horizontally oriented, and has a second cover lens portion configured to receive the IR signal emitted from the remote control and is configured to transmit a second portion of the received IR signal to the IR detector when the media device is vertically oriented. | 08-30-2012 |
20120216236 | CONTROLLING PLACESHIFTED CONTENT - Media content to be place shifted is received at the local user device along with a place shift enabled parameter that contains data associated with the received media content and that indicates whether the received media content is authorised to be place shifted. A user command to place shift the received media content to the remote user device is also received. It is then determined, by analysing the place shift enabled parameter, whether the received media content is authorised to be place shifted and based on this determination the place shifting of the received content to a remote device is allowed or impaired. | 08-23-2012 |
20120210368 | CONTROLLING PLAYBACK OF RECORDINGS - A method of operating a user device for receiving and recording media content. The method includes receiving a media content stream, and initial timing data, such as EPG data, indicative of the time at which a selected program contained within the media content stream is scheduled to begin. At least a portion of the media content stream containing the selected program is recorded to a memory using the initial timing data to determine the recording start and finish time. Second updated timing data, indicative of the time at which the program began, is also received. A portion of the recorded media content stream is then deleted between the beginning of the recording and the beginning of the program as identified by the second timing data. A corresponding apparatus and appropriate computer program are also provided. | 08-16-2012 |
20120207342 | COPY PROTECTION - A method is provided for transmitting media content from a media content receiving device such as a set-top-box to one or more user devices capable of displaying, storing or outputting the media content. The method includes receiving, at the set-top-box, media content encoded according to a particular format, embedding in the media content, while it is encoded according to the particular format, a watermark containing data identifying the set-top-box and then transmitting the watermarked media content to one or more user devices. Encoding a watermark while the content is encoded according the received format allows protection to be added and the content passed to other devices without having to decode the content first. The method may be implemented by a suitable media content receiving device operating a computer program. A corresponding apparatus for implementing the method is provided. | 08-16-2012 |
20120173235 | Offline Generation of Subtitles - One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system or method for generating subtitles (also known as “closed captioning”) of an audio component of a multimedia presentation automatically for one or more stored presentations. In general, the system or method may access one or more multimedia programs stored on a storage medium, either as an entire program or in portions. Upon retrieval, the system or method may perform an analysis of the audio component of the program and generate a subtitle text file that corresponds to the audio component. In one embodiment, the system or method may perform a speech recognition analysis on the audio component to generate the subtitle text file. | 07-05-2012 |
20120172033 | Playback Pause Before Signal Loss of a Mobile Device - One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system and/or method for monitoring a position of a mobile device and pausing play or recording a multimedia presentation when the mobile device enters or approaches a zone where a wireless signal may be degraded or lost. In one embodiment, the mobile device may utilize a global position system (GPS) signal to determine the location of the mobile device. Further, the mobile device may be configured to display one or more multimedia presentations and may, in response to the mobile device being located near or within a dark zone, pause play of the multimedia presentation until the mobile device returns to a zone of sufficient wireless signal coverage. In this manner, the mobile device may prevent the user from losing or missing portions of the multimedia presentation due to lost or degraded wireless signal of the mobile device. | 07-05-2012 |
20120167144 | Recognition of Images Within a Video Based on a Stored Representation - One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system or method for detecting an image within a video component of a multimedia presentation on a distribution system. In general, the system or method may analyze one or more frames of a video component of a presentation to detect the presence of an image within the one or more frames that matches or approximates one or more images stored in a searchable database. Once detected, the system or method may compare one or more features of the potentially matching image with the collection of images. If the potential image matches or approximates an image within the searchable database, the system or method may provide a selectable link within the multimedia presentation that links the detected image with associated information concerning the image. Such information may be presented on a display device to the viewer of the presentation. | 06-28-2012 |
20120167142 | METHODS AND APPARATUSES TO FACILITATE PRESELECTION OF PROGRAMMING PREFERENCES - Described herein are techniques for communicating information regarding generated programming recommendations to a communication device of a user. The user may provide a selection at the communication device of one or more programs corresponding to one or more of the programming recommendations. Timers may be set at an entertainment device based on the user selection(s), thereby facilitating preselection of video and/or audio programming preferences. | 06-28-2012 |
20120117596 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR AUTOMATICALLY PRESENTING STORED MEDIA CONTENT AT ITS BEGINNING - Media device systems and methods are operable to automatically present a program at its beginning while a remaining portion of the program is being received at the media device. An exemplary embodiment receives a program in a media content stream; receives a presentation request to present the program, wherein the presentation request is received after an initial portion of the program has been received and wherein the presentation request is received before a conclusion of the program; accesses a stored initial portion of the program from a memory medium; and initiates presentation at a beginning of the program residing in the accessed initial portion of the program. | 05-10-2012 |
20120093476 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A THUMBNAIL-SIZED SCENE INDEX OF MEDIA CONTENT - Scene-based program accessing systems and methods are operable to present a program at a scene corresponding to a selected thumbnail-sized image. An exemplary embodiment selects a plurality of image frames from a program based upon a scene separation duration; generates a thumbnail-sized image from each of the selected image frames, and presents the plurality of thumbnail-sized images on a scene index. The scene index is configured to present the plurality of thumbnail-sized images in a time ordered sequence corresponding to a subject matter presentation sequence of the program, and each of the selected image frames are temporally separated from each other by the scene separation duration. | 04-19-2012 |
20120093415 | Dynamic Recognition of Web Addresses in Video - One embodiment described herein may take the form of a system or method for dynamically recognizing an Internet address within a video or audio component of a multimedia presentation on a distribution system or network such as, but not limited to, a satellite, cable or Internet network. In general, the embodiment may analyze the audio portion of the presentation or one or more frames of a video component to detect the presence of a web address within the one or more frames. In the embodiment where the audio portion is analyzed, the system may perform a voice recognition or a similar analysis on the audio portion to detect the utterance of a web address. Similarly, one embodiment analyzing the one or more frames of the video component may comprise performing an optical character recognition (OCR) of the frame. | 04-19-2012 |
20120090005 | Holographic 3D Display - Disclosure is directed to projecting holographic images in connection with a program service such as cable or satellite television. In one instance, the projected holographic image may be an image of product that is featured in advertisement or other portion of program service. In another instance, the projected holographic image may be an image of a electronic programming guide with screens or menu displayed on sides of a cube or other geometric form. In still another instance, the projected holographic image is a video that supplements an instructional video or live broadcast. | 04-12-2012 |
20120090003 | Thought Control of Set Top Box - Disclosure is directed to commanding a content receiver by interpreting brainwave patterns that are captured from a user of the content receiver. The user's brainwave patterns may be captured by the use of a headset having a plurality of sensors that are disposed at various locations in proximity to the user's head. The content receiver may be operable to learn to recognize specific brainwave patterns for individual users. The content receiver may recognize a number of specific brainwave patterns for each user, each specific brainwave pattern corresponding to a specific command that is executable by the content receiver. When executing user commands, the content receiver may process an input stream from the headset and compare portions of the input stream to the recognized brainwave patterns in order to extract commands from the input stream. Following this, the extracted commands may be executed by the content receiver. | 04-12-2012 |
20120089999 | Metadata Origination Verification - One embodiment may take the form of a method for verifying metadata associated with programming content. The method may include receiving a first metadatum corresponding to a first programming content, comparing the first metadatum to a stored metadatum corresponding to the first programming content stored in a database, determining whether the first metadatum matches the stored metadatum, and transmitting a first signal if the first metadatum matches the stored metadatum and transmitting a second signal different from the first signal if the first metadatum does not match the stored metadatum. | 04-12-2012 |
20120086624 | Variable Transparency Heads Up Displays - A heads up display presents images to a user. A background is located behind the heads up display. The heads up display is operable to vary the transparency of the images such that images alone are viewable, the background is viewable through the images, or the background is viewable but the images are not. The heads up display may vary the transparency of the images by varying the transparency of a display screen. Alternatively, the heads up display may record the background using a visual recording element and may combine the recorded background with the images such to overlay the images over the recorded background. The, the display screen may display the images. Alternatively, the display screen may be a projection screen upon which an image projector projects the images. The heads up display may also include an illumination element that illuminates the background when not sufficiently illuminated. | 04-12-2012 |
20120079538 | Systems and Methods for Filtering Access to Content During Selected Time Periods - Provided herein are techniques for controlling access to content during specified time periods. A time period and content filtering parameter specify access to controlled access to content. An entertainment device is configured to disallow access to content outside of the time period and allow access to the content within the time period. | 03-29-2012 |
20120072941 | Automatic "Spoiler" Prevention - Control of output of programme content from an apparatus including a receiver for receiving programme content and an output includes storing one or more dependencies and determining whether a programme to be output by the apparatus has any dependencies associated with it. The dependencies may be indicative of whether the content of a given programme is dependent upon the content of one or more other programmes. If the programme to be output by the apparatus has any dependencies associated with it, the output of the programme content by the apparatus may impaired based on the dependencies. A corresponding apparatus and computer programme are also provided. | 03-22-2012 |
20120069246 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR OPERATING A TELEVISION LOCATED IN A PREMISES TO SIMULATE OCCUPATION OF THE PREMISES - An electronic device operates a television located in a premises to simulate occupation of the premises, and thereby deter intrusion. The electronic device is caused to operate automatically, without any input from a user, and activates the television at different times according to a predetermined schedule not set by the user. During automatic operation, the television is caused not only to present television programming, but also to present visual and sound effects simulating human activity, whereby occupation of the premises is simulated. | 03-22-2012 |
20120059947 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORING MUSIC PROGRAM CONTENT EVENTS RECEIVED IN A CONTENT STREAM - Systems and methods are operable to store music program content events received in a content stream. An exemplary system and method stores the content stream that includes at least an initial portion of a music program content event, receives a request to store the music program content event, accesses the stored content stream, identifies a start of the music program content event in the accessed content stream, and re-stores the initial portion of the music program content event based upon the start of the music program content event. Then, the exemplary system and method receives a continuing portion of the music program content event in the content stream, and stores the continuing portion of the music program content event with the initial portion of the music program content event. Accordingly, an entirety of the music program content event is stored. | 03-08-2012 |
20120012730 | Hard Disc Drive Counter-Vibration System - One implementation of the present invention may take the form of a system for a hard disc drive counter-vibration device that may absorb rotational vibration or gyration of the hard disc drive module. This mounting device may incorporate at least one soft, plastic sphere and a pair of concave dished surfaces, configured to face each other and maintain the sphere between them. The sphere of the counter-vibration assembly may support the hard disc drive (HDD) while the weight of the HDD may align the dishes with each other and over the sphere. In this manner, the sphere may act as a spring and allow the HDD to vibrate or gyrate without transmitting the mechanical movement to the rest of the HDD assembly or electronic device. | 01-19-2012 |
20110313821 | Anti Fare Evasion System - A system for monitoring passengers on a vehicle includes one or more detectors for detecting passenger data including one or more passenger identification properties. A computer system receives data from the detectors and uniquely identifies each passenger based on the one or more passenger identification properties. A device receives fare data indicative of whether a passenger has paid the correct fare, and uses the fare data, passenger identity and passenger data from the computer system to indicate which passengers have paid the correct fare. | 12-22-2011 |
20110307922 | MAKING AVAILABLE PREVIOUSLY BROADCAST PROGRAMMING - An electronic program guide indicates the time of presentation and the channel or source of various programs. By use of a remote control device, a user is able to navigate the electronic program guide to highlight and then select a particular program which is being broadcast at the present time. The electronic program guide is displayed by a receiver which is networked with other receivers. The electronic program guide is also enabled to present details of various programs which were broadcast at a time earlier than the present time. Some of those earlier programs have been stored and that is also indicated. A user, by use of the remote control device can navigate backwards in time in the electronic program guide to an earlier stored program. This earlier program can then be highlighted and selected. It is then either downloaded to the user's receiver or streamed in real time to the user's receiver. | 12-15-2011 |
20110307914 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORING PROGRAM EVENTS IN AN ENHANCED HISTORY BUFFER - Enhanced history buffer systems and methods are operable to temporarily store program content for program events. An exemplary embodiment receives program content corresponding to each of the plurality of program events, generates a unique discrete program content file in the enhanced history buffer for each of the plurality of program events, and stores the received program content for each of the plurality of program events in the associated one of the discrete program content files. Each discrete program content file begins at a known starting location in the enhanced history buffer and ends at a known ending location in the enhanced history buffer. | 12-15-2011 |
20110292283 | REPRESENTATION OF ONLINE DISCUSSION IN CONJUNCTION WITH PRIMARY VISUAL CONTENT - A method of representing online discussions in conjunction with primary visual content is presented. In the method, the primary visual content is transmitted to a visual display for presentation to a user. A statement of an online discussion is received. In response to receiving the statement, a representation of the statement and an icon representing a source of the statement are transmitted in conjunction with the primary visual content for presentation on the visual display. The icon and the statement are coupled graphically on the visual display, and are placed near a periphery of the visual display. After a period of time while the icon and statement are presented on the display, presuming a second statement is not received from the source, the icon and the statement are removed from the display while the primary visual content is maintained on the display. | 12-01-2011 |
20110262111 | APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR HIGH-SPEED VIDEO PRESENTATION - A method of presenting video frames of a video segment at a non-standard speed is provided. A frame count is set to an initial value. For each video frame that is to be presented, a time offset relative to a staring time within the video segment is generated. The time offset may be generated by multiplying the frame count by two values. The first value is a length of time for which each selected frame is to be presented to the user, and the second value is the presentation rate of the video segment relative to a normal presentation rate. A video frame within the video segment corresponding to the time offset within the video segment is selected and output for presentation. The frame count is then updated, and the process is repeated for the next frame to be presented. | 10-27-2011 |
20110206342 | RECORDING SYSTEM - The invention relates to an apparatus and method for recording transmitted data items, and particularly television and radio programmes. The data items are received at one or more inputs along with ID data identifying the transmitted data items and the programme series to which the data item belongs. An input interface receives input indicating whether one or more received transmitted data items have been viewed or recorded by a user and a processor generates values for ranking the series to which each of the received data items belong based upon the received input. Subsequently received transmitted data items are stored in a storage device based on the generated values, the stored data items belonging to a series for which a value has been generated. | 08-25-2011 |
20110197214 | TRACKING USER REMOTE SIGNATURES - Disclosed is an apparatus and method for identifying a particular user of an receiver, such as a set-top box or receiver. A user is identified by the manner in which she uses an input device, such a wireless remote. Each individual user of the receiver is assigned a profile that includes values for a number of information points that serve to distinguish the user from other users of the receiver. With a user identified through tracking of her usage of a input device, customized content such as target advertisements or programming suggestions may be provided. | 08-11-2011 |
20110194028 | PREDICTIVE CALENDAR - A method for obtaining content using a calendar application is executed on a first electronic device. The method may include receiving travel parameters from a first user through a user interface of the calendar application. The travel parameters may include a destination and a date of travel. The method may further include obtaining destination information from a content source communicatively coupled to the first electronic device based on the travel parameters and notifying the first user of the obtained destination information at a predetermined time before the date of travel. | 08-11-2011 |
20110191795 | Highlights of Premium Multimedia Content - One embodiment may take the form of method for providing highlights of multimedia content that may be of interest to a user of a television system. The interest of a particular user of the television system may be obtained from a viewing history gathered about the user. From this information, one or more available multimedia programs may be identified as being of interest to the user. Highlights of such content, such as pay-per-view or other premium content, may be gathered and sent to or recorded on the receiver associated with the user such that the highlights may be presented to the user during use of the television system. The highlights may be viewed by the user through the television system and, if the user is interested in the content, may also purchase or otherwise access the highlighted programs. | 08-04-2011 |
20110188107 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL CONTENT USING PHOTOSENSITIVE LENSES - Systems and methods are provided for presenting three-dimensional content on a display. An exemplary system for presenting a plurality of frames on a display comprises a first lens, a second lens, and an activation system. The activation system utilizes electromagnetic radiation to activate the first lens when a respective frame being presented on the display corresponds to the first lens, resulting in the first lens being substantially transparent and the second lens being substantially opaque, and to activate the second lens when a respective frame being presented on the display corresponds to the second lens, resulting in the second lens being substantially transparent and the first lens being substantially opaque. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187930 | APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING ELECTRICAL DEVICE USAGE INFORMATION ON A TELEVISION RECEIVER - Provided herein are techniques for displaying power usage information on a television receiver. A television receiver receives power usage information regarding electrical devices and outputs the power usage information and status information regarding the electrical device for presentation by a presentation device. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187928 | ELECTRONIC APPLIANCE STATUS NOTIFICATION VIA A HOME ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEM - A method of notifying a user of a status of an electronic appliance is presented. Examples of the electronic appliance may include, but are not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, ovens, and clothes washers and dryers. In the method, an entertainment system device receives a message from the appliance via a communication link, wherein the message indicates the status of the appliance. In response to receiving the message, the device transmits a command to a second device of the entertainment system to select an input of the second device associated with the first device. The first device transmits data indicating the status over a media content interface to the selected input of the second device for presentation to the user. | 08-04-2011 |
20110187825 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRESENTING THREE-DIMENSIONAL CONTENT USING APERTURES - Systems and methods are presented for presenting three-dimensional video content to one or more viewers. In an exemplary embodiment, a system comprises a display comprising a plurality of pixels, an opaque material interposed in a line-of-sight between the display and the viewer, and a processor coupled to the display. The opaque material comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein. The processor and the display are cooperatively configured to display right channel content on a first subset of the plurality of pixels that are viewable by a right eye of the viewer through the apertures and display left channel content on a second subset of the plurality of pixels that are viewable by a left eye of the viewer through the apertures. | 08-04-2011 |
20110186077 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DEBRIS REMOVAL FROM AN ANTENNA - Debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris, such as snow, from a surface. An exemplary embodiment has a wiper blade configured to remove debris from a surface in response to a movement of the wiper blade; a spring coupled to the wiper blade, wherein the spring is configured to store potential energy as the spring is biased from a relaxed position to a biased position; and a motor coupled to the spring, wherein the motor is configured to convert received electrical power into mechanical power that biases the spring. The spring is released from the biased position to release the stored potential energy as the spring returns to the relaxed position. The released potential energy from the spring is converted to mechanical energy that moves the wiper blade. | 08-04-2011 |
20110179455 | DYNAMIC QoS IN A NETWORK DISTRIBUTING STREAMED CONTENT - In a home network a number of receiving devices are connected to receive streamed audio visual content from one or more sources by way of a network hub. One source is a set top box, having a hard disc drive, which provides a real time broadcast stream, stream | 07-21-2011 |
20110174332 | APPARATUS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REMOVING DEBRIS FROM A SURFACE - Exemplary surface debris removal systems and methods are operable to remove debris from a signal transmitting/receiving surface. An embodiment provides power to, and then removes power from, a conductive memory wire that is secured to a moveable portion of a two-position snap spring. In response to providing the power to the conductive memory wire, a length of the conductive memory wire decreases so that the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring is pulled from an extended position to a retracted position. When power is removed from the conductive memory wire, the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring moves from the retracted position to the extended position. In response to the moving of the moveable portion of the two-position snap spring from the retracted position to the extended position, an energy is generated and transferred to the surface that dislodges the debris from the surface. | 07-21-2011 |
20110156944 | DEVICE CONTROL BUS COMMAND TRANSLATION FOR NONCOMPLIANT AND INCOMPATIBLE DEVICES - A method of facilitating consumer device control bus functionality in an entertainment system is presented. In the method, a consumer device control bus command is received from a first electronic device. The control bus command is translated into a wireless remote control command compatible with a second electronic device. The wireless remote control command is transmitted to the second electronic device. A consumer device control command translation device, as well as a consumer electronics device providing related capability, is also provided. | 06-30-2011 |
20110145808 | Content Receiver Having a Low-Power Mode - A method, system and apparatus for interacting with scheduling data and primary data. A content receiver may receive scheduling data and extract, from the scheduling data, a time at which primary data is available. The content receiver may enter a de-powered state until the time, at which point it powers up. The content receiver may receive the primary data at the time and process it as necessary. Following processing, the content receiver may again power down. | 06-16-2011 |
20110135281 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MANAGING FILES ON A DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER - Described herein are techniques for managing files of a digital video recorder. Responsive to a request to record content, a DVR identifies and stores information identifying the originator of a recording request. The identifying information may then be presented to a user to identify the origin of a recording timer or a recorded file. | 06-09-2011 |
20110066452 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSURING DIGITAL MEDIA DOWNLOAD TRANSACTIONS - Systems and methods are provided that enable a user to selectively insure purchased digital media items downloaded over a network connection. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes the steps of receiving first user data from a user at the digital media system to request the purchase of a selected digital media item from a content provider, providing a message to the user to offer loss insurance for the selected digital media item, and receiving second user data at the digital media system to indicate whether the loss insurance offer is accepted. Acceptance data is transmitted to the content provider via the digital network to indicate whether the loss insurance offer is accepted. | 03-17-2011 |
20110030009 | Alteration of Electronic Program Guide Data Based on Ratings Lock - A television receiver receives a programming signal including programming content and EPG data. The television receiver receives a request for an EPG display. The television receiver modifies the EPG data for one or more records in the EPG data which include content ratings that exceed a ratings lock setting of the television receiver. The television receiver may modify the EPG data for one or more records in a variety of different manners depending on a variety of different factors associated with the records. The television receiver then generates the EPG display from the modified EPG data and transmits the generated EPG display to a display device. The modification of the EPG data may prevent display of objectionable content in the EPG display and/or may indicate that the records correspond to blocked programs. | 02-03-2011 |
20110023015 | Tool to generate active page interface instructions - A system and method for generating a script conforming with the interactive television standard for embedment in an entertainment device includes retrieving a header file containing definitions of functions present in the interactive television standard. A code file includes a string that does not conform to the interactive television standard for code. The string is broken into substrings based on the presence of the “;” character. In substrings with a “typedef” keyword, a data type is selected based upon occurring immediately succeeding the “typedef” keyword up to the “;” character and creating variables with values representative of the data type. Automatically selecting from a plurality of strings in the header, a suitable string in accord with the variables creates resulting substring in a form acceptable according to the interactive television standard. The resulting code is stored in a memory storage for execution by the entertainment device. | 01-27-2011 |
20100328167 | APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS FOR HEATING A SATELLITE ANTENNA REFLECTOR - Apparatus and systems are described herein for heating a satellite antenna reflector to remove snow and ice from the reflector surface. A satellite heating system includes a heating element attached to the satellite antenna reflector and a battery associated with the heating element. A satellite receiver provides a satellite antenna with a supply voltage over cabling communicatively coupling the satellite receiver and the satellite antenna. The supply voltage is further utilized to charge the battery. The heating element may then utilize the power supplied by the battery to heat the surface of the reflector, removing ice and snow from the reflector surface. | 12-30-2010 |
20100325665 | Automatic Web Searches Based on EPG - An enhanced graphical user interface to a user, such as an electronic programming guide, including certain selectable attributes. When a particular attribute is selected, a network transaction may be initiated to a website or other network node. Information or other content received from the network node may be displayed as output. The output may include indications of upcoming or future programs that are related to a particular selected attribute. The output may also include a select link that operates to automatically set a timer to record one or more upcoming programs that are related to the selected attribute. | 12-23-2010 |
20100306804 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ACCESSING ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE INFORMATION OVER A BACKCHANNEL COMMUNICATION PATH - A systems and methods access electronic program guide (EPG) information via a backchannel link. An exemplary embodiment receives a first portion of EPG information residing in a data channel of a program content stream, establishes a communication link between a media device and a remote EPG content system, and receives a second portion of EPG information from the remote EPG content system via the established communication link. | 12-02-2010 |
20100262997 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CATCH-UP ELECTRONIC PROGRAM GUIDE - Catch-up electronic program guide (EPG) systems and methods are operable to present information pertaining to previously available programs. An exemplary embodiment retrieves program information pertaining to a plurality of programs from a memory, wherein the retrieved program information identifies at least a scheduled presentation time of each of the plurality of programs; compares a current time with the scheduled presentation times of the plurality of programs; identifies programs that are no longer available for presentation based upon the compared current time and the scheduled presentation times; and generates a catch-up EPG based upon the identified programs that are no longer available for presentation. | 10-14-2010 |
20100239226 | ARCHIVING BROADCAST PROGRAMS - A system for receiving and presenting broadcast programming has a television receiver connected to a set-top box having an internal hard disc on which selected programs may be recorded. As the internal hard disc has a finite capacity it can become full, particularly if the viewer wishes to retain a library of recordings. The system provides for the automatic transfer of programs stored on the internal hard disc to external hard drives. The viewer is enabled to set the criteria for such archiving using the remote control unit and on-screen menu options. Content with the largest size, the earliest recorded content, or the content viewed less frequently, may be automatically archived. The set-top box is also enabled to collate information identifying the externally stored content and to store that on the internal hard drive together with information as to the location of the stored content. This enables a viewer to retrieve the transferred content. | 09-23-2010 |
20100189305 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR LIP READING CONTROL OF A MEDIA DEVICE - Systems and methods of generating device commands based upon spoken user commands are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment captures a series of images of a user of a media device, generates image information corresponding to the series of captured images, determines lip movement of the user from the generated image information, determines at least one spoken user command based upon the determined lip movement of the user, and determines a device command based upon the determined spoken user command. Then, the device command is communicated to, for example, a media presentation device, wherein an operation of the media presentation device is controlled in accordance with the determined spoken user command. | 07-29-2010 |
20100169931 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING SELECTED BROADCAST PROGRAMMING - Systems, apparatus and methods are described for presenting selected broadcast programming in response to information received from an RFID or other tag associated with a viewer. Such a system may include a television receiver, a set top box, and a user interface, such as a remote control, that enables a user to select a program to be viewed. The set top box is coupled to a detector arranged to interrogate and read personal tags identifying the individual with whom they are associated or the rights assigned to those individuals. The information obtained from the tag may be processed in any manner. | 07-01-2010 |
20100165217 | REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE PRESENTATION OF BROADCAST PROGRAMMING - A TV is controlled by a set top box to receive broadcast programming. The set top box includes a processor for causing a selected program to be provided to and displayed on the TV. The set top box is controlled by an external remote control device. The remote control device is able to generate menus detailing programs and other options available and to display those options locally on the remote control device. Therefore, a program presented by the TV is uninterrupted whilst the user considers an electronic program guide displayed on the remote control device. Once the user has made the final choice of a new program to view, a command is issued to the set top box so that the change is made. | 07-01-2010 |
20100162290 | CONTROLLING ACCESS TO BROADCAST PROGRAMMING - A set top box for a television receiver has a paired viewing card. It is also coupled to a hard disc drive for the recording and storage of received broadcasting. If the viewer has a full subscription, the viewer is able to access and view subscription broadcasting by way of the set top box. If the subscription is no longer paid, different usage rights are associated with the set top box so that, whilst the set top box can no longer access the subscription broadcasting, the viewer is still able to access and play any previously stored subscription programming. | 06-24-2010 |
20100146545 | RANDOMLY SELECTING CURRENT PROGRAMMING - A system for receiving and displaying broadcast audio and visual programming includes a television receiver and a display. The television receiver has a tuner for tuning to the channel to be displayed and is controlled by a processor with which the user communicates by way of a remote control unit. Operation of a random button on the remote control unit causes the processor to initiate a random mode selection whereby the television receiver randomly selects and displays one of the broadcast channels received. | 06-10-2010 |
20100125888 | Systems and Methods for Providing Distributed Television Services to a Subscriber - Systems and methods may provide television services to a subscriber without relying on coaxial cable for distributing television signals throughout the subscriber's building. Instead, various systems and methods may provide a distributed television system in which a hub or central television receiving device is configured to receive television signals from a source and to provide the received television signals to a plurality of television output devices networked to the central television receiving device. | 05-20-2010 |
20100071004 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING MULTIPLE CHANNEL RECALL ON A TELEVISION RECEIVER - The various embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for providing multiple channel recall on a television receiver. A television receiver stores multiple previously viewed channels for selective recall by a user. The previously viewed channels are each associated with a viewing duration of the channel. The previously viewed channels are sorted such that a user may access the channels in an order determined based on the viewing duration of each channel. | 03-18-2010 |
20100052853 | CONTROLLING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE BY WAY OF A CONTROL DEVICE - A remote control device for a set top box has a biometric reader, such as a fingerprint reader, incorporated therein. During installation of the set top box, fingerprint data is collected from users who are to be authorised by way of the fingerprint reader and is stored in the set top box. When using the remote control device to access programming, fingerprint data is collected from the user and compared with the stored data to determine if the user is authorised. The user has to be authorised to access some, or even all, of the programming. Access to subscription only services and to pay per view programmes is only available to a user identified by the set top box as being authorised. Electronic devices other than set top boxes, for example audio devices and computers, can similarly be controlled by a control device incorporating a biometric reader. | 03-04-2010 |