Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080261514 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SUPPLYING MEDIA CONTENT TO PORTABLE COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A system and apparatus for supplying media content to portable communication devices is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure can include, for example, a Set-Top Box (STB) having a cellular transceiver and a controller element to direct the cellular transceiver to transmit a media guide for the STB to a terminal device for presentation on a display unit of the terminal device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 10-23-2008 |
20090021651 | System and method to control media display functions - A system and method to control media display functions is disclosed. A system includes a processing logic and memory accessible to the processing logic. The memory includes instructions executable by the processing logic to perform a method including receiving input associated with a media display function. The instructions are also executable by the processing logic to determine one or more media devices to be controlled. The instructions are also executable by the processing logic to send first control data adapted to cause the media display function to be implemented at a first media device when the first media device is to be controlled. The instructions are also executable by the processing logic to send second control data when the first media device and a second media device are to be controlled concurrently. The second control data is adapted to cause the media display function to be implemented at the first media device and at the second media device. | 01-22-2009 |
20090031375 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING MEDIA BETWEEN COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 01-29-2009 |
20090067591 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A NETWORK - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element having a controller to obtain network information associated with establishing a network among a group of communication devices, and provide the network information to a plurality of network set-up devices removably connected to the network element, where each of the plurality of network set-up devices is connectable with a communication device of the group of communication devices to provide at least a portion of the network information to the communication device, and where the network is established based at least in part on the at least a portion of the network information. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090119181 | POINT OF SALE TRANSACTION PROCESSING - A disclosed transaction processing method includes transmitting a request to a credit aggregator in response to a message from a point of sale device to a wireless communication device of a user. Responsive to receiving credit account information from the credit aggregator, a user interface indicative of at least some of the credit account information including account identification information for a plurality of user credit accounts is displayed. Responsive to detecting a user selecting one of the plurality of credit accounts, credit account information is transmitted to the point of sale device. The request may include information identifying the user. The message from the point of sale device may indicate a price associated with the transaction. The credit account information may include available credit information, current balance information, closing date information, payment date information, annual percentage rate information, and so forth. | 05-07-2009 |
20090125971 | Systems and Method of Controlling Access to Media Content - A system and method of controlling access to media content are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a viewing request at a set-top box device at a user premises. The method also includes retrieving a permission policy stored at the set-top box device and identifying a wireless device associated with the permission policy. Further, the method includes fulfilling the viewing request when the wireless device is present at the user premises and is within a first relative proximity to the set-top box device, and not fulfilling the viewing request when the wireless device is present at the user premises and is within a second relative proximity to the set-top box device. | 05-14-2009 |
20090157473 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENDING TARGETED MARKETING DATA USING PROXIMITY DATA - A method for selecting advertising data is disclosed, the method comprising monitoring proximity data indicating proximity between a first end user device and at least one second device; examining historical behavior profile data for the second device; placing data from the historical behavior profile data into an opportunity profile for the first end user based on the proximity data; and sending advertising data to the first end user device relating to the data in the opportunity profile. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 06-18-2009 |
20090158373 | System And Method Of Delivering Video Content - A method of delivering video content is disclosed and includes sending data from a set-top box device to a video head-end of a video distribution network. The data indicates that the set-top box device has received a channel change command and identifies a requested channel. The method includes receiving video content associated with a program provided via the requested channel at the set-top box device, beginning at a set-top box receipt time, and retrieving a portion of backfill content from a digital video recorder (DVR) in response to a reverse command received at the set-top box device. The backfill content includes video content associated with the program extending from a start time of the program to the set-top box receipt time. The backfill content is sent from a buffer server at the video head-end to the DVR in response to the data sent by the set-top box device. | 06-18-2009 |
20090187955 | Subscriber Controllable Bandwidth Allocation - A disclosed computer program product includes computer executable instructions, stored on a computer readable medium, for allocating bandwidth among various network provided communication services. The executable instructions include instructions to process a subscriber request to specify a bandwidth allocation, determine a multimedia bandwidth allocation indicative of bandwidth allocated to multimedia content, and generate a multimedia content request. The multimedia content request is influenced by the multimedia bandwidth allocation. In some embodiments, for example, the multimedia content request includes multimedia bandwidth information determined at least in part by the multimedia bandwidth allocation. The multimedia bandwidth information may indicate the bandwidth available for multimedia content, which may be determined from the multimedia bandwidth allocation less any bandwidth allocated to or otherwise consumed by other multimedia layers. In these embodiments, a multimedia delivery server may determine how much bandwidth to allocate to the requested multimedia content from information contained in the request itself. | 07-23-2009 |
20090245494 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR RECORDING COMMUNICATION ACTIVITIES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to monitor incoming and outgoing calls associated with one or more communication devices, identify communication identifiers initiating the incoming calls and communication identifiers targeted by the outgoing calls, determine one or more related communication identifiers for each of the initiating and targeted communication identifiers, record in a communications log the incoming calls with the initiating communication identifiers and one or more related communication identifiers, and record in the communications log the outgoing calls with the targeted communication identifiers and one or more related communication identifiers. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090288115 | Systems and Methods for Determining User Output Preferences - A method is disclosed for determining audiovisual output preference. The method comprises providing first and second stimuli having respective sets of audio and visual characteristics. The method receives a user selection between the first and second stimuli, and includes the set of audio and visual characteristics corresponding to the selected stimuli in the audiovisual output preference. | 11-19-2009 |
20090312059 | System and Method for Display Timeout on Mobile Communication Devices - A mobile communication device includes executable instructions for carrying out a method including setting a time duration for an application, receiving a first input, receiving a second input, determining the elapsed time between the first and second inputs, modifying the time duration based upon the elapsed time, and dimming a screen of the mobile device when the elapsed time exceeds the time duration. | 12-17-2009 |
20090319607 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING CALENDAR EVENTS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence system having a controller to transmit to a calendar system presence information of a subscriber of the presence system for recording said presence information in a calendar event. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-24-2009 |
20100039214 | CELLPHONE DISPLAY TIME-OUT BASED ON SKIN CONTACT - A system and methodology that can optimize screen time-outs on a portable electronic device based on user activity is provided. The system employs a sensing component that receives data from one or more sensors located on the portable electronic device, for example, skin conductivity sensors. The sensing component determines whether the user is using the portable device, either actively or passively. A configuring component is employed to change one or more features or functions of the portable electronic device based on the information determined by the sensing component. In particular, the configuring component initiates a screen time-out when the user is not using the portable device (neither actively nor passively). | 02-18-2010 |
20100039392 | CONDUCTIVE FINGERNAIL - A device and attachment connected to a user's fingernail that can be employed to interact with a conductive touch screen is provided. Specifically, the device is made from a conductive material and provides conductivity to the screen when in contact. The device is connected to or placed on the user's fingernail, or worn on top of the user's finger or glove. When the user touches the conductive touch screen via the device on the finger, a disturbance in capacitance is created and accordingly the presence and/or location of the finger on the screen can be detected. | 02-18-2010 |
20100039393 | TEXT ENTRY ON TOUCH SCREEN CELLPHONES BY DIFFERENT PRESSURE LEVELS - A system and methodology that can enter different text based on an amount of pressure exerted on a key of an electronic device is provided. The system employs one or more sensors located on the key to collect pressure data. A pressure detection component selects text associated with the currently applied pressure. A user can modify the selected text by adjusting the pressure applied to the key. Once the desired text is selected, the user releases pressure from the key and a text entry component enters the selected text. | 02-18-2010 |
20100042827 | USER IDENTIFICATION IN CELL PHONES BASED ON SKIN CONTACT - A system and methodology that can customize screen time-outs on a portable electronic device based on user activity is provided. The system employs a sensing component that receives data from one or more sensors located on the portable electronic device, for example, skin conductivity sensors. The sensing component determines whether the user is using the portable device, either actively or passively and also determines the identity of the user. A configuring component is employed to change one or more features or functions of the portable electronic device based on the information determined by the sensing component. In particular, the configuring component changes one of more features of the portable electronic device based on the preferences predefined by the identified user and device usage (active and passive usage). | 02-18-2010 |
20100050270 | Control of Access to Content Received from a Multimedia Content Distribution Network - A disclosed method for controlling access to content provided by a multimedia content delivery network includes detecting a remote control signal, determining identification information and action information in the remote control signal, generating a CPE code based on a combination of the identification and action information, and performing a content control action based on the CPE code. The identification information may indicate a setting of a switch of the remote control device or a user of the remote control device. Generating the CPE code may include generating a first CPE code when the identification information indicates a first user and generating a different CPE code when the identification information indicates a second user. Generating the CPE code may still further include accessing parental control restrictions associated with a user or user class indicated by the identification information and generating a CPE code in compliance with the parental control restrictions. | 02-25-2010 |
20100069012 | Method and System of Modifying Configuration Settings of a Device Based on an Estimated Change in Transmission Traffic - A method of modifying a configuration setting of a portable communication device based on an estimated change in transmission traffic. The method includes monitoring radio frequency (RF) signals at a first portable communication device. The RF signals include signals communicated by one or more other communication devices. The method further includes measuring a first number of transmissions communicated by the RF signals during a first time window and measuring a second number of transmissions communicated by the RF signals during a second time window. The first number of transmissions is compared to the second number of transmissions to estimate a change in transmission traffic. A configuration setting of the first portable communication device is modified from a first setting to a second setting based on the estimated change in transmission traffic. | 03-18-2010 |
20100082712 | Location and Time Based Media Retrieval - Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for location and time based media retrieval. A media file of an event recorded through a multimedia recording device is retrieved. The location of the multimedia recording device is determined. A temporal measurement associated with the event is also determined. The location and the temporal measurement are associated with the media file. The media file may be searchable via the location and the temporal measurement. | 04-01-2010 |
20100088149 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR PRESENTING TRANSACTION-SPECIFIC MARKETING AT THE POINT-OF-SALE AND RELATED DEVICES - A notification of a transaction is received via a device associated with a point-of-sale. A transaction-specific offer from a credit source is presented to a user at the point-of-sale responsive to receiving the notification. The transaction may be completed using the credit source associated with the transaction-specific offer responsive to presenting the transaction-specific offer. | 04-08-2010 |
20100104024 | REMEDIATION OF TELEVISION SIGNALS USING A NETWORK BACK-CHANNEL - A method for remediating broadcast digital television signals is disclosed. A television signal is buffered by a multimedia client, and analyzed for errors. If errors are detected, replacement data for the corrupted data are requested from a service provider using a network back-channel. The replacement data are obtained from the broadcasting entity and sent back to the multimedia client. The replacement data are used to generate and display a faultless version of the digital television signal. | 04-29-2010 |
20100113160 | MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAMING THROUGH A MOBILE DEVICE - Systems and methods of organizing a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) via mobile units are provided. Features of mobile units such as messaging and location based services are incorporated into the game to enhance the user experience. The MMOG provides social networking opportunities to players by associating players based on similarities such as shared interests and activities. These shared interests and activities can be determined based on associations of the players in other situations, such as disparate online games or websites. In addition, advertising content can be provided to players based on similar factors. In an example implementation, the MMOG comprises a game similar to the offline game of tag, wherein players can “tag” each other through in-game interactions via the mobile units. These interactions can be triggered based on players being a fixed predetermined distance from each other. | 05-06-2010 |
20100115592 | Systems and Methods to Control Access to Multimedia Content - Systems and methods to control access to multimedia are disclosed. A method includes receiving a request for multimedia content at a computing device, retrieving a destination address of a mobile communication device related to an authorized user of the computing device and determining whether the mobile communication device is located within a predetermined distance from the computing device. When the mobile communication device is located within the communicative distance from the computing device, the multimedia content is received at the computing device. When the mobile communication device is not located within the communicative distance from the computing device, an authorization-request message is transmitted via a network to the destination address of the mobile communication device, wherein the authorization-request message includes a request for authorization to receive the multimedia content at the computing device. | 05-06-2010 |
20100115607 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DEVICE SECURITY WITH A PLURALITY OF AUTHENTICATION MODES - A security processing element stores authentication data corresponding to a plurality of possible authentication modes. At a time of activation, the security processing element randomly selects one of the authentication modes for presentation to the user. The user must successfully enter data corresponding to the randomly selected authentication mode. In an alternative embodiment, the security processing element can randomly select a plurality of authentication modes that are sequentially presented to the user. The user must successfully respond to each of the plurality of requested authentication modes. In another embodiment, for high security communications, the security processing element may select from a subset of authentication modes that are considered to be more robust. Conversely, the security processing element may select from a subset of randomly presented authentication modes that are considered less robust when used in a low security setting. | 05-06-2010 |
20100118748 | Video Share Model-Based Video Fixing - Systems and methods for model-based video fixing are disclosed. A video can be retrieved and analyzed to determine if any portion of the video can be represented by a model. If a portion that can be modeled is identified, a model that approximates the portion can be specified, the portion can be removed from the video, and instructions for modeling the video can be formatted. The video and the instructions can be transmitted to a receiving device, which can synthesize the model and the received video to generate a model-based video. Systems for providing the model-based video fixing are also disclosed. | 05-13-2010 |
20100121744 | USAGE DATA MONITORING AND COMMUNICATION BETWEEN MULTIPLE DEVICES - A system and method for by which real-time monitoring and communication of usage data is conducted between a set of N numbered of devices where N is and integer. According to an embodiment, a communication network provides a common core architecture in which the devices connected to the system are converged regardless of their access network requirements or functional capacity. The system has the capacity to monitor and analyze all the usage information of each device connected to the system in regards to content, identity, type, quality, quantity, time, status, activity level, and metadata associated with the functions and applications utilized on a device. The analysis is further based on information governing a subscriber's devices, preferences, and features held in a subscriber database integrated within the system. The analyzed usage data is further processed through a variety of applications in order to generate a response, such as; a report, an alarm, or tailored options for interacting with the generating device which is deliverable in any format within the capacity of the receiving device including all multimedia aspects and non-multimedia aspects. The system further communicates the response in real-time to any device within the set as designated by the subscriber. In another aspect of the invention, the analyzed usage data can be stored for on demand requests of a communication response from past analysis. | 05-13-2010 |
20100122306 | System and Method for Tagging Video Content - A method of tagging video content includes receiving video content at a set-top box device via a private video distribution access network. The method also includes receiving a tag associated with the video content at the set-top box device and sending the tag to a tag management system via the private video distribution access network. Further, the method includes sending a request for content associated with the tag to the tag management system and receiving the video content at the set-top box device. | 05-13-2010 |
20100124905 | Systems and Methods for Message Forwarding - Methods and systems for forwarding messages are disclosed. A device, component, or subsystem of a device or network may evaluate a recipient number in a message and determine that the recipient number is not associated with a device capable of receiving the message. An alternate recipient number may be selected and the message transmitted to the alternate recipient number. The evaluation and assignment of an alternate number may be performed on a mobile device, network equipment, or third party devices. In one alternative, a message is sent to a recipient number and a failure message is received. An alternate number may then be selected and the message sent to the alternate number. Alternate numbers may be selected from numbers available in an address book, in network configuration parameters, or from user preferences. | 05-20-2010 |
20100134338 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL - A method for providing a virtual, universal remote control feature includes displaying a virtual remote interface for an electronic device. A user interaction with an element of the virtual remote interface is detected. The virtual remote interface element is mapped to a device-function code. The device-function code is provided to a code transmitter. The device-function code corresponds to a control command associated with the electronic device. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138499 | Method and Apparatus for Aggregating E-Mail Reply Data - A method is disclosed comprising sending an original e-mail message to a plurality of recipients, and receiving a plurality of received e-mails. For each of the plurality of received e-mails, the method includes determining if each received e-mail is a reply to the original e-mail message, and extracting data from each received e-mail that is a reply to the original e-mail message. The extracted data is aggregated to form aggregated data, and information relating to the aggregated data is displayed. The information may be displayed on a computer monitor along with the original e-mail message. | 06-03-2010 |
20100138876 | SYSTEM AND METHOD TO TRANSMIT MEDIA CONTENT - A system is disclosed that includes a receiving module to receive a request for media content from a mobile electronic device. The system also includes a broadcast module to transmit the requested media content to the mobile electronic device via a broadcast transmission over a first wireless network. The system also includes a unicast module to transmit the requested media content to the mobile electronic device via a unicast transmission over a second wireless network. The second wireless network is different from the first wireless network. | 06-03-2010 |
20100144368 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHARING LOCATION DATA IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK - A system and method for sharing location data amongst wireless communication devices uses a token system to grant permission to share location data. The tokens may be created automatically as the result of user activation of a different function. Location data may be exchanged when two wireless communication devices, authorized to exchange location data, are within a predetermined distance from each other. Location data may also be automatically exchanged upon the occurrence of a scheduled calendar event within a wireless communication device. Location data may be exchanged a single time or can be exchanged on a continuous or periodic basis so long as the token still exists. The token may be destroyed manually by some user activity or may be terminated automatically. | 06-10-2010 |
20100149982 | System and Method for Controlling Streaming Content in a Cellular Telephone - A method includes receiving a plurality of control parameters at a first mobile communications device, and storing the control parameters in a memory of the first mobile communications device. The method also includes setting a plurality of first Internet Protocol data flow restrictions for a respective plurality of ports first of the first mobile communications device based on the settings in the memory. A device for implementing the method is also disclosed. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153764 | Human Stimulus Activation and Deactivation of a Screensaver - Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to an electronic device having a human stimulus receptor which, when activated, suspends activation of a screensaver. The screensaver is activated to conserve the power and life of the electronic device. When latently viewing the electronic device, however, the human stimulus receptor is activated. A countdown starts counting down a pre-determined amount of time once the human stimulus receptor is inactive. At the expiration of the countdown, the screensaver is activated. The human stimulus receptor responds to skin conductivity, natural muscular twitch, pulse, skin temperature, and/or eye movement. Only when the electronic device no longer detects any of these human stimuli will the countdown begin. A user may set the predetermined amount of time. | 06-17-2010 |
20100153995 | RESUMING A SELECTED VIEWING CHANNEL - A method and system for resuming a desired program on a selected viewing channel is provided using a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN). A user of the MCDN may select a primary channel for viewing the desired program transmitted by the MCDN. The MCDN may also transmit channel metadata for detecting interruptions to programs. During an interruption to the desired program, the user may become distracted, for example, by selecting a second viewing channel. A resume alert may be provided to indicate that the interruption has ended and that the desired program has resumed. | 06-17-2010 |
20100158533 | REMOTE CONTROL DEVICE SIGNAL DISTRIBUTION - Signals from a remote control device may be received in a first viewing area and retransmitted to a second viewing area to control customer premises equipment (CPE) devices in the second viewing area. In some embodiments, signals are translated for compatibility with the CPE devices in the second viewing area. A repeater in the first viewing area may receive infrared signals encoded with a remote control command and retransmit the remote control command with an RF signal to a receiver in the second viewing area. The repeater may be incorporated into a multimedia processing resource such as a set-top box. | 06-24-2010 |
20100161801 | MULTIMEDIA PROCESSING RESOURCE WITH DISTRIBUTED SETTINGS - Presentation settings for a multimedia processing resource (MPR) are distributed to other MPRs. Example presentation settings include brightness, contrast, and tint. Security credentials may be required before a receiving MPR accepts presentation settings from a delivering MPR. MPR presentation settings may be delivered over a wired or wireless local area network, for example. | 06-24-2010 |
20100162331 | MULTIMEDIA PROCESSING RESOURCE WITH INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE - A multimedia processing resource (MPR) includes interactive voice response capabilities. A user may control MPR commands and functions over a telephone interface. For example, through a telephone connection a user may receive a listing of electronic programming guide data, may schedule a multimedia program for recording, or may receive a report related to a multimedia program that is viewed at the present time. | 06-24-2010 |
20100235872 | VIDEO QUALITY AND AUDIO QUALITY ADJUSTMENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to allocate between a video and audio quality in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) presentation and to utilize a resultant bandwidth as a result of allocation to enhance an audio or video quality in the IPTV presentation in response to a user selection among levels of video quality and audio quality. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-16-2010 |
20100275237 | METHOD AND APPARTUS FOR MODEL-BASED RECOVERY OF PACKET LOSS ERRORS - A media processor having a controller operable to recognize a portion of a video stream in an Interactive TV (iTV) network having video compression artifacts corresponding to a stored model and perform model-based video correction of the portion recognized using synthetically generated images of objects in a captured video scene. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-28-2010 |
20100289685 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL USING AN IDENTIFYING DEVICE IMAGE - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a new remote controlled device is disclosed. A digital image of the new device is generated and sent to a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) server, along with MCDN account information. The digital image may be used to identify the new device. Programming codes may be retrieved and sent to client premises equipment (CPE) at an MCDN client identified by the MCDN account information. The CPE may be instructed to reprogram the URC to control the new device using the programming codes. The digital image may be sent to the server using wireless telephony service provided by the MCDN service provider. | 11-18-2010 |
20100289954 | PROVIDING AUDIO SIGNALS USING A NETWORK BACK-CHANNEL - A method for providing audio portions of broadcast television signals is disclosed. A television signal is buffered by a multimedia client. In response to a user request, audio data may be obtained from a service provider and sent back to the multimedia client using a network back-channel. The obtained audio data may be synchronized with a video portion of the television signal and output to an audio device, while the television signal is output to a display device. | 11-18-2010 |
20100302057 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL USING AN IDENTIFYING DEVICE MARK - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a new remote controlled device having a digital mark is disclosed. A digital representation of the mark is generated and sent to a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) server, along with MCDN account information. The digital mark may be used to retrieve programming codes, which are sent to client premises equipment (CPE) at an MCDN client identified by the MCDN account information. The CPE may be instructed to reprogram the URC to control the new device using the programming codes. The digital mark may be scanned and sent to the server using wireless telephony service provided by the MCDN service provider. | 12-02-2010 |
20100302058 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL VIA DIRECT INTERACTION - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. A user may be instructed to operate a control element of an original remote control (ORC) of the remote-controlled device. The control element of the ORC may be operated with consumer-premises equipment of the MCDN, which receives a code associated with the control element. The code may be used to identify the remote-controlled device and obtain corresponding programming codes. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. | 12-02-2010 |
20110012710 | DEVICE CONTROL BY MULTIPLE REMOTE CONTROLS - A method and system for remotely controlling a remote-controlled device (RCD) includes receiving an instruction from a remote control (RC). The instruction may include an RC code and a control code. The RC code may identify the RC and the control code may identify an operation to be performed on the RCD. RC codes matching an authorized set of RC codes may cause the control code to be accepted, since the RC is authorized. If a non-matching RC code is received, the control code may be rejected as coming from a prohibited RC. An authorization mode on the RCD may allow modification of the authorized set of RC codes. | 01-20-2011 |
20110037574 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL VIA A POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEM - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. In response to an indication of a purchase transaction for a remote-controlled device, a network identity and a device identifier may be sent to client-premises equipment (CPE). The CPE may then program the URC to control the remote-controlled device. | 02-17-2011 |
20110037611 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL USING MULTIMEDIA DISPLAY - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. A plurality of selectable objects representing different remote-controlled devices is displayed. A user may select an object and thereby determine an identity of the remote-controlled device. Programming codes for the identified remote-controlled device may be obtained and used to program the URC to control the remote-controlled device. | 02-17-2011 |
20110037637 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL VIA DIRECT INTERACTION - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. Programming codes for the remote-controlled device may be transferred from an original remote control using a programming interface. The transfer may be performed directly with the URC. The transfer may also be performed using consumer-premises equipment of a multimedia content distribution network. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. | 02-17-2011 |
20110090085 | System and Method to Monitor a Person in a Residence - Systems and methods to monitor a person in a residence are provided. A particular method includes receiving data at a monitoring service from a set-top box (STB) device. The data includes a location in a residence of a person being monitored. The location may be obtained from a location system in the residence. The data also includes an associated time stamp for the location. The method includes analyzing the data based on a profile of the person to determine whether one or more alert conditions are satisfied. The method also includes providing a notification when one or more of the alert conditions are satisfied. | 04-21-2011 |
20110093876 | System and Method to Monitor a Person in a Residence - Systems and methods to monitor a person in a residence are provided. A particular method includes receiving data from a set-top box (STB) device at a monitoring service. The data includes location information from a location system in a residence that monitors a location of a person in the residence. The data includes usage information regarding usage of a plurality of devices in the residence. The data also includes a time stamp associated with the location information and the usage information. The method includes analyzing the data based on a profile of the person to determine whether one or more alert conditions are satisfied. The method also includes sending a notification when the one or more alert conditions are satisfied. | 04-21-2011 |
20110093908 | REQUESTING EMERGENCY SERVICES VIA REMOTE CONTROL - A method and system for contacting emergency service providers may allow using a remote control (RC) at a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) client location. An MCDN user may use the RC, which may be configured to control customer premises equipment at the MCDN client, to signal an emergency event. In response, an MCDN server may be queried for emergency user information associated with the MCDN client and/or the MCDN user. Based on the emergency user information, third parties, such as emergency service providers, medical service providers, or private persons, may be contacted via the MCDN. A communications channel, including audio and/or video, between an emergency service provider and the MCDN client may be initiated based on the emergency user information. | 04-21-2011 |
20110095873 | GESTURE-INITIATED REMOTE CONTROL PROGRAMMING - A method and system for configuring a universal remote control (URC) to control a remote-controlled device includes establishing a communication link between the URC and the remote-controlled device in response to detecting a gesture motion of the URC. Device information may be received from the remote-controlled device and used by the URC to program the URC to control the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to control a plurality of remote-controlled devices. The communication link may be a near field wireless communication link. | 04-28-2011 |
20110109490 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL VIA DIRECT INTERACTION WITH AN ORIGINAL REMOTE CONTROL - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. A user may be instructed to operate a control element of an original remote control (ORC) of the remote-controlled device. The ORC may be operated directly with the URC, which may so receive a programming code from the ORC. The programming code may be used by the URC to determine an identity of the remote-controlled device and/or the ORC. Based on the identity, the URC may obtain corresponding programming codes for the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. | 05-12-2011 |
20110113459 | System and Method for Internet Protocol Television Network Status Notifications - A method of running a network status module in a set-top box device is disclosed. A loss of a portion of a signal in an Internet Protocol television network is detected. When interference of the signal is cause over a connection between the set-top box device and the residential gateway, a first icon to indicate a first failure in a connection between the set-top box device and a residential gateway on a display device is displayed. When the interference of the signal is over the wide area network of the Internet Protocol television network, a second icon to indicate a second failure in a wide area network of an Internet Protocol television network is displayed. | 05-12-2011 |
20110114716 | Systems and Methods for Programming a Remote Control Device - Methods and systems are disclosed that include retrieving codes that are usable by a remote control device to remotely control a function of the electronic device. The methods and systems may also include transmitting the codes to the remote control device via a remote control device interface controllable by a processor of the electronic device. | 05-19-2011 |
20110115664 | PROGRAMMING A REMOTE CONTROL USING REMOVABLE STORAGE - A method and system for programming, using a removable storage, a remote control apparatus providing universal remote control functionality is disclosed. A removable storage module may be introduced into the remote control apparatus. Programming codes for a remote-controlled device controllable by the remote control apparatus may be transferred from the removable storage module. Executable code for configuring the remote control apparatus may also be transferred. The programming codes may be assigned to control elements of the remote control apparatus. The remote control apparatus may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. | 05-19-2011 |
20110131605 | System and Method to Identify an Item Depicted when Media Content is Displayed - A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a set-top box device, media content from a media content server. The media content includes one or more metadata tags associated with one or more items depicted when the media content is displayed. The computer-implemented method includes sending the media content to a display device. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving a first user selection to visually identify the one or more items. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving a purchase request to purchase at least one of the one or more items depicted. | 06-02-2011 |
20110159861 | MOBILE PHONE NUMBER ANONYMIZER - A method, computer readable media and apparatus for temporarily mapping an anonymous number to a mobile endpoint device are disclosed. For example, the method assigns a first temporary anonymous number to a mobile endpoint device having a mobile number, and receives a call request to reach the mobile endpoint device in accordance with the first temporary anonymous number. The method forwards the call request to the mobile endpoint device if the first temporary anonymous number has not expired. | 06-30-2011 |
20110161423 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A COLLABORATIVE EVENT-SHARE SERVICE - A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members. | 06-30-2011 |
20110316723 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREDICTIVE HUMAN INTERFACE - A method and system provide a predictive human interface for a plurality of user electronic devices, which includes establishing a user account with a service provider, registering the plurality of user electronic devices in an electronic database associated with the user account, and storing, in the electronic database, initial user preferences regarding how certain specified communications related to the user electronic devices are to be processed. The method and system also includes monitoring and storing, by a core network server, specific characteristics associated with each communication originating from the user electronic devices, generating a predictive human interface for the user electronic devices, based upon the stored specific characteristics for the user electronic devices, and providing the predictive human interface to the user electronic devices for use during a next communication originating from one of the user electronic devices. | 12-29-2011 |
20120011002 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTEXTUAL VIRTUAL LOCAL ADVERTISEMENT INSERTION - A system and method for presenting advertising, the method including but not limited to presenting on a first end user device, a first personalized advertisement in a first avatar's view of a virtual world and presenting on a second end user device, a second personalized advertisement in a second avatar's view of the virtual world. | 01-12-2012 |
20120117094 | Systems and Methods for Generating Customized Settings Utilizing a Social Network of Personal Profiles - A system for providing a recommended customized profile to a subject member of a social network for use in operating a subject customizable apparatus is described. The system includes a social network database storing profiles of members of the social network corresponding to multiple customizable apparatus including the subject customizable apparatus. The system also includes a central social network server having a processor and a tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to generate the recommended customized profile, for use by the subject member in operation of the subject customizable apparatus, based on at least one matching profile of other members in the social network. | 05-10-2012 |
20120123779 | MOBILE DEVICES, METHODS, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCTS FOR ENHANCING SOCIAL INTERACTIONS WITH RELEVANT SOCIAL NETWORKING INFORMATION - Devices, methods, and computer program products are for facilitating enhanced social interactions using a mobile device. A method for facilitating an enhanced social interaction using a mobile device includes receiving an audio input at the mobile device, determining a salient portion of the audio input, receiving relevant information associated with the salient portion, and presenting the relevant information via the mobile device. | 05-17-2012 |
20120124059 | ADDRESS BOOK AUTOFILTER - A mechanism is provided for filtering an address book. Contacts are read of the address book of a user. An operative connection is maintained to a social networking site related to the user. Social networking communication data of the user is extracted from the social networking site. The contacts are ranked in the address book based on the social networking communication data of the user. | 05-17-2012 |
20120140120 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING DISTORTION IN IMAGES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a processor operable to receive video content from a multimedia source, to detect at least one frame in the video content affected by a high intensity burst of light, and to determine a chrominance reference from frames in the video content unaffected by the high intensity burst of light. The processor is also operable to modify chrominance in the at least one frame according to the chrominance reference without altering spatial characteristics of objects in the at least one frame, to replace the at least one frame in the video content with the modified at least one frame to create updated video content, and to present the updated video content at a presentation device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-07-2012 |
20120144468 | Systems, Methods, and Computer Program Products for User Authentication - Responsive to receiving an authentication request from a device, an authentication server determines a confidence level for the authentication request, generates a confidence-weighted challenge to the authentication request. The confidence-weighted challenge being weighted based upon a confidence level. The authentication server, responsive to receiving a challenge response to the confidence-weighted challenge from the device, determines whether to authenticate the user based upon the challenge response. If the authentication server determines that the challenge response satisfies an expected response known to the authentication server, the authentication server permits authentication of the user to access the device. If the authentication server determines the challenge response does not satisfy the expected response known to the authentication server, the authentication server denies authentication of the user to access the device. | 06-07-2012 |
20120295717 | HOSTING MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAMING VIA MOBILE DEVICES - Systems and methods of organizing a massively multiplayer online game (MMOG) via mobile units are provided. Features of mobile units such as messaging and location based services are incorporated into the game to enhance the user experience. The MMOG provides social networking opportunities to players by associating players based on similarities such as shared interests and activities. These shared interests and activities can be determined based on associations of the players in other situations, such as disparate online games or websites. In addition, advertising content can be provided to players based on similar factors. In an example implementation, the MMOG comprises a game similar to the offline game of tag, wherein players can “tag” each other through in-game interactions via the mobile units. These interactions can be triggered based on players being a fixed predetermined distance from each other. | 11-22-2012 |
20120315963 | System and Method for Display Timeout on Mobile Communication Devices - A mobile communication device includes executable instructions for carrying out a method including setting a time duration for an application, receiving a first input, receiving a second input, determining the elapsed time between the first and second inputs, modifying the time duration based upon the elapsed time, and dimming a screen of the mobile device when the elapsed time exceeds the time duration. | 12-13-2012 |
20130010594 | Adaptive Edge-Implemented Traffic Policy in a Data Processing Network - In one aspect, a disclosed method of processing a network packet received by an edge device from a client in a data processing network includes determining a priority category of the network packet when the priority category is indicative of a priority associated with the packet. The method further includes determining a value of a traffic state parameter. The traffic state parameter indicates a level of traffic activity in a backbone network to which the edge device is connected. A traffic policy is then determined that is applicable to the level of traffic activity and the priority category of the network packet. The network packet is then blocked from traversing or permitted to traverse the network packet edge device based on the determined traffic policy. Determining the priority category may include determining a transport protocol port number of the network packet. | 01-10-2013 |
20130040621 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING MEDIA BETWEEN COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 02-14-2013 |
20130059621 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A NETWORK - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element having a controller to obtain network information associated with establishing a network among a group of communication devices, and provide the network information to a plurality of network set-up devices removably connected to the network element, where each of the plurality of network set-up devices is connectable with a communication device of the group of communication devices to provide at least a portion of the network information to the communication device, and where the network is established based at least in part on the at least a portion of the network information. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-07-2013 |
20130070100 | Systems and Methods for Programming a Remote Control Device - Methods and systems related to codes that are usable by a remote control device to remotely control a function of the electronic device are described. The methods and systems may also include transmitting the codes to the remote control device via a remote control device interface. | 03-21-2013 |
20130080924 | System and Method for Presenting Calendar Events - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a presence system having a controller to transmit to a calendar system presence information of a subscriber of the presence system for recording said presence information in a calendar event. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-28-2013 |
20130099954 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL - A method for providing a virtual, universal remote control feature includes displaying a virtual remote interface for an electronic device. A user interaction with an element of the virtual remote interface is detected. The virtual remote interface element is mapped to a device-function code. The device-function code is provided to a code transmitter. The device-function code corresponds to a control command associated with the electronic device. | 04-25-2013 |
20130132858 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREDICTIVE HUMAN INTERFACE - A method and system for providing a predictive human interface for a plurality of user electronic devices, which includes storing, in an electronic database, user preferences regarding how certain specified communications related to the user electronic devices are to be processed. The method and system also includes monitoring and storing, by a network server, specific characteristics associated with communications originating from the user electronic devices, generating a similar predictive human interface for each of the user electronic devices, based upon the stored user preferences and the stored specific characteristics for the user electronic devices, and providing the predictive human interface to each of the user electronic devices for use during communications originating from one of the user electronic devices. | 05-23-2013 |
20130139197 | Systems and Method of Controlling Access to Media Content - A system and method of controlling access to media content are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a viewing request at a set-top box device at a user premises. The method also includes retrieving a permission policy stored at the set-top box device and identifying a wireless device associated with the permission policy. Further, the method includes fulfilling the viewing request when the wireless device is present at the user premises and is within a first relative proximity to the set-top box device, and not fulfilling the viewing request when the wireless device is present at the user premises and is within a second relative proximity to the set-top box device. | 05-30-2013 |
20130144944 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A SOCIAL EVENT OPPORTUNITY NOTIFICATION - Methods and apparatus for arranging event opportunities are disclosed. For example, the method detects the event opportunity that matches user profiles of at least two users who are unassociated with one another, verifies a safety parameter for one of the at least two users, wherein the safety parameter is defined by the one of the at least two users, and if the safety parameter is satisfied, sending an invitation to the event opportunity to each of the at least two users. | 06-06-2013 |
20130145386 | System and Method to Monitor a Person in a Residence with Use of a Set-Top Box Device - A particular method includes receiving, at a set-top box device, an activation request from a monitoring service associated with activation of a video camera coupled to the set-top box device. The activation request is received when one or more alert conditions are satisfied. The method further includes activating the video camera based on a response to a prompt. | 06-06-2013 |
20130147898 | Video Share Model-Based Video Fixing - Systems and methods for model-based video fixing are disclosed. A video can be retrieved and analyzed to determine if any portion of the video can be represented by a model. If a portion that can be modeled is identified, a model that approximates the portion can be specified, the portion can be removed from the video, and instructions for modeling the video can be formatted. The video and the instructions can be transmitted to a receiving device, which can synthesize the model and the received video to generate a model-based video. Systems for providing the model-based video fixing are also disclosed. | 06-13-2013 |
20130167186 | VIDEO QUALITY AND AUDIO QUALITY ADJUSTMENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to allocate between a video and audio quality in an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) presentation and to utilize a resultant bandwidth as a result of allocation to enhance an audio or video quality in the IPTV presentation in response to a user selection among levels of video quality and audio quality. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-27-2013 |
20130207788 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL VIA DIRECT INTERACTION - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. Programming codes for the remote-controlled device may be transferred from an original remote control using a programming interface. The transfer may be performed directly with the URC. The transfer may also be performed using consumer-premises equipment of a multimedia content distribution network. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. | 08-15-2013 |
20130271364 | Human Stimulus Activation and Deactivation of a Screensaver - Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to an electronic device having a human stimulus receptor which, when activated, suspends activation of a screensaver. The screensaver is activated to conserve the power and life of the electronic device. When latently viewing the electronic device, however, the human stimulus receptor is activated. A countdown starts counting down a pre-determined amount of time once the human stimulus receptor is inactive. At the expiration of the countdown, the screensaver is activated. The human stimulus receptor responds to skin conductivity, natural muscular twitch, pulse, skin temperature, and/or eye movement. Only when the electronic device no longer detects any of these human stimuli will the countdown begin. A user may set the predetermined amount of time. | 10-17-2013 |
20130283309 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TAGGING VIDEO CONTENT - A method of tagging video content includes receiving video content at a set-top box device via a private video distribution access network. The method also includes receiving a tag associated with the video content at the set-top box device and sending the tag to a tag management system via the private video distribution access network. Further, the method includes sending a request for content associated with the tag to the tag management system and receiving the video content at the set-top box device. | 10-24-2013 |
20130310118 | System and Method for Display Timeout on Mobile Communication Devices - A mobile communication device includes executable instructions for carrying out a method including setting a time duration for an application, receiving a first input, receiving a second input, determining the elapsed time between the first and second inputs, modifying the time duration based upon the elapsed time, and dimming a screen of the mobile device when the elapsed time exceeds the time duration. | 11-21-2013 |
20130329813 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MODEL-BASED RECOVERY OF PACKET LOSS ERRORS - A media processor having a controller operable to recognize a portion of a video stream in an interactive television network having video compression artifacts corresponding to a stored model and perform model-based video correction of the portion recognized using synthetically generated images of objects in a captured video scene. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-12-2013 |
20140040758 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PREDICTIVE HUMAN INTERFACE - A method and system for providing a predictive human interface for a plurality of user electronic devices assigned to a plurality of user categories, which includes storing, in an electronic database, user preferences regarding how certain specified communications related to the user electronic devices assigned to a designated user category are to be processed. The method and system also includes monitoring and storing, by a network server, specific characteristics associated with communications originating from the user electronic devices assigned to the designated user category, generating a similar predictive human interface for each of the user electronic devices assigned to the designated user category, based upon the stored user category preferences and the stored specific characteristics for the user electronic devices, and providing the predictive human interface to each of the user electronic devices assigned to the designated user category for use during communications. | 02-06-2014 |
20140137172 | VIDEO QUALITY AND AUDIO QUALITY ADJUSTMENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to allocate between a video and audio quality in a multimedia presentation and to utilize a resultant bandwidth as a result of allocation to enhance an audio or video quality in the multimedia presentation in response to a user selection among levels of video quality and audio quality. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-15-2014 |
20140152427 | PROGRAMMING A UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL VIA DIRECT INTERACTION - A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. A user may be instructed to operate a control element of an original remote control (ORC) of the remote-controlled device. The control element of the ORC may be operated with consumer-premises equipment of the MCDN, which receives a code associated with the control element. The code may be used to identify the remote-controlled device and obtain corresponding programming codes. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. | 06-05-2014 |
20140165124 | PROVIDING AUDIO SIGNALS USING A NETWORK BACK-CHANNEL - A method for providing audio portions of broadcast television signals is disclosed. A television signal is buffered by a multimedia client. In response to a user request, audio data may be obtained from a service provider and sent back to the multimedia client using a network back-channel. The obtained audio data may be synchronized with a video portion of the television signal and output to an audio device, while the television signal is output to a display device. | 06-12-2014 |
20140176311 | GESTURE-INITIATED REMOTE CONTROL PROGRAMMING - A method and system for configuring a universal remote control (URC) to control a remote-controlled device includes establishing a communication link between the URC and the remote-controlled device in response to detecting a gesture motion of the URC. Device information may be received from the remote-controlled device and used by the URC to program the URC to control the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to control a plurality of remote-controlled devices. The communication link may be a near field wireless communication link. | 06-26-2014 |
20140259087 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETERMINING USER OUTPUT PREFERENCES - A method is disclosed for determining audiovisual output preference. The method comprises providing first and second stimuli having respective sets of audio and visual characteristics. The method receives a user selection between the first and second stimuli, and includes the set of audio and visual characteristics corresponding to the selected stimuli in the audiovisual output preference. | 09-11-2014 |
20140293138 | VIRTUAL UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL - A method for providing a virtual, universal remote control feature includes displaying a virtual remote interface for an electronic device. A user interaction with an element of the virtual remote interface is detected. The virtual remote interface element is mapped to a device-function code. The device-function code is provided to a code transmitter. The device-function code corresponds to a control command associated with the electronic device. | 10-02-2014 |
20140365309 | POINT OF SALE TRANSACTION PROCESSING - A disclosed transaction processing method includes transmitting a request to a credit aggregator in response to a message from a point of sale device to a wireless communication device of a user. Responsive to receiving credit account information from the credit aggregator, a user interface indicative of at least some of the credit account information including account identification information for a plurality of user credit accounts is displayed. Responsive to detecting a user selecting one of the plurality of credit accounts, credit account information is transmitted to the point of sale device. The request may include information identifying the user. The message from the point of sale device may indicate a price associated with the transaction. The credit account information may include available credit information, current balance information, closing date information, payment date information, annual percentage rate information, and so forth. | 12-11-2014 |
20150032822 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A COLLABORATIVE EVENT-SHARE SERVICE - A method, a system and a computer readable medium for supporting collaborative media sharing among users at an event are disclosed. For example, the method creates an event-share group relating to an event, and provides an event tag to a plurality of members of the event-share group, where the event tag uniquely identifies the event-share group or the event. The method receives a captured media from at least one of the plurality of members, wherein the event tag is attached to the captured media and provides the captured media to the plurality of members. | 01-29-2015 |
20150040170 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COMMUNICATING MEDIA BETWEEN COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a display device having a controller to wirelessly receive media; wirelessly receive control signals for presentation of the media from a mobile communication device; and selectively disable control by the display device over presentation of the media on the display device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 02-05-2015 |