Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a method of operating a remote control system having a touch interface. The method comprises receiving a user input through the touch interface, generating a control communication corresponding to the user input and transferring the control communication from a communication transceiver to remotely control a display of content on a video display system, receiving into the communication transceiver supplemental content for display on the touch interface, and displaying the supplemental content on the touch interface while the video display system displays the content.
Abstract:
Various arrangements are directed to locating a television receiver. Multiple tuners of the television receiver may be simultaneously tuned to different television distribution satellites to receive timing signals. Using these timing signals, the location of the television receiver may be determined Based on a comparison between a stored, expected location of the television receiver and the determined location, the functionality of the television receiver may be adjusted.
Abstract:
Various arrangements, including systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable mediums for incentivizing content viewer feedback are detailed herein. In some embodiments, a first television program with at least one commercial break is output. At least one television commercial for presentation during a first commercial break may be output. For the at least one television commercial, a rating from a viewer may be received. An incentive value determined based on at least the rating of the at least one commercial may be calculated. A second duration may be selected from a group comprising a first duration and a second duration based on the calculated incentive value, wherein the second duration is shorter than the first duration. A second commercial break of the selected second duration may be output.
Abstract:
Various arrangements for targeting advertising to a television viewer are presented. A user interface may be output for presentation that permits the television viewer to select from among a plurality of advertising options. One or more selections may be received from the television viewer from among the plurality of advertising options. A television program may be output for presentation to the television viewer. One or more commercials may be selected that match the one or more selections from among the plurality of advertising options. The one or more commercials that match the one or more selections from among the plurality of advertising options may be output for presentation during a first commercial break in the television program.
Abstract:
A key server for controlling access of a client device to a subset of different quality copies of media content to be delivered over a network to the client device. In one embodiment, a key server receives a request for playback permission of media content by a client device, and applies a set of one or more business rules to determine which copies of the media content, if any, can be played by the client device, and allows access to a subset of the copies that can be played back by the client device and restricts access to the copies that are not part of the subset.
Abstract:
Content receivers may simultaneously record multiple instances of content for multiple programming channels based on content provider instructions. Systems and methods utilize the content receivers to record these multiple instances from at least a single transponder. In some instances, multiple transponders may have a common control word so that content carried on each such transponder may be simultaneously received, decoded and recorded. Further, a single demodulator may be associated with multiple tuners, so that the single demodulator processes all content received from transponders with common control words and/or other encryption mechanisms.
Abstract:
Various arrangements are described that may cause a recording of a television channel to be stored. The recording of the television channel may include a plurality of television programs. A graphical playback status element may be displayed via a display device. The graphical playback status element may indicate a start point for each television program of the plurality of television programs within the recording of the television channel.
Abstract:
A testing apparatus compatible with an electrical outlet is presented here. The outlet has a line socket designated for a line voltage conductor, a neutral socket designated for a neutral voltage conductor, and a ground socket designated for a ground voltage conductor. The testing apparatus includes a housing, a plug interface having an electrically conductive ground prong configured to mate with the ground socket, a first indicator lamp having a first terminal electrically coupled to the ground prong, and an electrically conductive lead extending from the housing. The conductive lead has a proximal end electrically coupled to the second terminal of the indicator lamp, and a distal end terminated with an electrically conductive connector. The indicator lamp is activated in response to a voltage differential between the ground prong and the electrically conductive connector.
Abstract:
Arrangements for preparing a television channel for presentation are presented. A set of one or more tuners that are idle may be identified. Being idle may correspond to not being used to receive any television channel data for presentation or recording. An electronic programming guide that indicates programming may be output for presentation. One or more television channels may be selected for preparation. The television channels may be selected based at least in part on one or more electronic programming guide operations and/or prior to receiving user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner, to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the television channels for presentation.
Abstract:
A remote control is powered by multiple batteries connected in series. The remote control includes a voltage comparison circuit configured to compare a midpoint voltage from a node connecting two of the batteries to a reference voltage. The remote control is able to determine if there is a non-uniform drain rate in the batteries based on the comparison.