摘要:
A device for detecting when a television is in a standby mode is provided. The device includes a housing and a plug receptacle is formed within a surface of the housing. Also, a plug extends from the housing. The device further includes a power detection circuit that detects when a television coupled to the device is in a standby mode. In a particular embodiment, the standby mode is a low power mode in which the television is not fully operational. Further, the device includes a cable that extends from the housing. A signal can be sent from the power detection circuit to a set top box via the cable. The signal indicates that the television is in the standby mode. An electrical cord from a television can be plugged into the plug receptacle and the plug that extends from the housing can be plugged into to a wall outlet.
摘要:
Methods, apparatus, and systems to deliver electronic mail using payments are disclosed. An example method involves receiving an electronic mail message at a server. It is then determined whether the electronic mail message includes information indicative that a sending entity has posted an electronic mail delivery payment to enable delivery of the electronic mail message. When the electronic mail message includes the information indicative that the sending entity has pasted the electronic mail delivery payment, a funds account of an intended recipient of the electronic mail message is polled to determine whether the electronic mail delivery payment has been deposited in the funds account. The electronic mail message is not sent to a mailbox of the intended recipient unless the electronic mail delivery payment has been deposited in the funds account regardless of whether the sending entity is on a permissions list.
摘要:
Television sound themes for a set-top box interactive television system may be customized for each member of a household. Machine-readable media may provide customization logic and user interface logic. Sounds for a user-customized television system sound theme may be drawn from a digital audio file source. Logic components and the digital sound file source for a television sound theme system may reside locally at the set-top box, or may be accessed remotely over a network.
摘要:
A system provides an audible signal to the user of the system before a control or function is activated by the user. In one embodiment, a remote control can be used with an apparatus, such as a set-top box. When the user places an object near a control of the remote control, a control or function associated with the control may be announced to the user before activating the control. The system can include an apparatus is configured to be operated at least in part from a remote control that includes a plurality of controls including a first control. The apparatus includes a control module configured to receive an identification signal from the remote control, wherein the identification signal corresponds to the control, determine a state of the apparatus, determine a function to which the control corresponds, and send another identification signal to an audio system.
摘要:
An authentication protocol interface is described that allows a user to authenticate into, or login to, a PC based environment using a non-pc device. It also provides the user with a transparent method of “programming” the interface so that the interface behaves the way a user wants the next time they use the system. The invention further enables a user to avoid authentication altogether by allowing the settop box to serve as the login authority for certain tasks. The invention operates in a non-PC environment where the use of a mouse and other MS Windows® interface components (i.e., check boxes, radio dials, and the like) are not allowed.
摘要:
A method of pre-caching video content is provided and includes measuring an available bandwidth of a data connection to a set top box. The available bandwidth measurement can be an average available bandwidth of the data connection to the set top box or a minimum available bandwidth of the data connection to the set top box. Each of a plurality of video files is divided into a first portion and a second portion and the size of each first portion is based on the available bandwidth measurement. The first portion of each of the plurality of video files is downloaded over the data connection and stored in a memory within the set top box. A list is displayed at a display device and includes a list of video titles that correspond to the plurality of video files that have only a first portion downloaded to the memory.
摘要:
A universal mobile phone adapter device for a vehicle appliance operable for enabling a user to talk hands-free on a mobile phone during a phone call between the mobile phone and a telephone of another party when the mobile phone is electronically connected to the vehicle appliance. The adapter device includes a universal vehicle adapter base integrated in the interior of the vehicle. The adapter base is electronically connected to the vehicle appliance. The adapter device includes first and second adapter sleeves which are removably receivable one at a time within the adapter base. The adapter sleeves include respective first and second mobile phone receiving areas for removably receiving first and second mobile phones having different configurations. The adapter sleeves and the adapter base electronically connect the mobile phones to the vehicle appliance when the adapter sleeves receive the respective mobile phones and the adapter base receives the adapter sleeves.
摘要:
A system and method are disclosed for operating a telephone to bypass wireline telephone service. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing component at least partially defining a first and a second enclosure. The housing component may be part of a Local Exchange Carrier Network Interface Device. In such an embodiment, the first enclosure may represent a service provider access portion, and the second enclosure may represent a customer access portion. The system may also include a door coupled to the housing component. The door may be capable of being releasably secured in a closed position such that the door defines a portion of the first enclosure. A cradle system formed to receive a wireless transceiving device may be secured within the first enclosure in a manner allowing the door to be releasably secured in the closed position. In some embodiments, the system may also have a local power supply associated with the cradle system and electrically coupled to a premises wiring connection point. The local power supply may be able to provide a ring voltage to the premises wiring connection point and to power a cradled wireless transceiver.
摘要:
A material content setting adjustment system (10) includes a computer (16) and an interface (14). The interface (14) facilitates communication between the computer (16) and a network (18). An interface mode adjustment switch (12) has multiple physical operating mode positions. A controller (30) is coupled to the interface mode adjustment switch (12). The controller (30) selectively determines passage of material content between the computer (16) and the interface (14) in response to position of the interface mode adjustment switch (12).
摘要:
A set of application program interfaces is embodied on a computer readable medium for execution on a computer in conjunction with an application program that integrates smart tags related to a video program with a payload of video data packets. A first interface receives an input from a tag database related to video program content. A second interface receives an input integrating a smart tag with a video data payload packet. A third interface receives an input providing integrated smart tag and video data to a network. Another interface receives an input from a customer segmentation database, for example for targeting information to specific customers or customer groups.