Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Rovi Technologies Corporation

Adeia Technologies Inc.

Nadav M Neufeld

Joseph J Seidel

Charles J Migos

Haoyun Wu

Terry Qing Guo

Edwin K Lau

Gionata Mettifogo

Pradhan S Rao

Afshan A Kleinhanzl

Dana Rao

A first portion of programming aired prior to a first time is obtained via a unicast session with a server, the first portion including previously aired programming. When the programming data being sent via the unicast session catches up to a multicast broadcast of the programming, the unicast session is terminated and a switch is made to obtaining a remaining portion of the programming from a different source other than the server. This different source can be, for example, a local storage device or a multicast broadcast of the programming.

Reducing unicast session duration with restart TV

Techniques to display advertisements on a remote control device are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of an output of content by a client. The one or more modules are also configured to detect manual interaction and initiate a first mode to display an advertisement on the display device when the manual interaction has not been detected. A second mode is initiated by the one or more modules to display one or more representations of the one or more control functions when the manual interaction is detected.

Remote control device to display advertisements

Application gadget techniques are described. In an implementation, a remote control device includes a display device and one or more modules. The one or more modules are configured to initiate one or more control functions related to control of a display of content by a client. The one or more modules also provide an environment to execute one or more application gadgets such that an output of the one or more application gadgets is displayable on the display device.

Application gadgets and electronic program guides

Content storage using quotas as described. In an implementation, an apparatus comprises memory to store content obtained via a network connection and one or more modules to manage storage of the content using one or more quotas. A first one of the quotas specifies a maximum amount of the memory that is permitted to be used to store the content for a first user and a second one of the quotas specifies a maximum amount of the memory that is permitted to be used to store the content for a second user.

Content storage using quotas

Object detection and user setting techniques are described. In an implementation, an object placed on a surface of the client is detected by the client. A determination is made as to which of a plurality of users correspond to the detected object. One or more user settings are located that correspond to the determined user.

Object detection and user settings

Targeted advertising using object identification techniques is described. In an implementation, an object is identified by a client that is placed on a surface of the client. An advertisement is located that corresponds to the identified object and is output.

Targeted advertising using object identification

Application gadgets

An electronic program guide (EPG) application is configured to render a program listing, a currently indicated program, and additional data. The EPG application is further configured to automatically determine, based on user-submitted EPG navigation commands, whether or not the user is likely interested in the currently indicated program. If it is determined that the user is likely interested in the currently indicated program, then the additional data that is displayed along with the program listing is detailed data associated with the currently indicated program. In contrast, if it is determined that the user is likely not interested in the currently indicated program, then instead of detailed data associated with the currently indicated program, the additional data that is displayed along with the program listing is content that is targeted to the user.

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Nadav M Neufeld