A method and apparatus for controlling a live avatar include features for directing the live avatar gaze to be consistent with a remote operator's view of the live avatar's surroundings. Indication of gaze direction may be continuously provided to the live avatar using movable optics, for example a heads-up display, or a movable optical prism or lens. Gaze direction or operator commands may be communicated using a haptic device. Video and control streams from multiple live avatars may be aggregated through a host server and allocated via an online interface to multiple prospective remote operators.

A system and method for operating the same includes a receiving circuit module having a housing having an input for a first signal, a first encoder disposed within the housing encoding the first signal to form a first encoded signal and a second encoder disposed within the housing encoding the first signal to form a second encoded signal having a different format than the first signal. A first multiplexer receives the first encoded signal. A second multiplexer different than the first multiplexer receives the second encoded signal.

Mechanisms are provided for allowing a mobile device to dynamically obtain program guide data. A mobile device having the capability of playing media streams is configurable to dynamically request program guide structure information followed by program guide content information. In one example, the program guide structure information allows a user to begin navigating the program guide data in an active and dynamic manner. Program guide content information including data such as program titles, times, icons, and links are then downloaded and displayed as needed. Potentially limitless amounts of program guide data can be provided on a mobile device. Program guide content information can be provided in a generic manner while allowing user layout customization. Program guide information can also be preemptively provided to a mobile device based on a variety of criteria.

Mechanisms are provided for allowing a mobile device to dynamically obtain program guide data. A mobile device having the capability of playing media streams is configurable to dynamically request program guide structure information followed by program guide content information. In one example, the program guide structure information allows a user to begin navigating the program guide data in an active and dynamic manner. Program guide content information including data such as program titles, times, icons, and links are then downloaded and displayed as needed. Potentially limitless amounts of program guide data can be provided on a mobile device. Program guide content information can be provided in a generic manner while allowing user layout customization. Program guide information can also be preemptively provided to a mobile device based on a variety of criteria.

An example system includes persistent storage and a discovery application configured to perform operations including obtaining a uniform resource locator (URL) that addresses a function of an application programming interface (API) provided by a remote computing system of remote computing systems that provide computing resources. The function returns attributes of computing resources specified by the URL. The operations additionally include generating (i) a system-specific portion of a request that invokes execution of the function and (ii) a system-invariant portion of the request. The system-specific portion adheres to first rules adopted by the remote computing system for interacting with the API. The system-invariant portion adheres to second rules adopted by each of the remote computing systems for interacting with respective APIs thereof. The operations yet further include transmitting the request to the remote computing system, receiving therefrom a response containing the attributes, and storing, in the persistent storage, the attributes.

An example system includes persistent storage and a discovery application configured to perform operations including obtaining a uniform resource locator (URL) that addresses a function of an application programming interface (API) provided by a remote computing system of remote computing systems that provide computing resources. The function returns attributes of computing resources specified by the URL. The operations additionally include generating (i) a system-specific portion of a request that invokes execution of the function and (ii) a system-invariant portion of the request. The system-specific portion adheres to first rules adopted by the remote computing system for interacting with the API. The system-invariant portion adheres to second rules adopted by each of the remote computing systems for interacting with respective APIs thereof. The operations yet further include transmitting the request to the remote computing system, receiving therefrom a response containing the attributes, and storing, in the persistent storage, the attributes.

A computer-implemented method is provided in which a satellite uplink device is positioned to distribute an event. Data is collected from one or more automatic sensor device associated with the satellite uplink device. An optimal position of the satellite uplink device is calculated based on at least the data collected from the one or more sensor devices. The location of one or more satellites in orbit is determined and one or more satellites are selected as a preferred satellite. The satellite uplink device is automatically positioned in the calculated optimal position to connect with the preferred satellite without user intervention. However, a user at a remote location may communicate instructions to change the position the satellite uplink device. User instructions are converted into one or more actuator commands and are wirelessly transmitted to the satellite uplink device for changing its position.

Disclosed is a method and seat centric device for providing data over a plurality of communication channels inside an aircraft. In one aspect, the method comprises obtaining storage information of data from one or more aircraft servers and a request for subset of data from a seat centric device. The method further comprises, identifying location of the subset of data in at least one of the one or more aircraft servers based on an analysis of the request the storage information data and an available communication channels between the seat centric device and the aircraft server. Furthermore, the method comprises initializing a multipath protocol for transfer of the subset of data associated with the request between the aircraft server and the seat centric device and initiating data transfer associated with the request simultaneously over the available communication channels for providing the subset of data to seat centric device.

Particular embodiments generate a database table that keeps track of authorization package combinations for videos being offered by a video delivery service. The table may allow the video delivery service to keep track of how much content is available for a specific authorization package combination that a user might have access to In one embodiment, the video delivery service does not pre-generate every single possible authorization package combination on a per-show basis. Rather, only a subset of the authorization package combinations is generated for each show. Then, the video delivery service uses a query to the database table that can calculate which content a user is authorized to access from the subset of authorization package combinations that were generated.

A microelectronic device comprises pillar structures extending vertically through an isolation material, conductive lines electrically coupled to the pillar structures, contact structures between the pillar structures and the conductive lines, and interconnect structures between the conductive lines and the contact structures. The conductive lines comprise one or more of titanium, ruthenium, aluminum, and molybdenum. The interconnect structures comprise a material composition that is different than one or more of a material composition of the contact structures and a material composition of the conductive lines. Related memory devices, electronic systems, and methods are also described.