Methods and systems for conversion of imagery and video for three-dimensional (3D) displays, four-dimensional experiences, next-generation user interfaces, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality experiences, and interactive experiences into imagery and video suitable for a two-dimensional (2D) display. A 2D display is configured to generate a 3D-like effect. 3D images are analyzed and represented by parameters including movement, depth, motion, shadow, focus, sharpness, intensity, and color. Using the parameters, the 3D images are converted to 2D images that include the 3D-like effect. The 2D images are presented to users to generate feedback. The feedback informs changes to the conversion. Artificial intelligence systems, including neural networks, are trained for improving the conversion. Models are developed for improving the conversion. Related apparatuses, devices, techniques, and articles are also described.

Disclosed are an electronic apparatus, a display apparatus and a method of controlling the same an electronic apparatus, a display apparatus and a method of controlling the same, the electronic apparatus including: a speaker configured to output a sound; a microphone configured to receive a user voice; a communicator configured to perform communication; a processor configured to: identify a state of an external apparatus through the communicator based on reception of the user voice, process the received user voice and output a sound corresponding to a process result through the speaker based on identification that the external apparatus is in a turned-off state, and control the communicator to transmit information about the received user voice to the external apparatus and request the external apparatus to process the voice based on identification that the external apparatus is in a turned-on state.

A method is disclosed for providing secure access to multimedia content to a user of a content service at a first user device configured to enable the user to consume the multimedia content. The method comprises: providing, from a second user device, a user identifier to a service provider of the content service, the second user device being provided with a subscriber identity module enabling the second user device to connect to a cellular communication network, the user identifier comprising an identifier of the subscriber identity module; at the second user device, receiving an access key from the service provider, through the cellular communication network, the access key being associated with the user identifier; providing the access key from the second user device to the first user device through a short-range connection, and at the first user device, using the access key to access the multimedia content.

An electronic apparatus including a communication interface; and a processor configured to obtain a first signal in an enhanced audio return channel (eARC) format based on a predetermined parameter, control the communication interface to transmit the obtained first signal to an external speaker, change the parameter based on receiving, through the communication interface, a first error signal corresponding to the first signal transmitted from the external speaker, obtain a second signal in the eARC format based on the changed parameter, and control the communication interface to transmit the obtained second signal to the external speaker.

A user terminal emulation server is provided that provides operational functionality of a user terminal using a networked set of I/O user devices that are determined to be proximately located to a user and to have user interface capabilities that are combinable to provide the user with the ability to receive or initiate a communication service with another user terminal through a network entity. The operations for emulating a user terminal may alternatively be performed by an I/O user device that provides communication services (using other I/O user devices.

A media distribution management unit (10) for providing multi-content media to one or more users (2a, 2b, . . . , 2x) is disclosed. The media distribution management unit (10) is configured to: map, in accordance with a respective profile of one or more users (2a, 2b, . . . , 2x), alternative content into a first media stream (S1) comprising main content, and to playback the first media stream (S1) comprising the main content and the mapped alternative content. A method, computer program, computer program products and system are also disclosed.

A system for device discovery for social playback is disclosed. The system operates to connect a host media playback device to a media output device and broadcast a social playback session to guest media playback devices. Upon joining a social playback session, a guest media playback device may control the media playback at the host media playback device. Where the media output for the social playback session is provided by the media output device.

A method is implemented at an electronic device for visually indicating a voice processing state. The electronic device includes at least an array of full color LEDs, one or more microphones and a speaker. The electronic device collects via the one or more microphones audio inputs from an environment in proximity to the electronic device, and processes the audio inputs by identifying and/or responding to voice inputs from a user in the environment. A state of the processing is then determined from among a plurality of predefined voice processing states, and for each of the full color LEDs, a respective predetermined LED illumination specification is determined in association with the determined voice processing state. In accordance with the identified LED illumination specifications of the full color LEDs, the electronic device synchronizes illumination of the array of full color LEDs to provide a visual pattern indicating the determined voice processing state.

A profile provider: (i) associates a primary online device (OD1) with a set-top box (STB); (ii) a location of OD1 at some point in time is estimated to be near the STB, thereby establishing a STB proxy location; (iii) one or more secondary online devices (OD2s) are observed to be located near the STB proxy location and are associated with the STB; and (iv) a television advertisement is selected to be directed to the STB, which selection is based at least in part on profile information linked to one of the associated OD2s. The method can be particularly advantageous in situations wherein: the STB is not connected to any computer network; the STB is not ever connected to the same local area network as OD1 or OD2; or television service (used by the STB) and online access (used by OD1 and OD2s) are provided by different service providers.

A method is implemented on a server system for initiating by voice display of closed captions (CC) for media content. The server system receives a voice message recorded by an electronic device, and determines that the voice message is a first CC initiation request including a user voice command to initiate closed captions and a user voice designation of a display device playing the media content for which closed captions are to be activated. The server system identifies in a device registry a cast device associated in a user domain with the electronic device and coupled to the designated display device, and sends a second CC initiation request to the cast device, thereby enabling the cast device to execute a media play application that controls the designated display device to turn on and display the closed captions of media content currently displayed on the designated display device.