Disclosed example audience measurement apparatus determine a first audience metric based on set-top box return path tuning data obtained from set-top boxes located in a first geographic area; determine a second audience metric from a portion of audience measurement data corresponding to a second geographic area, the portion of the audience measurement data associated with monitored sites in the second geographic area having second set-top box characteristics that correspond with first set-top box characteristics of the set-top boxes located in the first geographic area; determine ratios of (i) respective first audience metrics determined for respective demographic stratifications to (ii) corresponding second audience metrics determined for the respective demographic stratifications; and combine the ratios after multiplication with third audience metrics determined, for the respective demographic stratifications, from the audience measurement data to determine an audience exposure metric that estimates exposure to media in the first geographic area.

A media control device is provided. The media control device includes a first output port and a second output port. The media control device receives a user input indicative of disability information of a user. Further, the media control device controls the first output port to output a first audio portion of media content. The media control device further retrieves a second audio portion which describes a first image portion of the media content based on the received user input. The first image portion is associated with the first audio portion. The media control device further controls the second output port to output the first audio portion and the second audio portion based on the received user input.

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.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the present invention comprises: a sensor module functionally connected with the electronic device; a receiving module functionally connected with the electronic device; and a processor, wherein the processor may detect that the electronic device is worn by a user, obtain content from an external electronic device in response to the detection, and execute the obtained content upon obtaining the content from the external electronic device.

The present invention is intended to permit both real-time display of a picture represented by a non-compressed video signal on a television and display of a picture represented by a compressed video signal at any desired time by simultaneously transmitting the compressed video signal and non-compressed video signal via one interface. An STB packetizes a compressed video signal, and multiplexes the compressed video signal and a blanking signal combined with a non-compressed video signal. Thus, both the video signals are transmitted simultaneously. A picture represented by the non-compressed video signal is displayed on a television in real time. The compressed video signal is stored in a storage medium incorporated in the television, read at any user's desired time, and decoded so that a picture represented by the compressed video signal can be viewed at the user's desired time.

A content popularity determination system and method operative with interconnected set-top boxes (STBs) configured to facilitate media streaming in a network environment. In one embodiment, download patterns may be monitored relative to accessing a particular content via one or more STBs (STBs) associated with a subscriber. Also monitored is if the same particular content is shared by other STBs for downloading to other subscribers. Popularity-related metrics with respect to the particular content may be determined based on accessing of the particular content by the subscriber and sharing of the particular content by other STBs for downloading to the other subscribers.

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.

In some embodiments a second electronic device with which an output device is associated facilitates associating the output device with a first electronic device. In some embodiments, a second electronic device that is associated with an additional user facilitates associating the additional user with a first electronic device.

A media control device is provided. The media control device includes a first output port and a second output port. The media control device receives a user input indicative of disability information of a user. Further, the media control device controls the first output port to output a first audio portion of media content. The media control device further retrieves a second audio portion which describes a first image portion of the media content based on the received user input. The first image portion is associated with the first audio portion. The media control device further controls the second output port to output the first audio portion and the second audio portion based on the received user input.

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.