Various embodiments are directed to one or more transcoder devices in communication with an input device such as a remote control device and multiple destination devices in which the transcoder device(s) facilitate communication between the remote control and the various destination devices in the vicinity. The transcoder device(s) can also provide the user with an environmental awareness of conditions and events surrounding the user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Various embodiments are directed to one or more transcoder devices in communication with an input device such as a remote control device and multiple destination devices in which the transcoder device(s) facilitate communication between the remote control and the various destination devices in the vicinity. The transcoder device(s) can also provide the user with an environmental awareness of conditions and events surrounding the user. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A near real time content streaming system can use a playlist file, in one embodiment, that includes an indicator of the type of content represented by the playlist file. The type can be indicated by a parameter, such as Video on Demand (VOD) or live, or event, that specifies the type of playlist file, and a client device can process the playlist file based upon the type of playlist file indicated by the parameter. For example, the client device, after determining the type of playlist from a playlist file can make efficiency optimizations when processing the playlist file. For example, the client, knowing the playlist file is a VOD playlist, can save the previously used variant playlist when switching to a new variant playlist rather than discarding the previously used variant playlist.

A near real time content streaming system can use a playlist file, in one embodiment, that includes an indicator of the type of content represented by the playlist file. The type can be indicated by a parameter, such as Video on Demand (VOD) or live, or event, that specifies the type of playlist file, and a client device can process the playlist file based upon the type of playlist file indicated by the parameter. For example, the client device, after determining the type of playlist from a playlist file can make efficiency optimizations when processing the playlist file. For example, the client, knowing the playlist file is a VOD playlist, can save the previously used variant playlist when switching to a new variant playlist rather than discarding the previously used variant playlist.

A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may allow execution of ETMP scripts that specify remote control commands to send to a desired plurality of multimedia handling devices representing emulated MCDN clients. The ETMP scripts may be manually or automatically initiated and may be configured with execution parameters specifying, among other aspects, a number of iterations to repeat. Results recorded when the ETMP script executes may be retrieved and used to generate reports.

A method and system for monitoring video assets provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) includes an expert test monitoring platform (ETMP) configured to emulate MCDN client systems at a facility of an MCDN service provider. The ETMP may allow execution of ETMP scripts that specify remote control commands to send to a desired plurality of multimedia handling devices representing emulated MCDN clients. The ETMP scripts may be manually or automatically initiated and may be configured with execution parameters specifying, among other aspects, a number of iterations to repeat. Results recorded when the ETMP script executes may be retrieved and used to generate reports.

Provided is an information-providing system whereby a variety of information can be provided using a sound to a portable terminal device used by a user. The information-providing system includes a sound output device outputting, as a sound wave, identifying information modulated into a sound signal, an identifying-information resolution server, connected to an information-communication network, for identifying, based on the identifying information, address information for accessing a content server connected to an information-communication network; and a portable terminal device including a sound receiving section for receiving the sound wave outputted by the sound-emitting device, a demodulating section for demodulating the identifying information from the received sound wave, a resolution section for sending the demodulated identifying information to the identifying-information resolution server and acquiring the address information, and an accessing section for accessing the content server using the acquired address information.

Provided is an information-providing system whereby a variety of information can be provided using a sound to a portable terminal device used by a user. The information-providing system includes a sound output device outputting, as a sound wave, identifying information modulated into a sound signal, an identifying-information resolution server, connected to an information-communication network, for identifying, based on the identifying information, address information for accessing a content server connected to an information-communication network; and a portable terminal device including a sound receiving section for receiving the sound wave outputted by the sound-emitting device, a demodulating section for demodulating the identifying information from the received sound wave, a resolution section for sending the demodulated identifying information to the identifying-information resolution server and acquiring the address information, and an accessing section for accessing the content server using the acquired address information.

A method for controlling an operation of a target device using a plurality of input devices is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving from one of the plurality of the input devices a first operation instruction issued to the target device, with a first data format; recognizing the first operation instruction and the first data format; determining that the one of the plurality of the input devices is a first input device corresponding to the first data format; and providing to a user of the target device a recommendation for a second input device, a type of the second input device being different from a type of the first input device, when it is determined that a type of the first operation instruction is identical to a type of a second operation instruction received from the second input device earlier than the reception of the first operation instruction.

A method for controlling an operation of a target device using a plurality of input devices is disclosed. The method comprises: receiving from one of the plurality of the input devices a first operation instruction issued to the target device, with a first data format; recognizing the first operation instruction and the first data format; determining that the one of the plurality of the input devices is a first input device corresponding to the first data format; and providing to a user of the target device a recommendation for a second input device, a type of the second input device being different from a type of the first input device, when it is determined that a type of the first operation instruction is identical to a type of a second operation instruction received from the second input device earlier than the reception of the first operation instruction.