In one aspect, a method includes using a Wi-Fi module of a computing device to detect that an end-user has entered a monitored environment of the computing device, where the computing device is separate from, and communicatively coupled over an Internet of Things (IoT) network to, a battery-powered IoT device. The method also includes in response to detecting that the end-user has entered the monitored environment of the computing device, causing the IoT device to switch from operating in a standby mode to instead operating in an active mode, where operation in the standby mode comprises a mode in which the IoT device consumes less power than when operating in the active mode.

A controller (e.g., a remote control) stores channel information preferred by the user or program information preferred by the user. The controller recognizes the user by detecting the user's fingerprint, and controls the display device or a set-top box that communicates with the display device such that a list corresponding to the recognized channel information preference or a list corresponding to program information is displayed on the display device.

Techniques to customize a media processing system are described. A media processing system is described capable of integrating a large set of heterogeneous electronic devices into a single integrated system with enhanced navigation capabilities and automated configuration services. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

A cover assembly includes a main body, a closure member, gripping portions, and an identification tag. The main body defines an interior to receive a remote control and includes top, bottom, front, first and second side, and rear portions. The closure member is coupled to the rear portion and configured to move the rear portion between an open position, where a remote control is insertable into and removable from the interior, and a closed position, where the closure member is coupled to the bottom portion to secure the remote control within the interior. The multiple gripping portions are provided on the first and second side portions and configured to facilitate gripping of the cover assembly by a user. The identification tag includes a processor and is configured to communicate with an external device and operate to increase a conspicuity of the cover assembly for locating the cover assembly.

A personalized remote control is configured such that a predefined movement and/or orientation of the remote control is associated with a predefined command. The remote control includes a plurality of output surfaces configured for controlling digital content on one or more output devices, such that each of the output surfaces is associated with a predefined selection of digital content. The remote control provides a simple interface for controlling a number of electronic devices. Preferably, elderly people and/or people with dementia should be able to operate/interact with the remote control. The remote control is typically part of a system comprising a database with personal content of the user, an electronic device receiving commands from the remote control, and one or more electronic output devices controllable by the remote control.

Provided are an electronic device for navigating an application screen, and an operating method thereof. The method may include receiving a user input; determining, based on the user input, a user intent for controlling the electronic device; determining a command for performing a control operation corresponding to the user intent as a goal; identifying elements of a user interface on the screen of the application; determining, based on the user intent and the elements of the user interface, at least one sub-goal for executing the command; and executing the command by performing at least one task corresponding to the at least one sub-goal, wherein the at least one sub-goal is changeable based on a validation of an operation of navigating the application for executing the command, and the at least one task includes units of action for navigating the application.

Systems and methods for providing a universal remote control are disclosed. Control schemes for a plurality of remotely-controlled devices may be stored in memory of the universal remote control, where each of the control schemes includes a set of commands for a corresponding one of the remotely-controlled devices. Instructions for each command corresponding to one or more signals for the corresponding remotely-controlled device may be encoded. Based on a current orientation of a mobile device relative to a location of the remotely-controlled devices in a real-world environment, one of the remotely-controlled devices may be identified as being selected. Based on the stored control scheme for the selected remotely-controlled device a display for the mobile device may be generated, wherein the generated display includes the set of commands corresponding to the selected remotely-controlled device. A selection from the generated display of commands may be received. The selection corresponding to one or more signals based on the control scheme for the selected remotely-controlled device may be identified. The identified signals may be transmitted to the selected remotely-controlled device, wherein the transmitted signals include instructions executable by the selected remotely-controlled device to perform the selected command.

Disclosed herein are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments, and/or combinations and sub-combinations thereof, for switching the output of an overriding multimedia device from a first input to a second input or a combination of the first input and the second input. An example embodiment operates by receiving sensor data detected by a sensing device and relating to a multimedia switching event. The example embodiment further operates by determining that sensor data detected by a sensing device corresponds to a multimedia switching action. In response, the example embodiment operates by generating a multimedia switching actuation signal that instructs an overriding multimedia device to switch its output from the first multimedia signal to the second multimedia signal. Subsequently, the example embodiment operates by transmitting the multimedia switching actuation signal to the overriding multimedia device.

A television remote finder assembly for locating a misplaced remote control includes a television that has a communication unit integrated into the television. The communication unit broadcasts an alert signal when the communication unit is actuated. A remote control is in wireless communication with the television for controlling operational parameters of the television. The remote control receives the alert signal when the communication unit in the television is actuated. Additionally, the remote control includes an alarm that is integrated into the remote control. The alarm is actuated when the remote control receives the alert signal to emit an audible alert thereby facilitating the user to locate the remote control when the remote control has been misplaced.

A method for interacting with a graphical user interface (GUI) of a television operating in a step mode in which movement of a cursor among menu items displayed on the GUI is performed stepwise in accordance with a manipulation of a direction key of the remote controller, the method including receiving, by the television, from a remote controller a signal corresponding to spatial movement of the remote controller detected by the remote controller that instructs the television to switch from (i) the step mode to (ii) a position mode of the GUI in which the movement of the cursor among the menu items is performed in accordance with the spatial movement of the remote controller and switching from the step mode of the GUI to the position mode of the GUI based on the signal.