Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to transmit a first RF signal to a remote control device, wherein the first radio-frequency signal is received by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the remote control device, receive at each of a plurality of receivers operably coupled to the gateway a second RF signal from the RFID tag of the remote control device in response to the first RF signal, determine an approximate location of the remote control device based on at least a portion of the second RF signals received by the plurality of receivers, and transmit a signal to a set-top-box, wherein the signal comprises the approximate location of the remote control device, and wherein the set-top-box displays the approximate location of the remote control device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium is disclosed and includes processor-readable instructions executable by a processor to perform a method. The method includes sending a request for television content from a first device that is not equipped with a television tuner to a second device that is equipped with at least one television tuner via a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method also includes receiving the television content at the first device directly from the second device via the WLAN. The television content is received at the second device via the at least one television tuner. Further, the method includes outputting the television content at the first device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the media distribution system, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to transmit a first RF signal to a remote control device, wherein the first radio-frequency signal is received by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the remote control device, receive at each of a plurality of receivers operably coupled to the gateway a second RF signal from the RFID tag of the remote control device in response to the first RF signal, determine an approximate location of the remote control device based on at least a portion of the second RF signals received by the plurality of receivers, and transmit a signal to a set-top-box, wherein the signal comprises the approximate location of the remote control device, and wherein the set-top-box displays the approximate location of the remote control device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the MDS, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a web server having a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber, and record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to transmit a first RF signal to a remote control device, wherein the first radio-frequency signal is received by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the remote control device, receive at each of a plurality of receivers operably coupled to the gateway a second RF signal from the RFID tag of the remote control device in response to the first RF signal, determine an approximate location of the remote control device based on at least a portion of the second RF signals received by the plurality of receivers, and transmit a signal to a set-top-box, wherein the signal comprises the approximate location of the remote control device, and wherein the set-top-box displays the approximate location of the remote control device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a web server having a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber, and record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a web server having a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber, and record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A web server for tracking media content transaction includes a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber and to record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a mobile device includes interpreting a user-defined pattern detected by at least one of a touch interface and a motion sensor included with the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be interpreted as at least one of: a polygon, an ellipse, a curve, a line segment, an alphanumeric character, and a movement of the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be a two-dimensional pattern traced by the user on the touch interface. When the user-defined pattern is recognized, a wireless communication command may be executed by the mobile device. The wireless communication command may be a telephone command or a remote control command for a remote-controlled device.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system includes an advertising module adapted to read metadata information associated with an advertising item included within a content item recorded on a set-top box, determine that the advertising item is expired, and send another advertising item to the set-top box to be played on the set-top box in the place of the first advertising item when the content item is played on the set-top box. A method includes determining that an advertising item that is included within a content item that is recorded on a set-top box is expired, deleting the advertising item from the set-top box, recording a second advertising item on the set-top box, and playing the second advertising item in the place of the first advertising item when the content item is played on the set-top box.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a proxy system having a controller to submit to law enforcement agency an identity of a source that conceals its identity with one or more anonymous Internet Protocol addresses. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the MDS, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer-readable medium is disclosed and includes processor-readable instructions executable by a processor to perform a method. The method includes sending a request for television content from a first device that is not equipped with a television tuner to a second device that is equipped with at least one television tuner via a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method also includes receiving the television content at the first device directly from the second device via the WLAN. The television content is received at the second device via the at least one television tuner. Further, the method includes outputting the television content at the first device.

Abstract: A method of providing recommendations related to a service is disclosed and includes receiving data from a device associated with a service subscriber, the data identifying an individual. The method also includes creating a personalization profile associated with the service subscriber. The personalization profile is populated with information included in a profile of the identified individual. The method further includes providing at least one recommendation based on the personalization profile of the service subscriber.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a web server having a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber, and record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive. Other embodiments are disclosed.