Abstract: Systems and methods are described for personal video recorders (PVRs) and other devices configured for recording and playing back media content from a data storage unit, preferably a random access unit such as a hard drive. A system is described having network connectivity, such as a power-line communications, with other PVRs or similar units, wherein media content can be automatically shifted from one unit to another over the network, such as in response to changes in available storage space. Content transfers and deletions within the system being intelligently performed based on content status, user preference settings, and user preference information such as received from a preference engine, toward optimizing the value to the user of the content which is retained network wide. An additional aspect provides content restoration after mistaken deletion by the user or automated deletion functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for personal video recorders (PVRs) and other devices configured for recording and playing back media content from a data storage unit, preferably a random access unit such as a hard drive. A system is described having network connectivity, such as a power-line communications, with other PVRs or similar units, wherein media content can be automatically shifted from one unit to another over the network, such as in response to changes in available storage space. Content transfers and deletions within the system being intelligently performed based on content status, user preference settings, and user preference information such as received from a preference engine, toward optimizing the value to the user of the content which is retained network wide. An additional aspect provides content restoration after mistaken deletion by the user or automated deletion functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for personal video recorders (PVRs) and other devices configured for recording and playing back media content from a data storage unit, preferably a random access unit such as a hard drive. A system is described having network connectivity, such as a power-line communications, with other PVRs or similar units, wherein media content can be automatically shifted from one unit to another over the network, such as in response to changes in available storage space. Content transfers and deletions within the system being intelligently performed based on content status, user preference settings, and user preference information such as received from a preference engine, toward optimizing the value to the user of the content which is retained network wide. An additional aspect provides content restoration after mistaken deletion by the user or automated deletion functions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for personal video recorders (PVRs) and other devices configured for recording and playing back media content from a data storage unit, preferably a random access unit such as a hard drive. A system is described having network connectivity, such as a power-line communications, with other PVRs or similar units, wherein media content can be automatically shifted from one unit to another over the network, such as in response to changes in available storage space. Content transfers and deletions within the system being intelligently performed based on content status, user preference settings, and user preference information such as received from a preference engine, toward optimizing the value to the user of the content which is retained network wide. An additional aspect provides content restoration after mistaken deletion by the user or automated deletion functions.

Abstract: A method and system for providing information about recorded media content having a beginning and end time. A progress bar including a first portion is displayed on a display device. The first portion graphically represents the duration of the recorded media content and has a first color. The progress bar also includes a second portion having a second color. The second portion graphically represents a section of the recorded media content that is viewed during a viewing session. The second color is distinct from the first color.

Abstract: A readable and writable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached to a physical medium such as a CDROM or DVD. Each time a copy of the medium is created, a variable or count stored in the writable RFID is updated. In cases where the mechanism for reading and writing the RFID is in communication with the device making a copy of the medium, the created copy can have its permitted number of copies set to zero, or other restrictions put in place. Or the device can be prevented from making any copies. In this manner the total number of copies of an original product can be regulated. The RFID can be read or written from a mechanism in a CDROM or DVD player or the read/write mechanism can be in a different device such as in a computer, or in another device.

Abstract: Apparatuses for reordering a plurality of data elements that utilize a buffer capable of storing at least one data element. The last data element (Pn) is located and moved to the buffer. The data element (Px) that should be located at the location of the last data element (Pn) is moved to fill the space vacated. If the last data element should be located at the location of Px, then the last but one (Pn?1) element is located and moved to the buffer. The element (Px?) that should be located at the location of Pn?1 is then moved to the location of Pn?1. The process is repeated until all the data elements are reordered.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying media in the otherwise blank spaces remaining when a standard television signal is viewed on a high definition television screen and vice versa. In one embodiment, two separate media are accessed by a set top box for a high definition television screen. A standard television broadcasting signal is accessed as well as second media signal. The second media signal may consist of for example advertisements, program guide information, an internet browser, other media, etc. The standard television signal is rendered on a main portion of the high definition television screen, while the second media occupies the remaining space.

Abstract: A method and system for providing information about recorded media content having a beginning and end time. A progress bar including a first portion is displayed on a display device. The first portion graphically represents the duration of the recorded media content and has a first color. The progress bar also includes a second portion having a second color. The second portion graphically represents a section of the recorded media content that is viewed during a viewing session. The second color is distinct from the first color.

Abstract: A method for displaying electronic programming guide (EPG) information is disclosed. The method includes determining whether content to be delivered over a media stream is blocked, and, if so, indicating the blocked status on a grid of the electronic programming guide corresponding to the blocked content. The blocked status may result from a locked-out channel or it may result from a program exceeding a preset maximum allowable rating.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for utilizing a plurality of RFID readers as proximity sensors to detect one or more RFID tagged assets. In one embodiment, an array of RFID readers provides a coverage area and polls one or more tagged assets at a predetermined interval. If a tagged asset is removed from the coverage area, it will not be able to respond to the next RFID-reader poll, thereby indicating that it has been removed from the coverage area. One or more of the RFID readers may then provide a notification of this fact. In another embodiment, one or more RFID readers operating in combination with one or more RFID tags can be used to detect whether expendable items should be replaced, or whether a device should be allowed to be activated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for displaying video streams. A pair of video streams are received. One of the video streams is modified to produce a modified video stream, which is displayed along with the other video stream to produce a PIP window having the appearance of a seamless video stream. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions for displaying video streams.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a system and method are described for enhancing the viewing of a broadcast movie with independently acquired metadata. The metadata is linked with the movie by a hash signature that is generated from at least one scene change in the movie. The broadcast movie and features provided by the metadata are automatically recorded to a DVD for subsequent viewing.

Abstract: A readable and writable radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is attached to a physical medium such as a CDROM or DVD. Each time a copy of the medium is created, a variable or count stored in the writable RFID is updated. In cases where the mechanism for reading and writing the RFID is in communication with the device making a copy of the medium, the created copy can have its permitted number of copies set to zero, or other restrictions put in place. Or the device can be prevented from making any copies. In this manner the total number of copies of an original product can be regulated. The RFID can be read or written from a mechanism in a CDROM or DVD player or the read/write mechanism can be in a different device such as in a computer, or in another device.

Abstract: A method of modifying content in a manner consistent with certain embodiments involves determining that the content has a content rating which is greater than a specified content rating limit; identifying at least one segment of the content to be replaced; obtaining at least one segment of replacement content to substitute for the segment content to be replaced, wherein the replacement content meets criteria for a content rating which is no greater than the specified content rating limit; and replacing the at least one segment of content to be replaced with the at least one segment of replacement content. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract without departing from certain embodiments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for personal video recorders (PVRs) and other devices configured for recording and playing back media content from a data storage unit, preferably a random access unit such as a hard drive. A system is described having network connectivity, such as a power-line communications, with other PVRs or similar units, wherein media content can be automatically shifted from one unit to another over the network, such as in response to changes in available storage space. Content transfers and deletions within the system being intelligently performed based on content status, user preference settings, and user preference information such as received from a preference engine, toward optimizing the value to the user of the content which is retained network wide. An additional aspect provides content restoration after mistaken deletion by the user or automated deletion functions.

Abstract: Apparatuses for reordering a plurality of data elements that utilize a buffer capable of storing at least one data element. The last data element (Pn) is located and moved to the buffer. The data element (Px) that should be located at the location of the last data element (Pn) is moved to fill the space vacated. If the last data element should be located at the location of Px, then the last but one (Pn-1) element is located and moved to the buffer. The element (Px?) that should be located at the location of Pn-1 is then moved to the location of Pn-1. The process is repeated until all the data elements are reordered.

Abstract: A method of displaying an view on an electronic display consistent with certain embodiments involves presenting a main window and a secondary window adjacent the main window. A first and a second image are provided, wherein the first and second images overlap one another by at least 50%. A portion of the first image is removed and a remainder of the first image is displayed in the main window. A portion of the second image is removed and a remainder of the second image is displayed in the secondary window. In this manner, a composite image made up of the remainder of the first image displayed adjacent the remainder of the second image provides a selected view extracted from a total scene captured in the sum of the first and second images. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract without departing from the invention.

Abstract: A method and system for reordering a plurality of DSS data packets stored in a memory is provided that utilizes a memory buffer capable of storing at least one DSS data packet. The last data packet (Pn) is located and moved to the memory buffer. The data packet (Px) that should be located at the location of the last packet (Pn) is moved to fill the space vacated. If the last data packet should be located at the location of Px, then the last but one (Pn−1) packet is located and moved to the memory buffer. The packet (Px′) that should be located at the location of Pn−1 is then moved to the location of Pn−1. The process is repeated until all the data packets are reordered.

Abstract: A hard drive is locked to a particular host using a first key associated with the host. The locked hard drive sends a challenge to a current host. The current host encodes the challenge with a second key and sends the encoded result to the hard drive. The hard drive verifies the encoded result against the challenge using the first key. If the verification fails, the hard drive denies access to the current host.