Abstract: A method and system for gifting multimedia content enables a first user of a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN) to select a recipient for an obtainable multimedia asset from an electronic address book. The electronic address book may be accessible via a public network and/or via the MCDN. The recipient may be a second user of the MCDN. The first user may be charged for the multimedia asset. The second user may be authorized to receive and view the multimedia asset.

Abstract: A method and system for managing access to transactional multimedia content based on hardware identification codes can include determining whether a user is entitled to a first service level or to a second service level and directing requests for transactional multimedia content to an appropriate server. The user of a client device can be authenticated by a certificate sent by the client device and received by a service provider. The certificate includes an indication of a unique hardware identifier for the client device. Access to the transactional content may occur over a public Internet protocol network if the client device is not directly connected to the service provider's private network and if the hardware identifier indicates the client device is authorized.

Abstract: A method and system for limiting spending in a multimedia content distribution network involves receiving spending limits from an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, or a mobile portal. The spending limits may be provided by a network user and may be usable to limit access to multimedia programs. The spending limits may be applied using a unified storefront application, which provides access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing multimedia content may enable a user to specify a number of recipients for receiving user-generated content (UGC) provided by a multimedia content distribution network (MCDN). The UGC may be stored in a UGC library. The recipients may be specified by selecting entries in an electronic address book accessible via the MCDN. The specified recipients may retrieve the UGC, or the UGC may be sent to the recipients. Access to the UGC may be provided by at least one of: a web access point, an Internet-protocol access point, and a mobile access point.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending multimedia content includes collecting consumption information for a plurality of consumers. The consumption information may be used to generate collections of recommended multimedia content, including obtainable multimedia assets. The collections may be offered to a consumer for purchase. The consumer may be provided access to the multimedia assets. A unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal, may be used to offer and provide access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling viewing of multimedia content includes collecting viewing control profiles and associated viewing control passwords via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal. The viewing control profile may be usable to restrict access to certain multimedia programs. The viewing control may be applied using a unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via the Internet-protocol television portal, the web portal, and the mobile portal, to offer and provide controlled access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: Blackout event data is received that includes location codes for geographic areas affected by a blackout event. User location codes are received and compared to location codes for the geographic areas affected by the blackout event. A determination is made whether the user is subject to the blackout event based on the user location code. When the user is subject to the blackout event, an updated electronic programming guide is provided to the user.

Abstract: Blackout messages are provided that are specific to geographic areas. Blackout event data is received that includes location codes representing geographic areas affected by a blackout event. A determination is made whether a user is subject to the blackout event. If the user is subject to the blackout event, one or more blackout messages are selected and for presentation to the user. Selection of the blackout messages is based on a user location code for the user.

Abstract: Blackout event data is received that includes data regarding a geographic area affected by a blackout event. Based on a user location code such as a ZIP code, a determination is made whether a user or user account is subject to the blackout event. If the user is subject to the blackout event, access to a video-on-demand multimedia event is restricted.

Abstract: Blackout event data is received that includes data regarding a geographic area affected by a blackout event. Based on a user location code such as a ZIP code, a determination is made whether a user account is subject to the blackout event. If the user is subject to the blackout event, access to a pay-per-view multimedia event is restricted.

Abstract: Users are assigned to virtual groups. Virtual groups are associated with server assets. Achieving load-balancing during the delivery of linear multimedia content, for example, may be achieved through reassigning users to different virtual groups. Server assets can include server clusters that are assigned to the virtual groups. New hardware can be added to server assets without having to directly associate users to the new hardware.

Abstract: A method and system for recommending multimedia content includes collecting consumption information for a plurality of users. The consumption information, along with real-time contextual information, may be used to generate collections of recommended multimedia content, including obtainable multimedia assets. The collections may be offered to a user for purchase. The user may be provided access to the multimedia assets. A unified storefront application, providing access to multimedia content via an Internet-protocol television portal, a web portal, and a mobile portal, may be used to offer and provide access to the multimedia assets.

Abstract: A set-top box device includes a processor and memory accessible to the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by the processor to provide a graphical user interface (GUI) at a television coupled to the set-top box device. The GUI includes a bread crumb trail having a selectable category. The memory also includes instructions executable by the processor to receive a signal from a remote control device associated with the set-top box device, the television, or a combination thereof, the signal indicating a selection of the selectable category of the bread crumb trail. Further, the memory includes instructions executable by the processor to cause the GUI to display, in response to the signal, a menu including the selectable category and a peer category related to the selectable category. The menu automatically becomes navigable via directional keys at the remote control device when the menu is displayed.

Abstract: A service provisioning method includes providing a differentiated set of information exchange services to a user. In some embodiments, differentiation between or among the provided services may include differentiated access networks, differentiated physical network layers, and/or differentiated service providers. An integrated service identity may be generated and/or maintained by the service provider(s) or by a third party. The integrated services identity may enable the user to define preference settings applicable to the information exchange services, to process billable events and activity and to issue integrated statements encompassing all of the information exchange services provided to the user, and enabling the user to access customer support services for any of the information exchange services and further enabling the logging of all customer support activities to the integrated service identity.

Abstract: A method of controlling access to electronic content across a plurality of devices includes creating a user profile associated with a user based on profile input from the user or an administrator and generating a universal content control profile (UCCP) based on the user profile. At least one of the user profile and the UCCP is then stored to a computer readable storage medium. Based on the UCCP and a device-type of a selected electronic device, a content control setting (CCS) is determined for the selected electronic device. Upon detecting a communication channel with the selected electronic device, the method includes providing the CCS to the selected electronic device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a controller to enable trick mode bookmarking of media content presented at one of multiple access mediums including at least an interactive television system, a mobile communication device, and a computer, and receive a transfer of a state of presentation of the media content from one of the multiple access mediums according to a trick mode bookmark. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium is disclosed having a computer program stored therein, which in a particular embodiment, the computer program includes but is not limited to machine readable instructions that when executed by a computer manage a plurality of sub accounts under a main account in a data distribution system, the computer program including but not limited to instructions to assign the plurality of sub accounts under the main account in a main account data structure at a server in the data distribution system; instructions to assign a plurality of end user devices to each one of the plurality of sub accounts; and instructions to receive end user device attribute data from at least one of the end user devices to the main account data structure after the attribute data is created at the at least one end user device.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving a command to blackout a full screen version of content at a component of a multimedia content distribution system. The method includes updating a first entry within a control matrix to reflect that the full screen version of the content is to be blacked out. The method also includes automatically updating a second entry within the control matrix to reflect that a picture-in-picture (PIP) version of the content is to be blacked out.

Abstract: A system useful for managing digital video recording of alternative event data during a blackout of primary event data at a client device, the system including but not limited to a processor in data communication with a computer readable medium; and a computer program comprising instructions embedded in the computer readable medium, the computer program further comprising instructions to receive input data scheduling a digital video recording for the primary event data; instructions to receive at the client device, notification data indicating blackout of the primary event data; and instructions to present alternative event data for recording on the client device.

Abstract: A computer readable medium containing instructions that when executed by a computer configure blackout event data indicating at least one event criterion data for selecting client devices subject to the blackout event for restricted content data; configure client devices into a client device group subject to the blackout event in accordance with the event criterion data; configure at least one substitution event data table for the client device group; and send restricted content and the substitution event data table embedded in the restricted content data to each client device in the client device group.