Abstract: There is provided a method for indicating whether a program is capable of being fully recorded in a remaining storage space on a storage device. An on screen display device is configured as a grid having a first axis and a second axis. The first axis is for identifying the programming selections and the second axis is for identifying the respective broadcast times of the programming selections. Any of the programming selections currently capable of being fully recorded in the remaining storage space on the storage device are identified on the grid using a first distinctive visual identifier. Any of the programming selections that are currently incapable of being fully recorded in the remaining storage space on the storage device are identified on the grid using a second distinctive visual identifier.

Abstract: An exemplary method of operating a recording device comprises acquiring a title of a recorded program when a recording operation begins. The exemplary method further comprises determining, at a first specific time period after a next-occurring hour of the clock or after a next-occurring half hour of the clock during the recording operation, whichever occurs first, whether the recording operation started within a second specific time period, the second specific time period being between the first specific time period and thirty minutes, storing as the title of the recorded program the title acquired when the recording operation began if the recording operation was not started within the second specific time period, and reacquiring the title of the recorded program if the recording operation was started within the second specific time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used in communications devices for associating images with data is described. The method includes the steps of comparing data associated with a plurality of images with data associated with a record and linking an image from the plurality of images to the record if at least a portion of the data associated with the image matches at least a portion of the data associated with the record. The apparatus includes a memory for storing images and records and data associated with the images and records, a processor coupled to the memory for comparing the data associated with the records and data associated with a plurality of images, and a display coupled to the controller for displaying the image if at least a portion of the data associated with the image matches at least a portion of the data associated with the record.

Abstract: A method for controlling a recording function of a video apparatus improves recording quality by preventing certain display functions of the apparatus from adversely affecting the resultant recording. A problem may arise in certain video signal processing apparatuses when the user selects a recording function after selecting a particular user-activated display function because the user-activated display function may result in the recording of the video signal in an undesired format, for example a different aspect ratio, or zoom mode. According to an exemplary embodiment, the present invention overcomes this problem by providing a method that includes the steps of detecting activation of a recording function of a video apparatus, and turning off a user-activated display function of the video apparatus responsive to the detection.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for resolution of conflicts between closed captioning and subtitle settings on a media device. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided n electronic media device, comprising a processor, and a memory, wherein the processor and memory are configured to cooperate to present a preferred one of closed captions or subtitles of a media program for display and configured to prevent presentation of the other for display based on a preference setting when closed captioning and subtitle settings are both enabled.

Abstract: A method comprises playing a selected channel. The method further comprises determining a quality metric for the selected channel, determining whether an alternate channel with the same program as the selected channel is available, determining a quality metric for the alternate channel if the alternate channel with the same program as the selected channel is available, and playing the alternate channel if the quality metric of the alternate channel is higher than the quality metric of the selected channel.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for selection of television content. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided an electronic device, comprising a processor that is adapted to receive video data from a plurality of source types and to create an on-screen content selection interface on a display, the on-screen content selection interface including a graphical tab corresponding to each of the plurality of source types of video data.

Abstract: An exemplary electronic device comprises a language selection control logic and is adapted to receive a menu language selection setting from a user. The language selection control logic is adapted to set, based on the received menu language selection setting from the user, an alternate audio programming setting corresponding to the menu language setting, and at least one caption setting corresponding to the menu language setting, so that the menu language setting is applied to the playing of the audio data on an audio subsystem and video data on a display subsystem of the electronic device.

Abstract: A television apparatus having digital serial bus ports allows a user to select a user-designated digital video content source input such as a digital tuner of the television apparatus and digital serial bus compliant components connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports of the television apparatus, and to cause digital content from the user-designated digital content source device to be recorded onto a digital recording device connected to the television apparatus via the digital serial bus ports. The present invention allows a user to continuously record digital content onto a digital recording device (e.g. an AVHDD), whether from the TV's digital tuner or from another digital serial bus compliant device in a peer to peer arrangement. The connection is always recording, but allows the user to select or designate a digital (i.e. MPEG2) source (i.e. the TV tuner or another digital serial bus compliant device), in addition to displaying the selected content.

Abstract: An apparatus having a picture caller identification (“CID”) feature provides enhanced entertainment value and is also capable of preventing screen burn. According to an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus includes a memory operative to store data indicating an association between a first plurality of pictures and a first phone number, and a processor operative to enable display of the first plurality of pictures in response to receiving a phone call from the first phone number.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for identifying content of interest to a user. More specifically, in one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method comprising transmitting information about a user selected program to a central processing facility and receiving compiled collective wisdom data comprising information about a plurality of user-selected programs from the central processing facility. The exemplary method further comprises displaying the compiled collective wisdom data to an individual member of a user community to assist the individual member of the user community in selecting content of interest.

Abstract: Setting of time in a digital television signal processing device is accomplished by identifying time data that matches or is closest to a user entered time. The identified television channel is then stored by the digital television signal processing device and used as a time source by the digital television channel processing device. The identification of a preferred time source (television channel) for the digital television signal processing device may be performed automatically once the user has manually inputted time information, or it may be performed through user interface such as through an on-screen display. Such identification may include a search of all available television channels having embedded time data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing closed caption information associated with a video program, including: identifying a keyword in the closed caption information; determining whether the identified keyword has an icon associated therewith; and displaying the icon in place of the keyword in the closed caption display.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing closed caption information associated with a video program by identifying a parameter associated with the video program; and, formatting the appearance of the closed caption information in response to the identified parameter. The parameter may comprise genre information, and may be identified from program and system information protocol signals, extended data service information, or program guide data.

Abstract: A system and method of dispensing lottery game tickets to a purchaser. A point-of-sale (“POS”) terminal is provided with a ticket dispenser assembly in communication with the point-of-sale terminal and a central inventory computer. The POS terminal has at least one dedicated key for requesting ticket information from the central computer and a cash tender key for completing a ticket purchase. The ticket dispenser assembly includes a POS monitor, a ticket controller and a ticket dispenser. The POS monitor passively monitors the electrical communications of the point-of-sale terminal, including the engagement of the dedicated key and the cash tender key, and intercepts the electrical communications corresponding to the engagement of the dedicated key. Upon actuation of the dedicated key and the cash tender key, the POS monitor sends a message to the ticket controller to dispense the desired number of tickets from the ticket dispenser according to the electrical communication produced by the POS terminal.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for a television remote control system. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a remote control, a control element configured for vertical movement, horizontal movement and axial movement, and a television configured to activate various television features upon receiving a signal from the remote control indicating an activation direction of the control element, wherein the television is configured to activate a volume control feature when the activation direction is a first or second direction and the television is operating in a viewing mode, and wherein the television is configured to activate a television content selection feature when the activation direction is a third or fourth direction and the television is operating in the viewing mode, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth directions are each different.

Abstract: A recorder, method, device, and interpretation apparatus for executing code commands. The invention is a device which functions in response to code commands comprising: means to execute a function in response to a code command having a format for the device; and means to execute the function in response to a code command having a format for a different device. The invention is also a recorder comprising means to execute a first type of recorder function corresponding to a second type of recorder commands. In another aspect, the invention is a method of controlling a recorder comprising: receiving a second type of recorder command; mapping the second type of recorder command into a corresponding first type of recorder function; and executing the corresponding first type of recorder function. In yet another aspect, the invention is an interpretation apparatus for receiving a second type of recorder command and outputting a corresponding first type of recorder.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for remote control of a television with a manually actuatable control element. More specifically, in one embodiment, there is provided a remote control for a television with a manually actuatable control element. The remote control may comprise a manually actuatable control element configured to generate a signal in response to an activation of the control element by a user, wherein the signal is generated at one of a plurality of different levels based on a characteristic of the activation, and a control system configured to receive the signal and to produce one of a plurality of television commands in response to the signal, wherein the command produced corresponds to the level of the signal.

Abstract: A method for entering contact information into a mobile computing device using location sensing of the mobile device is provided. Upon entry of the auto-fill mode (12) via a setup menu or mode in the mobile computing device, the device's location is determined (14). Once the location of the device is determined, the user is provided with one or more possible contacts based on the mobile device's location coordinates (24). The user can select from the list and save the selected contact, or may request any one of several options. For example, the user may select a contact and request to edit it (34) after it has been initially saved. The user may opt not to select one of the contacts from the list and request an additional attempt by the system. It is further possible the system will not provide any possible contacts to the user, in which case the user can manually enter the contact (10, 12) or quit the auto-fill mode.

Abstract: A system for selling game tickets for purchase by a game player within a store, the system comprising a point of sale terminal in communication with a game monitor that detects inputted game selection data and determine therefrom the number and type of game tickets to be played. The system further comprises a ticket dispensing system in communication with the game monitor. The game monitor detecting the activation of a predetermined terminal key of the point of sale terminal and dispenses the desired number and type of game tickets from the ticket dispensing system.