Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting a supplemental content asset on a secondary device that is relevant to a primary content asset that is being presented on a primary user device, to enhance the user experience of the primary content asset. A relevant supplemental content asset may be selected based on characteristics of the primary content asset and/or user profile information. Presentation of the supplemental content asset and primary content asset may be coordinated and synchronized by exchange of messages between the primary user device and secondary device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assignment and exchange of temporary access rights based on proximity of user devices. A first user device may receive a temporary access right that enables a second user device to access a content asset which the first user device is not authorized to access. In response to receiving the temporary access right, the first user device may access the content asset. Access to the content asset may be maintained after the first user device leaves the proximity of the second user device until the content asset is played back in its entirety. The proximity may be based on physical location or virtual connections through online services. The temporary access right may be requested by or assigned to the first user device from the second user device and may limit the number of times that the content asset is accessed on the first user device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting a supplemental content asset on a secondary device that is relevant to a primary content asset that is being presented on a primary user device, to enhance the user experience of the primary content asset. A relevant supplemental content asset may be selected based on characteristics of the primary content asset and/or user profile information. Presentation of the supplemental content asset and primary content asset may be coordinated and synchronized by exchange of messages between the primary user device and secondary device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a user input interface, which customizes tactilely distinguishable inputs on the user input interface based on available or currently in use functions on a target device. For example, a user input interface on a remote device (e.g., a tablet computer) may generate physical buttons associated with a function (e.g., adjusting volume) in response to determining that that function is available on a target device (e.g., a television, personal computer, or set-top box).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a suitable user input interface type based on a particular user. Specifically, a media guidance application determines a demographic category of a user, and based on that demographic category of the user, automatically selects a user input interface for manipulating media objects that is suitable for the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting information for a given cell using adjacent cells are provided. A plurality of media asset cells arranged in a grid are generated for presentation according to a time dimension of first and second transmission times of corresponding media assets. A user selection of a first media asset cell is received. The first media asset cell corresponds to a first media asset scheduled for transmission during the first transmission time. A second media asset cell that corresponds to a second media asset scheduled for transmission during the first transmission time is identified. The second media asset cell includes information corresponding to the second media asset and is adjacent to the first media asset cell. A portion of the information in the second media asset cell is replaced with information corresponding to the first media asset without obstructing information corresponding to the second transmission time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing individualized content controls of media assets are provided. In certain embodiments, a processing device delivers a first media asset to a first user using a first presentation device of an electronic media device. The processing device receives a signal indicative of a second user in proximity to the electronic media device, and, in response, accesses a profile associated with the second user. While continuing to deliver the first media asset, the processing device delivers a second media asset to the second user that satisfies the media access permissions of the second user profile using a second presentation device of the electronic media device. The second media asset may be a modified version of the first media asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically obtaining cost-efficient access to a media content collection are provided. A user selection of a media content collection, which consists of a number of media assets, is received. A first price is determined for receiving access to the entire media content collection using a single transaction. For each media asset of the media content collection a set of providers of the media asset are identified, and the lowest price for receiving access to each media asset is determined. The lowest price for receiving access to each media asset of the media content collection is accumulated to determine a second price for receiving access to the media content collection using multiple transactions. The first and the second price are compared, and access to the media content collection is received based on this comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a media asset segment based on verbal input are provided. Verbal input is received from a user while a media asset is being presented to the user. The verbal input is processed to extract an instruction and comment information included in the verbal input. The instruction is cross-referenced with a command database to determine whether the instruction corresponds to a segment generation command. In response to determining the instruction corresponds to the segment generation command, a segment that includes a portion of the media asset that was presented to the user when the verbal input was received is generated. The comment information is associated with the generated segment. A message that includes the generated segment and the associated comment information is transmitted to a remote server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing access to a segment of a media asset during a fast-access playback operation are provided. A media asset is retrieved from storage. A user request to perform a fast-access playback operation on the media asset is received. Information that identifies the segment of the media asset is retrieved. The information is generated based on input received from a crowd that includes a plurality of users that have previously consumed the media asset. The fast-access playback operation is automatically terminated before the segment is reached based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing input from a plurality of users to identify a type of media asset segment are provided. A plurality of messages is received from a plurality of users at a remote server. The received messages are processed to extract a plurality of words from each message. Each of a first plurality of the words is cross-referenced with a first database of media asset information to identify a media asset that corresponds to a portion of the received messages. A segment within the media asset is identified based on the portion of the received messages. Each of a second plurality of the words of the portion of the received messages is cross-referenced with a second database of segment types to assign a type to the identified segment. Information is stored for the media asset identifying a position and type of the segment within the media asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for presenting a supplemental content asset on a secondary device that is relevant to a primary content asset that is being presented on a primary user device, to enhance the user experience of the primary content asset. A relevant supplemental content asset may be selected based on characteristics of the primary content asset and/or user profile information. Presentation of the supplemental content asset and primary content asset may be coordinated and synchronized by exchange of messages between the primary user device and secondary device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assignment and exchange of temporary access rights, based on a physical or virtual proximity of user devices. A first user device may receive a temporary access right that enables access on a second user device to a content asset which the first user device is not authorized to access. In response to receiving the temporary access right, the first user device may enable access on the first user device to the content asset. Access to the content asset may be maintained after the first user device leaves the proximity of the second user device until the content asset is played back in its entirety. The proximity may be based on physical location or virtual connections through online services. The temporary access right may be requested from the second user device by the first user device or assigned to the first user device from the second user device and may limit the number of times that the content asset may be accessed on the first user device.

Abstract: Methods and systems can generate a stereoscopic three-dimensional, virtual environment for presentation on a display. This virtual environment may include representations of a plurality of buildings, wherein each of the plurality of buildings represents a different characteristic of content and/or content listings. The virtual environment can be presented from a first point of view to a user. In response to user input, the presentation of the virtual environment can be changed from the first point of view to a second point of view. The rate at which the presentation of the virtual environment is changed can be controlled based on a distance between the first point of view and the second point of view. A user selection of one of the plurality of buildings can be received, and options can be presented which are associated with the characteristic represented by the building selected by the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for restricting control of a home entertainment device by a mobile device are provided. In particular, in some embodiments, these methods and systems define a region for the mobile device. Then the methods and systems determine whether the mobile device is within a predetermined range of the region. In response to determining that the mobile device is within the predetermined range of the region, the methods and systems enable the mobile device to control a first function of the home entertainment equipment. In response to determining that the mobile device is outside of the predetermined range of the region, the methods and systems prevent the mobile device from controlling the first function of the home entertainment device and enable the mobile device to control a second function of the home entertainment device that is different from the first function.