Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying a recorded video program are provided. The method may include recording a video and identifying the video as lacking desirable recording attributes. A future occurrence of a transmission of the video may be automatically selected in response to the identification of the video as lacking desirable recording properties. The future occurrence of the transmission of the video may be automatically re-recorded.

Abstract: A proxy-based digital video recording system and method, including receiving a request to record a video program from a requesting user and transmitting a request for the video program over a network to a first provider server. The requested video program is received and stored in memory according to a first provider format. A digital video format of a digital video recorder associated with the requesting user is determined, the stored video program is converted from the first provider format to the digital video format, and the converted video program is transmitted to the digital video recorder.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a content playback apparatus includes a read module which reads information that is recorded in a recording medium, a clock module which is managed such that tampering is prevented, and a control module which controls the read module and the clock module. Content information and time management information is recorded in the recording medium. The time management information includes date/time recording information indicative of a date/time at which previous playback of the content information is stopped, playback allowable period information, start date/time information of a playback allowable period and end date/time information of the playback allowable period. The control module includes a time management module which corrects the start date/time information of the playback allowable period and the end date/time information of the playback allowable period, with use of time information which is acquired from the clock module.

Abstract: An electronic mail on which a control command is interpolated is transmitted through a public line, received by a modem section of a gate way, converted to a digital data, and supplied to the control section. A CPU of the control section stores the received electronic mail in a RAM, and extracts the control command contained in the electronic mail. The CPU supplies a control signal corresponding to the control command to an interface section. The interface section controls an IR transmission section to transmit a signal corresponding to the control signal supplied from the CPU or outputs a signal through a connection line, and controls a video deck.

Abstract: A data recording system includes a data acquiring apparatus that acquires data externally and a data recording apparatus that is communicably connected to the data acquiring apparatus via a network, and records data transmitted from the data acquiring apparatus. The data acquiring apparatus includes a data acquiring unit, a temporary storage unit, a transmitting-receiving unit, a communication-band management unit, and a control unit. The data recording apparatus includes a transmitting-receiving unit, a recording unit, and a control unit.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing digital video recorders. One or more parameters related to a digital video recorder are retrieved. A configuration message is generated, at a set-top box, for transmission over a data network to a data repository. The set-top box is coupled to the digital video recorder. The configuration message specifies the one or more parameters.

Abstract: A remote control system and method for controlling and interacting with a variety of devices and systems is disclosed. The system comprises at least one command server which is operable to receive control commands from a handheld communications device and to generate and transmit command signals in response to the received control commands, the transmitted command signals interacting with one or more devices controlled by the system. In one embodiment, the handheld communications device is operable to exchange data with an account server that maintains data and configuration information for the system and the devices to be controlled by it over a first communications modality. The handheld communications device transfers control commands and other data with the command server via a second communications modality and the handheld communications device can transfer data between the account server and the command server as needed.

Abstract: A client system for remotely controlling a video recorder receives program data from a remote server in response to user input selecting a time sequential signal from a program schedule guide provided by the remote server, via the Internet, email, a computer-readable medium, or a broadcast signal. The user input is transmitted to the remote server over the Internet from the client system or a remote location. The client system determines when it is time to record the time sequential signal based at least in part upon the program data, which includes broadcast time, channel, and duration. Upon determining it is time to record, the client system tunes to, receives, and records the transmission of the time sequential signal.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions. An interactive television program guide system based on multiple user television equipment devices in a single household is provided. The system provides a user with an opportunity to adjust program guide settings with a given one of the interactive television program guides. Program guide setting include features related to setting program reminders, profiles, program recording features, messaging features, favorites features, parental control features, program guide set up features (e.g., audio and video and language settings), etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for providing and displaying enhanced banners and other objects on a communication device. The banner file may comprise ancillary data, such as calendar appointment details, other event details, or contact details, embedded within the file itself, or comprised in an envelope wrapping the banner file. When the banner is displayed on the communication device, the user may invoke a context menu to create an event, such as a calendar event, on the device using the embedded ancillary data. In other embodiments, the communication device uses geolocation services to determine whether the user is likely to be in attendance at an event, and if not, to issue alerts or initiate a further action, such as initiating recording of a television program the user is about to miss, over the network. In other embodiments, the banner file's ancillary data includes recommendation data, identifying a banner as being recommended by a contact of the user's.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide with remote access is provided. The interactive television program guide is implemented on interactive television program guide equipment. A remote program guide access device is connected to the interactive television program guide equipment by a remote access link to provide a user with remote access to program guide functions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for coordinating playing of media streams. In one aspect, an access by a media player to a presentation device to play a media stream is detected. Additionally, presentation focus information is accessed for determining whether the media player has presentation focus for playing the media stream. Further, it is determine, based on the presentation focus information, that the media player has presentation focus for playing the media stream. Still further, in response to determining the media player has presentation focus, it is indicated that the media player is allowed to play the media stream via the presentation device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus that controls reproduction of a plurality of recorded contents recorded when distributed from a predetermined one of a plurality of distribution sources to each of which a predetermined channel is allocated, including reproduction control means for controlling so that, where reproduction starting absolute time indicative of reproduction starting time is designated by a user and besides a reproduction object channel is designated by the user, that one of the recorded contents of the reproduction object channel whose reproduction starting absolute time is included in a recording time zone is reproduced from a position thereof corresponding to the reproduction starting absolute time.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for searching media files using a set-top box (STB), a television receiver, digital video recorder (DVR), placeshifting device or other media device, or any type of network host that communicates with a media device of any sort. Search criteria is received from a user, and the search criteria is identified in listings of media programming available from one or more sources. In some implementations, a combined search result can be provided that identifies instances of the search criteria found in program guide listings, files stored on a digital video recorder (DVR), available on-demand content, or any other sources as desired. Some implementations may prioritize search results using information about files stored on a DVR, user preferences, or any other information as desired.

Abstract: Method and systems for operating a media equipment device having at least a full-power mode and an off-power mode are provided. A voltage supply to the media equipment device may be controlled by the media equipment device itself or by an external power management unit to automatically power-off the media equipment device, and power the device back on a future time. Prior to powering off the media equipment device, a portion of program schedule information stored in the volatile memory of the media equipment device may be mirrored to nonvolatile memory and may be restored on a priority basis after the media equipment device is powered back up. An external power management unit for controlling the media equipment device may also automatically detect and identify devices in the home based on a power signature of the device and manage the operation of the device based on the identification.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention involves an apparatus, method and software for automatically controlling periodic play back of demo content. The apparatus comprises a memory, a radio detection logic and a processor. The radio detection logic is configured to detect a first radio frequency signal within a prescribed frequency range and to generate a control signal in response to detection of the first radio frequency signal. Coupled to the radio detection logic, the processor is configured to permit play back of a first type of content for a first time period upon receipt of the control signal where the first type of content is played back in lieu of playing back a second type of content that is normally processed for play back by the processor, to permit play back of the second type of content for a second time period after the first time period has elapsed.

Abstract: A portion of audio content is captured from a network, and a time of occurrence of the captured portion of audio content is determined. An audio fingerprint is generated based on the captured portion of audio content. The generated audio fingerprint is matched to a program scheduled to be recorded. Based on the time of occurrence of the captured portion of audio content, a determination is made as to whether the program is running on-schedule. In one aspect, if it is determined that the program is not running on-schedule, an adjusted recording start time and/or an adjusted recording end time is calculated. In another aspect, if it is determined that the program is running on-schedule, the program is recorded according to a predetermined recording start time and/or a predetermined recording end time.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively utilizing a recorder device includes a timecode generator that generates timecode for synchronizing electronic information. A transceiver of the recorder device wirelessly transmits the timecode to a plurality of cameras. The cameras capture video data and audio data, and timecode managers of the respective cameras combine the received timecode with the captured video data and audio data to produce camera data. The cameras then wirelessly transmit the camera data to the recorder device for storage in a recorder memory. The recorder device may also receive and store PA audio data from a public address system. Furthermore, a computer device may communicate with the recorder device to perform various types of editing procedures on the stored camera data and PA data to produce edited data.

Abstract: A solution is presented where a DVR user interface can be enhanced to record selected broadcasts in a networked data store remote from the local device. A link to remotely stored media files can be maintained by the local device, which is selectable by a user for playback via the DVR user interface. A user of the local device may be unaware of whether a selected recording is locally stored or is maintained in the networked data store. A user can access media recorded via the DVR user interface and stored in the networked data store from multiple different devices. The media in the networked data store can be optionally stored in different fidelities and formats, so that media transmissions from the networked data store are provided in a fidelity and format best suited for the receiving device.

Abstract: A system, method, and service of managing data comprises establishing a computerized user profile guideline corresponding to selected television programming interests of a user; instructing a processor to manage data based on the computerized user profile guideline, wherein the data is received from a television programming broadcaster; and managing access to specified television programming when the computerized user profile guideline corresponding to the selected television programming interests of the user is satisfied. The process of managing access may comprise alerting the user with information pertaining to the specified television programming.

Abstract: A method of multimedia processing includes providing a multimedia processor operating at a frequency lower than that of a central processor of a multimedia processing system. A multimedia framework is implemented in the multimedia processing system. The multimedia framework is utilized to execute, on the multimedia processor, one or more of reading an input, transforming a data based on the reading of the input, and placing an output based on the transforming of the data on a rendering device. Power dissipated in the multimedia processing system is reduced by solely executing a requisite parsing on the central processor of the multimedia processing system.

Abstract: A method and system of providing access to television programs without requiring a user to operate an electronic programming guide or to independently determining information required to access the television program. Optionally, access to the television program may be facilitated by scheduling a recording of the televisions program or providing instructions to facilitate accessing an on-demand showing of the television program.

Abstract: This invention is, intended to allow user to easily and quickly set the preset recording of television programs on recording devices. When setting the preset recording of a television program on a VCR, the user of a personal computer first accesses an EPG server on the Internet to download the preset recording data of that program. The personal computer converts the downloaded preset recording data into a G-code and transmits the G-code from a video mouse to the VCR as an infrared signal. The VCR decodes the received G-code, recognizes the program to be preset for recording, and sets the preset recording of the recognized program.

Abstract: A system and method for time-shifted viewing of broadcast television programs is disclosed. Simultaneous recording and playback are provided by using buffer storage as the source and destination of compressed or uncompressed digital video/audio programs. Full VCR-like control is provided for all playback within the buffer storage. Playback and control of recorded programs may be initiated by the user at any time after initiation of the broadcast program with simultaneous continuous recording of the ongoing live broadcast. Larger archival storage and removable is also provided for storing and building a library of programs. Viewer playback control data may be stored as part of the program or used as edit points prior to archival. Numerous options are provided for features such as continuous automatic recording in a circular buffer fashion, program archival, editing, Internet interfaces, multiple-channel recording and more.