Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to solicit an appraisal for each of a plurality of media programs presented by the media processor for composing a proposal to update one or more operational features of the media processor according to one or more consumer preferences determined from one or more supplied appraisals. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of sharing media content is disclosed. A request is received at a network-connected media recorder to send a recording including media content to one or more users. At least one subscriber in the one or more users is identified, where the at least one subscriber is authorized to display the media content. At least one media device associated with the at least one subscriber is determined. The recording is sent to the at least one media device associated with the authorized subscriber.

Abstract: An advertisement replacement system monitors a multimedia stream containing digital television content and advertisements for indicators of objectionable advertisement content. Replacement content is substituted for all or part of an advertisement that has at least one indicator (or a threshold level) of objectionable content. Analysis of stored content may also be performed and stored objectionable content may be replaced with approved content. Blank screens, user-provided photographs, user-provided videos, advertiser-provided still images, and substitute advertisements are examples of replacement content.

Abstract: A multimedia content delivery resource suitable for supporting a video on demand service to a plurality of users substantially simultaneously. The multimedia content delivery resource includes a reception interface for receiving a video content item selection signal associated with a primary subscriber; and a subscriber selection signal indicative of a secondary subscriber associated with the primary subscriber; a shared video module operable to identify a selected video content item associated with the video content item selection signal and define recipients of the identified video content item based at least in part on the subscriber selection signal; and a transmission interface operable to transmit the identified video content item substantially simultaneously to the defined recipients.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box (STB) operating in an interactive television communication system having a controller to receive metadata describing a charitable media program associated with a charitable organization, present images of the charitable media program and a selectable graphical user interface (GUI) element, detect a transition event in the presentation of the charitable media program according to the metadata or a selection of the GUI element, and present a GUI to enable a viewer to make a charitable contribution by way of the STB. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A web server includes software to support a remotely accessible web portal for installation and repair services in conjunction with a telecommunication service provided to a customer by a provider. The software includes instructions to provide a first I&R user interface, including a plurality of selectable I&R objects in response to a first input from a remote field device, receive a second input from the remote field device indicating a user's selection of one of the I&R objects, generate a request to invoke an I&R application in response to receiving the input, transmit the request to invoke the I&R application to an I&R system, receive I&R data generated by the I&R application from the I&R system, and convey information indicative of the I&R data to the remote field device.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An administrator controls viewer access to restricted multimedia programs using electronic permission slips. In response to a viewer's request to view a restricted multimedia program, the viewer may initiate the generation of an electronic permission slip that is sent to an electronic device associated with the administrator. The electronic permission slip may include text-based information, graphical information, audio information, and the like. The electronic permission slip may enable input of permission data regarding whether the viewer is allowed to receive the blocked program. In response to the administrator granting permission, a service provider network allows the viewer to access the restricted multimedia program.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a graphic user interface (GUI) for customizing an electronic programming guide (EPG), the GUI including a plurality of scrollable media channels, each media channel accompanied by an image, a description of the media channel, an option to select the media channel for inclusion in the EPG, a first button to customize the EPG according to one or more media channels selected, and a second button to request additional information about a media channel highlighted in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the MDS, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, set top box (STB) having a controller to record one or more soft key preferences associated with a user of the STB for each of a plurality of media presentation states of a media communication system, receive a request for presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with one of the media presentation states, select one or more soft keys according to the one or more soft key preferences assigned to the requested media presentation state, and present the selected one or more soft keys in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing recommendations of multimedia programs broadcast over a provider network using contact lists. For IPTV broadcast programs, recommendations by users may be for pay-per-view or on-demand programs. Upon ordering a multimedia program, a user may select from a contact list one or more other users for receiving a recommendation. Users receiving recommendations may configure a receiving filter to block or allow recommendations based on the identity of the sending user, a time period, the number or type of multimedia programs recommended, or other criteria.

Abstract: A voice message processing system shortens received voice messages to reduce the time a user must spend in reviewing the user's voice messages. In some embodiments, a data file associated with a caller is created and updated with words and associated audio files that may be used to replace longer words or phrases in future voice messages from the caller. A user may manually configure preferences to aggressively shorten messages in some embodiments. A speech synthesizer may be employed to replace text in messages when sufficient audio files are not stored to provide sufficient processing of messages. An audible indicator may be played with a revised message to allow a user to play back at least a portion of the original, received message without the substituted portions. Such systems provide a user the opportunity to review messages in a reduced time.

Abstract: Synchronization is provided for set-top boxes that display multiple instances of a single multimedia program. Embodied set-top boxes request the transmission of a multimedia program and determine the play point of a remote set-top box. Embodied set-top boxes set a local play point to correspond to the remote set-top box's play point. More than two set-top boxes may be synchronized in accordance with disclosed embodiments, and some systems implement master and slave set-top boxes for purposes of synchronization.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to obtain display parameters associated with a display device, adjust a format of media content at the set top box based at least in part on the display parameters where the adjustment is of one or more portions of a display of the media content, and transmit the media content from the set top box to the display device. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive media content from a subscriber of a media communication system, receive marketing content from a marketing information source, and present the media content and the marketing content in a personal TV channel. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a registration system having a controller to register a purchase of media content housed in a physical medium with one or more media sources to authorize a consumer of the purchased media content to electronically access from the one or more media sources at least a portion of media content that is similar to or a replica of the purchased media content. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to categorize media content of a subscriber according to one or more image features, and present at least a portion of the categorized media content in a personal television channel procured by the subscriber from a service provider of a media communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions for receiving an emergency request to assist a subscriber, retrieving presence information of each of a plurality of parties that serve as emergency contacts for the subscriber, selecting a communication identifier of at least one of the plurality of parties according to the presence information, and notifying the at least one party of the emergency request. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method at a set-top box. The method includes receiving a signal including media content. The method also includes determining a signal quality metric of the first signal. The method also includes scheduling recording of the media content via a second signal after determining that the signal quality metric of the first signal is below a specified threshold.