Abstract: A receiving device embodiment receives a user command from an external source. The user command is directed to a remote target destination. A first interactive programming command communicator embodiment generates a mobile device command from the received user command, and communicates the mobile device command to a mobile device. A second interactive programming command communicator embodiment receives the mobile device command from the receiving device. A target destination is identified from information in the mobile device command, and information from the mobile device command is communicated to the target destination.

Abstract: The present invention provides a logically organized electronic program guide separated into categories. Each category has a theme. Inside each theme-based category there is a listing of television programming. In this way, the subscriber can locate a desired theme and then determine a desired program from the list in the category.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to test a plurality of devices under test (DUTs) communicatively coupled to one of a plurality of switching elements of a DUT controller. An exemplary embodiment identifies a first DUT and a second DUT from among the plurality of DUTs as members of a test group, wherein the first DUT and the second DUT are identified based upon a test schedule defining a plurality of test groupings of members of the plurality of DUTs for concurrent testing; and communicates control instructions to a first switching element coupled to the first DUT and to a second switching element communicatively coupled to the second DUT, wherein the control instructions are configured to actuate the first switching element and the second switching element to communicatively couple the first DUT and the second DUT.

Abstract: A method for generating a set of aggregated media content includes storing a plurality of segments of media data. The method further includes organizing the segments into a set of aggregated content including content for generating a plurality of sets of assembled content. The plurality of segments includes a first segment and a second segment. The method further includes generating a first set of metadata for the first segment specifying a first source index location of the first segment in the set of aggregated media content and a first target index location of the first segment in a first set of assembled media content, and a second set of metadata for the second segment specifying a second source index location of the second segment in the set of aggregated media content and a second target index location of the second segment in a second set of assembled media content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to notify a user of content availability. An exemplary embodiment receives a content availability notification request that specifies at least one content of interest, searches current electronic program guide (EPG) information to identify the content of interest, determines that the information identifying the specified content of interest is unavailable based upon the search of the current EPG information, generates a content availability reminder that is associated with the specified content of interest, monitors a content database to determine an availability of the specified content of interest identified in the content availability reminder, determines that the specified content of interest is available when the monitored content database indicates availability of the specified content of interest, and generates a content availability reminder notification that indicates at least a title of the specified content of interest.

Abstract: A first location of a user in a customer premises may be determined. A display is provided of a user interface that includes an adjustable element. A determination is made that the user has moved to a second location in the customer premises. The display of the user interface is adjusted such that the adjustable element is adjusted.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for using geocoding information from a user's mobile device to determine program and advertising media content to deliver to the user.

Abstract: A method for programming a first remote control device associated with a first electronic device that includes receiving, by the first electronic device, a first electronic command signal issued from a second remote control device. The first electronic command signal includes a key code indicative of a first key entry on the second remote control device. The first electronic device accesses a key code database, which stores a plurality of key code sets, and each of the plurality of key code sets has a plurality of key codes for controlling at least one electronic device. The first electronic device compares the received first key code to the key code database to identify matching key code sets including the first key code. The first electronic device analyzes the matching key code sets to identify a preferred next key entry, and prompts a user of the second remote control device to press a key on the second remote control device corresponding to the identified preferred next key entry.

Abstract: Systems and methods for altering a volume level of an electronic device may include receiving a user input indicative of triggering a remote find operation to locate a remote control, and in response to the user input, sending a remote find instruction to the remote control. The remote find instruction may trigger the remote control to emit a sound. Systems and methods may include, in response to the user input, sending a temporary quiet instruction to the home automation device. The quiet instruction may initiate a lowering of the volume level of the home automation device while the remote control is emitting the sound as a part of the remote find operation.

Abstract: The disclosure relates systems and methods for analyzing viewing habits on an audiovisual content receiving device such as a set-top box, including both program recording and viewing habits for live programs, and to determine viewer preferences for audiovisual events such as television programs for any given timeslot.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices are described to avoid stalling during playback of an adaptive media stream delivered to a media player device over a network. The media device requests segments of the media stream that are received in a buffer. Buffer utilization is monitored over time to determine a rate of change, and future segment requests are adjusted based upon the determined rate of change in the buffer utilization. By making adjustments based upon the rate of change in buffer utilization, sudden changes that could otherwise affect the viewer's experience can be avoided.

Abstract: Various arrangements for monitoring the signal strength of a programming stream are presented. A tuner in a receiver may be allocated to monitor disruptions and changes to the signal strength of programming streams. Based on the characteristics of the signal strength and changes to additional data such as weather information, a cause of the disruption may be determined. The cause of the disruption may be communicated to a user. Characteristics of the disruption may be unique or localized to specific geographic locations. Based at least in part on the geographic location of a receiver characteristics of disruptions may be used to identify television receivers associated with account packing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling a device in a home automation network based on detection of a weather event include receiving image data from a camera in operative communication with a host system, where the image data is representative of an outdoor weather event that is captured by the camera, and analyzing the image data to identify the outdoor weather event. Systems and methods may include determining a home automation rule based on the identified outdoor weather event, where the home automation rule includes an operational setting of a home automation device, and instructing the home automation device based on the determined home automation rule via a home automation network.

Abstract: A method for identifying a user of an electronic device is presented. In the method, for each of a plurality of users, a bioelectrical impedance of the user is measured, a value based on the measurement is generated, and the value is associated with information corresponding to the user. A bioelectrical impedance of a current user of the electronic device is also measured, and a value based on this measurement is generated. The value associated with the current user is compared with at least one of the values associated with the plurality of users. In response to the comparison, the electronic device is operated based on the information corresponding to one of the plurality of users in response to the current user interacting with the electronic device if the value associated with the current user indicates the current user is the one of the plurality of users.

Abstract: Methods and systems, such as home automation gateways and television receivers, are disclosed for distinguishing between false alarms and actual events. Aspects include transmitting sensor data, such as a video feed from a closed-circuit video system, to a display to allow a user to confirm whether an alarm event is a false alarm or an actual alarm event. Sensor data is optionally recorded to allow later review of the sensor data.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for placeshifting a media program. An exemplary method involves a media device storing identification information for a client device coupled to a network and receiving a request to transfer a media program available for presentation on a primary display device in a first format via the media device. In response to the request, a peer-to-peer communication session with the client device over the network is established using the identification information and an encoded content stream corresponding to the media program is transferred to the client device via the peer-to-peer communication session.

Abstract: Media content presentation systems and methods are operable to present a media content event comprising a video portion and an associated audio portion to a user. An exemplary embodiment compares a detected level of background noise with a first background noise level threshold; increases output volume of the presented audio portion of the media content event when the level of background noise exceeds the first background noise level threshold; determines text when the level of background noise exceeds a second background noise level threshold; determines sentences from the determined text; and presents on a display the beginning portion of a current sentence in the dialogue of the text when the increasing level of background noise exceeds a maximum background noise level threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for placeshifting data. An exemplary method of transmitting data from a source device to a destination device over a first communications channel involves identifying interference with transmission of the data from the source device to the destination device and initiating operation of a third device on a second communications channel after identifying the interference, wherein the operation of the third device is configured to mitigate the interference with the data transmission over the first communications channel.

Abstract: A method for effectively implementing a multi-room television system includes a digital base station that processes and combines various program sources to produce a processed stream. A communications processor then responsively transmits the processed stream as a local composite output stream to various wired and wireless display devices for flexible viewing at variable remote locations. The transmission path performance is used to determine the video encoding process, and special attention is taken to assure that all users have low-latency interactive capabilities.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented that may involve receiving from a television service provider, timers that are used to record a managed channel array. Each of these timers define a television channel, a time period, and a date. The received timers may be set at a television receiver. User input may be received that specifies an undesired television channel that is not to be recorded according to the received plurality of timers, the undesired television channel being part of the managed channel array. An amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel may be calculated. Storage space may be allocated based upon the calculated amount of storage space for the managed channel array excluding the undesired television channel.