Abstract: Described herein are techniques for allowing a customer support agent to remotely analyze a television receiver. A television receiver is communicatively coupled to a customer support center through a communication network. A customer support agent remotely accesses the television receiver and the television receiver transmits video content to the customer support center through the communication network. The video output is outputted to the customer support agent at the customer support center for analysis of the television receiver.

Abstract: Arrangements for preparing a television channel for presentation are presented. A set of one or more tuners that are idle may be identified. Being idle may correspond to not being used to receive any television channel data for presentation or recording. An electronic programming guide that indicates programming may be output for presentation. One or more television channels may be selected for preparation. The television channels may be selected based at least in part on one or more electronic programming guide operations and/or prior to receiving user input selecting a television channel of the one or more television channels for presentation. Each of the television channels may be prepared for presentation by tuning, by each tuner, to the one or more television channels prior to receiving the user input selecting the television channel of the television channels for presentation.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate home automation via a receiving device. In one embodiment, a home device manager is provided for execution on a receiving device, such as a set-top box. The home device manager is configured to discover home devices and to obtain device control information from the discovered devices. The home device manager is further configured to, based on the obtained device control information, present a user interface operable by a user to specify commands for controlling a home device, receive a specified command, and control the home device by transmitting the specified command to the home device. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: The present invention is a set top box or other content management device that can convert television programming stored in a temporary buffer into a persistent event. The present invention may also trim data from a temporary buffer, such as an input buffer, without requiring additional software, RAM and other hardware normally associated with general purpose computers.

Abstract: A remote control is powered by multiple batteries connected in series. The remote control includes a voltage comparison circuit configured to compare a midpoint voltage from a node connecting two of the batteries to a reference voltage. The remote control is able to determine if there is a non-uniform drain rate in the batteries based on the comparison.

Abstract: A wireless headset receives audio data wirelessly from a television receiver and outputs audio to the user through earphones. The wireless headset includes an inertial sensor that detects an orientation of the user's head. If the orientation of the user's head indicates that the user is sleeping, then wireless headset turns off the wireless receiver, thereby saving battery life.

Abstract: A crimp tool for concurrently crimping and trimming includes a first jaw member and a second jaw member pivotally coupled to the first and second jaw members moveable between a crimp position and a release position. The crimp tool also includes a first crimp die coupled to the first jaw member and having a first recessed surface and a second crimp die coupled to the second jaw member and having a second recessed surface, the first and second recessed surfaces being complementary to each other and forming a crimping opening in the crimp position to receive a connector having a conductor received therein. The crimp tool includes cutting members that are spaced apart relative to the respective jaw members to trim an exposed inner conductor of the conductor when substantially abutting one another in the crimp position, and may be adjustable depending on the desired protrusion of the inner conductor. Related methods to use the same are also provided.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a recording and playback manager of a digital video recorder (DVR), set top box, receiver or other device stores and accesses statistics in a statistics file related to average distances between reference frames (e.g., intra frames or I-frames) within blocks of the video data of the recording. Accessing these statistics during playback enables the system to more accurately locate reference frames to display while executing the playback in a trick mode such as fast forward, rewind or skip. The average distance between reference frames for a particular block of video data may be used to jump from one reference frame to the next reference frame in that block during playback in trick mode.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for allowing users to access channels of a receiving device using custom channel identifiers rather than content provider assigned channel identifiers. A receiving device receives a first set of channel identifiers assigned by a content provider for a plurality of channels. The receiving device further receives a second set of custom channel identifiers identifying the plurality of channels. At least a portion of the first set of channel identifiers maps to the second set of channel identifiers. The user provides user input specifying one of the second identifiers to access and the receiving device correlates the user input to a corresponding first identifier to determine the selected channel the user desires to access.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided which facilitate the resolution of recording conflicts of a digital video recorder (DVR). A DVR identifies a recording conflict between a first recording timer associated with a first television program and a second recording timer associated with a second television program. A communication is initiated to a communication device associated with a user of the digital video recorder to inform the user of the recording conflict. Responsive to the communication, the user provides information to the DVR via the communication device requesting to resolve the recording conflict. The DVR utilizes the provided information to modify one or more of the conflicted recording timers to resolve the conflict.

Abstract: Media rich content server systems and methods are operable to provide access to supplemental media rich content at a portable media device. An exemplary embodiment communicatively couples a portable media device to a media device that initially receives a media content stream comprising at least one supplemental media rich content trigger, wherein the supplemental media rich content trigger includes access information configured to access at least one media rich content server; receives a portion of the media content stream with the supplemental media rich content trigger at the portable media device; establishes a communication link between the portable media device and the media rich content server based upon the access information in the received supplemental media rich content trigger; receives supplemental media rich content from the media rich content server; and presents at least the received supplemental media rich content on a display of the portable media device.

Abstract: A customized content calendar may include reminders or invitations to access particular media content, where the reminders or invitations may be pushed to the content calendar based on user-specific preferences.

Abstract: Various arrangements for presenting an electronic programming guide are detailed. An indication of a first television channel for tuning may be received by a television receiver. The first television channel may be transmitted as part of a first transponder stream. Based on an inadequate downlink signal being received for the first television channel, it may be determined that the first television channel cannot be received and output. A plurality of unavailable television channels may be identified due to the plurality of unavailable television channels being transmitted as part of the first transponder stream. An electronic programming guide may be output to a display device that indicates the plurality of unavailable television channels and the first television channel are each unavailable.

Abstract: Techniques for facilitating shopping for items shown in media content events are described. Some embodiments provide a shopping facilitator as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. As the media device presents a media content event showing multiple items, the shopping facilitator is configured to receive an indication that a viewer is interested in purchasing one of the multiple items. The shopping facilitator then identifies the item of interest, and at a later time provides a shopping facility that can be can be used by the viewer or some other user to purchase the item. In some embodiments, the media content event is presented without any indication that items shown in the media content event are for sale. Furthermore, the shopping facilitator may perform its functions without interrupting or otherwise disrupting the viewing of the media content event.

Abstract: Various arrangements for remotely manipulating a wire may be presented. A wire pilot may be presented that is configured to be coupled with the wire and to move in response to a magnetic field created by a remote guide when the wire pilot is within a wall and the remote guide is external to the wall. The remote guide may include a magnetic field generator configured to create the magnetic field and a metal detector configured to detect wires through a wall.

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: Methods and systems are described for updating software or firmware or otherwise conveying target software to an electronic device. Target software may be conveyed while the device is packaged or otherwise not connected to external power. Information indicating a current software or firmware version number may be transmitted from an external transceiver to the packaged device. A software update may also be transmitted to the packaged device. The electronic device may use stored information or the stored software update to replace an older and out-of-date software version. The electronic device may also harvest electronic power from an external transceiver signal or may use power from an internal battery source to affect a software update when the device is packaged or otherwise not connected to external power.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods are described for conserving energy in an entertainment system. An entertainment device tracks usage patterns of a user over time while outputting presentation content and utilizes the collected information to determine whether to automatically enter a low power mode state at appropriate times.

Abstract: Systems and methods that enable satellite television subscribers to simultaneously watch video associated with a primary television channel and listen to audio associated with a different secondary television channel.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aiding emergency responders are described. An exemplary system may include a primary device and a secondary device. The primary device may be configured to provide audio communication between the primary device and one or more of the plurality of secondary devices along a wireless communication path. The primary device may be configured to compress audio communication for transmission over a low bitrate band. The plurality of secondary devices may be configured as a network where each of the devices is configured to communicate with at least two other secondary devices. The secondary devices may also be configured to receive audio communication from the primary device and automatically transmit the received audio communication to one or more other of the secondary devices.