Abstract: A hybrid, expandable electronic programming guide that may allow broadcast programming customers to view both broadcast programming options and over-the-top service options in a single electronic programming guide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting actual data on a display device based on eye-tracking data. An eye-tracking engine receives sensed data from an eye-tracking device, determines a movement status of an eye based on the sensed data, and determines a display configuration based on the determined movement status. The display configuration is output on the display device and includes masking data when the determined movement status indicates the eye is in motion.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for determining network characteristics are provided. The network characteristics may be used to facilitate changes to how content is delivered over a network, such as to avoid network congestion, to provide improved throughput, or to provide a good (or better) user experience, such as when streaming media. For example, the network characteristics may be determined, in part, by tracking domain name resolution requests by using specially formulated domain names that require resolution at an authoritative name server.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to arbitrate network bandwidth that is shared between multiple video players executing concurrently on one or more client platforms that each have at least one video data stream supplied over a data network. An amount of bandwidth available from the data network is determined. An arbitration module calculates whether the selected video players can sustain a video playback quality above a pre-defined threshold using the determined amount of bandwidth available, and a modify playback message is sent to at least one video player when the video playback quality is not sustainable. Various implementations could prioritize bandwidth based upon the content presented so that high-bandwidth scenes (e.g., action sequences) receive more bandwidth than more static scenes.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to manage timers that control recording of media content. An exemplary embodiment compares a retrieved stale timer criteria with a retrieved timer attribute; determines whether the timer is stale based on the comparison of the retrieved timer attribute and the stale timer criteria, wherein the timer is determined to be stale when the media content event identified by the timer will not be recorded because the media content event identified by the timer is not scheduled to be broadcast at a future date; and then automatically deletes the timer in response to determining that the timer is stale.

Abstract: Various arrangements for mitigating voltage droop in a direct current circuit configured to power multiple capacitive loads are presented. A voltage source configured to output a direct current voltage to power the multiple capacitive loads may be present. First and second outputs electrically coupled with the voltage source such that the outputs, when electrically coupled with capacitive loads, provide a voltage to the capacitive load may be provided. A transformer module (which may include a transformer and an impedance) electrically coupled with the first output and the second output may also be provided. When the first capacitive load is electrically coupled with the first output, the transformer may be configured to mitigate droop of the first voltage to the first output upon the second capacitive load being connected to the second output and receiving inrush current.

Abstract: Particular portions or events of recorded television programming identified as having especially significant or interesting detail may be played-back at normal speed without user input; whereas other portions or events of the recorded television programming may be played-back at greater than normal speed.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards extracting an informational banner from a first source and combining it with video content from a second source. The informational banner may be a news ticker, a scoreboard, an informational window of a program, etc. The informational banner is selected or identified from the first source using one or more different automated or user-selectable methods. The extracted informational banner is combined with video content from the second source at a display location that is automatically determined or selected by a user. The combined content is then provided to a display device for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A method for recommending audiovisual content includes receiving a signal transmitted by a remote control device at a content receiving device. Position information of the remote control device is obtained based on the signal transmitted by the remote control device. The position information can include a distance between the remote control device and the content receiving device, a direction of the remote control device with respect to the content receiving device, and coordinates of the remote control device. Viewing habits are obtained based on the position information of the remote control device. An audiovisual program is selected based on the viewing habits. The audiovisual program is recommended to a user by outputting data indicating the selected audiovisual program from the content receiving device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing the viewing experience of video content by analyzing the content to determine where enhanced sensory experience events may be appropriate, by identifying devices at the viewing location and devices personal to the viewer that can be controlled to provide an enhanced sensory experience, and by activating those devices in a way that is synchronized with the presentation of the content.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating enhanced display characteristics based on viewer state are provided. A media device may process an indication of a first state of a first viewer of a display device that is coupled to the media device. The indication of the first state of the first viewer may be captured at a time corresponding to the display device displaying first content with a first set of one or more size characteristics. The media device may determine a display adjustment based at least in part on the indication of the first state of the first viewer. The media device may cause the display device to display second content in accordance with the display adjustment so that the display device displays at least a portion of the second content with a second set of one or more size characteristics that is different from the first set of one or more size characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating domain-compliant image data. Domain-specific usage rights may be evaluated. The domain-specific usage rights may be associated with the transfer of particular encoded image data to a particular computing system other than the computing system. The domain-specific usage rights may specify maximum allowable spatial frequency content of the particular encoded image data. Domain-compliant image data may be generated by removing particular disallowable spatial frequency content from the encoded image data prior to transfer to the particular computing system.

Abstract: Techniques described herein relate to providing and controlling the output of physical conditioning video resources based on user and location monitoring data. In various embodiments, a receiver may receive physical conditioning videos from one or more video content providers. After receiving the physical conditioning videos, the receiver may analyze and determine various characteristics of the videos, and corresponding user-specific criteria or video interruption conditions that may be applied when a user plays and interacts with the videos. Then, in response to a user request to commence a physical conditioning video, the receiver may analyze personal user monitoring data and/or location monitoring data, and may use the monitoring data to determine the user's current readiness level to complete the physical conditioning video. The receiver then may control the output of the physical conditioning videos based on the user's current readiness level, along with various other user data.

Abstract: An approach for determining remote terminal antenna alignment in a satellite communications system is provided. A point in time for an expected conjunction of an a remote terminal antenna, a satellite in communication with the remote terminal and the Sun is determined based on predetermined positional data. An interference level imposed by the Sun on communication signals between the antenna and the satellite is measured at a number of respective points in time. A one of the points in time is determined when the interference is at a peak level. Then information regarding alignment of the antenna with respect to the satellite is determined, wherein the determination of the antenna alignment information is based on a comparison between the one point in time of the peak interference level and the expected point in time of the conjunction of the antenna, the satellite and the Sun.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media are provided to assist users to locate content of interest based on viewer ratings. First information enabling unique identification of a first user may be processed. Indications of ratings of television programming may be processed, the indications being received from a first media device associated with the first user. Ratings information associated with the first user may be retained in repositories, the ratings information being based on the indications. The first user may be matched to a category that represents a classification of a set of viewers and/or of a set of content based on a set of attributes. Descriptive content indicative of the first user and/or content rated by the first user may be selected and may be transmitted via the network to a second media device associated with a second user.

Abstract: A system and method are provided of minimizing network bandwidth used from an external network by client peers in a local network. The method can include the operation of organizing a plurality of clients each having media streamlets and a client parent in a structure within the local network. Mapping information propagates through the structure. The mapping information represents local streamlet locations as stored by the plurality of clients. Another operation is retrieving a local streamlet from a client identified in the mapping information as having the local streamlet for the requesting client.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating additional material in video content are described. Exemplary methods may include identifying the individual frames within a portion of video content that will be visible during adjusted playback. The methods may include incorporating at least one item of information within at least one of the individual frames identified to produce modified video content. The methods may also include transmitting the modified video content for display.

Abstract: According to the principles as disclosed herein, a remote control contains a microphone. The microphone inside the remote control picks up the audio content of all surrounding sound in the room in which is it located. Specifically, if a program is being presented for viewing and listening on a particular A/V system, a remote control with a microphone will hear the program which is being presented at the same time that the system is sending the signal to its own speakers. The A/V system then receives a signal from the remote control providing the audio signal that that remote control has received. If the audio signal which the remote control has received matches the audio signal which the A/V system output to its speakers to broadcast into the room, then the A/V system will switch to be able to receive input from that particular remote control.

Abstract: One embodiment takes the form of a method and apparatus for sharing a purchased pay-per-view (PPV) event over a plurality of set-top boxes (STB). Thus, a PPV event purchased through one STB may be viewed through every STB associated with the customer ID number of the purchaser, including an STB located in a separate location from the PPV purchaser. The customer information used to locate the STBs associated with the customer ID may be retrieved from a database or may be provided by a billing site. Providing for the purchaser to view the PPV event on several STBs may allow the customer of the PPV service maximum access to the purchased PPV event.