Abstract: Systems and methods of providing customer support are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment compares a plurality of customer attributes associated with corresponding ones of a plurality of service representative attributes to identify a “best match” service representative.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein provide methods and apparatus for providing multiple channel recall on a television receiver. A television receiver stores multiple previously viewed channels for selective recall by a user. A television receiver outputs a selection menu that includes a plurality of previously viewed channels. A user selects one of the channels from the selection menu for viewing, and a tuner of the television receiver is commanded to output the selected channel.

Abstract: Disclosure is generally directed to a television receiver with multiple inputs, some accepting a local broadcast and some accepting satellite transmissions or transmissions across another network. The television receiver may pass local transmissions through to a display in their original form and at their original frequency, while retuning the display to receive the transmission at its original frequency. The television receiver may also receive, process and provide satellite or other types of programming to the television as necessary. The output of the receiver's modulator may switch back and forth as a user changes between local broadcast and satellite channels. Further, an EPG may be provided that includes information for both programming sources in an integrated fashion.

Abstract: An electronic device determines information for configuring control of the device by a remote, generates a matrix codes including the information, and transmits the matrix code to a display device. The remote then captures the displayed matrix code, decodes the information, and configures itself to control the electronic device. Configuration of the remote may include pairing, configuring selection elements of the remote, and so on. In some implementations, the electronic device may interact with another device and the information may be for configuring the remote to control the electronic device in the context of the other device. Additionally, in various implementations, the remote may transmit identifying information to the electronic device which may configure itself to further communicate with the remote utilizing such information. Moreover, in various implementations, the remote may capture matrix codes generated by other devices in order to configure the remote to control those devices as well.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to transmit at least a portion of a media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives a request from a first media device, wherein the request identifies a media content event of interest; identifies a first media content stream with a concluding portion of the media content event of interest currently transmitting to a second media device; concurrently transmits the concluding portion of the media content event of interest to the first media device; and transmits a second media stream containing an initial portion of the media content event to the first media device.

Abstract: A remote determines an acknowledgement is not received for a command transmitted to a first device, broadcasts a discovery message, receives a response from a second device that received the discovery message and a proximity signal from the remote, and configures itself to control the second device. The remote may also transmit an acknowledgement to the second device. The second device may notify the first device. In various implementations, configuration information in the response may include pairing information and the remote may unpair itself from the first device and pair with the second device. In some implementations, the remote may include a table for controlling devices and the remote may utilize an entry in the table for the second device instead of the first device. In various implementations, the remote may receive responses to the discovery message from multiple devices and may select one to configure itself to control.

Abstract: Content receivers may simultaneously record multiple instances of content for multiple programming channels based on content provider instructions. Systems and methods utilize the content receivers to perform memory jumping operations within files having the simultaneously recorded multiple instance of content stored therein. The memory jumping operation may jump locations within the file corresponding to a predetermined memory jumping operation timeframe, and in order to account for the variability in the recording bit rate and therefore the playing of the instance of content, the jump locations in the memory jumping operation may be dynamically adjusted based on recording bit rates.

Abstract: A remote control and method of programming a remote control for controlling components in an entertainment system are disclosed. The remote control may operate in multiple modes including a limited mode that prevents the remote control from sending predetermined commands to one or more components, even when instructed to do so by the user. In addition, the remote control may issue one or more commands to each component in response to a single user input.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to dispensing coupons to viewers of media content and in particular, providing coupons to an individual to buy the product just after having viewed a commercial or other media program featuring that product.

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: Methods, and system, and entertainment device are provided for identifying a user. A method includes detecting acceleration of a user manipulated component, comparing the detected acceleration with user acceleration that is associated with a user of the electronic device, identifying the user of the electronic device based on the comparison of the detected acceleration and the user acceleration, and operating the electronic device based on the identified user of the electronic device.

Abstract: A method of processing video information is presented here. The method may begin by executing, with at least one processor, a plurality of concurrent simulation threads for an interactive video application, wherein each of the concurrent simulation threads corresponds to a predicted outcome of the video application. The method may continue by receiving user input intended to control the interactive video application, processing at least one of the concurrent simulation threads in response to the received user input to obtain an intended outcome of the video application, and providing the intended outcome of the video application for presentation to a user.

Abstract: Program recording systems and methods are operable to adjust recording times of a program of interest in response to an occurrence of an interrupting program that alters the scheduled recording times of the program of interest. An exemplary embodiment receives an unscheduled program flag (UPF) corresponding to an occurrence of an unscheduled program; adjusts at least one of a scheduled recording start time associated with the program of interest to an updated record start time and a scheduled recording end time associated with the program of interest to an updated record end time in response to receiving the UPF; and records the program of interest based upon at least one of the updated record start time and the updated record end time.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method executable by an adaptive stream concatenation server to deliver a concatenated transport stream to a video distribution system are provided, as are embodiments of adaptive stream concatenation servers. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an adaptive media stream containing television programming in an adaptive packet format at the adaptive stream concatenation server via a digital network. The contents of the adaptive media stream are concatenated by the adaptive stream concatenation server to create a concatenated transport stream containing the television programming in a streaming format different from the adaptive packet format and compatible with the video distribution system. The concatenated transport stream containing the television programming is then transmitted in the streaming format to the video distribution system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to acquire and use geocoding information included in broadcast content to enhance content presentation to the user.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices to authorize access to a simultaneous media streams are described. After a first media stream is initiated with a first client device, an authorization service receives a request to establish the simultaneous second media stream with a second client device. The service determines whether the second client device is at a geographic location where simultaneous streaming is allowed, and grants or denies access to the second simultaneous stream accordingly.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to scroll through an electronic program guide at a first and a second scroll speed are provided. While viewing an electronic program guide (EPG) output by a receiving device, a user transmits a first command to the receiving device to start scrolling the time slots in the EPG such that the EPG displays program information for future time slots. The first command causes the time slots to scroll at a first speed. The user can increase the scroll speed by transmitting another command. The time slots in the EPG cease scrolling when there is no more data to display or when the user transmits a stop scrolling command to the receiving device.

Abstract: A satellite dish assembly and a set-top box are utilized to provide an internet wireless hotspot. The set-top box connects to the internet through a modem. The set-top box is coupled to the satellite dish assembly allowing the satellite dish assembly to connect to the internet through the set-top box. An antenna coupled to the satellite dish assembly broadcasts a wireless internet signal allowing a mobile electronic device to connect to the internet through the set-top box.

Abstract: A first television receiver provides media content wirelessly to a second television receiver. The first television receiver transmits video data to the second television receiver on a first wireless network. The television receiver transmits other kinds of data to the second television receiver on a second wireless network.

Abstract: An intelligent recording collects data associated with a user's viewing habit of live program contents and determines a viewing pattern by analyzing the collected data. The viewing pattern is used to identify a scheduled program content as a candidate for automatic recording, the identified scheduled program content having fallen within the determined viewing pattern.