Abstract: A system and method for detection of a remote control for configuration of a universal remote control is provided. The system and method compare a received identifying signal from a first remote control to a database of known remote control signals and corresponding remote control programming codes. The system and method then select a corresponding remote control programming code for programming the universal remote control.

Abstract: A set-top box provides for touch free operation of home entertainment system. The set-top box detects the mobile phone of a of a user and initiates a configuration of the home entertainment system according to the preferences of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods securely provide media content from a media server to a media client via a network. The media content is segmented to create multiple media segments that are each identified in a playlist, and at least one of the media segments is encrypted using a cryptographic key. The cryptographic key is also identified in the playlist, and the playlist is provided from the media server to the media client via the network. The various media segments and cryptographic keys may then be requested from and provided by the media server using hypertext transport protocol (HTTP) or similar constructs to allow the media client to receive and decrypt the various segments of the media content.

Abstract: Auditing systems and methods detect access authorization of a media device for a service during an audit. An exemplary embodiment receives an audit trigger at a media device communicating the service to a media presentation device, determines whether the media device is authorized to communicate the service to the media presentation device, and communicates a security watermark from the media device to the media presentation device. The security watermark is displayed on a display of the media presentation device and indicates authorization to access the service to an auditor performing the audit.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide information to a user in response to usage of an electronic program guide provided by an appliance coupled to a display. Usage of the electronic program guide is observed from within the appliance, and any triggering events in the usage of the electronic program guide are identified. An instruction is then executed in response to the triggering event to thereby provide the information on the display. Information provided may include a graphic display, a video clip, a highlight of any portion of the electronic program guide, or other information as appropriate.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for the dynamic allocation of storage capacity between multiple namespaces associated with a storage system. Data from multiple namespaces is stored in a common pool of addresses of the storage system and data from each namespace is capable of being written to any free address of the storage system at any time. Metadata associated with each of the files stored in the storage system is maintained that tracks the particular storage address or addresses and namespace associated with the file. Storage capacity can be dynamically allocated between multiple namespaces by writing data to free blocks and updating the metadata accordingly.

Abstract: A program recording device including an input port, a processor memory, a processor, a selector, and a storage element is configured to receive command data and program data through the input port. The selector receives command data and program data from the input port and outputs the command data to the processor memory and the program data to the storage element. The processor uses this command data to control the selector and storage element to automatically record a program influenced by user preferences onto the storage element without requiring any user input.

Abstract: Customer premises weather station systems and methods are operable to present local weather information on a media presentation system display located at the customer premises. An exemplary embodiment detects at least one ambient weather condition using a detector located at a customer premises, determines occurrence of a degradation of at least one characteristic of an over the air (OTA) media content signal received by a receiving antenna located at the customer premises, and generates a report in response to the determined degradation of the OTA media content signal characteristic. The report is configured to be presented on a display to a customer. The report may indicate the at least one ambient weather condition.

Abstract: A set-top box is constructed including a processor, an input port, an auxiliary input port, and an output port. The input port is electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to receive first control signals from a remote control. The auxiliary input port is also electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to receive second control signals from an auxiliary remote control and send the second control signals to the processor. The output port is electrically coupled to the processor, and is configured to send graphical representations of a remote control to a display. The processor is configured to compose a graphical representation of the remote control, receive a second control signal, modify the graphical representation of the remote control in response to the second control signal, and send the graphical representation to the output port for display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dynamic volume punch through in a home entertainment system that includes a client device that receives programming signals coupled to an audio/video amplifier, and a television coupled to the audio/video amplifier. A remote control that communicates over a radio frequency interface with the client device “punches through” volume adjustment commands from a user to either the audio/video amplifier or to the television depending on the power state of the audio/video amplifier. The remote control receives the information indicating this power state from the client device that detects the power state of the audio/video amplifier through a bidirectional bus in a cable interface, for example, HDMI-CEC bus. The volume is “punched through” to the audio/video amplifier or to the television over a second communication link, for example an infrared optical interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to enforce parental controls at a mobile media device. An exemplary embodiment establishes a communication link between the mobile media device and a local media device, receives parental control setting information from the local media device at the mobile media device, receives at least one media content event and rating information associated with the received media content event at the mobile media device, compares at the mobile media device the rating information associated with the received at least one media content event with the parental control setting information received from the local media device, and prevents presentation of the at least one media content event by the mobile media device if the rating information associated with the received media content event violates the parental control setting information.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for extracting caller identification information during a phone call and transmitting the caller identification information over a network to another device that presents the caller identification information to a user. An apparatus includes a first communication interface communicatively coupled to a telephone network and a second communication interface communicatively coupled to a communication network. The apparatus receives a phone call, extracts caller identification data, and transmits the caller identification data to another device over the communication network.

Abstract: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for skipping, filtering and/or replacing content from an audio/video stream using text data associated with the audio/video stream. The text data is processed using location information that references a segment of the text data of the first audio/video stream to identify a location within the first audio/video stream. The location within the first audio/video stream is utilized to identify portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped during presentation. The portions of the audio/video stream that are to be skipped are filtered from the audio/video stream, and some of the skipped portions of the audio/video stream are replaced with substitute content. The filtered video stream, including the substitute content, is outputted for presentation to a user.

Abstract: Electronic device communication systems and methods are operable to decrease power consumption in an electronic device during user defined power conservation periods. An exemplary embodiment identifies an occurrence of a start of a user defined power conservation period, maintains power to a first group of components in the electronic device, and shuts off a second group of components in the electronic device in response to the occurrence of the start of the user defined power conservation period.

Abstract: A method of informing a user of an identity of an input of a remote control device is presented. In the method, user activation of one of the inputs of the remote control device is detected. An audible signal associated with the activated input is determined. Each of the inputs of the remote control device is associated with a unique one of a plurality of audible signals. The audible signal associated with the activated input is produced to inform the user of the identity of that input.

Abstract: Content receivers may be configured to simultaneously record multiple instances of content for multiple programming channels based on content provider instructions. Systems and methods utilize the content receivers to dynamically adjust recording parameters to account for instances of content with a start time and/or end time that falls outside of predefined recording parameters. The dynamically adjusted recording parameters may adjust the number of channels recorded and/or instances of content recorded. The content receiver may compare programming information received at a processing unit with predefined recording parameters and may dynamically adjust the recording parameters based on the comparison. The content receiver may generate on screen display content to include information on the dynamically adjusted recording parameters and may transmit the on screen display content to a content display device for notifying the user of the dynamically adjusted recoding parameters.

Abstract: A method of providing access to a block of stored content includes transmitting a general EPG at a content receiver for display on a presentation device, the EPG including a plurality of channels having a plurality of programs available at a plurality of times, receiving input from a user to display a block guide, and transmitting the block guide wherein, the block guide is associated with the block of stored content for accessing the block of stored content, the block guide including a plurality of channels having a plurality of programs available for a selected airing time.

Abstract: The various embodiments described herein generally provide apparatus, systems and methods which facilitate the transmission of data between a client device and a remote device over a voice channel of a telephone network. More particularly, data from a client device is modulated into an audio signal using multiple frequency shift keying (MFSK) techniques and transmitted to the remote device over a voice channel of a wireless telephone network during a phone call. The frequency of the audio signal is selected based on the value of the data to be transmitted. The remote device receives the audio signal and determines the frequency of the audio signal to extract the transmitted data.

Abstract: Content delivery systems and methods are operable to provide recoverable program content to a media device. An exemplary embodiment detects an occurrence of a qualifying event, wherein the qualifying event is associated with an unavailable portion of a program of interest; communicates a request to establish a backchannel between the media device and a program content device in response to detecting the occurrence of the qualifying event; communicates a request for a recoverable portion of the program of interest from the media device to the program content device over the backchannel, wherein the requested recoverable portion of the program of interest corresponds to the unavailable portion of the program of interest; and receives at the media device the recoverable portion of the program of interest from the program content device.

Abstract: A system for securely providing streaming media content on-demand may include a plurality of receiving devices in which each receiving device may request the same or different streaming media content (e.g., stored at a content storage system of a content delivery network) on-demand using VOD or other available on-demand services and/or applications associated with, in communication with or running on the respective receiving devices. In response, the content storage system of the content delivery network will encrypt the requested content uniquely for each received request (e.g., according to an encryption key that is unique for each or virtually each request) and deliver the encrypted requested content to the appropriate respective receiving device of the receiving devices.