Abstract: A content provider transmits instructions to a content receiver to record multiple instances of content. The instances of content are included in the same frequency band of a broadcast transmitted by the content provider via a first communication link and scrambled utilizing the same control word. The content provider determines to supplement the multiple instances of content and transmits an instruction to record a supplemental instance of content from a second content provider via a second communication link. The content receiver receives the instructions and accordingly receives, descrambles, and stores the multiple instances of content and the supplemental instance of content. In some implementations, the first communication link may be a satellite communication link and the second communication link may be a different type of communication link such as a terrestrial broadcast communication link and/or an Internet protocol communication link.

Abstract: A content receiver receives an captioning element and positional information regarding segments of a content instance. The captioning element corresponds to a component of captioning data included in content that can be utilized with the positional information to locate where the segments stop and/or start. The content receiver analyzes the content based on the captioning element and the positional information and alters how the content will be presented. Such alteration may involve skipping and/or deleting segments, starting/stopping presentation of content other than at the beginning and/or end of the content, altering recording timers, and/or replacing segments with alternative segments. In some implementations, the content may be recorded as part of recording multiple content instances received via at least one broadcast from a content provider wherein the multiple content instances are all included in a same frequency band of the broadcast and are all encoded utilizing a same control word.

Abstract: A receiver accumulates characteristic information by tracking content being presented. When the receiver determines to present a menu of recorded content, the receiver analyzes the accumulated information to rank the recorded content based on a frequency of the characteristics and sorts the menu based at least one the analysis. The receiver may present an instance of content when it is selected. In some implementations, the instances of content are recorded as part of recording multiple instances of content received via at least one broadcast wherein the multiple instances of content are all included in a same frequency band of the broadcast and are all encoded utilizing a same code word. In one or more implementations, the menu may include content information for one or more of the instances of content in the menu, such as the number of related instances of content also stored by the content receiver.

Abstract: A receiver determines to transmit an EPG that includes schedule information regarding content available from a provider, determines that content is stored and is not currently available from the provider, incorporates information regarding the stored content in the EPG, and includes indicators indicating that the stored content is stored rather than available from the provider. The stored content may be recorded as part of recording a plurality of content received via a broadcast that are all included in the same frequency band and encoded with the same code word. The EPG may be divided into portions that include information regarding available content and portions that include information regarding previously available content and may include indications of which are stored. The EPG may be configured in a calendar arrangement based at least on the information regarding the available and information regarding when stored content were previously available from the provider.

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 record these multiple instances from at least a single transponder. In some instances, multiple transponders may have a common control word so that content carried on each such transponder may be simultaneously received, decoded and recorded. Further, a single demodulator may be associated with multiple tuners, so that the single demodulator processes all content received from transponders with common control words and/or other encryption mechanisms.

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: A provider transmits instructions to a receiver to record multiple instances of content. The instances of content are included in the same frequency band of a broadcast signal transmitted via a first communication link and encoded utilizing a common encryption. The provider determines to supplement and transmits an instruction to record a supplemental instance of content from a second content provider via a second communication link. The receiver receives the instructions and accordingly receives, decodes, and stores the multiple instances of content and the supplemental content. A recorder in communication with the receiver determines whether a content selection is a member of a content group. The group determination is based on a tag of the content selection. If the content selection is a member of the content group, the recorder presents to a display device the content selection and at least one other member of the content group.

Abstract: A method for displaying content stored in a block of multiplexed content, the multiplexed content including a plurality of instances of content where each instance of content includes an associated content identifier, the method including receiving, at a content receiver, content identifying information for the content and instructions for displaying the content, determining a selected content identifier based on the content identifying information, selecting the block from one or more blocks based on the selected content identifier, scanning the block for a content identifier and encountering the content identifier, comparing the encountered content identifier to the selected content identifier, and processing an instance of content associated with the encountered content identifier where the encountered content identifier corresponds to the selected content identifier. A system for displaying and a system for storing multiplexed content are also described.

Abstract: A method and system incorporate information on a stored content service feature with on screen display content utilizing a content receiver. The stored content service feature enables the content receiver to simultaneously record multiple of instances of content for a plurality of programming channels during a timeframe. The content receiver generates on screen display content as an overlay to live or previously recorded instances of content or as an electronic programming guide, and the information for the stored content service feature incorporated within the on screen display content may be selected. In response to the selection, the content receiver may transmit a previously recorded instance of content from the plurality of simultaneously recorded instances of content, information for instances of content that have been, will be and/or are available to be recorded in connection with the stored content service feature.

Abstract: Embodiments discussed herein are directed to an apparatus and method for relaying user input commands by a receiver to other devices connected to or in communication with the receiver. In one embodiment, a receiver receives one or more commands from a user input device and determines if the command is intended for the receiver or for a device in communication with the receiver. Based on this determination, the receiver may either execute the command or relay the command to a device that is attached or otherwise in communication with the receiver.

Abstract: A content receiver receives ordering information from a content provider for orderable content or products. The content receiver also derives information specific to the content receiver and dynamically generates a matrix code including the ordering information and the specific information. The content receiver then transmits the matrix code to a display and when the displayed matrix code is detected and decoded by a reader, the reader initiates an order for the orderable content to be transmitted to the content receiver or products. In some implementations, the orderable content may be ordered from the content provider, which may then transmit the ordered content to the content receiver. However, in other implementations the orderable content may be ordered from a third party provider. As such, the third party provider may transmit the ordered content to the content provider, which may then transmit it to the content receiver.

Abstract: A content provider computing device that transmits content to receivers at scheduled air times receives information regarding conditions relating to the transmissions. The computing device also receives data regarding content that a receiver will record. The computing device evaluates the information and compares it with the data to determine that there is a risk of interrupted transmission. As a result, the computing device transmits the content to the receiver prior to the scheduled air time. The conditions may include weather conditions, power outage conditions, and/or any other conditions that may affect transmission. In various implementations, the computing device may include content controls prior to transmission that prevent the content from being accessed prior to specified times. In some cases, the content control may prevent all access. In other cases, the content control may prevent some kinds of access to the instance of content prior to particular times and allow others.

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: A media content receiver receives a message including an address. The receiver processes the address to determine whether the address is associated with the media content receiver. Additionally, if a removable circuit device is installed in the receiver, the receiver processes the address to determine whether the address is associated with the installed removable circuit device. If the address is associated with the media content receiver, the receiver processes the message. If the address is associated with the removable circuit device, the receiver transfers the message to the removable circuit device, which then processes the message.

Abstract: While receiving content from a source via a first connection, a receiver determines the connection is interrupted, selects an alternative source, and continues to receive the content from the alternative source via a second connection. In some implementations, the alternative source may be a server. In implementations, the alternative source may be additional receivers configured in a peer-to-peer arrangement. In various implementations, after the receiver determines that the first connection is interrupted, the receiver may utilize the second connection until finished receiving the content, continue receiving the content utilizing the first connection once no longer interrupted, or determine that the second connection is interrupted and select an additional alterative source to continue receiving the content from via a third connection.

Abstract: A method of controlling power consumption in an electronic device may include selecting between an on mode of the electronic device in which first circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a first operation, an off/standby mode in which second circuitry of the electronic device is configured to perform a second operation, and a sleep/vacation mode in which the second circuitry is controlled to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation. An electronic device may include: first circuitry configured to perform a first operation when the electronic device is in an on mode; second circuitry configured to perform a second operation when in an off/standby mode; and a circuitry controller configured to control the second circuitry to at least one of reduce a frequency of and suspend performance of the second operation when in a sleep/vacation mode.

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: A band translation method and device for selecting two or more desired frequency bands of data and bandstacking the two or more desired frequency bands of data into a single output.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to predicting signal degradation at receivers used to display a programming service. The receivers capture signal strength data that is then transmitted to a processing location, which may be associated with a provider of the programming service. A signal degradation detector at the provider operates to predict whether or not a future unacceptable signal quality will occur within a time interval. The prediction may be based on a test quantity calculated from signals captured at the receiver and based on a figure of merit for the geographic locale in which the receiver is located. A maintenance call may be initiated for those receivers that have such a poor signal quality.

Abstract: Various embodiments of systems, methods and apparatus are provided for adjusting a low battery detection threshold in a remote control. An embodiment of a method includes determining a type of a battery powering a remote control of an entertainment device and determining a first low battery threshold for the battery based on the type of the battery. The first low battery threshold indicates a low battery condition of the remote control. Responsive to measuring a voltage of the battery, a determination is made regarding whether the voltage of the battery is below the low battery threshold. Responsive to determining that the voltage of the battery is below the first low battery threshold, a low battery message is transmitted to an entertainment device. The entertainment device utilizes the message to present an indicator to a user regarding the low battery condition of the remote control.