Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for altering the presentation of commercials presented based on user input of their likes and dislikes of commercials. A plurality of commercials are received and stored at a media device. A commercial user interface is presented with at least one commercial. A user selection associated with the presented commercial is received via the commercial user interface, wherein the user selection corresponds to one of a user dislike and a user like of the first commercial. Future presentation of at least one next commercial is altered based on the received user selection and the stored plurality of commercials.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a plurality of automated monitoring and control system modules (automated monitoring and control system module) are individually connected to respective receiving devices via the audio and video output ports of each respective receiving device. Each automated monitoring and control system module may be configured to receive a testing program from a centralized monitoring system for the receiving device based on identification data of the receiving device and execute the received testing program for the receiving device. Each automated monitoring and control system module is connected to the centralized monitoring system over a local area network (LAN) or the Internet in order to send testing results, diagnostic data and captured video and audio data for further processing by the centralized monitoring system.

Abstract: A media control system processes a numeric user input to identify a set of alphabetic letters. The media control system selects a plurality of media channel names based on the set of alphabetic letters. The media control system generates a first signal to drive a first display of the media channel names. The media control system processes additional user input to select one of the displayed media channel names. The media control system generates a second signal to drive a second display associated with a media channel identified by the selected one of the displayed media channel names.

Abstract: Disclosure is generally directed to outputting an electronic programming guide (EPG) content tree from a television receiver for display on an output device. A content tree consistent with this disclosure may include a number of interconnected nodes that present programming content that is available for viewing or recording through the operation of the television receiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to share a viewing experience of a free viewpoint format media content event. An exemplary embodiment receives the free viewpoint format media content event, receives unique geometric orientation information from each one of a plurality of head mounted displays (HMDs), determines a unique viewpoint location for each one of the plurality of HMDs based upon the geometric orientation information received from each one of the plurality of HMDs, determines a unique viewpoint area for each one of the plurality of HMDs based upon the determined unique viewpoint location, and communicates each one of the unique viewpoint areas to the associated one of the plurality of HMDs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to receive media content transport channels from multiple transponders. An exemplary embodiment receives a first transport channel, wherein the first transport channel comprises a first portion of a media content event of interest multiplexed together with a first plurality of media content events; receives a second transport channel, wherein the second transport channel comprises a second portion of the media content event of interest multiplexed together with a second plurality of media content events; demultiplexes the first portion of the media content event of interest from the first transport channel; and demultiplexes the second portion of the media content event of interest from the second transport channel.

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: In various embodiments, a coaxial radio frequency (RF) connector has a circuit board surface mount signal pin that forms no sharp angles (and especially no sharp right angles) as it leads down from an axis of the connector to the level of a printed circuit board 44 to which the signal pin 18 is to be surface mounted. The signal pin is flat and has a first section, a second section and a third section. The first section extends axially from the first end of the signal pin housing. The second section is a transition from the first section to the third section and has a filleted interior corner and a corresponding rounded exterior corner providing a gradual transition between a direction in which the first section extends to a different direction in which the third section extends. The third section then forms a downward curve around an axis that is substantially parallel to an axis of the first section.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for determining a board parasitic capacitance of a crystal oscillator circuit. A crystal's frequency is measured under load condition off-circuit. After coupling the crystal to the oscillator circuit, external capacitors may be adjusted to produce frequencies approximating the off-circuit measurement with upper and lower margins. Calculation of the load capacitor values at the exact frequency measured off-circuit allows for derivation of the board parasitic capacitance by subtracting the calculated capacitor values from the original total load value used in the off-circuit measurement.

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: Techniques for facilitating recording of media content events by media devices on remote storage devices are described. Some embodiments provide a remote storage manager as part of a media device, such as a set-top box. In one embodiment, the remote storage manager causes a media content event to be recorded on a remote persistent storage device by receiving the media content event from a program distributor, and then transmitting the media content event to the remote persistent storage device. In another embodiment, the remote storage manager instructs the remote persistent storage device to obtain the media content event from the program distributor, so that the remote persistent storage device can record the media content event without the media content event first being received by the remote storage manager.

Abstract: A server that hosts an application transmits a state of the application to a client. The server determines that a response to the state is expected and that the response will be one of a finite number of possible responses. The server then generates one or more additional states utilizing at least one possible response from the finite set and provides the additional state(s) to the client. In some implementations, the server provides the additional state when the response is actually received. However, in other implementations, the server provides the additional state when generated and the client presents it when user input that equals the response is received. Additionally, in various implementations, the server may generate an additional state for each of the possible responses. However, in various other implementations, the server may generate additional states for a selected number of the possible responses.

Abstract: A matrix code reader may detect a matrix code (such as a QR code), which may be displayed along with content and include information identifying the content. The matrix code reader may obtain user information associated with a social networking service and, based at least on the content information and the user information, may transmit an instruction to the social networking service to perform a social networking service function. The matrix code reader may obtain the user information and/or the instruction to perform the social networking service function from information included in the matrix code, from a non-transitory storage medium of the matrix code reader, from a user, and so on. In some implementations, the matrix code reader may determine that additional information or a confirmation to transmit the instructions is needed and may prompt a user for the additional information or confirmation.

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: Various embodiments of apparatus and/or methods are described for providing communication between multiple content viewers. First video data is captured of a first user located locally with respect to a presentation device and transmitted to a base station located remotely with respect to the presentation device. The base station transmits a composite signal that includes video content provided by a content source communicatively coupled the base station and further includes second video chat data captured of a second user located remotely with respect to the presentation device. The composite signal is responsively presented by the presentation device to the first user.

Abstract: Systems and methods allow for the distribution of a requested program to a consumer device via a high-bandwidth connection. Consumers cast votes for requested programs via communications channels other than the high-bandwidth connection. A portion of the high-bandwidth connection is allocated to a number of programs, including the requested program. An instruction is subsequently transmitted to the consumer device to thereby allow the consumer device to receive the requested program from the allocated portion of the high-bandwidth connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing travel information associated with a presently viewed media content event. An exemplary method receives a selection for a media content event, receives a media content stream corresponding to the selected media content event, communicates the selected media content event to a media presentation device, communicates to the media presentation device a travel indicator during communication of the media content event, receives a user selection associated with the travel indicator, and presents travel information to the user based on the received user selection. The travel information is based on an analysis of content of the EPG information. The media content event is paused after receiving the user selection of the travel indicator. The travel information associated with the media content event is saved after receiving the user selection of the travel indicator.

Abstract: A method for allowing a user to interactively take notes while watching program content, the method including the operations of: receiving, at a content receiver, an indication from a remote device, the indication associated with initiation of a note; in response to the indication, providing an input field for a user to input a note; associating the note with the program content; and storing the note in a storage medium along with the association of the note and the program content.

Abstract: Systems and methods of memorializing a viewer's viewing experience are disclosed. An exemplary embodiment presents a movie to the viewer, detects an occurrence of one of a plurality of event capture triggers, captures at least one image of the viewer in response to detecting the event capture trigger, and stores the image of the viewer.

Abstract: Image data systems and methods combine a plurality of images into a single multiple-palette image data file, or generate a selected image from the multiple-palette image data file. An exemplary embodiment receives first pixel information for a first pixel of a first image, the first pixel having a first color; receives second pixel information for a like-located second pixel of a second image, the second pixel having a second color; and specifies a color palette location value that identifies a first color palette array element in a first color palette of the first image and identifies a second like-located color palette array element in a second color palette of the second image. First color information stored in the first color palette array element defines the first pixel color. Second color information stored in the second image data color palette array element defines the second pixel color.