Abstract: Automatically and repeatedly crawling multiple multimedia websites to identify and collect information about the multimedia content that is available for delivery over the Internet to a client device for playback on a media player operating on the client device. In one embodiment, the method normalizes the collected information by converting the different formats of the collected information into a common format and converting the different nomenclatures of the collected information into a common nomenclature. The method updates an index with the normalized information, and sends a data feed to the client device to populate the user interface on the client device with the normalized information of the index. The user interface allows the user to navigate and select the multimedia content that is available for delivery over the Internet for playback on the media player.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for displaying conflicts between two or more recording timers. Recording conflicts are displayed graphically for the user to resolve.

Abstract: Various arrangements for providing remote access to locally-recorded television programming is presented. In some embodiments, a DVR is presented that it is configured to receive input indicating a timer for recording a television channel during a time period. The DVR may record television programming on the television channel during the time period indicated by the timer. The television receiver may further receive input indicating the television programming is to be stored remotely. The DVR may transmit the television programming to a media distribution management system via a second network. The DVR may transmit an indication of a user account to the media distribution management system via the second network.

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: A method for providing remote access to segments of a transmitted program is presented. The program is recorded, and then stored at a communication server. Information specifying a segment of the stored program is transferred from a communication device to the communication server. Also, a request for access to the specified segment of the stored program is transferred from another communication device to the communication server. In response to the request, the specified segment of the program is transferred from the communication server to the requesting communication device.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for associating remote controls and televisions. More specifically, the present invention permits delivery of television programming to multiple televisions from a television converter device. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Abstract: A remote control includes a top portion with programming receiver functionality selection members and a bottom portion with a keyboard. The two portions are rotatable between a closed position (where the top portion covers the keyboard) and an open position (where portions of the keyboard project laterally out from under the top portion). When the two portions are in the open position, the selection members and the keyboard share an orientation. The remote control may transmit signals to a programming receiver. The programming receiver may update a display based on signals received from the remote control device. In some implementations, the updated display transmitted by the programming receiver may be based at least in part on a context of a previous display. In various implementations, the remote control may provide indicators to a user. These indicators may be based on signals received from a programming receiver.

Abstract: A method for providing a user of a mobile electronic device with information regarding the geographic location of a business entity. The method includes detecting, utilizing the mobile electronic mobile device, a matrix code. The matrix code is encoded with data relating to the business entity. The method further includes retrieving, utilizing the electronic mobile device, GPS data relating to any or all of a current geographic location of the electronic mobile device and a reference geographic location. The method further includes generating, utilizing the electronic mobile device, a request for location information with respect to the business entity.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods provide feedback about the quality of communication between a device and a remote control. A wireless signal is sent between a controlled device and the remote control. The quality of the signal can be measured and reported to a user, installer, troubleshooter, customer service agent or other person in any manner. Quality may be determined based upon the strength of the received signal as well as the amount of noise that is present. The quality measurements provide feedback that allows a user, installer, customer service representative or other person to change the positions of the device or the remote control, or to take other actions based upon the quality of the wireless signal that is received.

Abstract: Arrangements for providing available playback options for missed portions of broadcast content may be presented. A request to present an electronic programming guide that comprises indications of a plurality of television programs currently being broadcast may be received. A missed portion of each television program of the plurality of television programs may have already been broadcast. For each television program of the plurality of television programs, a plurality of content resources from which the missed portion of each television program of the plurality of television programs may be retrievable may be analyzed. A first source from the plurality of content resources from which the missed portion of a television program is retrievable may be identified. The electronic programming guide may be configured and output to comprise an indication of availability of the missed portion of the television program.

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: A method for delivering supplemental content associated with audio/visual content to a user of the audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content and the supplemental content are received. The audio/visual content is then transferred as a stream to a first device for presentation to the user. The supplemental content is transferred to a second device for presentation to the user. The transferred supplemental content is organized into segments, wherein each of the segments is to be presented by the second device to the user in synchronization with the presentation of a corresponding portion of the audio/visual content.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for selective archival of media content. A first entertainment device stores a plurality of media content files on a first storage medium. The first entertainment devices selects a portion of the media content files for backup based on characteristics of the media content files and transmits the portion of the media content files to a second entertainment device through a communication network. The second entertainment device stores the portion of the media content files on a second storage medium associated therewith.

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: Various arrangements for determining a voltage of a voltage source using pre-charging are presented. Such arrangements may include a measurement module which includes an analog to digital converter, a driver, and an interface. The interface may be electrically coupled with the analog to digital converter and the driver. The driver may be configured to output current to charge a capacitor. After a first predefined period of time, the driver may stop outputting current to pre-charge the capacitor. After the driver has stopped pre-charging the capacitor and a second predefined period of time has elapsed, the analog to digital converter may be configured to measure a voltage of the capacitor. Such arrangements may include a capacitor, wherein the capacitor is electrically coupled with the interface of the measurement module.

Abstract: A method for collecting advertisement viewer information includes receiving a signal carrying a television advertisement, reading viewing data associated with the advertisement from a computer readable storage medium, compiling a matrix code including the viewing data for inclusion in the advertisement and scanning by a viewer, and transmitting the advertisement with the matrix code to a presentation device for display. A system for including advertisement viewer information in a matrix code is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for adaptive-rate shifting of streaming content includes an agent controller module configured to simultaneously request at least portions of a plurality of streamlets. The agent controller module is further configured to continuously monitor streamlet requests and subsequent responses, and accordingly request higher or lower quality streamlets. A staging module is configured to stage the streamlets and arrange the streamlets for playback on a content player. A system includes a data communications network, a content server coupled to the data communications network and having a content module configured to process content and generate a plurality of high and low quality streams, and the apparatus.

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: 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 wireless telephone network. More particularly, data from a client device is modulated into an audio signal and transmitted to a wireless telephone. The wireless telephone receives the audio signal and places a phone call to a remote device over a wireless telephone network. During the phone call, the wireless telephone transmits the audio signal across a voice channel of the wireless telephone network to the remote device. The remote device receives and decodes the audio signal to extract the transmitted data.