Abstract: Upon a user first installing, first launching, or otherwise first using a software application, a visual test may be provided that determines a desirable font size (i.e., size of text) to use throughout some or all user interfaces of that application or applicable device for that user. Based on prompts to the user regarding readability of the sample text of different font sizes and the responses received from the user, the system for font size selection may then select a default font size specifically for that user. The user's computing device may be in communication with a remote device or other server that that stores the selected fonts in a corresponding user profile, and then applies a corresponding font size selection to other connected devices of the user depending of the type of device and other user selectable options.

Abstract: A method of operating a video services receiver is provided. The video services receiver can record program content and present recorded program content to a user. The method provides first program content to a presentation device, and obtains a request for program content recorded from the particular programming service (channel) that is providing the first program content. In response to the request, the method searches for recorded program content associated with the particular programming service, and then controls a display of search results obtained from the searching. The display is rendered as an interactive channel-specific listing of recorded content.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, methods and devices, such as television receivers, are described that are useful for displaying contextual and/or personalized video advertisements to viewers that take into consideration the viewers' personal attributes, such as biological characteristics or mental characteristics, including stress levels. Optionally, this is achieved by use of one or more sensors, including thermal sensors, electrical sensors, optical sensors, acoustic sensors, biosensors, etc., to determine a stress level of the viewer and then matching the viewer's stress level to an appropriately tagged advertisement.

Abstract: A sign language message may be derived from user movements detected proximate to an electronic device by comparing the movements to a database that includes data regarding one or more sign languages. A control function may then be identified which the electronic device may be caused to perform. Output related to the user's detected movements may be provided to the user. In some implementations, output specifying identified control functions may be transmitted to a presentation device. Further, in some implementations, if a sign language message and/or a control function cannot be unambiguously derived and/or identified, output promoting the user to provide additional information may be transmitted to a presentation device. Detected movements may be compared to data regarding multiple different sign languages and/or a subset of available multiple different sign languages.

Abstract: Implementations discussed herein are directed to providing interactive advertisements to a viewer of a broadcast or other program service transmission. Interactive advertisements include product offering advertisements that give details regarding sales of specific products or retailers that offering specific products for sale. A user may create a shopping list or other indicator that specifies which product offering advertisements are displayed. Product offering advertisements may be displayed concurrently with content from a program service transmission. Extended product offering advertisement that provide further details regarding a product for sale may be displayed in response to user selections of particular product offering advertisements. Product offering advertisements and/or extended product offering advertisements may be displayed on a front panel screen of a receiver or on a television or other output device used to display program service content.

Abstract: A sign language message may be derived from user movements detected proximate to an electronic device by comparing the movements to a database that includes data regarding one or more sign languages. A control function may then be identified which the electronic device may be caused to perform. Output related to the user's detected movements may be provided to the user. In some implementations, output specifying identified control functions may be transmitted to a presentation device. Further, in some implementations, if a sign language message and/or a control function cannot be unambiguously derived and/or identified, output promoting the user to provide additional information may be transmitted to a presentation device. Detected movements may be compared to data regarding multiple different sign languages and/or a subset of available multiple different sign languages.

Abstract: Insertion of subliminal frames in content is performed at a content receiver. The content receiver may receive content, analyze a setting, and modify the received content based on the analyzed setting. The content receiver may modify the received content by periodically inserting subliminal frames in the received content as specified by the setting. In some implementations, the content may include video content and the subliminal frames may be one or more images. The inserted subliminal frames may be subliminally perceptible but consciously imperceptible by a human viewer of the content when the content is played. As such, viewing of the content that includes the inserted subliminal frames may result in subliminal learning by a human viewer. In various implementations, one or more conditions included in the analyzed setting may specify that certain subliminal frames are to be inserted when the content has certain characteristics, such as a rating or description.

Abstract: A content receiver may establish a communication connection with an entertainment system component. Utilizing the communication connection, the content receiver may control the entertainment system component in order to synchronize user interfaces the content receiver is operable to provide with user interfaces the entertainment system component is operable to provide. Hence, the user interfaces provided by the various entertainment system components may more closely resemble user interfaces of the content receiver, reducing user confusion. The content receiver may synchronize such user interfaces by altering software of the entertainment system component. In altering the software, the content receiver may replace or modify the software to change one or more aspects of one or more entertainment system user interfaces to that of one or more aspects of a content receiver user interface. The aspects may include visual properties, audio properties, and so on.

Abstract: A method of operating a video services receiver is provided. The video services receiver can record program content and present recorded program content to a user. The method provides first program content to a presentation device, and obtains a request for program content recorded from the particular programming service (channel) that is providing the first program content. In response to the request, the method searches for recorded program content associated with the particular programming service, and then controls a display of search results obtained from the searching. The display is rendered as an interactive channel-specific listing of recorded content.

Abstract: A video services receiver for presenting video content, and related methods of operating the video services receiver, are presented here. An exemplary operating method identifies, at the video services receiver, an upcoming program event having content preferred by a user of the video services receiver. The method continues by generating, at the video services receiver, a graphical program notification comprising information related to the upcoming program event. The graphical program notification is provided for presentation on a display associated with the video services receiver.

Abstract: A user interface includes menu items arranged in a flower-like configuration. A number of menu items are peripherally arranged around a central item and mapped to selectable elements of an input device. Then, a display image including the menu is transmitted to a display. Subsequently, in response to a received selection, a corresponding action may be performed such as execution of a task, modification of the display image, and so on. In certain implementations, the menu items may be selected utilizing a cursor. The menu items may include a smaller portion located closer to the central item and a larger portion located further away. In still other implementations, the menu may also include a number of menu items that are not peripherally arranged around the central item. In response to a received selection, the menu items which are peripherally arranged around the central item may be altered.

Abstract: Disclosure is directed to providing projected output from a receiver that includes ambiance or environmental images and sounds for display to and/or listening by a user. Other aspects are directed to processing or altering program service video to produce a compensated video that is output by a projector component of a receiver. The modified image compensates for characteristics associated with the ambient light conditions and/or characteristics of the projection surface upon which the projector outputs an image.

Abstract: A system for providing audio/video content to a user is disclosed. The system includes a set-top box device configured to provide audio/video content to a presentation device, and at least one sensor communicatively coupled to the set-top box device, the at least one sensor configured to provide sensor data to the set-top box device. The system also includes a sensor data processing module configured to process the sensor data to determine a probable activity type for the user, and a controller coupled to the sensor data processing module. The controller is configured to select particular audio/video content for playback at the presentation device, where the particular audio/video content is influenced by the probable activity type. Related operating methods are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a content receiver to provide supplemental content, such as news content, personal content and advertising content, to a user. Received data is formatted as supplemental content by the content receiver based on user preference information stored therein, and the formatted supplemental content is transmitted to a content display device. The supplemental content is provided to the user in addition or as an alternative to video content, and may replace or supplement closed captioning content. The supplemental content may be translated into another language and/or converted into audio signals utilizing the content receiver. Systems and methods also utilize a content receiver to translate data such as text data into another language. Text data may, in addition or alternatively, be converted into audio signals utilizing the content receiver.

Abstract: Disclosure is directed to providing projected output from a receiver that includes ambiance or environmental images and sounds for display to and/or listening by a user. Other aspects are directed to processing or altering program service video to produce a compensated video that is output by a projector component of a receiver. The modified image compensates for characteristics associated with the ambient light conditions and/or characteristics of the projection surface upon which the projector outputs an image.

Abstract: A video services receiver system for providing video content to a display for viewing by a customer is presented here. The video services receiver system includes a receiver interface configured to receive data associated with video services, and a display interface for the display. The display interface provides a graphical interactive programming interface for the video services, the programming interface having a plurality of user-selectable elements. The video services receiver system also includes an audio interface configured to generate audio signals associated with operation of the video services receiver system. A processor of the system detects selection of one of the user-selectable elements, which results in a selected element. In response to selection of an element, the processor initiates generation of audio with the audio interface, the audio conveying content associated with the selected element.

Abstract: Insertion of subliminal frames in content is performed at a content receiver. The content receiver may receive content, analyze a setting, and modify the received content based on the analyzed setting. The content receiver may modify the received content by periodically inserting subliminal frames in the received content as specified by the setting. In some implementations, the content may include video content and the subliminal frames may be one or more images. The inserted subliminal frames may be subliminally perceptible but consciously imperceptible by a human viewer of the content when the content is played. As such, viewing of the content that includes the inserted subliminal frames may result in subliminal learning by a human viewer. In various implementations, one or more conditions included in the analyzed setting may specify that certain subliminal frames are to be inserted when the content has certain characteristics, such as a rating or description.

Abstract: Implementations discussed herein are directed to providing interactive advertisements to a viewer of a broadcast or other program service transmission. Interactive advertisements include product offering advertisements that give details regarding sales of specific products or retailers that offering specific products for sale. A user may create a shopping list or other indicator that specifies which product offering advertisements are displayed. Product offering advertisements may be displayed concurrently with content from a program service transmission. Extended product offering advertisement that provide further details regarding a product for sale may be displayed in response to user selections of particular product offering advertisements. Product offering advertisements and/or extended product offering advertisements may be displayed on a front panel screen of a receiver or on a television or other output device used to display program service content.

Abstract: A method of facilitating purchases of products via a media content receiver is presented. In the method, the media content receiver receives media content representing a product. The receiver also receives a product code associated with the product. The media content representing the product is presented to a user. While presenting the media content, a request is received from a user. In response to receiving the request, the product code is transmitted. After transmitting the code, data descriptive of the product is received. The data is presented to the user. A product selection based on the data for the product is then received. In response to receiving the selection, an order for the product is transmitted. In another embodiment, no product codes are received at the receiver; instead, a channel identifier for a channel carrying the media content is transmitted instead of the product code.

Abstract: An apparatus for place-shifting telecommunication messages is presented. The apparatus includes a telecommunication service interface compatible with a telecommunication network that provides telecommunication service to the apparatus, and a network interface compatible with a data communication network that provides data connectivity between the apparatus and a remote user device. The apparatus also includes a data network conversion module and a telecom network conversion module. The data network conversion module is coupled between the telecommunication service interface and the network interface, and the telecom network conversion module is configured to convert local telecommunication signals received by the telecommunication service interface into a first format compatible with the data communication network.