Abstract: A media broker comprises a communication interface and a controller associated with the communication interface configured to receive a request from a user to record a requested media item. The media broker proceeds to query an aggregated stored content list (ASCL) including information indicative of each of the media items stored on one or more media storage device communicatively coupled to the media broker to determine if the requested media item is stored on the one or more media storage devices. If it is determined that the requested media item is stored on the one or more media storage devices the user that requested the media item is informed and the media item is stored on the one or more media storage devices. Conversely, if it is determined that the requested media item is not stored on the one or more media storage devices, the requested media item is recorded.

Abstract: A media broker comprises a communication interface and a controller associated with the communication interface configured to divide at least one media item into a plurality of media item content layers, assign a priority to each of the plurality of media content item layers and direct one or more media storage devices to store the plurality of media content layers. The controller is configured to subsequently determine when space is needed. In response to determining that space is needed, at least one of the plurality of media content item layers is selected based upon the priority of the at least one of the plurality of media content item layers and deleted.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for enabling a distributed group of users to collaboratively select a media item for a collaborative playback session. In one embodiment, a distributed group of users for a collaborative playback session is formed, where the distributed group of users includes a number of users located at a number of geographically distributed user sites. Each user site includes one or more media controllers having access to media content and one or more renderers that operate to render the media content. A distributed aggregate guide that includes a listing of media content accessible to the media controllers at all of the user sites is generated and utilized by users at the user sites to suggest media items for the collaborative playback session. Based on the suggestions of the users, a media item for the collaborative playback session is selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, media collection information of a plurality of shared media collections from a plurality of second client devices are obtained. Media collection information identifying media items from at least one of the plurality of shared media collections and a local media collection of a first user are processed. An aggregated media collection based on the processed media collection information is provided where the aggregated media collection comprises a primary list including a media item entry for each unique media item.

Abstract: A media device includes a communication interface communicatively coupling the media device to one or more other media devices and a display, and a controller associated with the communication interface. The controller is adapted to access one or more templates comprising a layout of a graphical user interface (GUI). The controller further identifies one or more other media devices from which media content may be streamed and one or more media content streams available from each of the one or more media devices and determine, based upon the template and the one or more media content streams, at least one of the media content streams to display. The controller then acquires and outputs the at least one of the media content streams for display in accordance with the layout.

Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for monitoring and controlling usage of media content by blocking usage of media segments. In one embodiment, usage data defining usage, or consumption, of the media content is obtained. A pattern in media segments in the media content based on the usage data is detected when the media segments satisfy at least one defined criterion and are consumed at least a predefined threshold amount. Usage of at least one of the media segments is blocked. In one embodiment, one or more additional media segments accessible to the one or more media devices that are similar to the at least one of the one or more media segments for which usage is blocked at the one or more media devices is identified. Usage of at least one of the one or more additional media segments at the one or more media devices is blocked.

Abstract: Cloud-based systems and methods for aggregating media collections of users are disclosed. In one embodiment, in order to generate an aggregate media collection catalog of a first user, a cloud-based media aggregation system identifies one or more second users that have an identifier that is the same as an identifier of the first user for purposes of media collection aggregation. The media aggregation system then aggregates media collection catalogs of the one or more second users with a media collection catalog of the first user to thereby provide an aggregate media collection catalog of the first user.

Abstract: Systems and methods relating to a Media Collection Aggregation System (MCAS) are provided. In one embodiment, a number of nodes are connected over a Local Area Network (LAN) to provide an ad-hoc MCAS network. At least some of the nodes in the MCAS network share locally stored media collections, or select subsets thereof, with the other nodes in the MCAS network. Each node in the MCAS network selects and aggregates one or more of the shared media collections to provide an aggregate media collection for that node. One of the nodes in the MCAS network is a proxy node that provides a proxy service that enables remote participation in the MCAS network. In one embodiment, the proxy node enables one or more remote nodes to passively and/or actively participate in the MCAS network.

Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for recommending items in a video series to a group of viewers. In general, video series item recommendations are generated for a viewer group detected within a viewing area of a media device based on personal viewing histories of users in the viewer group. In one embodiment, the video series item recommendations are recommendations for video series items that: (a) are from one or more video series historically viewed by at least a first predefined minimum threshold number of users in the viewer group and (b) have not yet been viewed by any of at least a second predefined minimum threshold number of users in the viewer group. The video series item recommendations are then provided to the viewer group.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying program representation. Program rating information derived from a plurality of identified users regarding a plurality of programs is obtained. A social rank of the plurality of programs is determined based on the rating information. A plurality of program representations are displayed to a viewer, wherein the program representations represent corresponding ones of the plurality of programs and wherein a differentiating visual characteristic of each of the plurality of program representations is based on the social ranking.

Abstract: A method for displaying data from a program guide. Based on program metadata from a program guide, a display is caused to be presented on a display device that identifies a current status of a first media controller and a second media controller. The current status includes data identifying a first program currently being provided by the first media controller and a second program currently being provided by a second media controller.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for enabling a portable media player to obtain media content from secondary systems, such as other portable media players, via local wireless communication. In general, the portable media player stores proxy information identifying the media content of a number of media files in the user's media collection rather than the media files themselves. When a secondary system is within a local wireless coverage area of the portable media player, the proxy information for the media files, or a subset thereof, is provided to the secondary system. In response, the secondary system identifies media files stored by the secondary system having media content matching the media content identified by the proxy information. The secondary system then provides a notification of the identified media files to the portable media player, which may then obtain the identified media files from the secondary system.

Abstract: A merged program guide which includes program metadata from a plurality of different media controllers. A first media controller receives program metadata that identifies a first plurality of programs. The first plurality of programs corresponds to a first content package provided by a content provider. A first program record identifying a first program of the first plurality of programs is generated. The first program record includes first program metadata associated with the first program. The first program metadata is transmitted onto a network to make the first program metadata available to a second media controller. The first media controller receives second program metadata associated with a second program of a second plurality of programs which correspond to a second content package associated with the second media controller. The first program metadata and the second program metadata are stored in a program guide on the first media controller.

Abstract: Augmentation of media content in a media sharing group is provided for a plurality of devices by receiving an identification of an Internet radio station; establishing communication with the Internet radio station; ripping radio content received from the Internet radio station into storage as a digital file; and adding the ripped radio content to an aggregate media collection of the media sharing group.

Abstract: A media broker comprises a communication interface and a controller associated with the communication interface configured to receive a request from a user to record a requested media item. The media broker proceeds to query an aggregated stored content list (ASCL) including information indicative of each of the media items stored on one or more media storage device communicatively coupled to the media broker to determine if the requested media item is stored on the one or more media storage devices. If it is determined that the requested media item is stored on the one or more media storage devices the user that requested the media item is informed. Conversely, if it is determined that the requested media item is not stored on the one or more media storage devices, the requested media item is recorded.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a collection digest summarizing a shared media collection for presentation to a user. In one embodiment, a user device of a user joins a media sharing system including the user device and one or more other users devices, each associated with a sharing user and hosting a shared media collection of the sharing user. The user device obtains a collection digest from at least one of the other user devices that summarizes the shared media collection hosted by the at least one of the other user devices and presents the collection digest to the user. The collection digest may be used to assist the user in determining whether to access the shared media collection.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for aggregating a local media collection of a user with one or more shared media collections shared with the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user. In general, one or more shared media collections shared with the user are first discovered. Optionally, the user may select one or more of the shared media collections for aggregation with the local media collection of the user. The shared media collections selected by the user, or alternatively all of the shared media collections, are then aggregated with the local media collection of the user to provide an aggregate media collection for the user.

Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for recommending items in a video series to a group of viewers. In general, video series item recommendations are generated for a viewer group detected within a viewing area of a media device based on personal viewing histories of users in the viewer group. In one embodiment, the video series item recommendations are recommendations for video series items that: (a) are from one or more video series historically viewed by at least a first predefined minimum threshold number of users in the viewer group and (b) have not yet been viewed by any of at least a second predefined minimum threshold number of users in the viewer group. The video series item recommendations are then provided to the viewer group.

Abstract: Systems and devices are disclosed for monitoring and controlling usage of media content by blocking usage of media segments. In one embodiment, usage data defining usage, or consumption, of the media content is obtained. A pattern in media segments in the media content based on the usage data is detected when the media segments satisfy at least one defined criterion and are consumed at least a predefined threshold amount. Usage of at least one of the media segments is blocked. In one embodiment, one or more additional media segments accessible to the one or more media devices that are similar to the at least one of the one or more media segments for which usage is blocked at the one or more media devices is identified. Usage of at least one of the one or more additional media segments at the one or more media devices is blocked.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for transferring video display between video playback devices. In one embodiment, a mobile, or handheld, device receives user input that initiates transfer of display of video content to the mobile device from a desired renderer located proximate to the mobile device. The mobile device then causes transfer of display of the video content to the mobile device from the desired renderer. In another embodiment, a mobile, or handheld, device receives user input that initiates transfer of display of video content from the mobile device to a desired renderer located proximate to the mobile device. The mobile device then causes transfer of display of the video content from the mobile device to the desired renderer.