Abstract: A connection interface allows individuals (such as guests at a lodging facility) to use portable personal electronic devices (such as laptop computers, digital audio players, and digital audio/video players) in conjunction with a television. The connection interface device includes inputs to receive signals from various portable devices, and includes selection keys by which a guest can select a particular type of input to the television. The connection interface senses presence of video and audio signals on its inputs, and the state of the selection keys, and provides data over an in-room network with a television interface terminal. The connection interface device also routes the signals received at its inputs to corresponding inputs of the television.

Abstract: Methods and systems for associating or pairing a mobile device with a local output device via a central or mobile connect server system are provided. Pairing is performed by initiating a pairing request from an output device that is passed to the mobile connect server for processing. The mobile connect server responds to the request with a pairing code that is displayed by the output device. A user of the mobile device then enters the displayed pairing code in the mobile device. The mobile device transmits the entered pairing code to the mobile connect server and, in response to a match, the mobile device is paired to the output device. Pairing can enable various functions, including an ability to apply stored user preference data to control programming or other information displayed by the output device in response to commands entered in the mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for associating or pairing a mobile device with a local output device via a central or mobile connect server system are provided. Pairing is performed by initiating a pairing request from an output device that is passed to the mobile connect server for processing. The mobile connect server responds to the request with a pairing code that is displayed by the output device. A user of the mobile device then enters the displayed pairing code in the mobile device. The mobile device transmits the entered pairing code to the mobile connect server and, in response to a match, the mobile device is paired to the output device. Pairing can enable various functions, including an ability to control programming or other information displayed by the output device in response to commands entered in the mobile device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing direct access to content available on an entertainment system. The entertainment system includes a head end and a plurality of user terminals connected by a distribution system. In operation of the entertainment system, a display promoting content available for direct access by a user is provided at a user terminal. A selection input made by the user on an input device is received at the user terminal. The content being promoted when the selection input was made by the user is then provided from the head end to the user terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for providing interactive controls using interactive video animation software for use in conjunction with content provided by a lodging entertainment system are disclosed. The lodging entertainment system includes a head end with a digital content server and a plurality of guest terminals connected by a distribution system. A display of interactive controls is transmitted with the content from the head end to a guest terminal. This preferably occurs in response to pressing a key on a remote control at the guest terminal. Then, interactive control selection data representing the interactive control selected by a guest is transmitted from the guest terminal to the head end. After processing the interactive control selection data at the head end, transmission of the content from the head end to the guest terminal is adjusted in accordance with the interactive control selected by the guest.

Abstract: Entertainment content is delivered in an encrypted digital format from a home base via satellite to individual lodging properties (sites) having an in-room entertainment system. Each digital file containing content (such as a movie) is accompanied by a sites file which identifies the name of the content file and the sites to which the content file is being transmitted. Each site includes a host computer, a digital content receiver, a digital content server guest terminals in the guest rooms, and a distribution network for distributing content from the digital content server to the guest terminals. The digital content receiver receives the transmitted digital content and sites files, and provides the files to the digital content server for storage and later use.

Abstract: A menuing system for a video distribution system provides an interactive display to allow a user to select and control the delivery of program material. A central host computer processes initial request for service from users and maintains a database of currently available program materials and other system resources. In response to a user's request for service, the central host computer assigns one of a plurality of assignable computing devices (ACDs) to communicate with the user. The ACD reads the database and presents an interactive menu to the user on the user's audiovisual display monitor. Using a graphical user interface (GUI) the user may then respond to the menu by selecting an item for viewing. The menuing system may have a number of levels that the user may parse through to allow the user to select desired program material. Upon selection by the user, the ACD passes the request on for further programming.

Abstract: A hybrid data distribution system includes a modulator coupled to an analog device, one or more processors coupled to the modulator, and a database coupled to the one or more processors. The database is configured to store encoded data. The system also includes an Ethernet switch for transmitting the encoded data to a digital device. The Ethernet switch is coupled to each of the database and the digital device. Moreover, the one or more processors are configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, decode the encoded data, and directly or indirectly transmit the decoded data to the modulator. The modulator is configured to transmit the decoded data to the analog device, and the Ethernet switch is configured to directly or indirectly obtain the encoded data from the database, and to transmit the encoded data to the digital device.