Abstract: A method includes associating a client device with a secondary device. The method further includes identifying a triggering event related to an operation of the secondary device. The method also includes, in response to identifying the triggering event, sending a message to the client device with a request for information related to the operation of the secondary device. The client device may have a user interface configured to receive the information. The method includes receiving, via a network, the information from the client device. The method further includes performing the operation at the secondary device using the information from the client device.

Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide gift media is disclosed. The method includes receiving, at an interactive media component, a selection of the media item and a selection of at least one recipient for the media item from a user of a client device. A purchase transaction based on the selection of the media item and the at least one recipient is processed. Delivery of the media item to the at least one recipient is triggered.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing a trend server outside a content provider network to communicate with the content provider network to build a trend record based on responses received from the content provider network for monitoring certain activity trend or tendency in the content provider network and provide an alert when the content provider network behaves abnormally.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transmitting data are presented. Data received from at least one data source is retained in at least one buffer. In one example, initial hierarchical data may be provided from the at least one buffer to a device, followed by additional hierarchical data. In one example, the data is received into the at least one buffer via a multicast connection, and the data is provided to the device via a point-to-point connection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and associating contextual metadata across related media.

Abstract: A server version of an interactive application executed by a processing device of a first mobile device communicatively connected to a main video rendering device collects first data generated by a first client version of the interactive application executed by the processing device. The server version of the interactive application generates first displayable content relating to the first client version of the interactive application based on the first data, wherein the first displayable content is rendered on a display of the first mobile device. The server version of the interactive application generates second displayable content based in part on the first data and additional data relating to the server version of the interactive application, wherein the first displayable content is different from the second displayable content. The server version of the interactive application, transmits the second displayable content to the main video rendering device to be rendered on a main video display.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide a system and method for configuring remote control devices to display application dependent control frames of a remote control user interface. A digital receiver runs a plurality of applications at the receiver device. The digital receiver detects a switch command. The switch command causes a background application to become a primary application, whereby the primary application is the application in focus on a display device. The digital receiver switches the background application into the primary application, the switching causing a previous primary application to become a new background application.

Abstract: Systems and methods of pushing content to secondary connected devices include pushing targeted content such as interactive advertisements, banners, games or application to secondary connected devices in a household. The targeted content may reflect user preferences associated with the secondary connected devices, including user behaviour and previous interaction with various forms of content viewed on the secondary connected devices. The targeted content may be either locally cached or retrieved from an advertisement server at the time of pushing to the secondary connected devices.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are provided for generating media content. For example, a server computer can detect a trigger from a device located at a site. The trigger is associated with an event at the site. The server computer can obtain media segments of media captured by a plurality of media capture devices located at the site. At least one of the media segments corresponds to the detected trigger. The server computer can determine one or more quality metrics of a media segment based on a first motion of an object captured in the media segment and/or a second motion of a media capture device used to capture the media segment. A subset of media segments can be selected from the obtained media segments based on quality metrics determined for the obtained media segments. A collection of media segments including the subset of media segments can then be generated.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a program guide that presents a plurality of icon groupings. Each icon grouping corresponds to one of a plurality of sub-categories within a category of media content. An icon in an icon grouping representing a media content item within a sub-category of the plurality of sub-categories. The device is further configured to receive a first input indicative of a selection of the icon grouping and based on the received first input, update the programming guide to present the icon grouping for selection. The updating of the program guide includes changing a manner in which the icons of the icon grouping are organized within the icon grouping. The device is further configured to perform an operation associated with the icon from the icon grouping based on a second input indicative of a selection of the icon.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a graphical user interface including a plurality of panes. The plurality of panes may include items of content which are time sensitive and items of content which are not time sensitive. Further, the device may be configured to display other graphical user interfaces include graphical user interfaces that enable menu bar navigation and grid guide navigation.

Abstract: Techniques and systems for providing a trend server outside a content provider network to communicate with the content provider network to build a trend record based on responses received from the content provider network for monitoring certain activity trend or tendency in the content provider network and provide an alert when the content provider network behaves abnormally.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating and displaying a non-time bound content channel in a time-bound grid is provided. The system comprises receiving content data representing non-time bound content to be displayed in the time bound grid. The system generates the time bound grid, by creating, based on the content data, a non-time bound content channel. The non-time bound content channel displays one or more content objects representing the non-time bound content in the time bound grid. The system incorporates the non-time bound content channel with a plurality of time bound channels in the time bound grid. The system then causes display of the generated time bound grid on a viewing device of a user.

Abstract: A server version of an interactive application executed by a processing device of a first mobile device communicatively connected to a main video rendering device collects first data generated by a first client version of the interactive application executed by the processing device. The server version of the interactive application generates first displayable content relating to the first client version of the interactive application based on the first data, wherein the first displayable content is rendered on a display of the first mobile device. The server version of the interactive application generates second displayable content based in part on the first data and additional data relating to the server version of the interactive application, wherein the first displayable content is different from the second displayable content. The server version of the interactive application, transmits the second displayable content to the main video rendering device to be rendered on a main video display.

Abstract: Example embodiments provide a system and method for dynamically triggering display of recommendations during an end-of-show period. A digital receiver identifies an end-of-show period for a piece of digital content. The end-of-show period indicates a portion at an end of the piece of digital content during which display of recommendations can be triggered. The digital receiver monitors for a motion indication signal from a remote control device. In response to both playback of the piece of digital content being within the end-of-show period and a determination that the motion indication signal is received, the digital receiver causes immediate display of one or more recommendations of further digital content.

Abstract: Advertisements included in a stored digital video program are identified and indexed. A user can time shift the advertisements to play out at a different time position in the program or not play the advertisement at all. A user may incur an advertisement debt for skipping or fast forwarding an advertisement. The advertisement debt can be offset by viewing ads, trading the debt with other users or by paying for the debt in another form.

Abstract: Systems and methods for identifying and associating contextual metadata across related media.

Abstract: A method and system to share advertisement content from a main reception device to a secondary reception device.

Abstract: A method and system to navigate viewable content in the context of television entertainment is provided. In one example embodiment, the system comprises a presentation module to present main content on a display screen, a communications module to receive a first request associated with a first directional key on a remote control device, a navigation mode detector to determine a navigation mode associated with the first request, a margin menu module to activate a margin menu associated with the determined navigation mode. The margin menu may be presented along one of the margins of a display screen, while permitting viewing of the main content.

Abstract: A system for facilitating access to items of content presents recommendations to a user. Items of content may include movies and television shows. Recommendations may include access plans specifying a plurality of digital media services, where each specified digital media service provides availability to items of content included in a user defined set. Further, recommendations may be based on one or more use defined constraints. User defined constraints may include a user budget for accessing items of content during a specific time period.