Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method providing a user interface for content browsing and selection in a content system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming media content on a user device from a wireless network of set-top cells. Set-top cells with overlapping wireless transmission ranges create a network within which a user may roam and receive continuous streaming media content. Each user device and set-top cell in the network is associated with a media account for a user. A user device may be associated with a media account for a user and may be authorized to access media content from the network of set-top cells. The user may use the user device to access media content from a set-top cell in the network associated with a media account for a different user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for streaming media content on a user device from a wireless network of set-top cells. Set-top cells with overlapping wireless transmission ranges create a network within which a user may roam and receive continuous streaming media content. A user device may connect with a set-top cell in the network to access media content. When the user leaves the wireless transmission range of the set-top cell, a seamless handoff occurs to a second set-top cell, and the user receives continuous streaming media content. The streaming media content is uninterrupted as long as the user remains within wireless transmission range of at least one set-top cell in the network.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for recognizing when a user of an interactive application is frustrated and for responding to the user's frustration by changing an interaction mode. Signals arising from motion sensors included in user equipment are monitored for patterns indicative of user frustration. In response to detecting a frustration pattern in a motion sensor signal, an interactive application display is changed.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for recognizing when a user of an interactive application is frustrated and for responding to the user's frustration by changing an interaction mode. In response to detecting a frustration pattern in a user signal, an interaction mode of the application may be adjusted. Adjusting an interaction mode may include adjusting the presentation of any one or more interactive application elements (for example, available options, valid user commands, display characteristics and items presented to the user).

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system and method is provided. Time separators are displayed within lists of program listings to allow users to more easily view the program listings. On-screen arrows have their display characteristics changed according to user actions. Similar program listings are displayed only once when using search program listings. Users are provided with an opportunity to view channel information before setting channels as favorites. Information from local information services is provided in program guide display screens that are configurable by a main facility. Users are provided with an opportunity to centrally lock and unlock programs, and to bypass locks when desired.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable cluster of apparatuses and methods and systems for dynamically configuring the apparatuses are disclosed. At a server computer, a list of identified resources available to the clustered apparatuses may be received from an apparatus of the cluster. The server computer may provide to the apparatus a list of functionalities including functionalities performable by one or more of the clustered apparatuses, based on the list of identified resources. A selection from the list of functionalities may be received from the apparatus. The server computer may provide one or more of the clustered apparatuses with additional resources, based on the selection. Additional systems and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable apparatus and methods for dynamically configuring the apparatus are provided. A list of resources available to the apparatus may be identified and communicated to a server computer and a list of functionalities performable by the apparatus, based on the list of resources, may be received from the server computer. A user selects one or more functionalities from the list of functionalities. The server computer may provide the apparatus with additional resources based on the selected functionalities. The apparatus preferably configures itself to perform the selected functionalities by using the additional resources. Additional apparatus and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control user equipment and interactive media guidance applications. In an exemplary embodiment, users can access a surfing guide application which allows browsing of screenshots of programs playing on broadcast channels on the wireless communications device.

Abstract: A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control user equipment and interactive media guidance applications. In an exemplary embodiment, if the wireless communications device goes outside of a predetermined range from the user equipment, content that was playing on user equipment may automatically be streamed to the wireless communications device.

Abstract: A wireless communications device provides users with opportunities to access interactive media guidance or other applications and to control user equipment and interactive media guidance applications. In an exemplary embodiment, users can play a program with subtitles in one language on user equipment while simultaneously playing the same program with subtitles in another language on the wireless communications device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for integrating quantitative marketing techniques in fantasy sports contest applications and other contest applications to provide personalized advertisements and other marketing related communications and/or content. The fantasy sports contests application may create user profiles to store various information associated with users. Information associated with users may be provided by the users or automatically gathered by the application through various channels such as external consumer databases. The application may employ tests such as personality tests and other types of predictive games to collect additional user information. The application may also link user profiles to users clusters including other users having similar characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for media, particularly online video, by searching or browsing for media content based on user selections and user information. Browsing results are diversified using one or more techniques to provide a range of interesting results.

Abstract: Method and systems for operating a media equipment device having at least a full-power mode and an off-power mode are provided. A voltage supply to the media equipment device may be controlled by the media equipment device itself or by an external power management unit to automatically power-off the media equipment device, and power the device back on a future time. Prior to powering off the media equipment device, a portion of program schedule information stored in the volatile memory of the media equipment device may be mirrored to nonvolatile memory and may be restored on a priority basis after the media equipment device is powered back up. An external power management unit for controlling the media equipment device may also automatically detect and identify devices in the home based on a power signature of the device and manage the operation of the device based on the identification.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining proximity of objects in a three-dimensional (3D) media guidance application are provided. A first rank may be associated with a first media object. A second rank lower than the first rank may be associated with a second media object. The first and second media objects may appear at respective first and second distances in 3D space when viewed using a stereoscopic optical device. The first and second distances may correspond respectively to the first and second ranks of the first and second media objects. The first and second ranks may be automatically associated with the first and second media objects using predetermined or viewer-defined criteria. A viewer may input ranking criteria using a user input device having an accelerometer.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for enabling content information ingestion and processing in a content browsing and recommendation system are disclosed. The system and method in an example embodiment includes: gathering available content information related to particular items of content from a plurality of content sources via a data network; normalizing the gathered content information by using an ingestion engine; processing the content information, using a data processor, to associate particular items of content information with content catalogs; and storing the processed content information into a database with information identifying associated content catalogs.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for enabling data delivery in a content browsing and recommendation system are disclosed. The system and method in an example embodiment include: gathering available content information related to particular items of content from a plurality of content sources via a data network; processing the content information, using a data processor, to associate particular items of content information with content catalogs; storing the processed content information into a database with information identifying associated content catalogs; and providing a service, accessible via the data network, to enable a user platform to search the processed content information in the database based on a content catalog identifier.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for managing different formats for media files and playback devices in a media system. The media system may include a source device, at least one playback device, and a manager device coupled through a communication system. The source device may store a plurality of media files for various media forms (e.g., video, audio, image, or gaming media files). Each media file and playback device may have a playback format that is specified by values of one or more format parameters. The manager device may automatically determine format parameters of each media file and playback device and store to a media data structure. The manager device may also automatically determine and store compatibility data indicating format compatibility between different media files and playback devices, the compatibility data being used to automatically convert media files to the formats of the playback devices.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for delivering content to a user of a registered platform are provided. Assets retrieved from a number of content sources may be stored on a database at a service provider. Information related to a number of content items retrieved from the assets may be presented to the user of the registered platform. In response to a request from the user, a content item associated with a content source may be delivered to the user without a need for user authentication.

Abstract: Described herein is a media manager user interface (UI) application/engine for managing different formats for media files and playback devices in a media system. The media system may include a source device, at least one playback device, and the media manager UI, coupled through a communication system. A source device may store a plurality of media files for various media forms. Each media file and playback device may have a playback format that is specified by values of one or more format parameters. The media manager UI allows users to select media files stored on the source device for downloading onto selected playback devices through the communication system. The media manager UI may automatically determine and store compatibility data indicating format compatibility between different media files and playback devices, the compatibility data being used to automatically convert media files to the formats of the playback devices.