Abstract: Systems and methods are described for searching media files using a set-top box (STB), a television receiver, digital video recorder (DVR), placeshifting device or other media device, or any type of network host that communicates with a media device of any sort. Search criteria is received from a user, and the search criteria is identified in listings of media programming available from one or more sources. In some implementations, a combined search result can be provided that identifies instances of the search criteria found in program guide listings, files stored on a digital video recorder (DVR), available on-demand content, or any other sources as desired. Some implementations may prioritize search results using information about files stored on a DVR, user preferences, or any other information as desired.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for aggregating media content from multiple sources for viewing on a local display or for placeshifting to a remote display. The aggregation system responds to instructions received from a remote device via the digital network to provide the video output incorporating the media content received from any of the media sources to the locally-connected display. The media aggregation system also simultaneously provides a placeshifted video stream to the remote device via the digital network that incorporates media content received from any of the plurality of media sources selected in response to the instructions received from the remote device.

Abstract: A portable video delivery device includes data storage, a secure processor, and a wireless network interface that acts as an access point for a secure personal wireless network. Transcoded media files are stored in the data storage so that the portable device maintains a library of stored media programs that can be carried along with the user during commuting, travel and/or other activities. To playback the stored programming, other media player devices use the personal wireless network to securely connect to the portable device and to obtain previously-transcoded content from the data storage of the device.

Abstract: PVR functionality is enabled on a media player of a placeshifting system, which allows a user to record media programs from locations that are physically remote from a source of the media programs. The media player may receive program schedule information and present the program schedule information to the user. Based on user input, the media player identifies a media program and associated schedule information. When the media program is scheduled to play, the placeshifting device directs a media recording device to receive the media program and to store the program. The placeshifting device may digitize, transcode, and/or transrate the media program, if necessary, and transmit the media program to the remote device for playback.

Abstract: A method for presenting feedback to a user when a command is received is provided. The method receives, at a content retransmitter, a command for navigating audio/video content selections for retransmission to a user device; transmits the received command to a set-top box for execution, wherein execution of the command at the set-top box produces a result; while gradually receiving the result at the content retransmitter, creates a period of latency when the result is only partially available for retransmission; during the period of latency, retrieves a still-image frame associated with execution of the command; and transmits the still-image frame to the user device for presentation until the result is completely available for retransmission.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for managing content stored on a distributed network. Content is initially placed onto the network and populated across one or more nodes. The content is distributed in association with decay parameters that define a lifetime for the population of the content on the network. Various communication nodes of the distributed network are configured to process the content decay parameters to determine whether to delete the content during subsequent time periods.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for delivering messages from one or more service hosts to clients via a network. A first request identifying the client is received at the message server, and a connection is established and maintained between the message server and the client in response to the first request. When a subsequent request that identifies the client is received from the service host, a message is transmitted from the message server to the client over the previously-established connection. The methods and techniques may be used, for example, to provide messages from various services to placeshifting devices or other clients communicating via the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for searching media files using a set-top box (STB), a television receiver, digital video recorder (DVR), placeshifting device or other media device, or any type of network host that communicates with a media device of any sort. Search criteria is received from a user, and the search criteria is identified in listings of media programming available from one or more sources. In some implementations, a combined search result can be provided that identifies instances of the search criteria found in program guide listings, files stored on a digital video recorder (DVR), available on-demand content, or any other sources as desired. Some implementations may prioritize search results using information about files stored on a DVR, user preferences, or any other information as desired.

Abstract: Systems, processes and devices identify content on the Internet or another network. A media player device receives an identifier that is uniquely associated with a particular media program. The identifier is submitted from the media player device to a registry service accessible via the digital network to thereby locate the particular media program for playback by the media player device or for performing other actions, and a message containing the identifier is initiated and transmitted to a recipient media player device via the digital network to thereby allow the recipient media player device to locate the same particular media program on the digital network using the identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing variable-length media clips based upon a received media stream. An exemplary system for providing media clips to users includes a database comprising a list of rules associated with a plurality of programs, as well as a first server and a second server. The first server receives information about a particular program being viewed by a media player and obtains rules from the database for the identified program that are transmitted to the media player. The second server receives a media clip of the particular program being viewed from the media player, wherein the media clip is created at the media player in accordance with the rules corresponding to the program, and subsequently makes the media clip available to the users.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are described to identify server nodes operating on a data network that are available to a client node. A registry server receives registration messages from each of the of server nodes and maintains a listing server nodes and their associated server addresses. When a request is received from a client, the registry server identifies server nodes having the same network address as the client, thereby indicating that the client and server nodes are likely to reside behind a common router or on a common local area network. A list of identified server nodes can then be forwarded to the client so that the client can establish connections as desired. These techniques may be used, for example, to establish video placeshifting connections between a placeshifting server device and a phone, tablet or other media client.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for aggregating media content from multiple sources for viewing on a local display or for placeshifting to a remote display. The aggregation system responds to instructions received from a remote device via the digital network to provide the video output incorporating the media content received from any of the media sources to the locally-connected display. The media aggregation system also simultaneously provides a placeshifted video stream to the remote device via the digital network that incorporates media content received from any of the plurality of media sources selected in response to the instructions received from the remote device.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods automatically select content that is transferred from an encoder to a portable media streaming device for later playback. Security is maintained during the synchronization or transfer process to prevent unauthorized use or copying of the protected content.

Abstract: Media content is paired with context-relevant supplemental content, and the media and supplemental content are provided to a user. A media stream containing the media content may be received from a source system, and context information about the media content is determined from information about the media stream. The supplemental content may be selected based on the determined context information. This may enable a business model in which third parties can register advertising or other supplemental content and specify the criteria that cause it to be combined with the media content.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for securely providing a media stream from a server device to a remote player via a communications network. A request for a connection is received from the remote player at the server device via the communications network. In response to the request for the connection, an authorization credential is requested from a central server via the communications network. Further, in response to the authorization credential received from the central server, the media stream between the server device and the remote player can be established over the communications network. At least a portion of the media stream may be encrypted based upon the authorization credential.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for delivering messages from one or more service hosts to clients via a network. A first request identifying the client is received at the message server, and a connection is established and maintained between the message server and the client in response to the first request. When a subsequent request that identifies the client is received from the service host, a message is transmitted from the message server to the client over the previously-established connection. The methods and techniques may be used, for example, to provide messages from various services to placeshifting devices or other clients communicating via the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for securely providing a media stream from a server device to a remote player via a communications network. A request for a connection is received from the remote player at the server device via the communications network. In response to the request for the connection, an authorization credential is requested from a central server via the communications network. Further, in response to the authorization credential received from the central server, the media stream between the server device and the remote player can be established over the communications network. At least a portion of the media stream may be encrypted based upon the authorization credential.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for placeshifting data. An exemplary method of placeshifting a media program from a source device to a destination device over a network involves obtaining location information associated with the destination device, determining, by a server coupled to the network, one or more recommended media programs available for streaming from the source device in a manner that is influenced by the location information, and providing indication of the one or more recommended media programs to the destination device.

Abstract: PVR functionality is enabled on a media player of a placeshifting system, which allows a user to record media programs from locations that are physically remote from a source of the media programs. The media player may receive program schedule information and present the program schedule information to the user. Based on user input, the media player identifies a media program and associated schedule information. When the media program is scheduled to play, the placeshifting device directs a media recording device to receive the media program and to store the program. The placeshifting device may digitize, transcode, and/or transrate the media program, if necessary, and transmit the media program to the remote device for playback.