Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for adjusting audio output based on eye tracking input. In some embodiments, a memory stores data defining a boundary based on a coordinate system. The boundary corresponds to a display element of displayed content. An input receives data indicating coordinates of a gaze point location of a user viewing the displayed content. A processor compares the received coordinates of the gaze point location to the boundary corresponding to the display element to determine whether the gaze point location is inside the boundary corresponding to the display element. In response to determining that the gaze point location is inside the boundary corresponding to the display element, the processor adjusts an audio setting of the displayed content.

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 may be provided for retrieving non-on-demand media data and on-demand media data that is provided by separate data sources. On-demand media data may be cached to reduce system latencies and the burden on the distribution network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically displaying personalized interactive media guidance application screens based on the time of day are provided. The interactive media guidance application may monitor user interactions with the user equipment, and identify individual user profiles for different times of day. Using this information, the interactive media guidance application may partition the day into day parts, each associated with a user profile. The interactive media guidance application may also create or select a plurality of personalized interfaces or configurations for displaying media guidance information, where each interface or configuration reflects the interests of an identified user profile. When a user accesses the interactive media guidance application, the interactive media guidance application may identify the user profile associated with the current day part, and display the personalized interface or configuration associated with the identified user profile.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide system with digital storage is provided. The program guide gives users the ability to store information associated with recorded programs in a directory in the digital storage device thereby providing easy access to program information. The program guide may also provide a global media library for indicating the programs stored on removable storage media used with the program guide. The guide may also allow the user to manage and maintain a user media library to do the same. Non-time-sensitive data associated with recorded programs may be stored in a way that allows the user to interact with the data on playback as if the program were being originally aired. The program guide also allows the user to define “super-programs” for playback of a sequence of stored programs or program segments.

Abstract: An interactive television system is provided in which targeted messages may be sent to users. The interactive television system may use an interactive television program guide or other interactive applications to provide interactive television services to users. An e-mail or other messaging application may be used to receive the messages. The messaging application may be separate from the program guide or other interactive television application or may be part of the program guide or other interactive television application. Messages may be targeted based on the television channels to which the user subscribes or based on which settings the user has established in the program guide or other application or based on any other suitable criteria.

Abstract: An interactive television system with programming-related links is provided. The system may include user television equipment on which interactive program guide and non-program-guide applications may be implemented. Information that is displayed in a display screen for a non-program-guide application may be related to programming. A display screen or overlay for programming that is related to the information may be displayed when a user selects the displayed information. The display or overlay for the programming may include advertisements, video, graphics, options, or programming descriptions. The display screen or overlay may have been displayed by the program guide application.

Abstract: Methods and systems as described herein for a media guidance application capable of generating media playlists geared to particular purposes. Specifically, the media guidance application described herein can customize a media playlist based on a travel itinerary and a determined objective for a current trip as well as update the media playlist upon detecting a change in the travel itinerary or determined objective.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating and updating media playlists in response to playback alteration operations performed by a user. For example, a media guidance application may generate a media playlist accessible during a set time period (e.g., from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM), which has a one hour play length. If a playback alteration operation (e.g., a pause or fast-forward operation) occurs during the playback of the media playlist, the media guidance application updates (e.g., by adding or removing content) the media playlist such that the media playlist has a play length that concludes by the end of the set time period (e.g., 8:00 PM).

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a suitable user input interface type based on a particular user. Specifically, a media guidance application determines a demographic category of a user, and based on that demographic category of the user, automatically selects a user input interface for manipulating media objects that is suitable for the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for quickly and easily displaying supplemental information about an event occurring in a media asset. In some embodiments, a media application may use a content-recognition module to determine the context of an event and distribute itemized tasks to multiple entities in order to generate the supplemental information about the event.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide for supporting programming blackouts is provided. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may unschedule the reminding and recording of blacked-out programs that have been scheduled by a user for reminding or recording. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may prevent a user from scheduling blacked-out programs for reminding and recording. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may prevent a user from ordering blacked-out pay-per-view programs. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may provide blackout information in information displays. In some embodiments, the interactive television program guide may provide replacement media for blacked-out programs.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting recorded media assets on user equipment. In some aspects, the systems and methods described determine that a reference event has occurred. In response to the determination, the systems and methods search a plurality of media assets stored on a storage device for a media asset that matches a user profile. Control circuitry measures an amount of time that has elapsed from a time at which the reference event occurred until an input requesting display of the media asset is received. The control circuitry receives the input. In response to receiving the input, the control circuitry retrieves the media asset from the storage device and causes the media asset to be presented on the user equipment starting from a play position that is offset from a beginning of the media asset by the measured amount of time.

Abstract: An interactive television program guide is provided. The interactive television program guide provides a user with the opportunity to select a language for playing television programming and displaying program guide text. Television program audio in the desired language may be obtained from a SAP or digital audio track and played in the selected language. Television related information in the desired language may be obtained from a digital track. If television program audio or related information is not provided in the selected language, the program guide may use a default language. The program guide may coordinate program guide display screen text with languages available for television programs when the programs are broadcast to users.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting on-demand media assets on user equipment. In some aspects, the systems and methods described determine whether an on-demand asset is accessible to a user and whether it matches a user profile associated with the user. Control circuitry receives, without displaying, the on-demand media asset starting from a first playback position at the user equipment without receiving user input to view the on-demand media asset upon determining that the on-demand media asset matches the user profile. The control circuitry receives a user input, at the user equipment, to view the on-demand media asset at the user equipment. When the user input is received, the control circuitry determines a second playback position, after the first playback position, of the on-demand media asset. Control circuitry causes the on-demand media asset to be presented on the user equipment starting from the determined second playback position.

Abstract: An interactive system is provided in which information is displayed in response to the entry of the digits of a channel number. The interactive system may be implemented on a television, a computer, or a radio system. The displayed information may be program listings information such as the channel designator or the program currently airing on the channel. The displayed information may also be a list of channels. The list of channels may be associated with the entered digits, may be component channels, or channels of the same type and may be sorted by various techniques such as numerically, by favorite channels, by type, etc. The interactive system may allow a user to specify a source identifier to channels from different sources and display the channels with the source identifier when they are entered.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for a guidance application capable of coordinating the interior features of a vehicle (e.g., the heating/cooling system, automatic windows, automatic seats, automatic sunroof, seat heaters, etc.) to produce the current environmental conditions (e.g., sunshine, heat, wind, etc.) displayed in a media asset being accessed in the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are discussed for providing guidance for Internet-delivered media. In some embodiments, information on available media on the Internet is gathered. The information is associated with existing media guidance data. The associations enable a media guidance application to identify relevant online media and to display listings in a user-friendly way. A user interface for an online media guidance application is also provided. The user interface allows a user to narrow down the large amount of Internet-delivered media in a systematic way according to criteria that interests a user.

Abstract: System and methods are presented for providing a user with a private viewing experience. In some embodiments, a private viewing system detects that the user is present at a media device that is displaying media content to the user, and then detects that a second user is outside of the viewing area of the media device. The private viewing system then determines a likelihood value related to the likelihood that the second user will enter the viewing area of the media device during a time period in the future. A first indication is then generated, based on the determined likelihood value, and presented to the user at the media device indicating that the second user is likely to enter the viewing area of the media device during the time period in the future.

Abstract: An Internet television program guide electronic-mail (e-mail) reminder system is provided. The system allows a user at a multimedia system to order and receive e-mail message reminders of scheduled television events over the Internet. The user can order e-mail reminders after selecting a program from the program listings or by supplying [a program title directly] specific user program preferences without having to consult the program listings. The user can specify when and how often the reminders will be generated and received. If desired, the user can view a list of all currently requested e-mail reminders. Entries can be added to the list or the user can cancel a previously ordered reminder. The user can order e-mail reminders for scheduled pay-per-view programs using the system. The user can also have reminder information periodically updated and available directly on the user's multimedia system.