Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing TV channels, based on time/date/geographic location/location of the TV within the home either entered manually or using a locater system such as GPS.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing TV channels, based on time/date/geographic location/location of the TV within the home either entered manually or using a locater system such as GPS.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for facilitating program data acquisition. In one embodiment, a set-top box is set to enter an auto-off state based on a user-defined auto-off time. Once the set-top box has entered the auto-off state, a channel from which program guide data may be obtained may be automatically tune to. The auto-off state may be automatically exited in order to either respond to a user interaction or to avoid missing previously-programmed recordings. Upon exiting the auto-off state, the set-top box may be tuned back to the channel that it was tuned to prior to entering the auto-off state.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for customizing content navigation. In one embodiment, a user navigates through pre-recorded or cached content in accordance with on one or more user preferences. Such user preferences may include one or more of content cache size, instant replay time, advance time, FF/REV speeds, slow motion speed and overshoot correction. In one embodiment, a DVR setup menu may be used to enter the user preferences via a remote control device. The user preferences may then be saved in non-volatile memory and used for navigation of subsequent content playback.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing TV audio/video/closed captioning, based on time/date/geographic location/location of the TV within the home.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a home entertainment system includes a television having one more peripheral electronic entertainment devices connected thereto. Also, the system includes a single remote control unit for controlling all of the system components. The television, the peripheral devices, and the remote control unit include respective memory slots with which a portable memory media can be engaged. Accordingly, the memory media can be engaged with the television or the peripheral devices so that control commands and user defined preferences are downloaded thereto. Thereafter, the memory can be engaged with the remote control unit so that the control commands and user defined preferences for each component are uploaded thereto. As intended by the present invention, the remote control unit includes a microprocessor for resolving any conflicting command codes or user defined preferences.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing recommended items for purchase or rental at a shopping kiosk, based on TV/DVD/CD etc. viewing profiles. A removable media such as a flash memory device can be inserted into an entertainment device receptacle, and the viewer's subsequent viewing (or listening) habits, including selected programming and related data such as TV program category, title, etc., recorded to establish a profile. The media can be removed and taken to the shopping kiosk, where it is inserted and used by the kiosk to present a list of recommended items for purchase or rental, based on the viewing habit profile of the viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing recommended items for purchase or rental at a shopping kiosk, based on TV/DVD/CD etc. viewing profiles. A removable media such as a flash memory device can be inserted into an entertainment device receptacle, and the viewer's subsequent viewing (or listening) habits, including selected programming and related data such as TV program category, title, etc., recorded to establish a profile. The media can be removed and taken to the shopping kiosk, where it is inserted and used by the kiosk to present a list of recommended items for purchase or rental, based on the viewing habit profile of the viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring and installing devices of a home entertainment system includes a portable memory media that can be installed in a memory slot of a television. The portable memory media can be preprogrammed with set-up instructions that are displayed at the television. A user can follow these instructions step-by-step in order to properly install and configure a television and any peripheral entertainment devices.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a viewer to easily program a remote control device with the parameters of various home entertainment components such as TVs, VCRs, DVDs, etc. A removable media is inserted into each component, with the remote control parameters or model identification of the component being downloaded to the media. The media is then removed from the component and inserted into the remote control device, which uploads the model data or control parameters so that the remote control device can be used to control the component without requiring a person to manually set or configure, for each component, the “universal” master remote.

Abstract: A system and method for providing on demand information at a display device includes a microprocessor that is connected to a radio data service signal receiver and a display device. The radio signal contains the data source for the on-demand content rather than the display device tuner. The microprocessor causes information from the radio data service signal to be decoded and displayed at the display device when requested by a user.

Abstract: A system and method for retrieving uniform resource locators from television content includes a television that receives a broadcast signal. The broadcast signal includes embedded URL information. Moreover, the television includes a remote control unit that has a memory slot that is sized and shaped to receive a portable memory media. In response to a signal received at the television, e.g., from the remote control unit, the embedded URL is extracted from the broadcast signal and downloaded to the remote control unit. To facilitate Internet use, the downloaded URL can be transmitted to an Internet device, e.g., a computer or a personal digital assistant where it can be used to access information associated with Web sites linked to the URLs.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling a home entertainment system includes a television having one more peripheral electronic entertainment devices connected thereto. Also, the system includes a single remote control unit for controlling all of the system components. The television, the peripheral devices, and the remote control unit include respective memory slots with which a portable memory media can be engaged. Accordingly, the memory media can be engaged with the television or the peripheral devices so that control commands and user defined preferences are downloaded thereto. Thereafter, the memory can be engaged with the remote control unit so that the control commands and user defined preferences for each component are uploaded thereto. As intended by the present invention, the remote control unit includes a microprocessor for resolving any conflicting command codes or user defined preferences.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing TV audio/video/closed captioning, based on time/date/geographic location/location of the TV within the home.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing a viewer to generate a playlist of favorite programs with broadcast times using a remote control, for automatically tuning a TV to the programs on the playlist at the appropriate times. The playlist can be stored on a removable media.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically establishing TV channels, based on time/date/geographic location/location of the TV within the home either entered manually or by means of a locater system such as GPS.

Abstract: A system and method for configuring and installing devices of a home entertainment system includes a portable memory media that can be installed in a memory slot of a television. The portable memory media can be preprogrammed with set-up instructions that are displayed at the television. A user can follow these instructions step-by-step in order to properly install and configure a television and any peripheral entertainment devices.

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing viewer group enjoyment of a TV program. An input device is used to input reviews of a televised program, with each viewer having his or her own icon and with a viewer's review being superimposed on the TV program (including an electronic program guide) along with the icon as the review is input or at a later, more appropriate time.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing recommended items for purchase or rental at a shopping kiosk, based on TV/DVD/CD etc. viewing profiles. A removable media such as a flash memory device can be inserted into an entertainment device receptacle, and the viewer's subsequent viewing (or listening) habits, including selected programming and related data such as TV program category, title, etc., recorded to establish a profile. The media can be removed and taken to the shopping kiosk, where it is inserted and used by the kiosk to present a list of recommended items for purchase or rental, based on the viewing habit profile of the viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for conveying information pertaining to broadcast content such that the system is robust and stripping or blocking data is rendered relatively difficult. A broadcast component encodes the content with a digital watermark or embeds an icon or other visibly or audibly transparent object (e.g., audio jingle) in the content. A TV or radio that has a microprocessor decodes the content to retrieve the watermark or analyzes the image/jingle to determine an ID. Using the ID a database is accessed to retrieve information pertaining to broadcast content. Alternatively, the watermark may represent the actual data itself. The information can include, e.g., Web site hyperlinks, and/or UPC codes, and/or advertising data.