Abstract: In various exemplary embodiments, a system and method to provide smart media selection to a set of one or more individuals at a location associated with a display device of a receiver system is provided. In example embodiments, an indication of a presence change at the location is received. User specific information associated with the set of the one or more individuals identified as being at the location is accessed. A recommendation playlist based on the user specific information is generated.

Abstract: A commitment-based GUI is provided. In one example embodiment, a system to provide commitment-based GUI comprises a menu activation module, an actions monitor, a commitment detector, and a presentation control module. The menu activation module may be configured to activate a multi-panel media interface on a display device, the multi-panel media interface presenting one or more menu panels. The actions monitor may be configured to monitor activity of a user with respect to the multi-panel media interface. The commitment detector may be configured to determine a commitment level of the user, the commitment level indicating the user's interest level in navigating a menu structure associated with the multi-panel media interface. The presentation control module may be configured to adjust presentation of the multi-panel media interface based on the determined commitment level.

Abstract: A computing device for facilitating access to items of content includes is configured to enable communication with a companion device. A companion device includes a user interface including a touch panel. The computing device is configured to determine whether touch event data received from a companion device corresponds to a particular gesture. The computing device causes a guide to be presented on the display, upon determining that the received touch event data corresponds to a swipe gesture, and causes a transition from the selected item of content to another item of content, upon determining that the received touch event data corresponds to a perpendicular swipe gesture.

Abstract: A computing device for facilitating access to items of content includes is configured to enable communication with a companion device. A companion device includes a user interface including a touch panel. The computing device is configured to determine whether touch event data received from a companion device corresponds to a particular gesture. A computing device causes a transition from the selected item of content to an adjacent item of content within an ordered set of items of content, upon determining that the touch event data corresponds to the initiation of a swipe gesture and determines whether to change the selected item of content to the adjacent item of content based on whether the swipe gesture exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: A computing device for facilitating access to items of content includes is configured to enable communication with a companion device. A companion device includes a user interface including a touch panel. The computing device is configured to determine whether touch event data received from a companion device corresponds to a particular gesture. The computing device causes a transition from a selected item of content to another item of content accessible through a selected media application, upon determining that the touch event data corresponds to a first level associated with a particular gesture and causes a transition from the selected media application to another media application, upon determining that the touch event data corresponds to a second level associated with the particular gesture.

Abstract: A smart playlist system is described. In one example embodiment, a collector module obtains content utilization data from a plurality of client devices associated with respective plurality of viewers. A hot list generator module generates a list of popular content items based on the obtained content utilization data. A customization module generates a customized playlist for a target viewer from the plurality of viewers, based on the list of popular content items and a profile of the target viewer. The communications module communicates the customized playlist to a client device of the target viewer.

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: Methods and systems for generating and sharing media clips are described. Consistent with some embodiments, while a selection of digital media content (e.g., a movie, television program, audio track, and so on) is being presented at a media player, a user creates one or more sets of waypoints (e.g., time markers) that define the boundaries (e.g., beginning and end) of one or more media clips. These waypoints are communicated from one media player device to another, enabling the receiving media player device to retrieve and play back the media clips from a source other than the media player device where the waypoints were generated.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to methods, systems, architectures, algorithms, designs, and user interfaces for light-field based autofocus. In response to receiving a focusing request at a camera, a light-field autofocus system captures a light-field image. An image crop that contains a region of interest and a specified border is determined. A series of refocused images are generated for the image crop at different scene depths. A focus metric is calculated for each refocused image. The scene depth of the refocused image with the best focus metric is identified as the appropriate focus. The focus motor position for the appropriate focus is selected and the focus motor is automatically driven to the selected focus motor position.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for electronic program guide (EPG) sorting and automatic realignment is provided. In example embodiments, a graphical user interface having an EPG including a plurality of rows of thumbnails representing programs is presented on a device of a user. Each row of thumbnails may be navigated independent of other rows. A navigational input is received via a touchscreen of the device. The navigational input indicates an action performed on the graphical user interface that triggers a realignment of programming information presented on the EPG. An updated EPG with the realignment of the programming information indicated by the navigational input is then provided.

Abstract: Methods and systems for generating and sharing media clips are described. Consistent with some embodiments, while a selection of digital media content (e.g., a movie, television program, audio track, and so on) is being presented at a media player, a user creates one or more sets of waypoints (e.g., time markers) that define the boundaries (e.g., beginning and end) of one or more media clips. These waypoints are communicated from one media player device to another, enabling the receiving media player device to retrieve and play back the media clips from a source other than the media player device where the waypoints were generated.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for electronic program guide (EPG) sorting and automatic realignment is provided. In example embodiments, a graphical user interface having an EPG including a plurality of rows of thumbnails representing programs is presented on a device of a user. Each row of thumbnails may be navigated independent of other rows. A navigational input is received via a touchscreen of the device. The navigational input indicates an action performed on the graphical user interface that triggers a realignment of programming information presented on the EPG. An updated EPG with the realignment of the programming information indicated by the navigational input is then provided.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display a graphical user interface including a map and information associated with other users. The map may including identifiers of users at respective locations. The device may enable a user to navigate to a particular identifier. The device may be configured to display a window including an item of content associated with a particular identifier. The device may be configured to facilitate a video chat between one or more users.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to present a graphical user interface enabling a user to earn reward points. The device is configured to present a graphical user interface enabling a user to redeem reward points. In one example, a graphical user interface enabling a user to earn reward points may include one or more cards associated with an item of content and each card may include a point value and an associated action required to earn the point value. In one example, a graphical user interface including one or more cards associated with a reward may include one or more cards associated with a reward and each card may include a point value required for a reward, a total number of available points, and a number of additional points required to receive the reward.

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: Methods and systems for interacting with graphical user interface elements to invoke commands and initiate requests in a multi-device environment are described

Abstract: Methods and systems for interacting with graphical user interface elements to invoke commands and initiate requests in a multi-device environment are described. Content from a first set top box is received at a mobile computing device having a touchscreen. The touchscreen is then used by the user to drag-and-drop a first graphical user interface element representing the content to over a second graphical user interface element. This causes the content to be shared from the first set top box to a second set top box, the second set top box automatically initiating download of the content.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for electronic program guide (EPG) sorting and automatic realignment is provided. In example embodiments, a graphical user interface having an EPG including a plurality of rows of thumbnails representing programs is presented on a device of a user. Each row of thumbnails may be navigated independent of other rows. A navigational input is received via a touchscreen of the device. The navigational input indicates an action performed on the graphical user interface that triggers a realignment of programming information presented on the EPG. An updated EPG with the realignment of the programming information indicated by the navigational input is then provided.

Abstract: A device for enabling a user to control a home device is described. The device may present graphical user interfaces to a user. The graphical user interfaces may include icons associated with each of a plurality of home devices. The icons may include a status associated with a home device. The icons may be selected by a user and enable a user to control a home device. The graphical user interface may be displayed in conjunction with digital media originating from one or more of a television service or a multimedia service.

Abstract: A device for enabling content selection is configured to display icons representing items of content. The icons may be displayed using a helical structure. A device may enable a user to select icons with a helical structure. A device may enable a user to navigate icons presented in the foreground of a helical structure. A user navigating icons in the foreground of a helical structure may cause new icons to be presented in the background of the helical structure.