Abstract: A method and system to view a selection of thumbnails are described herein. A plurality of content channels, which are most recently tuned into by a user, are stored. Further, a display presents a selection array for a plurality of thumbnails that represent the plurality of content channels.

Abstract: A set top box includes a processor. The processor is configured to provide an electronic programming guide including a listing of channels, and to identify a plurality of shows matching a user defined criteria. The processor is further configured to sort the listing of channels based on a scheduled start time of the identified shows.

Abstract: A user interface for a receiver of a streaming music service simultaneously displays a current-song display, a past-song display and a future-song display. The current-song display indicates a current song being broadcast to a plurality of subscribers in a channel of the streaming music service. The past-song display indicates at least one past song which was broadcast in the channel of the streaming music service prior to broadcast of the current song. Each song in the past-song display is selectable by a user of the receiver to initiate playback of a recording thereof by the receiver. The future-song display indicates at least one future song which is scheduled to be broadcast in the channel of the streaming music service after broadcast of the current song.

Abstract: A method and system to view a selection of thumbnails are described herein. A plurality of content channels, which are most recently tuned into by a user, are stored. Further, a display presents a selection array for a plurality of thumbnails that represent the plurality of content channels.

Abstract: A system and method for sharing content is provided. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a housing and a wide area network (WAN) connector extending from the housing. The system may also include a graphical user interface (GUI) engine located within the housing. In practice, the GUI engine may be operable to initiate an outputting of a first list navigable with a remote control and a second list navigable with the remote control. The remote control may be a Set Top Box (STB) remote control and the first list may be configured to facilitate remote control-based navigation. The first list may contain an identifier for at least one piece of selectable content, which may be, for example, photographs, videos, songs, etc. The second list may include an alias for at least one available share partner. In practice, a user of the system may want to give a share partner revocable access to some portion of selectable content.

Abstract: A method and system for channel selection on a set-top box is provided. The method includes receiving a channel request from a user control device, wherein the channel request at least one alphabetic letter. The method further includes processing the channel request and mapping the channel request to at least one channel within the available channel list of channels available via the set-top box. Further, and in response to the channel request received, a channel output is provided.

Abstract: A user interface for a receiver of a streaming music service simultaneously displays a current-song display, a past-song display and a future-song display. The current-song display indicates a current song being broadcast to a plurality of subscribers in a channel of the streaming music service. The past-song display indicates at least one past song which was broadcast in the channel of the streaming music service prior to broadcast of the current song. Each song in the past-song display is selectable by a user of the receiver to initiate playback of a recording thereof by the receiver. The future-song display indicates at least one future song which is scheduled to be broadcast in the channel of the streaming music service after broadcast of the current song.

Abstract: A method for managing a first television tuner and a second television tuner is provided. The method includes detecting when a channel request is received at the first television coupled to the first television tuner and detecting whether a recording is scheduled for the first television tuner. Thereafter, a user is queried via a second television to determine whether the second television tuner is available to record a scheduled recording.

Abstract: A method for managing content at a set top box is provided and includes receiving a request to view content and indicating that the content is available for downloading for a predetermined time period. Further, the method includes downloading the content to a memory device within a set top box and indicating that the downloaded content will remain within the memory device for a predetermined time. A device is also provided and includes a housing, a broadband input connection, a broadband output connection, and a processor. The processor includes a computer readable medium and a computer program that includes instructions to display a graphical user interface at a display device. The graphical user interface comprises a ready list, a queue list, and an action list. The ready list includes a list of movies that are available for viewing at the display device and an expiration date for each movie.

Abstract: An authentication protocol interface is described that allows a user to authenticate into, or login to, a PC based environment using a non-pc device. It also provides the user with a transparent method of “programming” the interface so that the interface behaves the way a user wants the next time they use the system. The invention further enables a user to avoid authentication altogether by allowing the settop box to serve as the login authority for certain tasks. The invention operates in a non-PC environment where the use of a mouse and other MS Windows® interface components (i.e., check boxes, radio dials, and the like) are not allowed.

Abstract: A method of managing video content is provided. The method includes displaying a graphical user interface. The graphical user interface comprising a ready list, a queue list, and an action list. When a first video file is downloaded to a memory within a set top box, a first title corresponding to the first video file is added to the ready list. Further, when the first title is selected from the ready list, the first video file is displayed. Additionally, a second video file can be scheduled for download to the memory within the set top box and if so, a second title corresponding to the second video file is added to the queue list. When the second title is selected from the queue list, the second video file is downloaded to the memory within the set top box.

Abstract: A method of providing access to downloadable protected video content includes providing parental controls. The parental controls include a parental control password. Purchase controls are also provided and include a purchase control password. The purchase control password is different from the parental control password. Further, protected video content is downloaded and stored to a memory within a set top box when both the parental controls and the purchase controls are satisfied. A number of attempts to correctly input the parental control password or the purchase control password are monitored. When the number of attempts for either password exceeds a predetermined threshold, a user is prevented from further attempts to input the respective password. Moreover, the attempt to download protected video content is canceled, and further downloads of protected video content are prevented for a predetermined time period.