Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: A video frame is captured from a television broadcast on each of a plurality of channels. The captured video frames are provided to a display interface, which successively displays the captured video frames within a focus area of a user interface in response to an initiating action by a user. The display interface then discontinues the successive display of video frames to show a particular video frame corresponding to a selected channel in response to a terminating action by the user.

Abstract: A video communication request from a caller to a recipient is screened by an unauthorized caller list, an authorized caller list, a recipient-specific caller list, third party authorization, and/or various combinations of these. Depending on which screening list, if any, an identifier of the caller is found in, the screening may accept or reject the video communication request. The recipient may automatically notify a law enforcement agency of repeated unwanted video communication requests.

Abstract: Icons representing a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system are stored in an icon repository. Each interactive option corresponds to a button on a remote control. Furthermore, each icon shares a common visual characteristic with a corresponding button on the remote control. Exemplary shared visual characteristics include shape, color, size, relative position, etc. In response to an interactive option corresponding to a first icon becoming available, the first icon is displayed on a television to alert the user to the interactive option. The first icon may be visually emphasized in various ways, such as by highlighting, animation, and scaling.

Abstract: A sequence of cards is stored that graphically represents available options within an information system. In response to a single user action, the sequence of cards is successively displayed within a focus area of the user interface. In response to a subsequent user action, the successive display is discontinued to display a particular card representing a selected option.

Abstract: A video frame is captured from a television broadcast on each of a plurality of channels. The captured video frames are provided to a display interface, which successively displays the captured video frames within a focus area of a user interface in response to an initiating action by a user. The display interface then discontinues the successive display of video frames to show a particular video frame corresponding to a selected channel in response to a terminating action by the user.

Abstract: A plurality of images are stored, each of which represents the same option at different levels of specificity. A specificity indicator is associated with each image that indicates the level of specificity at which the corresponding option is represented. When a graphical representation of an option is to be displayed, a specificity selector selectively displays the image having the highest level of specificity among the plurality of images that represent the particular option.

Abstract: Outgoing video communication requests are intercepted and screened by one or more unauthorized recipient lists, authorized recipient lists, caller-specific authorized/unauthorized recipient lists, and/or various combinations of these. The video communication requests may be blocked or forwarded to the recipient depending on whether the recipient is included or not included in one of the various lists. Third parties may also be prompted to accept or reject the video communication requests.

Abstract: A method of providing a video enhancement to an interactive television content page, includes providing a graphical overlay with a transparent section; providing a graphical underlay capable to show an underlay content; and displaying the underlay content through the transparent section. An apparatus for providing a video enhancement to an interactive television content page, includes a display engine capable to display a graphical overlay having an associated transparent section and to display an underlay content on a graphical underlay and through the associated transparent section; and a processor communicatively coupled to the display engine and capable to execute the display engine.

Abstract: A video communication request from a caller to a recipient is screened by an unauthorized caller list, an authorized caller list, a recipient-specific caller list, third party authorization, and/or various combinations of these. Depending on which screening list, if any, an identifier of the caller is found in, the screening may accept or reject the video communication request. The recipient may automatically notify a law enforcement agency of repeated unwanted video communication requests.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering interactive content to viewers via the utilization of synthetic channels mimicking traditional television “broadcast” cable channels. Interactive television viewers may access and interact with the variety of interactive content provided by selecting a synthetic channel that displays, on the screen of the viewer's television set or other display device, the start or home page of a particular application, Internet site, or other content page with which the user may interact. The synthetic channels may be administered by a cable provider, and communicated to the viewer via an electronic programming guide, which may also contain a traditional cable “channel lineup.” The synthetic channels may be selected from the electronic programming guide in the same manner as if the viewer was selecting a broadcast cable channel.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which comprises a storage unit having an electronic programming guide stored thereon; a network communication interface connected to a network and to an interactive television system comprising a set-top box; and a processor, wherein the processor is operative with the network communication interface and storage unit to transmit the electronic program guide to a browser-enabled device in communication with the network, to accept commands from the browser-enabled device, and transmit the commands to the set-top box.

Abstract: A user model for interactive television systems organizes access devices into households, with each access device in a household being logical extensions of each other. Each household can have multiple user objects, with each user object having its own independent configuration of attributes and data. Other access devices (if any) in the household automatically receive the configuration information of a new or reconfigured user object without any further action by the user. When a user adds a new access device to the household, the new access device automatically receives the configuration information of user objects already existing in the household, without any further action by the user.

Abstract: Icons representing a plurality of interactive options periodically available within an interactive television system are stored in an icon repository. Each interactive option corresponds to a button on a remote control. Furthermore, each icon shares a common visual characteristic with a corresponding button on the remote control. Exemplary shared visual characteristics include shape, color, size, relative position, etc. In response to an interactive option corresponding to a first icon becoming available, the first icon is displayed on a television to alert the user to the interactive option. The first icon may be visually emphasized in various ways, such as by highlighting, animation, and scaling.

Abstract: A user model for interactive television systems organizes access devices into households, with each access device in a household being logical extensions of each other. Each household can have multiple user objects, with each user object having its own independent configuration of attributes and data. Other access devices (if any) in the household automatically receive the information of a new or reconfigured user object without any further action by the user. When a user adds a new access device to the household, the new access device automatically receives the user object information of user objects already existing in the household, without any further action by the user.

Abstract: Coordination of favorites, such as web favorites, among disparate devices is performed via use of a user model for an interactive video casting system. The user model organizes access devices into households, with each access device in a household being logical extensions of each other. Each household can have multiple user objects, with each user object having its own independent configuration of attributes and data (such as web favorites). Other access devices (if any) in the household automatically receive the information of a new or reconfigured user object (such as revised favorites settings) without any further action by the user. When a user adds a new access device to the household, the new access device automatically receives the user object information of user objects, including favorites settings, already existing in the household, without any further action by the user.

Abstract: A user model for interactive television systems organizes access devices into households, with each access device in a household being logical extensions of each other. Each household can have multiple user objects, with each user object having its own independent configuration of attributes and data. Other access devices (if any) in the household automatically receive the configuration information of a new or reconfigured user object without any further action by the user. When a user adds a new access device to the household, the new access device automatically receives the configuration information of user objects already existing in the household, without any further action by the user.