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 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 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 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 method to enable multiple TV viewers in discrete physical and/or temporal locations, to share the TV viewing experience by using audio and/or visual comments triggered by a remote control in conjunction with a TV which may be connected to one or more other TVs. The connection may be wireless (such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.) or wired means (such as POTS line, Ethernet cabling, coax cabling, etc.). The TVs may furthermore communicate directly with each other on a peer-to-peer basis or via an intermediary server(s). Alternate embodiments permit time-shifting comments.

Abstract: A system and method for broadcast advertising includes a broadcast receiver that receives a broadcast signal. In addition to the usual video and/or audio data, the broadcast signal includes embedded product or service data. Moreover, the broadcast receiver includes a memory slot that is sized and shaped to receive a portable memory media. In response to a signal received at the broadcast receiver, e.g., from a remote control unit, the embedded product data is extracted from the broadcast signal and downloaded to the portable memory media forming a virtual shopping list. To facilitate shopping, the portable memory media can then be installed in a shopping computer, e.g., in an information kiosk at a shopping mall to determine where a particular product can be found, how much it costs, etc.

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 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 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 unobtrusively discovering a TV viewer's preferences and using the preferences to establish TV settings for the viewer. As the viewer inputs signals to the TV using a remote control, the resulting click stream is analyzed and correlated to a profile that is useful in establishing TV settings or in targeting advertising.

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 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 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.

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 presenting out of band content on a TV includes an out of TV band receiver such as a radio that receives content peer to peer from other TVs, or from a server. The content is cached at the receiving TV and is played on the TV automatically in response to a predetermined rule being satisfied, or on demand from the viewer, giving the appearance of a real time connection.

Abstract: A componentized TV system having a video display and audio speakers in wireless communication with a computer. The computer adjusts the audio settings of the speakers based on their distance to the display to optimize the listening experience.