Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, set top box (STB) having a controller to record one or more soft key preferences associated with a user of the STB for each of a plurality of media presentation states of a media communication system, receive a request for presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with one of the media presentation states, select one or more soft keys according to the one or more soft key preferences assigned to the requested media presentation state, and present the selected one or more soft keys in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, set top box (STB) having a controller to record one or more soft key preferences associated with a user of the STB for each of a plurality of media presentation states of a media communication system, receive a request for presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with one of the media presentation states, select one or more soft keys according to the one or more soft key preferences assigned to the requested media presentation state, and present the selected one or more soft keys in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Metadata associated with television commercials and television programs are received and stored in a local database at a customer premise. When received at the customer premise, those television commercials and television programs identified by the metadata are augmented with on-screen options that are user-selectable using a remote control device. A first option is to automatically record an upcoming broadcast of a first program advertised in a first commercial. A second option is to purchase a media product that includes the first program. A third option is to order a product or a service shown during a second program or a second commercial. A fourth option is to initiate a search of an inventory of a local retailer for the product or the service shown during the second program or the second commercial. A fifth option is to place a VoIP call to a vendor of the product or the service.

Abstract: A cable testing method includes a tester that includes at least one connector electrically coupled, such as by conductive traces, to a computer. Both ends of the cable are connected to the at least one connector. The computer then sends a signal to one of the conductive traces of the conductor, at one of the ends of the cable, while at the same time monitoring for a signal at the other contacts of the conductor that are in contact with conductive traces of the cable. The process of sending power while monitoring may then be repeated for other of the conductive traces of the cable, for example until substantially all of the conductive traces of the cable are tested. The process of testing multiple of the conductive traces sequentially may be performed automatically by the computer, allowing performance of the cable to be tested quickly, completely, and accurately.

Abstract: A cable testing method includes a tester that includes at least one connector electrically coupled, such as by conductive traces, to a computer. Both ends of the cable are connected to the at least one connector. The computer then sends a signal to one of the conductive traces of the conductor, at one of the ends of the cable, while at the same time monitoring for a signal at the other contacts of the conductor that are in contact with conductive traces of the cable. The process of sending power while monitoring may then be repeated for other of the conductive traces of the cable, for example until substantially all of the conductive traces of the cable are tested. The process of testing multiple of the conductive traces sequentially may be performed automatically by the computer, allowing performance of the cable to be tested quickly, completely, and accurately.

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: The invention provides a new method of recycling recyclable waste products suited for household use wherein the container is a plastic injection-molded container having a monolithic body formed from plastic resin and includes a pair of integral compartments. Fibrous waste is placed in one compartment and nonfibrous waste comprising rigid and semirigid container, e.g., glass jars, metal beverage and food cans, plastic bottles and glass bottles are placed in the other compartment so as to presort the recyclable articles. The container is then taken to a collection point where the presorted products can be picked up by a recycling collection contractor and maintained separate from one another during transport to a recycling center.

Abstract: A recycling container formed from plastic resin includes a pair of side-by-side upwardly opening integral compartments having a hollow partition between them. Each of the compartments has upright side walls and an upwardly opening wide mouth with a peripheral or top edge for forming the rim of the container. The upper edge of two adjacent side walls that make up the sides of the partition are joined together by a horizontally disposed connecting panel located in the plane of the container rim for defining the upper margin of the hollow partition between the compartments. The center portion of this connecting panel is a carrying handle. The invention also provides a new method of recycling recyclable waste products suited for household use wherein the container is a plastic injection-molded container having a monolithic body formed from plastic resin and includes a pair of integral compartments.