Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing the decibel or volume level of an alarm sound emitted by an alarm system or a security system from a first volume level to a second volume level are provided. Some methods can include detecting a user at a control panel of the security system when an audio alarm is broadcasting the audio sound at the first volume level, the control panel determining whether the user is attempting to use the control panel to disarm the security system, and when the control panel determines that the user is attempting use the control panel to disarm the security system, lowering the first volume level to the second volume level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically obtaining cost-efficient access to a media content collection are provided. A user selection of a media content collection, which consists of a number of media assets, is received. A first price is determined for receiving access to the entire media content collection using a single transaction. For each media asset of the media content collection a set of providers of the media asset are identified, and the lowest price for receiving access to each media asset is determined. The lowest price for receiving access to each media asset of the media content collection is accumulated to determine a second price for receiving access to the media content collection using multiple transactions. The first and the second price are compared, and access to the media content collection is received based on this comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically obtaining cost-efficient access to a media content collection are provided. A user selection of a media content collection, which consists of a number of media assets, is received. A first price is determined for receiving access to the entire media content collection using a single transaction. For each media asset of the media content collection a set of providers of the media asset are identified, and the lowest price for receiving access to each media asset is determined. The lowest price for receiving access to each media asset of the media content collection is accumulated to determine a second price for receiving access to the media content collection using multiple transactions. The first and the second price are compared, and access to the media content collection is received based on this comparison.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein provide for visualizing content across different time segments of a media asset. Information about content within a particular time segment of a media asset is retrieved. This content information is generated by processing user-generated messages corresponding to the particular time segment. Content descriptors are generated based on the received content information corresponding to the particular time segment. A timeline is generated, independently of presenting a media asset, wherein the timeline visually associates content descriptors with their corresponding time segments of the media asset. When these content descriptors are selected by a user, the user-generated messages corresponding to the content descriptor at the corresponding time segment are displayed to the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically obtaining cost-efficient access to a media content collection are provided. A user selection of a media content collection, which consists of a number of media assets, is received. A first price is determined for receiving access to the entire media content collection using a single transaction. For each media asset of the media content collection a set of providers of the media asset are identified, and the lowest price for receiving access to each media asset is determined. The lowest price for receiving access to each media asset of the media content collection is accumulated to determine a second price for receiving access to the media content collection using multiple transactions. The first and the second price are compared, and access to the media content collection is received based on this comparison.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that adjusts modes based on actively determining an engagement level of a user. In such modes both the content presented and the interactions of a user that are recognized may be based on the level of engagement of the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems described herein provide for visualizing content across different time segments of a media asset. Information about content within a particular time segment of a media asset is retrieved. This content information is generated by processing user-generated messages corresponding to the particular time segment. Content descriptors are generated based on the received content information corresponding to the particular time segment. A timeline is generated, independently of presenting a media asset, wherein the timeline visually associates content descriptors with their corresponding time segments of the media asset. When these content descriptors are selected by a user, the user-generated messages corresponding to the content descriptor at the corresponding time segment are displayed to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for presenting information to groups of users using user optical devices that enable each user to view and share media content in a collaborative manner. For example, users using linked user optical devices may perceive a media playlist on a particular wall. The media playlist may then be modified (e.g., media assets may be added and/or removed) based on any of the users contacting the particular wall.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that automatically corrects overruns during fast-access playback operations. For example, the media guidance application may base overrun corrections on the attentiveness of the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for a media guidance application that automatically corrects overruns during fast-access playback operations. For example, the media guidance application may base overrun corrections on the content of the media asset subject to the fast-access playback operation.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that adjusts modes based on actively determining an engagement level of a user. In such modes both the content presented and the interactions of a user that are recognized may be based on the level of engagement of the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that adjusts modes based on actively determining an engagement level of a user. In such modes both the content presented and the interactions of a user that are recognized may be based on the level of engagement of the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for determining a suitable user input interface type based on a particular user. Specifically, a media guidance application determines a demographic category of a user, and based on that demographic category of the user, automatically selects a user input interface for manipulating media objects that is suitable for the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for providing customized descriptive assets related to media assets. In one embodiment, processing circuitry may receive a plurality of descriptive data related to a media asset. Each descriptive data may be associated with one or more characteristics, such as a genre or parental rating. The processing circuitry may then access a user profile and compare the characteristics contained within the profile with the characteristics associated with the descriptive data. Based on this comparison, the processing circuitry may generate a customized descriptive asset using at least a subset of the descriptive data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically obtaining cost-efficient access to a media content collection are provided. A user selection of a media content collection, which consists of a number of media assets, is received. A first price is determined for receiving access to the entire media content collection using a single transaction. For each media asset of the media content collection a set of providers of the media asset are identified, and the lowest price for receiving access to each media asset is determined. The lowest price for receiving access to each media asset of the media content collection is accumulated to determine a second price for receiving access to the media content collection using multiple transactions. The first and the second price are compared, and access to the media content collection is received based on this comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a media asset segment based on verbal input are provided. Verbal input is received from a user while a media asset is being presented to the user. The verbal input is processed to extract an instruction and comment information included in the verbal input. The instruction is cross-referenced with a command database to determine whether the instruction corresponds to a segment generation command. In response to determining the instruction corresponds to the segment generation command, a segment that includes a portion of the media asset that was presented to the user when the verbal input was received is generated. The comment information is associated with the generated segment. A message that includes the generated segment and the associated comment information is transmitted to a remote server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving multiple user messages that identify a media asset segment position are provided. A plurality of messages from a plurality of users is received with a remote server. Each message identifies a segment within the media asset through which a fast-access playback operation was performed. The received messages are processed to extract media asset information and the identified segment. The extracted media asset information of each message is cross-referenced with a media asset information database to identify the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages. The identified segments extracted from each of the plurality of messages are processed to determine a position of the segment within the identified media asset. The position of the segment within the media asset is stored in the media asset information database for the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing access to a segment of a media asset during a fast-access playback operation are provided. A media asset is retrieved from storage. A user request to perform a fast-access playback operation on the media asset is received. Information that identifies the segment of the media asset is retrieved. The information is generated based on input received from a crowd that includes a plurality of users that have previously consumed the media asset. The fast-access playback operation is automatically terminated before the segment is reached based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing input from a plurality of users to identify a type of media asset segment are provided. A plurality of messages is received from a plurality of users at a remote server. The received messages are processed to extract a plurality of words from each message. Each of a first plurality of the words is cross-referenced with a first database of media asset information to identify a media asset that corresponds to a portion of the received messages. A segment within the media asset is identified based on the portion of the received messages. Each of a second plurality of the words of the portion of the received messages is cross-referenced with a second database of segment types to assign a type to the identified segment. Information is stored for the media asset identifying a position and type of the segment within the media asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods for supporting user input in a media guidance application is provided. A visual keypad including a non-alphanumeric pane with at least one non-alphanumeric or function button may rotate, or orbit, around some or all of the core alphabet block. The non-alphanumeric pane may be redisplayed or repositioned closer or adjacent to the current cursor position within the visual keypad. Enhanced user input features, such as automatic string completion, automatic next character selection, automatic cursor movement, and automatic character removal, may be combined with the non-alphanumeric pane.