Abstract: A mobile device running a mobile application accesses a remote content receiver to request the remote content receiver to retrieve a particular recording timer, and upon receiving the recording timer from the remote content receiver, establishes a radio communication link with a second mobile device and transfers the recording timer to the second mobile device over the established radio communication link. The radio communication link is preferably the Near Field Communication (NFC) link.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes content receivers that provide a plurality of blockchain databases that store transaction records associated with subscriber requests for content, and a computer system that processes those transaction records and enables authorized content receivers to output requested content.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes content receivers that provide a plurality of blockchain databases that store transaction records associated with subscriber requests for content, and a computer system that processes those transaction records and enables authorized content receivers to output requested content.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide media content events to media devices. An exemplary system receives a request for a media content event from a first media device; communicates the media content event to an edge server that is communicatively coupled to the first media device based on an identifier of the requesting media device; identifies a second media device based on preferred media content event characteristics associated with the second media device, wherein at least one media content event characteristic of the requested media content event corresponds to at least one of the preferred media content event characteristics of the second media device, and wherein the second media device is able to communicatively couple to the edge server; and in response to identifying the second media device, communicates an identifier of the second media device to the edge server, wherein the requested media content event is communicated to the second media device.

Abstract: A method of providing customized commercial content to a user includes providing first commercial content to a user, determining, using an integrated virtual environment device, whether the user substantially viewed the first commercial content, and providing second commercial content to the user based on the first commercial content and whether the user substantially viewed the first commercial content.

Abstract: A method of providing customized commercial content to a user includes providing first commercial content to a user, determining, using an integrated virtual environment device, whether the user substantially viewed the first commercial content, and providing second commercial content to the user based on the first commercial content and whether the user substantially viewed the first commercial content.

Abstract: A mobile device running a mobile application accesses a remote content receiver to request the remote content receiver to retrieve a particular recording timer, and upon receiving the recording timer from the remote content receiver, establishes a radio communication link with a second mobile device and transfers the recording timer to the second mobile device over the established radio communication link. The radio communication link is preferably the Near Field Communication (NFC) link.

Abstract: A mobile device running a mobile application accesses a remote content receiver to request the remote content receiver to retrieve a particular recording timer, and upon receiving the recording timer from the remote content receiver, establishes a radio communication link with a second mobile device and transfers the recording timer to the second mobile device over the established radio communication link. The radio communication link is preferably the Near Field Communication (NFC) link.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes content receivers that provide a plurality of blockchain databases that store transaction records associated with subscriber requests for content, and a computer system that processes those transaction records and enables authorized content receivers to output requested content.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide media content events to media devices. An exemplary system receives a request for a media content event from a first media device; communicates the media content event to an edge server that is communicatively coupled to the first media device based on an identifier of the requesting media device; identifies a second media device based on preferred media content event characteristics associated with the second media device, wherein at least one media content event characteristic of the requested media content event corresponds to at least one of the preferred media content event characteristics of the second media device, and wherein the second media device is able to communicatively couple to the edge server; and in response to identifying the second media device, communicates an identifier of the second media device to the edge server, wherein the requested media content event is communicated to the second media device.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide media content events to media devices. An exemplary system receives a request for a media content event from a first media device; communicates the media content event to an edge server that is communicatively coupled to the first media device based on an identifier of the requesting media device; identifies a second media device based on preferred media content event characteristics associated with the second media device, wherein at least one media content event characteristic of the requested media content event corresponds to at least one of the preferred media content event characteristics of the second media device, and wherein the second media device is able to communicatively couple to the edge server; and in response to identifying the second media device, communicates an identifier of the second media device to the edge server, wherein the requested media content event is communicated to the second media device.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes content receivers that provide a plurality of blockchain databases that store transaction records associated with subscriber requests for content, and a computer system that processes those transaction records and enables authorized content receivers to output requested content.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for using an electronic device for content playback. A television receiver may provide to the device access to a shared encryption key. The shared encryption key may be used to decrypt content from an over-the-top (OTT) content host system. The device may request content from the OTT content host system using the set of credentials. The device may then receive encrypted content from the OTT content host system, wherein the encrypted content corresponds to the requested content. The encrypted content received from the OTT content host system may be decrypted by the device using the shared encryption key. The device may then output for presentation the decrypted content.

Abstract: A mobile device running a mobile application accesses a remote content receiver to request the remote content receiver to retrieve a particular recording timer, and upon receiving the recording timer from the remote content receiver, establishes a radio communication link with a second mobile device and transfers the recording timer to the second mobile device over the established radio communication link. The radio communication link is preferably the Near Field Communication (NFC) link.

Abstract: A content distribution system includes content receivers that provide a plurality of blockchain databases that store transaction records associated with subscriber requests for content, and a computer system that processes those transaction records and enables authorized content receivers to output requested content.

Abstract: Various arrangements for providing interactive content to viewers of television programming are presented. A television service provider system may supplement broadcast television programming with a supplemental audio signal. The supplemental audio signal may not part of the broadcast television programming as received by the television service provider system from a content provider. The television service provider system may broadcast a data stream comprising the broadcast television programming and the supplemental audio signal via a television programming distribution network. A television receiver may receive the data stream and output the broadcast television programming and the supplemental audio signal. A viewer's mobile device may detect the supplemental audio signal using an on-board microphone of the mobile device. In response to the received supplemental audio signal, the mobile device may access interactive content and provide such interactive content to the viewer.

Abstract: A mobile device running a mobile application accesses a remote content receiver to request the remote content receiver to retrieve a particular recording timer, and upon receiving the recording timer from the remote content receiver, establishes a radio communication link with a second mobile device and transfers the recording timer to the second mobile device over the established radio communication link. The radio communication link is preferably the Near Field Communication (NFC) link.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed toward providing an interactive atmosphere for sharing on-demand content among multiple users in a virtual-reality environment. Each user utilizes a content receiver or virtual-reality headset to receive on-demand content. Each respective content receiver collects virtual-reality information associated with the user of that respective content receiver. This virtual-reality information includes movement information that describes movement of the user and look information that identifies a virtual look of the user. Content receivers share this virtual-reality information with each other so that each content receiver can generate a virtual-reality environment specific for its respective user along with the shared on-demand content. As each user physically moves his or her body, each virtual-reality environment adjusts to accommodate for these movements throughout the virtual-reality environment.

Abstract: Various arrangements are presented for using an electronic device for content playback. A television receiver may provide to the device access to a shared encryption key. The shared encryption key may be used to decrypt content from an over-the-top (OTT) content host system. The device may request content from the OTT content host system using the set of credentials. The device may then receive encrypted content from the OTT content host system, wherein the encrypted content corresponds to the requested content. The encrypted content received from the OTT content host system may be decrypted by the device using the shared encryption key. The device may then output for presentation the decrypted content.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide media content events to media devices. An exemplary system receives a request for a media content. event from a first media device; communicates the media content event to an edge server that is communicatively coupled to the first media device based on an identifier of the requesting media device; identifies a second media device based on preferred media content event characteristics associated with the second media device, wherein at least one media content event characteristic of the requested media content event corresponds to at least one of the preferred media content event characteristics of the second media device, and wherein the second media device is able to communicatively couple to the edge server; and in response to identifying the second media device, communicates an identifier of the second media device to the edge server, wherein the requested media content event is communicated to the second media device.