Abstract: A method of managing bandwidth usage at a customer premises includes receiving a content stream at a set-top box device coupled to a display device. The method also includes receiving a power-off command for the display device. Furthermore, the method includes displaying a prompt on the display device, wherein the prompt comprises an instruction to confirm that the display device is active via a confirmation input. The method further includes directing, responsive to the determining that the confirmation input has not been received, a source device to cease sending the content stream to the set-top box.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a user device from a media server, a media stream that includes a group of segments of media content associated with a user-selected category. The group of segments includes a first segment corresponding to a portion of a first program and a second segment corresponding to a portion of a second program. The method also includes receiving, at the user device, user input during playback of the media stream, the user input indicating the first segment. The method also includes sending data based on the user input to the media server. The method further includes receiving, at the user device from the media server, a modified stream based on the user input. The first segment is replaced by an entirety of the first program in the modified stream.

Abstract: A method of managing bandwidth usage at a customer premises includes receiving a content stream at a set-top box device coupled to a display device. The method also includes receiving a power-off command for the display device. Furthermore, the method includes displaying a prompt on the display device, wherein the prompt comprises an instruction to confirm that the display device is active via a confirmation input. The method further includes directing, responsive to the determining that the confirmation input has not been received, a source device to cease sending the content stream to the set-top box.

Abstract: Electronic commerce is enhanced for customer convenience. When an online order is received, a profile may be checked. A customer may her profile with items that are automatically added to the online order. Food and beverages, for example, may be items that are frequently consumed and thus automatically added to any online order. Electronic commerce may thus be enhanced to restock items that are frequently purchased.

Abstract: Electronic commerce is enhanced for customer convenience. When an online order is received, a profile may be checked. A customer may her profile with items that are automatically added to the online order. Food and beverages, for example, may be items that are frequently consumed and thus automatically added to any online order. Electronic commerce may thus be enhanced to restock items that are frequently purchased.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting a communication network, broadcasting a query message by way of the communication network, receiving a response message from the communication network, detecting from the response message that a media device is communicatively coupled to the communication network, receiving a key from a remote server to enable communications with the media device, detecting an event requiring use of the media device, generating a command responsive to the event, transmitting to the media device the command to direct the media device to request information from a web server executed by the processor, receiving from the media device a request for information to be provided by the web server, and transmitting to the media device by way of the web server the information requested. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes sending, from a media device to a display device, media content associated with a channel provided by a content provider, the media content received from a network device associated with the content provider. The method includes analyzing, based on a profile, a data feed from a source external to the content provider to identify content of interest. The method includes sending an indicator from the media device to the display device in response to identifying the content of interest. The method also includes, in response to user input indicating selection of the indicator, sending selectable options associated with presentation of the content of interest to the display device.

Abstract: A portable media device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores instructions that when executed cause the processor to access a media file stored in the portable media device based on a trial access term for the media file, determine that a trial period within the trial access term for the media file has expired, and set the media file as inaccessible to the portable device in response to determining that the trial period within the trial access term has expired.

Abstract: A method includes sending, from a media device to a display device, first content associated with a first channel of a plurality of channels. The method includes analyzing, at the media device, data of a program guide based on a profile to identify content of interest, the content of interest associated with a second channel of the plurality of channels. The method includes sending an indicator from the media device to the display device in response to identifying the content of interest. The method also includes, in response to user input indicating selection of the indicator, sending selectable options associated with presentation of second content, where the second content is associated with the content of interest.

Abstract: A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for detecting a communication network, broadcasting a query message by way of the communication network, receiving a response message from the communication network, detecting from the response message that a media device is communicatively coupled to the communication network, receiving a key from a remote server to enable communications with the media device, detecting an event requiring use of the media device, generating a command responsive to the event, transmitting to the media device the command to direct the media device to request information from a web server executed by the processor, receiving from the media device a request for information to be provided by the web server, and transmitting to the media device by way of the web server the information requested. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of delivering advertisement data to a mobile device that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, extracting metadata from video content corresponding to the selected advertisement in response to receiving an advertisement selection command and sending the metadata to an advertising management system. Data is received from the advertisement data management system indicating multiple communication devices associated with the media processor and a selection is received indicating a selected mobile communication device of the multiple communication devices. Identification of the selected mobile communication device is sent to the advertisement data management system to cause the advertisement data management system to deliver a mobile version of the advertisement to the selected mobile communication device via a mobile communication network.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a controller to establish a user profile, retrieve from a media communication system media content schedules according to the user profile, determine a consumption status for each of the retrieved media content schedules, generate an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) comprising the retrieved media content schedules, each media content schedule depicting its corresponding consumption status, and present the EPG at a media presentation device upon request. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Electronic commerce is enhanced for customer convenience. When an online order is received, a profile may be checked. A customer may her profile with items that are automatically added to the online order. Food and beverages, for example, may be items that are frequently consumed and thus automatically added to any online order. Electronic commerce may thus be enhanced to restock items that are frequently purchased.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for sharing media files. One embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a file sharing application configured to initiate a communication session with a file server, where the file server that manages download requests for a collection of media files, where the collection of media files are subject to a trial period. The system further includes media file selection logic configured to prompt a user to select a subset of media files from the collection of media files that was downloaded from the file server after the trial period is detected to have expired. In accordance with this embodiment, the user selects a subset of media files that the user would like to keep for continued use and the remaining media files not selected by the user are then configured to be inaccessible by the user after the trial period has expired. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A method of delivering advertisement data to a mobile device that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, extracting metadata from video content corresponding to the selected advertisement in response to receiving an advertisement selection command and sending the metadata to an advertising management system. Data is received from the advertisement data management system indicating multiple communication devices associated with the media processor and a selection is received indicating a selected mobile communication device of the multiple communication devices. Identification of the selected mobile communication device is sent to the advertisement data management system to cause the advertisement data management system to deliver a mobile version of the advertisement to the selected mobile communication device via a mobile communication network.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a user device from a media server, a media stream that includes a group of segments of media content associated with a user-selected category. The group of segments includes a first segment corresponding to a portion of a first program and a second segment corresponding to a portion of a second program. The method also includes receiving, at the user device, user input during playback of the media stream, the user input indicating the first segment. The method also includes sending data based on the user input to the media server. The method further includes receiving, at the user device from the media server, a modified stream based on the user input. The first segment is replaced by an entirety of the first program in the modified stream.

Abstract: Electronic commerce is enhanced for customer convenience. When an online order is received, a profile may be checked. A customer may her profile with items that are automatically added to the online order. Food and beverages, for example, may be items that are frequently consumed and thus automatically added to any online order. Electronic commerce may thus be enhanced to restock items that are frequently purchased.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a controller to establish a user profile, retrieve from a media communication system media content schedules according to the user profile, determine a consumption status for each of the retrieved media content schedules, generate an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) comprising the retrieved media content schedules, each media content schedule depicting its corresponding consumption status, and present the EPG at a media presentation device upon request. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products dynamically change an interactive response system. Responses to a menu of prompts are monitored. A presentation order of the menu of prompts is automatically updated according to a set of rules. The set of rules describe qualifications for membership in a tier.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for sharing media files. One embodiment of the system, among others, can be implemented as follows. The system includes a file sharing application configured to initiate a communication session with a file server, where the file server that manages download requests for a collection of media files, where the collection of media files are subject to a trial period. The system further includes media file selection logic configured to prompt a user to select a subset of media files from the collection of media files that was downloaded from the file server after the trial period is detected to have expired. In accordance with this embodiment, the user selects a subset of media files that the user would like to keep for continued use and the remaining media files not selected by the user are then configured to be inaccessible by the user after the trial period has expired. Other systems and methods are also provided.