Abstract: A media device, which may take the form of a set top box (STB), includes a housing or chassis that incorporates an interface panel having selectively configured regions that cooperate with components mounted on a printed circuit board. The selectively configured regions of the interface panel may advantageously provide desired clearance or contact between the interface panel and one or more of the components. In addition, the selectively configured regions of the interface panel may be arranged to provide structural support to a top panel of the chassis while providing specific heat transfer pathways between the components and the chassis. In this manner, the interface panel may be controllably designed with a desired thermal mass and/or a desired thermal conductivity in specific regions of the interface panel by varying properties of the interface panel which may include, but are not limited to, the panel thickness and material.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to securely store media content events on a flash memory device. An exemplary embodiment receives user-provided authorization information, compares the received user-provided authorization information with authorization information associated with the flash memory device, and permits access to a flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information.

Abstract: A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a chassis that incorporates a heat bridge, a heat shield or both. The heat bridge may take the form of a structural wall coupled to, but preferably integrated with, the chassis to facilitate conductive heat transfer into a chassis panel. The heat bridge may be configured to receive heat radiated from a chip having a die to be cooled. The heat shield may take the form of a wall-type structure protruding from a chassis panel. For example, the heat shield may extend from a top panel of the chassis in a fin-like or flange-like manner to provide a thermal barrier between adjacent electrical components arranged on a circuit board. While the heat shield protects the adjacent component from potential thermal damage or degradation, it may also operate to transfer heat into the chassis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information.

Abstract: A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a chassis that incorporates a heat bridge, a heat shield or both. The heat bridge may take the form of a structural wall coupled to, but preferably integrated with, the chassis to facilitate conductive heat transfer into a chassis panel. The heat bridge may be configured to receive heat radiated from a chip having a die to be cooled. The heat shield may take the form of a wall-type structure protruding from a chassis panel. For example, the heat shield may extend from a top panel of the chassis in a fin-like or flange-like manner to provide a thermal barrier between adjacent electrical components arranged on a circuit board. While the heat shield protects the adjacent component from potential thermal damage or degradation, it may also operate to transfer heat into the chassis.

Abstract: A media device includes at least one piezoelectric fan selectively located to draw or urge air past one or more electrical components, such as an integrated circuit chip. Preferably, the piezoelectric fan is located within a channel milled or otherwise formed in the chip, however the fan may be located proximate the channel yet in fluid communication therewith. The piezoelectric fan operates to convectively cool the electrical component and may also prevent heat that has been generated by the electrical component from moving toward another electrical component within the media device. Thus, the configuration and location of the piezoelectric fan may advantageously cool one component while preventing heat energy from building up around one or more other components mounted nearby.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information.

Abstract: A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a chassis that incorporates a heat bridge, a heat shield or both. The heat bridge may take the form of a structural wall coupled to, but preferably integrated with, the chassis to facilitate conductive heat transfer into a chassis panel. The heat bridge may be configured to receive heat radiated from a chip having a die to be cooled. The heat shield may take the form of a wall-type structure protruding from a chassis panel. For example, the heat shield may extend from a top panel of the chassis in a fin-like or flange-like manner to provide a thermal barrier between adjacent electrical components arranged on a circuit board. While the heat shield protects the adjacent component from potential thermal damage or degradation, it may also operate to transfer heat into the chassis.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for identifying a particular user of an receiver, such as a set-top box or receiver. A user is identified by the manner in which she uses an input device, such a wireless remote. Each individual user of the receiver is assigned a profile that includes values for a number of information points that serve to distinguish the user from other users of the receiver. With a user identified through tracking of her usage of a input device, customized content such as target advertisements or programming suggestions may be provided.

Abstract: A media device, which may take the form of a set top box (STB), includes a housing or chassis that incorporates an interface panel having selectively configured regions that cooperate with components mounted on a printed circuit board. The selectively configured regions of the interface panel may advantageously provide desired clearance or contact between the interface panel and one or more of the components. In addition, the selectively configured regions of the interface panel may be arranged to provide structural support to a top panel of the chassis while providing specific heat transfer pathways between the components and the chassis. In this manner, the interface panel may be controllably designed with a desired thermal mass and/or a desired thermal conductivity in specific regions of the interface panel by varying properties of the interface panel which may include, but are not limited to, the panel thickness and material.

Abstract: A media device includes at least one piezoelectric fan selectively located to draw or urge air past one or more electrical components, such as an integrated circuit chip. Preferably, the piezoelectric fan is located within a channel milled or otherwise formed in the chip, however the fan may be located proximate the channel yet in fluid communication therewith. The piezoelectric fan operates to convectively cool the electrical component and may also prevent heat that has been generated by the electrical component from moving toward another electrical component within the media device. Thus, the configuration and location of the piezoelectric fan may advantageously cool one component while preventing heat energy from building up around one or more other components mounted nearby.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to communicate information to a direct current (DC) powered electronic device. An exemplary embodiment receives alternating current (AC) power with an AC information signal modulated thereon, converts the received AC power to DC power, demodulates the received AC information signal to determine information, modulates the information onto the transmitted DC power as a DC information signal, transmits the DC power with the DC information signal over a DC connector to the DC powered electronic device, detects the DC information signal on the modulated DC power at the DC powered electronic device, demodulates the DC information signal from the received DC power, and determines the information at the DC powered electronic device based upon the demodulated DC information.

Abstract: A media content receiving device, such as a set top box, includes a chassis that incorporates a heat bridge, a heat shield or both. The heat bridge may take the form of a structural wall coupled to, but preferably integrated with, the chassis to facilitate conductive heat transfer into a chassis panel. The heat bridge may be configured to receive heat radiated from a chip having a die to be cooled. The heat shield may take the form of a wall-type structure protruding from a chassis panel. For example, the heat shield may extend from a top panel of the chassis in a fin-like or flange-like manner to provide a thermal barrier between adjacent electrical components arranged on a circuit board. While the heat shield protects the adjacent component from potential thermal damage or degradation, it may also operate to transfer heat into the chassis.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to prevent presentation of inappropriate media content. An exemplary embodiment receives a media content event; identifies at least one characteristic of the media content event; compares the identified characteristic with a plurality of predefined content characteristics, wherein each of the predefined content characteristics are associated with at least one type of inappropriate media content event; and defines the media content event as an inappropriate media content event in response to the identified characteristic corresponding to at least one of the plurality of predefined content characteristics.

Abstract: Systems and methods are operable to securely store media content events on a flash memory device. An exemplary embodiment receives user-provided authorization information, compares the received user-provided authorization information with authorization information associated with the flash memory device, and permits access to a flash memory of the flash memory device when the received user-provided authorization information corresponds to the authorization information.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for identifying a particular user of an receiver, such as a set-top box or receiver. A user is identified by the manner in which she uses an input device, such a wireless remote. Each individual user of the receiver is assigned a profile that includes values for a number of information points that serve to distinguish the user from other users of the receiver. With a user identified through tracking of her usage of a input device, customized content such as target advertisements or programming suggestions may be provided.