Abstract: An event display device or panel (108) wirelessly receives, for display in real time (220), content that a television or set-top box has parsed (210) from a program of interest embodied in digital broadcast signal (112). In another embodiment, notification is formed by parsed out content that it represents a current event or current development of the program (212), and the notification is wirelessly transmitted for display on the device.

Abstract: There is provided a method of executing one or more Xlet software applications in a broadcasting system (10) including a broadcast provider (20) coupled via at least one communication link (30) to at least one corresponding user interface (40, 50) including associated computing hardware therein.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (100) includes a channel list (105) of available channels and a program list (110) of programs which is displayed concurrently with the channel list (105) in response to selection of a selected channel from the available channels. The programs displayed on the program list (110) are exclusively associated with the selected channel. The channel list (105) is displayed in response to accessing the electronic program guide (100), such as by activating an access switch (240) of a remote controller (200). Both the channel and program lists are displayed in response to accessing the programs list, such as by double clicking on the access switch (240) or activating a program switch (245) of the remote controller (200).

Abstract: A receiver or playback device (100) with an audio output includes an automatic volume control system (200) which has a controller (230) configured to output a control signal (235) to change levels of an input signal; and an adjustor (240) which changes levels of the input signal to form an adjusted signal (245) in response to the control signal (235). The controller (230) forms the control signal (235) in response to input signal, the adjusted signal and a reference signal (225). The adjustor (240) lowers the input signal and/or limits its high levels to form the adjusted signal when levels of the input signal and/or the adjusted signal exceed the reference signal (225). Additionally, the adjustor (240) increases the input signal and/or increases its low levels when levels of the input signal and/or the adjusted signal are below another reference signal (260).

Abstract: A system and method for rewarding consumers who conduct purchasing transactions of content from a content provider via the Internet. A user first subscribes and sets up a user account with a content provider. Once an account is set up, a user is then enabled to conduct a purchase or on-demand streaming download of content from the content provider to a user's playback device via a network connection, e.g., Internet, and a history of user purchases of various content is stored. The reward for a transaction is based the content and particularly, on criteria including: 1) amount of time and manner in which said content has been available; and 2) a user's intended use of the content.

Abstract: A home entertainment system (100) includes modules (120, 135, 140), connected by digital links (115, 125, 130), which do not have redundant capabilities. A gateway (110) receives external signals from the Internet, digital cable or satellite network, or digital terrestrial network. The gateway is connected to a storage/playback module (135), including a DVD/CD-RW (520) and/or hard drive (HD) (530), a digital audio amplifier module (140), and a video display module (120). The storage/playback module (135) plays back and record content. Copyright protection allows a user to store programs on the HD, to back them up on a DVD, or to record directly on DVD. The audio amplifier includes an audio decoder (420) to provide audio outputs, and has a control panel to play back music from the HD or DVD player. The video display module supports only video capabilities and includes a video decoder (320). The modules share a conditional access component (220) at the gateway.

Abstract: A method for healthcare monitoring of a person is provided. The method including: operatively connecting a set-top-box (102) to a network (110, 114) and to at least one of a television display (104) and speaker (106); and wirelessly transmitting a healthcare characteristic of the person from one or more wireless sensors (108) to the set-top-box (108). The remote network can be the Internet (110). The method can further include operatively connecting the set-top-box (110) to a remote station (124) through the network (110). The remote station (124) can be a location of a medical professional.