Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting unauthorized use of a user equipment device are provided. An instruction is transmitted, using communications circuitry of a handheld device, to the user equipment device directing the user equipment device to display a unique identifier associated with the user equipment simultaneously with media content. An image of the media content and unique identifier simultaneously displayed on a display screen coupled to the user equipment device is captured using camera equipment of the handheld device. The image is automatically processed with the handheld device to extract the unique identifier from the image. The extracted unique identifier is cross-referenced, using the handheld device, with user account information associated with the user equipment device to determine whether use of the user equipment device is unauthorized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for media guidance application for browsing and displaying video-on-demand listings are described. A user interacting with the media guidance application may select or highlight a channel in the program listings grid guide. The user may then view, browse, and select video-on-demand listings that relate to the selected channel on the program listing grid display. The video-on-demand listings may be retrieved from a storage device in the media guidance equipment. In an embodiment, the video-on-demand listings comprise a partial or full list of on-demand listings for the selected channel. In an embodiment, the video-on-demand listings comprise a list of the most popular on-demand listings related to the selected channel.

Abstract: A broadcast recording system for selectively recording broadcast program content from a mosaic display while continuing to display the mosaic display. The system may include the ability to present a categorized mosaic, program guide information for selected program content, and/or audio associated with selected program content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box displays a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the search for shows and receive results in an enhanced manner.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a video recorder having user extended and automatically extended time slots. An embodiment of the present invention includes a set-top box having an internal storage device, such as a hard drive where broadcasts are transferred from a broadcast input source to the storage device. The set-top box is connected to an output device such as a television, which displays a graphical user interface (GUI) and an interactive program guide (IPG). The user has the option to extend a chosen time slot, in which a show is scheduled to be transferred to the storage device. A dialog box is used when certain types of shows are selected that commonly require timeslot extensions at the end of the show.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a search engine for a video recorder. One embodiment of the present invention operates in an environment that includes one or more set-top boxes connected to or integrated within one or more output devices. The set-top boxes are used to transfer shows from a broadcast input source to one or more types of storage devices and to play back the shows from the storage devices to the output devices, either in a delayed-live fashion or at a later time of the user's choosing. The set-top box couples displays the display of a graphical user interface (GUI), which gives the user the ability to watch and/or record timeslot based programming, to order on-demand programming, and to playback previously recorded shows that reside on a local or remote storage device. A search engine is added to the GUI that lets the user receive results comprising all three types of programming with a single search.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a resource sharing system of set-top boxes. The set-top boxes are arranged in a network. The resources of each set-top box in the network are potentially available to another set-top box in the network that has run out of resources. When a user needs a tuner resource, the set-top box determines if it has a local tuner available. If not, the set-top box attempts to use the tuner of another set-top box in the network. In one embodiment all of the tuners in the network are pooled together and used as a global resource of tuners for all of the set-tops. Alternatively, if a set-top box runs out of resource space on a storage device, it attempts to use the storage device on another set-top box before deleting shows locally to make room for the new show.

Abstract: A full service cable television system and method are provided. The system comprises a cable headend, at least one fiber transport, at least one distribution hub, at least one hybrid fiber coax plant, and a plurality of set-top terminals. The system delivers television programs, advanced cable services, and online services. Programs and services are transmitted to the set-top terminals in both digital and analog formats to maintain downward compatibility with existing systems. The set-top terminal includes a central processing unit, a unified memory architecture, a memory management unit, communications circuitry, I/O control circuitry, and audio and video output circuitry. Through these components, the set-top terminal provides advanced cable services such as a comprehensive channel navigator, an interactive program guide, impulse Pay-Per-View, Near-Video-On-Demand and Video-On-Demand programming, and advanced configuration controls.

Abstract: A method, computer system and computer program product which enables a user to simultaneously view video content and supplemental information. A first video content is converted to a format wherein the first video content is reduced in size and displayed on a first portion of a display; and data associated with the supplemental information is converted to a format for display on a second portion of the display at the same time as the video content is displayed on the first portion of the display. In one aspect of the invention, a television viewer is able to watch a broadcast television program and simultaneously view information about the show being watched without obstructing any of the broadcast content. In another aspect, a television viewer is able to retrieve information about other shows, while staying tuned to a single broadcast channel and without obstructing that channel's broadcast content.

Abstract: A TV cable system having one set-top per user. The set-top's VCR recording functions are automatically adjusted in a manner to accommodate the occurrence of a program-delay event or a program-cancel event by the TV cable system. The expected begin/stop time-slot during which a program is projected to occur is broadcast by the system's head end to each set-top, and this IPG data is stored in each set-top. Within each set-top, the currently stored IPG-data is periodically compared to IPG-data that was recorded in the set-top's VCR-record-timers at an earlier time. When the recorded IPG-data does not compare to the current IPG-data, the IPG-data that is recorded in the VCR-record-timer is automatically updated to the current IPG-data. When this automatic updating of one VCR-record-timer produces a time-slot conflict with a different VCR-record-timer, the conflict is resolved, either automatically or by a user-alert-message that enables user intervention to resolve the conflict.