Abstract: An administrator controls viewer access to restricted multimedia programs using electronic permission slips. In response to a viewer's request to view a restricted multimedia program, the viewer may initiate the generation of an electronic permission slip that is sent to an electronic device associated with the administrator. The electronic permission slip may include text-based information, graphical information, audio information, and the like. The electronic permission slip may enable input of permission data regarding whether the viewer is allowed to receive the blocked program. In response to the administrator granting permission, a service provider network allows the viewer to access the restricted multimedia program.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile device includes receiving, from a motion sensor, motion information indicative of mobile device motion, recognizing a motion pattern indicated by the motion information, identifying a particular function corresponding to the motion pattern, and determining whether the particular function comprises a function for remotely controlling a remotely controlled device. Responsive to determining the particular function is a function for remotely controlling a remotely controlled device, a remote control command corresponding to the particular function is wirelessly sent to the remotely controlled device. If the particular function is a function for remotely controlling a remotely controlled device, the particular function is executed via a wireless network.

Abstract: A method of operating a mobile device includes receiving, from a motion sensor, motion information indicative of mobile device motion, recognizing a motion pattern indicated by the motion information, identifying a particular function corresponding to the motion pattern, and determining whether the particular function comprises a function for remotely controlling a remotely controlled device. Responsive to determining the particular function is a function for remotely controlling a remotely controlled device, a remote control command corresponding to the particular function is wirelessly sent to the remotely controlled device. If the particular function is a function for remotely controlling a remotely controlled device, the particular function is executed via a wireless network.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a mobile device includes interpreting a user-defined pattern detected by at least one of a touch interface and a motion sensor included with the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be interpreted as at least one of: a polygon, an ellipse, a curve, a line segment, an alphanumeric character, and a movement of the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be a two-dimensional pattern traced by the user on the touch interface. When the user-defined pattern is recognized, a wireless communication command may be executed by the mobile device. The wireless communication command may be a telephone command or a remote control command for a remote-controlled device.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a mobile device includes interpreting a user-defined pattern detected by at least one of a touch interface and a motion sensor included with the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be interpreted as at least one of: a polygon, an ellipse, a curve, a line segment, an alphanumeric character, and a movement of the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be a two-dimensional pattern traced by the user on the touch interface. When the user-defined pattern is recognized, a wireless communication command may be executed by the mobile device. The wireless communication command may be a telephone command or a remote control command for a remote-controlled device.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a mobile device includes interpreting a user-defined pattern detected by at least one of a touch interface and a motion sensor included with the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be interpreted as at least one of: a polygon, an ellipse, a curve, a line segment, an alphanumeric character, and a movement of the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be a two-dimensional pattern traced by the user on the touch interface. When the user-defined pattern is recognized, a wireless communication command may be executed by the mobile device. The wireless communication command may be a telephone command or a remote control command for a remote-controlled device.

Abstract: An administrator controls viewer access to restricted multimedia programs using electronic permission slips. In response to a viewer's request to view a restricted multimedia program, the viewer may initiate the generation of an electronic permission slip that is sent to an electronic device associated with the administrator. The electronic permission slip may include text-based information, graphical information, audio information, and the like. The electronic permission slip may enable input of permission data regarding whether the viewer is allowed to receive the blocked program. In response to the administrator granting permission, a service provider network allows the viewer to access the restricted multimedia program.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a mobile device includes interpreting a user-defined pattern detected by at least one of a touch interface and a motion sensor included with the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be interpreted as at least one of: a polygon, an ellipse, a curve, a line segment, an alphanumeric character, and a movement of the mobile device. The user-defined pattern may be a two-dimensional pattern traced by the user on the touch interface. When the user-defined pattern is recognized, a wireless communication command may be executed by the mobile device. The wireless communication command may be a telephone command or a remote control command for a remote-controlled device.

Abstract: A disclosed method for facilitating automated and user-specific filtering of multimedia content includes a backend server receiving a content identifier from a user's multimedia handling device (MHD), e.g., a set top box. The content identifier indicates of a program of multimedia content (PMC) requested or otherwise desired by a user. The disclosed method includes identifying or otherwise locating an index file associated with the requested PMC. The index file includes data that indicates portions of the PMC containing potentially objectionable content. Content filtering (CF) settings associated with the user are retrieved or otherwise accessed. The CF settings define at least one type of content that is objectionable to the user. The CF settings are applied to the index file to identify a portion of the PMC containing content objectionable to the user. Content location information that indicates the identified portion of the PMC is then sent to the MHD.

Abstract: A disclosed access control application and an associated method for managing access to multimedia content include enabling an administrator, e.g., a parent, to create a user account for a user, e.g., a child, and a password and a profile for the user account. The method further includes assigning an access level to the user and generating an initial set of content access indicator (CAIs) based on the access level. The initial CAI influences or determines the user's ability to access content associated with the access level. The method further includes modifying at least one of the CAIs in response to a request from the administrator. When a user subsequently send a navigation signal or command while the user account is active, the navigation signal is processed based at least in part on the CAIs to prevent the user from accessing content that the applicable CAI indicates as being restricted.

Abstract: An advertisement replacement system monitors a multimedia stream containing digital television content and advertisements for indicators of objectionable advertisement content. Replacement content is substituted for all or part of an advertisement that has at least one indicator (or a threshold level) of objectionable content. Analysis of stored content may also be performed and stored objectionable content may be replaced with approved content. Blank screens, user-provided photographs, user-provided videos, advertiser-provided still images, and substitute advertisements are examples of replacement content.

Abstract: An administrator controls viewer access to restricted multimedia programs using electronic permission slips. In response to a viewer's request to view a restricted multimedia program, the viewer may initiate the generation of an electronic permission slip that is sent to an electronic device associated with the administrator. The electronic permission slip may include text-based information, graphical information, audio information, and the like. The electronic permission slip may enable input of permission data regarding whether the viewer is allowed to receive the blocked program. In response to the administrator granting permission, a service provider network allows the viewer to access the restricted multimedia program.