Abstract: System for present content. The system includes means for receiving a set of timepoints relating to a content data and means for generating display signals based on the content data. The system also includes means for sending display signals to a display device that represent the content data and means for notifying a server over the Internet, that a timepoint among the set of timepoints has been reached in the content data. The system also includes means for receiving, from the server, via the Internet, an identification of one or more particular additional content and in response to receiving the identification of the one or more particular additional content from the server, means for interrupting presentation of the content data; and presenting the one or more particular additional content. The system further includes means for resuming, presentation of the content data after presenting the one or more particular additional content.

Abstract: System for present content. The system includes means for receiving a set of timepoints relating to a content data and means for generating display signals based on the content data. The system also includes means for sending display signals to a display device that represent the content data and means for notifying a server over the Internet, that a timepoint among the set of timepoints has been reached in the content data. The system also includes means for receiving, from the server, via the Internet, an identification of one or more particular additional content and in response to receiving the identification of the one or more particular additional content from the server, means for interrupting presentation of the content data; and presenting the one or more particular additional content. The system further includes means for resuming, presentation of the content data after presenting the one or more particular additional content.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a DVR sends a user's contact information over a network to a third party. Upon determining that a television program or advertisement contains a special tag that is associated with a third party, the DVR displays, to the user, a prompt that invites the DVR user to allow the DVR to send the user's contact information to the third party. If the user gives permission for the DVR to send the contact information to the third party, then the DVR sends the contact information to the third party (e.g., over the Internet).

Abstract: System for present content. The system includes means for receiving a set of timepoints relating to a content data and means for generating display signals based on the content data. The system also includes means for sending display signals to a display device that represent the content data and means for notifying a server over the Internet, that a timepoint among the set of timepoints has been reached in the content data. The system also includes means for receiving, from the server, via the Internet, an identification of one or more particular additional content and in response to receiving the identification of the one or more particular additional content from the server, means for interrupting presentation of the content data; and presenting the one or more particular additional content. The system further includes means for resuming, presentation of the content data after presenting the one or more particular additional content.

Abstract: A method for generating and maintaining hierarchical tags with community-based ratings is provided. Tags for media streams are organized into a hierarchical format. Users may select tags from the hierarchical tag database that describes a particular multimedia content. If the user is unable to locate a desired tag, the user may submit a new tag. Upon submission of the new tag, a librarian approves the tag before storing and placing the tag in the hierarchical tag database. Users are also able to rate the quality of the association between the tag and the multimedia content. If a tag is rated low, the tag may be removed from the hierarchical tag database. If the tag is rated highly, display of the tag in a list of tags becomes more prominent.

Abstract: A method for interpreting messages, user-defined alert conditions, voice commands and performing an action in response is described. A method for annotating media content is described. A method for presenting additional content associated with media content identified based on a fingerprint is described. A method for identifying that an advertisement portion of media content is being played based on a fingerprint derived from the media content is described. A method of one media device recording particular media content automatically in response to another media device recording the particular media content is described. A method of concurrently playing media content on multiple devices is described. A method of publishing information associated with recording of media content is described. A method of deriving fingerprints by media devices that meet an idleness criteria is described. A method of loading, modifying, and displaying a high definition frame from a frame buffer is described.

Abstract: A method for interpreting messages, user-defined alert conditions, voice commands and performing an action in response is described. A method for annotating media content is described. A method for presenting additional content associated with media content identified based on a fingerprint is described. A method for identifying that an advertisement portion of media content is being played based on a fingerprint derived from the media content is described. A method of one media device recording particular media content automatically in response to another media device recording the particular media content is described. A method of concurrently playing media content on multiple devices is described. A method of publishing information associated with recording of media content is described. A method of deriving fingerprints by media devices that meet an idleness criteria is described. A method of loading, modifying, and displaying a high definition frame from a frame buffer is described.

Abstract: A portable device includes solid-state memory, an Ethernet and/or wireless network connection, and an HDMI. The portable device receives content guide data from a first server and displays a content guide on a display. In response to a user's selection of a content item, the portable device requests the content item over the Internet from a second server. The portable device receives the content item, stores the content item in solid-state memory, generates display signals that represent the content item, and sends the display signals to a display. The second server may match the content item with relevant advertisements based on keywords associated with the content item and the advertisements. The second server may send selected advertisement URLs to the portable device. Using the URLs, the portable device may obtain the advertisements over the Internet and cause the display to display the advertisements in conjunction with the content item.

Abstract: A portable device includes solid-state memory, an Ethernet and/or wireless network connection, and an HDMI. The portable device receives content guide data from a first server and displays a content guide on a display. In response to a user's selection of a content item, the portable device requests the content item over the Internet from a second server. The portable device receives the content item, stores the content item in solid-state memory, generates display signals that represent the content item, and sends the display signals to a display. The second server may match the content item with relevant advertisements based on keywords associated with the content item and the advertisements. The second server may send selected advertisement URLs to the portable device. Using the URLs, the portable device may obtain the advertisements over the Internet and cause the display to display the advertisements in conjunction with the content item.

Abstract: Techniques for real-time DVR programming employ secure instant message protocol in a DVR environment. An embodiment sends an instant message to the DVR which causes the DVR to open a new secure connection with the service provider for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider. Another embodiment uses an already established connection with an instant message server for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider.

Abstract: One or more window characteristics of at least one window displayed on a primary display device are displayed at a remote display device. User input is received at the remote display device to modify the one or more window characteristics of the at least one window displayed on the primary display device. The one or more modified window characteristics for the at least one window displayed on the primary display device are transmitted from the remote display device to the primary display device.

Abstract: A method for generating and maintaining hierarchical tags with community-based ratings is provided. Tags for media streams are organized into a hierarchical format. Users may select tags from the hierarchical tag database that describes a particular multimedia content. If the user is unable to locate a desired tag, the user may submit a new tag. Upon submission of the new tag, a librarian approves the tag before storing and placing the tag in the hierarchical tag database. Users are also able to rate the quality of the association between the tag and the multimedia content. If a tag is rated low, the tag may be removed from the hierarchical tag database. If the tag is rated highly, display of the tag in a list of tags becomes more prominent.

Abstract: System for present content. The system includes means for receiving a set of timepoints relating to a content data and means for generating display signals based on the content data. The system also includes means for sending display signals to a display device that represent the content data and means for notifying a server over the Internet, that a timepoint among the set of timepoints has been reached in the content data. The system also includes means for receiving, from the server, via the Internet, an identification of one or more particular additional content and in response to receiving the identification of the one or more particular additional content from the server, means for interrupting presentation of the content data; and presenting the one or more particular additional content. The system further includes means for resuming, presentation of the content data after presenting the one or more particular additional content.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a DVR sends a user's contact information over a network to a third party. Upon determining that a television program or advertisement contains a special tag that is associated with a third party, the DVR displays, to the user, a prompt that invites the DVR user to allow the DVR to send the user's contact information to the third party. If the user gives permission for the DVR to send the contact information to the third party, then the DVR sends the contact information to the third party (e.g., over the Internet).

Abstract: Techniques for real-time DVR programming employ secure instant message protocol in a DVR environment. An embodiment sends an instant message to the DVR which causes the DVR to open a new secure connection with the service provider for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider. Another embodiment uses an already established connection with an instant message server for synchronizing data on the DVR with updated programming data from the service provider.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a DVR sends a user's contact information over a network to a third party. Upon determining that a television program or advertisement contains a special tag that is associated with a third party, the DVR displays, to the user, a prompt that invites the DVR user to allow the DVR to send the user's contact information to the third party. If the user gives permission for the DVR to send the contact information to the third party, then the DVR sends the contact information to the third party (e.g., over the Internet).

Abstract: One or more window characteristics of at least one window displayed on a primary display device are displayed at a remote display device. User input is received at the remote display device to modify the one or more window characteristics of the at least one window displayed on the primary display device. The one or more modified window characteristics for the at least one window displayed on the primary display device are transmitted from the remote display device to the primary display device.

Abstract: System for present content. The system includes means for receiving a set of timepoints relating to a content data and means for generating display signals based on the content data. The system also includes means for sending display signals to a display device that represent the content data and means for notifying a server over the Internet, that a timepoint among the set of timepoints has been reached in the content data. The system also includes means for receiving, from the server, via the Internet, an identification of one or more particular additional content and in response to receiving the identification of the one or more particular additional content from the server, means for interrupting presentation of the content data; and presenting the one or more particular additional content. The system further includes means for resuming, presentation of the content data after presenting the one or more particular additional content.

Abstract: A portable device includes solid-state memory, an Ethernet and/or wireless network connection, and an HDMI. The portable device receives content guide data from a first server and displays a content guide on a display. In response to a user's selection of a content item, the portable device requests the content item over the Internet from a second server. The portable device receives the content item, stores the content item in solid-state memory, generates display signals that represent the content item, and sends the display signals to a display. The second server may match the content item with relevant advertisements based on keywords associated with the content item and the advertisements. The second server may send selected advertisement URLs to the portable device. Using the URLs, the portable device may obtain the advertisements over the Internet and cause the display to display the advertisements in conjunction with the content item.

Abstract: System for present content. The system includes means for receiving a set of timepoints relating to a content data and means for generating display signals based on the content data. The system also includes means for sending display signals to a display device that represent the content data and means for notifying a server over the Internet, that a timepoint among the set of timepoints has been reached in the content data. The system also includes means for receiving, from the server, via the Internet, an identification of one or more particular additional content and in response to receiving the identification of the one or more particular additional content from the server, means for interrupting presentation of the content data; and presenting the one or more particular additional content. The system further includes means for resuming, presentation of the content data after presenting the one or more particular additional content.