Abstract: A system and method for generating a list of content is disclosed. A processor may store in memory at least one content preference of a user, may store at least one non-user content preference of at least one entity other than the user, may associate the at least one non-user content preference with the user, and may generate the content list based on a combination of the at least one content preference of the user and the at least one non-user content preference for output to the user.

Abstract: A system and method for searching for media content. A user profile is received from a user. The user profile identifies preferred media sources. A search request is received from the user including at least one search criteria. The search for media content is based on the at least one search criteria and the user profile. Information regarding the media content found from the search is displayed to the user.

Abstract: The control of access to content via a player system accessible by a plurality of users is described. A default profile is provided including filtering criteria, the filtering criteria describing at least one of characteristic of content permitted for all of the plurality of users and a characteristic of content prohibited for all of the plurality of users. Metadata associated with a selected content and the filtering criteria are compared, and access to the content is permitted or denied based on the comparison. Also, content is selected, the selected content having metadata linked thereto via a pointer. The metadata is obtained using the pointer. The metadata and filtering criteria are compared, the filtering criteria describing characteristics of at least one of permitted or prohibited content. Access to the content is permitted or denied based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a list of content is disclosed. A processor may store in memory at least one content preference of a user, may store at least one non-user content preference of at least one entity other than the user, may associate the at least one non-user content preference with the user, and may generate the content list based on a combination of the at least one content preference of the user and the at least one non-user content preference for output to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a computer-implemented method that (i) launches a diagnostic tool designed for use with a primary software application, (ii) determines whether a diagnostic definitions file (DDF) needs to be updated, (iii) updates the DDF, if needed, (iv) performs one or more of the diagnostic tests specified in the DDF, (v) determines whether the result produced by each performed diagnostic test is equivalent to the expected result for the performed diagnostic test, and (vi) performs the failure action specified for each performed diagnostic test whose result is not equivalent to the expected result for the performed diagnostic test. The DDF has information specifying: (i) the one or more diagnostic tests, (ii) an expected result for each diagnostic test, and (iii) a failure action to be performed for each diagnostic test, if the result produced by the diagnostic test is not equivalent to the expected result.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a communication system transmits video content in a looped manner using wireless communications to a cell phone capable of playing the content in a streaming manner. The cell phone is capable, after the playing of the received video content has been interrupted during a current transmission of the content, of resuming play of the content during a subsequent transmission of the looped content, based on the timing of the interruption. The timing of the interruption is compared to a schedule of content transmissions to determine when to resume the playing of the content, e.g., to enable the playing to resume from the location of the interruption.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is a computer-implemented method that (i) launches a diagnostic tool designed for use with a primary software application, (ii) determines whether a diagnostic definitions file (DDF) needs to be updated, (iii) updates the DDF, if needed, (iv) performs one or more of the diagnostic tests specified in the DDF, (v) determines whether the result produced by each performed diagnostic test is equivalent to the expected result for the performed diagnostic test, and (vi) performs the failure action specified for each performed diagnostic test whose result is not equivalent to the expected result for the performed diagnostic test. The DDF has information specifying: (i) the one or more diagnostic tests, (ii) an expected result for each diagnostic test, and (iii) a failure action to be performed for each diagnostic test, if the result produced by the diagnostic test is not equivalent to the expected result.

Abstract: A system and method for searching for media content. A user profile is received from a user. The user profile identifies preferred media sources. A search request is received from the user including at least one search criteria. The search for media content is based on the at least one search criteria and the user profile. Information regarding the media content found from the search is displayed to the user.

Abstract: The control of access to content via a player system accessible by a plurality of users is described. A default profile is provided including filtering criteria, the filtering criteria describing at least one of characteristic of content permitted for all of the plurality of users and a characteristic of content prohibited for all of the plurality of users. Metadata associated with a selected content and the filtering criteria are compared, and access to the content is permitted or denied based on the comparison. Also, content is selected, the selected content having metadata linked thereto via a pointer. The metadata is obtained using the pointer. The metadata and filtering criteria are compared, the filtering criteria describing characteristics of at least one of permitted or prohibited content. Access to the content is permitted or denied based on the comparison.