Abstract: A method for employing a controlled-modification current time value is presented. In the method, the current time value is maintained. Also, requests for modification of the current time value are received. The requests are processed so that the requested modification associated with one of the requests is immediately incorporated into the current time value, and so that the requested modification associated with another one of the requests is not immediately incorporated into the current time value.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.

Abstract: A broadcast communication system is presented which includes a broadcast communication transmitter, a broadcast communication receiver, and an information processor. The broadcast communication receiver is configured to receive programming from the broadcast communication transmitter. The receiver is also configured to generate information relating to the operation of the broadcast communicate receiver. In addition, the receiver is configured to connect to the information processor and transfer the information thereto during a time period in accordance with user input accepted by the receiver. The information processor is configured to receive and process the information.

Abstract: A method for employing a controlled-modification current time value is presented. In the method, the current time value is maintained. Also, requests for modification of the current time value are received. The requests are processed so that the requested modification associated with one of the requests is immediately incorporated into the current time value, and so that the requested modification associated with another one of the requests is not immediately incorporated into the current time value.

Abstract: A method for employing a controlled-modification current time value is presented. In the method, the current time value is maintained. Also, requests for modification of the current time value are received. The requests are processed so that the requested modification associated with one of the requests is immediately incorporated into the current time value, and so that the requested modification associated with another one of the requests is not immediately incorporated into the current time value.

Abstract: A video control system for displaying video products within a current viewing context is designed to receive, via a broadcast communication, a video product and product information for the video product. The product information includes an intended viewing context for the video product. The video control system processes the product information and filters the video product based on a comparison of the intended viewing context and the current viewing context.

Abstract: A method for delivering supplemental content associated with audio/visual content to a user of the audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content and the supplemental content are received. The audio/visual content is then transferred as a stream to a first device for presentation to the user. The supplemental content is transferred to a second device for presentation to the user. The transferred supplemental content is organized into segments, wherein each of the segments is to be presented by the second device to the user in synchronization with the presentation of a corresponding portion of the audio/visual content.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of recording user-selected interstitial media content, such as a television commercial. In the method, a media content stream is presented to a user. The media content stream includes an interstitial segment within a media content segment, such as a television program. In a media content segment listing, such as an electronic program guide, the media content segment is listed, but the interstitial segment is not. While the media content stream is presented, the stream is buffered. During or after the interstitial segment is being presented to the user, a command is received from the user to record the interstitial segment. In response to the command, beginning and ending points of the buffered interstitial segment are identified. The buffered interstitial segment is stored as a persistent recording based on the starting and ending points, and the persistent recording is distinguished from the media content segment.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate program content access management. One embodiment is a system with a secure content provider communicatively coupled to a first system and a second system, operable to stream encrypted content over the first system, and operable to communicate access control information over the second system; and a receiving device coupled to the first system and the second system, operable to receive the encrypted program content from the first system, operable to receive the access control information over the second system such that the encrypted program content is decrypted based on the access control information to generate program content, and operable to communicate the program content to a presentation device.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.

Abstract: A method for delivering supplemental content associated with audio/visual content to a user of the audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content and the supplemental content are received. The audio/visual content is then transferred as a stream to a first device for presentation to the user. The supplemental content is transferred to a second device for presentation to the user. The transferred supplemental content is organized into segments, wherein each of the segments is to be presented by the second device to the user in synchronization with the presentation of a corresponding portion of the audio/visual content.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of recording user-selected interstitial media content, such as a television commercial. In the method, a media content stream is presented to a user. The media content stream includes an interstitial segment within a media content segment, such as a television program. In a media content segment listing, such as an electronic program guide, the media content segment is listed, but the interstitial segment is not. While the media content stream is presented, the stream is buffered. During or after the interstitial segment is being presented to the user, a command is received from the user to record the interstitial segment. In response to the command, beginning and ending points of the buffered interstitial segment are identified. The buffered interstitial segment is stored as a persistent recording based on the starting and ending points, and the persistent recording is distinguished from the media content segment.

Abstract: Presented herein is a method of blocking user-selected media content, such as, for example, audio and/or video content. In the method, at least one media content stream is presented to a user, wherein the at least one media content stream includes multiple showings of an identifiable contiguous segment of media content. One example of such a segment may be a commercial or advertisement. While presenting a current showing of the segment of media content to the user, a command is received from a user to block the segment of media content from presentation to the user. In response to receiving the command, information identifying the segment of media content is generated. The at least one media content stream is analyzed using the information to detect subsequent showings of the segment of media content. Presentation of at least one of the subsequent showings of the segment of media content is prevented when detected in the at least one media content stream.

Abstract: A method for delivering supplemental content associated with audio/visual content to a user of the audio/visual content is presented. In the method, the audio/visual content and the supplemental content are received. The audio/visual content is then transferred as a stream to a first device for presentation to the user. The supplemental content is transferred to a second device for presentation to the user. The transferred supplemental content is organized into segments, wherein each of the segments is to be presented by the second device to the user in synchronization with the presentation of a corresponding portion of the audio/visual content.

Abstract: A video control system for displaying video products within a current viewing context is designed to receive, via a broadcast communication, a video product and product information for the video product. The product information includes an intended viewing context for the video product. The video control system processes the product information and filters the video product based on a comparison of the intended viewing context and the current viewing context.

Abstract: Various embodiments facilitate program content access management. One embodiment is a system with a secure content provider communicatively coupled to a first system and a second system, operable to stream encrypted content over the first system, and operable to communicate access control information over the second system; and a receiving device coupled to the first system and the second system, operable to receive the encrypted program content from the first system, operable to receive the access control information over the second system such that the encrypted program content is decrypted based on the access control information to generate program content, and operable to communicate the program content to a presentation device.

Abstract: A method for employing a controlled-modification current time value is presented. In the method, the current time value is maintained. Also, requests for modification of the current time value are received. The requests are processed so that the requested modification associated with one of the requests is immediately incorporated into the current time value, and so that the requested modification associated with another one of the requests is not immediately incorporated into the current time value.

Abstract: A broadcast communication system is presented which includes a broadcast communication transmitter, a broadcast communication receiver, and an information processor. The broadcast communication receiver is configured to receive programming from the broadcast communication transmitter. The receiver is also configured to generate information relating to the operation of the broadcast communicate receiver. In addition, the receiver is configured to connect to the information processor and transfer the information thereto during a time period in accordance with user input accepted by the receiver. The information processor is configured to receive and process the information.