Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making media consumption more social by suggesting a time when users in a group may engage in live communications while consuming media. First, media-consumption activities of the users in the group are monitored. (For example, the set-top boxes of a cable television system monitor when and what each user watches.) Then, from this and possibly from other information, times when each user will be available for live communications are predicted. Finally, the individual predictions are correlated and, if possible, a future time is suggested when a largest possible number of the users in the group will be available for live communications. Some embodiments use other information, such as electronic calendars, to predict when users may be available. The suggested time may be shown on an electronic program guide for a user watching television and may be added to each user's electronic calendar.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making media consumption more social by suggesting a time when users in a group may engage in live communications while consuming media. First, media-consumption activities of the users in the group are monitored. (For example, the set-top boxes of a cable television system monitor when and what each user watches.) Then, from this and possibly from other information, times when each user will be available for live communications are predicted. Finally, the individual predictions are correlated and, if possible, a future time is suggested when at least some of the users in the group will be available for live communications. Some embodiments use other information, such as electronic calendars, to predict when users may be available. The suggested time may be shown on an electronic program guide for a user watching television and may be added to each user's electronic calendar.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices that facilitate new interactive experiences for users of WiMAX, 4 G, or other media-sharing enabled devices. The methods and devices for delivering primary media content to a set of media systems are configured to coordinate at least one visual media system with other visual media systems to foster sharing of content. The method includes broadcasting a stream of primary media content to the set of visual media systems that are configured to control the stream of primary media content. At least one of the visual media systems can be configured to issue a command to pause the stream of media content. The method also includes generating a notification to be transmitted to the other visual media systems that a command to pause has been received. In this manner, synchronizing the pausing and resuming of playback of media content among the visual media systems can be achieved.

Abstract: There is provided a system for providing status information associated with viewing behavior of media broadcasting. The system comprises a client device that includes a receiver to receive presence data from a remote device and a processor to generate an ambient command based on the presence data. The presence data is associated with broadcast programs of the remote device, and the ambient command represents viewing information of the broadcast program at the remote device. The system also comprises an ambient component that provides an ambient representation of the viewing information based on the ambient command. The ambient component may be an integral part of the client device or a separate component that communicates with the client device via wired or wireless connection.