Abstract: A method and computing device for configuring devices connected to a home entertainment network by bidirectional audio/video interconnections. The method selects a profile for a user of a home entertainment network that includes a display device connected to audio/video source devices where the connection to each audio/video source device is a bidirectional audio/video connection, and where the display device includes a preferences manager. The method determines audio/video preferences for the user of the home entertainment network, where the audio/video preferences are based on a user-selected configuration of the preferences manager. The method sends the audio/video preferences to each audio/video source device for configuring each audio/video source device based on the audio/video preferences for the user of the home entertainment network.

Abstract: A set top box is provided that includes a receiver/tuner for receiving programming content over a broadband communications network, a secure memory configured to store at least a first cryptography key to be used to encrypt and decrypt the programming content, and a digital storage medium for storing encrypted programming content. The set top box also includes a multimedia processor operationally associated with the receiver/tuner, the secure memory, and the digital storage medium. The multimedia processor is configured to: encrypt programming content using the first cryptography key stored in the secure memory and uniquely associated with the set top box; store the encrypted content on the digital storage medium; encrypt the first cryptography key using an asymmetric public encryption key to form an encrypted first cryptography key; and store the encrypted first cryptography key on the digital storage medium.

Abstract: A set top box is provided that includes a receiver/tuner for receiving programming content over a broadband communications network, an encrypter/decrypter for encrypting and decrypting the programming content, and a secure memory configured to store at least a first cryptography key to be used by the encrypter/decrypter to encrypt and decrypt the programming content. The set top box also includes a digital storage medium for storing encrypted programming content, a multimedia processor operationally associated with the receiver/tuner, the decrypter, and the digital storage medium, and a user interface operationally associated with the multimedia processor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system that configures a first DSG capable computing device that is connected to a home network, and includes a conditional access system that communicates data with the home network, and commits the first DSG capable computing device as a DSG proxy server. The method advertises DSG services to a second DSG capable computing device connected to the home network. The method establishes a tunnel for the second DSG capable computing device to filter DSG data for the second DSG capable computing device from the data, and forwards the DSG data to the second DSG capable computing device via the tunnel.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (50) for notifying an end-user display device of the receipt of an electronic message by an electronic messaging system coupled to a computing device coupled to the end-user display device. The system (10) includes a computing device, such as a personal computer (12) or other suitable computing device, and an end-user display device (14) coupled to the computing device and to one or more other devices, such as audio/video devices (44). The method (50) includes generating a notification of the receipt of an electronic message in response to the electronic messaging system receiving an electronic message.

Abstract: A technique is described that allows a viewer to eliminate a fixed information band portion of a television image (e.g., a scrolling news “crawl” or fixed advertising band) from a television display by “stretching” the main program portion to fill the screen, effectively pushing the undesired crawl or advertising band off of the display. This eliminates a feature of many television broadcasts that many viewers find distracting and/or annoying, and helps to prevent phosphor burn on phosphor-based display screens.

Abstract: Remotely controlling content receiver wherein a channel guide is displayed to a user. A channel selection control is activated when a channel selection activator is actuated by the user. The channel selection control comprises an overlay window that can be repositioned on a presentation screen. The channel guide is preserved under the overlay window when the overlay window is repositioned by the user.

Abstract: A method for recording a television program with interactive content includes recording data supporting interactive features of the television program in addition to recording the television program.

Abstract: A technique is used for determining a video format for a video output signal generated by a television receiver. The technique includes acquiring a preferred output format that is one of a plurality of video formats and determining an aspect ratio of a selected television signal having one of a plurality of television signal formats. The video output signal is generated using one of the plurality of video formats having a 4:3 aspect ratio when the selected television signal has a television signal format having a 4:3 aspect ratio and the preferred output format is other than one that has only a 4:3 aspect ratio. A related technique additionally acquires an optional override output format for television signals having an aspect ratio of 4:3 that is used to determine when to use the stated the stated video format to generate the video output signal.

Abstract: Interactive feature data is accessed with an auxiliary display device that controls a medium player (e.g., DVD player). The interactive feature data is stored on an insertably-removable data storage medium which is inserted in the medium player. The data storage medium also has video data stored thereon which is viewed on a screen device when the data storage medium is played by the medium player. In one embodiment, the interactive feature data is copied from the data storage medium to at least one memory location external to the data storage medium and is viewed on the auxiliary display device while only the video data is viewed on the screen device. In another embodiment, the medium player is controlled by accessing a website on the Internet which instructs the auxiliary display device to send commands to the medium player when command links presented on a webpage of the website are selected.

Abstract: A method and system provide updates of sporting events, including video highlights, to a television or handheld internet-based pad. This method preferably includes recording one or more sporting events, tagging specific plays as highlights of the one or more sporting events, storing the tagged highlights on a server, combining the tagged highlights with a video stream of a provider, accessing the tagged highlights at a consumer location, notifying a user that a highlight has occurred, and displaying the highlights on a television or handheld internet-based pad.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automatically configuring a speaker system. The method includes the steps of placing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on a speaker of the above mentioned speaker system, placing a wireless communication device in a location representing the most likely location of the listener, determining the distance from the device location to the speaker using the RFID tag and said wireless communication device, and transmitting the determined distance from location representing the most likely location of the listener to the speaker to the speaker system controller.