Abstract: An automatic feature demonstration mode for TV products that can be used in retail stores. TV features that otherwise would be overlooked by customers or misrepresented by the sales staff are advertised on the TV itself. The system may be used to convey information beyond TV features.

Abstract: An automatic feature demonstration mode for TV products that can be used in retail stores. TV features that otherwise would be overlooked by customers or misrepresented by the sales staff are advertised on the TV itself. The system may be used to convey information beyond TV features.

Abstract: An automatic feature demonstration mode for TV products that can be used in retail stores. TV features that otherwise would be overlooked by customers or misrepresented by the sales staff are advertised on the TV itself. The system may be used to convey information beyond TV features.

Abstract: A personal video recorder (PVR) enables delivery of audio-visual content and associated metadata to storage devices. The PVR is configured to access a plurality of services using a plurality of storage modules. Each storage module is dedicated to a single designated content provider. One or more of the storage modules are removably coupled to the PVR. A disconnected storage module can be reconnected to another PVR different from the PVR from which the storage module was disconnected. Where authorization is required to access content stored on the storage module, authentication is performed each time the removable storage module is reconnected to a PVR.

Abstract: A service module for a dedicated on-site media service. The service module enables a dedicated media service for a broadcast signal. The electronic media module includes a tuner, a media storage device, and an adapter. The tuner, which is coupled to the media storage device, or portion thereof, is tuned to receive a broadcast signal. The media storage device stores this broadcast signal. The adapter is coupled to the media storage device and to the tuner. The adapter further interfaces the tuner and the media storage device of the electronic media module with an electronic media system. A content provider has remote control over the stored content. The content provider also has remote control over on-site presentation of the stored media to the viewer. Multiple dedicated service modules installed on-site allow these functions to be applied across multiple content-providers simultaneously.

Abstract: A CE device employs user interfaces to allow a user to define energy management rules within the user's premises, visualize energy use in the home and in neighbor's homes for comparison and competition in saving energy, and receive tailored advertisements for appliances that are more energy efficient than what the user currently owns.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling distribution and brokering of content information are described. A request to download data is transmitted to a server. Information on multiple content providers storing data obtained from the server is received. Finally, identification information for one content provider, which allowed the download of data, is transmitted to the server along with payment for the download of data.

Abstract: A client-server architecture allows consumer electronics (CE) devices to obtain advertisements, including TV and network content recommendations, via a unified application programming interface (API). A gateway server between online advertisement providers and CE devices prioritizes and personalizes the advertisements and recommendations for a requesting CE device. This architecture scales over time and evolves more functionality without requiring CE device software updates.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward a system and method for simultaneously displaying one or more social media content items together with the display of programming content, such as a television show. Specifically, the present invention provides a system and method by which contemporary and/or time-shifted social media commentary, pertaining to broadcast programming content, may be displayed concurrently with the displayed programming content.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for an electronic library service. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a request for content of the electronic library service, the request identifying an account number for the electronic library service and identification number of a device, and authenticating the request based on an account number for the electronic library service and identification number of a device. The method may further include determining that content associated with the request is available for access by the device based on one or more restriction limitations, and providing access to the content based on one or more restriction limitations, wherein content of the electronic library is accessible to a device associated with the account number for a limited period of time.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for combining electronic program guide data and metadata input from multiple service providers to a common gateway server that connects to consumer electronics devices. A unified interface enables users of a wide variety of consumer electronics devices to easily manage broadcast contents and network services, typically in real-time. In addition to traditional TV EPG applications such as on-screen menus and program descriptions, channel/program searching, and timer and DVR functions, the embodiments provide enhanced metadata features through an Internet connection, including media explorers, streaming content, recommendations and customized advertisements and related searches, and social networking applications. The server manages metadata format translation, and merges content to transparently switch between content providers.

Abstract: A method for real-time bookmarking of streaming media assets is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes dynamically changing a presentation segment of a plurality of segments based one or more bookmark signals from a viewer.

Abstract: A client-server architecture allows consumer electronics (CE) devices to obtain advertisements, including TV and network content recommendations, via a unified application programming interface (API). A gateway server between online advertisement providers and CE devices prioritizes and personalizes the advertisements and recommendations for a requesting CE device. This architecture scales over time and evolves more functionality without requiring CE device software updates.

Abstract: A CE device employs user interfaces to allow a user to define energy management rules within the user's premises, visualize energy use in the home and in neighbor's homes for comparison and competition in saving energy, and receive tailored advertisements for appliances that are more energy efficient than what the user currently owns.

Abstract: A service module for a dedicated on-site media service. The service module enables a dedicated media service for a broadcast signal. The electronic media module includes a tuner, a media storage device, and an adapter. The tuner, which is coupled to the media storage device, or portion thereof, is tuned to receive a broadcast signal. The media storage device stores this broadcast signal. The adapter is coupled to the media storage device and to the tuner. The adapter further interfaces the tuner and the media storage device of the electronic media module with an electronic media system. A content provider has remote control over the stored content. The content provider also has remote control over on-site presentation of the stored media to the viewer. Multiple dedicated service modules installed on-site allow these functions to be applied across multiple content-providers simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying, accessing, and managing service applications for use with associated consumer electronic devices in a home network system. A client side process, executed by a client computing system in the home network system, operates in conjunction with a server side process executed by a server computing system that is coupled with the client computing system via the Internet. The client computing system is implemented by a gateway device coupled with each of the devices via the home network.

Abstract: In certain implementations, a method of automatically changing an attribute defining operation of a television system involves determining that a plurality of short range radio frequency (RF) transceiver devices have entered RF range of the television system, the television system having a short range RF transceiver compatible with that of the short range RF transceiver device; binding the short range RF transceiver devices to the television set to establish an identity (ID) for the short range RF transceiver devices; determining a priority of each of the plurality of identified short range RF devices; at the television system, looking up a functional attribute associated with the identity having the highest priority; and setting the television parameter according to an attribute associated with a short range RF device having highest priority. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A multi-media broadcasting system that links a user profiles associated with a first user with a second user profile associated with a second user, where the first and second user profiles each comprise an indication of an interest common to the first and second users. The user profiles allow a user to customize a viewing experience via the broadcasting system. In addition, the system detects a content update to the first user profile, wherein the content update is associated with a content item that comprises content having a characteristic within the interest common to the first and second users. Furthermore, the system notifies the second user of the content update if the second user profile has not been updated with the content update.

Abstract: Automated context-sensitive updating of content in an audiovisual (AV) storage system is disclosed. A media storage device for storing a multimedia signal includes a storage medium, such as a dedicated hard drive, a processor, and memory. The storage medium is coupled to the processor and the memory. The memory contains instructions that, when implemented, enable a method of off-site management of data stored on the storage medium. The method includes a step of receiving a media signal with content data and context data at the media storage device. The method also includes a step of receiving storage management instructions from a storage management provider, remotely located from the media storage device. Lastly, the media signal is stored on the media storage device in accordance with the storage management instructions.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for identifying, accessing, and managing service applications for use with associated consumer electronic devices in a home network system. A client side process, executed by a client computing system in the home network system, operates in conjunction with a server side process executed by a server computing system that is coupled with the client computing system via the Internet. The client computing system is implemented by a gateway device coupled with each of the devices via the home network.