Abstract: A personal computer media center is connected to a media center extension and a personal video recorder (PVR) through a home network. The personal computer media center instructs the PVR through the home network to record a television broadcast. Subsequently, the personal computer media center instructs the PVR through the home network to output a media signal of the recorded television broadcast to the media center extension, which displays the media signal on a television.

Abstract: An editing device accesses a media program and a user of the editing device designates points of interest within the media program. Bookmarks are generated for the designated points of interest. The bookmarks are transmitted via a network from the editing device to a playback device. During presentation of the media program, the playback device uses the bookmarks to skip to one position of interest to another, as defined by the bookmarks, in response to user commands.

Abstract: An editing device accesses a media program and a user of the editing device designates excerpts within the media program. Bookmarks are generated for the designated excerpts. The bookmarks are transmitted via a network from the editing device to a playback device. By reference to the received bookmarks, the playback device presents an edited version of the media program that includes only the designated excerpts.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a camera secured to an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism removably secures the camera to a screen portion of a display screen such that the camera is disposed between the display screen and a person engaged in videoconferencing. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a suction cup. In one alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism takes the form of first and second strips of double-sided tape. In another alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes first and second magnets removably secured to front and back sides of a flat panel display. Magnetic force between the first and second magnets removably secures the camera to a screen portion of the flat panel display.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a flexible coupling that removably disposes a camera between a screen portion of a display and a person viewing the screen portion. The camera may be attached to a camera portion of the flexible coupling, and a fixation portion of the flexible coupling may be secured to the display. According to one example, the flexible coupling is an elastic or inelastic flexible loop that encircles the display. According to another example, the flexible coupling is a flexible line suspended from a base attached to a top side of the display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for representing a stereoscopic image (204) in a portable document format encoded file (112) includes receiving at least two component images (110A-B) combinable to form the stereoscopic image (204); encoding the component images (110A-B) in a portable document format; associating each of the component images (110A-B) with a stereoscopic indicator (302); and storing the component images (110A-B) and associated stereoscopic indicators (302) in the encoded file (112). A computer implemented method for displaying a stereoscopic image (204) represented in a portable document format encoded file (112) includes identifying in the encoded file (112) at least two component images (110A-B) combinable to create the stereoscopic image (204); combining the component images (110A-B) to create the stereoscopic image (204); and displaying the stereoscopic image (204) on a stereoscopic display device (106).

Abstract: A reviewer edits a media program stored in digital form. Such “editing” does not directly change the media program; rather, editing information is stored in a separate meta data file. The reviewer can be a person or an automated system. The meta data can include supplemental content, indicia defining highlight segments, skipped-over segments, content categorization, etc. The meta data files can be distributed to other users via various networks, or manually, including a decentralized, peer-to-peer network or a centralized, client-server network.

Abstract: An editing device accesses a media program and a user of the editing device designates excerpts within the media program. Bookmarks are generated for the designated excerpts. The bookmarks are transmitted via a network from the editing device to a playback device. By reference to the received bookmarks, the playback device presents an edited version of the media program that includes only the designated excerpts.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a bendable coupling that removably disposes an image receiving device between a screen portion of a display and a person viewing the screen portion. According to one example, the image receiving device comprises a lens that conveys light into the distal end of a coherent fiber optic bundle. The light then moves through the cable to reach a camera offset from the screen portion. Alternatively, the image receiving device may be a miniature camera that provides a video signal via a video cable connected to the camera. As another alternative, the camera may be coupled to a miniature wireless transmitter. A wireless receiver offset from the screen portion may then receive the video signal and convey it to a display or communications network.

Abstract: In response to an interactive option becoming available, an icon sharing visual characteristics with a corresponding button of a remote control is displayed. A description of the interactive option in the language of the user may also be presented visually or audibly. The icon and description may be displayed alone or in a configuration of a map of the remote control. The description may be audibly output using voice synthesis techniques.

Abstract: Eye-to-eye videoconferencing may be carried out through the use of a camera secured to an attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanism removably secures the camera to a screen portion of a display screen such that the camera is disposed between the display screen and a person engaged in videoconferencing. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is a suction cup. In one alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism takes the form of first and second strips of double-sided tape. In another alternate embodiment, the attachment mechanism includes first and second magnets removably secured to front and back sides of a flat panel display. Magnetic force between the first and second magnets removably secures the camera to a screen portion of the flat panel display.

Abstract: In response to an interactive option becoming available, an icon sharing visual characteristics with a corresponding button of a remote control is displayed. A description of the interactive option in the language of the user may also be presented visually or audibly. The icon and description may be displayed alone or in a configuration of a map of the remote control. The description may be audibly output using voice synthesis techniques.