Abstract: Parental control settings are provided to a display device by a user. In one embodiment, the display device generates a message, such as a consumer electronic control (CEC) message, which corresponds to the user-provided parental control settings. This message may then be transmitted to one or more source devices to which the display device is connected via an HDMI interface. The HDMI-connected devices may then modify or otherwise conform their own parental control settings in accordance with the parent control data in the received message. In one embodiment, the display device may then receive content from the HDMI-connected devices which has already been pre-filtered in accordance with the parental control settings that were provided directly to the display device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method of controlling a virtual shopping center can include: receiving a user input at a query input engine; aggregating an output from the query input engine with a user preference, such as a purchase history or other expressed interest, to form a search criteria; searching a database using the search criteria; and displaying an image associated with a matching product or service resulting from the search of the database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding data into a digital program stream includes receiving a digital program stream having a pre-allocated data channel, where the pre-allocated data channel has a pre-defined bandwidth. In one embodiment, metadata may be received and an unused portion of the pre-defined bandwidth of the pre-allocated channel may be determined. In another embodiment, metadata may be encoded into the unused portion of the pre-defined bandwidth.

Abstract: A method of encrypting a digital television signal involves examining unencrypted packets of data in the digital television signal to identify a selected packet type; duplicating packets identified as being of a selected packet type to produce pairs of duplicated packets; encrypting one of each pair of the duplicated packets; inserting the encrypted packets along with the unencrypted packets of the selected packet type to the digital television signal along with the unencrypted packets of data that are not of the selected packet type into produce a selectively encrypted digital television signal that contains duplicate packets of the selected packet type with one of the duplicate packets being encrypted while the other of the duplicated packets remains unencrypted; and broadcasting the selectively encrypted television signal. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of revoking a descrambling privilege for copy controlled content to a host device is provided. The method includes receiving copy controlled content at a conditional access module. A revocation list is also received at the module. The method includes determining whether the host device associated with the module is on the list. If so, the conditional access module will not descramble the content.

Abstract: A method of revoking a descrambling privilege for copy controlled content to a host device is provided. The method includes receiving copy controlled content at a conditional access module. A revocation list is also received at the module. The method includes determining whether the host device associated with the module is on the list. If so, the conditional access module will not descramble the content.

Abstract: One embodiment can be characterized as a method of data collection for a portable media player comprising receiving an input at the media player corresponding to a user interaction; storing data corresponding to the input; and providing the data corresponding to the input to a library manager present on an external device such as a personal computer. Another embodiment can be characterized as a media player device having data collection capabilities comprising an interface circuit for receiving an input corresponding to a user interaction; a processor circuit for monitoring the inputs; and a memory for storing data corresponding to the input, the data for use by a library manager.

Abstract: A method and system for digital closed caption transport are provided. In one example, the method involves receiving closed caption data and a program feed having video content, embedding the closed caption data into a standard video syntax, and encoding the video content into the standard video syntax as a background, wherein the closed caption data and the video content are encoded into a closed caption program feed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises entering a deferred calling mode by a wireless communication unit. Thereafter, a destination of an audio, video, or text message for transmission by the wireless communication unit is provided and the message is recorded and stored within the destination within memory of the wireless communication unit for later transmission.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises monitoring geographical locations of a device equipped with a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver, which is moved over a travel route. During movement or subsequently thereafter, information pertaining to the geographical locations is uploaded to a processing center to compute travel patterns for the commuter in possession of the device. As a result, prior to the normal point of time when the computer travels over the travel route, travel-related information for the travel route is downloaded to the device for use in selecting a route of travel.

Abstract: System renewability message data is transmitted to set top boxes, or other devices, using a protocol such as an MPEG-2 Systems type transport protocol. The system renewability message data is incorporated by a content provider or distributor directly into a MPEG-type transport packet stream. A data structure within a transport multiplex carries information pertinent to the system renewability message data. A plurality of packets is selected from the MPEG-type transport stream wherein the packets include data corresponding to identities of a plurality of devices that are unauthorized for the use of content. Each packet comprises an identifier that is referenced from a transport stream description table. The data from the plurality of packets is processed whereupon use of the content is prevented in accordance with the data.

Abstract: A system for sharing media content between peers over a communication medium. Content is authenticated prior to being downloaded, or stored, so that only content from designated peers, or based on other user selected criteria, reaches the user. Typically, content is stored at the destination site on a fixed or removable media prior to user content playback. Users are notified of content receipt, such as by an entry within a programming guide through which convenient user access of content may occur without the need to log onto the Internet or other service. The media content is then played back over a virtual channel that is selected by the user. The functionality of the system may be embodied within a separate unit or incorporated within set-top boxes, television sets, audio systems, gaming systems, personal computer system, or other interconnected electronic devices.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a multimedia unit to communicate with a multimedia service provider. The multimedia unit receives an IP address to a Web page of the service provider; the web page includes links to services provided by the service provider.

Abstract: Limited duration previews of program offerings available for purchase via a communication network are provided in a cryptographically secure manner at virtually any time during the service. The invention has particular applicability to the provision of video services on a pay-per-view basis. Such a video service is provided during a program epoch. A fixed period is defined during the program epoch when portions of the video service are available for viewing on a preview basis. A consumer is allowed to preview, without purchase, portions of the video service at any time during the fixed period for up to a maximum preview duration that is shorter than the fixed period. The consumer can then purchase the video service for viewing during the program epoch after previewing portions thereof. A plurality of records is maintained to service different previewable programs concurrently.