Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for updating a viewer profile stored in a digital television device. The apparatus comprises: 1) receiver circuitry for receiving audio-video data packets associated with a plurality of incoming television signals and extracting therefrom at least one data request data packet containing a first data request operable to retrieve a first requested profile datum from the stored viewer profile; and 2) an update controller for receiving the at least one data request data packet from the receiver circuitry and determining if the first requested profile datum is present in the viewer profile, wherein the update controller, in response to a determination that the first requested profile datum is not present in the stored viewer profile, displays on an associated television screen information related to the first requested profile datum.

Abstract: A video signal is processed to generate one or more signatures associated with a broadcast program to be recorded by a recording device. The signatures are then processed to determine an actual start time and end time of the desired broadcast program, such that the program can be properly recorded despite delays or other changes in a pre-scheduled broadcast time of the program. One or more of the extracted signatures may be based at least in part on, e.g., a keyframe similarity measure, a histogram, one or more detected commercials, a transcript, a program logo or other detected object, detected text, and a sign-on or sign-off of the desired program. Other types of signatures can also be used.

Abstract: A “buy” button is provided on devices that receive content material to facilitate a purchase of content related material as the content material is being presented to a consumer. If, while listening to or viewing content material from a provider, the consumer decides the purchase the content material, or an item associated with the content material, the consumer activates a “buy” button on the device that is rendering the content material. The rendering device associates an item identifier associated with the content material to this “buy” command, and forms a purchase request containing this item identifier. If the rendering device has a receive-only capability relative to the provider of the content material, the purchase request is stored until the rendering device is brought in contact with a content access device that is able to transmit to the provider.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for updating a viewer profile stored in a digital television device. The apparatus comprises: 1) receiver circuitry for receiving audio-video data packets associated with a plurality of incoming television signals and extracting therefrom at least one data request data packet containing a first data request operable to retrieve a first requested profile datum from the stored viewer profile; and 2) an update controller for receiving the at least one data request data packet from the receiver circuitry and determining if the first requested profile datum is present in the viewer profile, wherein the update controller, in response to a determination that the first requested profile datum is not present in the stored viewer profile, displays on an associated television screen information related to the first requested profile datum.