Abstract: A television receiver device consistent with certain implementations has a display associated with the television receiver device. A filter converts a stream of audio/video content that is to be displayed on the display associated with the television receiver device into a stream of digital audio data. A buffer stores a sample of the digital audio data. A modem transmits the sample of audio data from the buffer to a content identification server and that receives metadata identifying the audio data from the content identification server. A display processor renders at least a portion of the metadata to the display. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Techniques for reporting bandwidth in televisions include displaying bandwidth information for receiving one or more instances of the content and receiving a selection of a given instance of the content in response to the displayed bandwidth information. In addition, the techniques include receiving bandwidth usage history for one or more networks and displaying the bandwidth usage history.

Abstract: A TV seamlessly connects to and controls home automation equipment such as lighting, audio/video control, climate control, etc. The TV provides users with a friendly UI to control the equipment, and furthermore the TV adapts to observed user behavior to automatically establish and change settings based thereon. In addition, based on the content watched (or mode selection) on the TV, the settings of surrounding lighting, temperature and other controlled appliance would be changed by the TV.

Abstract: A smart search menu is displayed on a video display unit, wherein the menu includes an accumulated search criteria list and a results list. A user's selection is input from the menu as a selected element, and, if the user has selected an element of the search criteria, then the information is output to the video display unit. By accumulating the search criteria as a list of search criteria, the user is less likely to be “lost” within the search menus, and may therefore more quickly find desired content within a content database.

Abstract: An electronic device system includes a plurality of electronic devices each having at least an audiovisual playback device capable of reading one of stored audiovisual content data and received audiovisual content data, and an audiovisual output device capable of outputting desired audiovisual content, a bus establishing connection among the plurality of electronic devices, and a controller capable of controlling the electronic devices connected to the bus. In the electronic device, the audiovisual output device connected via the bus includes a device identifying unit for identifying, under the control of the controller, the audiovisual output device which outputs the desired audiovisual content, and a content output unit for outputting the desired audiovisual content when the audiovisual output device is identified by the device identifying unit.

Abstract: An electronic device system includes a plurality of electronic devices each having at least an audiovisual playback device capable of reading one of stored audiovisual content data and received audiovisual content data, and an audiovisual output device capable of outputting desired audiovisual content, a bus establishing connection among the plurality of electronic devices, and a controller capable of controlling the electronic devices connected to the bus. In the electronic device, the audiovisual output device connected via the bus includes a device identifying unit for identifying, under the control of the controller, the audiovisual output device which outputs the desired audiovisual content, and a content output unit for outputting the desired audiovisual content when the audiovisual output device is identified by the device identifying unit.

Abstract: An item of audio and video (A/V) content is identified stored in association with a DLNA server that does not have a thumbnail image associated with it. The item of A/V content is streamed at a DLNA client device. Intra-coded frames (I-Frames) are selected from the streamed A/V content. The selected I-Frames are presented to a user of the DLNA client device. A selection is received from the user identifying one of the selected I-Frames. The identified I-Frame is stored in association with the item of A/V content. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A TV Internet adapter receives an upgrade request for TV software, downloads an updated software image, and then changes mode through software emulation into a mass storage device from which the TV downloads the updated image.

Abstract: Techniques for updating software include downloading a software image update from a first data structure wherein the software update image includes one or more content identifiers. Content is then downloaded from a second data structure based on the one or more content identifiers. The content may then be output during or after the software update download and installation process.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method and apparatus for displaying electronic programming guide (EPG) data, received from an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), on a remote commander. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving electronic programming guide (EPG), that includes a plurality of unique identification numbers and corresponding program titles, data at a remote commander. The method may also include storing the EPG data in a memory of the remote commander In one embodiment, the method may also include displaying the plurality of program titles on a display of the remote commander, and transmitting the unique identification number corresponding to the selected title to an IPTV in response to receiving a selection of a title at the remote commander.

Abstract: A recording/reproducing apparatus (e.g., VTR) includes capability to exchange information with a storage apparatus such as a memory card mounted on a recording medium assembly (e.g., cassette). When the cassette is inserted into a compartment in the compartment in a VTR, a switch in the VTR is pushed by the case of the cassette, detecting the insertion of the cassette into the compartment. At that time, a signal indicating the insertion of the cassette into the compartment is supplied to a microcomputer from the switch. Notified by the signal, the microcomputer issues a command to a reader/writer, requesting the reader/writer to read out information pertaining to data recorded on the cassette from the memory card mounted on the cassette for recording the data through an antenna. With the cassette located outside the compartment, on the other hand, the microcomputer issues a command to a reader/writer, requesting the reader/writer to read out the information from the memory card through another antenna.

Abstract: To read out an index to data recorded in a recording medium such as a cassette without mounting the recording medium on a reproduction apparatus to reproduce the data.

Abstract: An electronic device system includes a plurality of electronic devices each having at least an audiovisual playback device capable of reading one of stored audiovisual content data and received audiovisual content data, and an audiovisual output device capable of outputting desired audiovisual content, a bus establishing connection among the plurality of electronic devices, and a controller capable of controlling the electronic devices connected to the bus. In the electronic device, the audiovisual output device connected via the bus includes a device identifying unit for identifying, under the control of the controller, the audiovisual output device which outputs the desired audiovisual content, and a content output unit for outputting the desired audiovisual content when the audiovisual output device is identified by the device identifying unit.