Abstract: A system and method for resource sharing are provided. The method includes storing an electronic programming guide (EPG) application and an EPG, determining when local memory of a local video device lacks capacity to download additional time of the EPG, and communicating with another device to transmit a resource request to the other device to download the additional time of the EPG to storage in the other device. The method also includes processing for display monitoring data that indicates remaining storage space in the storage of the other device, querying the other device to determine what programming is being viewed, and processing controls included in the EPG application that enable access to the storage of the other device to interact with the EPG stored on the other device through the local video device to schedule a programming event at the local video device.

Abstract: A system and method for resource sharing are provided. The method includes storing an electronic programming guide (EPG) application and an EPG, determining when local memory of a local video device lacks capacity to download additional time of the EPG, and communicating with another device to transmit a resource request to the other device to download the additional time of the EPG to storage in the other device. The method also includes processing for display monitoring data that indicates remaining storage space in the storage of the other device, querying the other device to determine what programming is being viewed, and processing controls included in the EPG application that enable access to the storage of the other device to interact with the EPG stored on the other device through the local video device to schedule a programming event at the local video device.

Abstract: A software conditional access system (CAS) for media services provided to a Media Distribution Device, such as a set top box (STB), is disclosed. The STB may be connected to a Media Delivery Service Provider via a broadband connection. Over the broadband connection, a CAS application may be downloaded to the STB, maintained and dynamically updated. Because the CAS is implemented by software on the STB, it is inexpensive to install, maintain and update. When a user desires to purchase media services through the STB, a request, with identifying information, is sent to the Media Delivery Service Provider via the broadband connection. The service provider cross-references the identifying information with a user's account to determine whether to allow the user to view the media service requested. If the service provider determines to allow the user to view the media service, the user's account (typically maintained by the service provider) is charged and a key is downloaded via the broadband connection to the STB.

Abstract: A system and method for resource sharing are provided. The method includes storing an electronic programming guide (EPG) application and an EPG, determining when local memory of a local video device lacks capacity to download additional time of the EPG, and communicating with another device to transmit a resource request to the other device to download the additional time of the EPG to storage in the other device. The method also includes processing for display monitoring data that indicates remaining storage space in the storage of the other device, querying the other device to determine what programming is being viewed, and processing controls included in the EPG application that enable access to the storage of the other device to interact with the EPG stored on the other device through the local video device to schedule a programming event at the local video device.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the resources available or used in a remote device is disclosed. The system can be used to determine whether the remote device is using expected resources as originally configured or to determine whether resources are available to support new or extended services. The method can be used to configure or reconfigure the remote device for its intended use or as reconfigure a remote device for new, different or extended purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the resources available or used in a remote device is disclosed. The system can be used to determine whether the remote device is using expected resources as originally configured or to determine whether resources are available to support new or extended services. The method can be used to configure or reconfigure the remote device for its intended use or as reconfigure a remote device for new, different or extended purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the resources available or used in a remote device is disclosed. The system can be used to determine whether the remote device is using expected resources as originally configured or to determine whether resources are available to support new or extended services. The method can be used to configure or reconfigure the remote device for its intended use or as reconfigure a remote device for new, different or extended purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the resources available or used in a remote device is disclosed. The system can be used to determine whether the remote device is using expected resources as originally configured or to determine whether resources are available to support new or extended services. The method can be used to configure or reconfigure the remote device for its intended use or as reconfigure a remote device for new, different or extended purposes.

Abstract: A system and method for resource sharing are provided. The method includes storing an electronic programming guide (EPG) application and an EPG, determining when local memory of a local video device lacks capacity to download additional time of the EPG, and communicating with another device to transmit a resource request to the other device to download the additional time of the EPG to storage in the other device. The method also includes processing for display monitoring data that indicates remaining storage space in the storage of the other device, querying the other device to determine what programming is being viewed, and processing controls included in the EPG application that enable access to the storage of the other device to interact with the EPG stored on the other device through the local video device to schedule a programming event at the local video device.

Abstract: A system and method enables a set-top box to share the processing, communications, and storage resources of another local device, such as a personal computer, other set-top box, or an electronic appliance. The set-top box is interconnected with the other local devices using a “transmission medium such as wire, concentric cable, or a wireless medium. The interconnected devices form a resource sharing group that includes a control member. The control member receives a request for a resource from a requesting member, and then determines whether the resource is available from a set-top box that is a member of the resource sharing group. If the resource is available, the set-top box shares the resource, and uses the shared resource to perform a task. The system and method also enables members of the resource sharing group to share video, audio, and related content.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the resources available or used in a remote device is disclosed. The system can be used to determine whether the remote device is using expected resources as originally configured or to determine whether resources are available to support new or extended services. The method can be used to configure or reconfigure the remote device for its intended use or as reconfigure a remote device for new, different or extended purposes.

Abstract: Portable devices and associated methods for orienting a receiver that is supported on a mast by a mounting bracket in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the portable device includes an actuator that is removably coupled to the mounting bracket and, upon actuation thereof, rotates the mounting bracket and the receiver about the mast to the desired orientation and, upon deactivation thereof, may be decoupled from the mounting bracket while the mounting bracket retains the receiver in the desired orientation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for distributing information. The system can include one or more set top boxes that can function as normal set top boxes, but can also conduct two way communications with other set top boxes. Users can send text, audio, and/or video messages to other users. The set top boxes can include provisions that permit two way communications, using video cameras, microphones and other inputs that can receive keyboard or text information.

Abstract: A digital video broadcast (DVB) device decoder as part of a digital residential entertainment system (DRES) is disclosed. A media server, such as a broadband multimedia gateway (BMG), sends an entire transport layer, rather than a single program stream, over a Network Bus to a digital video broadcast (DVB) device decoder. The transport layer includes multiple program, data and information streams. For example, the transport layer may include multiple MPEG signals, such as MPEG-2 signals. The media server provides the DVB tuning function with integrated Personal Video Recording (PVR) functionality. The DVB device decoder provides decrypting, demultiplexing, decoding and digital-to-analog conversion. The complexity of the media server is minimized because it only has to decode a transport layer rather than decoding a single stream of data. The combination of entertainment video and data streams on the same transport is also optimized for the purpose of providing enhanced multimedia services.

Abstract: A system and method enables a set-top box to share the processing, communications, and storage resources of another local device, such as a personal computer, other set-top box, or an electronic appliance. The set-top box is interconnected with the other local devices using a “transmission medium such as wire, concentric cable, or a wireless medium. The interconnected devices form a resource sharing group that includes a control member. The control member receives a request for a resource from a requesting member, and then determines whether the resource is available from a set-top box that is a member of the resource sharing group. If the resource is available, the set-top box shares the resource, and uses the shared resource to perform a task. The system and method also enables members of the resource sharing group to share video, audio, and related content.

Abstract: Portable devices and associated methods for orienting a receiver that is supported on a mast by a mounting bracket in a desired orientation. In one embodiment, the portable device includes an actuator that is removably coupled to the mounting bracket and, upon actuation thereof, rotates the mounting bracket and the receiver about the mast to the desired orientation and, upon deactivation thereof, may be decoupled from the mounting bracket while the mounting bracket retains the receiver in the desired orientation.

Abstract: Portable alignment devices for orienting a receiver such as an antenna in a desired elevation and methods for orienting a receiver in a desired elevation orientation. In other embodiments, portable alignment devices for orienting a receiver in a desired elevation orientation and in a desired azimuth orientation and methods for orienting an antenna in desired elevation and azimuth orientations.

Abstract: A portable alignment device for orienting an antenna in a desired azimuth orientation and methods for orienting an antenna in a desired azimuth orientation. In one embodiment, the device comprises a portable motor unit that is removably affixed to a portion of the antenna such as a portion of the antenna mounting bracket. A gear assembly is clamped to a portion of a mast to which the antenna mounting bracket is attached. The gear assembly is in meshing engagement with a driver gear attached to the motor's output shaft. By powering the motor, the antenna is pivoted about the mast until it is moved to a desired azimuth orientation. After the antenna has been oriented to a desired orientation and locked in that orientation, the portable motor unit is removed from the antenna and the gear assembly is removed from the mast to permit those devices to be used to orient other antennas.

Abstract: A media delivery service provider has a customer account management center associated with it. The customer account management center has a customer account database for maintaining account information and billing information for all subscribers to the Media Delivery Service Provider. The customer account management center is operative to communicate with a local account manager in a Media Distribution Device (MDD) over a broadband connection. Because a broadband connection can maintain an always-on status, the local account manager can autonomously send local account data to the customer account management center during off-peak hours of operation, thereby reducing the impact on system resources. Any changes made by the customer to a local account data can be immediately effective to modify the media delivered to the MDD. The local account data can be later packaged and transmitted by the local manager to the customer account management center.

Abstract: A Media Delivery Diagnostic System can be deployed in response to a customer complaint or in an autonomous fashion. When a customer complains to a Media Delivery Service Provider, the complaint can be passed to a diagnostic service center. The diagnostic service center can initiate a query or command and transmit the query or command to a Media Distribution Device (MDD). The query or command can be processed by an intelligent diagnostic agent residing in the MDD. When the intelligent diagnostic agent receives the query or command, it can perform a diagnostic evaluation of the MDD and any other devices connected to the MDD. The intelligent diagnostic agent can transmit diagnostic data back to the diagnostic service center. The diagnostic data may be operational data and/or operational parameters related to the MDD, the identification of a problem with the MDD, or an indication that the intelligent diagnostic agent failed to identify a problem in be MDD.