Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) may include entries that enable access to one or more images. In some implementations, when an image-related entry is selected by a user, a device presents the one or more images that are associated with the selected entry. In some implementations, portions of the EPG are presented as links. Selection of a link effectuates a search and may be followed by the visual presentation of one or more images resulting from the search. Additionally, in some implementations, an image can be communicated with an electronic communication. In response to the electronic communication, an image entry may be added to the channel lineup of the EPG. Selection of the image entry in the EPG may cause the device to visually present the image.

Abstract: A unified recording format allows both recorded programs and paused buffered broadcasts to be stored in memory as a common virtual stream. As content is received on a channel, it is placed into the virtual stream with newer content at the start of the stream and progressively aging content migrating farther downstream. A front section of the stream effectively operates as a pause buffer, as the currently tuned broadcast program is recorded in this section and is responsive to pause/resume commands. Recorded programs are also stored as part of the same virtual stream. Pointers are used to identify the boundaries of the pause buffer, as well as the beginning and end of each recorded program in the virtual stream.

Abstract: Multi-DVR (digital video recorder) media content arbitration is described. In an embodiment, client devices are each a node of a multi-DVR system where the nodes are implemented for communication with each other. An arbitration algorithm can arbitrate media content rendered by the client devices so as not to exceed a media content usage capacity of the multi-DVR system. Each of the client devices of the multi-DVR system can communicate status messages to each of the other client devices to indicate rendered media content, and can receive the status messages from each of the other client devices. Each of the client devices can also implement the arbitration algorithm to independently determine which of the client devices has lowest priority media content that can be terminated to provide capacity for higher priority media content at one of the client devices of the multi-DVR system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a modular in-vehicle infotainment architecture with an upgradeable multimedia module are disclosed. A particular embodiment includes: receiving data signals at a multimedia module via a vehicle subsystem connection from one or more vehicle subsystems of a vehicle; processing the data signals on the multimedia module, by use of a data processor, to produce modified data signals, at least a portion of the modified data signals including data signals associated with an in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system in the vehicle; transferring the modified data signals from the multimedia module to a mobile device via a mobile device interface; and causing the mobile device to render an information display on a user interface on the mobile device, the information display including information indicative of the modified data signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a modular in-vehicle infotainment architecture with an upgradeable multimedia module having a multimedia module connector are disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) may include entries that enable access to one or more images. In some implementations, when an image-related entry is selected by a user, a device presents the one or more images that are associated with the selected entry. In some implementations, portions of the EPG are presented as links. Selection of a link effectuates a search and may be followed by the visual presentation of one or more images resulting from the search. Additionally, in some implementations, an image can be communicated with an electronic communication. In response to the electronic communication, an image entry may be added to the channel lineup of the EPG. Selection of the image entry in the EPG may cause the device to visually present the image.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) may include entries that enable access to one or more images. In some implementations, when an image-related entry is selected by a user, a device presents the one or more images that are associated with the selected entry. In some implementations, portions of the EPG are presented as links. Selection of a link effectuates a search and may be followed by the visual presentation of one or more images resulting from the search. Additionally, in some implementations, an image can be communicated with an electronic communication. In response to the electronic communication, an image entry may be added to the channel lineup of the EPG. Selection of the image entry in the EPG may cause the device to visually present the image.

Abstract: A program segments display bar is described. In embodiment(s), a program segments display bar has still images that can include scene images and advertisement images. The scene images can each correspond to a different segment of television media content, such as a movie or television program, and are displayed in the program segments display bar to indicate a sequence of the television media content. The advertisement images can each correspond to a different advertisement and can be displayed in the program segments display bar to indicate where the different advertisements are included with the television media content. The program segments display bar can also include a focus that can be positioned proximate a still image to indicate that the still image is selectable.

Abstract: An exemplary multi-axis television navigation system defines television navigation axes according to attributes of television programs. In one implementation, if a television program has an attribute defining an axis, then the exemplary system links a predefined database query associated with the axis to metadata for the television program. When launched, the predefined query returns a sequence of navigable television programs having the attribute that defines the axis.

Abstract: A media recommendation system gathers negative user feedback associated with media content. Based on the gathered feedback, the media recommendation system extracts a list of recommended media content from program data describing available media content.

Abstract: In an implementation, a method includes forming a request by a client for communication to a licensing server. The request is for storing encrypted content by the client. A persistent license is received at the client in response to the request. The persistent license includes a key that is encrypted. The key, when decrypted, provides access to the encrypted content. The key is configured to be decrypted by the licensing server. The client, however, is not configured to decrypt the key from the persistent license. The persistent license and the encrypted content are stored by the client.

Abstract: An implementation is described herein, which facilitates a fast channel change by receiving and decoding a unicast acquisition media stream that corresponds to a soon-to-be-requested target multicast media stream. It does this before requesting the target multicast media stream of the new channel. Once the transmission of the unicast stream is caught up with the multicast stream, this implementation splices from the unicast acquisition stream to the target multicast media stream.

Abstract: Fast channel changing in digital-television-based entertainment networks can be implemented, for example, by electing to tune to channels at opportune tuning times. In an exemplary implementation, a method includes: receiving a channel change request that indicates a requested new channel from a client device; preparing a broadcast video data stream of the requested new channel that is offset in time behind a current broadcast time for broadcast video data of the requested new channel; and streaming the broadcast video data stream responsive to the channel change request. In another exemplary implementation, a system includes: a storage device that retains broadcast video data for multiple channels; a video data extractor that accesses the retained broadcast video data and retrieves an intra frame of broadcast video data that is in the past for a requested channel; and a video data distributor that transmits the retrieved intra frame of broadcast video data.

Abstract: A media recommendation system gathers negative user feedback associated with media content. Based on the gathered feedback, the media recommendation system extracts a list of recommended media content from program data describing available media content.

Abstract: Recorded programs ranked based on social networks is described. In embodiment(s), a content distributor maintains recorded on-demand assets that can be requested by client devices to render as television media content for viewing. For a Network Digital Video Recording (nDVR) system, the recorded on-demand assets are recorded when initially distributed to the client devices as scheduled television media content. The content distributor can form a social network of members based on association(s) of viewers that correspond to one or more of the client devices, and can determine recommended on-demand assets from different ones of the recorded on-demand assets for the members of the social network. The content distributor can then communicate a recommended on-demand asset to a client device that corresponds to a member of the social network where the recommended on-demand asset is communicated for viewing without receiving a viewer selection of the recommended on-demand asset.

Abstract: A bookmark interpretation service is described. In embodiment(s), a bookmark save event can be received from a media device when a bookmark is initiated while a video stream of media content is rendered by the media device, such as when the bookmark is initiated by a viewer at the media device. The bookmark can then be interpreted to determine one or more bookmark representations based on a context interpretation of the bookmark with respect to the media content. The bookmark can be maintained for selection, and when a request for the bookmark is received, one or more of the bookmark representations that correspond to the bookmark can be provided to the media device from which the request for the bookmark is received.

Abstract: Configuration of user interfaces is described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving a query from a device. The query is for a user interface (UI) from a client. The UI, when executed by the device, is configured to form a request for execution of a control function by the client. A processing of the request determines whether the execution by the client of the control function is permitted. The processing is performed at a head end by using client state data. The hardware and/or software capabilities of the device to execute the UI are detected. The UI is configured based on the hardware and/or software capabilities of the device.

Abstract: Configuration of user interfaces is described. In an implementation, a method includes receiving a query from a device. The query is for a user interface (UI) from a client. The UI, when executed by the device, is configured to form a request for execution of a control function by the client. A processing of the request determines whether the execution by the client of the control function is permitted. The processing is performed at a head end by using client state data. The hardware and/or software capabilities of the device to execute the UI are detected. The UI is configured based on the hardware and/or software capabilities of the device.

Abstract: Seamless channel changing in a digital-television-based entertainment network can be implemented, for example, by providing an intra frame to a client device upon a change to a new channel even when the broadcast video data is previously compressed. In an exemplary implementation, a method includes: receiving a stream of broadcast video data that is encoded; continuously decoding the stream of broadcast video data into successive decoded images; and transmitting, responsive to a channel change message received from a client device, an intra frame that has been encoded from a decoded image of the successive decoded images. Other exemplary implementations are described herein.