Abstract: A device is configured to receive media content from a mobile device. The device may receive security information from the mobile device. The security information may indicate a setting for presenting the media content on a display device. The device may store the media content and the security information. The device may receive an instruction to present the media content on the display device. The device may determine whether the media content is permitted to be presented on the display device based on the security information. The device may selectively cause the display device to present the media content based on whether the media content is permitted to be presented on the display device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for controlling a set-top box based on natural input from a user through various types of devices. Input devices are used to collect sensor data that represents natural user input for controlling the set-top box. The sensor data is parsed in order to identify the natural user input, and a user interface event is generated based on the natural user input. The user interface event is one that is supported by the set-top box. The user interface event is subsequently communicated to the set-top box.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for providing improved EPGs are described. An availability, at a set-top box, of a media stream is determined, wherein the media stream includes one or more of a first plurality of programs associated with a subscriber. One or more electronic program guides indicating a second plurality of programs associated with the subscriber based on the availability of the media stream are accessed, wherein each of the second plurality of programs are accessible to the set-top box via a data stream that is separate from the media stream and the second plurality of programs includes at least one program of the first plurality of programs. Scheduling information associated with the one or more electronic program guides based on the availability of the media stream is retrieved via the data stream.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media content search system providing a media content search creation tool in a graphical user interface, detecting a user-submission of one or more user-selectable graphical objects representing one or more media programs to the media content search creation tool in the graphical user interface, and generating a set of media content search parameters based on the one or more media programs represented by the one or more user-selectable graphical objects submitted to the media content search creation tool. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device receives a recording schedule for programs to record at a future time and causes, based on the recording schedule, at least some of the programs to be recorded in the device memory to create recorded content. The device detects use of the device, by a user, to initiate obtaining content that creates a conflict with the recording schedule. The device identifies alternate content, from the recorded content, that is related to the content that creates the conflict with the recording schedule. The device presents, to the user, a notification of the conflict. The notification includes a list of at least some of the alternate content from the recorded content such that the user can select alternate recorded content from the notification menu without disrupting the recording schedule.

Abstract: A set-top box or media server device may operate to switch the source of incoming television content to, for example, improve power efficiency of the device. In one implementation, the device may receiving a television channel as part of a modulated television signal and extract, by a tuner associated with the device, the television channel from the modulated television signal. The device may determine to switch reception of the television channel from the modulated television signal to a packet-based video stream corresponding to the television channel. The device may provide the television channel, as received via the packet-based video stream, to the display device in place of the television channel received via the modulated television signal.

Abstract: A device may be configured to receive network information for connecting to a wireless network that is provided by a network device. The device may store the network information. The device may detect a wireless device based on radio frequency identification (RFID) communication. The device may transmit the network information to the wireless device via the RFID communication. The device may cause the wireless device to connect to the wireless network provided by the network device and set up the wireless device using the wireless network.

Abstract: A device may be configured to communicate with a mobile device using a short range communication protocol. The device may open a port based on communicating with the mobile device using the short range communication protocol. The device may receive a request from the mobile device via the port. The request may request security information for setting up a secure connection. The device may provide the security information to the mobile device. The device may establish a secure connection with the mobile device based on the security information. The device may provision the mobile device to receive media content from the device based on the secure connection. The device may provide the media content to the mobile device based on provisioning the mobile device.

Abstract: A device may be configured to store content. The device may store a copy count that indicates a quantity of copies of the content that are checked out from the device. The device may receive a request to provide a first copy of the content to a requesting device. The device may select a client device to which to send a check-in message based on the copy count failing to satisfy a threshold count. The client device may store a second copy of the content that is checked out from the device. The device may send the check-in message to the client device. The device may receive a check-in response from the client device that checks in the second copy of the content. The device may provide the first copy of the content to the requesting device based on an updated copy count satisfying the threshold count.

Abstract: A device may be configured to receive a request to record content. The device may receive copy control information associated with the content that indicates a first quantity of copies of the content that the device is permitted to make available for check out from each recording of the content. The device may determine to record the multiple times based on the first quantity of copies failing to satisfy a particular value. The device may record the content multiple times using multiple tuners based on the request. The device may make a second quantity of copies of the content available for check out to at least one client device based on recording the content the plurality of times. The second quantity of copies may be greater than the first quantity of copies.

Abstract: A device may be configured to receive a request to record content. The device may receive copy control information associated with the content that indicates a first quantity of copies of the content that the device is permitted to make available for check out from each recording of the content. The device may determine to record the multiple times based on the first quantity of copies failing to satisfy a particular value. The device may record the content multiple times using multiple tuners based on the request. The device may make a second quantity of copies of the content available for check out to at least one client device based on recording the content the plurality of times. The second quantity of copies may be greater than the first quantity of copies.

Abstract: A device may be configured to store content. The device may store a copy count that indicates a quantity of copies of the content that are checked out from the device. The device may receive a request to provide a first copy of the content to a requesting device. The device may select a client device to which to send a check-in message based on the copy count failing to satisfy a threshold count. The client device may store a second copy of the content that is checked out from the device. The device may send the check-in message to the client device. The device may receive a check-in response from the client device that checks in the second copy of the content. The device may provide the first copy of the content to the requesting device based on an updated copy count satisfying the threshold count.

Abstract: A disclosed system and method relate to presenting a program guide that includes information associated with an instance of programming, including audio information and visual information. A request for the information associated with the instance of programming is received, and a determination is made whether delivery of the first audio information could be completed within a threshold time after receiving the request. The audio information is provided to a user in connection with the visual information when the delivery of the first audio information could be completed within the threshold time. Alternatively, when the delivery of the first audio information could not be completed within the first threshold time, other audio information associated with the instance of the programming is obtained and provided to the user in connection with the visual information.

Abstract: A device may be configured to communicate with a mobile device using a short range communication protocol. The device may open a port based on communicating with the mobile device using the short range communication protocol. The device may receive a request from the mobile device via the port. The request may request security information for setting up a secure connection. The device may provide the security information to the mobile device. The device may establish a secure connection with the mobile device based on the security information. The device may provision the mobile device to receive media content from the device based on the secure connection. The device may provide the media content to the mobile device based on provisioning the mobile device.

Abstract: A device is configured to receive media content from a mobile device. The device may receive security information from the mobile device. The security information may indicate a setting for presenting the media content on a display device. The device may store the media content and the security information. The device may receive an instruction to present the media content on the display device. The device may determine whether the media content is permitted to be presented on the display device based on the security information. The device may selectively cause the display device to present the media content based on whether the media content is permitted to be presented on the display device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system are disclosed for controlling a set-top box based on natural input from a user through various types of devices. Input devices are used to collect sensor data that represents natural user input for controlling the set-top box. The sensor data is parsed in order to identify the natural user input, and a user interface event is generated based on the natural user input. The user interface event is one that is supported by the set-top box. The user interface event is subsequently communicated to the set-top box.

Abstract: A device may be configured to receive network information for connecting to a wireless network that is provided by a network device. The device may store the network information. The device may detect a wireless device based on radio frequency identification (RFID) communication. The device may transmit the network information to the wireless device via the RFID communication. The device may cause the wireless device to connect to the wireless network provided by the network device and set up the wireless device using the wireless network.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for providing improved EPGs are described. An availability, at a set-top box, of a media stream is determined, wherein the media stream includes one or more of a first plurality of programs associated with a subscriber. One or more electronic program guides indicating a second plurality of programs associated with the subscriber based on the availability of the media stream are accessed, wherein each of the second plurality of programs are accessible to the set-top box via a data stream that is separate from the media stream and the second plurality of programs includes at least one program of the first plurality of programs. Scheduling information associated with the one or more electronic program guides based on the availability of the media stream is retrieved via the data stream.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes a media content search system providing a media content search creation tool in a graphical user interface, detecting a user-submission of one or more user-selectable graphical objects representing one or more media programs to the media content search creation tool in the graphical user interface, and generating a set of media content search parameters based on the one or more media programs represented by the one or more user-selectable graphical objects submitted to the media content search creation tool. Corresponding systems and methods are also described.

Abstract: A set-top box or media server device may operate to switch the source of incoming television content to, for example, improve power efficiency of the device. In one implementation, the device may receiving a television channel as part of a modulated television signal and extract, by a tuner associated with the device, the television channel from the modulated television signal. The device may determine to switch reception of the television channel from the modulated television signal to a packet-based video stream corresponding to the television channel. The device may provide the television channel, as received via the packet-based video stream, to the display device in place of the television channel received via the modulated television signal.