Abstract: Particular embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to support the purchase and downloading of console games via a set-top box and internet protocol television system. An example embodiment includes an apparatus and system to receive a console game user selection through a user interface of a set-top box, to send the console game user selection to a VOD server via a network, to enable purchase of a selected console game corresponding to the console game user selection from the VOD server, and to download the selected console game to a console device via an interface provided by the set-top box.

Abstract: A method to deliver a notification of receipt of an e-mail includes associating a set-top box identifier with at least one e-mail account. Through a mail server external to an IPTV network, it is determined whether an e-mail has been received for the at least one e-mail account. In response to determining that an e-mail has been received for the at least one e-mail account, an e-mail delivery notification is generated and transmitted to the e-mail delivery notification to a set-top box device identified by the set-top box identifier.

Abstract: Particular embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to support interactive games on a television via internet protocol. An example embodiment includes receiving a game selection from a remote user through a set-top box via a network, activating the selected game on a games server, and communicating game rendering information to the set-top box via the network thereby enabling remotely playing the selected game via a television monitor and a remote control device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing system information. The method can include sending system content to display concurrently with video content on a display device. The video content may be associated with a last selected channel of a set-top box prior to a trigger event.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for providing community content. The method can include making content received from a first user via a data network available to a second user via a video distribution service. The system can include a selective transmission and filtering module to control transmission of content between an interface to a public data network and a private video distribution system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing a set-top box application. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a set-top box device to launch a set-top box application. The method also includes determining whether a processing system of the set-top box device supports execution of the set-top box application. The method also includes sending the set-top box application to the set-top box device after determining that the processing system of the set-top box device can support execution of the set-top box application.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing interactive content. The method can include receiving a video signal from a first source of a television system, where the video signal includes video content but does not include data relating to an interactive application. The method can also include retrieving an interactive application from a second source of the television system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to distribute and present media content including triggers are disclosed. An example method includes receiving media content including triggers at a consumer location, determining that the media content includes triggers, presenting an indicator, receiving a request to activate the trigger, and performing an action associated with the trigger. Example actions include initiating a voice enabled telecommunication session, initiating a recording of the media content at a video recorder, initiating a playback of media content at a video recorder, and subscribing to a service.

Abstract: A method is provided that includes transmitting a video stream to a set-top box. The video stream may include a targeted advertisement with a user selectable indicator to identify supplemental video content related to the targeted advertisement based on a subscriber profile associated with the set-top box. The method further includes receiving a request from the set-top box based on the user selectable indicator and transmitting the supplemental video content to a memory of the set-top box independently from the video stream and without interrupting display of the video stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of providing targeted advertisements. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving video content of television programming at a set-top box device from a video server of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system. The method also includes receiving video content of a targeted advertisement at the set-top box device from the video server with the video content of the television programming, where an advertisement server of the IPTV system selects the targeted advertisement based on a customer profile associated with an identifier of the set-top box device. The method also includes recognizing an advertisement insertion point in the video content of the television programming. The method also includes inserting the video content of the targeted advertisement into the video content of the television programming at the advertisement insertion point.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to distribute media content are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request for media content from a mobile device, determining an identity of at least one of the mobile device or a consumer using the mobile device, comparing the identity to subscription records associated with the distribution of media content to a geographically fixed consumer location; and based on the comparison, determining if the mobile device is authorized to receive the media content.

Abstract: A television content provider can reserve and use a television channel can be used to provide interactive content to a user device. Unlike conventional broadcast channels, a user at the user device may view content to an extent (length, depth, or both) that the user desires. The user can pick and choose content to view, may drill down to whatever level of detail that the user desires, contact an originating source of the content, interact with the content in another manner, or the like. Unlike the Internet, the content can be customized for transmission over a television channel, which may allow higher quality and potentially a larger array of content than may otherwise be provided over the Internet. The transmission may be performed over a private network, so that security concerns are reduced.

Abstract: A method includes determining a content type of a multimedia program at a first time for each of a plurality of multimedia channels and associating, during a first channel navigation period, each multimedia channel of a first subset of the plurality of multimedia channels with a corresponding channel number of a channel numbering sequence. The method additionally includes determining a content type of a multimedia program at a second time for each of the plurality of multimedia channels and associating, during a second channel navigation period, each multimedia channel of a second subset of the plurality of multimedia channels with a corresponding channel number of the channel numbering sequence. Each multimedia program of the first subset includes a first content type at the first time and each multimedia program of the second subset includes the first content type at the second time.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method that enables a customer to create a favorite list of channels for a main programming list of channels and switch between the favorite list and the main programming list and block any channel on either of the lists.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for controlling recording of content delivered over a television network. The method includes receiving content over a television network corresponding to a customer identifier, receiving an input corresponding to the customer identifier to block a selected content from recording on a recording device, and blocking the recording of the selected content in response to the received input. The method also may block the recording of the selected content corresponding to any other account associated with the customer identifier. The method may further enable viewing of the selected content on a television set while the content is being blocked from recording.

Abstract: A system and method of providing television program recommendations is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a user review of a television program from a set-top box device via an access network of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system. The method also includes associating the user review with a user of the set-top box device. The method also includes receiving a request for programming recommendations from the set-top box device and generating a recommendation list that includes at least one recommended program.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system, method and computer-readable medium for providing a television service. A group of settings relating to a television service is received from a customer device. A portal is provided to a remote device that enables updating the group of settings. A change to at least one setting is received from the remote device, and the change is made to the at least one setting at the customer device.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for providing content over a television network. The method includes receiving an input that corresponds to a master account, associating the master account with at least one additional account that relates to the provision of content from a content provider and delivering the content over the television network.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method of delivering notifications. The method can include receiving a communication at a server within an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network, where the communication is directed to a destination device outside of the IPTV network. The method can also include identifying the destination device and associating the destination device with a set-top box device. The method can also include transmitting a notification of the communication to the set-top box device via a private data network within the IPTV network.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a system and method to deliver video games. The method includes receiving a request for a game from a set-top box device. The method also includes determining whether at least one user identity is associated with the set-top box device. The method also includes retrieving previous game information associated with the at least one user identity. The method can also include providing the previous game information to the set-top box device and allowing at least one user to continue a previously executed game in response to a user selection at least partially based on the previous game information.