Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting on-demand media assets on user equipment. In some aspects, the systems and methods described determine whether an on-demand asset is accessible to a user and whether it matches a user profile associated with the user. Control circuitry receives, without displaying, the on-demand media asset starting from a first playback position at the user equipment without receiving user input to view the on-demand media asset upon determining that the on-demand media asset matches the user profile. The control circuitry receives a user input, at the user equipment, to view the on-demand media asset at the user equipment. When the user input is received, the control circuitry determines a second playback position, after the first playback position, of the on-demand media asset. Control circuitry causes the on-demand media asset to be presented on the user equipment starting from the determined second playback position.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for presenting recorded media assets on user equipment. In some aspects, the systems and methods described determine that a reference event has occurred. In response to the determination, the systems and methods search a plurality of media assets stored on a storage device for a media asset that matches a user profile. Control circuitry measures an amount of time that has elapsed from a time at which the reference event occurred until an input requesting display of the media asset is received. The control circuitry receives the input. In response to receiving the input, the control circuitry retrieves the media asset from the storage device and causes the media asset to be presented on the user equipment starting from a play position that is offset from a beginning of the media asset by the measured amount of time.

Abstract: A method, implemented by a router device, for guiding a user in establishing access privileges for a data exchanger includes causing the data exchanger to establish a remote link with a data service provider. Access content is obtained from the data service provider and presented to a client device. Access data provided in response to the presenting of the access content is received. The access content when presented by the client device enables a user to supply the access data. The access data is useable by the data service provider to set access privileges associated with the data exchanger that enable the data exchanger to be utilized to perform a desired function. The access data is returned to the data service provider via the remote link. The data exchanger is utilized to implement the desired function.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for managing licenses of media files on playback devices in a media system. In some embodiments, each media file is purchased based on a number of licenses, each license granting permission to store the media file on a single playback device. Each media file may have an associated number of one or more licenses that specifies the maximum number of playback devices on which the media file may be stored at the same time (concurrently). The media system may comprise a home central licensing (HCL) device, a primary storage device, and playback devices coupled via a network. The primary storage device may be used to initially store newly purchased media files. The HCL device may allow or prohibit distribution of the media files on the primary storage device to playback devices by using a license manager data structure storing licensing information for each media file.

Abstract: Methods and systems for tracking user ratings based on release date and rerelease date of a media asset in an interactive media guidance application for display on a device. Methods and systems are provided to compute and store, in a first data structure, a plurality of initial ratings of a media asset made available to a plurality of users for a threshold period of time. After the media asset is rereleased, methods and systems are provided to independently compute and store, in another data structure, rereleased user ratings of the media asset made available to users after the threshold period of time has passed. Methods and systems are provided to generate a simultaneously independent display of the initial rating and retransmission rating of the media asset.

Abstract: A method, implemented by a router device, for guiding a user in establishing access privileges for a data exchanger includes causing the data exchanger to establish a remote link with a data service provider. Access content is obtained from the data service provider and presented to a client device. Access data provided in response to the presenting of the access content is received. The access content when presented by the client device enables a user to supply the access data. The access data is useable by the data service provider to set access privileges associated with the data exchanger that enable the data exchanger to be utilized to perform a desired function. The access data is returned to the data service provider via the remote link. The data exchanger is utilized to implement the desired function.

Abstract: One computer-implemented method includes identifying a plurality of communication plans, identifying a first communication associated with a first access method and associated with a first attribute, determining a first communication plan associated with the first communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the first attribute associated with the first communication, identifying a second communication different than the first communication and associated with the first access method, the second communication associated with a second attribute different than the first attribute, and determining a second communication plan associated with the second communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the second attribute associated with the second communication, wherein the first and second communication plans are associated with a prepaid pay-as-you-go or subscription monetary values.

Abstract: One computer-implemented method includes identifying a plurality of communication plans, identifying a first communication associated with a first access method and associated with a first attribute, determining a first communication plan associated with the first communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the first attribute associated with the first communication, identifying a second communication different than the first communication and associated with the first access method, the second communication associated with a second attribute different than the first attribute, and determining a second communication plan associated with the second communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the second attribute associated with the second communication, wherein the first and second communication plans are associated with a prepaid pay-as-you-go or subscription monetary values.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving and synchronizing a second version of a media asset with a first version of a media asset are provided. For example, a first version of a media asset may be a version from a content provider, such as a television network or other multimedia provider. A second version of a media asset may be a user-owned copy of the media asset. A processing device identifies the media asset, searches for a second version of the media asset, and identifies the content display point of the first version of the media asset. The processing device may present an option to access the second version of the media asset from the corresponding content display point.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a custom media bundle are provided. In some embodiments, a quantity of media to be included in a custom media bundle is determined based on a user profile. A media content collection is selected, and from the media content collection a set of media assets containing a number of media assets corresponding the determined quantity is selected. A custom media bundle is generated that includes the selected set of media assets. In response to a user selection, one or more financial transactions are performed to grant the user access to the set of media assets of the custom media bundle.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for generating automatic program recommendations based on user interactions. In some embodiments, control circuitry processes verbal data received during an interaction between a user of a user device and a person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry analyzes the verbal data to automatically identify a media asset referred to during the interaction by at least one of the user and the person with whom the user is interacting. The control circuitry adds the identified media asset to a list of media assets associated with the user of the user device. The list of media assets is transmitted to a second user device of the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recapturing attention of the user when content meeting a criterion is being presented are provided. Content is caused to be presented on a display of a user equipment device. A first state of a setting of the user equipment device is stored. A determination is made as to whether the content being presented meets a criterion. A facial feature of the user is processed to determine whether the user is gazing towards the display when the content being presented meets the criterion. In response to determining the user is not gazing towards the display when the content being presented meets the criterion, the first state of the setting of the user equipment device is adjusted to a second state to alert the user about the content.

Abstract: A contents estimating system and method for providing an estimate of the cost of settling an insurance claim which includes a server having an embedded program compiled on the server and embedded in a web page, a client having a browser removably connected to the server, an inventory data acquirer for acquiring inventory data of each of the items that are the subject of the insurance claim and insert them into the web page, a price data acquirer for acquiring prices of the items of inventory data that are the subject of the insurance claim and insert them into the web page, and a liability limits data acquirer for acquiring liability limits data for the insurance claim and insert them into the web page, in which, upon receipt of a claim of loss from the insured, the web page is displayed on the screen of the client, the embedded program is executed within a client process with substantially unrestricted access to the client's system resources, and an estimate of the cost of settling a claim is produced by map

Abstract: A thermoelectric device comprising an elongated panel, formed of a thermally insulating material, and having a plurality of thermoelectric elements comprising compacted conductors inside the insulating material and expanded conductors outside the insulating material is combined with other layers for leakage current interception, bodily fluid absorption, and pillars that preserve pressure re-distribution. The thermoelectric device may be integrated into a variety of surfaces or enclosures needing heating or cooling and manufactured using pre-existing automated equipment.

Abstract: Embodiments are described herein for managing licenses of media files on playback devices in a media system. In some embodiments, each media file is purchased based on a number of licenses, each license granting permission to store the media file on a single playback device. Each media file may have an associated number of one or more licenses that specifies the maximum number of playback devices on which the media file may be stored at the same time (concurrently). The media system may comprise a home central licensing (HCL) device, a primary storage device, and playback devices coupled via a network. The primary storage device may be used to initially store newly purchased media files. The HCL device may allow or prohibit distribution of the media files on the primary storage device to playback devices by using a license manager data structure storing licensing information for each media file.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for synchronizing simultaneous media asset viewing for users at different geographical viewing locations. In some embodiments, a first user device receives a request to synchronize viewing of a media asset with a second user device. Control circuitry may automatically determine that the media asset is available to the second user device after becoming available to the first user device. Based on the determining, the control circuitry may automatically schedule the media asset for recording on the first user device. In some embodiments, control circuitry synchronizes viewing of the media asset when the media access becomes available to the second user device. The second user device may access a video feed transmitted by a media source, while the first user device accesses a video feed of a recorded media asset.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically generating a media asset segment based on verbal input are provided. Verbal input is received from a user while a media asset is being presented to the user. The verbal input is processed to extract an instruction and comment information included in the verbal input. The instruction is cross-referenced with a command database to determine whether the instruction corresponds to a segment generation command. In response to determining the instruction corresponds to the segment generation command, a segment that includes a portion of the media asset that was presented to the user when the verbal input was received is generated. The comment information is associated with the generated segment. A message that includes the generated segment and the associated comment information is transmitted to a remote server.

Abstract: Coaxial connectors are provided that include a contact post that has a pedestal and a post extending therefrom. These connectors further include a ground plane extension that is separate from the contact post. The ground plane extension includes a first end that is positioned on a first side of the pedestal and a sidewall that extends from the first end of the ground plane extension. This sidewall extends beyond a second side of the pedestal that is opposite the first side.

Abstract: Systems and methods for receiving multiple user messages that identify a media asset segment position are provided. A plurality of messages from a plurality of users is received with a remote server. Each message identifies a segment within the media asset through which a fast-access playback operation was performed. The received messages are processed to extract media asset information and the identified segment. The extracted media asset information of each message is cross-referenced with a media asset information database to identify the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages. The identified segments extracted from each of the plurality of messages are processed to determine a position of the segment within the identified media asset. The position of the segment within the media asset is stored in the media asset information database for the media asset that corresponds to each of the received messages.

Abstract: One computer-implemented method includes identifying a plurality of communication plans, identifying a first communication associated with a first access method and associated with a first attribute, determining a first communication plan associated with the first communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the first attribute associated with the first communication, identifying a second communication different than the first communication and associated with the first access method, the second communication associated with a second attribute different than the first attribute, and determining a second communication plan associated with the second communication from the plurality of communication plans, the determination based at least in part on the second attribute associated with the second communication, wherein the first and second communication plans are associated with a prepaid pay-as-you-go or subscription monetary values.