Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide the ability for a subscriber to define personal broadcast channels. Such personal broadcast channels can allow a subscriber to define a play order for a plurality of sets of content (including without limitation video content, audio content, various alerts and/or other data, and the like). In some cases, the content might be on-demand content; in other cases, real-time content may be integrated as well. In an aspect, some embodiments thus provide a subscriber with heretofore unknown flexibility in determining what content, and in what order, the subscriber wishes to be provided (e.g., from a content provider's network). In some cases, this functionality might be provided by a networked personal video recorder. In other cases, a subscriber (or another) might be allowed to distribute (perhaps for a fee), a personal broadcast channel for use by others.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and software are described for identifying a location with a mobile communications device. According to various embodiments of the invention, an electronic image is captured via the mobile communications device. A first set of data identifying the location of the mobile communications device may be received, and the first set of data may be associated with the electronic image. At a later time, an identifier of the captured image may then be selected, and a suggested route or a map which includes the location associated with captured image may then be created.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide novel solutions for providing real-time content in an on-demand environment. In a novel aspect of some embodiments, a real-time on demand server may be configured to integrate real-time content with on-demand content. This can allow a subscriber to enjoy the benefits of on-demand programming without having to forego access to real-time news, sports, weather information and/or the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide networked storage of content, which can be used to allow the enhanced provision of real-time and/or on-demand content (such as video content, audio content, etc.) to a subscriber. Merely by way of example, in an aspect of some embodiments, a hierarchical storage structure may be used to cache content for provision to a plurality of subscribers. This can be used to balance competing concerns of efficiently using network and/or storage resources and providing expedient responses to subscribers' requests for content.

Abstract: A method of playing a rich content stream that includes a media stream and a descriptive stream. The method may include the steps of receiving the rich content stream at a media player, where the descriptive stream is generated from a rich content file executed separately from a source for the media stream, and where the media stream and the descriptive stream are received as separate streams at the media player. The method may also include synchronizing the media stream and the descriptive stream at the media player so that information in the descriptive stream is temporally synchronized with media content playing from the media stream. In addition the method may include activating the playing of the descriptive stream while the media stream is playing on the media player, where descriptive content from the descriptive stream is not played on the media player until being activated by a user.

Abstract: Information is maintained on a mobile client device. A delete command is received at the mobile client device over a wireless mobile network from a mobile-device data management server configured to provide mobile-device service to multiple mobile client devices over the wireless mobile network. The information is deleted from the mobile client device automatically and without user interaction in accordance with the delete command.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise systems and methods related to the provision of location based services via a mobile communications device. In different embodiments, a communication system is described, comprising a mobile communications device, a mobile communications base station, and a server computer system. The location of the device may be correlated with certain user preferences stored on the server computer system. In various embodiments, components of the larger system are described. In some cases, various location related mapping functions for a device are discussed. In other embodiments, systems and methods which provide for activities to be undertaken based on the location of a device are described. In still other embodiments, the disclosure addresses systems and methods of efficiently determining the location of a mobile device. In some embodiments, different notification schemes based on the location of a device and specified preferences are described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods for distributing media content between portable media devices with digital rights management protections. Offering several applications in the technical arts, embodiments of the present invention provide methods for managing distribution of media content between portable media devices. Further, embodiments of the present invention provide methods for easy and effective transmission of media content between portable media devices.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for receiving and recording video content on a wireless phone. Merely by way of example, one set of embodiments provides a wireless phone with the capability to receive a broadcast video signal and to decode, digitize and record the broadcast video signal. In other embodiments, the wireless phone has the capability to receive broadcast video signals and/or video signals streamed over a network and to record these signals. In still further embodiments, the wireless phone may receive video content transmitted over a wireless network and may format and/or encode the video content and record the video content. In some embodiments the wireless phone comprises a video player for playing video content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for capturing on-demand media content for use with portable media devices, including wireless phones, using a based station to provide for enhanced signal strength capture. These embodiments provide for the reception/distribution of on-demand media content, which can include, among other things, video content (such as television programming, movies, etc.), audio content (such as radio programming, audio recordings, etc.), data content (such as Internet data—web pages, electronic mail, etc.), voice transmissions (such as telephone transmissions, etc.) and/or the like.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for managing the reception and/or recording of video content on a wireless digital video recorder. In certain embodiments, the wireless digital video recorder comprises a wireless phone with video reception and video recording capabilities. One set of embodiments provides a reception manager for managing the reception of video content by the wireless digital video recorder. Merely by way of example, embodiments of the present invention may provide for monitoring of the signal strength of broadcast video content, and certain embodiments may provide for receiving and displaying information concerning video content available to the wireless digital video recorder. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide for the management of recording and/or storing video content on the wireless digital video recorder e.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for receiving media content at a base station for use on a portable media device. Merely by way of example, one set of embodiments provides a base station with a plurality of receivers and inputs for receiving media content. In some embodiments, media content received by the base station via a receiver and/or input may be transferred to the portable media device. In some aspects, the portable media device is a wireless phone configured to play the media content. In certain embodiments, the base station may record the received media and the recorded media may then be transferred to the portable media device. In certain embodiments, the base station may have a user interface to display media available to the base station and/or recorded on the base station.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the invention provide methods and systems for managing the reception and/or recording of media content on a base station. In certain embodiments, the base station is configured to transfer media content received by the base station to a portable media device. In one aspect, the portable media device may be a wireless phone with media playback capabilities. One set of embodiments provides a reception manager for managing the reception of media content by the base station. Merely by way of example, embodiments of the present invention may provide for monitoring of the signal strength of broadcast media content, and certain embodiments may provide for receiving and displaying information concerning media content available to the base station. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide for the management of recording and/or storing of media content.

Abstract: A gas-fired burner including a cylindrical burner housing having a premixed fuel/air opening. Disposed within the cylindrical burner housing is a cylindrical burner ring which forms at least one row of a plurality of burner ports. The cylindrical burner ring is sized relative to the burner housing such that an annular space is formed between the burner housing and the burner ring. Upper and lower annular rings extend between the burner ring and the burner housing, thereby enclosing the annular space. Disposed within the burner ring is a secondary air flow restrictor for controlling the flow of secondary air to the flame. A multi-finger grate having alternating long and short fingers is disposed above the burner housing.

Abstract: A gas-fired burner including a cylindrical burner housing having a premixed fuel/air opening. Disposed within the cylindrical burner housing is a cylindrical burner ring which forms at least one row of a plurality of burner ports. The cylindrical burner ring is sized relative to the burner housing such that an annular space is formed between the burner housing and the burner ring. Upper and lower annular rings extend between the burner ring and the burner housing, thereby enclosing the annular space. Disposed within the burner ring is a secondary air flow restrictor for controlling the flow of secondary air to the flame. A multi-finger grate having alternating long and short fingers is disposed above the burner housing.

Abstract: A thermostat is provided that receives one or more inputs from at least one heating system of a climate control system, and initiates an appropriate action in response to the input. The thermostat can turn off a heat pump providing substandard heat and responsively turn on a fuel-fired auxiliary furnace. The thermostat may discontinue further operation of the auxiliary furnace upon receiving an operating error signal associated with the auxiliary furnace, and responsively turn on the heat pump to provide for continued heating. The thermostat may also discontinue operation of the fuel-fired furnace and turn on a circulating fan in response to an input signal indicating a furnace high-temperature or a carbon monoxide presence.