Abstract: In an embodiment, a computer memory that is not a transitory has instructions executable by a processor to present on a display of a mobile device a user interface (UI) facilitating media shifting between the mobile device and an audio video device (AVD) separate from the mobile device. The UI has a grid of thumbnails, with each thumbnail being associated with a respective media asset. Responsive to a user touching and dragging a first thumbnail of the grid, a drop region is presented outside the grid indicating that a drop of the thumbnail will cause the media asset associated with the first thumbnail to be presented on the AVD. Responsive to a user releasing the first thumbnail in the drop region, a signal is sent to the AVD to cause the AVD to present the media asset associated with the first thumbnail.

Abstract: The user of an Internet-enabled CE device such as a TV can select an object in a video presented on the display of the CE device by either touch sensitive screen or input device. The processor of the CE device can then determine the boundaries of the object, identify it using face/image recognition software, search for information/websites related to the object, and present those information/websites to the viewer on the display screen.

Abstract: A system includes plural TVs, with a master TV accepting user input to establish TV settings. The system also includes a server accessing the TV settings from the master TV to send the settings to at least some of the other plural TVs over a network to establish respective TV settings on the other TVs.

Abstract: A display device receive icon or application information from an audio visual application module (AVAM) and presents, on the native UI of the display, a selectable AVAM icon according to the information from the AVAM. The AVAM icon is associated with an application on the AVAM. Display input is automatically switched to the AVAM responsive to selection of the icon from the native UI using the display RC, at which point a non-native UI received from AVAM is presented for navigation using the display RC. Input commands are relayed to the AVAM.

Abstract: A display device such as a TV has both HDMI and IP network interfaces and uses the HDMI interface to exchange IP network parameters with an audio video application module (AVAM) upon HDMI connection. In this way, an IP-based peer-to-peer or client-server network connection can be automatically established to promote faster communication when sharing and executing applications between the devices than is typically available over the CEC link of HDMI.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for establishing a connection with a first processor-based device at a second processor-based device, receiving through the connection a control command from the first processor-based device implemented according to a first protocol, wherein the command corresponds to a remote control command received through a remote control device at the first processor-based device, translating the control command from the first protocol to a second protocol executable at the second processor-based device, and executing an event in response to the control command having been translated into the second protocol.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for establishing a connection with a first processor-based device at a second processor-based device, receiving through the connection a control command from the first processor-based device implemented according to a first protocol, wherein the command corresponds to a remote control command received through a remote control device at the first processor-based device, translating the control command from the first protocol to a second protocol executable at the second processor-based device, and executing an event in response to the control command having been translated into the second protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a client application to provide a video stream as well as data regarding the video stream to an output device, where the data is generated from a process performed at a layer lower than the client application layer. By this, multiple client applications can simultaneously utilize the data generated by the lower-level process while at least one client application can effect streaming of the video stream to an output device.

Abstract: A control device such as a tablet computer presents a scrollable image-based program guide (IBPG) on a display that a user can swipe to cause the device to command a display device to present an audio video (AV) program represented by the image. The IBPG is a subset of an electronic program guide (EPG) from a TV signal provider. Social networking information (SNI) related to a video program is presented on or adjacent an image in the IBPG representing the program.

Abstract: A host device can establish a date and time for an online event such as a movie and send invitations out to join viewing the movie to, e.g., friends on a social network. Accepting friends, along with the host, can enter a theater page prior to the start time to view thumbnails of related recommended movies and can also enter a lobby page to chat and view who else has been invited to attend the movie.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for a client application to provide a video stream as well as data regarding the video stream to an output device, where the data is generated from a process performed at a layer lower than the client application layer. By this, multiple client applications can simultaneously utilize the data generated by the lower-level process while at least one client application can effect streaming of the video stream to an output device.

Abstract: Certain aspects of an apparatus and method for multiple media output may include a network comprising one or more media rendering devices communicably connected to a media manager. The media manager may be operable to separate a received single media signal into a first channel carrying a first content and a second channel carrying a second content. The media manager may be operable to wirelessly transmit the first channel to a first media rendering device of the one or more media rendering devices and the second channel to a second media rendering device of the one or more media rendering devices.

Abstract: A control device such as a tablet computer presents a scrollable image-based program guide (IBPG) on a display that a user can swipe to cause the device to command a display device to present an audio video (AV) program represented by the image. The IBPG is a subset of an electronic program guide (EPG) from a TV signal provider. Social networking information (SNI) related to a video program is presented on or adjacent an image in the IBPG representing the program.

Abstract: An electronic sign includes at least one display, at least one processor controlling the display, and at least one computer readable storage medium accessible to the processor and storing a preprogrammed network address of a control server. The medium is programmed with instructions to cause the processor to automatically, upon initial energization at an advertising site having plural wireless routers all on a common subnet, connect to a wireless router at the advertising site to join the common subnet. The instructions also cause the processor to access the control server using the network address of the server after joining the common subnet. Additionally, the instructions cause the processor to receive, from the control server, configuration information useful in configuring the sign for operation so that the electronic sign, after mechanical installation, does not need to be physically accessed by a technician to further configure the sign for operation.

Abstract: A display device such as a TV has both HDMI and IP network interfaces and uses the HDMI interface to exchange IP network parameters with an audio video application module (AVAM) upon HDMI connection. In this way, an IP-based peer-to-peer or client-server network connection can be automatically established to promote faster communication when sharing and executing applications between the devices than is typically available over the CEC link of HDMI.

Abstract: A display device receive icon or application information from an audio visual application module (AVAM) and presents, on the native UI of the display, a selectable AVAM icon according to the information from the AVAM. The AVAM icon is associated with an application on the AVAM. Display input is automatically switched to the AVAM responsive to selection of the icon from the native UI using the display RC, at which point a non-native UI received from AVAM is presented for navigation using the display RC. Input commands are relayed to the AVAM.

Abstract: A control device such as a tablet computer presents a scrollable image-based program guide (IBPG) on a display that a user can swipe to cause the device to command a display device to present an audio video (AV) program represented by the image. The IBPG is a subset of an electronic program guide (EPG) from a TV signal provider and is populated using user history and favorites information and social networking site history and favorites information. Sizes of the images may vary depending on the information.

Abstract: A television apparatus is described which performs automated dynamic content playback in response to environmental feedback from a plurality of real time connective and configurable remote external modules. Remote modules may be hosted on a smart device, such as cell phone, smart phone, netbook, notebook, and so forth into which a sensor application is loaded which is configured to communicate with the television. The television detects and can selectively enable external modules, the sensor information from which is analyzed in response to a user profile from which control decisions are made in selecting content to be played back. The image and video media being output by the television, and preferably also its output modes, are changed in response to the information from the external modules.

Abstract: A system includes plural TVs, with a master TV accepting user input to establish TV settings. The system also includes a server accessing the TV settings from the master TV to send the settings to at least some of the other plural TVs over a network to establish respective TV settings on the other TVs.

Abstract: An embodiment is a technique to perform centralized multimedia access. A playlist is created in a single document, the playlist including a plurality of items. Each of the items specifies an access parameter to a multimedia file and a play parameter. The playlist is stored in a central location. The multimedia file as pointed to by the playlist is retrieved or accessed in the central location using the access parameter to play the multimedia file according to the play parameter. A storage element contains a pointer to point to a playlist in a single document. The playlist includes a plurality of items. Each of the items specifies an access parameter to a multimedia file and a play parameter. A compiler compiles the playlist to determine the access parameter, the play parameter, and a plug-in associated with the multimedia file. The plug-in plays the multimedia file according to the play parameter.