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: Some embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses for use in distributing multimedia content. Some of these methods comprise: receiving a substantially live media stream comprising visual multimedia content and a playlist file that defines the playback of the visual multimedia content; identifying, within the media stream, a first advertisement content; identifying a source location identifier corresponding to a segment of the first advertisement content; identifying a replacement advertisement content; identifying a source location identifier corresponding to a segment of the replacement advertisement content; modifying the playlist file replacing the source location identifier corresponding to the segment of the first advertisement content with the source location identifier corresponding to the segment of the replacement advertisement content; and communicating, in substantially real time, the modified playlist file over the Internet to a remote CE device.

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: Systems and methods are provided for sending a data request from a secondary display device to a main display device for menu data present on the main display device, wherein the main display device is capable of performing a set of functions and wherein the menu data corresponds to the set of functions, receiving the menu data associated with the data request, generating a menu at the secondary display device according to the data and displaying the menu such that the menu provides the user with means for viewing one or more of the set of functions, receiving a selection with relation to the menu to perform at least one function of the one or more of the set of functions from a user at the secondary display device and sending a command to the main display device to perform the at least one function at the main display device.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling content rendering. The method includes rendering at a display device a content signal received on a predetermined input and sourced from a computer system and receiving at the display device a content rendering control command from a remote control device. The method further includes translating the content rendering control command to a media player control command recognizable by a media playback application of the computer system and sending the media player command to the computer system over a communication network to alter the content signal.

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.

Abstract: A system for controlling an electronic device comprising: a server configured to connect to an internet protocol based network and configured to make available a website, wherein the website is configured to allow a user to develop a customized web page for controlling an electronic device, and wherein the server is configured to receive input from the user's customized web page and respond with commands capable of controlling the electronic device.