Abstract: The present invention is a method, system, and computer-readable medium for acquiring a channel map in a cable receiver. The channel map associates physical analog and digital channels in an RF spectrum to channel identification data, where the channel identification data includes physical RF channel numbers, modulation type, virtual channels, and channel names. The method obtains a list of available channels from an electronic program guide service provider, and initializes the channel map based on the list of available channels. The method performs a channel scan to detect clear channels, and collect identification information for each detected clear channel. Based on the identification information, the method updates the channel map for each detected channel. The method receives changes to the channel map from a user of the cable receiver device, updates the channel map based on the changes to the channel map from the user, and uploads the channel map to the electronic program guide service provider.

Abstract: A video system and method of operation are described that compensate for low-light conditions. The video system includes a light source that adjusts. In one example the light source is controlled to either shine more light upon the user's face or less dependent upon the ambient conditions. In another example, the color of the light is changed to improve image quality. The light source may also be directly or indirectly controlled by a switch mounted onto the video telephone. Various configurations of light sources may also be implemented into the video system.

Abstract: A method for selectively and multiply routing a media stream input to a media appliance is provided. The method includes receiving the media stream. Further, the method includes distributing the media stream onto a plurality of individual media paths within the media appliance. Furthermore, the method includes routing the media stream on at least a first one of the media paths to a first media processor within the media appliance, while simultaneously routing the media stream on at least one other of the media paths to at least one additional media processor within the media appliance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for optimizing home networking interface selection in home networking applications. One embodiment of a method for selecting, at a set top box in a network, an active home networking interface from among a plurality of home networking interfaces includes activating the best performing home networking interface and deactivating the remainder of the home networking interfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for mitigating layer-2 loops in home networking applications. One embodiment of a method for mitigating layer-2 loops in a network includes detecting a loop between a first terminal in the network and a second terminal in the network, and deactivating at least one active home networking interface at the first terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating communication, generally called pairing, between a wireless handheld device (102) and a electronic communication device (104) is disclosed. The method includes transmitting a line-of-sight signal from the wireless handheld device (102) to a electronic communication device (104). The line-of-sight signal serves to identify the wireless handheld device. This transmission results in a received line-of-sight signal at the electronic communication device. The method also includes enabling a non-line-of-sight communication between the wireless handheld device and the electronic communication device. The non-line-of-sight communication is enabled on the basis of the received line-of-sight signal.

Abstract: A method and system for providing simultaneous transcoding of multi-media data are disclosed. For example, the method receives multi-media data in a first format. In turn, the method transmits the multimedia data to an output device, while simultaneously transcoding the multi-media data into at least one alternate format.

Abstract: A video information appliance (104) for facilitating routing of a plurality of independent video signals is provided. The video information appliance includes a plurality of video signal input interfaces (202), a signal router (204), a plurality of video output ports (206) and a processor (208). Each of the plurality of video signal input interfaces is adapted to facilitate reception of the plurality of independent video signals. The signal router is coupled to the plurality of video signal input interface. The plurality of video output ports are coupled to the signal router. The processor is adapted to control the signal router to selectively direct at least one of the received independent video signals to at least a first video output port. The processor is also adapted to direct at least one other of the received independent video signals to at least a second video output port.

Abstract: A method and a system for acquiring information on the basis of a media content (106) is disclosed. The method includes detecting (304) one or more particular image patterns or audio patterns in the media content to correspond to one or more of a plurality of pre-defined image and audio patterns. Further, the method further includes associating (306) a detected image pattern or the audio pattern to a predetermined list of response profiles. Furthermore, the method includes executing (308) one or more associated response profiles.

Abstract: A method for selectively and multiply routing a media stream input to a media appliance is provided. The method includes receiving the media stream. Further, the method includes distributing the media stream onto a plurality of individual media paths within the media appliance. Furthermore, the method includes routing the media stream on at least a first one of the media paths to a first media processor within the media appliance, while simultaneously routing the media stream on at least one other of the media paths to at least one additional media processor within the media appliance.

Abstract: A video processing device (10) and method (40) for managing operations, such as digital video recording operations, based on telephony signals, including caller ID signals. The method includes receiving multimedia content, receiving telephony signals and performing one or more video processing device operations, such as digital video recorder operations, in response to receiving the telephony signals. The video processing device includes a processor for receiving and processing multimedia content, and a memory element or storage device for storing at least a portion of received multimedia content. The processor and/or the video processing device is configured to perform one or more video processing operations in response to receiving telephony signals or instructions based on the received telephony signals.

Abstract: A programmable remote control unit including a data processing device, a memory storage unit, a data transmitter, an electrophoretic button, and a bus that communicatively couples the data processing device to the memory storage unit, the data transmitter, and the electrophoretic button; wherein the optical qualities of the electrophoretic button may be modified in response to commands from the data processing device.

Abstract: A multimedia processing device and method for adjusting audio levels of program channels of multimedia content to reduce audio level disparities between multimedia content program channels. The method includes generating audio adjustment or offset information for at least one multimedia content program channel, and adjusting audio levels of the program channels based on the audio adjustment information. The audio adjustment information can be based on audio level samples taken from the multimedia content program channels or other suitable information. The audio adjustment information can be metadata transmitted as part of or separately from the multimedia content. The audio adjustment information also can be included within or associated with a channel map, as part of an additional channel map parameter, or in another method. The multimedia processing device, such as a set-top box, is configured to adjust the audio level of the received program channels of multimedia content.

Abstract: A programmable remote control unit including a data processing device, a memory storage unit, a data transmitter, an electrophoretic button, and a bus that communicatively couples the data processing device to the memory storage unit, the data transmitter, and the electrophoretic button; wherein the optical qualities of the electrophoretic button may be modified in response to commands from the data processing device.

Abstract: The generation of electronic identifiers for network interface units connected to a data network for use in detecting unauthorized decryption of encrypted data transmitted over the data network. A random number is generated for use as a private key decryption code and is stored in memory in each network interface unit. A public key is calculated from the stored private key using a non-invertible mathematical formula. If the calculated public key is unique, then a portion of the public key (e.g. a subset of its bits) is stored in a data provider database as an electronic identifier for use in detecting unauthorized decryption of data by the interface unit.