Abstract: Techniques include outputting a graphical user interface including a widget and any combination of objects on a television. Thereafter one or more key events may be received from a remote control. The graphical user interface can be updated by moving the widget in response to each direction key activation if the one or more key events indicate activation of one or more direction keys on the remote control. In addition, a function designated by a given object may be initiated in response to the activation of the enter key if the widget is determined to be proximate the given object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audiovisual user interface based on learned user preferences is described. In one implementation, the method involves collecting a set of user preferences for a user; providing a metadata stream associated with an audiovisual input; comparing elements within the metadata stream with the set of user preferences to form a comparison; and outputting a message to the user if the comparison indicates that the metadata stream matches one or more elements of the set of user preferences. The message may be output either acoustically or visually, and may relate to the audiovisual input, which may be audio, video, or both audio and video. The audiovisual input may be blocked based on a restricted message, and may be accessed upon a successful password query.

Abstract: A method of generating an audiovisual object such as a wallpaper or screensaver keyed to a user's preferences, local time, and location, comprising: collecting a set of user preferences for a user; providing a metadata stream associated with an audiovisual input; comparing elements within the metadata stream with the set of user preferences to form a comparison; and outputting an audiovisual object to the user's video display unit if the comparison indicates that the metadata stream matches one or more elements of the set of user preferences. User preferences may be collected from user habits based on metadata streams associated with the audiovisual input, or may be directly input by the user. The methods above may also be stored on a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A method of generating an audiovisual object such as a wallpaper or screensaver keyed to a user's preferences, local time, and location, comprising: collecting a set of user preferences for a user; providing a metadata stream associated with an audiovisual input; comparing elements within the metadata stream with the set of user preferences to form a comparison; and outputting an audiovisual object to the user's video display unit if the comparison indicates that the metadata stream matches one or more elements of the set of user preferences. User preferences may be collected from user habits based on metadata streams associated with the audiovisual input, or may be directly input by the user. The methods above may also be stored on a computer readable medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an audiovisual user interface based on learned user preferences is described. In one implementation, the method involves collecting a set of user preferences for a user; providing a metadata stream associated with an audiovisual input; comparing elements within the metadata stream with the set of user preferences to form a comparison; and outputting a message to the user if the comparison indicates that the metadata stream matches one or more elements of the set of user preferences. The message may be output either acoustically or visually, and may relate to the audiovisual input, which may be audio, video, or both audio and video. The audiovisual input may be blocked based on a restricted message, and may be accessed upon a successful password query.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing a cursor or other similar widget for televisions include outputting a graphical user interface including a widget and any combination of objects on a television Thereafter one or more key events may be received from a remote control. The graphical user interface can be updated by moving the widget in response to each direction key activation if the one or more key events indicate activation of one or more direction keys on the remote control. In addition, a function designated by a given object may be initiated in response to the activation of the enter key if the widget is determined to be proximate the given object.