Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for determining a level of confidence that an identified media item is currently being presented to a user is presented. A media item being presented to a user on an output device coupled to the client device is identified, the client device including an input device usable by a user of the client device to instruct the client device to acquire and present media items from a plurality of media devices. A level of confidence that the identified media item is currently being presented to the user is calculated. A determination is made that at least one predetermined event has occurred. A level of confidence that the identified media item is currently being presented to the user is adjusted based on the at least one predetermined event.

Abstract: In one general aspect, a method can include determining, by a computer system, that a user is interested in receiving reminders about particular content, identifying, by the computer system, a particular entity from a plurality of entities, the particular entity being associated with the particular content and including criteria for use in creating a reminder to the user about availability of the particular content, automatically creating the reminder for the user based on the criteria, and scheduling the reminder for activation on a computing device when the computing device is determined to be in proximity to a physical location that includes a device that provides the particular content to the user.

Abstract: Methods and computer systems are used to authorize a transaction. In one aspect, the method includes, at a computer system with one or more processors and memory, receiving a message requesting a transaction of a first media content for display on the public display; detecting one or more devices in proximity to the first device; selecting a second device from the detected one or more devices based on a match of a first user account between the second device and the first device; sending a request for authorizing the transaction to the selected second device; receiving a response to the request for authorizing the transaction from the selected second device; and completing the transaction on the first device using transaction information of the first user account and stored at the first device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for projecting light to indicate a device status are provided. In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, systems for projecting light to indicate a device status are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware processor that: determines a light status; determines whether to turn a light source on; selects a light format corresponding to the light status; projects light of a light source according to the light format; and determines whether to turn the light source off.

Abstract: Systems, computer-readable storage mediums, and methods for discovering and displaying media content related to an electronic document. At a first computing device, document identifying information—which is one of: at least a portion of a network identifier or source code for the electronic document—for the electronic document is obtained. One or more media entities associated with the electronic document are then obtained from a server. The media entities correspond to media content including scheduled TV programming, steaming media or locally stored media. A representation of a subset of the media entities is displayed, and a user selection from the representation of a respective media entity from the subset is obtained. In response, selection information identifying the respective media entity is sent to a second computing device, which is configured to access and display respective media content corresponding to the respective media entity based on the selection information.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for projecting light to indicate a device status are provided. In accordance with some implementations of the disclosed subject matter, systems for projecting light to indicate a device status are provided, the systems comprising: a hardware processor that: determines a light status; determines whether to turn a light source on; selects a light format corresponding to the light status; projects light of a light source according to the light format; and determines whether to turn the light source off.

Abstract: Displaying art work or thumbnail images representative of movies, television (TV) programs/episodes and other media content is an appealing and often intuitive way of displaying available media content in a media content browser. However, computer displayable cover art is not necessarily available for all titles. For example, an older movie may not have computer displayable cover art because at the time the movie title was made available it was not anticipated that the movie title might be selectable through a media browser. After considering this description one will understand how the features of various, implementations are configured to enable various systems, methods and devices to create computer displayable cover art or thumbnail images for media titles to be displayed by a media browser.

Abstract: A system and method for standardizing commands used for various application behaviors in an application regardless of the environment of the application. A client intercepts a user input standard command, retrieves a corresponding native command from a standardizing server and inputs the native command in the application.

Abstract: A method for playing back a program which includes one or more interactive applications. A program which is stored, either in the form of a data stream or as a set of files is played back from a storage device. When playback is started, applications which are detected are launched. Applications are detected in the playback of pushed content when they become available in the playback stream. Applications are detected in the playback of pulled content by comparing the validity ranges of the applications to a current playback index. When special playback modes are used, signals which affect the lifecycle of an application are detected and corresponding signals are generated to maintain the proper state of the application. During these special playback modes, these various notification signals may be conveyed to applications which are configured to operate during these modes.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for augmenting capabilities of a host device is presented. A first application on the host device is executed, where the first application is configured to execute on a second device and is configured to use a capability that is available on the second device, and where the capability is not included in the host device. A request is received from the first application to use the capability that is available the second device, where the first application does not have knowledge of the capabilities of the second device. A connection is established to the second device through at least one network. Communications are facilitated between the first application and the second device though the at least one network to provide the capability that is available on the second device to the first application.

Abstract: Displaying art work or thumbnail images representative of movies, television (TV) programs/episodes and other media content is an appealing and often intuitive way of displaying available media content in a media content browser. However, computer displayable cover art is not necessarily available for all titles. For example, an older movie may not have computer displayable cover art because at the time the movie title was made available it was not anticipated that the movie title might be selectable through a media browser. After considering this description one will understand how the features of various implementations are configured to enable various systems, methods and devices to create computer displayable cover art or thumbnail images for media titles to be displayed by a media browser.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for standardizing commands used for various application behaviors in an application regardless of the environment of the application. A client intercepts a user input standard command, retrieves a corresponding native command from a standardizing server and inputs the native command in the application.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes identifying metadata related to television programming. The method further includes sending search requests that include the identified metadata to a search system for selecting at least one portable program module. The method further includes in response to a first one of the search requests, receiving first search results from the search system that identify the selected portable program module and outputting a representation of the selected portable program module to a display device for presentation concurrently with the television programming. The method further includes in response to a second one of the search requests, receiving second search results from the search system that no longer identify the selected portable program module and ceasing the output of the representation of the selected portable program module.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving information expressing a user's interest in one or more media programs, obtaining information indicative of popularity for a plurality of media programs responsive to the received information by individuals other than the user, and transmitting one or more recommendations of media programs for display to the user, from the plurality of media programs that relate to the received information.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes identifying metadata related to television programming. The method further includes sending search requests that include the identified metadata to a search system for selecting at least one portable program module. The method further includes in response to a first one of the search requests, receiving first search results from the search system that identify the selected portable program module and outputting a representation of the selected portable program module to a display device for presentation concurrently with the television programming. The method further includes in response to a second one of the search requests, receiving second search results from the search system that no longer identify the selected portable program module and ceasing the output of the representation of the selected portable program module.

Abstract: A service gateway provides a proxy between a client protocol and a plurality of standard communication protocols. The service gateway provides asymmetrical routing, data compression and encryption to optimize client processing power and communication link bandwidth. The service gateway enables content translation between clients and service providers. The service gateway keeps track of client available memory and sequence numbers in messages to generate error codes when applicable. A store and forward message capability is provided along with abstract session identifiers. The service gateway supports user datagram protocol.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving information expressing a user's interest in one or more media programs, obtaining information indicative of popularity for a plurality of media programs responsive to the received information by individuals other than the user, and transmitting one or more recommendations of media programs for display to the user, from the plurality of media programs that relate to the received information.