Abstract: In a process comprising a sequence of elections, a future election intended by a user is predicted from a frequent sequence of elections by the user and a frequent sequence of elections by a plurality of other users of the process or device.

Abstract: An exemplary method and system for evaluating media-playing sets evaluates the likelihood of a selected performance condition occurring in a subject set including based on source data automatically collected from a sample group of the sets, systematic analysis of this data to form a decision tree model revealing prescribed values for characteristic input parameters that are determined to best relate to the condition, and automated comparison of the respective parameter values of the subject set to these prescribed values in order to screen each subject set for the likelihood of the condition occurring within a specified timeframe, which screening can be repeated for different conditions and timeframes using different decision tree models.

Abstract: Adjustment of operating parameters for an electronic device are enabled if the parameters are relevant to the source of the device's input signal and a user desired level of control of the device.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method for providing personalized assistance to users with setup of their respective media-playing sets provides a computing device remote from each set hosting a web page interface for prompting each user to create an individual account and to submit personal setup information for entry into this account; a script generator generates a personalized script for each set based on the personal setup information entered into the individual account of the corresponding user; this personalized script, by being activated, configures the corresponding set including by automatically making personalized setup selections from a plurality of preexisting setup alternatives supported by the corresponding set. These preexisting setup alternatives, for example, typically are described in a user manual accompanying or available for the set and, absent the present system and method, typically require difficult manual configuration to implement.

Abstract: A system and corresponding method to facilitate operating a media-playing set with a display provides a storage device, a collection component transferring personal preference information to the storage device about the broadcast preferences of the user including personal program and setting information, and an access component enabling user access to such preference information for a particular day and time such that information identifying at least one of the programs and individually identifying at least two of the settings for that program are presented on the display.

Abstract: A system and method enabling comparative and interactive preview of the effects of different operational settings to facilitate adjustment of a media-playing set includes providing a memory to store a test sample for each control item and a demonstrational tool to generate a plurality of preview items for simultaneous presentation on the display while the settings of the control item are being adjusted, such preview items being based on the test sample such that each preview item reflects the effect on the sample caused by selection of a respective setting for the control item. A system and method enabling expanded interactive preview of the effects of operational settings similar to the above except the test sample is provided for grouped pairs of the control items and each preview item reflects the effect caused by selection of different combinations of settings for the control items in this grouped pair.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that is adapted for use in a distributed network of electronic devices. The device includes a processor, a communications layer and memory. The communications layer is in electronic communication with the processor for communications with the distributed network. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor for storing data. A software element is configured by an application to send a request to a plurality of receiver components where the request requires a response from each receiver component of the plurality of receiver components. The device also includes a smart listener configured to receive the request from the software element and to store the request in the memory. The smart listener is configured to transmit the request to the plurality of receiver components through the distributed network and to listen for responses from any of the plurality of receiver components.

Abstract: A method of providing feeds to connected devices includes sorting multiple feeds, receiving device information from a connected device, suggesting a feed from the sorted feeds in response to the device information, and delivering the suggested feed to the connected device.

Abstract: An exemplary method to help end users configure their respective media playing sets includes prompting the user for their geographical location, transmitting the location to a remote processing site which identifies broadcast settings particularly suited for the location, and adjusting the set remotely from the site to fully implement automatically the settings. Another such method includes establishing a list of viewing categories, identifying preferred broadcast settings for each category, determining preferred categories for previous day/time combinations, predicting most likely to favored categories and settings, and automatically implementing such settings when the corresponding day/time combination is present.

Abstract: A remote support site having a detector internally collecting information on a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic of a media-playing set or television and a server enabling specification of a preferred setting for such characteristic from this information. A method including maintaining a remote site, therefrom internally collecting information from the set about a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic, and therefrom specifying a preferred setting for such characteristic. A similar method but information detected upon user request about user-adjustable component for selecting on-screen characteristic and final step is remotely adjusting component. A similar method but information is about broadcast characteristic potentially selectable initially by user instead remotely specified initially. A similar method but information is about plural broadcast characteristics and final step is remotely providing settings for each.

Abstract: A remote support site having a detector internally collecting information on a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic of a media-playing set or television and a server enabling specification of a preferred setting for such characteristic from this information. A method including maintaining a remote site, therefrom internally collecting information from the set about a user-selectable intrinsic broadcast characteristic, and therefrom specifying a preferred setting for such characteristic. A similar method but information detected upon user request about user-adjustable component for selecting on-screen characteristic and final step is remotely adjusting component. A similar method but information is about broadcast characteristic potentially selectable initially by user instead remotely specified initially. A similar method but information is about plural broadcast characteristics and final step is remotely providing settings for each.

Abstract: An intelligent, interactively maneuverable interface display of current electronic programming guide (EPG) textual information presentable on a user's television screen. The display, which is organized as a context display, includes keyword-sensitized text, and a virtual, user-employable navigation tool, such as a scrollbar tool, which, via a hand-held remote control device, enables a user quickly, intuitively, and with appropriate user-specific focus to locate programming material of special interest. Display information which is thus accessed by user manipulation of this tool is arranged in a sensible hierarchical manner so as to define different levels of focus-resolution which relate to different “positions” of a handle in the scrollbar tool.

Abstract: A system, a methodology and a related, on-screen, interactive user interface which displays electronic programming guide (EPG) text, with highlighted and user-selectable keywords that enable focused, precision informational navigation through the available EPG database. The display also presents different categories of virtual tools that can be employed by a user for navigating purposes, accessible via a suitable remote, hand-held control device.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that is adapted for use in a distributed network of electronic devices. The device includes a processor, a communications layer and memory. The communications layer is in electronic communication with the processor for communications with the distributed network. The memory is in electronic communication with the processor for storing data. A software element is configured by an application to send a request to a plurality of receiver components where the request requires a response from each receiver component of the plurality of receiver components. The device also includes a smart listener configured to receive the request from the software element and to store the request in the memory. The smart listener is configured to transmit the request to the plurality of receiver components through the distributed network and to listen for responses from any of the plurality of receiver components.