Abstract: Energy-saving methods and systems for updating media information on a media equipment device are provided. An update to media information is received at the media equipment device. Data identifying a weight for the update is retrieved from the storage device. The data may be related to the user's media preferences or viewing history of content associated with the update. A weight is then assigned to the update based on the retrieved data. The assigned update weight is compared to a threshold value which is retrieved from the storage device. If the update weight exceeds the threshold value, the device will switch from a first power mode of operation (e.g., sleep mode) to a higher power mode of operation (e.g., active mode) so that the media information may be updated with the information contained in the received update.

Abstract: A widget running on user equipment selectively obscures portions of media content according to user and/or service provider defined criteria. Information regarding potentially objectionable content in media content may be stored in databases. Based on the information regarding potentially objectionable content and the defined criteria, the database may provide censor instructions. The instructions may be executed by the widget to obscure the potentially objectionable content in media content that is accessed by the user equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing remote access to interactive media guidance applications are provided. In particular, the systems and methods for providing remote access to interactive media guidance applications provided herein generally relate to enhancing remote access capabilities by providing algorithms and techniques for managing and correcting disparities that may be found between program listings data used by the interactive media guidance application and the remote access server.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for generating and updating media playlists in response to playback alteration operations performed by a user. For example, a media guidance application may generate a media playlist accessible during a set time period (e.g., from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM), which has a one hour play length. If a playback alteration operation (e.g., a pause or fast-forward operation) occurs during the playback of the media playlist, the media guidance application updates (e.g., by adding or removing content) the media playlist such that the media playlist has a play length that concludes by the end of the set time period (e.g., 8:00 PM).

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for a guidance application capable of coordinating the interior features of a vehicle (e.g., the heating/cooling system, automatic windows, automatic seats, automatic sunroof, seat heaters, etc.) to produce the current environmental conditions (e.g., sunshine, heat, wind, etc.) displayed in a media asset being accessed in the vehicle.

Abstract: Methods and systems of providing a game in an interactive media application based on information stored in a database are provided. The game is provided in part by using a database to select a source individual and a destination individual. Based on the source individual and information stored in a database and associated therewith, a plurality of associated candidates are selected, each of which has a defined relationship with the source individual. Representations of the source individual, the destination individual, and the first plurality of candidates are provided on a display. Based on user input, one candidate of the first plurality of candidates is selected, and it is determined whether the database defines a relationship between the selected candidate and the destination individual. If such a relationship exists, a user is alerted. If no such relationship exists, then a new set of candidates is retrieved based on the selected candidate.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting user-generated content in as easily accessible manner using an interactive media guide are provided. In particular, a user may be able to peruse user-generated content through an interactive media guide which is also used to access non-user-generated media content such as linear programming (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, cable, and satellite scheduled programming) and on-demand media. The interactive media guide may include a provider of user-generated content populated with user-generated content according to the user's interests or most recently added to the provider.

Abstract: Methods and systems of providing a game in an interactive media application based on information stored in a database are provided. The game is provided in part by using a database to select a source individual and a destination individual. Based on the source individual and information stored in a database and associated therewith, a plurality of associated candidates are selected, each of which has a defined relationship with the source individual. Representations of the source individual, the destination individual, and the first plurality of candidates are provided on a display. Based on user input, one candidate of the first plurality of candidates is selected, and it is determined whether the database defines a relationship between the selected candidate and the destination individual. If such a relationship exists, a user is alerted. If no such relationship exists, then a new set of candidates is retrieved based on the selected candidate.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for playing media assets in a vehicle. A signal indicating the existence of a voice call is detected in a vehicle. It is determined whether a portable device inside the vehicle is outputting audio to a first audio device. If a portable device is outputting audio to a first audio device, the audio level of the output audio component is compared with an audio level threshold to determine whether the output of the audio component to the first audio device interferes with audio output of the call. If the output audio component is determined to interfere with the audio output of the call, the audio component output through the first audio device is repressed. If the output audio component is determined to not interfere with the audio output of the call, the audio component is output through the first audio device without interruption.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting user-generated content in an easily accessible manner using an interactive media guide are provided. In particular, a user may be able to peruse user-generated content through an interactive media guide which is also used to access non-user-generated media content such as linear programming (e.g., over-the-air broadcast, cable, and satellite scheduled programming) and on-demand media. The interactive media guide may include a provider of user-generated content populated with user-generated content according to the user's interests or most recently added to the provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating online user generated media content (e.g., videos) into an interactive video gaming environment are provided. Media assets that are associated with different measures of quality generated by users are stored on a remote server. A player action is received by the remote server. A determination is made as to which one of the plurality of levels of the interactive video gaming environment corresponds to the action. One of the videos associated with one of the measures of quality is selected based on the determination of the level corresponding to the action. The selected video is transmitted to the player.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating hints for a player with an interactive video gaming environment are provided. A plurality of videos from users is received at a remote server. Each of the plurality of videos includes a hint that corresponds to a different one of a plurality of segments within the interactive video gaming environment. An action relating to game play in the interactive video gaming environment is received at the remote server from player equipment. A determination is made as to whether the action is associated with one of the plurality of segments. In response to determining the action is associated with one of the plurality of segments, one of the plurality of videos that includes the hint that corresponds to the one of the plurality of segments associated with the action is selected. The selected one of the plurality of videos is transmitted to the player equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for playing media assets in a vehicle. A signal indicating the existence of a voice call is detected in a vehicle. It is determined whether a portable device inside the vehicle is outputting audio to a first audio device. If a portable device is outputting audio to a first audio device, the audio level of the output audio component is compared with an audio level threshold to determine whether the output of the audio component to the first audio device interferes with audio output of the call. If the output audio component is determined to interfere with the audio output of the call, the audio component output through the first audio device is repressed. If the output audio component is determined to not interfere with the audio output of the call, the audio component is output through the first audio device without interruption.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for allocating and assigning seats within a venue, based on user profile information. A cluster of user profiles is selected based on a correlation of values of a common attribute of the user profiles. Seats within the venue are allocated to a first zone based on the correlation, and are assigned to users associated with the user profiles.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for a guidance application capable of coordinating the interior features of a vehicle (e.g., the heating/cooling system, automatic windows, automatic seats, automatic sunroof, seat heaters, etc.) to produce the current environmental conditions (e.g., sunshine, heat, wind, etc.) displayed in a media asset being accessed in the vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for incorporating online user generated media content (e.g., videos) into an interactive video gaming environment are provided. Media assets that are associated with different measures of quality generated by users are stored on a remote server. A player action is received by the remote server. A determination is made as to which one of the plurality of levels of the interactive video gaming environment corresponds to the action. One of the videos associated with one of the measures of quality is selected based on the determination of the level corresponding to the action. The selected video is transmitted to the player.

Abstract: A system for providing an interactive look-and-feel in a digital video broadcast via an X-Y protocol is provided. At a head-end, video information is digitized and associated with private data, such as event identifications, X-Y coordinates, link event identification and synchronization data. This information is then transmitted to a receiving end and is input into a set-top box. The set-top box receives the broadcast digital signal and includes a member for receiving the broadcast digital signal and generating a playable signal including indicia of the link data. The playable signal is then played on a playing device. The user is provided with a remote control or similar input device for selecting from the indicia. Upon selection of a desired indicia, the user may exercise the predetermined link associated with the selected indicia in order to obtain the desired playable signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating hints for a player with an interactive video gaming environment are provided. A plurality of videos from users is received at a remote server. Each of the plurality of videos includes a hint that corresponds to a different one of a plurality of segments within the interactive video gaming environment. An action relating to game play in the interactive video gaming environment is received at the remote server from player equipment. A determination is made as to whether the action is associated with one of the plurality of segments. In response to determining the action is associated with one of the plurality of segments, one of the plurality of videos that includes the hint that corresponds to the one of the plurality of segments associated with the action is selected. The selected one of the plurality of videos is transmitted to the player equipment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing individualized content controls of media assets are provided. In certain embodiments, a processing device delivers a first media asset to a first user using a first presentation device of an electronic media device. The processing device receives a signal indicative of a second user in proximity to the electronic media device, and, in response, accesses a profile associated with the second user. While continuing to deliver the first media asset, the processing device delivers a second media asset to the second user that satisfies the media access permissions of the second user profile using a second presentation device of the electronic media device. The second media asset may be a modified version of the first media asset.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods and systems for synchronizing simultaneous media asset viewing for users at different geographical viewing locations. In some embodiments, a first user device receives a request to synchronize viewing of a media asset with a second user device. Control circuitry may automatically determine that the media asset is available to the second user device after becoming available to the first user device. Based on the determining, the control circuitry may automatically schedule the media asset for recording on the first user device. In some embodiments, control circuitry synchronizes viewing of the media asset when the media access becomes available to the second user device. The second user device may access a video feed transmitted by a media source, while the first user device accesses a video feed of a recorded media asset.