Abstract: An example method includes creating, by a computing system and in response to user input, one or more virtual master devices and a plurality of virtual leaf devices in a virtual network system; selecting, by the computing system, data from one or more of real-time clock offset data, prerecorded clock offset data, or synthetically generated clock offset data; executing, by the computing system, a time synchronization simulation by applying a predefined clock offset generation algorithm to the selected data; and outputting, by the computing system, data indicative of results of the time synchronization simulation.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and systems for performing time synchronization in a heterogeneous system. In one example, a method includes evaluating, by a computing system, one or more network conditions of a network to determine whether to perform a time synchronization process with a secondary device in the network, wherein the one or more network conditions include a health score for the secondary device, and, in response to determining, based on the evaluation of the one or more network conditions, to perform the time synchronization process: determining based at least in part on a time indication for a clock on a master device and a time indication for a clock on the secondary device, a time synchronization offset for the secondary device; and sending the time synchronization offset for the secondary device to the secondary device in a data packet.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and systems for performing time synchronization in a heterogeneous system. In one example, a method includes, for each secondary device of one or more secondary devices in a network, determining, by a computing system, one or more time synchronization characteristics for the respective secondary device; and generating, by the computing system and based on at least the respective one or more time synchronization characteristics for each respective secondary device of the one or more secondary devices in the network, a time synchronization report for the network, wherein the one or more time synchronization characteristics include health data for the one or more secondary device.

Abstract: The disclosure describes methods and systems for performing time synchronization in a heterogeneous system. In one example, a method includes, for each secondary device of a plurality of secondary devices in a network: determining, by a computing system and based at least in part on a time indication for a clock on a master device and a time indication for a clock on a secondary device in the network, a time synchronization offset for the respective secondary device; collecting, from the respective secondary device, one or more static parameters and one or more dynamic parameters; determining, based on the one or more parameters, a weight to associate with the time synchronization offset for the respective secondary device; determining, based on each of the respective time synchronization offset for each of the plurality of secondary devices and the respective associated weight, a universal time synchronization offset for the network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus wherein a plurality of functions are implemented on a multimedia presentation device. A user can access several of the functions by depressing a single button. A particular function is specified by the duration of the button depression. For one embodiment the functions affect a favorite program list and allow a user to access the list, update the list, and delete entries from the list depending upon button depression duration. For example, the user may depress button number (#) 3 of a remote control device. A brief depression (e.g., less than 1 second), results in the remote control interpreting this click as a digit for selecting a channel, and the system will tune to channel #3. A longer depression (e.g., between 1 and 2 seconds), results in the system recalling previously programmed selection #3. Likewise, other functions are implemented by depression the button for various durations.

Abstract: An electronic programming guide (“EPG”) provides pictograms and/or logos, to indicate to a television viewer the programs being displayed on a television. The EPG information display format is thus easier to recognize than prior EPG formats. The EPG pictograms may have 3D characteristics. The EPG information can be displayed in a window within a television screen while a program is being shown on the remainder of the screen. The EPG comprises a set of geometric surfaces located in virtual 3D space. The pictograms and/or logos, along with alpha-numeric text data and video clips are applied to the geometric surfaces using a 3D graphics pipeline. The appearance of the pictograms, logos, alpha-numeric data and/or video clips can be modified in response to a user actuating a control element on a remote controller. In one embodiment, internet HTML pages are parsed and applied to geometric surfaces in 3D virtual space.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying titles of recorded content based on a user's access level. In one embodiment, a plurality of user identifications is received. Each of the user identifications may be associated with one of a plurality of access levels. Login information corresponding to a user may be received and a user interface may be generated. The user interface may display one or more titles corresponding to recorded content. The one or more titles displayed on the user interface may be based on an access level associated with the user.

Abstract: A content listing may provide a listing of content items a variety of ways including using 3-D images, alphanumeric text, and video data. Viewers and/or programmers may be allowed to select between varying display environment. In addition, non-content listing objects, such as interaction objects, may be conflated with the presentation of the display environment and with the content listing information.

Abstract: Method and system for enabling users to perform self-service operations in interactive TV environments. In one embodiment, the method enables users to select and activate programming channels via a content receiving device, thereby eliminating the need for the users to have to call a call center or content provider to activate previously unavailable or inaccessible content. Using a set of interactive screens, the user is enabled to view programming channel information, including comparative information. In one embodiment, the method assists users who are moving to activate/reactive programming and content services. For example, options are provided to enable the user to schedule service work, disconnect and activate services, and other activities connected with the move. In another embodiment, the method enables a user to select a programming channel based on channels that are recommended by the system.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable media, and Apparatus is provided for viewing a second content item while a first content item plays an advertisement. When the first content item is changed to a second content item on a display, a window region displays an advertising item related to the advertisement. The advertising item in the window region is modified when the advertisement has ended, alerting the user the advertisement is over. In another embodiment, the advertisement comprises a first and second commercial played in succession, and the advertising item in the window region comprises a first and second product item. In this embodiment, the window region displays the first product item when the first commercial is played in the advertisement, and the second product item when the second commercial plays in the advertisement.

Abstract: Methods and system for controlling access to viewable content on an individual title basis. In one embodiment, the method enables a user, such as a parent, to assign passwords to individual titles, thereby preventing unauthorized users, such as children, from viewing content corresponding to a selected title while enabling authorized users to view the content via correct entry of the password. In another embodiment, the method enables an administrative user (e.g., parent) to define allowed access levels and assign the same to various users of the system. The administrative user is also enabled to assign access levels to individual titles. In response to a user selection to view a title, the system identifies the user and determines whether the user is authorized to view the content based on the access level assigned to the title and any allowed access levels assigned to the user. The system includes set-top boxes and the like that may be used to implement the methods.

Abstract: An EPG to display programming information in a variety of ways including using 3-D images, alphanumeric text, and video data. In addition, non-EPG objects, such as interaction objects, may be conflated with the presentation of the world and with the program schedule information. A communication module in the EPG receives localized content containing multiple objects from one or more servers coupled to a network. Users may interact with the content (e.g., buy and sell goods and services from local franchises) through a user-interface coupled to the EPG.

Abstract: An image-oriented electronic programming guide system is provided in which programming choices are represented as reduced video images of real-time programming displayed in individual image areas comprising one or more independent or geometric surfaces. The reduced video images may be snapshots captured from a standard video channel and updated at regular intervals or after detecting a scene change in the real-time programming. The most presentable snapshot may be further filtered to represent the real-time programming in the best manner. The reduced video images may also be thumbnail video streams selected from an enhanced preview channel.

Abstract: A second set of broadcasted programs is added to a first set of broadcasted programs. The second set of broadcasted programs includes broadcasted programs viewed by a viewer for a period of time at least equal to a first threshold. A third set of broadcasted programs is removed from the first set of broadcasted programs. The third set of broadcasted programs includes broadcasted programs not viewed by a viewer for a period of time at least equal to a second threshold. In one embodiment, a fourth set of broadcasted programs selected by the viewer is added to the first set of broadcasted programs. In one embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are updated upon the viewer indicating dissatisfaction. In one embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are updated upon the viewer returning to a schedule list more than a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: A system and method for prioritizing the insertion of recorded media into a broadcast stream according to a comparison of priority indicators in the broadcast stream and in the recorded media insertion. The recorded media insertion may be multi-media in nature.

Abstract: A second set of broadcasted programs is added to a first set of broadcasted programs. The second set of broadcasted programs includes broadcasted programs viewed by a viewer for a period of time at least equal to a first threshold. A third set of broadcasted programs is removed from the first set of broadcasted programs. The third set of broadcasted programs includes broadcasted programs not viewed by a viewer for a period of time at least equal to a second threshold. In one embodiment, a fourth set of broadcasted programs selected by the viewer is added to the first set of broadcasted programs. In one embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are updated upon the viewer indicating dissatisfaction. In one embodiment, the first threshold and the second threshold are updated upon the viewer returning to a schedule list more than a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: This invention provides a television schedule system and process that allows an electronic programming guide designer to add a capability to change program listing appearance adaptively, based on a signal from a user or broadcaster.

Abstract: A system for identifying prior selection of specific display information on an EPG. In one embodiment, a user selects an object on a screen, and upon selection of the object, an attribute of the object (e.g., color, transparency, etc.) is modified. The modified value is saved into memory so the user may later identify that the specific object was selected. Each subsequent selection will modify the attribute further, allowing the user to identity that the object was selected a number of times. In one embodiment, the attribute will continue to be modified until a specific expiration limit has been reached.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a television electronic programming guide that allows users to combine multiple search criteria within a single search. The electronic program guide receives a television program search criteria set containing a plurality of search criteria and provides a search result set containing television programs that meet the television program search criteria set. The search criteria in the television program search criteria set may be combined in various ways to form a complex search. For one embodiment the search criteria are combined in a Boolean AND combination. One embodiment of the present invention provides a television electronic programming guide that allows users to dynamically add or remove search criteria from a programming guide search without initiating a new programming guide search. The electronic program guide receives a revision to the television program search criteria set, and revises the search result based upon the revision.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying titles of recorded content based on a user's access level. In one embodiment, a plurality of user identifications is received. Each of the user identifications may be associated with one of a plurality of access levels. Login information corresponding to a user may be received and a user interface may be generated. The user interface may display one or more titles corresponding to recorded content. The one or more titles displayed on the user interface may be based on an access level associated with the user.