Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080229257 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING SCREENSAVERS - A system and method for presenting screensavers is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a controller element that presents at a media device one or more screensavers contextually associated with a paused media program. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080229362 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING INTERACTIVE TELEVISION INTERFACES - A method and system for presenting interactive Television (iTV) interfaces is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an interactive Television (iTV) subsystem having a controller element that presents one among a plurality of selectable user interfaces (UIs) each having a selectable help menu contextually adaptable to its UI. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080229372 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING MEDIA PROGRAMS - A method and system for delivering media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimedia system having a controller element that receives a transmission request for each of a plurality of media programs, receives a desired viewing time for each of the plurality of media programs, prioritizes an order for transmitting the plurality of media programs according to their respective desired viewing times, and transmits to a presentation device the plurality of media programs according to the prioritized order of transmission for presenting said media programs at a media device coupled to the presentation device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-18-2008 |
20080242357 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FULFILLING PURCHASES - A method and apparatus for fulfilling purchases is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure can include, for example, a portable communication device having a controller element that receives from an online system a barcode image as an object of acknowledgment of a product purchased from said online system, and presents on a display of the portable communication device said barcode image to complete a purchase fulfillment process by way of at least one among a visual inspection of the barcode image by a merchant employee and processing of said barcode image by a point of sale (POS) device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 10-02-2008 |
20080244668 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR SEARCHING MEDIA STATIONS - A system and apparatus for searching media stations is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a video processor that presents multimedia programs at a media device, and a controller element that manages operations of the video processor and searches for a broadcast channel associated with a media station according to a search string corresponding to one among a name of the media station, and call letters of the media station. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 10-02-2008 |
20080263608 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PROGRESSIVELY DOWNLOADED MEDIA PROGRAMS - A system and method for presenting progressively downloaded media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Set-Top Box (STB) having a controller element to determine a length of a media program from a catalog of media programs and present according to said length a portion of the media program while it is being delivered to the STB by a media delivery system. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-23-2008 |
20080263618 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA PROGRAMS - A system for presenting media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimedia system having a controller element to receive a request from a set-top box (STB) for an emulator that emulates a user interface of a media player, wherein the request identifies the media player, retrieve the emulator according to the identification of the media player, and transmit to the STB the emulator for emulating the user interface of the media player by way of the STB. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 10-23-2008 |
20080271091 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING DELIVERY OF MEDIA SERVICES - A system and apparatus for enhancing delivery of media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box that can have a controller element to present at a media device content information received over a broadband connection. The content information can be associated with at least one satellite service presented to the media device over satellite signals disassociated with the broadband connection. The content information can also be received responsive to a request for said content information. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 10-30-2008 |
20080298388 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING MEDIA SERVICES - A system and method for configuring media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-04-2008 |
20090019480 | SYSTEM FOR REMOTE ACCESS OF MEDIA SERVICES - A system for remote access of media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to present at a communication device one or more manageable services of a Set-Top Box operating in an Internet Protocol Television media system. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-15-2009 |
20090019481 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-15-2009 |
20090019483 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE IN A MEDIA SYSTEM - A system for presenting an electronic programming guide in a media system is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver having a controller element to transmit to a portal information associated with an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). The portal processes the information to present a Graphical User Interface (GUI) window corresponding to a slideable canvas of the EPG in an Internet browser of a communication device requesting the EPG. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-15-2009 |
20090019497 | SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURING SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SERVICES - A system for configuring satellite communication services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of a satellite media receiver operating in a satellite communication system. The installation of the satellite media receiver can be detected by way of a broadband port of said satellite media receiver when coupled to a local area network accessible by the portal. The controller element can also adapt at least a portion of said portal according to said installation. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-15-2009 |
20090019507 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA SERVICES - A system for presenting media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-15-2009 |
20090025036 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING AN ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDE IN A SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system for presenting an electronic programming guide in a satellite communication system is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a satellite media receiver having a controller element to transmit to a portal information associated with an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG). The portal can process the information to present a Graphical User Interface (GUI) window corresponding to a slideable canvas of the EPG in an Internet browser of a communication device requesting the EPG. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-22-2009 |
20090025055 | SYSTEM FOR REMOTE ACCESS OF SATELLITE MEDIA SERVICES - A system for remote access of satellite communication services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to present at a communication device one or more manageable services of a satellite media receiver operating in a satellite communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-22-2009 |
20090046987 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING RECORDING CONFLICTS OF MEDIA PROGRAMS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller to detect a recording conflict between a schedule change of a first media program and a scheduled recording of a second media program. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-19-2009 |
20090049399 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE WINDOWS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller to present portions of media content over a plurality of Graphical User Interface (GUI) windows some of which are anchored to each other, adjust a select one of the plurality GUI windows responsive to receiving a dimensional adjustment request, and counter adjust a dimension of at least one of the other anchored GUI windows according to the adjusted dimension of the select GUI window. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-19-2009 |
20090049402 | SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller element to compare a first portion of metadata associated with media content under presentation with a second portion of metadata of each of one or more media content sources to present one or more alternative sources of related media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-19-2009 |
20090049490 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller element to receive a tout message associated with a media content item, and present the tout message with a selectable Internet link having one or more instructions for directing a set-top box (STB) receiver of a subscriber of the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-19-2009 |
20090049493 | SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a slave Set-Top Box (STB) receiver having a controller adapted to transmit a request for presentation to a master STB receiver to present one or more media content items stored in the master media STB receiver, select one among the one or more media content items presented by the master STB receiver, transmit to the master STB receiver a request for transmission of a select one of the one or more media content items, and receive from the master STB receiver the requested media content item in a progressive download format so that a portion of the requested media content item can be presented by the slave STB receiver while the remainder of the requested media content item is transmitted. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-19-2009 |
20090049506 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING A CONFIGURATION OF A MEDIA CONTENT PROCESSOR - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller adapted to transmit to a web server one or more configurations of said media content processor. The web server can record said one or more configurations to perform one among re-provisioning of the media content processor after it experiences a loss of configuration information and provisioning of another media content processor. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-19-2009 |
20090063581 | SYSTEM FOR TRACKING MEDIA CONTENT TRANSACTIONS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a web server having a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber, and record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090063969 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING SET TOP BOX ASSISTANCE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to monitor for a tutorial request from a set top box coupled to a monitor display where the tutorial request is associated with use of the set top box, determine a tutorial type based on the tutorial request, and establish real time communication using a first webcam coupled to the set top box and a second webcam coupled to a communication device at a support center when the tutorial type is a video conference. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064238 | SYSTEM FOR MITIGATING SIGNAL INTERRUPTION IN A SATELLITE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a satellite media receiver having a controller adapted to detect a service outage associated with a media program derived from satellite signals supplied to a satellite port of the satellite media receiver, and transmit a request for a portion of the media program for delivery to a broadband port of the satellite media receiver to mitigate the service outage. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090064240 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING STATUS INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A MEDIA CONTENT PROCESSOR - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller adapted to monitor one or more activities taking place at a media content processor, and present an iconic symbol in a graphical user interface window adjusted according to the one or more activities being monitored. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-05-2009 |
20090070408 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING DELIVERY OF MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to receive primary multimedia content from available multimedia content where a determination of the primary multimedia content is based at least in part on monitored user activity associated with the set top box, store the primary multimedia content, and present the primary multimedia content in response to a request from a user. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070839 | SYSTEM FOR ADJUSTING ENCODING RATES BETWEEN COMMUNICATION DEVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first communication device having a controller adapted to determine whether a second communication device is operating within or remote to a local area network of the first communication device, determine an encoding rate according to said determination, and transmit to the second communication device streamed media content according to said encoding rate. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090070845 | SYSTEM FOR EXCHANGING MEDIA CONTENT BETWEEN A MEDIA CONTENT PROCESSOR AND A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller adapted to detect an event associated with recorded media content derived from one among a plurality of media content sources, select a communication device of a subscriber of the media content processor, retrieve a portion of the recorded media content, generate a notice describing the event, and transmit the notice with the portion of the recorded media content to the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-12-2009 |
20090074164 | SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING A CALLING PARTY - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller adapted to establish communications with a voicemail system, receive a caller identification (ID) associated with a voicemail message stored in the voicemail system, detect a match between the caller ID and one among one or more communication identifiers recorded in an entry of an address book, retrieve an image excerpt associated with the entry of the address book, present the image excerpt at a media device to identify a calling party that recorded the voicemail message. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077610 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to generate a playlist that identifies multimedia content and to provide access to the playlist in response to a request for access, where the request for access is transmitted over the Internet, and where the multimedia content is stored remotely from the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090077614 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING SET TOP BOXES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to eliminate a scheduled recording of a targeted media program, where the scheduled recording is a redundant recording of the targeted media program that is determined based upon monitoring of recordings of media programs by a group of set top boxes in communication with each other over a network, where another set top box of the group of set top boxes is designated as a host set top box to record the targeted media program, and where the controller is provided access to the targeted media program by the host set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-19-2009 |
20090100019 | Multi-Dimensional Search Results Adjustment System - A search query comprising a plurality of search terms is used to generate a plurality of search results. The search query, in its entirety, is represented by an object in multi-dimensional space. The multi-dimensional space comprises a plurality of dimensions to represent a plurality of search criteria, respectively. The object has a position in the multi-dimensional space based on values of the search criteria. The object is manipulated simultaneously in at least two dimensions of the multi-dimensional space to simultaneously modify respective values of at least two of the search criteria. The search results are filtered based on the modified values of the search criteria to produce a subset of the search results, and the subset is displayed. | 04-16-2009 |
20090187944 | System and Method of Providing Recommendations Related to a Service System - A method of providing recommendations related to a service is disclosed and includes receiving data from a device associated with a service subscriber, the data identifying an individual. The method also includes creating a personalization profile associated with the service subscriber. The personalization profile is populated with information included in a profile of the identified individual. The method further includes providing at least one recommendation based on the personalization profile of the service subscriber. | 07-23-2009 |
20090190734 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALL HANDLING - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing element in a communication system having a controller to detect an incoming call directed to a called party, retrieve presence information associated with a plurality of communication devices of the called party, retrieve presence information of a calling party initiating the incoming call, and determine from the presence information of the called party, the presence information of the calling party, and a call processing profile of the called party how to respond to the incoming call. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
20090192870 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING CONSUMPTION OF MARKETING CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a monitoring system having a controller to receive a consumption notice indicating whether marketing content supplied by a media communication system to a media processor has been properly consumed by the media processor according to a presentation time indicator associated with the marketing content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193453 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HARVESTING ADVERTISING DATA FOR DYNAMIC PLACEMENT INTO END USER DATA STREAMS - A method is disclosed for selecting advertising data at an end user device, the method comprising monitoring a plurality of advertising data items in a first video data stream at the end user device; correlating advertising characterization data for the advertising data item with end user profile data for an end user at the end user device; and selecting based on the correlating at least one of the plurality of advertising data items for presentation during display of a second video data stream at the end user device. A system is disclosed for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193482 | System and Method of Scheduling Recording of Media Content - A method at a set-top box. The method includes receiving a signal including media content. The method also includes determining a signal quality metric of the first signal. The method also includes scheduling recording of the media content via a second signal after determining that the signal quality metric of the first signal is below a specified threshold. | 07-30-2009 |
20090193489 | SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURING A MEDIA PROCESSOR - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor communicatively coupled to a remote controller by way of a wireless interface. The media processor can have a controller to wirelessly transmit to the remote controller provisioning information stored in the media processor for restoring at least a portion of the provisioning information stored in the media processor. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-30-2009 |
20090198588 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a registration system having a controller to register a purchase of media content housed in a physical medium with one or more media sources to authorize a consumer of the purchased media content to electronically access from the one or more media sources at least a portion of media content that is similar to or a replica of the purchased media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199234 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MARKETING CONTENT IN A PERSONAL TELEVISION CHANNEL - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive media content from a subscriber of a media communication system, receive marketing content from a marketing information source, and present the media content and the marketing content in a personal TV channel. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199237 | System and Method of Recording Television Content - A method of recording television content is disclosed and includes receiving one or more television program search criteria from a set-top box device at a recurrent searching system. The method also includes storing the one or more search criteria at the recurrent searching system. Further, the method includes performing a first search of electronic program guide (EPG) data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria and performing at least one additional search of EPG data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria after the first search. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199245 | System and Method of Delivering Television Content - A computer-readable medium is disclosed and includes processor-readable instructions executable by a processor to perform a method. The method includes sending a request for television content from a first device that is not equipped with a television tuner to a second device that is equipped with at least one television tuner via a wireless local area network (WLAN). The method also includes receiving the television content at the first device directly from the second device via the WLAN. The television content is received at the second device via the at least one television tuner. Further, the method includes outputting the television content at the first device. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199254 | MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT FOR A PERSONAL TELEVISION CHANNEL - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to categorize media content of a subscriber according to one or more image features, and present at least a portion of the categorized media content in a personal television channel procured by the subscriber from a service provider of a media communication system. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199256 | System and Method of Receiving Over-The-Air Television Content - A method of receiving over-the-air television content is disclosed and includes receiving input indicating a requested channel at a set-top box device. The set-top box device is coupled to a television via a first connection adapted to send television content to the television and via a second connection adapted to send data to, and receive data from, the television. The method also includes sending a control command from the set-top box device to the television via the second connection. The control command indicates that the television is to tune an over-the-air tuner at the television to the requested channel. | 08-06-2009 |
20090199257 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT FROM AN OPTICAL DRIVE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to read media content from an optical storage medium inserted into an optical drive of the communication device, obtain one or more preferences of a set top box for presentation of the media content, adjust the media content from a current format into a target format based at least in part on the one or more preferences, and transmit the media content in the target format to the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-06-2009 |
20090204487 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING PARTIAL ADVERTISING DATA DURING TRICK PLAY - A method is disclosed including but not limited to initiating a trick play command having a trick play duration at the end user device during replay of video data an end user device main display; presenting an advertising data item having an advertising duration during execution of the trick play command; and presenting a remaining portion of the advertising data on a picture in picture (PIP) display on the main display after expiration of the trick play duration. A system is provided for executing the method. A data structure is provided in a computer readable medium for containing data used by the system and method. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204989 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to obtain display parameters associated with a display device, adjust a format of media content at the set top box based at least in part on the display parameters where the adjustment is of one or more portions of a display of the media content, and transmit the media content from the set top box to the display device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204991 | Systems and Methods for Sorting Programming Search Results - A set top box includes a processor. The processor is configured to identify first and second instances of a show, and retrieve feature information for the first and second instances. The processor is further configured to sort the first and second instances into a list based on the feature information according to a user defined criteria and display the list. | 08-13-2009 |
20090204993 | System and Method of Applying User Profiles at a Set-Top Box Device - A method of applying user profiles at a set-top box device includes receiving data associated with each of a plurality of user profiles at the set-top box device, the plurality of user profiles including a default profile and a supplemental profile. The method also includes automatically applying the supplemental profile to at least one set-top box action after a start time associated with the supplemental profile occurs. Further, the method includes automatically applying the default profile to the at least one set-top box action after an end time associated with the supplemental profile occurs. | 08-13-2009 |
20090210300 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING ADVERTISING DATA BASED ON END USER TRICK-PLAY TREND DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing a computer program including but not limited to computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer are useful in performing a method for presenting advertising data, the method including but not limited to sensing current trick-play command data at an end user device; updating trick-play trend data for the end user device based on the current trick-play command data; and adjusting a number of advertising data items in an advertising data buffer presented at the end user device based on the trick-play trend data. A system is disclosed useful for performing the method. A data structure is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210477 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the MDS, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210903 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a graphic user interface (GUI) for customizing an electronic programming guide (EPG), the GUI including a plurality of scrollable media channels, each media channel accompanied by an image, a description of the media channel, an option to select the media channel for inclusion in the EPG, a first button to customize the EPG according to one or more media channels selected, and a second button to request additional information about a media channel highlighted in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210909 | Internet Media Via an Electronic Programming Guide - A set top box includes a processor configured to provide an electronic programming guide to available television programming, and list content available from the Internet within the electronic programming guide. | 08-20-2009 |
20090210922 | SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURING SOFT KEYS IN A MEDIA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, set top box (STB) having a controller to record one or more soft key preferences associated with a user of the STB for each of a plurality of media presentation states of a media communication system, receive a request for presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with one of the media presentation states, select one or more soft keys according to the one or more soft key preferences assigned to the requested media presentation state, and present the selected one or more soft keys in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-20-2009 |
20090217317 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING MARKETABLE ITEMS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-27-2009 |
20090217321 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box (STB) operating in an interactive television communication system having a controller to receive metadata describing a charitable media program associated with a charitable organization, present images of the charitable media program and a selectable graphical user interface (GUI) element, detect a transition event in the presentation of the charitable media program according to the metadata or a selection of the GUI element, and present a GUI to enable a viewer to make a charitable contribution by way of the STB. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-27-2009 |
20090222854 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING ADVERTISING DATA DURING TRICK PLAY COMMAND EXECUTION - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method for presenting advertising data, the method including but not limited to receiving a video data stream at an end user device, receiving a video data stream at an end user device; recognizing a pattern in the video data stream indicating a particular arrangement of objects in the video data stream as scene start data; placing scene start marker data in the video data stream at the scene start data; receiving end user trick play command data during presentation of the video data stream at the end user device; and moving to the scene start marker data in the video data in response to the end user trick play command data. A system is disclosed for executing the method. A data structure is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 09-03-2009 |
20090235307 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMPENSATING USERS FOR ADVERTISING DATA IN A COMMUNITY OF END USERS - A computer readable medium is disclosed, containing instructions useful in performing a method for sending advertising data, the method comprising measuring user-to-user connectivity between users within a community of users; determining a plurality of highly connected users (HCUs) based on the user-to-user connectivity; and sending advertising data to selected HCUs based on a zone of influence (ZOI) for each HCU. A system useful in performing the method is disclosed. | 09-17-2009 |
20090241143 | Method and System for Providing Set-Top Box Remote Access Functions in a Browser Extension - A method and a system for providing remote set-top box access functions in an Internet browser extension is disclosed. Web page content of a currently viewed web page is compared to an entertainment content database. The web page content is determined to be associated with entertainment content in the entertainment content database. Also, it is determined that there is a media manipulation action for the entertainment content, and a notification that the media manipulation action is available for the entertainment content is displayed. | 09-24-2009 |
20090241150 | Method and System for Providing Set-Top Box Remote Access Functions in a Browser Extension Based on Advertising Metadata - A method and a system for providing remote set-top box access functions in an Internet browser extension based on advertisement metadata is disclosed. A meta-data tag associated with an advertisement embedded on a currently viewed web page is scanned. It is determined that the meta-data tag is related to entertainment content. A media manipulation action for the entertainment content is determined. A notification that the media manipulation action is available for the entertainment content is displayed. Controls to store the media manipulation action on a user account are provided, and the manipulation action is stored to the user account. | 09-24-2009 |
20090249242 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE IN A MEDIA PROCESSOR - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present one of a plurality of graphical user interfaces (GUIs) with a keyboard for entering characters in a GUI field element presented in the GUI, identify a library of possible word constructs, detect a character selected from the keyboard, predict from the character selection one or more word constructs from the library of possible word constructs, present the one or more word constructs in the GUI, eliminate one or more characters from the keyboard according to the predicted one or more word constructs, and reduce a size of the keyboard responsive to removing the one or more characters. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090249428 | System and method of interacting with home automation systems via a set-top box device - A method of interacting with home automation systems via a set-top box device is disclosed and includes receiving data at a set-top box device from one of a plurality of home automation systems communicating with the set-top box device. The data indicating that a triggering event has been detected at the home automation system. The method also includes sending an alert to a display device coupled to the set-top box device indicating that the triggering event has occurred. | 10-01-2009 |
20090271817 | Systems and Methods for Searching Based on Information in Commercials - A set top box includes a processor configured to detect a commercial and analyze the commercial to identify an advertised video content. The processor is further configured to search an electronic programming guide for availability of the video content and record the video content in response to a user input. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271819 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENDING ADVERTISING DATA BASED ON DATA ASSOCIATED WITH VIDEO DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to monitoring video data for advertising data keys; correlating the advertising data keys with penetration data for an end user; and selecting advertising data for the end user based on the correlation. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed that contains data used by the system and method. | 10-29-2009 |
20090271830 | METHODS AND APPARATUS TO CONFIGURE BROADBAND-ENABLED ENTERTAINMENT SYSTEMS - Methods and apparatus to configure broadband-enabled entertainment systems are disclosed. An example method comprises presenting a first user interface to enable a user to configure a communication service between a residential gateway and a service provider, detecting a set-top box communicatively coupled to the residential gateway, directing the set-top box to present a second user interface, the second user interface to accept a security key to enable communication between the residential gateway and the set-top box, and presenting a third user interface to provide the security key to the user and to instruct the user to utilize the second user interface to provide the security key to the set-top box. | 10-29-2009 |
20090276806 | Systems and Methods for Identifying Content - A set top box includes a processor. The processor is configured to provide an electronic programming guide including a listing of channels, and to identify a plurality of shows matching a user defined criteria. The processor is further configured to sort the listing of channels based on a scheduled start time of the identified shows. | 11-05-2009 |
20090282435 | Video Program Sequenced Output - A method is disclosed and includes receiving a selection of a first video program, receiving a selection of a linking command to link the first video program to a second video program, receiving a user request to output the first video program to a display device, and outputting the first video program in response to the user request. The method further includes after displaying the first video program, automatically outputting the second video program to the display device without an additional user action. | 11-12-2009 |
20090293088 | Systems and Methods for Remote Access to Programming Information - A method for remotely accessing selected content can include receiving a list of content separate from a video stream. The list of content can include content previously recorded according to a user-defined recording schedule. The method can further include sending a request for content selected from the list of content, receiving the content through a network, and displaying the content. | 11-26-2009 |
20090300695 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF IDENTIFYING EVENTS SCHEDULED AT A MEDIA RECORDER - A system and method of identifying events scheduled at a media recorder. In a particular embodiment, a system to identify events scheduled at a media recorder is disclosed. The system includes an identification module to determine a time interval and an address and to identify one or more media content items scheduled for recording within the time interval. The system also includes a notification module to send a message to the address, the message including scheduling information related to the one or more media content items scheduled for recording within the time interval. | 12-03-2009 |
20090319350 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PRIORITIZED ADVERTISING DATA DURING EXECUTION OF VIDEO TRICK PLAY COMMAND DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to receiving trick play command data at an end user device; receiving a plurality of advertising data at the end user device; correlating the plurality of advertising data with penetration data for an end user associated with the end user device; prioritizing the advertising data for the end user device based on the correlation; and presenting a portion of the advertising data on the end user device based on the prioritizing of the advertising data during execution of the trick play command data. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed that contains data used by the system and method. | 12-24-2009 |
20090325713 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PRIORITIZED ADVERTISING DATA IN A PICTURE IN PICTURE DISPLAY WINDOW DURING EXECUTION OF VIDEO TRICK PLAY COMMAND DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to receiving trick play command data at an end user device; receiving a advertising data at the end user device; correlating the advertising data with penetration data for an end user associated with the end user device; prioritizing the advertising data for the end user device based on the correlation; and presenting a portion of the advertising data in a picture in picture display window on the end user device based on the prioritizing of the advertising data during execution of the trick play command data. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. A data structure embedded in a computer readable medium is disclosed that contains data used by the system and method. | 12-31-2009 |
20100016014 | Mobile Device Interface and Methods Thereof - A mobile communication device is configured to sense a plurality of ambient characteristics using a plurality of sensors. In an embodiment, one or more of the plurality of sensors, such as microphone or camera, can be used for other functions of the mobile communication device. The mobile communication device adjusts one or more user interface characteristics of the mobile communication device based on the sensed plurality of ambient characteristics. The mobile communication device thereby provides for automatic adjustment of various user interface characteristics based on the ambient conditions of the environment around the mobile communication device. | 01-21-2010 |
20100031288 | CUSTOM CONTENT CHANNEL - Methods, systems and computer-readable media to provide custom video content via a custom content channel are disclosed. A method to display custom video content includes receiving a selection of a channel via a set top box (STB) device and determining whether the channel is a custom content channel. The method further includes accessing a play list associated with the custom content channel based on the determination. The play list identifies one or more video files stored at the STB device. The method also includes playing the one or more video files of the custom content channel to a display device coupled to the STB device. | 02-04-2010 |
20100043030 | RECORDATION OF PROGRAM SERIES - Methods, systems and computer-readable media to provide recordation of program series are disclosed. A method of recording programs includes obtaining a record type indication related to a program series from a user via an electronic program guide. The method also includes accessing a watched list of episodes of the program series from a memory of a set top box (STB) device to determine episodes of the program series that the user has not seen. Episodes of the program series that the user has not seen include episodes of the program series that are marked as not watched or episodes that have not been added to the watched list. The method further includes recording at least one episode of the program series based on the determination and updating the watched list to mark that the at least one episode has been recorded. | 02-18-2010 |
20100061567 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN AUDIO SIGNAL FOR AN EVENT - A method and apparatus for providing an audio signal for an event at a venue are disclosed. For example, the method authorizes a customer endpoint device, wherein the authorizing enables the customer endpoint device to decode the audio signal for the event. The method transmits the audio signal for the event at the venue. | 03-11-2010 |
20100064221 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO PROVIDE MEDIA CONTENT - Apparatus and methods to present visual displays are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a method of providing media content is disclosed and includes identifying an available region of a video display. The available region includes a plurality of noncontiguous portions located outside of a first display region of the video display that is to display primary media content. The method also includes aggregating the plurality of noncontiguous portions to produce a second display region of the video display, the second display region including a contiguous portion that is to display secondary media content. | 03-11-2010 |
20100083373 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING USER AUTHORIZATION FROM MOTION OF A GESTURE-BASED CONTROL UNIT - Methods and apparatus for determining user authorization from motion of a gesture-based control unit are disclosed. An example method to determine user authorization from motion of a gesture-based control unit disclosed herein comprises detecting motion of the gesture-based control unit, the motion caused by a user, determining a detected gesture from a sequence of one or more detected motions of the gesture-based control unit, and identifying the user from the detected gesture to determine an authorization for use by the gesture-based control unit. | 04-01-2010 |
20100095243 | Menu Promotions User Interface - A computer implemented method is disclosed. The method includes determining, at a set-top box device, that a plurality of menu items in a menu includes a particular menu item associated with a content item that is to be promoted when displaying the plurality of menu items in the menu. The method further includes displaying the plurality of menu items in the menu. A determination is made at the set top box whether to display a promotion of the content item. In response to determining to display the promotion, the promotion of the content item is displayed beside the plurality of menu items, and a right command is enabled allowing a cursor position to jump directly to the particular menu item from a different menu item of the plurality of menu items. The jump is performed after a single application of the right command, where the different menu item does not have a restriction as to a position in the menu. In response to determining not to display the promotion, the right command is disabled. | 04-15-2010 |
20100226288 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GROUP MEDIA CONSUMPTION - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box comprising a controller to send an invite for participation in a media conference to at least one media device, the media conference comprising a presentation of a media program supplied by an interactive television (iTV) network, receive an acceptance of the invite from at least one accepting media device of the at least one media device, connect the at least one accepting media device to a communications bridge operably coupled to the STB, wherein the communications bridge enables the STB and the at least one accepting media device to engage in one of voice, video, and synthesized speech to text communications, and present the media program with at least a portion of the communications between the STB and the at least one accepting media device during the media conference. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-09-2010 |
20100228547 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING DISCUSSION REGARDING MEDIA PROGRAMS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device, such as a set-top box, including a controller to detect a plurality of users engaging in a voice conference to discuss a presentation of a media program, convert speech dialog detected in the voice conference to textual dialog, detect from the textual dialog a behavioral profile of at least one of the plurality of users, and identify at least one of advertisement content and marketable media content based on the behavioral profile of the at least one user. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-09-2010 |
20100245113 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING A CONTROLLER - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to transmit a first RF signal to a remote control device, wherein the first radio-frequency signal is received by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the remote control device, receive at each of a plurality of receivers operably coupled to the gateway a second RF signal from the RFID tag of the remote control device in response to the first RF signal, determine an approximate location of the remote control device based on at least a portion of the second RF signals received by the plurality of receivers, and transmit a signal to a set-top-box, wherein the signal comprises the approximate location of the remote control device, and wherein the set-top-box displays the approximate location of the remote control device.. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-30-2010 |
20100251299 | System and Method to Send Information Identifying Reccomended Media Content Items - A method includes accessing an electronic program guide (EPG). The method includes identifying recommended media content items using the EPG and selecting one or more addresses of recipients. The method further includes sending information identifying recommended media content items to the selected addresses. | 09-30-2010 |
20100332466 | Multi-Dimensional Search Results Adjustment System - A search based on one or more search terms is performed, and a subset of the returned search results is displayed. It is determined that a user has altered the position of an object located in multidimensional space. A first dimension of the multi-dimensional space corresponds to a variation in degree of a first filter criterion, and a second dimension corresponds to a variation in degree of a second filter criterion. The first and second filter criterion are different from the search terms and are not determined based on the search results. A value corresponding to each of the filter criteria is identified based on the position of the object in the first and second dimension, respectively. The search results are filtered based on each value to generate a second subset of the search results. | 12-30-2010 |
20110047284 | Media Download Method and System Based on Connection Speed - A method and system of offering a video file to a video receiver includes offering a progressive download, but not a non-progressive full download, of the video file to the video receiver via a network connection when a connection speed satisfies a first threshold value. The method includes offering the non-progressive full download, but not the progressive download, of the video file to the video receiver via the network connection when the connection speed is less than a second threshold value. The second threshold value is based on a bit rate at which the video file is encoded. | 02-24-2011 |
20110055016 | METHOD AND APPARATUS TO DISTRIBUTE PROMOTIONAL CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller to receive descriptive information to customize an avatar presented by the computing device, transmit the descriptive information to a system, and receive from the system promotional content correlated to the descriptive information. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-03-2011 |
20110067077 | System and Method of Analyzing Internet Protocol Television Content Credits Information - An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system is disclosed. The system includes a selector module that is adapted to select a content item based upon metadata information associated with the content item and send the content item to a first set-top box. The content is recorded and video information associated with the content item is analyzed using a video interpretation algorithm, and credits information associated with the content item is obtained from the set-top-box. | 03-17-2011 |
20110067078 | System and Method of Proactively Recording to a Digital Video Recorder for Data Analysis - An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system includes a selector module adapted to select content items based upon metadata information associated with the content items, send the content items to a respective set-top box, direct each respective set-top box to record the content item and analyze content information associated with the content item to create an index of the content information, and receive from the set-top boxes the indices of the content information. A method includes selecting a content item based upon metadata information associated with the content item, sending the content item to a set-top box on an IPTV network, directing the set-top box to record the content item, and directing the set-top box to analyze content information associated with the content item to create an index of the content information in response to recording the content item. | 03-17-2011 |
20110067079 | System and Method of Analyzing Internet Protocol Television Content for Closed-Captioning Information - An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system includes a selector module that selects a content item and sends a stream of the content item to a set-top box. The set-top box analyzes content information associated with the content item using a speech interpretation algorithm or a text interpretation algorithm to create an index of the content information and determines to record the content item based upon the index of the content information. A method includes sending a content item from an IPTV network to a set-top box, directing the set-top box to analyze content information associated with the content item using a speech interpretation algorithm or a text interpretation algorithm, and directing the set-top box to record the content item based upon the analysis of the content information. | 03-17-2011 |
20110072456 | System and Method for Substituting Broadband Delivered Advertisements for Expired Advertisements - An Internet Protocol television (IPTV) system includes an advertising module adapted to read metadata information associated with an advertising item included within a content item recorded on a set-top box, determine that the advertising item is expired, and send another advertising item to the set-top box to be played on the set-top box in the place of the first advertising item when the content item is played on the set-top box. A method includes determining that an advertising item that is included within a content item that is recorded on a set-top box is expired, deleting the advertising item from the set-top box, recording a second advertising item on the set-top box, and playing the second advertising item in the place of the first advertising item when the content item is played on the set-top box. | 03-24-2011 |
20110072462 | System and Method to Modify an Electronic Program Guide - A computer-implemented method includes determining, at a set-top box device, first interaction data based on user interaction with a first portion of an electronic program guide that is displayable via the set-top box device. The computer-implemented method includes performing an analysis of the first interaction data and the first portion of the electronic program guide. The computer-implemented method also includes identifying a second portion of the electronic program guide based on the analysis. The computer-implemented method further includes modifying the electronic program guide to display the second portion of the electronic program guide adjacent to a location of the first portion of the electronic program guide. | 03-24-2011 |
20110107373 | System and Method to Facilitate Selection of Episodes of Serial Programs From a Media Service - Systems and methods to facilitate selection of episodes of serial programs from a media service are provided. A particular computer-implemented method includes retrieving a media service favorites list of programs associated with at least one user at a computing device. The media service favorites list includes at least one first serial program selected by at least one user and at least one second serial program selected by a recommendation engine. The method also includes sending from the computing device a display of the media service favorites list to a display device associated with the computing device. The display includes an entry for each of the programs in the media service favorites list and a first selectable indicator associated with each of the serial programs determined to have a new, unviewed episode. | 05-05-2011 |
20110119706 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING DISTRIBUTED MEDIA CONSUMPTION - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a first set-top-box (STB) of a group of STBs, the first STB having a controller to select via a graphical user interface (GUI) a media program and a second STB of the group of STBs for receiving an invitation to participate in a media session, wherein the media session comprises presentation of the media program, transmit the invitation to the second STB of the group of STBs, wherein information associated with the invitation is visually displayed at a third STB of the group of STBs participating in the media session, and present the media program at the first STB during the media session, wherein the media program is presented at the third STB during the media session. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-19-2011 |
20110126233 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a selection from a media device corresponding to a first media content, generating a play list at a server where the play list includes second media content that is associated with the first media content by at least one of genre, artist and being published in temporal proximity, and providing play list content comprising at least a portion of the first and second media content to the media device, where at least one of the generation of the play list and the providing of the play list content is based on metadata pointers associated with the first and second media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-26-2011 |
20110131593 | System and Method for Displaying Media Usage - A system for executing a method is disclosed for monitoring video data, the method including but not limited to monitoring end user activity data for media usage for a plurality of end user client devices associated with a designated group of end users in an internet protocol television (IPTV) system; receiving from a first one of the end user client devices, avatar data indicating at least one search criterion within the end user activity data; searching the end user activity data based on the at least one search criterion; and sending to the first one of the end user client devices, search result data from the search based on the at least one search criterion. | 06-02-2011 |
20110145853 | System and Method for Selectively Receiving Required Satellite Television Channels - A system includes a video-on-demand server and an authentication server. The video-on-demand server is configured to provide video-on-demand content through a broadband connection to a set-top box device. The authentication server is in communication with the video-on-demand server. The authentication server is configured to receive a request to allow access to a video-on-demand package that includes the video-on-demand content, to determine if a user is currently authorized to constantly receive a broadcast package that includes a plurality of broadcast channels related to the video-on-demand content, and to authorize a broadcast channel in the broadcast package when not currently authorized to receive the broadcast package. | 06-16-2011 |
20120005605 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device having a controller to create metadata corresponding to an identity of an entity, incorporate in a media file the metadata that identifies the entity with metadata that describes media content in the media file, and present a graphical user interface depicting a media file directory structure generated according to the metadata that identifies the entity and the metadata that describes media content in the media file. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-05-2012 |
20120030764 | SYSTEM FOR TRACKING MEDIA CONTENT TRANSACTIONS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a web server having a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber, and record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-02-2012 |
20120076285 | ENHANCED CALLER ID WITH RECIPIENT-SELECTED CALLER INFORMATION DISPLAY - A method includes receiving an incoming call at a first device. The method includes determining whether second caller identification information is available at the first device based on first caller identification information received with the incoming call. The method further includes retrieving the second caller identification information in response to determining that the second caller identification information is available at the first device. The method further includes presenting a graphical display at a display device. The graphical display includes a plurality of caller information fields. The plurality of caller information fields are populated based on the first caller identification information and based on the second caller identification information. The graphical display also includes a user selectable edit option to edit the second caller identification information during the incoming call. The method further includes modifying the second caller identification information in response to selection of the user selectable edit option. | 03-29-2012 |
20120109954 | UBIQUITOUS BOOKMARKING - Data for items of information are marked, stored and retrieved. A method for marking, storing and retrieving data for items of information. Markable data is received at an electronic device. The received markable data is marked using an input of the electronic device dedicated to selectively marking received markable data at the discretion of a user of the electronic device. The received marked data is stored as marked data in response to marking the received information. The stored marked data is retrieved using the electronic device. The stored marked data is obtained and presented. | 05-03-2012 |
20120151517 | Apparatus and Method for Managing Media Content - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to generate a playlist that identifies multimedia content and to provide access to the playlist in response to a request for access, where the request for access is transmitted over the Internet, and where the multimedia content is stored remotely from the set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-14-2012 |
20120159551 | System and Method for Providing a Unified Programming Guide - A method includes receiving data associated with a plurality of multimedia channels. The data includes a multimedia channel numbering set. The method includes presenting the data at a display device communicatively coupled to the set-top box device via an electronic programming guide that includes an option to customize the electronic programming guide by genre. The method includes receiving a selection of one or more genres and a particular multimedia content source. The method includes automatically replacing the multimedia channel numbering set with a renumbered multimedia channel numbering set. Multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with the particular multimedia content source are assigned a lower channel number in the renumbered multimedia channel numbering set than other multimedia channels that are associated with the one or more selected genres and that are associated with other multimedia content sources. | 06-21-2012 |
20120198494 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PROGRESSIVELY DOWNLOADED MEDIA PROGRAMS - A system and method for presenting progressively downloaded media programs is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, obtaining an estimated length of a media program where the estimated length is based on a plurality of different reported lengths of the media program in reported media program information, presenting at a display device a portion of the media program while it is being delivered by a media delivery system via a progressive download, and enabling active trick play functions for the media program based on the estimated length of the media program until a true time index is generated using an index file at an end of the progressive download of the media program. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-02-2012 |
20120222073 | System and Method to Send Information Identifying Recommended Media Content Items - A method includes receiving information identifying at least one recommended media content item at a computing device. The information is received from a sender device. The at least one recommended media content item is selected from an electronic program guide and an address associated with the computing device is selected via a graphical user interface at the sender device. The method includes receiving a user selection of at least one item of media content from the at least one recommended media content item. The method includes automatically scheduling recording of the at least one item of media content at a media recorder device when the at least one item of media content is a scheduled program. The method also includes automatically placing the at least one item of media content in an on demand queue when the at least one item of media content includes on demand media content. | 08-30-2012 |
20120233007 | System and Method for Distributing Media Content - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, transmitting registration information over a network to a registration server for registration of first media content housed in a physical medium where the first registration information is associated with a purchase of the first media content from a point of sale device of a retailer and responsive to the registration, obtaining authorization for electronic access to second media content provided by a media source, where the second media content is associated with the first media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-13-2012 |
20120257737 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CALL HANDLING - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing element in a communication system having a controller to detect an incoming call directed to a called party, retrieve presence information associated with a plurality of communication devices of the called party, retrieve presence information of a calling party initiating the incoming call, and determine from the presence information of the called party, the presence information of the calling party, and a call processing profile of the called party how to respond to the incoming call. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-11-2012 |
20120320272 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING A CONTROLLER - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to transmit a first RF signal to a remote control device, wherein the first radio-frequency signal is received by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the remote control device, receive at each of a plurality of receivers operably coupled to the gateway a second RF signal from the RFID tag of the remote control device in response to the first RF signal, determine an approximate location of the remote control device based on at least a portion of the second RF signals received by the plurality of receivers, and transmit a signal to a set-top-box, wherein the signal comprises the approximate location of the remote control device, and wherein the set-top-box displays the approximate location of the remote control device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-20-2012 |
20120324498 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING DISCUSSION REGARDING MEDIA PROGRAMS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device including a controller to detect a plurality of users engaging in a voice conference related to a presentation of a media program, convert speech dialog detected in the voice conference to textual dialog, detect from the textual dialog a behavioral profile of at least one of the plurality of users, and identify at least one of advertisement content and marketable media content based on the behavioral profile of the at least one user. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-20-2012 |
20120324525 | System and Method of Receiving Over-The-Air Television Content - A method and apparatus of receiving over-the-air television content is disclosed and includes receiving input at a media processor. The media processor is coupled to a presentation device and includes processing logic and memory storing instructions executable by the processing logic to perform operations including sending a control command to the presentation device via a second interface having a data connection where the control command instructs the presentation device to tune an over-the-air tuner at the presentation device to a requested channel and receiving the over-the-air television content from the over-the-air tuner in the presentation device via the data connection. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-20-2012 |
20120331419 | Menu Promotions User Interface - A system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a method that includes displaying a plurality of menu items (each associated with one of a plurality of media content items) in a graphical user interface. The method also includes, when a particular promotion associated with a particular media content item is to be displayed, displaying the particular promotion proximate to a particular menu item of the plurality of menu items and enabling a direction command. Selection of the direction command causes a cursor position to jump directly to the particular menu item from a different menu item of the plurality of menu items. | 12-27-2012 |
20130067528 | Apparatus and Method for Managing Set Top Boxes - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to eliminate a scheduled recording of a targeted media program, where the scheduled recording is a redundant recording of the targeted media program that is determined based upon monitoring of recordings of media programs by a group of set top boxes in communication with each other over a network, where another set top box of the group of set top boxes is designated as a host set top box to record the targeted media program, and where the controller is provided access to the targeted media program by the host set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-14-2013 |
20130074126 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-21-2013 |
20130133007 | System and Method of Recording Television Content - A method of recording television content is disclosed and includes receiving one or more television program search criteria from a set-top box device at a recurrent searching system. The method also includes storing the one or more search criteria at the recurrent searching system. Further, the method includes performing a first search of electronic program guide (EPG) data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria and performing at least one additional search of EPG data accessible to the recurrent searching system based on the television program search criteria after the first search. | 05-23-2013 |
20130166409 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, transmitting registration information over a network to a registration server for registration of first media content housed in a physical medium where the first registration information is associated with a purchase of the first media content from a point of sale device of a retailer and responsive to the registration, obtaining authorization for electronic access to second media content provided by a media source, where the second media content is associated with the first media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-27-2013 |
20130174198 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA PROGRAMS - A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may use, for example, a method for sending a set-top box an identification of the media player, receiving operational instructions from the set-top box according to the emulator executed by the set-top box that emulates a user interface of the media player by presenting a representation of the media player in a graphical user interface, and transmitting media content to the set-top box according to the operational instructions. The emulator can be supplied to the set-top box by way of a multimedia system communicatively coupled to the set-top box. The user interface presented by the set-top box by way of the emulator substantially mimics functions of the media player. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 07-04-2013 |
20130179926 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INTERACTING WITH HOME AUTOMATION SYSTEMS VIA A SET-TOP BOX DEVICE - The subject disclosure describes among other things receiving user input that includes a device configuration for a device in a home automation system, where the device configuration specifies a triggering event and a response to the triggering event. The subject disclosure also describes transmitting the device configuration to the device, receiving data from the device, where the data indicates that the triggering event has been detected by the device, presenting an alert indicating that the triggering event has been detected by device, where the alert includes selectable options for responding to the alert, identifying the device detecting the triggering event, and altering an operation of the device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-11-2013 |
20130212608 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING PRIORITIZED ADVERTISING DATA DURING EXECUTION OF VIDEO TRICK PLAY COMMAND DATA - A non-transitory computer readable medium containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the computer program including but not limited to instructions to track a portion of the advertising data forwarded from a first end user device to a second end user; instructions to generate, based on the tracking, penetration data indicating an extent to which the first end user device forwards and propagates the portion of the advertising data to other end users; and instructions to present a portion of the advertising data in a picture in picture display window on the end user device based on the prioritizing of the advertising data during execution of the trick play command data. | 08-15-2013 |
20130239211 | SYSTEM FOR TRACKING MEDIA CONTENT TRANSACTIONS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a web server having a controller adapted to manage an archive of media content for a subscriber, and record a transaction description and a corresponding tracking identifier for a transaction that manipulates the archive. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-12-2013 |
20130253927 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ANALYZING DISCUSSION REGARDING MEDIA PROGRAMS - A process and system including a device including a controller to detect a plurality of users engaging in a voice conference related to a presentation of a media program, convert speech dialog detected in the voice conference to textual dialog, detect from the textual dialog a behavioral profile of at least one of the plurality of users, and identify at least one of advertisement content and marketable media content for the plurality of users based on the behavioral profile of the at least one user. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-26-2013 |
20130258197 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING A CONTROLLER - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a gateway comprising a controller to transmit a first RF signal to a remote control device, wherein the first radio-frequency signal is received by a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag associated with the remote control device, receive at each of a plurality of receivers operably coupled to the gateway a second RF signal from the RFID tag of the remote control device in response to the first RF signal, determine an approximate location of the remote control device based on at least a portion of the second RF signals received by the plurality of receivers, and transmit a signal to a set-top-box, wherein the signal comprises the approximate location of the remote control device, and wherein the set-top-box displays the approximate location of the remote control device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-03-2013 |
20130276011 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller element to receive a tout message associated with a media content item, and present the tout message with a selectable Internet link having one or more instructions for directing a set-top box (STB) receiver of a subscriber of the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-17-2013 |
20130305281 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SENDING ADVERTISING DATA BASED ON DATA ASSOCIATED WITH VIDEO DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions including but not limited to instructions to monitor video data for advertising data keys; instructions to correlate the advertising data keys with penetration data for an end user; and instructions to select advertising data for the end user based on the correlation. A system is disclosed that is useful in performing the method. | 11-14-2013 |
20130340001 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING ADVERTISING DATA DURING TRICK PLAY COMMAND EXECUTION - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method for presenting advertising data, the method including but not limited to placing scene start marker data in video data stream at a scene start data; receiving end user trick play command data during presentation of the video data stream at the end user device; and moving to the scene start marker data in the video data in response to the end user trick play command data. A system is disclosed for executing the method. A data structure is disclosed for containing data used by the system and method. | 12-19-2013 |
20140006636 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT | 01-02-2014 |
20140020023 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 01-16-2014 |
20140123205 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA PROGRAMS - A system that incorporates the subject disclosure may use, for example, a method for sending a set-top box an identification of the media player, receiving operational instructions from the set-top box according to the emulator executed by the set-top box that emulates a user interface of the media player by presenting a representation of the media player in a graphical user interface, and transmitting media content to the set-top box according to the operational instructions. The emulator can be supplied to the set-top box by way of a multimedia system communicatively coupled to the set-top box. The user interface presented by the set-top box by way of the emulator substantially mimics functions of the media player. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 05-01-2014 |
20140181872 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media receiver having a controller element to generate a Media Program Guide (MPG) that groups media programs according to a redundancy of media programs and a viewing history of a subscriber of the media receiver. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-26-2014 |
20140189738 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA SERVICES - A system for presenting media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-03-2014 |
20140208206 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A method that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a selection from a media device corresponding to a first media content, generating a play list at a server where the play list includes second media content that is associated with the first media content by at least one of genre, artist and being published in temporal proximity, and providing play list content comprising at least a portion of the first and second media content to the media device, where at least one of the generation of the play list and the providing of the play list content is based on metadata pointers associated with the first and second media content. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208343 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SELECTIVELY RECEIVING REQUIRED SATELLITE TELEVISION CHANNELS - A system includes a video-on-demand server and an authentication server. The video-on-demand server is configured to provide video-on-demand content through a broadband connection to a set-top box device. The authentication server is in communication with the video-on-demand server. The authentication server is configured to receive a request to allow access to a video-on-demand package that includes the video-on-demand content, to determine if a user is currently authorized to constantly receive a broadcast package that includes a plurality of broadcast channels related to the video-on-demand content, and to authorize a broadcast channel in the broadcast package when not currently authorized to receive the broadcast package. | 07-24-2014 |
20140208372 | SYSTEM FOR EXCHANGING MEDIA CONTENT BETWEEN A MEDIA CONTENT PROCESSOR AND A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media content processor having a controller adapted to detect an event associated with recorded media content derived from one among a plurality of media content sources, select a communication device of a subscriber of the media content processor, retrieve a portion of the recorded media content, generate a notice describing the event, and transmit the notice with the portion of the recorded media content to the communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-24-2014 |
20140222600 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FULFILLING PURCHASES - A method and apparatus for fulfilling purchases is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure can include, for example, a portable communication device having a controller element that receives from an online system a barcode image as an object of acknowledgment of a product purchased from said online system, and presents on a display of the portable communication device said barcode image to complete a purchase fulfillment process by way of at least one among a visual inspection of the barcode image by a merchant employee and processing of said barcode image by a point of sale (POS) device. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 08-07-2014 |
20140223493 | SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a process that monitors consumption of media content of equipment of a user. A tout message associated with a media content item is constructed based on the consumption. The tout message includes information including a selectable link. The selectable link provides instructions to direct a media processor of the subscriber to access the media content item without receiving additional input from equipment of the subscriber. A mobile communication device of the subscriber is selected based on a determined likelihood of reaching the subscriber, and the tout message is transmitted to the mobile communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-07-2014 |
20140233912 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING ADVERTISING DATA BASED ON END USER TRICK-PLAY TREND DATA - A computer readable medium is disclosed containing a computer program including but not limited to computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer present advertising data, the computer program including but not limited to instructions to display advertising data on an end user device for a duration longer than a duration of normal playback of advertising data at normal speed that is being skipped during the current trick play command; and instructions to continue the display of the advertising data until after the duration of normal playback when trick play trend data indicates that an end user at the end user device has skipped advertising data during the last two consecutive trick play commands including the current trick play command and during a most recent trick play command in the trick play command history. | 08-21-2014 |
20140237503 | SYSTEM FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT FOR A PERSONAL TELEVISION CHANNEL - A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor can have a controller to transmit to a media source a request to access media content of a personal television (TV) channel composed by a subscriber of a media communication system according to one or more graphical user interface (GUI) templates that define a plurality of segments of a presentation area of the personal TV channel and one or more modules that arrange media content of the subscriber in the plurality of segments of a select one of the plurality of GUI templates. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-21-2014 |
20140237506 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING MARKETABLE ITEMS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-21-2014 |
20140245356 | PERSONAL TELEVISION CHANNEL AND SYSTEM AND METHOD THEREOF - A system for presenting media programming guides is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to transmit to a media source a request to access media content of a personal television (TV) channel composed by a subscriber of a media communication system, transmit to the media source a communication identifier, and receive from the media source media content in the personal TV channel adapted according to the communication identifier. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-28-2014 |
20140250467 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING DELIVERY OF MEDIA SERVICES - A system and apparatus for enhancing delivery of media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box that can have a controller element to present at a media device a first satellite program of a number of satellite programs. A first request is received from a cell phone for content associated with the number of satellite programs. A second request is transmitted over a broadband Ethernet connection to a media system that is separate from equipment of the satellite service provider, to cause the media system to submit a fee to the multimedia satellite provider related to the content information. Content information is received over the Ethernet connection without interrupting the presenting of the first satellite program. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 09-04-2014 |
20140259042 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR SEARCHING BASED ON INFORMATION IN COMMERCIALS - A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining if a commercial contains one of metadata, close captioning information, recognizable speech in an audio component of the commercial, or a combination thereof In response to determining that the commercial does not contain metadata, but does contain close captioning information, an advertised show is identified based on the close captioning information. Likewise, in response to determining that the commercial contains neither metadata, nor close captioning information, but does contain recognizable speech in an audio component of the commercial, the advertised show is identified based on the recognizable speech. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-11-2014 |
20140259088 | Apparatus and Method for Managing Set Top Boxes - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set top box having a controller to eliminate a scheduled recording of a targeted media program, where the scheduled recording is a redundant recording of the targeted media program that is determined based upon monitoring of recordings of media programs by a group of set top boxes in communication with each other over a network, where another set top box of the group of set top boxes is designated as a host set top box to record the targeted media program, and where the controller is provided access to the targeted media program by the host set top box. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-11-2014 |
20140289753 | System and Method of Providing Recommendations Related To A Service System - A method of providing recommendations related to a service is disclosed and includes receiving data from a device associated with a service subscriber, the data identifying an individual. The method also includes creating a personalization profile associated with the service subscriber. The personalization profile is populated with information included in a profile of the identified individual. The method further includes providing at least one recommendation based on the personalization profile of the service subscriber. | 09-25-2014 |
20140344863 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PRESENTING ELECTRONIC PROGRAMMING GUIDES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to present a graphic user interface (GUI) for customizing an electronic programming guide (EPG), the GUI including a plurality of scrollable media channels, each media channel accompanied by an image, a description of the media channel, an option to select the media channel for inclusion in the EPG, a first button to customize the EPG according to one or more media channels selected, and a second button to request additional information about a media channel highlighted in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-20-2014 |
20140380358 | MENU PROMOTIONS USER INTERFACE - A system includes a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory includes instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including initiating display of a user interface that includes a plurality of menu items, where a first menu item of the plurality of menu items is associated with a first media content item of a plurality of media content items. The operations also include selectively enabling a movement operation based on a promotion being displayed at a display device. The promotion is associated with the first menu item and the movement operation moves a cursor position from a second menu item of the plurality of menu items to the first menu item. | 12-25-2014 |
20140380373 | SYSTEM FOR CONFIGURING SOFT KEYS IN A MEDIA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, set top box (STB) having a controller to record one or more soft key preferences associated with a user of the STB for each of a plurality of media presentation states of a media communication system, receive a request for presentation of a graphical user interface (GUI) associated with one of the media presentation states, select one or more soft keys according to the one or more soft key preferences assigned to the requested media presentation state, and present the selected one or more soft keys in the GUI. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 12-25-2014 |
20150046947 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING DELIVERY OF MEDIA SERVICES - A system and apparatus for enhancing delivery of media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, receiving a request for content information received during a presentation of a first multimedia program on equipment. The request is provided by a signal disassociated with a satellite signal to the equipment providing the multimedia satellite service. The content information is provided to a remote mobile device concurrent with the presentation of the first multimedia program at the equipment. A selection obtained from the mobile device is identified from among the content information provided to the mobile device, and the selection is provided to the equipment. Operation of a media processor of the equipment is directed based on the selection. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 02-12-2015 |
20150052562 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONFIGURING MEDIA SERVICES - A system and method for configuring media services is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a portal having a controller element to detect an installation of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) media receiver in an IPTV media system and adapt at least a portion of the portal according to the installation. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-19-2015 |
20150058085 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING OPINION DATA - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to solicit an appraisal for each of a plurality of media programs presented by the media processor for composing a proposal to update one or more operational features of the media processor according to one or more consumer preferences determined from one or more supplied appraisals. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-26-2015 |
20150058497 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media distribution system having a controller to identify a plurality of media presentation devices of a user of the media distribution system, identify one or more distribution preferences supplied by the user for distributing media content to the plurality of media presentation devices, receive media content from one of a plurality of media sources of the user, determine a media content type from the received media content, and distribute the received media content to one or more of the plurality of media presentation devices according to the one or more distribution preferences and the media content type. The one or more distribution preferences comprise in part media content distribution arrangements assigned by the user between the plurality of media sources of the user and the plurality of media presentation devices of the user. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-26-2015 |
20150058881 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROMOTING MARKETABLE ITEMS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a media processor having a controller to receive from a media communication system metadata describing one or more marketable items depicted in a media program supplied by the media communication system, present images of the media program at a media presentation device without highlighting the one or more marketable items, present an icon at least at one of a remote controller managing operations of the media processor or the media presentation device to indicate a presence of the one or more marketable items in one or more of the images presented at the media presentation device, detect a selection of the icon, and highlight the one or more marketable items. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-26-2015 |