Tivo Corporation

Tivo Solutions Inc.

Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Splunk Inc.

Adeia Media Solutions Inc.

Amir H Gharaat

Mukesh K Patel

James M Barton

Jonathan A Logan

Roger Hsu

Richard Lee

Robert F Poniatowski

Anthony P Lee

Anthony C Lee

Edward Anthony Ludvig

John P Comito

Brian Lanier

James Cheng

Vadim Gorokhovsky

Robert Ponjatowski

Anthony Lee

A method for interpreting messages, user-defined alert conditions, voice commands and performing an action in response is described. A method for annotating media content is described. A method for presenting additional content associated with media content identified based on a fingerprint is described. A method for identifying that an advertisement portion of media content is being played based on a fingerprint derived from the media content is described. A method of one media device recording particular media content automatically in response to another media device recording the particular media content is described. A method of concurrently playing media content on multiple devices is described. A method of publishing information associated with recording of media content is described. A method of deriving fingerprints by media devices that meet an idleness criteria is described. A method of loading, modifying, and displaying a high definition frame from a frame buffer is described. A method of recording or playing media content identified based on fingerprints is described.

Multifunction multimedia device

In an embodiment, a method for operating a target media device is described. The method includes receiving a user command by a remote control device for operating a target media device, where a signal to operate the target media device is not stored on the remote control device when the user command is received. Data associated with the user command is transmitted by the remote control device to a second media device and signal information, associated with the signal to operate the target media device, is received by the remote control device from the second media device. The signal to operate the target media device is transmitted by the remote control device to the target media device, where the target media device performs a function based on the signal received from the remote control device.

Multi-function remote control device

A method includes detecting that a particular media device is communicatively coupled to one or more media devices in a set of media devices; in response to detecting that the particular media device is communicatively coupled to the one or more media devices in the set of media devices: automatically sending one or more remote operating codes, for remotely controlling the particular media device, to a remote control device.

Automatic updates to a remote control device

A method includes responsive to receiving a command to view multimedia content, displaying the multimedia content. A selection of a privacy level for the multimedia content is received, the privacy level indicating whether information associated with a user's viewing of the multimedia content may be published. A visual indicator of the privacy level is displayed concurrently with displaying the multimedia content.

Privacy level indicator

A command is received to record particular media content on a first device associated with a first user and the particular media content is scheduled for recording on the first device. A notification is provided to a second device associated with a second user of the scheduling of the recording of the particular media content on the first device. The second device may then schedule recording of the particular media content. The second device may schedule the recording of the particular media content without receiving a user command or subsequent to receiving a user confirmation to record the particular media content in response to the notification.

Multimedia device recording notification system

A method of deriving fingerprints for media content that is being watched by a user is described. For example, a user may select a particular show on an electronic programming guide displayed by a media device. The media device may then request the content stream, from the content source, that includes the particular show. The source may indicate whether a fingerprint is needed for the particular show requested by the media device. The indication may be a flag in the data received by the media device. If the particular show needs to be fingerprinted as indicated by the flag, the media device may decompress the corresponding video frames, load the decompressed video frames into memory and analyze the video frames to derive a fingerprint from the video frames.

Media content fingerprinting system

A method for detecting the scheduled recording of a particular media content on multiple devices is described. In response to detecting that the particular media content is scheduled for recording on multiple devices, a notification may be provided to at least one of the multiple devices that the particular media content is scheduled for recording on the multiple devices. The particular media content may then be synchronously displayed on the multiple devices. A time may be selected by one of the devices to synchronously play the particular media content on the multiple devices based on a user availability calendar accessible through each of the devices. A time may also be suggested to receive a user confirmation for the suggested time.

Method and an apparatus for detecting media content recordings

A method includes displaying a first set of menu options, that are selectable by a user, on a display screen; detecting a movement, of a remote control device, that corresponds to a particular command; and in response to detecting the movement that corresponds to a particular command, displaying a second set of options, that are selectable by the user, on the display screen.

Determining commands based on detected movements of a remote control device

In an embodiment, the playing of an advertisement may be detected by identifying the persons associated with the faces in the advertisement portion of the media content and determining that the identified persons are not actors listed for the media content. In an embodiment, the advertisement may be enhanced with additional content pertaining to the product or service being advertised. In an embodiment, the advertisement may be automatically fast-forwarded, muted, or replaced with an alternate advertisement. In an embodiment, only a non-advertisement portion of the media content may be recorded by skipping over the detected advertisement portion of the media content.

Growing community of inventors

Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Amir H Gharaat