Cox Communications, Inc.

Lisa Ann Pickelsimer

Anant Pralhad Patil

Yousef Wasef Nijim

Robert M Fabricant

Joshua Musick

David Werner

Jay Paul Langa

Catherine Elizabeth Thompson

Andrew Zeldis

Francisco J Gonzalez

Craig M Smithpeters

Daniel D Lam

Hui Zhao

Mark Matthew Gathen

Multiple device recording may be provided. First, a recording device may be added to a network. Next, in response to adding the recording device to the network, recording device attribute data and recording device metadata may be received from the recording device. The received recording device metadata may then be translated. Then, using the translated metadata, asset data corresponding to assets on the recording device may be displayed. The asset data may be displayed in such a way to indicate which assets on the recording device are supported and which assets on the recording device are not supported.

Multiple recording devices connected in a home network

Scheduling may be provided. First, a first request to record a first program content may be received. The first request may be received from a first device and initiated by a first user. Next, in response to the received first request, a first entry may be added to a scheduling list. The first entry may correspond to the first request. Then, the first program content may be recorded according to the first entry in the scheduling list. In response to recording the first program content, a first indication may then be added to a recording list. The first indication may indicate that the first program content has been recorded.

Multi-room recorder

A social network may be provided. First, a content group comprising a list of a plurality of content programs may be received. Next, a user selectable element corresponding to the content group may be made available to a plurality of users. A first request may then be received associated with the user selectable element from a one of the plurality of users. The first request may indicate that the one of the plurality of users wants to receive the content group. Next the content group may be provided to the one of the plurality of users in response to the first request. A second request may then be received from the one of the plurality of users for content corresponding to a one of the plurality of content programs. Then the content may be provided to the one of the plurality of users in response to the second request.

Providing a social network

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing user communication. First an invitation input may be received from a first user. The invitation input may comprise a recommendation to a second user to take an action regarding content to be delivered over a content delivery system. Then, the invitation input may be transmitted to the second user. Next, an acceptance input may be received from the second user. The acceptance input may comprise an acceptance to the invitation input. The acceptance input may then be transmitted to the first user in response to receiving the acceptance input.

Providing user communication

User-based parental controls (UBPC) are provided. UBPC are provided to users according to a user profile associated with a specific user. Parental controls may be tailored to meet a parental control need according to each user. User profiles may be created by one or more administrative users and may include restrictions according to a TV, movie, application, or game rating system, specific channels, or specific programs. User profiles may be stored in a remote database allowing for various media content receiving and/or viewing devices to access the user profiles for applying parental control features according to a specific user profile. A user profile may be altered by one or more administrative users who may create an override access code which may allow the administrative user to manage other users' parental controls.

User based parental controls

Content recommendations may be provided. First, in response to a received input and concurrent with a shrunken programming content, a media guide may be displayed. The media guide may comprise a first card, a second card, and a third card. The first card may comprise a plurality of recommendation types. The second card may comprise a plurality of subcategories corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of recommendation types. The third card may comprise a plurality of content program names corresponding to a selected one of the plurality of subcategories. The plurality of content program names may be in an order. Next, in response to a selection of a one of the plurality of content program names, an action card maybe displayed. Then a selected one of the plurality of actions may be executed.

Content recommendations

A user interface may be provided including a media guide. The media guide may comprise at least two display elements. One of the displayed at least two display elements may comprise an action card. The action card may be configured to display a plurality of actions that can be taken with respect to the one of the plurality of programs. The plurality of actions may include a parental information action.

Providing a media guide including parental information

Personalized recordings may be provided. A first request to record an asset may be received. The first request may be associated with a first user and may include at least one first option. Next, a second request to record the asset may be received. The second request may be associated with a second user and may include at least one second option. Then the asset may be recorded consistent with the at least one first option and the least one second option. Next, a 'my recordings list' associated with the first user may be displayed. In response to the displayed 'my recordings' list associated with the first user, a request to play the asset may then be received. Next, in response to the received request to play the asset, the asset may be played consistent with the at least one first option.

Personalized recordings including bookmarks

Storing information associated with content may be provided. First, information associated with available content may be presented to a user via a user device. Next, a user selection for an item of content may be received. In a dedicated memory location for the user, identifying information for the selected item of content may then be stored.

Personalizing TV content

A user interface may be provided. First, a first input may be received, and in response to the received first input, at least a portion of a plurality of content elements may be displayed. Then, a second input indicating a selection of a one of the displayed plurality of content elements may be received. In response to the received second input, a displayed full version of a programming content and the displayed plurality of content elements may be removed. Also, in response to the received second input, a shrunken version of the full version of the programming content and a more detailed version of the selected one of the plurality of content elements may be displayed. Next, in response to a received third input, the more detailed version and the displayed shrunken version may be removed and the full version of the programming content may be redisplayed.

Providing a user interface

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first input may be received and a currently displayed programming content may be shrunken. Next, the shrunken programming content may be displayed. Then, in response to the received first input and concurrent with the shrunken programming content, a media guide comprising at least three display elements may be displayed. At least one of the three display elements may be customized for a user. Each one of the three display elements may include a first content element, a second content element, a third content element, a fourth content element, or a fifth content element. The first content element may display available programming channels. The second content element may display programs available on the available programming channels. The third content element may display description information. The fourth content element may display actions that can be taken.

Providing a customized user interface

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a user interface. First, a first input may be received and a currently displayed programming content may be shrunken. Next, the shrunken programming content may be displayed. Then, in response to the received first input and concurrent with the shrunken programming content, a media guide comprising at least three display elements may be displayed. Each one of the three display elements may include a first content element, a second content element, a third content element, a fourth content element, or a fifth content element. The first content element may display available programming channels. The second content element may display programs available on the available programming channels. The third content element may display description information. The fourth content element may display actions that can be taken. The fifth content element may display an advertisement or information relative to one of the actions.

Providing a video user interface

Modular storage functionality is provided for a digital video recorder (DVR), which may be configured in such a way as to limit a user's access to the whole storage capacity, and wherein a user may choose to increase or decrease the amount of accessible storage capacity of the internal storage medium.

Modular digital video recorder storage

Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a lateral search. First, a media guide may be displayed comprising at least one display element. The at least one display element may comprise an action card configured to display a plurality of actions that can be taken with respect to a selected program. One of the plurality of actions may comprise a search action. In addition, in response to a user selecting a user selectable element corresponding to the search action on the action card, a search card may be displayed. The search card may be configured to display a plurality of search options comprising, for example, an upcoming episodes search option, a related programs search option, a related personalities search option, and a related key word search option.

Growing community of inventors

Atlanta, GA, United States of America

Lisa Ann Pickelsimer