Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content. Remote control device examples include phones that can be networked to receive node properties data, obtain user inputs affecting such data, and transmit that data back to the central source.

Aspects include systems, computer readable media and methods for remotely updating properties of Audio/Visual (A/V) performance nodes that can receive A/V content through a wireless network from a central content source. The central content source can maintain information about properties of such nodes, providing such information to a device configured with remote control software, upon request. The remote control device can accept user inputs relating to properties updates, indications of such being provided to the central content source for distribution to nodes whose properties were updated. Examples of updatable properties include on/off toggling, and volume controls. Updating such properties can be protected by passwords. The central content source can be configured as software executing on a personal computer operable to communicate over the Internet for obtaining access to streaming and/or downloadable A/V content. Remote control device examples include phones that can be networked to receive node properties data, obtain user inputs affecting such data, and transmit that data back to the central source.

Systems and methods for authorizing operations associated with blocked media assets using two-factor authentication. In some aspects, a media guidance application (e.g., executed by a set-top box or other user equipment used to store and display media assets) prompts a user for a password (e.g., a personal information number) in order to unlock the content for viewing. In response to receiving a second request from the user to perform an operation related to the media asset (e.g., delete), the media guidance application prompts the user for an additional factor confirming his or her identity, consistent with two-factor authentication protocol. If the user's identity is authenticated as a user that has authority to perform the operation related to the media asset (e.g., delete the stored media asset), the media guidance application performs the operation related to the media asset (e.g., deletes the media asset).

Systems and methods for authorizing operations associated with blocked media assets using two-factor authentication. In some aspects, a media guidance application (e.g., executed by a set-top box or other user equipment used to store and display media assets) prompts a user for a password (e.g., a personal information number) in order to unlock the content for viewing. In response to receiving a second request from the user to perform an operation related to the media asset (e.g., delete), the media guidance application prompts the user for an additional factor confirming his or her identity, consistent with two-factor authentication protocol. If the user's identity is authenticated as a user that has authority to perform the operation related to the media asset (e.g., delete the stored media asset), the media guidance application performs the operation related to the media asset (e.g., deletes the media asset).

Systems and methods of delegating media capturing functionality from one device to another are presented. A first device configured with an object recognition engine captures a media representation of an environment and identifies an object within that environment. Then based on matched object traits from a database, the engine selects a delegation rules set, and delegates certain media capturing functionality to a second device according to the selected delegation rules set.

A mobile terminal has a communication processing unit that transmits, to a video display apparatus for displaying a broadcasted video content, a request for setting a viewing schedule of the video content. A storage unit stores a starting time of the video content for which the setting of the viewing schedule has been requested; and an information provision unit provides information to a user of the mobile terminal. A control unit determines whether the video display apparatus is existent around the mobile terminal. At a first predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit notifies the user of the first predetermined time. If the video display apparatus is not existent around the mobile terminal at a second predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit then notifies the user that it is the second predetermined time before the starting time.

A mobile terminal has a communication processing unit that transmits, to a video display apparatus for displaying a broadcasted video content, a request for setting a viewing schedule of the video content. A storage unit stores a starting time of the video content for which the setting of the viewing schedule has been requested; and an information provision unit provides information to a user of the mobile terminal. A control unit determines whether the video display apparatus is existent around the mobile terminal. At a first predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit notifies the user of the first predetermined time. If the video display apparatus is not existent around the mobile terminal at a second predetermined time before the starting time, the information provision unit then notifies the user that it is the second predetermined time before the starting time.

Methods for a soft universal remote (SUR) controller are performed by systems and apparatuses. Audio/visual (A/V) devices may be controlled by hardware remote controllers that are not configured to control other devices of an audio/visual system. A SUR controller implemented by an A/V device provides consumable control signals to such other devices based on control signals from the A/V device remote controller. A SUR controller determines another device for which a received control function is directed, and transmits a generated consumable control signal for the control function of the received control signal is provided to the other device. User interfaces are provided by SUR controllers for the configuration of SUR controllers and remote controllers, and for control of other A/V devices via the user interfaces.

Methods for a soft universal remote (SUR) controller are performed by systems and apparatuses. Audio/visual (A/V) devices may be controlled by hardware remote controllers that are not configured to control other devices of an audio/visual system. A SUR controller implemented by an A/V device provides consumable control signals to such other devices based on control signals from the A/V device remote controller. A SUR controller determines another device for which a received control function is directed, and transmits a generated consumable control signal for the control function of the received control signal is provided to the other device. User interfaces are provided by SUR controllers for the configuration of SUR controllers and remote controllers, and for control of other A/V devices via the user interfaces.

A terminal apparatus having a function of remotely controlling a video display apparatus includes a communication unit that transmits a command related to setting of the video display apparatus and receives status information, a signal receiving unit that receives a signal output from a broadcast station and decodes a video content, a memory unit that stores a content of a command including a channel of the video content, and a display unit that displays the video content and various types of information. In this terminal apparatus, the communication unit transmits an identification code specific to the terminal apparatus when transmitting the command, and when the status information is received after a channel of the video display apparatus is set by remote control, the video content of the channel stored in the memory unit is decoded by the signal receiving unit and is displayed on the display unit.