Systems and methods for managing the storage of content are described. A video stream may include a content identifier and content information relating to a boundary that may be used to facilitate recording of at least a portion of the video stream.

A method for providing a personalized media stream includes receiving a signal from a user to launch a personalized media stream, determining a current time, identifying a first time slot of a schedule into which the current time falls, identifying a first channel that is associated with the first time slot, wherein viewing history for the user indicates that the user has viewed the first channel during the first time slot in the past, automatically tuning the display device to the first channel in response to the signal, receiving, subsequent to the automatically tuning, a command from the user to pause a program playing on the first channel, identifying a second channel associated with a second time slot, wherein the second time slot occurs later in time that the first time slot, and buffering a portion of a program being shown on the second channel during the second time slot.

Disclosed is a display apparatus comprising: a display; a user input unit; and a processor configured to identify a user's viewing time based on a user's viewing history, create a list of content to be provided within the identified viewing time based on the viewing history and display the created content list on the display, and select at least one piece of content in the content list for viewing schedule based on a user input through the user input unit.

Systems, methods, apparatuses are described for monitoring events in a plurality of different services. A system may monitor manifest files for one or more content items. Manifest files may contain manifest file tags indicating events and insertion opportunities. Events and/or insertion opportunities may be detected, and a switch from one content item to another content item, based on customized user priority preferences, may be caused.

A system that provides for the accessing and playing of media files having differing associated rights such as non-DRM media files, purchased and downloaded media files, subscription download files such as tethered downloads, and subscription streamed DRM files. The system also provides a method and user interface for sharing a media collection among computing devices in communication via a network. The system allows access and playback, from each computing device on a network, of all media files in a media collection, regardless of their associated rights.

A distributive instructions transmission system for the performing a task the can be generated by request of a user. A user initiates the process by transmitting a request for instructions for the execution of a chosen task to a remote processing center. The indicated task request will be acted upon by one several options. The processing center immediately generate instructions that will result in the execution of the task, check to see if the task is already requested by other users or take steps to make possible execution of the task. Execution of the requested task can involve the generation of an enhance subset of user instructions that is transmitted to one or many different processors. If needed the task can be divided into smaller task (sub-segments). If more than one process is involved, the processor can be located in a single site, or be remote to one another. If more than one processor is involved in the task, each processor will get sub-set of instructions for each sub-segment of the task.

Systems and methods are described herein for a media guidance application that can cause a specific portion of a media asset to be stored based on a user command. For example, if the user requests the closing scene from a given movie, the media guidance application may detect the command, determine that it comprises an instruction to store a portion of a media asset, identify a source of the portion of the media asset, and cause the portion of the media asset to be stored. The media guidance application may also cause the entirety of the media asset to be stored and initiate playback at the start of the requested portion. This may allow users to store and watch portions of particular interest without requiring that the users seek through the entire media asset on their own.

An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation which may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

An embodiment for recording a channel that is communicating a program of interest identifies a selected program for recording as a program of interest based upon a characteristic of the selected program, the characteristic of the selected program corresponding to at least one characteristic associated with the program of interest; records an advance period corresponding to a period before a beginning of the program of interest, and records a following period corresponding to a period after a conclusion of the program of interest.

Methods and systems are described herein for providing streamlined access to media assets of interest to a user. The method includes determining that a supplemental viewing device, through which a user views a field of view, is directed at a first field of view. The method further involves detecting that the supplemental viewing device is now directed at a second field of view, and determining that a media consumption device is within the second field of view. A first media asset of interest to the user that is available for consumption via the media consumption device is identified, and the supplemental viewing device generates a visual indication in the second field of view. The visual indication indicates that the first media asset is available for consumption via the media consumption device, and the visual indication tracks a location of the media consumption device in the second field of view.