Systems and methods for determining whether a first electronic device detects a media item that is to be output by a second electronic device is described herein. In some embodiments, an individual may request, using a first electronic device, that a media item be played on a second electronic device. The backend system may send first audio data representing a first response to the first electronic device, along with instructions to delay outputting the first response, as well as to continue sending audio data of additional audio captured thereby. The backend system may also send second audio data representing a second response to the second electronic device along with the media item. Text data may be generated representing the captured audio, which may then be compared with text data representing the second response to determine whether or not they match.

A game system includes a game device used by first and second users and a controller. The game device includes: an association section associating the controller with the first user using the controller; a first process executing section executing a process of a general-purpose function in accordance with first operating information acquired from the controller when the general-purpose function, not associated with the users, executes; and a second process executing section executing a process of a first user function in accordance with second operating information acquired from the controller when the first user function, associated with the first user, executes. The controller includes: first and second operating members associated with the first and second operating information, respectively; an operation receiving section receiving an operation on the operating member; and an operating information outputting section outputting the operating information associated with the operation on operating member to the game device.

A display apparatus includes a processor configured to execute instructions to: based on an input from a user, select a category from a plurality of categories related to characteristics of a plurality of source devices connectable to an interface of the display apparatus, receive a plurality of pieces of content from at least one source device connected to the interface and corresponding to the selected category, and display a multi-image on a display of the display apparatus, based on at least two pieces of content from the plurality of pieces of content.

A method and device for managing downloading of a digital content available by progressive downloading onto a content server in a communication network. The content server is accessible via a service gateway of a local network including first and second terminals. The method includes: receiving a request for progressive downloading of first digital content from the first terminal; receiving a request for progressive downloading of second digital content from the second terminal; obtaining rights relating to the terminals on the downloading device including data regarding priority of the first and second terminals, data relating to a priority of use of the downloading device; comparing the data regarding priority of the first terminal with the data regarding priority of the second terminal, so as to define the terminal having priority; downloading the digital content requested by the terminal having priority.

A television and system and method for providing a remote control device are disclosed. In one embodiment of the television, the television includes a processor, a memory, a tuner, a panel, and an audio driver therein in an interconnected architecture. The television may establish a pairing with a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device, such as a proximate wireless-enabled interactive handheld device having a touch screen display, whereby formatted parallel audiovisual experience instructions, including virtual buttons, may be transmitted to the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device for display on the touch screen display to create an experience parallel to the experience on the television. The television receives and processes virtual remote control functionality input instructions from the proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device to control amenities associated with the television.

Techniques described herein automatically identify, in a multimedia content, an advertiser from which an advertisement in the multimedia content originates and/or a brand to which the advertisement pertains. The system determines whether the identified advertiser and/or identified brand is specified in a not to be displayed list and if so, performs at least one of: presents alternative content during the time interval that the advertisement occupies in the multimedia content or skips over the advertisement in the multimedia content.

A method and system includes an external service provider that receives a request for restricted content, forms, at the external service provider, a redirection request based on the request for restricted content, an external service provider identifier, and a return response location identifier. The system also includes a discovery service that receives the redirection request from the external service provider and parses the redirection request to obtain an identity provider location identifier and the external service provider identifier when a common domain cookie exists in the redirection request. The discovery service generates a response based on the return response location identifier wherein the response comprises the identity provider location identifier. The external service provider receives the response, generates an authentication request and communicates the authentication request to the identity provider based on the identity provider location identifier.

Systems and methods for enabling quick access to media options are provided. A display of a plurality of icons is generated, wherein each of the plurality of icons represents a different one of a plurality of applications. A user input is detected that identifies a first of the plurality of icons associated with a first of the plurality of applications. In response to determining that the user input corresponds to a quick access operation, first and second media asset identifiers and corresponding media options are retrieved from each of second and third applications. A menu that includes the retrieved first and second media asset identifiers is generated for display with the plurality of icons.

Methods and systems are described for tracking content consumed by a guest subscriber consuming content with a host subscriber. A host device accessing content transmits a discovery request to identify nearby devices. A guest device in the vicinity receives the discovery request and transmits a response to the host device. As content is played back on the host device, the guest device may receive a content identifier and a progress time from the host device. Using the content identifier and the progress time, a guest device may transmit a request to a server to update a viewing history or subscriber profile associated with the guest subscriber and/or device. A guest subscriber may later resume a program or series from where the content was left on his or her own home or mobile device(s). Communications between a host device and guest device may be direct or via network server and may be secured as private.

A television message system is provided that allows users at user television devices that are connected to a television distribution facility to transmit messages to each other relating to a television program or other suitable subject. The television message system permits users to participate in evaluations, contests, promotions, and surveys related to a television program while watching that television program. The television message system also permits users to compose and send a message to a television program entity. Users can send massages through the television message system to users at personal computers who are connected to the user's television distribution facility through a communications network. The television message system also allows a user to purchase a gift related to television programming for a recipient. The gift may be an electronic gift certificate for pay-per-view programming. The television message system may be based on an interactive television program guide or a set-top box application implemented on a set-top box.