Various embodiments include computing devices and methods for provisioning a set top box (STB) with a software stack. A processor of a computing device may receive a software stack download request comprising downstream channel descriptor (DCD) information, determine region information for the STB based on the DCD information, determine a software stack authorization for the STB, select a software stack for the STB based on the region information and the software stack authorization for the STB, and obtain the selected software stack to enable the STB to replace existing software with the selected software stack.

A set of media playback and device settings data from each home appliance of a first set of home appliances is stored on a central server and/or sent to a remote control device upon initiation of a suspend command by a user. The stored media and devices states may be used at a later time to control the first set of home appliances, or a user may, after relocating to a second set of home appliances, initiate a resume state command whereupon media playback and device settings data from the central server and/or remote control device controls each home appliance in the second set of home appliances to bring about the same or substantially similar media and device states as in the first set of home appliances.

Novel tools and techniques to enable data to be tested on subscriber set-top boxes. Some solutions can connect a sever with a group of subscriber set-top boxes through a television distribution network. In some cases, a plurality of set-top boxes are selected, and at least one set-top box is determined to be inactive. In some cases, data are loaded and tested on the inactive set-top.

A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. .[.At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc..]. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for a network-based media device upgrading system. An embodiment operates by receiving a fetch command from a first instance of an application executing locally on a host device. The fetch command is provided to a media device executing a second instance of the application. At the host device, metadata corresponding to the file that was retrieved by the media device is received. A rendering command is determined from the first instance of the application corresponding to displaying the interface including the fetched file as indicated by the metadata. The rendering command is provided to the media device that is configured to display the interface of the application responsive to executing the rendering command

A unified system of programming communication. The system encompasses the prior art (television, radio, broadcast hardcopy, computer communications, etc.) and new user specific mass media. Within the unified system, parallel processing computer systems, each having an input (e.g., 77) controlling a plurality of computers (e.g., 205), generate and output user information at receiver stations. Under broadcast control, local computers (73, 205), combine user information selectively into prior art communications to exhibit personalized mass media programming at video monitors (202), speakers (263), printers (221), etc. .[.At intermediate transmission stations (e.g., cable television stations), signals in network broadcasts and from local inputs (74, 77, 97, 98) cause control processors (71) and computers (73) to selectively automate connection and operation of receivers (53), recorder/players (76), computers (73), generators (82), strippers (81), etc..]. At receiver stations, signals in received transmissions and from local inputs (225, 218, 22) cause control processors (200) and computers (205) to automate connection and operation of converters (201), tuners (215), decryptors (224), recorder/players (217), computers (205), furnaces (206), etc. Processors (71, 200) meter and monitor availability and usage of programming.

The present invention relates to an image providing device. The image providing device, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a first circuit board having a broadcast receiving unit for receiving a broadcast signal, a first processor for signal-processing the received broadcast signal, and a first interface unit for transmitting the signal-processed broadcast signal to a second circuit board if there is a broadcast storage input; and the second circuit board having a second interface unit for receiving the broadcast signal from the first interface unit, a storage unit for storing the received broadcast signal, and a second processor for controlling the second interface unit and the storage unit, wherein the second processor drives a second OS differing from a first OS driven in the first processor and executes an application on the basis of the second OS. Thus, received broadcast content can be stably stored.

At a carousel origin server, an indication is obtained that at least one of a plurality of consumer premises equipment connected to a video content network requires a software upgrade. Responsive to obtaining the indication, the carousel origin server loads onto a carousel at least one image required for the software upgrade. The at least one image required for the software upgrade is broadcast from the carousel to the at least one of the plurality of consumer premises equipment, for a predetermined period. Subsequent to the predetermined period, the at least one image required for the software upgrade is removed from the carousel.

Methods, systems, and media for presenting media content are provided. In some embodiments, the method comprises: receiving, at a streaming media device connected to a display device, an instruction, from a mobile phone communicatively coupled with the streaming media device using a peer-to-peer networking protocol, to launch an application for presenting media content on the display device; in response to receiving the instruction, transmitting a request to a media content sharing service associated with the application for presenting media content to render a video player on the display device; receiving, from the mobile phone, an instruction to present a media content item on the display device using the video player; transmitting, to the mobile phone, a request for a first portion of the media content item, wherein a plurality of portions of the media content item including the first portion have been previously downloaded to the mobile phone; receiving, from the mobile phone, the first portion of the media content item using the peer-to-peer networking protocol; storing the first portion of the media content item in memory of the streaming media device; and causing the first portion of the media content item to be presented on the display device using the video player by playing the stored first portion of the media content item from the memory of the streaming media device.

A system and method for automatically analyzing and managing a media huh software update. The system and method each utilize available media hub system and diagnostic information to aid in the analysis and installation of a software update. If the installation of the update is determined to require memory capacity in excess of what is currently available within the media hub, an archive and off-loading process is automatically initiated to free the required memory space during the installation process. Any off-loaded information and/or applications are then restored after the installation is complete.