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.

Various arrangements for facilitating smart television content receivers in a local network are provided. In an example, a secondary television receiver creates voice data based on a spoken voice command by a user and transmits the voice data to a primary television receiver. In response, the primary television receiver transmits data based on the voice data to a voice processing server via the Internet and receives a command from the voice processing server generated based on the voice data.

An embodiment of the invention provides a method including accessing a portal pursuant to instructions from a digital media device and identifying the digital media device to the portal to enable the portal to obtain a security code. Information having the security code is received; and, it is confirmed that the security code corresponds to a security key stored in the digital media device. The information is provided to a secure application environment in the digital media device if the security code corresponds to the security key. A copy of the security key is sent to a clearinghouse; and, the security code is received from the clearinghouse. The security code is sent to a provider of the information if the information satisfies a predetermined criteria.

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.

Systems and methods for updating television receiving devices (such as cable and satellite set-top boxes) include functionality that pre-downloads software or firmware updates for the receiving device on a mobile device, such as a smartphone, of a television service provider technician. In order to communicate the updates to the receiving device from the mobile device, during initial installation of the set-top box at the customer premises, the technician connects his or her mobile device to the same input of the set-top box that normally receives the television programming and remote software or firmware updates from the television service provider. The mobile device may include or be coupled to an adapter that adapts a signal and hardware interface from an output interface of the mobile device to a signal and hardware interface compatible with the input interface of the set-top box.

Methods and apparatus for provisioning or updating software over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and each particular client device (e.g., set-top box) on the network is identified by an address or other unique descriptor. A version association file stored on a server or downloaded to the device maps particular application versions to one or more addresses corresponding to individual client devices. When the version association file is modified or created, the server transmits an upgrade message over the network (optionally along with the current version association file). Upon receiving an upgrade message, a set-top box accesses the version association file, and compares a designated application version to that of the application currently in use. If the designated version is not present on the set-top, the box will terminate any old version of the application currently running and download and install the designated version.

Systems and methods for updating firmware in an audio device, such as a soundbar, operatively connected to a Smart TV, are shown and described. Firmware update data is transmitted to the audio device via an audio return channel (ARC) of an HDMI cable. In certain of the systems, the firmware update data is transmitted to the audio device when no audio is being transmitted to or played by the audio device. In other systems, the firmware update data and real-time audio data are multiplexed by the Smart TV and are sent to the audio device via the audio return channel for subsequent demultiplexing and playback of the audio.

Interactive content may be provided by a smart television or other media device using a wireless communication protocol to detect the presence or proximity of a mobile device. When a mobile device is detected, the media device can establish a communication link with the mobile device via the wireless communication protocol. When content is displayed by the media device, additional data can be sent to the mobile device to enhance the user experience via the communication link. The user can interact with the data sent to the mobile device or with the content itself by providing feedback on the mobile device. The feedback may be provided to a content server via a second communication link, such as a cellular link or wireless link to the Internet. In some implementations, content server may modify content for display on the media device based on feedback on the mobile device.

Methods and apparatus for provisioning or updating software over a network. In one embodiment, the network comprises a cable network, and each particular client device (e.g., set-top box) on the network is identified by an address or other unique descriptor. A version association file stored on a server or downloaded to the device maps particular application versions to one or more addresses corresponding to individual client devices. When the version association file is modified or created, the server transmits an upgrade message over the network (optionally along with the current version association file). Upon receiving an upgrade message, a set-top box accesses the version association file, and compares a designated application version to that of the application currently in use. If the designated version is not present on the set-top, the box will terminate any old version of the application currently running and download and install the designated version.

A TV awakening method based on speech recognition, smart TV and storage medium. By setting a standby state of the smart TV to the standby state of screen being off without powering off, the user's speech can be received and recognized in real time to wake up and control the smart TV, and speech recognition has been efficiently applied, smart turning-on and turning-off in real time are realized, and diversified requirements of the user are met.