A portable device controlling playback of video data on a first device external to the portable device and including a browser module operative to present a display of a plurality of images, each image corresponding to a section of the video data, and to highlight an image corresponding to the section of the video data currently played back by the first device, a communication module coupled to the browser module and operative, in response to a selection of an image among the plurality of images by a user, to transmit a first command to the first device to play back the video data corresponding to the image selected by the user, wherein the browser module is further operative to adapt highlighting of the plurality of images in response to a second command received from said first device upon a change of the section of video data currently played back on the first device.

Generally, according to aspects of the present invention, a media content item may be casted by a user equipment (UE) to another UE over a local area network (LAN). The UE (cast device) may cast a local media content item stored on the cast device to said another UE (media playback device) by streaming the local media content item to the media playback device over the LAN, so that the media playback device may play back the local media content item. The cast device may cast an online media content item stored on a remote server to the media playback device by causing the server to stream the online media content item to the media playback device over the Internet, so that the media playback device may play back the online media content item.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for automatically navigating a graphical user interface (GUI) of a media device. In embodiments, objects (e.g. selectable items) in device GUI menu screens may be located, identified, and selected by another device (e.g., a switch) using several types of image processing, image recognition, and automated screen navigation techniques. For instance, a device may receive an operation request, for example from a user, receive a video signal from the connected media device, extract a video frame, process the video frame using one or more algorithms, and automatically navigate the GUI of the device by transmitting one more navigation commands for application to the GUI. In this manner, multi-step, time-consuming manual GUI navigation to achieve a desired result may be reduced to an automated technique, allowing users to save time and frustration in navigating a GUI using a remote control to find a particular resource.

A remote control apparatus for setting a mode according to a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided. The remote control apparatus sets operation modes based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus received from the broadcast receiving apparatus. The operation mode of the remote control apparatus is automatically set based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus, so less power is consumed in the remote control apparatus.

Systems and methods for generating a gear-based user interface for display are disclosed. A user equipment device may generate for display a first gear shape, a second gear shape, and a third gear shape. The first gear shape comprises a first plurality of media identifiers, where a first media identifier of the first plurality is selected. The second gear shape comprises a second plurality of media identifiers that are representative of a group indicated by the selected first media identifier, where a second media identifier is selected. The third gear shape comprises a third plurality of options for a media asset indicated by the selected second media identifier. Upon input indicating that the first gear shape is to be rotated, the second gear shape is rotated with the first gear shape based on the rotation of the first gear shape.

Mechanisms for controlling an audio level of an HDMI audio system are provided, the mechanisms comprising: causing audio data to be presented by an HDMI audio system at a current system volume level; receiving a requested volume level from a second screen device; and controlling a system volume level by: (a) determining the current system volume level; (b) determining a change in volume based on a difference between the requested volume level and the current system volume level; (c) determining a direction in which to cause the system volume level to change; (d) sending a volume control message to the system using a consumer electronic control bus connected to the system indicating whether to increase or decrease the system volume level based on the determined direction of system volume change; and (e) repeating (a)-(d) until the current system volume level reaches a predetermined value.

A system for use in controlling operating functions of a controllable device includes a hand-held device and an intermediate device in communication with the hand-held device and the controllable device. The hand-held device is adapted to receive a gesture based input and to transmit a signal having data representative of the gesture based input. The intermediate device has programming for translating the data representative of the gesture based input in a signal received from the hand-held device into a command signal to be communicated to the controllable device wherein the command signal has a format appropriate for controlling an operating function of the controllable device that is associated with the gesture based input.

A remote control apparatus for setting a mode according to a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus is provided. The remote control apparatus sets operation modes based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus received from the broadcast receiving apparatus. The operation mode of the remote control apparatus is automatically set based on information regarding a state of a broadcast receiving apparatus, so less power is consumed in the remote control apparatus.

A set top/back box and system and method for providing a remote control device are disclosed. In one embodiment, one or more wireless transceivers are located within a housing, which also interconnectively includes television input/output, a processor, and memory. The set top/back box may establish a pairing with a 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 programmable device for display on the touch screen display to create an experience parallel to the experience on the television. The set top/back box receives and processes virtual remote control functionality input instructions from the programmable device to control amenities associated with the set top/back box.

For establishing cooperation among an external device 30, a video display device and a remote control terminal and to achieve cooperative operation among these devices that affords a high level of operability to a user with less burden, the video display device to which an external device and a remote control terminal that remotely operates the external device can be connected, comprising: a connection detection section configured to detect a connection of the external device to the video display device; a cooperation establishment section configured to generate a start signal for initiate an application software accepting an operation instruction to the external device on the remote control terminal when the connection detection section detects the connection of the external device; and a communication interface configured to transmit the start signal to the remote control terminal.