In one general aspect, a method can include detecting at least one indicator of user-initiated interaction with a computing device, obtaining data related to a demographic of a user of the computing device, identifying a current state of the computing device, determining that content displayed on a first display device included in the computing device is to be casted to a second display device separate from the computing device based on the at least one indicator of the user-initiated interaction with the computing device, the data related to a demographic of a user of the computing device, and the current state of the computing device, and casting the content displayed on the first display device to the second display device.

A set-top box with enhanced functionality and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box system, first and second set-top boxes each include a housing securing a television input, a television output, a processor, a wireless transceiver, memory, and storage communicatively interconnected by a busing architecture. Each of the set-top boxes is connected to a display, such as a television. A syndication profile associated with the set-top boxes enables a proximate wireless-enabled interactive programmable device to control both displays via each of the set-top boxes.

A content access device and system may allow portable remote devices to be paired with a variety of different devices, allowing remote control through a network connection. Content access devices may expose application program interfaces, allowing incoming network traffic to control operation of the device much in the same way that a local infrared remote would. Routing content commands through an external application server may also yield other benefits, such as allowing more customized selection of information and advertising content to users based on their viewing history.

A system for use in issuing commands to a plurality of appliances each of a specific one of a plurality of different appliance types includes a smart device adapted to transmit command communications and a plurality of low-energy consuming controllers each adapted to transmit a command to a one of the plurality of appliances of a specific one of the plurality of different appliance types in response to receipt of a command communication originating from the smart device.

Systems and methods are described for adapting a second user input device to resemble a first user input device while preserving new functionalities not available in the first user input device. The systems and methods may identify, based on identifiers of the first and second user input devices, a first and second set of device functionalities provided by the devices. The systems and methods may compare the sets of device functionalities to determine a set of common device functionalities and, in response, modify the display of an input of the second user input device to correspond to visual attributes of an input of the first user input device.

In the present specification, a digital device and a method of processing data in said digital device are disclosed. Here, a digital device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a memory; a user interface unit that receives a menu request signal through a remote application executed in an external device; a display unit that displays an executed application; and a control unit that determines the properties of the received menu request signal on the basis of the application being displayed and generates menu data, implements controlling to transmit the generated menu data to the external device and output the menu data through a screen of the external device, and when a menu item selection signal of the menu output from the external device is received, implements controlling to transmit or activate menu data corresponding to the menu item selection signal.

Systems and methods for a media content system. A media content provider includes storage for storing and serving video content to subscribers. The media content provider records and or otherwise stores video content from around the world. The system includes display devices configured to identify and tailor content to multiple individual users. Each user may have individual settings which provide for a customized viewing environment and experience. The system is configured to identify users of the system in order to tailor the content as appropriate. In addition, identification of users allows for the identification of the subscription content that corresponds to the user. Based upon identification of a user and corresponding subscription, the user's subscription content may be streamed to any location. In this manner, the users subscribed content may follow the user from home to a friend's house, or elsewhere.

Systems and methods for providing a universal remote control are disclosed. Control schemes for a plurality of remotely-controlled devices may be stored in memory of the universal remote control, where each of the control schemes includes a set of commands for a corresponding one of the remotely-controlled devices. Instructions for each command corresponding to one or more signals for the corresponding remotely-controlled device may be encoded. Based on a current orientation of a mobile device relative to a location of the remotely-controlled devices in a real-world environment, one of the remotely-controlled devices may be identified as being selected. Based on the stored control scheme for the selected remotely-controlled device a display for the mobile device may be generated, wherein the generated display includes the set of commands corresponding to the selected remotely-controlled device. A selection from the generated display of commands may be received. The selection corresponding to one or more signals based on the control scheme for the selected remotely-controlled device may be identified. The identified signals may be transmitted to the selected remotely-controlled device, wherein the transmitted signals include instructions executable by the selected remotely-controlled device to perform the selected command.

A device communicates via Wi-Fi with a central function device. The function device has information regarding all the various remote controls needed by the consumer. The function device communicates wirelessly with the device and in turn then operates all of the consumer's electronic devices.

A system includes a user interface for allowing a user to select a data stream to be played, a receiver for receiving the data stream to be played and a transmitter for transmitting the received data stream to a device that is capable of playing the stream. The system includes a first and a second device, which are separate from one another. The first device, called a receiving device, integrates the receiver and the transmitter. The second device, called a control device, integrates the user interface and, following the selection, by a user, of a stream to be played and preview on the control device, transmits to the first device a command for playing the selected stream, the command containing data for locating the selected stream.