Methods and systems are disclosed herein for a media guidance application that enhances the viewer experience by providing supplemental content related to a media asset during a fast-access playback operation. For example, in response to a user input during a fast-forward or rewind operation, the media guidance application may generate for display supplemental content related to the progression point of the media asset at which the user input was received while the fast-forward or rewind operation continues.

Systems and processes are disclosed for controlling television user interactions using a virtual assistant. In an example process, a virtual assistant can interact with a television set-top box to control content shown on a television display. Speech input for the virtual assistant can be received from a device with a microphone. The speech input can comprise a query associated with content shown on the television display. A user intent of the query can be determined based on one or more of the content shown on the television display and a viewing history of media content. A result of the query can be caused to be displayed based on the determined user intent.

The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, an electronic device, and a program that enables an operation in a natural manner for switching between and remotely operating various control target devices. A plurality of control target devices emits infrared light codes each including a unique ID in a predetermined pattern. A user holds a controller and directs an infrared light receiving unit toward a control target device. At this time, a control state is established for the control target device specified by an infrared light code received by the controller. After the control state has been established, when a user rotates a main body of the controller, a control parameter in accordance with the amount of rotation is calculated, and a control command in accordance with the control parameter is transmitted to the control target device to control the control target device. The present disclosure can be applied to a remote controller.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, an image display method may include displaying, on a display, an item list including a plurality of items and a cursor; detecting a user input for moving the cursor; and moving the cursor based on the user input and changing a property of at least one item of the plurality of items included in the item list based on a spatial relationship between the at least one item and the cursor.

A remote control that receives state information from an associated media device is disclosed. The remote control, in response to receiving data indicating that the media device is in a content state, may update an input assembly to indicate that the assembly may be used to perform a movement function. The remote control may instruct the media device to perform a movement function in response to a selection gesture, where the degree of movement is a single unit. In response to a swipe gesture, the remote control may instruct the media device to perform a linear movement with a greater degree of movement. Buttons and functions of the remote control may be further adapted in response to a menu-based state, or other states of the media device.

A method for interacting with a graphical user interface (GUI) of a television operating in a step mode in which movement of a cursor among menu items displayed on the GUI is performed stepwise in accordance with a manipulation of a direction key of the remote controller, the method including receiving, by the television, from a remote controller a signal corresponding to spatial movement of the remote controller detected by the remote controller that instructs the television to switch from (i) the step mode to (ii) a position mode of the GUI in which the movement of the cursor among the menu items is performed in accordance with the spatial movement of the remote controller and switching from the step mode of the GUI to the position mode of the GUI based on the signal.

A method and system are disclosed for capturing observations of customer-premise equipment or customer-provided equipment (CPE) devices. The method includes reporting a problem detect by a user during use of a customer-premise equipment or customer-provided equipment (CPE) device with one or more specific buttons on a remote controller; and entering the problem into a log with a timestamp.

A media appliance comprising: video apparatus for outputting signals to a screen; a control device allowing a user to control the output of signals from the video apparatus to the screen, thereby selecting a viewing activity; a network interface for accessing a packet-based network; a memory storing a communication client application; and processing apparatus, coupled to the memory, network interface and video apparatus, and arranged to execute the communication client application; wherein the client application is configured so as when executed to allow the user to conduct bidirectional communications with other users via the packet-based network, and output notifications to the user of incoming communication events received from other users over the packet-based network; and wherein the client application is further configured to defer one or more of said notifications of incoming communication events received during said viewing activity, determine a delineation in the viewing activity, and automatically output the one or more notifications to the user following said delineation.

Method, system and computer program product for providing additional information to a handheld device (HHD) about a displayed point of interest in video programming displayed on a multimedia display. A image of the video programming captured by a HHD camera can be used at a remote server to identify the video programming by matching it with archived programming. If identified, additional information related to the video programming can be obtained/provided. A region within a particular frame of displayed video programming can be selected at the HHD to access additional information about a point of interest associated with the region. The additional information can be displayed on the HHD or a secondary display, in response to selecting the region to access the additional information from a remote server.

A method and system are disclosed for capturing observations of customer-premise equipment or customer-provided equipment (CPE) devices. The method includes reporting a problem detect by a user during use of a customer-premise equipment or customer-provided equipment (CPE) device with one or more specific buttons on a remote controller; and entering the problem into a log with a timestamp.