PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11317161-B2
Application Number: US-202017065387-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: TV side bar user interface

Abstract:
Systems and methods for a media content user interface. 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. Subscribers are provided a user interface to the system that includes a side bar. The side bar includes multiple elements representing different categories of video content. By selecting a given category, available content is filtered according to the selected category and presented. Content which is presented may include live broadcast video for multiple channels on multiple television networks or other content providers. The side bar may further include a collection category specific to a given viewer. Selection of such a category may display video content within the collection. Subcategories in the side bar may be selected for further filtering of available content.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 at an electronic device in communication with a display device and one or more input devices:
 displaying, via the display device, a user interface that includes:
 a first region that includes one or more first representations of different people, wherein a first respective representation of the one or more first representations corresponding to a first person includes a visual indication of the first person; and 
 a second region that includes one or more second representations corresponding to one or more media that are included in the second region in accordance with a determination that one or more friends have consumed the one or more media, wherein a second respective representation of the one or more second representations corresponding to a first media includes a visual indication of the first media, and an indication of a popularity of the first media, wherein the indication of popularity comprises a number of friends that have consumed the first media; 
 
 while displaying the user interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a first input selecting the first respective representation corresponding to the first person; 
 in response to receiving the first input, displaying, via the display device, information associated with the first person; 
 while displaying the user interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a second input selecting the second respective representation corresponding to the first media; and 
 in response to receiving the second input, displaying, via the display device, a user interface corresponding to the first media. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first region includes a first row of representations, including the one or more first representations of different people, and the second region includes a second row of representations, including the one or more second representations corresponding to one or more media. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representation of live media, wherein the third representation corresponding to first live media includes a visual indication of a live status of the first live media, a description of the first live media, and an image corresponding to the first live media. 
 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 updating the third representation corresponding to the first live media over time. 
 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 3 , wherein the third representation corresponding to the first live media includes an indication of a source associated with the first live media. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, one or more third representations corresponding to one or more collections of media, wherein a third respective representation of the one or more third representations corresponding to a first collection of media includes an image corresponding to the first collection of media, a description corresponding to the first collection of media, and an indication of a number of media items in the first collection of media that are available for viewing. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the third respective representation corresponding to the first collection of media includes an indication of a source associated with the first collection of media. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 while displaying the one or more third representations corresponding to one or more collections of media, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a scrolling input directed to the one or more third representations; and 
 in response to receiving the scrolling input, scrolling the one or more third representations in accordance with the scrolling input. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information associated with the first person includes media corresponding to the first person. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second respective representation corresponding to the first media includes an indication of a source associated with the first media. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second respective representation corresponding to the first media includes a description associated with the first media. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface corresponding to the first media includes additional information about the first media. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representation of recommended media, wherein the recommended media is selected based on a number of people that are consuming the recommended media, and the third representation corresponding to first recommended media is selectable to display additional information associated with the first recommended media. 
 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representations of recommended media, wherein the recommended media is selected based on a history of a user of the electronic device, and the third representation corresponding to first recommended media is selectable to display additional information associated with the first recommended media. 
 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 one or more processors; and 
 memory storing instructions, which when executed by the one or more processors, cause the electronic device to perform a method comprising:
 displaying, via a display device, a user interface that includes:
 a first region that includes one or more first representations of different people, wherein a first respective representation of the one or more first representations corresponding to a first person includes a visual indication of the first person; and 
 a second region that includes one or more second representations corresponding to one or more media that are included in the second region in accordance with a determination that one or more friends have consumed the one or more media, wherein a second respective representation of the one or more second representations corresponding to a first media includes a visual indication of the first media, and an indication of a popularity of the first media, wherein the indication of popularity comprises a number of friends that have consumed the first media; 
 
 while displaying the user interface, receiving, via one or more input devices, a first input selecting the first respective representation corresponding to the first person; 
 in response to receiving the first input, displaying, via the display device, information associated with the first person; 
 while displaying the user interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a second input selecting the second respective representation corresponding to the first media; and 
 in response to receiving the second input, displaying, via the display device, a user interface corresponding to the first media. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the first region includes a first row of representations, including the one or more first representations of different people, and the second region includes a second row of representations, including the one or more second representations corresponding to one or more media. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 15 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representation of live media, wherein the third representation corresponding to first live media includes a visual indication of a live status of the first live media, a description of the first live media, and an image corresponding to the first live media. 
 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 17 , the method further comprising:
 updating the third representation corresponding to the first live media over time. 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the third representation corresponding to the first live media includes an indication of a source associated with the first live media. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 15 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, one or more third representations corresponding to one or more collections of media, wherein a third respective representation of the one or more third representations corresponding to a first collection of media includes an image corresponding to the first collection of media, a description corresponding to the first collection of media, and an indication of a number of media items in the first collection of media that are available for viewing. 
 
     
     
       21. The electronic device of  claim 20 , wherein the third respective representation corresponding to the first collection of media includes an indication of a source associated with the first collection of media. 
     
     
       22. The electronic device of  claim 20 , further comprising:
 while displaying the one or more third representations corresponding to one or more collections of media, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a scrolling input directed to the one or more third representations; and 
 in response to receiving the scrolling input, scrolling the one or more third representations in accordance with the scrolling input. 
 
     
     
       23. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the information associated with the first person includes media corresponding to the first person. 
     
     
       24. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the second respective representation corresponding to the first media includes an indication of a source associated with the first media. 
     
     
       25. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the second respective representation corresponding to the first media includes a description associated with the first media. 
     
     
       26. The electronic device of  claim 15 , wherein the user interface corresponding to the first media includes additional information about the first media. 
     
     
       27. The electronic device of  claim 15 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representation of recommended media, wherein the recommended media is selected based on a number of people that are consuming the recommended media, and the third representation corresponding to first recommended media is selectable to display additional information associated with the first recommended media. 
 
     
     
       28. The electronic device of  claim 15 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representations of recommended media, wherein the recommended media is selected based on a history of a user of the electronic device, and the third representation corresponding to first recommended media is selectable to display additional information associated with the first recommended media. 
 
     
     
       29. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions, which when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform a method comprising:
 displaying, via a display device, a user interface that includes:
 a first region that includes one or more first representations of different people, wherein a first respective representation of the one or more first representations corresponding to a first person includes a visual indication of the first person; and 
 a second region that includes one or more second representations corresponding to one or more media that are included in the second region in accordance with a determination that one or more friends have consumed the one or more media, wherein a second respective representation of the one or more second representations corresponding to a first media includes a visual indication of the first media, and an indication of a popularity of the first media, wherein the indication of popularity comprises a number of friends that have consumed the first media; 
 
 while displaying the user interface, receiving, via one or more input devices, a first input selecting the first respective representation corresponding to the first person; 
 in response to receiving the first input, displaying, via the display device, information associated with the first person; 
 while displaying the user interface, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a second input selecting the second respective representation corresponding to the first media; and 
 in response to receiving the second input, displaying, via the display device, a user interface corresponding to the first media. 
 
     
     
       30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , wherein the first region includes a first row of representations, including the one or more first representations of different people, and the second region includes a second row of representations, including the one or more second representations corresponding to one or more media. 
     
     
       31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representation of live media, wherein the third representation corresponding to first live media includes a visual indication of a live status of the first live media, a description of the first live media, and an image corresponding to the first live media. 
 
     
     
       32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 31 , the method further comprising:
 updating the third representation corresponding to the first live media over time. 
 
     
     
       33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 31 , wherein the third representation corresponding to the first live media includes an indication of a source associated with the first live media. 
     
     
       34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, one or more third representations corresponding to one or more collections of media, wherein a third respective representation of the one or more third representations corresponding to a first collection of media includes an image corresponding to the first collection of media, a description corresponding to the first collection of media, and an indication of a number of media items in the first collection of media that are available for viewing. 
 
     
     
       35. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 34 , wherein the third respective representation corresponding to the first collection of media includes an indication of a source associated with the first collection of media. 
     
     
       36. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 34 , the method further comprising:
 while displaying the one or more third representations corresponding to one or more collections of media, receiving, via the one or more input devices, a scrolling input directed to the one or more third representations; and 
 in response to receiving the scrolling input, scrolling the one or more third representations in accordance with the scrolling input. 
 
     
     
       37. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , wherein the information associated with the first person includes media corresponding to the first person. 
     
     
       38. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , wherein the second respective representation corresponding to the first media includes an indication of a source associated with the first media. 
     
     
       39. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , wherein the second respective representation corresponding to the first media includes a description associated with the first media. 
     
     
       40. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , wherein the user interface corresponding to the first media includes additional information about the first media. 
     
     
       41. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representation of recommended media, wherein the recommended media is selected based on a number of people that are consuming the recommended media, and the third representation corresponding to first recommended media is selectable to display additional information associated with the first recommended media. 
 
     
     
       42. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 29 , the method further comprising:
 displaying, in the user interface, a third representations of recommended media, wherein the recommended media is selected based on a history of a user of the electronic device, and the third representation corresponding to first recommended media is selectable to display additional information associated with the first recommended media.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/033,599, filed Sep. 25, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/108,519, filed Aug. 22, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/267,671, filed May 1, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,200,761, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/104,854, filed Dec. 12, 2013, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/800,715, filed Mar. 15, 2013, and claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/737,080, filed Dec. 13, 2012, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to multimedia systems, and more particularly, to delivery of media content. 
     Description of the Relevant Art 
     For many years, broadcast television was the sole provider of video content to viewer&#39;s homes across the globe. As time has passed, and particularly with the advent of the Internet, numerous other sources of video content have arisen. In addition to broadcast television, cable television and satellite based television providers have begun providing access to video on demand and other audio and video content. In addition, special purpose set-top boxes, such as that provided by Roku®, provided a gateway for viewer&#39;s to access other sources of video content not provided by their television service provider. With such boxes, viewers were able to connect to these other content providers in order to obtain desired video content. At present, there are countless video providers in the marketplace. In addition, music and other audio content is available through various communication channels. Many are subscription based services, and some provide free content. While the explosion of video content providers in the marketplace may seem a boon for viewer&#39;s, the large number of choices and providers complicates the viewing experience. 
     In view of the above, improved media content delivery systems, methods and mechanisms are desired. 
     SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Systems and methods for a media content delivery service are contemplated. 
     A media content delivery service is contemplated that includes a data store for storing and serving video content to subscribers. Such a data store may comprise one or more data stores, distributed storage, peer-to-peer based storage, cloud based storage or otherwise. In various embodiments, the media content provider is configured to continually record and or otherwise acquire media content from around the world for storage. Video and audio content stored in the data store will generally correspond to a large number of other content providers, such as cable television operators, Internet based content providers, television networks, and so on. The media content provider also maintains metadata regarding the video content in the data store. In addition to including information concerning the media content itself—such as format, duration, compression particulars, and so on, the metadata also includes information that associates the video content with the other video content providers. For example, a stored episode of a series shown on the HBO network will be identifiable as corresponding to the HBO network. 
     In various embodiments, detecting selection of a given element of displayed content in a user interface causes the display of a landing page dedicated to content associated with the given element. In various embodiments, the additional content includes access to multiple seasons and episodes of a television series. In other embodiments, the additional content includes access to multiple games for a sports team. The landing page further provide access to additional content representing selected portions of larger video content, where the selected portions have been identified through crowdsourcing 
     The side bar may further include a collection category specific to a given viewer. Selection of such a category may display video content within the collection. Subcategories in the side bar may be selected for further filtering of available content. 
     These and other embodiments are contemplated and will be appreciated upon reference to the following description and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a video display. 
         FIG. 2  depicts one embodiment of a video display and secondary sources. 
         FIG. 3  depicts one embodiment of a video display and secondary sources. 
         FIG. 4  depicts one embodiment of a video display and secondary sources. 
         FIG. 5  depicts one embodiment of a video display and secondary sources. 
         FIG. 6  depicts one embodiment of a portion of a television system. 
         FIG. 7  depicts one embodiment of a portion of a television system. 
         FIG. 8  depicts one embodiment of the distribution of video server farm. 
         FIG. 9  depicts one embodiment of subscribers and video content. 
         FIG. 10  depicts one embodiment of subscribers and video content. 
         FIG. 11  depicts one embodiment of subscribers and video content. 
         FIG. 12  depicts one embodiment of subscribers and video content. 
         FIG. 13  depicts one embodiment of a receiver and mobile device. 
         FIG. 14  depicts one embodiment of a method for identifying a subscriber. 
         FIG. 15  depicts one embodiment of a method for pairing a television and mobile device. 
         FIG. 16  depicts one embodiment of a video display. 
         FIG. 17  depicts one embodiment of a video display. 
         FIG. 18  depicts one embodiment of a video display and channel bar. 
         FIG. 19  depicts one embodiment of a video display and channel bar. 
         FIG. 20  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 21  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 22  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 23  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 24  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 25  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 26  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 27  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 28  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 29  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 30  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 31  depicts one embodiment of a method for scoping an interface channel bar. 
         FIG. 32  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 33  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 34  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 35  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 36  depicts one embodiment of a channel bar animation. 
         FIG. 37  depicts one embodiment of a channel bar animation. 
         FIG. 38  depicts one embodiment of a channel bar animation. 
         FIG. 39  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 40  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 41  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 42  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 43  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 44  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 45  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 46  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 47  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 48  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 49  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 50  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 51  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 52  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 53  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 54  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 55  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 56  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 57  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 58  depicts one embodiment of a video display and user interface. 
         FIG. 59  depicts one embodiment of a media content delivery system. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limited to. 
     Various units, circuits, or other components may be described as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is a broad recitation of structure generally meaning “having circuitry that” performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be configured to perform the task even when the unit/circuit/component is not currently on. In general, the circuitry that forms the structure corresponding to “configured to” may include hardware circuits. Similarly, various units/circuits/components may be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in the description. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase “configured to.” Reciting a unit/circuit/component that is configured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph six, interpretation for that unit/circuit/component. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, one having ordinary skill in the art should recognize that the invention might be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid obscuring the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of a television  100  and television display  102  is shown. In the example shown, the television display  102  is displaying video content related to a television show. In particular, the title  104  of a television show is depicted along with an episode bar  106  and play icon  110 . In the embodiment shown, the content depicted by the display  102  is provided according to a subscription a viewer has with a television subscription service. In one embodiment, this television subscription service is an Apple TV® service indicated by the icon  120 . In various embodiments, the title  104 , bar  106 , and icon  110  may be generated as an overlay on top of another image, such as a still picture, video content, animation, or otherwise. Such overlays may be produced by a set-top box, a program executing on, or logic incorporated into circuitry incorporated into the television  100  itself, or by a provider of video content (e.g., the Apple TV service). In other embodiments, rather than an overlay, the title  104 , bar  106 , and/or  110  may be integrally generated as part of an image or video displayed on the display portion  102  of the television. As used herein, “overlay” is intended to include not only the generation of overlays on top of other content, by the content that is integrally generated as part of the video content as well. 
     As shown in the example, bar  106  includes six images which correspond to subject matter related to the show titled  104  above. As shown, subject matter corresponding to three seasons of the show (“modernfamily”) are depicted. In particular, images corresponding to season 1 (Sea. 1), season 2 (Sea. 2), and season 3 (Sea. 3) are shown. For season 3, separate images are shown to correspond to particular episodes of season 3; namely, episodes 1-4 (Ep. 1-Ep. 4). In various embodiments, the images depicted within the bar  106  may be still images or video corresponding to the related season or episode, movie, or other media content. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 1 , one of the particular images  108  is indicated to have “focus”. As is understood by those skilled in the art, “focus” generally refers to the selection of a graphical element on a display in order to display information related to the selected item, prepare the item for further selection in order to further traverse a graphical user interface, and so on. In this example, focus is illustrated by the use of a broader outline on image  108  than is used for the other images within bar  106 . Numerous other alternative ways for indicating focus are known in the art, such as the use of different lighting, colors, animations, etc. All such alternatives are contemplated. Focus in this case may be used to identify a particular image within bar  106  which is intended as a target when the play icon  110  is selected by a user. In this manner, selecting play icon  110  while image  108  is selected (i.e., has focus) may result in episode 1 of season 3 of the modernfamily television series being played on the display  102 . 
     While  FIG. 1  depicts seasons and episodes of a television series available for viewing, what is not shown to the television viewer in this example is that the content corresponding to the images in bar  106  has been aggregated from multiple sources corresponding to multiple subscriptions. As used herein, subscriptions to these multiple services may be referred to as secondary subscriptions, while a subscription to the service corresponding to the display  102  (e.g., the Apple TV service) may be referred to as the primary subscription. In various embodiments, the primary subscription may be to Apple TV (or iTunes or a similar service) in which case Apple TV may be referred to as the “primary provider”, and the other multiple service providers may be referred to as “secondary providers”. It is noted that in some cases, a secondary provider may not provide all of the content to which it provides access. In some embodiments, a subscription with a secondary provider simply gives a viewer the right to access the data from a different provider. Various such alternatives are possible and are contemplated. In contrast to the scenario depicted in  FIG. 1 , in a typical scenario a viewer may have a subscription to a service such as the NETFLIX® service which provides television, movie, and other video content. When displaying available content for viewing, the NETFLIX service displays content available from NETFLIX. Alternatively, a service such as the TIVO® service may depict content available from multiple sources corresponding to multiple subscriptions. However, when accessing such content, the viewer accesses a particular service provider in order to obtain the desired content assuming the viewer has a subscription. In such a case, the TIVO service simply points the viewer to a service which provides content. The viewer then connects to that service to obtain content. In contrast to the above, not only does bar  106  in  FIG. 1  identify content corresponding to multiple providers which may require multiple secondary subscriptions, all of the corresponding content has been aggregated by the provider of the service that corresponds to the primary subscription (e.g., Apple TV). 
     For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates the television  100  and display  102  of  FIG. 1  with like items having identical reference numerals.  FIG. 2  illustrates that the content identified within bar  106  corresponds to different subscription based services  200 . For example, season 1 (Sea. 1) is available from the Amazon® service  202 , season 2 (Sea. 2) is available from the Apple iTunes® service  204 , episodes 1 and 2 of season 3 are available from the Netflix® service  206 , episode 3 of season 3 is available from the Hulu Plus® service  208 , and episode 4 of season 4 is available from a cable television service  210 . In the example shown, a viewer of the display  102  has a subscription to a service provided by the source of the display  102 . For example, the viewer may have a subscription to an Apple TV® service (the primary subscription). In various embodiments, the Apple TV service has recorded or otherwise obtained and aggregated content corresponding to all of the sources/providers shown in block  200 . Such content may have been obtained directly from the providers themselves, or otherwise. In such an embodiment, whether the viewer selects to view episode 3 or episode 4 of season 3 (each of which corresponds to a different provider and subscription), or any of the other content shown in block  106 , the content will be provided by the Apple TV service. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment in which a selection algorithm is used for determining what content is shown as available. Such an algorithm(s) may also be used to select particular content for display when multiple options are available. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the services/providers ( 302 ,  304 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ) depict relevant content available corresponding to the modernfamily television series. As can be seen, there is significant duplication among the services in available content. As such, a selection algorithm  320  may be used to select from among the available content. Also, shown in this example is a set-top box  300  coupled to the television. In various embodiments, selection algorithm may include hardware and/or software based processes performed at a server(s) (not shown in  FIG. 3 ), in the set-top box or television itself, at a content provider, or any combination thereof. For example, there may be multiple options available for the episode 1, season 3, e.g., episode 1 of season 3 may be available from multiple sources. This particular episode is available from both provider  308  and provider  310 . In addition, each of these providers may have this particular episode available in high definition (HD), or standard definition (SD) or both. Other options may be available as well. Given the various options, duplicate versions of content are possible. In some embodiments, all versions may be displayed to a viewer as being available. In other embodiments, it may not be desirable to always show all versions currently available. In such embodiments, determining which version(s) of particular content to display as being available for selection may need to be made. Alternatively, if selecting “play” by the viewer causes the episode to immediately begin playing automatically, then a selection algorithm may be needed to determine which source is used to provide the content. Whichever option is selected, it will have been stored by the primary subscription service and provided by this primary subscription service (e.g., Apple TV) rather than one of the services/providers ( 302 ,  204 ,  306 ,  308 ,  310 ). Further details regarding the above mentioned selection algorithms will be discussed in greater detail below. 
     In various embodiments, the content shown as being available in block  106  may also be based upon content that is available for viewing (irrespective of whether the viewer has a current subscription for the content), or content that is available based on the viewer&#39;s current subscription(s). The approach used to choose what is shown as being available may be programmable (e.g., based on user settings in a set-top box, based on a service provider&#39;s preferences, or otherwise) and may be a combination of the above approaches.  FIG. 4  depicts an embodiment in which the content shown as being available is based on whether or not the viewer has a secondary subscription to an available service. In various embodiments, a viewer may be able to view and manage their various primary and secondary subscriptions using interfaces provided by the primary provider on the display. In the example shown in  FIG. 4 , providers  402 - 410 , selection algorithm  420 , set-top box  400  and display  430  are shown. Each of the providers  402 - 410  are shown coupled to the algorithm  420  by a line. In the embodiment shown, a line coupled from a provider  402 - 410  to the selection algorithm indicates that the primary subscription based service (Apple TV) provides content corresponding to the given provider (e.g., based on an agreement between the primary subscription service provider and the secondary subscription service provider). A solid line in this case is used to indicate that the viewer has a subscription to the corresponding provider/service and a dashed line indicates the viewer does not have a subscription to the provider/service. 
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the iTunes service is the only provider of season 1 (Sea. 1) of the modernfamily television series. As shown by the dashed line  412 , the viewer, which corresponds to the subscription displayed on the display,  430  does not have a currently valid subscription to this service. Consequently, season 1 (Sea. 1) does not show up as being available on the display  430 . As an example, a viewer may not want content displayed when a subscription is not available in order to reduce the amount of content displayed.  FIG. 5  illustrates the approach wherein content is shown to the viewer as being available irrespective of whether or not the viewer has a (secondary) subscription for the content. In the example of  FIG. 5 , lines  502 ,  504 , and  506  show the viewer does not have a subscription to the Amazon, iTunes, or Netflix services. Nevertheless, all content is shown as being available to the viewer on the display  530 . Having briefly described a television service with primary and secondary subscriptions, and the aggregation of all content by the primary subscription service, we now turn to a discussion of the system in general. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of a system corresponding to the above description. In the embodiment shown, a “data store”  600  is shown that includes a large number of servers  630  and a data store  640 . In various embodiments, the data store  600  corresponds to a cloud based service whereby content and services are delivered over a network such as the Internet. Also shown are multiple content providers  620  coupled to the data store  600  via multiple communication pathways  610 . In various embodiments, providers  620  may include subscription-based providers, which provide paid and/or free content. In various embodiments, the purchase of an application (app) may provide access to particular content. For example, the purchase of a major league baseball app may provide access to content related to major league baseball. In a sense, the purchase of the app effectively serves as a subscription. The application may then be executable (e.g., by the set-top box) to provide an enhanced viewing experience for baseball related viewing. Data store  600  is also shown coupled to convey content to subscribers  660  via multiple pathways  650 . Transmission pathways  650  may include satellite-based transmission  651 , cable-based systems  652 , terrestrial or broadband radio service (BRS) based systems  653 , the Internet and/or other networks  654 , a combination of these systems, or some other appropriate system of transmission. In the embodiment shown, providers  620  includes cable television operators, television networks, movie studios, production companies, Internet service providers, satellite television operators, and other providers/sources of content. In various embodiments, one or more of the providers  620  corresponds to a subscription-based service whereby subscribers are entitled to gain access to video content. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 6  is the conveyance of content  621 - 627  by each of the providers  620  via one or more pathways  610  to data store  600 . It is noted that while the term data store—singular—is used, in various embodiments the data store  600  is in fact multiple farms that are distributed, as will be discussed shortly. Similar to pathways  650 , pathways  610  may include any of a variety of transmission media and may include a variety of transmission protocols. Content  621 - 627  may generally include video content and related metadata, which describes the content and/or other particular regarding the content. Such metadata can be delivered using protocols or formats such as XML, JSON and the like. Such other particulars may include information regarding licensing related information, subscriber information, pricing information, or otherwise. Appropriate secure or encrypted forms of data transmission can be used to protect commercial and proprietary information related to a provider or personally identifying information related to a user. For ease of illustration, the content  621 - 627  is shown with a corresponding designation A-G that serves to indicate the content corresponds to a given provider. For example, content  621 , which is conveyed by a Cable Television Operator, includes the designation “A”. Corresponding data within the data store  600  data store  640  includes the designation “A” as well. In various embodiments, designation “A” for data within data store  640  may serve to indicate that a subscription to the Cable Television Operator includes access to this data. It is noted that such designations for use in relation to data within the data store  640  will form part of the metadata maintained by the data store  600 . While content within the data store  640  is shown with a given designation for ease of illustration, in various embodiments particular data in the data farm  600  may be associated with multiple providers  620  and multiple subscriptions. Accordingly, particular content such as an episode of a television show would be associated with multiple providers  620  and metadata maintained by the data store  600  would indicate as much. Therefore, while the illustration of  FIG. 6  may depict content as being segregated by provider or subscription (A-P), in various embodiments such segregation or identification is merely logical based on metadata. In various embodiments, data storage reduction techniques such as deduplication and single instance storage will be used for the data store  640 . 
     The previous figures have discussed the television system in terms of conveying content for display on a television. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the target  660  of video content conveyed by data store  600  may be any of various different types of targets. Exemplary targets  660  shown in  FIG. 6  included a set-top box coupled to a television  661 , a laptop computer  662 , a desktop computer  663 , a smart phone, cellular phone, wearable portable device (e.g., a wristwatch type display), other handheld mobile device  664 , a television, a tablet computer, a cruise ship for distribution as part of an on-board video system, an automobile (e.g., for display on an integrated video screen), or aircraft for individual distribution to passengers or broader distribution as part of an on-board video system. Other targets capable of displaying video content are possible and are contemplated. Moreover, the content may be movie content that is provided by multiple secondary providers and to which aspects of the description relating to seasons, episodes, channels, that are more relevant to typical television programming may not apply. In addition, in some embodiments, the system and its interface may be used to allow a user to browse and select non-video content such as music or audio content including podcasts that may be presented or played back using the audio output capabilities of the system, or applications that may execute with content displayed on a television such as interactive games. 
       FIG. 6  also illustrates that targets  660  may communicate with data store  600  via paths  692 . Such communication may include requests for video content, receiving device performance related information, viewer profile related information, or otherwise. Also shown is a communication path  692  that illustrates target devices may communicate with other target devices. Such communication may be peer-to-peer based type communication or otherwise.  FIG. 6  also shows targets  660  coupled via a network  670  coupled to other sources  680 . These other sources  680  may provide access to other sources of video content, Internet based content, or content directly provided by one or more of providers  620 . 
     As discussed above, in various embodiments a viewer may have a primary subscription and one or more second subscriptions. For example, in  FIG. 6  a viewer corresponding to one of the targets  660  may have a primary subscription to Apple TV, which in the example shown corresponds to server  600  and related operations. In such an embodiment, the primary subscription may be based on monthly fee, annual fee, or other periodic fee. Alternatively, the primary subscription may be based on the purchase of a set-top box or television with integrated components to support the primary subscription service. Still further, the primary subscription may be based on a combination of a periodic fee, the purchase of equipment, per item purchases, and/or otherwise. Whichever approach is used in a given case for the subscription, the primary subscription generally provides access by the viewer to content maintained within the data store of the primary subscription service provider (e.g., Apple TV). While content available to the viewer is maintained and provided by the primary subscription service provider, which content is available to the viewer according to the primary subscription is based upon one or more secondary subscriptions of the viewer. 
     As an example, a viewer may have a cable television subscription (secondary subscription). In addition, the viewer may have a subscription to the service provider associated with the data store (e.g., an iTunes account or similar subscription). The cable television operator (e.g., as shown as a provider  620 ) broadcasts video content, such as live television and video-on-demand content, 24 hours a day. Data store  600  is configured to record and/or otherwise capture all content broadcast/provided by the cable television operator and store the content as part of the data store  640 . For example, data designated “A” in data store  640  may represent video content broadcast and/or otherwise provided or available from the cable television operator. Given the viewer&#39;s secondary subscription to the cable television operator service, the viewer&#39;s primary subscription to Apple TV (data store  600 ) entitles the viewer to access all of the content in the data store  640  that corresponds to the cable operator. Consequently, the viewer may view live television broadcasts of the cable television operator, which are provided by the data store  600  rather than the cable television operator. Additionally, as the data store  600  is constantly recording/gathering all of the cable operator content, the viewer may have access to content which was broadcast by the cable television operator a week ago, a month ago, or even a year ago, depending on how long the data store maintains the data and/or has rights to convey the data. It is noted, that as used herein, the term broadcast is not limited to a television broadcast in the traditional sense. Rather, broadcast may refer to conveyance of media content from any content provider or delivery system including Internet based providers, satellite based providers, conveyance of content in a viewer&#39;s own media store, or otherwise. Additionally, broadcast may be used to encompass multicast and point-to-point communication as well. 
     In various embodiments, the data store  600  is in principle generally configured to record all video data everywhere all of the time. In other words, the data store  600  operator may seek to store all video content available for viewing globally. Of course as a practical matter, it may not be possible to capture video content in such an all-encompassing manner. As such, the data store operator may generally seek to capture as much media content (audio and/or video, applications, images, etc.) as possible based on subscriber interests and other factors. Such an approach may seek to include storing all previously available video content anywhere in the world and continuously recording newly available video content that is deemed worthy of capture for business or other purposes. Acquisition of video content may generally necessitate license agreements with various copyright holders and providers. As noted earlier, particular content that has been acquired and resides in the data store  600  may be associated with multiple providers. However, while multiple providers may provide subscribers access to particular video content, it generally will not be the case that the data store  600  operator will need agreements with all such providers in order to acquire the content. Rather, in most cases, video content will have been acquired and stored as part of the content  640 . The data store  600  operator will then form agreements with providers  620  which will entitle subscribers with primary subscriptions to the data store service  600  and a given secondary subscription to another service  620  to access secondary subscription available content from the data store  600 . Depending on a viewer&#39;s secondary subscriptions, content within the data store  600  that is accessible to the viewer will vary. In various embodiments, rather than subscribing to all of a secondary provider&#39;s content, viewer&#39;s may be able to subscribe to a subset of the content offered by a secondary provider, or to combinations of subsets of content offered by multiple secondary providers. For example, a viewer may subscribe to only a particular network, a particular television series, a particular night of the week (e.g., the Thursday night lineup), subscribe according to varying durations (e.g., just the next two weeks), all shows of a particular genre across multiple secondary content providers (e.g. medical dramas; reality shows; etc.) or all content featuring a particular actor (e.g. all Alec Baldwin content), and so on. Numerous such alternatives are possible and are contemplated. 
     While the embodiment of  FIG. 6  contemplates a primary subscription provider and multiple secondary subscription providers  620 , the viewing experience provided to the viewer is generally managed solely by the primary subscription provider.  FIG. 7  illustrates a primary subscription based data store  700  coupled to provide video content to targets  710 . As previously discussed, data store  700  stores data associated with multiple secondary subscription providers. By having a suitable secondary subscription, a viewer gains access to data in the data store  600  that represents data also provided by the secondary subscription provider. However, the secondary subscription provider does not provide the content to the viewer. Rather, the content is provided by the primary subscription provider. In some embodiments, the viewer may be able to receive content from a secondary provider. In some embodiments, responsive to a purchase by a viewer, the primary provider may obtain content from the secondary provider (assuming the primary provider does not already have the content) and convey/forward the content to the viewer. Conveying/forwarding the content in such a case may include reformatting and/or modifying associated metadata to conform to the primary provider&#39;s system requirements. 
     Additionally, the video environment within which the video content is provided (e.g., via a set-top box provided by the primary subscription provider, etc.) is controlled by the primary subscription provider. Such an approach eliminates or minimizes the viewer&#39;s need to navigate or otherwise deal with disparate secondary provider environments. To further enhance the viewer&#39;s experience, complications associated with managing secondary subscriptions may be managed through the primary subscription. For example, the primary subscription provider may identify content available to a viewer via a secondary subscription. Should the viewer wish to subscribe to the secondary provider, this may be done through the primary subscription service and may even be billed as part of the primary subscription service billing. This may be accomplished via the primary subscription service interface using a consistent visual/graphical approach. In such a manner, the system provides the viewer with a consistent interface and viewing experience. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , data store  700  includes multiple databases configured to store data associated with the stored video content. These databases include metadata  702 , subscriber databases  704 , provider databases  706 , advertiser databases  708 , and license databases  710 . Metadata  702  may generally include data that identifies the nature of video content type, size, title, duration, cast, secondary providers, etc. Subscriber databases  704  may include information regarding primary subscriptions and perhaps secondary subscriptions. Provider databases  706  may include information regarding secondary subscription providers. Advertiser databases  708  may include information regarding advertisers, advertisements, and corresponding agreements. License databases  708  may include license data related to stored content. It is noted that these databases are exemplary only. Numerous other and/or alternative databases may be maintained. Additionally, any suitable storage and/or transmission format for metadata and content may be utilized, such as XML, JSON, or otherwise. As shown, data store  700  conveys video data to targets  710  via a path  702   a . As depicted, the video content and associated metadata along path is conveyed in a manner to provide a consistent viewing experience—visually illustrated as “V”—which generally seeks to eliminate viewing experience differences generally associated with different video content providers. View  704   a  illustrates that differences associated with the video content regarding secondary subscriptions or otherwise are subjugated (e.g., identified via the metadata) to the larger viewing presentation. In this manner, viewers can access all content they are entitled to according to secondary subscriptions with one or more providers from a single provider via a single provider interface. Additionally, as all content is stored—the viewer may access content which was at one time provided by the secondary provider but is no longer provided by that provider. In various embodiments, the viewing experience is controlled by the primary provider by providing the hardware and/or software with which subscribers access the video content, or by controlling specifications of the hardware and/or software used by the subscribers. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 8 , one embodiment of a data store  800  as previously discussed is shown. Generally speaking, data store  800  is distributed throughout a particular geographic region  802 , strategically distributed throughout the globe  804 , and may also include distributed portions in satellite based systems. Additionally, embodiments are contemplated in which peer-to-peer storage techniques may be used. In some embodiments, subscriber devices themselves may serve (at least in part) as storage for a distributed storage system. In this manner, data may be served to particular regions throughout the globe in a relatively efficient manner compared to having one or only a small number of server sites. 
     Generally speaking in the prior art, a television subscription, such as a cable television subscription, is associated with one or more particular devices (set-top boxes). Such devices are uniquely identified by the cable television operator and communication is established with the device which enables the device to receive programming from the cable operator. In contrast, in various embodiments, primary subscriptions as described herein may be associated with particular subscribers rather than particular devices. Given such an approach, the subscriber&#39;s content may follow the subscriber wherever they or their devices may go. The following discussion illustrates these features.  FIG. 9  depicts data store  900  including video content that corresponds to multiple secondary subscriptions/providers. A first subscriber  902  has four secondary subscriptions  912  E, F, I and J. This entitles subscriber  1   902  access (e.g., viewing privileges) to the E, F, I and J content  910  stored as part of the content associated with farm  900 . A second subscriber, subscriber  2   904 , has secondary subscriptions  922  J, K, N and O. This entitles subscriber  2   904  access to the J, K, N and O content  920  stored as part of the content associated with farm  900 . In this example, both subscribers have secondary subscriptions providing access to the content J. 
     Turning to  FIG. 10 , the homes of subscriber  1   1010  and the home of subscriber  2   102  are shown. Subscriber  1   1012  is shown to be present in the home  1010 , and subscriber  2   1022  is shown to be present in home  1020 . Subscriber  1   1012  is shown to have access to content E, F, I and J and the corresponding content is viewable on the television  1014 . Subscriber  2   1022  is shown to have access to content J, K, N and O, and the corresponding content is viewable on the television  1024 .  FIG. 11  illustrates subscriber  1   1112  has now moved to subscriber  2 &#39;s home. As subscriber  1 &#39;s primary subscription is associated with subscriber  1  and is not viewable on a specific device, subscriber  1 &#39;s content E, F, I and J is viewable in subscriber  2 &#39;s home television  1024 . Various embodiments for how subscriber  1 &#39;s subscription follows the subscriber in this manner are contemplated. In one embodiment, subscriber  1 &#39;s use of a remote control device in subscriber  2 &#39;s home is recognized by the remote control and/or other video content display devices. For example, the remote control used with a set-top box may include biometric recognition capability to recognize a fingerprint, voice, or other characteristic of the person using the remote control. This biometric data could then be communicated to the set-top box and conveyed to the primary subscription provider for analysis. Identification of a particular subscriber may cause conveyance of particular codes or entitlement data to the set-top box, which then enables it to receive subscriber  1 &#39;s content. 
     In other embodiments, password or other login type information may be entered via a remote control device. Authorization may result in codes or entitlement data being conveyed similar to that discussed above. Still further, in other embodiments, subscribers may have particular mobile devices associated with their subscription. For example, a subscriber&#39;s smart phone may be associated with the subscription. In some cases, the smart phone itself may itself be authorized to receive and display subscription based video content. Additionally, the smart phone may be useable as a remote control for a television system. In such an embodiment, the smart phone may be configured to communicate with a television, set-top box, or other video system component. Based on such communication, the set-top box or other device may convey the smart phone data to the primary subscription service provider. If the smart phone is identified as being associated with a valid subscription, then entitlement/authorization type data may be conveyed to the set-top, television, or otherwise, which enables it to receive subscriber  1 &#39;s subscription based content. Such embodiments would enable the viewing of one&#39;s own subscription content at a friend&#39;s house. Alternatively, subscription content could follow a subscriber to a hotel room during travel. Numerous such scenarios are possible and are contemplated. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates an embodiment in which subscription content for both subscriber  1   1212  and subscriber  2   1222  is concurrently available on the television  1224  in subscriber  2 &#39;s home. In such an embodiment, a device such as a set-top box detects the presence of both subscribers and authorizes access to their combined content. In various embodiments, such as the smart phone embodiment described above, the detection and identification of the smart phone triggers the authorization mechanism for the subscriber content. In such an embodiment, the smart phone may have a setting that enables or disables the mechanism. For example, in one embodiment the mechanism may be enabled and have a broadcast mode in which the subscriber needn&#39;t take any action to cause the authorization to take place. The mere presence, such as walking in to the home, results in the set-top box being authorized to receive the subscription-based content. In such an embodiment, simply walking into a neighbor&#39;s home may result in the same authorization. If such authorization is not desired, then the smart phone (or other mobile device) may have a setting that disables the automatic authorization mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, the feature of having a subscriber&#39;s content follow the subscriber and be displayed on another device (e.g., a friend&#39;s television or a hotel room television) may be a feature that is provided at an additional cost (e.g., a small monthly fee). Additionally, such a feature (which may be referred to as a “follow me” mode) may be enabled or disabled. For example, in some embodiments, when subscription content follows a subscriber to another location where it is then viewed, that content is not simultaneously viewable in the subscriber&#39;s home. In various embodiments, such a mode may be controllable by both a set-top box in the subscriber&#39;s home as well as by the subscriber while not at home. If desired, primacy may be given to the set-top box at home. In this manner, content may follow the subscriber away from home, but when someone at the home wishes to access particular subscription based content it is permitted and the follow me mode is temporarily disabled. Numerous such alternatives are possible and are contemplated. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 13 , a general block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a set-top box  1300  and mobile device  1360  is shown. Set-top box  1300  is shown to include a control unit  1302  including processor(s)  1304  and conditional access (CA) type unit  1306 . Set-top box  1300  includes memory  1320 , persistent memory (Flash)  1330 , I/O interfaces  1342 , wireless transceiver  1344  configured to support WiFi, Bluetooth, or any other wireless communication protocol, and USB, MoCA, and Ethernet, and other interfaces including, for example the Apple Thunderbolt interface  1346 . A mux/demux/convert unit is included which may be configured to receive, demultiplex, and convert the formats of receive signals. A video/audio unit  1350  is included to convey audio and video data to a display device. Such audio and video data includes audio/video content received by the set-top box and also includes any overlays or other graphic elements generated by the set-top box  1300 . Also included are operating system components  1310 , applications (apps)  1312  executable by the processor(s)  1304 , components  1314  for use in converting between communication protocols, viewer profile/identification  1316  related components, and any other  1318  suitable components. In various embodiments, the set-top box can optionally exclude tuners in the conventional sense. In other words, the set-top box can have no QAM or ATSC tuners. Rather, in various embodiments, the set-top box receives video content via a network interface such as an interface coupled to the Internet. 
     In various embodiments, the set-top box  1300  can optionally exclude mass storage (such as a disk drive or similar DVR type mass storage device) and is not configured to provide access to locally attached mass storage. Rather, sufficient storage for some video buffering, operating system and application memory resident operations, and so on, may be all that is provided. In such an embodiment, the set-top box  1300  is generally configured for video streaming and not video storage. Other embodiments could include or provide access to local mass storage. Mobile device  1360  may be a dedicated remote control device, smart phone, or other device that is configured to communicate with the set-top box  1300 . As discussed above, in various embodiments the device  1360  may be identifiable as being associated with a subscriber. Responsive to such identification (e.g., using identification component  1316  and communication with a subscription service), the set-top box may be authorized to receive subscriber content. In other embodiments, biometric data may be entered to the device  1360  (e.g., a fingerprint or voice sample) which is then used for authentication/authorization. Various such embodiments are possible and are contemplated as per the discussion above. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates one embodiment of a method for use in identifying a subscriber and authorizing the receipt of subscriber content at a particular device. In the method shown, a remote control or other handheld device is used to initiate or activate the procedure (block  1402 ). In various embodiments, such activation may be initiated by starting a particular app on a smart phone, detecting movement of a remote control via an accelerometer or similar device, pushing a button on a remote control, detecting and optionally identifying a fingerprint of a finger resting on a touch pad of a remote control, recognition of a voice in response to the receipt of a voice command, and so on. In an embodiment in which the identification mode may be enabled and disabled, if the mode is disabled (decision block  1404 ), default settings or guest ID type settings ( 1406 ) may be used for the set-top box, television, or other associated video display device. For example, by default a set-top box may be configurable by a viewer to display particular content (for example, content that corresponds to the owner of the home in which the set-top box is located). If ID mode is activated (decision block  1404 ), then an identification/authorization procedure is initiated. For ease of discussion, three different embodiments are illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Block  1410  corresponds to an embodiments in which identification is based on the mobile device being used to communicate with the set-top box (e.g., the smart phone based example described above). A second embodiment proceeds with block  1430  is represents a biometric or other approach that is not based on the particular mobile device being used. Finally, a third embodiment begins with block  1420 , which represents a combination of device and user identification. Depending on the embodiment, one of these three paths will be chosen. In various embodiments, only one such path/embodiment is available. In other embodiments, multiple such paths/embodiments are available and may be selected as a preferred method by configuring the set-top box or other receiving device accordingly. 
     Beginning with block  410 , device based identification is initiated. In this embodiment, an identification of the mobile device  1412  is received by the set-top box from the mobile device. While a set-top box is described as the receiving device for purposes of discussion, it is to be understood that the receiving device may be a television with supporting circuitry, a game console with supporting circuitry, or otherwise. Having received the device identifier, an effort to identify the device is undertaken (decision block  1414 ). Such identification may include communication with the subscription provider which accesses a subscriber database or otherwise to determine if the mobile device is associated with a subscription. In other embodiments, the set-top box may store device identifiers for a certain period of time (e.g., 24 hours) with associated authorization information. In such an embodiment, re-authorization would only be needed once per day or according to some other time interval. In such embodiments, the subscription provider may be able to invalidate such set-top box data at will in order to require re-authorization. If the device is not successfully identified, then default or guest settings  1450  may be used. If the device is successfully identified and it is associated with a valid subscription, then settings that correspond to the subscription may be obtained (e.g., settings for the set-top box environment, settings for the particular user, etc.) (block  1410 ), and access to the subscription based content is authorized (block  1450 ). 
     Alternatively, the path may begin with block  1430  where user based authentication is initiated. In such an embodiment, user identification may be requested by the remote control/mobile device (block  1432 ). In response, a viewer provides biometric or login type data (block  1432 ). If the user identification is successful (block  1436 ), then the method continues with block  1440 . Otherwise, default or guest settings may be used (block  1406 ). User identification may include a process similar to that described in association with block  1414 . 
     Finally, the third approach begins with block  1420  where device based identification is initiated. In this embodiment, the device is first identified (blocks  1422  and  1424 ). If the device is successfully identified, then an attempt to identify the user is made (block  1426 ). This may be used to verify that the remote control/mobile device is being used by the rightful owner or otherwise expected user. If both the device and user are properly identified as corresponding to a valid subscription (decision block  1428 ), then the method proceeds with block  1440 . Otherwise, default or guest settings may be used (block  1406 ). In each of the embodiments, default settings may be configurable and may include disabling access completely, conveying a communication (email, text message, etc.) that indicates the failed attempt, or otherwise. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 15 , one embodiment of a method for pairing a remote control or other mobile device with a set-top box or other video display device is shown. In various embodiments, a remote control or other device may use Bluetooth or any other suitable wireless communication protocol to establish communication with a set-top box or other device. In the example shown, a remote control device is detected (block  1500 ). This detection may be pursuant to an explicitly initiated detection procedure, or could be based on a constant broadcast and detection mechanism. Responsive to detecting a device, a pairing attempt may be initiated (decision block  1502 ). If pairing of the remote control with the set-top box is successful (decision block  1504 ), then device and/or user authentication is initiated (block  1506 ). This authentication may correspond to the various embodiments discussed in relation to  FIG. 14 . If authentication is successful (decision block  1508 ), then streaming of the subscription based content to the paired device (e.g., set-top box) is authorized. If authentication is not successful (decision block  1508 ), then a default procedure may be used (block  1520 ). This default procedure may include disabling access to the set-top box, using default or guest settings, or any other procedure deemed suitable. 
     As discussed above, the primary provider will generally have a great deal of content available for viewing by a given subscriber. The content that is available may be determined in part based on secondary subscriptions of the viewer. As noted, there may be duplication among the secondary subscriptions and/or primary subscription as to available content. Additionally, particular content may be available in many forms.  FIG. 16  illustrates some of the various forms that content may take. 
     In the example shown, content may differ as to cost  1602  (viewable for free or viewable for payment of a fee) and quality (HD or SD)  1604 . In addition, presentation of content may include presentation with advertisements (ADs) or without ADs  1606 . With only these variables, given content may correspond to one of eight different forms/presentations as shown by the tree  1610 . In this case, the eight possibilities are:
         1. Free, HD, with ADs   2. Free, HD, without ADs   3. Free, SD, with ADs   4. Free, SD, without ADs   5. Paid, HD, with ADs   6. Paid, HD, without ADs   7. Paid, SD, with ADs   8. Paid, SD, without ADs       

     Given these possibilities, a viewer may have various preferences regarding how the given content is prioritized when either being presented as being available or when being selected for viewing. For example, a viewer may give a higher priority to free content over paid content. Also, HD content may be given priority over SD content, and so on. Using such preferences, selections from available content may be made for presentation to the viewer or when particular content is selected for viewing. In addition to such preferences, additional factors  1608  may be used to determine which content is provided to a viewer. For example, bandwidth considerations may affect the selection of content. If it is determined that the bandwidth to the viewer&#39;s device is limited, HD content may be disfavored (at least temporarily) until the condition eases. In such a case, the options indicated by  1620  and  1622  in  FIG. 16  may be eliminated. Additionally, a viewer&#39;s preferences may generally indicate a preference for HD content. However, on a particular occasion, the viewer&#39;s target device may have a very small display which may not generally reveal significant differences between SD and HD content. In such a case, SD may be preferentially conveyed. 
       FIG. 17  depicts one embodiment in which multiple options for content are available. In the example shown, five secondary providers  1702 ,  1704 ,  1706 ,  1708  and  1710  are shown. The particular content in question is Season 3, Episode 2 of a given series. For this given episode, box  1720  shows there are 10 different selections available. There are three secondary providers of the particular content available—iTunes, Netflix, and Amazon. The content is available in both HD and SD. The content is available for free (Netflix subscription—no additional charge N/C), at a cost of $1.99, $2.99, and $3.99. Finally, the content is available with or without advertisements. All 10 options serve as input to a selection algorithm  1730 . Also serving as input to the selection algorithm are server side factors  1741 , viewer profile/preferences  1742 , receiver side factors  1743 , provider factors  1744 , and advertiser factors  1745  (collectively factors  1740 ). Viewer profile/preferences  1742  may include information based on a viewer&#39;s viewing habits and activities, explicitly entered viewer preferences or information, profile and/or preference information related to other viewers, or any combination of these. Such profile and/or preference information may generally be referred to as a viewer “profile” herein. Server side factors  1741  may include processing and bandwidth considerations. Profile/Preferences  1742  have been discussed. Receiver side factors  1743  may include information received from a target device regarding processing, memory, or other condition that may affect performance. Provider factors  1744  may include agreements with secondary providers regarding how content is to be provided. Finally, advertiser factors  1745  may include agreements with advertisers how advertisements are to be presented. As may be appreciated, many other factors are possible and are contemplated. 
     Given the available content options and factors  1740 , the algorithm  1730  selects one or more of the options for presentation to the viewer. Such a process may be repeated as need to generate a plurality of items for presentation to a viewer (e.g., a number of episodes of a given series). 
     In the following discussion, various embodiments of the operation of a receiving device and interface are shown. Generally speaking, the embodiments described in the following figures are configured to operate with the embodiments in the foregoing description. It is further noted that the following described embodiments may be implemented in association with other video content delivery systems. For example, the following embodiments may be utilized in association with traditional cable or satellite television systems, special purpose set top boxes (e.g., Roku type boxes), Internet video providers, and so on. All such embodiments are contemplated. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates one embodiment of a display with user interface channel bar. Display  1800  is shown displaying video content  1801  that may be streamed from a subscription based service provider (e.g., Apple TV). In various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein, a channel bar  1890  similar to that shown in  FIG. 18  may be automatically displayed when a viewer turns on a television (or television and set top box) for viewing. The particular channel displayed may correspond to the last channel being watched when the television was turned off, a particular favorite channel that has been identified either explicitly or implicitly (e.g., based on viewing history), a channel with a particular program airing that is predicted to be of interest to the viewer (e.g., based on viewing history, past purchases, etc.), or otherwise. 
     Also shown in the lower portion of the display  1800  is a “scrubber” bar  1806  and channel bar  1890 . In various embodiments, scrubber bar  1806  and channel bar  1810  are graphic overlay elements generated by a set-top box on top of the video content  1801 . In the example shown, channel bar  1810  includes a central portion or element which corresponds to the currently displayed video content (an episode of the Modern Family television episode). This central portion includes a title  1820  for the currently depicted television series (Modern Family), and title  1822  of the currently depicted episode (Election Day). Also included in the central portion is a small image  1802  that corresponds to the currently depicted video content. In various embodiments, this image  1802  may be a still image, video content, animation, or otherwise corresponding to the television series or the particular episode. Also shown in the central portion is a beginning time indicator  1840  (8:00 PM) for the currently depicted video content. The central portion also includes an identification  1830  of the channel to which the currently displayed channel bar corresponds. 
     The central portion  1810  of the channel bar is separated from a first portion  1812  by a first separator  1805 , and a second portion  1814  by a second separator  1807 . The first portion includes the designation “Previous” and includes an image  1801  of a television program which immediately preceded the currently displayed content on the channel identified by the indicator  1830  (the same channel as the currently displayed content). The second portion  1814  includes an image  1803  that corresponds to the television program that immediately follows the currently displayed content on the identified channel  1830 . The second portion also includes a time indicator  1850  (8:30 PM) which indicates at what time the television program identified in the second portion  1814  begins. In general, these time indications may serve to indicate the duration of the corresponding video content. Other embodiments may include an explicit duration indication in the channel bar for each element/show depicted. The scrubber bar  1806  includes a current position indicator  1860  that is used to indicate the current position of the displayed content  1801  within the television program identified in the central portion  1890  of the channel bar. Also shown is a time indicator  1862  that corresponds to the current position indicator  1860 . In the present example, the video content  1801  is that of a live television broadcast. As such, the scrubber bar to the left of the position indicator  1860  has a different appearance from that of the scrubber bar to the right of the position indicator  1860 . The lighter colored portion to the left of the indicator  1860  indicates already broadcast content. As the content has already been broadcast, it is possible to rewind back into that content. The darker colored portion of the scrubber bar to the right of the position indicator  1860  indicates content which has not yet been broadcast. Consequently, it is generally not possible to fast forward to such (future) content. However, in various embodiments as will be discussed later, such “future” content may be immediately viewable. 
     In various embodiments, the display shown in  FIG. 18  is presented as a uniform presentation to the viewer. In other words, the viewer is not provided any indication that any element of the presentation corresponds to other than a single subscription (e.g., a cable television subscription). However, in embodiments according to the primary and secondary subscriptions as discussed above, the primary subscription based provider of the content displayed in  FIG. 18  has aggregated and stored video content corresponding to numerous secondary subscription based providers. Accordingly, while a viewer may perceive the content displayed in  FIG. 18  as representing that corresponding to a cable television subscription (for example), in fact the primary subscription provider provides the content in a manner that is agnostic with regard to its associated source. In other words, the viewer may have a cable television subscription with a given cable television operator. 
     A viewer&#39;s secondary subscription entitles the viewer to access particular content stored in the primary provider&#39;s server farm that represents the cable television subscription content. The content actually provided to the viewer may not have been obtained from the cable television operator—it is of no importance to the primary provider. The content in this case is fungible as to its source. Similarly, the content depicted as the previous television program  1812  and the content depicted as the next television program  1814  are likewise fungible as to source. If the viewer rewinds into the “Previous” content  1812 , the content displayed may in fact be video content that was recorded and stored in the server farm a year ago (e.g., assuming the episode was a rerun and was originally broadcast at least a year ago). From the perspective of the viewer, they had simply rewound to buffered content that was broadcast within the last hour. Additionally, the content itself may have actually been acquired from a cable television or other operator other than the one to which the viewer has a subscription. In each case, the original source of the video content is unimportant to the primary provider. All content is provided directly by the primary provider, and sources of content are relevant to the extent that they are used to identify content available according to a given secondary subscription. Similarly, the next television program  1814  may be obtained by the primary provider from a source other than the subscribed cable television operator. In the embodiment of  FIG. 18 , the central portion of the channel bar  1890  is made the largest portion of the channel bar. This central portion corresponds to the video content currently displayed and provides additional space for inclusion of details and information concerning the currently displayed content. In addition, the portion of the scrubber  1806  that corresponds to this central portion is likewise enlarged. The portions ( 1812 ,  1814 ) at either end of the channel bar  1890  are smaller in comparison to the central portion.  FIG. 19  illustrates an embodiment of the display  1900  shown in  FIG. 18  when the channel bar  1890  has either been dismissed by the viewer, or has been removed due to a timeout condition (e.g., viewer inactivity for at least a given period of time). Here, the video content  1901  continues on the display  1900 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 20 , one embodiment of a display  2000  is shown with the presentation of video content  2001 . However, in this example, one embodiment of a “side bar”  2010  is presented with other content that will be described. It is noted that while the “side bar” is described as such for purposes of discussion, in various embodiments, the side bar may in fact be presented along the top, bottom, opposite side, center, or otherwise. For example, an embodiment in which the side bar is presented in the center may have related content displayed surrounding the bar. All such embodiments are contemplated. In various embodiments, the side bar  2010  and/or related elements are generated (e.g., by a set-top box) as overlays. However, as with all overlays discussed herein, presentation as integrated video elements is possible as well. 
     As shown in  FIG. 20 , the side bar  2010  includes multiple elements  2021 - 2026  that may be highlighted and/or selected by a viewer (e.g., using input via a remote control device). In this example, the displayed elements generally correspond to categories including Favorites  2021 , Channel Guide  2022 , Friends  2023 , Recently Watched  2024 . Also shown is a Genius category  2025  that may be selected to provide recommendations based on other content the viewer has watched, liked, purchased, rented, and so on. Further, a Siri category  2026  is included which may be selected for use in providing voice input to the system (e.g., directives, queries, etc.). Overlaying the remainder of the display are other side bar related elements. In this example, the Favorites element  2021  has been highlighted or selected by a viewer. In response to such a selection, video and/or other media content that the viewer has indicated are favorites of the viewer are displayed to the right. In this example, the favorite content includes Favorite Channels  2030  and favorite shows termed My Shows  2040 . 
     In the Favorite Channels  2030  portion of the display, four channel elements  2050 - 2053  (“channels”) are displayed—each showing video content for the corresponding channel. The display of the channels is that of a miniature display with an aspect ratio that corresponds to a typical television. As may be appreciated, the size and aspect ratio of the depicted channels may differ from that shown. Additionally, the number of “channels” shown may be more than four, or fewer than four. For example, a large number of such channels may be depicted by making each of the channel depictions smaller. It is also noted that not all such channel depictions need be the same size. In various embodiments, some may be larger than the others. All such alternative embodiments are contemplated. The video content being shown for each channel may be live broadcast video, for example, or otherwise. 
     In the embodiment shown, each channel depiction includes not only video content for the corresponding channel, but also a description at the lower part of the depiction which identifies the television series to which the video content corresponds, an episode number for the television show, a title for the particular television show, and an identification of the channel. For example, channel element  2051  provides the series title Game of Thrones, with episode 8 (Ep. 8) entitled “The Prince of Winterfell” currently being displayed. The channel identifier identifies the corresponding channel as HBO. It is noted that in this discussion, and elsewhere in the described embodiments, various embodiments may permit the viewer to configure the system such that video may or may not be displayed. For example, in some cases, it may not be desirable to have video displayed which would include “spoilers”. In various embodiments, the system may be configured so that only animations, still pictures, or “innocuous” (non-spoiling) video is displayed. In some cases, it may be configurable based on category. For example, the viewer may not wish to see video displayed for sports events which may give away the winner/winning team. In other embodiments, the viewer may wish to see the video for multiple sporting events at a time so that all may be watched simultaneously. All such embodiments are contemplated. 
     In the My Shows  2040  portion of the display, eight television show elements are depicted. In this example, the television shows are depicted in a manner similar to that of the channels discussed above, and may vary in their depictions according to the above discussion as well. In the embodiment shown, each of the favorite shows depicts artwork for the corresponding show. However, as above, video or other content may be displayed. For each of the eight shows depicted, the lower portion of the depicted show includes descriptive information including a title of the show, how many seasons of the show (television series) are available for viewing, how many total episodes are available for viewing, and an identifier for the channel which carries the show. For example, the show in the upper left portion of My Shows  2040  depicts the Mad Men television show. Artwork representative of the television show is depicted. The title “Mad Men” is provided along with an indication that 5 seasons and 65 episodes are available for viewing. The identified channel in this case is AMC. 
     It is noted that while the example of  FIG. 20  depicts four channels and eight shows, they could be divided differently. For example, a larger number of channels than shows could be depicted. In various embodiments, the viewer may scroll or page through each category (Channels and Shows) of elements to view different channels and/or shows. Additionally, the viewer may use a remote control to dynamically change how many elements are depicted at once. For example, a viewer may zoom in on a single show to enlarge its depiction. Alternatively, a viewer may effectively zoom out to increase the number of shows depicted to twelve, sixteen, or some other number of elements. In addition, in various embodiments, the underlying video content  2001  may be the content being displayed at the time the viewer caused the side bar  2010  to be displayed. In various embodiments, the viewer may cause the audio for one of the elements  2050 - 2053  (or one of the shows) to be presented by moving the focus to that corresponding element. For example, in  FIG. 20  the bold outline indicates element  2051  has focus and the audio for Game of Thrones may then be presented. In some embodiments, moving focus to an element may cause the corresponding channel or show to be displayed as the underlying content  2001 . All such embodiments are contemplated. 
       FIG. 21  depicts a display  2100  the shows the side bar content of  FIG. 20  without the side bar itself. In various embodiments, a viewer may use an input device to display or not display the side bar. Another input may be used to cause the side bar content to be removed entirely so that the underlying content is displayed in an unobstructed manner.  FIG. 22  illustrates an alternative embodiment of the side bar content. In the display  2200  shown, the side bar content as before is depicted. However, in this embodiment, the content is clearly organized in a left to right/right to left scrolling manner. Additional content “extends” (in effect) off the edges of the screen. In this manner, it is intuitive to the viewer as to how the additional content may be viewed (e.g., by moving right or left). 
     In various embodiments, the focus may itself move and as the focus attempts to move beyond the edge of the display, new content is brought into view. For example, element  2210  is show to currently have focus as depicted by the bold border. This focus may be movable to element  2209 . An effort to move to element  2208  (which is partially off of the display) may cause element  2208  to move to the right—potentially bring other content into view. Alternatively, the focus itself may be fixed in the center as shown. In such an embodiment, moving the focus actually moves the underlying content right or left. A move to the right may move element  2211  (Top Gear) into focus.  FIG. 23  illustrates such an embodiment where Top Gear  2310  now has focus In various embodiments, the element with focus may have its audio presented (such a feature being enabled or disabled by the viewer). In the example shown, the item in focus also causes its content to be displayed as the underlying content  2320 . However, as in the previous discussion, this may or may not be the case. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 24 , the side bar  2410  is again depicted on a display  2400 . In this example, the Channel Guide element  2412  has been highlighted/has focus/or has been selected. In the embodiment shown, selection of the Channel Guide causes display of information regarding available channels. In this example, the embodiment is an electronic program guide (EPG) type display. EPG  2400  includes a scrubber bar similar to that previously described in  FIG. 18 . Included is a time bar  2401  displaying time periods for the grid. A separate row is included for each of five different television channels—ABC  2420 , CBS  2422 , FOX  2424 , NBC  2426 , and PBS  2428 . Each portion of the grid for a given time slot then displays an image and descriptive information such as series title, and episode title for a television program. For example, the 7:30 PM time slot for the CBS network includes an image for the Survivor Philippines series with series title and episode title Little Miss Perfect. In this example, the display corresponds to live television broadcast and the scrubber depicts an already broadcast portion (light colored) and an as yet broadcast portion (darker colored). However, a “watch now” indicator  2430  indicator appears for the show “Suburgatory” to be broadcast at 8:30 PM. As suggested, this indicator identifies content that is available for viewing immediately. Similarly, the “Nova” program includes a watch now indicator  2432  indicating it is immediately available for viewing. Having such watch now indicators in an EPG is rather strange given the television programs correspond to future broadcasts. However, given the systems, methods and mechanisms described herein, this is entirely possible. 
     As previously discussed, the systems described herein are generally agnostic as to a source of particular video content and as to a timing of its acquisition. Consequently, the constraints suggested by a typical EPG and television system and are no longer present. The television service provider which provides an EPG does so to inform the viewer as to the broadcast lineup and when particular content will be available for viewing. In this manner, the viewer can view or record the content for later viewing as desired. However, in the embodiment of  FIG. 20 , the EPG is provided by the primary provider to indicate to the viewer the programming schedule of various networks and not necessarily to indicate the availability of the video content. Consequently, while the Nova show “Mystery of a Masterpiece” is scheduled for broadcast on PBS from 8-9 PM, the primary provider does provide that content to the viewer by acquiring it from PBS during such a broadcast. Rather, the content is simply content that may or may not exist in the primary provider&#39;s data stores. If it does currently exist, then it may be available immediately. In this case, the episode in question is a repeat as indicated by the R designation next to the watch now indicator. Therefore, the episode is immediately available. That the episode appears in the EPG as being scheduled for broadcast beginning at 8:00 PM is happenstance. 
     While the NOVA episode is a repeat, the Suburgatory episode is not a repeat. The question may then arise as to how an episode which has not yet been broadcast can be immediately available for viewing. The answer lies in the record everything all the time design of the primary provider system. The Suburgatory episode is scheduled for broadcast beginning at 8:30 PM in a given time zone. However, in the present case, the episode has already aired in an earlier time zone. The content already resides in the primary provider&#39;s data stores and is immediately available for viewing. It is noted that in some cases agreements may be in place which prevent such “early viewing” of an episode. Such agreements may require that live broadcast episodes such as these be viewable during their “proper” time slots. Nevertheless, the systems described herein are fully capable of providing such early viewing and identifying such episodes in an EPG. Also shown in  FIG. 20  is a selectable element  2440  that enables the viewer to subscribe to the Law &amp; Order show (i.e., it is not currently subscribed). Selecting element  2440  may then present the viewer with options for subscribing to the series, purchasing a single episode, or otherwise. When selecting a particular series or episode (or any other content) for a subscription, as noted above there may be many sources available for the content. For example, numerous providers may be available for episodes of Law &amp; Order. In such cases, the viewer may select from the available options to complete the subscription. In various embodiments, the various options may be prioritized or otherwise filtered for presentation to the viewer. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 25 , the side bar is again illustrated. In the display  2500  shown, the side bar  2510  is shown with the Friends element  2512  selected. In various embodiments, the systems and methods described herein enable viewers to identify other viewers as “friends”. Such identification may use explicit input of friend identifier (IDs) to identify friends, sending and accepting of friend requests, the ability to establish one-way friendships (i.e., a first viewer identifying a second as a friend does not necessitate that the second identify the first as a friend), and so on. Associated with such friends may also be configurable levels of privacy. For example, close friends may have full access to a viewer&#39;s television viewing habits. Friends that are not so close may have more limited access to such information. In some embodiments, a viewer may be able to import friends from a social networking site. Various such embodiments are possible and are contemplated. 
     In the embodiment shown, selection of the Friends element  2512  causes the display of a Friends  2530  category and a Your Friends Watch  2540  category. The friends category in this example includes a composite element  2550  representative of all of a viewer&#39;s friends (or some identified subset), along with selected individual friends  2551 - 2553  (e.g., these could be the closest friends, those most recently active in the system, those currently online, etc.). In various embodiments, friends may establish a profile within the television system that includes a picture, avatar, or other self-representation. While the Friends category  2530  depicts various friends of a viewer, the Your Friends Watch category  2540  depicts various television shows that are watched by the viewer&#39;s friends. In the example shown, artwork for each show is presented. However, other embodiments may display video (live or otherwise) for the given show. Also shown in the example of  FIG. 25  is a brief description for each show in including its title an network. Additionally, each show provides an indication regarding the popularity of the show amongst friends. In the example shown, the number of friends that watch the particular show is indicated. 
       FIG. 26  illustrates the Friends content of  FIG. 25  without the side bar itself which may be dismissed by a viewer. In the example shown, the display  2600  shows composite element  2610  has focus. Element  2610  includes a number of pictures corresponding to the friends represented by the composite element. Beneath the element  2610  is an indication as to how many friends (“73 Friends”) are represented by the composite element  2610 . In this embodiment, selection of the composite element causes the content displayed in the Your Friends Watch category to be representative of the shows watched by the collection of 73 friends represented by the composite. In some embodiments, selection of a Friends element (e.g., move focus to an element, and then provide further input to select the element) may cause further information on the friend(s) to be displayed. For example, such selection of an individual friends could lead to a landing page created by that friends. Additionally, it may be possible to chat with the friends (text, audio, and/or video), leave messages, etc. All such embodiments are possible. 
       FIG. 27  illustrates that focus may be moved to each of the elements in the Your Friends Watch category. In  FIG. 27 , focus has been moved to element  2710  that displays the Game of Thrones television show—a show that is popular with the viewer&#39;s friends. Desiring more information regarding this show, the viewer provides additional input which in one embodiment presents a display such as that shown in  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 28  illustrates a landing page for the Game of Thrones selection of  FIG. 27 . In this case, the landing page  2800  provides video content (video, still, or animation), a title of the series  2810 , and a description of the series  2820 . In this example, the viewer does not have a subscription to the access the content (e.g., a secondary subscription to HBO). Therefore, a banner is displayed  2830  that informs the viewer that the series is not currently available according to their current subscriptions and advises that they may sign up (subscribe) for $9.99 per month. In various embodiments, a user may select the banner and immediately subscribe to HBO. In various embodiments, the viewer makes the subscription through the primary provider which handles communications with the HBO subscription service. In some embodiments, billing for the HBO service may be included in the viewer&#39;s primary provider bill. In such embodiments, subscribing to HBO may be as simple as a couple of button presses to authorize the subscription. Following this simple subscription process, all of the HBO content held by the primary provider is immediately available to the viewer. In other embodiments, rather than subscribing through the primary provider, the viewer may be taken to an HBO subscription service site to complete the subscription process. Billing may be direct to the viewer or included with the primary provider billing as mentioned above. 
     In various embodiments, selection of an element such as the element  2710  of  FIG. 27  may cause an animation when transitioning from one display to another. For example, in one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 29 , the element  2900  when selected causes a rotation animation  2901 - 2908  which gradually replaces the first display with the display  2909 . Numerous such embodiments are possible and are contemplated. Assuming the viewer chooses to subscribe to HBO,  FIG. 30  illustrates one embodiment of a display  3000  that may be presented. The display  3000  depicts a gallery of content that available from content provider. Additionally, information  3006  is provided that describes a subscription is about to be purchased and how billing may be effected. In this case, the viewer makes the subscription through their iTunes account. Subscribe  3002  and Cancel  3004  buttons are depicted as well. In such an embodiment, transactions between the provider HBO and Apple (the iTunes account provider) regarding the subscriber&#39;s new subscription may be handled without need for additional involvement on the part of the subscriber. Such an embodiment may be easier and less frustrating for the viewer than may otherwise be the case. In other embodiments, the viewer could be connected to the new provider, or the viewer may need to call another provider to complete the subscription process. 
     Returning again to the Friends content depiction  3100 ,  FIG. 31  illustrates an embodiment in which an individual friend  3130  has focus. In this case, the friend “James” has focus and “James Favorite Shows”  3120  are depicted. In this embodiment, each of the shows that James likes is shown with video/artwork etc., and a brief description such as the title of the show and corresponding network. In contrast to the composite friends view, there is not an indication as to how many friends like the show (though there could be). Rather, in this case the information indicates how many seasons and episodes of each show are available. As in the previous discussion, each of these elements is selectable and will be discussed shortly. For example, selection of the Mad Men or Modern Family elements may lead to landing pages for the respective shows. Examples of such will be discussed shortly. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 32 , an alternative embodiment of a side bar is shown. In the example presented, the display  3200  includes a side bar  3210  as before. In this embodiment, the content of the side bar and corresponding presentation is somewhat different. The side bar  3210  is shown to include six categories and a representative sample of three subcategories. The main categories depicted are My Stuff  3260 , TV Shows  3270 , Movies  3271 , Apps  3272 , Search  3273 , and Settings  3274 . Subcategories of the My Stuff category  3260  shown are Sports  3261 , Kids  3262 , and News  3263 . As in the previous examples, side bar related content is shown overlaying the presented video content. In this case, My Stuff  3260  has focus and the side bar related content includes the categories On Now  3220 , Featured  3230 , My TV Shows  3240 , and My Movies  3250 . 
     Generally speaking, in various embodiments, the My Stuff category includes content that a viewer has identified as being reserved or otherwise set apart (collected) for easy access. This category may also include content rented or purchased by the viewer. In  FIG. 32 , shows that are currently being broadcast that are included in the viewer&#39;s My Stuff category  3260  are displayed in the On Now  3220  portion of the display (the upper portion in this embodiment). Four such shows are displayed, though in other embodiments the number may differ. Also shown is a Featured category  3230 . In various embodiments, this category may be used to promote selected shows to the viewer. Such shows may be predicted to be of interest to the viewer based on the viewer&#39;s profile or history. Alternatively, the shows could be selected based on what other people have indicated as being of interest. Still further, the selections could be made based on promotional space or time purchased by advertisers. These and other embodiments are contemplated. In this example, each promotional item includes an indication as to when and on what network the show can be viewed. 
     Also shown is a My TV Shows category  3240 . In various embodiments, these shows have been identified by the viewer as being flagged or otherwise identified for inclusion as part of the viewer&#39;s My Stuff. For example, these could represent favorite shows of the viewer. In various embodiments, artwork, video (live or otherwise), is shown for each show element. In some embodiments, particular video highlight clips may run. Finally, a My Movies category  3250  is shown. In the example shown, the corresponding elements extend beyond the bottom of the display. Accordingly, the viewer will scroll or page down to view the content. In this case, the content represents movies the viewer has identified for inclusion. 
     As noted in the side bar  3210 , various subcategories are available under the My Stuff category  3260 . In some embodiments, providing focus to one of these subcategories will cause the corresponding content displayed to the right to be filtered accordingly. For example, selection of the Sport subcategory  3261  will cause the On Now category  3220  to display sports that are currently being broadcast. Likewise, the Featured  3230 , My TV Shows  3240 , and My Movies  3250  categories will likewise be filtered to show sports related feature content, TV shows, and movies. In a similar manner, the subcategories Kids  3262  and News  3263  may be selected to cause the related content to be filtered for kids and news subject matter, respectively. These and other subcategories are possible and are contemplated. In various embodiments, these categories may be created by the viewer based on predefined selections. For example, numerous provider created subcategories may be chosen from for inclusion in the side bar by the viewer. In other embodiments, viewers may create, name, and define their own subcategories. Such viewer created subcategories may be made available to other viewers for inclusion in their own side bar user interfaces. All such embodiments are contemplated. 
       FIG. 33  illustrates the side bar of  FIG. 32  when the TV Shows category is highlighted or selected. In response to this selection, the related content which is displayed is changed to reflect this newly selected category. In this case, the related content which is displayed is related to television shows. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 33 , there is included a TV Shows On Now category  3320 , a Top TV Shows category  3330 , a My TV Shows category  3340 , and a Recommendations category  3350 . In this case, the TV Shows On Now category  3320  may include a random selection of shows currently being broadcast or a particular selection of shows being broadcast. Each of the displayed elements in this category may display video of the live broadcast. The Top TV Shows  3330  may, for example, represent shows which are highly rated in general. The My TV Shows category  3340  may include depiction of television shows which the viewer has previously included as part of My Stuff. Finally, Recommendations  3350  may include television shows which are recommended to the viewer on the basis of the viewer&#39;s profile, history, friend&#39;s likes, critics reviews, current likes of the broader viewing audience, or otherwise. In other embodiments, recommendations could be based simply on the number of people watching them. 
     In various embodiments, the Recommendations category (described here and elsewhere) may be context sensitive based on the particular viewer identified as currently watching. For example, in various embodiments the system may account for multiple viewers in a single household. Identification of a particular viewer could be based on input received from the viewer, biometric data (e.g., thumbprint on a remote control device, voice recognition, face recognition, and so on. Additionally, the context may include the time of day. For example, more mature content may not be recommended earlier in the day when kids are more likely to be present. Various such embodiments are possible and are contemplated. 
       FIG. 34  illustrates the content of  FIG. 33  on a display  3400  without the side bar itself. In this example, element  3450  (Game of Thrones) currently has focus.  FIG. 35  illustrates an embodiment where the viewer has now moved the focus to element  3500 . As previously noted, each of the elements is further selectable by a viewer. Assuming the viewer now selects element  3500 , further information regarding the selected content is displayed. 
     In various embodiments, selection of the element  3500  causes the display of a landing page for the Mad Men television show as shown in  FIG. 36 . This landing page, as well as others described herein, generally provides a centralized location from which further information and media related to the show may be obtained. Such landing pages may provide access to content derived from a subscription provider, the Internet, proprietary sources, social media, or otherwise. In the example shown, the landing page generally includes an upper portion with artwork  3600 , video, or other content. Additionally, a title  3602  for the landing page show is provided, and perhaps an indication of the corresponding network. 
     Approximately along the middle of the landing page are a number of categories selectable by a viewer to access additional information. In the example shown is a Madmen  3610  category that in this case may be selected/highlighted to display additional information regarding a current episode of the television show. Other categories to be discussed further below include Seasons  3612 , Extras  3614 , Cast  3616 , and Related  3618 . As shown, the MadMen category is currently highlighted and causes the display of information regarding an episode entitled “Commissions and Fees”  3620 . Further information  3622  indicates this is episode 12 of season 5 of the series, and has an air date of Jun. 27, 2012. Also noted is 8 friends have indicated that they like this show. A brief description  3624  is provided along with video/picture/artwork  3604  for the series or episode as well. Also provided are graphic elements  3630 ,  3632  and  3634  which may be selected by the viewer. Selection of the Play element  3630  may cause the depicted episode to be presented. Selection of the My Stuff element  3632  may be selected to add the series and/or episode to the viewer&#39;s My Stuff category (as previously discussed). Finally, the Like element  3634  may be selected to indicate to viewer&#39;s likes the series and/or episode. 
       FIG. 37  illustrates the same landing page where the viewer has now selected the category Seasons  3712 . In the embodiment shown, selection of this category causes the display of information regarding seasons and episodes of the television series. In this example, episodes for Season 5  3706  are displayed. Using a remote control or other input, a viewer may scroll (or page) through these and other episodes and seasons not currently displayed. In this embodiment, four episodes are shown, each of the episodes includes a video/picture/artwork element ( 3720 ,  3722 ,  3724 ,  3726 ), and a corresponding description of the episode ( 3721 ,  3723 ,  3735 ,  3727 ). Each of the descriptions in this case includes a title for the episode, identification of the number of the episode, original air date for the episode, and a brief description of the storyline for the episode. Of course, other content may be presented as an alternative, or in addition, to the content depicted. In various embodiments, a viewer may select a depicted episode to either begin immediate presentation of the episode, or provide other information regarding the episode. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 38 , the same landing page is depicted. However, in this example the Extras category  3812  is selected which causes the display of additional information related to the show. In various embodiments, such extras may represent content about the making of the television show, interesting trivia, gossip, or otherwise. In the example shown, selected videos  3820 - 3823  are presented that include cast and supporting staff discussing their roles or other aspects of the making of the show. A brief description  3830 - 3833  is included for each of the elements as well. As in other cases, a viewer may scroll/page through other Extras elements not currently displayed. 
       FIG. 39  continues the depiction of the landing page with the Cast category  3912  selected. Such a selection in this case causes the display of additional information regarding cast members of the television series. Video/pictures  3920 - 3923  are provided for cast members, along with a description of the actor and character  3930 - 3933 . Selection of a particular cast member element may cause a full screen display of video related to the actor. Alternatively, a landing page dedicated to the actor may be displayed which serves as a launching point for more details regarding the actor. In some embodiments, the actors themselves may provide content for such landing pages. For example, actors may be able to provide daily commentary on any of a variety of topics as desired. Viewers may be able to identify a particular actor as a friend to gain access to the actor&#39;s viewing likes/dislikes, and so on. Numerous such embodiments are possible and are contemplated. 
     Finally,  FIG. 40  depicts the landing page with the Related category  4000  selected. Selection of Related  4000  in this example causes display of a More Like Mad Men category  4010  and a Movies with the cast of Mad Men category  4020 . The first category  4010  may include the depiction of other television shows  4011 - 4014  which are deemed to be similar to the Mad Men show in some way. The second category  402  includes the depiction of movies  4021 - 4024  which include at least one of the Mad Men cast members. Other related content may be displayed as well by scrolling or paging as desired. 
       FIG. 41  illustrates an alternative embodiment for a television show landing page. In the embodiment shown, the upper portion of the display includes the described artwork and title information. The lower portion of the display includes particular regarding seasons and episodes of the series. For example, the lower right portion of the display lists a number of current season episodes  4110  for the season. Also shown are previous season episodes  4120 . In this example, episode 3 of the current season (“Phil on Wire”) has focus. Focus is depicted here by a box around the entry and a bullet at the beginning of the entry. As may be appreciated, numerous different methods for indicating focus are possible and are contemplated. In various embodiments, information related to the items which has focus is shown in the left portion of the lower display. Here, the title  4112  of the highlighted episode is shown along with a brief description  4114  of the episode. In addition, one or more pictures  4130 ,  4132 ,  4134  from the episode are shown. In various embodiments, the pictures  4130 ,  4132 ,  4134 , may be still images, video content from the episode, animations, or other content related to the series. In some embodiments, pictures of friends who like the episode or television series could be shown, of comments from people regarding the show (e.g., Twitter or Facebook comments). Numerous such embodiments are possible and are contemplated. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 41  for the previous season  4120  is an indication as to cost for viewing rights to the content. Here, for example, each of the two episodes 23-24 of Season 2 are shown to have a cost of $2.99. Selecting one of these episodes may the present a display which enables to viewer to authorize purchase of the content. For example, payment may simply be authorized with or through a primary subscription (e.g., an iTunes account), or the viewer may be connected to a secondary provider to effect payment for the content which then gives the necessary viewing rights. In contrast, selection of one of the current season  4110  episodes may immediately being presentation of the selected episode or bring the viewer to a page with more information regarding the episodes. In some embodiments, whether the selected episode is immediately presented or a page of further information is displayed may depend on the input provided by the viewer. For example, a viewer with a remote control may be able to provide a first indication (e.g. an upward swipe on a touch pad) to indicate immediate play of the episode is desired. Alternatively, the viewer may provide a second, different, input (e.g., a rightward swipe) to indicate presentation of further information is desired. Various such alternatives are possible and are contemplated. 
       FIG. 42  illustrates the landing page of  FIG. 23  after focus has been moved to episode 2  4210  of the current season (“When Good Kids Go Bad”). Here information regarding the episode is provided in the left lower portion of the display (e.g., title  4212 , description  4214 , and pictures  4232 ,  4232 ,  4234 ). As discussed, in one embodiment, selection of episode  4210  may being immediate presentation of the selected episode as shown in  FIG. 43 .  FIG. 43  shows display  4300  has begun presenting the selected episode. In the lower portion of the display, a scrubber bar  4320  and program information banner  4310  is displayed. In this embodiment, time information for the single episode is provided adjacent to the scrubber bar  4320 . In this example, the episode is one hour in length and the bounding time indicators are 0:00 min  4340  and 1:00 hr  4342 . The current position indicator  4330  depicts the current play position and time. In various embodiments, such a banner may be displayed when presentation of the video content begins, and may time out after a brief interval. A viewer may cause the scrubber/banner to reappear using a remote control device. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 44 , an embodiment of a landing page is illustrated for the television series Modern Family.  FIG. 44  may represent, for example, a second page of information for the landing page depicted in  FIG. 41 . Here the lower portion of the landing page provides information related to the cast for the television series. In the lower right portion, a listing of cast members  4410  is provided in a manner similar to episodes of  FIG. 41 . In this example, the first cast member (Julie Bowen) has focus which causes display of related information in the left lower portion of the display. In this example, pictures  4410 ,  4414 ,  4414  of the highlighted cast member are provided. Also shown is an indication of a number of media elements available for viewing (64 photos, 14 video clips). A description  4420  of the cast member and/or character is also provided. Further selection of the cast member element  4410  may then cause another page of information related to the selected cast member to be provided. Such additional information may include the additional media elements indicated as being available, and any other suitable content. In various embodiments, the information provided related to cast members, television episodes, movies, series, and so on, may be provided by the primary (subscription) provider, the Internet, proprietary sources, user/viewer provided or generated content, or any combination of the foregoing. 
       FIG. 45  illustrates one embodiment if a landing page for a variety television show. Here the display  4500  includes video/picture/artwork  4503  for the show, a title  4502 , and selectable categories  4510 - 4518 . As shown the first element  4510  is selected and information regarding a particular episode is presented. A brief title  4520  for the episode is provided, along with descriptive information  4522  (e.g., episode number, season, air date, number of friends that like the show, etc.), and a brief description of the episode  4524 . Also included is video/picture/artwork  4504  related to the show or episode. As in the previous examples, selectable elements  4530 ,  4532 , and  4534  are provided which permit a viewer to immediately begin watching the episode, add the episode the their My Stuff collection, or indicate they like the show/episode. 
       FIG. 46  depicts the variety show landing page where the Seasons category  4610  is selected. Currently displayed are episodes for Season 37. Each episode element  4601 - 4604  includes video/picture/artwork for the particular episode along with a brief description which identifies the host of the episode, episode number, and musical guests.  FIG. 47  depicts the same landing page with the Extras category  4710  selected. Displayed content in this example includes Musical Guests  4701 - 4702  which have appeared on the show. Scrolling/paging may permit a viewer to access further information not currently displayed.  FIG. 48  provides an example presentation for the Cast category  4810 . In this example, various cast members  4801 - 4804  are presented with information including their name and years as a cast member on the show. 
     It is noted that while content provided via landing pages such as this may be content deliberately prepared for consumption (e.g., such as extras found on a DVD), in various embodiments content may be provided that has been extracted or otherwise generated and/or compiled by the provider or other sources. For example, by processing the video content and associated metadata, particular elements of video content may be identified which may not already be identifiable via original metadata. Examples include identifying a funny sketch in a television show and generating new metadata that identifies this particular content. Other examples include identifying highlights in sporting events, etc. Other examples for identifying particular content may be based on viewer activity. For example, if it is observed that many viewers are rewinding and repeatedly watching a particular segment of some video content, metadata may be generated which identifies this particular segment. The segment could then be included as available content for viewers generally. In such an embodiment, the particular segment could be said to be identified via crowdsourcing. All such embodiments are contemplated. 
     Turning to  FIG. 49 , one embodiment of a landing page for a sports team is illustrated. Here the display  4900  includes video/pictures/artwork  4902  related to the sport and/or team, and an identification of the team  4901 . A Game category  4910  is currently selected which causes the display of content related to a current game (in this example). An identification of the teams playing  4920  is provided, along with a description  4922  as to air time (Live, 3:05 PM), and a number of friends that like the team that corresponds to the landing page. Also included is a box score  4924  for the game and video/picture/artwork  4950  related to the game. 
     As previously discussed, there are situations where a viewer does not want to know the current score of a game. Accordingly, in various embodiments the system may be configurable to blackout the box score  4924 . In addition, the content  4950  may likewise be prevented from providing video of the game which may include an indication of the score. As shown, an element  4930  is provided to permit the viewer to begin viewing the game. In various embodiments, selecting the element  4930  may immediately “tune to” presentation of the game in progress. Embodiments are also contemplated which permit play from the beginning of the game as well. 
     Embodiments are further contemplated which permit a viewer to also prevent incoming comments (e.g., in various embodiments the systems described herein may include the ability for friends to provide text messages or other comments to one another, see social media comments, etc.) which might otherwise spoil the outcome of a game. For example, a do not disturb or other setting may be available to control such content. Also shown are elements  4932  which permit the viewer to add the content to their My Stuff collection, and an element  4934  to permit a viewer to indicate they like the content. 
       FIG. 50  depicts the landing page with the Players category  5000  selected. Here, the current roster for the 2012 Team is displayed (in part). As shown, four members  5011 - 5014  are currently displayed with video/picture  5021 - 5024 , player number, name, and various statistics. Selecting one of the players may cause the display of other information related to the player, such as interviews, highlights, history, and so on. A player landing page similar to the actor landing discussed above may be available as well. Additional players may be viewed by scrolling/paging to new content. Additionally, the viewer may zoom in/zoom out to change the number of players displayed at a time. A variety of such embodiments are possible and are contemplated. 
       FIG. 51  depicts the landing page with the Schedule category  5100  selected. Here an identification of the month and year  5102  are displayed along with a calendar  5110 . The calendar includes games played to date and scores for those games. Other games that are scheduled may also be displayed. Additional weeks/months/years of the calendar may be displayed by scrolling/paging as desired. Similar to the above, the number of days displayed at a time may likewise be varied. 
       FIG. 52  depicts the landing page with the Highlights category  5200  selected. In this embodiments, selection of this category causes display of Recent Highlights  5202 . In this example, four highlights  5211 - 5214  are shown. Media content such as video/pictures/artwork, etc.,  5221 - 5224  is provided for each highlighted. Also, a brief description of the highlight is provided with title, date, and so on. Selection of the content  5221 - 5224  may cause presentation of the corresponding highlights in a larger (e.g., full screen) mode. In various embodiments, the content  5221 - 5224  itself provides video of the highlight content. In such embodiments, the viewer may move the focus to a particular element to cause presentation of the corresponding audio. 
       FIG. 53  provides an illustration of one embodiment of content displayed by selection of the Standings category  5300 . In this example, a number of teams along with their standings are provided in the box  5320 . Also included may be artwork such as the league symbol  5310 . Selecting a given row in the box  5320  may lead to a landing page for the selected team. Finally,  FIG. 54  illustrates an embodiment in which the More Games category  5400  is selected. Selection of element  5400  in this examples presents other games that are currently on or soon to be on. Scrolling/paging may display further games in the future or the past. Past games may be immediately selectable for viewing. In this example, live video may be displayed for each of the elements  5411 - 5414  which represent live broadcasts. Alternative content may be highlights or otherwise. 
     As noted above, in some cases the viewer may restrict such content so that the outcome of a game is not spoiled. In various embodiments, selection of a future event such as a sporting event  5414 , television show, movie, or otherwise, may present an option for the viewer to receive a reminder when the content airs. Such reminders could be provided via the television display, smartphone (email, text message), or any other mode desired. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 55 , one embodiment of a display  550  with the side bar  5510  is shown. In this example, the Movies category  5520  is selected which causes display of movie related content. Movies on Now  5502 , Top Movies  5504 , My Movies  5506 , and Recommendations  5508  are shown. As may be appreciated, Movies on Now  5502  includes the display of multiple movies that are currently being broadcast. Video of each may be simultaneously displayed as per the previous examples. Each movie element may also include an indication of title, brief description, and title. Focus, as before, may provide for presentation of the corresponding audio. 
     The Top Movies  5504  category includes display of movies which are highly rated, being promoted, or otherwise. My Movies  5506  represents a collection of movies which the viewer has added to their My Stuff collection. Finally, the Recommendations category  5508  provides recommended movies to the viewer. Such movies may be recommended based on the viewer&#39;s profile, history, friend&#39;s likes, or otherwise. As before, each of the elements may be selectable to cause the display of further content. In this example, element  5508  has focus and is selected by the viewer which causes the display shown in  FIG. 56 . 
       FIG. 56  represents one embodiment of a landing page for a movie. Similar to the previous examples, artwork  5602 ,  5602  is provided for the movie. In addition, categories such as Finding Nemo  5610 , Chapters  5612 , Extras  5614 , Cast  5616 , and Related  5622  are shown. Selection of each of the categories causes the display of related content. In the example shown, the Finding Nemo category  5610  is selected and general information related to the movie is provided. Provided here is a title with rating  5620 , release date, run time, and number of friends that like the movie  5622 , and synopsis  5624 . Further elements are also provided to begin immediate viewing of the movie  5630 , add the movie to the viewer&#39;s My Stuff collection (as shown in  FIG. 55 ), and indicate the viewer likes the movie  5634 . Similar to a DVD, Chapters  5612  may provide direct access to various chapters of the movie. Extras  5614 , Cast,  5616 , and Related  5618  may include extra material found on a DVD as well as other content not found on DVDs. For example, provider created content may be provided, Internet based content, content created by other viewers, and so on, may all be available. 
       FIG. 57  depicts the side bar with the APPS category  5720  selected. In various embodiments, various executable applications (similar to the apps available from Apple&#39;s iTunes) are available. These apps may provide additional content related to television viewing and/or may otherwise enhance the viewing of television related content. Some apps may be executable by a set-top box. Others may be executable on a smart phone or tablet computer to provide a second screen for use while viewing television content. In the example shown, an Apps On Now category  5702  provides an indication of apps which are currently running or otherwise memory resident (e.g., in the set top box). A Top Apps category  5704  depicts various apps which are popular (for example), highly rated, etc. My Apps  5706  shows a collection of apps which are included as part of the viewer&#39;s My Stuff collection. Finally, Recommendations  5708  provides recommended apps to the viewer. It is noted that the apps needn&#39;t be strictly television viewing related. For example a game app  5750  is shown in the embodiment. Such game apps may be playable by a single person, may be playable with other viewer&#39;s, may be playable with other&#39;s via an Internet connection, or otherwise. In some embodiments, particular apps may be promoted to the side bar for easy access. All such embodiments are contemplated. 
     Finally,  FIG. 58  depicts one embodiment of a search screen that may be displayed by selecting the Search category from the side bar. In this example, an input bar  5802  displays characters which have been selected from the selection box  5804 . Matching entries  5810 - 5815  are displayed to the right with video/picture/artwork  5820  and title  5821 . Other suitable information may be displayed as desired, such as quality/resolution indicator  5822 . Other indications, such as indicator  5823 , may be included which identify content available for purchase. Numerous alternative embodiments for presentation of search screen and results are possible and are contemplated. 
       FIG. 59  illustrates a system including a client media device  5901  configured to receive media content via a network  5984 . The client media device may provide the media content to one or more display devices, audio devices, or other devices enabling a user of the client device to view, hear, or otherwise use the media content. 
     The client media device  5901  may communicate with an online media store  5920  through the network  5984  to receive information for displaying a user interface showing various media content available for delivery to the client media device. Each piece of media content may be referred to as a “media production.” Examples of media productions include various kinds of movies and films, television programs, music videos, albums/songs, etc. In general, a given media production may include any kind of content that includes video and/or audio information. 
     In some embodiments the online media store may be coupled to or may include a media integration system  5910  which integrates media productions from a plurality of third-party content provider systems, such as the content providers CP  5912 - 5915 . Each of the content provider systems may be managed by or affiliated with any kind of company or organization, such as cable or satellite television providers, television networks or channels, movie studios, sporting leagues, news organizations, music labels, online media services, etc. Thus, the user interface displayed by the client media device may aggregate the media productions available from many different content providers or sources, and may provide a convenient way for the user to see the content from different providers in an integrated view. 
     In various embodiments the client media device may communicate with the online media store  5920  through any kind of network  5984 . The network  5984  may include any type of network or combination of networks. For example, the network  5984  may include any type or combination of local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), wireless networks, an Intranet, the Internet, etc. Examples of local area networks include Ethernet networks, Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI) networks, and token ring networks. 
     In the illustrated embodiment the client media device is coupled to the network  5984  via Ethernet hardware or Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) hardware  5986 , which in turn couples to a cable modem  5985 . In other embodiments the client media device may be coupled to the network  5984  via any other type of wired or wireless connection medium or device. For example, wired mediums may include Ethernet, fiber channel, a modem, etc. Wireless connection mediums may include a wireless connection using a wireless communication protocol such as IEEE 802.11 (wireless Ethernet), a modem link through a cellular service, a satellite link, etc. 
     The client media device may include one or more storage devices  5907  configured to store data. At least one of the storage devices  5907  may include non-volatile memory configured to persistently store data. In various embodiments the storage device(s) may include one or more disk drives, solid state drives, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, or any other kinds of devices for storing data. In some embodiments the storage device(s) may also include various kinds of volatile memory, such as random access memory (RAM), e.g., synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), etc. 
     Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) data  5903  may be periodically delivered to the client media device  5901  via a software interface  5905 . The software interface  5905  may include any kind of programming interface or messaging interface that enables the client media device to communicate with an external system to receive the EPG data  5903  or other data. As one example, the software interface  5905  may include a JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) interface. As another example, the software interface  5905  may include a URL-based interface that enables the client media device to perform various functions or exchange information by referencing uniform resource locators (URLs) with particular parameters embedded in them. 
     The client media device may store the EPG data  5903  on the storage device(s)  5907 . For example, one or more databases  5909  may be stored on the storage device  5907 , and the EPG data  5903  may be stored in one or more of the databases. The EPG data  5903  may include information about television programming, such as the listing of programs, their scheduled times, the channel lineup, images associated with the programs, etc. The EPG data  5903  may be customized for the particular user of the client media device  5901 . For example, if the user subscribes to some subscription-based content providers, but not others, then the EPG data  5903  may include information for only the programs or media productions offered by the providers to which the user subscribes. 
     The database(s)  5909  may also store other information, such as personalization information for the user(s) of the client media device  5901 . The personalization information may include the user&#39;s favorite programs or channels, list of recently viewed content, stored play positions for various media content, watch lists, bookmarks, etc. 
     The client media device may be configured to receive user input from a remote control device  5939  via an interface  5928 . The remote control device may use infrared communication, Bluetooth communication, or any of various other kinds of wireless or wired communication techniques to transmit signals to the client media device indicating the user input. 
     In some embodiments the client media device may be configured to communicate with the media integration system  5910  and/or the online media store  5920  through a voice interface system  5922 . For example, in some embodiments the remote control device or the client media device may include a microphone device  5924  that receives speech from the user, e.g., where the speech includes commands, requests, questions, etc. The client media device may convert the speech into digital packets for transmission over the network  84  to the voice interface system  5922 . The voice interface system may perform speech recognition to recognize the user&#39;s commands or questions. The voice interface system may communicate with the online media store  5920  and/or the media integration system  5910  to pass the user&#39;s commands or questions on to them via an interface. The online media store  5920  and/or the media integration system  5910  may then generate information in response to the user&#39;s commands or questions and return it to the client media device (or return it to the voice interface system, which may then forward it to the client media device). For example, the user may request to lookup a television program having a certain title or actor, and the system may return information that the client media device uses to display a list of programs matching the title or actor. 
     In various embodiments the information transmitted from the online media store or voice interface system to the client media device may include any kind of information useable by the client media device to display information regarding the media content available for delivery to the client media device. For example, in some embodiments the system may utilize Extensible Markup Language (XML) code or other markup language code which describes the information to be displayed. The client media device may parse the XML code and display a user interface based on the described information. In some embodiments the system may also transmit graphics files or video feeds which the client media device may incorporate into the user interface. 
     In some embodiments the client media device may also communicate with a mobile computing device  5940 , e.g., where the user may hold the mobile device. For example, the mobile device  5940  may be a handheld computing device, wearable computing device, or other portable computing device. Examples of mobile devices include smartphones, tablet computers, personal digital assistants, portable music players, handheld game devices, wearable computers (e.g., glasses watches), etc. In some embodiments the user may control the client media device  5901  using the mobile device  5940 , e.g., using the mobile device  5940  as a remote control. In some embodiments the client media device may also forward the media content received from the online media store  5920  or media integration system  5910  to the mobile device  5940 , e.g., so that it can be displayed on a display device included in the mobile device  5940 . In other embodiments the mobile device  5940  may communicate directly with the online media store  5920  and/or the media integration system  5910 , e.g., without going through the client media device  5901  as an intermediate. The client media device may also be included as a component within the mobile device in some embodiments, and/or the mobile device may be configured to perform the functions described with reference to the client media device. 
     The client media device may be configured to utilize digital rights management (DRM) techniques to ensure that the user is authorized to receive and view selected media content. For example, the client media device may include an authorization module  5951  configured to communicate with one or more remote servers to implement the digital rights management for the media content. In various embodiments the client media device may communicate with servers associated with any of various systems or organizations in order to implement the digital rights management, such as one or more servers in the online media store  5920  or the content provider systems whose media productions are integrated by the media integration system  5910 . 
     In the above discussion, various embodiments have been described. It is noted that these embodiments may be combined in any manner desired. In various embodiments, program instructions of a software application may be used to implement the methods and/or mechanisms previously described. The program instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium. Numerous types of storage media are available. The storage medium may be accessible by a computer or other processing device during use to provide the program instructions and accompanying data to the computer or device for program execution. 
     Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20201007
Publication Date: 20220426
Grant Date: 20220426
Priority Date: 20121213
Inventors: CHRISTIE, GREGORY N.
SABATELLI, ALESSANDRO
BACHMAN, WILLIAM M.
CHAUDHRI, IMRAN
ROBBIN, JEFFREY
YOUNG, JIM
HOWARD, JOE
VAN OS, MARCEL
COFFMAN, PATRICK L.
LEMAY, STEPHEN O.
MA, JEFFREY
KRESS, LYNNE
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H04N21/482", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N21/482", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N21/4316", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N21/2187", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04N21/482", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 65200345