Abstract: A method of identifying an authorized user with a biometric device and enabling the authorized user to access private information over a voice network is disclosed.

Abstract: On-screen-display graphics data is transmitted from a source device to a display device over an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network utilizing an isochronous data format. The on-screen-display graphics data is generated by the source device and transmitted to a display device, as a stream of isochronous data, separate from video data. Each packet of isochronous data within the stream of on-screen-display graphics data includes an address value corresponding to a memory address within the display device forming a buffer. When received by the display device the on-screen-display graphics data is loaded into the appropriate memory locations within the buffer corresponding to the address values. At the display device, an embedded stream processor is utilized to strip the header information from each packet and determine the appropriate memory location that the data is to be stored. A trigger packet is sent at the end of the data stream for a screen of on-screen-display graphics.

Abstract: A method of providing and enabling a dynamic and scaleable system architecture for a computer system is disclosed. The method is executed on a computer system having a processor, a computer readable memory, and an adapter for receiving a module that will add functionality to the computer system. The processor is coupled to the computer readable memory and to the adapter. The method is implemented on the computer system by storing program instructions on memory and executing them via the processor in conjunction with other components of the computer system. The method comprises several steps, starting with a first step of detecting the availability of a new function. Next, an input interface specification and an output interface specification for the new function is received by the computer system.

Abstract: A system and method for viewing, entering, and editing information through a transparent screen are described. The invention allows a user to interactively view, enter, and edit information on a transparent window. In one embodiment, the window display device includes a transparent media configured for allowing the user to see through the transparent media; a display module coupled to the transparent media wherein the display module is configured for displaying information to the user; and an input module coupled to the transparent media wherein the input module is configured for receiving an input from the user, wherein the user is capable of viewing through the transparent media while viewing the information.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a value from a range of values includes selecting a field having a value, selecting a location of a graphic to choose a value from the range, and then reselecting the field to store the value.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting a value from a range of values includes selecting a field having a value, selecting a location of a graphic to choose a value from the range, and then reselecting the field to store the value.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a financial transaction are described. In one embodiment, communication is established between a vehicle-accessed, payment-gateway terminal (VAPGT) and a pre-registered, key-enabled, personal transaction device (PTD). The PTD is accessed using a privacy card and a transaction request is transmitted to a server. Further, a transaction authorization message is received from the server to complete the transaction.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide help and configuration information for a plurality of consumer electronic devices in an audio/video network. More specifically, each network device provides help information, identifying the device and its features to other network devices. A help utility program interfaces with a presentation device to provide help information to a user. Another implementation consistent with the present invention provides help information related to configuring two or more devices to perform an operation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed in which a secure link between a transaction device and a kiosk is automatically created. Access to functions of the kiosk is facilitated automatically for the transaction device. Furthermore, the kiosk can facilitate the exchange of information for the transaction device. By accessing functions of the kiosk for the transaction device, the extended functions of the kiosk such as its input mechanism (e.g., keyboard) and output mechanism (e.g., display) can be used for the transaction device.

Abstract: A method of providing and enabling a dynamic and scaleable system architecture for a computer system is disclosed. The method is executed on a computer system having a processor, a computer readable memory, and an adapter for receiving a module that will add functionality to the computer system. The processor is coupled to the computer readable memory and to the adapter. The method is implemented on the computer system by storing program instructions on memory and executing them via the processor in conjunction with other components of the computer system. The method comprises several steps, starting with a first step of detecting the availability of a new function. Next, an input interface specification and an output interface specification for the new function is received by the computer system.

Abstract: A method of providing and enabling a dynamic and scaleable system architecture for a computer system is disclosed. The method is executed on a computer system having a processor, a computer readable memory, and an adapter for receiving a module that will add functionality to the computer system. The processor is coupled to the computer readable memory and to the adapter. The method is implemented on the computer system by storing program instructions on memory and executing them via the processor in conjunction with other components of the computer system. The method comprises several steps, starting with a first step of detecting the availability of a new function. Next, an input interface specification and an output interface specification for the new function is received by the computer system.

Abstract: On-screen-display graphics data is transmitted from a source device to a display device over an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network utilizing an isochronous data format. The on-screen-display graphics data is generated by the source device and transmitted to a display device, as a stream of isochronous data, separate from video data. Each packet of isochronous data within the stream of on-screen-display graphics data includes an address value corresponding to a memory address within the display device forming a buffer. When received by the display device the on-screen-display graphics data is loaded into the appropriate memory locations within the buffer corresponding to the address values. At the display device, an embedded stream processor is utilized to strip the header information from each packet and determine the appropriate memory location that the data is to be stored. A trigger packet is sent at the end of the data stream for a screen of on-screen-display graphics.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide help and configuration information for a plurality of consumer electronic devices in an audio/video network. More specifically, each network device provides help information, identifying the device and its features to other network devices. A help utility program interfaces with a presentation device to provide help information to a user. Another implementation consistent with the present invention provides help information related to configuring two or more devices to perform an operation.

Abstract: An apparatus including a secure kiosk capable of containing products and a consumer access device to unlock and retrieve a product from the kiosk is disclosed.

Abstract: On-screen-display graphics data is transmitted from a source device to a display device over an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network utilizing an isochronous data format. The on-screen-display graphics data is generated by the source device and transmitted to a display device, as a stream of isochronous data, separate from video data. Each packet of isochronous data within the stream of on-screen-display graphics data includes an address value corresponding to a memory address within the display device forming a buffer. When received by the display device the on-screen-display graphics data is loaded into the appropriate memory locations within the buffer corresponding to the address values. At the display device, an embedded stream processor is utilized to strip the header information from each packet and determine the appropriate memory location that the data is to be stored. A trigger packet is sent at the end of the data stream for a screen of on-screen-display graphics.

Abstract: A system and method for a context-aware switching model enabled between different access points such as web sites are described. The invention allows a user to be automatically transferred securely to another site from the current site without requiring intervention from the user, such as redundant entry of information. In another embodiment, the invention can also be utilized to switch from one application to another application. The invention also is capable of gathering context sensitive information and passing this context-sensitive information to another location. In one embodiment, the invention operates in conjunction with a secured transaction exchange, automatic population of fields, digital rights management, controlled content access, and the like. In one embodiment, context data is captured on a transaction device; the context data is stored on a storage device; and the context data is distributed from the storage device to a remote location.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide help and configuration information for a plurality of consumer electronic devices in an audio/video network. More specifically, each network device provides help information, identifying the device and its features to other network devices. A help utility program interfaces with a presentation device to provide help information to a user. Another implementation consistent with the present invention provides help information related to configuring two or more devices to perform an operation.

Abstract: A system and method to transmit embedded content for use by a transaction device are described in detail below. In addition, authorization for use of the embedded content can be confirmed locally within the transaction device. Further, registration and payment for use of the embedded content can be performed locally within the transaction device. In one embodiment, access is requested from a secure entity. The access to the secure entity is granted if authentication information identifying a user requesting the access is provided to the secure entity. In one embodiment, embedded content is received within a transaction device; the transaction device locally verifies an authorization to use the embedded content; and the transaction device utilizes the embedded content in response to the authorization.

Abstract: A package to be shipped to a user is diverted to a new delivery location upon receipt of a redirection request for the package from the user. The redirection request specifies a package identifier for the package and the new delivery location, which are transmitted to the entity responsible for the package, such as a vendor or a distribution network. The redirection request may be received in response to a delivery notification that is transmitted to the user upon request or on a periodic basis. In another aspect, when the new delivery location is a secure delivery location, an authentication code to release the package from the secure delivery location is generated and associated with the package. The authentication code is transmitted to the user and also to the secure delivery location.

Abstract: An apparatus for partitioning, scaling and displaying video and/or graphics across several display devices includes a video source, a master device and multiple display devices arranged into a multiple display configuration. Preferably, the master device partitions the video stream into image sections and assigns each display device a corresponding image section based on its position within the multiple display configuration. Each display device then preferably receives the video stream and separates the data representing the corresponding image section. Preferably, once the data for the corresponding image section is separated, the display devices then scale their respective image sections to a full screen size image and display the scaled image simultaneously with the display of the entire frame on all display devices within the multiple display configuration.