Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system that prevents an unscrupulous person from stealing the identity of another party and using the stolen identity to obtain a transaction device such as a biometric device that is configured to access, for example, a line of credit. In one aspect, a first biometric data of a party is registered (or stored) in a suitable manner with a trusted entity. The first biometric data may be fingerprint data, iris data, retinal data, voice data, or other suitable biometric information associated with a party. The trusted entity, for example, may be the party's bank. A second biometric data (e.g., fingerprint data) is obtained from a person seeking financial credit. The person is prevented from registering a second biometric data (e.g., fingerprint data of the unscrupulous person) that does not match the first biometric data (e.g., fingerprint data of the originally registered individual). This prevents the unscrupulous person from stealing the identity of another party.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention queue a plurality of requests without the associated data. Servicing devices in a multimedia network, for example an audio/video (AV) network, receive requests without the associated data from one or more requesting devices in the AV network, and store the requests in a plurality of queues. When a servicing device is ready to perform a service associated with a stored request, the servicing device retrieves the associated data from a requesting device or other devices that provide the associated data. When performing the service, the servicing device may generate one or more results, which the servicing device sends to the requesting device or other devices in the AV network. After performing the service, the servicing device removes the stored request from the queue.

Abstract: An intelligent agent is configured to determine whether a product or a service satisfies preferences established by a party. The intelligent agent is also configured to use personal data associated with the party such as a historical purchase activity, a potential future purchase activity, or information related to a group to which the party is a member in order to customize a price for the product or the service. The intelligent agent, dispatched from a client to a server, customizes the price for the product or the service based upon the personal data associated with the party or a pricing policy of the supplier. The product or the service is purchased without disclosing the identity of the party.

Abstract: A method for transmitting information between each electronic unit, comprising the steps of (a) transmitting information whose amount does not exceed a predetermined data amount, (b) determining whether or not the predetermined data amount is larger than a desired information amount, (c) when the determined result at step (b) is No, transmitting remaining information for the predetermined amount or less, and (d) repeating the steps (a) to (c) until there is no remaining information.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for bitmap animation and display of on-screen-display graphics utilizes the HAVi architecture and displays the bitmap animation using a clipping region and a visible window. Data for a bitmap image of on-screen-display graphics is generated by a graphics source within a source device. The data is transmitted to a display device including a rendering engine. The bitmap image is then rendered by the display device. A clipping region and visible window are applied to the bitmap image as it is displayed by the display device. Only the portion of the bitmap image corresponding to the logical intersection of the visible window and the clipping region is displayed by the display device. The clipping region, visible window and the bitmap image can be moved in relation to each other through an animation sequence. The bitmap image can also be changed to generate animation within the clipping region.

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 media manager provides data flow management and other services for client applications on devices coupled together within a network. Preferably, these devices are coupled together within an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. A device control module is generated for each available device for providing an abstraction for all of the capabilities and requirements of the device including the appropriate control protocol, physical connections and connection capabilities for the device. The media manager also manages the flow and format of data transfers between the devices on the network. Through an interface, a user accesses the media manager and enters functions which are to be completed using the devices coupled together on the network. If the appropriate devices are available, the media manager controls and manages the completion of the requested task.

Abstract: A docking station includes a platform, a motion control mechanism, a power source, a mount, a signal interface, and a platform signal routing system. The power source powers the motion control mechanism to move the platform. The mount allows attaching a peripheral device to the platform. The signal interface interfaces the platform with a network. The platform signal routing system routes signals from the signal interface to the motion control mechanism.

Abstract: A method and system for defining and discovering proxy functionality on a distributed audio video network. The present invention operates within a network of consumer electronic media devices (e.g., television, set-top-box, video cassette recorder, compact disc device, personal computer system, etc.) that are coupled together using the IEEE 1394 serial communication standard. Specifically, the present invention enables a consumer electronic media device having increased functionality to act as a proxy device for other consumer electronic media devices. As such, the proxy device is able to provide a wide variety of advantageous proxy services for other consumer electronic media devices thereby increasing their original capabilities. For instance, the proxy device can act as a translator between two devices thereby enabling them to communicate. Additionally, the proxy device can enable Home Audio Video Interoperability (HAVi) devices to have greater control over non-HAVi devices.

Abstract: A media manager provides data flow management and other services for client applications on devices coupled together within a network. Preferably, these devices are coupled together within an IEEE 1394-1995 serial bus network. A device control module is generated for each available device for providing an abstraction for all of the capabilities and requirements of the device including the appropriate control protocol, physical connections and connection capabilities for the device. The media manager also manages the flow and format of data transfers between the devices on the network. Through an interface, a user accesses the media manager and enters functions which are to be completed using the devices coupled together on the network. If the appropriate devices are available, the media manager controls and manages the completion of the requested task.

Abstract: A data collection system for use with a home AV network. The home AV network includes a plurality of consumer electronic devices communicatively coupled via an IEEE 1394 based network. A receiver device is included in the plurality of devices. The receiver device functions by receiving a broadcast data stream for displaying or playing for the user, wherein the broadcast data stream includes an identifier tag describing the identity or content of the broadcast data stream. At least one of the plurality of consumer electronic devices includes an up-stream communications link capable of sending information up-stream from the user's home. Additionally, at least one of the consumer electronic devices includes a computer system, the computer system including a processor coupled to a memory via a bus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributed conditional access (CA) control on a serial communication network. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a CA subsystem over a 1394 network, the CA subsystem comprising a receiver unit for receiving a digital broadcast signal (DBS) and OOB data from an external source, where the DBS and OOB data are transmitted from the external source to the receiver unit in different broadcast frequencies. The receiver unit comprises a main tuner subunit coupled to receive the DBS, which can be encrypted with respect to a first encryption scheme. The receiver unit also comprises an OOB tuner subunit coupled to receive the OOB data for decrypting the DBS with respect to the first encryption scheme. The CA subsystem also comprises a CA control unit coupled to the receiver unit, which in turn comprises a CA subunit coupled to receive the DBS and OOB data.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a user interface for a networked target device using panel subunit descriptor information maintained by the target device. The present invention utilizes a panel subunit to allow any compliant device (e.g., a target device) to describe the appearance of its physical (and logical) controls and displays to another device (e.g., an intelligent controller) and allows the controller to trigger actions on the target as if a user had physically manipulated the controls on the target device directly. The panel subunit uses objects defined with several standard types of controls and displays (e.g., push buttons, sliders, dials, LCD screens, etc.) that are commonly found on consumer electronic devices. The control types have well defined behaviors (e.g., buttons are pushed, dials are moved, values are input, etc.). In addition, the panel subunit defines a set of commands which are to be applied to any of these controls when selected by the user.

Abstract: In a home audio visual network including a plurality of devices coupled via an IEEE 1394 bus, a system for accessing a media drive mechanism of a multi-item-type media player. The multi-item-type media player can play any type of disc media item. A media drive mechanism is included within the mutli-item-type media player and is configured to play or record the media item stored within the multi-item-type media player. A computer system is built-in to the multi-item-type media player. A software based media player model executes on the computer system, and in turn, causes the computer system to implement a method of accessing the media drive mechanism. In so doing, the computer system interfaces with a plurality of devices coupled to the multi-item media player via an IEEE 1394 communications link of an IEEE 1394 based network and provides a standardized command set for the media drive mechanism.

Abstract: In a home audio visual network including a plurality of devices coupled via an IEEE 1394 bus, a system for accessing a media changer mechanism of a multi-item media player. The multi-item media player stores a plurality of media items and can play any of the plurality of media items. A media changer mechanism having a plurality of slots for storing the plurality of media items is included within the multi-item media player. A computer system is built into the multi-item media player. A software based media changer model executes on the computer system, and in turn, causes the computer system to implement a method of accessing the media changer mechanism. In so doing, the computer system interfaces with a plurality of devices coupled to the multi-item media player via an IEEE 1394 communications link of an IEEE 1394 based network and provides a standardized command set for the media changer mechanism.

Abstract: A method for transmitting information between each electronic unit, comprising the steps of (a) transmitting information whose amount does not exceed a predetermined data amount, (b) determining whether or not the predetermined data amount is larger than a desired information amount, (c) when the determined result at step (b) is No, transmitting remaining information for the predetermined amount or less, and (d) repeating the steps (a) to (c) until there is no remaining information.