Abstract: A system for lifecycle relationship management in an electronics device. Lifecycle data is collected, wherein this includes hardware data with respect to operation of hardware units in the device, utilization data with respect to operation of utilization units in the device, and user data present in the device that identifies the user. A cycle message is transmitted to a remote server on a communications network, wherein this cycle message is based on the lifecycle data. An offer message is received from a remote server on the communications network, wherein this offer message includes offer data that is based on the lifecycle data in at least one prior cycle message. An offer is then presented on a display of the electronics device to the user, wherein this offer is based on the offer data, and a user choice is accepted with an input sub-unit based on the offer.

Abstract: A system to market digital content to a user on an electronics device. A storage media is installed in the device that contains an inventory of assets that are the digital content. Each asset is protected from unauthorized use by a digital wrapper. A logic in the device displays information about the inventory to the user, accepts their selection of a particular asset, transmits a payment for the selection and an identifier associated with it to a clearing house, receives a first key from the clearing house, transmit the first key to a master server, receives a second key from the master server, and unwraps the digital wrapper protecting the asset with the second key.

Abstract: A digital content vending machine in which a client on a personal computer, contains an infrastructure and an inventory. The infrastructure and inventory may both be stored in a hard drive, or the inventory may instead be stored on a removable media The infrastructure presents a graphical user interface on the client which metaphorically resembles a village containing a plurality of stores operated by vendors. Customers shop in the stores by selecting assets, constituting the inventory, and sending money and an identifier to a clearing house via a communications system such as telephone, private network, or the Internet. The clearing house returns a key used to at least partially remove a digital wrapper protecting the asset from unauthorized use. A master server may also be provided to update the infrastructure and inventory, and to provide additional keys used to remove the digital wrappers.

Abstract: A digital content vending machine, DCVM (10), in which a client (12) on a personal computer, PC (14), contains an infrastructure (16) and an inventory (18). The infrastructure (16) and inventory (18) may both be stored in a hard drive (20), or the inventory (18) may instead be stored on a removable media (24), such as a CD (16), DVD (28), or tape (30). The infrastructure (16) presents a graphical user interface on the client (12) which metaphorically resembles a village (46) containing a plurality of stores (44) operated by vendors (42). Customers (40) shop in the stores (44) by selecting assets (22), constituting the inventory (18), and sending money (52) and an identifier (54) to a clearing house (50) via a communications system such as telephone (118), private network (120), or the Internet (122). The clearing house (50) returns a key (58) used to at least partially remove a digital wrapper (60) protecting the asset (22) from unauthorized use.

Abstract: An electronic device, a method for manufacturing the electronic device, and a method for using the electronic device. A component unit is provided that has a total performance capacity including an enabled and an additional performance capacities, wherein the additional performance capacity is prevented from being employed by the electronic device until enabled with an access logic run in the electronic device with a key associated with the additional performance capacity.

Abstract: A method for collecting user data and constructing a user profile as a digital content vending machine, DCVM is employed which includes an infrastructure and an inventory on a client in a computerized device. The infrastructure presents a graphical user interface on the client which may metaphorically resemble a pillar cover or a plurality of stores operated by vendors. User-customers shop by navigating the pillars or visiting the stores, thus viewing and selecting assets (inventory) and their actions during this are monitored to collect data.

Abstract: A method for providing offline advertising on a user's personal computerized system that has a display unit and a primary storage unit. A campaign set is provided in the primary storage unit, wherein at least part is stored in the primary storage unit prior to its being received by the user, either as part of or by addition to the personal computerized system. The campaign set includes a plurality of ads each having respective deployment attributes. A viewable window is generated on the display unit, wherein this viewable window includes at least one position. An ad from the campaign set is retrieved based on its respective deployment attributes. And the ad is presented in said position, thereby permitting the user of the personal computerized system to view said ad.

Abstract: An electronic device including a controller having a processor that works with a memory or a storage. The memory or storage has an additional partition that is prevented from being accessed by the processor until enabled with an access logic and a key associated with this partition. A user of the device upgrades it to access the additional partition by running the access logic in the device, being informed that an upgrade is permitted, determining if they wish the upgrade and, if so, then purchasing it, the key being transferred to the device from an external source, and the key being applied with the access logic to enable the partition.

Abstract: A system for operating a local portal for a user of a personal computerized system having a display. A primary storage unit is provided in the personal computerized system that contains an inventory of local digital content. This inventory is particularly pre-installed in the primary storage unit before receipt there of by the user. A persistent desktop object, gadget, or managed client (generically) is then operated which is perceivable by the user on the display of the personal computerized system. And a presentation of instances of the digital content is presented with the persistent desktop object, gadget, or managed client, wherein this presentation initially includes at least part of the local digital content.

Abstract: A system for targeting and delivering digital content to a user on a personal computerized system having a primary storage unit and a communications link. A client in the personal computerized system includes an inventory of local digital content installed in the primary storage unit before the user receives it. The client also includes an infrastructure application that manages the inventory and makes digital content accessible to the user. A user profile is used by a logic to choose remote digital content, which is humanly perceivable either visually or audibly, to become additional local digital content. A logic then receives these additional instances from a remote computer system via a communications link and a logic displays them to the of the personal computerized system.

Abstract: A method for providing offline advertising. A digital content vending machine, DCVM includes a client on a personal computer, PC. The DCVM contains an infrastructure and an inventory of digital content, which includes advertisements. The infrastructure and inventory may both be stored in a hard drive, or the inventory may instead be stored on a removable media, such as a CD, DVD, or tape. Customers shop in a plurality of stores operated by vendors and the advertising is then presented to them. A master server may also be provided to update the infrastructure and inventory, particularly including advertisements into the inventory.

Abstract: A method for collecting user data and constructing a user profile as a digital content vending machine, DCVM is employed which includes an infrastructure and an inventory on a client in a personal computer, PC. The infrastructure presents a graphical user interface on the client which may metaphorically resemble a plurality of stores operated by vendors. User-customers shop in the stores by viewing and selecting assets (inventory) and their actions during this are monitored to collect data.

Abstract: A local portal system including a personal computerized system having a display and a primary storage unit. The primary storage unit is provided with an inventory of local digital content which has been installed before its being received by a user. Logics then operate a persistent desktop object (PDO) which is perceivable on the display by the user and present a presentation of digital content with the persistent desktop object which initially includes at least part of said local digital content.

Abstract: A video traveling matte system is disclosed in which the video signal from a foreground television camera is examined for the presence of a particular color by an arrangement employing multipliers to multiply the differences between the red and blue components of the video signal and a luminance signal derived from the video signal by the signals from a sine/cosine potentiometer. The combined signal from the outputs of the multipliers is fed to a first comparator for comparison with a reference value, and the resulting pulses are filtered by a 4-pole active Bessel filter and compared with a reference value in a second comparator to increase the width of the pulses by a selected amount. The pulses of increased width prevent the formation of a matte outline between foreground and background images as the true and complementary values thereof are applied to alternately gate the video signals from the foreground television camera and a background television camera to a common output.