Abstract: In one aspect, the present invention provides a method of non-participatory user identification includes using sensor technology to collect data related to identifying characteristics of a user. The collection preferably requires no active identification measures by the user. The data can be extracted from the sensor technology 12 and matched to a template. This matching can, as an example, be performed using a matcher included in a recognition technology device 14. The user can then be identified based upon the template of data matched. Typically, the recognition technology device 14 will recognize when a new but known fingerprint is operating the user interface. The corresponding user profile may then be used to provide personalized content to the new user.

Abstract: A client-server system having server task scheduling in two phases with client deadlines phase information used in a second phase subtask server scheduling. Also, a object broker for the system with collapsing of client request calls and returns to maintain data in coprocessors, and server memory management for multitasking and data flow through a shared memory for multiple coprocessors to avoid primary processor bus congestion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for intelligently acquiring participants in a video telephony system by identifying human faces (101) in a bit map image from other objects and determine locations of the faces on the screen (102). The method then determines those to be included in the video conferencing by prompting for example and addressing a processor to move the camera to those locations (104-106).

Abstract: A system for providing data/information from a service provider at a display when requested includes providing from the service provider data/information and a displaylet in a communications data packet when requested by a user at a display device such as at a settop box and TV set. The displaylet contains a display program and data for controlling the manner in which the display is presented. The display can be a video or audio presentation or both. The displaylet is self contained with a header, processing rules, the type and name of the program locator and the data for the presentation which may be video, audio, sound, text, graphics, etc.

Abstract: An electronic programming guide (70) operates on a computing platform (12) associated with a television (40). The platform (12) accesses a program listing database (48) containing program listing information (6) for a plurality of television programs. The electronic programming guide (70) includes a profile database (80) that stores a viewer profile (84) and a suggest module (76) that is coupled to the profile database (80). The suggest module (76) accesses the viewer profile (84) and the program listing information (6) and, in response, generates a preferred schedule (100) according to the viewer profile (84) and the program listing information (6). The preferred schedule (100) indicates the desirability of a particular program relative to other programs.