Abstract: A first example device disclosed herein comprises memory including computer readable instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to access a group code and a group size from a second device, the group code to identify a group of devices to be included in a stream splitting session to distribute communication of a data stream, the group size to specify a number of devices included in the group of devices, the group of devices including the first device and the second device. The processor is also to initiate transmission of a request including the group code and the group size to a distribution system to establish the stream splitting session. The processor is further to forward a first portion of the data stream from the distribution system to the second device for aggregation with a second portion of the data stream at the second device.

Abstract: A first example device disclosed herein comprises memory including computer readable instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to access a group code and a group size from a second device, the group code to identify a group of devices to be included in a stream splitting session to distribute communication of a data stream, the group size to specify a number of devices included in the group of devices, the group of devices including the first device and the second device. The processor is also to initiate transmission of a request including the group code and the group size to a distribution system to establish the stream splitting session. The processor is further to forward a first portion of the data stream from the distribution system to the second device for aggregation with a second portion of the data stream at the second device.

Abstract: A method and system provides information and purchasing services for products placed in multimedia content. Product metadata coordinated in time with the multimedia content may be used to determine the product and obtain product information. A user may send a notification at a time when the product occurs in the multimedia content, and the time may be used to coordinate the product metadata. Product information may be provided to the user. The user may be given the option to purchase the product. Validation of the user may occur in order to authorize the purchase.

Abstract: A first example device disclosed herein comprises memory including computer readable instructions and a processor to execute the instructions to access a group code and a group size from a second device, the group code to identify a group of devices to be included in a stream splitting session to distribute communication of a data stream, the group size to specify a number of devices included in the group of devices, the group of devices including the first device and the second device. The processor is also to initiate transmission of a request including the group code and the group size to a distribution system to establish the stream splitting session. The processor is further to forward a first portion of the data stream from the distribution system to the second device for aggregation with a second portion of the data stream at the second device.

Abstract: Disclosed example methods to distribute communication of a data stream include assigning, at a first device, a group code to identify a group of devices to be included in a stream splitting session to distribute the communication of the data stream, the group of devices including the first device. Disclosed example methods also include transmitting the group code from the first device to a second device included in the group of devices. Disclosed example methods further include transmitting a first request including the group code and an identifier of a source of the data stream to a distribution system to establish the stream splitting session, and receiving, at the first device, a first portion of the data stream in response to the first request.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A method and system provides information and purchasing services for products placed in multimedia content. Product metadata coordinated in time with the multimedia content may be used to determine the product and obtain product information. A user may send a notification at a time when the product occurs in the multimedia content, and the time may be used to coordinate the product metadata. Product information may be provided to the user. The user may be given the option to purchase the product. Validation of the user may occur in order to authorize the purchase.

Abstract: The location of a container and the location of a storage device that stores a particular item are determined. A determination is made that the particular item is placed in the container. The locations of the particular item and the container are tracked as the container moves through a premises. For a purchase-related transaction, a determination is made whether the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container. If the location of the particular item corresponds to the location of the container, a cost for the particular item is included in the purchase-related transaction. If not, the cost for the particular item is not included in the purchase-related transaction, and the location of the particular item is accounted for.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: Concepts and technologies are disclosed herein for a remotely activated monitoring service. The monitoring service can be executed by a server computer. The server computer can detect an event associated with a user device. The server computer can determine that monitoring of a proximity of the user device is to be initiated based upon the event. The server computer can determine a geographic location of the user device and identify monitoring hardware that is to monitor the proximity of the user device. The server device also can issue a command to the monitoring hardware to initiate monitoring of the proximity of the user device by the monitoring hardware.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: A method and system provides information and purchasing services for products placed in multimedia content. Product metadata coordinated in time with the multimedia content may be used to determine the product and obtain product information. A user may send a notification at a time when the product occurs in the multimedia content, and the time may be used to coordinate the product metadata. Product information may be provided to the user. The user may be given the option to purchase the product. Validation of the user may occur in order to authorize the purchase.

Abstract: Detailed information about a party can be provided during interparty communication. Data-capable mobile devices query at least a public database to retrieve information about a set of parties engaged in communication. The results of the database query are employed to provide detailed caller identification and detail functionality to telephones or communication devices not utilizing traditional landlines or commercial caller identification service. Storage can be included to include address book function, query caching, and user preferences. An interface can be provided to facilitate display of rich caller identification information. The interface can further update displayed information without user input, or provide user selection control to request more information on a selected portion of displayed information. These features can be applied to determine the information about a party that is either receiving a communication or initiating a communication.

Abstract: A method and system for creating and navigating linear hypermedia resource programs are disclosed. The system includes a distributed hypermedia resource network having a plurality of hypermedia resources residing on one or more remote information nodes. A common remote information node is in communication with a subscriber station and the remote information nodes in the distributed network. The common remote information node contains at least one linear hypermedia resource program consisting of pre-selected media elements from one or more hypermedia resources linked with exclusive linear links, each media element in the linear program having only one forward link to the next media element. The method includes the steps of downloading and displaying a media element in the linear program and responding to user commands to download and display the next media element in the linear program.

Abstract: Detailed information about a party can be provided during interparty communication. Data-capable mobile devices query at least a public database to retrieve information about a set of parties engaged in communication. The results of the database query are employed to provide detailed caller identification and detail functionality to telephones or communication devices not utilizing traditional landlines or commercial caller identification service. Storage can be included to include address book function, query caching, and user preferences. An interface can be provided to facilitate display of rich caller identification information. The interface can further update displayed information without user input, or provide user selection control to request more information on a selected portion of displayed information. These features can be applied to determine the information about a party that is either receiving a communication or initiating a communication.

Abstract: Detailed information about a party can be provided during interparty communication. Data-capable mobile devices query at least a public database to retrieve information about a set of parties engaged in communication. The results of the database query are employed to provide detailed caller identification and detail functionality to telephones or communication devices not utilizing traditional landlines or commercial caller identification service. Storage can be included to include address book function, query caching, and user preferences. An interface can be provided to facilitate display of rich caller identification information. The interface can further update displayed information without user input, or provide user selection control to request more information on a selected portion of displayed information. These features can be applied to determine the information about a party that is either receiving a communication or initiating a communication.

Abstract: Disclosed example methods to distribute communication of a data stream include assigning, at a first device, a group code to identify a group of devices to be included in a stream splitting session to distribute the communication of the data stream, the group of devices including the first device. Disclosed example methods also include transmitting the group code from the first device to a second device included in the group of devices. Disclosed example methods further include transmitting a first request including the group code and an identifier of a source of the data stream to a distribution system to establish the stream splitting session, and receiving, at the first device, a first portion of the data stream in response to the first request.

Abstract: Disclosed example methods to distribute communication of a data stream include, in response to a request received from a first device, assigning a number of communication ports to a stream splitting session via which communication of the data stream is to be distributed among a plurality of devices. Such example methods also include determining a type of the request from among a plurality of possible types. Such example methods further include, when the request corresponds to a first type, providing information to the first device for distribution among the plurality of devices, the information to be used to establish respective data connections via which respective portions of the data stream are to be received by the plurality of devices during the stream splitting session.

Abstract: Detailed information about a party can be provided during interparty communication. Data-capable mobile devices query at least a public database to retrieve information about a set of parties engaged in communication. The results of the database query are employed to provide detailed caller identification and detail functionality to telephones or communication devices not utilizing traditional landlines or commercial caller identification service. Storage can be included to include address book function, query caching, and user preferences. An interface can be provided to facilitate display of rich caller identification information. The interface can further update displayed information without user input, or provide user selection control to request more information on a selected portion of displayed information. These features can be applied to determine the information about a party that is either receiving a communication or initiating a communication.