Abstract: This Object-Oriented programming system migrates persistent objects when their class declarations are modified. The objects and their class descriptions are persistently stored and the persistent versions of an objects' superclass descriptions are compared to later versions of the objects' superclass descriptions. When a persistent version and a later version of the class description for the object differ, the object is migrated from the persistent version to the later version based on the differences between the two superclass descriptions. Finally, the migrated object is persistently stored with changes in its persistent class description.

Abstract: A method of managing content data and associated metadata. According to the method, the content data and the associated metadata are generated. The content data is transferred to a content host, and the metadata and usage condition data for the associated content are transferred to an electronic store. The metadata and/or the usage condition data are altered in order to form promotional data, and the promotional data is transferred from the electronic store to a customer's system. In one preferred method, the content data is encrypted with a first encrypting key before being transferred to the content host. The first encrypting key is encrypted with a second encrypting key, and the encrypted first encrypting key is transferred along with the metadata and usage condition data to the electronic store. Additionally, the encrypted first encrypting key is transferred along with the promotional data to the customer's system.

Abstract: A hierarchial knowledge representation is used in order to more efficiently support the translation and management of multiple localities. Utilizing this type of knowledge representation provides several key advantages. The first is a greater ability to differentiate semantically different symbols within the system. The second, is the ability to reutilize the translation of these symbols once translated a single time; and concurrent locale support.

Abstract: A method, information processing system and computer readable storage medium for presenting a graphical menu item on a display. The graphical menu is displayed by receiving a time delay selected by an end-user; presenting to the end-user a graphical menu item wherein at least one menu item has a selectable option state; receiving input from the end-user for changing the option state on at least one menu item; and waiting an amount of time greater than the time delay before removing the graphical menu item from the display.

Abstract: In response to an internet interrogation by a user for goods or services, a hypermedia presentation is provided that starts out with delivery and presentation of simple thumbnail descriptions of the available goods and services, and proceeds in steps through delivery and presentation of more complex descriptions. The presentations are arranged in segments and permit multiple modes of operation. Each mode has a different set of attributes that permit progress through the presentation in a different manner. When a user first enters a website, he is placed in navigation mode which enables him to browse the website by moving from category to category of goods, having an initial look at the offerings of each category. The user can then move on to the inspection and/or transaction modes. In the inspection mode: the user can examine in more detail the various aspects of the goods he is interested in; can change to a more detailed explanation; zoom in on various portions of the goods; and obtain related information.

Abstract: A system for tracking usage of digital content on user devices. Electronic stores coupled to a network sell licenses to play digital content data to users. Content players, which receive from the network the licensed content data, are used to play the licensed content data. Additionally, a logging site that is coupled to the network tracks the playing of the content data. In particular, the logging site receives play information from the network, and the play information includes the number of times that the content data has been played by the associated content player. Also provided is a method for tracking usage of digital content on user devices. According to the method, a license to play digital content data is sold to a user, and the licensed content data is transmitted to a content player for the user.

Abstract: A method of managing keys used by a digital content player on a computer system. According to the method, digital content data encrypted with a first encrypting key is decrypted using a first decrypting key, and re-encrypted using a second encrypting key. A second decrypting key is encrypted using a third encrypting key to produce an encrypted second decrypting key. In one preferred method, an encrypted first decrypting key that was encrypted using a fourth encrypting key is received, and the encrypted first decrypting key is decrypted using a fourth decrypting key to reproduce the first decrypting key. A digital content player for use on a computer system is also provided. The content player includes a decrypter that decrypts digital content data, which was encrypted with a first encrypting key, using a first decrypting key so as to produce the content data. An encrypter re-encrypts the content data using a second encrypting key and encrypts a second decrypting key using a third encrypting key.

Abstract: A system for tracking usage of digital content on user devices. Electronic stores coupled to a network sell licenses to play digital content data to users. Content players, which receive from the network the licensed content data, are used to play the licensed content data. Additionally, a logging site that is coupled to the network tracks the playing of the content data. In particular, the logging site receives play information from the network, and the play information includes the number of times that the content data has been played by the associated content player. Also provided is a method for tracking usage of digital content on user devices. According to the method, a license to play digital content data is sold to a user, and the licensed content data is transmitted to a content player for the user.

Abstract: A system for tracking usage of digital content on user devices. Content sites for distributing digital content over a computer readable medium to users. The content sites associate unique content identifier with the content associated. Electronic stores coupled to a network sell licenses to play digital content data to users. The licenses contain a unique transaction identifier for uniquely identifying the transaction, and the licenses contain a unique item identifier for uniquely identifying at least one item in the transaction. Content players, which receive from the network the licensed content data, are used to play the licensed content data. The content players produce a purchase identifier based upon the mathematical combination of the content identifier, the transaction identifier and the item identifier.

Abstract: A single file contains all information for a complete presentation. Each presentation file contains both data and software for the presentation. It includes both the data and software provided to the user and that retained by the server for the performance of the presentation. The basic building block for a presentation is a frame. The presentation file can contain a file header frame and multiple media frames, and one or more meta data frame. Of the frame types, the file header frame is the only one whose presence is mandatory in the presentation file format. The file header frame identifies the subject matter and contents of the presentation file providing information on the media types and total length of the file. The most degenerate yet useful version of a presentation file would have the file header frame followed by a media frame containing a thumbnail description. A thumbnail description may constitute a simple still picture or written description of the subject matter.

Abstract: The current invention represents a system which facilitates the use of electronic catalogs in a manner that is presentational and language neutral. This is accomplished by managing and manipulating the system at the level of conceptual entities and the separation of these conceptual entities presentational form, from their manipulation form.

Abstract: A method to automatically retrieve data associated with content. An identifier is read that is stored on electronic readable medium storing content. The identifier is used to search a database for data associated with the content. Data that is associated with the content is retrieved as guided by the database. And the data retrieved is used to create a version of the content for electronic distribution. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a computer readable medium is described to carry out the above method.

Abstract: In an information handling system, a relay server provides links for communicating with network resources, via a network comprising a plurality of network units, for client communication units having unsigned Java applets that request a network resource from a target remote server on the network. The request is a signal that identifies the target unit within the network as a source of said network resource. The relay server accomplishes this by establishing a double link between the unsigned applet and the target unit for providing at least the requested network resource.

Abstract: A method of automatically selecting processing parameters for encoding digital content. Metadata containing the genre of the digital content, receiving the compression level selected for encoding the digital content is received. An algorithm selected for encoding the digital content is received. And a previously defined table to select the processing parameters for encoding the digital content based on the genre of the content, the compression level selected and the algorithm selected is indexed and the processing parameters are retrieved.

Abstract: Network presentations to be displayed on the users screen are divided into increasing more detailed phases. In each phase, the code controlling the phase and the data displayed in the phase are segmented. In transmission over the network, the transmission of the code segment of each phase precedes the transmission of the data segment for that phase. Code transferred to the user's terminal monitors the progress of the display of the current phase on the users screen. When sufficient data for the new phase showing then displayed scene enters the users storage, the code for the incoming phase takes over the presentation on the screen substituting data from the incoming phase for the proceeding phase. In this way, transitions are orderly and seamless.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus of securely providing data to a user's system. The data is encrypted so as to only be decryptable by a data decrypting key, the data decrypting key being encrypted using a first public key, and the encrypted data being accessible to the user's system, the method comprising the steps of: transferring the encrypted data decrypting key to a clearing house that possesses a first private key, which corresponds to the first public key; decrypting the data decrypting key using the first private key; re-encrypting the data decrypting key using a second public key; transferring the re-encrypted data decrypting key to the user's system, the user's system possessing a second private key, which corresponds to the second public key; and decrypting the re-encrypted data decrypting key using the second private key.

Abstract: A hierarchical knowledge representation is used in order to more efficiently support the translation and management of multiple localities. Utilizing this type of knowledge representation provides several key advantages. The first is a greater ability to differentiate semantically different symbols within the system. The second, is the ability to reutilize the translation of these symbols once translated a single time; and concurrent locale support.

Abstract: In a data communication network wherein broadcasted transmissions include a portion uniquely identifying the content of the following transmission and wherein transmissions are repeated at predetermined intervals, a communication unit for operating within the system includes a receiver, a processor, and memory for storing data and instructions for the processor. The receiver receives transmissions over the communication network. The communication unit receives a record command from a user that causes it to record the audio/video content being broadcasted during a subsequent transmission thereof. The memory includes space for storing the program that causes the communication unit to automatically record the transmission at the time the transmission is re-broadcasted.

Abstract: A computer system includes a central processing unit (CPU) for providing computer output signals; a non-computational base transceiver coupled with the CPU. The base transceiver comprises an interface for communicating with the CPU; a modulator for receiving computer output signals and providing modulated signals representing said computer output signals; and a transmitter for receiving said modulated signals, and transmitting said modulated signals via wireless media; and a non-computational remote transceiver comprising: a receiver for receiving signals via wireless media; a transmitter for transmitting signals via wireless media.

Abstract: This system involves an object persistence framework for an object-oriented program which provides a persistent class, data storage class and a data cursor class, that permits specialized implementations of object storage and retrieval with heterogeneous permanent storage systems.