Abstract: Methods 300 and systems 100 are provided for notifying a mobile telephone user of an incoming call in a loud ambient environment. A call notification system registers mobile devices located within the boundary of the area it serves, and couples to the mobile devices using a short range communication technology such as Bluetooth. Upon detecting an incoming call, the mobile device alerts the notification system after a predetermined number of rings. After a predetermined number of rings the notification system, in turn, presents an incoming call notification using visual cues or audio cues to catch the user's attention.

Abstract: A method and system for storing and automatic retrieval of data is provided. A “registry” is one way a computer system manages personal preference data such as configuration preferences and other data that users may want specific devices, applications and/or users to access. The present invention enables computer users to use a number of computer devices under essentially any circumstance and allows users and/or applications to provide individualized preference data for each situation. The registry is n-dimensional and data is stored using, for example, an identifier having three or more keys. Other features of the invention, such as wild cards and times tamps, result in a flexible robust registry system.

Abstract: A method of integrating setting up a residential gateway or access point and setting up a client network adapter into a single software process. The method eliminates inconsistent and confusing terminology and methods of interfacing different client adapter setups with different residential gateways and access points by using a common user interface.

Abstract: A system, software and method capable of communicating with a device coupled to the system via a network such that the tuning capabilities of the device can be made available for access and control via the system's program guide through placement of the device's tuning capabilities as a channel selection on the system's program guide.

Abstract: A method, signal, system, software, and user interface for selecting command sequences and saving the sequences as a macro. The invention includes sourcing input devices and graphical user interfaces for both input commands and referencing macro elements. Macro elements consist of macro keys such as hard keys and soft keys. The command sequence may be automatically detected, saved, and evaluated for both economy and threshold.

Abstract: Digitally encoded content (e.g., music) is provided in a protected mode, along with a player that can unlock and/or decode this music on a user's personal computer (PC) for enjoyment only at their PC. Since the music is in a proprietary, protected form, the user cannot download to players for other formats, e.g., MP3 players, nor can a CD be burned for use external to the PC. If the user decides that they like the content and wants to use it on another playback device, e.g., a MP3 player, or copy it onto a CD-R for use in a standard audio player, the user can initiate a transaction for payment through the player. Once the transaction is completed, the player either converts or transforms the content into a format usable by the, e.g., MP3 player, or converts or transforms the content into wave format and writes it to a CD-R.

Abstract: The present invention provides a universal information appliance management system capable of executing transactions, including financial transactions, across a distributed network. The present invention allows content/service providers to control distribution of the content or services they furnish, and provides novel business process features such as automatic micro-billing of events and instances wherein minuscule requests and tasks of very low value may be billed and monies collected where doing so was otherwise impractical. The information appliance management system also provides dynamic support for multiple simultaneous payment algorithms and for easily modifying or updating the payment algorithms as desired.

Abstract: A convergence system suitable for accepting inputs from several television or personal computing sources is disclosed. The sources can be output on a display. The convergence system is controlled by a multi-function controller suitable for providing a set of function commands. A processor is coupled to the inputs, display and operably coupled to the controller wherein the processor responds to the function commands provided by the controller. The processor also creates for output on the display a set of channel banners. At least one of the channel banners provides information on available processor functions and provides video feed-back when the processor is responding to the function commands.

Abstract: A portable computer system with a battery and a processor, a memory, a display and storage device; all powered by the battery which includes a power management circuit configured to control the operation of the processor and memory in order to vary an amount of power consumed. The power management circuit is configured to accept a requested operating time and is configured to signal the power management circuit to modify the operation of the processor, memory, storage device and display so that the portable computer system can operate from the battery for said requested operating time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for detecting a connection associated with a display and a system having a first and second video output port. Data channel information associated with the first video output port and the second video output port are read using DDC instructions and the absence of a connection between the display and the first video output port is detected. Information associated with the absence of the connection is transferred to the display which is connected to the second video output port such that the transferred information associated with the absence of the connection can be displayed to a user in the form of an error message.