Abstract: A hybrid modular appliance or electronic device allows a user to plug a number of snap-together component modules of different types into a base device, so that the resulting assembly performs a custom-designed functionality. With no attached component modules, the base device functions as a standalone consumer or office appliance. At least one component module has its functionality not supporting the functionality of the base device, thereby allowing the resulting assembly a hybrid device. Examples of the hybrid modular devices include a TV-Wi-Fi-router, and a TV-storage-DVR-Wi-Fi-router. A hybrid modular device can serve as a videoconference device, a music jukebox, or a home theater unit.

Abstract: A system and method enables secure login at linked sites with a universal ID (UID) and possibly different or same password to linked identities. In such logins, a user stays at the linked login page, and the login name and password are sent to a UID provider for authentication. A UID provider may perform optional multi-factored authentication. A UID user is able to manage all his accounts, which are linked to his UID service, by changing the login names, passwords, security requirements, privacy requirements, and authentication requirements, with group-wise control. Successful or failed logins to linked accounts may be reported to a UID user. A UID user may disable logins at a group of linked accounts.

Abstract: A system and methods expedite and make secure payment data entry, and payment and authorization and authorization, for both in-store and online purchases. A mobile app, or widget or browser extension or installed service, on a mobile communication device, generates a barcode to be scanned at a point-of-sale terminal. Optional confirmation is sent to an app, or browser extension or widget or installed service, on a mobile or fixed communication device, to confirm a purchase. An independent app, or browser extension or widget or installed service, on a mobile or fixed communication device, generates a barcode that is sent directly to an online point-of-sale system. The method allows a purchaser to use the same app, or widget or browser extension or installed service, to purchase from any retailer with installed collaborating software.

Abstract: A hybrid modular appliance or electronic device allows a user to plug a number of snap-together component modules of different types into a base device, so that the resulting assembly performs a custom-designed functionality. With no attached component modules, the base device functions as a standalone consumer or office appliance. At least one component module has its functionality not supporting the functionality of the base device, thereby allowing the resulting assembly a hybrid device. Examples of the hybrid modular devices include a TV-Wi-Fi-router, and a TV-storage-DVR-Wi-Fi-router. A hybrid modular device can serve as a videoconference device, a music jukebox, or a home theater unit.

Abstract: A system and methods expedite and make secure payment data entry, and payment and authorization and authorization, for both in-store and online purchases. A mobile app, or widget or browser extension or installed service, on a mobile communication device, generates a barcode to be scanned at a point-of-sale terminal. Optional confirmation is sent to an app, or browser extension or widget or installed service, on a mobile or fixed communication device, to confirm a purchase. An independent app, or browser extension or widget or installed service, on a mobile or fixed communication device, generates a barcode that is sent directly to an online point-of-sale system. The method allows a purchaser to use the same app, or widget or browser extension or installed service, to purchase from any retailer with installed collaborating software.

Abstract: A system and method optimizes the response speed and/or throughput of TCP sessions for web browsing and large-file applications. TCP sessions may be terminated in a TCP proxy. When a TCP sessions enters a slow-start phase or a fast retransmit phase, the congestion window is creased to above a threshold, or the transmission timer is set above a fixed threshold, or the slow-start threshold is set above a fixed threshold.

Abstract: A method and system, called Hub-TV system, allows a mass of consumers who individually owns a private infrastructure to share the burden of storing, searching, authentication, and delivery of digital media items, for the purpose of selling and distributing digital items over the Internet. The consumer may have previously purchased a media item and is compensated for contributing to redistribute the media item through his private infrastructure, which comprises server resources, storage resources, and bandwidth resources. A platform provider of a Hub-TV system provides the control and management functions to ensure that a plurality of broker agents, a plurality of delivery agents, a plurality of payment agents, and a mass of consumer-distributors, are compensated for their services in the Hub-TV system. A consumer who purchases a media item through a Hub-TV system may have to receive a play token, and optionally a decryption key to consume the purchased item.

Abstract: A system and method, called federated cache network (FCN), places and optimizes content caches located in an access or backhaul network of a network service provider or multiple system operator. A FCN comprises a trunk cache and a plurality of branch caches and leaf caches. In a mobile carrier network, the mobility management entity (MME) informs a TCP termination device that a mobile device is moving toward a new base station. The live and terminated TCP sessions associated with a mobile terminal that is moving to a new base station are copied and re-terminated at the new base station, in anticipation of a possible handoff.