Abstract: A graphical user interface (GUI) presents a primary icon in a minimal visual area of a video display screen of a computer. Selecting the primary icon directs the computer to display a line of segments, where each segment associated with one or more software programs or electronic documents. The GUI allows a user to directly access items of visual and/or audio media by selecting one or more documents or software programs associated with a selected segment. The GUI optionally allows selected a line or segment for transmission from the computer to another computer, wherein copies one or more documents or software applications are transmitted to the second computer.

Abstract: A system for lifecycle relationship management in an electronics device. Lifecycle data is collected, wherein this includes hardware data with respect to operation of hardware units in the device, utilization data with respect to operation of utilization units in the device, and user data present in the device that identifies the user. A cycle message is transmitted to a remote server on a communications network, wherein this cycle message is based on the lifecycle data. An offer message is received from a remote server on the communications network, wherein this offer message includes offer data that is based on the lifecycle data in at least one prior cycle message. An offer is then presented on a display of the electronics device to the user, wherein this offer is based on the offer data, and a user choice is accepted with an input sub-unit based on the offer.

Abstract: A system to market digital content to a user on an electronics device. A storage media is installed in the device that contains an inventory of assets that are the digital content. Each asset is protected from unauthorized use by a digital wrapper. A logic in the device displays information about the inventory to the user, accepts their selection of a particular asset, transmits a payment for the selection and an identifier associated with it to a clearing house, receives a first key from the clearing house, transmit the first key to a master server, receives a second key from the master server, and unwraps the digital wrapper protecting the asset with the second key.

Abstract: A digital content vending machine in which a client on a personal computer, contains an infrastructure and an inventory. The infrastructure and inventory may both be stored in a hard drive, or the inventory may instead be stored on a removable media The infrastructure presents a graphical user interface on the client which metaphorically resembles a village containing a plurality of stores operated by vendors. Customers shop in the stores by selecting assets, constituting the inventory, and sending money and an identifier to a clearing house via a communications system such as telephone, private network, or the Internet. The clearing house returns a key used to at least partially remove a digital wrapper protecting the asset from unauthorized use. A master server may also be provided to update the infrastructure and inventory, and to provide additional keys used to remove the digital wrappers.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-readable medium are provided for enabling the organization, presentation and selection of icons related to information technology processes. In a first version, icons related to individual information technology processes are associated with an enclosing icon displayed by a computer. The user may direct the computer to display or cease displaying the icons by selecting the enclosing icon. In a second version the enclosing icon may be associated with another enclosing icon, wherein icons are organized into a presentation hierarchy. In a third version, the icons may be personalized by associating textual, graphical and/or photographic data as provided by the user.

Abstract: A digital content vending machine, DCVM (10), in which a client (12) on a personal computer, PC (14), contains an infrastructure (16) and an inventory (18). The infrastructure (16) and inventory (18) may both be stored in a hard drive (20), or the inventory (18) may instead be stored on a removable media (24), such as a CD (16), DVD (28), or tape (30). The infrastructure (16) presents a graphical user interface on the client (12) which metaphorically resembles a village (46) containing a plurality of stores (44) operated by vendors (42). Customers (40) shop in the stores (44) by selecting assets (22), constituting the inventory (18), and sending money (52) and an identifier (54) to a clearing house (50) via a communications system such as telephone (118), private network (120), or the Internet (122). The clearing house (50) returns a key (58) used to at least partially remove a digital wrapper (60) protecting the asset (22) from unauthorized use.

Abstract: An electronic device, a method for manufacturing the electronic device, and a method for using the electronic device. A component unit is provided that has a total performance capacity including an enabled and an additional performance capacities, wherein the additional performance capacity is prevented from being employed by the electronic device until enabled with an access logic run in the electronic device with a key associated with the additional performance capacity.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing visual content and audio content to a user. A display screen is provided that is physically integrated into the apparatus. A video-image processing circuit is provided to play visual content on the display screen and an audio processing circuit is provided to play audio content on one or more speakers that are physically integrated into or externally connected to the apparatus. In the respects stated so far, the apparatus may resemble a monitor (including but not necessarily a computer monitor) or a television. In particular, a communications circuit is further provided to wirelessly connect the apparatus to a local area network to receive instances of the visual content and audio content via the local area network for playback to the user by the apparatus.

Abstract: A method for collecting user data and constructing a user profile as a digital content vending machine, DCVM is employed which includes an infrastructure and an inventory on a client in a computerized device. The infrastructure presents a graphical user interface on the client which may metaphorically resemble a pillar cover or a plurality of stores operated by vendors. User-customers shop by navigating the pillars or visiting the stores, thus viewing and selecting assets (inventory) and their actions during this are monitored to collect data.

Abstract: A method for providing offline advertising on a user's personal computerized system that has a display unit and a primary storage unit. A campaign set is provided in the primary storage unit, wherein at least part is stored in the primary storage unit prior to its being received by the user, either as part of or by addition to the personal computerized system. The campaign set includes a plurality of ads each having respective deployment attributes. A viewable window is generated on the display unit, wherein this viewable window includes at least one position. An ad from the campaign set is retrieved based on its respective deployment attributes. And the ad is presented in said position, thereby permitting the user of the personal computerized system to view said ad.

Abstract: An electronic device including a controller having a processor that works with a memory or a storage. The memory or storage has an additional partition that is prevented from being accessed by the processor until enabled with an access logic and a key associated with this partition. A user of the device upgrades it to access the additional partition by running the access logic in the device, being informed that an upgrade is permitted, determining if they wish the upgrade and, if so, then purchasing it, the key being transferred to the device from an external source, and the key being applied with the access logic to enable the partition.

Abstract: A system for operating a local portal for a user of a personal computerized system having a display. A primary storage unit is provided in the personal computerized system that contains an inventory of local digital content. This inventory is particularly pre-installed in the primary storage unit before receipt there of by the user. A persistent desktop object, gadget, or managed client (generically) is then operated which is perceivable by the user on the display of the personal computerized system. And a presentation of instances of the digital content is presented with the persistent desktop object, gadget, or managed client, wherein this presentation initially includes at least part of the local digital content.