Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for local availability of products and services on a sales user interface. Through use of the present invention, availability of goods and corresponding services offered at a location near the user may be communicated to a consumer, thereby informing the consumer of desirable services and goods. A method for identifying services corresponding to a product available to a user based on user location may include monitoring user interaction with network navigation software operating on an information handling system. A product is identified based on the monitored user interaction with the network navigation software and a service corresponding to the identified product determined, the service determination based on user location.

Abstract: A method of performing power down of a computer monitor when a video signal is no longer present and apparatus which performs the method schedules an automatic power conservation mode after a given period of time unless an inhibiting power sustain command embedded in the video signal is received. The power sustain command is placed in the regular video signal at a regular interval. The frequency of the command may be made shorter than the power-off timeout in order to maintain the power-on state of the monitor. Multiple time lapse thresholds may be set to permit multiple power conservation modes. This method may be implemented without making hardware changes in retrofitting a monitor.

Abstract: A media presentation apparatus includes a user preference storage module to store a user preference associated with a user activity and a content selection, coupled to a content selection module to select a content offering based on the user preference. A system includes a media presentation apparatus coupled to a preference manipulation apparatus. A method of processing user preferences includes storing a user preference associated with a user activity and a content selection, and selecting a content offering based on the user preference. The content offering can be selected from a plurality of offerings, based on a combination of user preferences.

Abstract: A method for optimizing a code sequence by tuning the representations of an instruction set based on the frequency of operations performed by the code sequence. For example, the number of bit symbols used to represent a code sequence may be reduced using the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method for downloading substantially up to date versions of selected software from a plurality of software vendors over a network and for installing the software to a hardware unit includes a first software handling machine in the network configured to execute a download manager that sends a download transaction request including an identifier associated with the selected software over the network, and downloads and installs the selected software pursuant to a download/installation instruction, and also includes a second software handling machine in the network configured to execute a download supervisor to determine whether the requested download transaction is authorized, and, if so, to communicate a download/installation instruction to the download manager to enable it to download and install the selected software.

Abstract: A system and method for the communication of streaming data is disclosed. In an exemplary method of the present invention, a first set of data is received by an information handling system. A second set of data is received via a network wherein the second set of data is continuously streaming. During times when a sufficient amount of streaming data of the second set of data is available for communication, the second set of data is communicated to a user. Otherwise, the first set of data is communicated to the user. In one embodiment, the second set of data may include a video stream viewable by a user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first data set and the second data set may be transmitted from a first source.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, system, and signal-bearing medium that in an embodiment save a protected area of a storage device by booting to the protected area, copying the contents of the protected area to the user area of the storage device, rebooting to the user area, and then saving the user area to a backup storage device. In another embodiment, a restore mechanism is provided by copying the saved contents of the protected area from the backup storage device to the user area of the storage device, booting into the protected area of the storage device, and copying the saved contents into the protected area. In this way, in various embodiments the contents of the protected area of a storage device can be saved and restored.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a bi-directional optical monitor interconnect. The bi-directional monitor interconnect of the present invention includes an optical conductor with a first and second end. Disposed on the first end of the optical conductor is a first optical communication device and a first optical receiving device. Disposed on the second end of the optical conductor is a second optical communication device and a second optical receiving device. The first and second optical communication devices are capable of transmitting data over an optical connection. The first optical communication device is suitable for communicating via a first wavelength and the second optical communication device is capable of communicating over a second wavelength. The first receiving device is capable converting the second wavelength into electrical signals and the second receiving device is capable of converting the first wavelength into electrical signals.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided to enable automatically taking a series of depth of field bracket photos by varying the f-stop and shutter speed for a particular scene to keep the exposure constant. The method may be practiced on a digital camera which has been equipped with software in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A method of performing power down of a computer monitor when a video signal is no longer present and apparatus which performs the method schedules an automatic power conservation mode after a given period of time unless an inhibiting power sustain command embedded in the video signal is received. The power sustain command is placed in the regular video signal at a regular interval. The frequency of the command may be made shorter than the power-off timeout in order to maintain the power-on state of the monitor. Multiple time lapse thresholds may be set to permit multiple power conservation modes. This method may be implemented without making hardware changes in retrofitting a monitor.

Abstract: An authentication code for a diagnostic code is generated. In one aspect, the authentication code includes a timestamp indicating when the diagnostic generating the diagnostic code was run. In a further aspect, the authentication code includes a serial number for a computer system running the diagnostic. In a still further aspect, the authentication code includes a serial number for a component being diagnosed. The authentication code may be generated on the system being diagnosed, or it may be obtained from a server communicably coupled to the system being diagnosed. Additionally, the diagnostic code may be obtained from a file residing on the computer system begin diagnosed, or on a server.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and a method for configuring and loading a user interface. The method for configuring the user interface includes receiving user interface data from a remote device describing one or more user interface functions on the remote device. This user interface data is compared with a user interface template. A display of one or more representations is configured based on the user interface data, with each representation corresponding to one of the user interface functions on the remote device. The user is then able to interact with the display of the representations in order to utilize the user interface functions available on the remote device.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for restricting operations of a grid software application performing on a grid computer of the computing grid. The system includes a method that presents a user of the grid computer with an option governing use of the grid computer by computing grid operations performed on the grid computer, accepting from the user a setting of options governing use of the grid computer, and applying the setting of the options governing use of the grid computer to the computing grid operations performed on the grid computer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for implementing universal registration in an information appliance network. The method includes providing user registration information of a user to a universal registration resource, the user registration information accessible by providers of resources via the information appliance network. The method further includes requesting use of a provider resource which requires the user registration information, wherein the provider resource automatically retrieves the user registration information from the universal registration resource to enable the user to access the provider resource. Additionally, the present invention provides a method for providing universal registration, including accessing a resource, passing a registration interface dynamic base object to the resource, and interrogating the registration interface dynamic base object for registration information.

Abstract: A method and system for implementing a preferred viewing library of programs are disclosed. Electronic program guide data is searched for a program satisfying a criterion, and a determination is made whether the program satisfies the criterion. The criterion may be based upon the viewing activity profile of the user or may be based upon a criterion entered into the program guide by the user. In the event a program satisfies the criterion, the recording of the program is scheduled to occur at a predetermined time. The time is monitored, and a determination whether the present time is the predetermined time. At the predetermined time, the program is recorded and organized in a program library such that a user may select the program from the program library and view the recorded program at an appropriate time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a customized installation procedure to a consumer purchasing a build to order system. A particular consumer may provide personal information at a point of sale along with component selections for a build to order system. A manufacturer may assemble the personal information and selection list to generate a customized installation procedure for each consumer. The customized installation procedure may be placed upon a compact disk and may be inserted upon a first boot of a purchased build to order computer system. The customized installation procedure may provide a visual presentation on the complete installation of the computer system including software installation and connection of hardware components.

Abstract: A copy protection comprehending cache catalog with a media jukebox tracks not only the titles of the media themselves, but also the number of copies of each media title, and the copy protection status of each media. When a particular media is not limited to a set number of licensed users, then this media alone is permitted to be used to support multiple users with the hard drive cache in the media jukebox. If, however, a particular media title is limited to one licensed use at a time, per copy of that title, then the hard drive cache is capable of sending data to match the number of copies of media in the jukebox.

Abstract: An integrated telephony and video system allows a viewer of a program to selectively accept a telephone call based on caller identification information and automatically buffer the program upon acceptance of the call. When the call is terminated, the buffered program is played from the point of interruption until the buffered program is the same as the real-time program. The system may store data about the call, such as the caller identification information and length of the call. Such data may be used to determine a compression format for the buffered program. Such data may also be used to generate a list of callers for whom the user desires to be interrupted while viewing the program.

Abstract: Multiple users are provided the ability to add or modify items in an open order created by an originating user on an electronic retail system. The originating user has the ability to verify and authorize a final purchase order that is submitted to the retail system. The originating user forwards an open order to other users, who are then allowed to add to the order, such as by adding items to a shopping cart. In a tandem browsing mode, other users are invited to observe the interaction of the originating user with an electronic retail system and modify an order for approval by the originating user.

Abstract: Multiple users are provided the ability to add or modify items in an open order created by an originating user on an electronic retail system. The originating user has the ability to verify and authorize a final purchase order that is submitted to the retail system. The originating user forwards an open order to other users, who are then allowed to add to the order, such as by adding items to a shopping cart. In a tandem browsing mode, other users are invited to observe the interaction of the originating user with an electronic retail system and modify an order for approval by the originating user.