Abstract: Automated digital media content filtration is performed by establishing automatically, according to a tolerance parameter, a plurality of user relationships, each user relationship based on monitoring an online association between a user and a content producer. Filtration is also performed by monitoring determined user relationships, interacting with a plurality of independent servers to identify digital media content published by content producers having a user relationship with the user and determining a relevancy weight for each published digital media content item, the relevancy based on a strength factor. Filtration is still further performed by presenting the digital media content published by one or more of the content producers to the user such that digital media content having a greater relevancy weight receives a higher priority than other digital media content available to the user from the plurality of content producers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an active data tag device (100) which includes an expiration event generator (108), and a memory (106) which has tag data (116) stored therein. Upon the occurrence (614) of and expiration event, the tag disables access to the tag data.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in either an active mode or a semi-active mode (604). The data tag device includes tag circuitry including a interface element (104), a controller element (102), and a memory (106) in which tag data (116) is stored. A battery is provided which is initially coupled to the tag circuitry. A decoupling feature (402) is used to destructively decouple the battery from the tag circuitry when it is desired to disable the data tag device and reduce the ability of third parties to obtain the tag data. The data tag device is configured to detect the destructive decoupling (606, 608), and disable the data tag in response.

Abstract: Automated digital media content filtration is performed by establishing automatically, according to a tolerance parameter, a plurality of user relationships, each user relationship based on monitoring an online association between a user and a content producer. Filtration is also performed by monitoring determined user relationships, interacting with a plurality of independent servers to identify digital media content published by content producers having a user relationship with the user and determining a relevancy weight for each published digital media content item, the relevancy based on a strength factor. Filtration is still further performed by presenting the digital media content published by one or more of the content producers to the user such that digital media content having a greater relevancy weight receives a higher priority than other digital media content available to the user from the plurality of content producers.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automated digital media content filtration based on relationship monitoring. The method determines a plurality of user relationships based at least in part on an online association between a user and a content producer. The method monitors each user relationship with each content producer for a relationship interaction between the user and the content producer. Furthermore, the method also identifies digital media content published by a content producer having a relationship with the user. A determined relevancy may be based on a strength factor derived at least in part on monitored relationship interactions between the user and the content producer that published the digital media content. The digital media content is presented to the user, with that having a greater relevancy weight having a higher priority than other digital media content available to the user from other content producers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in a passive mode where the tag responds to queries (412). While operating passively, an expiration event occurs (512, 514) which causes the tag to disable a battery (110), preventing subsequent operation in the passive mode, resulting in the tag disabling access to the tag data.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in an active mode where the tag occasionally transmits an unsolicited beacon (412). While operating, an expiration event occurs (512, 514) which causes the tag to disable a battery (110), preventing subsequent operation in an active mode, but may continue operating in a passive mode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in an active mode (304). The data tag device includes tag circuitry including a interface element (104), a controller element (102), and a memory (106) in which tag data (116) is stored. A battery (110) is provided which is initially coupled to the tag circuitry by a connector means (130) which allows non-destructive removal and replacement of the battery. The data tag device is configured to detect the removal of the battery (306, 308), and disable the data tag in response (310).

Abstract: A movie selection method and system is provided for selecting a movie for viewing. The method includes displaying a plurality of movie titles over a network, each one of the plurality of movie titles corresponding to a candidate movie. The method further includes receiving at least one vote corresponding to one of the plurality of movie titles, and determining a winning movie based on the at least one vote. The winning movie is to be presented in a movie theater. The method further includes initiating a payment transaction for each user who voted for the winning movie. As a result, the method and system disclosed herein enables users to choose which movies are shown in the movie theater and enables the movie theater to increase profits.

Abstract: The present invention provides a time-based operational window for RFID tags. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes: associating an operational window with the RFID tag; determining if a current time is within the operational window; operating the RFID tag if the current time is within the operational window; and not operating the RFID tag if the current time is outside the operational window.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in an active mode where the tag occasionally transmits an unsolicited beacon (412). While operating, an expiration event occurs (512, 514) which causes the tag to disable a battery (110), preventing subsequent operation in an active mode, but may continue operating in a passive mode.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in an active mode (304). The data tag device includes tag circuitry including a interface element (104), a controller element (102), and a memory (106) in which tag data (116) is stored. A battery (110) is provided which is initially coupled to the tag circuitry by a connector means (130) which allows non-destructive removal and replacement of the battery. The data tag device is configured to detect the removal of the battery (306, 308), and disable the data tag in response (310).

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in a passive mode where the tag responds to queries (412). While operating passively, an expiration event occurs (512, 514) which causes the tag to disable a battery (110), preventing subsequent operation in the passive mode, resulting in the tag disabling access to the tag data.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for automated digital media content filtration based on relationship monitoring. The method determines a plurality of user relationships based at least in part on an online association between a user and a content producer. The method monitors each user relationship with each content producer for a relationship interaction between the user and the content producer. Furthermore, the method also identifies digital media content published by a content producer having a relationship with the user. A determined relevancy may be based on a strength factor derived at least in part on monitored relationship interactions between the user and the content producer that published the digital media content. The digital media content is presented to the user, with that having a greater relevancy weight having a higher priority than other digital media content available to the user from other content producers.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a data tag device (100) which initially operates in either an active mode or a semi-active mode (604). The data tag device includes tag circuitry including a interface element (104), a controller element (102), and a memory (106) in which tag data (116) is stored. A battery is provided which is initially coupled to the tag circuitry. A decoupling feature (402) is used to destructively decouple the battery from the tag circuitry when it is desired to disable the data tag device and reduce the ability of third parties to obtain the tag data. The data tag device is configured to detect the destructive decoupling (606, 608), and disable the data tag in response.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an active data tag device (100) which includes an expiration event generator (108), and a memory (106) which has tag data (116) stored therein. Upon the occurrence (614) of and expiration event, the tag disables access to the tag data.