Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a user identifier circuit, a button pressure signature specifying a sequence of button pressure values sampled while a corresponding identified button of a user input device is pressed by a user; the user identifier circuit identifying the user of the user input device based on the button pressure signature; and the user identifier circuit outputting a message identifying the identified button and the identified user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a user identifier circuit, a button pressure signature specifying a sequence of button pressure values sampled while a corresponding identified button of a user input device is pressed by a user; the user identifier circuit identifying the user of the user input device based on the button pressure signature; and the user identifier circuit outputting a message identifying the identified button and the identified user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a user identifier circuit, a button pressure signature specifying a sequence of button pressure values sampled while a corresponding identified button of a user input device is pressed by a user; the user identifier circuit identifying the user of the user input device based on the button pressure signature; and the user identifier circuit outputting a message identifying the identified button and the identified user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises detecting a user selection of media content having a prescribed quality and that is authorized for presentation to the user at the prescribed quality; detecting a media presentation device to be used in presenting the media content to the user; determining, relative to the prescribed quality of the media content, whether a higher-quality version of the media content is available for presentation to the user by the media presentation device; and selectively obtaining, for presentation to the user on the media presentation device, the higher-quality version of the media content based on detecting an authorized purchase of the higher-quality version of the media content to be presented to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises detecting a user selection of media content having a prescribed quality and that is authorized for presentation to the user at the prescribed quality; detecting a media presentation device to be used in presenting the media content to the user; determining, relative to the prescribed quality of the media content, whether a higher-quality version of the media content is available for presentation to the user by the media presentation device; and selectively obtaining, for presentation to the user on the media presentation device, the higher-quality version of the media content based on detecting an authorized purchase of the higher-quality version of the media content to be presented to the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a user identifier circuit, a button pressure signature specifying a sequence of button pressure values sampled while a corresponding identified button of a user input device is pressed by a user; the user identifier circuit identifying the user of the user input device based on the button pressure signature; and the user identifier circuit outputting a message identifying the identified button and the identified user.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a pick list generator which displays selectable terms for inclusion in a selection field. One embodiment of the pick list generator is in assisting an Internet user in the user's population of search fields without the use of a keyboard containing all 26 letters and 10 digits. Accordingly, through application of the present invention, browsing and searching of the Internet is enhanced for the keyboardless user.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a pick list generator which displays selectable terms for inclusion in a selection field. One embodiment of the pick list generator is in assisting an Internet user in the user's population of search fields without the use of a keyboard containing all 26 letters and 10 digits. Accordingly, through application of the present invention, browsing and searching of the Internet is enhanced for the keyboardless user.

Abstract: A control system provides secure transmission of programs, including at least one of video, audio, and data, between a service provider and a customer's set top unit over a digital network. Program bearing data packets are recieved in a first network protocol over a first data link and removed from the first network protocol. Packets representing a particular program requested by a customer having a set top unit are selected. Conditional access is provided to the selected program. In particular, program bearing packets are encrypted according to a first encryption algorithm using a first key, which is then encrypted according to a second encryption algorithm using a second key. The first keys are transported in packets to the customer's set top units along with the program packets. A public key cryptographic technique encrypts the second key such that the public key used in the encryption corresponds to the private key of the customer's set top unit.

Abstract: An information terminal includes a secure microprocessor and secure non-volatile memory. Data such as authorization data and other service provider related data for subscription information services are certified as to source, and portions thereof decrypted as necessary by the secure processor according to a service provider key and loaded into secure non-volatile memory. The secure data is loaded by multiple service providers or by subscribers themselves, each service provider being adaptably allocated a number of non-volatile storage cells of predetermined length. In this manner, scarce non-volatile memory resources may be conserved and yet made accessible to multiple information service providers upon demand or as requirements change. Once certified by a trusted entity, several information service providers may individually change or modify the reconfigurable memory of the present invention by remote, addressed communication without the intervention of head-end apparatus.