Abstract: A method includes receiving a dedication from a first user via a network and applying the dedication to a play list of a second user.

Abstract: Limiting propagation of requests for a file in a peer to peer media sharing system may be accomplished by sharing index information associated with the file from a first network node to a second network node in the peer to peer system, updating a distance counter in the index information by the second network node to denote the sharing of the index information about the file, and setting a request propagation limit in a request packet for requesting the file by the second network node to the distance counter.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments facilitate correlation between recordings of an event, e.g., photographs, videos, audio recordings, holographic recordings, etc., and one interested in obtaining a copy of the recordings, e.g., participants, watchers/audience, managers, other recorders, etc. As recordings from a particular location in the event are made, a signal is emitted by the recorder that may be received by recipients, such as people or locations, e.g., desired vantage points, seats, etc. The emitted signal includes an identifier that allows a recipient to identify the recording. Use of the emitted signal may be limited to people or locations near the recorder. A broker service may facilitate anonymous or face-to-face commercial sales or other distribution of recordings between recorders and recipients.

Abstract: A method and system for image sharing based upon faces in an image is disclosed. The method for image sharing based upon faces in an image comprises defining a sharing rule defining with which one or more recipients images are shared based on face identifying information, and applying face identifying information associated with the image to the sharing rule to determine the one or more recipients with which the image should be shared. The system for image sharing based on faces in an image comprises a sharing rule defining with which one or more recipients images are shared based on face identifying information, and a sharing engine to apply face identifying information associated with an image to the sharing rule to determine the one or more recipients with which the image should be shared.

Abstract: A digital camera includes a memory to store image data of a captured image representing a scene in the physical world, and an encryption module configured to digitally sign the image data prior to storage using a private key of an asymmetric key pair and to obtain metadata associated with the image data. The digital camera is communicatively coupled to a digital photography subsystem. The host-based subsystem includes a decryption module to accept image data and metadata from the digital camera and to verify the digital signature of the image data to determine authenticity of the captured image represented by the image data using a public key of the asymmetric key pair, and a viewer module to display the image data when the decryption module indicates the image data is authentic.

Abstract: A method for processing data includes identifying a time signature of an infra-red (IR) beacon. Image data associated with the IR beacon is identified using the time signature.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for automatically annotating digital images. An electronic capture device captures a digital representation of a scene. An information tag device is utilized to store identification data for identifying the scene. A tag-reader receives the identification data from the information tag device. A database stores information for the information tag device. A communication device communicates with the database. When identification data is transmitted to the database, information for an annotation provider is transmitted from the database to the communication device. A program executed by the communication device controls communication of the identification data with the database.

Abstract: A camera system that includes a video camera and a processor, which periodically uploads images captured by the video camera to a web server in accordance with one of a plurality of motion detection algorithms. A first motion detection algorithm captures a current image frame when a pixel comparison between successive image frames exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Tracking and multiple signal sources, such as cellular phone towers, 802.11 hotspots, Radio Data System (RDS) transmitters, or the like, and using one or more of these sources to determine a current position that can be associated with a recording, such as a digital camera photo or other digital recording, conventional camera photo, or other recording.

Abstract: Tracking and multiple signal sources, such as cellular phone towers, 802.11 hotspots, Radio Data System (RDS) transmitters, or the like, and using one or more of these sources to determine a current position that can be associated with a recording, such as a digital camera photo or other digital recording, conventional camera photo, or other recording.

Abstract: Peer to peer (P2P) technology is utilized to allow a personal video recorder (PVR) to obtain copies of past broadcasts. In one configuration, electronic program guides (EPGs) are used to display past, present and future broadcasts, where selection of a past broadcast results in a search of a P2P network for the broadcast. If the broadcast is available, it is provided to the requester. Various embodiments are disclosed for controlling costs associated with broadcast acquisition, identifying a desired quality level for a broadcast, applying policies to regulate receipt of broadcast data, and for renting broadcasts.

Abstract: A distributed click-to-print system is disclosed. Components of the system include a personal photo management system, which typically resides on an amateur photographer's computer, a messaging system that supports simple message automation, a client message browsing system, and a photo merchandising system, which is accessible from a data communication network. The system automates the previously manual step of uploading photos, eliminates the cost and time of uploading photos that are not used in producing photo-related merchandise, eliminates the storing of unrequested photos on a merchandiser's website, and enables a photographer's acquaintance to order prints long after such photos may been purged from the merchandiser's service. That is, the system relies on the photographer's personal photo collection for long-term storage and further changes print ordering from a push model to a pull model, in which the photo merchandise service downloads only photos that have been requested.

Abstract: A web camera system and a method of operating the same, the system including a computer connected to a video camera that outputs a captured image. A program runs on the computer to generate a histogram that provides a distribution of pixel intensities associated with the image. A static image indicating a low contrast image is uploaded to the web server when a width of the distribution is less than a predetermined threshold value; otherwise, the captured image is uploaded to the web server.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) for facilitating obtaining copies of selected programs includes a plurality of program listings, the program listings including listings for previously broadcast programs available for downloading to a user's recording device, programs currently being broadcast available for downloading to the user's recording device, and programs which may be recorded on the user's recording device during a future broadcast of the programs. This EPG merges two models of distribution for broadcast content (e.g., EPGs) and video on demand (VOD) systems (e.g., video catalogs) to address the problem of acquiring a recording of a program that was broadcast in the past. The EPG of the present invention provides a combined, unified user interface whereby a user may easily obtain a copy of any one or more of past, current, or future programs.

Abstract: To facilitate an offeror making sensible offers to offerees based on locations visited by offerees, position data from a positioning device, such as a GPS or other positioning device, is digitally signed or encrypted, and provided to an offeror. The offeror may then validate the digitally signed or encrypted position data before extending an offer based thereon. To facilitate digital signing or encryption of position data, an encryption key may be embedded within a positioning device by a manufacture of the positioning device. Various trust models may be employed between the manufacturer, offeror and offerees.

Abstract: Tracking and multiple signal sources, such as cellular phone towers, 802.11 hotspots, Radio Data System (RDS) transmitters, or the like, and using one or more of these sources to determine a current position that can be associated with a recording, such as a digital camera photo or other digital recording, conventional camera photo, or other recording.

Abstract: Correlation between recordings of an event, e.g., photographs, videos, audio recordings, holographic recordings, etc., and one interested in obtaining a copy of the recordings, e.g., participants, watchers/audience, managers, other recorders, etc. As recordings from a particular location in the event are made, a signal is emitted by the recorder that may be received by recipients, such as people or locations, e.g., desired vantage points, seats, etc. The emitted signal includes an identifier that allows a recipient to identify the recording. Use of the emitted signal may be limited to people or locations near the recorder. A broker service may facilitate anonymous or face-to-face commercial sales or other distribution of recordings between recorders and recipients.

Abstract: An embodiment of a digital recording apparatus real-time clock is disclosed. In particular, a real-time clock to mark when each recording is taken is described. The embodiment comprises a digital recording apparatus that contains a real-time clock powered by the main battery of the digital recording apparatus. The real-time clock resets when the digital recording apparatus's batteries are removed. When a recording is made, the digital recording apparatus marks the recording with the current value of the real-time clock, e.g., seconds since the batteries were changed. A computer then reads the media recorded by the digital recording apparatus and provides a date and time reference to which to relate the digital recording apparatus's real-time clock.

Abstract: A method and system for image sharing based upon faces in an image is disclosed. The method for image sharing based upon faces in an image comprises defining a sharing rule defining with which one or more recipients images are shared based on face identifying information, and applying face identifying information associated with the image to the sharing rule to determine the one or more recipients with which the image should be shared. The system for image sharing based on faces in an image comprises a sharing rule defining with which one or more recipients images are shared based on face identifying information, and a sharing engine to apply face identifying information associated with an image to the sharing rule to determine the one or more recipients with which the image should be shared.

Abstract: Limiting propagation of requests for a file in a peer to peer media sharing system may be accomplished by sharing index information associated with the file from a first network node to a second network node in the peer to peer system, updating a distance counter in the index information by the second network node to denote the sharing of the index information about the file, and setting a request propagation limit in a request packet for requesting the file by the second network node to the distance counter.