Abstract: A method includes receiving, at an application provider, a request from a requestor to provide a customized application. The application provider obtains a first configuration parameter including channel configuration information specifying a default channel. The application provider also obtains an unconfigured application from a codebase, and modifies the unconfigured application based, at least in part, on the first configuration parameter, to generate the customized application. As modified, the customized application is configured to include the default channel specified by the channel configuration information. The customized application is then transmitting to a destination specified by the requestor.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at an application provider, a request from a requestor to provide a customized application. The application provider obtains a first configuration parameter including channel configuration information specifying a default channel. The application provider also obtains an unconfigured application from a codebase, and modifies the unconfigured application based, at least in part, on the first configuration parameter, to generate the customized application. As modified, the customized application is configured to include the default channel specified by the channel configuration information. The customized application is then transmitting to a destination specified by the requestor.

Abstract: An application provider device receives, from an online application store, a first online request to provide a first application associated with a first market brand, and a first configuration parameter associated with the first market brand. The first configuration parameter includes information identifying a first information source associated with the first market brand, and first visual elements associated with the first market brand. An unconfigured application is obtained from a codebase. The application is configurable for use with multiple different market brands, and further configurable to use a default information source for obtaining media items. The unconfigured application is customized, based on the first configuration parameter, to generate the requested application by pre-configuring the unconfigured application with the first information source as the default information source, and with the first visual elements.

Abstract: An application provider device receives, from an online application store, a first online request to provide a first application associated with a first market brand, and a first configuration parameter associated with the first market brand. The first configuration parameter includes information identifying a first information source associated with the first market brand, and first visual elements associated with the first market brand. An unconfigured application is obtained from a codebase. The application is configurable for use with multiple different market brands, and further configurable to use a default information source for obtaining media items. The unconfigured application is customized, based on the first configuration parameter, to generate the requested application by pre-configuring the unconfigured application with the first information source as the default information source, and with the first visual elements.

Abstract: A Graphical User Interface (GUI) Customization System provides users with applications that feature customized GUI configurations by applying one or more configuration parameters to common codebases in the applications without user intervention. Various embodiments of the GUI Customization System can provide different methods of acquiring, customizing, and providing applications and sets of configuration parameters to users.

Abstract: A system for dynamically provisioning and/or measuring green power and brown power over an energy provisioning grid and related techniques are described.

Abstract: A network media environment includes a first hub network and a second hub network. The first hub network encompasses a first local environment based on a first server which is coupled to a first client. The second hub network encompasses a second local environment based on a second server which is also coupled to the first client. The first local environment and the second local environment overlap. The second local environment is movable with a movement of the second server.

Abstract: Systems and methods for energy generation, management and distribution via a utility tower are provided. The utility tower can include a vertical structure, at least one energy storage, at least one communication network to communicate power requirements, power quality, power available or any combination thereof, at least one power source coupled to the at least one energy storage, at least one controller to calculate at least one power distribution criterion and to control the energy transfer from the at least one energy storage to one or more loads based on the at least one power distribution criterion.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a network media environment includes: a first hub network including a first server and a first client, and said first server is connected to said first client; a second hub network including a second server and said first client, and said second server is connected to said first client, such that said first hub network and said second hub network overlap; wherein said first client stores first content bound to said first hub network and stores second content bound to said second hub network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of adding a client as a member of a hub network includes: detecting a client connected to a server in a hub network; authenticating said client; authorizing said client; and adding said client as a member in said hub network.

Abstract: A Graphical User Interface (GUI) Customization System provides users with applications that feature customized GUI configurations by applying one or more configuration parameters to common codebases in the applications without user intervention. Various embodiments of the GUI Customization System can provide different methods of acquiring, customizing, and providing applications and sets of configuration parameters to users.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of adding a client as a member of a hub network includes: detecting a client connected to a server in a hub network; authenticating said client; authorizing said client; and adding said client as a member in said hub network.

Abstract: Acquiring a license in a hub network, including: sending a license request from a client to a server through an intermediary device; sending a connection confirmation from the client to the server through the intermediary device; and receiving license data at the client from the server through the intermediary device in response to the license request, wherein the client and the server are not connected in a hub network, wherein the license request identifies a sub-copy version stored on the client, wherein the sub-copy version includes sub-copy locked content data, and wherein the license data is bound to the hub network.

Abstract: Acquiring a license in a hub network, including: sending a license request from a client to a server through an intermediary device; sending a connection confirmation from the client to the server through the intermediary device; and receiving license data at the client from the server through the intermediary device in response to the license request, wherein the client and the server are not connected in a hub network, wherein the license request identifies a sub-copy version stored on the client, wherein the sub-copy version includes sub-copy locked content data, and wherein the license data is bound to the hub network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of presenting content data includes: receiving at a client in a hub network a present request indicating locked content data; checking a license corresponding to said locked content data to determine if said license permits said client to present said locked content data; and presenting said locked content data through a presentation component connected to said client; wherein said license of said locked content data is bound to said hub network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of acquiring a license in a hub network includes: sending a license request from a client to a server; sending a connection confirmation from said client to said server; and receiving license data at said client from said server; wherein said client and said server are connected in a hub network, said license request identifies a sub-copy version stored on said client, said sub-copy version includes sub-copy locked content data, and said license data is bound to said hub network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of adding a client as a member of a hub network includes: detecting a client connected to a server in a hub network; authenticating said client; authorizing said client; and adding said client as a member in said hub network.

Abstract: A digital watermark is affixed to an existing image file prior to being copied onto a destination media. In one embodiment, the image file is encrypted using content scrambling system (CSS) encryption. In another embodiment, the image file is also compressed prior to being copied onto the destination digital video media. A unique identification code associated with an intended recipient may be embedded into the digital watermark. In one embodiment, this unique identification code is stored in a database, along with information particular to the intended recipient. In this fashion, the identity of the intended recipient of the destination digital video media may be determined.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention overcome the problems in the existing art described above by providing a secure digital content licensing system and method. Rental of the digital content occurs within an online environment including one or more user network-enabled devices and one or more server network devices connected by a communications link to the one or more user network-enabled devices. A user selects content displayed on a main website and requests download of the selected content to the user network-enabled device. To be able to access the content the user must obtain a license. The user's request for a license for specific content comprises information about a desired rental model, an expiration date for the rental model, and information that identifies the user's user network-enabled device, along with other information. A license for the content is generated which comprises the above information and also includes an encryption key for the selected movie.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing devices and content in a network environment. In one implementation, a method of binding content to a hub network includes: receiving a request to bind a discrete version of content to a hub network including a server and a client as members of said hub network, wherein said discrete version includes discrete locked content data; disabling said discrete version; and creating a source version of said content stored on said server, wherein said source version includes source locked content data; creating a root license stored on said server, wherein said root license is bound to said hub network.