Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which utilizes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: A photocatalytic fog disseminating system is used to disperse and activate photocatalytic particles. The photocatalytic particles preferably are nanoscale particles of titanium oxide. An aqueous suspension of the photocatalytic particles is dispersed by the system as an aerosol, and a photon source is used to excite the dispersed particles in order to initiate photocatalytic redox reactions that degrade airborne or sedentary organic impurities that come into contact with the aerosol.

Abstract: A system is provided that allows a user to select a pay program for purchase from a program guide. The program guide determines whether the selected program is part of a package of pay programs. If the selected program is part of a package, information regarding the package is provided to the user so that the user may decide whether to purchase the package. If the selected program is part of several packages, information for all packages is provided. The system automatically sets reminders for packages containing repetitive programming. The system monitors whether the user has watched any of the programs in such packages. When the user watches a program from the package, the remaining reminders are cancelled. If a user does not watch any programs in a package of any type, purchase of the package is cancelled and the user is provided with the opportunity to reschedule.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system with product ordering capability which includes a data processor for receiving program schedule information for a plurality of programs, and a user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, for generating user control commands and transmitting signals to the data processor in response thereto. The television program schedule information is displayed on a display apparatus such as a television receiver. A video display generator receives video control commands from the data processor and program schedule information and displays a portion of the program schedule information on the receiver. The program schedule information indicates the availability of a product or service for certain of the programs included in the program information, wherein the product or service is associated with the program, such as a program transcript or videocassette.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: An electronic program schedule system which includes a receiver for receiving broadcast, satellite or cablecast television programs for a plurality of television channels and a tuner for tuning a television receiver to a selected one of the plurality of channels. A data processor receives and stores in a memory television program schedule information for a plurality of television programs to appear on the plurality of television channels. A user control apparatus, such as a remote controller, is utilized by a viewer to choose user control commands and transmit signals in response to the data processor which receives the signals in response to user control commands. A television receiver is used to display the television programs and television program schedule information.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for displaying promotional information on a display on which program listings information is displayed. In some embodiments, the promotional information and the program listings information may be displayed simultaneously with video for a given television channel. In some embodiments, the program listings information may be program listings information for the given television channel. In some embodiments, the program listings information may be program listings information for channels other than the given television channel. In some embodiments, the promotional information may contain text. In some embodiments, the promotional information may contain graphics. Systems and methods are also provided for displaying for a user video that is accompanied by audio on a display on which program listings are displayed.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an air travel agent who reviews photo IDs of prospective travelers is advised by an expert system that directs the agent to give certain travelers more or less (or different) scrutiny, depending on the type of photo ID they present (e.g., depending on the jurisdiction from which their driver's license was issued). The system relies on a database in which historical incidents of fraud associated with different types of identification documents are logged, thereby serving as a resource by which future frauds might be better identified. Events that may signal increases in fraud beyond historical norms for particular types of ID documents, such as reported thefts of security laminates or other consumables used in their production, can also (or alternatively) be tracked in the database, and considered by the expert system. Such techniques allow security personnel to focus their efforts where they will do the most good.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to steganography and data hiding. One claimed combination recites an apparatus including circuitry having measurable performance or operating characteristics, and steganographic indicia including or linking to plural-bit data pertaining to the performance or operating characteristics. Other combinations are described and claimed as well.

Abstract: The picture information of video can be used in various ways to identify the video or its topical subject matter. This enables numerous novel arrangements in which particular video of interest to a particular consumer can be discerned. A variety of other embodiments and features are also detailed.

Abstract: The picture information of video can be used in various ways to identify the video or its topical subject matter. This enables numerous novel arrangements in which particular video of interest to a particular consumer can be discerned. A variety of other embodiments and features are also detailed.

Abstract: A method of associating metadata with a media signal receives an identifier for the media signal, uses the identifier to look up metadata in a metadata database, validates the metadata by checking attributes of the media signal relative to at least a portion of the metadata to provide validated metadata; and provides the validated metadata to a requesting application. Related methods enable searching of metadata across metadata databases, routing metadata requests to the metadata databases, controlling access to and validating metadata for media content, and re-associating valid metadata with media content.

Abstract: To more rapidly redress identity theft, reports are issued to a person detailing instances in which that person's driver's license, passport, or other government-issued identification documents are presented as a form of ID. These reports can be issued periodically (e.g., integrated with monthly reports aggregating bank and brokerage account information, of the sort provided by Yahoo! and Microsoft Money software), or can be issued by email or text messaging, etc., each time an ID presentment is reported. Upon receiving a report of unfamiliar ID usage (e.g., a report that a driver's license was presented as evidence of age to purchase alcohol in a remote state), the person can take early action to redress apparent identity theft.

Abstract: An identifier corresponding to an object is used in establishing links to related electronic resources. The identifier can be obtained by decoding a watermark, performing a hashing algorithm on content data, reading a bar code, etc. The object can be physical (e.g., a magazine page) or electronic (e.g., music or image data). Suitable devices useful with this technology include cell phones, PDAs, and the like, which may include sensors for capturing object data. The associated electronic resource can be a web site from which information, image/audio content, etc., is provided. A variety of other features and arrangements are also detailed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to steganography and data hiding. In one implementation we provide a method including: obtaining auxiliary data; providing a mask for a photo-reactive material, the mask corresponding at least in part to the auxiliary data; and exposing the material through the mask to steganographically impart the auxiliary data in the photo-reactive material. The auxiliary data is machine-readable from the exposed material. In another implementation the material is exposed through photolithographic illumination. Of course, other implementations are described and claimed as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to steganography, digital watermarking and data hiding. In one embodiment a method is provided including: processing data representing content; analyzing the data to determine whether a plural-bit identifier is steganographically encoded therein, the plural-bit identifier encoded in the data through modifications to the data, the modifications steganographically hiding the presence of the plural-bit identifier; and upon detection of the plural-bit identifier, redundantly carrying out an action while attempting to conceal the action from one or more users of the content. Of course, other embodiments are described and claimed as well.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to steganography. In one implementation we provide a method comprising: receiving optical scan data representing at least a portion of a physical object. The physical object includes information steganographically hidden thereon, and the information includes at least some information indicating an operation of the physical object. The method also includes analyzing the optical scan data to obtain the information, and based at least in part on the information determining whether the physical object is operating as expected. Of course, other implementations are provided as well.