Abstract: A biometric authentication system is disclosed that provides authentication capability using biometric data in connection with a challenge for parties engaging in digital communications such as digital text-oriented, interactive digital communications. End-user systems may be coupled to devices that include biometric data capture devices such as retina scanners, fingerprint recorders, cameras, microphones, ear scanners, DNA profilers, etc., so that biometric data of a communicating party may be captured and used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A biometric authentication system is disclosed that provides authentication capability using biometric data in connection with a challenge for parties engaging in digital communications such as digital text-oriented, interactive digital communications. End-user systems may be coupled to devices that include biometric data capture devices such as retina scanners, fingerprint recorders, cameras, microphones, ear scanners, DNA profilers, etc., so that biometric data of a communicating party may be captured and used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A biometric authentication system is disclosed that provides authentication capability using biometric data in connection with a challenge for parties engaging in digital communications such as digital text-oriented, interactive digital communications. End-user systems may be coupled to devices that include biometric data capture devices such as retina scanners, fingerprint recorders, cameras, microphones, ear scanners, DNA profilers, etc., so that biometric data of a communicating party may be captured and used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a user device, first input corresponding to selection of a recommendation option of an electronic program guide. The method includes sending, from the user device to a display device, a first option to base a media content recommendation on a most recently displayed media content item and a second option to base the media content recommendation on a plurality of displayed media content items. The method includes receiving, at the user device, second input that corresponds to the first option or the second option. The method includes sending a request from the user device to a server. The request includes an identifier based on the second input. The method also includes receiving information corresponding to one or more recommended media content items at the user device in response to the request.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: A biometric authentication system is disclosed that provides authentication capability using biometric data in connection with a challenge for parties engaging in digital communications such as digital text-oriented, interactive digital communications. End-user systems may be coupled to devices that include biometric data capture devices such as retina scanners, fingerprint recorders, cameras, microphones, ear scanners, DNA profilers, etc., so that biometric data of a communicating party may be captured and used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that takes into account the environment where the speech is presented. A method embodiment includes, based on a listening environment and at least one other parameter associated with at least one other parameter, selecting an approach from the plurality of approaches for presenting synthesized speech in a listening environment, presenting synthesized speech according to the selected approach and based on natural language input received from a user indicating that an inability to understand the presented synthesized speech, selecting a second approach from the plurality of approaches and presenting subsequent synthesized speech using the second approach.

Abstract: A speaker-verification digital signature system is disclosed that provides greater confidence in communications having digital signatures because a signing party may be prompted to speak a text-phrase that may be different for each digital signature, thus making it difficult for anyone other than the legitimate signing party to provide a valid signature.

Abstract: A biometric authentication system is disclosed that provides authentication capability using biometric data in connection with a challenge for parties engaging in digital communications such as digital text-oriented, interactive digital communications. End-user systems may be coupled to devices that include biometric data capture devices such as retina scanners, fingerprint recorders, cameras, microphones, ear scanners, DNA profilers, etc., so that biometric data of a communicating party may be captured and used for authentication purposes.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: A speaker-verification digital signature system is disclosed that provides greater confidence in communications having digital signatures because a signing party may be prompted to speak a text-phrase that may be different for each digital signature, thus making it difficult for anyone other than the legitimate signing party to provide a valid signature.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a user device, first input corresponding to selection of a recommendation option of an electronic program guide. The method includes sending, from the user device to a display device, a first option to base a media content recommendation on a most recently displayed media content item and a second option to base the media content recommendation on a plurality of displayed media content items. The method includes receiving, at the user device, second input that corresponds to the first option or the second option. The method includes sending a request from the user device to a server. The request includes an identifier based on the second input. The method also includes receiving information corresponding to one or more recommended media content items at the user device in response to the request.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a user selection of an option related to a first content item and sending data to a server to enable the server to update a user profile. The method also includes receiving a channel selection during or after playback of the first content item. The method further includes sending a content recommendation channel request to the server in response to the channel selection corresponding to a content recommendation channel selection and receiving a list of recommended content items from the server. The list of recommended content items is based on the user profile. The method also includes sending a merchandise recommendation channel request to the server in response to the channel selection corresponding to a merchandise recommendation channel selection and receiving a list of recommended merchandise items from the server. The list of recommended merchandise items is based on the user profile.

Abstract: A trust propagation system is disclosed that propagates trust data based on established trust relationships. The trust system may automatically propagate trust data between parties A and C based on trust relationships with a common party B. Trust data may include authentication data such as biometric data, encryption data, passwords, etc. that may be used to conduct exclusive communications.

Abstract: A speaker-verification digital signature system is disclosed that provides greater confidence in communications having digital signatures because a signing party may be prompted to speak a text-phrase that may be different for each digital signature, thus making it difficult for anyone other than the legitimate signing party to provide a valid signature.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a user selection of an option related to a first content item and sending data to a server to enable the server to update a user profile. The method also includes receiving a channel selection during or after playback of the first content item. The method further includes sending a content recommendation channel request to the server in response to the channel selection corresponding to a content recommendation channel selection and receiving a list of recommended content items from the server. The list of recommended content items is based on the user profile. The method also includes sending a merchandise recommendation channel request to the server in response to the channel selection corresponding to a merchandise recommendation channel selection and receiving a list of recommended merchandise items from the server. The list of recommended merchandise items is based on the user profile.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that takes into account the environment where the speech is presented. A method embodiment includes, based on a listening environment and at least one other parameter associated with at least one other parameter, selecting an approach from the plurality of approaches for presenting synthesized speech in a listening environment, presenting synthesized speech according to the selected approach and based on natural language input received from a user indicating that an inability to understand the presented synthesized speech, selecting a second approach from the plurality of approaches and presenting subsequent synthesized speech using the second approach.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing synthesized speech in a manner that takes into account the environment where the speech is presented. A method embodiment includes, based on a listening environment and at least one other parameter associated with at least one other parameter, selecting an approach from the plurality of approaches for presenting synthesized speech in a listening environment, presenting synthesized speech according to the selected approach and based on natural language input received from a user indicating that an inability to understand the presented synthesized speech, selecting a second approach from the plurality of approaches and presenting subsequent synthesized speech using the second approach.