Abstract: Apparatus for identifying video content includes a scene detector to detect a plurality of consecutive scenes in the video content. The video content may include a video program and an advertisement contained within the video program. A signature generator determines a scene change signature for each of the plurality of consecutive scenes. A content identifier provides the plurality of scene change signatures to a comparator that compares the plurality of scene change signatures to a database having a plurality of video content items to identify the video program. The database includes an ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures for each item of video content in the database. The content identifier receives an identification of the video content from the comparator. The content identifier may further receive information related to a position of the plurality of scene change signatures within the ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for securing communications with an electronic device. The method comprises obtaining a dynamic, non-repeating value from internal logic within a remote control. Thereafter, information including the non-repeating value is encrypted to produce an encrypted value, which is transmitted along with a radio frequency (RF) command from the remote control in order to restrict wireless control of the electronic device.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the invention is directed to a method for securing communications with an electronic device. The method comprises obtaining a dynamic, non-repeating value from internal logic within a remote control. Thereafter, information including the non-repeating value is encrypted to produce an encrypted value, which is transmitted along with a radio frequency (RF) command from the remote control in order to restrict wireless control of the electronic device.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention includes a technique to identify a piece of content. A content identifier is embedded into the piece of content in a pre-determined format. The content identifier identifies the content. The content embedded with the content identifier is encoded into a packaged content to be transmitted from a content provider to a content delivery operator via a transmission medium. The packaged content is delivered to a subscriber by the content delivery operator free of obfuscation according to a contractual agreement between the content provider and the content delivery operator such that the content identifier is preserved for identification of the content. In another embodiment, an interface to a delivering unit receives a piece of content embedded with a content identifier in a pre-determined format. The content identifier identifies the content.

Abstract: Simulated network functionality is provided to an electronic device used for demonstration purposes when an active network connection is otherwise unavailable. A demonstration mode flag may be detected by the electronic demonstration device upon inserting a local external storage that contains the demonstration mode flag. In response to detecting the demonstration mode flag, the demonstration device may then enter a demonstration mode, where such mode may be characterized by switching the device's default network connection from a standard remote server location to a locally-executing server. Upon detecting a network request from any one of the device's application programs, the local server may receive and respond to the network request using, for example, sample content stored on the local external storage.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying a playback position in a audiovisual content stream received from an audiovisual content source includes an audiovisual content display that displays the audiovisual content stream to a user. A command receiver receives remote control commands directed to the audiovisual content source. A playback position identifier estimates the playback position in the audiovisual content stream by analyzing the remote control commands for the audiovisual content source. A presentation unit presents additional information related to the playback position to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing information related to video content includes a video display that displays the video content to a user. A content identifier identifies a segment of interest in the video content. An information processor obtains additional information related to the segment of interest. A presentation unit presents the additional information to the user. The additional information may be provided on a second device different than the video display, such as on a remote control for the video display. A link to the additional information may be presented to the user and presentation of the additional information may be in response to the selection of the link. The additional information may include ordering and an order may be received from the user and transmitted to vendor by the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying video content includes a scene detector to detect a plurality of consecutive scenes in the video content. The video content may include a video program and an advertisement contained within the video program. A signature generator determines a scene change signature for each of the plurality of consecutive scenes. A content identifier provides the plurality of scene change signatures to a comparator that compares the plurality of scene change signatures to a database having a plurality of video content items to identify the video program. The database includes an ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures for each item of video content in the database. The content identifier receives an identification of the video content from the comparator. The content identifier may further receive information related to a position of the plurality of scene change signatures within the ordered plurality of previously determined scene change signatures.

Abstract: User contact information may be stored in a memory of a near-field communication integrated circuit (IC) card. Upon detecting electromagnetic energy emitted by a reader/writer device, the IC card may power on and automatically transmit the stored contact information. In one embodiment, this transmission may be preceded by an authentication operation, and the contact information may be digitally signed so that the accuracy of the contact information may be verified by its recipient. In another embodiment, the contact information may be stored in one or more of a plurality of memory sections of the IC card. Upon the IC card being activated, the contact information may be transmitted from one such memory section based on a user memory section selection.

Abstract: Apparatus for identifying video content includes a scene detector to detect a plurality of consecutive scenes in the video content. The video content may include a video program and an advertisement contained within the video program. A timer determines a plurality of scene lengths for each of the plurality of consecutive scenes. A content identifier provides the plurality of scene lengths to a comparator that compares the plurality of scene lengths to a database having a plurality of video content items to identify the video program. The database includes an ordered plurality of previously determined scene lengths for each item of video content in the database. The content identifier receives an identification of the video content from the comparator. The content identifier may further receive information related to a position of the plurality of scene lengths within the ordered plurality of previously determined scene lengths for the identified video content.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for managing rights associated with digital content. More specifically, embodiments provide an efficient digital rights management (DRM) mechanism for improved protection of and control over the use of digital content, which also reduces the adverse effect on the fair use rights of a purchaser when lending the content to a third party. In one embodiment, a first content segment is accessed. Thereafter, a second content segment is generated from the first content segment, wherein the second content segment is a reproduction of a portion of the first content segment. A plurality of rights associated with the first content segment are then limited upon activation of a license corresponding to the second content segment. Thereafter, the plurality of rights associated with the first content segment are restored upon deactivation of the license corresponding to the second content segment.