Abstract: Systems and methods for independently generating a unique private session key at one or more hardware devices within a computing system using a subset of the functionality implemented in a hardware functionality scan combined with the use of a one-way mathematical function.

Abstract: A system and method in a wireless network for discovering which resources (e.g., other wireless computing devices) are proximate a user's wireless computing device. Wireless signal strengths with respect to various base stations are compared with the signal strengths of other network devices or resources, to determine which devices are experiencing similar signal strengths. Devices with similar signal strengths are deemed proximate. Each participating computing device may send its signal strength reports to a proximity server, which distributes proximity data to network clients. Each client may receive and process the signal strength data for determining which other clients/resources are proximate, or the server can perform proximity computations and return a list of proximate clients. Once computed, the identities of the proximate clients can be used to query for additional data about the clients, such as the names and other details of their owners, or information about the resource.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide ways to collect, organize, and process metadata associated with particular instances of media content. Metadata can be collected from a variety of metadata providers and organized in individual content folders that can be provided to various client devices. The client devices can process the content folders to provide an electronic program guide for its users. Methods and systems can also make use of user-specific data to evaluate various media content and then make recommendations as to which content a user would most likely wish to experience. Such user-specific data can comprise one or more user preference files that contain information associated with individual users, and one or more significance files that hold values, for individual users, that can be used to determine the significance of any matches found between the user preference files and media content.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide ways to collect, organize and process metadata associated with particular instances of media content. Metadata can be collected from a variety of metadata providers and organized in individual content folders that can be provided to various client devices. The client devices can process the content folders to provide an electronic program guide for its users. Methods and systems can also make use of user-specific data to evaluate various media content and then make recommendations as to which content a user would most likely wish to experience. Such user-specific data can comprise one or more user preference files that contain information associated with individual users, and one or more significance files that hold values, for individual users, that can be used to determine the significance of any matches found between the user preference files and media content.

Abstract: A method of chip authentication is presented. The method includes verifying a driver identity. The method also includes establishing a Diffie Hellman key. Further, the method includes hashing the Diffie Hellman key. The method also includes picking a seed. Further, the method includes performing a hardware functional scan with the seed.

Abstract: A media classification system receives media content descriptions from one or more description providers. The media classification system generates a description of media content based on descriptions of the media content received from one or more description providers. The descriptions describe the media content in terms of degrees. The media classification system may generate a composite description based on the received media content descriptions. The media classification system provides the descriptions, in terms of degrees, to one or more program data providers.

Abstract: Systems and methods for verifying the authenticity of a graphics chip or other hardware chips or hardware devices by performing a hardware functionality scan.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for entering user preference for particular program attribute values while a user is browsing an electronic programming guide (EPG). When a program description is highlighted on the EPG, a preference control invokes a preference entry page when activated. The preference entry page contains several program attribute values associated with the highlighted program. A user can enter new preference ratings or modify previously saved preference ratings for one or more program attribute values on the preference entry page. The user is thus provided with the convenience of entering programming preferences at a time when such preferences are fresh on the user's mind.

Abstract: Improved methods and arrangements are provided for use in: selecting candidate television and multimedia programs for recording; recording the candidate programs; viewing the recorded programs; and archiving the recorded programs. At the center of this capability is a time-dependent content buffering arrangement that allows candidate programs to be selected by an intelligent content agent, with the assistance of a bubbling agent, an electronic program guide, a select library listing, and/or a personal profile associated with a particular user. According to one feature, a rate at which a viewer consumes programs determines a degree of selectivity by which candidate programs are selected.

Abstract: A media content description system receives media content descriptions from one or more metadata providers. The media content description system associates each media content description with the metadata provider that provided the description. The media content description system may generate composite descriptions based on the received media content descriptions. The media content description system provides data associated with the media content descriptions to one or more program data providers.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide ways to collect, organize, and process metadata associated with particular instances of media content. Metadata can be collected from a variety of metadata providers and organized in individual content folders that can be provided to various client devices. The client devices can process the content folders to provide an electronic program guide for its users. Methods and systems can also make use of user-specific data to evaluate various media content and then make recommendations as to which content a user would most likely wish to experience. Such user-specific data can comprise one or more user preference files that contain information associated with individual users, and one or more significance files that hold values, for individual users, that can be used to determine the significance of any matches found between the user preference files and media content.

Abstract: A system and method in a computer network in which computer users may make handwritten annotations (to publication pages such as a slideshow slide) public to other computer users, as well as to view public annotations from other computer users. Users can selectively publish authored notes, and subscribe to other user's published notes, as well as see who is subscribing to those notes. An annotation program such as running on a tablet personal computer allows a user to operate in a public mode or a private mode. In the public mode, an author's ink strokes are sent to a server which distributes those ink strokes to subscribers of that author. The architecture provides other useful applications, including a shared canvas mode in which any user annotations corresponding to a publication page are viewable to other users, and a graffiti mode in which annotations are persisted independent of any publication page.

Abstract: A media content description system receives media content descriptions from one or more metadata providers. The media content description system associates each media content description with the metadata provider that provided the description. The media content description system may generate composite descriptions based on the received media content descriptions. The media content description system provides data associated with the media content descriptions to one or more program data providers.

Abstract: Improved methods and arrangements are provided for use in selecting candidate television and multimedia programs for recording, recording the candidate programs, viewing the recorded programs, and archiving the recorded programs. At the center of this capability is a time-dependent content buffering arrangement that allows candidate programs to be selected by an intelligent content agent, with the assistance of a bubbling agent, an electronic program guide, a select library listing, and/or a personal profile associated with a particular user. The buffering arrangement selectively records candidate programs in a non-circular manner. Candidate programs may be dropped during recording based on certain information associated with the program. For example, examination of closed captioning information may reveal that the candidate program does not match the initial criteria for making it a candidate program.

Abstract: A media content description system receives media content descriptions from one or more metadata providers. The media content description system associates each media content description with the metadata provider that provided the description. The media content description system may generate composite descriptions based on the received media content descriptions. The media content description system provides data associated with the media content descriptions to one or more program data providers.

Abstract: Improved methods and arrangements are provided for use in selecting candidate television and multimedia programs for recording, recording the candidate programs, viewing the recorded programs, and archiving the recorded programs. At the center of this capability is a time-dependent content buffering arrangement that allows candidate programs to be selected by an intelligent content agent, with the assistance of a bubbling agent, an electronic program guide, a select library listing, and/or a personal profile associated with a particular user. The buffering arrangement selectively records candidate programs in a non-circular manner. Candidate programs may be dropped during recording based on certain information associated with the program. For example, examination of closed captioning information may reveal that the candidate program does not match the initial criteria for making it a candidate program.

Abstract: A system and method in a wireless network for discovering which resources (e.g., other wireless computing devices) are proximate a user's wireless computing device. Wireless signal strengths with respect to various base stations are compared with the signal strengths of other network devices or resources, to determine which devices are experiencing similar signal strengths. Devices with similar signal strengths are deemed proximate. Each participating computing device may send its signal strength reports to a proximity server, which distributes proximity data to network clients. Each client may receive and process the signal strength data for determining which other clients/resources are proximate, or the server can perform proximity computations and return a list of proximate clients. Once computed, the identities of the proximate clients can be used to query for additional data about the clients, such as the names and other details of their owners, or information about the resource.

Abstract: A system and method in a computer network in which computer users may make handwritten annotations (to publication pages such as a slideshow slide) public to other computer users, as well as to view public annotations from other computer users. Users can selectively publish authored notes, and subscribe to other user's published notes, as well as see who is subscribing to those notes. An annotation program such as running on a tablet personal computer allows a user to operate in a public mode or a private mode. In the public mode, an author's ink strokes are sent to a server which distributes those ink strokes to subscribers of that author. The architecture provides other useful applications, including a shared canvas mode in which any user annotations corresponding to a publication page are viewable to other users, and a graffiti mode in which annotations are persisted independent of any publication page.

Abstract: An implanted medical device (e.g. infusion pump) and handheld communication device wherein the implantable device is capable of operating under control of different software programs, wherein a first program operates after resetting the implantable device and is not capable of providing significant medical functionality but is capable of selected telemetry operations including telemetry operations that allow replacement software to be downloaded, and wherein a second program may be caused to take control of the device and is capable of significant medical functionality and selected telemetry operations but is incapable of receiving replacement software. A software image may be received in multiple messages where each message is provided with its own validation code and wherein a validation code for the whole image is provided and wherein each provided validation code must compared to a derived validation code prior to accepting the validity of the replacement software.

Abstract: In accordance with various embodiments, filter tokens are provided for use in connection with an electronic program guide (EPG) system. Filter tokens can be used to reduce the amount information that is presented to the user in an electronic program guide display. This can help to reduce information overload and can facilitate presenting indicia of programs in which one or more of the users are likely to be interested. Filter tokens can also be used to provide users with a very robust tool to define user preferences of attributes associated with programs that are of interest to the user.