Abstract: Digital content can be sold by an original sales entity (OSE) to an affiliate sales entity (ASE) for playing of the content by the ASE. The ASE is permitted to transfer the content to another ASE, and sales credit for the secondary transfer is split between the transferring ASE and the OSE upon synchronization of a ledger of the recipient ASE with the system database.

Abstract: A method for operational support for remote network systems which allows for the rapid replacement of one server with another, in such instances as server malfunctions, routine maintenance, or upgrades. The method generally comprises providing a program storage device containing a machine identifier associated with a first, original server, transferring the program storage device and machine identifier to a second, spare server, and remotely configuring the second, spare server, according to the program storage device and machine identifier associated with the first, original server, such that the second, spare server becomes an identical replacement for the first, original server. Thus, if the first, original server malfunctions, the spare or replacement server can be remotely configured to replace the original server according to the information in the machine identifier stored on the program storage device.

Abstract: A favorites GUI for a TV includes a carousel-type display of icons representing user-defined favorites that is overlaid on the current background video of the TV, with the center-most icon being the “current” icon and being enlarged relative to the other icons. Live video appears in icons representing TV channels. Other icons can represent, e.g., favorite photo/music files, favorite games from a game console, favorite content from an ambient player, etc.

Abstract: Network registration for a device is achieved by providing the device with an RFID chip bearing a MAC address, cryptographic capabilities and keys, and then disposing the device near a registration server (such as a home network server/server TV) to cause the information on the RFID chip to be automatically transferred to the server and thus execute registration of the device on the network automatically, relieving a person from having to enter long strings of numbers.

Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device or a server using RFID or using network discovery procedures. The control information if gathered by the server is provided to the remote. In this way, the need to manually program the remote with component code information is eliminated.

Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device or a server using RFID or using network discovery procedures. The control information if gathered by the server is provided to the remote. In this way, the need to manually program the remote with component code information is eliminated.

Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device or a server using RFID or using network discovery procedures. The control information if gathered by the server is provided to the remote. In this way, the need to manually program the remote with component code information is eliminated.

Abstract: A plurality of identification miniature images for to-be-replayed objects is displayed simultaneously on a manipulating-function menu screen with taking one of the to-be-replayed objects corresponding to one of the identification miniature images in a predetermined position as a to-be-replayed object of interest. There are displayed a first group of a plurality of manipulating-function items for the respective to-be-replayed objects and a second group of a plurality of manipulating-function items related to a plurality of to-be-replayed objects. While any one of the manipulating-function items included in the first group is being selected, the identification miniature image corresponding to the to-be-replayed object of interest is displayed for differentiation from the other identification miniature images.

Abstract: As part of a user interface for controlling the display of subtitles including closed captioning, a viewer is presented with a menu of alternate screen positions for the subtitles from which the viewer can select a preferred position.

Abstract: A favorites GUI for a TV includes a carousel-type display of icons representing user-defined favorites that is overlaid on the current background video of the TV, with the center-most icon being the “current” icon and being enlarged relative to the other icons. Live video appears in icons representing TV channels. Other icons can represent, e.g., favorite photo/music files, favorite games from a game console, favorite content from an ambient player, etc.

Abstract: A transaction security and authentication apparatus and system for electronic commerce which provides authentication of internet purchases by communication with a cardholder's base computer, or by contacting the cardholder by remote access for purchase verification. The system preferably comprises at least one central server system associated with a remote access system and configured for communication with a payment institution, and at least one internet capable device, operatively coupled for communication with the central server system, with the central server system configured to determine authentication of a cardholder electronic transaction, according to data received from the internet capable device upon a request for verification of the cardholder electronic transaction from the payment institution.

Abstract: Digital content can be sold by an original sales entity (OSE) to an affiliate sales entity (ASE) for playing of the content by the ASE. The ASE is permitted to transfer the content to another ASE, and sales credit for the secondary transfer is split between the transferring ASE and the OSE upon synchronization of a ledger of the recipient ASE with the system database.

Abstract: Network registration for a device is achieved by providing the device with an RFID chip bearing a MAC address, cryptographic capabilities and keys, and then disposing the device near a registration server (such as a home network server/server TV) to cause the information on the RFID chip to be automatically transferred to the server and thus execute registration of the device on the network automatically, relieving a person from having to enter long strings of numbers.

Abstract: Control information is exchanged between a component and a remote control device or a server using RFID or using network discovery procedures. The control information if gathered by the server is provided to the remote. In this way, the need to manually program the remote with component code information is eliminated.

Abstract: An invention is provided for an alphanumeric keyboard input system using a controller, such as a game controller. A plurality of cells is provided, where each cell includes a plurality of characters. A user is allowed to select any character using only two commands. In particular, a first command is used to select a particular cell of the plurality of cells, and a second command is used to select a particular character of the plurality of characters within the selected cell.

Abstract: A mapping and addressing system suitable for use with secure remote access system, and in particular, with open application (web browsing) standard remote access devices is disclosed. The invention provides an open application standard for GPS support, and provides access to remote address data otherwise previously unavailable to conventional GPS systems.

Abstract: An invention is provided for an alphanumeric keyboard input system using a controller, such as a game controller. A plurality of cells is provided, where each cell includes a plurality of characters. A user is allowed to select any character using only two commands. In particular, a first command is used to select a particular cell of the plurality of cells, and a second command is used to select a particular character of the plurality of characters within the selected cell.

Abstract: A voice messaging system. The voice messaging system includes a set of geographically distributed devices in which voice messages are stored and logic that causes voice messages to be stored in respective devices in the set of devices from which messages can be efficiently retrieved. The logic may cause voice messages to be stored in a device from the set of devices closest to a location from which the user has retrieved messages. A voice message system comprising logic that receives and stores messages from callers for respective users and logic that selects and plays a message not left by a caller to a user. The message is selected based on information about the user, and the message not left by a caller may comprise an advertisement. A method of storing messages in a voice messaging system that has a plurality of voice mail boxes associated with a plurality of subscribers.

Abstract: A voice messaging system. The voice messaging system includes a set of geographically distributed devices in which voice messages are stored and logic that causes voice messages to be stored in respective devices in the set of devices from which messages can be efficiently retrieved. The logic may cause voice messages to be stored in a device from the set of devices closest to a location from which the user has retrieved messages. A voice message system comprising logic that receives and stores messages from callers for respective users and logic that selects and plays a message not left by a caller to a user. The message is selected based on information about the user, and the message not left by a caller may comprise an advertisement. A method of storing messages in a voice messaging system that has a plurality of voice mail boxes associated with a plurality of subscribers.