Abstract: A portal system employs a handheld media delivery device (18) adapted to receive broadcast media content having media content information, adapted to formulate a request based on the media content information, adapted to communicate the request for additional media content to the portal system (23), adapted to receive the additional media content from the portal system (23), and adapted to deliver the additional media content to a consumer (32). The handheld device has a request processor adapted to determine whether a connection to the portal system is available, queue requests locally, and store requests until the connection is available. The portal system includes an input adapted to receive a request for additional media content from the handheld media delivery device (18), and a retrieval mechanism adapted to retrieve additional media content based on the request.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing peer-to-peer communications between televisions wherein a query request is sent from any of the televisions to any other of the televisions. The query request is for information identifying content currently watched on the queried television including samples of the currently watched content. In operation, each television is first identified to each other television. The identifying information includes determining whether a given television may receive content identifying information from each other of the televisions. In some instances, the querying television may only be allowed to receive certain types of content identifying information from the queried television. The identifying of the television is performed by either the televisions or a mediator that is separate from each of the televisions. The televisions receive information identifying what content identifying information a given other television may receive from a user of the televisions.

Abstract: A television entertainment system has two-way communication capability with a hand-held remote device accessing an external information source. It includes a television receiver adapted to receive television programming content, and a television set top box adapted to receive program related information over a broadcast channel and transmit the program related information to the hand-held remote device. The hand-held remote device is adapted to visually render information received over a broadcast channel and synchronize delivery of the program related information with delivery of related information from the external information source.

Abstract: A handheld device (such as a personal digital assistant or a cellular telephone) is capable of receiving digital information obtained from a broadcast source during, for example, the vertical blanking interval or from the Internet. The handheld device is capable of both formulating an instruction based on the digital information received and transferring the information and/or instruction to a remote electronic device. The instructions are used by the remote electronic device to perform a particular operation.

Abstract: A system for conditionally redeeming an electronic coupon includes a distribution module distributing the adaptive electronic coupon (14) to a user. Electronic coupon metadata automatically changes redemption characteristics of the coupon based on predetermined conditions relating to personal data (24) of the user and a redemption environment (26). A redemption system honors the adaptive electronic coupon at a time and place of redemption based on the predetermined conditions relating to the personal data (24) of the user and the redemption environment (26).

Abstract: An adaptive learning system learns and adapts to behavior of a user enjoying media content via a handheld device. The system includes a user interface provided to the handheld device and operable to receive user input, and a media delivery mechanism provided to the user interface and operable to deliver media content to the user in response to the user input. In further aspects, the system includes a data store provided to the handheld device and operable to record information relating to user consumption of media content, wherein the user consumption occurs in connection with delivering electronic media content.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for calculating and validating the differential time between the broadcasting of an event and the time at which a user responds. The event may include, for example, the announcement of an auction or a contest on a television program. The differential time for each end-user response is calculated by each end-user device. The user response can be reported back to the service provider in a secure and reliable off-line or real-time manner. Each end-user device can include a secure time-keeping device having a secure clock/calendar feature for calculating the differential time between presentation of the event and the user response. A user is prevented from recording a particular event and thereafter replaying the recorded event and responding to the replayed event, to thereby alter the effective response time. Local and global presentation time information are compared to ensure that each user responds to the initial, real-time event and not a replay.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing peer-to-peer communications between televisions wherein a query request is sent from any of the televisions to any other of the televisions. The query request is for information identifying content currently watched on the queried television including samples of the currently watched content. In operation, each television is first identified to each other television. The identifying information includes determining whether a given television may receive content identifying information from each other of the televisions. In some instances, the querying television may only be allowed to receive certain types of content identifying information from the queried television. The identifying of the television is performed by either the televisions or a mediator that is separate from each of the televisions. The televisions receive information identifying what content identifying information a given other television may receive from a user of the televisions.

Abstract: A multichannel switched communication system having a plurality of communication channels, with a plurality of information records stored in a database relating to a plurality of identified objects; a database server system for selectively accessing information records based on a selection criteria; a common input, receiving the selection criteria associated with an identification of a receiver, the selection criteria including object identification information; and a multichannel distribution system capable of simultaneously transmitting a plurality of information records, for transmitting the selectively accessed information record to the identified receiver. A plurality of mobile receivers each receives a desired broadcast on one of a plurality of channels. A bar code scanner associated with a mobile receiver identifies desired information record for retrieval. An infrared or radio frequency communication system may be provided for transmitting control data from the mobile receiver.

Abstract: A digital television system includes a memory which stores a user profile and computer-executable process steps, and a display processor which receives video data and which outputs the video data as a video sequence. A controller receives video data corresponding to at least two alternative images. The controller executes the process steps stored in the memory so as to select one of the alternative images based on information stored in the user profile, and to cause the display processor to include the selected one of the alternative images within the video sequence.

Abstract: A heart fitness evaluation system is set up in booth form in which a participating person may have the fitness condition of his heart evaluated based on a step test protocol. Personalized data is transmitted to the system in the form of selected answers to questions proposed, and the person is classified according to such data provided for the purposes of data comparison. The person engages in supervised exercise over a timed period to accelerate heart functions. After the activity, the person's heart is monitored to determine the recovery rate of the heart over real time. Comparison of the recovery rate is made against stored physiological data relating to heart rate recovery of classified persons, which is translated in to the fitness level of the person's heart and displaying such results.