Abstract: A data processing system has first and second components that together perform a system functionality. The first and second components each have a respective power source. When the components are attached to each other, the power source of one of the components serves as a charger for the power source of the other component. When detached from each other, the components can communicate wirelessly with one another.

Abstract: A broker of the invention proposes a centralized distribution scheme for the consumer electronics market. This distribution scheme comprises an electronic presentation of a plurality of information services, among which an individual can choose. Each information service is offered by one or more service providers. Upon selection by the individual of a specific service, the broker enables one of the providers associated with the specific service to provide the service to the individual. The broker may have a database of records of service providers. Besides, the broker may also build a profile of the user so that the provider can be selected based on a match of the record of the provider with the profile.

Abstract: A consumer electronics device, such as a cell phone, digital camera or tracking device, is designed to record real time audio and/or video as well as location based information. The recording can be remotely monitored and stored for the purpose of creating a personal logbook or for the purpose of tracking a person or object on the move.

Abstract: The Internet is searched in order to find resources that provide streamable audio such as live Internet broadcasts. The resources are identified based on their file extension and are categorized according to, e.g., the natural language or music style. The user is enabled to browse the collection based on textual or musical input.

Abstract: An electronic device has a timepiece with a dial face. The dial face comprises a display monitor for providing a graphical representation of a scheduled event. The representation comprises a segment whose length is associated with the duration of the event and whose graphical attributes correspond with a type of the scheduled event as specified by the user in advance. The device is, for example, a watch that communicates with the user's PDA through a Bluetooth link in the user's Personal Area Network (PAN).

Abstract: Components in an information processing system are represented by software objects whose properties can be changed through function calls. Setting a property of an object controls the associated component. Properties are connected through routes that propagate state changes throughout the system without the need for a running client application. Two-way property routes are used to keep consistence among a controlled object and multiple controlling objects without the risk of endless loops. To achieve this, the two-way route is executed to change a state of a specific one of the properties upon a change of state of another one of the properties if the change of state of the other property was caused by an effect other than the route itself.

Abstract: A control network for home appliances comprises a module for interfacing an appliance to the network. The module adopts the identity of the appliance when the module and the appliance are being interconnected. The appliance comprises a tag, e.g., in its power plug, with identifying information that gets read by the module and transferred to a controller. The module itself can have a location dependent identifier to enable topology dependent software applications.

Abstract: Electronic email or voicemail messages are mapped onto personalized graphical representations for providing a concise GUI.

Abstract: An electronic content delivery system uses a network of end-user devices around a hub. Each end-user device has storage capability. Content is stored in a distributed fashion on the network of these end-user devices for being made available to individual ones of these devices in a P2P fashion so as to cut download time and reduce transmission errors.

Abstract: A geographic region has a network of beacons. Each beacon transmits a short-range facilitation signal for receipt on a user's mobile communication device. The facilitation signal initiates associating the facilitation signal with a service and conditionally alerts the user to the service via the device dependent on a user profile. The user-profile and the association between facilitation signal and service are user-programmable.

Abstract: Electronic content information and the time slots for play-out are being determined based on the activities scheduled in the user's electronic calendar and the user's profile or declared interests. In this manner, the recording and downloading of content is automated based on the user's life style.

Abstract: A personal trusted device, such as a mobile phone, receives by default or conditionally an automatic notification when the user's credit card or its number is being used for a commercial transaction. The user can then instantly determine whether or not to instruct the credit card company to inactivate the card.

Abstract: Meta-information is included with the broadcast of content material. The meta-information contains information for accessing available content material, and contains characterizing information related to the material. This information includes, e.g., a synopsis, a list of performers or characters, a genre, and so on. The access information may include, for example, a scheduled broadcast time, an access channel, a URL identifier, a source provider, purchase information, and so on. Generally the meta-information consumes substantially less memory or bandwidth than the broadcast content material. A processing device at the user's broadcast receiver is configured to process this information-rich meta-information corresponding to a large volume of available content material to facilitate filtering of the available material, or automating or optimizing the selection process.

Abstract: An information processing system has an electronic device and a controller for control of a functionality of the device. An abstract representation of the functionality is provided to the controller. The abstract representation exposes a modality of controlling the functionality. The controller enables controlling the functionality through interaction with the abstract representation. The modality controls associating the control of the functionality with a modally compatible controlling capability of the controller. The modality exposed can be, for example, “Boolean”, “float”, “integer array”.

Abstract: A “content re-entry” feature is provided that allows a user to return to an indicated point in a content stream, after being “distracted” by meta-information. Each time a user, or application, begins to follow a related or alternative content (a distraction path), a re-entry point in the original content stream is recorded, thereby facilitating a return to the point at which the distraction occurred. In a broadcast presentation, an access to meta-information is integrated with the storage of content material. Each time a user requests access to meta-information, a recording device is automatically activated to record the content material and to store the location of the start of the recording. When the user terminates the presentation of the meta-information, the presentation of the content material is automatically resumed at the stored location.

Abstract: A PC-based home automation system uses a low data-rate transport layer and COM-based software components for control of devices in a home automation network. The home automation system is merged with a messaging-based HAVi-network that uses IEEE 1394 as a high data-rate transport layer. The HAVi-network controls audio/video equipment in a home entertainment system. The home automation services and devices are registered as a HAVi-compliant elements with the HAVi network's FAV or IAV device. The home automation resources (devices and services) have both COM OLE Automation Interfaces and HAVI-compliant interfaces to permit control of the home automation system from the HAVi-network.

Abstract: An information processing system has first and second electronic sub-systems, and control means for controlling the sub-systems. At least the first sub-system has a software representation registered with the control means. The control means changes a state of the first sub-system through interacting with the software representation. The first and second sub-systems are also capable of interacting directly with one another without the control means being involved. To avoid conflicts, at least the first sub-system is capable of de-registering with the control means so as to functionally disable its software representation at the control means.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a chassis, a cone, an actuator and a sub-frame. The actuator is coupled between the chassis and the diaphragm. The sub-frame is flexibly coupled to the chassis and the diaphragm. The diaphragm is flexibly suspended from the chassis. The actuator directly drives both the diaphragm and the sub-frame through coils attached to the cone and to the sub-frame.