Abstract: A method, system, and media manager client unit are provided for controlling the transmission of a multimedia content from a content provider server to the media manager client unit. When the later receives an indication from a cooperating entity that the multimedia content is no longer used, it issues a request for the server to end the transmission of the multimedia content, thus freeing up bandwidth resources used for the transmission. Alternatively, the request can be sent also to a bandwidth manager that manages the bandwidth resources of the system. The cooperating entity sending the indication can be, for example, a media consumer such as a TV set or a display, that is turned off, or an Operating System (OS) detecting either another active application than the multimedia application responsible for rendering the multimedia content or a period of no activity by the user of the multimedia application.

Abstract: A method and information database structure, wherein at least one data field are given a priority level indication, depending on the importance of the data stored therein. When a query request is received, the query is translated into a plurality of queries, one for each level of priority available in the database, and the information is retrieved based on its priority. Typically, high priority information, which may be critical for the requestor, is retrieved first, since it may also be easier to access, and is thus returned faster to the requestor. Low priority information may take a longer time to be accessed since it may contain larger portions of data. When the low priority information is also retrieved, it is further returned to the requestor.

Abstract: A method, system and node for migrating data from a source to a target node without interrupting service provisioning, wherein the target node becomes responsible for receiving, processing, and responding to service requests. During migration, a service request from an application is received and the target node determines if the data required for processing the request has been already. If not, the target node forwards the request to the source node, and receives back a result, which it uses to respond to the application. The target node may use the result to populate its database. In another variant, once a certain portion of data is transferred to the target node, the later receives a new service request for that portion of data, both the source and the target node process the new request, and the results are compared to determine if the transfer to the target node was successful.

Abstract: A personal identifier including a biometric sensor providing at least one biometric output and a sensor identification output, and an encryption functionality for encrypting the at least one biometric intput and the sensor identification output to provide an encrypted identification output. A personal identification method is also disclosed.