Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises receiving, by a user identifier circuit, a button pressure signature specifying a sequence of button pressure values sampled while a corresponding identified button of a user input device is pressed by a user; the user identifier circuit identifying the user of the user input device based on the button pressure signature; and the user identifier circuit outputting a message identifying the identified button and the identified user.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses, computer readable storage media with instructions that carry out methods, and methods of (a) coding quantized transform coefficients as occur in image compression to form codewords, and (b) decoding a bitstream comprising the codewords. The coding combines a position identifying method to identify the relative position of clusters of consecutive non-zero-valued quantized transform coefficients, an amplitude event identifying method to identify amplitude events in the clusters of non-zero-valued quantized transform coefficients, and a coding method to code the position events, amplitude events, and signs of the amplitudes in the clusters. The coding method is particularly applicable to an ordered series of quantized transform coefficients where clusters are likely-to-occur.

Abstract: Each data file of a distributed file system is identified by a corresponding globally-unique object identifier that is independent of any attribute of the data file. A node in the distributed file system has a file system that includes a plurality of directory entries, where each directory entry has a file name field, an attributes field, and an object identifier field configured for specifying a globally-unique object identifier. The globally-unique object identifier is universally reachable by any node of the distributed file system and uniquely identifies the data file, enabling the data file to be universally identifiable by any node based on the corresponding object identifier. The data file can be stored independently of a device file system based on providing a resolution between the data file name and its object identifier, followed by a resolution between the object identifier and a selected location for the data file.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a user is identified based on one or more electrical measurements corresponding to user contact with a device and a comparison of those measurements with stored user data. An indication of the determined user identity is provided to a user, and one or more aspects of the operation of a device or system can be set based on the determined user identity. The user can be presented with an opportunity to provide feedback regarding whether the determined identity is correct. Subsequent determinations for determining user identity can be based at least in part on the user provided feedback.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a group identity for an audience associated with an event, accessing a plurality of announcements, identifying at least one announcement of the plurality of announcements based on the group identity, and providing the identified announcement to the audience at the event. The group identity is indicative of at least one characteristic of the audience. The plurality of announcements are processed to identify at least one announcement that approximately matches the group identity.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device, method, and user interface for providing optimized entry of alphanumeric text. In one form, a method for providing selectable characters within a user interface includes determining an operating mode of a communication device and receiving an input associated with a selected input key. The method determines a group of characters associated with the selected key based on the operating mode and displays the group of characters within the user interface. The user interface may display a first character of the group of characters within a first portion of the user interface and the group of characters proximal to the first character within a second portion of the user interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining information relating to a first telephone number, and determining whether the first telephone number corresponds to a first speed dial button on a device. The first speed dial button is highlighted if the first telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button. If the first telephone number does not correspond to the first speed dial button, the method also includes determining whether the first telephone number is associated with a second telephone number, determining whether the second telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button if the first telephone number is associated with the second telephone number, and highlighting the first speed dial button when it is determined that the second telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button.

Abstract: Each data file of a distributed file system is identified by a corresponding globally-unique object identifier that is independent of any attribute of the data file. A node in the distributed file system has a file system that includes a plurality of directory entries, where each directory entry has a file name field, an attributes field, and an object identifier field configured for specifying a globally-unique object identifier. The globally-unique object identifier is universally reachable by any node of the distributed file system and uniquely identifies the data file, enabling the data file to be universally identifiable by any node based on the corresponding object identifier. The data file can be stored independently of a device file system based on providing a resolution between the data file name and its object identifier, followed by a resolution between the object identifier and a selected location for the data file.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises supplying, by a network node to a peer network node, a randomization seed assigned to the network node for generating a prescribed sequence of pseudorandom numbers according to a prescribed pseudorandom number generation function; encoding each data block having a corresponding position in an ordered sequence of a stream of data blocks, into a corresponding differentially-encoded data block based on applying a product of the corresponding data block and the corresponding pseudorandom number, having the corresponding position in the prescribed sequence, to a corresponding successively-preceding differentially-encoded data block from the prescribed ordered sequence, the data block recoverable solely based on a determined difference between the corresponding differentially-encoded data block and the corresponding successively-preceding differentially-encoded data block relative to the corresponding pseudorandom number; and outputting each differentially-encoded data block in

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises identifying, in a network, user selection preferences of an identified user having accessed the network, the identifying based on an accumulation of user selection inputs executed by the identified user, the user selection inputs accumulated relative to input options presented to the user and identifying respective available network items; classifying, by an apparatus in the network, the identified user into one of multiple user affinity categories relative to an advertisement campaign for a targeted product, the classifying based on determining whether one of the user selection inputs represents a view gesture of the user having viewed the targeted product; and selecting an advertisement asset for delivery to the identified user based on the classifying of the identified user into the one user affinity category.

Abstract: Distributed data, having been stored in a distributed storage system as a collection of distributed data elements, is recovered based on connection of multiple user nodes, each user node having stored selected distributed data elements as a corresponding portion of the distributed data during replication of the distributed data elements throughout the distributed storage system. Each distributed data element is identifiable by a corresponding unique object identifier (OID). Each user node includes a discovery resource for discovering reachable user nodes, a local cache configured for identifying at least the corresponding portion of the distributed data based on the respective OIDs, and an identification service module configured for resolving a data object to a corresponding OID, via the corresponding local cache, or based on sending a query to the reachable user nodes. Hence, user nodes can recover distributed data based on exchanging resolution information and OID information.

Abstract: In particular embodiments, a method for editing a web page includes identifying a plurality of components that collectively form a programmatic representation of a first web page. At least one of the components has content that dynamically changes in response to data retrieved externally from the content. A second web page is generated. The second web page includes a plurality of parameters. Each parameter of the second web page corresponds to a respective one of the identified plurality of components. One or more modifications made to the plurality of parameters are interpreted. A programmatic representation of a third web page is generated, the generation based at least in part on the interpretation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining a location of a device relative to a reference, and identifying a first password from a plurality of passwords for use to unlock the device based on the location of the device relative to the reference. The plurality of passwords includes at least one complex password and at least one simple password. The method also includes prompting for input arranged to unlock the device, obtaining the input, and determining when the input matches the first password. When it is determined that the input matches the first password, the device is unlocked.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes monitoring activity in an environment, and storing a snippet of the monitored activity. Monitoring the activity in the environment includes operating a device arranged to capture the activity between approximately a first time and approximately a second time. The snippet has a particular duration that is arranged to end at approximately the second time;. The method also includes storing the snippet in a storage module and determining when a request to provide the snippet is obtained from a party. If it is determined that the request to play the snippet is obtained, the method includes accessing the storage module to obtain the snippet and providing the snippet to the party if it is determined that the request to provide the snippet is obtained.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining documentation that includes a first identifying code and information relating to a deployment of a media device. The method also includes deploying the media device at a location, wherein deploying the media device at the location includes connecting the media device to a display device, as well as causing a second identifying code to be displayed on the display device, the second identifying code being indicative of an association between the display device and the media device. The first identifying code and the second identifying code are captured, and paired. When the first identifying code is paired with the second identifying code, the location is a designated point-of-deployment for the media device.

Abstract: Each data file of a distributed file system is identified by a corresponding globally-unique object identifier that is independent of any attribute of the data file. A node in the distributed file system has a file system that includes a plurality of directory entries, where each directory entry has a file name field, an attributes field, and an object identifier field configured for specifying a globally-unique object identifier. The globally-unique object identifier is universally reachable by any node of the distributed file system and uniquely identifies the data file, enabling the data file to be universally identifiable by any node based on the corresponding object identifier. The data file can be stored independently of a device file system based on providing a resolution between the data file name and its object identifier, followed by a resolution between the object identifier and a selected location for the data file.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises detecting that a user has requested presentation of a media content item from a media series having a prescribed sequence of media series events, the media content item containing a subsequent media series event from the media series; determining that the user has not consumed an antecedent media series event, the antecedent media series event not in the media content item and preceding the subsequent media series event in the prescribed sequence of media series events; and sending a message notifying the user that the user has not consumed at least the antecedent media series event, enabling the user to defer presentation of the media content item and consume the antecedent media series event.

Abstract: Determining presence status associated with a user includes receiving presence statuses of endpoints associated with a first user. It is determined whether an endpoint exhibits significant activity. If an endpoint exhibits significant activity, it is determined whether any other endpoint is co-located with that endpoint. An aggregate presence status is generated from the presence status of the at least one endpoint and presence status of the other endpoint.

Abstract: The present invention includes a device, method, and user interface for providing optimized entry of alphanumeric text. In one form, a method for providing selectable characters within a user interface includes determining an operating mode of a communication device and receiving an input associated with a selected input key. The method determines a group of characters associated with the selected key based on the operating mode and displays the group of characters within the user interface. The user interface may display a first character of the group of characters within a first portion of the user interface and the group of characters proximal to the first character within a second portion of the user interface.

Abstract: A network provides distributed computing services based on participation in respective resource groups by computing nodes, each resource group including a corresponding resource requirement for any computing node that joins the corresponding resource group for execution of the corresponding distributed computing service. Each computing node, in response to determining its corresponding available node capacity, is configured for selectively creating and joining at least one new resource group for execution of a corresponding distributed computing service having a corresponding resource requirement, and/or selectively joining at least one of the available resource groups, based on the corresponding available node capacity satisfying the corresponding resource requirement. Each computing node also is configured for selectively leaving any one of the joined resource groups based on determined conditions.