Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity.

Abstract: A method and wireless device augment and manage, respectively, emergency alert messages with additional emergency information. An emergency alert message is determined to have been sent (404) to one or more wireless devices (102) in a given area. The emergency alert message is analyzed (406) to determine a type of emergency associated with the emergency alert message. Optionally, a current location of at least one wireless device (102) within the given area is determined. A message is generated (412), based at least in part on the type of emergency and logistics of the given area, including additional emergency information for augmenting the emergency alert message. The message that has been generated is transmitted to the at least one wireless device (102). This message is, optionally, adjusted based on the location of the device and the logistics of the given area.

Abstract: A method and wireless device (102) dynamically adapt a physical entertainment experience for a user of an entertainment system. At least one communication device (106) associated with an entertainment device (120) is situated in close proximity to the entertainment device (120). At least one user profile (114) is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device (102) via the at least one communication device (106) to a controller (104) associated with the entertainment device (120). The user profile (114) includes at least a set of preferences associated with at least one sensory effect available at the entertainment device (120). The controller (104) uses the set of preferences to dynamically adapt a behavior of the entertainment device (120) with respect to the at least one sensory effect for at least one user associated with the wireless device (102).

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods for extracting and using information about an entity that has a presence in a number of information domains. The entity has separate identifiers in each of several domains. Various techniques are described that bind together the identifiers of the entity across the domains. The results of the binding are provided to an interested party that can review information extracted about the entity's behavior in the multiple domains. The interested party is not given access to information that would compromise the confidentiality of the entity. A trusted broker has access to information about the behavior of the entity in the several domains. The broker analyzes that information and provides the analysis to the interested party, again without compromising the confidentiality of the entity. An “incentivizer” works with the broker to extract from the domains information that would be useful in binding together the different identifiers of the entity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating a query from multimedia content is provided herein. During operation a query generator (101) will receive multi-media content and separate the multi-media content into at least a video portion and an audio portion. A query will be generated based on both the video portion and the audio portion. The query may comprise a single query based on both the video and audio portion, or the query may comprise a “bundle” of queries. The bundle of queries contains at least a query for the video portion, and a query for the audio portion of the multimedia event.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing digital content purchased by a rights owner for a first computing device. The method receives a proxy from the rights owner that includes rights to the digital content granted to the rights owner, stores the proxy on a second computing device, and determines whether the rights owner is present at the second computing device. When the rights owner is present at the second computing device, the method enables the proxy, and accesses the digital content on the second computing device through the proxy.

Abstract: A method and wireless device (102) dynamically adapt a physical entertainment experience for a user of an entertainment system. At least one communication device (106) associated with an entertainment device (120) is situated in close proximity to the entertainment device (120). At least one user profile (114) is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless device (102) via the at least one communication device (106) to a controller (104) associated with the entertainment device (120). The user profile (114) includes at least a set of preferences associated with at least one sensory effect available at the entertainment device (120). The controller (104) uses the set of preferences to dynamically adapt a behavior of the entertainment device (120) with respect to the at least one sensory effect for at least one user associated with the wireless device (102).

Abstract: A user will receive a variation of a particular file depending upon the type of network the user is currently accessing. More particularly, a user will typically receive a smaller version of a file when the user is accessing a low-bandwidth (low data rates) network, and can choose to receive a larger version of the file when the user accesses a high-bandwidth (high data rates) network. When several networks are available to the user either simultaneously or sequentially, the user will receive the optimum file version based on cost and quality preferences in the former case and may receive multiple versions of the file in the later case, each increasing in quality.

Abstract: A method and wireless device augment and manage, respectively, emergency alert messages with additional emergency information. An emergency alert message is determined to have been sent (404) to one or more wireless devices (102) in a given area. The emergency alert message is analyzed (406) to determine a type of emergency associated with the emergency alert message. Optionally, a current location of at least one wireless device (102) within the given area is determined. A message is generated (412), based at least in part on the type of emergency and logistics of the given area, including additional emergency information for augmenting the emergency alert message. The message that has been generated is transmitted to the at least one wireless device (102). This message is, optionally, adjusted based on the location of the device and the logistics of the given area.

Abstract: A method and wireless device direct a user to safety during an emergency situation. A wireless device (102) receives an emergency signal (121) from an emergency alerting device (120). The wireless device (102) extracts directional information from the emergency signal (121). The wireless device (102) directs a user to an exit associated with the emergency alerting device (120) based on the directional information extracted from the emergency signal (121).

Abstract: A user will receive a variation of a particular file depending upon the type of network the user is currently accessing. More particularly, a user will typically receive a smaller version of a file when the user is accessing a low-bandwidth (low data rates) network, and can choose to receive a larger version of the file when the user accesses a high-bandwidth (high data rates) network. When several networks are available to the user either simultaneously or sequentially, the user will receive the optimum file version based on cost and quality preferences in the former case and may receive multiple versions of the file in the later case, each increasing in quality.

Abstract: In a communication system having Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites (210), one or more Mission Operations Control Centers (MOCCs) (220), one or more Distributed Virtual Network Managers (DVNMs) (230), and several types of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) (250, 260, 270, and 280), individual service providers (20) are able to control the network services they provide independently from other service providers (20) through local management of the DVNMs (230).

Abstract: A hybrid satellite-based data broadcast system reliably broadcasts data from a ground-based high earth orbit, HEO, server (105) to a plurality of customer provided equipment, CPE, receivers (113) via a HEO satellite constellation satellite (109). When errors in received broadcast data are detected by the CPE (113), error information is communicated via a low earth orbit, LEO, satellite constellation (121, 125) to a LEO gateway (103) which in turn obtains the correct data and transmits the correct data back to the CPE receiver via the LEO satellite constellation (121, 125).

Abstract: A method and apparatus have been described for combining multiple satellite constellations into a cooperative network. A GEO tier of satellites receives information to be broadcasted to earth. The GEO tier receives the information from global hubs, regional hubs, and local hubs. Local program material is combined with regional and global program material by either the regional hub or a GEO satellite.