Abstract: An environment variable for use cases such as UPnP AV use cases. The environment variable of the present invention is used to store the physical location of the user. For example, the environment variable can be used to identify a particular location as being a user's living room, kitchen, etc. The information stored in the environment variable can be used to enhance the user experience of the digital home or other environment by minimizing the number of manual selections that the user has to make in order to initiate a use case such as playing music in a bedroom or watching movies in a living room. The environment variable is used to trigger a change of a profile and select the devices needed to implement different use scenarios.

Abstract: An environment variable for use cases such as UPnP AV use cases. The environment variable of the present invention is used to store the physical location of the user. For example, the environment variable can be used to identify a particular location as being a user's living room, kitchen, etc. The information stored in the environment variable can be used to enhance the user experience of the digital home or other environment by minimizing the number of manual selections that the user has to make in order to initiate a use case such as playing music in a bedroom or watching movies in a living room. The environment variable is used to trigger a change of a profile and select the devices needed to implement different use scenarios.

Abstract: Bridging between ad hoc local networks and Internet based peer-to-peer networks involves coupling a bridge device to a local network using an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer protocol used for exchanging data between consumer electronics devices. The bridge device is coupled to a public network using an Internet-based peer-to-peer networking protocol. In one arrangement, metadata related to media accessible from a media server of the local network is determined via the bridge device, and the metadata is transformed via the bridge device to enable peer-to-peer devices of the public network to discover the media via the bridge device using the Internet-based peer-to-peer networking protocol. In another arrangement, metadata related to media accessible from the public network is determined via the peer-to-peer networking protocol, and the metadata is transformed via the bridge device to enable a device of the local network to discover the media via the bridge device using the ad-hoc, peer-to-peer protocol.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for obtaining selected metadata from a user device. The user device has a metadata engine that stores and accesses metadata in response to a metadata query. A metadata broker verifies the authenticity of the metadata query from a service provider and returns selected metadata if the service provider has rights to obtain the metadata. The user device has a communications interface that sends a service request that is indicative of the selected service over a communications channel and receives the metadata request that is indicative of the selected metadata. An authorization center receives a metadata request from a service provider, accesses a rule set to determine selected metadata in accordance with predetermined rights, and returns a signed metadata request to the service provider. The signed metadata request has an electronic signature of an authorizing party and is indicative of the selected metadata.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for obtaining selected metadata from a user device. The user device has a metadata engine that stores and accesses metadata in response to a metadata query. A metadata broker verifies the authenticity of the metadata query from a service provider and returns selected metadata if the service provider has rights to obtain the metadata. The user device has a communications interface that sends a service request that is indicative of the selected service over a communications channel and receives the metadata request that is indicative of the selected metadata. An authorization center receives a metadata request from a service provider, accesses a rule set to determine selected metadata in accordance with predetermined rights, and returns a signed metadata request to the service provider. The signed metadata request has an electronic signature of an authorizing party and is indicative of the selected metadata.

Abstract: Providing a software distribution service via ad hoc peer-to-peer networks involves configuring a first device to offer a peer-to-peer software distribution service that facilitates access to a plurality of programs. The peer-to-peer software distribution service is advertised via the first device using a service discovery protocol of an ad hoc peer-to-peer network. At least one query for a description of the peer-to-peer software distribution service from a target device of the ad hoc peer-to-peer network is received at the first device in response to advertising the peer-to-peer software distribution service. Downloading of a program to the target device is facilitated via the peer-to-peer software distribution service. The program is selected from the plurality of programs and capable of operating on a processor of the target device.

Abstract: An instant-messaging system (IM) includes messaging devices equipped with individuating addresses, which include a client functionality and a transceiver or data-transmission-reception means for performing instant messaging between the messaging devices, and each of which messaging devices is equipped with messaging capabilities, which messaging capabilities differ at least partly between the messaging devices, and a server functionality arranged to maintain information on the messaging devices belonging to the instant-messaging system. The server functionality is arranged to maintain information on the messaging capabilities of the messaging devices.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method may include a universal plug and play or digital living network alliance (UPnP/DLNA) device, a support server, and a mobile device. The mobile device may be configured to discover the UPnP/DLNA device of a UPnP or DLNA network by using a UPnP/DLNA protocol. The mobile device may further be configured to receive, using the UPnP/DLNA protocol, status-related data corresponding to the UPnP/DLNA device. The mobile device may also be configured to transmit the status-related data to the support server via a wide area network (WAN) or a wireless wide area network (WWAN) to facilitate support of the UPnP/DLNA device based on the status-related data.

Abstract: Providing a software distribution service via ad hoc peer-to-peer networks involves configuring a first device to offer a peer-to-peer software distribution service that facilitates access to a plurality of programs. The peer-to-peer software distribution service is advertised via the first device using a service discovery protocol of an ad hoc peer-to-peer network. At least one query for a description of the peer-to-peer software distribution service from a target device of the ad hoc peer-to-peer network is received at the first device in response to advertising the peer-to-peer software distribution service. Downloading of a program to the target device is facilitated via the peer-to-peer software distribution service. The program is selected from the plurality of programs and capable of operating on a processor of the target device.

Abstract: Providing a software update service involves discovering, via an ad-hoc peer-to-peer network, a peer-to-peer software update service using a service discovery protocol of the ad-hoc peer-to-peer network. The peer-to-peer software update service is offered by a peer device and facilitates updates of programs via the ad-hoc, peer-to-peer network. In response to discovering the peer-to-peer software update service, an update is selected that is applicable to a program of a first device of the ad-hoc peer-to-peer network. The update is sent to the first device and the program of the first device is modified using the update.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for obtaining selected metadata from a user device. The user device has a metadata engine that stores and accesses metadata in response to a metadata query. A metadata broker verifies the authenticity of the metadata query from a service provider and returns selected metadata if the service provider has rights to obtain the metadata. The user device has a communications interface that sends a service request that is indicative of the selected service over a communications channel and receives the metadata request that is indicative of the selected metadata. An authorization center receives a metadata request from a service provider, accesses a rule set to determine selected metadata in accordance with predetermined rights, and returns a signed metadata request to the service provider. The signed metadata request has an electronic signature of an authorizing party and is indicative of the selected metadata.

Abstract: Providing a gaming service via an ad hoc peer-to-peer network involves configuring a device to offer a generic peer-to-peer gaming service that facilitates access to a plurality of specific networked games of the device. The device advertises the gaming service using a service discovery protocol of the network. Game play is facilitated via the gaming service. Accessing a gaming service via an ad hoc peer-to-peer network involves coupling a device to the network. The device discovers a generic peer-to-peer gaming service using a service discovery protocol of the network. The generic gaming service is offered by a peer device and facilitates access to a plurality of specific networked games of the peer device. The device selects a networked game from the plurality of specific networked games of the peer device, and play of the networked game occurs at least between the device and a peer device of the network.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a social network diagram in a P2P network device includes a communication element and an updating element. The communication element is configured to receive an access ticket from an originating node, the access ticket for accessing content via a network. The updating element is configured to determine a true degree of separation between the originating node and the apparatus embodied as a recipient node based on a delivery route of the access ticket and past delivery routes of past access tickets.

Abstract: A UPnP device control protocol for mobile telephones. The device control protocol of the present invention defines the services, actions, and state variables that a UPnP mobile device would expose to a UPnP network. According to the present invention, a mobile telephone or device would act primarily as a UPnP device, offering its services to other devices, such as televisions. These services may include messaging, telephone calls, telephone book functions, calendar functions, and other functions.

Abstract: Selecting media for public rendering via user devices involves coupling one or more proximately co-located mobile devices to a network. Metadata of the mobile devices is discovered via the network. The metadata is indicative of media preferences of users associated with the mobile devices.

Abstract: Bridging between ad hoc local networks and Internet based peer-to-peer networks involves coupling a bridge device to a local network using an ad-hoc, peer-to-peer protocol used for exchanging data between consumer electronics devices. The bridge device is coupled to a public network using an Internet-based peer-to-peer networking protocol. In one arrangement, metadata related to media accessible from a media server of the local network is determined via the bridge device, and the metadata is transformed via the bridge device to enable peer-to-peer devices of the public network to discover the media via the bridge device using the Internet-based peer-to-peer networking protocol. In another arrangement, metadata related to media accessible from the public network is determined via the peer-to-peer networking protocol, and the metadata is transformed via the bridge device to enable a device of the local network to discover the media via the bridge device using the ad-hoc, peer-to-peer protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the remaining free storage capacity of a media database in a media server device (MSD), such as one used in a universal plug and play audio-visual (UPnP AV) architecture. The present invention allows a user of a MSD hosting a content directory service (CDS), prior to a large copy or move operation, to query the media database of the MSD as to the remaining free storage capacity. In one embodiment of the present invention, a query action is implemented in a control point (CP), allowing the CP to query the CDS, which in turn queries the MSD file system/operating system (OS) to determine the remaining free capacity storage of the media database. This capacity information is then sent back to the CP for presentation to a user of the MSD. In a second embodiment, the query is implemented as a dedicated AV MSD service. In a third embodiment, UPnP eventing and a new state variable capable of indicating the remaining free storage capacity is used.

Abstract: A method, a terminal, and a server are provided to enable to remotely and securely grant, by an owner of a server, access to the server for a third party. A mechanism is defined to establish a trust relationship between a mobile device and a home gateway while in a home network and later to use that trust relationship when granting access to the home network (via remote access through the home gateway) to other devices.

Abstract: A system for providing various overlay information one UPnP AV media renderers. According to the present invention, indications of messages and/or other information received by a UPnP mobile telephone or other UPnP control point can be directly transmitted to a renderer and exhibited in different manners. The present invention also permits the UPnP control point to transmit an event subscription to the renderer for subsequent use. The renderer permits accept or reject the receipt of various information at the particular time.

Abstract: An environment variable for use cases such as UPnP AV use cases. The environment variable of the present invention is used to store the physical location of the user. For example, the environment variable can be used to identify a particular location as being a user's living room, kitchen, etc. The information stored in the environment variable can be used to enhance the user experience of the digital home or other environment by minimizing the number of manual selections that the user has to make in order to initiate a use case such as playing music in a bedroom or watching movies in a living room. The environment variable is used to trigger a change of a profile and select the devices needed to implement different use scenarios.