Abstract: Methods, software, apparatus, and systems for policy-based access control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing policy-based access to a policy-controlled resource for a user, comprising: detecting an electronically encoded signal from a computer-controlled electronic access control service at a user-controlled computer-controlled electronic communications device proximate to the user; receiving an electronically encoded compliance query from the computer-controlled electronic access control service at the computer-controlled electronic communications device; determining an electronically encoded response to the electronically encoded compliance query using an electronically encoded, computer-controlled process on the computer-controlled computation device; and returning the electronically encoded response to the computer-controlled electronic access control service using the computer-controlled computation device.

Abstract: Methods, software, apparatus, and systems for policy-based access control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing policy-based access to a policy-controlled resource for a user, comprising: detecting an electronically encoded signal from a computer-controlled electronic access control service at a user-controlled computer-controlled electronic communications device proximate to the user; receiving an electronically encoded compliance query from the computer-controlled electronic access control service at the computer-controlled electronic communications device; determining an electronically encoded response to the electronically encoded compliance query using an electronically encoded, computer-controlled process on the computer-controlled computation device; and returning the electronically encoded response to the computer-controlled electronic access control service using the computer-controlled computation device.

Abstract: Methods, software, apparatus, and systems for policy-based access control are provided. In one embodiment, a method for providing policy-based access to a policy-controlled resource for a user, comprising: detecting an electronically encoded signal from a computer-controlled electronic access control service at a user-controlled computer-controlled electronic communications device proximate to the user; receiving an electronically encoded compliance query from the computer-controlled electronic access control service at the computer-controlled electronic communications device; determining an electronically encoded response to the electronically encoded compliance query using an electronically encoded, computer-controlled process on the computer-controlled computation device; and returning the electronically encoded response to the computer-controlled electronic access control service using the computer-controlled computation device.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for providing video segments over a network. In one embodiment, metadata identifying a video segment is received from a first client device and transmitted to a second client device on a platform different than the first client device, via a network. In another embodiment, metadata identifies a key frame of a video file, which may be used to retrieve and/or playback a portion of the video file via the network. In another embodiment, metadata, generated at a plurality of client devices that are linked via the network, are indexed.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for providing video segments over a network. In one embodiment, metadata identifying a video segment is received from a first client device and transmitted to a second client device on a platform different than the first client device, via a network. In another embodiment, metadata identifies a key frame of a video file, which may be used to retrieve and/or playback a portion of the video file via the network. In another embodiment, metadata, generated at a plurality of client devices that are linked via the network, are indexed.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing media assets over a network. First metadata corresponding to a first video asset is generated. The first metadata includes text describing contents displayed when the first video asset is played and a pointer to a location within a video file that corresponds to the first video asset. The pointer includes at least two of a start location, an end location, and a duration. The first metadata is transmitted for receipt by a client system capable of playing the first video asset. The client system displays portions of the text of the first metadata to a user of the client system, and uses the pointer of the first metadata to facilitate requesting the first video asset from a video server for transmitting video assets over the network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a composite video having a plurality of video assets are provided. Systems may include storage having a plurality of video assets, a metadata generator, and a composite video generator. The metadata generator processes respective ones of the video assets to generate a metadata track representative of information that is descriptive of the content of the video asset. The composite video generator receives a plurality of metadata tracks and, in response, processes the associated video assets and the metadata tracks to generate a composite video asset having video data from the video assets. The composite video asset may have a metadata list panel that presents information representative of the metadata information as video data appearing within the composite video asset. The metadata list panel visually presents the sequence of video assets in the composite video asset.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for providing media assets over a network. First metadata corresponding to a first video asset is generated. The first metadata includes text describing contents displayed when the first video asset is played and a pointer to a location within a video file that corresponds to the first video asset. The pointer includes at least two of a start location, an end location, and a duration. The first metadata is transmitted for receipt by a client system capable of playing the first video asset. The client system displays portions of the text of the first metadata to a user of the client system, and uses the pointer of the first metadata to facilitate requesting the first video asset from a video server for transmitting video assets over the network.

Abstract: A method for enhancing a fantasy sports game with recorded sports broadcasts includes the steps of receiving video programs depicting sports-related events, storing the video programs, associating to a plurality of segments of the video programs attribute data that identifies for a segment of the plurality of segments at least one of a plurality of persons related to a portion of the sports-related events depicted in the segment of the plurality of segments, transmitting to a presentation device for display a player guide containing at least one of the plurality of persons, receiving from a user of the presentation device a video request related to a particular person contained in the player guide, retrieving from the plurality of segments a particular segment associated with attribute data that identifies the particular person, and transmitting the particular segment to the presentation device for display.

Abstract: A method for distributing media content using a video on demand (VOD) system or the like in which a collection of media content items, such as full length movies, is stored in one or more digital storage devices controlled by a content provider and coupled to a specific media presentation device such as a subscriber television set. VOD subscribers select desired content from a catalog of purchasable media assets, creating a sale contract which gives the user the right to present each purchased media content item in perpetuity and obligates said content provider to provide said user with substantially continuous access to said particular media content item as stored in said one or more digital storage devices controlled by said content provider.