Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for registering a component is provided. The method includes receiving a request for registration of the component. The method also includes acquiring registration information of the component in response to the request by communicating directly with the component and exacting the registration information and modifying a registration entry associated with the component in a registration database according to the registration information.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for selecting components from multiple vendors for a system. An example computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a processor, an environment map that identifies a first component placeholder of the system. The computer-implemented method further includes identifying, by the processor, that the first component placeholder interfaces with a second component placeholder of the system. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, by the processor, a role assigned to the first component placeholder, where the role indicates a type of data that a first component at the first component placeholder communicates with a second component at the second component placeholder. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, by the processor, a list of components for selecting the first component, where each component from the list of components matches the role assigned to the first component placeholder.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method including accessing a portal pursuant to instructions from a digital media device and identifying the digital media device to the portal to enable the portal to obtain a security code. Information having the security code is received; and, it is confirmed that the security code corresponds to a security key stored in the digital media device. The information is provided to a secure application environment in the digital media device if the security code corresponds to the security key. A copy of the security key is sent to a clearinghouse; and, the security code is received from the clearinghouse. The security code is sent to a provider of the information if the information satisfies a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Technical solutions are described for selecting components from multiple vendors for a system. An example computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a processor, an environment map that identifies a first component placeholder of the system. The computer-implemented method further includes identifying, by the processor, that the first component placeholder interfaces with a second component placeholder of the system. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, by the processor, a role assigned to the first component placeholder, where the role indicates a type of data that a first component at the first component placeholder communicates with a second component at the second component placeholder. The computer-implemented method further includes determining, by the processor, a list of components for selecting the first component, where each component from the list of components matches the role assigned to the first component placeholder.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method including accessing a portal pursuant to instructions from a digital media device and identifying the digital media device to the portal to enable the portal to obtain a security code. Information having the security code is received; and, it is confirmed that the security code corresponds to a security key stored in the digital media device. The information is provided to a secure application environment in the digital media device if the security code corresponds to the security key. A copy of the security key is sent to a clearinghouse; and, the security code is received from the clearinghouse. The security code is sent to a provider of the information if the information satisfies a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for a secure connected digital media platform where a request is received to create a secure partition for accessing a content provider in a digital media device. A security code is received from the content provider. A hypervisor is invoked at the digital media device, where at least part of the hypervisor is comprised of a hardware circuit. The hypervisor compares the received security code with a key value that is burned into a memory unit at the hardware circuit to determine if the security code is from an authorized content provider. If the content provider is determined to be authorized, a secure partition is created at the digital media device. The creation of the secure partition includes creating a memory partition that corresponds to the secure partition in a non-volatile memory at the digital media device.

Abstract: Embodiments include methods, systems and computer programs for deployment and execution of tasks in a network of computing devices. Aspects include creating by a requester device of a task for deployment and execution in the network wherein the task is composed of a set of computing and sensing programs and a task representation that includes at least one of computing requirements, data requirements, and context requirements and transmitting the task representation to at least one member of the network of computing devices. Aspects also include selecting a plurality of computing devices in the network that match at least one of the computing requirements, the data requirements, and the context requirements in the task representation and deploying each of the set of computing and sensing programs of the task to the selected computing devices.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a method for registering a component is provided. The method includes receiving a request for registration of the component. The method also includes acquiring registration information of the component in response to the request by communicating directly with the component and exacting the registration information and modifying a registration entry associated with the component in a registration database according to the registration information.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for a secure connected digital media platform where a request is received to create a secure partition for accessing a content provider in a digital media device. A security code is received from the content provider. A hypervisor is invoked at the digital media device, where at least part of the hypervisor is comprised of a hardware circuit. The hypervisor compares the received security code with a key value that is burned into a memory unit at the hardware circuit to determine if the security code is from an authorized content provider. If the content provider is determined to be authorized, a secure partition is created at the digital media device. The creation of the secure partition includes creating a memory partition that corresponds to the secure partition in a non-volatile memory at the digital media device.

Abstract: A system for bit-rate stream playout at preset speeds including a regular playout speed and other than the regular playout speed includes multiple streams encoded at a same bit-rate (R) but at a plurality of playout speeds. A selection mechanism is responsive to requests for playout speeds. The selection mechanism selects from among the plurality of streams to service a request.

Abstract: A media viewing method and system monitors user interaction with an electronic program guide. An awareness engine collects data generated by the user interaction and forms awareness indicators and information. The awareness information is output to end users and is indicative of which users in a social circle are accessing (e.g. viewing, playing, or recording) or have accessed which media works. Some output enables user-to-user interaction. The media works may be supplied by cable television, satellite television, online or global computer network sources.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system including a secure media device having one or more security keys stored therein. The secure media device is housed in a device that is connected to a television unit and a network. Secure application environments are housed in the device, wherein each secure application environment is operationally isolated from one another. The secure application environments receive and process information sent over the network only if the information includes a security code corresponding to the security key in the secure media device. The security code is obtained from a clearinghouse when the information satisfies predetermined criteria. More specifically, the clearinghouse receives a copy of the security key from a manufacturer of the secure media device and creates the security code based on the security key.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system including a secure media device having one or more security keys stored therein. The secure media device is housed in a device that is connected to a television unit and a network. Secure application environments are housed in the device, wherein each secure application environment is operationally isolated from one another. The secure application environments receive and process information sent over the network only if the information includes a security code corresponding to the security key in the secure media device. The security code is obtained from a clearinghouse when the information satisfies predetermined criteria. More specifically, the clearinghouse receives a copy of the security key from a manufacturer of the secure media device and creates the security code based on the security key.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a system including a secure media device having one or more security keys stored therein. The secure media device is housed in a device that is connected to a television unit and a network. Secure application environments are housed in the device, wherein each secure application environment is operationally isolated from one another. The secure application environments receive and process information sent over the network only if the information includes a security code corresponding to the security key in the secure media device. The security code is obtained from a clearinghouse when the information satisfies predetermined criteria. More specifically, the clearinghouse receives a copy of the security key from a manufacturer of the secure media device and creates the security code based on the security key.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for processing a search request message received over a network includes computing a threshold value in accordance with the search request message and returning at least one search result to a user in response to the search request message, if a rank of the at least one search result at least meets the threshold value.

Abstract: System for transmitting one or more presentation data streams from a presentation workstation. In response to receiving an input to open a presentation application, operating parameters are obtained for a presentation to provide presentation operating parameters for the presentation. One or more selected presentation data streams are captured based on the obtained presentation operating parameters. Then, the one or more captured presentation data streams are transmitted based on the obtained presentation operating parameters directly from the presentation workstation to one or more viewing devices via a network without utilizing an intervening server.

Abstract: A method, device and system for characterizing an image sharing objects within a network. The method steps include initiating a query for a query object on a first device connected to a network of devices. Finding a similar object similar to the query object on a second device connected to the network of devices, wherein the similarity is automatically judged by any device on the network. Transferring the similar object from the second device to the first device.

Abstract: A targeted advertising method and system tracks user interaction with and responses to a displayed advertisement. The advertisement is displayed in the user viewing control interface of a media device system (e.g. delivering cable television, satellite television, global computer network/online media). Based on recorded user responses, the invention system generates viewer lists enabling targeted advertising. The viewer lists include lists of users that have viewed the advertisement, lists of users that have requested more information and/or lists of peer recommended users.

Abstract: A media viewing method and system monitors user interaction with an electronic program guide. An awareness engine collects data generated by the user interaction and forms awareness indicators and information. The awareness information is output to end users and is indicative of which users in a social circle are accessing (e.g. viewing, playing, or recording) or have accessed which media works. Some output enables user-to-user interaction. The media works may be supplied by cable television, satellite television, online or global computer network sources.

Abstract: A system for bit-rate stream playout at preset speeds including a regular playout speed and other than the regular playout speed includes multiple streams encoded at a same bit-rate (R) but at a plurality of playout speeds. A selection mechanism is responsive to requests for playout speeds. The selection mechanism selects from among the plurality of streams to service a request.