Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products are described herein that automatically identify a task to be performed by a user, obtain an estimate of an amount of time required to complete the task, identify a period of user availability, determine that the period of user availability is suitable for performing at least a portion of the task, and in response to such a determination, cause a reminder or notification about the task to be presented to the user. The determination that the period of user availability is suitable for performing at least a portion of the task may be based at least in part on the estimate of the amount of time required to complete the task. A task completion time model may be automatically generated for the user and utilized to obtain the estimate of the amount of time required to complete the task.

Abstract: Portable digital rights for multiple devices is described. In an embodiment, a digital rights management (DRM) system includes a first device with a removable component configured as a token that is associated with a DRM license. The first device also includes a removable memory card that stores protected media content on which the first device can perform actions as permitted by the DRM license. The DRM system also includes a second device that can have the removable component and the removable memory card when removed from the first device and installed in the second device such that the second device can perform the actions on the protected media content as permitted by the DRM license.

Abstract: A method and system for setting up and managing secure data/audio/video conferences with a wide range of topologies is described. The disclosed method and system allow extending the range of topologies possible with the H.323 conferencing standards while overcoming T.120 negotiating constraints. Security in such conferences may be based on a trusted node system or on more complex security procedures. Furthermore, the taught conference topologies fully utilize the T.120 standards while also permitting the reach of the conferences to the extent enabled by the H.323 standards by implementing additional modules to manage the setting up and tearing down of one or more conference connections. In addition, the method and system allow for dynamically adjusting conference connections to improve bandwidth usage and utilize H.323 support for gatekeepers.

Abstract: Installation data associated with a hardware device is obtained (e.g., at the time the device is installed on a computing device). Identifiers of applications that are allowed to access a capability of the hardware device are identified from the installation data and stored in a device permissions record as being allowed to access the capability of the hardware device. Subsequently, a request to access the capability of the hardware device is received from an application. A check is made as to whether the application is identified in a device permissions record as being allowed to access the capability of the hardware device. The application is allowed to access the capability of the hardware device if the device permissions record indicates the application is allowed to access the capability of the hardware device, and otherwise the request from the application is denied.

Abstract: Wireless-enabled mobile communication devices and network nodes are configured for participation in wireless, location-based e-commerce activities. Consumers using mobile communication devices in the vicinity of physical retail locations receive opportunities to engage in e-commerce, using their mobile communication devices, with merchants operating the physical retail locations. In an exemplary e-commerce transaction, a wireless communication session is established between a mobile communication device and a wireless network access node, which may be associated with a wireless local area network (“WLAN”) or a wide-area network (“WAN”). Via the wireless communication session, a consumer receives a virtual retail experience associated with the physical retail location, and an exchange of consideration between the consumer and the merchant entity is arranged. In exchange for consideration from the consumer, the consumer receives commodity.

Abstract: Platforms and techniques for defining, authorizing/authenticating, distributing, and presenting dynamic device experiences using a number of hierarchically-related, declarative language data structures, such as extensible markup language (“XML”) elements or attributes. A dynamic device experience is presented when two electronic devices are in communication via a communication medium. The data structures are processed to present a graphical user interface to a user—the graphical user interface implements a dynamic device experience associated with the other electronic device. In one exemplary scenario, independent hardware vendors (“IHVs”) author XML documents that include device experience information (such as branding or advertising information, access to Web services or applications, and access to device functionality), in the form of items of data stored in the data structures.

Abstract: Electronic devices such as media players are configured for participation in activities relating to local, peer-to-peer distribution of digital content. In an exemplary distribution transaction, digital content items such as audio files, video files, text files, multimedia files, data files, playlists, and metadata are distributable between a source device and a sink device based on the acts of: identifying digital content item(s); determining the proximity of the source device to the sink device; and if the potential source and sink communication devices are deemed to be in proximity, establishing a peer-to-peer communication session (using a predetermined communication protocol such as Wireless Fidelity (“WiFi”), Bluetooth, or HiperLAN) between the source and sink devices.

Abstract: A secure electronic transfer mechanism that does not require that the computing entities that are parties to the transaction be aware of the secret data used to secure the transfer. A transferring computing entity provides a request from a billing agent computing entity to transfer the electronically transferable item to a computing entity. The billing agent computing entity responds to the request by providing approval data to the second computing entity, the approval data being encrypted using secret data known to the billing agent computing entity and a supplemental computing entity associated with the transferee computing entity, but not to the transferring and transferee computing entity. The approval is provided to the supplemental computing entity, which then credits the transferee account.

Abstract: Platforms and techniques for defining, authorizing/authenticating, distributing, and presenting dynamic device experiences using a number of hierarchically-related, declarative language data structures, such as extensible markup language (“XML”) elements or attributes. A dynamic device experience is presented when two electronic devices are in communication via a communication medium. The data structures are processed to present a graphical user interface to a user—the graphical user interface implements a dynamic device experience associated with the other electronic device. In one exemplary scenario, independent hardware vendors (“IHVs”) author XML documents that include device experience information (such as branding or advertising information, access to Web services or applications, and access to device functionality), in the form of items of data stored in the data structures.

Abstract: A dispute resolution system for requesting a service provider to provide services so that the service provider can demonstrate to a service intermediary that a service consumer requested services. A service consumer that wants to start requesting services of the service provider registers with the service intermediary an end code of a sequence of code generated using a one-way function. The service intermediary provides the end code to the service provider. The service consumer can then using codes of the sequence requests the service provider to provide services. When the service provider receives a request, it verifies that the code of the request can be used to derive the end code. If the verification is successful, then the service provider can provide the verified code to the service intermediary as non-repudiatable evidence of the services requested by the service consumer.

Abstract: A challenge based authentication mechanism that does not require that the authenticating computing entities be aware of the secret data used for the initial authentication. An authenticator computing entity is to authenticate to the authenticatee computing entity. First, the authenticatee computing entity acquires a challenge from a supplemental authenticatee computing entity. The authenticatee computing entity provides the challenge to the authenticator computing entity, which has a supplemental authenticator computing entity solve the challenge. The authenticator computing entity sends the answer to the authenticatee computing entity, which uses the answer to authenticate the authenticator computing entity.

Abstract: Portable digital rights for multiple devices is described. In an embodiment, a digital rights management (DRM) system includes a first device with a removable component configured as a token that is associated with a DRM license. The first device also includes a removable memory card that stores protected media content on which the first device can perform actions as permitted by the DRM license. The DRM system also includes a second device that can have the removable component and the removable memory card when removed from the first device and installed in the second device such that the second device can perform the actions on the protected media content as permitted by the DRM license.

Abstract: A method that determines if a sender's message is to be sent to a recipient is presented. A challenge module analyzes the message and sends a challenge message to the sender if the sender is not in the recipient's address store. The challenge message includes a pseudo unique token for the sender recipient pair such that the sender must respond differently to each challenge message for a particular message. In one embodiment, the challenge message requires the sender to obtain a certificate from a certificate authority or a set of authorities.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for managing business interactions between opposing parties. Business interactions are mapped to service contracts. The service contracts are mapped to machine readable code. The machine readable code is defined by business transaction patterns and service interaction patterns. The machine readable code is consumed by an IT system. Management tasks associated with fulfilling obligations required by the business interactions are generated.

Abstract: Aspects of peer-to-peer distribution of digital content items protected by predetermined intellectual property rights are described. The digital content items are distributed between a source communication device operated by a source entity and a proximate sink communication device operated by a sink entity, via a peer-to-peer communication session (established based on a digital identity associated with the source entity) between the source and sink devices. The source device, the sink device, and/or a network service provider arranges for a digital license granting one or more rights to an entity under one or more of the predetermined intellectual property rights to be distributed to the sink communication device. Data regarding distribution of the digital license is collected and used, among other things, to trigger e-commerce events such as billing events and consideration transfers.

Abstract: Wireless-enabled mobile communication devices and network nodes are configured for participation in wireless, location-based e-commerce activities. Consumers using mobile communication devices in the vicinity of physical retail locations receive opportunities to engage in e-commerce, using their mobile communication devices, with merchants operating the physical retail locations. In an exemplary e-commerce transaction, a wireless communication session is established between a mobile communication device and a wireless network access node, which may be associated with a wireless local area network (“WLAN”) or a wide-area network (“WAN”). Via the wireless communication session, a consumer receives a virtual retail experience associated with the physical retail location, and an exchange of consideration between the consumer and the merchant entity is arranged. In exchange for consideration from the consumer, the consumer receives commodity.

Abstract: Electronic devices such as media players are configured for participation in activities relating to local, peer-to-peer distribution of digital content. In an exemplary distribution transaction, digital content items such as audio files, video files, text files, multimedia files, data files, playlists, and metadata are distributable between a source device and a sink device based on the acts of: identifying digital content item(s); determining the proximity of the source device to the sink device; and if the potential source and sink communication devices are deemed to be in proximity, establishing a peer-to-peer communication session (using a predetermined communication protocol such as Wireless Fidelity (“WiFi”), Bluetooth, or HiperLAN) between the source and sink devices.

Abstract: Electronic devices such as media players are configured for participation in activities relating to local, peer-to-peer distribution of digital content. In an exemplary distribution transaction, digital content items such as audio files, video files, text files, multimedia files, data files, playlists, and metadata are distributable between a source device and a sink device based on the acts of: identifying digital content item(s); determining the proximity of the source device to the sink device; and if the potential source and sink communication devices are deemed to be in proximity, establishing a peer-to-peer communication session (using a predetermined communication protocol such as Wireless Fidelity (“WiFi”), Bluetooth, or HiperLAN) between the source and sink devices.

Abstract: Integrated voice and data channel communications. Browsing and source computing devices establish a first data channel. The browser transmits its data address to the source. The source then correlates that data address to a browse session identifier that may be dialed using a telephone keypad. The source then transmits a calling mechanism along with the browse session identifier to the browser. Upon selection of the calling mechanism at the browser, a voice call is placed using the telephone number supplied with the calling mechanism. Once the voice channel is established, the appended browse session identifier is dialed. The source may use the browse session identifier to correlate the voice call to the browser's data address. The source then establishes another data channel with the browsing computing device. Then, the source may transmit update information to the browser that relates to a concurrent voice conversation.

Abstract: A method and system for setting up and managing secure data/audio/video conferences with a wide range of topologies is described. The disclosed method and system allow extending the range of topologies possible with the H.323 conferencing standards while overcoming T.120 negotiating constraints. Security in such conferences may be based on a trusted node system or on more complex security procedures. Furthermore, the taught conference topologies fully utilize the T.120 standards while also permitting the reach of the conferences to the extent enabled by the H.323 standards by implementing additional modules to manage the setting up and tearing down of one or more conference connections. In addition, the method and system allow for dynamically adjusting conference connections to improve bandwidth usage and utilize H.323 support for gatekeepers.