Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm in a security system is described. In one embodiment, a method for temporarily disarming a barrier alarm is described, comprising receiving an indication to disarm the barrier alarm, the indication generated at the barrier alarm by a user, disarming the barrier alarm in response to receiving the indication, re-arming the barrier alarm upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a control device is disclosed. In one embodiment, a registration information message is received by a bridge device from an unregistered remote network device using a first communication protocol. Identification information within the registration information message is stored in a record in a memory. A second registration information message is transmitted to the control device using the second communication protocol, the second registration information message comprising at least some of the identification information. In response, an acknowledgement message is received from the control device, the acknowledgement message comprising an identification code. When subsequent messages are received by the bridge device addressed to the remote network device using the identification code, the bridge re-transmits these messages to the remote network device, addressing it using at least some of the identification information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-assigning network identification codes to a network device. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining if the network device comprises a default network identification code. If the network identification code comprises a default network identification code, transmitting a first network identification code and determining whether a first response was received to the first network identification code transmission. If no response was received, assigning the first network identification code to the network device. If the first response was received, transmitting a second network identification code and determining whether a second response in response to the second network identification code transmission was received. If so, assigning the second network identification code to the network device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing enhanced product information is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving consumer product identification information relating to the consumer product from an electronic tag co-located with the consumer product, sending an information request to a remote server, the information request comprising the consumer product identification information, receiving the enhanced product information from the remote server, the enhanced product information comprising information relating to the consumer product, and displaying the enhanced product information on an electronic display.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute are described. In one embodiment, a light fixture having at least one adjustable attribute comprises a housing, a light source disposed within the housing, a cover secured to the housing that allows at least some light from the light source to pass, a light control circuit, coupled to the light source and disposed within the housing, for detecting a state change of a switch and for providing a control signal for varying an attribute of the light fixture, and the switch, coupled to the light control circuit and disposed within the housing, comprising contacts that are opened and closed in response to a non-mechanical stimulus external to the housing.

Abstract: A security method and apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, a security method comprises storing one or more data points representing an alarm condition in a memory, generating an electronic signal from a motion sensor in response to movement of the door or window, comparing the electronic signal to the data points, and detecting an alarm condition of the door or window if the electronic signal substantially matches the data points.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting remote network devices. In one embodiment, the method comprises detecting an event and a) transmitting a message requesting a response from one or more remote network devices, the message comprising a first network identification code, and b) determining whether a response to the message has been received, the response transmitted by a remote network device after receiving the message and determining that the first network identification code matches a second network identification code stored within the remote network device, the response comprising identification information of the remote network device. If c) a response has not been received, terminating the method for detecting remote network devices if a pre-determined time period has elapsed since transmitting the message. If d) a response has been received, storing identification information associated with the responding remote network device and repeating steps a-d until no further responses are received.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for registering a remote network device with a network control device. In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a network identification code stored within the remote network device and determining if the network identification code comprises a default network identification code. If the network identification code comprises a default network identification code, transmitting a message indicative of a request to join an existing network and determining whether a first response to the transmitted message was received. If a first response to the transmitted message was received, determining a second network identification code from the first response, and assigning the second network identification code to the remote network device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending messages from a first network device to a second network device is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises constructing a data packet, the data packet comprising a House Code field for identifying a house code relating to the first and second network devices, the house code for identifying an address common to the first network device and the second network device. The data packet further comprises a Long/Short field for indicating whether the data packet is a long data packet or a short data packet and a Command field comprising a command, the command for instructing the second network device to perform an action. The data packet further comprises a Data field comprising information for use by the second network device to execute the action associated with the command, and an Error Check field comprising error checking information. The data packet is then modulated and transmitting over one or more communication channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for self-assigning network identification codes to a network device. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining if the network device comprises a default network identification code. If the network identification code comprises a default network identification code, transmitting a first network identification code and determining whether a first response was received to the first network identification code transmission. If no response was received, assigning the first network identification code to the network device. If the first response was received, transmitting a second network identification code and determining whether a second response in response to the second network identification code transmission was received. If so, assigning the second network identification code to the network device.

Abstract: The invention is a method for enabling digital content to be downloaded to and used on multiple types of computing device by (i) linking user accounts on each device to a “master” user account defined and stored on a remote server; and (ii) managing the user's access to a defined service using his devices via the said master user account; and (iii) allowing the download of digital content to each said device on which the user is permitted to access the said service using a file format which is appropriate for use on each said device type. A user may manage and access the same user account from multiple types of computing devices. Furthermore, the number of device platforms accessible in a similar manner by the user is extensible and the user's information is kept automatically synchronized across all devices.

Abstract: A method for improving the responsiveness of a client application by providing that application with a local database which is a replicated subset of a database held on a remote server.

Abstract: In contrast to the traditional approach of defining relationships between data collections using complex groups of cross-reference database tables, the present invention makes use of generic sets to represent relationships between complex collections of interrelated data. The complexity of a database schema can be greatly reduced by representing the relationships between data items as these data sets (sets of data items). These sets of data items may be defined in one or more database tables in a database. This approach provides for much simplified database data management and control. It enables the easy pre- or re-calculation of sets and provides for the easy creation of hierarchical meta-data trees, which are ideal for the targeted delivery of data to the user.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to a garment which includes a flexible, lightweight, compact article of clothing having a form-fitting design and protective armor within it. More specifically, the garment utilizes a form-fitting shirt design that encloses a protective armor shield, e.g., a Kevlar protective shield. The garment comprises a housing, which is incredibly strong, durable, and weather resistant, to hold the protective armor shield.

Abstract: A distributed digital media metering and reporting system makes available digital media files for multiple consumer devices from a computer-based infrastructure. The consumer devices meter the number of playbacks of a media file that last beyond a predefined extent, in order to generate metering data, and then automatically report that metering data back to the computer-based infrastructure.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device includes an embedded media player; the functionality of the media player has been extended by integrating a third party application with the media player, the third party application supporting an unlimited music subscription service. Hence, the invention is based on the insight that a third party application that can provide access to an unlimited music subscription service, such as the MusicStation media player, can be integrated with an embedded media player in a mobile wireless device. The device then behaves as though the functionality of the media player has been extended, but without the extensive engineering effort needed to re-write the embedded media payer so that it can itself provide access to the unlimited music subscription service.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for, and method of, supplementing an interne search. The disclosed techniques may be used to receive an initial internet search criteria entered by a user at an interface (such as a web site) to the internet search engine, identify an entity representation in a database that corresponds to the internet search criteria, and produce an enhanced internet search criteria that may incorporate both the initial internet search criteria and field values from the identified entity representation. The enhanced internet search criteria may be passed to the internet search engine in a manner that is transparent to a user.

Abstract: An on-line system and method assembles, stores, and administers all of a company's merchandising content in a single location, and optimizes the effectiveness of the content by determining the content and format most likely to be of interest to the consumer. Generally, a merchant sets up at least one campaign in the system, by generating various objects and/or resources comprising merchandising content. The merchant and/or its advertiser then establishes a set of rules which are applied to determine the objects and resources of the campaign to be distributed to a consumer, based on various circumstances and scenarios. When the consumer interacts with the system, the system determines dynamically the merchandising content to be sent to the consumer by processing data corresponding to the consumer, the consumer's computer system and environmental and geographical data.

Abstract: An on-line system and method assembles, stores, and administers all of a company's merchandising content in a single location, and optimizes the effectiveness of the content by determining the content and format most likely to be of interest to the consumer. Generally, a merchant sets up at least one campaign in the system, by generating various objects and/or resources comprising merchandising content. The merchant and/or its advertiser then establishes a set of rules which are applied to determine the objects and resources of the campaign to be distributed to a consumer, based on various circumstances and scenarios. When the consumer interacts with the system, the system determines dynamically the merchandising content to be sent to the consumer by processing data corresponding to the consumer, the consumer's computer system and environmental and geographical data.

Abstract: An on-line system and method assembles, stores, and administers all of a company's merchandising content in a single location, and optimizes the effectiveness of the content by determining the content and format most likely to be of interest to the consumer. Generally, a merchant sets up at least one campaign in the system, by generating various objects and/or resources comprising merchandising content. The merchant and/or its advertiser then establishes a set of rules which are applied to determine the objects and resources of the campaign to be distributed to a consumer, based on various circumstances and scenarios. When the consumer interacts with the system, the system determines dynamically the merchandising content to be sent to the consumer by processing data corresponding to the consumer, the consumer's computer system and environmental and geographical data.