Abstract: The invention provides a convertible wireless remote control suitable for controlling a computer of a media management system offering an integrated multimedia experience. The invention controls the media management system wirelessly with a small amount of buttons but is convertible to offer expanded and/or changed functionality to the user, as desired.

Abstract: The invention broadly contemplates a system providing an integrated television and Internet media experience. The system provides for automatic integration of television and Internet media via identification of source input media, analysis of the identified source input media, retrieval of related Internet content, and integration of the source media and the related Internet content for display.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods to identify local market media content utilizing a disturbed system and to determine what additional content is relevant in a self-aware, automatic way. A central location stores identification information and related content so in the future it is available if and when another user watches the same content. Therefore, the next time local market media content is played, it can be identified and additional related content can be quickly (e.g. in real time) made available.

Abstract: Embodiments include a convertible wireless remote control suitable for controlling a computer of a media management system offering an integrated multimedia experience. Embodiments control the media management system wirelessly with a small amount of buttons but are convertible to offer expanded and/or changed functionality to the user, as desired.

Abstract: Embodiments include a convertible wireless remote control suitable for controlling a computer of a media management system offering an integrated multimedia experience. Embodiments control the media management system wirelessly with a small amount of buttons but are convertible to offer expanded and/or changed functionality to the user, as desired.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.

Abstract: Embodiments include a convertible wireless remote control suitable for controlling a computer of a media management system offering an integrated multimedia experience. Embodiments control the media management system wirelessly with a small amount of buttons but are convertible to offer expanded and/or changed functionality to the user, as desired.

Abstract: The invention, according to at least one embodiment, broadly contemplates systems, methods and apparatuses for preparing media from a plurality of media sources for display. The media sources include, but are not limited to, component media sources and related media sources. Identification of media is supported, as is the selective combined display of media from the plurality of media sources utilizing an instruction set allowing for the selective modification of the plurality of media.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides systems and methods for a shared multimedia experience. An embodiment of the invention identifies media content, automatically obtains related media content and provides a wide variety of options for users of the system to interact with the system and each other via other electronic devices of choice. An embodiment of the invention provides users with previews of related content, the ability to select related content from the previews for combined display with input media content, and the ability to augment the related content with content obtained and/or transmitted via the other electronic devices.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods to identify local market media content utilizing a disturbed system and to determine what additional content is relevant in a self-aware, automatic way. A central location stores identification information and related content so in the future it is available if and when another user watches the same content. Therefore, the next time local market media content is played, it can be identified and additional related content can be quickly (e.g. in real time) made available.

Abstract: The invention broadly contemplates a system providing an integrated television and Internet media experience. The system provides for automatic integration of television and Internet media via identification of source input media, analysis of the identified source input media, retrieval of related Internet content, and integration of the source media and the related Internet content for display.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention utilizes a media management system that captures information regarding a user's media consumption habits and provides unique opportunities for targeted advertising. An embodiment of the invention tracks a user's media consumption over time. An embodiment of the invention identifies a user's current media consumption and provides targeted advertising in real time, based upon the user's current behavior and/or the user's media consumption history.

Abstract: The invention provides a convertible wireless remote control suitable for controlling a computer of a media management system offering an integrated multimedia experience. The invention controls the media management system wirelessly with a small amount of buttons but is convertible to offer expanded and/or changed functionality to the user, as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus comprised of a wind turbine tower removeably holding or containing antenna type devices. Such antenna type devices will be utilized to receive and/or transmit communication signals. The major advantage of this apparatus is that a single tower can be constructed containing the functionality of both a communications tower and a wind turbine tower. Substantial siting and construction costs may be saved by constructing one tower that can perform two functions; as opposed to siting and constructing two separate towers.

Abstract: An apparatus with a cavity, or socket, for holding and securing in place cartridge-like devices. Such apparatus, or socket, will contain components, such as electrical feed wires, antennae, a CPU chip, a RAM chip, microphones, speakers, a keypad, or a video screen which may be used interactively with the cartridge-like devices installed into the socket. The advantage of this process is that the cartridge-like devices, typically consumer electronic equipment, can be manufactured more economically with less components then a similar stand alone device that performs the same function. Also included is vent device designed in a cartridge form which can be installed into the apparatus or socket.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the online trading system having a real-time account opening process comprises one or more computers coupled to a network. The computers maintain a brokerage account database, and service web page requests received over the network. The web pages are preferably configured to implement a real-time account opening (RTAO) process that establishes new brokerage accounts in the account database. The RTAO process may include (a) obtaining contact information; (b) creating a new record in the brokerage account database for the contact information; (c) obtaining brokerage account application information; (d) updating the new record with the application information; (e) displaying a brokerage account contract; and (f) securing online agreement to said brokerage account contract. The process preferably also includes obtaining funding information to automatically initiate a transfer of funds to the brokerage account.

Abstract: A data processing system and method are described for permitting a server computer system to remotely access asset information stored within one of a plurality of client computer systems. The client computer systems are coupled to the server computer system utilizing a network. Asset information is stored in a storage device within the particular client computer system. The asset information includes information identifying a plurality of components of the client computer system. The server computer system transmits a message to the client computer system while the client computer system is powered-off. A network adapter is included within the client computer system. The network adapter accesses the storage device to obtain the asset information while the client computer system is powered-off.