Abstract: A system and method for effectively transmitting content items to electronic devices includes a content server that is configured to access and store various types of content information. A recommendation engine of the content server analyzes network statistics and client profiles to identify appropriate content items for device users of the electronic devices. A transmitter receives the targeted content items from the content server, and responsively provides the content items to the electronic devices by broadcasting the content items over a unidirectional telecommunications link.

Abstract: A transmitter of network data sends packets with packet type tags in their headers to indicate to a receiver the data type, content type, or priority type of the packet so that packets that are not required by the host processor can be easily screened by the receiver, relieving the host processor of the processing of packets it does not need.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently performing image processing operations includes a camera device that is configured to automatically capture an image sequence of related offset images that correspond to a particular selected photographic target. The camera device then transmits the captured image sequence to an image processing server through an electronic network. The image processing server perform one or more processing-intensive operations upon the received image sequence to thereby produce an enhanced image that may then be transmitted to any appropriate image destination.

Abstract: A mobile computer that can be borne in a vehicle and that can receive position information may adjust a maximum speed limit to account for unfavorable weather or road conditions and cause the vehicle to automatically reduce speed below the adjusted maximum limit.

Abstract: When a user selects digital zooming in a camera such as might be included in a wireless telephone or PDA, a series of images are automatically obtained and superimposed using super-resolution techniques to produce an improved digital zoom image transparently to the user.

Abstract: Packets detected to be lost from a unidirectional interface such as an ATSC tuner are requested from the source or a peer using a different physical interface. The packets may be retransmitted for reception over either interface.

Abstract: A receiver of network data dynamically filters packets by packet type from a network device CPU based on usage information, such as time, day, location, and feature (e.g., “video” or “application”) selection.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively transferring electronic information includes a transmitter with an encoder that performs a parity encoding procedure. The encoder creates parity blocks for embedding in transmission packets. The parity blocks may be based upon data segments from one or more of the transmission packets. The system also includes a receiver with a decoder that utilizes the parity blocks for performing a packet validation procedure to identify corrupted packets from among the transmission packets. The decoder also performs a packet reconstruction procedure with selected ones of the data segments and the parity blocks to produce reconstructed data segments for the corrupted packets.

Abstract: A system and method for embedding information onto an electronic device includes a memory device that is coupled to the electronic device for storing embedded information that the electronic device may then access and utilize. A device user initially utilizes a device ordering system to create a device order that specifically identifies the embedded information. The device order is then utilized during a device manufacturing process to image the memory device with the embedded information before providing the electronic device to the device user.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively supporting data transfer procedures includes a source device that registers with an account server to participate in a data backup service. The source device then encrypts and stores user data onto a datacenter. The source device later may request a data transfer task from a vendor. The datacenter responsively transfers the encrypted user data to a vendor server, and an escrow server generates and sends a temporary key to the vendor server. A destination device may then utilize the temporary key to decrypt and securely store the user data onto the destination device.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively optimizing zoom settings in a digital camera includes a digital zoom module that performs a digital zoom function, and an optical zoom module that controls a lens unit of the digital camera to perform an optical zoom function. A depth of field manager performs a zoom-setting optimization procedure to select optimal zoom values for the optical zoom module and the digital zoom module to thereby optimize image quality characteristics of images captured by the camera device.

Abstract: Images are offloaded from a portable camera automatically to a network server at the time the images are taken, transparently to a user of the camera. The server executes processing functions on the images and returns the output of the processing over the network to the camera and/or other user-defined destination device to thereby relieve the camera processor of potentially complex processing chores.

Abstract: A cost function is stochastically optimized using, e.g., simulated annealing to render a neighborhood of entities based on which content recommendations can be provided to a user of a home entertainment system. The cost function represents a normalized sum of rating similarity scores from entities of the neighborhood that are related to content items viewed by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically generating user interfaces for client devices in an electronic network includes a network server and a network of client devices. Each of the client devices monitors and compiles client statistics regarding usage characteristics for various elements of corresponding user interfaces. A recommendation engine of the network server accesses and analyzes the client statistics to thereby generate individual user interface recommendations for the various client devices. The client devices may then dynamically update their respective user interfaces in accordance with respective individual user interface recommendations.

Abstract: A cost function is stochastically optimized using, e.g., simulated annealing to render a neighborhood of entities based on which content recommendations can be provided to a user of a home entertainment system. The cost function represents a normalized sum of rating similarity scores from entities of the neighborhood that are related to content items viewed by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing account tiers in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of client devices. The client devices are configured to perform content transfers for obtaining desired content items directly over the peer-to-peer network, or from a CDN server device. The client devices generate account-tier selections to choose from among the supported account tiers. A tier manager monitors, updates, and stores the tier selections from the client devices. The tier manager also calculates content prices that vary depending upon the particular selected account tier. The client devices then pay the appropriate designated content prices for accessing and utilizing desired content items.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively performing a network simulation procedure for an electronic network includes a group of client devices that are configured to locally store content items in a distributed manner. Certain of the client devices periodically access required content items directly from other client devices. A simulation model on a tracking server is provided to accurately represent the various client devices and their corresponding transfer links in the electronic network. A simulation manager of the tracking server compiles various types of simulation parameters corresponding to the electronic network. The simulation manager then utilizes the simulation model and the simulation parameters for performing the network simulation procedure to identify and correct various types of network performance problems.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating content distribution in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of client devices. The client devices are configured to perform content transfers for optimally exchanging desired content items over the peer-to-peer network. A tracking server gathers client statistics, such as content upload totals, by monitoring the various client devices. A rewards manager of the tracking server encourages content transfers between client devices by generating client rewards to the client devices based upon the pre-defined client statistics gathered from the client devices.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing content distribution in an electronic network includes a peer-to-peer network of client devices. The client devices are initially preloaded in a distributed manner with various content segments from corresponding content items. An optimization module from a tracking server iteratively redistributes said content segments among the client devices to seek an optimal content segment configuration of said content segments for optimizing performance characteristics of content reassembly procedures. When a system user selects a particular content item on a corresponding electronic device, a download manager of the electronic device may automatically generate content segment requests to other appropriate electronic devices in the peer-to-peer network. The download manager may then download and automatically reassemble the content segments to produce the selected content item for utilization by the system user.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a film camera into a digital camera uses an electronic device placed in a space of the camera that normally contains film. The device includes an image sensing array arranged in optical communication with a lens of the camera when a shutter is open. An audio sensor is used to detect sounds within the camera, and an acoustic pattern recognizer with a built-in training mode is used to determine if the detected sounds correspond with the shutter operation. The image sensing array is switched into an image capture mode when the acoustic pattern recognizer determines that the shutter is being opened. When the shutter is opened, a read-out circuit captures multiple image frames from the image sensing array. An image processor associated with the image sensing array processes the captured images using advanced image processing algorithms.