Abstract: A network- and/or client-side device configuration system facilitates automatic configuration of portable electronic devices. Predetermined configuration parameters for a particular portable electronic device are generated and stored. A computer-readable visual symbol such as an optical graphic code (for example, a tag, barcode, or matrix code) is generated by a network-side service and transmitted to an authorized user of the particular portable electronic device. The portable electronic device reproduces the visual symbol and transmits a message (which may or may not include the reproduced visual symbol) to the (same or different) network-side service. The network-side service authenticates the portable electronic device, and authorizes the portable electronic device to access and use the predetermined configuration parameters to automatically configure itself.

Abstract: A network- and/or client-side device configuration system facilitates automatic configuration of portable electronic devices. Predetermined configuration parameters for a particular portable electronic device are generated and stored. A computer-readable visual symbol such as an optical graphic code (for example, a tag, barcode, or matrix code) is generated by a network-side service and transmitted to an authorized user of the particular portable electronic device. The portable electronic device reproduces the visual symbol and transmits a message (which may or may not include the reproduced visual symbol) to the (same or different) network-side service. The network-side service authenticates the portable electronic device, and authorizes the portable electronic device to access and use the predetermined configuration parameters to automatically configure itself.

Abstract: A network- and/or client-side device configuration system facilitates automatic configuration of portable electronic devices. Predetermined configuration parameters for a particular portable electronic device are generated and stored. A computer-readable visual symbol such as an optical graphic code (for example, a tag, barcode, or matrix code) is generated by a network-side service and transmitted to an authorized user of the particular portable electronic device. The portable electronic device reproduces the visual symbol and transmits a message (which may or may not include the reproduced visual symbol) to the (same or different) network-side service. The network-side service authenticates the portable electronic device, and authorizes the portable electronic device to access and use the predetermined configuration parameters to automatically configure itself.

Abstract: A network- and/or client-side digital content acquisition system facilitates automatic and simplified transactions, between a user of a consumer electronic device (“CED”) and a digital content source, for authorizing access to digital content items (“DCIs”). Computer-readable visual symbols are associated with DCIs. A particular computer-readable visual symbol has a visual symbology, presented on a surface, which encodes information regarding DCIs, sources responsible for authorizing access to the DCIs, and consideration (if any) due from a user. A user of a particular CED identifies, and uses the CED to reproduce and decode, a particular computer-readable visual symbol. Upon reproduction and/or decoding, the CED automatically requests access to the DCI, and provides a security token that links the user and the CED, and automatically authorizes transfer of consideration (if any) due from the user. Upon authentication of the security token, the user automatically receives access to the DCI.

Abstract: A network- and/or client-side device configuration system facilitates automatic configuration of portable electronic devices. Predetermined configuration parameters for a particular portable electronic device are generated and stored. A computer-readable visual symbol such as an optical graphic code (for example, a tag, barcode, or matrix code) is generated by a network-side service and transmitted to an authorized user of the particular portable electronic device. The portable electronic device reproduces the visual symbol and transmits a message (which may or may not include the reproduced visual symbol) to the (same or different) network-side service. The network-side service authenticates the portable electronic device, and authorizes the portable electronic device to access and use the predetermined configuration parameters to automatically configure itself.

Abstract: A network- and/or client-side device configuration system facilitates automatic configuration of portable electronic devices. Predetermined configuration parameters for a particular portable electronic device are generated and stored. A computer-readable visual symbol such as an optical graphic code (for example, a tag, barcode, or matrix code) is generated by a network-side service and transmitted to an authorized user of the particular portable electronic device. The portable electronic device reproduces the visual symbol and transmits a message (which may or may not include the reproduced visual symbol) to the (same or different) network-side service. The network-side service authenticates the portable electronic device, and authorizes the portable electronic device to access and use the predetermined configuration parameters to automatically configure itself.

Abstract: A network- and/or client-side device configuration system facilitates automatic configuration of portable electronic devices. Predetermined configuration parameters for a particular portable electronic device are generated and stored. A computer-readable visual symbol such as an optical graphic code (for example, a tag, barcode, or matrix code) is generated by a network-side service and transmitted to an authorized user of the particular portable electronic device. The portable electronic device reproduces the visual symbol and transmits a message (which may or may not include the reproduced visual symbol) to the (same or different) network-side service. The network-side service authenticates the portable electronic device, and authorizes the portable electronic device to access and use the predetermined configuration parameters to automatically configure itself.

Abstract: A network- and/or client-side digital content acquisition system facilitates automatic and simplified transactions, between a user of a consumer electronic device (“CED”) and a digital content source, for authorizing access to digital content items (“DCIs”). Computer-readable visual symbols are associated with DCIs. A particular computer-readable visual symbol has a visual symbology, presented on a surface, which encodes information regarding DCIs, sources responsible for authorizing access to the DCIs, and consideration (if any) due from a user. A user of a particular CED identifies, and uses the CED to reproduce and decode, a particular computer-readable visual symbol. Upon reproduction and/or decoding, the CED automatically requests access to the DCI, and provides a security token that links the user and the CED, and automatically authorizes transfer of consideration (if any) due from the user. Upon authentication of the security token, the user automatically receives access to the DCI.

Abstract: A network system that provides a scaleable and distributed architecture to enable a plurality of remote clients to access a local area network (LAN). The network system includes an access server that executes a network operating system (NOS), such as any standard NOS, to enable communication with the LAN, an access bus, an access device coupled to the access server and the access bus that cooperates with the NOS to establish a communication link between the access server and the clients, and at least one multiport device coupled to the access bus and coupled to one or more clients through corresponding wide area network (WAN) connections that cooperates with the access device to establish a communication link between clients and the access device. The access server is preferably implemented on an industry standard platform using industry standard components. The access bus is either a dedicated bus or a shared media bus, such as Ethernet.