Abstract: While a user is using the electronic device, user interaction information for keystrokes, button pushes, and activation of functional controls may be recorded. The user interaction information is stored and when the electronic device is connected to a network, the user interaction information is sent over the network to a user interface analyzer. The user interface analyzer analyzes the user interaction information to determine patterns of usage regarding a hierarchy of menu items for the user interface. The analysis may show that a user interface may be improved for better usability. The user interface on the electronic device may be dynamically changed to alter the menu hierarchy, or the analysis may be used to improve future generations of products. For example, menu items may be positioned such that the user can more easily access menu items that are used more frequently.

Abstract: Upscaling video data for presentation on a relatively high resolution display device is described. Supplemental video data corresponding to video data is accessed and acquired in response to a request to upscale the video data. The video data and the supplemental video data are combined to produce a combined video data for displaying particular video content on a destination display device at a resolution that is high relative to the local display device. Digital rights management information may be verified prior to producing the combined video data, and additional digital rights information may be applied prior to transmitting the combined video data to the destination display device. A device registration database may also be used to control production and transmission of the upscaled video to other devices.

Abstract: While a user is using the electronic device, user interaction information for keystrokes, button pushes, and activation of functional controls may be recorded. The user interaction information is stored and when the electronic device is connected to a network, the user interaction information is sent over the network to a user interface analyzer. The user interface analyzer analyzes the user interaction information to determine patterns of usage regarding a hierarchy of menu items for the user interface. The analysis may show that a user interface may be improved for better usability. The user interface on the electronic device may be dynamically changed to alter the menu hierarchy, or the analysis may be used to improve future generations of products. For example, menu items may be positioned such that the user can more easily access menu items that are used more frequently.

Abstract: Upscaling video data for presentation on a relatively high resolution display device is described. Supplemental video data corresponding to video data is accessed and acquired in response to a request to upscale the video data. The video data and the supplemental video data are combined to produce a combined video data for displaying particular video content on a destination display device at a resolution that is high relative to the local display device. Digital rights management information may be verified prior to producing the combined video data, and additional digital rights information may be applied prior to transmitting the combined video data to the destination display device. A device registration database may also be used to control production and transmission of the upscaled video to other devices.

Abstract: Particular embodiments generally relate to providing customer service recommendations. A first business entity may provide customer care for a user of a device. For example, the first business entity may have manufactured the device. The user of the device may participate in many transactions during use of the device. The transactions may be with other devices and/or services. When these transactions are performed, information for these transactions may be stored in a repository. At some point, the user may encounter problems with the operation of the device. The user may contact customer care for the first business entity and allow access to the transaction information. Thus, the first business entity may be able to review transactions that occurred with business entities other than itself.

Abstract: Using a music oriented Web site, a “student” user requests a tutorial or tour of a musical artist or genre on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet. The “expert” user peruses the “student” personal music library and creates a playlist for that library to assist in further understanding of the music by the “student” user. The playlist is transferred to a server which generates a command file. This command file is sent to the “student” user to control various multimedia components according to the “expert” user's selection. This tutorial may be accompanied by the “expert” user's personal commentary on his/her selections.

Abstract: A custom playlist to be played by a digital audio/visual actuator device may be easily created and modified through use of an effective human interface on an external device, such as a personal computer. Tracks, easily identifiable by their track index identifier and the TOC of the digital storage device on which they are stored, are selected by the user or by an automated method and added to a playlist file. Once the playlist is created, the playlist file is stored to non-volatile memory of the digital audio/visual actuator device. The playlist may then be easily modified if so desired by performing such functions as adding tracks, deleting tracks, and rearranging tracks of the playlist through the interface of the external device. The playlist may be played by the digital audio/visual actuator device at any time after it has been created and the digital audio/visual actuator device may be controlled by a remote control unit to actuate the playlist if so desired.

Abstract: Multimedia components for reproducing/recording information in a data storage medium are controlled via a personal computer. By selecting graphical representations of the multimedia components and of their control switches, the user enters instructions on the personal computer to perform various operations by the components. The representative operations include turning the component on/off, setting its volume, adjusting its bass/treble, etc. Another operation may include finding a particular track/scene in the user library displayed on the screen and reproducing the track/scene on the corresponding multimedia component by selecting on the screen the graphical representation corresponding to the reproducing operation.

Abstract: Using a music oriented Web site, a “student” user requests a tutorial or tour of a musical artist or genre on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet. The “expert” user peruses the “student” personal music library and creates a playlist for that library to assist in further understanding of the music by the “student” user. The playlist is transferred to a server which generates a command file. This command file is sent to the “student” user to control various multimedia components according to the “expert” user's selection. This tutorial may be accompanied by the “expert” user's personal commentary on his/her selections.

Abstract: A remote control unit in an audio/visual system has a two-way communications link with one or more audio/visual devices. The bi-directional flow of information between the remote control unit and the audio/visual device(s) provides for the creation of remote control commands that are customized based upon the characteristics of the particular A/V device being controlled by the remote control unit. The remote control unit may additionally have another two-way communications link with one or more information-providing devices, such as a personal computer capable of accessing the Internet, that can provide the remote control unit with information available outside the audio/visual environment. The bi-directional flow of information of the two-way communications links is accomplished with a two-way infra-red link or a two-way serial link.

Abstract: Data is transferred from a computer to a recording/reproducing device using a sound (audio) card installed in the computer with audio output ports for two channels coupled to the input of the recording/reproducing device. Without any additional changes to the hardware of a typical setup (a computer (desktop, portable, etc.), the sound card installed in the computer and two cables for the output of the sound card), the data is transferred to a player/recorder for recording, for example, information to a recording medium and reproducing the recorded information from the recording medium at any time.

Abstract: Using a music oriented Web site, a “student” user requests a tutorial or tour of a musical artist or genre on the World Wide Web portion of the Internet. The “expert” user peruses the “student” personal music library and creates a playlist for that library to assist in further understanding of the music by the “student” user. The playlist is transferred to a server which generates a command file. This command file is sent to the “student” user to control various multimedia components according to the “expert” user's selection. This tutorial may be accompanied by the “expert” user's personal commentary on his/her selections.

Abstract: A parallel port to serial digital fiber link converter has a first high speed communications port connected to a first shift register for converting a serial digital signal, received from a first digital device via a first high speed communications link, to a parallel signal and transferring it to a personal computer via a parallel port. A second shift register and second high speed communications port are used for converting parallel data, retrieved via the parallel port of the personal computer, into serial digital data and sending it to a second digital device via a second high speed communications link for storage or playback.

Abstract: A system and method for providing automated generation of program groups used in shuffled playback. The playback system acquires "content information" concerning programs on subject media, and generates shuffled playback groups by comparing the content information to user entered "desired-group information". In one illustrative embodiment the content information is included on the media themselves. In a second illustrative embodiment, the content information is included in a database.

Abstract: Multimedia components for reproducing/recording information in a data storage medium are controlled via a personal computer. By selecting graphical representations of the multimedia components and of their control switches, the user enters instructions on the personal computer to perform various operations by the components. The representative operations include turning the component on/off, setting its volume, adjusting its bass/treble, etc. Another operation may include finding a particular track/scene in the user library displayed on the screen and reproducing the track/scene on the corresponding multimedia component by selecting on the screen the graphical representation corresponding to the reproducing operation. An interface specification is transferred from the multimedia component (e.g. VTR, DAT player, CD player) to an intelligent A/V receiver.

Abstract: Tone generating apparatus for a cellular telephone simulates those tones normally sensed by a user of a conventional land-line telephone. The cellular telephone is adapted to communicate with a base station via a service provider which provides different types of service, such as HOME service, ROAM service, or alternate HOME service. A progress tone generator is actuable to generate for the user selected dial tone indications as a function of the detected type of service provided by the service provider. In addition, when the keypad of the cellular telephone is operated, digit tones identifying the actuation of the respective keys are generated as is digit data which represents those keys; the digit data being transmitted to the base station to dial a respective telephone number. A warning indication, such as a distinctive tone, is generated in the event that the digit data does not represent a valid telephone number.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically generating an authentication key (A-Key) in a mobile station wherein the mobile station periodically receives random numbers from a base station, and automatically generates the authentication key from a received random number and from mobile station identification data stored in the mobile station. The mobile station identification data may include the electronic serial number of the mobile station, a user selected value, and a cellular system selected value. In addition, mixing registers may be utilized by an encoding algorithm, such as the CAVE algorithm, for encoding the random numbers and the identification data to automatically generate the mobile station authentication key.

Abstract: A voice recognition system and method for training the same are provided wherein a first voice signal representing an instruction as well as a predetermined instruction signal corresponding to the first voice signal and identifying the instruction are input to the voice recognition system. The system processes the first voice signal based on the predetermined instruction signal to produce voice recognition data for use by the system in identifying the instruction based on a second voice signal representing the same instruction. The processor stores the voice recognition data for subsequent use upon receipt of the second voice signal and carries out the instruction in response to the predetermined instruction signal corresponding to the first voice signal.

Abstract: A method for secure and prompt distribution of critical operational information to a wireless cellular or PCS subscriber station via wireless interface which includes the steps of generating operational information, storing the operational information into a first memory of a wireless base station, and transmitting at least a portion of the operational information stored in the first memory to a wireless subscriber station via a wireless interface at random times during an active conversation state of the wireless subscriber station. The operational information stored in a second memory register in the subscriber station is updated with the operational information transmitted from the first memory. Where at least a portion of new operational information is received by the subscriber station, a first update counter is incremented to reflect the number of operational information updates received by the subscriber station.