Abstract: Methods and systems for improved interaction between media devices and accessory devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, the improved interaction can operate to configure a user interface of a media device dependent on the type or condition of an accessory device. In the same or another embodiment, the improved interaction can exchange status information between a media device and an accessory device that can influence operation of either or both of the devices.

Abstract: A consumer electronic product (e.g., a portable media player ported to a media delivery accessory) is powered by a limited capacity DC power source (such as a battery or mini-fuel cell). The consumer electronic product limits the maximum allowable sound pressure level (SPL) that can be produced by the speakers. In one embodiment, the maximum allowable SPL is based upon an amount of stored energy available in the limited capacity DC power source.

Abstract: A consumer electronic product that includes a media player arranged to process a selected one of a plurality of digital media files stored therein and a media delivery accessory unit detachedly connected to the media player arranged to broadcast the processed digital media file. When the consumer electronic product is in a DC mode, the consumer electronic product controls a transfer of an amount of charge between the media delivery accessory and the media player. In one embodiment, the amount of charge is sufficient to for the consumer electronic product to operate for a predetermined amount of time. In another embodiment, the amount of charge is sufficient for to maximize an amount of time that the media player and media delivery accessory can operate.

Abstract: A method, system and connector interface for transferring stored data between a media player and an accessory is disclosed. The method and system comprises obtaining by one of the media player and the accessory a unique identifier for a particular file stored in the other of the media player and the accessory; and returning the unique identifier with the stored file data to the one of the media player and the accessory. The system and method includes utilizing the stored file by the one of the media player or the accessory. In the method, system and connector interface in accordance with the present invention, accessories and media players are able to retrieve and store data utilizing an arbitrary format. This data is opaque to any protocol used by the media player and requires no parsing or interpretation. To provide this facility, a plurality of commands allows both media players and accessories to present a simple file system. The plurality of commands could be utilized in a variety of environments.

Abstract: A chaos generator for accumulating stream entropy is disclosed. The chaos generator includes a random source coupled to an entropy accumulator that is configurable for generating a binary random input sequence. The entropy accumulator is configurable for accumulating entropy of the input sequence and providing a binary random output sequence based on the accumulated entropy. The binary random output sequence is reduced by a modular reduction operation having a modulus that is set equal to a cryptographic prime (e.g., the order of an elliptic curve). The number of iterations performed by the entropy accumulator on the binary random input sequence is selected to provide a binary random output sequence having a desired cryptographic strength. The chaos generator can be part of a signing and verification system that uses fast elliptic encryption for small devices.

Abstract: A protective railing system includes at least two extruded posts, two post-mounted extruded brackets, and at least one extruded rail. The rail can be selectively installed with infinite adjustability both vertically and rotationally. Each post includes an outer tube and an inner tube with reinforcing ribs extending between the two. To secure the post to a floor, a floor-mounted anchor extends up into the inner tube. The anchor and inner tube are preferably rectangular to restrict relative rotation between the post and the anchor. When two or more rails are installed between two posts, the two rails can be interlocked, or the rails can be spaced apart to support a spacer therebetween. In some cases, the spacer is a sign or a fabric mesh.

Abstract: A method and system for approval by a verification computer of an online transaction between a user computer and a merchant computer over the Internet. The user computer transmits a transaction request to the merchant computer, which may include a product to be purchased and the payment amount. The merchant computer transmits to the verification computer a verification request including a first data string associated with the payment card (such as a debit card account number or a portion thereof) and the payment amount. The verification request is stored at the verification computer with a transaction identifier and a verification data string, which are also transmitted to the merchant computer. The merchant computer stores the verification data string as an expected verification data string and the transaction identifier, transmits the transaction identifier to the user computer, and the user computer transmits the transaction identifier to the verification computer.

Abstract: A method and system for approval by a verification computer of an online transaction between a user computer and a merchant computer over the Internet. The user computer transmits a transaction request to the merchant computer, which may include a product to be purchased and the payment amount. The merchant computer transmits to the verification computer a verification request including a first data string associated with the payment card (such as a debit card account number or a portion thereof) and the payment amount. The verification request is stored at the verification computer with a transaction identifier and a verification data string, which are also transmitted to the merchant computer. The merchant computer stores the verification data string as an expected verification data string and the transaction identifier, transmits the transaction identifier to the user computer, and the user computer transmits the transaction identifier to the verification computer.

Abstract: A method for associating file activity of an application with the graphical display of the file on a screen comprises loading by an operating system an executable code of a message monitoring program adapted to monitoring a message sent by an operating system to a document display window. The message monitoring program establishes a system-wide window hook using available operating system API functions associated with one or more functions in a library of the message monitoring program. The message monitoring program library is loaded into the memory space of a newly started application program, the import table of the application is fixed with addresses of functions from the message monitoring program library, and the application's main window function is substituted with a message monitoring program window function.

Abstract: A method for associating file activity of an application with the graphical display of the file on a screen comprises loading by an operating system an executable code of a message monitoring program adapted to monitoring a message sent by an operating system to a document display window. The message monitoring program establishes a system-wide window hook using available operating system API functions associated with one or more functions in a library of the message monitoring program. The message monitoring program library is loaded into the memory space of a newly started application program, the import table of the application is fixed with addresses of functions from the message monitoring program library, and the application's main window function is substituted with a message monitoring program window function.

Abstract: A method and system for approval by a verification computer of an online transaction between a user computer and a merchant computer over the Internet. The user computer transmits a transaction request to the merchant computer, which may include a product to be purchased and the payment amount. The merchant computer transmits to the verification computer a verification request including a first data string associated with the payment card (such as a debit card account number or a portion thereof) and the payment amount. The verification request is stored at the verification computer with a transaction identifier and a verification data string, which are also transmitted to the merchant computer. The merchant computer stores the verification data string as an expected verification data string and the transaction identifier, transmits the transaction identifier to the user computer, and the user computer transmits the transaction identifier to the verification computer.

Abstract: A method for associating file activity of an application with the graphical display of the file on a screen comprises loading by an operating system an executable code of a message monitoring program adapted to monitoring a message sent by an operating system to a document display window. The message monitoring program establishes a system-wide window hook using available operating system API functions associated with one or more functions in a library of the message monitoring program. The message monitoring program library is loaded into the memory space of a newly started application program, the import table of the application is fixed with addresses of functions from the message monitoring program library, and the application's main window function is substituted with a message monitoring program window function.