Abstract: Synchronization of users between a CATV system and a disparate video distribution system is provided. A network account identifier tied to a household subscriber account may be linked to a plurality of users in the household. A strong authentication may only be required once (or at infrequent intervals) to initially validate credentials and authorize a requesting device. Subsequently, the device may be configured to retrieve accounts for all users in the household. Because the device is now known to the service provider, easy user-switching rules may be applied. Each user in a household may get his own personalized recommendations, use his own preferences, or tie to other individualized service personas. Any changes or updates in personalized information for a video user may be synchronized back to the originating system such that the next time the particular video user uses a CATV system device, any changes/updates may be reflected.

Abstract: Generating and dynamically updating a personalized programming guide is provided. Personalized information associated with a user's viewing activity and interaction with a programming guide may be collected and communicated with a server. The server may share the personalized information with a database, which may process the information to identify one or more most watched channels and to determine recommendations for the user. Additional personalized settings may be collected, processed, and utilized to filter recommendations and relevant content. Recommendations and content tied to the user's favorite channels, most watched channels, and user-specified or automatically recognized genres and themes may be provided to the user via a client device or application. The user may access the personalized programming guide via a variety of client devices via various communication mechanisms.

Abstract: A vote verification system and method which provides assurance to voters that their votes were processed. The system includes a computer including a reader, wherein the computer is for reading machine-readable information on a receipt containing both the machine-readable information and human-readable information as the voter presents the receipt to the reader, obtaining identifying information associated with a ballot of the voter, and providing the identifying information so that a voter may compare the identifying information to the human-readable information on the receipt.

Abstract: A shopping system and method which reduces resources necessary for completing transactions. The shopping system includes an item recording computer for recording item identification information associated with an item selected for purchase by a shopper in a store, for recording identifying information about the shopper from an RFID identifier carried by the shopper, and for storing the item identification information in a data file associated with the identifying information of the shopper.

Abstract: A security method for theft prone areas of a retail store which alerts store employees of possible theft situations. The security method includes controlling an RFID label reader adjacent an entrance to a monitored area to determine entry of an item bearing an RFID label into the monitored area and departure of the item from the monitored area, sensing entry of the item into the monitored area, and issuing an alert to store personnel.

Abstract: The present invention provides speech and audio user-computer interface mechanisms for accessing and editing information in electronic records. A mechanism is provided by which the user can direct inputs to any of a variety of fields without following a predetermined order of input. This allows the user to be proactive in making entries rather than simply reacting to requirements set by computer-generated prompts. Audio is provided as feedback to the user, not as a fixed path prompt for the user. This feedback can be in the form of non-verbal auditory signals or synthesized speech. The invention uses audio to inform the user of whether or not the system understood the spoken words or phrases as valid inputs to the electronic record, what the system recognized as the input, and to identify the contents of various fields in the electronic record.

Abstract: This invention provides graphical user interface mechanisms for grouping and viewing data elements in a manner analogous to the way in which their physical world counterparts would interact. A system is provided by which users manipulate a pointing device (e.g., mouse, trackball, or touch screen monitor) to position iconic representations of data elements in a graphical representation of space (e.g., on an electronic map). If one icon is placed on top of another one that is an allowable container for the moved icon (i.e., that can be a parent data element for the data element represented by the moved icon), the moved icon disappears from immediate view and is placed inside the container. The contents of container icons can be viewed by placing the graphical pointer on top of them, resulting in the “blow-up” of those icons so that iconic and textual descriptions of their child data elements are displayed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a user interface mechanism for adjusting the view of two-dimensional graphical plots so users can make compromises between the amount of detail that is presented on an electronic display and the range of data that can be within immediate view. It also provides a mechanism for controlling the subset of data that will be within view on an electronic display when the entire data plot exceeds the dimensions of the display. Finally, it provides a mechanism whereby a sliding lens may be selectively positioned over various portions of a graph, allowing the viewing of the graph at a selectable magnification.