Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing rendering of objects in three-dimensional spaces are described. The system may include a first system defining a virtual three-dimensional space including the placement of a plurality of objects in the three-dimensional space, and a second system including a plurality of rules associated with portions of the three-dimensional space and a device coupled to the first system and the second system. The device may receive a request to render a volume of three-dimensional space, retrieve objects for the volume of three-dimensional, retrieve rules associated with the three-dimensional, and apply the rules for the three-dimensional space to the objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for authorizing rendering of objects in three-dimensional spaces are described. The system may include a first system defining a virtual three-dimensional space including the placement of a plurality of objects in the three-dimensional space, and a second system including a plurality of rules associated with portions of the three-dimensional space and a device coupled to the first system and the second system. The device may receive a request to render a volume of three-dimensional space, retrieve objects for the volume of three-dimensional, retrieve rules associated with the three-dimensional, and apply the rules for the three-dimensional space to the objects.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses for use in managing content on at least a local network. Some embodiments provide a method for use in managing content that detects there is a change to content on a local network, determines whether the change is additional content on a first client device, determines whether the additional content can be identified, determines whether there is a predictive distribution scheme when the additional content is identified, distributes the additional content over the local network according the predictive distribution scheme when a predictive distribution scheme applies to the additional content, determines whether a new predictive distribution scheme can be defined when a predictive distribution scheme does not apply to the additional content, and saving the new predictive distribution scheme when a new predictive scheme can be defined.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for use in playing back content. Some embodiments provide a method for use in content playback by accessing an embedded object embedded within object oriented programming stored on a portable storage media where the embedded object controls playback of content, communicating a navigation command from the embedded object within the object oriented programming to the content, altering a register in response to the navigation command communicated, and controlling the playback of the content in response to the altering of the register.

Abstract: The present embodiments provide methods, systems and apparatuses for use in managing content on at least a local network. Some embodiments provide a method for use in distributing content that receives a request to deliver premium content over a distributed network; identifies a location relative to where the request is made; determines whether there is a first additional content associated with the location; adds the first additional content to the requested premium content when there is the first additional content associated with the location; and distributes the requested premium content and the first additional content according to the request.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture is provided for updating content stored on a portable storage medium. Some embodiments provide systems that include means for receiving a request from a content player from over a communication network requesting updated content for use with a portable storage medium being accessed by the content player, wherein the request comprises information from the content player, means for determining whether updated content associated with the portable storage medium is available, and means for initiating a communication over the communication network of updated content associated with the portable storage medium to the content player in response to determining that updated content is available.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for identifying a plurality of events which are played back simultaneously on a plurality of networked client apparatuses. First, a plurality of events are stored in memory on a plurality of client apparatuses. The events each have a unique identifier associated therewith and which are stored in the memory. In operation, the client apparatuses are adapted to be coupled to a host computer via a network. The identifier of the event which is stored in the memory of the client apparatuses is then retrieved utilizing the network. Such identifier is subsequently compared with an identifier of a scheduled event. If the comparison renders a match, the playback of the event is begun on each of the client apparatuses.

Abstract: A media services interface for use in a readable medium playback device enables synchronization of disparate media playback, network directed playback of media, media playback control via displayed html/javascript file, logging of consumer identifier, media identifier, and playback device identifier in a cookie or log file. The media services comprises a command handler, a properties handler, an event generator, a cookie manager, a navigator state module, an identifier engine, an initialization module, and a bookmark manager. The command handler executes commands received from a connected network, a displayed html/javascript file, etc. The properties handler provides information relating to system states in response to queries including the status of any network connections. The event generator generates events in response to predetermined system occurrences.

Abstract: A method of reproducing an interactive recording medium in a reproducing apparatus, comprising the steps of: checking attribute information for auxiliary contents data of A/V data recorded on the interactive recording medium; and determining a presentation method for the auxiliary contents data based on the attribute information and presenting the auxiliary contents data accordingly.

Abstract: A method for providing enhanced content for play across multiple play platforms employs steps of delivering media content to a client device; delivering HTML content to a client device, the HTML content being accessible and usable by a plurality of client device platforms; activating a browser to access the HTML content, the browser being located on and compatible for use with the client device; activating firmware on the client device to access the media content; and incorporating the accessed HTML content with the accessed media content.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for remotely controlling content stored on a local computer connected to a network system such as the Internet. The invention allows content such as DVD Video content to be locked so that play can only be accomplished through verification of user identity and also allows augmentation and supplementation of the content provided by the video from a remote server. In addition, upon verification of user client credentials, the present invention allows the locally stored content to be supplemented with additional content delivered over the network system. Furthermore, the present invention allows content stored locally on a client device to be remotely controlled to play synchronously on a plurality of client devices.

Abstract: A serialization management system consists of a job control host for assigning serial numbers to storage media, and for generating a job; a replication facility host communicatively coupled to the job control host, wherein the job control host communicates the job to the replication facility host; and a serialization writer communicatively coupled to the replication facility host, wherein the replication facility host controls the serialization writer in response to the job, and communicates status information to the job control host. In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as method for operating the serialization management system.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for creating a synchronizer object in order to playback an event simultaneously on a plurality of a client apparatuses. First, a request is received utilizing a network for viewing an event. Next, the request is queued in memory. In response to the request, an object is created which is adapted to playback the event on a client apparatus simultaneous with the playback of the event on the remaining client apparatuses upon the receipt of an activation signal. The object is sent to one of the client apparatuses utilizing the network for being stored therein.

Abstract: A media services interface for use in a readable medium playback device enables synchronization of disparate media playback, network directed playback of media, media playback control via displayed html/javascript file, logging of consumer identifier, media identifier, and playback device identifier in a cookie or log file. The media services comprises a command handler, a properties handler, an event generator, a cookie manager, a navigator state module, an identifier engine, an initialization module, and a bookmark manager. The command handler executes commands received from a connected network, a displayed html/javascript file, etc.

Abstract: A content tracking system consists of a multi-level distributor network including a primary level distributor and a second level distributor for distributing content embodied in a storage medium. A server is included for receiving a tracking identifier that is incorporated with the content embodied in the storage medium and for receiving registration information from the primary level distributor and the second level distributor. The content tracking system includes a database for associating the particular content with the primary level distributor and the second level distributor and for associating transactions derived from the content on the storage medium with the primary level distributor and the second level distributor. The content tracking system is capable providing credit to the primary distributor and the second level distributor for transactions derived from the content after being distributed by the second level distributor.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture is provided for updating content stored on a portable storage medium. Upon input of a portable storage medium into a machine by a user, the content stored on the portable storage medium is read. After reading the content of the portable storage medium, a separate storage medium is accessed and content is received therefrom. The content from the separate storage medium is an update of the content of the portable storage medium. This content of the separate storage medium is then displayed.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for synchronizing an event on a plurality of client apparatuses. First, a plurality of client apparatuses are connected via a network. Next, an application program is embedded on a site on the network. In use, information is requested from a server on the network utilizing the application program. Such information relates to an event to be played back simultaneously on the client apparatuses. In response to such request, a script is received for displaying the information.

Abstract: A system, method, and article of manufacture is provided for updating content stored on a portable storage medium. Upon input of a portable storage medium into a machine by a user, the content stored on the portable storage medium is read. After reading the content of the portable storage medium, a separate storage medium is accessed and content is received therefrom. The content from the separate storage medium is an update of the content of the portable storage medium. This content of the separate storage medium is then displayed.

Abstract: A system, method and article of manufacture are provided for delayed synchronization of an event on a plurality of client apparatuses. First, a plurality of client apparatuses are connected via a network and an event is stored in memory on the client apparatuses. The event is then simultaneously played back on the client apparatuses utilizing the network. During the simultaneous playback, a request may be received from one of the client apparatuses for that particular client to be included in the synchronized event. In response to the request, information is transmitted to the requesting client apparatus utilizing the network. This information is adapted for identifying a location in the memory where the event is currently being played back on the remaining client apparatuses. This allows the simultaneous playback of the event on the requesting client apparatus.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of devices connected via a network; a plurality of entities located on at least one of the plurality of devices; and a content management system located on at least one of the plurality of devices for creating a collection using at least two of the plurality of entities. A method of modifying a collection comprising analyzing metadata associated with the collection; and removing at least one entity from the collection based upon a set of presentation rules.