Abstract: A personal trusted device, such as a mobile phone, receives by default or conditionally an automatic notification when the user's credit card or its number is being used for a commercial transaction. The user can then instantly determine whether or not to instruct the credit card company to inactivate the card.

Abstract: Electronic content information and the time slots for play-out are being determined based on the activities scheduled in the user's electronic calendar and the user's profile or declared interests. In this manner, the recording and downloading of content is automated based on the user's life style.

Abstract: Meta-information is included with the broadcast of content material. The meta-information contains information for accessing available content material, and contains characterizing information related to the material. This information includes, e.g., a synopsis, a list of performers or characters, a genre, and so on. The access information may include, for example, a scheduled broadcast time, an access channel, a URL identifier, a source provider, purchase information, and so on. Generally the meta-information consumes substantially less memory or bandwidth than the broadcast content material. A processing device at the user's broadcast receiver is configured to process this information-rich meta-information corresponding to a large volume of available content material to facilitate filtering of the available material, or automating or optimizing the selection process.

Abstract: An information processing system has an electronic device and a controller for control of a functionality of the device. An abstract representation of the functionality is provided to the controller. The abstract representation exposes a modality of controlling the functionality. The controller enables controlling the functionality through interaction with the abstract representation. The modality controls associating the control of the functionality with a modally compatible controlling capability of the controller. The modality exposed can be, for example, “Boolean”, “float”, “integer array”.

Abstract: A “content re-entry” feature is provided that allows a user to return to an indicated point in a content stream, after being “distracted” by meta-information. Each time a user, or application, begins to follow a related or alternative content (a distraction path), a re-entry point in the original content stream is recorded, thereby facilitating a return to the point at which the distraction occurred. In a broadcast presentation, an access to meta-information is integrated with the storage of content material. Each time a user requests access to meta-information, a recording device is automatically activated to record the content material and to store the location of the start of the recording. When the user terminates the presentation of the meta-information, the presentation of the content material is automatically resumed at the stored location.

Abstract: A PC-based home automation system uses a low data-rate transport layer and COM-based software components for control of devices in a home automation network. The home automation system is merged with a messaging-based HAVi-network that uses IEEE 1394 as a high data-rate transport layer. The HAVi-network controls audio/video equipment in a home entertainment system. The home automation services and devices are registered as a HAVi-compliant elements with the HAVi network's FAV or IAV device. The home automation resources (devices and services) have both COM OLE Automation Interfaces and HAVI-compliant interfaces to permit control of the home automation system from the HAVi-network.

Abstract: An information processing system has first and second electronic sub-systems, and control means for controlling the sub-systems. At least the first sub-system has a software representation registered with the control means. The control means changes a state of the first sub-system through interacting with the software representation. The first and second sub-systems are also capable of interacting directly with one another without the control means being involved. To avoid conflicts, at least the first sub-system is capable of de-registering with the control means so as to functionally disable its software representation at the control means.

Abstract: A loudspeaker has a chassis, a cone, an actuator and a sub-frame. The actuator is coupled between the chassis and the diaphragm. The sub-frame is flexibly coupled to the chassis and the diaphragm. The diaphragm is flexibly suspended from the chassis. The actuator directly drives both the diaphragm and the sub-frame through coils attached to the cone and to the sub-frame.