Abstract: Techniques for implementing a scalable DOM and a pluggable DOM are provided. A scalable DOM implementation manages a DOM tree in memory to free unreferenced nodes, avoid generating nodes unnecessarily, and avoid storing multiple versions of the same data on disk. A pluggable DOM implementation includes an abstract interface that is defined between the API layer and the data layer of a DOM implementation. An implementation of the abstract interface is defined for each data source that is plugged in to the pluggable DOM implementation and that stores XML data in a different format.

Abstract: A disk clamp mechanism includes a disk clamper (13), a main chassis (11), a disk clamper pushing member (14) and a resilient member (15). The disk clamper (13) has a contact surface (13a) contacting a disk, and a convex portion (13b) on a side opposite to the contact surface (13a). The main chassis (11) includes a frame body (11a) and a disk clamper holding member (11b) for holding the disk clamper (13). The disk clamper pushing member (14) has a pushing surface (14d) that pushes the convex portion (13b) of the disk clamper (13) toward the disk, and first and second end portions (14a, 14b) provided on both sides of the pushing surface (14d). The first end portion (14a) is swingably supported by the main chassis (11). The resilient member (15) urges the second end portion (14b) of the disk clamper pushing member (14) in the direction in which the pushing surface (14d) pushes the disk.

Abstract: A set of images (IM 1 a, IM2a, IMFa) that have successively been captured comprises a plurality of images (IM 1 a, IM2a) that have been captured under substantially similar light conditions, and an image (IMFa) that has been captured under substantially different light conditions (FLSH). For example, two images may be captured with ambient light and one with flashlight. A motion indication (MV) is derived (ST6) from at least two images (IM Ia, IM2a) that have been captured under substantially similar light conditions. The image (IMFa) that has been captured under substantially different light conditions is processed (ST7, ST8) on the basis of the motion indication (MV) derived from the at least two images (IM1 a, IM2a) that have been captured under substantially similar light conditions.

Abstract: A spindle motor assembly and an information recording/reproducing device having the same. The spindle motor assembly includes a spindle motor, a turntable to be rotated by the spindle motor together with a disk placed and supported thereon, and a support pad provided on the turntable to support a lower surface of the disk; wherein the support pad is provided at a point that corresponds to ? of a diameter of the turntable with respect to a rotation center of the disk.

Abstract: An optical recording medium is provided which has a substrate and a signal recording layer provided on the substrate and in which an information signal is recorded in the form of microscopic pits. A light beam is focused on the signal recording layer and some change of the light beam carried by a return light from the signal recording layer is detected to read the information signal recorded on the signal recording layer. The optical recording medium has a diameter of 65 mm or less and a thickness of 0.4 to 0.7 mm. An information signal recording area extends outwardly from a radial position of 12.5 mm or less from the center of the medium. The ratio in area between the information signal recording area and non-signal recording area is 3.4 or more. The storage capacity of this medium is 2 gigabytes or more. The optical recording medium has formed at the center thereof a center hole around which an annular table-abutment convexing to one side of the medium is formed.

Abstract: A system and method for collecting data and statistically assessing such data for real time voting results. According to a preferred embodiment, input from a plurality of voters may be received through multiple modalities, namely, mobile/cellular phone networks, land line phone networks, set top boxes and/or the Internet. Voting data from each modality is received regionally and thereafter forwarded to a central vote processing location where statistical assessment and voting results may be generated in real time. In an alternative embodiment, the system and methods of the present invention can enable individual viewers to make selections on an individual basis, or autonomous groups may make selections on a group basis which in turn can be used in novel programming, VPTS, conducting polls, submission and acquisition of marketing/general data, RTCFA, or selecting any type of content options.

Abstract: An electronic module for a digital television receiver comprises a multimedia CPU (211), a non-volatile memory block (212) connected with the multimedia CPU (211) via a memory interface (220) and storing a booter application for initializing the start-up of the digital television receiver, and a buffer (213) connected to the memory interface (220), configurable to enable or block access to the memory interface (220) for components (206, 209) external to the module. The invention provides a solution for securing the set-top box elements, including CA system elements and proprietary set-top box software, to prevent unauthorized access to them, their monitoring or replacement.

Abstract: Disclosed is a television broadcasting recording apparatus including a television broadcasting recording apparatus including a receiving unit to receive a digital television broadcasting signal, a storage unit to store a video/audio data of a program based on the television broadcasting signal received by the receiving unit in a storage medium as an analog data, a detection unit to detect rating information regarding a parental control level of the program from the television broadcasting signal which is received by the receiving unit, a rating information type determination unit to determine a type of the rating information which is detected by the detection unit, a storage control unit to control the storage unit so as to prohibit storing of the video/audio data of the program in the storage medium when it is determined that the rating information of the program is rating information specific to digital broadcasting different from rating information of analog broadcasting by the rating information type dete

Abstract: A system and associated apparatus and methods for the distribution, selection and display of advertising content for devices operating in a network. The devices need not initiate a point-to-point communication with an ad server to provide the ability to filter received advertising content and enable the display of advertisements that are targeted to a device's user. The invention enables a service provider or network operator to control the policy used to specify the selection, timing, and display of an advertisement stored in a cache of a client device. A modification to the policy can be broadcast and implemented in real-time by the device. Advertisements stored in the cache may be filtered both by the service provider or network operator and by the device itself so as to provide the best selection of ads tailored to the user of the device. The device implements cache management processes to determine how best to maintain the advertisements of greatest relevance to the user of the device.

Abstract: A method for providing television advertising includes receiving user input for selecting an advertising parameter and providing a user with an advertisement corresponding to the advertising parameter.

Abstract: A method for providing television advertising includes determining a number of times that an advertisement has been presented to a user via a digital home communication terminal (DHCT), and presenting the advertisement only if it is determined that the advertisement has been presented less than a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products that facilitate selecting advertisements for insertion into advertisement slots in broadcast content are provided. Broadcast criteria for the content and viewer criteria are identified. Broadcast criteria includes information about the content and viewer criteria includes information about viewers to whom the content is targeted. Information is retrieved from a plurality of tags attached to a respective plurality of stored advertisements that are available for insertion into the advertising slot. Each tag includes information about a respective advertisement. An advertisement having tag information that is compatible with identified broadcast criteria and viewer criteria is selected and inserted into the advertising slot. Various information about the selected advertisement, what criteria was used to select the advertisement, etc., may be recorded via a log file.

Abstract: An apparatus for viewing information includes a wireless interactive monitor including a screen for displaying the information and adapted to receive the information wirelessly and a surgeon scrub sink for allowing a surgeon to sterilize the hands of the surgeon, positioned under the wireless interactive monitor.

Abstract: A method for obtaining product information and purchasing a product. While viewing images on a video display device, an input device is used to initiate display of a video frame. A product of interest which appears is selected to obtain a display of product information. A portion of the display of product information is selected to initiate a purchase of the product. Also provided is method for identifying a product which appears in a video stream for which product information and possible purchase is desired. A video pixel cluster is selected within a video frame corresponding to the product. The selected pixel cluster is stored in an area definition database. A product identifier is associated with the stored pixel cluster. An interactive video is delivered which includes video frames with product identifiers and corresponding area identifiers.

Abstract: A method of processing remote control commands at a control device consistent with certain embodiments involves at the control device, receiving commands directed to the control device; at the control device, receiving a command directed to a source device, the source device being operative to provide video content to a display; and at the control device, interpreting the command directed to the source device in order to track a state of operation of the source device. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A broadcast receiving device which automatically detects whether digital channels are scrambled according to a command and a method for searching channels thereof are provided. The broadcast receiving device includes a channel map storage unit which stores broadcast channel data regarding broadcast channel, an input unit which receives a command, and a channel searching unit which scans digital channels among the broadcast channel data according to the command and detects whether the digital channels are scrambled.

Abstract: There are provided a circuit and corresponding method for enabling a channel change in a digital network. The circuit has inputs for receiving a channel change stream and a normal stream. The circuit further includes a multiplexer, a memory device, and a picture element detector. The multiplexer is for transmitting the channel change stream to a customer premises equipment (CPE) device in response to a channel change request from the CPE device. The memory device is for storing a flag that is set in response to the channel change request from the CPE device. The flag is set to request detection of a picture element in the normal stream. The picture element detector is for detecting the picture element in the normal stream subsequent to transmitting the channel change stream. The multiplexer transmits the normal stream to the CPE device in place of the channel change stream once the picture element is detected in the normal stream.

Abstract: An electronic program guide (EPG) generation apparatus that generates an EPG, the apparatus comprising: an information acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding each program to be displayed in the EPG; a first determination unit configured to determine the size of a first display area representing the broadcast times of each program in the EPG, based on information regarding the broadcast times of each program included in the information regarding each program; a second determination unit configured to determine the size of a second display area for displaying, in the EPG, information regarding details of each program included in the information regarding each program, based on the information regarding each program; and a display controller configured to control the display, on a display means, of the EPG based on the sizes of the first and second display areas, determined by the first and second determination means.

Abstract: A method for providing program image information in a digital broadcasting receiving device. The method includes receiving image broadcasting information segments containing pre-edited program image information about a plurality of channels to be displayed by displaying in a plurality of areas of a display screen and displaying the received image broadcasting information segments. The method allows display of program image information about a plurality of channels on a single screen, thus enabling a user to easily monitor a program being played back on each channel.

Abstract: Screen (10) for a user interface of a television schedule system and process consists of an array (24) of irregular cells (26), which vary in length, corresponding to different television program lengths of one half hour to one-and-one half hours or more. The array is arranged as three columns (28) of one-half hour in duration, and twelve rows (30) of program listings. Some of the program listings overlap two or more of the columns (28) because of their length. Because of the widely varying length of the cells (26), if a conventional cursor used to select a cell location were to simply step from one cell to another, the result would be abrupt changes in the screen (10) as the cursor moved from a cell (26) of several hours length to an adjacent cell in the same row. An effective way of taming the motion is to assume that behind every array (24) is an underlying array of regular cells. By restricting cursor movements to the regular cells, abrupt screen changes will be avoided.

Abstract: A method of acquiring data associated with a television program consistent with certain embodiments involves acquiring information that identifies a currently playing television program; receiving a command from a user interface that selects an image forming a portion of a frame of video displayed on the television, wherein said frame of video is a portion of the television program; accessing a specified web site that contains a database of metadata associated with television programs via the Internet; querying the specified web site for metadata associated with the image by providing the image along with the information that identifies the currently playing television program; receiving a response from the specified web site that provides metadata associated with the image; and displaying at least a portion of the metadata. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: A method of providing access to content associated with a television program consistent with certain embodiments involves acquiring information that identifies a currently playing television program; accessing a specified web site that contains a database that relates television programs with links to associated content on the Internet; querying the specified web site for a link associated with the currently playing television program; receiving a response from the specified web site that provides the link associated with the currently playing television program; presenting a displayed offer to navigate to associated content using the link; receiving an instruction accepting the offer to navigate to the associated content using the link; and navigating to the link to acquire the associated content. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.

Abstract: Provided are a digital broadcasting receiving device and method for audibly informing a user of a channel change. The method includes searching for channel information and channel audio guide signal premapped to the channel information, upon sensing a channel change, selecting a channel audio guide signal corresponding to the channel information, if channel information about a changed channel exists, and outputting the selected channel audio guide signal through an audio output unit. Thus, the method is capable of informing a user of a channel change by outputting a channel audio guide signal, allowing the user to audibly check a changed channel.

Abstract: Provided are a tuning method according to a variable key input length and a broadcast receiving apparatus using the tuning method. The tuning method includes: if it is determined that an input length of one of at least one or more key inputs is more than or equal to a predetermined time, tuning to a first type broadcast; and if it is determined that the input length is less than the predetermined time, tuning to a second type broadcast different from the first type broadcast. Thus, different types of broadcasts can be tuned according to a length of a key input performed by a user. As a result, a digital broadcast channel can be directly input using only a number key.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method comprises extracting future event recording selections scheduled on a plurality of media devices. Each of the plurality of media devices is coupled through a private access network to a service provider and includes a digital video recorder. The method further comprises aggregating recorded data based on the scheduled future event recording selections; and generating a top recording events list based on the aggregated recorded data for transmission to a selected media device of the plurality of media devices.

Abstract: There is provided a preference event reservation system of a broadcasting program including: a head end inserting event information into a broadcasting program sued broadcasting the broadcasting program containing the event information and an event information list; and a client terminal. The client terminal includes a controller displaying the event information list transferred from the head end, controlling a reservation for a preference event out of the event information list, and controlling execution of the reservation when event information that corresponds to the preference event is transferred from the head end; and a memory storing the reservation for the preference event.

Abstract: A system of inter-connectable modules that can be used to build consumer electronic sub-systems and products. Familial features are included for easy setup and control. Data is passed between modules using a common interface to permit easy routing and reconfiguration of data flows.

Abstract: A digital broadcast receiving apparatus has two systems as a receiving system: a first receiving demodulation section including a first tuner 2 and the like; and a second receiving demodulation section including a second tuner 5 and the like. A controller 19 establishes either a first receiving mode or second receiving mode. In the first receiving mode, both the receiving systems receive the broadcasting waves of the same station to be viewed according to the signals from a vehicle speed detecting section 15 and receiving level detecting sections 16 and 17. In the second receiving mode, one of the two receiving systems receives the broadcasting wave of the station to be viewed, and the other of them receives the broadcasting wave of another station.

Abstract: An in-vehicle device receives broadcast data from a base station A, calculates a checksum of the received broadcast data, and transmits the checksum to a base station B. The base station B determines whether the checksum received from the in-vehicle device is correct. If the checksum is not correct, the base station B instructs a base station C to retransmit the broadcast data, and the base station C retransmits the broadcast data to the in-vehicle device.

Abstract: A method is provided for managing services provided by devices in a home network. A home network apparatus manages information related to services provided by all devices in a home network, and requests from a second device a substitute service capable of substituting for a service of a first device when the first device fails to provide the service. Accordingly, when a device from which a user requests a service cannot provide the service, the user does not need to directly search for a different device and again request the service from the different device.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a unidirectional broadcast network is utilized to provide digital content to users in a manner that allows users' computing devices to maintain synchrony with personal, relevant information. In at least some embodiments, the broadcast network utilizes a data channel and a signaling channel. The data channel is used for broadcasting data to various users, while the signaling channel—typically used for transmitting device or machine specific data—is used to transmit user-specific information associated with the information or data that the user finds relevant. This user-specific information can then be used by the user's mobile computing device to manage, e.g. record and place into device database for time shifted retrieval, such information or digital objects delivered over the broadcast data channel.

Abstract: An activating apparatus (300) is arranged to conditionally activate an interactive application associated with a digital program. The activating apparatus (300) has a receiving means (310) for receiving program information of the digital program and application information regarding the interactive application, a detecting means (320) for detecting a program mode of the digital program, the program mode indicating how the digital program is being run, and an obtaining means (330) for obtaining an activating parameter from the application information, the activating parameter indicating the interactive application has at least two mutually different portions, at least one of the at least two portions is conditionally be executed in dependency on the application including an the program mode. with the program mode.

Abstract: If there are program-related associated Web pages, a TV receiver 1000 acquires the content information of the associated Web pages from a Web server 2000 and stores it in a Web page storage unit 1006. The correspondence between the stored content information and recorded program is stored in a correspondence information holding unit 1005. The data of the program is outputted to a TV program recorder 3000, where it is recorded. The user can configure the timing, at which the storage of the associated Web pages is carried out.

Abstract: A method and system of supporting transport and playback of signals, such as audio, video, and data signals. A reference model configured to support transport of signals according to a baseline, extended mode (1), and extended mode (2) architecture, and a subscriber video device (SVD) configured to support playback of the signals transported according to any of the architectures.

Abstract: In a multicast and/or broadcast streaming environment over wired and/or wireless networks, a server provides a plurality of different streams to each group (such as multicast groups) of client devices. Each of the client devices in the respective groups tune in to one of the plurality of streams that is most optimum. Quality of Experience (QoE) metric data or other data pertaining to dynamically changing client device characteristics or channel conditions are collected and evaluated by the server. If results of the evaluated metric data recommend a change to a different stream for a particular one or more client devices, the server switches the client device(s) to a different stream in the same group, or switches the client device(s) to a different stream in a different group if that stream is not available in the current group.

Abstract: a back-end system (BES) capable of generating informational programs, characterized by content and schedule, feedable into a digital video broadcasting (DVB) system connectable thereto, wherein the BES is configured to receive input signals from external sources and, in response, to alter the content and/or the schedule that characterize the program or a component thereof prior to feeding said program to the DVB system, with no need to store the altered program in the BES. The BES generally stores a plurality of slides, comprising images, and corresponding schedules and the generated informational programs generally comprise a sequence of slides selected among the stored slides, in accordance with a respective schedule selected among the stored schedules, wherein altering the program in response to the input signal comprises altering said sequence and/or generating in a slide an image, or an image component distinctive from the corresponding image, or image component, stored in the BES.

Abstract: A method for use in an interactive system includes receiving position information for a controller that is being manipulated by a user, analyzing the position information, and estimating a condition of the user based on the analysis of the position information. Another embodiment provides a method for use in an interactive system that includes monitoring a physical condition of the user with a sensor attached to a controller, and receiving information related to the physical condition of the user from the sensor attached to the controller.

Abstract: The present invention relates to reproducing broadcast data in a mobile terminal. The present invention comprises receiving broadcast data through a broadcast channel, storing a part of the received broadcast data, receiving a command to reproduce the broadcast data, and reproducing the stored broadcast data from a past time point while continuing to store the part of the received broadcast data.

Abstract: A set top box (“STB”) apparatus configurable for handling broadcast, cable television and Internet protocol television (“IPTV”) formats by multiple operators via a single flexible operating system is provided. The set top box is enabled to receive and run different operating systems from multiple providers or operators. In another aspect, a dual mode display feature enables viewing of digital content via a first display device while enabling browsing and e-commerce functionality via an associated remote device.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting receiver and a scrambled channel determination method thereof are provided. The digital broadcasting receiver includes a header analyzing unit which analyzes headers of a video packet and an audio packet separated from a transport stream, to thereby determine existence of a start portion of a packetized elementary stream (PES) packet data, and a scramble determination unit which determines the existence of a scrambled channel by analyzing payloads of the video packet and the audio packet, if the header analyzing unit has decided that the video packet and the audio packet contain the start portion of the PES packet data. Accordingly, the digital broadcasting receiver provides an improved response speed during channel selection.

Abstract: A TV has a TV processor and a display presenting a map showing the topology of the home network of which the TV is a part. A user can manipulate the user input device to navigate around the map and cause content to be transmitted from a source component shown in the map to a sink component shown on the map. The map can change the appearance of component icons and/or paths between icons to provide visible indication of advantageous component and/or path selection for executing a user-desired task. Also, map information can be uploaded to an Internet server that can respond by sending back information pertaining to components represented on the map.

Abstract: Policy controls for Web service resource objects in a hierarchical resource space are loosely coupled so that policy changes are applied and enforced across the objects. This technique ensures that different policies are not applied unintentionally to the same resource (for example, one at the Web services entry level, and the other at the resource level). By synchronizing the object in the manner described, neither the entity that deploys the application nor the security administrator need to be aware of the differences between the various types of requests that occur within a Web services environment. In a representative embodiment, resource objects are linked within a hierarchical resource space to provide synchronized policy control, where the policy is an audit policy, a quality-of-service (QoS) policy, a service level agreement (SLA) policy, a governance policy, a compliance policy, a patch management/vulnerability management policy, a user management policy, or a rights management policy.

Abstract: A network management appliance comprising a central bus element; a plurality of network management modules each coupled to the central bus element; a server element coupled to the central bus element a network interface for interfacing the central bus element with a network to be managed; and wherein network management functions executed by the network management modules are remotely accessible through the server element via the network interface.

Abstract: A document management system configured to manage an access to a file includes a selection unit configured to select a virtual security policy for setting on the file, which is previously provided for each device, an acquisition unit configured to acquire access authority information for defining an authority for accessing the file based on the virtual security policy selected by the selection unit and authentication information about a user who has set the virtual security policy, a conversion unit configured to convert the virtual security policy into a real security policy that can be commonly interpreted by the document management system based on the access authority information acquired by the acquisition unit, and a management unit configured to set the real security policy converted by the conversion unit on the file to manage an access to the file.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system for determining whether a purported or alleged authorized user is in fact the authorized user, by comparing new data on a real-time basis against probability distribution representations including an authorized user probability distribution representation and a global or wide population probability distribution representation, to provide a probability as to whether the purported authorized user is the authorized user. This invention may utilize keyboard dynamics or data, or X-Y device data, or other data from similar measurable characteristics, to determine the probability that the new data from the purported authorized user indicates or identifies that user as the authorized user. This invention identifies the user continuously as the user interacts with the system and to identify a change in situation in the environment of the user.

Abstract: Techniques for identity controlled data centers are provided. Remote processing environments are authenticated via identity associations. Virtual remote processing environments are subsequently installed and authenticated on the remote processing environments on which they are deployed and they receive unique virtual remote processing environment identities, which are locally and independently assigned within their remote processing environments. Applications deployed to the virtual remote processing environments are also authenticated and acquire identities for the virtual remote processing environments in which they are deployed. The processing of the remote virtual processing environments and the applications are circumscribed by independently acquired policies within the remote processing environments.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for automatically configuring, managing, and maintaining a network device or VPN using a public network such as the Internet. Initial configuration of a network device or VPN occurs upon a user entering minimal information via a simple HTML page. After receipt of this minimal information, the present invention automatically configures the network device or VPN without user intervention. Thereafter, a user may modify the network device or VPN configuration via an easy-to-use and easy-to-understand graphical user interface. Parameters are presented such that a user simply checks and unchecks boxes, or clicks on radio buttons, to configure network device parameters. Upon completion of the selection, the user clicks on save, and the configuration is automatically modified. In addition, upon a significant change to any network device, the changed network device automatically initiates reconfiguration of the network device or VPN with zero input from a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for network operation and information processing involving engaging users of a network. In one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a method of engaging users of a public-access network. Moreover, the method includes associating a processing component with the public-access network; transmitting a request for authorization to use the public-access network, including transmission of a specific identifier associated with the user; transmitting first data including data determined by processing software as a function of the specific identifier; and opening up a connection to the network for the user. In one or more further embodiments, the specific identifier may include or be a function of a processing component ID or the MAC address of a device associated with the user. Other exemplary embodiments may include building profiles of users who access the network based on information collected.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and data processing system for authenticating a user. A control module receives a user authentication request. The control module retrieves a server's parameters, and uses the server's parameters to form a customized user authentication request. The control module sends the customized user authentication request to the server, and receives an authentication response from the server.

Abstract: A system for controlling access to a protected network includes a network access control module that is coupled to the protected network and which is configured to restrict access to the network to an authorized user through a computer coupled to the protected network. The system also includes a communication device associated with the computer, which automatically transmits a unique identifier corresponding to the communication device to the network access control module when a user uses the communication device to request access to the protected network via the computer.