Sony Corporation

Sony Electronics Inc

Other

Ravi Gauba

Klaus Hofrichter

Michael Hoch

Sidney Wang

Jeff J Liu

Ippei Tambata

Philip McKay

Himgan Wibisono

Annie Wang

Michael S Harwayne

Rodger Lea

Clement Lau

Andrew M Prohel

Elizabeth Coppinger

Richter A Rafey

Joseph Alexander Dara-Abrams

Simon J Gibbs

David Gaxiola

Jun Ouyang

Curtis Ray Eubanks

A personal video recorder (PVR) enables delivery of audio-visual content and associated metadata to storage devices. The PVR is configured to access a plurality of services using a plurality of storage modules. Each storage module is dedicated to a single designated content provider. One or more of the storage modules are removably coupled to the PVR. A disconnected storage module can be reconnected to another PVR different from the PVR from which the storage module was disconnected. Where authorization is required to access content stored on the storage module, authentication is performed each time the removable storage module is reconnected to a PVR.

Method and system for content sharing and authentication between multiple devices

A system and method for enabling distribution and brokering of content information are described. A request to download data is transmitted to a server. Information on multiple content providers storing data obtained from the server is received. Finally, identification information for one content provider, which allowed the download of data, is transmitted to the server along with payment for the download of data.

System and method for enabling distribution and brokering of content information

A multi-media broadcasting system that links a user profiles associated with a first user with a second user profile associated with a second user, where the first and second user profiles each comprise an indication of an interest common to the first and second users. The user profiles allow a user to customize a viewing experience via the broadcasting system. In addition, the system detects a content update to the first user profile, wherein the content update is associated with a content item that comprises content having a characteristic within the interest common to the first and second users. Furthermore, the system notifies the second user of the content update if the second user profile has not been updated with the content update.

System and method for common interest analysis among multiple users

A relationship initiation between devices in a network is described. According to one embodiment, persona information is exchanged between devices in a network. Based upon the persona information, a user of a device may initiate a relationship with another device.

Initializing relationships between devices in a network

A digital content file having user history information is received at a first device. The user history information includes an alias name of a previous user of the digital content file. A user may review the user history information of the digital content file for information of the previous user of the digital content.

Managing and sharing identities on a network

The invention illustrates a system and method of sharing content with multiple peer device while protecting the content from unauthorized use. In one embodiment, the system and method comprises: identifying a plurality of peer devices within a predetermined area wherein each of the plurality of peer devices includes an interface framework; directly transmitting content among the plurality of devices; and a selected plurality of peer devices requesting a license from a digital rights management server for the content, wherein the selected plurality of peer devices possess the content, wherein the interface framework is configured to allow the plurality of peer devices to directly communicate and utilize an application Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrated by way of example of the principles of the invention.

Method and apparatus for extending protected content access with peer to peer applications

In one embodiment, when a problem with a consumer electronic device owned by a user is identified, a diagnostic procedure is provided to control the diagnosis of the potentially faulty consumer electronic device by a testing consumer electronic device. The testing consumer electronic device is a local device owned by the user that is operable to diagnose problems associated with the potentially faulty consumer electronic device. In one embodiment, the testing consumer electronic device and the potentially faulty consumer electronic device are part of a home network enabling their communication during the diagnosis. In another embodiment, the testing consumer electronic device and the potentially faulty consumer electronic device can communicate only during the diagnosis using a special purpose connectivity means. In yet another embodiment, the testing consumer device and the potentially faulty consumer electronic device can communicate using their user interfaces.

Using local devices as diagnostic tools for consumer electronic devices

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, CA, United States of America

Ravi Gauba