Information apparatus (e.g., a smart phone) for outputting digital content to an output device is herein disclosed and enabled. The information apparatus includes wireless communication circuitry for wirelessly discovering one or more output devices based, at least in part, on physical proximity and using short range wireless communication. Subsequent to having wirelessly discovered the output devices, the information apparatus receives device dependent attributes from the discovered output devices and provides, on a touch sensitive screen interface, at least an item related to the discovered output devices for selection. The device dependent attributes include information related to the discovered output devices. After the output device is selected, the information apparatus: generates output data from the digital content based, at least in part, on the device dependent attributes, and wirelessly transmits the generated output data to the selected output device for rendering at least part of the digital content.

There is provided an information processing apparatus to allow a user to use a device network by a natural and simple operation by automatically selecting a device for providing a response to a request, the information processing apparatus including: a request acquiring part configured to acquire a request to a system; a response determining part configured to determine a response to the request; a device selecting part configured to select, on the basis of at least an attribute of the response, a device that provides the response among devices included in the system; and a device controller configured to perform control that causes the selected device to provide the response.

Streaming of high bandwidth audio streams using the Internet Protocol on an Ethernet network is common practice. The invention concerns an audio stream network 1 with network components, wherein the network components comprise at least one source device 2 and a plurality of receiving devices 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, wherein the network components are connected with a network connection, wherein the network connection is using the internet protocol, wherein the source device 2 is adapted to provide an audio stream 4a, 4b, 4c, wherein the audio stream 4a, 4b, 4c comprises at least one channel, wherein the receiving devices 3, 3a, 3b,3c are adapted to receive one or more audio stream 4a, 4b, 4c from at least one of the source devices 3, 3a, 3b, 3c.

Methods and systems are provided for configuring or customizing settings or parameters of different media devices for compatible operations in an automated manner. An exemplary method of configuring a device for presenting media content in conjunction with a second device involves a client device detecting the device on a wireless network, identifying performance characteristics associated with the second device coupled to the device, and automatically configuring the device for operation with the second device via the wireless network and in a manner that is influenced by the performance characteristics associated with the second device. In this regard, one or more configurable parameters or settings maintained at the device and that influence its operation may be modified via the wireless network to correspond to performance characteristics of the second device, thereby facilitating compatible interoperation with the second device.

Internet based digital content services, as well as mobile client devices for accessing the Internet based digital content services, are herein disclosed and enabled. In one example, user digital content, such as documents, audio, or video content, may be uploaded to a content server for storing. The user may share the user digital content with other client devices or users having appropriate authentication or security procedures. A user play list or rendering list may include a list of pointers or references to the user digital content. The stored user play list or the stored user digital content may be further edited, stored, or shared subsequently for access and rendering. The Internet based digital content services are accessible by smart devices, such as smart phones, information pads, TVs, audio output devices, and printers. The smart devices that access the Internet services may require client software for accessing the Internet services.

A system for operating an electronic device supporting enhanced data processing is provided. The system includes a plurality of electronic devices supporting playback of content; and a managing device delivering content whose data is processed by a certain electronic device among the plurality of electronic devices to a preset electronic device when playback of the content in the certain electronic device is requested.

Output systems (e.g., television controllers, audio output devices, display devices) for accessing digital content service provided by one or more services over the Internet are herein disclosed and enabled. To receive and play the digital content, the output system may obtain authentication information for accessing the service, receive a list of one or more digital content that is available from the service for selection, receive output data from the service related to the selected digital content, and then play either audio data or video data related to the received output data at an output device coupled to the output system. The output system may further implement a discovery operation for an information apparatus that is in the same network as the output system to wirelessly discover the output system for providing output service.

A mobile information apparatus for making mobile payments associated with a credit card or bank card, via a near distance radio frequency wireless communication, is herein disclosed and enabled. At least part of payment information and part of a device identification number associated with the mobile information apparatus are stored in the mobile information apparatus with an encryption technique. To make a payment, a user moves the mobile information apparatus to within a limited local physical distance from a wireless output controller. The user authorizes the payment by providing, via an interface, an input such as a password, a pin code, a button, biometrics or an ID number. Subsequent to the user authorization, the mobile information apparatus releases the payment information and the device identification number, over a short range radio frequency communication link, directly from the mobile information apparatus to the wireless output controller for payment and transaction processing.

A mobile information apparatus for making mobile payments associated with a credit card, via a near distance radio frequency wireless communication unit, is herein disclosed and enabled. At least part of the payment information is stored in the mobile information apparatus with an encryption technique. To make a payment, the user approximates the mobile information apparatus to within a limited local physical distance of a wireless output controller, and the biometrics of the user is obtained by the mobile information apparatus as a security measure. The user authorizes the payment by using an interface on the mobile information apparatus, and subsequent to having received the biometric authentication and user authorization, the mobile information apparatus releases the payment information that includes encrypted data associated with a transaction over a short range radio frequency communication link to the wireless output controller for payment and transaction processing.

A device in a home security system may detect a disconnect from a network and enter automatic setup mode based on trigger conditions. The trigger conditions are used to determine that the disconnect is based on changes to network configuration settings. The trigger conditions may include failing multiple attempts to access the network using a saved network password, or determining that an access point signal with a saved service set identifier has not been detected for at least a threshold time. Based on one or more trigger conditions being met, the device may enter automatic setup mode to receive updated configuration settings from a client device.