Systems and circuits for providing support for user transactions on a media exchange network

• US 7,257,549 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2003
• Issued: 08/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bennett, James D., Karaoguz, Jeyhan
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shah; Amee A.
• Application Number:
  US10/672,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20040117269A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,418 Days
• Field of Search: 705/26, 705/27, 705/74, 725/25, 725/28, 725/6, 725/100, 725/131, 725/110, 235/383, 235/375
• US Class Current: 705/26.42
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6254 by anonymising data, e.g. decorrelating personal data from the owner's identification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/06 Buying, selling or leasing transactions
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0615 Anonymizing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0876 based on the identity of the terminal or configuration, e.g. MAC address, hardware or software configuration or device fingerprint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/10 for controlling access to devices or network resources
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1073 Registration or de-registration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/222 Secondary servers, e.g. proxy server, cable television Head-end provisioning of proxy services in data packet switching networks H04L67/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23106 involving caching operations prefetching while addressing of a memory level in which the access to the desired data or data block requires associative addressing means within memory systems or architectures G06F12/0862; caching at an intermediate stage in a data network H04L67/568
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2343 involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements video transcoding H04N19/40; media packet handling at the source H04L65/762
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/234363 : by altering the spatial resolution, e.g. for clients with a lower screen resolution
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2408 : Monitoring of the upstream path of the transmission network, e.g. client requests monitoring data switching networks utilization H04L43/0876; scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests H04L67/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/254 : Management at additional data server, e.g. shopping server, rights management server arrangements for maintenance or administration in data networks H04L41/00; network services using third party service providers H04L67/53
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2541 : Rights Management protecting software against unauthorised usage in a vending or licensing environment G06F21/10; security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2542 : for selling goods, e.g. TV shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2543 : Billing , e.g. for subscription services payment schemes, architectures or protocols G06Q20/00; e-commerce G06Q30/00; arrangements for billing for the use of broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/21
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25435 : involving characteristics of content or additional data, e.g. video resolution or the amount of advertising
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2547 : Third Party Billing, e.g. billing of advertiser
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/258 : Client or end-user data management, e.g. managing client capabilities, user preferences or demographics, processing of multiple end-users preferences to derive collaborative data arrangements for services using the result on the distributing side of broadcast systems H04H60/66; profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25808 : Management of client data terminal profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/303
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25816 : involving client authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25833 : involving client hardware characteristics, e.g. manufacturer, processing or storage capabilities allocation of resources considering hardware capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5044; allocation of resources considering software capabilities in multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/5055
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25875 : involving end-user authentication restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code G06F21/33; arrangements for secret or secure communication including means for verifying the identity or authority of a user of the system H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08; authentication in wireless network security H04W12/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/25891 : being end-user preferences retrieval of video data in a video database based on user preferences G06F16/739; arrangements for recognizing users' preferences H04H60/46; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/26266 : for determining content or additional data repetition rate, e.g. of a file in a DVB carousel according to its importance arrangements for broadcast or for distribution of identical information repeatedly in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2668 : Creating a channel for a dedicated end-user group, e.g. insertion of targeted commercials based on end-user profiles information retrieval from the Internet by querying with filtering and personalisation G06F16/9535; arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast H04H20/10; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; adaptation of message content in packet-switching networks H04L51/063
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2743 : Video hosting of uploaded data from client
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2747 : Remote storage of video programs received via the downstream path, e.g. from the server
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41265 : having a remote control device for bidirectional communication between the remote control device and client device unidirectional remote control device H04N21/42204
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 : home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4135 : external recorder interface circuits between an apparatus for recording television signals and a television receiver H04N5/775
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41407 : embedded in a portable device, e.g. video client on a mobile phone, PDA, laptop constructional details of equipment or arrangements specially adapted for portable computer application G06F1/1626; arrangements specially adapted for mobile receivers in broadcast systems H04H20/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/41422 : located in transportation means, e.g. personal vehicle arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4143 : embedded in a Personal Computer [PC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4182 : for identification purposes, e.g. storing user identification data, preferences, personal settings or data restricting access to computer systems by authenticating users using a predetermined code in combination with an additional device, e.g. dongle or smart card G06F21/123
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4185 : for payment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 : Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 : User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4223 : Cameras H04N23/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4227 : Providing Remote input by a user located remotely from the client device, e.g. at work
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 : Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42684 : Client identification by a unique number or address, e.g. serial number, MAC address, socket ID network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming H04L61/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4312 : involving specific graphical features, e.g. screen layout, special fonts or colors, blinking icons, highlights or animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4314 : for fitting data in a restricted space on the screen, e.g. EPG data in a rectangular grid
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 : for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4325 : by playing back content from the storage medium reproduction of recorded television signals H04N5/76; reproduction of recorded television signals H04N9/79
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4331 : Caching operations, e.g. of an advertisement for later insertion during playback
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4334 : Recording operations recording of a television signal H04N5/76; arrangements for recording or accumulating broadcast information or broadcast-related information H04H60/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 : Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 : Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43632 : involving a wired protocol, e.g. IEEE 1394 high-speed IEEE 1394 serial bus H04L12/40052
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43637 : involving a wireless protocol, e.g. Bluetooth, RF or wireless LAN [IEEE 802.11] arrangements for wireless networking or broadcasting of information in indoor or near-field type systems H04B10/114
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/440281 : by altering the temporal resolution, e.g. by frame skipping television signal recording using magnetic recording on tape for reproducing at a rate different from the recording rate H04N5/783
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/442 : Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. detecting the failure of a recording device, monitoring the downstream bandwidth, the number of times a movie has been viewed, the storage space available from the internal hard disk arrangements for monitoring broadcast services or broadcast-related services H04H60/29; arrangements for identifying or recognising characteristics with a direct linkage to broadcast information H04H60/35; monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; monitoring in wireless networks H04W24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/44222 : Analytics of user selections, e.g. selection of programs or purchase activity monitoring of user selections in data processing systems G06F11/34; arrangements for monitoring the user's behaviour or opinions in broadcast systems H04H60/33
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4532 : involving end-user characteristics, e.g. viewer profile, preferences monitoring of user activities for profile generation for accessing a video database G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306; processing of user preferences or user profiles in wireless networks H04W8/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/458 : Scheduling content for creating a personalised stream, e.g. by combining a locally stored advertisement with an incoming stream; Updating operations, e.g. for OS modules ; time-related management operations arrangements for replacing or switching information during the broadcast or during the distribution H04H20/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4622 : Retrieving content or additional data from different sources, e.g. from a broadcast channel and the Internet web site content organization and management for information retrieval from the Internet G06F16/958; transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82; stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services including data channel over packet-switching network H04L12/1859
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4627 : Rights management associated to the content security in data switching network management H04L41/28; security management or policies for network security H04L63/20; access security in wireless networks H04W12/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4668 : for recommending content, e.g. movies
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 : End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47202 : for requesting content on demand, e.g. video on demand
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47211 : for requesting pay-per-view content payment schemes payment architectures or payment protocols G06Q20/00, G07F
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47214 : for content reservation or setting reminders; for requesting event notification, e.g. of sport results or stock market stock exchange data over packet-switching network H04L12/1804; push services over packet-switching network H04L12/1859; notification of incoming messages in packet switching networks H04L51/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4751 : for defining user accounts, e.g. accounts for children
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4753 : for user identification, e.g. by entering a PIN or password cryptographic authentication protocols H04L9/32; networks authentication protocols H04L63/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4755 : for defining user preferences, e.g. favourite actors or genre retrieval personalisation and generation of user profiles for the retrieval of video data G06F16/739; user profiles in network data switching protocols H04L67/306
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4758 : for providing answers, e.g. voting
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47815 : Electronic shopping payment schemes, payment architectures or payment protocols for electronic shopping systems G06Q20/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4782 : Web browsing , e.g. WebTV
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4786 : e-mailing message switching systems, e.g. electronic mail systems H04L51/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 : communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/482 : End-user interface for program selection broadcast systems using EPGs H04H60/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4821 : using a grid, e.g. sorted out by channel and broadcast time
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4826 : using recommendation lists, e.g. of programs or channels sorted out according to their score
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4828 : for searching program descriptors retrieval of video data G06F16/739
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4856 : for language selection, e.g. for the menu or subtitles
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 : for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6125 : involving transmission via Internet transmission by internet of broadcast information H04H60/82
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 : involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6187 : involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/632 : using a connection between clients on a wide area network, e.g. setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet for retrieving video segments from the hard-disk of other client devices broadcast-related systems characterised by transmission among terminal devices H04H60/80; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/637 : Control signals issued by the client directed to the server or network components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6402 : Address allocation for clients address allocation in data networks H04L61/50
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/64322 : IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6581 : Reference data, e.g. a movie identifier for ordering a movie or a product identifier in a home shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6582 : Data stored in the client, e.g. viewing habits, hardware capabilities, credit card number arrangements where receivers interact with the broadcast H04H20/38
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6583 : Acknowledgement
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6587 : Control parameters, e.g. trick play commands, viewpoint selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8113 : comprising music, e.g. song in MP3 format
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/812 : involving advertisement data advertising per se G06Q30/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/814 : comprising emergency warnings arrangements specially adapted for emergency or urgency in broadcast systems H04H20/59; arrangements for providing alarms, notifications, alerts to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8146 : involving graphical data, e.g. 3D object, 2D graphics
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/84 : Generation or processing of descriptive data, e.g. content descriptors systems specially adapted for using meta-information in broadcast systems H04H60/73
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/141 : between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/163 : by receiver means only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17309 : Transmission or handling of upstream communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17318 : Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/17336 : Handling of requests in head-ends
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/18 : Closed-circuit television [CCTV] systems, i.e. systems in which the video signal is not broadcast

Abstract

A system providing support for user transactions in a media exchange network is disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may comprise a television display, storage, and a set top box, and may provide an interface device for receiving from a user associated authorization device, information for authorizing user transactions via a communication network. A user transaction may comprise the exchange, purchase, storage, or consumption of media such as, for example, audio, still images, video, and data. The communication network may comprise, for example, a cable infrastructure, a digital subscriber line infrastructure, a wireless infrastructure, and may be the Internet. The system may provide for the completion of the user transaction without divulging the identity of the user to a vendor.

Claims

1. A system providing support for user transactions on a media exchange network, the system comprising:

a television display for consumption of media at a first location;

a storage for storing media, and having an associated network address;

set top box circuitry at the first location, the set top box circuitry communicatively coupled to deliver media from the storage to the television display;

an interface device for receiving from an authorization device associated with a first user at the first location, information for authorizing a user transaction, the interface device communicatively coupled to the set top box circuitry; and

server software that receives a request from the first user of the media exchange network, the request comprising one or more of the associated network address, information identifying the user transaction, and at least a portion of the information for authorizing the user transaction, the server software enables authorization by the first user of a second user of the media exchanae network at a second location so that at least a portion of the authorized user transaction is performed with the second user, via a communication network, without divulging the identity of the first user to the second user.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, real-time video, and data.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein consumption comprises one or more of playing audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and displaying data.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the associated network address is one or more of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, and an electronic serial number (ESN).

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the communication network is the Internet.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface device comprises one or more of an optical card reader, a magnetic card reader, a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface, an integrated circuit (IC) card interface, a biometric sensing device, and a cellular telephone.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface device is communicatively coupled to the set top box circuitry using a wireless coupling mechanism.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the wireless coupling mechanism comprises one or both of an infrared link and a radio frequency link.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the user transaction comprises one or more of storage, exchange, purchase, and consumption of media.

11. The system of claim 1 comprising:

a remote control communicatively coupled to the set top box circuitry.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the remote control comprises the interface device, and wherein the remote control communicates the information for authorizing the user transaction to the set top box circuitry.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the remote control comprises a scanning device to identify one or both of a product and a service related to the user transaction.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the scanning device comprises one or both of an optical scanner and a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the user transaction comprises the purchase of one or both of a good and a service.

16. A system providing support for user transactions on a media exchange network, the system comprising:

a television display for consumption of media at a first location;

a storage for storing media;

set top box circuitry at the first location, the set top box circuitry communicatively coupled to deliver media from the storage to the television display;

an interface device for receiving from an authorization device associated with a first user at the first location, information for authorizing a user transaction, the interface device communicatively coupled to the set top box circuitry; and

server software that receives a request from the first user, the server software enables authorization by the first user of a second user of the media exchange network at a second location so that at least a portion of the authorized user transaction is performed with the second user, via a communication network, without divulging the identity of the first user to the second user.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, real-time video, and data.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein consumption comprises one or more of playing audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and displaying data.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the communication network is the Internet.

21. The system of claim 16 wherein the user transaction comprises one or more of storage, exchange, purchase, and consumption of media.

22. The system of claim 16 wherein the interface device comprises one or more of an optical card reader, a magnetic card reader, a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface, an integrated circuit (IC) card interface, a biometric sensing device, and a cellular telephone.

23. The system of claim 16 wherein the interface device is communicatively coupled to the set top box circuitry using a wireless coupling mechanism.

24. The system of claim 23 wherein the wireless coupling mechanism comprises one or both of an infrared link and a radio frequency link.

25. The system of claim 16 comprising:

a remote control communicatively coupled to the set top box circuitry.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the remote control comprises the interface device, and wherein the remote control communicates the information for authorizing the user transaction to the set top box circuitry.

27. The system of claim 26 wherein the remote control comprises a scanning device to identify one or both of a product and a service related to the user transaction.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the scanning device comprises one or both of an optical scanner and a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface.

29. The system of claim 16 wherein the user transaction comprises the purchase of one or both of a good and a service.

30. One or more circuits for use in a set top box in a media exchange network, the one or more circuits comprising:

a display interface operably coupled to a display; and

at least one processor operably coupled to at least one interface for communicating via a broadband communication network, and to storage for storing media and having an associated network address, the at least one processor operable to;

deliver media from the storage to the display at a first location, via the display interface,

receive from an authorization device associated with a first user of the media exchange network at the first location, information for authorizing a user transaction, and

send a request to a server, the request comprising one or more of the associated network address, information identifying the user transaction, and at least a portion of the information for authorizing the user transaction, and wherein the request causes the server to enable authorization by the first user of a second user of the media exchange network at a second location so that at least a portion of the authorized user transaction is performed with the second user, via the broadband communication network without divulging the identity of the first user to the second user.

31. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, real-time video, and data.

32. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the associated network address is one or more of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a media access control (MAC) address, and an electronic serial number (ESN).

33. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the broadband communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.

34. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the broadband communication network is the Internet.

35. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the authorization device comprises one or more of an optical card, a magnetic card, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, an integrated circuit (IC) card, a biometric feature of a user, and a cellular telephone.

36. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the authorization device is communicatively coupled to the at least one processor via a wireless coupling mechanism.

37. The one or more circuits of claim 36 wherein the wireless coupling mechanism comprises one or both of an infrared link and a radio frequency link.

38. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the user transaction comprises one or more of storage, exchange, purchase, and consumption of media.

39. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein consumption comprises one or more of playing audio, displaying a still image, displaying video, and displaying data.

40. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the at least one processor is operable to:

receive user transaction information from a handheld remote control.

41. The one or more circuits of claim 40 wherein the handheld remote control comprises an interface device for receiving the information for authorizing the user transaction from the authorization device associated with the first user, the remote control communicating the information for authorizing the user transaction to the at least one processor.

42. The one or more circuits of claim 40 wherein the remote control comprises a scanning device to identify one or both of a product and a service related to the user transaction.

43. The one or more circuits of claim 42 wherein the scanning device comprises one or both of an optical scanner and a radio frequency identification (RFID) interface.

44. The one or more circuits of claim 30 wherein the display is a television set.

45. One or more circuits for use in a communication terminal at a first location in a media exchange network, the one or more circuits comprising:

at least one interface for communicating via a communication network; and

at least one processor operably coupled to the at least one interface, the at least one processor having an associated network address and being operable to;

receive from a first user, at the first location, information for authorizing a user transaction,

send a request comprising one or more of the associated network address, information identifying the user transaction, and at least a portion of the information for authorizing the user transaction, to a server, and

cause delivery of media from storage to a communication terminal of a second user at a second location via the communication network, wherein the first user authorizes the second user to communicate with the first user prior to the media delivery without divulging the identity of the first user to the second user.

46. The one or more circuits of claim 45 wherein the communication network comprises one or more of a cable infrastructure, a satellite network infrastructure, a digital subscriber line (DSL) infrastructure, an Internet infrastructure, an intranet infrastructure, a wired infrastructure, and a wireless infrastructure.

47. The one or more circuits of claim 45 wherein the user transaction comprises one or more of storage, exchange, purchase, and consumption of media.

48. The one or more circuits of claim 45 wherein media comprises one or more of audio, a still image, video, real-time video, and data.

49. The one or more circuits of claim 45 wherein the server is located at the first location.

50. The one or more circuits of claim 49 wherein the server is located within the communication terminal at the first location.

51. The one or more circuits of claim 45 wherein the server is located at a third location remote from the first location and the second location.

52. The one or more circuits of claim 45 wherein the storage is located at the first location.

53. The one or more circuits of claim 45 wherein the storage is located at a third location remote from the first location and the second location.

54. The one or more circuits of claim 45 wherein the at least one processor is operable to receive the information for authorizing the user transaction from an authorization device.

55. The one or more circuits of claim 54 wherein the authorization device comprises one or more of an optical card, a magnetic card, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device, an integrated circuit (IC) card, a biometric feature of a user, and a cellular telephone.