Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a hot docking interface for transmitting multimedia data. In one embodiment, a hot docking interface is provided on a computer system and a second hot docking interface is provided on a multimedia device. When the hot docking interfaces are placed in contact with each other, multimedia data may automatically be transmitted between the computer system and the multimedia device. The hot docking feature of the hot docking interfaces allows the multimedia device to be placed in contact with the computer system, when the computer system is powered on, and, in response, data is automatically transferred. No cables, wire, or pin sockets are necessary. Moreover, in one embodiment, the hot docking interface of the computer system will provide power to the hot docking interface of the multimedia device to have the multimedia device transfer the data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for coupling a single computer, or small network of computers, and associated peripheral devices, to a wide area network, such as the Internet. The apparatus enables the devices to share a one or more IP addresses. The apparatus further enables remote access to the associated peripheral devices.

Abstract: A communication device is provided that is controlled through the use of small programs or applets that are executed by a processor within the device. The applets are encoded as a sequence of instructions chosen from a general purpose, machine independent instruction set, such as Java bytecodes. These applets may be interpreted by software, or directly executed by the processor of the communication device. The applets may be loaded into the device from a local host computer or may be downloaded from a remote device or computer. Applets provide a convenient, hardware independent means for maintaining up to date communications protocols and for updating the device with new features and capabilities. Downloading applets from a remote device may, for example, provide automatic encryption capabilities on a session unique basis, or provide for automatic virus detection, thereby providing enhanced security in data communications.