Abstract: A globally accessible list contains the identification of content casting applications, and the identification of stream receivers. When a casting application is launched to select a streaming content file, the casting application then accesses the global casting list and searches for the ID of the content casting application, and then selects the associated stream receiver to cast the URL to that stream receiver. This allows the user to not have to select the stream receiver every time a stream is cast. The list can be formed by an app, e.g., an application that forms the global list which may be an application that is provided with one of the stream receivers, for example. In one embodiment the list can be stored on a computer, e.g. the first computer that runs the application. The global casting list also contains, for each content casting application, an ordered list of IDs of user selected stream receivers by app and for by user. A stream receiver is selected based on order of the list.

Abstract: An Augmented Reality (AR) device, places manual controls and virtual displays onto a surface of a controllable electronic device (CED) or next to the CED as viewed through the AR device allowing the user to manipulate the controls and view feedback via the virtual displays associated with the controllable device. The AR device overlays an image on a surface of the CED with virtual control objects and virtual feedback image(s) are displayed on a surface of the CED or adjacent to the CED. The user views the control objects and virtual displays on the surface and/or area adjacent to the CED. These control objects are manipulated via voice, hand, head, and eye gestures recognized by the AR device and will be able to see real time feedback displayed on the virtual displays.

Abstract: A content stream caster can transfer playing of a content stream from the content stream caster to any of a plurality of stream receivers. The content stream caster wirelessly initiates contact with one of a plurality of stream receivers after which the content stream caster must authenticate with the receiver before the receiver permits the receiving of a URL identifying the location of the content source. A content stream caster, communicates with a stream receiver, an authentication software application residing on both devices and wired or wireless connections between the devices and between the devices and the stream source. The content stream caster may present the content stream or send the content source URL to the receiving device. The content stream caster authenticates with the receiver then sends the source content URL to the receiver.

Abstract: A single stream receiver is preselected from a global list residing on a client computing device hosting a content casting application. Once a user launches a content casting application and selects a content stream from local or networked storage, the content casting application accesses the global list to obtain the ID of the stream receiver to receive the content stream. The global list has at least one preselected stream receiver ID that will receive a casted content stream without the user having to manually select a stream receiver for each stream that is casted. The preselected stream receiver can be the last one that was used, or can be the last one that was used for a specified user, or the last one that was used for a specified application. The stream receiver can be preselected in some other way.

Abstract: Techniques to ensure that a content stream will be encrypted prior to it being served it to the stream receiver if either the stream receiver returned an initial status to the stream caster indicating that only encrypted streams will be accepted or if the user of the stream caster optioned that only encrypted streams will be cast. A stream casting device is capable of locally sourcing and encrypting streams. A content stream server is capable of sourcing encrypted streams and encrypting streams on the fly. A stream receiver device is also described. The system manages key exchanges, encryption, and decryption across the devices serving streams, and stream receiving devices. The casted streams, residing on either a content stream server or on the stream casting devices will be encrypted prior to being served.