Abstract: A system and method include providing backup and restore capability to a cluster node. The cluster node includes a controller virtual machine (CVM) that is communicably coupled to a plurality of cloud platforms and provides the capability of carrying out backup and restore at the cloud platforms without having to run a CVM at the cloud platform. The CVM can backup objects to the cloud platform and store metadata information related to the object in storage. The CVM also takes snapshots of the object and stores the snapshots. The CVM also determines a changed data chunks that include the changes made to the object from the last snapshot. To restore the object, the CVM restores the object based, in part, on the snapshots, the changed data chunks, and the metadata stored at the node.

Abstract: A system and method include receiving a request to call a requested application programming interface (API) at a target cloud computing platform. The system and method further include determining that the requested API is unsupported by the target cloud platform. The system and method further include generating a set of workflows associated with the requested API. The system and method also include generating a set of tasks common to the plurality of cloud platforms including the target cloud platform based on the set of workflows. The system and method also include generating a set of target APIs associated with the target cloud platform based on the set of tasks and an identity of the target cloud platform. The system and method also include communicating the set of target APIs t to the target cloud platform.

Abstract: A method for video playback uses only resources universally supported by a browser (“inline playback”) operating in virtually all handheld media devices. In one case, the method first prepares a video sequence for display by a browser by (a) dividing the video sequence into a silent video stream and an audio stream; (b) extracting from the silent video stream a number of still images, the number of still images corresponding to at least one of a desired output frame rate and a desired output resolution; and (c) combining the still images into a composite image. In one embodiment, the composite image having a number of rows, with each row being formed by the still images created from a fixed duration of the silent video stream.

Abstract: A method for video playback uses only resources universally supported by a browser (“inline playback”) operating in virtually all handheld media devices. In one case, the method first prepares a video sequence for display by a browser by (a) dividing the video sequence into a silent video stream and an audio stream; (b) extracting from the silent video stream a number of still images, the number of still images corresponding to at least one of a desired output frame rate and a desired output resolution; and (c) combining the still images into a composite image. In one embodiment, the composite image having a number of rows, with each row being formed by the still images created from a fixed duration of the silent video stream.

Abstract: A real time video stream production system includes: (a) an advertising insertion server receiving over a wide area network a real time video stream; and (b) an advertising controller, which receives the real time video stream from the advertising insertion server. The advertising controller has a user interface which allows an operator to cause advertising impression data available from an advertising server to be included in a modified video data stream presented to a media player client for display.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method allow a user of a mobile device to take actions in conjunction with content being displayed on the mobile device. One such method includes (a) receiving from a content provider the content to be displayed on the mobile device and a configuration script associated with the content that specifies a single-page graphical user interface which (i) displays a number user selectable actions, the user selectable actions being grouped on the graphical user interface under a number of functional categories, with one or more of the user actions each being associated with an application program executable by the mobile device; and (ii) solicits a selection by the user of one of the user selectable actions; (b) displaying the content on a video display of the mobile device; (c) configuring the graphical user interface in accordance with the configuration script; and (e) handling the action as appropriate on the mobile device in response to the selected user action.

Abstract: A method for video playback uses only resources universally supported by a browser (“inline playback”) operating in virtually all handheld media devices. In one case, the method first prepares a video sequence for display by a browser by (a) dividing the video sequence into a silent video stream and an audio stream; (b) extracting from the silent video stream a number of still images, the number of still images corresponding to at least one of a desired output frame rate and a desired output resolution; and (c) combining the still images into a composite image. In one embodiment, the composite image having a number of rows, with each row being formed by the still images created from a fixed duration of the silent video stream.

Abstract: A system and method for customizing a media player graphical user interface integrated to a website for advertising one or more brand-specific content along with the streaming digital media content provided by the website. The system and method includes dynamically incorporating brand specific content into the media player graphic user interface. The appearance of the media player changing according to the predefined advertiser's preference.

Abstract: A real time video stream production system includes: (a) an advertising insertion server receiving over a wide area network a real time video stream; and (b) an advertising controller, which receives the real time video stream from the advertising insertion server. The advertising controller has a user interface which allows an operator to cause advertising impression data available from an advertising server to be included in a modified video data stream presented to a media player client for display.