Abstract: A current programming channel, and the content thereon, being displayed on a primary display device are tracked. Web content related to the content being displayed on the primary display device is searched and the resulting data is made available to a user on at least one secondary display device via a user interface. The results of the search are made available to a user such that when data resulting from the search is selected for display on the at least one secondary display device, the data is displayed on the at least one secondary display device without interfering with a display of content on the primary display device. In the event of a change of the programming channel or the content thereon, a new search is initiated for data related to content being currently viewed.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a scalable video coding (SVC) encoded video data from a source of digital video data, the SVC-encoded video data carrying a video content, the SVC-encoded video data including a network abstraction layer (NAL) extension header, a first layer for the video content, and a second layer for the video content, the first layer including first video data utilized to retrieve the video content in basic quality from the SVC-encoded video data, the second layer including second video data utilized along with the first video data to retrieve the video content in enhanced quality from the SVC-encoded video data; parsing the NAL extension header to identify the first and second video data; assigning a higher priority to the first video data for retransmission relative to the second video data; caching the first and second video data with the assigned priority in a buffer memory; monitoring a digital data network to collect first network transport conditions, the digital data network being co

Abstract: Command ports are provided for objects within a data stream. The command ports allow control commands to be issued to individual objects in the data stream rather than for the entire stream. This permits the objects to also have internal rules for when the control commands are used internally and/or reported to other objects in the data stream. Overriding commands are also provided to override an object's internal determination of the command.

Abstract: A method comprising: receiving a scalable video coding (SVC) encoded video data from a source of digital video data, the SVC-encoded video data carrying a video content, the SVC-encoded video data including a network abstraction layer (NAL) extension header, a first layer for the video content, and a second layer for the video content, the first layer including first video data utilized to retrieve the video content in basic quality from the SVC-encoded video data, the second layer including second video data utilized along with the first video data to retrieve the video content in enhanced quality from the SVC-encoded video data; parsing the NAL extension header to identify the first and second video data; assigning a higher priority to the first video data for retransmission relative to the second video data; caching the first and second video data with the assigned priority in a buffer memory; monitoring a digital data network to collect first network transport conditions, the digital data network being co

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including a data packet having a data packet header, storing the received data packet as shared payload, determining if the received data packet is a first data packet, initializing a sequence starting number responsive to the determination, generating a new data packet header, calculating a sequence number for the received data packet using the sequence starting number, inserting the new sequence number into the new data packet header, unicasting the new data packet header and the shared payload to a plurality of client devices.

Abstract: A current programming channel, and the content thereon, being displayed on a primary display device are tracked. Web content related to the content being displayed on the primary display device is searched and the resulting data is made available to a user on at least one secondary display device via a user interface. The results of the search are made available to a user such that when data resulting from the search is selected for display on the at least one secondary display device, the data is displayed on the at least one secondary display device without interfering with a display of content on the primary display device. In the event of a change of the programming channel or the content thereon, a new search is initiated for data related to content being currently viewed.

Abstract: A centralized media device accesses media sources via a networked system to display a unified preview of media contents stored on different devices. The unified previews are provided in real-time, pushing previews to multiple user devices. The centralized media device can employ user profile information to tailor the unified previews to individuals. It can also employ external sources to obtain relevant content images and information to provide to a user. The centralized media device can operate independently of the type of media, media source and/or viewing devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including receiving a data Packet having a data packet header, storing the received data packet as shared payload, determining if the received data packet is a first data packet, initializing a sequence starting number responsive to the determination, generating a new data packet header, calculating a sequence number for the received data packet using the sequence starting number, inserting the new sequence number into the new data packet header, unicasting the new data packet header and the shared payload to a plurality of client devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including parsing an abstraction-layer header, assigning a priority to a packet to be transmitted, buffering the data to be transmitted, transmitting data retrieved from a buffer via a datagram protocol, receiving a request for retransmission of data, determining if the requested data is in the buffer and retransmitting the requested data via a protocol that provides end-to-end acknowledgement of data and error recovery. A network monitor of a transmitter is connected between a network interface and a retransmission decision maker for deciding which packets to retransmit, for example, based on the assigned priority and collected network statistics. A network monitor may also be provided at a receiver for collecting current network statistics and reporting them to transmitter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including parsing an abstraction-layer header and assigning a priority to a packet to be transmitted. A network monitor of a transmitter is connected between a network interface and a retransmission decision maker for deciding which packets to retransmit, for example, based on the assigned priority and collected network statistics or conditions, for example, packet loss rate. A network monitor may also be provided at a receiver for collecting current network statistics such as cumulative number of packets lost and for providing such statistics to a transmitter. The method further includes buffering the data to be transmitted along with the assigned priority, transmitting data retrieved from a buffer via a datagram protocol, receiving a request for retransmission of data, determining if the requested data is in the buffer and retransmitting the requested data via a protocol that provides end-to-end acknowledgement of data and error recovery.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for supporting multiple-screen interactivity between at least a first screen on a first device and a second screen on a second device. The system includes an interactivity server for providing complementary content for display on the second screen relative to primary content displayed on the first screen. The system further includes a communication device for communicating the complementary content to the second device to display on the second screen thereof.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described including buffering data to be transmitted, transmitting data retrieved from a buffer via a datagram protocol, receiving a request for retransmission of data, determining if the requested data is in the buffer and retransmitting the requested data via a protocol that provides end-to-end acknowledgement of data and error recovery.

Abstract: A multimedia storage method is provided in which the memory allocations to applications are just the sufficient or right amount and do not over allocate or waste memory resources, thereby ensuring that other applications that need memory can operate properly and efficiently.