Abstract: Authentication and session management can be used with a system architecture that partitions functionality between a human interface device (HID) and a computational service provider such as a server. An authentication manager executing on a server interacts with the HID to validate the user when the user connects to the system via the HID. A session manager executing on a server manages services running on computers providing computational services on behalf of the user. The session manager notifies each service in a session that the user is attached to the system using a given HID. A service can direct display output to the HID while the user is attached to the system. When a user detaches from the system, each of the service's executing for the user is notified via the authentication manager and the session manager. Upon notification that the user is detached from the system, a service can continue to execute while stopping its display to the HID.

Abstract: The present invention is a media interface unit that couples media input (e.g. cameras, microphones) to a network and can receive media input from a network and provide it to playback devices (e.g. monitors, speakers). The interface unit eliminates the need for a computer system when transmitting and receiving media data to and from the internet and other networks. The unit comprises analog audio and video inputs and outputs on one side, and a computer communications network interface on the other side. By coupling sources/sinks of audio/video to one side and by coupling the other side to a network, it is possible to send and receive audio and video data as though the digital communications network were the same as the cables typically used to transport analog audio and video. The invention functions as a multi-media network appliance.

Abstract: The system described provides a reconfigurable serial interconnection among a processor, whether in a workstation or a server, and user class I/O devices, such as video display terminals, storage devices, and other peripherals. Sustainable I/O throughput of 1 Gbps or more supports the needs of display and video input devices. In addition the system allows hot plug-and-play of user class I/O devices.

Abstract: A software-based encoder is provided for an end-to-end scalable video delivery system that operates over heterogeneous networks. The encoder utilizes a scalable video compression algorithm based on a Laplacian pyramid decomposition to generate an embedded information stream. The decoder decimates a highest resolution original image, e.g., 640.times.480 pixels, to produce an intermediate 320.times.240 pixel image that is decimated to produce an intermediate 160.times.120 pixel image that is compressed to form an encodable base layer 160.times.120 pixel image. This base layer image is decompressed to form an image that is up-sampled by interpolation to produce an up-sampled 320.times.240 pixel image. This up-sampled image is subtracted from the intermediate 320.times.240 pixel image to form an error image that is compressed and encoded as a first enhancement 640.times.480 pixel layer. The decompressed base layer image is also up-sampled at step to produce an up-sampled 640.times.

Abstract: A software-based encoder is provided for an end-to-end scalable video delivery system that operates over heterogeneous networks. The encoder utilizes a scalable video compression algorithm based on a Laplacian pyramid decomposition to generate an embedded information stream. The decoder decimates a highest resolution original image, e.g., 640.times.480 pixels, to produce an intermediate 320.times.240 pixel image that is decimated to produce an intermediate 160.times.120 pixel image that is compressed to form an encodable base layer 160.times.120 pixel image. A decompressed base layer image is also up-sampled at step to produce an up-sampled 640.times.480 pixel image that is subtracted from the original 640.times.480 pixel image 200 to yield an error image. At the receiving end, the decoder extracts from the embedded stream different streams at different spatial and temporal resolutions. Because decoding requires only additions and look-ups from a small stored table, decoding occurs in real-time.

Abstract: A computer system includes bus bandwidth management for operation of a high-speed bus. The high-speed bus is coupled to a plurality of modules. A plurality of client applications operate on the computer system, and request services from the high-speed bus to transfer data from a source module to at least one destination module. The bus bandwidth management system contains a bus manager, a dispatcher, a global controller, and a local controller contained on each module. Transfer requests for data transfer on the high-speed bus are made from the client applications to the bus manager. The bus manager takes the requested information and, based on a bus management policy management in effect, schedules a transfer order for the transfer requests. The bus manager then transfers the ordered transfer requests to the dispatcher. The dispatcher decomposes the ordered transfer requests into individual bus transfer operations.

Abstract: A network video server apparatus and method for transferring video image data across a computer network serving multiple clients. The network server apparatus comprises two parts, a server and a client. The server is run on a computer system containing a video digitizer hardware. Running the server on this computer system makes it possible to distribute video images across an existing network linking several client computer systems. The client provides the user with a means of viewing the images generated by the server through the network, controlling the size and type of image to be sent by the server, controlling the underlying video digitizer hardware, and collecting statistics about the server/client performance. The client software is designed to appear to the users as if they were operating the client software locally. The server and client communicate with each other over two channels: one for control information and another for video data.