Abstract: A method and system for minimizing data streams of the same program on a shared medium is provided. A user device receives a first data stream of a program and effects display of the program based on the first data stream to a display device. The user device halts display of the program and provides an advertisement to a viewer. A second data stream of the program being provided over the same medium to a second viewer that was initiated after the first data stream is provided to the user device. The user device buffers the second data stream, and after the advertisement is finished, provides the program to the viewer based on the second data stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of verifying that an action is authorised by a user, including receiving a request from a first user device to a remote service via a first communications channel to perform an action at the remote service, receiving a user identifier from the first user device via the first communications channel, the user identifier identifying the user, associating the user identifier with data relating to the requested action, communicating the data to a second user device associated with the same user identifier via a second communications channel, receiving a user verification code associated with the user identifier, and determining if the user verification code includes the data, which is digitally signed using a code generation algorithm based on at least a key associated with the user identifier, the digitally signed data verifying that the action is authorised by the user.

Abstract: Techniques for improving scrolling performance in a web-based data grid. In one set of embodiments, when a user scrolls through a data grid rendered in a viewport of the user's web browser, client-side code executing in the web browser can detect whether a scroll event has occurred that requires a portion of the viewport to be filled/refreshed with data from a server. The client-side code can further determine whether the scroll event is a short scroll or a long scroll, and can send a request to the server that indicates the type of scroll event. If the scroll event is a short scroll, the server can determine a first amount of data to fetch based on one or more first parameters. If the scroll event is a long scroll, the server can determine a second amount of data to fetch based on one or more second parameters.

Abstract: A direct memory-to-memory to streaming protocol driver for a media content playback system is provided. In one embodiment, the direct memory-to-memory to streaming protocol driver is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA). In general, the RDMA to streaming protocol driver utilizes an RDMA-enabled network interface to obtain media content from a remote content distribution server. In order to emulate a streaming protocol layer of a network stack such as, for example, the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the RDMA to streaming protocol driver encapsulates the media content according to the streaming protocol to provide streaming media content. The streaming media content is then provided to an associated streaming protocol-based playback function.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating displaying information, including layer labels, in a table or data grid, such as a pivot table or cross-tabular report. An example method includes rendering a first table that includes one or more column headers and one or more row headers, wherein the one or more column headers and the one or more row headers are associated with one or more layers; and persistently displaying one or more labels for the one or more layers. In a more specific embodiment, the first table includes a pivot table with one or more column layers and one or more row layers, which are each associated with the one or more column headers and the one or more row headers, respectively. The example method further includes employing an intersection cell to display layer labels for a row of column headers and for a column of row headers.

Abstract: A content management system for managing content stored by a number of networked Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) associated with a user community is provided. More specifically, the storage space of each of the personal video recorders is physically or logically partitioned into a personal space and a community space. The content management system manages the community spaces of the PVRs such that content relevant to the user community is stored in the collective community space of the PVRs and available to the user community.

Abstract: A system and method for providing personal broadcast channels are provided. In one embodiment, one or more users interact with a local broadcast agent hosted by a local server to define profiles for a number of personal broadcast channels. The profiles include information identifying types of content to be broadcast on the personal broadcast channels and optionally formats for the personal broadcast channels. Based on the profiles for the personal broadcast channels, the local broadcast agent generates a request for content types desired for the personal broadcast channels and provides the request to a content distribution agent hosted by a master server. Based on content provided to the local server in response to the request and the profiles of the personal broadcast channels, the local broadcast agent generates the local broadcast channels.

Abstract: A method and system for minimizing data streams of the same program on a shared medium is provided. A user device receives a first data stream of a program and effects display of the program based on the first data stream to a display device. The user device halts display of the program and provides an advertisement to a viewer. A second data stream of the program being provided over the same medium to a second viewer that was initiated after the first data stream is provided to the user device. The user device buffers the second data stream, and after the advertisement is finished, provides the program to the viewer based on the second data stream.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a digital medium, such as a Digital Video Disc (DVD), enabling playback of different versions of a media presentation depending on the locality of the viewer, where each version includes embedded advertisements for a corresponding locality. In one embodiment, a DVD stores a media presentation such as, for example, a movie, an episode of a television program, or the like. Depending on the location of the viewer, the DVD provides a version of the media presentation having embedded advertisements relevant to the locality of the viewer.

Abstract: A client playback architecture for a media content distribution system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the client playback architecture is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) based architecture. The RDMA based architecture enables the client playback device to obtain media content from a central server in real-time or in substantially real-time as the media content is needed for playback at the client playback device. More specifically, the playback device includes RDMA enabled playback circuitry operating to perform RDMA transfers for select media content, buffer the media content received as a result of the RDMA transfers, and provide the media content for presentation to one or more associated viewers via one or more audio/video interfaces.

Abstract: A content management system for managing content stored by a number of networked Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) associated with a user community is provided. More specifically, the storage space of each of the personal video recorders is physically or logically partitioned into a personal space and a community space. The content management system manages the community spaces of the PVRs such that content relevant to the user community is stored in the collective community space of the PVRs and available to the user community.

Abstract: A system and method for providing personal broadcast channels are provided. In one embodiment, one or more users interact with a local broadcast agent hosted by a local server to define profiles for a number of personal broadcast channels. The profiles include information identifying types of content to be broadcast on the personal broadcast channels and optionally formats for the personal broadcast channels. Based on the profiles for the personal broadcast channels, the local broadcast agent generates a request for content types desired for the personal broadcast channels and provides the request to a content distribution agent hosted by a master server. Based on content provided to the local server in response to the request and the profiles of the personal broadcast channels, the local broadcast agent generates the local broadcast channels.

Abstract: A two stage ironmaking process is disclosed. A first stage includes solid state reduction of iron ore and producing a partially-reduced iron-containing feed material and an off-gas containing CO2 at a location that is in close proximity to a site for sequestering CO2. A second stage includes transporting the feed material to an ironmaking facility iron at another location and producing iron from the feed material.

Abstract: This invention provides a bayonet (10) comprising an attachment portion (12) having a first opening (16) for receiving the muzzle of a gun. A second opening is also provided that is aligned with the first opening to allow the passage of a bullet therethrough. An extension portion (14) extends from the attachment portion in the opposite direction of the gun barrel and terminates in a point (24). The attachment portion (12) substantially comprises a polymer and the extension portion (14) has a non ferrous structural core substantially over-molded with a polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a virtual peer for a peer-to-peer (P2P) content sharing system. In general, the virtual peer is a logical construct enabling a number of virtual peer members to appear as a single peer node in the P2P content sharing system. In operation, a sponsoring agent creates the virtual peer and registers the virtual peer with the P2P network. Once registered, the virtual peer appears as a new peer node in the P2P network. In order to provide efficient content sharing, the sponsoring agent operates to obtain metadata describing all or a portion of a number of digital assets shared by the virtual peer members and aggregate the metadata into a single collection of metadata, referred to herein as a metadata catalog, for the virtual peer and may cache all or a portion of the digital assets shared by the virtual peer members.

Abstract: A client playback architecture for a media content distribution system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the client playback architecture is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) based architecture. The RDMA based architecture enables the client playback device to obtain media content from a central server in real-time or in substantially real-time as the media content is needed for playback at the client playback device. More specifically, the playback device includes RDMA enabled playback circuitry operating to perform RDMA transfers for select media content, buffer the media content received as a result of the RDMA transfers, and provide the media content for presentation to one or more associated viewers via one or more audio/video interfaces.

Abstract: A group licensing scheme for validating groups of virtual objects within a distributed virtual world is provided. Each of a number of distributed virtual world servers hosts a cell, or virtual space, of the virtual world. In operation, a first virtual world server categorizes virtual objects into a number of groups. Either before or after creating the groups, the first virtual world server validates each virtual object individually. Once the virtual objects are validated and the groups are formed, the first virtual world server generates a group license for each of the groups. When a group of virtual objects or an avatar associated with one or more groups of virtual objects moves to a virtual space hosted by a second virtual world server, the corresponding group licenses are provided to the second virtual world server, which validates the one or more groups of virtual objects based on the group licenses.

Abstract: A virtual environment firewall receives a message having a request from a virtual environment entity intended for a virtual environment controller. The virtual environment firewall determines whether the request complies with one or more governance rules of the virtual environment controller. If the request does not comply with the one or more governance rules, the virtual environment firewall processes the message to prevent the request from being processed by the virtual environment controller.

Abstract: A method is disclosed of encrypting a value input into a user device storing an authentication key, a code generation algorithm, and a value verification code generation algorithm. The method includes the user device processing the authentication key using the code generation algorithm to generate an authentication code; and the user device processing the value using the value verification code generation algorithm to generate a value verification code. The method further includes the user device using the authentication code, the value and the value verification code to construct a message encrypting the value, the message for communicating to an authentication system via a communications network for processing by the authentication system to determine and verify the value, and authenticate the user device and/or the user.

Abstract: A shroud is provided for a firearm having a longitudinal barrel. The shroud is configured to co-operate with formations provided on the firearm barrel such as to provide axial alignment therebetween. The shroud further comprises means for mounting one or more devices to the shroud. The alignment between the barrel and the shroud provides for alignment between the device(s) and the barrel. A firearm comprising such a shroud, and a method of configuring a firearm comprising the shroud are also provided.