Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a course skeleton for adaptive learning is provided. Based on student profile information and course goal information, a query is generated to dynamically determine which learning items should be presented to the student. The query, which is based on a particular learning goal, may differ from student to student, and therefore different students may be presented with different learning items to achieve the same learning goal. In addition, as new learning items is added to the learning item repository, the learning items returned by the query for a particular learning goal may change, even if the query used for the goal does not.

Abstract: A data mining system extracts job opening information and derives, for a given job, relevant competencies and derives, for a given candidate, relevant competencies, for the candidate. In some embodiments, the data mining performs authentication of relevant competencies before performing matching. The matching outputs can be used to provide data to a candidate indicating possible future competencies to obtain, to provide data to a teaching organization indicating possible future competencies to cover in their coursework, and to provide data to employers related to what those teaching organizations are covering.

Abstract: Method(s), stored instruction(s), and computing device(s) are provided for automatically generating different subsets of questions and/or automatically assigning the different subsets of questions to different test participants. The computing device(s) store information that includes test questions, test version generation criteria, and test version assignment criteria. The computing device(s) automatically determine, using the test version generation criteria, subsets of test questions that differ from each other by at least one question. The computing device(s) automatically assign, using the test version assignment criteria, subsets of test questions, which differ from each other by at least one question, to different test participants. The computing device(s) then cause administration of at least one of the different versions to at least one of the different test participants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a course skeleton for adaptive learning is provided. Based on student profile information and course goal information, a query is generated to dynamically determine which learning items should be presented to the student. The query, which is based on a particular learning goal, may differ from student to student, and therefore different students may be presented with different learning items to achieve the same learning goal. In addition, as new learning items is added to the learning item repository, the learning items returned by the query for a particular learning goal may change, even if the query used for the goal does not.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for competitive learning objects in a learning environment is provided. Based on the success that a student has with a particular learning item, a learning recommendation is generated for another student.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a course skeleton for adaptive learning is provided. Based on student profile information and course goal information, a query is generated to dynamically determine which learning items should be presented to the student. The query, which is based on a particular learning goal, may differ from student to student, and therefore different students may be presented with different learning items to achieve the same learning goal. In addition, as new learning items is added to the learning item repository, the learning items returned by the query for a particular learning goal may change, even if the query used for the goal does not.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for utilizing a course skeleton for adaptive learning is provided. Based on student profile information and course goal information, a query is generated to dynamically determine which learning items should be presented to the student. The query, which is based on a particular learning goal, may differ from student to student, and therefore different students may be presented with different learning items to achieve the same learning goal. In addition, as new learning items is added to the learning item repository, the learning items returned by the query for a particular learning goal may change, even if the query used for the goal does not.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for competitive learning objects in a learning environment is provided. Based on the success that a student has with a particular learning item, a learning recommendation is generated for another student.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a learning management platform is provided. Based on student profile information and a determination that similarities exist between students, a learning experience engine provides an individualized learning recommendation to a student.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for competitive learning objects in a learning environment is provided. Based on the success that a student has with a particular learning item, a learning recommendation is generated for another student.

Abstract: Method and system for reducing switching delays between digital video feeds using multicast slotted transmission technique. Method, system, computer program stored on a computer readable medium for reducing switching delays between digital video feeds or different video or data channels using a slotted distribution and transmission technique. Method and system for performing a fast channel change operation. A computer propagated data signal. An article of manufacture comprising a digital video signal set.

Abstract: Transfer file format, system, signal, and method for performing distribution of media content across computer networks. Transfer file and signal includes signature identifying format of file, header containing information about various parts of transfer file, asset metadata describing technical details about media content, media content that is capable of being displayed to user by client computer system using media player program, and user metadata that is capable of being displayed to user. Server is capable of connection to asset metadata database, file system, and user metadata database, and includes extractor module for retrieving asset metadata from media asset database, media content from file system, and user metadata from user metadata database, and assembling them into transfer file. Extractor module places header and signature in transfer file, and transfer file is sent across computer network to clients that parse and install parts of transfer file into local systems.

Abstract: The present invention provides loosely-coupled cluster systems comprising a plurality of servers based on storage attached to the plurality of servers. Videos, or other assets, are automatically replicated within the server system to increase the number of concurrent play requests serviceable. The server systems can detect spikes in demand that may exceed the guaranteed number of concurrent play requests serviceable and dynamically transfer the high-in-demand or ‘hot’ asset to servers in the cluster that do not have the video. Alternatively, instead of transferring the entire asset, varying length prefixes of the asset may be transferred depending on the availability of resources. The remainder of the asset is transferred in some embodiments on demand with sufficient buffering or other storage to guarantee playback to the user or subscriber according to the required quality of service (QOS).

Abstract: The present invention provides loosely-coupled cluster systems comprising a plurality of servers based on storage attached to the plurality of servers. Videos, or other assets, are automatically replicated within the server system to increase the number of concurrent play requests serviceable. The server systems can detect spikes in demand that may exceed the guaranteed number of concurrent play requests serviceable and dynamically transfer the high-in-demand or ‘hot’ asset to servers in the cluster that do not have the video. Alternatively, instead of transferring the entire asset, varying length prefixes of the asset may be transferred depending on the availability of resources. The remainder of the asset is transferred in some embodiments on demand with sufficient buffering or other storage to guarantee playback to the user or subscriber according to the required quality of service (QOS).

Abstract: The present invention provides loosely-coupled cluster systems comprising a plurality of servers based on storage attached to the plurality of servers. Videos, or other assets, are automatically replicated within the server system to increase the number of concurrent play requests serviceable. The server systems can detect spikes in demand that may exceed the guaranteed number of concurrent play requests serviceable and dynamically transfer the high-in-demand or ‘hot’ asset to servers in the cluster that do not have the video. Alternatively, instead of transferring the entire asset, varying length prefixes of the asset may be transferred depending on the availability of resources. The remainder of the asset is transferred in some embodiments on demand with sufficient buffering or other storage to guarantee playback to the user or subscriber according to the required quality of service (QOS).

Abstract: Method and system for reducing switching delays between digital video feeds using multicast slotted transmission technique. Method, system, computer program stored on a computer readable medium for reducing switching delays between digital video feeds or different video or data channels using a slotted distribution and transmission technique. Method and system for performing a fast channel change operation. A computer propagated data signal. An article of manufacture comprising a digital video signal set.

Abstract: A scalable, cluster-based VoD system implemented with a multi-server, multi-storage architecture to serve large scale real-time ingest and streaming requests for content assets is provided. The scalable, cluster-based VoD system implements sophisticated load balancing algorithms for distributing the load among the servers in the cluster to achieve a cost-effective and high streaming and storage capacity solution capable of serving multiple usage patterns and large scale real-time service demands. The VoD system is designed with a highly-scalable and failure-resistant architecture for streaming content assets in real-time in various network configurations.

Abstract: A scalable, cluster-based VoD system implemented with a multi-server, multi-storage architecture to serve large scale real-time ingest and streaming requests for content assets is provided. The scalable, cluster-based VoD system implements sophisticated load balancing algorithms for distributing the load among the servers in the cluster to achieve a cost-effective and high streaming and storage capacity solution capable of serving multiple usage patterns and large scale real-time service demands. The VoD system is designed with a highly-scalable and failure-resistant architecture for streaming content assets in real-time in various network configurations.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for sending data over a generic network interface in such a way that the resources used by the host CPU for packetization is minimized, allowing more packets to be sent across the network than is currently possible using existing technologies. Data is sent in a timely manner, minimizing jitter associated with real-time data delivery, especially for multimedia applications. CPU resource utilization is achieved by using a number of different techniques, such as zero-copy data movement where the data from a storage system is made available directly to the network driver without creating intermediate copies that consume CPU resources to do the copying.

Abstract: The present invention provides loosely-coupled cluster systems comprising a plurality of servers based on storage attached to the plurality of servers. Videos, or other assets, are automatically replicated within the server system to increase the number of concurrent play requests serviceable. The server systems can detect spikes in demand that may exceed the guaranteed number of concurrent play requests serviceable and dynamically transfer the high-in-demand or ‘hot’ asset to servers in the cluster that do not have the video. Alternatively, instead of transferring the entire asset, varying length prefixes of the asset may be transferred depending on the availability of resources. The remainder of the asset is transferred in some embodiments on demand with sufficient buffering or other storage to guarantee playback to the user or subscriber according to the required quality of service (QOS).