Abstract: A system comprises a storage device comprising code that is executable to cause recovery of at least one of an operating system and system firmware. Logic coupled to the storage device is also provided to cause the storage device to be unusable until a request is provided to recover at least one of the operating system and system firmware.

Abstract: A system comprises a bridge translator adapted to be coupled to a plurality of storage devices and to a host. The bridge translator translates data from the host to a format compatible with the redundantly configured storage devices. A controller coupled to the bridge translator configures the bridge translator to translate the data based on a redundancy configuration of the storage devices and based on a type of interface to the host.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is an automatic configuration method. The method comprises monitoring a network for data sent by a server in response to a configuring notice, receiving the data, and automatically configuring a processing platform to the network based on the data. Another aspect of the invention is an automatic configuration system. The system comprises a processing platform and application logic operatively associated with the processing platform. The application is operable to monitor a network for data sent by a server in response to a configuring notice, receive the data, and automatically configure the processing platform to the network based on the data.

Abstract: The present invention provides a picture coding apparatus which can reduce a load in decoding. When a RAU to be coded is an open GOP type RAU, the present invention includes: a motion estimation unit, a motion compensation unit, and the like which codes a picture to be coded to generate a BI-picture; a BI information generation unit which generates a RAU map indicating whether or not the BI-picture is positioned in a display order immediately before a starting I-picture in the RAU of the stream; and a variable length coding unit which writes the RAU map into the RAU of the stream.

Abstract: A system comprises a storage device comprising code that is executable to cause recovery of at least one of an operating system and system firmware. Logic coupled to the storage device is also provided to cause the storage device to be unusable until a request is provided to recover at least one of the operating system and system firmware.

Abstract: A NAS device comprises a user control and storage in which at least one of an operating system and system firmware is stored. Logic is also provided that is coupled to the user control and the storage. The logic causes a recovery to be performed of the operating system or system firmware upon user activation of the user control. The NAS device does not comprise any of a keyboard, mouse, trackball, and computer monitor.

Abstract: A system comprises a bridge translator adapted to be coupled to a plurality of storage devices and to a host. The bridge translator translates data from the host to a format compatible with the redundantly configured storage devices. A controller coupled to the bridge translator configures the bridge translator to translate the data based on a redundancy configuration of the storage devices and based on a type of interface to the host.

Abstract: A system and method of a storage expansion unit for a network attached storage device. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are storage expander systems comprising an enclosure, a communications port (the communication port configured to configured to operate under a communications protocol suitable for operatively accessing long term storage devices), and a port expander circuit within the enclosure and coupled to the communications port (the port expander circuit configured to have a plurality of secondary ports that operate under the communications protocol). The storage expansion system is configured to couple to a network attached storage device over the communications port, and wherein the storage expansion system is configured to facilitate external long-term storage for the network attached storage device.

Abstract: A method comprises assessing a network environment in which an electronic device is present and implementing a security feature based on the assessment of the network environment. Assessing the network environment comprises identifying other network entities on a network to which the electronic device is coupled.

Abstract: In one embodiment a network attached storage device comprises at least one storage media, a storage controller to manage input/output requests directed to the at least one storage media, and a RAID interrogation module to receive a RAID configuration query, wherein the RAID configuration query includes a volume identifier that identifies a storage volume, accesses a RAID configuration table in a memory module coupled to the network attached storage device, and presents RAID configuration data obtained from the RAID configuration table.

Abstract: A system comprises a plurality of storage drives coupled to logic. The logic implements a noise-reducing feature selected from a group consisting of a first feature that limits system performance based on a level of ambient noise, a second feature that staggers access transactions among said storage drives, a third feature that staggers spin up among the storage drives, a fourth feature that at least partially cancels noise generated by the system, a fifth feature that limits fan speed, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: A method and system of a peripheral port of a server system. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a server system comprising a processor, a non-volatile storage device coupled to the processor, a peripheral port coupled to the processor, and an indicator coupled to the processor (and the indicator associated with the peripheral port). The server system does not support a directly coupled display device, the processor determines whether a device coupled to the peripheral port is supported by the server system, and the processor drives the indicator to indicate whether the device is supported.

Abstract: A method comprises generating still images for a slide show, converting at least one of the still images to a plurality of video frame images; and implementing a visual effect on at least one of the plurality of video frame images.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for processing information on a computer. In one embodiment, a method is performed by a computer for processing data that is available on the computer.

Abstract: A system comprises a media player adapted to receive a removable medium. The media player is adapted to couple to a display device. A device external to and communicatively coupled to the media player comprises storage. The media player stores information on the external device's storage. Such information is used by the media player when rendering on said display.

Abstract: A first disc is used as a playback key for video content on a second disc. The content on a first disc is combined with content on another disc to provide: video having a second, increased resolution; a different aspect ratio; or, supplemental video or audio content.

Abstract: A method of viewing a file comprises causes the file to begin playing and, after causing the file to begin playing, converts a still image from the file into a plurality of video frames to form a video clip.

Abstract: Various disc enhancement systems and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, methods comprise retrieving information from a master optical disc; retrieving a data structure from a slave optical disc; using the information from the master optical disc to modify the data structure; and playing content from the slave optical disc in accordance with the modified data structure.

Abstract: An optical disc having a search file indicating languages associated with scenes, and methods associated therewith. In some embodiments, the optical disc is configured to store content and a search file. The content is playable by an optical disc player. The search file comprises data associated with scenes in the playable content. For a given scene, the data indicates a language associated with that scene.

Abstract: A method of measuring a relative darkness of an image recorded on a recording medium, comprising: applying first electromagnetic energy having a first wavelength to the recording medium to record an image thereon, applying second electromagnetic energy having a second wavelength different from the first wavelength to the recorded image on the recording medium, and measuring a reflection of the second electromagnetic energy from the recorded image to determine the relative darkness of the recorded image.