Abstract: A device-management system performs processing, such as audio processing, in an instance of a virtual machine corresponding to a functionally limited (local) device. To register the local device, the device-management system receives a registration request that includes device information, encryption data, and an indication of an associated user account. The device-management system then sends this registration data to a service-provider system, which returns a shared encryption key. The device-management system and the local device may use this shared encryption key to securely communicate. The device-management system may de-allocate the instance upon detecting a period of inactivity of the local device and may re-allocate the instance when new activity is detected. The device-management system may further determine when and if audio data to be sent to the local device is encoded using a codec not implemented by the local device.

Abstract: A device-management system performs processing, such as audio processing, in an instance of a virtual machine corresponding to a functionally limited (local) device. To register the user device, the device-management system receives a registration request that includes device information, encryption data, and an indication of an associated user account. The device-management system then sends this registration data to a service-provider system, which returns a shared encryption key. The device-management system and the user device may use this shared encryption key to securely communicate. The device-management system may de-allocate the instance upon detecting a period of inactivity of the user device and may re-allocate the instance when new activity is detected. The device-management system may further determine when and if audio data to be sent to the user device is encoded using a codec not implemented by the user device.

Abstract: A device-management system performs audio processing, such as acoustic echo cancellation or beamforming, in a computing-resource allocation corresponding to a functionally limited device. The device-management system may be a locally-connected network device that is in communication with one or more user devices; the device-management system may also or instead be a remote device that communicates with the user devices using the locally-connected network device. The device-management system may receive audio data from one or more microphones of one or more user devices. To perform acoustic echo cancellation, the device-management system may receive and process time data corresponding to a time of output of audio by the user device.

Abstract: A user interface for a streaming media client includes web browser-type controls provided by a web page and hosted by a top-level web browser application. The user interface includes other controls for controlling the access, retrieval, and delivery of digital media to a client system. The browser-type controls are generated by executable client-side scripts that are called through the top-level web page. The top-level web page is provided by a media gateway, through which communication with a user, and user commands, takes place.

Abstract: A client system and method for real-time rendering of digital content from a network. The invention includes a digital media engine configured to receive and process the digital content, and a media gateway that hosts a user interface web page. The web page includes user-selectable controls, preferably associated with one or more client-side scripts or control programs. The user-selectable controls enable navigation of the network, and control of the digital media engine. The system further includes a media control interface connecting the digital media engine and the media gateway, via the user interface web page and control programs provided thereby.