Abstract: A system and method for the communication of streaming data is disclosed. In an exemplary method of the present invention, a first set of data is received by an information handling system. A second set of data is received via a network wherein the second set of data is continuously streaming. During times when a sufficient amount of streaming data of the second set of data is available for communication, the second set of data is communicated to a user. Otherwise, the first set of data is communicated to the user. In one embodiment, the second set of data may include a video stream viewable by a user. In another embodiment of the present invention, the first data set and the second data set may be transmitted from a first source.

Abstract: A method, system, signal, user interface, and software for searching information across different media types and sources is disclosed. The method includes identifying a search criteria and subsequently searching for information across one or more media types or sources based upon the search criteria. The search may also be conducted giving regard to user interaction information such as most recently viewed, most frequently viewed, preferences, etc. The media information may be stored locally or remotely and is presented to a user using a single user interface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assigning a job to grid computers on a computing grid that includes collecting information from the grid computers about attributes of the computer, grouping the computers into groups based upon the attributes, receiving a job from a customer, determining the attributes needed to perform the job, comparing the attributes needed to perform the job to the attributes of the groups, and submitting the job to at least one of the grid computers of the group having the needed attributes. Also disclosed is a method of reporting progress of performance of a job by a grid computer, which includes receiving a job by the grid computer, initiating performance of the job on the grid computer, periodically communicating a current status of the performance of the job on the grid computer, and returning results of the performance of the job to the grid manager.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for administering a computing grid including a grid manager computer and grid computers utilizing a communications network for permitting communication therebetween. A method aspect includes receiving a parameter communicated from each of a plurality of the grid computers, with the parameter characterizing an aspect of the grid computer communicating the parameter. At least two grid computers are logically grouped together in a virtual subgrid of grid computers on the computing grid. Each of the computers of the subgrid may have a similar level of the parameter, or may have a similar relationship to a reference level of the parameter. A job is assigned to one or more computers of the subgrid when the job requires a level of the parameter that that is characteristic of the grid computers of the subgrid.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for authenticating jobs submitted to a computing grid. The method may comprise receiving a grid job for performing on the computing grid, authenticating the grid job for performing on the computing grid, marking the grid job as authentic for acceptance by grid computers of the computing grid, and distributing the grid job marked as authentic to the grid computers. Additionally, a method and system is disclosed for screening jobs on the computing grid. The method may comprise receiving a grid job from a grid customer, deriving a pilot task from the grid job, executing a pilot run of the pilot task on a subset of grid computers on the computing grid, checking for successful performance of the pilot task on the subset of grid computers, and submitting the grid job to grid computers for performance if the pilot run of pilot task is successful.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for assigning a job to grid computers on a computing grid that includes collecting information from the grid computers about attributes of the computer, grouping the computers into groups based upon the attributes, receiving a job from a customer, determining the attributes needed to perform the job, comparing the attributes needed to perform the job to the attributes of the groups, and submitting the job to at least one of the grid computers of the group having the needed attributes. Also disclosed is a method of reporting progress of performance of a job by a grid computer, which includes receiving a job by the grid computer, initiating performance of the job on the grid computer, periodically communicating a current status of the performance of the job on the grid computer, and returning results of the performance of the job to the grid manager.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for restricting operations of a grid software application performing on a grid computer of the computing grid. The system includes a method that presents a user of the grid computer with an option governing use of the grid computer by computing grid operations performed on the grid computer, accepting from the user a setting of options governing use of the grid computer, and applying the setting of the options governing use of the grid computer to the computing grid operations performed on the grid computer.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing distributive computing resources in a retail environment. The system and method of the present invention take advantage of the distributive computing power of retail computing resources, such as demonstration and training computers.

Abstract: A universal serial bus flash bay apparatus for integrating in an external drive bay of an information handling system assembly includes a universal serial bus port, flash card slot, universal serial bus hub and flash card reader controller. The universal serial bus is interfaced with the flash card reader controller. The universal serial bus flash bay is capable of connecting with a communication and networking riser disposed within the information handling system assembly.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an electronic program guide wherein a first information handling system obtains program information from a program information source and generates a program guide based upon the obtained program information. The first information handling system searches a worldwide network for information regarding a transitory broadcast event and incorporates the transitory event information into the generated program guide prior to transmitting the program guide to the second information handling system. The transitory broadcast event information may be added to the program guide as additional, temporary channels that include links to the nodes from which the transitory broadcast event may be obtained. The program guide is thereby augmented with the additional, transitory broadcast event information. A second information handling system receives the program guide from the first information handling system.

Abstract: A multimedia system comprising an information handling system, a plurality of multimedia devices operatively and electrically connected to the computer, and at least one software module residing in computer memory for interpreting device control commands is capable of performing a method for interpreting device control commands, including receiving a high level device control command, generating a generic device control script based on a device interconnect model and the high level device control command, interpreting the generic device control script, and transmitting specific device control commands to a device through a device interface.

Abstract: An information handling system for utilizing an electronic program guide and a method for generating a future program guide are disclosed. A processor executes a program of instructions for the information handling system, and a memory stores the program of instructions that comprises a program guide for causing the information handling system to obtain current program guide information, to compare the current program guide information to previous program guide information, to thereby generate future programming information, and to generate a future program guide based upon the future programming information. The current program guide information is obtained from a program information source, and the previous program guide information is stored in an information storage medium of the information handling system.

Abstract: Convergence systems, or PC-TV systems, provide the combined benefits of a computer system and a television. These systems typically include audio/video recorders, such as VCRs, for recording programs, as well as an electronic program guide (EPG) for presenting program information. The present invention provides methods and devices for detecting specific signals or markers associated with a program or channel signal, and then enabling a recording device or an EPG to perform an act, such as recording a program, based upon the detected signals or markers. In a preferred embodiment, the system receives a channel signal, detects a program start or stop marker within the signal, and controls the EPG or the recording device to perform acts corresponding to the detection of a start or stop instruction.

Abstract: A television screen (24) is displayed as a window (25) within a larger displayed image (21), also referred to as a “picture-in-picture.” A control program associated with the window (25) provides additional functions to the window, including the ability to view the time, title, and other information about future programs, in the window (25). A user can switch between various preset lists of channels, and can dynamically edit such lists to add or delete channels. The control program senses the location of a cursor (37) relative to the window (25) and a control region, as defined therein. Depending upon the location of the cursor (37), the window (25) is either in a reduced-size state with fewer controls visible, or in an expanded-size state with greater controls visible.

Abstract: Convergence systems, or PC-TV systems, provide the combined benefits of a computer system and a television. These systems typically include audio/video recorders, such as VCRs, for recording programs, as well as an electronic program guide (EPG) for presenting program information. The present invention provides methods and devices for detecting specific signals or markers associated with a program or channel signal, and then enabling a recording device or an EPG to perform an act, such as recording a program, based upon the detected signals or markers. In a preferred embodiment, the system receives a channel signal, detects a program start or stop marker within the signal, and controls the EPG or the recording device to perform acts corresponding to the detection of a start or stop instruction.

Abstract: A method, system, propagated signal, and software for tracking and identifying moving hotspots allows a user to keep a cursor stationary in a display without causing the cursor to lose any functionality. A dialog box or other highlighting option will result in response to the static cursor co-occupying overlapping regions on the display with a moving hotspot of an animated menu, or a menu in motion. In an animated menu configured with extensive or rapidly moving hotspots, the present invention enables a user to wait for a hotspot to come to the cursor for detection and selection, rather than having to pursue the hotspot such that the cursor recognizes the target as a hotspot.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method, signal, and software for use in a system including a host device and at least one remote battery powered device. The status of the battery in the remote device is estimated from the number and duration of messages received by the host. The battery's status is then communicated to the user via the host device. The entire method can be implemented without consuming any battery power except the power normally used to transmit messages.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method, signal, system, and software for use in a system including a host device and at least one battery powered cursor control device. The status of the battery in the device is estimated by evaluating the periods of inactivity in the cursor and/or the cursor control device and by evaluating the movement of the cursor and/or the cursor control device across a display to determine unusual behavior. Upon unusual behavior determination, the battery's status is then communicated to the user via the host device. The entire method can be implemented without consuming any device battery power except the power consumed during normal device operation.

Abstract: A standalone virtual device driver that is not a mouse driver replacement or a mouse minidriver examines mouse data packets received from the mouse hardware for data packets that are obviously or likely to be faulty. When such a data packet is detected, the virtual device driver also removes the suspected faulty data by returning a null mouse packet to the mouse driver in its place. The virtual device driver may also initiate resynchronization procedures or reset the mouse hardware if necessary.