Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for initiating multimedia control are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a means for discovering a media device including establishing communication with the media device, identifying media formats which the media device supports, and identifying variables to control media device playback; a means for delegating to the media device responsibility for playback of a media content including selecting the media device with a one-click selection and identifying to the media device the media content to be played back; and a means for controlling the media device playback.

Abstract: An example embodiment of a includes a Home Page, a Web Presence Tool Page, and a Product and Community Forum which is created and maintained by a Hosting Provider. The Home Page may be made accessible to Hosting Customers and Partners and is an ideal location for placement of ads since all members of the Web Hosting Community are funneled through this Web page. The Web Presence Tool Page may display information generated by a Partner regarding the Partner's application which may be viewed by the Hosting Customers. The Product and Community Forum may allow the Hosting Customers to share information regarding all the applications with other Hosting Customers.

Abstract: Systems having a user interface comprising a filtered view of media available for consumption are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may provide a first user with a view that enables consumption of only the available media that matches characteristics of a media filter. The characteristics of the media filter may be specified by a second user, and the second user may define the characteristics of the media filter remotely, via a communication network. The user interface may support separate media filters for each of a number of different users. Filter characteristics such as type of media channel, the language of any dialogue, an industry rating, an overall viewer rating, and the media format may be supported. The media filter characteristics may be applied not only to what is displayed on the user interface, but also the media available for selection via a remote control.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a database system. In a particular embodiment, a database system includes a first processor configured to receive transactions, including session maintenance transactions and data requests, from one or more users. The database system also includes a request table to store resource usage data associated with the data requests. The request table is accessible to identify particular data requests that utilize a selected level of computing resources.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs for measuring performance of virtual desktop services offered by a server computer are presented. The method includes receiving from a client computer an action request to be executed at the server computer, where the server computer is configured to generate display views for the requesting client. The method further embeds, at the server computer, a first encoded pixel into a first image frame that is communicated to the client computer when acknowledging receipt of the action request. Further, the method embeds a second encoded pixel into a second image frame that is communicated to the client computer after completion of the action associated with the action request. Action performance time is stored in memory, where the action performance time is the time between arrivals of the first and second image frames at the client computer. The stored timing information is used to generate statistical performance data.

Abstract: Methods for creating an interactive gaming environment are provided. In various embodiments, methods of the present invention may include initializing an interactive game application at a game server which is then characterized as having an active status, notifying a lobby server concerning the active status of the game server, registering the application with a universe management server via the lobby server, and allowing users to join the interactive gaming environment. The users joining the interactive gaming environment may be identified by a server key obtained from the game server.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for managing connection between web services. The system includes an external web service connection setup server for determining an external web service to which connection is to be made, and establishing and verifying connection rules, and an external web service connection management server for conducting tests on connection to the external web service and storing the results of the tests. The system may further include a component for searching a connection target DB in which connection results are stored, and transmitting connection results to a main web service server, a component for removing a hyperlink to a failure page, and a component for sensing a sudden increase in a connection failure ratio. Accordingly, external web services belonging to all fields desired by a network manager can be easily, rapidly and efficiently connected.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a bulk refresh of sessions in a network are provided. A plurality of session identifiers for sessions that were created are determined. These session identifiers may be included in a bulk refresh message. The bulk refresh message is sent to a device configured to determine if sessions associated with the plurality of session identifiers are active or inactive. The device then sends a response to the refresh requestor. The response can be used to determine which sessions are active or inactive. After the determination, actions can be taken in order to clear the hanging session. For example, the session may be torn down or a BYE message may be sent to end the session on a peer device.

Abstract: A method, computer program product and computer system for establishing an effective communication between two users in a virtual world, which includes measuring a communication capability for each of the users, and establishing a communication using a default type of communication, if a difference between the communication capabilities of the two users is not above a pre-determined threshold. The method, computer program product and computer system can further establish a communication using an alternate type of communication, if a difference is above the pre-determined threshold.

Abstract: A digital image displaying system includes a DPF and an electronic device communicating with the DPF. The DPF has identification information. The electronic device includes a DPF detecting submodule, a image storing submodule for storing digital image files, a DPF managing submodule, and an information transmitting submodule. The DPF detecting submodule detects identification information of the at least one DPF, the DPF managing submodule stores the identification information therein, the information transmitting submodule transmits network location paths of the digital image files of the image storing submodule to the at least one DPF, the at least one DPF receives the network location paths and displays the digital image files stored in the image storing submodule according to the network location paths. A method for displaying digital image files is also provided.

Abstract: A streaming media encoder for encoding and delivering media content is disclosed. The streaming media encoder has a media input interface for receiving a media stream, a media encoder for receiving the media stream from the input interface and encoding the media stream, thereby producing an encoded media stream. The media encoder has a first confidence monitor for displaying a video image from the received media stream, a second confidence monitor for displaying a video image from the encoded media stream, and a network interface for providing the encoded media stream to a network.

Abstract: Disclosed methods of achieving load balancing among a plurality of border elements in a next generation networks (NGN) communication network include a method for processing and user endpoint originated messages (UEOM), such as a register or invite message, generated by a user endpoint. A work load information data structure indicative of a first border element's work load and a second border element's work load is maintained when the border elements exchange work load information. Based on the work load information, a first border element responds to a UEOM by either (1) accepting the UEOM for first border element processing, (2) determining whether to accept the UEOM for first border element processing or redirect the UEOM to a second border element for second border element processing, or (3) rejecting the UEOM.

Abstract: An electronic device includes a media player and a control unit operable to selectively access any one of a plurality of different types of media sources, such as a local media file memory, and at least one signal input for media data received through a communication connection from an external source, such as a streaming media data or a real time FM radio signal. A user-operable key is carried on the device, which upon activation triggers the control unit to store data related to a currently accessed media source in a playlist. Both the storage and selection of a playlist, which are dependent on from which type of media source the media data is accessed, are performed automatically in the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically locating web-based social network members are provided. According to one embodiment, contact content including an associated GPS identifier and status for web-based social network members located at or near the same location automatically appears on a GPS-enabled device. A further exemplary system includes a GPS-enabled device configured to receive a GPS identifier and a status representing a location and a current state for a web-based social network member, a processing module that associates the received GPS-identifier and the received status, and a communications module that sends the associated GPS-identifier and status to a server comprising a web-based social network database. Contact content in a web-based social network database record in the web-based social network database is updated to include the associated GPS identifier and status for the web-based social network member.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for processing a request in a data processing system. The request is received. In response to a first hash value being present within the request, the first hash value is compared to a second hash value that was computed locally, wherein the second hash value represents a current policy configuration for assigning a quality of service. In response to a match between the first hash value and the second hash value, other information in the request is used to establish a quality of service for packets associated with the request.

Abstract: A network device such as a wireless network device is configured using information obtained at the point of sale (POS) for a specific home network to which the device will belong. This may be accomplished by obtaining from the buyer at the POS account information, which is sent to a configuration server that automatically sets up the device for network use without the buyer's further direct involvement.

Abstract: A method for communicating with remote devices wherein the method includes sending a request through an application programming interface (API), formatting the request and routing the request to a first connection associated with a first protocol. The method further includes mapping the request into a first command, wherein the first command conforms to the first protocol and sending the first command to a remote device.

Abstract: Transferring metadata is disclosed. Information about a network interaction is processed to generate metadata describing the network interaction. Based on the metadata it is determined whether the metadata is to be transferred to an aggregator. In the event that the metadata is to be transferred, one or more aggregators are determined to which the metadata is to be transferred. The metadata is transferred to the one or more aggregators.

Abstract: A rich media file is a self-contained file, including both the information to be viewed by a user and the viewer that displays the information to the user. The information can be formatted however the client likes: for example, the information can be split across several pages, and can include text and still and animated images. There can also be web links to pages on a network, and e-mail forms to simplify sending an e-mail message to the client. The rich media file can include viewing limitations, so that only the proper password can unlock the file, or that the rich media file will automatically expire after a specified condition occurs. The rich media file also assists the user in obtaining the latest version of the rich media file, by offering to retrieve a newer version for the user.

Abstract: A computing paradigm where information can be aggregated from multiple services/programs within a ‘cloud-based’ environment is provided. Thus, the system can provide a uniform interface that can combine computational tasks across the multiple services/programs. Thus, the innovation takes advantage of the computing device being a ‘thin client’ which affords greater user comfort to a user without sacrificing data processing capabilities. Accordingly, the mechanisms are disclosed that standardize and/or normalize data across the resources within the cloud.