Abstract: An interface apparatus for coupling a vehicle to a container, has: a base engageable by the vehicle; a frame connected to the base and detachably securable to the container, the frame pivotable relative to the base for pivoting the container from a lifting position to a discharging position for discharging the container; an actuation unit between the frame and the base; and a latching mechanism for removably attaching the container to the apparatus, the latching mechanism including a first portion secured to the frame and a second portion securable to the container, the first portion movable relative to the second portion in a mating direction having a component normal to the ground from a disengaged configuration in which the first portion is detached form the second portion to an engaged configuration in which the first portion is received within the second portion.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed towards managing designations of a plurality of files across multiple clusters. Files may be designated as primary files or secondary files. Primary files at one cluster may be asynchronously replicated at another cluster as secondary files. Secondary files may be synchronously validated with remote primary files based on local file access requests. If a write request for a local secondary file is provided, then the local file may be designated as the primary file and the remote file may be designated as the secondary file. Local access may then be provided to the local primary file. If a read request for a local secondary file is provide, then local access may be provided to the local secondary file without changing file designations. In some embodiments, file designations may be preemptively changed based on a file change designation schedule for clusters at different geographic locations.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed towards enabling data writes utilizing a node cache and a logstore stored on a stable storage device. A client device may send data to a node for writing to a parent file. The node may cache the received data prior to writing the data to the parent file. Caching the received data may comprise adding the received data to a node cache and to a logstore. In one embodiment, the node cache may include a coalescer that combines data from a plurality of data writes from the client device to the node prior to writing to the parent file. In some embodiments, the logstore may be mirrored logstore on one or more stable storage devices. The parent file may periodically be updated from the node cache data. After the parent file is updated, the node cache data and the logstore data may be purged.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed towards enabling data writes utilizing a node cache and a logstore stored on a stable storage device. A client device may send data to a node for writing to a parent file. The node may cache the received data prior to writing the data to the parent file. Caching the received data may comprise adding the received data to a node cache and to a logstore. In one embodiment, the node cache may include a coalescer that combines data from a plurality of data writes from the client device to the node prior to writing to the parent file. In some embodiments, the logstore may be mirrored logstore on one or more stable storage devices. The parent file may periodically be updated from the node cache data. After the parent file is updated, the node cache data and the logstore data may be purged.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for tailoring an amount of Pre-Data that can be used in media clip streaming applications. A variable-bit-rate encoded media clip can be encoded at an average playback bit rate. When the actual transmission bit rate exceeds the average playback bit rate, a maximum bit deficit computation that uses the average playback bit rate overestimates the amount of Pre-Data that can be used to buffer the media clip. Embodiments of the invention tailor the amount of Pre-Data at least in part to the amount of data used to encode intervals of data and to actual transmission bit rates or to predictions of actual transmission bit rates, thereby decreasing the amount of Pre-Data that can be used and decreasing a latency time before play of the media clip begins.

Abstract: A number of digital content rendering modules are equipped such that selective subsets of the modules may be employed to render digital content of different media, and of different format types. The modules are organized into a hierarchy, with a selected one occupying a root position of the hierarchy, to exclusively receive the digital contents to be rendered, and that each module is further responsible for verifying the integrity of its immediate downstream modules, to collectively protect the digital contents being rendered. Additionally, in accordance with another aspect, a tamper resistant module is employed to recover digital contents provided in a protected state, obfuscating the recovery. Further, the modules may be of different application domains.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for tailoring an amount of Pre-Data that can be used in media clip streaming applications. A variable-bit-rate encoded media clip can be encoded at an average playback bit rate. When the actual transmission bit rate exceeds the average playback bit rate, a maximum bit deficit computation that uses the average playback bit rate overestimates the amount of Pre-Data that can be used to buffer the media clip. Embodiments of the invention tailor the amount of Pre-Data at least in part to the amount of data used to encode intervals of data and to actual transmission bit rates or to predictions of actual transmission bit rates, thereby decreasing the amount of Pre-Data that can be used and decreasing a latency time before play of the media clip begins.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for tailoring an amount of Pre-Data that can be used in media clip streaming applications. A variable-bit-rate encoded media clip can be encoded at an average playback bit rate. When the actual transmission bit rate exceeds the average playback bit rate, a maximum bit deficit computation that uses the average playback bit rate overestimates the amount of Pre-Data that can be used to buffer the media clip. Embodiments of the invention tailor the amount of Pre-Data at least in part to the amount of data used to encode intervals of data and to actual transmission bit rates or to predictions of actual transmission bit rates, thereby decreasing the amount of Pre-Data that can be used and decreasing a latency time before play of the media clip begins.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for tailoring an amount of Pre-Data that can be used in media clip streaming applications. A variable-bit-rate encoded media clip can be encoded at an average playback bit rate. When the actual transmission bit rate exceeds the average playback bit rate, a maximum bit deficit computation that uses the average playback bit rate overestimates the amount of Pre-Data that can be used to buffer the media clip. Embodiments of the invention tailor the amount of Pre-Data at least in part to the amount of data used to encode intervals of data and to actual transmission bit rates or to predictions of actual transmission bit rates, thereby decreasing the amount of Pre-Data that can be used and decreasing a latency time before play of the media clip begins.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for tailoring an amount of Pre-Data that can be used in media clip streaming applications. A variable-bit-rate encoded media clip can be encoded at an average playback bit rate. When the actual transmission bit rate exceeds the average playback bit rate, a maximum bit deficit computation that uses the average playback bit rate overestimates the amount of Pre-Data that can be used to buffer the media clip. Embodiments of the invention tailor the amount of Pre-Data at least in part to the amount of data used to encode intervals of data and to actual transmission bit rates or to predictions of actual transmission bit rates, thereby decreasing the amount of Pre-Data that can be used and decreasing a latency time before play of the media clip begins.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for tailoring an amount of Pre-Data that can be used in media clip streaming applications. A variable-bit-rate encoded media clip can be encoded at an average playback bit rate. When the actual transmission bit rate exceeds the average playback bit rate, a maximum bit deficit computation that uses the average playback bit rate overestimates the amount of Pre-Data that can be used to buffer the media clip. Embodiments of the invention tailor the amount of Pre-Data at least in part to the amount of data used to encode intervals of data and to actual transmission bit rates or to predictions of actual transmission bit rates, thereby decreasing the amount of Pre-Data that can be used and decreasing a latency time before play of the media clip begins.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and apparatus for tailoring an amount of Pre-Data that can be used in media clip streaming applications. A variable-bit-rate encoded media clip can be encoded at an average playback bit rate. When the actual transmission bit rate exceeds the average playback bit rate, a maximum bit deficit computation that uses the average playback bit rate overestimates the amount of Pre-Data that can be used to buffer the media clip. Embodiments of the invention tailor the amount of Pre-Data at least in part to the amount of data used to encode intervals of data and to actual transmission bit rates or to predictions of actual transmission bit rates, thereby decreasing the amount of Pre-Data that can be used and decreasing a latency time before play of the media clip begins.

Abstract: A number of digital content rendering modules are equipped such that selective subsets of the modules may be employed to render digital content of different media, and of different format types. The modules are organized into a hierarchy, with a selected one occupying a root position of the hierarchy, to exclusively receive the digital contents to be rendered, and that each module is further responsible for verifying the integrity of its immediate downstream modules, to collectively protect the digital contents being rendered. Additionally, in accordance with another aspect, a tamper resistant module is employed to recover digital contents provided in a protected state, obfuscating the recovery. Further, the modules may be of different application domains.

Abstract: A system and method for producing and using a protected optical media is described. One feature provides for a compact disc containing digital rights management protection to prevent unauthorized copying of copyrighted materials. Another feature provides for secure copying, storage, transfer, and playback of digital audio content from a protected compact disc or computer storage. Yet another feature provides for a versatile optical media that can be used in both traditional audio compact disc players and in computer CD-ROM drives without risking the security of the content on the media or preventing purchasers from having a robust content experience.

Abstract: A number of digital content rendering modules are equipped such that selective subsets of the modules may be employed to render digital content of different media, and of different format types. The modules are organized into a hierarchy, with a selected one occupying a root position of the hierarchy, to exclusively receive the digital contents to be rendered, and that each module is further responsible for verifying the integrity of its immediate downstream modules, to collectively protect the digital contents being rendered. Additionally, in accordance with another aspect, a tamper resistant module is employed to recover digital contents provided in a protected state, obfuscating the recovery. Further, the modules may be of different application domains.

Abstract: A number of digital content rendering modules are equipped such that selective subsets of the modules may be employed to render digital content of different media, and of different format types. The modules are organized into a hierarchy, with a selected one occupying a root position of the hierarchy, to exclusively receive the digital contents to be rendered, and that each module is further responsible for verifying the integrity of its immediate downstream modules, to collectively protect the digital contents being rendered. Additionally, in accordance with another aspect, a tamper resistant module is employed to recover digital contents provided in a protected state, obfuscating the recovery. Further, the modules may be of different application domains.