Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at an electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The electronic device displays a user interface, the user interface including a control element for media that is provided by a media server associated with a first service provider, the user interface originating from a server associated with a second service provider distinct from the first service provider of the media server. The electronic device receives a user input selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the electronic device sends a media control request to the media server, the media control request causing the media server to control playback of a playlist, including initiating playback of first media content in the playlist associated with the user.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device displays a webpage including a control element, such as a “play” button. The webpage originates from a webpage server. The first electronic device receives a user input, such as a mouse click, selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the first electronic device sends a media control request to a media server. The media control request is configured to cause the media server to control presentation of first media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is different from the first electronic device, and wherein the media server is different from the webpage server.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device displays a webpage including a control element, such as a “play” button. The webpage originates from a webpage server. The first electronic device receives a user input, such as a mouse click, selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the first electronic device sends a media control request to a media server. The media control request is configured to cause the media server to control presentation of first media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is different from the first electronic device, and wherein the media server is different from the webpage server.

Abstract: A method is performed at a first electronic device associated with a user. The method includes displaying a webpage including a control element associated with media content provided by a media server. The webpage originates from a webpage server distinct from the media server. The method includes receiving a user input selecting the control element, and, in response to the user input: sending a media control request to the media server, the media control request configured to cause the media server to perform a media control operation to control presentation of the media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is distinct from the first electronic device; and sending, to the second electronic device, a local media control request via a local network. The local media control request is configured to cause performance of the same media control operation.

Abstract: A method is performed at a first electronic device associated with a user. The method includes displaying a webpage including a control element associated with media content provided by a media server. The webpage originates from a webpage server distinct from the media server. The method includes receiving a user input selecting the control element, and, in response to the user input: sending a media control request to the media server, the media control request configured to cause the media server to perform a media control operation to control presentation of the media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is distinct from the first electronic device; and sending, to the second electronic device, a local media control request via a local network. The local media control request is configured to cause performance of the same media control operation.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device displays a webpage including a control element, such as a “play” button. The webpage originates from a webpage server. The first electronic device receives a user input, such as a mouse click, selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the first electronic device sends a media control request to a media server. The media control request is configured to cause the media server to control presentation of first media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is different from the first electronic device, and wherein the media server is different from the webpage server.

Abstract: A method of remotely controlling an electronic device is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed on a server system. The server system receives, from a first electronic device, a first media control request, wherein the first electronic device provides a single user interface that allows a user to both select media content for presentation by the first electronic device and to generate media control requests for transmission to the server system; and the first electronic device also sends a second media control request to a second electronic device over a local area network to which both the first electronic device and the second electronic device are connected. The server system then sends the received first media control request to the second electronic device, distinct from the first electronic device, wherein the server system and the second electronic device are not on the same local area network.

Abstract: A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior. In accordance with an embodiment, a client device user interface displays a plurality of media options, each of which is associated with a corresponding media content, for example a media channel or video stream, that can be received from a media server system for playing at the device, or at a controlled device. While the user interacts with the user interface, media content associated with regions of the interface can be buffered in preparation for selection and subsequent playing. The client device can include a user interaction sensor, for example a motion, hand/proximity, or heat sensor, which detects when a user is about to interact with the device. The media server system can be triggered to buffer media content associated with one or more neighboring media options on the user interface, in preparation for selection and playing.

Abstract: A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior. In accordance with an embodiment, a client device user interface displays a plurality of media options, each of which is associated with a corresponding media content, for example a media channel or video stream, that can be received from a media server system for playing at the device, or at a controlled device. While the user interacts with the user interface, media content associated with regions of the interface can be buffered in preparation for selection and subsequent playing. The client device can include a user interaction sensor, for example a motion, hand/proximity, or heat sensor, which detects when a user is about to interact with the device. The media server system can be triggered to buffer media content associated with one or more neighboring media options on the user interface, in preparation for selection and playing.

Abstract: A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior. In accordance with an embodiment, a client device user interface displays a plurality of media options, each of which is associated with a corresponding media content, for example a media channel or video stream, that can be received from a media server system for playing at the device, or at a controlled device. While the user interacts with the user interface, media content associated with regions of the interface can be buffered in preparation for selection and subsequent playing. The client device can include a user interaction sensor, for example a motion, hand/proximity, or heat sensor, which detects when a user is about to interact with the device. The media server system can be triggered to buffer media content associated with one or more neighboring media options on the user interface, in preparation for selection and playing.

Abstract: A system and method for early media buffering using prediction of user behavior. In accordance with an embodiment, a client device user interface displays a plurality of media options, each of which is associated with a corresponding media content, for example a media channel or video stream, that can be received from a media server system for playing at the device, or at a controlled device. While the user interacts with the user interface, media content associated with regions of the interface can be buffered in preparation for selection and subsequent playing. The client device can include a user interaction sensor, for example a motion, hand/proximity, or heat sensor, which detects when a user is about to interact with the device. The media server system can be triggered to buffer media content associated with one or more neighboring media options on the user interface, in preparation for selection and playing.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device receives a media control command for a second electronic device. In response to receiving the media control command, the first electronic device sends a server media control request to a server system, and sends a local media control request to a second electronic device within a local network to which both the first electronic device and the second electronic device are connected. In some implementations, the server system is associated with an IP address outside an IP address space of the local network. In some implementations, the first electronic device and the second electronic device are associated with IP addresses within the same subnetwork.

Abstract: A method of remotely controlling an electronic device is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed on a server system. The server system receives, from a first electronic device, a first media control request, wherein the first electronic device provides a single user interface that allows a user to both select media content for presentation by the first electronic device and to generate media control requests for transmission to the server system; and the first electronic device also sends a second media control request to a second electronic device over a local area network to which both the first electronic device and the second electronic device are connected. The server system then sends the received first media control request to the second electronic device, distinct from the first electronic device, wherein the server system and the second electronic device are not on the same local area network.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device displays a webpage including a control element, such as a “play” button. The webpage originates from a webpage server. The first electronic device receives a user input, such as a mouse click, selecting the control element. In response to the user input, the first electronic device sends a media control request to a media server. The media control request is configured to cause the media server to control presentation of first media content at a second electronic device associated with the user, wherein the second electronic device is different from the first electronic device, and wherein the media server is different from the webpage server.

Abstract: A method for controlling media presentation is disclosed. In some implementations, the method is performed at a first electronic device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors. The first electronic device receives a media control command for a second electronic device. In response to receiving the media control command, the first electronic device sends a server media control request to a server system, and sends a local media control request to a second electronic device within a local network to which both the first electronic device and the second electronic device are connected. In some implementations, the server system is associated with an IP address outside an IP address space of the local network. In some implementations, the first electronic device and the second electronic device are associated with IP addresses within the same subnetwork.

Abstract: A method of configuring a router to provide DHCP IP address services to a number of network clients sending messages to the router to request IP addresses, the network clients connecting to a network via the router which is under the control of a control system, the method includes obtaining configuration instructions for the router by sending messages from the router to the control system to request configurations for DHCP services, sending configuration instructions from the control system to the router, and configuring the router in accordance with the configuration instructions.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention comprises a method of operating a network for providing services to subscribers, the network including a configuration system comprising: a core system comprising primary and secondary cores, each core being separately capable of controlling operation of the system; at least one cell connected to the core system; and at least one network element connected to the cell, each network element supporting a number of subscribers for provision of the services; the method comprising: operating the configuration system using the primary core; monitoring operation of the primary core for a failure event preventing the primary core from properly controlling operation of the configuration system; on detection of a failure event, transferring control of operation of the configuration system to the secondary core; following correction of the failure event such that the primary core again becomes capable of properly controlling operation of the configuration system, configuring the secondary core

Abstract: A method of configuring a router to provide DHCP IP address services to a number of network clients sending messages to the router to request IP addresses, the network clients connecting to a network via the router which is under the control of a control system, the method includes obtaining configuration instructions for the router by sending messages from the router to the control system to request configurations for DHCP services, sending configuration instructions from the control system to the router, and configuring the router in accordance with the configuration instructions.

Abstract: A method of forwarding a series of data packets in a data flow in a network, wherein the data packets having N predetermined parameters where N>1 and ranges of values of the N parameters defining an N-dimensional parameter space, and wherein the data flow is one selected from a series of aggregated data flows, the method comprising: defining at least one parameter-based rule applicable to the series of aggregated data flows in the N-dimensional space; applying the or each rule to the aggregated data flows so as to define a series of non-overlapping N-dimensional hyper-cubes in the N-dimensional space, each containing at least one data flow from the aggregated data flows; determining discrete values of the N parameters for the data flow containing the series of related packets, defining a point in the N-dimensional space; and forwarding the related packets in accordance with the rule applicable in the hyper-cube in which the point is located.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention comprises a method of operating a network for providing services to subscribers, the network including a configuration system comprising: a core system comprising primary and secondary cores, each core being separately capable of controlling operation of the system; at least one cell connected to the core system; and at least one network element connected to the cell, each network element supporting a number of subscribers for provision of the services; the method comprising: operating the configuration system using the primary core; monitoring operation of the primary core for a failure event preventing the primary core from properly controlling operation of the configuration system; on detection of a failure event, transferring control of operation of the configuration system to the secondary core; following correction of the failure event such that the primary core again becomes capable of properly controlling operation of the configuration system, configuring the secondary core