Abstract: A computer-implemented method of pre-permissioning a computer application is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a user to install a software application, identifying one or more computing services required for operation of the software application, presenting the one or more computing services to the user for review, determining whether the user approves installation of the computer application, and installing the application on a computing device assigned to the user if the user approves installation of the computer application.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of pre-permissioning a computer application is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a user to install a software application, identifying one or more computing services required for operation of the software application, presenting the one or more computing services to the user for review, determining whether the user approves installation of the computer application, and installing the application on a computing device assigned to the user if the user approves installation of the computer application.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for signing computer applications is disclosed. The method includes generating a compiled version of a first software application, signing the first software application with a digital certificate locally to a developer of the first software application without assistance from a central certification authority, and submitting the signed first software application to an on-line application store.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for signing computer applications is disclosed. The method includes generating a compiled version of a first software application, signing the first software application with a digital certificate locally to a developer of the first software application without assistance from a central certification authority, and submitting the signed first software application to an on-line application store.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes establishing a connection with one or more virtual machines using a debugger protocol configured to communicate debug commands to applications executed by the one or more virtual machines. The method also includes transmitting a request for a current state of the one or more virtual machines using the connection. Information associated with the current state includes state variables not controlled by an application receiving debug commands. The method includes outputting the current state of the one or more virtual machines for display to a user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for signing computer applications is disclosed. The method includes generating a compiled version of a first software application, signing the first software application with a digital certificate locally to a developer of the first software application without assistance from a central certification authority, and submitting the signed first software application to an on-line application store.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for signing computer applications is disclosed. The method includes generating a compiled version of a first software application, signing the first software application with a digital certificate locally to a developer of the first software application without assistance from a central certification authority, and submitting the signed first software application to an on-line application store.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes establishing a connection with one or more virtual machines using a debugger protocol configured to communicate debug commands to applications executed by the one or more virtual machines. The method also includes transmitting a request for a current state of the one or more virtual machines using the connection. Information associated with the current state includes state variables not controlled by an application receiving debug commands. The method includes outputting the current state of the one or more virtual machines for display to a user.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be embodied in, among other things, a method that includes establishing a connection with one or more virtual machines using a debugger protocol configured to communicate debug commands to applications executed by the one or more virtual machines. The method also includes transmitting a request for a current state of the one or more virtual machines using the connection. Information associated with the current state includes state variables not controlled by an application receiving debug commands. The method includes outputting the current state of the one or more virtual machines for display to a user.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of pre-permissioning a computer application is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a user to install a software application, identifying one or more computing services required for operation of the software application, presenting the one or more computing services to the user for review, determining whether the user approves installation of the computer application, and installing the application on a computing device assigned to the user if the user approves installation of the computer application.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of pre-permissioning a computer application is disclosed. The method includes receiving a request from a user to install a software application, identifying one or more computing services required for operation of the software application, presenting the one or more computing services to the user for review, determining whether the user approves installation of the computer application, and installing the application on a computing device assigned to the user if the user approves installation of the computer application.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and maintaining operable and updated versions of software on a client, which may be a set-top box or a personal computer. A server automatically downloads software updates over a satellite link to a client after such upgrades become available at the server without requiring interaction with a user. Similarly, corrupted software is automatically replaced by the client first automatically detecting if a corrupted state exists in local software or data using a checksum technique. If such corruption is found, the client automatically connects over the Internet to a server that contains a replacement for the corrupted program or data. The client then automatically receives a download of the program or data from the server.

Abstract: Selecting points-of-presence (POPs) to be used by client systems when accessing network resources. An access monitoring system capable of monitoring client system usage compiles usage profiles for client systems as POPs are used to access the Internet. The POPs may charge for Internet access according a flat periodic fee, hourly rates, per-port rates, or other arrangements. Periodically, the access monitoring system evaluates the usage profiles to determine whether the client systems could have obtained access for lower access costs if different POPs had been used. If so, the access monitoring system identifies the appropriate, cost-effective POPs and generates information enabling the client systems to use the appropriate POPs. To subsequently access the Internet, the client systems use the information to establish communication with the appropriate POPs. POP selection can also be conducted to balance load between various POPs based on the usage patterns described by the usage profiles.

Abstract: The invention involves transmission download of data to plural, mass storage medium-based remote users of content or software upgrades or multiple versions. Optionally provided are pre-download scheduling of one or more future download sessions and post-download remote scripted software execution by the remote clients. For purposes of more efficient use of the transmission link, low-volume scheduling information or content are transmitted within designated narrow-bandwidth sub-channels or trickle streams allocated within the broad bandwidth of the transmission channel and such allocation may be dynamic to vary the allocation based upon relative high-volume, high-speed and low-volume, low-speed demands. The invention is implemented in software residing primarily in the server computer connected with the transmission provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an automatic software upgrade over a satellite link. A server automatically downloads software updates over a satellite link to a client after such upgrades become available at the server. The download may be designated as mandatory or non-mandatory. Thus the download may be automatically performed or alternatively may prompt a user at the client to decide whether to accept the upgrade. The download eliminates the need for the client to be actively communicating with network infrastructure for the download to occur and enables the download to take place during low traffic time. Furthermore, the download requires little or no input from a user at the client.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and maintaining operable and updated versions of software on a client, which may be a set-top box or a personal computer. A server automatically downloads software updates over a satellite link to a client after such upgrades become available at the server without requiring interaction with a user. Similarly, corrupted software is automatically replaced by the client first automatically detecting if a corrupted state exists in local software or data using a checksum technique. If such corruption is found, the client automatically connects over the Internet to a server that contains a replacement for the corrupted program or data. The client then automatically receives a download of the program or data from the server.

Abstract: Systems and method for selecting points-of-presence (POPs) to be used by client systems when accessing network resources from the Internet are disclosed. An access monitoring system capable of monitoring client system usage compiles usage profiles for each of a plurality of client systems as POPs are used to access the Internet. The POPs may charge for Internet access according a flat periodic fee, hourly rates, per-port rates, or other arrangements. Periodically, the access monitoring system evaluates the usage profiles to determine whether the client systems could have obtained access to the Internet for lower access costs if different POPs had been used. If so, the access monitoring system identifies the appropriate, cost-effective POPs and generates one or more scripts instructing the client systems to use the appropriate POPs. To subsequently access the Internet, the client systems execute the scripts and establish communication with the appropriate POPs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and maintaining operable and updated versions of software on a client, which may be a set-top box or a personal computer. A server automatically downloads software updates over a satellite link to a client after such upgrades become available at the server without requiring interaction with a user. Similarly, corrupted software is automatically replaced by the client first automatically detecting if a corrupted state exists in local software or data using a checksum technique. If such corruption is found, the client automatically connects over the Internet to a server that contains a replacement for the corrupted program or data. The client then automatically receives a download of the program or data from the server.

Abstract: A World Wide Web browser software is implemented in a processing system housed in a set-top box connected to a television and communicating over a wide-area network with one or more servers. The browser software allows a user to navigate using a remote control through World-Wide Web pages in which a number of hypertext anchors are displayed on the television. User inputs are entered from a remote input device using an infrared (IR) link. The processing system includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a flash memory. The mask ROM and the flash memory are assigned adjacent memory spaces in the memory map of the processing system. Browser software and configuration data are stored in the flash memory. Other software and configuration data are stored in a mask ROM. The browser is upgraded or reconfigured by downloading to the box replacement software or data transmitted from a server over the network and then writing the replacement software or data into the flash memory.

Abstract: A World Wide Web browser software is implemented in a processing system housed in a set-top box connected to a television and communicating over a wide-area network with one or more servers. The browser software allows a user to navigate using a remote control through World-Wide Web pages in which a number of hypertext anchors are displayed on the television. User inputs are entered from a remote input device using an infrared (IR) link. The processing system includes a read-only memory (ROM) and a flash memory. The mask ROM and the flash memory are assigned adjacent memory spaces in the memory map of the processing system. Browser software and configuration data are stored in the flash memory. Other software and configuration data are stored in a mask ROM. The browser is upgraded or reconfigured by downloading to the box replacement software or data transmitted from a server over the network and then writing the replacement software or data into the flash memory.