Abstract: System and method for providing computer resources to users. The system includes a plurality of co-located computing systems, e.g., blade computers, comprising a hierarchy of computer resources based on performance, and located at a first location, each computing system including a processor, a memory medium coupled to the processor, and a plurality of human interface systems, each located at a second location remote from the first location, and each including an interface device, and one or more human interface devices coupled to the interface device, where each human interface system is coupled to the co-located computing systems over a network, such as a LAN or a WAN, via the interface device. Computer resources are provided to users of the plurality of remote human interface systems over the network in accordance with the computer resource performance needs of the users. Charges may be assessed for usage of the computer resources.

Abstract: A video transmitting system may be configured to transmit, over extended length twisted-pair cables, video signals encoded in the Y/C video space. The system may comprise a source of RGB computer video signals. A video transmitter may be operable to convert the RGB video signals into a balanced luminance signal and a respective pair of balanced color difference signals. The video transmitting system may be further configured to transmit the balanced luminance signal and the pair of balanced color difference signals over respective extended length twisted-pair cables. The luminance signal may be transmitted over a non time-corrected cable in order to retain bandwidth, while the color difference signals may be transmitted over time-corrected cables, thereby reducing the visual degradation of the signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using free storage capacity on a plurality of storage media as a virtual storage device on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. A first portion of each storage medium stores data. To implement Virtual Network Attached Storage (VNAS), the respective “free” second portions of each storage medium are aggregated into a shared storage volume. Computers on the network may mount the shared storage volume at one of a plurality of mount points and may store data on the shared storage volume. VNAS may be implemented in a peer-to-peer manner whereby each computer acts as a server for the data stored on its part of the shared storage volume (i.e., the second portion of its storage media). VNAS may be used to implement a system and method for managing data fail-over.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: A distributed resource manager for managing resources among a plurality of networked computers, e.g., computer blades. The resource manager executes on two or more of the computers, e.g., substantially concurrently, collecting data related to usage, performance, status, and/or load, for a component, process, and/or attribute of one or more computers, and evaluating operation rules based on the collected data to determine one or more resource management operations, e.g., re-configuring, activating/deactivating, and/or switching and/or swapping computers, for more efficient allocation of resources.

Abstract: System and method for operating a system including one or more co-located computers, e.g., rack-mounted blades, coupled to one or more remote human interfaces (RHIs), and where content or communication is received from sources, e.g., external content sources, internal or external communications sources, etc., and distributed to the RHIs. A first computing system generates first video signals corresponding to a first image for transmission to a display device in a first RHI. The video manager receives a second image from a source, and inserts second video signals corresponding to the second image with the first video signals to form third video signals. The display device of the first RHI displays a third image based on the third video signals, e.g., a picture-in-picture presentation of the second and first images. The first, second, and third video signals may include video streams and/or audio signals, and may be analog, digital, or both.

Abstract: System and method for managing data fail-over for a computing system comprising a plurality of computers, e.g., computer blades, coupled through a network. A fail-over condition may indicate a component failure, an imminent failure, and/or a need to modify or replace some aspect of a computer. Computers in the system may back up their information to other computers in the system. If a fail-over condition is detected on a first computer, a replacement computer may be loaded with the information from the first computer, optionally from a backup copy stored on another computer (or distributed across multiple computers), and the first computer's peripheral devices (human interface) switched over to the replacement computer. The method may be used to replace a single computer, swap two computers, and/or perform a cascade move among multiple computers, and may be performed automatically in response to the fail-over condition, or initiated by a system administrator.

Abstract: System and method for selectively updating a display in a multiple display device system. Software executing on the computer system analyzes information associated with the display devices, e.g., respective levels of user activity (e.g., peripheral activity), graphics activity (e.g., changes in image data), and/or application activity, associated with each display device, optionally generating priority information associated with the display devices. The display devices are updated in accordance with the analysis using two or more update rates, optionally based on the priority information, e.g., by generating a sequence of video frames based on the analysis, each video frame including a video image and frame identifier designating a display device, and transmitting the sequence over the cable to a plurality of frame grabbers, each frame grabber examining the sequence of video frames, selecting a video frame based on the frame identifier, and forwarding the video frame to the designated display device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for using free storage capacity on a plurality of storage media as a virtual storage device on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. A first portion of each storage medium stores data. To implement Virtual Network Attached Storage (VNAS), the respective “free” second portions of each storage medium are aggregated into a shared storage volume. Computers on the network may mount the shared storage volume at one of a plurality of mount points and may store data on the shared storage volume. VNAS may be implemented in a peer-to-peer manner whereby each computer acts as a server for the data stored on its part of the shared storage volume (i.e., the second portion of its storage media). VNAS may be used to implement a system and method for managing data fail-over.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a consistent work environment to a plurality of users is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system may include a plurality of computing systems which are located at a common location and connected by a network. Each of a plurality of human interfaces may be coupled to one of the plurality of computing systems by a communications link. Each human interface is located at a user location. The user location may be remote from the plurality of computing systems. Each of the human interfaces may be operable to present to a user a graphical user interface for application software, a graphical user interface for conducting telephone calls with external parties, and a video window for displaying television programming.

Abstract: A computer condition detection system for detecting conditions of computer components to predict a failure. Conditions on computer components may be detected by a health computer coupled to a main computer (e.g., a computer blade). The health computer may be coupled to sensors on various computer components for detecting conditions such as temperature, airflow velocity, voltage, and current. The health computer may be coupled to an independent health network and may be powered by a separate power supply than the main computer power supply to detect problems even if the main computer fails. The main computer may also be coupled to the sensors to detect conditions on the main computer's components. If a condition is detected that meets a predetermined criterion, corrective or preparative actions may be taken. For example, data on the main computer may be backed up in anticipation of a main computer failure.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for a distributed computing infrastructure on a computer network comprising a plurality of computers. The distributed computing infrastructure (DCI) provides a software platform for creating, running, and managing distributed applications. DCI may include XML-capable software applications on a peer-to-peer network. DCI may include small, network-unaware applications called peerlets. DCI may include a system and method for creating complex distributed applications using pre-complied binaries. DCI may include a capability for multiple, independent collaborative sessions for distributed collaborative applications (e.g., chat, instant messaging, shared whiteboard, etc.). DCI may include systems and methods for reducing interactions between users and applications to archivable form and then playing back the interactions. DCI may include a system and method for automatic software retrieval on a peer-to-peer network.

Abstract: System and method for communicating between a computer and a remote human interface (RHI) comprising a microphone, video camera, and I/O devices, e.g., USB devices. A host encoder/decoder receives host human interface (HHI) signals from the computer targeting respective HI devices in the RHI, including audio and I/O signals, e.g., extended USB (USBX) signals, combining the HHI signals into a combined HHI signal for transmission to a remote encoder/decoder which extracts the audio and I/O signals, and transmits the audio signal to an audio device and the I/O signals to the respective I/O devices. Conversely, the remote encoder/decoder receives RHI signals from the HI devices, including audio from the microphone, video from the camera, and remote I/O signals from the I/O devices, combines them into a combined RHI signal for transmission to the host encoder/decoder which extracts the audio, video, and I/O signals, and transmits them to the computer.