Abstract: To reduce latency during channel change, when a user changes the TV channel on a mobile TV device such as a wireless phone, the device leaves the power save mode and enters, for a limited timeout period, a fully energized mode in which the receiver and front end logic of the device remain energized during periods in which content from the old channel, content from the new channel, and content from a “next” channel are interleaved into the broadcast.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for protecting the security of encrypted software. Specifically, the present invention pertains to a method of decrypting only those steps or portions of the software that are written to a processor's internal instruction cache. While in storage in non-volatile memory and in RAM, encrypted software remains in an encrypted state. The invention includes a decryption unit that may be located internal to the processor and performs decryption of the software as it enters the instruction cache. By use of this method, encrypted software is resistant to copying from RAM in a decrypted state for subsequent reverse engineering. Software that is protected by this method could be any intellectual property meant to processed by computer that is delivered to the user by internet, cable, direct satellite, packaged media, or any other means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of communicating streaming content through the Internet. Elements of streaming content are segmented and stored across a plurality of network-enabled computer devices coupled to the Internet. Each segment of the streaming content contains a plurality of data packets and an identifier for the segment. A client application accesses a streaming content element after first determining its availability on the network, such as according to a list. Requests for segments of the streaming content element are made by the client to selected devices based on information about service latency, such as determined in response to server status information, negotiation, estimation, and/or measurement. Real-time connectivity is established through which the packets of the segments are retrieved from the sending devices. The packets and segments are prepared and ordered into a streaming output of said given content element.

Abstract: A TV-set is equipped with HDMI and USB connections that allow it to display and run audio-video content from a variety of conventional consumer devices. The TV-set is further equipped to provide a secure HDMI-USB interface that will allow the transfer of licensed high definition content and Internet subscriber services. Such secure HDMI-USB interface also enables a selection of proprietary application modules to be attached. Downloadable user interface templates, much like XML style sheets, are rendered to a user interface displayed on the screen. These are associated with corresponding thumbnails and URI's that allow a user to surf through lists and catalogs of materials, and then to play them in the appropriate formats and provide the machine with a customized controller. A remote commander is simplified, yet expanded to control all the attached devices through interactions with the user interface.

Abstract: A system and method for providing targeted advertising messages to a user, in particular users viewing Internal TV or broadcast programs. Advertising data files from one or more advertising entities are stored in a centralized location, such as a server or similar platform. Data relating to the user is acquired from the user's device settings and/or identification, so that a targeted advertising message may be selected from one of the stored advertising data files. The content data is transmitted to the user, the data having a cue for insertion of the selected targeted advertising message prior to or after the content file has been transferred.

Abstract: Home network resources and communication paths are managed using network path bandwidths, network storage capacities, and quality of service.

Abstract: Speech representing a desired video site or video subject is detected and digitized at a TV remote, and then sent to a TV. The TV or in some embodiments an Internet server communicating with the TV use speech recognition principles to recognize the speech, enter a database using the recognized speech as entering argument, and return a link to an Internet site hosting the desired video. The link can be displayed on the TV for selection thereof by a user to retrieve the video.

Abstract: A user's content presentation device automatically measures the technical objective quality of an Internet video stream and/or estimates the perceived subjective quality of the stream, and provides feedback to the user regarding one or both of these estimates.

Abstract: A map is presented by a browser, and breaking news content such as still photos, videos, etc. is placed on areas of the map to which the news pertains. A user can click on an area of the map for additional information, and can zoom in to a finer granularity. Personal content can also be displayed over map areas related to the personal content. The browser discovers locations to which content pertains in several ways, including by recognizing the name of a place in a story, through metadata, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus, and method for dynamically allocating bandwidth to applications in a network based on utility functions. At least one client device is present in the network and is capable of receiving data over the network. In one embodiment, a server capable of transceiving data over the network is coupled to the at least one client device through the network. The server identifies the at least one client device in the network and identifies applications being utilized in the network by the at least one client device. Utility functions are defined for each of the applications. A utility function may be used to specify the minimum amount of bandwidth required by the application to perform at a predetermined quality level. Particularly, bandwidth is dynamically allocated to different applications in the network based on the utility functions defined for each of the applications.

Abstract: A method and system thereof for updating applications installed on a computer system. Each application supplies the name of a source (e.g., a Web site address) from which updates can be obtained. Upon boot up, the boot loader reads the addresses, locates the interface for connecting with the Internet, and connects with each of the Web sites. Updated application information is identified and can be downloaded from the Web sites to the computer system. Also, information can be downloaded to change the graphical user interface for the application. Furthermore, the Web site can determine whether the application is authorized for use on the computer system. Alternatively, a single Web site can be used for multiple applications. In addition, this process can instead be implemented as a background function after boot up. In each implementation, applications are conveniently and reliably updated without having to execute the applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus, and method for dynamically allocating wireless channels in a wireless network. At least two client devices are present in the wireless network. Each client device is capable of transceiving wireless data over a wireless channel. In one embodiment, a server capable of a transceiving wireless data over at least one wireless channel determines the number of client devices in the wireless network. The server allocates client devices to different wireless channels. Particularly, client devices that receive data at substantially different data rates are allocated to different wireless channels in order to optimize the total system utility of the wireless network. Furthermore, client devices that receive data at substantially similar data rates are allocated to the same wireless channel.

Abstract: A device for estimating a likelihood of a wireless link outage includes a memory, a variability calculator, and an outage predictor. The memory maintains a history of signal quality for a signal received from a transmitter. The variability calculator is coupled to the memory. The variability calculator computes a variability statistic for the history of signal quality maintained in the memory. The outage predictor is coupled to the variability calculator. The outage predictor estimates the likelihood of the wireless link outage in direct proportion to the variability statistic.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method and system for protecting the security of encrypted software. Specifically, the present invention pertains to a method of decrypting only those steps or portions of the software that are written to a processor's internal instruction cache. While in storage in non-volatile memory and in RAM, encrypted software remains in an encrypted state. The invention includes a decryption unit that may be located internal to the processor and performs decryption of the software as it enters the instruction cache. By use of this method, encrypted software is resistant to copying from RAM in a decrypted state for subsequent reverse engineering. Software that is protected by this method could be any intellectual property meant to processed by computer that is delivered to the user by internet, cable, direct satellite, packaged media, or any other means.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for location based wireless client authentication is described. The method includes the receipt of an authentication/access request from a wireless client desiring access to a wireless network. Once the request is received, a spatial location of the client is identified. Once the physical location of the client is identified, compliance with the authentication/access request is performed according to the identified spatial location of the device. For example, in one embodiment, when the spatial location of the client falls within predefined wireless network boundaries, the client is generally granted network access. The granted access may include a possible key exchange for unidentified clients, or challenge and response authentication for identified clients. In other words, wireless clients that have gained access to a certain physical location are assumed to have passed through some other form of physical authentication and, hence, are deemed trustable.

Abstract: A device for estimating a likelihood of a wireless link outage includes a memory, a variability calculator, and an outage predictor. The memory maintains a history of signal quality for a signal received from a transmitter. The variability calculator is coupled to the memory. The variability calculator computes a variability statistic for the history of signal quality maintained in the memory. The outage predictor is coupled to the variability calculator. The outage predictor estimates the likelihood of the wireless link outage in direct proportion to the variability statistic.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for location based wireless client authentication is described. The method includes the receipt of an authentication/access request from a wireless client desiring access to a wireless network. Once the request is received, a spatial location of the client is identified. Once the physical location of the client is identified, compliance with the authentication/access request is performed according to the identified spatial location of the device. For example, in one embodiment, when the spatial location of the client falls within predefined wireless network boundaries, the client is generally granted network access. The granted access may include a possible key exchange for unidentified clients, or challenge and response authentication for identified clients. In other words, wireless clients that have gained access to a certain physical location are assumed to have passed through some other form of physical authentication and, hence, are deemed trustable.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus, and method for dynamically allocating bandwidth to applications in a network based on utility functions. At least one client device is present in the network and is capable of receiving data over the network. In one embodiment, a server capable of transceiving data over the network is coupled to the at least one client device through the network. The server identifies the at least one client device in the network and identifies applications being utilized in the network by the at least one client device. Utility functions are defined for each of the applications. A utility function may be used to specify the minimum amount of bandwidth required by the application to perform at a predetermined quality level. Particularly, bandwidth is dynamically allocated to different applications in the network based on the utility functions defined for each of the applications.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system, apparatus, and method for dynamically allocating wireless channels in a wireless network. At least two client devices are present in the wireless network. Each client device is capable of transceiving wireless data over a wireless channel. In one embodiment, a server capable of a transceiving wireless data over at least one wireless channel determines the number of client devices in the wireless network. The server allocates client devices to different wireless channels. Particularly, client devices that receive data at substantially different data rates are allocated to different wireless channels in order to optimize the total system utility of the wireless network. Furthermore, client devices that receive data at substantially similar data rates are allocated to the same wireless channel.

Abstract: A computer system using non-volatile main memory in lieu of random access memory (RAM). The non-volatile main memory stores operating system software and application software used by the central processing unit (CPU) when the computer system is operating after bootup. The operating system and application software used by the computer after bootup are retained in an initialized and executable state within the non-volatile main memory when the computer is powered off. As a result, the time to bootup the computer is reduced because the operating system and application software do not need to be copied into a memory element (e.g., RAM) and initialized into an executable state. Also, applications can be opened more quickly during normal operation, and the computer can be shut down more quickly. Performance of the computer can also be improved by using non-volatile memory for the secondary level memory cache and/or the CPU registers.