Abstract: Persistent media playback techniques are described. In an implementation, a media player is served via a network for display by a browser of a device. Web pages are served via the network for display by the browser of the device. Each of the web pages is configured for integration with the media player so that the media player is persistently displayed by the browser during navigation among the web pages. The media player may be configured to play media files providing a variety of different media types. The media player may also provide contextual suggestions of media.

Abstract: A social graph playlist service is described. In embodiments, a social graph that associates a user and friends of the user is maintained. The social graph is based on parameters that define a social relationship between the user and the friends of the user. Interaction data that identifies recently played media assets at user devices that are utilized by the friends of the user can be received. A social graph playlist that is associated with the user can be generated by determining a next media asset for the playlist from the recently played media assets. The next media asset for the playlist can then be communicated to be played at a user device that is associated with the user.

Abstract: An event recommendation service is described. In embodiments, selection data that correlates to media content selected by a user, location data that corresponds to a location of the user, and event data is received. A recommendation for an event that the user is likely to attend and that is proximate the location of the user can be generated by aggregating the selection data, the location data, and the event data. The recommendation can then be communicated to a user device as a calendar entry, an email message, a text message, and/or an html page for display to inform the user of the event.

Abstract: A media asset recommendation service is described. In embodiments, friends of a user are identified in a social graph that is associated with the user, and interactions with media assets by the friends of the user are compiled. Friend interaction data for each of the media assets can be determined from the media assets, the social graph, and the interactions with the media assets by the friends of the user. When a selection of one of the media assets is received from the user via a user device, the friend interaction data that is associated with the media asset selected by the user is communicated to the user device.

Abstract: The invention relates to structuring a combination of bioactive materials that are capable of controlled extended release of local anesthesia lasting over 30 hours.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator.

Abstract: A query generator for generating a query for retrieving data from a database comprising at least one table is disclosed. The query refers to one or more data items in a first view defined to expose a portion of the database and to one or more data items that are not exposed by the first view, at least one of which has an associated reach through flag set thereby defining it as a reach through item. The query generator is adapted to: receive user input indicating selected items to be retrieved from the database; ascertain whether any of the selected items that are not exposed by the first view are defined as reach through items; and, if so: create a second view that is a copy of the first view and add a copy of each reach through item to it; and create a query that refers only to the second view and the items exposed by it.

Abstract: This invention is directed to provide a method for enabling an administrator to monitor and selectively limit the computer functions available to a user. The method is carried out on a personal computer by an administrator, and administrator decisions can be enforced on other personal computers in a local network. The invention enables an administrator to restrict a user's logon hours, logon duration, access to computer functions, and access to applications based on content rating. In addition, the administrator may temporarily restrict or extend normally allowed access privileges. The invention also allows for the monitoring, auditing, and reporting of a user's computer function usage to an administrator.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting images and related items to a user. A digital image from a data store is assessed, and a portion of the image is defined as a region of interest. Properties are associated with this defined region, and these properties are utilized to infer relationships between the region of interest and related items in the data store. Optionally, a user input indicating a desire to view related content may be received and such content may be presented to the user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for controlling application software while switching between session in a multi-session computing environment. An apparatus includes memory coupled to switching logic and application program managing logic. The switching logic is configured to selectively switch console control of a computing device between at least two user kernel sessions that are maintained in the memory. The application program managing logic is configured to selectively control at least one application program that is operatively configured within at least one of the user kernel sessions. For example, the application program managing logic can be configured to stop the operation, restart certain application programs, notify application programs about switching events, and/or adjust the playback of audio and/or video signals associated certain application programs.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided that can be used to identify users to an operating system during initialization through an advanced graphical user interface (GUI). The resulting GUI can be visually compelling and functional while advantageously remaining easy for the developer to create, maintain and modify. A markup language rendering engine is loaded substantially near the beginning of an operating system initialization procedure, and provided with markup language code that solicits at least one user input associated with a user logon process when rendered by the markup language rendering engine. The markup language code can be written in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Dynamic HTML, eXtensible Markup Language (XML), eXtensible Hypertext Markup Language (XHTML), Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML), etc.

Abstract: A method of modifying a Structured Query Language (SQL) statement in order to reduce the number of joins executed by a database is disclosed. The method includes presenting the SQL statement to the database and identifying joins in the SQL statement for removal in accordance with one or more predetermined criteria. For each identified join, the SQL statement may be modified so as to remove the identified join and to change references to a first instance of a table which is referred to by the identified join to a second instance of the table.

Abstract: A method of specifying a visual style for a set of graphical components is provided for use on a computer system having a graphical operating environment. The method includes providing a schema file of available graphical components for which a visual style can be created. In the schema file, each component is defined by a unique class name. The method further includes selecting graphical components from the schema file that are desired to have a defined visual style. Properties are then assigned to these selected components according to the desired visual style, and pairs of selected graphical components and corresponding assigned properties for the defined visual style together are grouped together in a class data file that defines the overall appearance for the defined visual style.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention relates to tissue graft combination biomaterials capable of controlled release of bioactive agents or pharmaceutically active agents through a rate-controlling polymer coating encapsulating the graft material, methods for preparing same, methods of controlled release using same, and methods for treating tissue defects. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining traffic that is to be forwarded to a neighboring device, and determining if the neighboring device is in a state that enables the neighboring device to receive the traffic. The method also includes automatically sending a first packet to the neighboring device if the neighboring device is not in the state that enables the neighboring device to receive the traffic. The first packet includes a bit sequence arranged to cause the neighboring device to awaken itself if the neighboring device is asleep.

Abstract: A system and method for aggregating and extending parental controls auditing in an unmanaged computing network are provided. A parental control system, including a parental control database, logging interface, and audit process, resides on each host computing device in an unmanaged computing network that is capable of synchronizing data residing on one of the host computing devices with data residing on the other devices in the network. The parental control system facilitates the logging and reporting of parental control audit information in a manner that allows parents to aggregate the audit information to obtain a comprehensive audit report of their children's use of all computers in the home, and is extensible and customizable by the applications from which the parental control audit information originates.

Abstract: Context-based network security is provided for streamlined access control over a computer network and components on the computer network. More particularly, methods, instructions on computer-readable media and systems are provided for collecting network context information about a client computer system connecting to the computer network, making the network context information available to various components on the computer network, and using the network context information to control the client computer system's (or a client application executing thereon) access to one or more network resources.

Abstract: A method, system and medium suitable for rendering substantially instantaneously thumbnail data pre-cached in a volatile memory. The thumbnail data is rendered once an indicator or pointer is hovered over an icon that has associated thumbnail data stored in the volatile memory.

Abstract: A system and method for aggregating and extending parental controls auditing in an unmanaged computing network are provided. A parental control system, including a parental control database, logging interface, and audit process, resides on each host computing device in an unmanaged computing network that is capable of synchronizing data residing on one of the host computing devices with data residing on the other devices in the network. The parental control system facilitates the logging and reporting of parental control audit information in a manner that allows parents to aggregate the audit information to obtain a comprehensive audit report of their children's use of all computers in the home, and is extensible and customizable by the applications from which the parental control audit information originates.

Abstract: A binary theme file format provides optimized access to retrieve graphical component theme property data. The binary format includes data structures storing a set of defined visual characteristics for graphical component classes, parts, and states. The data structure includes a hierarchy of theme data. A theme manager quickly retrieves theme property data by indexing into the binary file with a unique theme handle. The theme manager accesses state, part, class, and global property sections to retrieve theme data. Jump tables and jump-to-parent references allow for quickly traversing property data sections. Packed data sections have packed objects having the necessary property data for frequently used graphical components. A custom image region data section provides border data for nontransparent image borders. A sampled colors section facilitates rendering of images with solid sections. The binary file format can be constructed using a text theme file and is loaded into shared process memory.