Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided that significantly reduce or otherwise minimize the amount of NVRAM required within a given computing device. For example, a novel data structure and management scheme are provided in a manner that allows an NVRAM sector-based memory to appear as providing significantly more storage space than it physically has. This is accomplished by mapping a higher number of virtual sectors to a fewer number of physical sectors. Data written to a plurality of virtual sectors is compressed and written to physical sector(s). The information needed to associate the virtual and physical sectors can be maintained in a virtual sector table within less expensive RAM. If power is lost and the virtual sector table is no longer available in the RAM, then on power-up the virtual sector table is recreated based in information that is imbedded within the stored data structure in physical sectors of the NVRAM.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements are provided that significantly reduce or otherwise minimize the amount of NVRAM required within a given computing device. For example, a novel data structure and management scheme are provided in a manner that allows an NVRAM sector-based memory to appear as providing significantly more storage space than it physically has. This is accomplished by mapping a higher number of virtual sectors to a fewer number of physical sectors. Data written to a plurality of virtual sectors is compressed and written to physical sector(s). The information needed to associate the virtual and physical sectors can be maintained in a virtual sector table within less expensive RAM. If power is lost and the virtual sector table is no longer available in the RAM, then on power-up the virtual sector table is recreated based in information that is imbedded within the stored data structure in physical sectors of the NVRAM.

Abstract: Automatic compilation of address filter information permits a cable modem to route incoming data packets to destination devices. A cable modem uses address filter information, such as for example, a list of addresses of communication devices that have previously registered with the cable modem, to identify incoming data packets that are addressed to communication devices associated with the cable modem. Incoming data packets with addresses that are not in the address filter information are filtered out. However, the cable modem may have insufficient filter information, when, for instance, a new communication device is associated with the cable modem. In order to automatically register communication devices associated with the cable modem, the cable modem inspects the source addresses of outgoing data packets. If the source address is not included in the address filter information, the source address is added.

Abstract: An interactive entertainment system enables presentation of supplemental interactive content along side traditional broadcast video programs, such as television shows and movies. The programs are broadcast in a conventional manner. The supplemental content is supplied as part of the same program signal over the broadcast network, or separately over another distribution network. A viewer computing unit is located at the viewer's home to present the program and supplemental content to a viewer. When the viewer tunes to a particular channel, the viewer computing unit consults an electronic programming guide (EPG) to determine if the present program carried on the channel is interactive. If it is, the viewer computing unit launches a browser. The browser uses a target specification stored in the EPG to activate a target resource containing the supplemental content for enhancing the broadcast program.