Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are related to systems and methods for providing and managing browser widgets in systems with limited user interface capabilities or computational power.

Abstract: In wireless networks, data objects are typically transferred from a data distributor to a data recipient by reliable point-to-point communication between the distributor and the recipient. However, the time to transfer data by point-to-point communication can become excessive if the number of recipients is large. Efficient and reliable data transfer is provided by a system incorporating broadcast and point-to-point communication topologies. The data is initially broadcast to all recipients. Data broadcasting is followed by polling the recipients. If the data missing after a broadcast can be transferred in less time by point-to-point communication then that topology is chosen to complete the transfer. If not, the missing data is broadcast again to all recipients. The efficiency of the broadcast phase can be improved by designating a representative to acknowledge successful data transfer on behalf of all recipients.

Abstract: A system and method in a local area network based on the Universal-Plug-and-Play (UPnP™) technology represents an infrared (IR) remote control (RC) pass-through protocol in the Content Directory Service (CDS) of a media server that transmits an audio-video (AV) media stream over the network to a media renderer. The CDS includes a listing of media content items that represent media source devices that provide media content to the media server, and a listing of associated IR pass-through protocol identifiers (IRPT-IDs) for each media content item. Each IRPT-ID identifies an IR pass-through encoding/decoding protocol usable by the IR decoder in the media server and each IRPT-ID has an associated internet protocol (IP) connection point (IRPT-CP). The media renderer browses the CDS to identify the media content item and its associated IRPT-ID/IRPT-CP pair. The IR RC at the media renderer sends RC commands to the media renderer that are encoded using the IR pass-through protocol represented by the IRPT-ID.

Abstract: A method of locating and retrieving data objects on an ad hoc data communication system includes discovering devices comprising the system, identification of discovered devices supporting location and transfer of objects from remote devices, locating a desired data object on the devices of the system, and transferring of the desired object to a destination device.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a telephone that provides for automatically and accurately tracking calling plan charges using carrier plan rules, for informing a user of accrued charges on request, and for providing messages and signals to a user so that the user may budget telephone use and thereby lower the user's costs.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed that is adapted to communicate with a first device network and to communicate with a second device that is part of a second device network. The device includes a processor and a communications module in electronic communication with the processor for communications with other devices including the second device and at least one device from the first device network. Memory may also be included in electronic communication with the processor for storing data. The electronic device may also include a pseudo-random scheduler for providing time points defining a schedule for the electronic device to communicate with the other devices. A dynamic scheduler may also be included to modify the schedule. The electronic device may also include an event queue.

Abstract: In a UPnP network, a system and method have been provided for multicasting a byebye message by proxy. The method comprises: maintaining a list of available networked devices; maintaining a record of advertised UPnP elements; comparing the list of available networked devices to the record of advertised UPnP elements; and, multicasting a byebye message by proxy, for advertised UPnP elements associated with networked devices that are no longer available. The comparison of the list of available networked devices to the record of UPnP elements includes determining advertised UPnP elements in the record that cannot be cross-referenced to available networked devices. The method further comprises removing UPnP elements from the record in response to the comparison.

Abstract: Systems and methods for implementing an acknowledgement mechanism for transmission of a real-time data stream from a sending system to a receiving system are disclosed. An exemplary method implemented in a sending system involves establishing a connection with a receiving system for transmitting a real-time data stream to the receiving system. The method also involves transmitting a current segment of the real-time data stream to the receiving system. If an acknowledgement of the current segment is not received from the receiving system during a predetermined time period, the method also involves discontinuing any retransmission attempts for the current segment and transmitting a next segment to the receiving system.

Abstract: A method and system for controlling legacy entertainment devices through a data network includes a source-side network adaptor for coupling a legacy entertainment source device to a network. The source-side network adaptor is adapted to receive entertainment output of the legacy entertainment source and forward the entertainment output to the network. An output-side network adaptor is also provided for coupling an output device to the network and for receiving selected entertainment output from the network and providing such output to the output device. In addition, the output-side network adaptor is adapted to receive commands from a wireless controller and includes an output selecting module for selecting entertainment output based on one or more commands. Selection of the source-side network adaptor and an associated legacy entertainment source is accomplished automatically.

Abstract: Systems and methods for representing a tuner device in a content directory service that is implemented in a media server are disclosed. An exemplary method involves representing a tuner as a tuner container. A broadcast channel which is accessible to the tuner is represented as a broadcast item within the tuner container. The exemplary method also involves exposing the broadcast item within the tuner container as an object for browsing by a control point. Information about the broadcast item may be sent to the control point in response to a browse request. A connection may be established with a media renderer for transmission of content from the broadcast channel to the media renderer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a telephone that provides for automatically and accurately tracking calling plan charges using carrier plan rules, for informing a user of accrued charges on request, and for providing messages and signals to a user so that the user may budget telephone use and thereby lower the user's costs.

Abstract: A method of locating and retrieving data objects on an ad hoc data communication system includes discovering devices comprising the system, identification of discovered devices supporting location and transfer of objects from remote devices, locating a desired data object on the devices of the system, and transferring of the desired object to a destination device.