Abstract: In a multi-core platform in which secondary processing cores do not have direct WAN connectivity, methods and apparatus are described that enable the secondary processing cores to provide DNS resolution services to their network applications and/or client devices attached thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, a primary processing core having direct WAN connectivity and a DHCP client includes a DNS proxy service module which acts as a DNS server to the platform's secondary processing cores. Each secondary processing core sends DNS queries to the primary core DNS proxy service module. A primary core DNS resolver regenerates DNS queries based on the DNS queries from the secondary cores and forwards them for resolution to WAN-side DNS servers whose IP addresses were provided to the DHCP client in response to an IP lease request.

Abstract: A method of playing back, by an electronic device, a recorded program without a first commercial, the recorded program recorded from a first program having the first commercial inserted therein is disclosed. The method comprises steps of obtaining location information of the first commercial in the first program responsive to a command to play back the recorded program; inserting a second commercial at a first location according to the location information of the first commercial; and playing back the recorded program with the inserted second commercial.

Abstract: A water based, alcohol-free, skin sanitizing solution with a natural skin softener, where the nature of the biocidal enhancer used in the process of making the solution significantly increases efficacy while simultaneously enabling much more economical manufacturing, processing and transportation of the product. Because it is water based, no further moisturizing additives are required, and those with sensitive skin, diabetes, allergies or religious beliefs are able to use the product without concern.

Abstract: A method of playing back, by an electronic device, a recorded program having a first commercial inserted therein is disclosed. The method comprises steps of if a date of playing back the recorded program is less than a date associated with the recorded program, playing back the recorded program including the first commercial; and if the date of playing back the recorded program is more than the associated date, replacing the first commercial in the recorded program with a second commercial and playing back the recorded program including the second commercial.

Abstract: A method of playing back, by an electronic device, a recorded program without a first commercial, the recorded program recorded from a first program having the first commercial inserted therein is disclosed. The method comprises steps of obtaining location information of the first commercial in the first program responsive to a command to play back the recorded program; inserting a second commercial at a first location according to the location information of the first commercial; and playing back the recorded program with the inserted second commercial.

Abstract: A method of displaying an alert from a broadcast source in an electronic device while the electronic device is not playing back a currently received broadcast signal is disclosed. The method comprises steps of playing back a signal recorded in a first device connected to the electronic device responsive to a user command; detecting an alert from a broadcast source while playing back the recorded signal; and presenting the alert responsive to detecting the alert.

Abstract: A water based, alcohol-free, skin sanitizing solution with a natural skin softener, where the nature of the biocidal enhancer used in the process of making the solution significantly increases efficacy while simultaneously enabling much more economical manufacturing, processing and transportation of the product. Because it is water based, no further moisturizing additives are required, and those with sensitive skin, diabetes, allergies or religious beliefs are able to use the product without concern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for optimizing wireless local area network communications are described including receiving a request, from a wireless device, to join a multicast group in order to receive multicast data, determining if the request is a request from a subsequent wireless device for the same multicast data, converting the multicast data to unicast data, if the request is not from a subsequent wireless device or the request is not for the same multicast data and transmitting the converted data to the wireless device that requested the multicast data.

Abstract: A gateway device communicates with a client device on a local area network. The gateway device receives a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) request from the client device; wherein the DHCP request includes information indicating whether, or not, the client device supports quality of service (QoS) treatment; and if the client device supports QoS treatment, the gateway device sends packets destined for the client device with QoS priority tagging information; and if the client device does not support QoS treatment, the gateway device sends packets destined for the client device without QoS priority tagging information.

Abstract: In a multi-core platform in which secondary processing cores do not have direct WAN connectivity, methods and apparatus are described that enable the secondary processing cores to provide DNS resolution services to their network applications and/or client devices attached thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, a primary processing core having direct WAN connectivity and a DHCP client includes a DNS proxy service module which acts as a DNS server to the platform's secondary processing cores. Each secondary processing core sends DNS queries to the primary core DNS proxy service module. A primary core DNS resolver regenerates DNS queries based on the DNS queries from the secondary cores and forwards them for resolution to WAN-side DNS servers whose IP addresses were provided to the DHCP client in response to an IP lease request.

Abstract: In a multi-core platform in which secondary processor cores do not have direct WAN connectivity, methods and apparatus are described that enable the secondary cores to provide DNS resolution services to their network applications or to attached client devices. In an exemplary embodiment, a primary processor core having direct WAN connectivity includes a DNS forwarder which shares with the platform's secondary processing cores DNS server IP address information acquired from a WAN-side DHCP server. Each secondary core implements a compatible DNS forwarder client to request DNS information from the primary core DNS forwarder, receive the information, and make it available to its operating system's DNS resolver module. Additionally, or alternatively, the primary core DNS forwarder may push updated DNS server information to each secondary core following a primary core DHCP client lease renewal.

Abstract: A device for recording a scheduled program comprises a means adapted for receiving data from a multi-program transport stream system that is configured to transmit multiple audio or video programs over a channel in multiple streams, the multi-program transport stream system further providing program identifiers to the streams in the channel that identifies a first program identifier with a first stream having at least a portion of a scheduled program and indentifies a second program identifier with a second stream having the scheduled program in its entirety; and a storage means adapted for identifying the scheduled program by the second program identifier and recording the scheduled program in its entirety while the unscheduled interrupting program is provided in real time.

Abstract: The display server apparatus and associated methods provide audio and video data to a plurality of displays. The apparatus and methods enable monitoring of the content being viewed on a secondary display on a primary display. A secondary display may be used to view the content being displayed on a primary display when provided with appropriate authorization information. The apparatus is further capable of scaling and sizing provided audio and video streams in accordance with the characteristics and capabilities of each remote device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for using an integrated circuit card to facilitate downloading reusable content from a server into a terminal. Specifically, the method comprises the steps of verifying that an entitlement contained in the integrated circuit card is correct for receiving the reusable content from the server and downloading the reusable content from the server into a memory of the terminal. The apparatus comprises a terminal, coupled to a remote server and an integrated circuit card, coupled to the terminal via the interface circuit, for enabling the server to download the reusable content in the terminal. The terminal comprises a processor for processing the download of the content from the server, a memory for receiving the downloaded content and an integrated circuit card interface circuit.

Abstract: The present application provides a method and system for the control of trick mode suppression schemes in media content such that trick mode support can be re-enabled for the received content. In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for trick mode suppression control includes examining a received media content signal to identify trick mode disabled portion (s) of the media content. The method further includes monitoring identified trick mode disabled portions of the media content to determine which portion (s) of a trick mode disabled portion of the media content have been viewed. In one embodiment, trick mode functionality is then restored for the portions of the trick mode disabled media content that satisfy the preview conditions defined in the media content as it is being viewed.

Abstract: An architecture for automatically optimizing audio and video modes available from interconnected multimedia devices. When one multimedia device is connected with another multimedia device, the devices communicate with each other to determine the modes available from both devices. The devices then compare the different combinations of available audio and video modes and determine which mode combination yields the optimal operating efficiency for outputting a media service.

Abstract: A video processing apparatus, including: power-up circuitry; an input for receiving encoded video signals; a memory having stored therein processing instructions for processing the encoded video signals to provide an output signal; a decoder, coupled to the input, for processing the received encoded video signals in accordance with the processing instructions; a first controller, coupled to the memory and decoder, for controlling operation of the decoder to process the encoded video signals in accordance with the processing instructions; and a second controller, coupled to the first controller, memory and power up circuitry, wherein, the second controller in response to a start up procedure restricts operation of the first controller and validates the processing instructions, and upon validation of the processing instructions un-restricts operation of the first controller thereby allowing the controller to read the processing instructions from the memory.

Abstract: An IP settop box for use in a network is described, including the apparatus and a method for updating the apparatus in a network. The method includes interfacing the device to a network, launching a service related to interfacing the network to the device, determining if the service is operating properly, requesting information related to the service if it is not operating properly, and updating the service using the requested information without restarting the device. The apparatus includes a network interface for communicating with a network including a request for an update related to a service and an updated value related to a service, a memory for storing a value related to the service, and a processor operatively coupled to the network interface and memory for managing the update related to the service in the apparatus by allowing a change to the value in the memory without restarting the apparatus.

Abstract: An architecture for automatically optimizing audio and video modes available from interconnected multimedia devices. When one multimedia device is connected with another multimedia device, the devices communicate with each other to determine the modes available from both devices. The devices then compare the different combinations of available audio and video modes and determine which mode combination yields the optimal operating efficiency for outputting a media service.

Abstract: An architecture (102) for automatically optimizing audio and video modes available from interconnected multimedia devices (250). When one multimedia device (102) is connected with another multimedia device (250), the devices communicate with each other to determine the modes available from both devices. The devices then compare the different combinations of available audio and video modes and determine which mode combination yields the optimal operating efficiency for outputting a media service.