Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for updating a configuration of a device. An indication of an intended action to be performed by the device is obtained. A configuration list of program components required to perform the intended action is prepared based on the intended action and configuration information for the device. For each program component in the configuration list it is determined whether the program component is installed on the device. Each required program component that is not installed on the device is transferred to the device and the program component is installed on the device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for transferring one or more media files from a content server to a media playback device. A request of one or more media files to be transferred to a particular media playback device is received. The one or more media files have associated expiration rules. Information about the particular media playback device is obtained. Based on the information, it is determined whether the particular media playback device has the capability to enforce the expiration rules associated with the one or more media files. If so, the media files are formatted such that they can only be rendered by the particular playback device and transferred to the device with the expiration rules. A method and apparatus for playing media files and a method and apparatus for updating expiration data are also described.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for delivering media files to a particular digital media playback device. The system includes a content server and a download manager. The content server receives device-identifying information obtained from a particular digital media playback device and distributes media files in response to the received device-identifying information. The download manager obtains device-identifying information from a particular digital media playback device that is in communication with the download manager, forwards the obtained device-identifying information to the content server over a public communication network, receives media files over the public communication network from the content server, and distributes the received media files to the particular digital media playback device for playback on the particular digital media playback device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for delivery of media content. A communication channel is established between a particular digital media playback device and a content server on which media content is stored. Device-identifying information relating to the particular digital media playback device is received through the communication channel. A request for media content to be delivered to the digital media playback device is received. It is determined, based on the device-identifying information, whether the requested media content is playable on the digital media playback device. If the requested media content is playable on the digital media playback device, the requested media content and metadata associated with the media content are obtained and formatted, based on the device-identifying information, for playback on the digital media playback device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and system, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for delivery of media files to a particular digital media playback device. The system comprises a content server and a download manager located in the digital media playback device. The content server receives device-identifying information obtained from the digital media playback device, and distributes media files in response to the received device-identifying information. The download manager forwards device-identifying information to the content server over a public communication network and receives media files over the public communication network from the content server for playback on the particular digital media playback device.

Abstract: A data channel controller, coupleable to a base computer system including a base memory, for managing the transport of multiple data streams through a base system interface including a first buffer, a pool memory including a plurality of second buffers, and one or more peripheral devices each having a third buffer. An arbiter system is coupled to said pool memory for selectively enabling the transfer of data with respect to a predetermined first buffer in response to first and second request signals. The peripheral devices operate to transport data through their third buffers with respect to a peripheral interfaces characterized as each having a predetermined data transfer rate. The peripheral devices first request signals to the arbiter system under first predetermined conditions with respect to the presence of data in corresponding third buffers to obtain a transfer of data between corresponding second and third buffers.

Abstract: A multiple data stream channel controller providing demand driven transport of multiple data streams concurrently in real time through a peripheral data channel coupled between a general purpose processor system and a special purpose processor system. The controller comprises a first bus master interface coupleable to a general purpose processor system bus, a second bus master interface coupleable to a special purpose processor system bus, a segmentable buffer memory and a controller that directs the transfer of data segments between the first and second bus master interfaces via the segmentable buffer memory. The controller is responsive to a plurality of signals provided by the special purpose processor bus to request transfer of successive data segments from a respective plurality of data streams staged in the segmentable buffer memory.

Abstract: A data transfer control system including a pool memory, a plurality of peripheral devices, and a transfer controller. The pool memory provides for the storage of data in a plurality of FIFOs formed within the pool memory. The plurality of peripheral devices are coupleable to the pool memory to provide for the transfer of data between programmatically associated FIFOs and peripheral devices. The transfer controller is coupled to the pool memory and to the peripheral devices for selectively managing the transfer of data between the FIFOs and the peripheral devices. The transfer controller includes a distributed signaling system coupled to the peripheral devices to permit the broadcast of status information reflective of a transfer of data relative to a predetermined FIFO to the peripheral devices.

Abstract: A bus transfer control system manages the transfer of multiple asynchronous data streams through a buffer pool. The bus transfer control system includes a buffer pool having a plurality of memory blocks, wherein each memory block provides for the storage of a plurality of data bytes and a plurality of data transfer devices coupled to the buffer pool to allow the transfer of segments of one or more data streams to be transferred between the plurality of data tranfer devices through the buffer pool. A transfer controller maintains status information relating to the status of data in the memory blocks and includes control logic for repeatedly evaluating the status information and providing for the prioritied selection of a first data transfer device and a predetermined one of the memory blocks.

Abstract: This invention describes a method and an apparatus for refracting a laser beam. The beam can be collimated, focused, or expanded in passage through a series of in-line, orthogonally-mounted modules, each of which utilizes a fully-developed thermal boundary layer within a flow, between two cooled (or heated) parallel plates to produce beam refraction. The laser beam, in passage through this device, traverses only fully-developed thermal boundary layers which generate parabolic density and refractive index profiles, hence produce an undistorted gas lens. Two (three) diverger modules can be mounted in line to produce an emerging beam which is an undistorted, spherical-wave-front diverging (or collimated or focused) beam of elliptical (circular) cross section and the same beam quality as the input beam. This gas lens is usable at high beam power densities much above those that conventional optical materials can withstand.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus utilizes a bi-level exhaust venting system for an eye level range for conducting heated air from both a front portion and a rear portion of a subjacent stove unit. A first inlet is provided at a top portion of the cabinet, and a second inlet is provided at a bottom portion of the cabinet for conducting air from the front and rear surface units, respectively. A blower draws the conducted air into the upper cabinet and discharges it through a suitable outlet.

Abstract: Apparatus for illuminating the interior of a microwave oven cooking cavity, including a light bulb and socket assembly that are inserted into the cavity interior through an opening in a side wall of the cavity during assembly of the oven and a metallic shield member mounted to the cavity wall to surround the bulb. The shield is dimensioned to permit user access to the bulb from within the cavity while preventing the propagation of microwave energy to the region where the bulb is located.

Abstract: A cavity and cabinet construction for a microwave oven is provided which utilizes two U-shaped members which are nested together to form the cooking cavity and the cabinet. One member forms the front, bottom and rear panels of the cooking cavity and the cabinet and the other member forms the top panel and side panels of the cavity. The second member is laterally smaller than the first member to provide a chamber within the cabinet for housing the electrical components. The two members are secured together around the front panel by a metal crimping technique which prevents distortion and marking of the front face of the front panel and are joined along a bottom and rear edge by a metal stitching technique to secure the two members together in a radiation leak-proof manner. A U-shaped channel hinge bracket is utilized to provide support for a hinged door, the door having a hinge plate which sandwiches the flange of the front panel between the hinge plate and the hinge bracket.

Abstract: A system for generating fluorine for use as a gaseous reactant in a chemical laser from a storable gas supply of NF.sub.3.

Abstract: A sensitive laser spectroscopy measurement system having a laser radiation source and a dual beam and detection scheme that allows for the measurement of small intensity differences between a probe beam and a reference beam resulting from the absorption, gain or scattering of the probe beam by a medium placed in its optical path. The system attains measurement sensitivities of less than 10.sup.-4 when the laser radiation source for the probe and reference beams is modulatable. Further included within the system is a prism placed in the optical path of the laser beam before the beam splits into the probe and reference beams and a detector for each beam. The detectors are electrically connected to a sensitivity differential amplifier and an oscilloscope for displaying the intensities of the beams.