Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for organizing audio/visual content and prefetching selected audio/visual content configured to be displayed to a user. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for presenting content identifies a preference corresponding to a user; detects a current display window; and prefetches at least one audio/visual content in response, in part, to the current display window and the preference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for discovery and notification of services are described for creating a service, discovering the service, and providing notification of the service. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for discovery and notification of services identifies a content provider; identifies a service wherein the service corresponds with the content provider; forms a service record within the service registry wherein the service record represents the service; and allows a content user to discover the service through the service registry.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for discovery and notification of services are described for creating a service, discovering the service, and providing notification of the service. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for discovery and notification of services identifies a content provider; identifies a service wherein the service corresponds with the content provider; forms a service record within the service registry wherein the service record represents the service; and allows a content user to discover the service through the service registry.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for discovery and notification of services are described for creating a service, discovering the service, and providing notification of the service. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for discovery and notification of services identifies a content provider; identifies a service wherein the service corresponds with the content provider; forms a service record within the service registry wherein the service record represents the service; and allows a content user to discover the service through the service registry.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for organizing audio/visual content and prefetching selected audio/visual content configured to be displayed to a user. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for presenting content identifies a preference corresponding to a user; detects a current display window; and prefetches at least one audio/visual content in response, in part, to the current display window and the preference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining the identity of the user detect a current user's electronic device activity pattern; compare the detected activity pattern against a plurality of user action identification profiles, wherein each user action identification profile is associated with a particular user; and use the comparing to identify the current user as being the particular user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for organizing audio/visual content and prefetching selected audio/visual content configured to be displayed to a user. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for presenting content identifies a preference corresponding to a user; detects a current display window; and prefetches at least one audio/visual content in response, in part, to the current display window and the preference.

Abstract: A UPnP rendezvous bridge appropriately bridges a UPnP network with a rendezvous network. The UPnP rendezvous bridge appropriately allows device and service discovery and converts communications directed between devices within the UPnP network and devices within the rendezvous network into an appropriate format for the receiving device, utilizing a UPnP proxy, a rendezvous proxy, a UPnP table and a rendezvous table. The UPnP rendezvous bridge includes a programmable microprocessor which manipulates communications into the proper format for the receiving device. The UPnP rendezvous bridge is implemented within a stand-alone device coupled between the UPnP and the rendezvous networks. Alternatively, the UPnP rendezvous bridge is implemented within an appropriately configured device in one of the networks. A protocol conversion program is stored within a read only memory (ROM) and used by the microprocessor to perform the appropriate conversions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining the identity of the user detect a current user's electronic device activity pattern; compare the detected activity pattern against a plurality of user action identification profiles, wherein each user action identification profile is associated with a particular user; and use the comparing to identify the current user as being the particular user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining the identity of the user detect a current user's electronic device activity pattern; compare the detected activity pattern against a plurality of user action identification profiles, wherein each user action identification profile is associated with a particular user; and use the comparing to identify the current user as being the particular user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for translating commands formatted in different protocols into a common application programming interface. Methods and apparatuses detect at least one device; detect a protocol associated with each device; match the protocol with a protocol translator module; and translate a command formatted in the protocol into a translated command formatted in a common application programming interface through the protocol translator module.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for discovery and notification of services are described for creating a service, discovering the service, and providing notification of the service. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for discovery and notification of services identifies a content provider; identifies a service wherein the service corresponds with the content provider; forms a service record within the service registry wherein the service record represents the service; and allows a content user to discover the service through the service registry.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for streaming content are described for presenting the content such that a delay time between requesting the content and utilizing the content is minimized. In one embodiment, methods and apparatuses for streaming content store an initial portion a selected content item within a temporary storage cache; stream the initial portion of the selected content from the temporary storage cache to a stream synchronizer; simultaneously load an entire segment of the selected content to the stream synchronizer while streaming the initial portion; produce a resultant stream comprising the initial portion of the selected content; and seamlessly transition the resultant stream from the initial portion of the content to the entire segment of the content.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for organizing audio/visual content and prefetching selected audio/visual content configured to be displayed to a user. In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses for presenting content identifies a preference corresponding to a user; detects a current display window; and prefetches at least one audio/visual content in response, in part, to the current display window and the preference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining the identity of the user detect a current user's electronic device activity pattern; compare the detected activity pattern against a plurality of user action identification profiles, wherein each user action identification profile is associated with a particular user; and use the comparing to identify the current user as being the particular user.

Abstract: A UPnP rendezvous bridge appropriately bridges a UPnP network with a rendezvous network. The UPnP rendezvous bridge appropriately allows device and service discovery and converts communications directed between devices within the UPnP network and devices within the rendezvous network into an appropriate format for the receiving device, utilizing a UPnP proxy, a rendezvous proxy, a UPnP table and a rendezvous table. The UPnP rendezvous bridge includes a programmable microprocessor which manipulates communications into the proper format for the receiving device. The UPnP rendezvous bridge is implemented within a stand-alone device coupled between the UPnP and the rendezvous networks. Alternatively, the UPnP rendezvous bridge is implemented within an appropriately configured device in one of the networks. A protocol conversion program is stored within a read only memory (ROM) and used by the microprocessor to perform the appropriate conversions.

Abstract: A master content directory service (CDS) provides a consolidated CDS which includes content listings representing all of the content within the network. A component of the master CDS functioning as a control point application periodically queries each CDS within the network in order to obtain the content listings for processing and inclusion within the master CDS. The component of the master CDS functioning as a control point application preferably also subscribes to each CDS within the network to receive notification of changes in content. Control point applications within the network access the consolidated master CDS to search content listings from all devices within the network. Preferably, the content itself is stored on the original device. When a control point application, accessing the master CDS, selects content for rendering, a communication is sent to the source device for the selected content. The selected content is then transmitted from the source device to the requesting device.