Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus of creating an application isolated virtual space without the need to run multiple OSs. Application isolated virtual spaces are created by an Operating System (OS) utilizing a resource manager. The resource manager isolates applications from each other by re-writing the network stack and the I/O subsystem of the conventional OS kernel to have multiple isolated network stack/virtual I/O views of the physical resources managed by the OS. Isolated network stacks and virtual I/O views identify the resources allocated to an application's isolated virtual space and are mapped to applications via an isolating identifier.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus of creating an application isolated virtual space without the need to run multiple OSs. Application isolated virtual spaces are created by an Operating System (OS) utilizing a resource manager. The resource manager isolates applications from each other by re-writing the network stack and the I/O subsystem of the conventional OS kernel to have multiple isolated network stack/virtual I/O views of the physical resources managed by the OS. Isolated network stacks and virtual I/O views identify the resources allocated to an application's isolated virtual space and are mapped to applications via an isolating identifier.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus of creating an application isolated virtual space without the need to run multiple OSs. Application isolated virtual spaces are created by an Operating System (OS) utilizing a resource manager. The resource manager isolates applications from each other by re-writing the network stack and the I/O subsystem of the conventional OS kernel to have multiple isolated network stack/virtual I/O views of the physical resources managed by the OS. Isolated network stacks and virtual I/O views identify the resources allocated to an application's isolated virtual space and are mapped to applications via an isolating identifier.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for interfacing with a managed device. A method according to one embodiment includes receiving a message including an identifier indicative of a location at which interface information associated with the managed device is stored, obtaining the interface information, and initiating a request to perform a function on the managed device using the interface information. The interface information includes information adapted for use by a management system to interface with the managed device. The interface information includes one or more interface routines and one or more interface routine descriptions. The interface routine(s) is specified using an interpreted language, such as Java, Visual Basic, and the like. The interface routine description is specified using a descriptive language, such as XML, XHTML, and the like.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling one or more electronic devices based on the location of a user. A remote control is configured by determining a location of a user; and automatically configuring the remote control with one or more menus that are appropriate for the location. The remote control may be, for example, a personal user interface. The user location can be determined, for example, using triangulation techniques by determining if the user is in proximity of a fixed Bluetooth device. The remote control may be automatically configured to present one or more menus for one or more of activities and a device located in the location.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide a method and apparatus of creating an application isolated virtual space without the need to run multiple OSs. Application isolated virtual spaces are created by an Operating System (OS) utilizing a resource manager. The resource manager isolates applications from each other by re-writing the network stack and the I/O subsystem of the conventional OS kernel to have multiple isolated network stack/virtual I/O views of the physical resources managed by the OS. Isolated network stacks and virtual I/O views identify the resources allocated to an application's isolated virtual space and are mapped to applications via an isolating identifier.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for overload control of prioritized message flows in a state machine execution environment. A state machine employs a flow graph associated with a system. The flow graph provides a flow control mechanism that defines a plurality of states and one or more transitions between the states. Tokens circulate within the flow graph and execute functions during the transitions between the states. The state machine parses one of the tokens to extract one or more predefined information elements; assigns a priority to the token based on the extracted information elements and a state occupancy of the token, wherein the assigned priority controls an order in which the token is processed; assesses an overload status of the system and selectively discards one or more of the tokens based on the assigned priority and assessed overload status.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for upgrading software represented as a graph, where the graph has a plurality of states and a plurality of state transitions and tokens traverse the graph executing functions. A method includes identifying a target region of the graph, obtaining a new region for the graph, determining a correspondence between states of the target region of the graph and states of the new region for the graph, and replacing the target region of the graph with the new region for the graph using the correspondence between states of the target region of the graph and states of the new region for the graph. The target region of the graph may be replaced by suspending the operation of the target region of the graph, or while the target region of the graph continues running.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for dynamically defining and instantiating an undefined portion of a graph, where the graph has a plurality of states and a plurality of state transitions. A method includes executing the graph where the graph comprises a defined portion and an undefined portion and a plurality of tokens traverse the graph executing functions, suspending the one of the tokens in response to the one of the tokens detecting the undefined portion of the graph, generating a new portion of the graph for the undefined portion of the graph, replacing the undefined portion of the graph with the new portion of the graph, and releasing the suspended token. The new portion of the graph is generated by generating at least one definition file for the undefined portion of the graph and executing the at least one definition file to form thereby the new portion of the graph.

Abstract: True collaborative interactive video streaming is advantageously achieved in accordance with certain illustrative embodiments of the present invention. A method and apparatus in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention enables a plurality of clients to concurrently view and interactively modify the playout of a video program—which may advantageously comprise either a stored (i.e., prerecorded) video program (e.g., a movie) or a real-time (i.e., live) video program—wherein the video program is being streamed from a video server to all of the clients synchronously (i.e., the same video is being played out concurrently to all clients). In accordance with this illustrative embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of clients is advantageously capable of transmitting control commands to the video server, and the video server responds to such control commands by appropriately modifying the video streaming process, but does so synchronously to all clients.

Abstract: True collaborative interactive video streaming is advantageously achieved in accordance with certain illustrative embodiments of the present invention. A method and apparatus in accordance with one illustrative embodiment of the present invention enables a plurality of clients to concurrently view and interactively modify the playout of a video program—which may advantageously comprise either a stored (i.e., prerecorded) video program (e.g., a movie) or a real-time (i.e., live) video program—wherein the video program is being streamed from a video server to all of the clients synchronously (i.e., the same video is being played out concurrently to all clients). In accordance with this illustrative embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of clients is advantageously capable of transmitting control commands to the video server, and the video server responds to such control commands by appropriately modifying the video streaming process, but does so synchronously to all clients.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for prioritizing message flows in a state machine execution environment. A state machine is disclosed that employs a flow graph that provides a flow control mechanism The flow control mechanism defines a plurality of states and one or more transitions between the plurality of states, wherein one or more tokens circulate within the flow graph and execute functions during the one or more transitions between the states The disclosed state machine parses one of the tokens to extract one or more predefined information elements; and assigns a priority to the token based on the extracted information elements and a state occupancy of the token, wherein the assigned priority controls an order in which the token is processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for controlling one or more electronic devices based on the location of a user. A remote control is configured by determining a location of a user; and automatically configuring the remote control with one or more menus that are appropriate for the location. The remote control may be, for example, a personal user interface. The user location can be determined, for example, using triangulation techniques by determining if the user is in proximity of a fixed Bluetooth device. The remote control may be automatically configured to present one or more menus for one or more of activities and a device located in the location.

Abstract: Multiple versions of a video such as a movie are generated, stored and delivered to a user by generating and storing a single “master” version of the video in combination with one or more lists of editing information (“edit lists”) which are used to modify the “master” version to create “alternate” versions thereof. This editing information may be based on timestamp information associated with the master version of the video or other such indexing information, and specifies a set of modifications (e.g., edits) that are to be made to the master version of the video at the specified timestamps (or indices) in order to create the desired “alternate” version of the video. Then, these edits are advantageously made to the master version of the video in real time when the video is being delivered to the user, based on the version of the video which is to be delivered.

Abstract: A wireless remote control and a method of manufacturing the same. In one embodiment, the wireless remote control includes: (1) a body, (2) an orientation detector located in the body, (3) a processor located in the body and coupled to the orientation detector and configured to receive an orientation signal from the orientation detector, (4) a memory located in the body and coupled to the processor and containing software configured to cause the processor to generate a media playback control signal based on the orientation signal and (5) wireless communication circuitry located in the body and coupled to the processor and configured to receive and wirelessly transmit the media playback control signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing clock drift between un-synchronized clocks which may occur at opposing ends of a communication link established in, for example, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications network, especially for use with, for example, a FAX or modem terminal device. The illustrative system employs two or more clocks, wherein at least one of these clocks operates at an intentionally higher frequency than the nominal clock frequency (e.g., 8 kHz) and wherein at least one of these clocks operates at an intentionally lower frequency than the nominal clock frequency. In operation, the illustrative system alternatively chooses one of the clocks, in order to attempt to match the clock of the far-end terminal device on average. The state and/or history of the receiving device's associated jitter buffer may be advantageously used to determine which clock to select.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for overload control of prioritized message flows in a state machine execution environment. A state machine employs a flow graph associated with a system. The flow graph provides a flow control mechanism that defines a plurality of states and one or more transitions between the states. Tokens circulate within the flow graph and execute functions during the transitions between the states. The state machine parses one of the tokens to extract one or more predefined information elements; assigns a priority to the token based on the extracted information elements and a state occupancy of the token, wherein the assigned priority controls an order in which the token is processed; assesses an overload status of the system and selectively discards one or more of the tokens based on the assigned priority and assessed overload status.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for prioritizing message flows in a state machine execution environment. A state machine is disclosed that employs a flow graph that provides a flow control mechanism The flow control mechanism defines a plurality of states and one or more transitions between the plurality of states, wherein one or more tokens circulate within the flow graph and execute functions during the one or more transitions between the states The disclosed state machine parses one of the tokens to extract one or more predefined information elements; and assigns a priority to the token based on the extracted information elements and a state occupancy of the token, wherein the assigned priority controls an order in which the token is processed.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for upgrading software represented as a graph, where the graph has a plurality of states and a plurality of state transitions and tokens traverse the graph executing functions. A method includes identifying a target region of the graph, obtaining a new region for the graph, determining a correspondence between states of the target region of the graph and states of the new region for the graph, and replacing the target region of the graph with the new region for the graph using the correspondence between states of the target region of the graph and states of the new region for the graph. The target region of the graph may be replaced by suspending the operation of the target region of the graph, or while the target region of the graph continues running.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for dynamically defining and instantiating an undefined portion of a graph, where the graph has a plurality of states and a plurality of state transitions. A method includes executing the graph where the graph comprises a defined portion and an undefined portion and a plurality of tokens traverse the graph executing functions, suspending the one of the tokens in response to the one of the tokens detecting the undefined portion of the graph, generating a new portion of the graph for the undefined portion of the graph, replacing the undefined portion of the graph with the new portion of the graph, and releasing the suspended token. The new portion of the graph is generated by generating at least one definition file for the undefined portion of the graph and executing the at least one definition file to form thereby the new portion of the graph.