Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for graphically displaying the noise level on each WLAN channel, along with the arrangement of other (neighboring) wireless host devices on each channel with their respective signal strengths as a distance indicator. As a result, collected information may be gathered and displayed intuitively to allow a user to quickly assess the environment and manually configure the wireless host device. In addition, methods and apparatuses are provided for suggesting to a user or automatically selecting a wireless host device configuration based on the noise level on each WLAN channel and the arrangement of other wireless host devices on each channel with consideration of their respective signal strengths. As a result, an optimal configuration for a deployed wireless host device may be determined and consistently suggested or automatically configured.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for graphically displaying the noise level on each WLAN channel, along with the arrangement of other (neighboring) wireless host devices on each channel with their respective signal strengths as a distance indicator. As a result, collected information may be gathered and displayed intuitively to allow a user to quickly assess the environment and manually configure the wireless host device. in addition, methods and apparatuses are provided for suggesting to a user or automatically selecting a wireless host device configuration based on the noise level on each WLAN channel and the arrangement of other wireless host devices on each channel with consideration of their respective signal strengths. As a result, an optimal configuration for a deployed wireless host device may be determined and consistently suggested or automatically configured.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing digital media playback at multiple digital media playback devices interconnected on a network is provided. A digital media playback device comprising a processor, a synchronization component, a timekeeper component and a digital media source performs synchronization processes to arrange for other players to begin playback at a predetermined position and time in the digital media signal. Synchronization is accomplished by processes which approximate the arrival time of a packet containing audio and/or video digital content across the network and instruct the playback devices as to when playback is to begin, and at what point in the streaming media content signal to begin playback. One method uses a time-stamp packet on the network to synchronize all players. Other methods utilize reiterative processes to narrow approximations of packet arrival time at each playback device.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing digital media playback at multiple digital media playback devices interconnected on a network is provided. A digital media playback device comprising a processor, a synchronization component, a timekeeper component and a digital media source performs synchronization processes to arrange for other players to begin playback at a predetermined position and time in the digital media signal. Synchronization is accomplished by processes which approximate the arrival time of a packet containing audio and/or video digital content across the network and instruct the playback devices as to when playback is to begin, and at what point in the streaming media content signal to begin playback. One method uses a time-stamp packet on the network to synchronize all players. Other methods utilize reiterative processes to narrow approximations of packet arrival time at each playback device.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing digital media playback at multiple digital media playback devices interconnected on a network is provided. A digital media playback device comprising a processor, a synchronization component, a timekeeper component and a digital media source performs synchronization processes to arrange for other players to begin playback at a predetermined position and time in the digital media signal. Synchronization is accomplished by processes which approximate the arrival time of a packet containing audio and/or video digital content across the network and instruct the playback devices as to when playback is to begin, and at what point in the streaming media content signal to begin playback. One method uses a time-stamp packet on the network to synchronize all players. Other methods utilize reiterative processes to narrow approximations of packet arrival time at each playback device.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for preventing unauthorized program modules from communicating. Initially, at least one program module is identified utilizing a central processing unit call history. Thereafter, an authorization test is performed on the at least one program module for preventing unauthorized program modules from communicating.

Abstract: Presented are systems and methods for controlling a PC from an interactive TV display. The system includes a network which interconnects a TV set-top-box (STB) to a PC. The STB includes a network interface so as to communicate with the network, a remote control receiver, a display controller, and a CPU. A remote control transmits a user's commands to the remote control receiver in the STB, which forwards the commands to a client software application resident in the PC. The client software interprets the commands and causes the PC to perform various programmatic steps. Images of the PC screen display are sent across the network to the STB from the PC by the client software application, where the display controller displays these images on the TV. An interactive virtual mouse, controllable by commands transmitted from the remote control, is superimposed on the images being displayed on the TV.

Abstract: A system and method that selectively discards contents of a buffer memory containing audio-visual digital media content in response to a media switching event. The system includes at least one server in communication with a digital media source and connected to a network. At least one receiver is also connected to the network and includes a display device that presents audible and visual information to a user. The buffer memory can be located in either the receiver, server or both devices. Upon generation and detection of the media switching event, the contents of the buffer are discarded so as to minimize the time-delay of changing the display information.

Abstract: A system and method for synchronizing digital media playback at multiple digital media playback devices interconnected on a network is provided. A digital media playback device comprising a processor, a synchronization component, a timekeeper component and a digital media source performs synchronization processes to arrange for other players to begin playback at a predetermined position and time in the digital media signal. Synchronization is accomplished by processes which approximate the arrival time of a packet containing audio and/or video digital content across the network and instruct the playback devices as to when playback is to begin, and at what point in the streaming media content signal to begin playback. One method uses a time-stamp packet on the network to synchronize all players. Other methods utilize reiterative processes to narrow approximations of packet arrival time at each playback device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method of allocating clusters of a disk or other computer readable medium containing a plurality of clusters to minimize fragmentation. To accomplish this, at least one available block is identified in the computer readable medium. Each block includes one or more contiguous available clusters, where each cluster comprises one or more units of storage space. A request is received to allocate one or more clusters to a file. At least one of the available blocks is selected based on a location of the available block. At least some of the clusters are allocated, and the file is written to the allocated clusters.

Abstract: A system and method for managing scarce computer system memory resources has three aspects. A first aspect allows large data structures to be replaced by a pointer that causes an intentional fault to occur. The fault is trapped, and the invention interposes the required data. A second aspect associates data structures with both the task and the module that own the structure. The structure can be eliminated from memory when both the owning task and the owning module have terminated. A third aspect utilizes swapping techniques to maintain multiple local data areas for multiple tasks. In conjunction the three aspects of the invention provide improved resource availability and substantially unimpaired system performance.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring the temperature parameters of an ISFET that uses hydrogenated amorphous silicon as a sensing film, which uses the measurements of the temperature parameters and the source/drain current and gate voltage in an unknown solution to sense the ion concentration and the pH value of the unknown solution.

Abstract: A system and method for managing scarce computer system memory resources has three aspects. A first aspect allows large data structures to be replaced by a pointer that causes an intentional fault to occur. The fault is trapped, and the invention interposes the required data. A second aspect associates data structures with both the task and the module that own the structure. The structure can be eliminated from memory when both the owning task and the owning module have terminated. A third aspect utilizes swapping techniques to maintain multiple local data areas for multiple tasks.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for reducing the memory requirements and CPU cycle consumption of an executing program in a suspended state suspends the program by intercepting the entry points of the program. The contents of the memory occupied by the program and its data objects are then discarded or compressed, wherein the compressed data is stored at another region in the memory. The memory region containing the uncompressed data is then designated as free memory.

Abstract: A method for protecting a computer operating system from unexpected errors write-protects certain critical system components, thereby preventing corruption by application programs, and handles otherwise fatal program errors and infinite loops outside of the context of a malfunctioning program, permitting the program to be reactivated.

Abstract: A file system for data file storage on a block storage device includes signature information embedded within each block allocated to a data file. Such signature information includes a file identification number, a sequence number within the file, and optional file type information. The signature information is used to reconstruct files on the block storage device in the event of damage to data files or critical system areas on the device. The directory structure for the file system is maintained as a self-contained flat database, stored as a B-tree for expedited searching, including full hierarchical pathnames for each directory entry, thereby enhancing the ability to recover files in a low level of the directory hierarchy when a middle level has been damaged.

Abstract: A system and method for managing scarce computer system memory resources has three aspects. A first aspect allows large data structures to be replaced by a pointer that causes an intentional fault to occur. The fault is trapped, and the invention interposes the required data. A second aspect associates data structures with both the task and the module that own the structure. The structure can be eliminated from memory when both the owning task and the owning module have terminated. A third aspect utilizes swapping techniques to maintain multiple local data areas for multiple tasks.

Abstract: A method for improving the availability of global DOS memory under Microsoft Windows has two primary aspects. First, upper memory blocks are linked to the global heap to increase the amount of global DOS memory available. Second, a reserved area of global DOS memory is maintained to prevent generic memory requests from being fulfilled therefrom. Valid requests for global DOS memory are intercepted to ensure that they are able to be allocated out of global DOS memory or the reserved area. Taken in conjunction, the two aspects of the invention substantially decrease the probability that unavailability of global DOS memory will result in application or system failure.

Abstract: A method for protecting a computer operating system from unexpected errors write-protects certain critical system components, thereby preventing corruption by application programs, and handles otherwise fatal program errors and infinite loops outside of the context of a malfunctioning program, permitting the program to be reactivated.

Abstract: A method for dynamic caching of data in a disk based operating system whereby physical memory is dynamically shared between the cache management system and the operating system. The operating system is monitored to determine the availability of free physical memory in the computer system and its location therein. A portion of free physical memory may be borrowed from the memory management component of the operating system and allocated to the cache management system for the purpose of increasing the cache memory size. The borrowed physical memory is returned to the memory management software component when needed by the operating system.