Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that executes an application. During operation, the system starts the application using a web browser. Next, the system receives an execution environment change notification from a user of the application, and in response to the notification transitions the application to a second execution environment without interrupting the execution of the application.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that executes an application. During operation, the system starts the application using a web browser. Next, the system receives an execution environment change notification from a user of the application, and in response to the notification transitions the application to a second execution environment without interrupting the execution of the application.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that executes an application. During operation, the system starts the application using a web browser. Next, the system receives an execution environment change notification from a user of the application, and in response to the notification transitions the application to a second execution environment without interrupting the execution of the application.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a set of code intended to be executed on a first platform (intended platform) to be executed on another platform (target platform). In one implementation, this mechanism takes a significantly different approach than that taken by current techniques. Rather than duplicating, augmenting, or changing a platform to accommodate the set of code, this mechanism alters the set of code to accommodate the platform. By altering the set of code, the mechanism causes the set of code to compensate for the difference(s) between the intended platform and the target platform. By compensating for the difference(s) in the two platforms, the set of code, when executed on the target platform, is able to produce the same result or results as it would have produced had it been executed on the intended platform. Thus, the set of code is able to execute properly on the target platform.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a set of code intended to be executed on a first platform (intended platform) to be executed on another platform (target platform). In one implementation, this mechanism takes a significantly different approach than that taken by current techniques. Rather than duplicating, augmenting, or changing a platform to accommodate the set of code, this mechanism alters the set of code to accommodate the platform. By altering the set of code, the mechanism causes the set of code to compensate for the difference(s) between the intended platform and the target platform. By compensating for the difference(s) in the two platforms, the set of code, when executed on the target platform, is able to produce the same result or results as it would have produced had it been executed on the intended platform. Thus, the set of code is able to execute properly on the target platform.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates bulk lock-unbiasing for objects within an object-based computing system. The system maintains an epoch, which is a field containing a timestamp, for a biasable object class and each instance of the biasable object class. If the epoch for the biasable object class matches the epoch for a specific instance of the biasable object class, the system knows that any bias for that specific instance is currently valid. When the system receives a signal to perform a bulk lock-unbiasing operation for instances of the biasable object class, it responds by stopping all threads in the object-based computing system at a safe point. Then, the system performs a bulk lock-unbiasing operation for unlocked instances of the biasable object class by incrementing the epoch for the biasable object class and by incrementing corresponding epochs for locked instances of the biasable object class.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the present invention provide a system that executes an application. During operation, the system starts the application using a web browser. Next, the system receives an execution environment change notification from a user of the application, and in response to the notification transitions the application to a second execution environment without interrupting the execution of the application.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates biased locking of objects within an object-based computing system. The system encounters a lock-acquisition operation while executing a current thread, wherein the lock-acquisition operation attempts to acquire a lock for an object. In response to the lock-acquisition operation, the system examines synchronization information associated with the object, wherein the process of examining the synchronization information does not involve atomic operations. If the synchronization information indicates that the lock is biasable and that the lock is biased toward the current thread, the system allows the current thread to acquire the lock without updating the synchronization information.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a set of code intended to be executed on a first platform (intended platform) to be executed on another platform (target platform). In one implementation, this mechanism takes a significantly different approach than that taken by current techniques. Rather than duplicating, augmenting, or changing a platform to accommodate the set of code, this mechanism alters the set of code to accommodate the platform. By altering the set of code, the mechanism causes the set of code to compensate for the difference(s) between the intended platform and the target platform. By compensating for the difference(s) in the two platforms, the set of code, when executed on the target platform, is able to produce the same result or results as it would have produced had it been executed on the intended platform. Thus, the set of code is able to execute properly on the target platform.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for enabling a set of code intended to be executed on a first platform (intended platform) to be executed on another platform (target platform). In one implementation, this mechanism takes a significantly different approach than that taken by current techniques. Rather than duplicating, augmenting, or changing a platform to accommodate the set of code, this mechanism alters the set of code to accommodate the platform. By altering the set of code, the mechanism causes the set of code to compensate for the difference(s) between the intended platform and the target platform. By compensating for the difference(s) in the two platforms, the set of code, when executed on the target platform, is able to produce the same result or results as it would have produced had it been executed on the intended platform. Thus, the set of code is able to execute properly on the target platform.

Abstract: An electronic system for integrating a user's moving image into a computer-generated pictorial environment, and allowing the user to interact with the environment and objects therein. The environment is rendered on a screen display in a manner that simulates three dimensions, including respect for occlusion relationships among the user and objects in the environment. The resulting image, which changes as the user gestures and interacts with the environment, is projected onto a large screen that the user faces. The environment includes a series of mobile entities, or "agents," which respond to one or more of the user's changing position, gestures and voice, exhibiting context-dependent behavior that appears semi-intelligent.