Abstract: A method implemented in an electronic device serving as a stream distributor distributing unicast video and audio streams of a streaming platform system is disclosed. The stream distributor receives a unicast data flow containing data of a video and audio stream from a load balancer, the unicast data flow being transmitted in user datagram protocol (UDP) packets. The method includes the electronic device detecting initiation of a maintenance activity on a virtual machine or its host associated with the stream distributor. The method includes the electronic device indicating a failure mode of the stream distributor, where the failure mode indication is to cause the load balancer to switch the unicast data flow to an alternate stream distributor. The method also includes the electronic device detecting a completion of the load balancer switching the unicast data flow to the alternate stream distributor, and halting the distribution of the unicast data flow.

Abstract: A method implemented in an electronic device serving as a stream distributor distributing unicast video and audio streams of a streaming platform system is disclosed. The stream distributor receives a unicast data flow containing data of a video and audio stream from a load balancer, the unicast data flow being transmitted in user datagram protocol (UDP) packets. The method includes the electronic device detecting initiation of a maintenance activity on a virtual machine or its host associated with the stream distributor. The method includes the electronic device indicating a failure mode of the stream distributor, where the failure mode indication is to cause the load balancer to switch the unicast data flow to an alternate stream distributor. The method also includes the electronic device detecting a completion of the load balancer switching the unicast data flow to the alternate stream distributor, and halting the distribution of the unicast data flow.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for real-time measurement and modification of the performance of communications on a large area network, such as the Internet, based upon actual user experience. One embodiment performs a statistical analysis of access logs that record actual server usage by users. Based on such analysis, routing of communications over the network can be modified to improve overall communications performance.

Abstract: Controlling access to secure data and services by versatile computers outside a secure environment, which communicates with limited dedicated devices such as game consoles, over a secure network such as a virtual private network. The versatile computing devices obtain access over an insecure network, such as the Internet, through a trusted partner Web site that authenticates users of the site and relays requests to the secure environment. The Web site uses a certificate for a predefined level of secure access to the secure environment. A link is established between a user's Web ID authenticated by the Web site and a gamer tag used within the secure environment. Access is limited as a function of the Web ID, gamer tag, and a Web site partner ID. A Web cache stores and provides some secure data, minimizing disruption to the secure environment's primary function to service the dedicated devices.

Abstract: Media content is arranged into a number of sets of video, audio, or data samples, referred to as clips, which are rendered by a media content manager. A playlist, which is handled by a presentation manager, specifies the time-ordered sequence of clips playable to a user. Certain actions are taken during media content play to minimize glitches perceived by the user, including determining a time offset value that is used to decide how far in advance of a scheduled play time to begin pre-rendering an upcoming clip. The time offset value is determined using one or more static characteristics associated with a media source for the upcoming clip, such as the location of the media source, codec parameters, or encryption complexity, and one or more dynamic characteristics of the presentation system, such as retrieval states, (including play speeds) of media clips, processing loads, or clock frequencies.

Abstract: A DRM System. A DRM system comprising a service provider, a CE device coupled to the service provider, and an XMR license disposed upon the CE device.

Abstract: An active stream format is defined and adopted for a logical structure that encapsulates multiple data streams. The data streams may be of different media. The data of the data streams is partitioned into packets that are suitable for transmission over a transport medium. The packets may include error correcting information. The packets may also include clock licenses for dictating the advancement of a clock when the data streams are rendered. The format of ASF facilitates flexibility and choice of packet size and in specifying maximum bit rate at which data may be rendered. Error concealment strategies may be employed in the packetization of data to distribute portions of samples to multiple packets. Property information may be replicated and stored in separate packets to enhance its error tolerance. The format facilitates dynamic definition of media types and the packetization of data in such dynamically defined data types within the format.

Abstract: An active stream format is defined and adopted for a logical structure that encapsulates multiple data streams. The data streams may be of different media. The data of the data streams is partitioned into packets that are suitable for transmission over a transport medium. The packets may include error correcting information. The packets may also include clock licenses for dictating the advancement of a clock when the data streams are rendered. The format of ASF facilitates flexibility and choice of packet size and in specifying maximum bit rate at which data may be rendered. Error concealment strategies may be employed in the packetization of data to distribute portions of samples to multiple packets. Property information may be replicated and stored in separate packets to enhance its error tolerance. The format facilitates dynamic definition of media types and the packetization of data in such dynamically defined data types within the format.

Abstract: Controlling access to secure data and services by versatile computers outside a secure environment, which communicates with limited dedicated devices such as game consoles, over a secure network such as a virtual private network. The versatile computing devices obtain access over an insecure network, such as the Internet, through a trusted partner Web site that authenticates users of the site and relays requests to the secure environment. The Web site uses a certificate for a predefined level of secure access to the secure environment. A link is established between a user's Web ID authenticated by the Web site and a gamer tag used within the secure environment. Access is limited as a function of the Web ID, gamer tag, and a Web site partner ID. A Web cache stores and provides some secure data, minimizing disruption to the secure environment's primary function to service the dedicated devices.

Abstract: The invention includes a streaming multimedia rendering system having a network client and a network server that form part of a hyperlink web such as the Internet. In accordance with the invention, a hyperlink to multimedia content is actually an indirect link to a reference file. The reference file contains a plurality of different resource specifiers and a preferred order for attempting communications using the resource specifiers. Each resource specifier designates a transport protocol. A streaming data client open the resource file in response to activation of a hyperlink to the resource file. In response to the resource specifiers contained in the resource file, the network data client repeatedly attempts to establish a streaming data connection using the different resource specifiers, in the preferred order specified in the reference file, or in the preferred order specified by a file referenced by the reference file, until a streaming data connection is successfully established.

Abstract: The invention includes a streaming multimedia rendering system having a network client and a network server that form part of a hyperlink web such as the Internet. In accordance with the invention, a hyperlink to multimedia content is actually an indirect link to a referencc file. The reference file contains a plurality of different resource specifiers and a preferred order for attempting communications using the resource specifiers. Each resource specifier designates a transport protocol. A streaming data client open the resource file in response to activation of a hyperlink to the resource file. In response to the resource specifiers contained in the resource file, the network data client repeatedly attempts to establish a streaming data connection using the different resource specifiers, in the preferred order specified in the reference file, or in the preferred order specified by a file referenced by the reference file, until a streaming data connection is successfully established.