Abstract: A method includes receiving a data input file, the data input file defining a first set of data fields to be included in a database and including a set of data elements to be included in the database. The method also includes identifying a second set of data fields in the data input file that are designated to contain a Boolean element, said second set of data fields being a subset of the first set of data fields. The method further includes defining at least one new data field, each new data field collectively storing a plurality of the Boolean elements. The first set of data fields are modified to eliminate the second set of data fields. The method also includes storing in a catalog data that defines an arrangement of the first set of data fields, wherein the arrangement includes the at least one new data field for collectively storing the Boolean elements.

Abstract: A method is used for editing a data element stored in a static memory device comprising a plurality of storage units. The method includes a step of copying a content of one of the storage units to a dynamic memory device, wherein the content comprises the data element. The method further includes editing the data element while the data element is stored in the dynamic memory. The method also includes erasing said one of the storage units, and writing the content, including the data element that has been edited, into one of the storage units.

Abstract: A method of playing a digital content item includes downloading the digital content item from a removable data-holding medium to a local data-holding medium of a media playing system and sending a licensing request to a network-accessible, digital-content service. The method further includes receiving a limited-rights license for the digital content item from the digital-content service, where the limited-rights license grants a right to play the digital content item from the local data-holding medium of the media playing system without the removable data-holding medium being present under one or more conditions. The method further includes receiving a request to play the digital content item and verifying the limited-rights license for the digital content item. The method further includes playing the digital content item from the local data-holding medium if the limited-rights license verifies, without the removable data-holding medium being present.

Abstract: A method of playing a digital content item includes downloading the digital content item from a removable data-holding medium to a local data-holding medium of a media playing system, and sending a licensing request to a network-accessible, digital-content service. The method further includes receiving a full-rights license for the digital content item from the digital-content service, where the full-rights license grants a right to play the digital content item from the local data-holding medium of the media playing system without the removable data-holding medium being present. The method further includes receiving a request to play the digital content item, and verifying the full-rights license for the digital content item. The method further includes playing the digital content item from the local data-holding medium if the full-rights license verifies, without the removable data-holding medium being present.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a data input file, the data input file defining a first set of data fields to be included in a database and including a set of data elements to be included in the database. The method also includes identifying a second set of data fields in the data input file that are designated to contain a Boolean element, said second set of data fields being a subset of the first set of data fields. The method further includes defining at least one new data field, each new data field collectively storing a plurality of the Boolean elements. The first set of data fields are modified to eliminate the second set of data fields. The method also includes storing in a catalog data that defines an arrangement of the first set of data fields, wherein the arrangement includes the at least one new data field for collectively storing the Boolean elements.

Abstract: Mechanisms for determining the coherency of a console are described herein. A manifest may be used to check the installed software components, and their versions, to determine which user experience groups are coherent based upon the installed software packages and their versions. If the console has the required software components and their versions installed according to the manifest, providing for a coherent user experience group, the console may be set to an enhanced user experience level in which the coherent user experience groups, or features, are enabled. The console may be set at various user experience levels depending upon which user experience groups are coherent. For example, if no user experience groups are coherent, the console may be set at a “core”, basic, or default user experience level.

Abstract: A method for creating a compressed database includes a step of receiving a data input file. The data input file defines a first set of data fields to be included in the database and includes a set of data elements to be included in the database. The method also includes identifying a second set of data fields in the data input file that are designated to contain a Boolean element, the second set of data fields being a subset of the first set of data fields. The method further includes defining one or more new data fields for collectively storing the Boolean elements, and modifying the first set of data fields to eliminate the second set of data fields. The method also includes generating a catalog that defines an arrangement of the first set of data fields, wherein the arrangement includes the one or more new data fields for collectively storing the Boolean elements.

Abstract: A system controller is adapted to be integrated into a control network including a plurality of device controllers that communicate through the network via a network specific communication protocol for controlling a plurality of network devices. The system controller includes an application controller which is adapted to be connected to the network and stores a plurality of system points corresponding to a plurality of system variables relating to the network devices. The application controller is adapted to convert the system points into the corresponding system variables, and the corresponding system variables into the system points. At least one client is connected to the network and in communication with the application controller. The client is adapted to send a command and request a report relating to a select system point to and from the application controller.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a database that is configured as a static data file containing static data and a dynamic data file containing dynamic data. The static data file is stored in a static memory device and the dynamic data file is stored in a dynamic memory device. A catalog included in the database defines whether the data is static or dynamic and further defines an arrangement of a set of data fields and data records included in the database. A database manager uses a file system to access the files in a rapid manner using an address pointer and, because the data is stored in files, the data may be accessed remotely without need for additional communication strategies/protocol. To enable editing of the static data, the database manager creates a mirror image of the static data in the dynamic memory where editing may occur. The mirror image of data having the edited data is later returned to the flash memory.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system (FIG. 4) for servicing messages between device controller nodes and control applications via a Lon Network, wherein the device controller nodes includes a plurality of network variables for defining parameters of the Lon Network. The system includes a server for servicing the messages from at least one control application, a proprietary communication value for indicating a network variable value from the control applications, and a Lon value for indicating a network variable value exposed on the Lon Network. There is also a method that includes the steps of reading a message from the control application, verifying whether the message is valid, determining the requested function for a specified network variable from the message when the message is valid, executing the requested function for the specified network variable, and sending subscribed reports in response to a change of value of the network variables independently of the foregoing steps (170).

Abstract: A method is used for editing a data element stored in a static memory device comprising a plurality of storage units. The method includes a step of copying a content of one of the storage units to a dynamic memory device, wherein the content comprises the data element. The method further includes editing the data element while the data element is stored in the dynamic memory. The method also includes erasing said one of the storage units, and writing the content, including the data element that has been edited, into one of the storage units.

Abstract: A method for creating a compressed database includes a step of receiving a data input file. The data input file defines a first set of data fields to be included in the database and includes a set of data elements to be included in the database. The method also includes identifying a second set of data fields in the data input file that are designated to contain a Boolean element, the second set of data fields being a subset of the first set of data fields. The method further includes defining one or more new data fields for collectively storing the Boolean elements, and modifying the first set of data fields to eliminate the second set of data fields. The method also includes generating a catalog that defines an arrangement of the first set of data fields, wherein the arrangement includes the one or more new data fields for collectively storing the Boolean elements.

Abstract: A data storage system includes a database that is configured as a static data file containing static data and a dynamic data file containing dynamic data. The static data file is stored in a static memory device and the dynamic data file is stored in a dynamic memory device. A catalog included in the database defines whether the data is static or dynamic and further defines an arrangement of a set of data fields and data records included in the database. A database manager uses a file system to access the files in a rapid manner using an address pointer and, because the data is stored in files, the data may be accessed remotely without need for additional communication strategies/protocol. To enable editing of the static data, the database manager creates a mirror image of the static data in the dynamic memory where editing may occur. The mirror image of data having the edited data is later returned to the flash memory.

Abstract: A proprietary communication protocol is used in a system controller that includes an application controller and a plurality of applications for controlling a plurality of device controllers on a control network by using data relating to system points that correspond to data variables in the network. The protocol communicates a plurality of predefined messages between the application controller and the applications for instructing the application controller to perform a function relating to a select system point, and for reporting to the applications in response to the instructions. The protocol includes a message identification field for identifying a select message from the plurality of messages; and a protocol identification field for identifying the select message as being transmitted via the proprietary communication protocol.

Abstract: A proprietary communication protocol communicates data relating to network variables in a LON control network that has a plurality of device controllers for controlling a plurality of network devices and a system controller for controlling the device controllers. The protocol includes a message identification field for communicating one of a plurality of predefined messages and a protocol identification field for identifying the plurality of predefined messages as being communicated via said proprietary communication protocol. The messages include a message for subscribing for notification of changes in a value of at least one select network variable.

Abstract: A system controller is adapted to be integrated into a control network including a plurality of device controllers that communicate through the network via a network specific communication protocol for controlling a plurality of network devices. The system controller includes an application controller which is adapted to be connected to the network and stores a plurality of system points corresponding to a plurality of system variables relating to the network devices. The application controller is adapted to convert the system points into the corresponding system variables, and the corresponding system variables into the system points. At least one client is connected to the network and in communication with the application controller. The client is adapted to send a command and request a report relating to a select system point to and from the application controller.

Abstract: The present invention includes a system (FIG. 4) for servicing messages between device controller nodes and control applications via a Lon Network, wherein the device controller nodes includes a plurality of network variables for defining parameters of the Lon Network. The system includes a server for servicing the messages from at least one control application, a proprietary communication value for indicating a network variable value from the control applications, and a Lon value for indicating a network variable value exposed on the Lon Network.