Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses for storing a streaming media data play list in a cache memory are described. A streaming media data play list comprises a plurality of streaming media data entries associated with a single data pointer and the streaming media data entries comprise header data and payload data. In particular embodiments, a method for storing a streaming media data play list in a cache memory comprises receiving the streaming media data play list from a streaming media server, and storing the media data in the cache memory.

Abstract: Gap values for a collection of images are obtained; each gap value is a temporal difference between temporally adjacent images. A first grouping of the collection of images into one or more groups is determined based at least in part on the gap values. The first grouping is performed such that each group is temporally contiguous. The first grouping is presented and input from a user is received in response to the presented first grouping. A second grouping of the collection of images into two or more groups is determined based at least in part on the user input. The second grouping is presented.

Abstract: Gap values for a collection of images are obtained; each gap value is a temporal difference between temporally adjacent images. A first grouping of the collection of images into one or more groups is determined based at least in part on the gap values. The first grouping is performed such that each group is temporally contiguous. The first grouping is presented and input from a user is received in response to the presented first grouping. A second grouping of the collection of images into two or more groups is determined based at least in part on the user input. The second grouping is presented.

Abstract: A programming model that takes general purpose APIs and machine-generates new programming models based on user defined schemas that provide the developer with data and view separation, and a way to communicate to the host application using the domain of the problem being solved. The system comprises a schema component that the developer uses to define a schema that includes one or more domain terms related to the problem to be solved, and a mapping component that uses the schema to search and map selected constructs from one or more generic host application APIs to the corresponding problem domain terms. Once the mapping is completed, a generating component generates a new API that is used by a host application to facilitate developing an application document using terms related to the domain of the problem to be solved.

Abstract: A system for capturing and delivering location-based information and services captures wireless landmark information sent by mobile devices to build a map of locations based on the relationship between wireless landmarks that are visible to the mobile device at the same time. A wireless landmark may be a cellular telephone base site or local network (WiFi/Bluetooth) access point. The mobile device may capture a location signature using identifiers for all wireless local area networks in range as well as one or more cellular telephone transmitters. A location service resolves the location signature into a relative location that an application service may use to record incoming information or to send location-specific information such as traveler comments, reviews, or advertisements. The distance between two mobile devices may be calculated using weighted edge values, representing a number of ‘hops’ between location signatures.

Abstract: A barrier structure includes a composite film. The composite film includes a polymer matrix and a plurality of dispersed high aspect ratio glass particles within the polymer matrix.

Abstract: An automated task centered collaboration technique is described that significantly lowers the technological entry barrier for the development and deployment of a broad class of collaborative applications, which are termed Task Centered Collaboration (TCC) applications. TCC applications facilitate the processing of a large number of work items, or tasks, by people working independently or in small, synchronously collaborating groups. The technique also provides a mechanism for the study of computer mediated communication and human-computer interactions for this class of applications. The technique creates an abstraction applicable to the broad class of TCC applications, which enables the factoring out of significant portions of the application into a common infrastructure.

Abstract: A method and system for providing online automobile service comparison, service ranking, expense comparisons and online price matching are disclosed. The system provides online automobile service comparison, service ranking, expenses comparison and online price matching through a designated website accessible by a user via a communication network such as the Internet and/or intranet. The method includes the steps of providing optimized information by the system regarding available automobile service stations in a specific area, automobile services offered, customer feedback rankings, cost of desired services, displaying the required information to the user. The method also includes the steps to purchase the desired automobile services. The method also include a system through which service stations can online match their competitor prices based on a pre-defined value/percent for a specific service or plural of services to gain additional business.

Abstract: Online backup of image files includes providing a user interface for making a backup selection based on an image catalog that includes a plurality of image files, the user interface including a resolution option; receiving a backup selection based on the image catalog, the backup selection indicating a selection of an image file in the image catalog and a resolution choice associated with the image file; and sending a copy of the image file to a remote storage, the copy having a resolution that corresponds to the resolution choice.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating a graphical interface for software applications having a command line interface to enable local or remote access of such software applications in a uniform manner without regard to the location of the remote application. The location and syntax of a new software application, and any required environment settings, are specified in response to a sequence of queries. The specifications for each software application is parsed to generate a graphical client interface listing the available software applications and enabling remote access to such software applications. A desired software application is selected by a user from the client interface and the user specifies any necessary parameters for the selected software application. An input file is transferred from the client to the remote server where the selected software application is located. Any output or log files are returned to the client, for example, using the FTP protocol.

Abstract: Architecture that facilitates the creation of a customized document with embedded or linked code that can be run on a client or a server without invoking the host application. A programming model makes it transparent to the code whether it is running on the client or the server. The programming model automatically “scales” to provide more features while running the document on the client and fewer features when running on the server. A transparent data island is automatically generated for the customized document that is embedded in the document and can be edited while requiring only a subset of all components of the host application to be running. A data binding mechanism is provided wherein changes that are made to the transparent data island while the host is not running can be moved back into the host document content when the document is reopened by the full host application.

Abstract: Architecture that facilitates the creation of a customized document with embedded or linked code that can be run on a client or a server without invoking the host application. A programming model makes it transparent to the code whether it is running on the client or the server. The programming model automatically “scales” to provide more features while running the document on the client and fewer features when running on the server. A transparent data island is automatically generated for the customized document that is embedded in the document and can be edited while requiring only a subset of all components of the host application to be running. A data binding mechanism is provided wherein changes that are made to the transparent data island while the host is not running can be moved back into the host document content when the document is reopened by the full host application.

Abstract: A programming model that takes general purpose APIs and machine-generates new programming models based on user defined schemas that provide the developer with data and view separation, and a way to communicate to the host application using the domain of the problem being solved. The system comprises a schema component that the developer uses to define a schema that includes one or more domain terms related to the problem to be solved, and a mapping component that uses the schema to search and map selected constructs from one or more generic host application APIs to the corresponding problem domain terms. Once the mapping is completed, a generating component generates a new API that is used by a host application to facilitate developing an application document using terms related to the domain of the problem to be solved.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating a graphical interface for software applications having a command line interface to enable local or remote access of such software applications in a uniform manner without regard to the location of the remote application. The location and syntax of a new software application, and any required environment settings, are specified in response to a sequence of queries. The specifications for each software application is parsed to generate a graphical client interface listing the available software applications and enabling remote access to such software applications. A desired software application is selected by a user from the client interface and the user specifies any necessary parameters for the selected software application. An input file is transferred from the client to the remote server where the selected software application is located. Any output or log files are returned to the client, for example, using the FTP protocol.