Abstract: Computer apparatus and methods for brokering communications between a plurality of virtual devices, each virtual device being a proxy for one of a real device or a real requestor. The computer apparatus comprises a registrar computer configured to communicate with a plurality of virtual devices and maintain a register of the virtual devices. The computer apparatus also comprises a data feed directory comprising entries indicating data feeds and/or resources available to virtual requestor devices from at least one virtual device registered with the registrar computer. To be accompanied, when published, by FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings.

Abstract: Methods and synthesizing entities for synthesizing data feeds. The method includes registering the synthesizing entity with a registrar computer. Once the synthesizing entity is registered it can transmit a data feed request to the registrar computer for a data feed associated with a virtual device also registered with the registrar computer. The synthesizing entity then receives the requested data feed from the virtual device. The received data feed is then modified to generate a modified data feed. Once the modified data feed has been created the synthesizing entity can receive requests for the modified data feed from a virtual requestor device via the registrar. In response to receiving a request for the modified data feed the synthesizing entity provides the modified data feed to the virtual requestor device.

Abstract: Methods and registrar computers for providing a data feed to a virtual requestor device. The registrar computer maintains a control directory of virtual devices and virtual requestor devices registered therewith. The registrar computer also maintains a data feed directory comprising a list of data feeds available to the at least one virtual requestor device. In addition to including data feeds generated by the virtual devices, the data feed directory also includes at least one data feed generated by the registrar computer. When the registrar computer receives a data feed request for a data feed generated by the registrar computer the registrar computer itself provides the data feed to the virtual requestor device.

Abstract: Methods and virtual devices for providing data from a virtual device to a virtual requestor device. The method comprises registering the virtual device with a registrar computer using a first application interface. The virtual device then receives a data feed request from the registrar at a second application interface. The data feed request comprises information enabling communication between the virtual device and a virtual requestor device and information identifying a data feed. In response to determining the request is to be granted, the virtual device provides the data feed to the requestor device using the information enabling communication between the two devices.

Abstract: Methods and requestor devices for receiving data generated by a virtual device at a virtual requestor device. The method comprises registering the virtual requestor device with a registrar computer using a first application interface. The virtual requestor then transmits a data feed request to the registrar. The data feed request includes information identifying a data feed and information enabling communication with the virtual requestor device. The virtual requestor device then receives, at a second application interface, the data feed from a virtual device via the information enabling communication with the virtual device.

Abstract: Methods and registrar computers for determining the integrity of a data feed provided by a virtual device. In an example, the method includes maintaining a control directory of virtual devices registered with the registrar computer and a data feed directory comprising entries indicating data feeds available from the registered virtual devices. Each data feed in the data feed directory is assigned an integrity indicator based on the provenance of the data feed.

Abstract: Methods and registrar computers for negotiating communications between a virtual device and a virtual requestor device. The method includes receiving a data feed request at a registrar computer from a registered virtual requestor device. The data feed request includes information identifying a data feed and information enabling communication between a registered virtual device associated with the data feed and the virtual requestor device. The registrar sends a further data feed request comprising the information enabling communication between the devices to the virtual device. This causes the virtual device to provide the data feed to the virtual device using the information enabling communication between the devices.

Abstract: Methods and requestor devices for receiving data generated by a virtual device at a virtual requestor device. The method comprises registering the virtual requestor device with a registrar computer using a first application interface. The virtual requestor then transmits a data feed request to the registrar. The data feed request includes information identifying a data feed and information enabling communication with the virtual requestor device. The virtual requestor device then receives, at a second application interface, the data feed from a virtual device via the information enabling communication with the virtual device.

Abstract: Methods and registrar computers for providing a data feed to a virtual requestor device. The registrar computer maintains a control directory of virtual devices and virtual requestor devices registered therewith. The registrar computer also maintains a data feed directory comprising a list of data feeds available to the at least one virtual requestor device. In addition to including data feeds generated by the virtual devices, the data feed directory also includes at least one data feed generated by the registrar computer. When the registrar computer receives a data feed request for a data feed generated by the registrar computer the registrar computer itself provides the data feed to the virtual requestor device.

Abstract: Methods and registrar computers for determining the integrity of a data feed provided by a virtual device. In an example, the method includes maintaining a control directory of virtual devices registered with the registrar computer and a data feed directory comprising entries indicating data feeds available from the registered virtual devices. Each data feed in the data feed directory is assigned an integrity indicator based on the provenance of the data feed.

Abstract: Methods and registrar computers for negotiating communications between a virtual device and a virtual requestor device. The method includes receiving a data feed request at a registrar computer from a registered virtual requestor device. The data feed request includes information identifying a data feed and information enabling communication between a registered virtual device associated with the data feed and the virtual requestor device. The registrar sends a further data feed request comprising the information enabling communication between the devices to the virtual device. This causes the virtual device to provide the data feed to the virtual device using the information enabling communication between the devices.

Abstract: Methods and synthesizing entities for synthesizing data feeds. The method includes registering the synthesizing entity with a registrar computer. Once the synthesizing entity is registered it can transmit a data feed request to the registrar computer for a data feed associated with a virtual device also registered with the registrar computer. The synthesizing entity then receives the requested data feed from the virtual device. The received data feed is then modified to generate a modified data feed. Once the modified data feed has been created the synthesizing entity can receive requests for the modified data feed from a virtual requestor device via the registrar. In response to receiving a request for the modified data feed the synthesizing entity provides the modified data feed to the virtual requestor device.

Abstract: Methods and virtual devices for providing data from a virtual device to a virtual requestor device. The method comprises registering the virtual device with a registrar computer using a first application interface. The virtual device then receives a data feed request from the registrar at a second application interface. The data feed request comprises information enabling communication between the virtual device and a virtual requestor device and information identifying a data feed. In response to determining the request is to be granted, the virtual device provides the data feed to the requestor device using the information enabling communication between the two devices.

Abstract: Computer apparatus and methods for brokering communications between a plurality of virtual devices, each virtual device being a proxy for one of a real device or a real requestor. The computer apparatus comprises a registrar computer configured to communicate with a plurality of virtual devices and maintain a register of the virtual devices. The computer apparatus also comprises a data feed directory comprising entries indicating data feeds and/or resources available to virtual requestor devices from at least one virtual device registered with the registrar computer. To be accompanied, when published, by FIG. 3 of the accompanying drawings.