Abstract: Embodiments of the invention extend a network protocol that is limited to a local area network (LAN) and enable it to function across the Internet. A LAN protocol is limited to providing services or resources to users within the same LAN. Embodiments of the invention make it possible for those services and resources to be available to users beyond the LAN. Embodiments of the invention also concern establishing connectivity without discovery for local area network protocols.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention extend a network protocol that is limited to a local area network (LAN) and enable it to function across the Internet. A LAN protocol is limited to providing services or resources to users within the same LAN. Embodiments of the invention make it possible for those services and resources to be available to users beyond the LAN. Embodiments of the invention also concern establishing connectivity without discovery for local area network protocols.

Abstract: A system in which computer content is encoded at low latency and distributed to one or more client devices and in which user gestures on the client device are translated into a digital representation of the computer's native input format, thereby allowing the client device to control the computer. A method of capturing screen data on a desktop system, packaging the captured content, streaming the content to one or more client device, decoding the content on the client-side, displaying the decoded content on the client device, accepting user input, transmitting the user input to the desktop system, translating the input into a native format, and controlling the desktop system using the translated user input.

Abstract: A pre-boot loader reduces the boot time of an operating system (OS). An OS is typically loaded by its own OS loader. A pre-boot loader is typically a software module in the system firmware or the pre-boot environment that loads the OS loader, which in turn loads the OS. In one embodiment, the pre-boot loader bypasses part or all of the steps performed by the OS loader, which shortens the loading time of the OS loader and the OS. In another embodiment, bypassing the steps of the OS loader reduces dependency on the system firmware functions. The system firmware takes advantage of this to further reduce boot time, by executing the pre-boot loader earlier instead of waiting until the full completion of system initialization by the system firmware.

Abstract: A platform and service are provided that allow a user to have and use a personal, e.g. virtual, private cloud to which the user grants access to a defined group of users across multiple, different types of devices.

Abstract: An instant-on environment consists of components residing in a computer boot ROM and/or also on a mass storage device. Main components to the instant-on environment include a loader, EPG1, and EPG2. The loader is a module that is integrated into the computer boot ROM, based on an embedded OS, that functions to load other instant-on environment components. There are various methods of integrating the loader into boot firmware to optimize for different requirements. EPG1 is a first user screen that appears on the computer display within seconds after power-on, and from which the user can choose to launch one of the instant-on environment's applications or launch the primary OS. EPG2 is launched if the user chooses to launch an instant-on environment application. EPG2 is a Linux-based desktop environment that the user enters once he selects an application from EPG1.

Abstract: A system in which computer content is encoded at low latency and distributed to one or more client devices and in which user gestures on the client device are translated into a digital representation of the computer's native input format, thereby allowing the client device to control the computer. A method of capturing screen data on a desktop system, packaging the captured content, streaming the content to one or more client device, decoding the content on the client-side, displaying the decoded content on the client device, accepting user input, transmitting the user input to the desktop system, translating the input into a native format, and controlling the desktop system using the translated user input.

Abstract: A pre-boot loader reduces the boot time of an operating system (OS). An OS is typically loaded by its own OS loader. A pre-boot loader is typically a software module in the system firmware or the pre-boot environment that loads the OS loader, which in turn loads the OS. In one embodiment, the pre-boot loader bypasses part or all of the steps performed by the OS loader, which shortens the loading time of the OS loader and the OS. In another embodiment, bypassing the steps of the OS loader reduces dependency on the system firmware functions. The system firmware takes advantage of this to further reduce boot time, by executing the pre-boot loader earlier instead of waiting until the full completion of system initialization by the system firmware.

Abstract: A method and apparatus allows multiple computer operating systems (OS) and/or personalities to run concurrently. An instant-on platform includes a resource management service, a caching service, a profile manager, a network stack which provides TCP/IP communication to the OS, and at least one appliance. The instant-on platform can be placed in the path of network and disk traffic between said user OS and actual system hardware. User selectable profiles and personalities are also provided.

Abstract: A client transitions between a suspended virtual machine (VM) state and an active VM state by employing a working set comprising a VM state file and a working set index file. The VM state file serializes each of the VM components that is saved to storage. The working set index file contains indirect information that records the offset, length, and region of various pieces of the VM state and contains a VM working set. The VM suspend state serialization is implemented as either a monolithic or an incremental process.

Abstract: A network interface engine enables a pre-boot environment that has very limited networking hardware interface support to be able to use to a broad range of physical network interfaces. The network interface engine is an operating system that includes device driver support for various networking hardware interfaces such as different LAN, WLAN, and WWAN chipsets. The hypervisor establishes a virtual network interface between the pre-boot environment and the network interface engine, which enables the pre-boot environment to use one standard network interface to access the wide variety of networking hardware interfaces.

Abstract: An embedded operating system (OS) displays a user interface (UI) without waiting for the host OS to fully load. In one embodiment, the UI comprises icons for applications, advertisements, and browsers already configured with a URL. In one embodiment, the pre-configured browsers are set by the manufacturer. In another embodiment, the user can specify pre-configured browsers. In one embodiment, the icon owner pays for displaying an icon. The icon can be a static or a dynamic icon. Dynamic icons are downloaded from a file server.

Abstract: A Quick Search User Interface (UI) comprises a search entry field for inputting characters, e.g. search terms. The Quick Search UI further comprises icons that are graphical representations of applications. The Quick Search UI subsequently launches an operating system and passes the user action to the operating system. The operating system uses this information to generate search results comprising websites, program files, videos, etc. Alternatively, the operating system launches the application(s) selected by the user. Icons displayed on the user interface are ordered, for example, according to a company's willingness to pay more money for a more prominent spot or according to user preferences. The Quick Search UI can be customized using skins with themes, such as musicians, geographic locations, and/or products. The icons can be displayed according to which application provider pays the highest premium, or according to user preference.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for downloading a Virtualization Environment comprising an electronic programming guide (EPG) and an appliance environment onto a client. The EPG is launched from boot files stored in the hard disk or other boot media. The EPG comprises a user interface (UI) that is displayed to the user. The EPG UI comprises a plurality of icons that are graphical representations of virtual appliances. The EPG UI can also include a search entry field. A user can enter text into the search entry field and launch a search engine to obtain search results. The virtual appliances can be stored locally, for example on a hard drive or peripheral device, or they can be stored on a download server. The download server also contains the virtualization environment installer. An installation server scans the client to determine if the client contains the proper hardware and drivers for running the virtualization environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the virtualization of appliances provides an embedded operating system (OS) which is included in the system boot ROM of a personal computer. When the system boots, the OS is launched and looks for all available virtual appliances from, for example, the following places: local USB, flash card, e.g. SD, xD, CF, CDROM/DVD, or other storage media; local hard disk storage; and the Internet, e.g. an appliance server. The user selects an appliance to use from the OS, whereupon the appliance is loaded and launched. If the selected appliance is not on a local storage, then it is downloaded, e.g. over the Internet from an appliance server. The downloaded appliance can be cached in local storage media such that, the next time it is needed, it need not be downloaded from the appliance server. The user can also elect to boot an operating system from the hard disk, if an operating system and hard disk are installed, or to power-off the system.