Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for flexible monitoring of content. The content at a client device can be monitored based on the use and actions performed by the client. In order to monitor the content at the client, a dependency is created between any recipient of the content and a monitor installed at the client device. For example, the content may be encrypted and, when the content is accessed by a potential recipient, the recipient may be required to request a key from the monitor. This activates the monitor to begin recording transaction data and events about the content's use, such as the recipient's identity and the type of actions performed. The monitor can be configured to passively monitor and record the use of the content at the client's device. In addition, the monitor can be configured to provide audit data that indicates the transaction data recorded to a server.

Abstract: A networked computer system for storing and presenting multimedia data distributes that data among multiple storage devices of the system. The system includes a plurality of computers, each of which supports at least one viewing station. Each viewing station has access to any file on any of the storage devices and can retrieve and display any file on demand. To provide an efficient system and, at the same time, reduce the probability that the viewing of multimedia data may be interrupted, the system allocates resources, prioritizes access to files, and buffers data prior to the data's delivery to video adapters.

Abstract: A networked computer system for storing and presenting multimedia data distributes that data among multiple storage devices of the system. The system includes a plurality of computers, each of which supports at least one viewing station. Each viewing station has access to any file on any of the storage devices and can retrieve and display any file on demand. To provide an efficient system and, at the same time, reduce the probability that the viewing of multimedia data may be interrupted, the system allocates resources, prioritizes access to files, and buffers data prior to the data's delivery to video adapters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for communicating information between a computer and a plurality of peripherals along a plurality of communication channels is disclosed. The computer and peripherals are connected in a succession of stages (cascaded), in a tree-like (hierarchical) communication network configuration. Peripherals in the network include an associated communication unit which is responsible for transmitting and/or receiving data communicated on a communication channel. The communication unit facilitates the transfer of data to, and the receipt of data from, the unit's parent, and also facilitates the transfer of data to, and the receipt of data from, any child units. In the invented method, each communication unit, in parallel, composes those individual messages received from child units into a single composite message and transmits the composite message to the communication unit's parent.

Abstract: A networked computer system for storing and presenting multimedia data distributes that data among multiple storage devices of the system. The system includes a plurality of computers, each of which supports at least one viewing station. Each viewing station has access to any file on any of the storage devices and can retrieve and display any file on demand. To provide an efficient system and, at the same time, reduce the probability that the viewing of multimedia data may be interrupted, the system allocates resources, prioritizes access to files, and buffers data prior to the data's delivery to video adapters.