Abstract: Mechanisms for providing data streams are disclosed. A device accesses a mapping stored at the device that maps a desired media content item to a source address and to a range of addresses in a storage device of a remote content distribution server allocated to the desired media content item. The device preforms a direct memory-to-memory transfer of the desired media content item from the remote content distribution server to a local memory of the device using the range of addresses. The device encapsulates the desired media content item from the local memory into a plurality of packets according to a streaming protocol. Encapsulating the desired media content item includes inserting into each of the plurality of packets the source address. The plurality of packets are streamed.

Abstract: A collapsible, multi-lap foundation assembly having four perimeter rails; a plurality of rib elements, each having a central rib portion and flexible rib tab elements formed at each end of the central rib portion, and a plurality of half-lap rib joints extending from an upper portion of the central rib portion; and a plurality of spine elements, each having a central spine portion and flexible spine tab elements formed at each end of the central spine portion, and a plurality of half-lap spine joints extending from a lower portion of the central spine portion; wherein the spine elements are aligned with the rib elements in an interlocking fashion; and wherein the rib tab elements are attached or coupled to an interior surface of two perimeter rails and the spine tab elements are attached or coupled to an interior surface of two perimeter rails.

Abstract: A client playback architecture for a media content distribution system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the client playback architecture is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) based architecture. The RDMA based architecture enables the client playback device to obtain media content from a central server in real-time or in substantially real-time as the media content is needed for playback at the client playback device. More specifically, the playback device includes RDMA enabled playback circuitry operating to perform RDMA transfers for select media content, buffer the media content received as a result of the RDMA transfers, and provide the media content for presentation to one or more associated viewers via one or more audio/video interfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and managing custom media channels within an Interactive Digital Program Guide (IDPG) of a device having a set-top box function associated with a cable or satellite television network. In general, a user interacts with the set-top box function to define a custom media channel. The custom media channel may be defined by a channel name and user preferences. Once the custom media channel is defined, an Internet search is performed based on the user preferences in order to identify media presentations for the custom media channel. Thereafter, when a user selects the custom media channel via the IDPG, the media presentations are played in a substantially continuous stream in either a predetermined or random sequence.

Abstract: A system and method for client-side watermarking of digital content using hybrid Intra-Frames (I-Frames) are provided. In general, a content source provides a compressed video stream and a hybrid I-Frame stream to a client device via a network. The hybrid I-Frame stream includes a number of low-loss I-Frames corresponding to select ones of the I-Frames in the compressed video stream to be used for client-side watermarking. The client device watermarks the I-Frames in the hybrid I-Frame stream, optionally compresses the watermarked I-Frames, and replaces the select ones of the I-Frames in the compressed video stream with the watermarked and optionally compressed I-Frames to provide a watermarked version of the compressed video stream.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for accessing media files. One such method accesses a hierarchically-arranged storage system storing media files. A graphical user interface is processed that has a single control. This single control allows a single input to select any media file within the hierarchical arrangement.

Abstract: Mechanisms for providing data streams are disclosed. A device accesses a mapping stored at the device that maps a desired media content item to a source address and to a range of addresses in a storage device of a remote content distribution server allocated to the desired media content item. The device preforms a direct memory-to-memory transfer of the desired media content item from the remote content distribution server to a local memory of the device using the range of addresses. The device encapsulates the desired media content item from the local memory into a plurality of packets according to a streaming protocol. Encapsulating the desired media content item includes inserting into each of the plurality of packets the source address. The plurality of packets are streamed.

Abstract: A method and system for minimizing data streams of the same program on a shared medium is provided. A user device receives a first data stream of a program and effects display of the program based on the first data stream to a display device. The user device halts display of the program and provides an advertisement to a viewer. A second data stream of the program being provided over the same medium to a second viewer that was initiated after the first data stream is provided to the user device. The user device buffers the second data stream, and after the advertisement is finished, provides the program to the viewer based on the second data stream.

Abstract: A direct memory-to-memory to streaming protocol driver for a media content playback system is provided. In one embodiment, the direct memory-to-memory to streaming protocol driver is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA). In general, the RDMA to streaming protocol driver utilizes an RDMA-enabled network interface to obtain media content from a remote content distribution server. In order to emulate a streaming protocol layer of a network stack such as, for example, the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), the RDMA to streaming protocol driver encapsulates the media content according to the streaming protocol to provide streaming media content. The streaming media content is then provided to an associated streaming protocol-based playback function.

Abstract: A system and method for client-side watermarking of digital content using hybrid Intra-Frames (I-Frames) are provided. In general, a content source provides a compressed video stream and a hybrid I-Frame stream to a client device via a network. The hybrid I-Frame stream includes a number of low-loss I-Frames corresponding to select ones of the I-Frames in the compressed video stream to be used for client-side watermarking. The client device watermarks the I-Frames in the hybrid I-Frame stream, optionally compresses the watermarked I-Frames, and replaces the select ones of the I-Frames in the compressed video stream with the watermarked and optionally compressed I-Frames to provide a watermarked version of the compressed video stream.

Abstract: A method and system for minimizing data streams of the same program on a shared medium is provided. A user device receives a first data stream of a program and effects display of the program based on the first data stream to a display device. The user device halts display of the program and provides an advertisement to a viewer. A second data stream of the program being provided over the same medium to a second viewer that was initiated after the first data stream is provided to the user device. The user device buffers the second data stream, and after the advertisement is finished, provides the program to the viewer based on the second data stream.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a digital medium, such as a Digital Video Disc (DVD), enabling playback of different versions of a media presentation depending on the locality of the viewer, where each version includes embedded advertisements for a corresponding locality. In one embodiment, a DVD stores a media presentation such as, for example, a movie, an episode of a television program, or the like. Depending on the location of the viewer, the DVD provides a version of the media presentation having embedded advertisements relevant to the locality of the viewer.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and managing custom media channels within an Interactive Digital Program Guide (IDPG) of a device having a set-top box function associated with a cable or satellite television network. In general, a user interacts with the set-top box function to define a custom media channel. The custom media channel may be defined by a channel name and user preferences. Once the custom media channel is defined, an Internet search is performed based on the user preferences in order to identify media presentations for the custom media channel. Thereafter, when a user selects the custom media channel via the IDPG, the media presentations are played in a substantially continuous stream in either a predetermined or random sequence.

Abstract: A client playback architecture for a media content distribution system is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the client playback architecture is a Remote Direct Memory Access (RDMA) based architecture. The RDMA based architecture enables the client playback device to obtain media content from a central server in real-time or in substantially real-time as the media content is needed for playback at the client playback device. More specifically, the playback device includes RDMA enabled playback circuitry operating to perform RDMA transfers for select media content, buffer the media content received as a result of the RDMA transfers, and provide the media content for presentation to one or more associated viewers via one or more audio/video interfaces.

Abstract: A system and method for client-side watermarking of digital content using hybrid Intra-Frames (I-Frames) are provided. In general, a content source provides a compressed video stream and a hybrid I-Frame stream to a client device via a network. The hybrid I-Frame stream includes a number of low-loss I-Frames corresponding to select ones of the I-Frames in the compressed video stream to be used for client-side watermarking. The client device watermarks the I-Frames in the hybrid I-Frame stream, optionally compresses the watermarked I-Frames, and replaces the select ones of the I-Frames in the compressed video stream with the watermarked and optionally compressed I-Frames to provide a watermarked version of the compressed video stream.

Abstract: A corner connector having a pie-shaped body portion formed by a first abutment surface, a second abutment surface, and a radiused surface, wherein the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface are formed at substantially 90° relative to one another; wherein a first portion of the first abutment surface extends from a substantially planar bottom surface to a substantially planar deck panel support surface and wherein a second portion of the first abutment surface extends from the bottom surface above the deck panel support surface; wherein a first portion of the second abutment surface extends from the bottom surface to the deck panel support surface and wherein a second portion of the second abutment surface extends from the bottom surface above the deck panel support surface; and one or more protrusions extend perpendicularly from the first abutment surface and the second abutment surface.