Abstract: Multiple copies of a software or operating parameter change are broadcast using a wireless signal to a mobile electronic device. Broadcasting multiple copies increases the probability that the mobile electronic device will receive the change without error. The number of copies broadcast is a function of the expected probability that the device will receive one copy without error and a desired probability that the device will receive the change without error.

Abstract: Multiple copies of a software or operating parameter change are broadcast using a wireless signal to a mobile electronic device. Broadcasting multiple copies increases the probability that the mobile electronic device will receive the change without error. The number of copies broadcast is a function of the expected probability that the device will receive one copy without error and a desired probability that the device will receive the change without error.

Abstract: Multiple copies of a software or operating parameter change are broadcast using a wireless signal to a mobile electronic device. Broadcasting multiple copies increases the probability that the device will receive the change without error.

Abstract: A network datacast system includes a plurality of transmission facilities. Each transmission facility receives primary programs from one or more media studios. Each transmission facility also receives ancillary data programs from a network datacast center. Each transmission facility broadcasts a wireless signal that includes a primary channel and at least one ancillary data channel. The transmission facilities contemporaneously transmit the ancillary programs on the ancillary data channels. A network datacast receiver contemporaneously receives the wireless signals and extracts the datacast programs from each datacast signal. The extracted datacast programs are stored in the receiver for subsequent output to the user.

Abstract: Broadcast programs, e.g., for an audio information program, are divided into one or more segments and are broadcast to a receiver in packet format. The receiver captures the transmitted packets and reassembles the segments and the program for storage and subsequent output to the user. Segment quality of service is evaluated prior to output by ensuring that a minimum percent of packets per segment are usable, and by ensuring that no more than a maximum number of consecutive packets in the segment are unusable. Program quality of service is evaluated by ensuring that a minimum percent of segments per program are usable, and by determining if the first and/or last segment is usable. Different quality of service parameters are specified for particular programs. New quality of service parameters for particular programs are transmitted to the receiver.

Abstract: In a local storage and playback broadcast system, multiple copies of one or more processing parameters used in individual receivers for the local storage and playback are broadcast. In some embodiments each processing parameter is associated with each packet in the program so that a copy of each parameter is broadcast with each packet. In some embodiments the program is divided into segments, each segment having a header, and a copy of the parameter is broadcast in each segment header.

Abstract: In an on-demand radio broadcast system in which the receivers have the capability to store received programs, a communications channel is divided into a plurality of time segments. Each time segment is partitioned into a high priority program timeslice and a low priority program timeslice. High priority programs are broadcast in each high priority program timeslice. The remaining programs are broadcast during a plurality of low priority program timeslices. This overcomes a problem of the receivers being out of contact and not having current versions of the high priority programs.

Abstract: In a local storage and playback broadcast system, multiple copies of one or more processing parameters used in individual receivers for the local storage and playback are broadcast. In some embodiments each processing parameter is associated with each packet in the program so that a copy of each parameter is broadcast with each packet. In some embodiments the program is divided into segments, each segment having a header, and a copy of the parameter is broadcast in each segment header.

Abstract: Audio and/or video content is remotely stored. A portion of the remotely stored content is transferred to and stored in a mobile on-demand audio and/or video content output device. In addition, a link is transferred to and stored in the mobile output device. The link is associated with the content portion stored in the output device and points to another portion of the remotely stored content that is related to the content portion locally stored on the mobile device. In response to a user command entered on the mobile device, the related portion of the remotely stored content is accessed using a two-way wireless communications system and is transferred from the database to the mobile device for output.

Abstract: A network datacast system includes a plurality of transmission facilities. Each transmission facility receives primary programs from one or more media studios. Each transmission facility also receives ancillary data programs from a network datacast center. Each transmission facility broadcasts a wireless signal that includes a primary channel and at least one ancillary data channel. The transmission facilities contemporaneously transmit the ancillary programs on the ancillary data channels. A network datacast receiver contemporaneously receives the wireless signals and extracts the datacast programs from each datacast signal. The extracted datacast programs are stored in the receiver for subsequent output to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for integrating application programs and objects of the application programs in an integrated graphical user interface processing environment, such as a windows environment. The method and apparatus facilitate the integration without requiring modifications of the application program software, and without requiring that the application programs conform to any particular communication protocol. When a command input, such as a mouse click by a user in a windows environment, indicates that an object from one application is to be dropped onto a window in which another application is running, the properties of the window and the attributes of the object are used to search a rule database to identify a rule which is applicable to these particular types of object and application. The rule contains an action clause, which specifies various actions which are to be executed automatically, to invoke a desired operation by or related to the application program on the object.