Abstract: A system and method provides a high level of system functionality in a multimedia console through the use of system applications, while reducing any corresponding lack of control that multimedia applications will have while running on the console. A predetermined amount of hardware resources of the multimedia console is reserved. The system application is executed substantially using the predetermined amount of reserved hardware resources and the multimedia application is executed substantially within the remaining unreserved hardware resources.

Abstract: A thread interruption function in a multi-threaded runtime environment places a first thread in an alertable blocked state that is interrupted by another thread upon request. The interrupting thread causes an asynchronous procedure call (APC) to be queued against the blocked thread. A callback procedure associated with the APC is executed in a context of the blocked thread and an indicator is stored in the context of the blocked thread. The indicator is captured by runtime environment exception handing which causes the blocked thread to be activated.

Abstract: Hosting objects within a windowed environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a first object and a second object. The first object is of a first type, and requires siting within a windowed environment. The second object is of a second type, and sites the first object within the windowed environment. The first object may be a Component Object Model (COM)-type object typically utilized with versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating system, the windowed environment may be a Java windowed environment, and the second object may be a Java object, such as a Java bean.

Abstract: The dynamic mapping from an ActiveX component model to a JavaBean model is disclosed. In one embodiment, an ActiveX compatible object is created at run-time for those JavaBean components that an ActiveX client application wishes to utilize. In another embodiment, upon a call to CoGetClassObject or related methods using class identifiers, a COM-callable wrapper is generated and a mapping table containing COM dispatch identifiers is scanned to ensure the dispatch identifiers are unique. If they are not, the dispatch identifiers associated with JavaBean component interfaces are adjusted to make them unique.

Abstract: Hosting objects within a windowed environment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a computerized system includes a first object and a second object. The first object is of a first type, and requires siting within a windowed environment. The second object is of a second type, and sites the first object within the windowed environment. The first object may be a Component Object Model (COM)-type object typically utilized with versions of the Microsoft® Windows® operating system, the windowed environment may be a Java windowed environment, and the second object may be a Java object, such as a Java bean.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for encapsulating a reference to a method in object-based programming systems and ensuring that the reference is safe are disclosed. The method of encapsulation provides for: a) defining an entity that defines the shape of the method to be referenced; b) obtaining a reference to a method; c) storing this reference in arbitrary data structures; d) passing the reference to code written by other parties; e) enabling invocation of the method by anyone holding the method reference; and f) enabling the holder of a method reference to determine the target object and method being referenced. These objectives are achieved in a strongly typed manner, making it possible for: a) developers to learn of type mismatch problems early (at compile-time) rather than late (at run-time); and b) development tools to present information to developers about the shape of components that use delegates.

Abstract: The dynamic mapping from an ActiveX component model to a JavaBean model is disclosed. In one embodiment, an ActiveX compatible object is created at run-time for those JavaBean components that an ActiveX client application wishes to utilize. In another embodiment, upon a call to CoGetClassObject or related methods using class identifiers, a COM-callable wrapper is generated and a mapping table containing COM dispatch identifiers is scanned to ensure the dispatch identifiers are unique. If they are not, the dispatch identifiers associated with JavaBean component interfaces are adjusted to make them unique.