Abstract:
A client-server architecture synchronizes streaming content with enhancing content via pre-announced triggers. The architecture includes server-based components to generate announcements containing information specifying how and when to receive upcoming triggers that will be transmitted at a later time. The server transmits the announcements to a general broadcast or multicast IP address. Client-based components monitor the IP address to receive and filter the announcements. Selected announcements are stored in a guide database in correlation with the streaming content programs to indicate that the programs are interactive. When a user tunes to an interactive program, the client opens a container HTML page that contains controls to receive the streaming content program and to extract the announcements from the guide database. The latter control monitors the IP address at the times specified in the selected announcements to receive the triggers corresponding to the interactive program. The server delivers the triggers at times synchronized to the streaming content. When triggers arrive, the client control processes the triggers to coordinate presentation of the enhancing content with the streaming content program. The triggers may further be used to carry items that fill a ticker being displayed with the program.
Abstract:
A client-server architecture synchronizes streaming content with enhancing content via pre-announced triggers. The architecture includes server-based components to generate announcements containing information specifying how and when to receive upcoming triggers that will be transmitted at a later time. The server transmits the announcements to a general broadcast or multicast IP address. Client-based components monitor the IP address to receive and filter the announcements. Selected announcements are stored in a guide database in correlation with the streaming content programs to indicate that the programs are interactive. When a user tunes to an interactive program, the client opens a container HTML page that contains controls to receive the streaming content program and to extract the announcements from the guide database. The latter control monitors the IP address at the times specified in the selected announcements to receive the triggers corresponding to the interactive program. The server delivers the triggers at times synchronized to the streaming content. When triggers arrive, the client control processes the triggers to coordinate presentation of the enhancing content with the streaming content program. The triggers may further be used to carry items that fill a ticker being displayed with the program.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for predicting the availability of hot water for showering and bathing. One or more parameters corresponding to the operation of a water heater are monitored over time. Data corresponding to the monitored parameters are processed to determine a rate at which hot water is being consumed by the shower/bath and/or other hot water consumers. Based on a hot water consumption rate and determination of a current hot water availability condition, a time at which the temperature of hot water supplied by the water heater is projected to fall below a minimum temperature threshold is determined. In one embodiment, the apparatus include a thermal-modeling computer and a control/monitor interface that is disposed in or proximate to a shower. In one embodiment, the thermal-modeling computer is installed at a water heater and data is transmitted between the thermal-modeling computer and the control/monitor interface via a wireless signal. The techniques also can be used to determine whether an adequate supply of hot water exists for a bath prior to drawing the bath.
Abstract:
A system and method for automating the migration of configuration settings and data from computer systems running the Windows® operating system to computer systems running the Linux® operating system. The method utilizes data from one or more sources to create the configuration of the target system, and translates between settings related to the Windows® systems and Linux® systems involved. As a result, it simplifies the otherwise complex and time-consuming task of migrating from one server to another, specifically when migrating between two operating systems that provide similar functionality but are configured in distinctly different ways.
Abstract:
Methods, apparatus, and system for predicting the availability of hot water for bathing. One or more parameters corresponding to the operation of a water heater are monitored over time and/or a temperature distribution of water in a hot water tank measured. Data corresponding to the monitored parameters and/or temperature distribution are processed to determine a rate at which hot water is being consumed by filling a bath and/or due to other hot water consumers and/or to determine a current hot water availability condition. Based on a hot water consumption rate and/or determination of a current hot water availability condition, a projection is made to whether there will be adequate hot water to fill the bathtub to a desired level or volume at a desired temperature.
Abstract:
A system and method for automating the migration of configuration settings and data from computer systems running the LINUX operating system to computer systems running the WINDOWS operating system. The invention utilizes data from one or more sources to create the configuration of the target system, and translates between settings related to the LINUX systems and WINDOWS systems involved. As a result, it simplifies the otherwise complex and time-consuming task of migrating from one server to another, specifically when migrating between two operating systems that provide similar functionality but are configured in distinctly different ways.
Abstract:
A method and system for transferring a computer session between devices, such as a land-line device to a wireless device. A user launches a computer session on a first device, such as a personal computer. The user may then selectively transfer the computer session to another device, such as a wireless device, through activation of a triggering signal or other transfer request means. In response, the context of the computer session is determined as it is being performed on the first device, and corresponding context data is transferred to the second device. An applicable application on the second device is opened and loaded with applicable context data to continue the session. Several session transfer mechanisms, including use of an online service, proxy mechanisms, and peer-to-peer communication links, are disclosed.
Abstract:
A client computer runs an operating system that executes additional applications by loading them using an application loader and executes device drivers for peripheral devices by loading the drivers using a device loader. The operating system restricts the functionality of the operating system, such as by making selected portions and functionality of the operating system unavailable to the user or by limiting the user's ability to add software applications or device drivers to the computer. Additionally, various techniques can be used to remove or reduce the functionality limitations of the computer.
Abstract:
A client computer runs an operating system that executes additional applications by loading them using an application loader and executes device drivers for peripheral devices by loading the drivers using a device loader. The operating system restricts the functionality of the operating system, such as by making selected portions and functionality of the operating system unavailable to the user or by limiting the user's ability to add software applications or device drivers to the computer. Additionally, various techniques can be used to remove or reduce the functionality limitations of the computer.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for transferring a communication and computer session between devices. A user launches a communication session on a first device, such as a personal computer. The user may then selectively transfer the communication session to another device, such as a wireless device, through activation of a triggering signal. In response, the context of the communication session is determined as it is being performed on the first device, including a type of the communication session. The communication session is then transferred to the second device by launching a new communication session on the second device and transferring the context of the communication session corresponding to the first device to the new communication session on the second device. The communications session is continued via use of the first device as a proxy for the second device.