Abstract:
A webcast system delivers Web content from a webcast center over a broadcast medium to many clients. The webcast center has a server unit that gathers Web pages from sites on the Internet and stores the pages in a cache. The server unit bundles the pages from the cache into package files and stores the package files in a package store. The webcast center also has a broadcast unit that retrieves the package files from the package store and delivers the package files to the clients over the broadcast medium. Each client is equipped with a receiver to receive the broadcast package files. The client maintains a subscription database to store a directory of the Web content gathered by the webcast center. A subscriber user interface enables a user to select preferred Web content from the directory of the subscription database. The client creates a filter based on the user's preferences which is used to direct the receiver to collect only the package files carrying the preferred Web content, while rejecting packages carrying unwanted Web content.
Abstract:
A method for encoding a network data packet, such as an Internet Protocol (IP) data packet, into a format for transmission as part of the Vertical Blanking Interval (VBI) of a broadcast video signal is described. The method includes receiving a network data packet from a data network. The network data packet has a data block and header information. The network data packet is then encoded into a variable-length data group packet having a variable-length data block and header information. The network data packet is inserted in its entirety into the data block of the data group packet. In one implementation, the header information for the data group packet includes a 2-byte type header indicating a type of network data contained in the data block of the data group packet and a 6-byte reserved space header that is reserved for future definition by the developer. One potential use of the reserved space header is for a MAC address. In a second implementation, the header information for the data group packet consists of a conventional NABTS-defined record header. The variable-length data group packet is then encoded into one or more fixed-length VBI-compatible packets. Each VBI-compatible packet has the potential to store up to 28 bytes of data. The data group packet is partitioned and placed into the data blocks.
Abstract:
A client computer collects registration information and uploads the collected information to one or more remote registration databases. The collection and/or uploading of registration information for multiple manufacturers is performed in a unified manner, improving the user-friendliness of the computer. According to one aspect of the invention, a single user interface is used to collect the registration information for all of the manufacturers, preventing the same question from being asked multiple times. According to another aspect of the invention, a multiple posting method is used to upload the registration information to the registration databases. In the multiple posting method, a single network communication link is established between the client computer and a network that the registration databases are coupled to, via which multiple client computer to registration database connections are established.
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:
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 method for encoding network data, such as Internet Protocol (IP) data, into a format for transmission over a satellite system is described. The network data is configured in a packet having a data block and header information. The network data packet is encoded into a variable-length multi-packet transport (MPT) frame. The MPT frame comprises a data frame to hold data and header information. The IP packet in inserted its entirety into the data frame of the MPT frame. The variable-length MTP frame is then encoded into one or more fixed-length MTP packets. Each MPT packet has a data fragment block comprising a portion of the MTP frame and associated header information to designate what portion of the MTP frame is contained in the data fragment block. The MPT packets are sized to be embedded as a specific size payload of the satellite packet that is transmitted over a satellite network. Using this method, data received over a data network (i.e., Ethernet or Internet) in large network data packets are broken into smaller packets defined by the mult-packet transport. These smaller packets are then inserted as the data payload within standard fixed-size packets suitable for transmission across a particular distribution medium, such as satellite network. The network data remains independent of the underlying network and can be easily extracted at the receiver for use by computer applications.
Abstract:
A method for encoding network data, such as Internet Protocol (IP) data, into a format for transmission over a satellite system is described. The network data is configured in a packet having a data block and header information. The network data packet is encoded into a variable-length multi-packet transport (MPT) frame. The MPT frame comprises a data frame to hold data and header information. The IP packet in inserted its entirety into the data frame of the MPT frame. The variable-length MTP frame is then encoded into one or more fixed-length MTP packets. Each MPT packet has a data fragment block comprising a portion of the MTP frame and associated header information to designate what portion of the MTP frame is contained in the data fragment block. The MPT packets are sized to be embedded as a specific size payload of the satellite packet that is transmitted over a satellite network. Using this method, data received over a data network (i.e., Ethernet or Internet) in large network data packets are broken into smaller packets defined by the mult-packet transport. These smaller packets are then inserted as the data payload within standard fixed-size packets suitable for transmission across a particular distribution medium, such as satellite network. The network data remains independent of the underlying network and can be easily extracted at the receiver for use by computer applications.
Abstract:
A computing system uses a zip code entered by the user during a first boot sequence to automatically configure itself. The computing system includes a computing device (e.g., computer, laptop, handheld device, smart appliance, etc.) and a zip code database. The zip code database may reside locally at the computing device, or remotely at a server accessible by the computing device over a network. The zip code database correlates zip codes with corresponding configuration information that can be derived from the zip code (e.g., city, state, time zone, area code, and daylight savings settings). During a first boot sequence (i.e., a process executed when the user turns on the computer for the first time), the computing device prompts a user to enter a zip code. The computing device passes the zip code to the zip code database either locally, or over a network. The zip code is then used to look up the corresponding configuration information in the zip code database. The configuration information is returned and used to configure the computing device. The configuration information may be used to populate data fields presented in a graphical user interface for the user to review and confirm its accuracy.
Abstract:
A method for encoding network data, such as Internet Protocol (IP) data, into a format for transmission over a satellite system is described. The network data is configured in a packet having a data block and header information. The network data packet is encoded into a variable-length multi-packet transport (MPT) frame. The MPT frame comprises a data frame to hold data and header information. The IP packet in inserted its entirety into the data frame of the MPT frame. The variable-length MTP frame is then encoded into one or more fixed-length MTP packets. Each MPT packet has a data fragment block comprising a portion of the MTP frame and associated header information to designate what portion of the MTP frame is contained in the data fragment block. The MPT packets are sized to be embedded as a specific size payload of the satellite packet that is transmitted over a satellite network. Using this method, data received over a data network (i.e., Ethernet or Internet) in large network data packets are broken into smaller packets defined by the mult-packet transport. These smaller packets are then inserted as the data payload within standard fixed-size packets suitable for transmission across a particular distribution medium, such as satellite network. The network data remains independent of the underlying network and can be easily extracted at the receiver for use by computer applications.