The present invention provides a system and apparatus for efficient and reliable, control and distribution of data files or portions of files, applications, or other data objects in large-scale distributed networks. A unique content-management front-end provides efficient controls for triggering distribution of digitized data content to selected groups of a large number of remote computer servers. Transport-layer protocols interact with distribution controllers to automatically determine an optimized tree-like distribution sequence to group leaders selected by network devices at each remote site. Reliable store-and-forward transfer to clusters is accomplished using a unicast protocol in the ordered tree sequence. Once command messages and content arrive at all participating group leaders, local hybrid multicast protocols efficiently and reliably distribute them to the back-end nodes for interpretation and execution. Positive acknowledgement is then sent back to the content manager from each group leader, and the updated content in each remote device autonomously goes 'live' when the content change is locally completed.

Method and apparatus for reliable and scalable distribution of data files in distributed networks

An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation that may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence. Applications of the interface and system include a video cassette recorder (VCR), medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Adaptive pattern recognition based control system and method

Location sharing and tracking using mobile phones or other wireless devices

An Internet appliance, comprising, within a single housing, packet data network interfaces, adapted for communicating with the Internet and a local area network, at least one data interface selected from the group consisting of a universal serial bus, an IEEE-1394 interface, a voice telephony interface, an audio program interface, a video program interface, an audiovisual program interface, a camera interface, a physical security system interface, a wireless networking interface; a device control interface, smart home interface, an environmental sensing interface, and an environmental control interface, and a processor, for controlling a data transfer between the local area network and the Internet, and defining a markup language interface communicated through a packet data network interface, to control a data transfer or control a remote device.

Internet appliance system and method

Social network information may be shared across online service providers. Thus, one online service provider M that maintains a membership separate from a second online service provider N may nevertheless use the social network maintained by the second online service provider N to tailor content and/or services based on such social network information.

Sharing social network information

The present invention is a system and method for providing group communication services in an existing communication system. Group communications are enabled by installing a communications manager in a data network such as the Internet. The communications manager acts as a configurable switch, allowing communications from any group member to be transmitted to all other group members. The communications processed by the communications manager take the form of data packets, suitable for transmission over the data network. The data packets are generated by communication devices operating within the communication system. The use of the communications manager further allows users of other communication systems and devices to participate in group communications with each other.

System and method for providing group communication services in an existing communication system

A method and apparatus for arbitrating between a first communication device having floor control in a group communication network and a second communication device competing for floor control provides receiving a floor-control request from the second communication device, comparing respective priority levels of the first communication device and the second communication device, and granting floor control to the second communication device if the second communication device has a higher or equal priority level. In one embodiment, the controller receives the request for floor control from a push-to-talk (PTT) device.

Method and apparatus for providing arbitration in a group communication network

An apparatus to form a group of communication devices over a distributed network is claimed. A first node establishes a first channel with a first communication device. At least one second node establishes at least one second channel with at least one second communication device. A controller electrically connected to the first node and the at least one second node comprises a database module. The database module comprises identification information of each of the communication devices of the group. The controller is dynamically configurable such that any single communication device of the group is capable of sending packet data through its respective channel to the other communication devices of the group.

Method and apparatus for enabling group communication services in an existing communication system

A method and apparatus for initiating a group call in a group communication network provides for receiving a member list from a user and sending a request to a server to initiate the group call based on the received member list. The method and apparatus also provides for receiving a response from the server indicating that said initiating the group call is in progress, alerting the user to provide media, and buffering the media for transmission after a traffic channel is re-established. The method and apparatus also provides for a significant reduction in the actual total dormancy wakeup time and latency by exchanging group call signaling even when mobiles are dormant and no traffic channel is active.

A communication device for initiating a group call in a group communication network

A method and apparatus for joining a user to a call in a group communication network provides for receiving an indication from a user who wishes to initiate a group call and sending a request to a server to add the user to the group call if the group call is in progress. The method and apparatus also provides for receiving a response from the server indicating that the group call is in progress, alerting the user of being added to the group call, and receiving media from the server after a traffic channel is re-established. The method and apparatus also provides for a significant reduction in the actual total dormancy wakeup time and latency by exchanging group call signaling even when mobiles are dormant and no traffic channel is active.

Douglas M. Crockett

Papers

System and method for providing group communication services in an existing communication system

Method and apparatus for providing arbitration in a group communication network

Method and apparatus for enabling group communication services in an existing communication system

A communication device for initiating a group call in a group communication network

A communication device for joining a user to a group call in a group communication network