Lucent Technologies Inc.

Interactive Video Technologies, Inc.

Mediaplatofrm On-demand, Inc.

Bruce A Wallace

Michael Mills

Chris O'Brien

Andrew Wason

Theodore Sizer

Michael J Sammon

Thaddeus Julius Kowalski

Thomas M Smith

Richard H Janow

Eric E Sumner, Jr

Myra L Ensor

Michael W Balk

Agesino Primatic

Garrett Gayer Hodgson

Blaise Heltai

This invention is a synchronization abstraction layer (SAL) providing a uniform interface to frameworks operating on sequenced flow data. It allows content developers to design and build interactive content that will operate interchangeably in different multimedia frameworks (e.g., Apple Computer, Inc.'s QuickTime&#x2122;, Microsoft Corporation's NetShow&#x2122;, RealNetworks, Inc.'s RealPlayer&#x2122;, Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s Java&#x2122; Media Framework) and on different hardware platforms (e.g., desktop PC, Macintosh&#x2122;, Television set-top boxes such as those from General Instrument Corporation and Scientific Atlanta Inc., Inc., Internet appliances such as AOL&#x2122;-TV, and other appliances, e.g., a kitchen Internet radio). The uniform interface is independent of the particular framework and the platform on which the SAL is implemented, so that a single instance of content, whether created in Java&#x2122;, JavaScript, VBscript, HTML, XML, or some other language, can run appropriately on different hardware, e.g., on a Television set-top and on a desktop PC. In one realization, the synchronization abstraction layer provides a Java&#x2122; VIRTUAL MACHINE (JVM) interface for running Java&#x2122; plug-ins for streaming media applications such as Real Networks, Inc.'s RealPlayer&#x2122;, Microsoft Corporation's Windows Media Technologies (NetShow&#x2122;), Apple Computer, Inc.'s QuickTime&#x2122;, Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s Java&#x2122; Media Framework. The JVM interface allows third-party developers to design platform- and framework-independent plug-ins for streaming media applications. This invention allows content providers to use plug-ins or compatible software objects (such as Java&#x2122; applets) to build, for example, interactive streaming media content that is fully interactive but independent of the particular underlying hardware and software technologies, such as RealNetworks&#x2122; G2, Microsoft Corporation's NetShow&#x2122;, a desktop PC, or a television.

Cross-platform framework-independent synchronization abstraction layer

A method and system for extending an extensible framework is provided. An extension module for an extensible framework is coupled with an abstraction layer overlaying the extensible framework. The abstraction layer includes a uniform cross-platform interface between the extension module and the extensible framework.

Techniques for employing a television set and a television set controller as the control interface for devices which themselves do not have display capability and for services provided via the telephone network. The techniques involve control apparatus which is connected to the telephone network and a television set and is responsive to inputs from a hand-held controller for the television set. The control apparatus outputs a screen which contains control selections to the television set and the user employs the controller to make a selection. The control apparatus then performs the control function specified by the selection. One application is a telephone messaging system: integral with the control apparatus is a system which can answer calls and store voice messages, fax messages, character-string messages, and script messages. The control apparatus plays the voice messages on the television set and provide screens to the television set which display the fax and character-string messages. The script messages contain code which the control apparatus executes to produce displays. Services provided by the telephone network are controlled and displayed analogously. The services may also involve other devices connected to the control apparatus. The control apparatus may further be used with supplemental output devices such as printers and supplemental input devices such as fax machines, electronic pads, and keyboards.

Apparatus for providing a graphical control interface

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Short Hills, NJ, United States of America

Bruce A Wallace