text:
My aunts and uncles have been working on getting headstones for Dad and Aunt Nadia to put near Grandma, Grandpa, and their other family. Nick and I were happy to pitch in to help out and help make this happen. Imagine my surprise this morning when I read the following text from my Aunt Renee:
How awesome is that??? I'm incredibly grateful for the generous gift that someone gave our family, they're greatly appreciated! That said, as opposed to being thankful for just that one person, let me broaden this out a bit. The way they made this gift is also so fitting as this was one of Dad's favorite ways to give to others – anonymously.
When you hear about something like that how can we all not be watching for ways to make someone else's day? Seriously, is there anything quite as inspiring as a gift being made out of the blue, seemingly without a reason, and without someone to credit for it? There's a magic to that helps bring us all together and inspires us to be better people. Moments like this are when many people touched by the gift actively seek out ways to do the same for others, to help each other, to help strangers, to live better.
When someone does something like this there are so many people who are touched by it and look for ways to make a similar gift to others. Then each of those people impact other people and it continues. Think about it, if one person's actions cause ten people to do something for others, and each of those people give there's a cascading effect and now one person's gift has had a positive impact on at least 100 people in no time. Given a couple of more rounds of giving and thousands upon thousands of people are all touched by one person's generosity. How awesome is that?
At the end of the day, that's what I am really the most thankful for today. While I'm incredibly grateful for Anonymous' generosity, I'm also thankful that one person's very generous action has hopefully started an avalanche of positive experiences with my Dad's memory at its heart. Thinking that even though he's gone he's still making the world a better place fills my heart with pride and happiness.


text:
Contact Information:
E-Mail – firstname.lastname@example.com
Office – (580) 366-8548
My name is Kayla Dickson and I am the Head Athletic Trainer at Enid High School. This is my sixth year here at Enid High and has loved every minute of it. I was born and raised in Norman, Oklahoma. I graduated from Norman North High School in 2008. From Norman, I moved to Enid to attended Northern Oklahoma College to play volleyball from 2008-2010. After Graduating from Northern Oklahoma College with my Associates in science I moved to Weatherford to attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University. While attending Southwestern Oklahoma State University I was accepted into the Athletic Training Education Program in 2011. I graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in 2013 with a bachelors in Athletic Training and Allied Health. In December of 2015, I finished my masters in Education/Sports Management from Southwestern Oklahoma State University.
After my time at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, I moved back to Enid in 2013 to be closer to my now husband Tim Dickson.
We got married on June 27, 2015.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Steve Lewis
Lecturer Steve Lewis has spent three decades helping build successful operations and technology-intensive companies. He sits on Procter & Gamble's External Board for Supply Innovation and has been a board member of several public and private technologies companies, including Axcient, Borland and PC Helps.
Lewis has founded and built three category-defining, sector-leading companies. He was the founder and CEO of Teneros, where he created the category of Application Continuity Appliances for ending email downtime. He was previously the CEO of All Covered, which under his leadership grew from a single office to the largest outsourced IT provider to U.S. small businesses.
Lewis was previously a partner and managing director of Generation Ventures, a venture firm focused on China. While at Generation Ventures, he co-founded both Guangzhou HuaMei Telecommunications, China's first broadband telecommunications company, and Pharmanex, today the world's leading phyto-pharmaceutical company.
Earlier in his career, Lewis spent a decade with the consulting firm Booz Allen & Hamilton, where he was a partner assisting top executives of the Global 1000 gain competitive advantages through technology and global operations.
Lewis earned his MBA, M.S. in industrial engineering, and B.A. in economics all from Stanford University.


text:
The Madsen Family required an extension to their existing cottage to provide additional bedrooms, living spaces and a study area.
The Brief
To upgrade and expand an existing cottage to meet the needs of the growing family. The renovation was to be in a Queenslander style.
The Solution
The existing house was extended to provide a large kitchen and living space with study and rumpus areas downstairs. The remainder of the house was then remodelled to provide an extra bedroom and ensuite facilities.
The Reaction
The clients are very happy in their new home. The additional space for the family and the new outlook over the bush views is exactly as per the original brief.


text:
- Car Phone Mount, Smart Phone Holder
Car Phone Mount, Smart Phone Holder
per item
- VERSATILE - The GRIP & DRIVE Smartphone Dashboard Mount expands open to 4" wide and fits iPhone 4, 5, 5C, 6 and 6 Plus. ANDROID: LG G Flex, G2, G3, G4, Optimus, Stylo, HTC M8, M9, ONE, Desire; Samsung Galaxy Note 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5 Galaxy S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S6 Edge Galaxy Tab 4; Blackberry, BLU and Nexus smart phones
- BE SMART - BE SAFE WHILE DRIVING! Windshield or dashboard options; OUR MOUNT DOESN'T BLOCK VENTS OR DASHBOARD CONTROLS! Keep your smart phone at eye level with the road.
- STEADY - The Strong Suction cup holds firm to windshield or to dashboard mounted dish (included) with Quick release mechanism for easy re-positioning. Withstands normal driving vibrations with minimal movement, Shock-resistant and slip-resistant rubber pads hold phone securely!
- PRACTICAL - Easy swivel adjusts to landscape or portrait. The ball socket rotates for best viewing angles for driver or passenger while staying snug. Access for charger plug while in mount. Also sticks to fridge, tile, windows, stainless steel surfaces-suctions to any flat smooth surface


text:
Aramid Fiber Speaker
Aramid Fibre is highly resistant to external stimulus minimising sound distortion helping to deliver a clear and precise sound.
Multi-room Connectivity
Music that flows. All over your home.
Connect to your multi-room speakers and transmit audio from your CD or USB all over the house. So whether you are playing your favourite tune in every room or streaming different sounds all around, you can do it easily, effortlessly and wirelessly.
3D Blu-ray Disc™ Playback
Bring the movies home
Perfected by advanced 3D technology, LG 3D Blu-ray Disc™ playback provides an immersive 3D viewing experience giving you a brighter, clearer picture. *Compatible with 3D TV only
Private Sound Mode 2.0
Enjoy your favourite movie or TV show without disturbing the rest of the family. Send sound from your Blu-ray Disc™ Player system to your smartphone or mobile device via Wi-Fi.
Wireless audio streaming via Bluetooth™
Play your favourite music from your smartphone or Bluetooth™ enabled device on your LG Home Cinema System by wirelessly streaming via Bluetooth™.
Simply choose a support option from the icons below:
Email Us
Call an LG Support Representative at
For household devices Entertainment : 920005498
For air conditioning : 8002445454


text:
Ask me any day of the week and I'll tell you that one of the biggest things I'd love is to be able to move out. I've been living with my parents for the last decade since I moved back after university, and as incredibly grateful as I am for all their support, let's just say it's not always a smooth ride. Having a space of my own to make my own little home and live the way I want to has been a dream for years but unfortunately financial circumstances have never made it possible.
However, a couple of weeks ago I spent a few days home alone while my parents were away, and it really made me think about exactly what it is about an independent life that I crave, and what might not be quite so much fun.
I won't share with you all the ranty inner monologue that sometimes gets really wound up about the frustrations of being a woman in her 30s living at home with her parents, how annoying I find it to be asked where I'm going/who I'm meeting/when will I be home every time I want to leave the house, or to be expected to join in family meals every night of the week when sometimes I'd rather carry on with whatever I'm doing and grab some toast when I'm hungry, or how restricted I feel sometimes in being able to work to my own schedule. There's lots more, and trust me, it's not pretty, it doesn't actually reflect well on me, and honestly I'm not at all ungrateful that my parents care deeply about me, or are concerned for my safety and wellbeing. But seriously, sometimes it feels like I'm still 13 years old instead of 32.
Anyway, back to the main story. So my parents went away for a few days, and initially I was excited and positively gleeful at the prospect of having the house to myself and being able to do what I wanted. I could eat what I wanted when I wanted, I could watch what I wanted to watch on the big TV in the lounge, I could play music, or light candles, or invite people over for a wild party... Of course I ended up doing hardly any of that (and the wild party thing isn't really my style anyway), instead sticking pretty closely to the routine I've been used to.
Yes, it was a pleasure to be able to get in the kitchen and cook meals from scratch that I wanted to eat, without having to fight for space. I even switched up my breakfasts, cooking scrambled egg on toast a couple of mornings instead of reaching for my usual bowl of cereal. I carried on working until I was hungry for a later-than-usual lunch, and went back to working again in the afternoon until I was ready to stop. I did enjoy watching my choices of TV programmes in the evenings, and as the weather was good I sat outside to enjoy the sunshine. I carried on with my normal days, with a few tweaks, much as I would on any normal week.
But then the evenings drew in, and surprisingly, I began to miss having other people in the house. And I'm someone who is more than content in their own company 99% of the time. Perhaps it was just because it was a different-from-normal situation, and anything out of habit can feel unusual and unsettling. There was certainly an element of anxiety about being alone overnight and I found myself getting paranoid about making sure all the doors and windows were locked before I went to bed, and taking longer to drop off to sleep because of a higher state of awareness and alert. An apocalyptic thunder storm one night didn't help my nerves much either.
This anxiety surprised me. I didn't think I would be worried about being somewhere that I know is a comfortable and safe home on my own, even when my rational brain knew that the likelihood of anything happening was pretty low, my parents would be on the end of the phone, or there were neighbours or nearby family who would help in an emergency. I thought I would relish the peace and quiet, and during the days I did, but at night my mind seemed to think up all kinds of scenarios just to scare me. And I don't even watch horror films so I really don't know where it managed to find some of them!
I don't know whether it was to do with the size and stand-alone-ness of the house - whenever I've stayed in a hotel on my own, or when I lived in a flat after university for a while, it's always been in a building or a block where you're still essentially surrounded by other homes and people. Or maybe it's coming from a desire ultimately to not spend my life alone - of course I'd love to have a loving partner to share a home with, but we won't get into my lack of a romantic life here. I'm sure some of it was from the safety lectures I've heard from my parents over the years, so I'm conditioned to plan for the worst and expect disaster to strike at any minute.
However, as I'm here telling you the tale, and I'm pleased to report the house didn't burn down or crumble around me, it's pretty clear that I survived. But it did make me think - am I just so used to sharing my home that I wouldn't actually enjoy living alone long term? Or is it just another change that would take some adjusting to? I suspect the latter, after all, millions of people manage to live quite happily on their own. And let's face it, I'm not an idiot who would be completely uncaring about her personal safety, but I would definitely enjoy the opportunity to live more in alignment with my own routines and habits, and need for flexibility, as well as being able to make a space my own in the physical sense (one of my dream jobs would be as an interior designer).
I don't want you to think that I'm a wuss for being scared to spend a few nights on my own, but I think it was a useful experience for me. I also can't quite believe that in ten years I haven't spent more time (overnight) at home on my own - clearly my parents need to go away more often!
I suppose what I want to say in summary, in a time when more and more 20 and 30-somethings are living with family due to the spiralling cost of renting or buying a home and wages aren't keeping up, is that it's OK to feel worried about being alone in a space, and to feel safer surrounded by the comfort and love of family. That doesn't in any way reflect on your independence or courage, and can perhaps be a bit of a safety net as you test things out, find your way in the world, and figure out the life you truly want to lead.
I haven't decided yet whether I'm going to become a hermit living alone in the woods forever, or if I need to desperately get out there and hunt for a husband or a houseful of friends to live with. A week home alone has given me a greater appreciation for my parents and the love we share as a family, as well as time to reflect on my own anxieties and that negative inner voice. It's also made me more determined to build a life for myself that balances independence, freedom and following my passions, with connection, sharing, and closeness to my family.


text:
Apparatus and method for restoration of internal connections in a home audio/video system
An apparatus and method for the restoration of internal connections of consumer electronic devices in a home audio/video network. The present invention automatically maintains and manages the internal connections for each of the devices on the network. In the currently preferred embodiment, each internal connection is labeled according to its status (e.g., active or inactive) and/or condition (e.g., network compliancy). Whenever a new device is added to or an old device is removed from the network, a network reset is initiated. The network reset causes a device control module to terminate its normal mode of operation and enter into a "restore" mode of operation. During the restore mode, the device control module accepts connection information sent by the various stream managers of those devices currently coupled to the network. Based on this information, the device control module updates the label data for each of the internal connections. A set of rules is applied to the labels to determine whether a connection is allowed to be made by the stream manager or whether a connection is allowed to be disconnected by the stream manager. The device control manager enters back to its normal mode of operation either after all stream managers have reported or one second has elapsed.
Latest Sony Corporation of Japan Patents:
The present invention relates to audio/video systems. More particularly, the present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for the restoration of internal connections in a home audio/video system.
A typical home audiovisual equipment set up includes a number of components. For example, a tuner, a radio receiver, a CD player, a pair of speakers, a television, a VCR, a tape deck, etc. Each of these components are connected to each other via a set of wires. One component is usually the central component of the home audiovisual system. This is usually the tuner, or the receiver. The tuner has a number of specific inputs for coupling the other components. The tuner has a corresponding number of control buttons or control switches which provide a limited degree of controllability and interoperability for the components. The control buttons and control switches are usually located on the front of the tuner. In many cases, some, or all, of these buttons and switches are duplicated on a hand held remote control unit. A user controls the home audiovisual system by manipulating the buttons and switches on the front of the tuner, or alternatively, manipulating buttons on the hand held remote control unit. This conventional home audiovisual system paradigm has become quite popular.
However, as the number of consumer electronics devices for the home audiovisual system have grown and as the sophistication and capabilities of these devices have increased, a number of problems with the conventional paradigm have emerged. One such problem relates to the management of the connections between the various components. Often, users will upgrade old equipment with a newer model according to the users' budgets and tastes. Other times, users will add brand new devices which hitherto had not been available. In any case, the user has to somehow rewire the interconnections so as to accommodate the new devices. In the past, making the proper connections was trivial. The newly purchased devices are simply "plugged" into their home audiovisual systems according to the instructions provided. The new device (e.g., a DVD player) is simply plugged into the system alongside the pre-existing devices (e.g., television, stereo system, etc.). Typically, the new device is plugged into an open input on the back of the tuner, or some other device couple to the tuner. But with the introduction of highly sophisticated digital devices coming to market (e.g., digital cameras, set-top boxes, personal computers, color printers, cable modems, digital camcorders, digital audio tape recorders, satellite transceivers, etc.), knowing how to connect the various devices has now become a fairly sophisticated and quite challenging endeavor for the casual consumer.
There are other factors which further complicate how devices are to be connected. First, there may be one or more internal connections within a specific device which have to be made in order to fully realize that device's capabilities. When one device is coupled to another device through a cable or wire, the electronics and various components within each of these devices must have the proper connections in order to share processing resources and/or audio-visual data streams. For example, the infamous "flashing clock on the VCR" can be solved by having the VCR set its clock to that of another device on the home network (e.g., a digital TV receiver which obtains time signals via a digital satellite or CATV broadcast). In this example, the receiver in the TV would have to receive and demodulate the signal containing the current time information, pass the time information to a transmitter within the TV which forwards this time information to the VCR over a wire or cable; a receiver within the VCR picks up the time information and forwards it to the processor which then sets the clock display according to the received time information. In, Home Audio/Visual (HAVI), the setting of a clock on one component to that on another is accomplished by messaging rather than isochronous connections (these are used for streaming-ic A/V stream). Consequently, not only does one have to make the proper external connections between devices, but the appropriate connections within each of the devices must also be made.
Another factor which makes it difficult for establishing a home audio-video system is that devices are often incompatible. Consumer electronic devices from one manufacturer often have different electrical characteristics, interfaces, and standards than that of similar devices from another manufacturer. For example, a tuner made by one manufacturer may not properly couple with a television set sold by another manufacturer. In addition, were one device is much newer than another device additional incompatibilities may exist. For example, a new device might incorporate hardware (e.g., specific inputs and outputs) which enables more sophisticated remote control functions. This hardware may be unusable with older devices within the system. Or, for example, older tuners may lack suitable inputs and internal components/connections for some newer devices (e.g., mini-disc players, VCRs, etc.), or may lack enough inputs for all devices of the system. Along these same lines, another problem is the lack of functional support for differing devices within an audio/visual system. For example, even though a television may support advanced sound formats (e.g., surround sound, stereo, etc.), if an older less capable tuner does not support such functionality, the benefits of the advanced sound formats can be lost.
While the emergence of networking and interface technology (e.g., IEEE 1394 serial communication bus and the wide spread adoption of digital systems) offers prospects for correcting these problems, there is still no coherent, open, extensible architecture which can provide for intelligent, self configuring, easily extensible devices or AV systems. For example, while various solutions involving the use of IEEE 1394 as the basis of an AV system, none provide for the extensibility of the AV system over its life time, as new devices are added whose capabilities and features are unknown. None of these systems guarantee that all devices can be seemlessly intercoupled, communicated with and controlled and enjoyed by the user.
Thus, there exists a need for an apparatus and method which automatically monitors and establishes the proper interrial/external connections in response to changes made to a home audio/visual system. The present provides a novel solution to this problem which is transparent to the user and requires minimal effort and knowledge on the part of the user.
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for the restoration of internal connections in a home audio/video system. When several consumer electronic devices are coupled together, they can share their respective resources (e.g., processing, data, memory, etc.). This imparts enhanced functionality, flexibility, and capability with minimal cost. However, in order to achieve this, the proper connections must be made. Not only must each of the devices be physically connected together by wires or cables, but the proper connections between each of the internal components residing within the devices must also be made. When a device is removed from the system, it might have been using a component residing within a different device. With the removal of the device, the connection within the other device need not be made; that connection may now be dropped. Likewise, when a new device is added to the network, it might advantageously utilize a component or data from a pre-existing device on the network. This would entail making the proper internal connections within the new device, coupling the new device to the network, and making the proper internal connections within the pre-existing device.
The present invention automatically maintains and manages the internal connections for each of the devices on the network. In the currently preferred embodiment, each internal connection is labeled according to its status (e.g., active or inactive) and/or condition (e.g., network compliancy). Whenever a new device is added to or an old device is removed from the network, a network reset is initiated. The network reset causes a device control module to terminate its normal mode of operation and enter into a "restore" mode of operation. During the restore mode, the device control module accepts connection information sent by the various stream managers of those devices currently coupled to the network. Based on this information, the device control module updates the label data for each of the internal connections. A set of rules is applied to the labels to determine whether a connection is allowed to be made by the stream manager or whether a connection is allowed to be disconnected by the stream manager. The device control manager enters back to its normal mode of operation either after all stream managers have reported or one second has elapsed.
The operation of this invention can be best visualized by reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a HAVI network 10a upon which the present invention may be practiced.
FIG. 2 illustrates a logical bus configuration of the HAVI network.
FIG. 3 shows a single FAV cluster HAVI network in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a set top box in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 shows a logical block diagram of one embodiment of the HAVI architecture.
FIG. 6 shows a layered logic diagram of one HAVI architecture in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the interconnections between internal components of separate devices coupled to a HAVI network.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing the steps for reconfiguring internal connections.
FIG. 9 is a timing diagram of the currently preferred restoration scheme.
An apparatus and method for the restoration of internal connections in a home audio/video system is described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be obvious, however, to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the present invention.
Architecture Overview
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method whereby devices are easily added, removed, and/or replaced in a home audio/visual (HAVI) system. HAVI is a particular example of a home audio/visual system. The most basic components of a system in accordance with the present invention are: a home audio/video (AV) interoperability architecture, a series of home AV interoperability interfaces, and a home AV network. The home AV interoperability architecture is a broad, over arching term encompassing the physical network and the controlling programming interfaces. Interoperability interfaces is a term used to describe the interactions and interfaces of the components of the AV architecture. The interoperability interfaces provide a software architecture which allows new devices to be integrated into the network and provide their services in a seamless manner. The home AV network is the term used to describe the physical network and its topology.
It should be noted that the HAVI architecture is an open, platform independent, architecturally-neutral network that allows consumer electronics manufacturers and producers to provide inter-operable appliances. It can be implemented on different hardware/software platforms and does not include features that are unique to any one platform. The interoperability interfaces of the HAVI architecture are extensible and can be added to, modified and advanced as market requirements and technology change. They provide the infrastructure to control the routing and processing of isochronous and time-sensitive data (e.g., such as audio and video content). Specifically, the HAVI architecture provides: an execution environment supporting the visual representation and control of appliances; application and system services; and communication mechanisms for extending the environment dynamically through plug and play or otherwise.
It should be noted that the HAVI architecture supports legacy appliances (e.g., appliances that already exist and are available to users). This is important since the transition to more intelligent net worked appliances is going to be slow. Most manufacturers will not suddenly begin producing only "intelligent" appliances and most consumers will not quickly begin replacing all of their existing appliances. There are two classes of legacy appliances. A first class includes "one-way" or unacknowledged control appliances. A second class includes controllable "two-way" appliances. Examples of one-way appliances are audio/video components controlled by infrared commands of a hand held remote. Two-way appliances provide confirmation of command execution, status and error reporting. Examples of two-way appliances include the recent introduction of well known IEEE 1394 enabled digital cameras.
It should be noted that the HAVI network also provides support to accommodate future appliances and protocols through a write-once, run-everywhere common language. In accordance with the present invention, each appliance includes within it self-describing information concerning the user interface and the device control that can be used by an external controller. This information is specified as programs in the common language.
As described below, the underlying structure for such a network consists of set of interconnected clusters of appliances. Typically, there will be several clusters in the home, with one per floor, or per room. Each cluster will work as a set of interconnected devices to provide a set of services to users. Often, one device will act as a controller for a set of other devices. However, the architecture is sufficiently flexible to also allow a home to consist of a single cluster with no master controller. For example, an intelligent television in the family room of a user's home might function as the controller for a number of interconnected appliances. Each of the controlled appliances would have self describing data and possibly some associated control code. When these appliances are first connected, the controller obtains the user interface and the control program for the appliance. An icon representing the appliance may then appear on the television screen, and manipulating the icon may cause elements of the control program to actuate the represented appliance or appliances in prescribed ways. The exception to this model are legacy devices which will have neither self describing data or control code. For addition descriptions and related art regarding self describing data, the reader is referred to Lea, "A HOME AUDIO/VIDEO NETWORK WITH UPDATABLE DEVICE CONTROL MODULES, Ser. No. 09/003,112, filed on Jan. 6, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
It should be noted that the HAVI network of the present invention supports "Plug and Play" consumer appliances are easy to install, and provide a significant portion of their value to the consumer without any action on the user's part, beyond physically connecting the cables. This is in distinction to existing appliances that require configuration to provide some major portion of their functionality. The goal is to offer 'hot' plug and play (not requiring the user to switch off appliances) where the connection method supports it safely and reliably.
In accordance with the present invention, an appliance configures itself, and integrates into a system-wide "look and feel" user interface, without user intervention. Low-level communication services provide notification when a new appliance is identified on the AV network. While there will often be settings the user may change to suit his or her preferences, the appliance does not require the user to do so in order to offer basic functionality.
It should also be noted that the HAVI network of the present invention is flexible and supports multiple user interfaces, adapting to both the user's needs and the manufacturers need for brand differentiation. In the AV network, protocols scale gracefully from very resource-which, intelligent PC-like appliances to "dumb", resource starved appliances (e.g., a coffee maker or thermostat). To achieve this, the AV architecture allows low-end appliances to use the resources of more intelligent appliances in well-defined ways. In a similar manner, the AV architecture allows the specification of aggregate appliances where an abstract appliance is created from a logical collection of several lower-level appliances.
And additionally, it should be noted that the HAVI network of the present invention supports existing standards. The HAVI network is complementary to several existing, well known, industry standards and technologies including: CEBus; Home Plug and Play; EHSI; VESA; Home Network, DAVIC, CoMMeND, Lonworks, USB, IEEE 1394, etc. Accordingly, one goal of the present invention is to provide an infrastructure into which existing devices can fit.
System Overview
With reference now to FIG. 1, a HAVI network 10a upon which the present invention may be practiced is shown. The HAVI architecture supports a wide range of devices including intelligent receiver/decoders (IRDs), for example, the set top box 301, digital video tape records (DVTRs), video cassette recorders (VCRs), personal computers (PCs), digital video disk players (DVDs), etc., communicating via a common messaging system. FIG. 1 illustrates the physical port-to-port connecting configuration 10a of an exemplary HAVI network. CE devices ("devices") 12-24 are shown connected together with bus segments 30a-30f. In one embodiment of HAVI, the IEEE 1394 serial communication bus standard is used as a platform to provide the common messaging system.
FIG. 2 illustrates a logical bus configuration 10b of the HAVI network of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, all of the devices 12-24 of the HAVI network can be viewed as logically coupled to a common IEEE 1394 serial communication bus 30. Within this bus configuration 10b, peer-to-peer device communication is supported. Any device (having appropriate capabilities) can send or receive communication packets from any other device in the HAVI network. In the example of FIG. 2, the set-top-box (e.g., an IRD) can receive messages from or generate messages to any of the other devices 14-24 of the HAVI network.
Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, as described above, the interoperability model in HAVI provides for the following: 1) support for existing devices; 2) a default control model; 3) a means to extend the default control model when new devices or functionality is brought to market; and 4) a common means for device representation (e.g., graphics user interfaces). To achieve the above, the HAVI architecture defines three types of nodes in the home network: Full AV nodes (FAV), Intermediate AV nodes (IAV) and Base AV nodes (BAV).
A Full AV node is a device that contains a complete instance of the AV software model (described in detail below). This type of node generally has a richer set of resources and is capable of supporting a complex software environment. The primary distinguishing feature of a FAV is that it is able to take control responsibility for less sophisticated devices and does this by loading a control module, usually from the less sophisticated device, and executing it locally. Examples of such nodes would be Set Top Boxes (e.g., set top box 301), Smart TV's, general purpose home control devices, or even Home PC's.
Intermediate AV nodes are generally lower cost devices that have limited resources. They do not provide an execution environment for uploaded control modules and so can not act as master controllers within the home network. Because they have limited resources, they can access remote resources in one of two ways: by working with other IAV devices who provide some capability they lack, or by using an FAV node which supports a control module to control them. In this second mode of operation they rely on full AV nodes to provide such facilities as a display device, general purpose compute resources and some overall control framework. This allows Full AV devices to bind a variety of intermediate AV devices together to provide a service or abstraction to the user.
Base nodes are nodes that are neither FAV or IAV nodes. These are two generic types: Legacy base nodes, and other base nodes. Legacy base nodes are devices that were built before the advent of the HAVI architecture. These devices often use proprietary protocols for their control, and quite frequently have a simple, well defined, control only protocol. Such devices can work in the HAVI network but require that a Full AV node act as a gateway. Communication between a Full or Intermediate AV node and legacy devices requires that the Home AV commands used in the HAVI architecture be translated to and from the legacy command protocol. Other base nodes are devices that, for business or resource reasons, choose to implement future proof behavior using uploadable control software and do not carry any of the HAVI architecture or the message communication system. These devices will be controlled by an FAV node with a private command protocol between FAV and BAV node.
With the exception of legacy nodes, each node has, as a minimum, enough functionality to allow it to communicate with other nodes in the system. During the course of interaction, nodes exchange control and data information to enable devices to inter-operate and will do so in a peer to peer fashion. This ensures that, at the communication level, no one device is required to act as a master or controller for the system. However, it also allows a logical master or controller to impose a control structure on the basic peer to peer communication model. Services in the HAVI network are provided by one or more nodes communicating amongst themselves to deliver a service to user or an application. Where it is necessary for a node to interact with a user, then the node negotiates with other nodes to access and use a display device.
Additionally, it should be appreciated that a distinction is made between Logical and Physical nodes. A good example of this distinction can be found in a normal TV set. Although the TV set is gene(rally one physical box, it contains several functional components, e.g. the tuner, audio output etc. From the system point of view a physical node is an addressable peer node in the system. If the TV is constructed in such a way that its individual functional components are individually addressable, then it is logically one node and physically several nodes. Conversely, if it is constructed to have one addressable entity, then it is both a single logical node and a single physical node.
The IAV devices and FAV devices communicate by sending messages over the home network using a generic message passing system. When new devices join the home network, they are recognized and added to a global name database (registry). The registry holds information about their characteristics and provides a reference to a handler for that device. Other devices and services are able to query the registry to locate a device and then using the handler, can interact with the device. For additional descriptions and related art regarding the communication and identification processes of the present invention, the reader is referred to Ogino, et al., "METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING A DEVICE IDENTIFICATION MECHANISM WITHIN A CONSUMER AUDIO/VIDEO NETWORK", a U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,625 filed on Jan. 6, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
When a device is initially added to the home network, the system queries the device to ascertain its characteristics and capabilities. Once a device's characteristics are known, the architecture provides two methods of controlling it. The first method, level 1 interoperability uses a predefined message set. All IAV and FAV nodes can use this command set to access and control other devices (BAV nodes, because they are deployed before the architecture was defined, are controlled using legacy protocols). The provides a default level of control. The FAV nodes act as control nodes and create a local representation of the IAV node, known as a device control module (DCM) that provides an API used to send control commands to the device.
Level 2 interoperability within HAVI goes farther and supports future added functionality and new devices. To achieve this, a particular device can carry within its ROM, an uploadable DCM that is uploaded from the IAV device, to the FAV device and replaces the default DCNI for the particular device. This override DCM not only contains the basic level 1 command set for the particular device but also includes vendor specific commands to control advanced features of the device. The model allows the device to inform another about its particular functionality. Since the override DCM may be loaded onto any vendor's PAV, the format of the DCM is architecture-neutral.
To allow one device to discover the capabilities of another device and to determine which command set to use with that devices, a standard device description structure is provided called the self describing data (SDD) structure. The SDD data structure is extensible. It can be a small number of bytes describing the device type, e.g., TV, or VTR, etc. Alternatively, the SDD data structure can be a more complex structure also defining the override DCM and a graphical representation of the device. The graphical representation within the SDD data structure allows an FAV node to present a pictorial representation of the devices in the home network to users. By defining the graphical representation in a sufficiently generic manner, a device's SDD graphical data can be used in any vendor's product to display a user interface for that device. This provides an enhanced level of vendor interoperability and also allows a vendor to differentiate a product while maintaining within the general look and feel of the display device. This enables a control device (the FAV node) to present a general control user interface for all devices in the home network, irrespective of the differences in type and vendor.
As described above, Legacy devices are devices that were built before the HAVI architecture or devices that select not to use HAVI. HAVI supports Legacy devices by providing Legacy DCMs to provide protocol conversions for Legacy devices. These Legacy DCMs can contain sufficient knowledge to allow them to support an existing 1 or 2 way control protocol and provide a specific control interface to the devices that conform to HAVI. A legacy DCM acts as a bridge between the Legacy and HAVI devices. This approach allows HAVI also to interact with any future device control protocols such as protocols being used for home energy management or security.
It should be appreciated that the communications hardware and protocols used by the HAVI architecture are non-specific. The HAVI architecture is readily suited to the incorporation and use of any one of several communications mediums, with the simple requirement that the medium provides a generic communication mechanism that supports the HAVI interfaces. The basic model assumed is one of a logical communications back plane (e.g., IEEE 1394). All AV devices are assumed to be connected to this back plane, and can locate and communicate with all other AV devices, as shown in FIG. 1. In a physical setting, it is likely that this logical back plane will consist of more than one physical communication medium. It is further assumed that multiple protocols may be in use on different physical media. The Home AV architecture abstracts above all of this and presents a generic model of communicating nodes. It will provide a mechanism above the Transport layer (functionally like a socket) to ensure network transparency. This mechanism can be described as "reliable, ordered datagram service" which will provide all fragmentation and re-assembly. Accordingly, the present invention supports each and every physical bus, such that an application need not care which physical transport it is using. However, with the familiarity of IEEE 1394 in the electronics industry, features of the present embodiment are illustrated and described in view of functioning with IEEE 1394. Other buses such as CEBus and USB may not require all the same features.
FIG. 3 shows a single FAV cluster HAVI network 300 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. HAVI network 300 includes an FAV 301 (e.g., a set top box) respectively coupled to a first LAV 302 (e.g., a television) a second LAV 303 (e.g., a VCR) and a BAV 304 (e.g., a digital camera). In HAVI network 300, FAV 301 controls Legacy and Base AV devices (e.g., devices 302-304), providing cluster-wide services.
Computer System Platform
With reference now to FIG. 4, a diagram of a set top box 301 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is shown. As described above, any consumer electronics device can be a FAV and thereby provide a computer system platform for HAVI software. For instance, the set-top-box 301 device of the exemplary HAVI network contains special components that provide an operation platform for software components of the HAVI architecture which are described below. Specifically, aspects of the present invention, described below, are discussed in terms of steps executed on a computer system. Although a variety of different computer systems can be used with the present invention, an exemplary general purpose computer system is shown in the set-top-box of FIG. 4.
Set-top-box 301 of FIG. 4, in addition to having a video/audio receiver (decoder) unit 406 and MPEG unit 407 also includes an address/data bus 400 for communicating information, one or more central processors 401 coupled with the bus for processing information and instructions, a volatile memory 402 (e.g., random access memory RAM) couple(d with the bus 400 for storing information and instructions for the central processor 401 and a non-volatile memory 403 (e.g., read only memory ROM) coupled with the bus 400 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 401. Set-top-box 301 can also optionally include a data storage device 404 ("disk subsystem") such as a magnetic or optical disk and disk drive coupled with the bus 400 for storing information and instructions. Also included in the set-top-box 301 is a bus interface unit 408 for interfacing with the local bus 30 (e.g., an IEEE 1394 serial bus). Set-top-box 301 can operate under a variety of different operating systems (e.g., Windows operating system, DOS operating system, Macintosh O/S), but in the present embodiment the Aperios operating system is used.
Software Architecture
Referring now to FIG. 5, a logical block diagram 500 of one embodiment of the HAVI architecture is shown. FIG. 5 shows an overall HAVI architecture in accordance with the present invention. The components shown in diagram 500 are as follows:
1394 Communication Media Manager 501—allows other elements to perform asynchronous and isochronous communication over 1394.
Messaging System 502—responsible for passing messages between elements.
Registry 503—serves as a directory service, allows any object to locate another object on the home network.
Event Manager 504—serves as an event delivery service. An event is the change in state of an object or of the home network.
Stream Manager 505—responsible for managing real-time transfer of AV and other media between functional components.
Resource Manager 506—facilitates sharing of resources and scheduling of actions.
Device Control Module (DCM) 507—a software element used to control a device. DCMs are obtained from DCM code units. Within a DCM code unit are code for the DCM itself plus code for Functional Component Modules (FCMs) for each functional component within the device. In addition a DCM code unit may include a havlet allowing user control of the device and its functional components.
DCM Manager 508—responsible for installing and removing DCM coded units on FAV and IAV devices.
Application 509—a software element that uses other HAVi software elements to provide specific services. An application may originate from native (proprietary) code on the hosting device or from
Application Modules in Java bytecode provided by (third party) application writers.
Referring now to FIG. 6, a layered logic diagram 600 of one HAVI architecture in accordance with the present invention is shown. The components shown in diagram 600 are similar to those shown in diagram 700, however, diagram 600 is organized such that high level processes are on top (e.g., applications 601) with respect to lower level processes on the bottom (e.g., 1394 module 630). Diagram 600 also depicts other services 610, transportation adaptation modules 615, and other modules 640.
As described above, the overall HAVI architecture can be shown as communications components and service components. Applications 509, at the highest level in the architecture use the services and the communication components (e.g., DCMs 507, service modules 530, etc.). In turn, a number of the service components (e.g., service modules 530, DCM 507, etc.) will use the underlying communications components (e.g., messaging 520, transportation adaptation modules 515, etc.). For example, in the case of one of applications 509 requesting, via the registry 512, the handle for a DVTR (digital video tape recorder) device, and then sending a play command to the device. As described above, components in the HAVI architecture communicate using the underlying messaging system, i.e., the modules use message passing.
Internal Connection Restorations
FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of the interconnections between internal components of separate devices coupled to a HAVI network. As explained above, a first device 701 can have any number of internal components 702-706 (e.g., amplifier, digital signal processor, memory, I/O interface, controller, transceiver, tuner, graphics accelerator, video/audio compression/decompression engine, etc.). These internal components can be interconnected any number of ways. A second device 707 is shown to be coupled to the HAVI network. Device 707, likewise, contains its own internal components 708-710. These components 708-710 contained within device 707 can be interconnected multiple different ways. Device 707 is coupled to device 701. According to the HAVI architecture described above, device 707 can share resources with device 701. For example, device 707 can advantageously use the functions of component 705 via internal connection 711 to component 706, internal connection 712 to the I/O) 713, over link 714 to I/O 715 of device 707. Now, suppose that device 707 is removed from the HAVI network, and that this removal results in connection 711 within device 701 to no longer be necessary. In other words, connection 711 between component 705 and 706 is not necessary because device 707 is no longer using component 705. The significance is that this connection is now available for other purposes. Suppose that device 717 is added to the HAVI network. Device 717 can take advantage of component 705, provided that the proper connection 716 is established. Device 717 can utilize component 705 if connection 716 is made.
There will be instances whereby stale internal connections (i.e., those connections no longer being used) arise in a HAVI network when a user connects or disconnects devices from the network. Further, the process which owns, monitors, or otherwise controls that connection may not be present anymore on the HAVI network. Furthermore, even if the process is present, the process may not be able to affect stale connection so as to drop it. The solution to these problems is to have each DCM within the HAVI network maintain information about the status of internal connections and allow the stream manager(s) to drop connection(s) which it deems to be no longer in use. In the currently preferred embodiment, the status of connections is recomputed on network reset based on messages exchanged among stream managers and DCMs.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart describing the steps for reconfiguring internal connections. The HAVI network continues with its normal mode of operation until a network reset is encountered, step 801. In the currently preferred embodiment, a software element application programming interface (API), NetworkReset( ), is used as a local event. This event is generated whenever there is a change in the home network topology (e.g., connection of a new device). A communication media manager (CMM) is generally the component posting this event. The CMM allows other elements to perform asynchronous and isochronous communication over the network. As opposed to the NewDevices and GoneDevices events, the CMM does not gather a global unique identifier (GUID) list of the changed devices. A GUID is a 64-bit quantity used to uniquely identify a device it consists of a 24-bit vendor ID and a 40-bit serial number assigned by the device manufacturer. The GUID is stored in a device's configuration ROM and is persistent over bus resets. The NetworkReset( ) event is intended for target software elements that are only interested in knowing when network topology has changed but are not interested in the specifics of the change.
In step 802, a determination is made as to whether a user has connected or disconnected a device. A newly connected device is indicated by a NewDevices API event. This local event is generated when a new device is connected to the home network. When this happens, a network reset is triggered. The CMM gathers the GUID list of all the newly connected devices and then invokes the Event Manager to post the NewDevices event. The Event Manger serves as an event delivery service. An event is the change in state of an object or of the home network. The GUID list is passed to the Event Manager as additional information of the event. Since each FAV or IAV has its own CMM and all CMM are automatically invoked whenever there is a network reset, the NewDevices event is only delivered locally within the device where the CMM resides. Conversely, a GoneDevices event is generated when devices are disconnected from the home network. When this happens, a network reset is, likewise, triggered. The CMM gathers the GUID list of all the disconnected devices and then invokes the Event Manager to post the GoneDevices event. The GUID list is passed to the Event Manager as additional information of the event. Since the FAV or IAV has its own CMM and all CMM are invoked whenever there is a network reset, the GoneDevices event is only delivered locally within the device where the CMM resides.
Steps 803 and 804 are used to determine whether a process is on the network and whether a process is capable of controlling a connection. If the process is removed; if a process is no longer able to control a connection; or if a device has been added or removed, then step 805 is performed. In step 805, the DCM updates the status of the internal connections. Next, the stream manager(s) within the devices add or drop the appropriate connections, step 806. The stream manager is responsible for managing real-time transfer of AV and other media between functional components. It is capable of constructing a map of all connections within the home network established by HAVI applications.
In the currently preferred embodiment, functional component plugs participate in both internal and external connections. An internal connection involves connecting two plugs from functional components belonging to the same device. An external connection involves first attaching a functional component plug to a device plug (such an attachment is not referred to as a HAVI connection; instead, it is a constituent of a HAVI connection and not directly visible to applications). The following rules apply to connections and attachments within a device:
1. Functional component sink plugs can have at most one connection or attachment (from a functional component source plug or a device sink plug respectively).
2. Functional component source plugs can have many connections to functional component sink plugs and/or attachments to device source plugs.
3. Device source plugs can have only one attachment from a functional component source plug.
4. In general, device sink plugs can have many attachments to functional component sink plugs. It should be noted that the term "plug" refers to a functional component plug. The reference to "source" plugs and "sink" plugs corresponds to output plugs and input plugs. In general,
In the currently preferred embodiment, the stream managers establish and break internal connections via DCM::Connect and DCM::Disconnect API commands. The DCM::Connect API establishes an internal connection on the device represented by the DCM between the specifies source plug and the specified destination plug. DCM plugs are numbered starting from zero. The total number of plugs can be obtained via DCM::GetPlugCount. The connect operation is called by the Stream Managers. The DCM::Disconnect API removes an internal connection on the device represented by the DCM. DCM plugs are numbered starting from zero. The total number of plugs can be obtained via DCM::GetPlugCount. The disconnect operation is called by Stream Managers. Stream managers request the DCM to connect, even if the connection already exists. This allows the DCM to "overlay" internal connections and maintain information about the usage of inter connections. After a network reset, the IEC 61883 procedures for restoring connections are invoked by the Stream Manager for each connection (of the IEC61883 transport type) that it has created. During connection restoration, the Stream Manager builds a new list of connections for which it is responsible and may post ConnectionDropped events. This event is posted when: as a result of a network merge, there is insufficient bandwidth available for a connection; as a result of a network partition, the source or sink of a stream has been lost. The Stream Managers also complete IEC 61883 connection restoration during the first one second after network reset (i.e., this is the "isoch_resouce_delay" period specified by IEEE 1394-1995).
Also during this period, Stream Managers indicate to DCMs the internal connections they wish restored by using the DCM::RestbreConnectionList. According to the DCM:RestoreConnectionList API, DCMs label their internal connections as permanent, non-HAVI, and active-HAVI. A connection may have several labels (e.g., non-HAVI plus active-HAVI). Any, combination is possible. The active-HAVI connections also have a count which is incremented by DCM::Connect and decremented via DCM::Disconnect. If this count goes to zero, the connection is called a stale-HAVI connection. This count must be zero before the connection is actually removed. This allows Stream Managers to "overlay" internal connections. DCMs are responsible for determining when internal connections can be preempted by Stream Managers seeking to use the associated resources. For example, one DCM may only allow Stream Managers to preempt stale-HAVI connections, whereas another may allow preemption of stale-HAVI connections plus non-HAVI connections. Preemption is performed by the Stream Manager issuing a DCM::Disconnect.
It should be noted that in one embodiment, the IDCM: RestoreCornmunicationList API is not used. Instead, E)CMs still label connections as HAVI, non-HAVI, etc. and keep an overlay count. On a network reset, the DCM is notified if any SMGR which has established internal connections (via the DCM::Connect API) is no longer on the network. For such a SMGR, the DCM then updates the labels of the internal connections created by the SMGR. When a SMGR goes through its connection restoration process after a network reset, it requests a DCM to drop an internal connection if the SMGR cannot restore the other links of the connection.
DCMs operate in two modes: "normal" and "restore-in-progress." In the normal mode, the preemptable list in DCM::GetConnectionList will indicate those connections which can be preempted. The DCM::GetConnectionList API provides a list of all internal connections in the device represented by the DCM that are either from or to the plug indicated by a specific address. In the "restorein-progress" mode, preemptable list is empty. The DCDA enters restore-inprogress mode when it detects the NetworkReset event, It returns to normal mode either when it has received DCM::RestoreConnectionList from all Stream Managers fro which it has created internal connections or one second (the IEEE 1394 1995 "isoc resource delay" period) after entering restore-in-progress mode. When the DCM enters restore-in-progress mode, it char ges all active-HAVI labels to stale-HAVI (i.e., sets the count to zero). When a DCM receives a DCM::RestoreConnectionList, it increments the active-HIAVI count for the connections on the list. When the DCM receives a DCM::Connect (e.g., this will typically be while in normal mode, but is also possible while in restore-in-progress mode), if a new connection is created or an existing connection reused. It will be given an active-HAVI label.
In the currently preferred embodiment, a connection is dropped under the following circumstances:
1. The Stream Manger which created the connection is requested to drop the connection.
2. The owner of the connection leaves (in which case the Stream Manager is notified via the GoneSoftwareElement event).
3. The Stream Manager fails to restore the connection after a network reset.
In summary, the DCM labels all internal connections as either: permanent, non-HAVI, active-HAVI, or stale-HAVI. The DCM also recalls the SEID of the Stream Manager which has created a HAVI connection (active or stale). Combinations are also possible. Some examples include: permanent and non-HAVI, permanent and HAVI (either active or stale), permanent and non-HAVI and HAVI (either active or stale), non-HAVI and HAVI (either active or stale), etc. The DCM::GetConnectionList request returns the list of DCM connections plus a "breakable" list. It includes a "normal" state whereby a connection is breakable if not permanent and not active-HAVI (and, by choice of DCM, not non-HAVI); and a "restore in progress" state whereby the breakable list is null. The DCM::Disconnect will allows a Stream Manager to disconnect connections that it owns or that are breakable. The DCM enters "restore in progress" when a Network Reset event is detected or when it receives a RiestoreConnectionList while in a normal mode. The DCM then labels active-HAVI connections as stale HAVI connections. For a DCM::RestoreConnectionList, the DCM labels all connections on the list as active HAVI connections.
FIG. 9 is a timing diagram of the currently preferred restoration scheme. The DCM is in a Normal State until a Network Reset event occurs. At this point, it enters into a RestoreInProgress state. The RestoreCormectionList API is initiated by a first Stream Manager (i). There may be a second or other Stream Manager(s) (j) which also start their respective RestoreConnectionList API calls a short time later. When restoration is complete, the DCM enters back to a Normal State. There are two instances of Normal States which may occur. In a first instance, the DCM returns to a Normal State1 when it has received RestoreConnectionList from every Stream Manager which has created an internal connection (within the DCM). In a second instance, the DCM returns to a Normal State2 after one second has elapsed since it entered into the RestoreInProgress State.
Therefore, an apparatus and method for the restoration of internal connections in a home audio/video system has been disclosed. The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
1. In a system having a plurality of intercoupled devices transmitting and receiving audio and video data, a method for establishing internal connections between components within the devices, comprising the steps of:
- designating for each of the internal connections, a label which identifies whether a particular internal connections is compliant with a specified standard and a status of the particular connection;
- detecting a reset condition, wherein the reset condition is initiated when one of the intercoupled devices is removed from the system and the reset condition is also initiated when an additional device is coupled to the system;
- reading a list upon detection of the reset condition, wherein the list contains information as to which internal connections within one of the devices can be disconnected;
- establishing connections to components according to the list;
- dropping connections to components according to the list;
- adjusting a count corresponding to an active internal connection when connection is established with that particular active internal connection;
- adjusting the count corresponding to the active internal connection when connection has been dropped;
- updating the status of the devices.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of returning to a normal mode of operation after all internal connections have been restored.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of returning to a normal mode of operation one second after the reset condition has been initiated.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the status includes permanent, non-permanent, active, stale, compliant, and non-compliant connections.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the status includes combinations of permanent, non-permanent, active, stale, compliant, and non-compliant connections.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of overlaying a plurality of connections to a same plug of one component.
7. The method of claim 6 further comprising the steps of removing the active internal connection when the count corresponding to the active internal connection has reached zero and changing the status of that particular connection to inactive.
8. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon:
- a device control module which labels internal connections of a device coupled to a home audio/visual network and specifies whether an internal connection can be disconnected based on whether the internal connection is compliant and whether the internal connection is active;
- a detector which detects a reset condition, wherein the reset condition is initiated when one of a plurality of intercoupled devices is removed from the home audio/visual network and the reset condition is also initiated when an additional device is coupled to the home audio/visual network;
- a list specifying which internal connections within one of said plurality of intercoupled devices can be disconnected;
- a stream manager which establishes internal connections and drops internal connections according to the list;
- a counter corresponding to an active internal connection which adjusts a count when connection is established with that particular active internal connection and when connection has been dropped to that particular active internal connection.
9. The computer readable medium of claim 8, wherein the device control module further initiates a network reset whenever one of the devices is removed from or added to the home audio/visual network as indicated by the stream manager.
10. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the device control module updates the data after the network reset.
11. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the device control module returns to a normal mode of operation after all internal connections have been restored.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 9, wherein the device control module returns to a normal mode of operation one second after the reset condition has been initiated.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 9 further including an application program interface which retrieves a list of internal connections from or to a plug.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 13, wherein the list also indicates which of the connections are preemptible.
15. The computer readable medium of claim 9 further including application program interfaces for connecting and disconnecting internal connections.
16. A home audio/visual system having a plurality of devices coupled to a network so that data including audio and video streams can be transmitted from one of the devices to another of the devices over the network, comprising:
- a plurality of electronic devices containing internal components which have one or more plugs that can be connected to one of several plugs belonging to a separate internal component;
- a processor residing within one of the electronic devices which designates for each of a plurality of internal connections, whether a particular internal connections is compliant with a specified standard and a status of the particular connection so that upon detection of a network reset, the processor reads a list to determine which of the internal connections may be disconnected;
- a counter corresponding to an active internal connection which adjusts a count when connection is established with that particular active internal connection and when connection has been dropped to that particular active internal connection;
- a memory coupled to the processor for storing information pertaining to a status and condition of each of the internal connections, wherein the information is updated according to the counter.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein the status includes combinations of permanent, non-permanent, active, stale, compliant, and non-compliant connections.
Referenced Cited
Patent History
Type: Grant
Filed: Oct 30, 1998
Date of Patent: Jan 2, 2001
Assignees: Sony Corporation of Japan (Tokyo), Sony Electronics, Inc. (Park Ridge, NJ)
Inventors: Simon J. Gibbs (San Jose, CA), Feng Zou (Milpitas, CA), Rodger J. Lea (San Jose, CA)
Primary Examiner: Douglas W. Olms
Assistant Examiner: Shick Hom
Attorney, Agent or Law Firm: Wagner, Murabito & Hao LLP
Application Number: 09/183,161
International Classification: H04J/316;


text:
Best from Avon
Ashley Greene for Avon's brand MarkThe twilight saga beauty Ashley Greene has signed a deal with the cosmetics Avon's affordable beauty brand Mark , replacing The Hills star Lauren Conrad...
Fergie Promotes Her Outspoken ScentAmerican singer, Fergie has signed up to release her debut scent with the cosmetic brand Avon. The Black Eyed Peas only female poses for the fragrance promo photoshoot. The star joins the A-list of the celebs ...
Details about Fergie's FragranceAs we have already mentioned Fergie teamed up with Avon to release her first fragrance named Outspoken...
Keri Hilson for Avon's Imari ScentThe cosmetic brand Avon has teamed up with the Knock You Down star Keri Hilson to promote Imari and Imari Seduction fragrance, a divison of Avon's flagship Color brand, the cosmetics company announced on Wednesday...
Outspoken Scent from Fergie and AvonThe Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie is to launch her debut fragrance Outspoken developed with cosmetic firm Avon and said the name was of prime importance as it had to reflect her attitude as well ...
2016 Tony Awards: Best Beauty Moments »
2016 Tony Awards were glam and fab. You have to see these beauty looks as they are truly the best inspiration for summer.13-06-2016 | Read Full Article
Beauty Rumor Is That Gigi Hadid To Create Her Own Makeup Line »
Model Gigi Hadid is taking after her BFF Kendall and partnering up with the beauty brand she's currently representing, Maybelline, to create her very own makeup line.11-06-2016 | Read Full Article
Redhead Christina Aguilera Is Playing Hair Chameleon »
Christina Aguilera is at it again trading her platinum blonde for a new hair color that turns her into living Jessica Rabbit.09-06-2016 | Read Full Article
How To Survive Summer If You're Pale »
Pale skin is prone to burns and freckles as well as hard to tan so be sure to use our summer survival guide for pale to avoid these skin problems.07-06-2016 | Read Full Article
Watch A Beauty Blogger Create Thermal Highlighter Effect »
Highlighter is now a major beauty staple with strobing being such a huge trend. Some beauty bloggers though are taking it to a whole new level with their highlighting makeup experiments.03-06-2016 | Read Full Article
Why Bella Hadid Is Perfect For Dior Beauty »
Bella Hadid has been named the new face of Dior beauty and she's a great fit. Sharing the fame of Jennifer Lawrence (and some facial resemblance) and poise of a professional model the next Dior beauty campaign is going to be a treat to watch.01-06-2016 | Read Full Article
5 Self-Tanning Tips That Will Give You Flawless Summer Glow »
Self-tanner mistakes are such a faux pas, but with UV tanning beds and natural tanning harming your skin so much, what a girl to do? Well, here are a few tips to get that perfect summer glow without giving away you've been slathering on the self-tanner.30-05-2016 | Read Full Article
Black Blue Is Kylie's Next Lip Kit Color »
Kylie Jenner is releasing a new badass lip kit color that start Halloween early this year. The starry night shade is all a glam goth would love back in the day. Now the daring beauty junkies27-05-2016 | Read Full Article
Undercut Tattoos Are A Perfect Summer Hair Trend »
Get an undercut tattoo this summer to cool off and try out a design. Regardless of whether you are into rainbow hair or not an undercut tattoo can inject some freshness into your style.25-05-2016 | Read Full Article
Billboard Music Awards 2016 Beauty Highlights »
Celebs flocked to the 2016 Billboard Music Awards to celebrate top artists in the biz (it's Adele this year) and perform their hits. Britney Spears, Rihanna, and newcomers like Zendaya and Ariana Grande have dominated the red carpet both fashion and beauty-wise.23-05-2016 | Read Full Article
WOW just what I was searching...on Celebrity Smile Tips: How to get Hollywood smile
The key is having your own...on Celebrity Smile Tips: How to get Hollywood smile
Perfect Smile!!!on Celebrity Smile Tips: How to get Hollywood smile
wonderful advice given by you thank you for...on Natural Remedies to Make your Hair Grow Faster
SMILE SMILE NOT HAPPYon Celebrity Smile Tips: How to get Hollywood smile
Nice article! I often choose 7 – 10x magnifying,...on Tips on Choosing Make up Mirror


text:
Dr. Yaser Bishr is the Executive Director of Digital at Al Jazeera Media Network. Yaser is leading the Network's transformation as a global digital media player.
Prior to Al Jazeera, Yaser was Chief strategist and business development Director at Lockheed Martin, based in the Washington D.C. Area with remit to lead the transformation of its intelligence and cyber business form government focused to commercial.
Yaser has 21 years' experience as software architect and engineer, entrepreneur and academic. Prior to joining Lockheed, Yaser had successfully co-founded and told several startups in location based services and social media analytics in Germany and in he US.
Yaser holds an MBA from Duke University, an MSc and Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Twente in the Netherlands.
The War for Influence: Are We Ready?


text:
Plus new albums from Howler, Foster The People and The Hold Steady
Future Islands and Liars lead this week's list of new album releases (March 24).
Baltimore band Future Islands release 'Singles', their fourth studio album, and the follow up to their critically acclaimed 2011 album 'On The Water'. All 10 of the tracks featured on the album were produced by Chris Coady, who has worked with the likes of Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Grizzly Bear.
Speaking about the new album, frontman Samuel T Herring recently told NME: "We're definitely of the school of thinking that an album should be a whole experience, because those are the sort of records we loved growing up. We're not of that iPod culture where you listen to one or two songs and that's what you know; we've always wanted to make these complete works… in the past we've tried to make things ebb and flow, with this one every song has its strengths, every song stands alone. It's our most diverse album, I feel it shows our versatility as musicians and writers."
Meanwhile, Liars release their latest album 'Mess.' The LP is the follow-up to Liars' 2012 album 'WIXIW'. Liars released their debut album 'They Threw Us All In A Trench And Stuck A Monument On Top' in 2001. Since then, they have released a further five studio records including 'They Were Wrong, So We Drowned' (2004), 'Drum's Not Dead' (2006), the self-titled 'Liars' (2007), 'Sisterworld (2010) and last year's 'WIXIW'.
Elsewhere, there are new albums from Howler, The Hold Steady, Tokyo Police Club, Wilko Johnson and Roger Daltrey, Shakira, Jamaica, and X Factor winner Sam Bailey while Babe release their debut album 'Volery Flight' and Doves frontman Jimi Goodwin steps out on his own with debut solo record 'Odludek.'
This week's new album and EP releases:
Babe – 'Volery Flight'
Foster The People – 'Supermodel'
Future Islands – 'Singles'
Ghost Beach – 'Blonde'
The Hold Steady – 'Teeth Dreams'
Howler – 'World of Joy'
Jamaica – 'Ventura'
Jimi Goodwin – 'Odludek'
Liars – 'Mess'
My Chemical Romance – 'May Death Never Stop You'
Sam Bailey – 'The Power Of Love'
Shakira – 'Shakira'
Tokyo Police Club – 'Forcefield'
Tony Molina – 'Dissed and Dismissed'
We Are Catchers – 'We Are Catchers'
Wilko Johnson and Roger Daltrey – 'Going Back Home'


text:
Congratulations Lori and Thea of Westvale PS
April 14th, 2018
We want to congratulate Westvale Public School's Lori Hodgson, an Educational Assistant, and Thea Ross, a Grade 6 student, for being recognized as leaders in our community.
The Leading Women/Leading Girls Building Communities Recognition program celebrates women and girls whose volunteer work has improved the lives of others in their community. On Friday, April 13, Lori and Thea attended a luncheon hosted by MPP Catherine Fife to receive this honour.
Lori and Thea run the Nutrition for Learning snack bin program at Westvale Public School. They work together to ensure that 300+ students have access to healthy snacks every school day. Thea comes in early each morning to restock the snack bins in the classrooms so that students have nutritious food available to them.
"We do what we do everyday because there is a need, not for recognition" said Lori Hodgson. However, she notes that it is nice to know that the work they are doing is appreciated and making a difference.
Nutrition for Learning programs contribute greatly to student success because a student cannot learn if they are hungry. Ensuring students have proper nutrition is a fundamental step to help children learn and reach their potential.
Thank you Lori and Thea for your dedication and support of student nutrition. We are thrilled that your accomplishments are being recognized in our community.
Categories: Inspiration Tags: Nutrition for Learning · Westvale Public School


text: Share: Comments Print May 12, 2011 at 7:39 AM Timeline: Microsoft's antitrust history Posted by Sharon Pian Chan May 1998: The U.S. Department of Justice, 20 states and the District of Columbia sue Microsoft, accusing the company of illegally engaging in predatory practices to protect its monopoly in personal-computer operating systems. October 1998: The antitrust trial begins in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. January 2000: Microsoft Chief Executive Bill Gates announces he will become chief software architect and Steve Ballmer will be CEO. April 2000: U.S. District Judge Thomas Penfield Jackson rules Microsoft unlawfully maintained a monopoly in Windows and unlawfully tied its browser to Windows. June 2000: Jackson orders a breakup of Microsoft into two companies. September 2001: Justice says it would no longer seek a breakup of Microsoft. November 2001: Justice and Microsoft agree on a proposed settlement for the antitrust case. November 2002: U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly approves the settlement; Microsoft is ordered to comply with a five-year consent decree. May 2006: Microsoft and Justice agree to extend the consent decree until November 2009. January 2008: Kollar-Kotelly grants extension. April 2009: Parties agree to extend the consent decree to May 12, 2011. May 2011: Consent decree expires on May 12. Comments


text:
Alex Padilla came to Los Angeles after an adrenaline filled decade of racing cars professionally against the likes of Andretti and Castro-Neves. He moved here to support a dear friend pursuing a career in comedy, but ended up falling in love with the city of angels. Taking his turn with some acting roles himself in both commercial and film, Alex met the mother of his children at the Actors Circle Theatre in Hollywood. The ensuing years would be filled with more work in "The Biz" while bringing three beautiful boys into this world.
Alex has owned and operated numerous businesses from real estate management to race teams to bail bond companies. He truly has done it all. One main stay throughout his life however, has been the love of homes. A gift handed down to him by his mother who lives and develops homes in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Through the years he has purchased and sold numerous homes and properties handling every detail in the process himself. It's no surprise that Alex has professionally taken to real estate with ease.
Alex currently lives in Beverly Hills where he helps raise his three children, all of whom attend school in the Beverly Hills School District.


text:
R&R Aura: From Oil Slick to Fresh and Dewy Skin
If you've got skin that gets oily enough to fry chicken like me, you've struggled to find something, ANYTHING to keep your makeup from sliding off before you step out of the door. Primers and oil control gels seem to do the trick and some of the ones that I've found here can be used over makeup in case you need to touch up in the middle of the day. Got more tips for taming super oily skin? Put them in the comments!
Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender, $40, mallybeauty.com or qvc.com
As soon as I saw this new powderless powder in the September issue of Lucky, I knew that I had to try it! It promises to set makeup and control oil without the ashy pastiness of powder.
Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Prime Time Oil Control Foundation Primer, $21, ulta.com
I'm a big fan of Bare Escentuals foundations, so I'm excited that they've created an oil control primer that's formulated to work with their mineral foundations. It's made with lots of natural ingredients like Witch Hazel and Willow and the SPF 15 make protecting your skin from the sun a little easier.
Stila One Step Correct Triple Swirl Helix Primer, $36, ulta.com
This primer has lavender tones to correct sallowness, green tones to neutralize redness and blemishes, and peach tones to brighten and conceal sun spots in addition to oil controlling agents to cut down shine.
Urban Decay De-Slick In A Tube, $28, urbandecay.com
If you are a makeup addict, you know about Urban Decay's legendary Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Now they've got a gel for your face that says it can keep grease from ruining a perfectly beat face. You can even put in on over makeup for touch ups!


text:
Indigenous Peoples' Day
Today is Indigenous Peoples' Day and in addition to sharing resources (below) about better understanding and supporting indigenous communities, I wanted to share one of my favorite photos taken by photographer Matika Wilbur. In 2012 Matika Wilbur sold everything in her apartment and hit the road to create Project 562 , a photography series with the goal of developing, "a body of imagery and cultural representations of Native Peoples to counteract the relentlessly insipid, one-dimensional stereotypes circulating in mainstream media, historical textbooks and the culture industry". In addition to this goal, Matika wanted to highlight and celebrate the next generation of positive indigenous role models and has traveled across the country (and continues to travel) to take portraits and speak about the importance of discussing (and changing) the way we see Native Americans.
Matika took this photo (above) of Miss Indian Nations 20, Shannon Hooper (Paiute Shoshone from Fallon, Nevada) and shared a wonderful interview with her about the significance of dance and ceremony, specially the fancy shawl dance for pow wow. Matika has shared stories like this on her blog for years now and today felt like a great time to revisit them.
If you'd like to learn more about indigenous people, here are some ways to learn, support and get involved:
- Learn more about the Native American organizations that exist in America and ways you can support them or attend events to learn more. The NARF is a great place to start.
- Learn about the history of indigenous people where you live and support existing communities.
- Learn about and support indigenous artists and makers and collectives, like Eighth Generation.
- Find a way to volunteer if you are able to contribute in a way that will make a difference to a local indigenous community. Be sure to speak with them or any organizing groups before deciding what and how they would prefer to receive support.
- Support and visit one of the many museums dedicated to Native American history and art.


text:
Forgot your login info?
New Customer? Create an Account
In stock for Fall 2019
Shipping Time Estimator
Plant Code:
100% Guaranteed
Add To Wishlist
Eupatorium are excellent performers that will tolerate a moist site. Lots of late summer color attractive to butterflies. Eupatorium has recently been reclassified as Eutrochium.
Best in a consistently moist site. Benefits from division every 4-5 years in spring or fall. Slow to emerge in spring. Stems and seedheads are attractive in early winter.
Coreopsis Starlight
Preorder for Spring 2020
$15.95 ea.
Agastache Tango
Origanum Kent Beauty
In stock for Fall 2019
$11.95 ea.
Coreopsis Creme Caramel
Get gardening inspiration delivered right to your door — from classic
favorites to exciting new varieties!
Our 100% biodegradable fiber pots grow incredibly vigorous plants and eliminate transplant shock.
Subscribe to receive email notifications of special offers, new varieties, behind-the-scenes nursery news and more. We respect your
and hope you'll join us in the garden! –Your Friends at Bluestone


text: Brei Sundberg is a Denver-based model who I met a few months ago. We went up to Central City, CO - an old mining town in the mountains, once know as "The Richest Square Mile on Earth" - yesterday, and explored for a few hours. More photos soon. Also - officially half way through the year!


text:
Eco-boulevards, seed posts, green roofs, vertical gardens, roof gardens, are all urban greenery which dispute the necessity for a "greyscape." The afforestation areas, forests, riparian river zones, and park spaces can be joined by green building façades, vertical forests and garden rooftops throughout the city. Where does one stop, and the other begin?
"The idea of a wall of green as more than just a protruding hedge, but rather something that emerges from the architecture itself…Modern vertical gardens…"traditional hanging" and upwardly growing façade plants, which present the entire spectrum of the species of contemporary nature in architecture. More than its architectural-aesthetic aspects, …the attempt to combine elements of nature with an urban construction density, a layer of green emerges, which settles over the city like a blanket. If one did not know that the plants had been artificially arranged and distributed on and in front of the wall, one could imagine that nature had begun to reclaim the city." Chris van Uffelen.
van Uffelen, Chris. Facade Greenery contemporary landscaping. ISBN 978-3-03768-075-9. Braun Publishing AG.
For directions as to how to drive to "George Genereux" Urban Regional Park
For directions on how to drive to Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
For more information:
Blairmore Sector Plan Report; planning for the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, George Genereux Urban Regional Park and West Swale and areas around them inside of Saskatoon city limits
P4G Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth The P4G consists of the Cities of Saskatoon, Warman, and Martensville, the Town of Osler and the Rural Municipality of Corman Park; planning for areas around the afforestation area and West Swale outside of Saskatoon city limits
Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area is located in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada north of Cedar Villa Road, within city limits, in the furthest south west area of the city. 52° 06′ 106° 45′
Part SE 23-36-6 – Afforestation Area – 241 Township Road 362-A
Part SE 23-36-6 – SW Off-Leash Recreation Area (Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area ) – 355 Township Road 362-A
S ½ 22-36-6 Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area (West of SW OLRA) – 467 Township Road 362-A
NE 21-36-6 "George Genereux" Afforestation Area – 133 Range Road 3063
Wikimapia Map: type in Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
Google Maps South West Off Leash area location pin at parking lot
Web page: https://stbarbebaker.wordpress.com
Where is the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area? with map
Where is the George Genereux Urban Regional Park (Afforestation Area)? with map
Facebook Group Page: Users of the George Genereux Urban Regional Park
Facebook group page : Users of the St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area
In regards to your financial donations to protect / enhance the afforestation areas, please contact the City of Saskatoon, Corporate Revenue Division, 222 3rd Ave N, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5 If you wish to support the afforestation area with your donation please state that your donation will support the Richard St. Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, or the George Genereux Urban Regional Park, or both afforestation areas. Please and thank you! Your donation, however large or small is greatly appreciated.
1./ Learn.
2./ Experience
3./ Do Something: ***
"I believed that God has lent us the Earth. It belongs as much to those who come after us as to us, and it ill behooves us by anything we do or neglect, to deprive them of benefits which are in our power to bequeath." Richard St. Barbe Baker
"The science of forestry arose from the recognition of a universal need. It embodies the spirit of service to mankind in attempting to provide a means of supplying forever a necessity of life and, in addition, ministering to man's aesthetic tastes and recreational interests. Besides, the spiritual side of human nature needs the refreshing inspiration which comes from trees and woodlands. If a nation saves its trees, the trees will save the nation. And nations as well as tribes may be brought together in this great movement, based on the ideal of beautifying the world by the cultivation of one of God's loveliest creatures – the tree." ~ Richard St. Barbe Baker.


text:
Coffee Run: The Cafe Where Everyone In The Know Is Going
Like so many people these days, I do plenty of research and "shopping" on Instagram. That's how I first found out about the new Australian-inspired cafe in Providence called Sydney. For the record, it was via @socialcat_hrine, local blogger Catherine Nelson's IG, which you should check out too because it's first rate.
Now, I have been known to drink a coffee (or five) on occasion (all the time), so it didn't take me long to #coffeerun over to the intersection of Exchange and Stillman Downtown, the midpoint between Jacky's Waterplace (a hall of fame fav) and the Amtrak station where sorry/not sorry, the coffee and food options are abysmal. So, whether you're on the way to the train station or not, this is somewhere stylish to stop for all your breakfast, lunch, and noshing needs. When we were there over the weekend, there was a nice mellow vibe (aka, everyone was chatting or scrolling in a subdued, quiet fashion). The staff was pleasant. And the coffee and snacks we ordered were served up quickly and without any 'tude. (Ever been to a stylish looking location for coffee or a meal and the staff was all too cool for school? Ugh. I mean, nothing kills a caffeine buzz quicker than that kind of sh*t.)
In conclusion: Affirmative to going back for more food and drink and to recommending it to friends, acquaintances, and even frenemies (We've all got 'em. Smile in their face and refrain from giving them any material they can spin into Real Housewives-esque drama.). Guess I must've missed the Aussie connection (Everything I know about Australia is the by-product of listening to lots of Olivia Newton John, Rick Springfield, and Men At Work back in the day.), so (that's) another excuse to return and sample more from their menu this season.


text:
blog, Champagne Ball Entertainment
DJ Paradox
Last year DJ Paradox had the crowd dancing so much that the dance floor literally split in two, he's just that good!
Because we want your New Year' Eve to be filled with fun and dancing we've made some changes to out music format. This year the DJs will be focused on music from different decades, DJ Paradox will be spinning dance classics from the 80's and 90's. He may through a surprise in there once in awhile but the overwhelming majority will be old school jams, Top 40 hits, rock mashups and more!
We're bringing in new dance floor this year, and expect to have DJ Paradox rocking the party until 2:00 am again.


text:
Ten percent inspiration, ninety percent perspiration (and sixty percent genetics)
By Robin Smith In his 2008 bestseller Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell argued anecdotally that when it came to success, intelligence isn't everything. A study published this month in the journal PNAS...Read More
Back to School Smarts and Genetics
Editor's note: This post has been edited from the original to reflect changes in our product. If you want to stir up trouble, start talking about the role genetics plays...Read More


text:
Gleaner's Kroger Bringing Hope to the Table
On January 13 and 14 Neighborhood House volunteers will collect donations from Kroger shoppers at 25 Mile and Dequindre to help feed our hungry neighbors this winter. You can make a big difference for a hungry neighbor.
You can help by contributing canned goods or personal items when you shop, by picking up a special $5 or $10 pre-packaged bag of food staples at your Kroger store, or by volunteering for a shift on one of the collection days
We need 10 adult volunteers to help with 3 hour shifts at Kroger - 2058 25 Mile Rd. & Dequindre:
January 13 10 am- 6 pm
January 14 12 pm- 6 pm


text:
Perfect Grain Free Vanilla Cake! (Nut/Gluten Free)
This cake is DREAMY and perfect. I mean just look at that lovely airy texture and that perfect crumb. Ive got a thing about cake needing to be PERFECT grain free or not. And in my opinion this one is a showstopper.
Use this vanilla cake as a base for any flavored stacked cake that you wish to make, or even a sheet cake. Its sturdy, slices nicely and comes out of a cake pan really nicely if you oil and dust with starch first.
The only "negative" per say is something that is unavoidable. Baked goods that use coconut flour (as this cake does) tend to dry out a little more every day. Drives me nuts- but I haven't found a way to prevent this. Except to avoid putting the cake in the fridge (unless you need to chill it temporarily for decorating purposes). To never slice it while its warm as that allows steam and moisture to escape and finally to keep it covered if possible -especially once you have sliced it. All these little tricks will keep the cake nice for 2-3 days.
I will be posting an Almond Flour Vanilla white cake very soon as well- and that is better as it gains moisture with passing days so it ages much better. But not everyone can eat almonds- so I'm all about giving you options - and this is a delicious one 🙂
Also feel free to use any frosting recipe- I threw this one in as its what I make. Its SUPER buttery which is my personal preference when it comes to frosting.
I used Organic white cane sugar. I realize thats not everyones preference but I feel there is a time and a place for it. Sugar is sugar and when I want a perfect vanilla cake I'm going to use cane sugar. Another option for this recipe is xylitol which makes the cake sugar free and it wont ruin the lovely color. If you use palm sugar or granulated honey the cake will end up on the dry side and darker in color.
· 5 large eggs
· 138 grams milk (dairy or nondairy) (about 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons)
· 1 Tbsp Vanilla extract
· 56 grams shortening (about 1/4 cup) (I use spectrum)
· 78 grams Organic Cane Sugar OR xylitol (about 3/4 cup)
· 84 grams coconut flour (about 1/2 cup)
· 88 grams potato starch (about 1/2 cup)
· 1/4 Tsp of Xanthan or Guar Gum
· 2 teaspoons lemon juice
· 1/4 teaspoon salt
· 1 tablespoon double-acting, aluminum- free baking powder
Fluffy Buttercream Frosting
· 12 tbsp butter ( 1 1/2 sticks) salted butter
· 2 1/4 Cups of powdered sugar, or powdered honey OR powdered xylitol
· 1/4 Tsp Vanilla Extract
· 4 Tbsp Shortening
· 2 Tbsp Water or Milk
· Food Coloring is optional (I added pink to mine just for fun)
1. Make the cake. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Oil a 9 inch cake pan and dust it with potato starch. (You can also use two 6 inch rounds or 3 of anything smaller - if you would like a tiered cake)
2. Beat the eggs until they have a bunch of air bubbles - you can do this in a bowl OR my shortcut is placing the eggs in a blender.
3. Add the vanilla, shortening, sugar and milk. Either beat until smooth (or blend on high for 30 seconds to one minute) Then set aside.
4. Mix together the dry ingredients in a bowl and then pour in the liquid. Stir until smooth and then add in the lemon juice. Pour into the prepared cake pan- tap to make sure its even and place into the oven for 25-28 minutes until its firm and a toothpick can be inserted and comes out clean.
5. Let cool completely before removing from the pan- and set aside to cool while making the frosting.
6. Make Frosting: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and blend until fluffy using a hand mixer. Add food coloring if you wish.
7. Frost the cooled cake however you desire :) Cover and store at room temp. AND DO NOT cut open the cake if its still warm as moisture will escape and the cake could become dry. Coconut flour has the tendency to soak up moisture more and more with time so keeping this cake covered is important and will slow down that natural process.