| 摘要 |
A system provides multi-tiered access to a network such as the Internet. A first device such as an appliance or box having a first, lower level of functionality accesses the network and receives content from the network. In the event it is determined that the first device in capable of processing the content, a user is notified of the event and, if desired, a second device such as a full featured computer system having a second, higher level of functionality is activated in order to process the content. The application required to process the content is launched on the second device, and the content is processed by the launched application. While the second device is processing the content, the first device may function as a proxy between I/O devices and the second device whereby a user is capable of controlling the second device via the first device. The first and second devices may be coupled by a direct connection such as a USB connection, or the devices may be coupled by a home network such as a network in compliance with a HomePNA standard. The output of the second device may be provided to the first device and displayed on a display coupled to the first device.
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