Patent ID: 7512699

Claim:
A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving a data stream at a processor, wherein the data stream includes a plug-in identifier, an impending plug-in identifier, and data; extracting the plug-in identifier from the data stream; in response to extracting the plug-in identifier from the data stream, identifying a location offset in an entry point table that corresponds to the plug-in; in response to identifying the location offset, retrieving the plug-in using the identified location offset; processing the data that is included in the data stream using the retrieved plug-in; extracting the impending plug-in identifier from the data stream, wherein the impending plug-in identifier corresponds to an impending plug-in that is utilized by a subsequent data stream; determining whether the impending plug-in identifier is included in the entry point table; in response to determining that the impending plug-in identifier is not included in the entry point table, loading the impending plug-in; incrementing a usage count in the entry point table that corresponds to the plug-in; retrieving one or more preferences; determining whether to remove the plug-in from a local memory area based upon the usage count and one or more of the preferences; and removing the plug-in from the local memory area in response to the determination.