Abstract: Proxy nodes perform TCP/IP processing on behalf of application nodes, utilize lightweight protocols to communicate with application nodes, and communicate with network nodes and network clients using Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).

Abstract: Currently, global registries, such as ones offered by Microsoft Corporation (uddi.microsoft.com) or Hewlett Packard Corporation (uddi.hp.com), are used to register services offered by or desired by networked devices. Unfortunately, these registries are highly centralized and designed to be repositories for long-lived services, and thus are not amenable to operation of mobile devices, such as laptop computers, personal digital assistants, and other devices whose network address may change frequently as they move in and out of various local network environments. Moreover, when such mobile devices form ad hoc networks, access to the centralized repositories may not be available. To address these issues, devices of a local network may be configured to dynamically select a local master, from among devices attached to the local network and based on characteristics of the devices, where the selected device operates a registry for the local network.

Abstract: Validating a data link before its access. Received electronic documents often include a link, such as a user selectable hyperlink or the like. Sometimes the links are compound links identifying a click-stream server seeking to record user activity, as well as a resource desired by the user clicking on the link. Selecting the link results in statistics being recorded, and then the click-stream server redirects the user to the desired resource. Unfortunately, sometimes the click-stream server is unavailable, which blocks access to the desired resource, and selecting the link may result in a long time out delay while waiting for an error regarding inability to reach the click-stream server. One of several techniques disclosed herein is to put a tag in the electronic document to cause programming code to check availability of a click-stream server. Links are constructed to bypass unavailable click-stream servers and access a desired resource.

Abstract: A method of persistently displaying data including displaying first and second data in a display region of an information browser where a persistency control has been installed in the information browser. The persistency control prevents attempts to replace data that has been flagged as persistent. The attempts to replace data are requests associated with a navigation operation definable in data loadable in the information browser.

Abstract: Tracking and multiple signal sources, such as cellular phone towers, 802.11 hotspots, Radio Data System (RDS) transmitters, or the like, and using one or more of these sources to determine a current position that can be associated with a recording, such as a digital camera photo or other digital recording, conventional camera photo, or other recording.

Abstract: An electronic programming guide may enable the user to identify season premiere episodes. Moreover, using simple mouse click operations, the user may select a season series for automatic recording.

Abstract: A digital picture frame or other device which displays for some period of time a background image and a foreground object in a rest state. After the period of time elapses, some or all of the foreground object is temporarily animated. Thus, for example, a digital picture frame may display an image of a person who occasionally winks, smiles, waves, or performs some other action before returning to the rest state.

Abstract: In a protocol providing for authentication to a first security realm, but failing to provide for a logout operation to de-authenticate from the first security realm, a logout operation is effected by providing a logout button, hyperlink, or other linking construct that causes a user to be transparently authenticated to a second security realm. For example, with respect to HTTP basic authentication, authentication with the second security realm removes, or logs out, the user from the first security realm.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for utilizing a pseudonym to protect the identity of a platform and its user is described. The method comprises producing a pseudonym that includes a public pseudonym key. The public pseudonym key is placed in a certificate template. Hash operations are performed on the certificate template to produce a certificate hash value, which is transformed from the platform. Thereafter, a signed result is returned to the platform. The signed result is a digital signature for the transformed certificate hash value. Upon performing an inverse transformation of the signed result, a digital signature of the certificate hash value is recovered. This digital signature may be used for data integrity checks for subsequent communications using the pseudonym.

Abstract: Identifying content and authorizing sharing thereof based at least in part on extracting feature data from content to be shared and comparing this extracted feature data against a database of extracted feature data for various reference content. When the content to be shared is matched to reference content in the database, sharing may be simply rejected, or rights associated with the reference content may be inspected to facilitate determining authorization.

Abstract: Management of links, such as URLs or other link formats, that have been embedded within blocks of data, such as data received by an E-mail application program, file transfer program, or other data transfer environment. When a block of data is received, an agent or other construct examines the block of data to identify links within the block of data. Meta-data associated with the link is extracted, and the link and associated meta-data is stored in a collective. The collective may be displayed and organized with a viewer. The viewer may be integral to an application program, such as an E-mail application program, or it may integral to an operating system, or it may be a standalone application program.

Abstract: Mobile devices having wired and/or wireless network connectivity, when operating in a location, contact one or more map servers to share connectivity information with the map server to allow the map server to create a global map. For example, if a mobile device has two different wireless connectivity options, such as Bluetooth and 802.11, when the mobile device is operated in the location, the mobile device tests whether both connectivity options are available in the location. The results of the test are provided to the central map server, which may integrate the results into the global connectivity map. A mobile device may also receive a connectivity map from the server indicating connectivity options available to the client in the location and possibly other locations as well. The connectivity map may include characteristics of connectivity options, such as cost, availability, etc., to allow the mobile device to choose a preferred connectivity option if multiple options are available.

Abstract: The invention provides for utilizing abilities of network interfaces, such as embedded encryption support, or access to such encryption support, so as to extend support for such abilities to network interfaces or other devices lacking such ability. In one configuration, a non-homogeneous team of network interfaces is presented to a protocol stack as being a homogeneous team, by having network interfaces lacking a particular ability be backed up by team member supporting the ability. Various methods may be applied to distribute the work load of backing up network interface according to an operation mode of the team. For example, when operating in load balancing mode, performing backup services is balanced across the team, whereas in a fault tolerant mode, processing may be first given to non-primary network interfaces.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for obtaining a first image and a second image defining a convergent stereo image, and constructing a three-dimensional images based on the obtained first and second images. In one embodiment, a deflector, such as a prism, is rotably mounted about an axis, and first and second inputs received by the deflector are deflected towards a receptor at or proximate to the axis. In one embodiment, the axis and the deflector are perpendicular to a rotation plane, and the first and second inputs are tangential to a region defined by the rotation of the deflector about the axis, opposing each other, and parallel to the rotation plane. The first and second images are respectively determined with respect to first and second inputs received as the deflector rotates about the axis.

Abstract: Application Programming Interface, methods and apparatus are disclosed for enhancing data network communication. In a network including a first and a second network interface, each interface has an associated MAC address, and each network interface has a driver storing the MAC address for its associated interface. Under certain circumstances, such as in a fail-over condition, or to improve throughput, the second driver is conditionally directed to replace its stored MAC address with the MAC address of the first network interface. Thus, the second network interface can process network traffic as if it were the first network interface. Disclosed are several features and advantages resulting from such MAC reassignment.

Abstract: A system and method of validating user inputs to a server based application are disclosed. A network server receives inputs to an application process from external processes at a plurality of communication interfaces. A validation engine determines validation criteria for inputs to the application process received at any one of the communication interfaces.

Abstract: Often, during an event, such as a movie, play, concert, opera, etc., viewers of the event attempt to illicitly record the event. Such illicit recording attempts may be interfered with by using emitters that emit radiation that interferes with recording and/or operation of the recording devices. For example, infrared emitters may be used to saturate an event viewing area. The infrared, while non-visible to human viewers, is received and recorded by recorders using charge-coupled devices (CCDs), such as conventional digital cameras, movie cameras, television cameras, telescopes, etc. Other radiation can be emitted based on the type of recorder with which one desires to interfere. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, emitters may also be used to send commands to recorders, such as stop, rewind, eject, etc., to interfere with operation of the recorders.

Abstract: A tactile kinesthetic assistant is a device that allows a person to use the senses of sight, touch and hearing to gather information. Tactile kinesthetic assistants can be used, for example, to help a person retrieve information related to a specific word or phrase (e.g., a student learning to read), to allow a person to determine the status of a person or thing (e.g., a nurse retrieving medical records), to allow a person to obtain current information (e.g., a stock broker retrieving stock prices). In one embodiment, a tactile kinesthetic assistant includes a thimble and an ear piece. The thimble includes a scanner that allows the user to scan one or more words. The representations of the one or more words are used to retrieve information via a network and the retrieved information is provided to the user through an ear piece.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments facilitate correlation between recordings of an event, e.g., photographs, videos, audio recordings, holographic recordings, etc., and one interested in obtaining a copy of the recordings, e.g., participants, watchers/audience, managers, other recorders, etc. As recordings from a particular location in the event are made, a signal is emitted by the recorder that may be received by recipients, such as people or locations, e.g., desired vantage points, seats, etc. The emitted signal includes an identifier that allows a recipient to identify the recording. Use of the emitted signal may be limited to people or locations near the recorder. A broker service may facilitate anonymous or face-to-face commercial sales or other distribution of recordings between recorders and recipients.

Abstract: The invention provides for servicing a client. A request is received from a client having certain capabilities. This request is automatically satisfied in a manner tailored to the capabilities of the client.