Abstract: Hierarchical remediation on the unmet service needs associated with work items queued in a work processing facility is used in order to maximize the achievement of service level goals. A hierarchical remediator and corresponding hierarchical remediation method may each be employed in a work distributor or an automatic call distributor (“ACD”). The hierarchical remediator determines which work item among pending work items of different types will be distributed to an available server. The hierarchical remediator and its corresponding hierarchical remediation method ensure that more important jeopardized service levels receive greater remedial compensation than the less important ones. The hierarchy of distinct service classes associated with jeopardized service levels may comprise one input to the hierarchical remediator. The hierarchical remediator may also consider a skill preference profile for the available server as another input.

Abstract: A system for reducing user-visible latency for communications between two network devices is implemented in a method which includes transmitting a request packet from a first network device to a second network device, where the request packet has a request to establish a new connection and a request for data, with the request to establish a new connection including a connection identifier. The second network device selectively accepts the new connection or discards the request based upon a comparison of the connection identifier to a corresponding connection identifier that it maintains. The second network device transmits a response packet to the first network device that includes a confirmation of the request to establish a new connection and a reply to the request for data. A connection between the first and second network devices is maintained after receipt of the response packet.

Abstract: A network policy management system and methods define service templates. The service templates contain information on the topologies of services such as video calls, web services, order processing applications, or the like. The service templates also contain information about the quality of service required by each of the data flows which will be generated when an instance of the service is used. The policy management system allows users to add new services by selecting a service template and specifying endpoints for the service on a map of the network. The system automatically generates updated packet forwarding rules for use at a plurality of packet processing devices in the network.

Abstract: A disk player has a structure capable of mounting on a turntable a disc-shaped recording medium contained within a cartridge. Such disc player comprises a cartridge transporting system capable of transporting the cartridge in a direction generally parallel to a sliding direction of a shutter of the cartridge; and a pivotable chassis on which the turntable is mounted, said chassis being pivotable by a chassis driving system so as to enable said disc-shaped recording medium to be mounted on the turntable, with its pivoting axis being generally parallel to a transporting direction for transporting the cartridge.

Abstract: In a computer network, an object receives a move indication directing it to move from a current host address and port number to a new host address and port number for which there is no direct link. The object identifies one or more intermediate host address and port numbers which to travel through to reach the new host address and port number. A compound address is generated that includes all intermediate host address and port numbers and the new host address and port number. In accordance with the compound address, the object moves to the intermediate host address and port number and determines whether it is its final destination. Since the intermediate host address and port number is not its final destination, the object continues to travel according to its compound address until it reaches the new host address and port number.

Abstract: The invention enables an application program to communicate a message over a network without having information regarding a protocol employed by the network. A network library program, running independently of the application program, stores communication protocol data and procedures for establishing message transport data structures to be used in communicating over the network. Initially, the application program passes an address string to the network library program. In response, the network library program determines a network protocol to be used by analyzing the received address string. The network library program then creates a “transport address” data structure which records both the protocol and the address string. The network library program further establishes a “transport” data structure for the specific message type to be dispatched, which data structure includes a dispatch command and a socket handle to be used during the transmission.

Abstract: In a method for identifying and initializing devices that are connected to a communication system for data exchange with one another and with a data processing unit, the data processing unit checks whether the node number of a device in the logon of the device is unique for the communication via the communication system and if a node number is found that is not unique, the data processing unit requests that the device which transmitted to a non-unique node number change its node number to a unique node number.

Abstract: In a computer network (100), an object (102) located at a current host address and port number (104) receives a move indication (106) from itself or a virtual object (108) located at an originating host address and port number (110). After determining its availability to move, the object (102) creates a serialized version (112) of itself to send to a new host address and port number (114). The object (102) also retains an old version (116) of itself at the current host address and port number (104). A new version (118) of the object (102) is established at the new host address and port number (114) from the serialized version (112) of the object (102). Once established, the new version (118) sends a status update message (120) to the old version (116). The old version (116) de-registers itself from the current host address and port number (104).

Abstract: A disk apparatus has a playback unit. In the playback unit, a drive plate having thereon a turntable and a spindle motor is compulsively mechanically driven by drive cams of a first and second driving plates, and then mechanically locked at a lower position or upper position. A clamp arm having a damper is driven toward the drive plate with a biasing force of a spring, and resiliently locked at an upper position or lower position. A disk engaging section for engaging in a disk hole of a disk is formed on the clamper. A projection which is adapted to project through the disk engaging section is formed on the turntable. Thereby the disk is well chucked and the disk apparatus is ensured to perform a stable operation.

Abstract: An optical disc apparatus includes a turntable. The turntable is first rotated at a low speed in response to turning on of a reproduce switch on the disc apparatus, and the balancer is, in turn, brought to rest at an optimal position for low speed rotation. When the balancer comes to rest, automatic adjustment is effected. When the automatic adjustment is ended, the turntable is decelerated in rotation to release the balancer from resting. When the rotation speed of the turntable reaches a speed at which the balancer is released from resting, the balancer becomes movable relative to the turntable. Thereafter the turntable is brought into high speed rotation to move the balancer to rest at an optimal position for high speed rotation.

Abstract: In another aspect of the invention, a method for communicating between Java objects (302, 312) residing in different computer platforms linked by a network includes the steps of sending a message (306, 360, 370) from a sender object (302) to a virtual object (320) in a first host address and port number (304), the virtual object (320) being a virtual representation of a receiver object (312) in a second host address and port number (314), and creating a messenger (328, 362, 372) in the first host address and port number (304). The messenger (328, 362, 372) is then sent to deliver the message (306, 360, 370), which carries an identity of the receiver object (312), destination address of the second host address and port number (314), and the address of the result in the first host address and port number (304). At the second host address and port number (304), an host address and port number is invoked between the messenger (328, 362, 372) and the receiver object (312) for conveying the message thereto.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for distributing or sharing the processing of network traffic (e.g., through a protocol stack on a host computer system) received at a multiprocessor computer system. A packet formatted according to one or more communication protocols is received from a network entity at a network interface circuit of a multiprocessor computer. A header portion of the packet is parsed to retrieve information stored in one or more protocol headers, such as source and destination identifiers or a virtual communication connection identifier. In one embodiment, a source identifier and a destination identifier are combined to form a flow key that is subjected to a hash function. The modulus of the result of the hash function over the number of processors in the multiprocessor computer is then calculated. In another embodiment a modulus operation is performed on the packet's virtual communication connection identifier.

Abstract: A miniaturized optical disc memory is receivable in a slot, of about 17 mm height, normally accommodating a floppy disc drive. A base includes a base plate with integral, peripheral sidewalls and an internal lateral partition wall which define a cartridge receiving slot on the upper surface of the base plate. First and second support plates extend from the partition wall to the rear peripheral sidewall of the base and define respective, first and second upper mounting surfaces and lower first and second cavities respectively receiving an ejection motor and a fixed optical system, individual optical components being mounted and aligned on integral, precision machined blocks in the second cavity for transmitting a laser beam and receiving a reflected beam along a central, longitudinal optical axis beneath the base plate.

Abstract: Within a communication node, low level hardware is programmed and provided with filter data to accept broadcast frames. A high level layer of hardware, utilizing the pre-loaded, pre-defined comparison data, checks incoming frame header information. Based on pre-defined filter data or reference values loaded into low level registers, the high-level hardware will reject or accept submitted data communication frames. This method reduces the requirement for software to operate on each incoming frame header, thus reducing load on the processor.

Abstract: An automated video cassette library apparatus is provided which is actuated in response to command signals originated by an individual at a location remote from such apparatus to transfer a select video cassette in a horizontal plane from a cassette shelf to a cassette player each of which is located in a compact housing. The apparatus is then ready for use by another individual who may select another video cassette for playing upon another video player each of which is located in the same housing. The cassette player plays the video cassette and communicates the recorded program to the individual's television set. Upon completion of each play, the video cassette is rewound and automatically transferred from the cassette player to the cassette shelf.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for dynamic downloading of hypertext electronic mail messages. The system includes a mail server for receiving electronic mail messages and their headers, and a mail client for downloading electronic mail messages and their headers from the mail receiver and presenting downloaded electronic mail messages and headers to an operator. The mail client dynamically downloads and presents electronic mail messages responsive to interactive instructions from an operator, preloads and stores electronic mail messages for subsequent presentation to the operator, and organizes electronic mail messages in hypertext sections for selection by and presentation to the operator.

Abstract: A computer system having a remote wake-up function capable of storing confidential information, and a remote wake-up method thereof. The computer system having a remote wake-up function includes: a network information storage portion for storing network information including a network address and a password; and a magic packet controller for receiving a magic packet via a physical layer portion, comparing a network address and a password which are contained in a magic packet, with the network address and the password stored in the network information storage portion, and generating a wake-up control signal to transfer to a power management unit of the computer system only when the compared network addresses and passwords are the same each other, wherein the computer system suspended is booted by the wake-up control signal. Therefore, when waking up remotely the computer system via a network, it is determined whether or not such remote waking up is by an authorized supervisor system.

Abstract: A recording medium reproducing apparatus includes a recording medium inlet member through which a recording medium is inserted, a recording medium reproducing unit which reproduces said recording medium, and a recording medium supporting member including wing portions which support said recording medium. The wing portions are elastically warped by the recording medium and support the recording medium by an elastically restoring force. Each of the wing portions is provided obliquely in a direction in which the recording medium is inserted in the recording medium reproducing unit.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic election a representative node within a communication network with built-in redundancy. In a communication network where data is distributed from a central location to multiple nodes, the present invention enables one of the nodes to be automatically identified as a master of the nodes for retrieving data from the central location and then transmitting the data to all peer nodes interested in receiving the data. No manual intervention or pre-operation designation of a master is required within the present invention. As such, repetitive requests for information by individual nodes are eliminated, and the volume of network traffic is thereby significantly localized. Hence, the performance of the network is greatly enhanced. Furthermore, rather than arbitrarily preassigning particular node(s) to serve as a master, the present invention provides an automated process by which a new master is dynamically elected whenever an existing master fails or none exists.

Abstract: An information transfer system which includes a data terminal capable of connecting to networks and a central facility capable of connecting to a plurality of the data terminals which may differ from each other in their capabilities and/or features through the network. The data terminal has a model code which indicates its capabilities and/or features and sends the model code to the central facility at every time the data terminal connects to the central facility. The central facility discriminates the model code sent from the data terminal and detects the capabilities and/or the features of the data terminal. Further, the central facility sends information to the data terminal in a manner appropriate to the capabilities and/or features of the data terminal.