Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for multimedia communications with multiple network functionality, such as conflict resolution for multiple simultaneous communication sessions involving separate and independent networks and call types, such as video and voice.

Abstract: Intelligent mobile agents in a distributed network carry information tokens among network nodes. Each token includes compressed information or data, and an indication of the compression algorithm which can decompress the information. At least some of the nodes have at least one decompression algorithm. A copy of a token may be left at a node by an intelligent mobile agent moving through the network. A later-arriving intelligent mobile agent can interrogate the node to determine what information it has in the form of tokens, and can use the token information, or take the token (or a copy) elsewhere.

Abstract: A user of services is enabled to utilize a highly value-added service employing secret data of the user without presenting the data to the service provider side. In a system in which a server is coupled with a client via a communication network, the client inputs and sends a service identifier to the server, receives a program to execute the service from the server, inputs secret data as client controlled data from an input device and sends a server control data request to the server, and then receives the requested data from the server. The input data is irreversibly processed by use of the program and received data such that the client sends results of the process to an expert on the server side to receive an advice of the expert. By referring to the advice, the service user inputs evaluation of the outputted results. The steps beginning at the data request input are repeatedly conducted until the evaluation becomes satisfactory, thereby transmitting the process results to the server.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely accessing communication network nodes and for monitoring each type of resource within such nodes in a fast, reliable and efficient manner. The system components are a web browser as user interface, a web server for generating and transmitting commands to the destination node using the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) of the web server and a dedicated multiprotocol agent hosted in each node communicating with the web server by means of an appropriate protocol.

Abstract: Network architectures and data communication protocols for supporting both downstream and upstream transport of digital data between a headend facility and multiple downstream network terminals over a shared communication medium include downstream framing protocols compatible with DVB modem transmission framing synchronization and FEC standards at the physical layer, which support a full range of 16 to 256 QAM transmission rates in both 6 MHz and 8 MHz channels. The downstream data frames are formed by one or more repeating pairs of DVB compatible frame slots, wherein each downstream frame is transmitted over the same interval, e.g., 250 usec in preferred formats, regardless of the number of DVB slot pairs it contains. All downstream frame rates are supported by a single upstream data rate. Upstream bandwidth is allocated based on a selected set of operating criteria and service type priorities, based on both a polling basis and a contention basis, on one or more in-band RF subcarrier channels.

Abstract: In a colloboration system which allows a plurality of programs to interact, each program registers an "interest" in messages with a session object. The session object, which represents the colloboration session and acts as a collaboration manager, receives all messages but broadcasts a received message only to those programs which have registered an interest in the message. In one embodiment, a colloborative application framework is used to build both the session object and the application programs. The framework includes class code information which is incorporated into each application program by subclassing and which allows each program to communicate with the session object through a predetermined protocol.

Abstract: An apparatus for interfacing a data processing system with n.times.N number of data communications network(s) includes N number of interface units, a pair of control units, and linking units, both n and N being positive integer, respectively. The interface units coordinate a data exchange between the data communications network(s) and the control unit in response to control signals, wherein each interface unit includes n communications ports. Each in the pair of control units generates the control signals and coordinates a data exchange between the data processing system and the interfacing units, wherein each control unit is identical to each other, operates alternately in active/stand-by mode and shares data by using a path therebetween. The linking unit is for use in exchanging data between the data processing system and the control units, between the control units and the interfacing units, and between the interfacing units and the data communications network(s).

Abstract: The present invention manages multimedia data files in a computer network by receiving a request from a first unit on the network, processing the request to determine file attributes of the request and redirecting the request based on the file attributes of the request, to a second unit on the network. The invention further receives a response that includes data files streamed into separate data streams based on the file attributes of the response. The present invention also selects for use appropriate buffering protocol units and data transportation units, based on the file attributes of the data files in the separate data streams.

Abstract: Overload protection for dial-up access to the Internet uses a hybrid network including the Internet and an intelligent switched telephone network. A first Internet service provider (ISP) connects to the Internet through its server and router interface. This ISP also connects to a switching system in the telephone network; to provide dial-up service to user terminals connected to the telephone network. A service control point (SCP) in the intelligent telephone network monitors predetermined traffic criteria resulting from dial-up attempts to call the ISP. Threshold parameters are set in storage associated with the SCP, and at least certain of the measured criteria are substantially continually compared to one or more of these parameters. When one or more of the parameters is equaled or exceeded, the SCP causes redirection of calls for the first ISP to an Internet interface provided by an alternate access provider. The alternate Internet access provider may or may not provide independent ISP services.

Abstract: A parallel computer system capable of arbitrarily selecting nodes participating in barrier synchronization while enabling an arbitrary number of node groups to independently execute a process requiring the barrier synchronization. A communication network for the parallel computer system includes a plurality of routing controllers. Each routing controller has a register for setting a predetermined number of receipts of barrier synchronization request messages from other routing controllers, a destination to which the barrier synchronization request message is transmitted, and a destination to which a barrier synchronization establishment message is transmitted.

Abstract: A terminal emulation program for an IBM host is described. The program can record scripts (mini-programs) of IBM host sessions. For each action or event, as desired, the program records an appropriate script. Scripts may be created for connecting to and disconnecting from the IBM host, for sending key strokes, for sending playback-time inputs, for awaiting a certain screen, and for importing displayed IBM host data. The scripts are stored in a file on a PC and may be replayed either from the terminal emulator, from Windows, or via OLE.

Abstract: Communication of information from a central station, acting as a source node, to a plurality of destination nodes at customer sites is implemented by using various of the destination nodes as intermediary transfer nodes, which receive information from the central station or from other predecessor intermediary nodes and which transfer the information to other intermediary transfer nodes or to final destination nodes. Communication links are established between specified ones of the destination nodes to provide a grouping of nodes in which each node transfers information to no more than a predetermined number of nodes, resulting in a top-down tree structure in which the central station is a top source node of the tree. The destination nodes provide confirmation signals confirming receipt of the transmitted information to the nodes in the immediately preceding level of the tree structure, along the same communication links used to transmit the information.

Abstract: A method and system for supporting data communication from a first computer system to a second computer system, with each of the first and second computer systems having a main computer section for performing computer functions and an audio driver for supporting an audio function by activating operation of first and second audio drivers of the respective first and second computer systems; supplying data from the main computer section of the first computer system to be transmitted to the second computer system to the first audio driver in response to a request of data transmission from the first computer system to the second computer system; temporarily storing the data supplied from the main computer section in a first buffer of the first audio driver; and converting the data stored in the first buffer into an analog signal.

Abstract: A computer based network system includes a first node having a data value, medium for transmitting a network frame, and first and second node computers coupled to the medium. The first node computer is programmed to generate a numeric address based on at least a portion of a publication title, to load the data value and publication title into a data field of the network frame, to load the numeric address into a destination address field of the network frame, and to send the network frame on to the destination address via the medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for protecting memory storage blocks (page frames) against unwanted I/O accesses, including I/O data transferred in an unwanted direction. I/O storage keys are provided in an I/O protection array. Each I/O key is comprised of one or two bits and is associated with a respective storage block in computer memory. If the array contains two bit I/O keys, each key has 4 settings for controlling I/O accesses to an associated storage block; which: 1) inhibit an I/O access in the input direction of I/O data flow, 2) inhibit an I/O access in the output direction of I/O data flow, 3) allow I/O accesses in both directions, or 4) prevent all I/O accesses. If the array contains single bit I/O storage keys, each key has two settings, which: 1) prevent all I/O accesses in the associated storage block, or 2) allow all I/O accesses in the associated block. No I/O program keys are needed for controlling this type of I/O protection, which avoids key comparison operations by the I/O access protection apparatus.

Abstract: A first and second electronic devices are connected by two data lines arranged in a wired-AND configuration so that each device can signal the other device by forcing one of the two-wires into a "low" condition. An inventive method uses serial transfer of a predetermined numbers of bits in a digital word delimited by start and stop bits which are, in turn, defined by their relation to a clock signal on one of the data lines. The start and stop bits are chosen to be in a particular state during the "active" portion of the clock signal. Thus, the need for clocked gates or multivibrators is eliminated. In the preferred embodiment, the method and apparatus are used in a digital multimeter to intercouple a microprocessor and an electronic measuring circuit so that the microprocessor can control the measuring circuit and receive measured values from the circuit.

Abstract: A cache, storing misspelled or otherwise incorrect network addresses from a plurality of users and associated correct network addresses, is maintained at a proxy server or internet service provider. Addresses received from all users are checked against the cache to correct any misspellings or other situations in which the network address might be incorrect. The cache is periodically pruned of entries which aren't frequently used. The collective experience of a group of users can thus be utilized to correct a network address submitted by a user who has never visited a particular network address before.

Abstract: A single-chip central processing unit (CPU) includes a processing core and a complete cache-coherent I/O system that operates asynchronously with the processing core. An internal communications protocol uses synchronizers and data buffers to transfer information between a clock domain of the processing core and a clock domain of the I/O system. The synchronizers transfer control and handshake signal between clock domains, but the data buffer transfers data without input or output synchronization circuitry for data bits. Throughput for the system is high because the processing unit has direct access to I/O system so that no delays are incurred for complex mechanisms which are commonly employed between a CPU and an external I/O chip-set. Throughput is further increased by holding data from one DMA transfer in the data buffer for use in a subsequent DMA transfer.

Abstract: The present invention describes a technique for determining the topology of a network where each node of the network may issue a topology information request cell. Each switch that receives a topology information request cell compares it with a stored cells in an internal look-up table to determine if it has previously received a same cell via a shorter route. If the cell has been previously received via a shorter route, the present cell is discarded, if not, the look-up table is updated. Non-discarded cells are retransmitted on all output ports except the output port corresponding to the input port on which the cell was received. The switch also responds to the topology information request cell by transmitting a topology acknowledgement cell back to the node which initiated the topology information request. In such a manner, every switch in the network can determine the topology of the entire network.

Abstract: A microprocessor that operates at the speed of the the bus or at a speed which is a multiple of the bus speed-on a selectable basis. The microprocessor includes a phase locked loop to generate clock signals for operations within the microprocessor and bus clock signals for data transfer operations on the bus. The present invention allows a microprocessor core to operate at the same frequency or twice the frequency of the address/data buses.